Picture books

Love by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Loren Long

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Summary:  What is love?  For many, it begins with two happy parents gazing at you while you sleep.  Life can get more complicated later on, as friendships and other relationships end, and scary things happen that you may not always understand.  But love is reassuring in those times.  After awhile, you begin to recognize love even in imperfection, like burned toast made just for you and the lines on your grandfather’s face.  And when the time comes for you to go off on your own, the love of the people around you will go with you.  40 pages; ages 4 and up.

Pros:  Newbery author Matt de la Pena explores the complexities of love, beautifully illuminated by Loren Long’s illustrations of a diverse group of people from many walks of life.  This would make a good graduation gift.

Cons:  While this has the look of a picture book for young children, much of it will be appreciated more by older readers.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

My Pillow Keeps Moving! by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Christopher Weyant

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Published by Viking Books for Young Readers

Summary:  A cat and dog sit shivering outside a store with a sign reading “Pillows on Sale Today!!!”.  The dog scoots in just ahead of a customer and curls himself into a pillow shape.  When the man gets home with his new “pillow”, he finds that it keeps moving while he sleeps.  He tries to return it, but the clerk asks, “Is your pillow soft? Is it fluffy?” to which the man can only reply, “Yes”.  Next, he goes shopping for a footstool, and the routine is repeated.  (“My footstool is noisy!”)  It happens again when he tries to buy a jacket.  Finally, he tells the dog, “As a jacket, you stink, but maybe you’re more of a Jackie than a jacket,” and the dog has a new home.  As the two head out to shop for a new hat, Jackie winks at the cat, and the next to last page shows Jackie and the man walking home with the cat perched on his head.  On the final page, the three are sitting happily by the fire.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Told entirely with cartoon dialog, kids will find the visual humor hilarious.

Cons:  That cat looks like a heavy hat.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

When Sophie Thinks She Can’t… by Molly Bang

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Blue Sky Press

Summary:  Sophie is back, once again learning how to deal with her feelings.  This time, she’s frustrated when she’s trying to do a tangram puzzle and her older sister solves it in a minute, telling her “Too bad you’re not smart”.  When her teacher gives the class a math challenge the next day, Sophie doesn’t want to try, telling herself she can’t do puzzles and is never smart at math.  Her teacher and friends give her more positive messages, and ultimately Sophie is able to contribute to the different ways her classmates solve the problem.  She learns the power of “yet”, as in, “I haven’t figured this out…yet”, which helps her to persist and bring that lesson of perseverance home to her father.  Includes a page entitled “About this book” that tells more about the work of Carol Dweck and the growth mindset versus the fixed mindset.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Caldecott honoree Molly Bang has created another beautifully illustrated book to help young children understand their emotions and think empowering thoughts.  This would be a great discussion starter in a primary classroom.

Cons:  Having sat through more than one professional development on growth mindset and the power of “yet”, this book felt a bit didactic to me.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Every Color Soup by Jorey Hurley

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Published by Simon and Schuster

Summary:  Each two-page spread has the name of a color and an ingredient for soup that is that color.  Most are vegetables, but there is also white salt, black pepper, and clear water (or broth).  The last few pages are action words: chop, drop, and bubble; the final page shows a bowl of soup and the word “yum”.  Includes a page identifying all the ingredients and a recipe.  40 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  Like a good soup, this book is simple yet satisfying, with large colorful illustrations that would look nice hanging on my kitchen wall.  The vivid designs with plenty of white space make this a good introduction to colors and vegetables for the youngest readers.

Cons:  Is clear a color?

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Groundhug Day by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by Christopher Denise

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Published by Disney-Hyperion

Summary:  Moose is throwing a Valentine’s party; all his friends are excited, except Groundhog, who is still hibernating.  While the others get into a heated discussion about how  to make Groundhog stay above ground after February 2, they don’t notice their friend emerge, take one long around, and dive back into his burrow.  When they plead with him to come back, he tells them he’s afraid of shadows.  His friends convince him to come out so they can show them there’s nothing to be scared of, then show him how to make silhouettes and shadow puppets.  In the end, though, it’s too cold for Groundhog to stick around for the party, and he goes back to sleep until St. Patrick’s Day.  By then, he’s ready to party, but now Bunny is holed up, preparing for the next spring holiday.  48 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  You can kill two birds with one stone with this book that celebrates Groundhog Day and Valentine’s Day (with nods to St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, as well).  The digital illustrations are cute and colorful, and the shadows are well portrayed.

Cons:  Whoops, just noticed this book was released in December 2017.  Back to 2018 tomorrow.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Be A King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by James Ransome

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Published by Bloomsbury

Summary:  “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve….You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”  Martin Luther King Jr.’s words speak to children in this book showing how anyone can “be a King.”  Illustrations portraying scenes from King’s life are interspersed with others in a different style showing kids working together to paint an MLK mural.  Ideas for how to be a King include standing for peace, having a dream, and doing your very best at whatever you do.  The last page shows the kids gathered around the mural with the advice, “You can be a King.  Set your sights on the mountaintop.  Climb a little higher every day.”  An author’s note gives biographical information.  40 pages; ages 4-9.

Pros:  I liked how this book connected the sometimes abstract concepts of King’s work and speeches with concrete actions that kids can take to make the world a better place.  This would be an excellent book to use in conjunction with the day of service aspect of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.  There is a lot to look at in the illustrations, with two stories interwoven.

Cons:  Having biographical information on the pages with the pictures of King–even just a sentence or two–would have made this even more useful in helping kids understand his life.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

I Am Loved: A Poetry Collection by Nikki Giovanni, illustrations by Ashley Bryan

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Published by Atheneum

Summary:  In 11 short poems, Nikki Giovanni expresses love, both for the reader and for the simple everyday pleasures surrounding him or her.  Wildflowers, cats, and quilts are all celebrated.  In “No Heaven”, she asks how there can be no heaven when there is so much to appreciate all around.  “A Song of Blackbird” looks at how we describe people and remember them when they’re gone.  “I Am a Mirror” comes with a mylar mirror for the reader to reflect on, and mentions the auction block and middle passage.  The final poem, “Do the Rosa Parks” is a catchy song that encourages readers to sit down with those who are suffering and stand up to injustice.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Award winners Giovanni and Bryan team up for a perfect introduction to poetry for the youngest readers, illustrated in Bryan’s trademark colorful folk-inspired paintings.

Cons:  The mylar mirror may not survive repeated library use.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson; illustrated by Frank Morrison

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

The majority of books I have read in 2018 have been about African-Americans and the Civil Rights Movement.  I will be sharing reviews of these for the next week, beginning today.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Summary:  A girl tells about her participation in the Birmingham Children’s March of 1963, starting with a family trip to church to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  When he urges the congregation to march, many of the adults are afraid of losing jobs, so young people offer to go.  On May 2, she and other children and teens begin their protest, only to be met with dogs, fire hoses, and arrest.  On the third day, she is sent to jail.  When their story is broadcast around the world, changes begin to happen, and within two months, the girl is playing on a playground she’s never been allowed to use before.  Back matter includes an afterword, an artist’s statement, a bibliography, and three photos from the march.  40 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  A compelling story, made even more so by the first-person narration and the large, realistic oil paintings.  The message that one person can make a difference is inspiring.

Cons:  The desegregation process seemed overly simplified.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Five favorite read-alouds

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Some of these could probably be on the Caldecott contenders list as well.  I do admire Candlewick, and it’s interesting that three of these were published there.

The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. Published by Candlewick.

Every time I finish a Mac Barnett/Jon Klassen book, I think, “That was weird.”  Then I read it to kids, they love it, and suddenly, I love it too.  May the bromance continue.  Link to Amazon.

 

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. Published by Candlewick.

The story, pictures, and message of this little book work their way into your heart.  Read it next year on the first day of summer.  Link to Amazon.

 

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Adam Rex. Published by Balzer + Bray.

Kids may not get all the humor, but you will be so busy cracking yourself up, you won’t even care.  This was right behind After the Fall as my favorite picture book this year.  Link to Amazon.

 

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui.

Should be required reading for anyone making policy around immigration.  It’s more of a read-aloud for older kids, maybe third grade and up.  Link to Amazon.

 

Professional Crocodile by Giovanna Zoboli, illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio. Published by Chronicle.

If I could meet one fictional character from 2017, I think it might be this guy.  Link to Amazon.

Five Caldecott predictions

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

I tend to be a bit conservative in my picture book tastes.  While I can appreciate the more avant garde styles of Evan Turk’s Muddy and Ed Young’s Mighty Moby, at the end of the day, I’m going to go with something a bit more traditional for my favorites.  Like these:

 

Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion by Chris Barton, illustrated by Victo Ngai.  Published by Millbrook Press.

In his first children’s book, Victo Ngai does an impressive job of capturing the feel of the World War I era as well as dazzling readers with his renditions of the ships.  Link to Amazon.

 

All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Mike Curato.  Published by Henry Holt.

I’ve loved Mike Curato’s Little Elliot books, and this book was even more spectacular.  This plus Katherine Paterson’s My Brigadista Year made me want to visit Cuba.  Link to Amazon.

 

Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin.  Published by Schwartz and Wade.

How appropriate that I cannot find words to express how much I loved this enchanting, imaginative wordless book.  Link to Amazon.

 

After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat.  Published by Roaring Brook Press.

Sometimes I’ll enjoy a book, then look at it again a few months later and realize it was even more fabulous than I originally realized.  This was one of those books; it is my #1 favorite picture book in 2017.  Link to Amazon.

 

The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater, illustrated by the Fan Brothers.

I’ve seen some questions about whether the Fan Brothers can win a Caldecott, as they live and work in Canada, but I’m pretty sure they are eligible.  Their pigeon crew members on the antlered ship were among my favorite characters this year.  Link to Amazon.