tara recommends Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb

Valentine's Day is just a few days away, thus it is time to pull out all the books that celebrate love, friendship and family.  Traditional holiday books are a must for the season, but sometimes it is fun to look outside the box and read something a little bit different.

This year, one of my favorite books that beautifully captures that spirit of love is Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb.

First, meet Paul.  He is perfectly happy, all alone in his fish bowl, spending his days swimming in circles.  He doesn't know anything else and the inside of his bowl is his entire world - until Bernadette drops in.  Bernadette is not content to swim in circles all day, she likes to explore the outside world.  She is a fish who knows things and she teaches Paul all about what he has been missing (even though she is charmingly inaccurate in her identifications).  As Bernadette points out each new discovery, Paul looks more closely at Bernadette - and likes what he sees.

Thick oil illustrations add texture and interest to every page, as each picture pulls you into the fishbowl and you almost see the fish swim around in the water.  With each reading, you will discover new details and enjoy the images even more.  This is a perfect read-a-loud book for any age and a perfect way to celebrate good friends who make your world better.

Paul Meets Bernadette
by Rosy Lamb
published by Candlewick Press
December 2013

ALA Awards 2014

Bright and early this morning, Tara and I were in front of our computers watching the 2014 American Library Association Youth Media Awards announcements from Philadelphia.  (Tara had the advantage of a video stream that was a few seconds ahead of mine, so I heard her reaction a few seconds before I heard each announcement.  Ugh!)  Many of our favorites from 2013 received awards; I was cheering along with the crowd.

The (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award Committee named three honor books:

• Ball by Mary Sullivan
• A Big Guy Took My Ball! by Mo Willems
• Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes

And the 2014 Geisel Award winner is . . .

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

The Caldecott Committee named three honor books:

• Journey by Aaron Becker
• Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
• Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

And the 2014 Caldecott Award winner is . . . 

Locomotive by Brian Floca

The Newbery Commitee named four honor books:

• Doll Bones by Holly Black
• The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
• One Came Home by Amy Timberlake
• Paperboy by Vince Vawter

And the 2014 Newbery Award winner is . . .

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell

You can find a complete list of the award winners on the ALA website.

tara recommends The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson

Nonfiction often gets a bad rap.  "True stories" are often deemed boring or unreadable and are put aside for fiction that is easier to digest.  In reality, the true stories are the most important ones as we come to appreciate where we came from and have a better understanding of the world around us.  Luckily, there have been some fantastic non-fiction books for younger readers in the past few years.  Bomb, Amelia Lost, Stronger Than Steel, and Nic Bishop Snakes are a few that have topped my list.  For even more nonfiction standouts, check out this list.

The Boy on the Wooden Box:  How the impossible became possible . . . on Schindler's list is the memoir of a young boy caught in the horrors of the Holocaust.  His story begins as a 9-year-old boy who lived a happy, relatively carefree life surrounded by family.  As the Germans invade Poland, this existence slowing changed as he started to see the "limitless inhumanity and evil of this new enemy."  Persecutions intrude on his life and his childhood slowly crumbles as he is forced into concentration camps and all basic comforts are stripped away.  He is ripped away from his family and struggles to survive through intuition, perseverance and pure luck as he holds on to the hope "if this is the worst that happens."  Unfortunately, that small hope is shattered as each time something much worse happens.

Leon Leyson (with Marilyn J. Harran and Elisabeth B. Leyson) tells a story of heartbreak, struggle and loss at the hands of the Nazis, but ultimately gratitude to the man who saved him.  Because of the kindness of Oskar Schindler, a Nazi who "looked [him] in the eye, not with the blank, unseeing stare of the Nazis, but with genuine interest and even a glint of humor," a man who would risk his own life to save nearly 1,200 Jews, Leon survived.

After the war, Leon started a new life and put his terrifying past behind him.  He married, started a family, began a teaching career, and rarely talked about his past.  He "did not live [his] life in the shadow of the Holocaust."  In fact, he until the movie, Schindler's List, came out, few people even knew about his past.  When he decided to talk about it, "Friends, students and teachers asked [him] why he had never told them about what [he] had experienced during the war."  They never realized what he had been through.  Once he was ready to come forward with his story, he shared his experiences for the rest of his life, speaking throughout the United States and Canada.

This memoir of a Jewish boy in Nazi Poland is not only compelling, without being graphic, but is also a stirring remembrance of a history that should never be repeated.  There are many books that tell a similar story of the needless horrors inflicted during this time, but I would highly suggest adding this one to your library as a memoir that even young readers can appreciate.

Copy received from publisher for review.

The Boy on the Wooden Box:  How the impossible became possible . . . on Schindler's list

A Memoir by Leon Leyson with Marilyn J Harran & Elisabeth B. Leyson

published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

August 2013

Recommended for ages 9-15

New Year News

It's become a January tradition for me--shelving books that have stacked up during the previous year.  This year my picture book shelving took longer than usual because each time I pulled a book from the 2013 shelf, my four-year-old thought we needed to read that book--immediately.  So, instead of spending an hour or two shelving books, we spent a few afternoons reading.  As I read 2013's books, I found myself looking forward to another January tradition--the ALA awards.  This year the awards will be announced at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on Monday, January 27.  If you can't make it to Philadelphia, you can watch the awards here.

Meanwhile, people are making predictions, holding mock award discussions, and cheering for their favorites. Robin Smith at Calling Caldecott had this to say about making predictions.  And even though it is a "dreadful question," it sure is fun to take a guess.  At The Horn Book you can read some educated guesses in One question for eight people: the Newbery/Caldecott edition of Five Questions.

In other award-related news, YALSA announced the finalists for the 2014 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults way back in December.  If you haven't read them all, you have a couple of weeks left before they announce the winner.

And finally--news unrelated to the awards, but fabulous nonetheless--Kate DiCamillo has been named the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature for 2014-2015.  You can find more details and read an interview by Travis Jonker (of 100 Scope Notes) with the new ambassador on SLJ's website.

From Our Bookshelves 2013

One final list of the year . . . our favorites.  In creating this list, we indulged ourselves by allowing personal interests and experiences to influence our selections.  These are books we love, and we recommend them wholeheartedly.

Picture Books:

• Bunnies on Ice by Johanna Wright
• The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers
• That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems
• If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin Stead
• Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
• Journey by Aaron Becker
• Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown
• Big Snow by Jonathan Bean
• Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner
• The Tiny King by Taro Miura
• Loula Is Leaving for Africa by Anne Villeneuve

Fiction (Ages 6-8):

• Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes
• The Meanest Birthday Girl by Josh Schneider
• Mysterious Traveler by Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham, illustrated by P.J. Lynch

Fiction (Ages 9-14):

• The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A novel of snow and courage by Chris Kurtz, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt
• Jinx by Sage Blackwood
• Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz
• Doll Bones by Holly Black, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
• The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata, illustrated by Julia Kuo
• Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
• Bluffton by Matt Phelan
• Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell
• Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Nonfiction:

• Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
• On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
• The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos by Deborah Heiligman, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
• Locomotive by Brian Floca
• The Great American Dust Bowl by Don Brown
• The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World's Most Notorious Nazi by Neal Bascomb

Poetry:

• What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms, and Blessings by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Folktales/Fairy Tales:

• Hansel and Gretel by The Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Sybille Schenker
• Gobble You Up! by Gita Wolf, illustrated by Sunita

tara recommends Bunnies On Ice by Johanna Wright

White bunnies in fluffy snow + a touch of ice skating = delightful winter magic.

Bunnies On Ice is a charming story about a little bunny who is eager to share her secrets of how to be a "champion" ice-skater.  One of these tips include waiting for "the conditions to be just right."  That means waiting through spring and waiting through summer and waiting through fall - until finally, it snows!  After a big breakfast and a proper wardrobe change, it is time to hit the ice.

This little bunny shows off her incredible skills, such as doing "a figure eight with [her] eyes closed" . . . but, as with any supremely confident child, her perception of greatness is slightly exaggerated and the pictures tell a much different story (her figure eights are a mesh of messy squiggly lines and her perfect landing ends in a fall).  But, after a hard day on the ice, she has her "excellent support team" and "plenty of hot chocolate," which makes the perfect ending to this cozy winter story.

The best part of this book, (aside from the spunky main character and perfect family togetherness), is the art.  The pictures make you want to touch the pages because of the heavy texture of the canvas and the visible brushstrokes.  You are almost fooled into thinking you can feel the raised canvas and paint under your fingertips - and even though you can't (believe me, I've tried), the pictures are still warm and magical.

If you missed this book earlier this year, I highly recommend you pick it up and enjoy the sweet story and delightful pictures.  (If you want to do it while sipping a cup of hot chocolate, that wouldn't hurt either.)

Bunnies On Ice
by Johanna Wright
published by Roaring Book Press
January 2013
Recommended for ages 2 and up

danyelle recommends Me Too by Valeri Gorbachev

Some of life's best moments are simple ones, yet they can also be elusive because emotional richness and simplicity can be difficult to capture simultaneously.  That is why I particularly admire a book for emerging readers, like Me Too! by Valeri Gorbachev, that captures an everyday moment and imbues it with depth, and does it in a way that is easy to read.

This story begins on the title page with an eager Bear and Chipmunk watching the snow fall outside their window and welcoming readers into their world.  Then with a page turn, readers are drawn inside the warmth of their home.

 "I love snow!" said Bear.
"Me too!" said Chipmunk.

This first page sets up the rest of the story with Bear talking about their activities and Chipmunk echoing, "Me too!" each time.  The picture of snow shovels (I love the tiny one!), ice skates, and skis lined up on the wall also gives readers a preview of what is coming next.

The two friends dig a path out of their house, make a snowman, ice skate, ski, and return to their cozy home to sit by the fire. Young readers will laugh as Chipmunk flies through the air behind Bear's snow shovel, when he skis down a hill and lands head first in the snow, and when he and Bear fall on their backs while skating.  And they'll understand the warmth that exists between the two friends.

After a day in the snow, Bear and Chipmunk tuck into their warm beds, and this time Chipmunk's echo changes.

"Sweet dreams," said Bear.
"You too!" said Chipmunk.

The moon in attic windows draws the reader's eyes across the page, and with the final page turn, the reader is once again outside looking at the glowing lights through the window.

Unlike traditional easy-to-read books, this book is the shape and size of a picture book which makes it perfect for the earliest reader and an adult to share together.  The repetitive text  uses only 39 unique words (most of which are sight words).  Expressive, watercolor illustrations tell the story, and children will probably "read" the story through the pictures more than words.  There is nothing complicated here, just a satisfying story simply told.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for consideration as a Cybils Finalist.

The opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of other Cybils panelists.

Me Too!
An I Like to Read Book
by Valeri Gorbachev
published by Holiday House
July 2013
Recommended for ages 4-7

More Lists

Lately, most of the time that I apportion to my book habit has been spent reading books for the Cybils, but I have taken time to peek at the year-end lists.  I mentioned Publisher's Weekly's list a couple of weeks ago, and now Kirkus has published the Best Children's Books of 2013.   School Library Journal announced their choices for the year as well:  SLJ Best Book 2013 Fiction, SLJ Best Book Nonfiction, and SLJ Best Books 2013 Picture Books.

I am thrilled to see If You Want to See a Whale on all three lists.  Some of my other favorites from the year that made all three lists are Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata and Locomotive by Brian Floca.  Both On a Beam of Light and Penny and Her Marble are on two lists and The Adventures of a South Pole Pig is included on SLJ's list.

My biggest disappointment was not finding Jonathan Bean's Big Snow or Joyce Sidman's What the Heart Knows on any of lists, but the year isn't over yet, and I'm crossing my fingers. My biggest surprise (because I hadn't heard of it until now) is Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell.  I'll have pull myself away from early chapter books and easy readers to read it.

That's my reaction, what's yours?

A List of Lists

This is the time of year when my lists outgrow post-it notes and start to fill full-size sheets of paper (and sometimes, notebooks).  I have to-do lists, holiday preparation lists, ideas-for-gifts and wish lists, and of course, to-read lists.  But my favorite lists are the end-of-the-year book lists.  I like finding good books that didn't show up on my radar during the year and reading about what other readers love.

With just over a month until year's end, some great lists are starting to pop up.

Elizabeth Bluemle of ShelfTalker has put together a list of books that received starred reviews in major publications this year:  The Stars So Far--Updated.

Publisher's Weekly announced their Best Books 2013 lists:  Children's Fiction, Children's Picture, Children's Nonfiction.

The New York Times published their choices for the 10 Best Illustrated Children's Books of the year.

The National Book Foundation announced the Finalists for  the 2013 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

And if you just can't get enough lists, check out Heavy Medal (don't skip the comments), Calling Caldecott, and A Fuse 8 Production for more great book recommendations.

Happy listing!

danyelle recommends What the Heart Knows by Joyce Sidman

For the past week, the book that has sat on my bedside table--the one I've read and re-read--is Joyce Sidman's poetry collection, What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms & Blessings.  These twenty-nine poems, each illustrated with the inimitable artwork of Pamela Zagarenski, offer hope, express grief, look to the future, and recall the past.  In her Note to Readers, Sidman wrote, "We still believe in the power of the words themselves."   Sidman displays that power here.  She puts into words the raw emotion that we carry in our hearts, giving it shape and definition.  Some of these poems feel intensely personal, as though I could have written them if only I could have figured out how to say what exactly I felt.  I had thought to cite some of the most effective examples, but to pull a few words or phrases from their places, robs them of some of their power, so instead, I'll just recommend getting a copy of the book and reading the poems yourself.  My current favorites are "Chant to Repair a Friendship," "Song of Bravery," and "Blessing on the Downtrodden."  Read them and find yours.

What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms & Blessings
by Joyce Sidman
illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
October 2013
Recommended for ages 12 and up

danyelle recommends Big Snow by Jonathan Bean

When this is the view from my deck,

I know winter is on its way.

And even though I'm sorry to give up my garden and lunches of fresh tomato and basil sandwiches, I love the magic of winter's first snow.  Jonathan Bean's new book, Big Snow, captures that magic.

David waits, with his sled at the ready, for snow to fall.  When his mom suggests that he help make cookies, he starts with good intentions, but the "flour, white and fine" reminds him of snow and "he [decides] to check the weather," leaving a mess in the kitchen for his mom to clean.  He tries to help clean the bathroom and change the sheets, but at each attempt, he is distracted and runs out to "check the weather." That evening, the snow David has been looking forward to all day finally covers the ground, and David and his parents bundle up and go out into the wintry neighborhood together.

One of the things I most enjoy about this book is its balanced structure.  Pages showing David inside his home alternate with zoomed-out double-page spreads of David's neighborhood where he checks on the snow's progress, creating a pattern that is emphasized in the text.  "Flour, white and fine" is a preview of "small flakes . . . white and fine."  "Suds, white and fluffy" precede "flakes . . . white and fluffy," and "new sheets, white and cool" anticipate "the snow . . . covering everything, white and cool."  The pattern breaks at the story's climax when David dreams of a big snow, which in turn, leads to the resolution ("Then David, Dad, and Mom went to check on the big snow.") that wraps neatly back to the title page where we first saw David waiting under the title "Big Snow".

The illustrations depict David's neighborhood--not just any neighborhood--but one that you would definitely recognize if you visited it.  Closely-spaced, two-story homes on deep, rectangular lots with clotheslines in the backyards and power lines running above the sidewalks give this neighborhood a distinctive sense of place. Add to that details like a Menorah in a back window, a mailman with a walking route, covered porches, and low hills on the horizon, and you just KNOW this is a place that you could find on a map and visit.

In those repeated double-page spreads of the neighborhood, we see the accumulation of snow, we see the background fade into white, we see lights from the homes and streetlights, and we feel the hush that comes with snowfall.  Small houses and smaller people make the snow--the wondrous, magical snow--feel BIG.

David is always at the forefront of the story.  He is the one pictured talking; his mom may say something in the text, but the pictures are all about David.  He dances in flour with the abandon of childhood (my favorite picture) and plays in soap suds with vigor.  He tosses his coat, scarf, and mittens to the floor, only to pick them up again as he runs out the door.  There is no apology for his eagerness to see the snow.

And then let's talk about what is NOT in the text.  While Mom makes suggestions to keep David busy and is left to clean up a mess every time he tries to help, she doesn't scold him.  The pictures clearly show her aggravation, but the story stays with David as he rushes outside.  Here is a kid being a kid in the best kind of way.

Winter usually comes too early where I live, but reading this story makes me long for a snow day!

Check out interior artwork here.

Big Snow
by Jonathan Bean
published by Farrar Straus Giroux
September 2013

tara recommends Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown

Have you ever wanted to go just a little bit wild?  In a perfectly proper town, Mr. Tiger is ready to let loose in Peter Brown's new story, Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.

While everybody else is happy with their subdued, calm and boring lives - Mr. Tiger is looking for change.  It starts gradually (walking on all four legs), but as he grows more wild (and sheds his clothes), his friends kick him out of town.  He is happy to go to the wilderness where he is free to go "completely wild!"  He loves climbing trees, running through grass and - pretty much doing everything tigers are supposed to do, although the delightful pictures still show an animal with some residual proper tendencies (the way he climbs a tree still doesn't feel entirely tiger-like).  The story resolves in an unexpected, happy ending which proves that it is always better to be yourself.

The artwork is almost entirely done in gray/brown hues with a just a punch of orange to represent Mr. Tiger.  Using a combination of India ink, watercolor, gouache and pencil - which was then composited and colored digitally, Peter Brown sets up a perfect contrast of uniform city life and the lure of a wild (and much more colorful) wilderness.  The overall effect is perfect for the story and you find yourself rooting for that flash of orange on each page.

I highly suggest taking a walk on the wild side and picking up this book today.  It is a fun read aloud with interesting pictures and a sure-fire hit for children of all ages.  You may even get a few laughs with the pure absurdness of wild animals living lives completely contrary to their natures.  At one point the teacher tells the children (consisting of a rhino, bear and pig), "Now, children, please do not act like wild animals."  Of course, the best part is that while the animals in the story can't see the irony - children certainly will!

So, follow Peter Brown's advice on the dust jacket, because "everyone should find time to go a little wild."

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
by Peter Brown
published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
September 2013
Recommended for ages 3 and up

tara recommends Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Every once in a while, it is nice to turn your brain off, sit back with a comfortable pillow and enjoy a summer action movie.  Are they formulaic?  Yes.  Are they even a bit mind-numbing?  Yes.  But, in the end, you usually walk out with the satisfaction that you enjoyed a break from reality for 2 hours.  Books can give you that same escape - and in some cases they are actually well-written enough to stimulate some of those brain cells in the process.

Steelheart, by Brandon Sanderson, reads just like you are sitting in the theater with some popcorn enjoying the latest action flick (without the mind-numbing effects) - it is fast-paced, interesting, often-times funny, and has unexpected twists to keep you entertained.  To seal the icing on the cake, it also has well-developed characters - most of which are actually quite likable - and there is a just a touch of romantic tension to break up the action.

One day, Calamity came (a burst that appeared in the sky and started giving ordinary people incredible powers) - and now, what used to be Chicago, is ruled by one of these transformed humans, called Epics.  Some Epics have minor powers, like "Curveball" who could fire a handgun without ever running out of bullets.  Other Epics, however, are much more powerful and use that power to control and manipulate those without powers.  The most dangerous and powerful of these Epics, is Steelheart.  He has superhuman strength and is impervious to bullets or swords - and as an added bonus, he is able to control the elements.  All Epics have a weakness, if you can find it - but, can anybody defeat Steelheart?

David watched Steelheart kill his father ten years ago, and has been on a mission to defeat Epics ever since.  He does have one advantage - he saw the invincible Steelheart bleed.  He has used every resource he can to compile a list of Epics around the city and to uncover their weaknesses.  Now, he only has one problem, he can't do it alone.  So, he searches out the one group of people who are willing to take on these superheroes - the Reckoners.

Brandon Sanderson excels in bringing his characters to life and this book is no exception.  The Reckoners are a diverse group.  Some of the characters include:  Abraham, the muscled weapons man; Tia, the red-haired scholar; Cody, the southern boy who provides fire-support (but, who also pretends he is from Scotland and always has a tall-tale story to tell - and consequently establishes comic-relief throughout); Megan, who is the point-person in the team and also David's romantic interest; and the Professor, the serious leader and founder of the group.

In a world of humans vs. superhumans, there seems to be no end to the conflict.  But, if they can defeat Steelheart, they may have a chance to get their lives back.  As the first in a series, the ending of this book furnishes an appropriate twist that will make you ready for book two.

I would definitely recommend this book to any lover of fantasy/action/adventure/fun.

Review copy received from the publisher.

Steelheart
by Brandon Sanderson
published by Delacorte Press
September 24, 2013
Recommended for ages 12 and up

danyelle recommends Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park

Remember practicing tongue twisters as a kid--giggling as words with percussive consonants, gliding vowels, and rhythmic syllables twisted around in your mouth, and concentrating on making the sounds come out right?  Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park is that kind of fun.

Xander is planning a panda party, but he is the only panda at the zoo, so he changes his plans and invites all the bears.  But, when Koala points out that although she has been invited, she is not actually a bear, but a marsupial, Xander decides to invite all the mammals.  Soon other animals ask to be included and Xander worries that his party plans might fall through.  Fortunately, Amanda Salamander offers to help, and together, Xander and Amanda plan a party for all the animals at the zoo.  A truck that arrives just as the party is about to begin brings Xander a surprise that makes the party perfect.

Park's lively text trips along through a playground of sound with clever rhyme and liberal use of alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme.  Read these lines out loud:

"Xander planned a panda party."

"Xander didn't understand her."

"Xander's party preparations took great pains and perspiration."

"He wasn't sure what he should do.  He chewed a slew of new bamboo; he nibbled, gnawed, and thought things through."

My one quibble is that, according to the text, the name Zhu Zi is pronounced "like saying 'zoo' mixed up with 'shoe.'"  But Zhu Zi--Chinese for bamboo--is pronounced "jū dz" which doesn't sound, to my ear, like "zoo mixed up with shoe."

Matt Phelan's ink and watercolor illustrations complement the energetic story.  Expressive faces imbue the animals with personality, particularly those peeking above strong horizontal lines--Rhinoceros, Crocodile, and Xander when he is looking into the crate.  The colors remind me of a box of multi-hued green crayons I saw while shopping for school supplies this year.  While spots of  bright color contrast Xander's black and white, it is the gorgeous variations of green that caught my eye.  (Love, love, love the picture of Xander chewing bamboo!)

This celebration of sight and sound is like . . . a party.

Xander's Panda Party
by Linda Sue Park
illustrated by Matt Phelan
published by Clarion Books
September 2013
Recommended for ages 4 and up

Trailers to Watch

My three-year-old has recently discovered book trailers. She likes to sit on my lap while I'm at the computer, and when a book jacket or spread appears on the screen, she points to it and says, "Let's watch that one."  As soon as the music starts, I usually end up with a couple other curious kids watching over my shoulder.  Book trailers are magic.

Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton is currently one of my daughter's favorite books, and she loves the trailer as well.

Here are a few book trailers from this year that we enjoy.

Sing! by Joe Raposo and Tom Lichtenheld

The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen

That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems

Journey by Aaron Becker

Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Matt Phelan

Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Dan Santat  (My preschooler doesn't understand Shark's humor, but my older kids laughed so hard, we had to play it twice to catch what we missed.)

tara recommends Sophie's Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf

It is almost time to put summer behind us as the night air turns a little crisper and the smell of fall starts creeping in.  At least that's what the calendar says, but days of scorching temperatures still feel like they will be here forever.  So, if you are looking forward to the blazing heat disappearing a little faster, maybe it is time to crank up your air conditioner and start perusing some autumn books.

Although the cover of Sophie's Squash screams all things fall with red and orange leaves cascading to the ground from a bare tree, the story actually translates well through the seasons.  As far as classification goes, you could also place this with unusual pets and spunky kids.  The story begins with Sophie and her parents taking a trip to the farmer's market to pick up a squash for dinner.  This particular squash never makes it to the dinner table, however, because it is adopted and named Bernice (with a drawn-on face for emphasis) by Sophie.

Bernice becomes part of the family.  She attends story time at the library, visits her other squash friends at the farmer's market and plays outside with Sophie.  Over time, Bernice starts to get a little soft (as squash - and other perishable items - tend to do).  Sophie's parents valiantly try to replace Bernice with a more appropriate toy, but Sophie insists that Bernice is "just the right size to love" and clings to her protectively.  Her parents grudgingly concede - after all, they "did hope she'd love vegetables."

Sophie is energetic and full of imagination and her character is what makes this book special.  When Bernice starts to get splotchy, Sophie insists her friend just has "freckles" and when her mom suggests cooking the vegetable with some marshmallows for supper - she just covers her little squash "ears" and warns "Don't listen, Bernice!"

As Bernice gets older and more blotchy, Sophie seeks advice from a local farmer about how to keep her squash healthy.  She takes his advice of "fresh air . . . good, clean dirt . . . a little love" and plants her squash in the backyard.  She waits through the winter and is pleasantly surprised by spring's revelation.

This story teaches about love, regeneration, planting and friendship.  The watercolor pictures fit very well with the soft, sweet, spunky story and the colorful images will keep your eyes drawn to the page.  This is a must-have for your fall book collection.

If you want to read more about how this story came to be published, or rather how it was almost not published, check out this link.

Sophie's Squash
by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf
published by Schwartz & Wade
August 2013

danyelle recommends The Adventures of a South Pole Pig by Chris Kurtz

You know that oft-repeated bit of parenting advice, If your child refuses a certain food, continue to offer it to him and he may develop a taste for it?  Well, although no amount of exposure has helped me develop a taste for mushrooms--no way, no how--I have found that advice to be helpful for not only picky eaters, but for picky readers, as well.  Continue to offer (and sample) a variety of books and before long you'll have a reader with expanded reading tastes.  But, here's my confession:  Besides detesting supposedly-edible fungus, I am also not a fan of talking-animal books.  I can't quite put my finger on the reason for that--after all, it's not as though they have an unbearably squishy texture--but generally, books with animals that talk end up at the bottom of my to-read stack.  So, here we are in August, and I have just gotten around to reading the January release, The Adventures of a South Pole Pig, featuring Flora, a talking pig.

Flora lives with her mother and her brothers in a cage; well, not actually a cage, as her mother points out, "It's a pigpen." (1)  But, it's all the same to Flora who longs to see new things and have adventures.  More than anything, Flora wants to be a part of a dog sled team, so when an opportunity to get out of her pen and join the dogs presents itself, Flora takes it.

Flora tells the story with her consistently upbeat voice and positive attitude.  As she heads to Antarctica believing she will be a sled dog, readers understand that she is being taken on the voyage as food.  This irony creates some amusing situations like the time Flora is chained in the ship's hold, and yet she persuades herself to hold on to her dream.

"Was it possible . . . could she be the precious cargo?  Being put down here had to have something to do with being special.  Or maybe it had to do with the training a sled pig needed.  Yes, that was it!" (90)

With a couple of unlikely friends, Flora discovers how "adventure comes to those who choose it but turns into trouble quick if you don't know how to land on your feet." (46)  And through all that adventure and trouble, she refuses to give up.

Plenty of action that moves the plot along quickly and clever humor that rises above silliness will hold young readers' interest.  But, the best thing about the story is the characters.  Yep, that's right, it's the talking animals:  Oscar, a dog who is "more than a dog"; Sophia, a cat who changes her solitary ways; and Flora, who tries "hard not to be too piglike." (257)  Flora's optimism and her enthusiasm for new experiences make her an irresistible character and make this a book that I'll be re-reading, this time to my kids.

Move this book to the top of your to-read stack today.

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A novel of snow and courage
by Chris Kurtz
illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt
published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
January 2013
Recommended for ages 7-12

*Chapter 2 makes a great book talk.
**A great read-aloud scene is at the end of chapter 35 when Flora and Oscar talk about sled dogs being "a little crazy".  See pages 259-260.

danyelle recommends Ol' Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein

Because they validate my protective mothering side, I enjoy reading books where conscientious mothers, particularly fiercely vigilant ones, are portrayed as heroes.   And you won't find a more heroic mother than David Ezra Stein's Ol' Mama Squirrel. 

Baby squirrels might make tempting snacks for many creatures, but Ol' Mama Squirrel declares, "It won't happen on my watch!"   "Chook, chook, chook!" she scolds, and the cat, the owl, and the dog leave in search of easier prey.  When a grizzly bear climbs into her tree, she goes at him with a fury, but once he gets over his initial shock, he just laughs.  After all, she may be crazy, but she is only a "puny squirrel." But Ol' Mama Squirrel is not easily intimidated, and she scoops up her babies and raises the alarm.  While one squirrel may not be a threat to the grizzly, a hundred mama squirrels send him packing.

Using muted colors and simple shapes, Stein keeps the focus on his titular character.  Ol' Mama Squirrel is the star of the story whether she is shaking her fist at an airplane or waving her arms at a dog. Circular snapshots shows her baring her teeth, swinging a stick, and giving a war cry.  Her fearlessness is accentuated with bold, flowing lines and dramatic perspectives -- one that puts the readers right behind her as she faces down the bear.

Check out the book trailer, preferably with a child on your lap.  Then read about how Mr. Stein made the art at Pen & Oink.

Ol' Mama Squirrel
by David Ezra Stein
published by Nancy Paulsen Books
March 2013
Recommended for ages 3 and up

If you want a look at the art for Mr. Stein's newest book, Dinosaur Kisses, head over to Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  Don't miss the trailer at the end of the post.

You'd Be Surprised How Much I Can Cram into 14 Minutes

I spent Thursday and Friday at the Provo Library attending BYU's Symposium on Books for Young Readers.  Karen Cushman, Jennifer Nielson, Steve Jenkins, Erin and Philip Stead, Sara Pennypacker and Tony DiTerlizzi all gave thoughtful and entertaining presentations.  (I'm still thinking about the importance of teaching kids to love writing and the magic of page turns.)

This year I was thrilled to be part of the Spotlight on Books and to be able to talk about some of my favorite books from the past year.  Unfortunately, I couldn't talk about all my favorite new books because I had only 14 minutes to present, and while I talk quickly, I can't talk that quickly.  Besides, some of the books I would have loved to include were already spoken for by one of the other three presenters.  Having said that, here is my list of 14 fantastic books along with links to brief booktalks.

Title	Author	Illustrator	Review
Nighttime Ninja	Barbara DaCosta	Ed Young
Lucky Ducklings	Eva Moore	Nancy Carpenter	danyelle's post
Are the Dinosaurs Dead, Dad?	Julie Middleton	Russell Ayto
Oliver and his Alligator	Paul Schmid	ill. by author
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein	Jennifer Berne	Vladimir Radunsky
Penny and Her Marble	Kevin Henkes	ill. by author	tara's post
A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse	Frank Viva	ill. by author
National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs that Squeak, Soar, and Roar!	J. Patrick Lewis (compiler)
Shadow on the Mountain	Margi Preus
Starry River of the Sky	Grace Lin	ill. by author
Jinx	Sage Blackwood		tara's post
One Came Home	Amy Timberlake		danyelle's post
Zebra Forest	Adina Rishe Gewirtz
The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Adventure	Martin W. Sandler

Spotlight on Picture Books

Nighttime Ninja

by Barbara DaCosta

illustrated by Ed Young

When the clock strikes midnight, the ninja sets out on a mission.  He sneaks through the house, climbing, balancing, leaping, until . . . . a light flips on.  He is caught.  The fun of the story is in discovering just who the ninja is and what his mission is.  This is a ninja that every kid can relate to.

Ed Young uses cut paper, fabric, string, and colored pencil to create collage illustrations that convey stealth and mystery with a silhouette of the ninja who climbs hand over hand up his rope and creeps down the hallway.  With restrained energy he balances, ready to spring, and breaks out of the pictures’ frames.

I admit it, I am not a ninja fan, but I fell in love with this book when I first read it.  And the first-grade class I read it to loved it just as much.  Kid friendly, beautiful art, and great for ninja and non-ninja fans alike.

Lucky Ducklings: A True Rescue Story 

by Eva Moore

illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

When Mama Duck takes her five ducklings for a walk, the ducklings fall into a storm drain in their path.  People in the town come to the rescue and work together to get Mama Duck and her ducklings safely home.

Moore’s rhythmic text repeats the ducklings’ names, “Pippin, Bippin, Tippin, Dippin . . . and last of all, Little Joe” and Mama Duck’s forceful, “Whack! Whack!”  She sets up suspense before the page turns and pulls listeners along with “that could have been the end of the story.  But it wasn’t because  . . .”

Realistic illustrations by Nancy Carpenter give the ducks personality and are reminiscent of Robert McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings.

Perfect preschooler read-aloud.

Are the Dinosaurs Dead, Dad?

by Julie Middleton

illustrated by Russell Ayto

When Dave and his dad visit the dinosaur exhibition, Dave asks, “Are the dinosaurs dead, Dad?”  “Yes” is the answer, and Dad begins sharing his considerable knowledge of dinosaurs as they visit each exhibit.  “You see . . . that dinosaur there is the Deinocheirus.  It has some of the longest arms of all the dinosaurs.”  “You see this one with the very l-o-n-g neck, Dave? That’s a Diplodocus.”

But Dave is more interested in the fact that the dinosaurs are winking at him, trying to tickle him, and eating his hamburger.  Is it just Dave’s imagination?  I don’t want to give away the ending, but I will say this . . . “Run, Dave! Run!”

The stylized and uncluttered illustrations by Russell Ayto are hilarious.  Details inject humor and encourage a second visit.  And the dinosaurs are wickedly funny.

Oliver and His Alligator

by Paul Schmid

Oliver is nervous about his first day of school, so he stops by the swamp to pick up an alligator -- “Just in case.”  (Because, of course, who wouldn’t want an alligator “just in case”?)  At school when a lady who is not his mom asks, “What might your name be?” he suddenly can’t remember his name, but he can say “Munch, munch!”  And that takes care of the problem as his alligator swallows the lady.  In the classroom a little girl tries to talk to him and “Munch, munch!” the alligator swallows her, too.  And so it goes with the alligator swallowing all Oliver’s problems until Oliver is sitting alone in an empty classroom, thinking that maybe school is a little boring.  And that is a problem . . . (and if you want to know how he solves it, you’ll have to read the book.)

This is a funny, offbeat look at first-day-of-school jitters.

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein

by Jennifer Berne
illustrated by Vladmir Radunsky

“Over 100 years ago, as the stars swirled in the sky, as the Earth circled the sun, as the March winds blew through a little town by the river, a baby boy was born.”

With this opening sentence, author Jennifer Berne introduces readers to a boy who was different -- a boy named Albert Einstein.  As a young child Albert took so long to start speaking that his parents worried that something might be wrong.  Later when he went to school, he asked so many questions that his teacher told him he was a disruption to the class, but he continued to ask questions -- continued to wonder about the world around him.  An insatiable curiosity drove him to read and study and ask even more questions.  Whether he was playing his violin, sailing in his boat, or wandering around town, he was wondering and trying to figure things out.

Berne doesn’t attempt an overview of Einstein’s entire life -- or even to touch upon major events -- instead, she celebrates his curiosity and his ideas.

Personality-filled ink and gouache illustrations by Vladimir Radunsky convey the essence (perhaps more effectively than photographs) of who Albert Einstein was.  Pages crowded with thoughts and ideas reflect his continually-engaged mind.  Loose line work communicates Einstein’s nonconformity and unbounded imagination.  Radunsky even manages to express concepts like atomic theory and time dilation in pictures.

Even in you are not interested in reading the book, pick it up and look at the double-page spread of Einstein in his sailboat.  Nearly blended paint and fading outlines suggest boundaries and create a dream-like scene that is perfectly suited to this man with visionary ideas.