This post all began when my son gave me It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way for Christmas. It had special meaning to us because I read Gyo Fujikawa books to him almost every night for years. There was something about her sweet, calming stories and illustrations we both loved. As I was reading the biography on Christmas day, an idea was forming. I had read so many wonderful picture book biographies recently and learned the life stories of so many people I knew of, but didn’t really know. I decided I wanted to share these remarkable people with you. In these books you’ll learn the stories behind some famous people and some not so famous, but all fascinating.

It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way

By Kyo Maclear @kyomaclear

Illustrated by Julie Morstad @juliemorstad

Published by Harper Collins @harpercollins @harperkids

When my son was a baby, we discovered some remarkable board books. They were charming stories full of sweet animals, diverse children with angelic expressions and gentle words that were perfect to hear before I tucked him in each night. I always remembered the author, Gyo Fujikawa, and her special books, which have been my “go to” baby shower gift for 25 years. So I was delighted when I learned there was a new picture book biography about her, and even more excited when I learned it was illustrated by Julie Morstad, one of my favorite illustrators.

Gyo Fujikawa was a Japanese American girl who loved to draw. Unfortunately, she was also a girl who was invisible to the white students in her school and to most of her teachers. Happily though, one teacher recognized her talent and gave Gyo the money to attend art school. This changed her life. It gave her the courage to face the discrimination she would encounter for years to come because she was Asian American, as well as because she was a woman. It gave her the courage to write a children’s book with multiracial children in the 1960’s and to insist her publisher break the rules and publish it. When the publisher finally agreed, Babies became a bestseller and is still in print today.  She went on to create 50 more picture books for children. 

This story of courage and determination gives you a glimpse into not only Gyo’s life, but also into the lives of Asian Americans during the last century. Julie Morstad’s illustrations will give you a glimpse into the charm you’ll find in all of Gyo’s books. You’ll see the rainbow of faces of naughty, nice and very busy babies which are similar to the little ones you’ll find in so many of Gyo’s books. And you’ll begin to understand why I’m such an admirer of Gyo Fujikawa, and why I’ll continue to tuck her books into every baby shower gift I give.

The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown

By Mac Barnett @macbarnett

Illustrated by Sarah Jacoby 

Published by Balzer and Bray @balzerandbray @harpercollins_publishing

You may end your days tucking your little one in by reading Goodnight Moon or The Important Book, but do you really know anything about the author, Margaret Wise Brown? I certainly didn’t before I read this delightful picture book biography by award winning author, Mac Barnett. 

There are so many things I loved about this book. 

• I love how the author and the illustrator skillfully interweave the theme of The Important Book, as well as the covers of so many of her books into their story. 
• I loved learning that the New York Public Library, as well as many others, stamped Margaret Wise Brown’s books “NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PURCHASE BY EXPERT”!!
• I loved Sarah Jacoby’s gentle illustrations that filled every page, especially the fact that the children in the library circle are rabbits, the librarian is a rabbit and every book is being held by a rabbit!
• And most of all I loved that I learned a little bit more about the quirky, fascinating person who wrote some of our most beloved children’s books.
  

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Prairie Boy: Frank Lloyd Wright Turns the Hearland into a Home

By Barb Rosenstock @brosenstock

Art by Christopher Silas Neal @csilasneal

Published by Calkins Creek #calkinscreek

I’ve been fascinated with Frank LLoyd Wright since I was in grade school. it began when my parents explained why my classmate’s house was so very different than the usual suburban ranches that filled our neighborhood. The reason the house was so unique was that it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. When I was nine years old, I didn’t realize how special that was. All I knew was that I loved that house, wished it was my house. and from that moment on loved mid century design and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Barb Rosenstock’s story guides us on a tour through Wright’s life, beginning with his childhood on the Wisconsin Prairie and throughout his career as an architect; an architect who went against the norm of designing Victorian style mansions and rather chose to design houses to fit the modern family inside and out. Christopher Silas Neal’s illustrations, which utilize the shapes of the prairie landscape and reflect Frank Lloyd Wright’s style, further help the reader gain a better understanding of the prairie houses. 

I wish my nine year old self had this wonderful book so many years ago. I would have loved to understand more about Frank Lloyd Wright and the reason his houses were so unique.  I, too had a love of shapes and creating structures with wooden blocks. Perhaps I would have been inspired to study architecture. Maybe a child who reads this book today will be inspired to follow in Frank Lloyd Wright’s footsteps!

Little Libraries, Big Heroes 

By Miranda Paul #mirandapaul

Illustrated by John Parra @johnparaart

Published by Clarion Books #clarionbooks @hmhkids

Have you ever wondered about the Little Free Library @littlefreelibrary (LFB) phenomenon like I did? Well for myself, who always seems to make up stories every time I take a walk through my hometown, these are the questions bouncing around in my head. Where do all of these unique little houses come from? Why are there more and more of them? Who makes them? How did it begin? When I discovered this inspirational story, I was delighted to find the answers to my questions, plus a few more, too!

It all began with an ordinary hero who wanted to honor his mom’s memory and her love of reading. And it spread with the help of other ordinary heroes who worked together to spread their love of reading by building the little houses, filling them with books, labeling the containers with this motto “Take a Book, Share a Book” and placing them in yards throughout the U.S. And the phenomenon didn’t stop at the U.S. borders. Soon there were LFLibraries all around the world, such as at a hospital in Ireland, on a street corner in Pakistan and in a schoolyard in South Sudan.

This is a story of the amazing things that can happen when ordinary people work together to make a dream come true; a dream to help people across the world. This story offers a wonderful starting point for conversations and brainstorming with students about their dreams to help the world, and planning to make their dreams come true.

Just Like Rube Goldberg:

The Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines

Written by Sarah Aronson 

Illustrated by Robert Neubecker 

Published by Simon & Schuster Kids  @simonkids

Every year Purdue (my Alma Mater) has a Rube Goldberg competition. It’s always fascinating to see what imaginative contraptions the teams create. But even though I’ve followed this for years, I never knew Rube Goldberg’s story. Happily, after reading this, I now do! I know that his true aspiration was to be a “great cartoonist for a big-time newspaper.” Unfortunately, his family had other ideas, so to please them he became an engineer. But since he was an engineer who dreamed of drawing, he soon quit his job and became a laborer at the San Francisco Chronicle. During the day he emptied wastebaskets and filed photos, and at night he drew cartoons. Finally a few were published. This gave him the courage to move to New York City where everything changed. He became a cartoonist, a political commentator and most importantly, a creator and illustrator of an alter ego, Professor Butts, who created crazy contraptions that solved problems in ridiculous and totally unexpected ways.

This story illustrates the success one can have, if you persevere and follow your dream. It also introduces the reader to the fun and creativity of inventing, whether it be a serious invention or a ridiculous one that has loads of surprises.

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons

By Natascha Biebow 

Illustrated by Steven Salerno

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt @houghtonmifflinharcourt

Do you remember opening a new box of crayons? If you were lucky, you got a new box every school year. If you were EXTRA lucky, it was a box of 64 shiny new crayons with pointy ends that had never touched a piece of paper.  That beginning of the school year excitement came back to me whenever my kids and I used to watch Mr. Roger’s segment on a trip to a crayon factory. We always wished we could be right there with him watching the thousands of crayons coming off the assembly line. But we never knew where crayons originated, or who invented them, or why? This delightful book answers all of those questions and more.  

Edwin Benny loved colors and knew children did, too. Sadly, though, most children couldn’t afford the dull, clumsy crayons, which were available in the late 1800s. Edwin Benny listened to what children wanted and began experimenting in his lab to create a strong, colorful, safe crayon. It took years of work, but at the 1904 World’s Fair the familiar green and yellow box of Crayola Crayons was introduced and children’s lives were never quite the same. 

I like this book so much because it shows what can be accomplished with perseverance, creativity and hard work. When Edwin Benny’s wife described a problem to him – crayons were expensive, dully colored, breakable and clumsy, he became determined to solve it, even though a solution wasn’t readily apparent. I also like the back material in the book including captioned photographs of a crayon factory, a brief biography and a list of websites and videos. 

If your children are fans of crayons (who isn’t?!), please add this to your list. It will be so much fun for all of you.

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A short time before Halloween, my niece, Kelly’s friend asked if I had a list of Halloween titles appropriate for preschoolers. I created one, and both she and my niece were delighted. In fact, Whitney liked it so much she asked if I had a list of preschool Christmas titles! My reply was “no”, but I promised to compile one before Christmas, and here it is! It may seem a little early to be talking about Christmas books, but if you want to have the chance to get these at your library, now is the time to put them on hold! Of course, you may also find some you’ll want to add to your family’s library, so I’ve included links to the Good Reads summary to help you do that.

Please know many of these titles are fun for all ages, not just preschool. In fact, I’ll have most of these on my coffee table for the entire month of December! And there are so many more titles which I love. I just didn’t want to exhaust you with a crazy, long post! I hope you find some stories which become family classics you’ll look forward to sharing year after year.

What are your family favorites? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Snow Bunny’s Christmas Wish

By Rebecca Harry

Oh, this is such a sweet story about friendship, kindness, Santa and of course a bunny. (This is chosen especially for my nephew, Zeke!)

The Christmas Baby

By Marion Dane Bauer; illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

These delightful illustrations describe the animals’ and angels’ celebration on the night Christ was born,

Twas the Evening of christmas

By Glenys Nellist; illustrated by Elena Selivanova

Oh how I wish we had this beautiful book to read on Christmas Eve when my boys were growing up! This is the story of the first Christmas, but it is told in the pattern of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, which makes it a perfect companion to the traditional book. (more)

santa’s story

By Will Hillenbrand

Does your family share The Night Before Christmas every year? Well, Santa and his reindeer ALSO share that much loved tradition. All goes well until Santa forgets! The cozy illustrations allow us to witness the reindeer antics and Santa’s puzzlement and add so much to this delightful story.

when it snows

By Richard Collingridge

Magic happens when snow covers the ground and a little boy and his teddy bear follow footsteps into a wondrous, glowing world. The luminous illustrations help you imagine the magical night that all began with a story.

Construction Site on Christmas Night

By Sherri Duskey Rinker and Ag Ford

Playful, rhyming text tell us the story of the five construction trucks who work all night long on Christmas to create a a very special project. Happily their hard work is rewarded when each receives a thoughtful gift.

Room for a Little One

By Martin Waddell; illustrated by Jason Cockcroft

It’s a cold winter’s night in the stable and so many stray critters are looking for a warm, safe place to rest. One by one they arrive and one by one they hear, “There’s always room for a little one here.”  This includes a tired donkey carrying a weary woman and a very cold man.

Harvey Slumfenburger’s christmas present

By John Burningham

I’ve read this special story to children of all ages for many, many years. I’ve given copy after copy as gifts. It tells the story of Santa forgetting to deliver one gift to one little boy and Santa’s determination, kindness and selflessness as he tries his best to fulfill his promise.

arthur’s perfect christmas

By Marc Brown

This has to be one of my favorites! Arthur wants everything to be perfect this year – the snow, the tree and the turkey, but he’s not sure this is possible. His friends all have different traditions and and different ideas of what makes a perfect celebration. This story is about thoughtfulness, traditions and learning friends and family are what truly make a perfect Christmas.

the wild christmas reindeer

By Jan Brett

This Jan Brett classic leads us on a countdown to Christmas as a little girl helps Santa get the reindeer ready to fly. What’s so memorable about Ms. Brett’s books are the enchanting and detailed illustrations which border each page. There’s a lot of text in this story, but the pictures tell us so much. You’ll have a great time creating your own story about what Teeka discovered about kindness.

the berenstain bears’ christmas tree

By Stan and Jan Berenstain

Papa Bear is determined to find the most perfect Christmas tree in the forest, but he and Brother and Sister Bear experience one crazy adventure after another before they find the true meaning of Christmas.

the animal’s merry christmas

By Richard Scarry

Unfortunately, this gem is out of print, but if you’re lucky you’ll find a used copy online. This was a must read every Christmas when my boys were small. The stories are short and full of love and fun. You won’t want to miss it!

Dasher

By Matt Tavares

 The gorgeous, dreamy illustrations in Dasher will first capture your attention and then the story will delight you.

This enchanting story is sure to become a family Christmas favorite you will look forward to bringing out each year. It’s one for young and old alike; for anyone who would like a little bit of magic in their lives. I know it’s going to be added to my holiday book collection!

the polar express   

By Chris Van Allsburg
I’m certain you all know the movie, but do you know the book, The Polar Express? Chris Van Allsburg’s glowing, dreamy illustrations bring this favorite story to life. I hope you’ll share this with your family and consider it as a part of your family’s holiday book collection. Even if you just own a few, this needs to be one of them!

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Watch for the annual post of my

favorite reads of the year

coming soon!

I love wordless picture books, but that hasn’t always been true. When I first picked up a wordless picture book, I immediately dismissed it. At the time, I was searching for read alouds for kindergarten and first grade classes, so of course that genre wouldn’t be appropriate, because how in the world would I share a book with no words? Granted, wordless picture books almost always have amazing illustrations, but… That all changed when my son gave me A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka for Mother’s Day in 2011. It had recently received the Caldecott Award for 2010. and I had read amazing things about the illustrations, the story and the author, so I was excited to add it to my collection, even though I was disappointed not to be able to share it with my classes. But then I began to think… I couldn’t just leave a gift from my son on display on the coffee table. I wanted to share it and that’s exactly what I did. I shared it with my first grade classes and we had the best time!! We first looked at the cover and made predictions about the story. Who are the main characters? What is the setting? What is the problem? Then we proceeded to “read” the story. I asked for volunteers to tell the story of each page and oh, did the hands go up! They noticed almost every detail in every illustration and if the “reader” missed something, his neighbor was quick to help! You might think we flew through that book and we were left with nothing to read at the end of our thirty minute session, but that was not the case. In fact, the teacher ended up waiting for us to finish! It was so much fun for all of us, and extra fun for me to see the kids who might not always answer questions or join in, raise their hands and beg for a turn. Everyone was sure they could see the details and tell the story, because they didn’t feel like there were any “wrong answers”, which often inhibits the quiet, less confident kids from raising their hand. From that week forward, the kids begged for wordless picture books. Through the years I shared many wordless picture books, but I’ll never forget my first experience when I learned about their true magic.

Here are some favorites. Some titles I’ve shared in the past, and some are new. I hope you’ll find many new wordless picture books you’ll want to share with your little ones.

A Boy and a House

By Maja Kastelic

This wordless picture book follows a curious little boy as he wanders down a city street filled with tall, old houses. He follows a friendly cat through a door and into the lobby of an apartment building where he finds a drawing on the floor. As he trails after his new friend, he spots another drawing and another and another as he climbs the dark stairs. Along the way he passes through intriguing rooms filled with curious objects and walls covered with mysterious pictures, but he doesn’t pause to look. His curiosity gets the best of him so he just keeps climbing. What he finds at the top is a delightful surprise.

The soft, muted colors of the story made me think it was dusk as the boy set off on his adventure. They lent a mysterious tone to the story, but it wasn’t at all scary. All of the characters faces were full of gentle, friendly expressions and led me to believe the little boy was surrounded by kind and caring neighbors, although he was by himself.

This book will lead to lots of discussions with your little ones as you take turns telling the story. I love the opportunity for children to both use their imaginations and to express themselves as they tell their version of a wordless picture book. This is available now.

Friendship, imagination

Journey

by Aaron Beckman

This tells the story of a lonely girl and the magical world she creates with a red marker. It is a wordless picture book that was the Caldecott winner in 2014. It’s the first of a trilogy, Journey, Quest and Return. You’ll want to read all three!

Mystery, imagination, courage, kindness, wordless picture books

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham. This book is great for a read aloud and gives the kids the opportunity to create a conversation for each page. The story describes a little boy’s kindness and his parents support as he helps a bird with a broken wing. Read aloud, wordless picture book, kindness.

Hank Finds an Egg by Rebecca Dudley. This is a wordless picture book which will help an adult to initiate a conversation with a child about kindness. Wordless picture book, kindness.

Little Bird by Germano Zullo. This is another wordless picture book that is a very unusual story about generosity and kindness. It gives lots of opportunities for discussion due to the minimal amount of text and wonderful, expressive illustrations. Wordless picture book, kindness.

THAT NEIGHBOR KID

By Daniel Miyares

This is a heartwarming wordless picture book about a friendship that develops between a boy and a girl when she moves in next door. They are both a little lonely until they collaborate on building a tree house together. The drawings are black and white in the beginning, but as their friendship blossoms and each of them contributes to building their playhouse, colorful leaves begin to appear. The illustrations show us the sweet expressions on the friends’ faces as they dream and relax together in their new hideaway. It’s definitely one you’ll want to add to your family library.

Kindness, empathy, friendship, school

I WALK WITH VANESSA: A STORY ABOUT A SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS 

By Kerascoet

This charming wordless picture book won my heart when I saw the cover and after “reading” the story I knew I needed a copy of my own. It tells the story of a young girl who has just moved into the neighborhood and is new at school, a boy who isn’t very kind, and a teacher and classmates who show little empathy to the girl’s plight. No one asks her to join the class basketball game or sit with them. After school she’s left to walk home alone, ignored by all except one little boy who says some unkind things. Since it’s a wordless book, we don’t know what was said, but the colorful and expressive illustrations – especially the interaction of the two children which is contained within a bright red cloud of color, leave us no doubt as to what unkind words might have been said. We quickly realize no one has noticed the altercation, except for one little girl. She is obviously bothered by what she saw and shares her concern with her friends. Overnight she isn’t able to forget, and the sadness lingers during her happy family breakfast. But then she suddenly has an idea about how to help the little girl.

Your little ones will be able to find so many details in this book as you all retell the story over and over again.  The vivid illustrations of the characters’ expressions will leave no doubt in children’s minds about what they are thinking and feeling.They will recognize the familiar situation of a moving truck arriving and a new family moving in, whether they have moved themselves or they have a new neighbor. They will be able to imagine how a new girl feels, and they can theorize why someone might choose to bully a newcomer. The story will provide you with the perfect introduction to talk about what they can do to welcome newcomers to their neighborhood and school, about teasing, about name-calling and about being an ally, and especially about how one small act of kindness can mean so much.

The book offers a useful guide with suggestions about helping someone who is being bullied, as well as some helpful words to use during your discussions. And finally, don’t forget to notice the difference in the end papers from the beginning of the story to the end. Those alone are a wonderful thing to discuss with your children! I recommend this book be added to your home library, as well as to every public and school library for ages 4 – 7.

Kindness, empathy, friendship, school

Professional Crocodile

By Giovanna Zoboli and Mariachiara De Giorgio

This delightful wordless picture book is one you’ll thoroughly enjoy with your little ones. There are several panels on each page, which will lead to lots of conversation. You’ll both love finding the many, many details every time you experience the book. It’s so much fun to share wordless picture books and to let the kids create their own dialogue. The story is different every time! And you’ll love the surprise ending, too! This is definitely one to add to your collection.

Comfort, humor, wordless picture book

Sidewalk Flowers 

By Jon Arno Lawson and Sydney Smith

In this wordless picture book, a  little girl walks through a gray city with her distracted father and picks flowers along the way. The flowers become gifts to those she encounters, and in the process transforms the city and it’s inhabitants. May your children find beauty in their world and share it with others.

Kindness, beauty, wordless picture books

Do you have some favorite wordless picture books? How do you share them with your children? Be sure and let us know in the comments!

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How can it suddenly be Labor Day? Every year on Memorial Day weekend I vow to make every moment of summer count. Ever since I read this column almost 20 years ago, I’ve kept this in mind. Summer is precious.

This summer we’ve had some special family visits with our children, siblings and nieces and nephews. We’ve enjoyed many long hikes both in nature and in our own city. We’ve spent countless hours on our patio reading so many, many books. We’ve walked the neighborhood with Brandy, our greyhound, and had many wonderful conversations with our neighbors. We’ve tried new restaurants and laughed with friends. These are all things we could do almost any time of the year, but somehow summer makes these memorable experiences all that much more special.

I hope you’ve had some equally great experiences and moments this summer! I especially hope you found some time to lounge with some good books. Maybe even some beach reading?! I’m sharing some of my recent finds that I don’t want you to miss. Did you find some new titles you think we should try? Please share those in the comments. Have a great Labor Day!

The Dress and the Girl

By Camille Andros

Pictures by Julie Morstad

Thank you to @kidlitexchange and @abramskids for the free review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. A little girl and her dress, a dress made by her mother on a Greek Island, long to do something “singular, stunning or sensational. For something extraordinary.” Thus begins this lovely and charming story. It’s a familiar story for so many of us, that memory of a special dress you can’t forget. I have one of those I just can’t part with. It was a “Cinderella” dress chosen in a special shopping trip with my mom. Whenever I see that pink party dress in my memory bin, I’m suddenly once again gathering chocolate Easter eggs with my brother, or bouncing out the door to one of  countless birthday parties I attended. Happily, I can say this story once again brought back those warm memories of a time long ago. And isn’t that one of the reasons we read stories?
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The Dress and the Girl is made even lovelier when the lyrical words of @CamilleAndrosare are joined by the amazing illustrations of @JulieMorstad, one of my very favorite illustrators. Together they help us to understand the dreams of a little girl immigrating to the United States; the dream that maybe “now was the time for something singular, stunning or sensational. For something extraordinary.” The dream shared by immigrants a hundred years ago, as well as today.
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This book is available now. It’s a “must read” to add to your library holds list or your shopping list. I know it’s going on my bookshelf!

Immigration, memories, dreams for the future

the truth as told by mason buttle  

by leslie connor  

Oh my, I just added another title to my “best of 2018” list!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mason is in seventh grade, lives in a “tumbledown” with his grandma and his uncle (his mom died in a traffic accident years before), is very large for his age, has dyslexia and lost his best friend a little over a year ago. Mason and Benny were inseparable and stood together against the neighborhood bullies. Their refuge was always their treehouse in Mason’s family’s apple orchard. At least it used to be their happy place, until one day Mason found Benny in a heap at the bottom of the ladder, dead. And Mason’s life has never been the same. The police suspect it was his fault, as do most of the town’s people, and the lieutenant won’t let him be, even though Mason has truthfully told him his story many times.

I loved everything about this book, which is a first person narrative, but the characters in this story are especially remarkable. 🌳Mason – You feel that you know exactly how Mason is feeling. You understand his sadness, his loneliness, his frustration that he is not believed, but you also admire his trust, his kindness and his optimism that all will be better. 🌳Grandma’s faith and love for her family and her fierce determination to protect Mason.🌳Ms. Blinny’s optimism, resourcefulness and support of Mason and the other kids in her social work office, The Swoof.🌳Calvin’s sense of humor, his adventurous spirit and his kindness🌳Uncle Drum’s complete trust in, and love for Mason, even though he is dealing with many problems of his own. 🌳Moonie, Mason’s neighbor’s dog who in Mason’s opinion is “the best dog” and becomes Mason’s dog.
And more. As you can see – remarkable!
🌳This was such a hard book to stop reading! It is full of unfairness and cruelty, but is also full of so much kindness and love. It’s one you will remember for a long, long time.🌳I recommend it to middle graders in grades 4-7. You’ll find in your library now, but be prepared to wait! It’s that good!

Grief, kindness, friendship, dog stories

All are welcome

by alexandra penfold

illustrated by suzanne kaufman

This is a picture book that needs to find its way into every preschool and early elementary classroom this fall. It’s the perfect book to share at the very beginning of the new year. The vibrantly colored illustrations help to tell the story of the first day of school for many children and their families. It reminds us that all children, no matter the color of their skin, where they are from, what clothes they wear, what religion they practice or who makes up their family, have a place in the school family. Your children will recognize many familiar moments of their day from circle time, to lunchtime, to recess, to the walk home, to sharing time at dinner. It offers reassurance to children that no matter their differences, they are welcome. Something we all need to think about, wherever we are. All are welcome!

Immigration, Acceptance of Differences, Windows and Mirrors

 no fixed address

 by susin nielsen

Thank you to @randomhousekids and @kidlitexchange for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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This is a book you truly need to read the moment it is released on 9.11.18! Felix’s story will grab you from the very first page. We immediately feel his fear about being in a police station and being questioned by a kind, but nonetheless a police officer, about his iffy living arrangements and about his quirky, but loving mom. We learn about his astute P.O.O. (powers of observation) that help him to better understand the world around him. And then we learn a little more of Felix’s story about how he and his mom have been living in a stolen van for the past four months; a situation he insists is only temporary. He insists he’s definitely NOT homeless.
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This book provided everything I’m looking for in a good story. It had family, friendship, resourcefulness, lovable characters and most of all kindness. I loved that Felix was surrounded by so much kindness. Even though his quirky mom stretches the truth and is a little distrusting of the world, she has a great deal of love for Felix and so much pride. Felix’s friends, Winnie and Dylan, as well as their families, were extremely welcoming and kind to Felix. Monsieur Thibault was the caring and supportive teacher we all hope our children will have. Even Mr. and Mrs. Ahmadi showed great kindness to Felix, once they realized his situation, even though he had stolen a banana from their store. I loved how all of these characters worked together to support Felix and his mom, when they finally understood their situation.
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This is my first Susan Nielsen book, but I’m sure it won’t be my last! It needs to be in every public and middle school library. Be sure it’s on your fall order!

Kindness, Homelessness, Friendship, Resourcefulness, Pride

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I have found so many picture books this spring, that I want to share with you! In fact, due to my long list, I will be publishing a post with more titles within the next few weeks! I learned about many of these titles through a wonderful group I’m proud to be a part of, @kidlitexchange.com. We are a group of parents, teachers and librarians who share a love of children’s literature. I hope you’ll check out our blog, as well as look for us on Instagram,  @kidlitexchange and on Twitter @kidlitexchange.

     What If… by Samantha Berger; illustrated by Mike Curato.

There are people in the world who MUST create. They might write stories, paint pictures, knit sweaters or hundreds and thousands of other things, but in order to survive, to be themselves, they know they must create. That is what this delightful picture book is all about. We follow a little girl who imagines that her pencil disappears and what she might do to solve that problem. How would she continue to create the stories that she knows she must express? The mixed media illustrations by Mike Curato bring her journey alive for us as she folds a sheet of paper, chips and peels the paint and tears up the floorboards to create the story she must share.

I especially enjoyed the notes from the author and the artist which help us understand how both the story and the pictures in this imaginative book came to be, as well as tell us about the special friendship between Samantha and Mike. This story will lead to so many wonderful discussions with your children. 

 The Backup Bunny by Abigail Rayner; Pictures by Greg Stones

When my boys were toddlers they each had their special comfort toy – one a “blankie” and one a large stuffed raccoon, “Rick”. My husband and I knew that wherever we went with the kids, the most important thing was to NEVER FORGET BLANKIE AND RICK!! We would have definitely appreciated having a backup blankie or Rick! Why didn’t we ever think of that??

Backup Bunny tells the sweet story of what happened when he was pressed into service after Max loses his real, true Bunny. And it didn’t go well! Greg Stone’s illustrations bring Bunny to life and help us to understand exactly how both Max and Bunny are feeling. This is a fun book to share with your little ones, especially if they have a special someone in their lives.

Wild One by Jane Whittingham; Illustrated by Neal Tuazon  

This padded book with sturdy pages is one that is well suited to be read again and again, which is exactly what I think will happen in your home. It is the story of a little girl’s joyful trip to the playground and her adventures as she explores every activity.  

I loved this delightful book for so many reasons.

• The joy I found on every page – especially on the little girl’s face
• Children spending a day outside and being a “wild one”
• The delightful illustrations
• The similes. For example:  “stretching like a cat”, “slipping like an eel” and “gulping like a whale”. Oh, the discussions you can have as your little one acts out each description!
• The opportunity to discuss vocabulary like “snuggling” and “bounding”
• The coziness on the last few pages as mom and dad tuck her in after her exhausting day

This charming story deserves to be on every child’s bookshelf. It’s definitely on my shopping list!

What Does a Princess Really Look Like?  by Mark Loewen; Illustrated by Ed Pokoj

Thank you to @kidlitexchange for sharing the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Chloe loves pretending to be a princess or a ballerina. She loves dancing with her two dads and dressing up with a crown and a beautiful skirt. But when she decides to create a picture of her very own princess ballerina she realizes being a princess is more than pretty clothes and fancy parties. She creates a princess with eyes that notice people who need help and ears to help her understand what she can do to assist them. Her princess has a mouth that utters kind words and speaks up when she sees something that is wrong.

I really like this story, which is illustrated with colorful cartoon type drawings. Chloe demonstrates a deep understanding of the characteristics we truly value in a princess ballerina or in a little girl. This is a great picture book to share with your little princess to open up a conversation about how she can develop these characteristics. It also includes the fact very naturally into the story that Chloe has two dads, rather than pointing it out. This very simply offers another example of how families are all different. This title will be released July 1, 2018.

What Do You Do With a Chance? by Kobi Yamada; Illustrated by Mae Besom

This is the third book from this creative duo. I loved What Do You Do With an Idea? And What Do You Do With a Problem? However, this is definitely my favorite! This exquisite picture book once again follows a little person as he wanders the countryside but on this adventure he is visited by a chance. He wants to grab the chance, but has his doubts. Does he have the courage? What if he misses the chance? Would he feel foolish?

The charming illustrations, as well as the questions the little guy asks on every page, provide so many opportunities to begin some wonderful conversations with your little ones. The story concludes with a thought we all need to remember, no matter what our age. “So what do you do with a chance? You take it…because it just might be the start of something incredible.” In fact, with graduations approaching, this would make the perfect gift!

My advice is to run to your nearest bookstore or library and get your own copy of this special book.  It’s certainly one you’ll want to add to your family’s library!

Who Will Roar If I Go? by Paige Jaeger; Illustrated by Carol Hill Quirk

Thank you to the author, @authorPaigeJaeger, for the free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This story gently introduces the idea of endangered species and animal extinction through rhyming verse and soft, intriguing watercolor illustrations. It includes thirteen animals from around the world through the touching stories which are charmingly related by the animal’s own voices. We learn both the reasons for their threatened existence, as well as how we can help them survive. Some of the animals included are the snow leopard, the elephant, the tiger and the quetzal, but my favorite was the North American Blue Karner butterflies. The illustrations are beautiful and it should be especially meaningful to the children, because they might actually see one in their neighborhood!

There are so many facets of this book that I really like. The rich vocabulary will prompt discussions as the story is shared, no matter if it is with your little who’s curled up in your lap or during a storytime with children, ages 3 – 8.  The stories about about what can be done to help the animals survive, provide a good introduction to researching endangered species. The inclusion of the animal’s home continents adds a geography lesson to the reading experience. And finally the glossary at the end of the book is especially complete and very helpful.

I highly recommend this very special book be added to both public and elementary libraries, as well as to your home bookcase. This title will be released on June 1, 2018.

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During this snowy 2018, I’ve been curled up with my coffee and reading a LOT of books. As usual, I’ve been searching for new books (or books which are new to me) to share with you. Here are some of my favorites that I’m excited to tell you about!

New Favorite Picture Books

On a Magical D-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna. 

I learned about this book on one of my favorite book blogs, What to Read to Your Kids. I’m always excited when I see it in my Inbox! I’m sure you’d really enjoy it to!

This is a truly magical book that you will definitely need to add to your collection, I’m sure. We’ve all yearned for our little ones to walk away from their video games and to go explore the outdoors. This little person (we’re not told if it’s a girl or a boy, which I love) is forced by his mother to do just that. At first, he doesn’t see any of the magic, but once he drops his video game in the lake, his eyes are opened to the mystical secrets of the forest. The lyrical and descriptive language is amazing, such as “Sunbeams fell down through a giant strainer and blinded me.”, but it is the accompanying illustrations that add the true wonder to the story. I recommend that you read it several times, (which shouldn’t be a problem since I’m sure it will become a family favorite!) so that you can truly notice all of the tiny details on every page. I loved how the little person’s legs became tree trunks when he felt like he was a small tree, how the martians jumped out of his video game, his view of the upside down world and the pure glee we see on his face when he discovered each little forest surprise. And please take an extra look at the mushroom page! But most of all, I love his conclusion “why hadn’t I done these things before today?” I hope you’ll love this book, as much as I do!

Accident by Andrea Tsurumi

I also learned about this book on What to Read to Your Kids. Many thanks to The Book Mommy for her great reviews!

We’ve all had lots of accidents. I know I certainly have! The story begins when Lola, the armadillo, spills orange juice on the living room chair, declares “I’ve ruined everything!” and decides that the only solution is to hide in the library until she’s grown up. But oh, no, on her way she runs right into a friend who has accidentally broken a swing, and quickly joins Lola in the race to the shelter of the library. That is until they encounter ANOTHER friend who has accidentally clipped the water hose when he’s trimming the hedge! This parade continues as it and adds friend after friend as they rush to get to the security of the library.

I loved the illustrations which included almost every imaginable animal involved in almost every imaginable calamity. The vocabulary was so much fun and that, along with the accidents which are shown on every page offer many opportunities for lively discussions with your little ones. With so much happening on every page, you’ll discover new surprises every time you read this delightful story. But what I liked most was the ending. A little bird follows Lola on her journey to the library and once Lola slows down simply says one word, “Accident.” The astonishment and relief on Lola’s face and the faces of all of her friends is very clear, as bird explains, “and now we make it better.”

We all need the reassurance that accidents are just that – accidents – and that they do happen. This book illustrates the lesson that is so important for all of us to learn. The lesson that tells us once an accident occurs, we need to kindly take care of the results of the accident, whether it be with an apology, with cleaning up the mess or by solving the problem we created, as well as graciously accepting our friend’s “I’m sorry.” after an accident occurs. What an important lesson for all of us to remember, both young and old!

This is definitely a book to add to your family library, as well as a book that should be in every elementary and public library. It’s a five star, for sure!

New Favorite middle Grade Books

Hilde Cracks the Case: Hero Dog by Hilde Lysiak with Matthew Lysiak; Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vrietnoff

Thank you to @kidlitexchange for sharing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Hilde is a serious real-life reporter who is ten years old and writes her own actual newspaper, Orange Street News. She, along with a little bit of help from her reporter dad, is the author of this fun series! The stories are fictional, but are inspired by true stories that she has covered in her newspaper. Hilde has included a glossary of the terms she uses as she investigates her story, such as confession, confirm and deadline, which will be especially helpful to beginning mystery readers.  

This is the first book in a new early chapter book series, from the Branches division (#scholasticbranches) of @scholastic. Hero Dog is a puzzling mystery with lots of clues that prompt the reader to really analyze the evidence that Hilde discovers! It has easy to read font and illustrations on every page, which makes it a fun and enticing book to read. I especially liked that it stressed the importance of a reporter always answering the “who, what, when, where, why, how” questions in order to investigate a story. Hilde demonstrated the importance of this practice all through Hero Dog, when she paused and filled in the answers to these questions in her notebook. Learning the importance of this strategy will help your kids, as they strive to solve their own neighborhood mysteries.

I highly recommend this book for grades 1-3, and possibly for older reluctant readers who are looking for a fun book. Hero Dog will definitely keep mystery lovers engaged to the very last page! The series should become part of every elementary library collection.  

Smart Cookie By Elly Swartz

Thank you to @kidlitexchange and @ellyswartzbooks for providing this review copy of Smart Cookie. All opinions are my own.

Frankie is a 6th grader with a best friend, Elliott, a dad, a gram, a beagle and a hedgehog who lives in her family’s  B&B in Vermont. She and her dad are terrified of thunder and lightning, because her mom died while driving home one night during a storm. So since that time when Frankie was four years old, she, her dad and her gram have been living in and running the B&B. She and her gram are in charge of making the fresh cookies everyday that are a trademark of the inn, as well as doing other chores around the inn. Her dad maintains the building and grounds and does the cooking.

Frankie has decided it’s time to change that. She thinks her dad works far too hard and he needs to find a new wife, not to mention a new mom for her. And although family rule #10 is no secrets, Frankie has several; one being she has signed her dad up on a dating site!

I loved Frankie. I loved her courage, her resourcefulness, her spunk, her kindness and her creativity. I admired her very special relationship with her grandmother and the other senior center members. I admired her loyalty to her gram, as well as her understanding, when she discovered the secrets about Gram’s new love, and her hoarding issues. I ached for Frankie as she missed her mom, as she struggled to understand why her best friend deserted her and as she longed to be part of a family of three. I appreciated Frankie’s close friendship with Elliott and although they disagreed on things, they were extremely loyal and kind to one another and were an excellent team when it came to solving mysteries and problems.

This is a book that should be added to all elementary libraries and will soon become a favorite with grades 3-6. It would also be a good choice for those younger students who are ready for and requesting a middle grade book, because the subject matter is completely appropriate. I highly recommend Smart Cookie!

What are some new favorites that you have discovered during the past month or two? I hope you’ll share them with all of us in the comments section!

A few weeks ago I was invited to an elementary school to teach an author study with four second grade classes. When I’ve done this in the past, I usually begin with a short bio about the author, an overview of their books and then read aloud one or two of my favorites. This month I decided to teach a lesson that was a bit of a change. Rather than do an author study, I did an illustrator study and it was so much fun! I chose Christian Robinson, the illustrator who won the Caldecott Honor award in 2015. I began by sharing this PBS video. I hope you’ll share it with your kids. Christian Robinson’s Brief, but Spectacular Take on Telling Stories with Pictures. After viewing the short video, we discussed what they learned about Christian Robinson’s life and the steps he follows as creates the illustrations for a book. We then read Last Stop on Market Street, and The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade or School’s First Day of School. They had heard the first book, because it’s currently one of the Illinois’ Monarch books, but the other two were new. I decided to reread Last Stop on Market Street, because I’m a big believer in the importance of discussing a book as it is read aloud, and because of this, every time a child hears a story it helps them to learn something new about the book. We discussed the vocabulary in the books, the themes of the stories, the emotions that the characters were experiencing and of course, the illustrations. We compared and contrasted each of these aspects of the books and were excited to find a lot of similarities, especially in the illustrations. The children pointed out things that I hadn’t even thought of! For example the women in all of the books are wearing triangular shaped earrings, and the children in every story look very much the same. They were thrilled to discover they could recognize Christian Robinson’s style and technique in all of the books. Here are the three books I shared.

Last Stop on Market Street

Words by Matt De La Pena; Pictures by Christian Robinson

This award winning book tells the story of C.J., who yearns to go home and play after attending church with his Grandma. Instead, C.J. and his nana ride the bus to the very last stop on Market Street. Along the way, CJ peppers Nana with questions about their fellow bus riders and the people they pass by. His wise Grandma’s calm and optimistic explanations help to open CJ’s eyes to the beauty in his world, and also help him to realize just how fortunate they truly are.

Kindness, Diverse stories

the smallest girl in the smallest grade

Words by Justin Roberts; Pictures by Christian Robinson

Sally is the “smallest girl in the smallest grade” and no one notices her. However, Sally notices everyone and everything from Tommy “tripping” in the hall to the 27 keys on the janitor’s ring. She notices how a whisper can ruin someone’s day and how someone feels when they are pushed off the slide. She finally has enough and announces to her classmates “I’m tired of seeing this terrible stuff! Stop hurting each other! This is enough!” Her outburst inspires not only the children, but also the adults of the school to be a bit kinder and to feel a bit more connected, all because Sally had been paying attention.

Kindness, thoughtfulness

school’s first day of school

Story by Adam Res; Pictures by Christian Robinson

Did you ever think about how the school feels on the first day? School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex tells the story from the school building’s perspective. I love imagining what inanimate objects might be thinking and feeling and this story certainly does that. School is brand new and it doesn’t realize what the first day of school means, but his friend the janitor tries to prepare him. When that first day actually arrives, School isn’t so sure he likes the children being there. The children are everywhere and some actually say “this place stinks”. School’s feelings are hurt! When a kindergartner’s mother has to carry her little girl into school, School worries that he must be an awful place. Then lunch time comes and children spill food and milk all over School. School isn’t too happy about that! But afterwards the little kindergartner makes a sparkly picture of School, which he really likes and which makes her feel so much better. At the end of the day, School confides to Janitor that he is probably lucky to be a school! This book is a great one to teach about perspective and point of view, as well as helping those first timers get over their anxiety about the new school year.

Perspective, point of view

I hope your children will enjoy learning about Christian Robinson, as much as the second graders did! Also, I want to remind you that the Caldecott and Newberry awards will be announced on Monday. You can watch the announcement live to learn if any of your favorites are winners!

As promised, here are two more of my favorites from the past month. Both are new picture book biographies that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. I hope you’ll like them as much as I do!

The Boo-Boos That Changed the World: A True Story about an Accidental Invention (Really!)

By Barry Wittenstein 

Illustrated by Chris Hsu 

#partner @charlesbridgepublishing

Thank you to Charlesbridge Publishing and Blue Slip Media for sharing this book. All opinions are my own. This book is released February 13, 2018.

I’ve always been intrigued about the stories behind everyday objects. I’m always asking myself, “How long ago was this invented? What prompted it to be invented? How is it made? Who invented it?” I think these questions were prompted partially by my storytelling, and partially by my frequent conversations with my father who had an endless curiosity about the world.

I can imagine just such a chat about about band-aids! And since he loved to research the answers to all our questions in library books or in our set of The World Book Encyclopedia, he would have absolutely loved The Boo-Boos that Changed the World, as I did! This marvelous book answers all of our questions about band-aids, and more, and does it with a great sense of humor. It tells the charming story of Earle Dickson who was concerned about his new bride’s constant “boo-boos”. He was worried that they might become infected or lead to more accidents, so he decided to solve the problem. Happily, he did and it led to the invention of band-aids that we all take for granted today. But really, though, can you imagine life without band-aids?!

Chris Hsu’s sweet illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to the story that takes us from Earle and Josephine’s marriage through the actual invention and finally through Earle’s struggle to make band-aids a household item. He captures Earle’s expressions perfectly from the time when Earle first ponders the problem, to when Earle has his eureka moment and lastly when Earle joyfully tells Josephine that he has convinced his boss James Johnson (of Johnson & Johnson fame) to mass produce band-aids. Finally, be sure and notice Mr. Hsu’s playful endpapers – so much fun!

Another aspect of the book that I really like is the author’s note. In a very entertaining way, it tells us more of the story behind the invention of band-aids and how many aspects of Earle’s life came together perfectly to contribute to his invention. There’s also a great timeline of Earle Dickson’s life, as well as a timeline of medical inventions from the 1920’s and 1930’s, which gives us a better perspective about the world during those years.

This picture book biography is a great choice for anyone looking for a biography; especially if they are hoping to learn about a lesser known, but extremely interesting figure in history. In addition, it would also be of great interest to a child who is wanting to read more about the steps which lead to a successful invention. Lastly, it would also be a perfect read aloud to introduce a lesson about biographies or inventions. The Boo-Boos that Changed the World needs to be on every elementary library shelf!

 A boy, a mouse, and a spider: the story of e.b. white

By Barbara Herkert

Illustrated by Lauren Castillo

So many of us have a great love for E.B. White’s children’s books; Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web and The Trumpet of the Swan, which were a special part of our childhood. However, it’s always fascinating to me to learn about what inspires an author’s stories.  E.B. White was a little boy who had many fears, terrible hay fever, and a great love of the outdoors. There all of his senses would come alive and he would record his observations and create poetry for his mother. He grew up to be an editor and to write for The New Yorker, but he continued to yearn for a country life. When he finally moved his family to a farm in Maine, his dreams became a reality and there he created the stories which are a part of our childhood.  Barbara Herkert’s gentle biography helps even our youngest little ones get to know E.B. White when she describes his life beginning with his childhood through the time when he created his novels in A Boy, A Mouse and a Spider. Lauren Castillo’s charming illustrations pull us into the story and help us feel that we are a part of the Maine farm where our beloved Wilbur and Charlotte lived. This picture biography should be a part of the collection in every elementary school and public library. It will introduce your family to the amazing man, E.B. White as you cozy up to read one of E.B. White’s cherished novels together.

Have you found any new picture book biographies? I hope you’ll share with all of us in the comments! Look for another post soon about more new releases that have become favorites of mine.

On this cold, but sunny winter day (yea for the sun!!), I want to share some books I’ve read during the the past month. Happily, I’ve been able to curl up with my new Christmas throw, my dog and my coffee and have found a lot of new favorites! Two are set in Cuba, which was a new and eye opening experience for me. Others offered window and mirror experiences for me as I’m sure they will for you and your kids. Through the stories of these brave characters, who bravely provide us with a window into their lives, we can develop a better understanding of some difficult topics, or they might mirror something you are experiencing, which will bring comfort to all of you. So that I don’t overwhelm you, this is the first of multiple posts with my new favorite books for your TBR list. Look for part two next week!

My Brigadista year

by Katherine Paterson

#partner @kidlitexchange

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book – all opinions are my own. I can barely remember the Cuban Missile Crisis and I’m quite sure most of you weren’t even dreamed about at that time! My vague memory is of my parents (who rarely watched television) and my aunt and uncle being glued to the set, while my cousins and I were allowed to play with very little supervision. I remember the murmurs and the fear on their faces. It was something I had never experienced before or since. So as you can imagine, both my memories and opinion of Castro and the Cuban government were not happy ones. Therefore, when I read My Brigadista Year my eyes were opened to a part of Cuban history I wasn’t aware of and was very different than I knew.
✨
When Castro became premier of Cuba, he called for an army of young people to go out into the jungles and mountains to bring literacy to the citizens who had never had the opportunity to learn to read and write. This historical fiction book is the memoir of a member of that army, who at the age of thirteen leaves the safety and the comforts of her life in Havana, much to her parents’ dismay, and goes off to tackle the huge job of teaching citizens to become literate. She does this with no electricity, no running water and with the constant fear that she will be discovered by the rebels. But her parents have raised her to share what she has and to help others who are lacking, so this is exactly what she does.
✨
I liked this book so much. In fact, I read it in one sitting! I just couldn’t stop reading Lora’s story. I admired her courage, her kindness, her empathy and her determination to do the right thing. Thanks to the brigadistas, many, many people became literate while the army of volunteers learned compassion and self reliance. In Lora’s words “I taught the campesinos how to read and write, and they taught me how to be a person.” (page 177)
✨

Middle Grade; Historical Fiction; courage; kindness; empathy; Cuba

insignificant events in the life of a cactus

by Dusti Bowling

Aven is a spunky thirteen year old with a great sense of humor who just happens to have no arms. She loves to tell stories about the reason why, but the truth is she was simply born way. Thanks to her parents, though, and her personality, she has the confidence to do just about anything. She can even put up with those “looks” she gets, at least most of the time. However, Aven has just moved to Arizona with her parents, because they become the managers of an old theme park and is starting a new middle school. This means lots of “those looks” and no friends.

I loved this amazing “windows and mirrors” story! Not only did we get to know what it means to be Aven, but we were also given an opportunity to view the world through the eyes of a child with Tourette Syndrome, as well as an overweight child, who are both feeling very much alone and ostracized in middle school. We learn about the friendship that develops among these three kids and what this means to each of them. We learn how friendships and the support of those friendships can lead to growth, self confidence and self acceptance.

This would be a wonderful read aloud for grade 5 and up and will prompt many meaningful class discussions about the acceptance of differences and friendship.  It’s the perfect book for those kids who have read Wonder and ask what they can read next! This book (and lots of copies) needs to be in every upper elementary and middle school library.

Grades 5 and up realistic fiction; friendship; Tourette Syndrome; overcoming obstacles; love and family support; acceptance of differences

all the way to havana

Written by Mararita Engle; Illustrated by Mike Curato

This book tells the story of a young Cuban boy, his family, some neighbors and their 30 mile journey to Havana to welcome the boy’s new cousin to the world. The seven happily squeeze into the family sedan, Cara Cara, which had originally belonged to the boy’s grandpa. It’s a conglomeration of parts pieced together to keep the fifty year old car running, with a little ingenuity from the boy and his father. We see the pride and joy on their faces as they arrive in Havana with their gift and their cake for the new cousin. The little boy sees so many cars of all shapes and colors as they drive through Havana, but proudly know his Cara Cara is the best! This story allows us to see and to gain an understanding of the strong family ties and pride in a Cuban family, as well as the determination of the Cuban people to make the best of what they have.

The illustrations are by one of my favorite illustrator’s, Mike Curato. He traveled to Cuba and took the same 30 mile hot and dusty ride in a 1954 Chevy that the young boy and his family experience in the story. From this, he created the illustrations using the textures from photographs he took along the way, along with pencil drawings and paintings. You’ll be transported to this beautiful island country as you imagine the warmth and love in a day in the life of a Cuban family. I highly recommend All the Way to Havana.

Family pride: ingenuity; Cuba

A Different Pond

Written by Bao Phi ; Illustrated by Thi Bui

I had seen this book on so many end of the year “best” lists, and after reading it, I certainly understand why that is! I remember reading about, and being aware of, the many Vietnam refugees in the 70s, but I never had any first hand experience in my small Midwestern hometown. This beautiful book helps me understand exactly what so many Vietnam refugees were feeling and experiencing as they struggled to live in the United States. The story tells of a little boy who accompanies his father on a fishing trip in the predawn hours. There’s much love and patience between the boy and his father, as the dad casts his line into the river and the little boy shivers from the cold. The dad shares stories about his childhood in Vietnam and about his brother who never returned from the fighting. Once they have a few fish, they return home knowing their family will be able to eat dinner that night when Dad comes home from one of his two jobs, Mom is home from her job and his brothers and sisters are home after school. This is a story about family, love and the struggles that a refugee family face as they work to survive in their new country. It enables us to have a small understanding of what the Vietnamese refugees experienced when they had to leave everything they knew in order to have a better life for their families, which is not unlike what refugees experience today. Sharing A Different Pond provides a perfect introduction to discussing the current world refugee situation. This book will help our children develop understanding of, and empathy for, the plight of refugees in our country and around the world.

Immigration; refugees; family love and support; Vietnam refugees

I have so many more books I want you to know about, but I’ll save them for another post – or maybe even two! Be sure and let me know what your new favorites are in the comments!

I’ve been reading so many wonderful children’s books during the past few months. In July I joined a new group, Kid Lit Exchange, which has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to both learn about and read the latest picture books and middle grade books; many before they are published. This is a dedicated group of librarians, teachers and parents who love children’s literature and believe whole heartedly in the magic of reading and stories to help the kids in our lives grow in their love of books. We work with authors and publishers to read, review and share the newest titles on our blogs, Good Reads and Instagram. I hope you’ll check out our new website. Of course, I’ll be sharing the books I review here, on Instagram and on Good Reads!

Here are a few of my favorite recent picture books I think would be worthy to add to your TBR (To Be Read) pile! I hope you’ll agree!

Life on Mars by Jon Agee

The delightful illustrations in this picture book made me smile from the time I first viewed the cover and I didn’t stop until long after I finished the sweet story. The little astronaut is certain there is life on Mars and he travels there to prove his theory. He brings chocolate cupcakes, because when you visit someone’s home you always take a hostess gift, don’t you?! He’s so disappointed when he arrives. All he sees is barren terrain full of rocks – no life. When you read this book aloud to your little one, they will be squealing with delight as they point out who’s following the little explorer. And they’ll especially love the last page, as I did. This is definitely one you’re going to want to add to your library!

Book of Mistakes By Corianna Luyken 

I shared this book the other night at a family dinner, and EVERYONE loved it, just as I did! I definitely think I’m adding it to my holiday shopping list. The uplifting illustrations grow on every page, as Ms. Luyken tries out idea after idea. Is this a possibility? Is this a good idea? Opps, the “frog cat cow thing” was a mistake, but the “roller skates were definitely not a mistake!” “Even the ink smudges scattered across the sky, look as if the could be leaves!” I love how Ms. Luyken handles her mistakes. She has the confidence to admit that she’s made a mistake and just moves on, until she finds a solution; a plan b. She’s so joyfully positive and optimistic on every page!

If you have, or your little one has ever been obsessed with making a mistake, or if you’re just looking for a beautifully illustrated book full of positivity and optimism, this is definitely a book to add to your collection. The charming narrative encourages us to explore, to create and to understand that although we may stumble as we try a new experience, it’s okay, because we’re a work in progress. 

Happy Dreamer by Peter Reynolds

I think one of the reasons I liked this book so much, is because I am a dreamer. I am always making up stories about the people I see and the houses I pass as I walk down the street. I certainly don’t paint or draw, as Peter H. Reynolds does so brilliantly in the sparkling, joyful illustrations you’ll find on every page of the story, but that doesn’t mean I don’t dream about doing just that, as I’m sure many of you do. We follow the little guy, who is the main character, as he dances through each page over lots of obstacles, and finally concludes “…the best way to be a happy dreamer? Just be You.” This is one of those books that is wonderful for all ages. In fact, it’s perfect for anyone who needs a little encouragement to just follow their dreams. Maybe that’s you!

everywhere, wonder by Matthew Swanson and illustrated by Robbi Behr

This imaginative picture book with vibrant illustrations invites the reader to tour the world with a young boy as he notices the world “with his eyes wide open.” I am always reminding myself to stop and smell the roses, to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day, even if it is something as insignificant as when this little guy notices a blue balloon caught in a tree or a parade of ants marching by. Of course he observes some majestic sights as well, such as the canyons of Arizona or the Brazilian rain forest. And when he finally ends his day, he dreams of everything he noticed that day.This would be a great book to read to your little guys to open up a conversation about “smelling the roses” or to provide a wonderful beginning to a writing project for your older kids. I highly recommend it!

Dad and the Dinosaur by Gennifer Choldenko and illustrated by Dan Santat

Newberry Honor winner, Gennifer Choldenko has written a heartwarming story about a father’s love. The illustrations by Caldecott Award Winner, Dan Santat @dsantat, (The Adventures of Beekle) make this charming story come alive even more. Little Nick was afraid of everything, but nothing scared Big Nick. Little Nick tried his best to be brave, but nothing helped until he got his dinosaur. Of course, nothing scares dinosaurs; not bugs, the dark or manhole covers, so when Nick had his toy dino with him he was brave. He scaled climbing walls, faced scary goalies and swam deep in the ocean. But then, something awful happened. Little Nick lost his dinosaur. That is, it WAS awful, until Dad came home and saved the day, as dads do. Because “dads get it. They just do.”

Tidy by Emily Gravett

Pete the Badger is a compulsive tidier. He can’t even handle one fallen leaf in his forest! Emily Gravett tells the story of Pete’s destruction of his home with her rhyming, humorous text and vibrant illustrations. Pete’s insistence that everything be perfectly neat and clean in his forest soon leads to unwelcome consequences for both Pete and his friends. Happily, he realizes his extreme actions need to be rectified, so with the help of his friends he is able to save the forest and put everything back to how it was, just maybe a little bit tidier. This story will lead to some great conversations with your little one about protecting the environment.

What are some new picture books that you’ve discovered? Please be sure and share them in the comments!