Picture books

The Story of Bodri by Hédi Fried, illustrated by Stina Wirsén

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

The Story of Bodri - Kindle edition by Fried, Hédi, Wirsén, Stina. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Sneak peek: The Story of Bodri – Eerdlings

Summary:  The author recounts the story of her childhood, beginning with a happy life with her parents, younger sister, best friend Marika, and most of all, her special dog Bodri.  Then soldiers came to their town, and everything changed.  Jews like the author and her family could no longer go places, and the two best friends couldn’t play together.  Eventually, her family was taken away to a concentration camp, and the two sisters separated from their parents.  They almost died, but Hédi kept dreaming about Bodri, and the memories kept her going.  Finally, the two girls–emaciated, with their heads shaved–were free, and Hédi and Bodri had a miraculous reunion.  “We are here, and we go on telling everyone about what happened.  So that it will never happen again.”  32 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  A moving Holocaust story, with an unusual focus on what happened to the family dog.  The illustrations of the girls in the concentration camp are disturbing, but appropriately so for the history being told.  The beautiful pictures of trees throughout the story help to mark the passage of time.

Cons:  I was curious to learn more of Hédi Fried’s story, but I couldn’t find much biographical information about her.

The Tree Told Me by Sophie Lescaut, illustrated by Thanh Portal and The Tree In Me by Corinna Luyken

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Published by Reycraft Books

The Tree Told Me: Lescaut, Sophie, Portal, Thanh, Portal, Thanh: 9781478873747: Amazon.com: Books
The Tree Told Me: Lescaut, Sophie, Portal, Thanh, Portal, Thanh: 9781478873747: Amazon.com: Books

Published by Dial Books

The Tree in Me: Luyken, Corinna: 9780593112595: Amazon.com: Books
The Tree in Me: Luyken, Corinna: 9780593112595: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  The year of the tree continues, with two books that make connections between humans and trees.  In The Tree Told Me, a child learns lessons from a tree, one on each two-page spread.  “The tree told me to root into the ground….The tree told me that it takes a lot of time to grow up.”  The Tree in Me is a bit more abstract.  “The tree in me is seed and blossom, bark and stump, branch and trunk, and crown!”  Like the tree, there are roots that go deep, and connect with the roots of others.  “Because there is a tree, and a sky, and a sun in me, I can see that there is also a tree…in you.”  The Tree Told Me is 24 pages; The Tree In Me is 56 pages; both recommended for ages 4-8.

Pros and cons:  The Tree in Me is poetic, with a beautiful message and gorgeous illustrations that feature a lot of bright magenta and gold.  The Tree Told Me offers simple lessons that kids will understand and may be able to build on to come up with their own ideas.  Kids may struggle a bit with the more abstract ideas of The Tree in Me, but The Tree Told Me lacks the richness and beauty of the other book. 

Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch by Heidi Tyline King, illustrated by Ekua Holmes

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch: King, Heidi Tyline, Holmes, Ekua: 9781101996294: Amazon.com: Books
Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch: King, Heidi Tyline, Holmes, Ekua: 9781101996294: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Growing up, MaVynee Betsch loved the beach, but because she was Black, she was restricted by the “Colored Only” signs.  Her grandfather, Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida’s first African-American millionaire, bought a beach that he called American Beach.  It was open to everyone, and was visited by celebrities like Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington.  MaVynee grew up to become an opera singer, finding success across Europe.  When her mother became sick, MaVynee came home to take care of her and never returned to opera.  After her mother died, MaVynee became an activist, determined to save American Beach from developers.  It took years of protest, but in 2001, the beach was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  MaVynee, or the Beach Lady as she was known, passed away in 2005.  Includes notes from the author and illustrator.  40 pages; grades K-5.

Pros:  In the author’s note, Heidi Tyline King writes that operas often feature an aria, “a profoundly sad and emotional solo where the singer turns sorrow into something beautiful”.  MaVynee Betsch’s story is like that; she seems to have felt profound sadness in many areas of her life, but her single-minded determination ultimately met with success in saving her beloved beach.  Caldecott honoree Ekua Holmes’s beautiful collage illustrations enhance the story with their vibrant colors and patterns.

Cons:  I was sorry there were no photos of the Beach Lady or her beach.

Sing With Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla/Canta Conmigo: La Historia de Selena Quintanilla by Diana López, illustrated by Teresa Martínez

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers

Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla: López, Diana, Martinez, Teresa: 9780593110959: Amazon.com: Books
Canta conmigo: La historia de Selena Quintanilla (Spanish Edition): López, Diana, Martinez, Teresa: 9780593323304: Amazon.com: Books
Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla: López, Diana, Martinez, Teresa: 9780593110959: Amazon.com: Books

Summary: Selena’s love of singing is obvious from the first page of this biography, in which she’s using a rolled tortilla as a microphone.  She started at a young age, and by the time she was nine, she was singing in a band at the family restaurant with her siblings on drums and guitar.  Hard economic times meant losing the restaurant and a move to Corpus Christi, Texas, where the family bought a bus and went on the road to perform.  Wanting to connect with her audience, Selena taught herself Spanish so she could sing the much-loved Tejano songs, ultimately succeeding in the male-dominated field of Tejano music.  The story ends with Selena’s final concert at the Houston Astrodome performing before over 60,000 people, inviting them to “¡Canta conmigo!”  Includes author’s note with additional biographical information and a list of Selena’s studio albums.  Available in both English and Spanish versions. 32 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  Another great picture book biography about Selena that can be paired with last year’s Selena: Queen of Tejano Music.  This one emphasizes Selena’s hard work and how she overcame sexism and racism to succeed.  With the Netflix series introducing Selena’s music to a new generation, there’s sure to be a big demand for both of these books.

Cons:  Selena’s marriage is covered in one sentence, with no mention of her married name Perez, and her death is described in the author’s note simply as “she was killed on March 31, 1995”.

Sounds Like School Spirit by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

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Published by Dial Books

Sounds Like School Spirit: Fleming, Meg, Cummins, Lucy Ruth: 9780593108321: Amazon.com: Books
Sounds Like School Spirit: Fleming, Meg, Cummins, Lucy Ruth: 9780593108321: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  “We say BOOK, you say BAG…BOOK! BAG! BOOK! BAG! We say NAME, you say TAG…NAME! TAG! NAME! TAG! Raise your hands and move your feet.  That’s the spirit, find your seat.”  This call and response rhyming book shows a diverse group of kids and teachers enjoying the first day of school, from finding seats to eating lunch to making friends.  Students get a tour of different areas of the school, including the cafeteria, playground, gym, and bus at the end of the day.  “We’ve got class from start to end.  That’s a promise…find a friend.”  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Kids will find it just about impossible to not get caught up in the excitement of the first day with this fun interactive book.  The call and response throughout the story is sure to draw in even the shyest new kindergartener.  A great addition to the back-to-school picture book list.

Cons:  Those who subscribe to the “don’t smile before Thanksgiving” school of teaching may want to look elsewhere for a first-day-of-school book.

The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Greystone Kids 

The Capybaras - Kindle edition by Soderguit, Alfredo, Soderguit, Alfredo. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

The Capybaras: Soderguit, Alfredo, Soderguit, Alfredo: 9781771647823: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  The chicken coop is a “safe, agreeable place” where life is “comfortable”, but a picture of a human carrying off a chicken by her legs shows readers a slightly different story.  When the capybaras come to the coop, it causes quite a stir.  They’re big, wet, and hairy, but it’s hunting season, and they have no place to go.  So the chickens reluctantly grant them shelter, as long as they obey the rules to stay silent and to leave the chickens’ food and water alone.  But one day a chick and a young capybara start playing together.  When the “dangerous” capybaras protect the chick from the farm dog, everything changes, and the capybaras move into the coop with the chickens.  At the end of an unsuccessful hunting season, the hunters return to an empty chicken coop.  “No one ever knew what happened,” is the final sentence, followed by a spread showing the chickens roosting on the capybaras’ backs in the water, then having a serious conversation with a young lamb.  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Originally published in Venezuela, this picture book is simple and fun enough for preschoolers, but could definitely be used to start some interesting conversations with older ones. The disconnect between the text and the illustrations questions the meaning of such words as “comfortable” and “dangerous”. Delightfully subversive.

Cons:  Made me really question not being vegan.

Dr. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor by Kate Messner, illustrated by Alexandra Bye

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Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Dr. Fauci | Book by Kate Messner, Alexandra Bye | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

Dr. Fauci | Book by Kate Messner, Alexandra Bye | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

Summary:  From the time he was a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Anthony Fauci always had a curious mind.  His family encouraged that, telling him to always gather evidence and keep an open mind when solving a problem.  Although he wasn’t the biggest kid in the neighborhood, he learned to be competitive in sports, using speed to make up for what he lacked in stature.  In 1966, Anthony became Dr. Fauci when he graduated first in his class from Cornell Medical School.  Throughout his career, he studied new diseases like AIDS, West Nile virus, and, of course, COVID-19.  Keeping an open mind, working with scientists around the world to gather evidence and look for solutions, Dr. Fauci worked tirelessly on the problem of COVID-19.  The book ends on a positive note, with the vaccine rollout; Dr. Fauci is happy to get his vaccine, reunite with family, and get back to work on whatever problem comes along next.  Includes additional information on vaccines and their safety; Dr. Fauci’s five tips for future scientists; a timeline of his life; a recommended reading list; and several photos of Anthony Fauci growing up.  48 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  A much-needed picture book biography of Dr. Fauci, along with timely information about vaccine safety.  The information is straightforward, emphasizing the importance of hard work and critical thinking in the scientific world.

Cons:  Probably appropriate for the age group, but the tone of the book is consistently upbeat, with none of the political controversy around Dr. Fauci touched upon.

All of Us by Kathryn Erskine, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger

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Published by Philomel Books

All of Us by Kathryn Erskine: 9780593204696 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

All of Us: Erskine, Kathryn, Boiger, Alexandra: 9780593204696: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  “Me…can be we. You…can come, too. They…can be ‘Hey!’ It’s all of us.”  This affirming book shows kids of different races and with a variety of physical attributes all playing together.  From hopscotch with the names of the continents in the boxes to sailing on a sea of words in various languages, differences and similarities are embraced and celebrated.  Religious practices and a variety of vocations are also touched upon.  The text circles back at the end: “All kinds of kids, thoughtful and free.  Sometimes in groups, sometimes…just me.”  32 pages; ages 2-8.

Pros:  An affirming book that celebrates all kinds of kids through both text and pictures.  It’s a quick read, but could engender longer discussions, and would make a good welcoming book at the beginning of any sort of kids’ gathering.

Cons:  Far be it from me to utter a disparaging word about such a rosy view of the world.


I Is for Immigrants by Selina Alko

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Published by Henry Holt and Co.

I Is for Immigrants: Alko, Selina, Alko, Selina: 9781250237866: Amazon.com: Books

I Is for Immigrants | Selina Alko | Macmillan

Summary:  Each page of this alphabet book is a collage of immigration-related words that begin with the featured letter.  For instance, A is for ancestors, African dance, Abuelita, ambition, and aspire; the Z page shows zest, a ziti dinner, Zen, a zither, and a sleeping mother and child (“Zzzzzzzzz”).  An author’s note tells of her own immigrant experience.  40 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  This would make an excellent introduction to immigration, whether it’s for a preschool class or the start of a third- or fourth-grade social studies unit.  The colorful collage illustrations and words will get readers thinking about all the contributions immigrants have made to American culture.  Students could make their own collages as an extension activity.

Cons:  There’s not much context for the individual words, and younger kids will undoubtedly need some help with understanding some of them.

Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth, illustrated by Romina Galotta

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Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Dear Librarian: Sigwarth, Lydia M., Galotta, Romina: 9780374313906: Amazon.com: Books

Dear Librarian | Lydia M. Sigwarth | Macmillan

Summary:  Lydia’s story is told in the form of a letter that begins “Dear Librarian”.  At the age of 5, she and her parents and six siblings left Colorado to move to Iowa.  Her dad was in search of a new job, and the family needed a new home.  For six months, they lived in different family members’ homes, which were too small, crowded, or full of beautiful objects not to be touched by the seven children.  During this time, Lydia discovered the public library, which became a haven, and the librarian, who always greeted her with a hug and made her feel welcome.  After six months, the family got their own home, but Lydia never forgot how the library made her feel, and she grew up to become a librarian herself.  Includes a letter from Lydia to the reader that recounts how she reunited with her librarian friend in 2018 on the NPR show This American Life, and photos of Lydia at age 5 and in 2018 with “her” librarian, Deb Stephenson.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A heartwarming and inspiring true story that would make a great first-day-of-school read for school librarians.

Cons:  I would have liked to see more back matter on the issue of homelessness.