Author: Janet Dawson

Nobody Owns the Moon by Tohby Riddle

~ Janet Dawson ~ 3 Comments

Published by Berbay Publishing

Nobody Owns the Moon: Riddle, Tohby: 9780994384195: Amazon.com: Books
Nobody Owns the Moon | Book by Tohby Riddle | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster AU

Summary:  “The fox is one of the only wild creatures in the world that can successfully make a life for itself in cities.”  One such fox goes under the name of Clive Prendergast (his real name can only be pronounced by other foxes).  He lives in a one-room apartment and works in a factory, putting together the same two parts over and over without ever knowing what they’re for.  Clive pretty much keeps to himself, but he does have one friend: Humphrey, a donkey who is faring less well in the city, with no fixed address or steady job.  One day, Humphrey finds two tickets to the theater, and the friends get to enjoy the premiere of a play called Nobody Owns the Moon, including fancy hors d’oeuvres beforehand and free cake afterward.  As the two of them walk home together, they look at the lights and hear the sounds of the city, declaring, “This is our town!” before hugging each other and parting ways.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Cute animal tale or stinging indictment of capitalism?  One of the best decisions I made around the blog this year was to start reviewing more from small presses, which led me to some really original books like this one.  This could be shared with preschoolers or used with much older kids/people to start what could be a very interesting discussion.

Cons:  I simultaneously loved this book and was totally bummed out by it.

Art Is Everywhere: A Book About Andy Warhol by Jeff Mack

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Published by Henry Holt and Co.

Art Is Everywhere
Art Is Everywhere

Summary:  Andy Warhol narrates his story, starting with his job drawing shoes.  “All day long it was shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe.  I felt like a robot in a factory.  It was so cool.”  Soon he was drawing other everyday objects as art like Campbell’s soup cans (“Do you like soup? We all like soup”) and boxes of Brillo pads.  He made an eight-hour movie of the Empire State Building and prints of Marilyn Monroe (“Did I make her famous? Or did she make me famous?”).  He started a magazine and made a TV show.  At the end, he predicts the future of media where there will be things to watch, things to follow, and things to share.  Astute readers will realize that that future is already here.  Includes an author’s note with additional information that speculates on how Andy Warhol might be making art if he were still alive today.  48 pages; grades 2-5.  

Pros:  This unique biography really captures Andy Warhol’s art and voice, and would serve as an excellent introduction to use in an art class.  There’s humor and some interesting questions for readers to ponder, as well as references to Warhol’s accessible pop art that will undoubtedly pique kids’ curiosity to learn more.

Cons:  Since there’s not a lot of biographical information, a list of additional resources would have been helpful.

Happy Diwali! by Sanyukta Mathur and Courtney Pippin-Mathur illustrated by Courtney Pippin-Mathur

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Published by Henry Holt and Co.

Happy Diwali!: 9781250257468: Mathur, Sanyukta, Pippin-Mathur, Courtney, Pippin-Mathur, Courtney: Books - Amazon.com

Summary:  A girl and her family prepare for Diwali by cleaning and decorating the house, cooking food, and dressing up.  Family and friends arrive for a full day of ceremonies, feasting, gift-giving, and more.  As night falls, everyone enjoys sparklers on the lawn before saying their goodbyes.  Includes additional information about Diwali, a glossary, and three recipes.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A good simple introduction to the holiday of Diwali with brightly-colored illustrations and a glossary to help out with words and phrases that may be unfamiliar.  The story is based on the authors’ experience, and they make it clear in the note at the end that there are a variety of ways to celebrate.

Cons:  It seems like a not-so-great editorial decision to release this book on November 16 when Diwali was the first week of November this year.

The Big Bath House by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Gracey Zhang

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Random House

The Big Bath House: Maclear, Kyo, Zhang, Gracey: 9780593181959: Amazon.com: Books

The Big Bath House: Maclear, Kyo, Zhang, Gracey: 9780593181959: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  The author recalls her childhood visits to a Japanese bath house with her female relatives.  It begins at her grandmother’s (Baachan’s) house, where she and her mom and aunts gather and change into robes and wooden sandals.  They clomp down the street to the bath house, disrobe, then wash up before blissfully sinking into the steamy heat of the big bathtub.  Afterward, there are soft towels to wrap up in and sweet shaved ices to slurp before heading for home and bed.  Includes an author’s note telling of her summers spent in Japan and how her visits to the bath house made her more comfortable with all types of bodies.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A lyrical memoir showing readers a body-positive environment that brings together family members.  The whole experience feels luxurious, relaxing, and loving, with the illustrations capturing all of those feelings, as well as plenty of details of the Japanese setting.

Cons:  Given the current mad rush to censor, I’m sure this book will receive more than its share of challenges.

The Shape of Home by Rashin Kheiriyeh

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Published by Levine Querido

The Shape of Home: Kheiriyeh, Rashin: 9781646140985: Amazon.com: Books

The Shape of Home - Rashin

Summary:  It’s the first day of school for Rashin, who has recently moved to the U.S. from Iran.  She tells readers about her morning, with an emphasis on shapes: the bear-shaped bottle of honey on the table, the round wheels on the cars, the unfamiliar shapes of letters in the classroom.  The teacher asks her new students to tell her where they’re from and starts off the discussion by sharing that she’s from Benin, a country that is shaped like a flashlight.  Other kids are from Japan, shaped like a seahorse; Italy, shaped like a boot; and India, shaped like a Hindu goddess.  When it’s Rashin’s turn, she compares Iran to a cat–a Persian cat–and amuses her classmates with her cat pose.  They decide the United States looks like a whale, and an illustration shows them all riding on its back.  “By the end of the day,” says Rashin, “my classroom is shaped like home.”  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A perfect combination of a first-day-of-school book and a celebration of the diversity that immigrants bring to a group.  The countries are shown as the kids mention them, but you’ll want to have a world map handy to locate each one.

Cons:  Come to think of it, a world map would have been a nice addition at the end of the book.

Ben Y and the Ghost in the Machine by K. A. Holt

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Published by Chronicle Books

Ben Y and the Ghost in the Machine: The Kids Under the Stairs: Holt, K.A.: 9781452183213: Amazon.com: Books
Ben Y and the Ghost in the Machine: The Kids Under the Stairs: Holt, K.A.: 9781452183213: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  In this sequel to Ben Bee and the Teacher Griefer, Ben Y takes center stage as they deal with a brother’s death, uncertainty about gender, and a nasty vice principal who insists on enforcing a draconian dress code.  Ben’s refuge is the library where the group that became friends in book 1 gets together for the official purpose of creating a student newspaper but really to play Sandbox, a Minecraft-style game invented by Ben’s brother.  Ben frequently looks back on archived chats between them and their brother, and one day, their brother responds.  Is it a ghost, or has someone hacked into the account?  The answer proves difficult and brings up a lot of emotions, but Ben is fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family members who can offer much-needed support.  432 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  I feel like K. A. Holt should be better-known, as I have had a fair amount of success book-talking her books to middle school kids.  Her novel-in-verse format, combined here with chats and the occasional drawing makes for a quick read, and many readers will sympathize with the struggles of the middle school characters.

Cons:  As some interesting revelations were made about Mr. Mann, the evil assistant principal, I was hoping to see him have more of a change of heart.

Carla and the Christmas Cornbread by Carla Hall, illustrated by Cherise Harris

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Published by Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Carla and the Christmas Cornbread: Hall, Carla, Harris, Cherise: 9781534494695: Amazon.com: Books
Carla and the Christmas Cornbread: Hall, Carla, Harris, Cherise: 9781534494695: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Carla is excited to be going to her grandparents’ house for Christmas with her sister and mother.  The anticipation builds as the family enjoys Christmas Eve dinner, including Granny’s delicious cornbread.  Carla and her sister get ready for bed, deciding to do a puzzle before they go to sleep.  As her sister lays out the puzzle pieces, Carla takes a big bite of a sugar cookie she sees out on the table.  Too late, she realizes the cookie was meant for Santa, and worries that she will now be on the naughty list.  Granny saves the day, assuring Carla that Santa still loves her and probably gets tired of so many cookies; she helps Carla make a small skillet of cornbread to leave instead.  In the morning, the skillet is empty except for a single slice left behind for the baker.  Includes recipes for cornbread and cinnamon butter.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Another heartwarming Christmas story featuring a Black Santa, this one by celebrity chef Carla Hall.  The illustrations place the story in the early 1970’s, but the family holiday story has a timeless feel to it.

Cons:  When you realize that the interior design fashions of your childhood have really not stood the test of time.

Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson, illustrated by Reggie Brown

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Published by Dial Books

Santa in the City: Jackson, Tiffany D., Brown, Reggie: 9780593110256: Amazon.com: Books
Santa in the City: Jackson, Tiffany D., Brown, Reggie: 9780593110256: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Deja’s excited about Christmas, but not all of her friends share her belief in Santa.  But all their reasons why the jolly old elf can’t possibly exist are countered by her mom, who offers one explanation after another throughout the season.  At a family Christmas Eve celebration, other relatives back up Mom’s logic.  Finally, Deja, like so many children before her, decides to wait up for Santa, but ultimately falls asleep.  When she wakes up Christmas morning, she finds a pile of presents…and a photo of a smiling Santa.  32 pages; ages 3-8.

Pros:  A heartwarming Christmas story that makes Santa accessible to children of color and those who live in city apartments.  The brightly-colored digital illustrations bring the warm family holiday scenes to life.

Cons:  It wasn’t clear to me how the photo of Santa was created.  Christmas magic, I guess.

Best Friends-ish (Audrey L. & Audrey W. book 1) by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann

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Published by Chronicle Books

Audrey L and Audrey W: Best Friends-ish: Book 1 (Audrey L & Audrey W, 1): Higgins, Carter, Mann, Jennifer K.: 9781452183947: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Audrey is struggling a bit with second grade, since her former best friend Diego has found himself some new friends.  Audrey feels like she’s kind of average, and wishes she could be the best at something.  When her teacher announces that there’s going to be a new girl in the class, Audrey’s not sure how she feels, especially after learning that the new girl’s name is also Audrey, and the original Audrey will now be known as Audrey L.  Audrey L. is chosen to be the Welcome Ambassador for Audrey W.  She bakes the new girl a cake (baking being something that she is actually good at), but then drops it on the floor.  Audrey W. is nice about it, though, and before long it seems like the two Audreys might become friends.  But second grade is not always easy, and the new friendship proves to be something of a roller coaster ride.  Things are cemented in the final chapters, and the ending offers promise that a book 2 could be in store.  184 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  A winning early chapter book that really captures the emotions of early elementary school.  Both Audreys suffer some insecurities, but are basically kind, and you will be rooting for their best friendship to emerge after a series of false starts.  The illustrations by Jennifer Mann add excellent visuals to the story.

Cons:  I did not know that it was bad for hermit crabs to paint their shells (although it makes sense), so the horror the girls felt in that part of the story was kind of lost on me.

If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving by Chris Newell, illustrated by Winona Nelson

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Scholastic

If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving: Newell, Chris, Nelson, Winona: 9781338726374: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Those of us who grew up reading Scholastic’s books like If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 or If Your Name Was Changed At Ellis Island will recognize the question-and-answer format of this book that traces the history and culture of the Wampanoag people, the Europeans who sailed on the Mayflower, and what happened when their paths crossed.  This story does not end with the 1621 harvest feast that these groups shared, but continues on to what happened in the years afterward as Europeans increasingly moved onto indigenous lands and killed many of the people with wars and disease.  It also tells how Thanksgiving came to be a national holiday, more than 200 years after the event it purports to celebrate, and concludes with a discussion of American holidays  (or the lack of them) that recognize indigenous people.  Includes a glossary.  96 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  I enjoyed these books as a kid, and this one provides a much-needed correction to the traditional Thanksgiving story, with a greater emphasis on the Wampanoag history and culture, and a look at some of the history after 1621.  Definitely a resource that should be added to elementary school classrooms and libraries where Thanksgiving is part of the curriculum.

Cons:  Given the many, many questions around the traditional telling of the history of Thanksgiving, I was disappointed that this book didn’t include source notes, additional reading lists, or any information about the author.