Picture books

Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Finn is in a horrible mood, sitting on his bed completely covered by a patchwork quilt.  Grandpa wants to talk, but Finn tells him that he won’t understand.  Finally, Finn agrees to go for a walk, but only if he can stay underneath his quilt.  “Don’t worry,” says Grandpa, “I’ll remember to think of what’s beneath.”  As they walk, Grandpa points out that beneath the trees, there are roots; beneath the still water, there are fishing swimming around; beneath appearances are experiences, and beneath what’s different is what’s the same.  “And sometimes,” says Grandpa, “Beneath someone who looks like they won’t understand…is someone who knows exactly how you feel.”  The illustrations reveal that both Finn and Grandpa have broken hearts, maybe from the loss of the person who made the patchwork quilt.  As night falls, the quilt is transferred from Finn’s head to Grandpa’s shoulders, and both of them are shown with hearts that are no longer broken.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  There are many layers to this little story, and it will take an astute reader of both the words and the illustrations to catch them all.  Grandpa is truly a wise man who sees much more than meets the eye, and Finn is lucky to have him as they both process loss and grief.

Cons:  It would be difficult to get everything from this book with just one reading.

We Go Way Back: A Book About Life on Earth and How It All Began by Idan Ben-Barak, illustrated by Philip Bunting

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Published by Roaring Brook Press

Summary:  Idan Ben-Barak and Philip Bunting have created a picture book about life on Earth and how it started.  Going back to a time when “there was a lot going on” on Earth (erupting volcanoes, raining meteors, lightning strikes), they explain how elements in Earth’s seas joined together to form molecules.  The molecules turned into bubbles until one day, a “special bubble” formed that could make copies of itself, each one just a little bit different.  From this process, all sorts of life forms began to evolve.  The final page is a three-part vertical gatefold that opens up to show the many branches on the tree of life.  40 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  This deceptively simple book takes on some enormously complex scientific concepts and manages to clearly explain them with the help of some pretty adorable illustrations.

Cons:  I would like to sit down and have a serious conversation with the editor who decided there was no need for back matter in this book.

In Every Life by Marla Frazee

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Beach Lane Books

Summary:  Based on a call-and-response version of a baby-naming blessing Marla Frazee heard at a church service, this book seeks to honor aspects of life that we all experience.  “In every birth, blessed is the wonder,” the book begins, showing two pages of newborn babies with their families.  The next wordless page depicts a family enjoying the wonder of a sunset, the sky filled with pink clouds.  That format continues with sentences that begin “In every…” and show a blessing, followed by a wordless page depicting the blessing.  Smiles, hope, sadness, comfort, mystery, tears, love, and life are all parts of life and parts of this book.  32 pages; ages 3+

Pros:  This beautiful book should be considered for a Caldecott and would make a lovely gift for a new baby, graduate, or anyone going through a life transition. Despite the serious topics, the illustrations add a light touch with plenty of humor.

Cons:  The author’s note at the beginning is in a gold font so light that I missed it the first time I read the book.

Just Like Grandma by Kim Rogers, illustrated by Julie Flett

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Heartdrum

Summary:  Becca loves watching her grandma bead and paint and dance.  “More than anything, Becca wants to be just like Grandma.”  She asks Grandma to let her try, and together they bead and paint and dance. After each activity, Grandpa calls them in to eat the foods that he’s prepared.  As Becca gets older, she tries basketball, and Grandma starts to learn from her.  “And Grandma knows that she is just like Becca.”  Includes a glossary, additional information about beadwork, and notes from the author and Cynthia Leitich Smith of Heartdrum.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Heartdrum continues their excellent work with this lovely picture book celebrating intergenerational bonds and grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.  The repeating text helps readers focus on the details of Becca’s life which includes many Native traditions and arts.

Cons:  I wish the back matter had included more information on Grandma’s dancing.

Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans, illustrated by Thi Bui

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by HarperCollins

Summary:  Mai loves to play with her father, whose favorite game is to make his hands into a chomping crocodile, but one day he says goodbye to her and her mother and leaves.  They start getting letters from him, and after a long wait, Mai’s mother tells her they are going to find Papa.  Their journey takes them to a small boat, where they face the dangers of stormy seas and little food and water until they’re rescued by a large ship.  In a refugee camp, Papa’s letters help the workers know where to send Mai and her mother, and they eventually make their way in America.  Mai doesn’t recognize the strange man who greets them there until he makes his chomping crocodile, and she and her parents have a joyful reunion.  Includes notes from the illustrator and the author, who wrote this story about her own family’s journey from Vietnam in 1983.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A beautiful story told through the eyes of the child narrator showing the courage needed to start a new life.  The mom is particularly heroic as she carries, comforts, and encourages her daughter, and the final reunion is perfect.

Cons:  I wish I could have read the illustrator’s note, but since it was printed on the back cover, the taped-down flap of the book jacket prevented me from doing so.

Evergreen by Matthew Cordell

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Feiwel and Friends

Summary:  Evergreen is a squirrel who is afraid of just about everything–everything except soup, that is.  So when her mother, whose specialty is making magic soup, asks her to take some soup to Granny Oak, Evergreen is scared.  And as it turns out, she has reason to be.  In the four sections of her journey, she encounters a soup-stealing rabbit, a hungry hawk, a toad with a mission, and a big, big bear.  As Evergreen figures out how to handle each situation, she grows more confident and courageous.  Back home, her mother greets her with some more soup that needs to be delivered, and Evergreen is more than ready to head back out again.  48 pages; grades K-2.

Pros:  Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell has created a real page-turner complete with scary sound effects that will have kids rooting for Evergreen and her brave deeds.  I thought this might be kind of long to read aloud, but it’s so engaging that I look forward to giving it a try.

Cons:  I prefer a brighter color palette.

That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown illustrated by Nikkolas Smith

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by HarperCollins

Summary:  Although Kiera considers Bianca her best friend, she’s not allowed to go over to Bianca’s because of the Confederate flag that flies outside their house.  While Kiera’s parents tell her that the flag is a symbol of violence and oppression, Bianca’s family describes it as a celebration of courage and pride.  Kiera is confused until a class trip to the Legacy Museum where she learns a history of racism that she didn’t know about. That night her family shares stories about their own experiences of racism that Kiera has never heard about before.  The stories leave her feeling scared and angry, and she finds that she no longer wants to be friends with Bianca, who seems unaffected by the museum trip.  A few days later, both girls see news reports of two Black people shot by three white men wielding a Confederate flag.  When Kiera and her parents go to a candlelight vigil, she’s surprised to see Bianca there with her family, and even more surprised on the drive home when she sees that they’ve taken down their flag.  The next day, Bianca passes Kiera a note saying, “You were right,” and Kiera wonders if they might be able to be friends after all.  Includes additional information about the Confederate flag, a list of sources, and notes from the author and illustrator.  40 pages; grades 1-4.

Pros:  This story addresses some difficult topics in a way that elementary students will understand, offering hope for friendship between the two girls while explaining why this is difficult for Kiera.  The additional information adds context to the story.  An excellent choice for teaching Black history and how it continues to affect us today.

Cons:  Be sure to block out plenty of time to share this book…there’s a lot to unpack.

Jump In! by Shadra Strickland

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Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Summary:  The golden light of a summer morning beckons kids to the playground where the invitation, “Jump in!” is answered by young and old alike.  Kids line up for a turn at Double Dutch, a boy shows off his moves on the basketball court, a skateboarder returns from school, and even adults join in the fun:  a grandmother surprises everyone with her funky dancing and a hip young pastor jumps in, too.  As the light changes to purple, streetlights flicker on, and moms begin to call kids home.  The last spread shows abandoned jump ropes on the dark playground with the words, “Jump Out.”  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  The bouncy rhythmic text and high-energy illustrations will have kids up on their feet celebrating the world of play and community on a hot summer’s day.

Cons:  While kids always enjoy gatefold spreads like the ones scattered through this book, I find they don’t hold up well in the library.

The Gentle Genius of Trees by Philip Bunting

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Published by Crown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  This friendly introduction to trees starts out with the ways humans benefit from them (wood, paper, food, shade), then moves on to the many amazing things trees can do.  Their roots sink deep into the earth, allowing trees to connect with and even communicate with each other.  The genius of trees extends to their growth, allowing them to optimize the location of branches and leaves for making food through photosynthesis.  The book ends with some lessons humans can learn from trees: be flexible, branch out (but look for the things that give you the most energy), look out for those around you, and grow slow to grow strong.  32 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  There’s a surprising amount of information about trees here, all presented with clear explanations, gentle humor, and cute yet informative illustrations. 

Cons:  No back matter.

Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner

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Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  “I wish I were someplace that wasn’t so frozen and gray!” grumbles Alice on a cold winter’s day.  An open book catches her eye, telling the story of a warm, colorful morning.  “That sounds like our home,” say the birds in the story, and Alice finds herself in a steamy jungle.  When it starts to rain, a pair of camels invite her into the desert.  From there, the book takes her under the ocean and on a flight across the sky and up to the moon.  The moon is lonely, though, so Alice wishes herself back home again, just in time for dinner with her family.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Beautiful illustrations depict the various places Alice visits, with a repeating text that celebrates the journeys books can take readers on.

Cons:  Considering the talented creators and the three starred reviews, I was expecting some slightly more imaginative storytelling.