Five Caldecott Predictions

~ Janet Dawson ~ 5 Comments

Take this post with a huge grain of salt: in the last five years, I’ve predicted 25 winners and gotten it right exactly four times. But it’s fun to keep trying, so here I go again.

I’ve put together a PowerPoint slideshow that could be used for a mock Caldecott award. This one includes 20 titles, with more information about each one. Let me know if you are interested, and I will send it to you!

If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall

Published by Chronicle Books

If You Come to Earth: Blackall, Sophie: 9781452137797: Amazon.com: Books

Will Sophie Blackall win her third Caldecott in five years? It seems unlikely, yet I love this book too much to keep it off the list. Her illustrations and story–a letter from a boy to an alien–capture what it means to be human, no matter what part of Earth you inhabit.

All Because You Matter by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Published by Orchard Books

All Because You Matter: Charles, Tami, Collier, Bryan: 9781338574852: Amazon.com: Books

The link for this title takes you to my reviews for both this book and I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James. In a year when racism in America took center stage–again–it seems appropriate to recognize these two books. I particularly loved Bryan Collier’s brilliant (in all senses of the word) collage illustrations inspired by his grandmother’s handmade quilts.

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

Published by Neal Porter Books

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera: Fleming, Candace, Rohmann, Eric: 9780823442850: Amazon.com: Books

The more I look at these illustrations, the more I am blown away by the amazing details Eric Rohmann captured in his paintings. The story unfolds in a surprisingly dramatic fashion, enhanced by the close-up illustrations.

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade

Published by Roaring Brook Press

We Are Water Protectors - Kindle edition by Lindstrom, Carole, Goade, Michaela. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

This book really grew on me as the year went on, not only for its message of standing up for what you believe in (specifically the protests at Standing Rock), but for the watercolor illustrations featuring traditional Ojibwe clan symbols and the many forms and colors of water.

The Old Truck by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey

Published by Norton Young Readers

The Old Truck: Pumphrey, Jerome, Pumphrey, Jarrett: 9781324005193: Amazon.com: Books

Here’s another book I came to appreciate more since its January release. I went from initially deciding not to review it to putting it on my Caldecott prediction list. I love the illustrations created from over 250 handcrafted stamps, as well as the story of hard work and resilience demonstrated by two generations of a farming family.

12 books of Christmas

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Starting the day after Christmas, I’ll be posting my year-end lists of Caldecott and Newbery predictions and my favorite books in different categories. I found myself with an higher-than-usual number of books at the end of the year that I had wanted to review, but didn’t get to before time ran out. That number turned out to be twelve, so as a little Christmas gift, here is a list of my final dozen books for 2020.

Tani’s New Home: A Refugee Finds Hope and Kindness in America by Tanitoluwa Adewumi, illustrated by Courtney Dawson

Published by Thomas Nelson

Tani's New Home: A Refugee Finds Hope and Kindness in America: Adewumi, Tanitoluwa, Dawson, Courtney: 9781400218288: Amazon.com: Books

The true story of Tani Adewumi, who moved to New York City as a Nigerian refugee at the age of 6. He discovered chess, and practiced it for hours in a homeless shelter. In less than a year, he was the New York State Chess Champion. I haven’t had a chance to see this book. The publisher, Thomas Nelson, is a Christian publisher, so I’m not sure if there is any religious content to the story. 32 pages; grades K-3.

Dear Earth…From Your Friends in Room 5 by Erin Dealey, illustrated by Louisa Uribe

Published by HarperCollins

Dear Earth…From Your Friends in Room 5: Dealey, Erin, Uribe, Luisa: 9780062915320: Amazon.com: Books

The kids in room 5 begin a correspondence with Earth, learning different ways to help the planet like recycling and energy conservation. Rhyming text, letter writing, and environmental tips make this an appealing choice for Earth Day or any time of year. 32 pages; grades K-3.

Saving Stella: A Dog’s Dramatic Escape from War by Bassel Abou Fakher and Deborah Blumenthal, illustrated by Nadine Kaadan

Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Saving Stella: A Dog's Dramatic Escape from War: Fakher, Bassel Abou, Blumenthal, Deborah, Kaadan, Nadine: 9781547601332: Amazon.com: Books

When Bassel was forced to flee Syria, he had to leave his beloved dog Stella behind. After settling in a new home in Belgium, he worked with friends back in Syria to create a daring plan to rescue Stella. 40 pages; grades K-5.

Rabbit, Raven, Deer by Sue Farrell Holler, illustrated by Jennifer Faria

Published by Pajama Press

Raven, Rabbit, Deer: Farrell Holler, Sue, Faria, Jennifer: 9781772781366: Amazon.com: Books

There’s a copy of this book traveling to my library right now, but I haven’t gotten a chance to see it. A boy and his grandfather enjoy a winter’s day together, finding animal tracks and identifying the animals in both English and Ojibwemowin. Sounds like a cozy winter choice. 32 pages; ages 4-8.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

When You Trap a Tiger: Keller, Tae: 9781524715717: Amazon.com: Books

When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, Lily meets a tiger straight out of the Korean folklore she’s grown up on. This book won a Boston Globe/Horn Book honor and received five starred reviews. Personally, I couldn’t really get into it and only read about the first third back in the beginning of the year. Everyone else loved it, though, and it could definitely be a contender for more awards. 304 pages; grades 4-7.

Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrations by Ashley Lukashevsky

Published by Kokila

Antiracist Baby Board Book: Kendi, Ibram X., Lukashevsky, Ashley: 9780593110416: Amazon.com: Books

Ibram X. Kendi’s book How to Be an Antiracist is #15 on Amazon’s list of 2020’s bestsellers. Here he offers nine tips for being (or raising) an antiracist baby, with a note to parents and teachers at the end. Available as both a board book and a regular picture book. 32 pages; ages 0-4.

Woodpecker Girl by Chingyen Liu and I-Tsun Chiang, illustrated by Heidi Doll

Published by Reycraft Books

Woodpecker Girl: Chiang, I-Tsun, Liu, Chingyen: 9781478869559: Amazon.com: Books

A girl with cerebral palsy tells how she learned to paint with a brush strapped to her forehead. An amazing gallery of her work is included. Told in the first person, the story doesn’t shy away from the challenges she faces and the discouragement she feels, but also expresses her joy at sharing with others through her art. 40 pages; grades K-4.

Everything Comes Next: Collected and New Poems by Naomi Shihab Nye

Published by Greenwillow Books

Everything Comes Next: Collected and New Poems: Nye, Naomi Shihab: 9780063013452: Amazon.com: Books

I just got this book on December 23, so haven’t had a chance to read it. These 100 poems by Young People’s Poet Laureate Nye start with a section of poems on childhood, both her own and others. She also explores her Palestinian heritage and the need for peace, as well as an appreciation for the diversity of people in the world. 256 pages; grades 3-7.

Unstoppable by Adam Rex, illustrated by Laura Park

Published by Chronicle Books

Unstoppable: (Family Read-Aloud book, Silly Book About Cooperation) - Kindle edition by Rex, Adam, Park, Laura. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon .com.

A crow being pursued by a hungry cat and a crab who dreams of flying work together to help one another. When they add a turtle and a bear, they become UNSTOPPABLE! At least until they see a bulldozer digging up the lakefront to build a mall. Then it’s off to see the President of the United States…and Congress…and things really get zany as only Adam Rex can imagine them. 56 pages; ages 4-8.

Chance: Escape from the Holocaust by Uri Shulevitz

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Chance: Escape from the Holocaust: Memories of a Refugee Childhood (9780374313715): Shulevitz, Uri: Books - Amazon.com

Caldecott Medalist Uri Shulevitz’s memoir covers his childhood from his days in Warsaw at the start of World War II to his family’s harrowing experiences in the Soviet Union during the war and their postwar years in Paris before emigrating to Paris when he was 14. Although it’s a thick book, the print is large and filled with Shulevitz’s illustrations, making it a quick and engaging read. 336 pages; grades 4-8.

A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa

Published by Barefoot Books

A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India: Sriram, Meera, Cabassa, Mariona: 9781646860616: Amazon.com: Books

Another one I haven’t gotten to see, but I love the brilliant colors of the cover (and pictures I’ve seen of the illustrations). A girl shops in an Indian market to find the perfect gift for her mother. 32 pages; ages 4-7.

Desert Diary: Japanese American Kids Behind Barbed Wire by Michael O. Tunnell

Published by Charlesbridge

Desert Diary: Japanese American Kids Behind Barbed Wire: Tunnell, Michael O.: 9781580897891: Amazon.com: Books

When Mae Yanagi was eight years old, she and her family were forced to move to Topaz Camp in Utah for the duration of World War II. She and her third-grade classmates created a diary of their daily lives in camp, filled with mundane details about school and family life, as well as descriptions of the difficulties of camp life. Michael Tunnell tells their story with plenty of photographs and excerpts from the diary. 144 pages; grades 4-7.

Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us by Emerson Weber, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by HarperCollins

Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us by Emerson Weber, Jaclyn Sinquett, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble®

Summary: Emerson loved to write and mail letters. One day, it occurred to her that Doug, their mail carrier, was the person who made it all happen. So she wrote him a thank you letter. Doug shared that letter with some of his co-workers, they shared it in turn, and the next week Doug delivered two boxes to Emerson’s house, filled with letters from grateful postal workers all over the country, Emerson wrote back to them, and as she did, she started reflecting on all the other people–grocery store clerks, trash collectors, farmers, and many more–who keep the world going. At the end is a letter from the real-life 11-year-old Emerson to readers, encouraging them to thank the people in their lives who keep the world going. 32 pages; grades K-5.

Pros: First of all, this book reminds me of my mother who writes hundreds of cards and letters every year and who, ever since I was a child, has always known her mail carrier by name and given him or her a holiday gift. She is truly a master of both letter writing and expressing appreciation. Secondly, this book made me think of everyone who has kept the world going during this year of the pandemic: the teachers, librarians, grocery store workers, healthcare workers, election workers, municipal workers…the list goes on and on. Inspired by Emerson’s letter, allow me to say thank you for being part of my blog this year!

Cons: On Christmas Eve, after all those feel-good sentiments? No way!

Donors Choose

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

As I wrote about in March, my position as the K-8 district librarian for the Hampden-Wilbraham school district was eliminated for the 2020-2021 school year. I was fortunate to get hired a few months later as the librarian for the Rebecca Johnson Elementary School in Springfield. It’s been an exciting challenge for me, because the school hasn’t had a librarian or new books for quite a few years, but the principal is committed to having an excellent library and has been generous with funding.

Springfield schools are remote through April 8, and I’ve been working hard to bring the library back to life so that students will be excited to visit when they return. Rebecca Johnson is one of the largest schools in Springfield, with almost 800 students, and is located in one of the lowest-income parts of the city.

Following the example of other teachers and librarians I’ve met in my new job, I’ve started two Donors Choose projects. Hooked on Books is to get funding for some of the books that I know will be in high demand by our students, and Bring Dr. Seuss to Our Library! will allow me to purchase a new set of books by Dr. Seuss, who is especially beloved by our students since he grew up in Springfield.

As readers of this blog, you know how much I love to promote books to kids, and I am excited to start reading and book talking the new books to Rebecca Johnson students. I admit to feeling quite uncomfortable asking for money, so please do not feel under any obligation to donate! I appreciate the support of all those who read and follow this blog, and thank you for reading and considering my requests.

Selena: Queen of Tejano Music by Silvia López, illustrated by Paola Escobar

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by little bee books

Amazon.com: Selena, reina de la música tejana (9781499811438): López, Silvia, Escobar, Paola: Books
Amazon.com: Queen of Tejano Music: Selena (9781499809770): López, Silvia, Escobar, Paola: Books

Summary:  Growing up in Texas, Selena Quintanilla was surrounded by music from an early age.  Her father taught her older siblings to play guitar and drums, and Selena soon proved herself to be a natural performer, singing and dancing to their music.  By the time she was nine years old, they were performing regularly in her father’s restaurant.  A few years later, the restaurant went out of business and the family fell on hard times.  Touring and making music seemed like the only way to make a living.  There was a demand for Tejano music, so Selena learned Spanish to perform the popular songs.  By the time she was in her late teens, Selena was an award-winning star, loved in both Mexico and the U.S.  She also was a popular celebrity, treating both her fans and co-workers with kindness and respect.  The final page memorializes Selena as a trailblazer and role model.  Includes several pages of additional information about Selena and her music, ending with a few paragraphs about her murder at the age of 23. A Spanish-language version of this book, Selena: Reina de la Música Tejana is also available. 48 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  Here’s another book I’ve been anticipating for several months, as my music-loving daughter has gotten me interested in learning more about Selena.  As I imagine is true for many others, I only knew about her death, so I’m glad this book has been written to celebrate her life and legacy.  There’s a lot of text, but the story is so engaging it doesn’t feel like a lot to plow through, and the illustrations really capture Selena’s spirit.  I was even inspired to watch the official video of “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom”, which is an incredibly catchy tune.  Sadly, as the book concludes, quoting Selena biographer Joe Nick Patoski: “The debate will never cease as to what could have been.”

Cons:  This book seems to be getting recommended for the 6-9 age group, but I think older kids will appreciate it more, due to both the text-heavy story and the tragic ending.

Mr. Brown’s Bad Day by Lou Peacock, illustrated by Alison Friend

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Published by Nosy Crow

Amazon.com: Mr. Brown's Bad Day (9781536214369): Peacock, Lou, Friend, Alison: Books
MR. BROWN'S BAD DAY - My Booktopia

Summary: Mr. Brown is a Very Important Businessman who works in a Very Important Office and carries a Very Important Briefcase.  But one day, his briefcase gets taken away, and Mr. Brown has to put his very important plans on hold to chase after it.  One madcap escapade follows the next, until a bedraggled Mr. Brown finally gets his briefcase back.  What could possibly be important enough to make him go to all that trouble?  The answer may surprise you!  32 pages; ages 3-7.

Pros:  I found this book unexpectedly charming, and look forward to reading it aloud to kindergarteners or first graders.  The animals that populate Mr. Brown’s world (he himself is a tiger) are adorable, and the illustrations are bright and engaging.  The ending is both surprising and satisfying.

Cons:  Get over yourself, Mr. Brown.  No one is THAT important.

The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein

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Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

The Smartest Kid in the Universe: Grabenstein, Chris: 9780525647782: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Jake is your typical video-game-playing middle school slacker until he accidentally eats a jar of jelly beans…at least he thinks they’re jelly beans, but in reality they’re ingestible knowledge pills.  Suddenly, Jake knows all kinds of things that help him in every area of his life: school, basketball, and impressing his crush Grace Garcia.  Grace, Jake, and Jake’s best friend Kojo discover a plot to destroy their school as well as some buried treasure that may or may not be underneath the school building.  When they realize that evil vice principal Ms. Malvolio is after the same treasure, Jake has to use every bit of his brain power to try to beat her to the riches and save his school.  Includes several pages of brainteasers.  304 pages; grades 3-7.

Pros:  The author, the premise, the short chapters, the fast pace, the humor, and the eye-catching cover are all sure to appeal to reluctant and avid readers alike.  Book 2, Genius Camp, is due out in 2021.

Cons:  Nothing particularly original here, including the slacker white dude protagonist and his black sidekick (who even identifies himself as “the sidekick”).

A New Green Day by Antoinette Portis

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Published by Neal Porter Books

Amazon.com: A New Green Day (9780823444885): Portis, Antoinette: Books
Antoinette Portis on A New Green Day | The TeachingBooks Blog

Summary:  “Morning lays me on your pillow,/an invitation, square and warm./Come out and play!” So begins the day for the girl shown in the book.  Turn the page and you’ll see this poem was said by the sunlight.  On the facing page is another poem.  Each spread has this format: the answer to the previous poem and another riddle.  The speakers are animals (a snail, a tadpole); things (a pebble, mud), and weather (clouds, thunder).  Day turns into night, and the final voice speaks: “I am the engine/of the summer dark./Sleep, while I thrum/in your tomorrow.”  It’s a cricket…and a green new day.  40 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  This book has been on my radar for months now, and I am delighted to have finally seen it.  It’s deceptively small and simple, but, like many of Antoinette Portis’s books, makes you want to slow down and notice all the little miracles in nature.  Both the poems and the illustrations are beautifully crafted, and can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages.  Portis won a Sibert honor last year for Hey, Water!.  Maybe one of these years she will receive a well-deserved Caldecott.

Cons:  At first I thought this might be a fun book to have kids guess who was saying each poem, but I think some would be too tricky for younger kids (they were too tricky for me).

Some Dinosaurs Are Small by Charlotte Voake

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Published by Candlewick

Some Dinosaurs Are Small: Voake, Charlotte, Voake, Charlotte: 9781536209365: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Some dinosaurs are small and gather fruit and leaves.  Some dinosaurs are big and have sharp teeth and point claws.  They’re always thinking about their next meal and can run like the wind.  It seems like those big dinosaurs will always get the better of the small ones…but the little guy has a surprise in store at the very end.  32 pages; ages 3-6.

Pros:  Dinosaur fans will love the illustrations of different kinds of dinosaurs and small children everywhere will rejoice at the victory of the smallest dinosaur at the end.

Cons:  If you’re looking to burn up some time at story hour, this isn’t going to do it for you…it’s about a one-minute read.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison

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Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul: Weatherford, Carole Boston, Morrison, Frank: 9781534452282: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  The story of Aretha Franklin’s life is told in rhyming couplets, each one titled with a word written like “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” in the title.  Starting with “B-L-E-S-S-E-D”, showing a young Aretha praying while her parents watch, the story traces her life and career from singing gospel at her church to performing at President Obama’s inauguration.  In addition to her musical career, Aretha’s civil rights work is touched upon.  The final two pages celebrate both her legacy and her humility, ending with her description of her voice as “the gift that God gave me”.  Includes an author’s note with additional information about Aretha Franklin’s life and a list of her biggest hits.  48 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  The large, colorful illustrations capture Aretha Franklin’s big personality and singing voice, starting with a gorgeous pink Cadillac on the title page. This is the third book I’ve reviewed this year illustrated by the prolific Frank Morrison, and I hope he gets some recognition at awards time.  This would make a good companion to A Voice Named Aretha.

Cons:  Those who don’t know much about Aretha Franklin’s life may struggle to make sense of the brief text unless they start with the author’s note at the end.