Picture books

When history repeats itself

~ Janet Dawson ~ 5 Comments

Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp by Minoru Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez, illustrated by Chris Sasaki (Harry N. Abrams, 40 pages, grades 2 and up). Minoru Tonai tells the story of his family’s imprisonment during World War II. His father was questioned as early as October of 1941 about being a spy, despite his work as a farmer and his near deafness, and was taken away shortly after Pearl Harbor. Just six months later, the rest of the family was forced to leave their farm and their dog to move to a “detention center.” For the next three years, they endured desert heat and cold, barracks living, and a constant wind that blew sand everywhere. After two years, Papa was finally allowed to join the rest of the family, and in the fall of 1945, after more than three years of imprisonment, the family was allowed to go back home to California. Includes extensive back matter with notes from the illustrator and author (Gutiérrez only, as Minoru Tonai passed away in 2023 at the age of 94), a timeline and other additional information, and a bibliography.

The spare text and stark, brown-toned illustrations capture this dark chapter in American history as seen through the eyes of a young boy. Min’s father collected rocks, and these are symbolic in the story of the strength and resilience the family needed to get through these difficult years. Min doesn’t shy away from the injustice of their situation and the pain of their many losses. His story is an extremely valuable resource for teaching kids about the experience of thousands of Japanese Americans, and the back matter gives plenty of additional information as well as opening up topics for discussion.

Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación (Red Cornet Press, 48 pages, grades 2 and up). “In this land of promise, we hoped to find a place to belong.” So begins–and ends–this reverso poem that shows a Japanese-American family in World War II and a contemporary immigrant family detained at the southern border. In both cases, families are separated, and children are imprisoned behind barbed wire. They suffer from “meager food” and dust everywhere but are also heartened by the kindnesses of strangers and other immigrants, while they try to find beauty where they can. The girl on the last page looks out at the reader as she stands next to barbed wire, with a hope–but no promise–of finding a place to belong. Includes information about Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the site of both imprisonments, as well as that of members of the Chiricahua Apache tribe in the late 19th century; reverso poems; and the author’s family’s experience as Japanese Americans during World War II.

Wow, this book is so powerful, and the reverso poem is absolutely masterful. With spare text and haunting illustrations, Mia Wenjen shows how shameful history continues to repeat itself in America. Mia, I know you are a subscriber to this blog, so congratulations to you on this beautiful book, and I hope it gets some awards recognition.

Summer fun with a dose of social and emotional learning

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Serafina Makes Waves by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal (Dial Books, 40 pages, ages 3-8). On rainy days, you can find Serafina inside with her stuffed bunny Noodles. Because Serafina hates, loathes, DESPISES water. Whether it’s the bathtub or the ocean, Serafina gives water a definitive thumbs-down. So when the “powers-that-be” (Mom and Dad) say she has to take swimming lessons, Serafina tries every trick to get out of them. But nothing works, and she finds herself one Saturday morning standing dangerously close to the pool with her friend Lennie. When Lennie gets overly excited by a ball, he accidentally knocks Noodles out of Serafina’s arms. Instinct kicks in, and the next thing she knows, Serafina is in the water rescuing her stuffed bunny. Much to her surprise (and her parents’ shock), she kind of likes it! And, Reader, nowadays you can find Serafina stomping through puddles, soaking in the tub, and snorkeling through the ocean.

Serafina’s got a lot of cat-titude, and kids will get a big kick out of her one-kitty rebellion against all forms of water. Amidst the spot-on storytelling and the hilarious illustrations, there’s a good lesson about trying new things. This would make a great end-of-the school-year story time with Judgy Bunny (below), Jabari Jumps, or a summer kickoff one paired with Matthew Burgess’s Caldecott Award-winning Fireworks.

Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach by Scott Rothman, illustrated by Linzie Hunter (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 40 pages, ages 30-8). What’s wrong with the beach? Everything, according to Judgy Bunny. It’s too hot, the water is yucky, and the sandcastles and kites other kids are playing with are nothing special. When JB gets bonked by a beach ball, he declares it too round until another bunny comes up to him with an apology and an invitation to join the rest of the bunnies. The judgement continues until Judgy gets hit by another beach ball and breaks it with a giant POP. That doesn’t feel great, but the other bunnies assure him they have plenty of beach balls and continue to make friendly overtures. Finally, not-quite-as-Judgy Bunny admits that he likes ice cream, sandcastles, kites, and most surprisingly, boogie boards, but he’s still not crazy about beach balls.

We’ve all been with some version of Judgy Bunny (or maybe been a version ourselves), and perceptive readers will discern that Judgy Bunny might be critical because he feels left out. As with Serafina, the story and cartoon illustrations are funny enough to be enjoyed on their own merits, but they could also start a good conversation about including others–even grumpy, judgy others.

Back to nature

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Just One Oak: What a Single Tree Can Be by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Diane Sudyka (Beach Lane Books, 48 pages, ages 4-9). What can one oak be? A home for all kinds of animals in all seasons, from its roots to its leaves. A provider of nutritious food, with the millions of acorns it produces over its life time. A climate regulator, slowing winds in the winter and giving shade in the summer. A single oak tree “is beautiful and bountiful to all.” Includes additional information and resources, ways to help oak trees, and an illustration of the oak’s life cycle.

The main narrative of this beautifully illustrated book tells the many amazing things an oak tree provides, while the smaller blocks of text give additional details. The information is fascinating, and this would make a great book for Earth Day as well as for any environmental educational program wanting to highlight the impact of a single tree on many areas of the ecosystem.

When the Sun Goes Down by Greg Pizzoli (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 2-5). “Where do you go when the sun goes down?” This question is posed to creatures who live outside (a butterfly, an ant, and a bird), to a couple of indoor pets (fish and cat), and finally, to a child getting ready for bed. Does she go under a leaf like a butterfly? In the dirt like an ant? Curled up in a chair like a cat? No! She goes to bed, to sleep safe and sound. Good night.

Greg Pizzoli keeps cranking out fun and entertaining books for the youngest readers that they’ll be able to read along with sooner rather than later–a deceptively simple art form! This time he’s created a lovely bedtime story that slowly moves from the outside world to the inside, and finally into bed. You can pair it up with another Greg Pizzoli bedtime story, Good Night Owl. Both have nice touches of humor to make an easy transition to sleep.

American musicians

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Blues Boy: The B.B. King Story by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Carl Joe Williams (Greenwillow Books, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Young Riley King’s life in Mississippi during the Great Depression gave him plenty of material for singing the blues. His mother died when he was 9; he lived with his grandmother until she passed away when he was 15. He was bullied for his stutter and had to go to work in the cotton fields at a young age. But hearing blues records as a young teen inspired him to learn guitar and eventually choose a music career over the steady paycheck of a farm worker. Making his way to Memphis, he acquired a new name of Blues Boy, eventually shortened to B.B., and had his first hit in 1951 with “Three O’Clock Blues.” Following his mother’s advice to “do good and treat folks right,” B.B. soared to success, playing his blues music across the country 300 days a year. Includes a timeline, additional information, places to visit, and lists of books and music.

This biography of B.B. King shows the influences of his early life on his music, not only his tough personal life as a kid, but the effects of growing up in the Jim Crow South. Readers will be inspired to seek out “Three O’Clock Blues” as well as the other songs suggested in the playlist.

Copland: A Story About America by Veronica Mang (Viking Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, grades 2-5). The youngest of five children born to Russian immigrants in Brooklyn, Aaron Copland grew up with the music of New York City, jazz records, the klezmer sounds of the synagogue, and his sister’s piano. He particularly loved the piano and started his studies in Manhattan, moving to Paris at the age of 21, where he learned new ways of making music and looking at the world. Returning to New York, Aaron focused on making music that sounded like America. He was inspired by jazz and folk music, as well as by the protests and social movements of the 1930’s. He believed that his compositions for movies were just as important as those performed in Carnegie Hall. Aaron’s music still invites listeners to think about their dreams for America and a better future. Includes additional information and photos, an author’s note, suggested listening for kids, and a bibliography.

This biography does a nice job of celebrating Aaron Copland’s life and his vision for creating a uniquely American music. The illustrations capture scenes from Copland’s personal life as well as the America he lived in. Both books would make great introductions before sharing King’s or Copland’s music with kids.

Three books for Earth Day

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Into the Wilderness by Haven Iverson, illustrated by August Zhang (Roaring Brook Press, 32 pages, ages 4-8). The narrator describes family backpacking trips into the wilderness that started when the child was a baby, carried in a backpack up the mountains. Later on, they are able to carry progressively bigger backpacks and heavier loads, learning to read a map and enjoy moments of solitude. The natural world makes the difficulties of school and navigating friendships seem far away, but eventually the family drives home and school begins again. The narrator hangs up their backpack, but sometimes pulls invisible gifts from it that were acquired in nature: strength, wonder, bravery, and quiet. Includes a two-page note from the author about her own experiences in the Colorado wilderness, as well as information about the 1964 Wilderness Act, original people of the American wilderness, and tips for being a good steward of the wilderness.

Kids will be empowered by the narrator’s story to go on their own nature explorations. This would be a great book to share at the beginning of camp or a family hiking, camping, or backpacking trip. I love how it shows the power of wilderness and the natural world that can be carried into the rest of life.

The Greenies by Emma Mills, illustrated by Sara Nicole Kennedy (Henry Holt and Co., 256 pages, grades 3-7). After her parents divorce and her mom gets a new job, Violet has to move and start a new school mid-year. The only kid she knows is her cousin Kris, whom she considers a bit of an oddball. Happy to meet some kids she likes, Violet goes to a secret under-the-bleachers gathering during lunch–and promptly gets caught and given detention along with the rest of the group. They’re assigned to help high-achiever Isabel who’s trying to start an environmental club. The other kids aren’t so enthusiastic and find a variety of ways to get out of doing too much work. But when their fooling around results in still more trouble, Violet and the others feel bad. She finally breaks down and admits to her mom what’s going on at school, as well as how much she misses her dad and her old friends. Together they come up with a plan that gets Violet on the right track and ultimately results in the formation of a real environmental club: The Greenies.

Another fun middle school graphic novel that’s sure to find readers from the Raina Telgemeier crowd. Mills and Kennedy do a great job creating the memorable characters that constitute Violet’s new friend group, and kids will be happy to learn that this is billed as book 1. It’s a bit of a stretch to connect it to Earth Day, but perhaps we’ll see more environmental club action in book 2.

The Vanishing Sea: The Tale of How the Aral Sea Became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova (Chronicle Books, 40 pages, grades 1-5). In a prologue before the title page, Dinara Mirtalipova shares information about the Aral Sea and how it disappeared in just a few decades due to mismanaged irrigation projects, including two pages of maps that show this progression from 1960 until 2021. Then the brief story begins, “A long, long time ago, there was a lake so vast that the people called her Mother Sea.” At first, people are content with the fish and drinking water the lake provides, but over time they grow greedier. “Like a selfless mother, the Sea gave them ALL of her resources.” The tale ends with a question: “Can the people save Mother Sea?” An author’s note tells of her journey to the desert in a remote part of Uzbekistan, along with photos of her mother in 1963, picking the cotton that led to the sea’s destruction. There’s a brief history of the Aral Sea with a timeline from 305 CE to the present, as well as information on local and global ecological impact.

This sobering story is a good reminder of what prioritizing human greed over the environment can do. The main story, illustrated in Dinara Mirtalipova’s unique style, could be shared with primary grade students, while the additional material at the front and back of the book makes it a great resources for older kids.

How does your garden grow?

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The Weedy Garden: A Happy Habitat for Wild Friends by Margaret Renkl, illustrated by Billy Renkl (Greenwillow Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Fifteen animals plus one child enjoy a wildflower garden in all different ways: “If you’re a bumble-bee in the weedy garden, you carry grains of pollen from blossom to bloom. You’re a seed-maker dusted with magic. You’re a flower farmer dressed in gold.” Each spread contains a detailed illustration of the garden from that particular animal’s viewpoint. The child on the last page sits still in the garden, surrounded by all the creatures and observing the natural world. Includes additional information about the animals, information about planting a garden or a container garden that will attract wildlife, and a note from the illustrator about creating collage illustrations.

This is a great introduction to creating a wildlife garden that will get kids excited about seeing what kinds of animals might visit. The illustrations are rich and textured, and readers will have fun finding the animals in each one and seeing what they do in the garden. I loved the illustrator’s note, which presents the idea of creating mythical animals with collage, which would make a nice extension art project. Fifteen animals felt like a lot, and younger kids may need a few sittings to get through the whole book.

Growing Together by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Paola Escobar (HarperCollins, 32 pages, ages 4-8). A girl tells her small sunflower plant that its “new home is waiting,” and off they go to a busy community garden. They see friends and neighbors digging, weeding, composting, and watering to create colorful, tasty gardens. A variety of vegetables is introduced, along with herbs, and flowers, which not only add beauty but bring pollinators to the garden. At the end of the book, a table is set and spread with the bounty from the garden for everyone to feast on together in a joyful celebration. Includes a page showing what was grown in the garden with illustrations and a sentence or two of information.

The bouncing, rhyming text and busy, colorful illustrations introduce a wide variety of garden terms and products that will have kids begging to go outside and dig in the dirt.

A couple of cool cats

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The Rare Bird by Elisha Cooper (Roaring Brook Press, 40 pages, ages 4-8). After studying the pages of several different books, a cat decides he will spend the day as a rare bird. The Rare Bird flies through the forest, lands in the flowers, then splashes through a waterfall and a gurgling pond. The illustrations show a cat running through the living room, landing on the carpet, and splashing through the shower and into the toilet. The whole day is like that, with the Rare Bird imagining all sorts of adventures from the ordinary objects of everyday life. At the end, the cat’s little girl shows him a book about an elephant, and the cat falls asleep dreaming about the next day when he will be an Extraordinary Elephant.

Readers will love poring over Cooper’s illustrations, making connections between what the cat is doing and what he is imagining. The endpapers, depicting dolphins in the front and elephants at the end, give hints as to how the cat has spent and will spend the days on either side of this day. A cute cat story as well as an enchanting ode to the power of imagination.

Lulu Didn’t Want a Dog by Laurel Molk (Random House Studio, 40 pages, ages 3-8). Lulu the cat is dismayed when she hears a rescue dog is joining the family. Gus turns out to be everything she feared; dirty, loud, and constantly getting into trouble. Her human keeps encouraging her to give Gus another chance, but time after time, Gus lets Lulu down. One day, Lulu leaps into a tree while chasing a bird, and enjoys a rare moment to herself…until the branch she’s sitting on gives way and plunges her into the frigid pond below. Gus jumps in after her, grabs the branch Lulu is still clinging to, and swims to shore. As the two of them curl up in Gus’s dog bed that night, Lulu decides that maybe Gus is “pretty okay” after all.

The cute and funny illustrations tell much of the story as they show Gus getting into the cupcakes, having fun with a roll of toilet paper, and getting sprayed by a skunk, all while Lulu watches disdainfully from a distance. This would make a good sibling gift, as it shows the ups and downs of having a new family member while avoiding any sort of preachiness or obvious lessons.

Tying up loose ends

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Loops by Jashar Awan (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, ages 3-8). The young narrator addresses the reader, expressing frustration at too-big sneakers. They then take readers through the shoe-tying process step-by-step, which sometimes–but not always–results in success. That’s okay, because “learning to be a big kid! It doesn’t happen all at once.” On the playground, this big kid demonstrates skills on the swings (“I used to need a push. Not anymore.”) and the slide (“after some practice, things that were once scary aren’t anymore”). A whirl on the merry-go-round results in a lost shoe, with an ending that brings the story full circle.

This is a great book to share with young kids, offering messages that celebrate independence and “being a big kid” as well as offering empowering self-talk when things are hard and require practice and persistence.

The Sweater: A Story of Community by Larissa Theule, illustrated by Teagan White (Viking Books for Young Readers, 32 pages, ages 3-8). When Holly the raccoon sees a bird that looks like “he’d been through some things,” she changes her plans for a fall hike and visits her neighbors instead, asking each one to give something to help the bird. Back home, she knits everything into a warm sweater that she presents to the bird. When she notices gaps in the old woodpecker hole he’s moved into, she gives him advice on how to shore things up, and before long the other animals have gathered around to help. Winter comes, and the animals are forced to stay in their homes, where they read, play games, and try new recipes. The little bird is grateful for his sweater and warm home and wishes for a way to say thanks. And one morning, when the wind “overslept,” he steps out at sunrise to share his beautiful song. The others hear the song, which “like a thread of sunshine, it looped around their hearts and knit them together.”

I really can’t overstate how adorable the illustrations in this story are, and the message of how small acts of kindness can make a difference and build a community had me choking up the first time I read this to a class.

Happy Spring!

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Is It Spring? by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow Books, 32 pages, ages 3-6). The titular question is answered in the affirmative by the flowers, buds, and birds. The wind, sleepy animals, and gray clouds have a more ambiguous “not yet” reply, while the response is a definite no from the late snow. “Will it ever be spring?” we wonder after such a storm, and the sun says, “Yes, yes, yes!” as animals awaken, snow melts, and flowers bloom.

This is a great book for preschoolers curious about the changing seasons and does a good job of capturing the feelings we in the north feel as a 75-degree sunny day gives way to a 32-degree one with snow squalls (to give an example from a recent week in New England). This did kind of make me question if we need another Kevin Henkes book about spring and hope that he is putting his considerable talents into some different projects.

Goldfinches by Mary Oliver, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Viking Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, grades K-5). This Mary Oliver poem celebrates goldfinches and thistle, and how the birds use the thistle down every year to line their nests before laying their eggs. The book itself is also an ode to being in nature and careful observations, with the collage illustrations portraying a woman–maybe Mary Oliver or Melissa Sweet–hiking through meadows and woods with a notebook and pencil in her hand. The birds are also shown, flying and nesting, and facts about the finches and the thistle are worked into the illustrations. Includes a one-page version of the poem, a list of birds handwritten by Mary Oliver, and a lengthy note from Melissa Sweet with additional information about Oliver and how this poem inspired Sweet to create this book.

I’m a little burned out on Mary Oliver quotes, so I almost gave this book a pass, but then I saw it was illustrated by Melissa Sweet. I’m glad I reconsidered, because it’s a real work of art and would make an excellent introduction to poetry (National Poetry Month will be here before you know it!). Take your time with it to savor both the words and the pictures. It might get you or other readers outside to be inspired by nature.

Books for Ramadan

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Upside-Down Iftar by Maysa Odeh, illustrated by Nadine Issa (Henry Holt and Co., 32 pages, ages 4-8). Malak’s too young to fast for Ramadan, and this year, her grandma, Teta, can’t fast because of a new medication she’s taking. Malak asks Teta if she can help prepare iftar, the meal eaten by the whole family after sunset to break their fast. Malak wants to make makloubeh, a dish with meat, rice, and fried vegetables that’s made in a deep pot and flipped upside down before serving. Each family member requests a favorite vegetable as they pass through the kitchen, and Malak starts to worry that all the different foods won’t go together. But Teta assures her that, “Each makloubeh is unique. Just like each family,” and she’s proven right at the dinner table. Everyone loves the makloubeh, and they tell Malak she should make iftar every night of Ramadan. Includes additional information about the Palestinian dish makloubeh along with a recipe.

This warm family portrayal can serve as an introduction to both Ramadan and a Palestinian dish, with the additional information rounding out the story and giving a recipe for kids to try themselves.

Ramadan Rain by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Aliaa Betawi (Random House Studio, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Haneen and her mother are traveling to the mosque in the rain because they no longer have a car. Haneen grumbles, but Momma tells her that rain brings blessings. At the mosque, while the adults pray, the kids make cards for Eid. Haneen makes pictures of gifts she hopes to receive: shoes, toys, new clothes, but there’s something she wants even more that she can’t quite express. Momma looks sad when she sees Haneen’s card. On Eid, Momma surprises Haneen with a new dress and shoes, and back at the mosque, Haneen makes Momma a new card showing what she wants more than anything else: time spent together. She gives her mother the new card, and they dance through the rain together as they head home.

Another Ramadan story that shows kids to focus on what’s most important in their lives. Haneen and Momma appear to have recently fallen on hard times, but their love for each other is strong, and spending time with their community helps them to focus on that bond. I do wish the publisher had released this book before the beginning of Ramadan instead of so close to the end of it.