Picture books

Black History for younger kids

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Greatness by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 4-8). When Nasir and Imani visit Grandma, she pulls out a special photo album handed down to her from her mother. Inside are photos of great people from Black history. The kids get out dress-up clothes and pretend to be Bessie Coleman, a Tuskegee Airmen, and business people from Black Wall Street. Then some magic happens, and they are pulled into the album, where they become the famous people in the photos, like Katherine Johnson, Barack Obama, Colin Kaepernick, and Ruby Bridges. For Grandma, though, nothing compares to the greatness she saw in the two babies pictured at the end–and after spending so much time imagining themselves among greatness, Imani and Nasir feel like nothing is impossible. Includes some photos and additional information about all the people from the photo album.

Every year, I gather books for our big Black History read-aloud, where community members come to our school and read to all the classes. It can be challenging to find books for the younger grades, and this one would make a great introduction to a wide variety of historical figures, encouraging kids to think about their own dreams. The photos of the kids dressed up are fun and inspiring, although I wish there had been photographs of all the famous people at the end.

Sharing the Dream by Shelia P. Moses, illustrated by Keith Mallett (Nancy Paulsen Books, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Agnes is excited to be on a bus with her parents, traveling from Birmingham, Alabama to Washington, D.C. in August, 1963 to attend the March on Washington. There’s a stop at Frederick Douglass’s house, where Agnes is amazed to see Black and white people drinking from the same water fountain. Then it’s on to the March, where Agnes sits on Daddy’s shoulders to hear John Lewis and Josephine Baker speak, and Mahalia Jackson sing. Finally, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. steps up to the podium. “Tell ’em about the dream,” Agnes hears Mahalia Jackson say, and Dr. King delivers his now-famous words about his dream. Afterwards, Agnes sees Black and white people sitting side by side, soaking their tired feet in the reflecting pool, before she and her parents get back on the bus heading home to Birmingham. Includes an author’s note and thumbnail profiles of six people at the March who are mentioned in the story.

I’m so happy to see this book describing the 1963 March on Washington from a young child’s perspective. Agnes is probably about six years old, telling about events in a way that primary students will understand. There’s plenty of information packed into her story, though, with an introduction to such celebrities of the time as Lena Horne, Sidney Poitier, and Jackie Robinson. The straightforward story and illustrations make this a perfect introduction to this important event from Black history.

O Is for Owl. And Octopus.

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell (Random House Studio, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Janie is a birder whose ultimate quest is to see an owl. Her patient mother (“Mama doesn’t look for birds the way I do”) takes Janie on trips to meadows and forests where she can look for birds. This year, Janie has a teacher who shares her passion. Mr. Koji shows the class pictures from his birding expeditions and maps he made as a child and tells the class, “To see an owl is magic.” When Janie shares her owl drawings, journal, and maps with the class, Mr. Koji is impressed by her determination and tells her where he’s recently seen a pair of great horned owls. Back home, Janie convinces her mother to take her on one more outing, and when they get to the place Mr. Koji described…there are the owls. Magic.

Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell clearly shares Janie’s passion for owls (read about it on the book jacket’s back flap), and he conveys that passion, as well as the persistence needed and the amazing rewards that come from finally seeing that owl. His illustrations capture the beauty and majesty of nature, and show readers how to use art to record their outdoor adventures like Janie does. As someone who shares Mama’s indifference to birding, I admired her for being willing to keep taking her daughter out on various excursions. This book would go well with Owl Moon by Jane Yolen or Night Owl Night by Susan Edwards Richmond

Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep by Mark Leiren-Young (Orca Book Publishers, 104 pages, grades 4-7). The author introduces octopuses with the story of his first meeting with an octopus named Storm at the Salish Sea Centre in British Columbia. From there, he moves on to five chapters describing many aspects of octopuses’ lives: anatomy, reproduction, intelligence, food, defenses, and homes in the ocean. The second half of the book includes stories of amazing “octopus celebrities” who carried out elaborate escapes or predicted the outcome of soccer games with amazing accuracy. There’s a chapter about the effect of the documentary The Octopus Teacher on educating the public on this amazing animal, which has led to a decrease in human consumption of octopus meat. The final chapter gives readers suggestions for helping octopuses survive in the wild and keeping oceans cleaner and healthier. Includes a glossary, an index, and a list of resources.

I learned a ton about the octopus from reading this book, and anyone doing research will not have to go much further to get everything they need on the topic. I found the second half of the book a bit more engaging than the first half, particularly the chapter on octopus celebrities. The book is pretty text-heavy, and It would be nice to have a companion picture book, which I think would find a wider audience.

A collection of mysteries and the mystery of collections

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Casey’s Cases by Kay Healy (Neal Porter Books, 160 pages, grades 2-5). Fifth grader Casey aspires to be a detective, and sees a mystery in almost every situation. Who is the new girl? Where is her missing hair band? What did her crush write in his notebook? Who is the owner of the lost cat she found? Some mysteries are solved in a few minutes (the hair band), while others take the whole book to solve (the new girl, Jan, who becomes Casey’s best friend), and some have surprise twists (the stray cat, whose growing belly turns out not to be from eating too much tuna). Here’s hoping that Casey and Jan will team up for another book of mysteries.

The humor, simple story line, and short chapters will make this an appealing choice for beginning and/or reluctant readers, who may also enjoy copying the drawings that employ basic shapes, such as the triangle-headed Casey.

Monti and Leo: A Mystery in Pocketville by Sylvie Kantorovitz (Walker Books, 80 pages, grades 1-4). Monti and Leo enjoy looking at Mrs. Sheep’s collection of small figurines on display at the local library. In fact, Monti is so enchanted with one item in the collection that he’s a prime suspect when it disappears. Leo wrestles with his feelings that Monti might have wanted it enough to take it, but ultimately he believes in his friend’s innocence and sets out to solve the mystery. When he starts hearing about other missing items around town, he discovers a bird he’s never seen before flying overhead with an item in her beak. Leo runs after the bird, climbs a huge tree, and discovers all the missing treasures–including the figurine–in the bird’s nest. In the final chapter, Monti thanks his friend and reveals his new collection: containers, each one holding a mini collection of different small items.

This is book two of a series I missed last year (thank you, Walker Books for sending me a review copy). The animal cast will appeal to fans of Mr. Wolf’s Class, and it would make a good book for those just starting with chapter books. I’m always fascinated by animal stories in which some of the animals act like humans and others are more like animals (like how Marc Brown’s Arthur has a pet dog), so I was intrigued by the fact that one crow was living in a nest acting bird-like, while another one was the local librarian.

A Pocket Full of Rocks by Kristin Mahoney, illustrated by E. B. Goodale (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 3-8). Mom may say a pocket full of rocks will make your coat dirty, Dad might ask where your other mitten will go, and your sister will dismiss them as ordinary, but you know those rocks will make excellent chairs for fairies, or let you write on the sidewalk if you don’t have chalk. There are other collections to fill your pockets as the year goes on: petals in the spring, seashells in the winter, and acorns in the fall. Each object fires up your imagination, and at the end of the year, you can use them for presents: a bowl of shells for Dad’s dresser, tiny pictures on the acorns for your sister, and a bag of petals for Mom to put in the drawer with her sweaters. And a pocket full of rocks for you to make sleds for the fairies.

Wow, this book really took me back, as my older daughter–soon to turn 30–was a collector just like the narrator. I don’t remember flower petals, but our house had plenty of rocks, shells, and acorns, with imaginative stories about each collection. This would be a lovely book to begin a conversation about collecting, seasons, or making crafts from your imagination, with illustrations that beautifully capture each season.

Once upon a time

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

The Princess Swap: Cinderella and the Beast or Beauty and the Glass Slipper by Kim Bussing (Random House Books for Young Readers, 304 pages, grades 3-7). Ella from Cinderella and Belle from Beauty and the Beast unexpectedly switch places in this fairy tale mash-up. The bold and adventurous Belle winds up as a servant in Ella’s stepmother’s basement, while Ella, whose glass leg has always kept her on the sidelines, finds herself sharing a gloomy castle with a fearsome beast. Cinderella’s prince is just a kid named Amir in this telling, and he’s sad that his sister Anisa has mysteriously vanished for the last few years. The two stories come together as Ella learns more about the cursed beast, and each heroine has to take matters into her own hands to create a happily-ever-after ending for both of them. A preview of book two, featuring Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, is featured at the end.

I’m not really much of a fractured fairy tale fan, but this version was so clever and well-told, once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. The stories are told in alternating third-person chapters, and many of the chapters ends on a cliff-hanger that will keep the reader turning the pages. Even the villains are treated with some sympathy in the end, and both girls are strong and brave, with just enough flaws to be believable.

Lily’s Dream: A Fairy Friendship by Bea Jackson (Aladdin, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Although Lily dreams of flying, so far her fairy wings haven’t worked. As a result, she knows more about beauty close to the ground, and one day she stumbles upon a beautiful fairy house. When the human creator reveals herself, Lily runs away, accidentally leaving behind her cherished gold anklet. The next day, she goes back to look for it, and the girl, who introduces herself as Willow, has found it. Willow makes Lily a fairy-sized acorn helmet, pillow, and trampoline to help her practice flying. Soon she’s taken to the air, and although she still can’t fly high, “Lily was over the moon.” Includes an author’s note that gives more of Willow’s backstory.

Those who judge books by their covers will be captivated by the picture of Lily on this one, and will undoubtedly find the rest of the story equally enchanting. I hope that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship and that Willow and Lily will have more stories, maybe told from Willow’s point of view. I enjoyed reading about her in the author’s note and wished that more of it had been incorporated into he main story.

Blinded with science

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Thomas Jefferson’s Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose! by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes (Calkins Creek, 48 pages, grades 2-5). Thomas Jefferson loved science, and one of his favorite books was Count Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon’s encyclopedia of the natural world. But he was incensed by Buffon’s descriptions of American wildlife, comparing it unfavorably to the animals found in Europe. Thomas decided to measure as many American animals as he could, and recruited friends from different parts of the country to assist him, eventually putting together his own book that he showed Buffon when he became minister to France. So committed to the truth about American fauna was Jefferson, that he actually had friends hunt a moose and ship it to France (you can read more about that here). When Buffon saw (and smelled) the enormous moose, he promised to revise his book, but unfortunately passed away a few months later. Jefferson’s book became well-known, and people started sending him information and artifacts to add to it, helping him to promote the idea that the New World was not inferior to the old one…just measurably different. Includes an author’s note, a list of five steps to use for a scientific inquiry process, a timeline of Jefferson’s life, and a bibliography.

A Dangerous Idea: The Scopes Trial, the Original Fight Over Science in Schools by Debbie Levy (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 288 pages, grades 6 and up). This account of the 1925 trial of John Scopes, a young high school teacher accused of teaching evolution, gives background information on evolution, the law that banned teaching it in Tennessee, and the two great orators, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, who served as prosecuting and defense attorneys. The trial itself is described in detail, capturing both the serious debates about religion and the circus-like atmosphere. The story concludes with information about Susan Epperson, a biology teacher who challenged a similar law in Arkansas, leading to a 1968 Supreme Court ruling striking down the law and allowing evolution to be taught in high schools. There’s also information about the play and movie Inherit the Wind, which took some pretty big liberties with the truth about the Scopes trial. Includes an epilogue tying the case to current events, a detailed timeline from 1831-2005, and an extensive bibliography, index, and list of sources notes.

These books could not be more timely with their reminders that attacking science is a tale as old as time. Both are told with a lighthearted, humorous tone, but the back matter shows how extensively researched they are. I enjoyed the Jefferson illustrations that resemble a naturalist’s notebook, with lots of cartoon bubbles and captions. The authors’ notes will give readers plenty to think about, and I thought Debbie Levy did an especially good job of connecting the events of the Scopes trial to current news stories. Beth Anderson delves into the scientific method and explains how Jefferson made mistakes, too, lest any of us think we have any sort of monopoly on the truth.

Get ready for Presidents’ Day

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart’s Brush with George Washington by Sarah Albee, illustrated by Stacy Innerst (Calkins Creek, 40 pages, grades 2-5). George Washington was a man of action who preferred sitting astride a horse to posing for a portrait. Gilbert Stuart was a portrait painter with a knack for capturing his subjects while making the process fun for them. But Washington had him stumped. Not only did he show up with his face swollen from his ill-fitting false teeth, but he refused to engage with Stuart in any of the topics the painter tried desperately to introduce. Finally, he noticed Washington gazing happily at a horse out the window and started talking about horse racing. It worked! He invited George to bring family and friends to their next appointment, and that worked too. Today we see the happy (or not) results of Gilbert Stuart’s hard work every time we look at a dollar bill. Includes replicas of all six presidential portraits that Stuart completed, a time line, additional information about Washington’s teeth, how the painting was used to create the engraving for the dollar bill, and a bibliography.

This lighthearted introduction to Gilbert Stuart’s portraits would make a great addition to an art class. GW may not come off as a barrel of laughs, but readers will wince sympathetically when learning of his dental issues (although there’s no mention of the fact that he bought human teeth from enslaved people). Full disclosure, this book was published in 2024, but I thought it warranted a place in the Presidents’ Day post.

Hiding In Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport (Calkins Creek, 48 pages, grades 2-5). When newly-elected U.S. President Abraham Lincoln traveled from his home in Illinois to Washington, DC in February, 1861, rumors of assassination were swirling. A plot was uncovered in Baltimore, and members of Allan Pinkerton’s detective agency took immediate steps to foil it. Central to their work was Kate Warne, the first female detective in the agency, whose undercover work as a lady from Alabama helped discover the Baltimore plot. Later, she posed as Lincoln’s sister, helping her “sick brother” board a train in Philadelphia that traveled in secret through Baltimore and on to Washington. When the supposed inaugural train arrived, word got out that Lincoln had already arrived, and Kate Warne faded into the cheering crowd, ready to take on her next assignment. Includes a six-page afterword with photos and additional information about Lincoln and Kate Warne, as well as a bibliography and illustrator’s note.

This exciting detective story would make an excellent read-aloud for both Presidents’ Day and Women’s History Month, with the mysterious Kate Warne playing a central role in preventing what could have been a national tragedy. The illustrations resemble period photographs and the whole book has kind of a scrapbook feel (the illustrator describes the scrapbooks that inspired her work in the note at the end). The additional information in the afterword provides some thought-provoking ideas and observations that could lead to some interesting discussions. Considering how little we know about Warne, there are quite a few children’s books about her: How Kate Warne Saved President Lincoln, The Eye That Never Sleeps: How Detective Pinkerton Saved President Lincoln, and the fictional The Detective’s Assistant.

George Washington’s Spectacular Spectacles: The Glasses That Saved America by Selene Castrovilla, illustrated by Jenn Harney (Calkins Creek, 32 pages, grades 2-5). By the end of the American Revolution, George Washington needed glasses, but he refused to let anyone see him wearing them. When he needed to read something, he would go into his office and slam the door. Everyone thought he was grouchy, but in March of 1783, it was his army officers who were the grouchy ones, after not getting paid for all the years of the war. They were threatening to storm Congress and demand their pay. Washington consulted a congressman about the issue, who wrote a reassuring letter that George thought would appease the officers. But when it came time to read it to them, he realized he needed his spectacles. He finally put them on, and his men, realizing what their beloved leader had sacrificed during the years of war, and agreed to wait on their pay. Includes additional information about this incident, an author’s note about her research and creative process in writing this story, and a bibliography.

Truth really is stranger than fiction, I thought as I read this quirky tale which ends unexpectedly with the army officers wiping away tears as they agree to continue to work without pay. All because George Washington put on his glasses, which, according to the back matter, is exactly how it happened. It’s an interesting story that will undoubtedly prompt some discussion, which could be seen as an example of Washington’s inspirational leadership or what happens when you’re willing to be vulnerable in front of your employees, but personally it kind of made me question the wisdom of those army officers.

Beloved authors

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris, illustrated by Gordon C. James (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Books were a lifeline to young James Baldwin, growing up in Depression-era Harlem with a mother, stepfather, and eight siblings. Reading and writing helped him escape from his strict preacher stepfather and the racism he encountered all around him, particularly from the police. Words led Jimmy to preach his own sermons about love and acceptance, and they gained him admission to a prestigious high school, where he got to explore literature, film, and theater. The story follows Jimmy to Paris and ends with the publication of Go Tell It on the Mountain. Includes additional information about Baldwin, notes from the author and illustrator, and a list of sources.

And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison’s Life In Stories by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Daniel Mintner (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, grades 2-5). The author’s note begins, “This narrative is a love letter to an outspoken sparrow who transformed lives through her storytelling.” Her ode to Toni Morrison weaves biographical information into a celebration of the writer’s life and work. The phrase “And she was loved” appears in many illustrations, as the text describes the love given to her by her parents, her children, and her readers, in a narrative that moves from her childhood in Ohio to her college days at Howard University to her life as an editor, writer, and mother to a celebrated winner of the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes and the Presidential Medal. In addition to the author’s note, the back matter includes an illustrator’s note, a photo of Morrison, a timeline, a list of selected works (including children’s books), and a list of sources.

Both of these biographies celebrate the lives and contributions of Black authors and offer inspiration to young writers. The illustrations in the books are striking, both by Caldecott honorees, with the potential for more awards consideration. These are books that may need a fair amount of introduction, as kids are unlikely to be familiar with either author.

Celebrating teacher-activists

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Ruby Bridges: A Talk With My Teacher by Ruby Bridges, illustrated by Trudy Tran (Orchard Books, 48 pages, grades K-3). Ruby tells the story of her second-grade year, returning to the school where she and her teacher Mrs. Henry spent first grade alone in their classroom. Ruby is happy to be getting a ride with a neighbor instead of U.S. Marshals, not facing angry crowds at the front door, and seeing other kids in the school, some of whom look like her. But she’s heartbroken to learn that Mrs. Henry is no longer teaching there. The story then moves forward to 1995, when a book about Ruby has just been published. She’s excited to learn that Mrs. Henry has seen the book, which leads to a reunion. She finds out that Mrs. Henry left to have a baby, and the two of them reminisce about incidents only they remember, like when Ruby stashed her uneaten sandwiches in a supply cabinet until a mouse infestation led Mrs. Henry to discover them. The book ends with the question, “Teachers–who would we be without them?” and the author’s note celebrates teachers and encourages kids to think of special memories with their own teachers. A glossary lists 25 well-known teachers with a sentence or two about each one.

Early elementary students will relate to Ruby’s experiences and enjoy recalling their own teacher memories. Ruby’s tone is warm and relatable for kids without talking down to them. An introduction to her life would make the story more interesting, and I was surprised that the title of her 1995 book (I assume it’s The Story of Ruby Bridges) doesn’t appear anywhere in this book, including in the author information.

Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins–The First Lady of Children’s Music by Traci N. Todd, illustrated by Eleanor Davis (Chronicle Books, 60 pages, grades 1-4). Ella Jenkins grew up in a segregated Chicago neighborhood, surrounded by a loving family and all kinds of music and rhythms. As an adult she moved to San Francisco, where she became a teacher, community organizer, and civil rights activist. Ella particularly loved sharing music with children, using it to introduce them to cultures around the world. The story of her full 100-year life (she died on November 9, 2024) features cameos by a number of celebrities such as Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mister Rogers. Includes three pages of additional information, a timeline, and a bibliography.

I feel for Traci N. Todd trying to contain Ella Jenkins’s long, eventful, and fascinating life in a single picture book. She does an excellent job, using text with plenty of rhythm, reflecting the music that was always an important part of Ella’s life. The back matter paints an even more complete picture of that life, and it could be fun to supplement the book with recordings or YouTube videos of some of Ella’s performances. I wish that Bernadelle Richter, Ella’s partner and manager for more than 60 years, had made it into the story, instead of only getting a mention on the timeline.

Two books with heart(s)

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Bigfoot’s Big Heart by Sarah Glenn Marsh, illustrated by Ishaa Lobo (Viking Books for Young Readers, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Bigfoot is a shy fellow who doesn’t like loud sounds, especially the noises people make when they see him. He keeps to himself, living in a cozy cave and writing to his mythical pen pals, like Nessie, Mothman, and Chupacabra. Valentine’s Day is coming, and Bigfoot decides to make valentines for all of his friends, telling him exactly why he likes them so much. On his way to the mailbox, though, he’s spotted by a group of Scouts, and the valentines get blown away in a blustery wind. A few of the quieter Scouts talk to Bigfoot instead of shouting or running away, and they come up with a plan. They connect online with Scouts around the globe who go on a worldwide monster search to deliver Bigfoot’s valentines. Nessie decides it’s time for an in-person (in-monster?) gathering, and monsters and humans gather at Bigfoot’s cave on Valentine’s Day. “Suddenly the world feels a little less lonely…thanks to friends who understand.”

Heartfelt by Elaine Vickers, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill (Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 56 pages, ages 4-8). The narrator likes to make hearts, especially the small ones which they like to give away. Love is felt with all the senses, and the child tells how love can look, feel, taste, smell, and sound. Each loving deed is accompanied by one of the small hearts until all of them are gone. Or are they? As the narrator looks around, it’s clear that love is being shared and spread throughout the community. Includes an author’s note about a favorite Sunday School lesson, in which each student was given a bag of hearts to distribute when they did kind deeds during the week, which they reported on the next week.

I’m thinking of reading both of these books to classes in the next few weeks as Valentine’s Day draws near. Bigfoot is a great way to introduce both the different mythical creatures in the story and where they live around the world. And the activity described at the end of Heartfelt is a fun and easy way for kids to practice kindness and community.

Five favorite picture books to share

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Dalmartian: A Mars Rover’s Story by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Lucy Ruth Cummins is underrated, in my opinion. This quirky story about a dog-like alien who gets left behind on Earth celebrates the power of friendship, with illustrations that revealed new details with each re-reading.

One Giant Leap by Thao Lam. Speaking of interesting details, this wordless book is full of them, leading up to a surprise ending. When I read this to kids, we would always have to go back to the beginning and look at the way the illustrations gave hints about what was really happening in a story that only appeared to take place on the moon.

Mr. Fox’s Game of “No!” by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. The award-winning team who created See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog and its sequels gave us another fun and interactive read-aloud. Even teachers cracked up at Mr. Fox’s simple game that makes readers answer no to an increasingly silly set of questions.

Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo. This one could just as easily have been on my Caldecott contenders list. Jun’s story is told with very few words as she navigates her first days at an American school after a move from Hong Kong. Her lunchbox reminds her of happy days with friends and family and eventually leads to some new friends. Kids enjoyed seeing a young Cherry Mo on the back flap and learning that the story is based on her own childhood.

Lucky Duck by Greg Pizzoli. Susan the duck gets a lesson about what’s lucky and what’s unlucky in this hilarious story about how she unwittingly outsmarts a wolf whose plans to make her his dinner are obvious to everyone except her.