Picture books

Fungi Grow by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diana Sudyka

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Beach Lane Books

Summary:  There are lots of books about plants’ life cycles, but this one focuses on fungi, which grow from spores, not seeds.  The text begins with how the spores travel and reproduce, then describes all kinds of fungi, showing readers a colorful array that they can see, as well as cutaways that show the underground fungal world.  Specific species are described in greater detail with a smaller font.  Fungi can be poisonous, but they can also help humans in a variety of ways.  Includes additional information and a glossary, list of sources, and additional resources.  48 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  A fascinating and beautiful look at a wide range of species that many readers may have noticed in passing but will now have reason to examine more closely.  Diana Sudyka is one of my new favorite illustrators this year, illuminating the text with bursts of colorful mushrooms and other fungi.  

Cons:  The zombie ant fungus may give you nightmares.

Boyogi: How a Wounded Family Learned to Heal by David Barclay Moore, illustrated by Noa Denmon

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Candlewick

Summary:  A family is struggling after the father comes home from a stint in the military.  Dad is silent, prone to nightmares, and easily angered.  Mom explains PTSD to their young son (the narrator): “When Daddy was away, some bad things happened…Those bad things harmed his mind.”  One day, the family goes to the YMCA, where Mom and Dad take a yoga class while the boy watches.  Before long, father and son are going every week, gradually getting better at the poses in the class, and Dad makes up the name boyogi for his son.  He tells his son that between yoga and therapy, he’s doing a lot better, making the boy feel happier as well.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  An excellent kid-friendly introduction to both yoga and PTSD, with great digital illustrations of lots of yoga poses that kids will want to try.  

Cons:  Some additional information on PTSD and the benefits of yoga would have been a good supplement.

On the Tip of a Wave: How Ai Weiwei’s Art Is Changing the Tide by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Catia Chien

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Orchard Books

Summary:  Chinese artist Ai Weiwei spent his childhood in a labor camp after his father, a renowned poet, was targeted by the government.  They lived in an underground hole, where Ai would create sculptures from the dirt.  He grew up to be an artist, studying in the US before returning to China where he was imprisoned for criticizing the government.  After his release, he moved to Germany where he uses his art to bring attention to the plight of refugees, people displaced from their homes the same way he was.  One of his most famous works was created from lifejackets left behind by refugees landing in Greece.  Ai’s art “challenged the world to see differently…[and] invited the world to take action.”  Includes four pages of additional information and photos.  48 pages; grades 3-8.

Pros:  A beautiful and moving tribute to Ai Weiwei’s work with illustrations in shades of blue and orange that incorporate photos of refugees and his art into the pictures.

Cons:  I think this would be a very difficult book for kids to understand without having a considerable amount of background knowledge.  I was pretty confused by the story until I read the information at the end. 

Mole Is Not Alone by Maya Tatsukawa

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Henry Holt and Company

Summary:  Mole wakes up to the realization that today is Rabbit’s moon harvest party, and he has to make the torturous decision about whether or not he’s going to go.  He decides to bring some homemade cream puffs, then sets off through tunnels that go under the town.  Readers can see other animals traveling to the party aboveground, while Mole goes back and forth between encouraging himself to talk to other party guests and recalling how awkward previous social gatherings have been.  He wants to push himself to be better, but as he approaches Rabbit’s house, he starts to think he should have stayed home.  At the front door, he meets Skunk, a kindred spirit who is also debating whether or not he’ll go inside.  Rabbit invites them in, but the two hand off their gifts and head for Mole’s place, where they enjoy a quiet cup of tea together.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Socially anxious introverts of the world, unite!  Rarely has a book spoken to me quite this accurately, as I recognized almost word for word Mole’s internal dialog while he overthought going to a party.  The underground illustrations are adorable, and I was delighted that Mole found a true friend at the end.

Cons:  I wish this book had been around in my younger days.

Game of Freedom: Mestre Bimba and the Art of Capoeira by Duncan Tonatiuh

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Published by Harry N. Abrams

Summary:  Manoel dos Reis Machado, a.k.a. Bimba, loved capoeira, a sport involving martial arts-like moves done to musical accompaniment.  Involving predominantly Black players, the sport had been banned in Brazil by the all-White government who considered it barbaric.  In 1932, Bimba became Mestre Bimba when he opened a school to teach the art of capoeira, introducing a rigor and discipline that eventually made it appealing to a wealthier clientele.  It took twenty years of hard work, but in 1953, Mestre Bimba and his students were invited to do a demonstration for the president of Brazil.  This removed the last of the discrimination against capoeira, and although Mestre Bimba passed away in 1974, the sport is widely popular throughout Brazil today.  Includes a glossary, an author’s note, photos, and a bibliography.  48 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  Illustrated in Duncan Tonatiuh’s trademark folk-art style, this fascinating biography will have readers heading over to YouTube to see some live demonstrations of capoeira.  Tonatiuh has won both the Pura Belpré Award and Robert F. Sibert Medal, and this book could be a contender for both.

Cons:  I saw some recommendations for as young as preschool, but I would say this is definitely for upper elementary and middle school kids.

In the Night Garden by Carin Berger

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Neal Porter Books

Summary:  “In the night garden, you can lie on the cool grass and look up to the millions and trillions of stars.”  A girl in the night garden gazes at the sky as the text takes the reader on a tour.  You might see or hear animals like a cat on a roof, a bat swooping through the air, or a fox leading her sleepy cubs home.  The moon may be a tiny sliver or a giant harvest moon. The sounds of crickets, bullfrogs, and the wind will lull you to sleep; the last page shows the girl tucked into bed.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A beautiful bedtime story with amazing collage illustrations, each one of which would be suitable for framing and displaying as a stand-alone work of art.  I’m adding this to my Caldecott contender list.

Cons:  As I prepare for my annual Caldecott vote at school, I wish there were more contenders that tell an engaging story for my second- and third-grade listeners.

The Real Story by Sergio Ruzzier

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Harry N. Abrams

Summary:  “WHAT?!” shouts Cat when she sees the broken cookie jar on the floor.  Then “MOUSE!”  “Yes?” replies an innocent-looking Mouse.  When pressed, Mouse weaves some good tales about what happened to the cookies and their jar: the cookies themselves broke free; it was a slimy monster; no, it was an alien named Georgette; okay, it was actually a bug.  Finally, Cat insists that Mouse tell the truth, which is that Mouse ate all the cookies and the jar fell on the floor.  “That’s such a boring story,” says Cat.  “Can you tell me another cookie story?”  Mouse agrees, in exchange for a cookie.  32 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  An adorable ode to the power of storytelling that is sure to be a hit as a read-aloud.

Cons:  Kind of a squishy message about telling the truth.

The Bees of Notre-Dame by Meghan P. Browne, illustrated by E. B. Goodale

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Random House Studio

Summary:  It’s springtime in Paris, and while most people are out enjoying the warm weather, Sibyle is on the roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral taking care of the bees that live up there.  They enjoy the spring weather, too, going out into the city to find the abundant flowers.  No one is expecting the fire that sweeps across the cathedral’s roof one April morning.  When the fire is finally extinguished, Parisians rally to restore their ancient treasure…working hard to rebuild, just like the bees.  Includes additional information about the bees that live on the roof of Notre-Dame and the 2019 fire at the cathedral, as well as a few photos and a list of recommended reading.  40 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  The lyrical text and detailed illustrations of both the cathedral and the beehives introduce two topics that readers will find intriguing.

Cons:  The ending felt abrupt.

The Wishing Machine by Jonathan Hillman, illustrated by Nadia Alam

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary:  A boy and his mom make their usual Sunday visit to the laundromat, but this week is different.  It’s their last time, because they have to leave their apartment and move in with his grandparents in their trailer.  While he tries to look at the bright side–being with grandparents, having a dog–he’s sad to be leaving his familiar home and his friends.  He pretends the washing machine and dryer are wishing machines, and he wishes to be able to stay.  While they wait for the machines to run, he asks his laundromat friends what their wishes are: a new scooter, a green card, a cat.  Finally, the laundry is done, and there are enough coins left for a bag of cookies from the vending machine, which he shares with his friends.  As he and his mom leave, she shares her wish with him–to be together and happy–and he realizes that being with his mom is the most important thing.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A poignant story about a family facing hard times, with a resilient mom who helps her son stay focused on the good in their lives.

Cons:  Seems like pretty tough times for everyone at the laundromat.

The Voice in the Hollow by Will Hillenbrand

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Holiday House

Summary:  Young mouse Hubert Cumberbun loves stories and can often be found at the branch (in a tree) library.  One day, a blizzard hits when he’s there, and Hubert has to find his way home through the hollow.  A kind woman appears, offering to lead him, and together they make a journey that grows increasingly spooky.  Trees and rocks appear to have faces, and a gatefold page shows a large bear with two frightened-looking cubs.  They make it to a familiar lamppost, and Hubert strikes out on his own.  When he turns back to say thank you, the woman is gone, and he can only see his own footprints.  He finally makes it home, where his family is gathered around the fire drinking hot chocolate and reading books.  “Welcome home,” says his mother.  “It looks like you have a new story for us.”  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A deliciously creepy tale with gorgeous snowy artwork and a reassuringly cozy ending.

Cons:  As I’ve no doubt mentioned before, I have mixed feelings about those fragile gatefold pages in the library.