Picture books

Vote for Our Future! by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Micah Player and Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights In America by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Magdalena Mora

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Schwartz & Wade 

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Published by Beach Lane Books

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Image result for equality's call story

Summaries:  Every two years, Stanton Elementary School closes down on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.  Turns out it’s a polling place on Election Day, and the kids in Vote for Our Future! want to be a part of it.  They visit friends, family, and neighbors to encourage them to vote, meeting each one of their lame excuses with a solution to get them registered and to the polls.  A gatefold page shows long lines on Election Day, and excitement builds as votes are counted and recounted. Kids are back at school the next day, “and the future begins to change”.  Includes a list of Acts of Congress that have made the future better for Americans. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

The rhyming text of Equality’s Call tells the story of how voting rights have changed over the last 200 years.  At first, “white men with property went to the polls, but the rest of the people were left off the rolls”.  Over time, things slowly changed, allowing women, people of color, and the non-wealthy to vote. Every few pages, a double-page spread shows a growing parade of voters with the refrain, “We heard ever louder/Equality’s call/A right isn’t a right/Till it’s granted to all.”  The last few pages remind readers that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who fought for voters’ rights and that “democracy’s dream must be constantly tended”. Includes two pages of voting-related amendments and legislation with a description of each one and two pages with thumbnail profiles of voting rights activists.  48 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A double dose of democracy with two excellent picture books that show the importance of voting and put it in historical context.  

Cons:  Not voting on Election Day!  If you’re in a Super Tuesday state and know someone who isn’t voting today, I encourage you to call or visit that person and read one of these books to them in an aggrieved, disappointed voice.  Say it kids:

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If you would like to buy Vote for Our Future on Amazon, click here.

If you would like to buy Equality’s Call on Amazon, click here.

A Kid of Their Own by Megan Dowd Lambert, illustrated by Jessica Lanan

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Charlesbridge

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Summary:  Clyde the rooster, first seen in A Crow of His Own, gets his beak out of joint when a baby goat named Rowdy arrives at the farm.  Clyde loves to wake everyone up with his “Cock-a-doodle-do”, but he’s constantly being hushed so Rowdy can get his sleep.  Clyde starts to feel jealous, particularly when motherly Roberta the goose starts paying more attention to Rowdy than to Clyde.  But when he overhears some of the other animals talking about his behavior, Clyde is moved to make amends. He digs out an old pair of earmuffs that have never quite fit him and gives them to the kid.  The next morning, Clyde is able to issue his usual rousing wake-up call, and Rowdy can sleep peacefully, his ears warmly protected. Sharp-eyed readers will have noticed Farmers Jay and Kevin getting ready for a big event in their own lives, and on the last page they have adopted their own kid…and not the goat variety.  32 pages; ages 4-8

Pros:  This cute story about adjusting to a new member of the family or two would be a perfect gift for a new big sibling.

Cons:  Those must be some powerful earmuffs.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

 

Dandelion’s Dream by Yoko Tanaka

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Published by Candlewick

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Summary:  A dandelion dreams of becoming a dandy lion and going on many adventures:  riding on a train, sailing on a ship, visiting the city. Finally, he rides in a small biplane, where he gets an aerial view of all the city lights.  As he watches, the blurry lights transform into puffy dandelions, and he is back in the field. He’s gone from yellow to white, and on the last pages, seeds blow from him into the dark sky, forming the shape of a pouncing lion.  40 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  The illustrations in this wordless picture book have a surreal, dreamy quality, perfect for the story.  The story is straightforward and easy to understand, but could easily prompt more discussion, writing, or art.

Cons:  I was disappointed that Dandelion didn’t fly off the ship on his bird friend’s back.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

The Only Woman in the Photo by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Alexandra Bye

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Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

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Summary:  Although Frances Perkins was shy growing up, her passion for justice helped her overcome her fears.  As a young woman, she moved from Massachusetts to New York City where she became a social worker. Witnessing the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire turned her into an activist, and she was hired by former president Theodore Roosevelt to improve workplace safety.  She caught the eye of New York governor Al Smith, and moved to work at the state level, eventually working for Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt. When Roosevelt became President, he appointed Frances Secretary of Labor, the first female member of a U.S. presidential cabinet.  She was instrumental in many New Deal reforms, including Social Security and the federal minimum wage. Roosevelt wouldn’t let her resign, so Perkins remained in her position until FDR’s death in 1945. Disliking publicity and refusing to write her memoirs, Frances Perkins wasn’t always well-known, but her work continues to benefit us to this day.  Includes additional information and a list of sources. 48 pages; grades 2-6.

Pros:  This lengthy picture book biography of Frances Perkins highlights her work ethic and concern for people in need that led her to work for numerous reforms that have improved lives for almost a century.  Alexandra Bye’s illustrations enhance the text and nicely weave some of Frances’s quotes into the pictures.

Cons:  There aren’t a lot of dates of places in the text or author’s note, and very little is told of Frances’s personal life.  A timeline, kid-friendly list of resources, and some photos would have made this a more useful research book.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

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The Imaginaries: Little Scraps of Larger Stories by Emily Winfield Martin

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Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

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Summary:  The artist calls these “illustrations for stories that do not exist”.  Each painting is accompanied by a sentence or two scribbled on the back of an envelope or other scrap of paper.  A monkey holding a key: “Ask the monkey what he knows.” A girl sitting by a stream surrounded by animals: “The paradise was different depending on who found it.”  A mermaid sitting on a rock: “She never told anyone what she saw at the edge of the world.” The author finishes with a brief note telling how these works chronicle the process of becoming herself and inviting the reader to join her on her journey.  80 pages; grades 3-7.

Pros:  An amazing tool to unlock the imagination.  This reminded me of The Mysteries of Harrison Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg.  Just paging through fires up the imagination; or one could choose one illustration and use it to inspire writing or other art.

Cons:  This book definitely defies categorization.  It seems like a picture book, but the usual picture book crowd would definitely find it puzzling.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

 

Such a Good Boy by Marianna Coppo

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Published by Chronicle Books

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Summary:  Buzz is a dog who lives in a beautiful house, with healthy food to eat, and daily walks.  He always stays on his leash, does his business where he is supposed to, and doesn’t interact with the less well-behaved dogs at the park.  He is such a good boy. But sometimes Buzz feels the pressure of living up to his well-bred ancestors, and he occasionally finds himself wishing he were someone else.  One day, after being cooped up for a whole rainy week, Buzz throws himself into a puddle. His horrified owner immediately takes him to the Good Boy pet groomer. Buzz is cleaned up again, but his taste of freedom has changed him.  While his owner pays, Buzz sneaks out the door and heads back to the park, where he does all the things that have always been forbidden to him. On the way out, he sees lost dog posters everywhere with his face on them. “Uh-oh! Buzz should have known this wouldn’t last…Or will it?”  48 pages; grades K-2.

Pros:  So much to think about in this seemingly simple book.  Will Buzz return to his home or embrace freedom? This could start some discussions about what makes pets (and people) happy.  Pair it with Peter Brown’s Mr. Tiger Goes Wild for a story hour filled with existential soul searching.

Cons:  Kids might be disturbed that the well-cared-for dog doesn’t want to return home.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Balzer + Bray

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Summary:  When Snail sees some delectable cabbage on the other side of the road, he’s determined to make the perilous journey to get to it.  He slowly moves into the path of an oncoming car, but that proves less of a deterrent than a bunch of impatient ants who yell at Snail to get out of the way.  When rain starts falling, Snail invites them all into his shell for tea, and they become friends. Continuing the journey, Snail is dismayed to discover that he’s turned himself around and is right back where he started.  His new friends save the day, though, and on the last page, everyone gathers for cabbage soup inside the shell.

Pros:  A cute story of friendship and the benefits of being kind to others–even those who may not be so nice initially.

Cons:  That shell seems like it’s a lot bigger on the inside than the outside.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Neal Porter Books

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Summary:  A new worker bee pushes her way out of her cell on the pages before the title page.  Apis Mellifera, or Apis for short, she gives new meaning to the phrase “busy as a bee” as she cleans up the hive, feeds the larvae, cares for the queen, and builds and protects the hive.  Finally, on day 25 of her life, she is ready to fly to the fields, where she spends the next ten days collecting nectar from 30,000 flowers before her life is over.  As she falls to the ground, back in the next, a new Apis Mellifera emerges from a cell.  Includes a detailed diagram of a bee’s anatomy; additional information about bees and how to help them; and additional books and websites for further research.  40 pages; grades 1-5.

Pros:  The award-winning team that brought you Giant Squid has created another marvelous nonfiction book.  The poetic text, amazingly lifelike illustrations, and extensive back matter make this an outstanding resource for research or reading for enjoyment.

Cons:  I started getting impatient for Apis to fly already.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Leave It to Abigail! The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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Summary:  “Leave it to Abigail!” is the repeating refrain of this book, as Abigail Adams defied expectations, beginning with her survival from a sickly baby to a rambunctious, inquisitive young girl.  She married John Adams at the age of 19, and continued to live life on her own terms, running a farm and raising a family when John was away for long periods of time. Their correspondence has become famous, as she offered insights and opinions from the home front while he traveled abroad.  When their children were grown, she boarded a schooner and sailed to Europe, where she lived the life of an ambassador’s wife, throwing parties and attending balls and concerts while maintaining a thrifty New England lifestyle. The Adams returned home to the presidency, and Abigail continued to influence politics through her writing and her conversations of John.  The two finally retired to their farm, but Abigail continued writing letters to the end of her life. Includes portraits of twelve American women influenced by Abigail Adams; author’s and illustrator’s notes; and source notes. 40 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  It’s research project season at my schools, and with assignments on early American history and famous Massachusetts people, demand is outpacing supply.  So I’m delighted to find a new biography of Abigail Adams, particularly one that is written and illustrated so engagingly, really making Abigail come to life as a smart, courageous woman of her time.

Cons:  With research in mind, I would have liked to have seen a list of additional books and/or websites to help kids fill out Adams’ story.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.

Fly High, John Glenn: The Story of an American Hero by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Maurizio A. C. Quarello

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Published by HarperCollins

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Summary:  John Glenn dreamed of flying from his early days growing up in Ohio.  He earned his pilot’s license at age 20, becoming a fighter pilot during World War II.  He kept flying after the war, flying the first supersonic flight across the United States. When NASA announced Project Mercury, a mission to launch a man into orbit around the Earth, candidates were selected from the country’s 508 test pilots.  Glenn was one of the seven chosen, and on February 20, 1962, he became the first man to orbit the Earth aboard his space capsule Friendship 7.  Despite a few glitches, the mission went well, and Glenn returned to a hero’s welcome.  He continued to serve his country as a U.S. senator, and in 1998, became the oldest person to fly in space at age 77.  Includes additional information, a timeline, and a bibliography. 48 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  This is quite a complete biography for a picture book, including plenty of information on John’s career and family.  The realistic paintings are beautiful, particularly the ones of outer space.

Cons:  Due to the length, primary-grade audiences might get a bit antsy before the last page.

If you would like to buy this book on Amazon, click here.