Don’t Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Candlewick

Don't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton: 9781536211191 ...

Don't Worry, Little Crab + Paper Crab Puppets and Coloring Page ...

Summary:  Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny tide pool, but today they’re off to visit the ocean.  It’s a long journey, and when they get there, Little Crab is scared.  As one big wave after another washes over them, Little Crab is ready to turn around and go home.  But with encouragement from Very Big Crab, he manages to slowly make his way into the water.  When they see an enormous wave coming, the two crabs dive down, where they find beautifully colored coral and fish who welcome them to the ocean.  Of course, by the end of the day, Little Crab has fallen in love with the ocean and doesn’t want to leave.  They take the long way home, with Very Big Crab assuring Little Crab that he is now brave enough to go wherever he wants.  48 pages; ages 3-6.

Pros:  The interactions between Very Big Crab and Little Crab are spot on for anyone who has ever tried to encourage a reluctant child to attempt something new.  The artwork, especially the undersea scenes, is beautiful.

Cons:  How do those crabs not get washed out to sea?

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

Back to school with books

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Whatever plan your school is going with this year, it’s going to be unfamiliar territory.  It seems impossible to escape the first-day jitters this year, even if you’re a 30-year veteran.  Here are ten of my favorite back-to-school books from this blog to help get you through those first few days.

Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

Published by Salaam Reads

Our Favorite Day of the Year: Ali, A. E., Bell, Rahele Jomepour ...

Musa’s teacher tells the class that the first day of school is her favorite day of the year. She invites them to share their favorites as they go through kindergarten, resulting in a celebration of holidays, foods and cultures all year long.  Click here to buy on Amazon

 

Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube

Published by Abrams

Mae's First Day of School - Kindle edition by Berube, Kate ...

Mae would rather sit up in a tree all day than face the uncertainties of the first day of school.  When others join her, including her new teacher, she realizes she’s not the only one feeling nervous.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

Monkey Not Ready for Kindergarten by Marc Brown

Published by Alfred A. Knopf

Monkey: Not Ready for Kindergarten: Brown, Marc: 9780553496581 ...

Monkey worries about all the ways he might not be ready for kindergarten.  A simple tale with a reassuring ending.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous by Keith Calabrese, illustrated by Juana Medina

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Lena's Shoes Are Nervous: A First-Day-of-School Dilemma: Calabrese ...

Lena’s shoes are nervous about starting school.  So are her socks.  It’s up to her headband to remind them that they’ve tried out new things before that turned out well.  By the end, the shoes are joined by the friendly sneakers, shoes, and boots of the other kids.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

Camp Tiger by Susan Choi, illustrated by John Rocco

Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Camp Tiger: Choi, Susan, Rocco, John: 9780399173295: Amazon.com: Books

A boy who’s worried about starting first grade meets a tiger on an end-of-summer camping trip with his family.  Is the tiger real or imaginary?  Either way, he helps the boy to find courage for a new beginning.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

A New School Year by Sally Derby, illustrated by Mika Song

Published by Charlesbridge

A New School Year: Stories in Six Voices - Kindle edition by Derby ...

Six kids from grades K-5 tell about their first day of school in a series of poems that takes from the night before to the end of the first day.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Published by Roaring Brook Press

School's First Day of School - Kindle edition by Rex, Adam ...

Even though the janitor assures him that he’ll do fine, the new school building is worried about school starting.  The first day brings its share of ups and downs, but overall, School is pretty happy and ready to move on to the rest of the school year.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

Butterflies on the First Day of School by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Dream Chen

Published by Sterling Children’s Books

Butterflies on the First Day of School - Kindle edition by ...

Mom calls Rosie’s nerves on the first day of school “butterflies in your stomach”.  Whenever something good happens at school that day, a butterfly flies out of her mouth.  She even sees one come out of another girl’s mouth!  By the end of the day, the butterflies are all gone.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by April Harrison

Published by Schwartz and Wade

Nana Akua Goes to School: Walker, Tricia Elam, Harrison, April ...

Zura’s worried about bringing her Ghanaian grandmother to school for Grandparents’ Day, because she’s seen people stare at Nana Akua’s facial tattoo.  But Nana knows the secret for helping people feel comfortable, and the visit is a huge success.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems

Published by Hyperion Books for Children

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!: Mo Willems: 9781406389012: Amazon ...

The pigeon has a long list of reasons why he shouldn’t have to go to school…until he sees that he gets to ride there on a bus.  Click here to buy on Amazon.

 

If You Want a Friend in Washington: Wacky, Wild & Wonderful Presidential Pets by Erin McGill

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Schwartz & Wade

If You Want a Friend in Washington: Wacky, Wild & Wonderful ...

If You Want a Friend in Washington: Wacky, Wild & Wonderful ...

Summary:  Harry S. Truman allegedly once said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.”  He didn’t take his own advice, but plenty of other presidents did.  A two-page spread shows all the presidential dogs, from the dozen owned by George Washington (including Drunkard, Tipler, and Tipsy…hmm) to Bo and Sonny Obama.  Not a dog person?  Don’t worry, you can also get acquainted with cats, horses, birds, and farm animals owned by the chief executives.  Then, there were the unusual animals: Calvin Coolidge apparently owned a wallaby, pygmy hippo, black bear, and two lions named Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau.  The pygmy hippo was a gift that went straight to the National Zoo, as, presumably, did the other wild animals.  From silkworms (John Quincy Adams) to a herd of elephants (sent to James Buchanan; didn’t arrive until he was succeeded by Lincoln, who sent them back to the king of Siam), pets have played an important role in the lives of almost all our presidents.  (Except, of course, the current one.) Includes a list of all the presidents, their years in office, their pets, and some fun facts; several photos on the endpapers.  44 pages; grades 1-5.

Pros:  This seems like an easy sell to kids, as many are interested in the presidents, and who doesn’t want to read about pets?  The illustrations are a bit goofy, but fun, and there’s lots of interesting trivia to share.

Cons: Some of the anecdotes were so short that they left me wanting to know more; for instance, I didn’t really understand the scandal around Jackie Kennedy’s horse being naked.  In that particular case, after reading more about it, I still don’t get it.

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

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Kokila

Amazon.com: [Jessica Kim ]-[Stand Up, Yumi Chung!]-[Hardcover ...

Summary:  Yumi Chung knows what she wants: to be a stand-up comedian.  She practices for hours, inspired by her YouTube hero, Jasmine Jasper.  Unfortunately, reality doesn’t match Yumi’s dreams.  She attends an exclusive private school, pushed by her parents to get ready for a top college.  She’s spending the summer studying for a scholarship exam, because her parents’ Korean restaurant is failing.  So when she accidentally wanders into Jasmine Jasper’s comedy camp and is mistaken for another girl, she decides to go with it.  With new friends and a sense of empowerment on stage, Yumi is happier than she’s ever been, until one day when her whole web of lies unravels.  With her beloved sister going to Nepal for two years, the restaurant days away from failure, and her parents and friends angry with her, it’s up to Yumi to figure out how to be true to herself and save the day.  320 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  Yumi is a worthy successor to Front Desk’s Mia, a funny and insightful narrator who must deal with her immigrant parents’ expectations while trying to figure out who she is.  Her parents seem stereotypical at first, but a few heart-to-heart talks reveal to Yumi (and the reader) their hopes, dreams, and motivations for doing what they do.  And like Mia, Yumi is ultimately committed to her family’s success and is the one who comes up with the idea to save their business.

Cons:  The series of events that got Yumi into Jasmine’s comedy school were a bit of a stretch.

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

 

The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca by Amanda Abler, illustrated by Levi Hastings

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Little Bigfoot

The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca ...

Picture Books That Show the World Through a Child's Eyes - The New ...

Summary:  In January, 2002, an orca calf was discovered by herself near Seattle.  Scientists could tell from her dialect that she was from a pod that lives near Vancouver Island.  Using photos from that pod, they identified her as Springer, a two-year-old female.  Springer was too malnourished to be transported that distance, so scientists began a program of rehabilitation, trying to interact with her as little as possible so she could be reintroduced to her pod.  Six months later, she was healthy enough to travel, and made the trip to Dong Chong Bay in Canada, where she was welcomed by a group of First Nations people and two bald eagles.  It took awhile, but Springer eventually reconnected with her pod and was adopted by a female cousin.  Fourteen years later, in 2016, Springer was spotted again, this time with a calf of her own, whom scientists named Spirit.  48 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  Kids will fall in love with Springer and root for her to get back to her family.  They’ll also learn about the painstaking work scientists do to learn about orcas.  This would make a nice companion to A Whale of the Wild, the new book by Rosanne Parry.

Cons:  While I liked the illustrations, the predominantly blue, black, and white palette didn’t make for a very eye-catching cover.

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

 

Class Act by Jerry Craft

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Quill Tree Books (Released October 6)

Class Act - Kindle edition by Craft, Jerry, Craft, Jerry. Children ...

Summary:  The kids from New Kid are back for their second year at Riverdale Academy Day School, a.k.a. RAD.  This time, the focus is on Drew, who along with Jordan, is one of the few black kids in the school.  Drew lives with his grandmother, who still works long hours to support him, and he struggles with the unfairness of his situation when he’s invited to Liam’s house.  Liam, who is white, lives in a mansion with servants, a pool, and a stay-at-home mother.  When Drew starts hanging out with some older black RAD students, his friends have trouble understanding.  Ultimately, though, he’s drawn back to his original group, and finds a way to get past his pain and mend his friendship with Liam.  A visit from Liam to both Jordan’s and Drew’s neighborhoods highlights the warm community that is somewhat lacking in Liam’s life.  While the focus is on Drew, the story begins and ends with Jordan, who concludes that life is a lot of things, but perfect is not one of them.  And it’s time to draw some comics.  256 pages; grades 3-8.

Pros:  Just when I was ready to give up on 2020, I discovered an upcoming sequel to New Kid, and was able to snag an advance reader copy.  I am happy to report that it is every bit as good as the Newbery Medal-winning first book.  Appropriate to the new eighth graders, this book deals with slightly more mature themes, and the questions about race and racism are for the most part left as questions–no easy answers.  Let’s hope we get to follow Drew, Jordan, and the rest of the group all the way through high school.

Cons:  No easy answers is right, as I found myself feeling frustrated at how difficult it is for Jordan and Drew to find their places at RAD.

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

A Game of Fox & Squirrels by Jenn Reese

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Henry Holt & Co.

A Game of Fox & Squirrels: Reese, Jenn: 9781250243010: Amazon.com ...

Summary:  Samantha and her older sister Caitlin have recently been moved from their parents’ home to live with their Aunt Vicky and her wife Hannah.  Although the reason is unclear at first, it has to do with Caitlin’s broken arm.  Caitlin seems happy to be there, but Sam misses her parents and her best friend and wants to go home.  When Aunt Vicky gives Sam her favorite card game, A Game of Fox & Squirrels, the characters begin to come to life for her.  Ashander the fox is charming and handsome, and promises her he’ll get her home if she can successfully complete a series of challenges before the next full moon.  Maple, Birch, and Cedar are three squirrels who help and encourage her.  Sam is eager to do what Ashander asks, but as the challenges continue, his rules start to change, and he begins to show a more frightening side.  Before long, Sam is in over her head, and isn’t sure where she belongs.  Aunt Vicky and Hannah are kind, and between bouts of homesickness, she starts to recall more troubling aspects of her life at home.  Ashander still holds out the promise of home, but is Sam willing to pay the price he is demanding?  224 pages; grades 5-8.

Pros:  This seems to be the year for books that examine child abuse, and this one does it in a way that blends fantasy with reality.  Sam starts to see her father’s traits in Ashander, with just the right amount of tension bordering on horror.  I hope this will be considered for some awards.

Cons:  There’s a lot of inferencing required to understand what has happened to Sam and Caitlin; that along with the blurry line between reality and fantasy may be confusing for some readers.

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

How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi, illustrations by Yao Xiao

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Make Me a World

How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing ...

Ashima Shiraishi's Book Shows Kids 'How To Solve A Problem' Like A ...

Summary:  Rock climbers call boulders problems.  They also call problems problems.  Rock-climbing champion Ashima Shiraishi shows readers how she figures out a boulder problem, using techniques that can be used by any kind of problem-solver.  She maps out a plan before starting.  She doesn’t get it right the first time, which means falls…lots of falls.  But she learns from each fall, adjusting her plan.  Finally, she makes it to the top: “I waved hello at the memory of how hard the problem was.  And looked for one problem more.”  Includes a letter from publisher Christopher Myers about Ashima Shiraishi and a timeline of Ashima’s accomplishments to date (she’s 15 years old).  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  This would make an excellent introduction to problem-solving, giving kids the opportunity to brainstorm ways to solve their own problems using Ashima’s techniques.  Readers will connect with Ashima, whose climbing career began at age 6.  The illustrations are gorgeous and may inspire future climbers.

Cons:  I would have loved more information on rock climbing with maybe a photo or two.

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

Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Emma Reynolds

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Rescuing Mrs. Birdley | Book by Aaron Reynolds, Emma Reynolds ...

Books — Emma Reynolds

Summary:  Miranda watches Nature Joe Animal Show every day, and considers herself an expert on nature.  So when she sees her teacher Mrs. Birdley in the grocery store, she’s prepared to capture her and send her back to her natural habitat, which, of course, is school.  First she digs a hole, lines it with pillows, and camouflages it with leaves, just the way Nature Joe caught a sick Bengal tiger.  Unfortunately, Mrs. Birdsley steps right over the hole, while the grocer, who is chasing after her to return her purse, isn’t so lucky.  A trap involving blueberry yogurt (which Miranda has observed Mrs. Birdsley eating) doesn’t work either, but the third time’s the charm, and Miranda gets her teacher locked safely back in school for the weekend.  She’s ready to move on when she sees Mr. Canklestout, the school principal, at the home improvement store….40 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Aaron Reynolds never fails to get the kid humor just right.  I can’t wait to try this as a read-aloud with some actual children.  Sure to get plenty of laughs.

Cons:  Kids, don’t try this at home.

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

 

Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey by Lori Mortensen, illustrated by Chloe Bristol

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Versify

Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey: Mortensen, Lori ...

Summary:  Growing up in Chicago, Edward Gorey was an avid reader, enjoying books as different from each other as Alice In Wonderland and Dracula.  A solitary child who skipped three grades and moved a dozen times, he loved passing hours writing and drawing.  After a stint in the army and four years at Harvard, Edward moved to New York City where he worked in the art department of a publisher.  After work, he wrote his own stories filled with ghastly silliness.  A group of mothers found his book The Beastly Baby so disturbing that they ripped it up and mailed the pieces to him.  But Edward was rarely influenced by what other people thought, and went his own way to achieve his own form of success.  Includes an author’s note with additional information, a photo, and additional sources of information.  40 pages; grades K-5.

Pros:  Any fan of Edward Gorey’s work will appreciate this homage, written and illustrated in a very similar style.  Try introducing Gorey to young Lemony Snicket fans.

Cons:  Those not familiar with Gorey’s works, including most of today’s kids, may not fully appreciate this book. 

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