Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Levine Querido

Red and Green and Blue and White: Wind, Lee, Zelinsky, Paul O.: 9781646140879: Amazon.com: Books
Red and Green and Blue and White: Wind, Lee, Zelinsky, Paul O.: 9781646140879: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Isaac’s house is the only one on the block decorated in blue and white instead of red and green as he and his best friend (and neighbor) Teresa count down the days until Chanukah and Christmas.  Then one night a rock is thrown through the window of Isaac’s house.  The family is scared but determined not to let their fear make them hide their faith.  The next night, they light the menorah again.  When Teresa sees the lit candles, she draws a picture of the menorah with the words “For Isaac,” and hangs it in her front window.  Before long, others in town show the same support.  Their drawings get on the news, and a few weeks later, there are 10,000 menorah pictures hanging in windows all over.  Includes an author’s note with additional information about the 1993 real-life event in Billings, Montana that inspired this story.  32 pages; grades 1-5.

Pros:  This brief but moving story tells of the power of good triumphing over evil, a perfect theme for the holiday season.  The illustrations are filled with cozy comfort that’s in contrast to the broken glass on the cover.  

Cons:  Most reviewers recommend this for ages 4 and up, but I think the story would be better appreciated by an older audience, especially if you’re reading it to a group. 

While I Was Away by Waka T. Brown

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Published by Quill Tree Books

While I Was Away: Brown, Waka T.: 9780063017122: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  In 1984, when Waka was 12 years old, her mother decided that she didn’t know as much Japanese as she should and arranged for her to spend five months in Japan living with her grandmother, Obaasama.  Not surprisingly, Waka was completely opposed to the idea, which meant missing the end of sixth grade, summer vacation, and the beginning of seventh grade and attending school in Japan for most of that time.  She went from being a straight-A student in America to being near the bottom of the class in Japan and had to learn how to navigate the unfamiliar social structure of her classmates.  By the end of the five months, though, her language skills had improved dramatically, and she had learned the importance of true friendship.  While she came to understand and love Obaasama, she never really was able to communicate with her, and that left a deep sadness at the end of her visit.  Ultimately, though, Waka comes to appreciate both of her cultures and to be grateful that she had the opportunity to spend the time in Japan learning about her heritage there.  320 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  This book came out in January, and it’s taken me all year to get around to reading it.  I’m not sure I ever would have (see the cons) if it hadn’t been for the fact that it’s currently #3 on the Goodreads mock Newbery list, and Betsy Bird included it in her fall Newbery predictions.  I found the story funnier than I thought it would be, but also poignant, especially at the end.  It really captures the immigrant experience of having a foot in each culture and makes a great case for the benefits of travel.

Cons:  Something about the cover didn’t appeal to me and led me to believe that this was a much sadder book than it actually is.

Animal Rescue Friends by Gina Loveless and Meika Hashimoto, illustrated by Genevieve Kote

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Andrew McMeel Publishing 

Animal Rescue Friends (Volume 1) (Epic!): Loveless, Gina, Hashimoto, Meika, Kote, Genevieve: 9781524867348: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Maddie’s heartbroken when her mom tells her they can’t keep a stray dog in their apartment.  She decides to take him to Animal Rescue Friends, where she meets a girl her age named Bell and decides to volunteer.  Bell has a little trouble letting go of control, but eventually the two learn to work together and become friends.  A reformed troublemaker named Noah joins the group when he rescues a cat.  Over the course of five stories, the kids work together to take care of all kinds of animals and help them find new homes.  Includes 20+ pages about comics and how to create them. 160 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  If you’re a teacher who worked through the pandemic, you’re probably familiar with Epic!, a website where kids can read books online.  Apparently, they’ve started publishing some of their original works as paper books, including this one, billed as Book 1.  True to the Epic! spirit, it’s a high-interest graphic novel about kids helping animals, so sure to appeal to all kinds of readers.

Cons:  Animal Rescue Friends appears to have one adult working there, with 11-year-old volunteers making up the remainder of the staff; this may not present an accurate picture of how animal shelters actually work.

How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio

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Published by Wendy Lamb Books

How to Win a Slime War - Kindle edition by Respicio, Mae. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Summary:  Alex and his dad are moving back to his grandparents’ house to modernize their Filipino market and try to expand the business.  Alex’s passion is making slime, and he is thrilled to find other kids at his new middle school who share this hobby, including a girl who becomes his main rival in a slime war.  Slime is strictly forbidden at school, so all their endeavors have to be done sneakily to avoid getting caught with the contraband substance.  Meanwhile, Alex’s dad, a former athletic star, is pressuring Alex to play soccer, a sport that he both dislikes and fears.  Something else Alex fears is speaking up for himself, but as the stakes get higher at school and at home, he learns the importance of advocating for himself and for what he believes is right.  288 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  The short chapters, eye-catching cover, and highly relatable situations make this an appealing choice for all kinds of readers.  It would make an excellent book club selection.

Cons:  Although there were several lists of slime ingredients, no amounts were given.  A few recipes at the end would have been nice.

Light for All by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Raúl Colón

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Published by Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Light for All - Kindle edition by Engle, Margarita, Colón, Raúl. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Amazon.com: Light for All: 9781534457270: Engle, Margarita, Colón, Raúl: Libros

Summary:  “From land to land, brave travelers arrive with hopes, dreams, skills, and determination.”  The lyrical text and illustrations of this book celebrate the immigrants who have come to the United States, and the Statue of Liberty that welcomes them.  The gifts that people bring in terms of skills, languages, and cultures are recognized, as are the harder truths that people have not always been made to feel welcome.  “The long, bitter story of the US” is also acknowledged, including “stealing land from Native people, bringing enslaved captives all the way from Africa, and then seizing a huge part of Mexico.”  The final image, though, is of Lady Liberty’s torch, and the book concludes on this hopeful note.  Includes notes from the author and illustrator about their personal experiences of immigration.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  This would make an excellent introduction to immigration, with poet Margarita Engle’s text and Raúl Colón’s colored pencil illustrations depicting so many different nationalities coming to the US.  While some hard truths are acknowledged, the tone is basically hopeful and celebratory.

Cons:  A list of additional resources would have made this even more useful for older kids.

Off-Limits by Helen Yoon

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Published by Candlewick

Off-Limits: Yoon, Helen, Yoon, Helen: 9781536207316: Amazon.com: Books
Off-Limits: Yoon, Helen, Yoon, Helen: 9781536207316: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Before the title page, a man tapes a sign to his office door: “Off-Limits”.  As he walks away, a girl is seen peeking from around a corner.  In she goes.  “Hello! I’m just looking.”  Well, looking and taking one tiny piece of tape.  Then Mr. Lamp gets a scarf made of tape, and before long he’s festooned with paper clips and binder clips.  And then she discovers…the Post-it’s!  The entire office is transformed into a chaotic mix of tape, clips, and dozens and dozens of colorful Post-it’s, some cut into stars, hearts, and paper dolls.  Finally, the girl steps back, realizing what she’s done.  She sneaks back to her room, only to discover Daddy, decked out in her dress-up clothes and dancing for an audience of stuffed animals.  32 pages, ages 3-7.

Pros:  Preschoolers will love vicariously living out this fantasy of completely “decorating” forbidden office space.  The illustrations with the Post-it’s really capture the feeling of joyous abandon, and the surprise ending will definitely get a few laughs.

Cons:  I was exhausted by the end.

Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Magaly Morales

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Published by Harry N. Abrams

Pura's Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories - Kindle edition by Pimentel, Annette Bay, Morales, Magaly. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Pura's Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories: Pimentel, Annette Bay: 9781419749414: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Pura Belpré grew up in Puerto Rico, surrounded by a family of storytellers.  When she moved to New York City, she missed those cuentos and visited her branch of the New York Public Library to discover the stories there.  The librarian noticed her interacting with others in both Spanish and English and offered her a job.  Pura loved reading to kids but couldn’t find any books with the Puerto Rican folktales she grew up with.  She broke with protocol by telling a story instead of reading it during an evaluation with library administrators.  They were so impressed that they gave her special permission to use her storytelling skills (instead of reading a book) during library story hours.  She was a pioneer of bilingual story hours, making the library more inviting to Spanish speakers.  In her retirement, she worked on writing down some of the stories, making her beloved cuentos available in published books.  Includes an author’s note, a list of Pura Belpré’s books, and other sources.  40 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  I almost passed by this book, thinking that everything I needed to know about Pura Belpré I learned from 2019’s Planting Stories by Anika Aldamuy Denise.  I’m glad I didn’t, as I found it charming and engaging, telling the story of this fascinating woman with slightly dreamy illustrations that incorporate a lot of Spanish words.  Planting Stories won a Belpré honor, and this book is worthy of one as well.

Cons:  Seems like it would be in keeping with Pura’s spirit to have a Spanish version of this book, but I couldn’t find one.

The Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish and Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

The Christmas Owl: Based on the True Story of a Little Owl Named Rockefeller: Sterer, Gideon, Kalish, Ellen, Kaulitzki, Ramona: 9780316299121: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Wildlife rehabilitator Ellen Kalish tells the story of Rockefeller, an owl whose tree home was cut down and taken to Rockefeller Center for Christmas.  Filled with questions about what Christmas is and what is happening to her home, the owl is finally rescued from the tree and taken to Ravensbeard Wildlife Center.  There, Ellen nurses her back to health until she’s finally ready to fly off on her own.  She makes a stop at Rockefeller Center, where she sees happy people holding hands and hugging, celebrating the spirit of the holiday.  She flies back home, eager to tell her animal friends there what she has learned about Christmas.  Includes an author’s note about her career as a wildlife rehabilitator and additional information about Rockefeller’s story.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A charming holiday story that reminded me of one of my favorite Christmas read-alouds, Red and Lulu by Matt Tavares.  Kids will take Rockefeller to heart, and the additional information at the end makes her story even more interesting.

Cons:  There was a little too much anthropomorphism for my taste, considering this is based on a true story.

Yours in Books by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Cameron Kids

Yours in Books: Falatko, Julie, Alborozo, Gabriel: 9781951836207: Amazon.com: Books
Yours in Books: Falatko, Julie, Alborozo, Gabriel: 9781951836207: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Curmudgeonly Owl T. Fencepost just wants some peace and quiet–so he turns to books.  He sends a letter to the local bookshop requesting the title How to Soundproof Your Forest Dwelling.  Bessie Squirrel writes back that it’s out of stock, but suggests Yes, You Do Want to Live in the Woods: Why Life in the Trees Is the Bee’s Knees.  As Owl reluctantly befriends a group of young animals who keep visiting his house, Bessie keeps sending him helpful books about cooking, crafts, and other ideas for keeping the kids busy and happy.  The youngsters get wind of the correspondence and plan a party, inviting both Owl and Bessie without the other’s knowledge.  Bessie sends one more letter after the party, thanking Owl and asking him what he wants next.  The last page shows Owl in a hat and bow tie with the message, “Don’t send anything, please.  I am on my way.”  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A charming book told in letters with adorable animal illustrations, and a nice message of friendship that can transform even the most hardcore introvert.

Cons:  It wasn’t clear how the snail mail carrier delivered the books.

Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by Ekua Holmes

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Anne Schwartz Books

Dream Street: Walker, Tricia Elam, Holmes, Ekua: 9780525581109: Amazon.com: Books
New children's book 'Dream Street' celebrates a childhood neighborhood : NPR

Summary:  “Welcome to Dream Street–the best street in the world!”  As we tour this street, we meet the neighbors, young and old, each one with a story to tell.  Mr. Sidney is a dapper dresser who has vowed never to wear a uniform again after retiring from a career with the post office.  Belle loves butterflies and wants to become a lepidopterist.  The five Phillips boys are all named after jazz musicians and keep their parents busy all day long.  And cousins Ede and Tari love to draw and write, dreaming of someday creating a picture book together.  The children all know that they can become whatever they want but are savoring every bit of their childhood on Dream Street.  Includes a brief note from the author and illustrator and a dedication to their mothers; also a list of the Phillips brothers’ namesakes.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  I did not know that Tricia Elam Walker and Ekua Holmes are cousins until I read this book, which is based on their childhood in Roxbury, Massachusetts (they are Ede and Tari in the book).  The collage art is phenomenal and will undoubtedly receive consideration for both Caldecott and Coretta Scott King recognition.  This would make an excellent mentor text for writing about characters.

Cons:  This came out too late for me to include on my mock Caldecott slideshow.