Why Do We Cry? by Fran Pintadera, illustrated by Ana Sender

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Kids Can Press

Why Do We Cry?: Pintadera, Fran, Sender, Ana: 9781525304774: Amazon.com: Books
WHY DO WE CRY? – Verok Agency

Summary:  When Mario asks his mom why we cry, he gets a poetic answer describing different scenarios that might make a person cry:  sadness, frustration, anger, and loneliness to name a few.  The most important reason for crying, she concludes, is because you feel like crying.  Mario notices his mom is crying, and she tells him that people also cry sometimes when they are happy.  Includes scientific information about tears, as well as two activities.  34 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  The lyrical text and illustrations of a young girl experiencing different emotions will help kids name their feelings and be okay with crying, whether it’s their own or someone else’s. 

Cons:  I thought this was a science book and was looking forward to a little more scientific information than this delivered.

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


Saturdays Are for Stella by Candy Wellins, illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan

~ Janet Dawson ~ 3 Comments

Published by Page Street Kids

Saturdays Are For Stella: Wellins, Candy, Eve Ryan, Charlie: 9781624149214: Amazon.com: Books
Book Giveaway: SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA by Candy Wellins | Writing and Illustrating

Summary:  George’s grandmother, Stella, makes everything fun, which is why George likes spending every Saturday with her.  Sometimes they go out to the dinosaur museum, to the park, or downtown, and sometimes they stay in and have ninja tournaments or play games together.  One Saturday, George wakes up late, and gets himself dressed and ready for his visit.  But when he comes into the kitchen, his parents have some sad news about him about Stella.  He’ll never spend another Saturday with her; from then on, George hates Saturdays.  But other changes are afoot, and one day George gets a baby sister…and her name is Stella.  As Stella grows, George teaches her to do the things he and Grandma Stella used to do together.  And soon he loves Saturdays again, because Saturdays are for Stella.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  We all need a story about the ups and downs of life right now, and this one is at the perfect level for kids to understand that life is made up of both joy and grief.  The illustrations are adorable; I love Stella Junior’s pink hair.

Cons:  I don’t think I could read this to kids without losing it; I got kind of choked up just writing this review.

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

Lost Cities by Giles Laroche

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Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

Lost Cities - Kindle edition by Laroche, Giles. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Lost Cities: Laroche, Giles: 9781328753649: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Thirteen lost cities are profiled from all over the world.  Each includes an illustration of the city, a second-person introduction (“If you were a young Roman living in Herculaneum…”), the location, who lived there, why the city was lost, how it was rediscovered in modern times, and an unsolved mystery about it.  Includes a map showing the location of each city, a timeline of when each was first settled, a page showing how the illustrations were created, and a list of selected sources.  40 pages; grades 2-6.

Pros:  These amazingly detailed cut-paper illustrations will draw readers in to learning more about ancient cities from around the world.  The information, especially the “What’s mysterious?” section will definitely whet some appetites to look for more information.

Cons:  This is a jumping-off place for getting kids interested, rather than a resources for any kind of serious research.

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

The Blue House by Phoebe Wahl

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Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

The Blue House: Wahl, Phoebe: 9781984893369: Amazon.com: Books
The Blue House: Wahl, Phoebe: 9781984893369: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Leo and his dad love their blue house, despite its mossy roof, peeling paint, and unreliable heating system.  Astute readers will notice clues in the illustrations that the neighborhood is changing: small houses are being torn down, replaced by larger buildings.  One day, Leo’s dad picks him up from school and tells him that their house has been sold, and they have to move.  Leo is devastated.  Slowly, he and his father pack up their house, painting pictures on the bare walls to make themselves feel a little better.  They move into another small house in the same neighborhood.  “’I hate it,’ said Leo.  ‘That’s okay,’ said his dad.”  Leo’s idea to paint a picture of the blue house on his bedroom wall helps, though, and slowly, the new house starts to feel like home.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  There’s a lot to love about this book: it portrays a single-parent family that is succeeding despite the fact that they clearly are struggling financially; it deals with the sadness of moving and leaving a beloved home; and the illustrations offer tons of details that both help tell the story and are just fun (I loved the record albums).  Both the story and pictures should be enjoyed slowly and savored.

Cons:  It doesn’t seem like a great idea to move to another small house in the same neighborhood that seems to be undergoing gentrification.

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

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by First Second

Snapdragon: Leyh, Kat: 9781250171115: Amazon.com: Books
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh, 240 pp, RL 4

Summary:  Snapdragon believes a woman in her town is a witch, and when her dog goes missing, she’s afraid the witch has eaten him.  An angry confrontation winds up being the beginning of an unusual friendship.  The “witch”, Jacks, turns out to be a lonely old woman whose business is rescuing roadkill and rebuilding their skeletons to sell online.  Snap and Jacks bond over their love of animals, but as they get to know each other better, Snap discovers that Jacks has a deep connection to her own family from long ago.  Not only that, but the woman turns out to possess some of the magical powers Snap first suspected her of having, and Snap begins to learn some magic herself.  When Snap’s mom’s abusive ex-boyfriend shows up, it’s up to Snap and Jacks to use their magic to save the day.  Jacks finds herself back in the family again, and it looks like there just might be a happy ending for everyone.  Includes pages showing the process of early sketches and turning them into the finished pages as well as some other book cover ideas. 240 pages; grades 4-8.

Pros:  Kat Leyh packs a lot into this graphic novel, with an ambitious story and lots of interesting characters including the two main ones, as well as Snap’s mother and grandmother, and Lulu, her transgender best friend.  She masterfully cuts from one scene to the next, keeping the action moving quickly.

Cons:  The ending wrapped up pretty neatly, and I don’t see any sign of a sequel.

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

Outside In by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby

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Published by HMH Books for Young Readers

Outside In - Kindle edition by Underwood, Deborah, Derby, Cindy. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Outside In — Cindy Derby

Summary:  “Once we were part of Outside and Outside was part of us.”  But now, even when we’re outside, we can be inside, like when we’re riding in a car.  It’s easy to forget about Outside, but it has a way of reminding us it’s there, by sending sunlight streaming through a window or filling the air with chirps, rustles, and tapping on the roof.  The food we eat, the water we drink, and the materials that make our clothing and furniture all come from Outside.  Answer the call, as the girl in this story does, and make your way outside.  40 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  This gorgeously illustrated ode to nature should find a place in every library and classroom.  It would make a great jumping-off point to talk about the importance of getting outside, and all the parts of our world that come from nature.  The illustrations, which I learned from the verso page are “watercolor and powdered graphite on cold press paper” should definitely get considered for some awards.

Cons:  The idea of Outside as a separate being may be a bit hard for younger kids to grasp.

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

We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Greenwillow Books

We Dream of Space: Kelly, Erin Entrada: 9780062747303: Amazon.com: Books

Summary:  Bird, Fitch, and Cash are siblings in the seventh grade (Bird and Fitch are twins, and Cash was held back a year), but their orbits rarely intersect.  Bird is a good student, passionate about space exploration, who longs for her family to be closer.  Fitch loves hanging out at the arcade playing video games, but struggles with his anger.  Cash is feeling like he’s not good at anything after failing seventh grade the first time and getting cut from the basketball team.  The story is told over the course of the weeks leading up to the Challenger launch in January, 1986. Each sibling’s story is told in alternating chapters, showing their perspective about this event and the other happenings in school and at home.  The Challenger explosion shakes all their worlds, especially Bird’s.  She starts to doubt herself and to give up on bringing the family together, and the boys finally begin to notice  her contributions to their home.  There’s not a definitively happy ending, but the three siblings discover a newfound appreciation for each other and a commitment to provide support for one another. Includes an author’s note and additional resources on the Challenger. 400 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  Erin Entrada Kelly may add to her Newbery collection with this beautifully written book about three kids trying to figure out their lives against the backdrop of the Challenger disaster.  Their family, which appears okay from the outside, is pretty dysfunctional with selfish parents who fight constantly and don’t seem to be too concerned with the fairly serious problems their kids are dealing with.  The short chapters and three different perspectives keep things rolling along and will draw reluctant readers in quickly.

Cons:  It was painful to read pretty much any interaction between the two parents.

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

The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson

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Published by Crown Books for Young Readers

The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth - Kindle edition by Hudson, Wade, Willis Hudson, Cheryl. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Summary:  Seventeen authors and illustrators have contributed a story, poem, letter, or essay with the theme of “The Talk”: what they’ve said to their children or what their parents said to them about race.  They are black, indigenous, immigrants or the children of immigrants, Puerto Rican, and white.  They’ve experienced racism, prejudice, or privilege, depending on their background.  They communicate to their children pride, humility, and/or the rules for navigating a world that doesn’t always accept them for who they are.  Includes thumbnail portraits and information about all the writers.  160 pages; grades 5-8.

Pros:  I found this collection very moving, and gratifying that there are so many talented people of color and different backgrounds writing with such honesty for kids and young adults today.  A book like this would never have existed in my own white suburban childhood, and I didn’t have a clue as to what was going on with people who lived just a few miles from me.  I personally found Adam Gidwitz’s talk with his daughter about white privilege particularly eye-opening.  Any of these talks could serve as a stand-alone work, and would serve as an excellent catalyst for discussion in a middle school classroom.

Cons:  The experiences of these talented and creative people in America is infuriating.

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

10 picture books that teach persistence and grit

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

I think it goes without saying that these characteristics will be essential for students and teachers in the 2020-2021 school year! (Updated list)

When Sophie Thinks She Can’t by Molly Bang

Published by Blue Sky Press

When Sophie Thinks She Can't...: . . . Really, Really Smart: Bang, Molly, Bang, Molly: 9781338152982: Amazon.com: Books

Sophie’s teacher shows her how having a growth mindset can help her solve problems instead of giving up. Buy it on Amazon.

Jabari Jumps and Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

Published by Candlewick

Jabari Jumps: Cornwall, Gaia, Cornwall, Gaia: 9780763678388: Amazon.com: Books
Jabari Tries: Cornwall, Gaia, Cornwall, Gaia: 9781536207163: Amazon.com: Books

Jabari’s dad and little sister help him find the courage to jump off the high dive and to persist in his efforts to design and build a flying machine. Jabari Tries will be released September 8. Buy it on Amazon.

Golden Threads by Suzanne Del Rizzo

Published by Owlkids

Golden Threads: Rizzo, Suzanne Del, Sato, Miki: 9781771473606: Amazon.com: Books

When a battered stuffed fox washes up at Kiko’s house, she and her father repair him like they do broken china, with golden threads. Broken does not mean imperfect, and the fox leads Kiko and her dad to new friendships. Buy it on Amazon.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

Published by Schwartz and Wade

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read: Hubbard, Rita Lorraine, Mora, Oge: 9781524768287: Amazon.com: Books

Born into slavery in 1848, Mary Walker worked hard her entire life. At age 114, she decided to put her energy into learning to read, and was eventually certified as the oldest student in America. Buy it on Amazon.

More-Igami by Dori Kleber

Published by Candlewick Press

Amazon.com: More-igami (9780763668198): Kleber, Dori, Karas, G. Brian: Books

Joey loves to fold, so when he learns about origami, it seems like it’s right up his alley. It’s not as easy as it looks, though, and he needs persistence to figure out how to do it. Buy it on Amazon.

Truman by Jean Reidy

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Truman: Reidy, Jean, Cummins, Lucy Ruth: 9781534416642: Amazon.com: Books

When Sarah leaves for her first day of school, her pet turtle Truman can’t understand where she’s gone. He decides to go find her, doggedly seeking a way out of his tank and to the front door. Buy it on Amazon.

After the Fall by Dan Santat

Published by Roaring Brook Press

After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again): Santat, Dan, Santat, Dan: 9781626726826: Amazon.com: Books

Humpty Dumpty got put back together again, but his new fear of heights proves crippling. His determination to overcome his phobia results in a transformation and one of the best picture book endings ever. Buy it on Amazon.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

Published by Kids Can Press

The Most Magnificent Thing: Spires, Ashley, Spires, Ashley: 8601411239502: Amazon.com: Books

It’s not as easy as it seems to make “the most magnificent thing”. This girl and her dog must keep going when their first attempts fail to create what they want. Buy it on Amazon.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson

Published by Random House Children’s Books

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah: Thompson, Laurie Ann, Qualls, Sean: 0884547302700: Amazon.com: Books

Born in Ghana without the use of his right leg, Emmanuel learned to persist in school and sports. In 2006, he rode a bicycle from one end of Ghana to the other to raise awareness about people with disabilities. Buy it on Amazon.

Small Walt by Elizabeth Verdick

Published by Simon and Schuster

Small Walt - Kindle edition by Verdick, Elizabeth, Rosenthal, Marc. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Small Walt and Gus team up to clear the streets, holding their own with the bigger, more powerful snowplows. Buy it on Amazon.

Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby, illustrated by Anoosha Syed

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Henry Holt and Co.

Amazon.com: Monster and Boy (Monster and Boy (1)) (9781250217837): Barnaby, Hannah, Syed, Anoosha: Books
Monster and Boy | Hannah Barnaby | Macmillan

Summary:  A monster who lives under a boy’s bed loves the boy.  When he hears the boy’s mother tell him there’s no such thing as monsters, he decides to reveal himself.  After Mom leaves, he comes out and introduces himself.  He sees that the boy is about to scream, so he panics and does the first thing he thinks of…swallows the boy.  There seems to be no way of getting the boy out again, but finally they both fall asleep.  When they awaken, the boy is out of the monster, but he’s tiny.  Can he get back to his full size again?  Many adventures await as the two of them try to figure out how to do this.  144 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  A fun, quirky early chapter book with plenty of illustrations, and even some bathroom humor (although maybe not what you’re expecting).  This is sure to find lots of fans, and they can look forward to a second book in March.

Cons:  Although the author (sort of) explains this, I didn’t like that the boy and the monster didn’t have names.

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