This book is meant for those kids who say everything is "boring"!
The day the boy sat in the chair, the day became anything except boring. The chair zoThis book is meant for those kids who say everything is "boring"!
The day the boy sat in the chair, the day became anything except boring. The chair zooms up in the sky where it is attacked by a handful of weaponized helicopters, then battles a dragon, tries to break his fall by grabbing some laundry, tries to use a propeller as a grappling hook to break his fall, finally falling on the chair and smashing it, landing on his back. The End.
Sanderson's text is minimal, stripped of everything except the action. The boy sat in a chair, looked at clouds, watched for birds, thought about laundry, did math homework, got out and then in th chair again. The End.
It is Kazu Kibuishi's artwork that is the star and focal point of this satirical book. Created in pen and ink on paper, then digitally colored using Photoshop, each image is stunning and stellar. The boy definitely looks bored sitting in a Viking-inspired tall-backed side chair. He was dressed a little as a mini Indiana Jones, with rolled up brown pants, suspenders, collared shirt, round wire glasses, and fedora hat - just waiting for an adventure to come. Clouds in the air have a stylized Asian appearance, the bad buys in the helicopters get their comeuppance when two helicopters collide and one has a glorious explosion. Instead of birds, the boy sees a dragon and does battle with it. He keeps falling and many villagers witness the boy's freefall, until the boy crashes to the ground, and catches his hat before it hit the ground.
This book would be an excellent exemplar of satire to use with kids. Though this approach is not fresh (I've read other books that the images and text don't match in the same way, just can't think of a title at the moment.), it is stunning to look at. Early readers will get a kick out of them, as well.
While it may not turn out to be "the most boring book ever written", it is one heckuva romp!
The newest title in the Construction Site series of books, this one focuses on garbage trucks.
Rinker has her finger on the pulse of kids that love truThe newest title in the Construction Site series of books, this one focuses on garbage trucks.
Rinker has her finger on the pulse of kids that love trucks. This time, the construction crew must rely on the brigade of garbage trucks to help them clear out the junk and garbage from a neighborhood that is slated to undergo urban renewal. Working together with other construction trucks, they make short work of this project. Her rhyming text is just right.
Artwork by A.G. Ford were rendered in Neocolor wax oil crayons and, again, seamlessly capture the style of Tom Lichetenheld's original Construction Site books. The garbage trucks all maintain the same charm as the others in the in series.
A fine addition to add to the wildly popular series. Highly Recommended for ages 3-8.
After the Kristallnacht occurs, a young Jewish boy is sent on a ship to live with in New York City with his aunt. Catching up on a few classic titles.
After the Kristallnacht occurs, a young Jewish boy is sent on a ship to live with in New York City with his aunt. Oskar remembers his father's words "to look for the blessings". He meets many of them as the boy walks from the harbor in Lower Manhattan, up Broadway to his aunt's house on the upper West Side of Manhattan on the 7th day of Hanukkah/Christmas Eve, 1938.
Tanya and Richard Simon have crafted a quiet book that celebrates not just holidays, but hope for the future. There is a sense of overwhelming uncertainty, there is determination to make it work, and there is hope for a brighter future with many blessings.
Mark Segel's illustrations, rendered in mixed media (pencil, charcoal(?), and watercolor are perfectly balanced by the beautiful text. They depict a grim winter's day in New York of 1938 - with bits of color wherever Oscar encounters a blessing: from the old woman giving him a bite of fresh bread to colorful Action Comics given by the man at the newspaper stand to the wonder at looking at the Macy's Christmas Angel to his encounter whistling with Count Basie at Carnegie Hall to the red mittens given to him by the boy he helped to an encounter with Eleanor Roosevelt to the extended hand of the Christmas Tree stand worker to his Aunt Esther. Each lovingly depicted and expressed.
This book was awarded the 2015 National Jewish Book Award for Children's Literature.
Highly Recommended for units on kindness, Holocaust survivors, and blessings. For grades PreS-grade 5....more
Fiona, a premature baby hippo born at the Cincinnati Zoo, was not expected to live long, but this spunky girGoing back to pick up some older titles...
Fiona, a premature baby hippo born at the Cincinnati Zoo, was not expected to live long, but this spunky girl showed the zookeepers how wrong they were. She became a cult personality for the zoo as she grew and grew and grew. This is the first of a series of books about the local celebrity.
Cowdrey's artwork is as adorable as Fiona is. While anatomically correct, there is just something about the eyes of each animal that touches your heart. Also, he infuses Fiona with a great sense of humor.
A fun book that is sure to pull the heartstrings of animal lovers.
Smiley Bone, the main character of the Bone series of graphic novels for middle grades up, gets his own story - thiCatching up on some classic titles.
Smiley Bone, the main character of the Bone series of graphic novels for middle grades up, gets his own story - this time it's a counting book intended for very young readers.
One day, Smiley is walking through the woods. He decides to count the number of singing birds he sees. When he is overwhelmed by the sheer number and can't count them, he joins them flying high in the sky. When a hawk threatens the birds, Smiley puts a stop to that. As the birds fly off, he counts them down until they are all gone.
The book is generally presented as frames, to build appeal for young graphic novel readers, and ostensibly digitally created. Keep in mind this is really not for the fans of Bone, rather it is for their younger siblings to begin their journey with our favorite hero. Text is minimal, with many wordless frames throughout. One could almost make up their own story for this largely wordless book. Be sure to check out the secret cover!
Use for units on counting, reading encouragement, and summer's day.
Adapting Composer/Lyricist Sylvia Fine's song "There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea", Long brings his own spin and tale, cReviewing a classic work.
Adapting Composer/Lyricist Sylvia Fine's song "There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea", Long brings his own spin and tale, changing the body of water, shortening the number of items included, and extended the riff patterns for each verse. It is now a freshwater lake, with all the things you might find there - ending with a fish near the gnat on the fly on the hair on the frog in the hole in the log on the bottom of the lake. It still sings well (melody and chords are in the back of the book). Also added are a secondary story of a turtle and snail watching all of the events happening. They add depth to the story and an additional thing to watch while the main action is going on. The surprise ending is not what you expect.
As always, Long builds a world of charming anthropomorphic animals in his artwork rendered in acrylic and colored pencils. A colorful school of fish swim this way and that as the action takes place. The dark green of the lake itself would indicate lots of algae in the water, but it is not seen growing on the nearby tree trunk or log in the story. Regardless, the song is fun, the side story is fun, and will be a hit when sung aloud by an adult and repeated with kiddoes.
Include this in units on freshwater lake habitats, song/music, and just plain old fun stories.
NOTE: Reviewed from a final copy from the publisher.
What would you expect from a book with a palindrome title? A story told and illustrated as a palinNOTE: Reviewed from a final copy from the publisher.
What would you expect from a book with a palindrome title? A story told and illustrated as a palindrome, of course!
A young boy, grieving from the loss of his mother, leaves his father and home behind to go on a quest to search for her. Alone in the woods, he encounters curious creatures, nearly loses his life, meets a water serpent, washes up on a desert shore, enters an abandoned castle, and asks a statue the Big Question. When he receives his answer, the boy returns home the way he came.
Nayeri has delivered a masterpiece of simplicity. The story and book itself is a palindrome. The text on the first 2 page spread matches that of the last spread. The second mirrors the next to last. This pretty much continues until the middle of the book, which contains the Big Question. The text of two spreads needed a word or two adjusted between its mirror page in order to make the story fall into place. The first half of the book reflects the boy's grief; the second half, his joy. The spare text is practically perfect in every way. Nayeri's pacing and tempo are perfection, as well.
Stunning illustrations by Matt Rockefeller stand in stark contrast to Nayeri's words, as they are filled with so much detail they expand the story in so many ways. Most have a beautiful border around each illustration, with some borders in the first half of the book carrying a gloomy tone (ex. thorny vines growing around the illustration, cold kitchen warmed only by sunlight streaking through a window and no food on the plate in the border, etc.) while the second half finishes with a brighter overall color palette and both hope and joy in each image and their borders. Artwork was created using Mitsubishi Hi-uni pencils on Arches Hot Press watercolor paper and painted digitally with custom brushes in Adobe Photoshop.
A beautiful story, beautifully executed, this would be an excellent exemplar to pair with Marilyn Singer's Mirror, Mirror for students to read, study, and write their own palindrome stories or poems. Grief counselors might find this story is a useful tool to get conversations started with young clients.
Include in units on creative writing, literary devices, fantasy, adventures, and grief.
A stellar tribute to the shared history of Asian Americans.
Each verse of this poetry collection is inspired by actual people, places, events, and moveA stellar tribute to the shared history of Asian Americans.
Each verse of this poetry collection is inspired by actual people, places, events, and movements of groups of people and focuses on a different aspect of the Asian American experience. They include the importance of the sun/moon and flowers to Asian cultures, why groups of Asian people migrated to the U.S. and why Americans came to their country, how people of Asian descent have been treated and why the hostility, how Asian Americans have proved their loyalty, why they had to fight for equality and justice, and how Asian Americans are standing up for themselves today. Backmatter includes discussion questions for each stanza and starting points to learn more and both Author's and Artist's Notes.
Ho's lyric text is magical and light, creating a picture of the topic using words as a paintbrush. It is evident she has done deep research on every aspect covered in this book. She does not directly speak the challenges Asian Americans have faced, rather she gives positive spins on all to show a strength of the people and gives them a call to action. She achieves this through the use of beautiful metaphors throughout the book.
Digital artwork by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya was created usig Adobe Illustrator. One could spend hours looking at every detail in this incredibly beautiful book! From the secret cover to the endsheets with cranes in flight, each page is glorious in design, with strong patterns and textures delivered in bold, bright colors. It features a range of emotions - pride, happiness, determination, fear, hope, strength, anger, and spirit - in the faces of the men and women, young and old. Cultures are revealed in the flowers throughout the book, written language, cultural touchstones such as a junk (ship) and dragon, jewelry, hairstyles, and costuming.
Due to the nature of this book, it would best be introduced to upper elementary and middle grade students as part of a unit of study of Asia, migration, U.S. History, or World History when its meanings can be studied and discussed.
Another window into haircare required by Black women.
It's Tashia's turn for her weekly hair washing. She tells all the reNOTE: Reviewed from ARC copy.
Another window into haircare required by Black women.
It's Tashia's turn for her weekly hair washing. She tells all the reasons why she fears having her hair washed. When Tianna tells her that she used to feel the same way and Granny reassures her that sometimes things in life need to be a bit messy, Tashia is more comfortable about having her hair washed, processed, and styled.
Moore breaks down this ritual step by step, including the processes and bonding that happens weekly. The intergenerational story is full of pride, respect, and love as all four women - Granny, Mama, Tashia, and Tianna - share their feelings. The story's pacing is just right.
Raissa Figueroa's digital illustrations are filled with rich colors, changing lines, mixed textures, and action. They reflect the action and emotions expressed, extending both.
Use in units on hygiene, intergenerational stories, family, and overcoming fears.
"Different doesn't mean 'wrong', different just means 'different'."
When Millie Fleur's family moves into the old condemned house in Garden Glen, she n"Different doesn't mean 'wrong', different just means 'different'."
When Millie Fleur's family moves into the old condemned house in Garden Glen, she notices that all the other houses are cookie cutter similar, including the landscaping around them. Millie is sad because there are no flowers outside of her house. When she plants the unusual seeds her mother gives her, a garden of unusual flowers sprout. Rejected by the adults of the community because they don't fit in, Millie invites her class to see her garden and gets a surprising response.
Mandin very cleverly plants that are sure to germinate and help open minds. Millie (whose name means "flower" in French) raises all kinds of scary-sounding flowers and plants that match the air of the spooky-looking house with its creepy-looking interior. Adults are depicted as being closed-minded to the different house with the different landscaping, while their children are more accepting of the differences. Mandin uses just enough words to get this across, not belaboring the point. Backmatter includes a note about Mandin's inspiration for this book: an actual "Poison Garden" made of poisonous plants that is located in England.
Mandin's illustrations created in Procreate are just right - creepy, but not really scary. Close inspection of the illustrations of the "poison" plants are similar to those found in The Little Shop of Horrors with Grumpy Gilliflowers, Sore Toothwort, and Curdled Milkweed. All this adorning a charming world that Chas. Addams might have imagined for The Addams Family.
This would be fun to share in October with other creepy stories; be aware that witches are intimated in the book. Also consider for units on gardens, appreciating differences, and just for fun.
Maier and Sonia Sánchez add a third title to their list of contemporary stories about Ruby that were inspired from claNOTE: Reviewed from an ARC copy.
Maier and Sonia Sánchez add a third title to their list of contemporary stories about Ruby that were inspired from classic fairy tales.
Ruby invites her three brothers to join her and build "something stupendous" on a windy day. While Ruby takes her time to develop an idea, her three brothers hastily concoct contraptions. One by one, they are blown away. Ruby watches as the wind wreaks havoc on them. She then realizes what to build that they can all enjoy.
Maier's reimagining of The Three Little Pigs includes a few twists. First, the family is ostensibly Latino (with two of the brothers named Rodrigo and José); second, that it is the wind that blows apart the boys' constructions; and third, the four siblings use the wind to play together on the swing together. She cleverly tucks in 3 rhyming lines for the brothers' declining response to help. Even with the twists, the story's ending winds up being predictable, given the book's title. Backmatter includes a page with examples of swings, and an author's note.
Sánchez uses the same illustration style as in the previous books. They were created using recycled paper, charcoal pencil, pen, gouache, and a combination of traditional and digital brushes. Her use of color is stunning, as well. The typeface is also the same -Sodom Regular - and look almost like they were printed with rubber stamps or an old fashioned press as there are gaps in the color of the letters and the lines of text are wobbly, not neat, even, and straight.
Use in units of fractured fairy tales, autumn, families, cooperation, STEM, and outdoor fun. ...more
The next generation of Agra Deedy writers is born! (Lauren is Carmen's daughter)
William's Mami and Tía are preparing bNOTE: Reviewed from an ARC copy.
The next generation of Agra Deedy writers is born! (Lauren is Carmen's daughter)
William's Mami and Tía are preparing boxes of supplies for family members who remain in Cuba. They trace around his foot (as he is about the same size/age as his cousin Leo) and send him off to ask relatives if they have any shoes in Leo's size that they could contribute to the box. As he goes unsuccessfully from relative to relative's homes, he learns more about his cousin Leon. It is after he strikes out at his abuelo's home that he realizes where to find the perfect sized shoes for Leo. Backmatter includes a glossary of Spanish terms included in the story, an author's note of the significance of this story, and an artist's note.
Make way for the newest Agra Deedy storyteller! Inspired by actual events, Lauren lovingly weaves this peek into the Cuban-American community that is filled with family, love, and giving. Conversations with family members feeds William with thoughts aplenty to consider. She is careful to give him the time to process what he has heard while running to the next family member's home, leading him up to the resolution of the story.
Susan Gal used pencil, ink, and watercolor on paper, digitally assembling them in Photoshop to create these lively, colorful illustrations. They are jam-packed with detail of this Latino-American community and its homes. The vibrant color palette is reflective of Cuban culture, with black outlines that give heft and structure to the images. The level of detail is incredible: the foods being sent, the dress and accessories on female characters, the massive amount of plants growing. Wow! They tell a story by themselves.
Useful in units on family, Cuban culture, giving, kindness, and problem-solving.
Another stunning addition to Wenzel's canon of work.
As the sun rises in the day, its golden rays infuse the world withNOTE: Reviewed from an ARC copy.
Another stunning addition to Wenzel's canon of work.
As the sun rises in the day, its golden rays infuse the world with life. Each living thing it touches becomes golden. When touched by another creature, it transfers that golden radiance. It begins with the sun's rays touching a flower to bee collecting its pollen to beehive with its honey to bear eating the honey...and so on until the setting sun's last rays touch the boy's face.
Once again, Wenzel has created a beautiful concept book. This one shows how something light, joyful, and hopeful can be passed along without end. The spare, lyric text sings as the power and light of the sun is transferred from one thing to another. The focus of the text stays on the sun, while the images tell another story. The images show three vehicles of light transfer (the source of the light, the next to carry it, the transfer of light, and the new source of light) on each 2-page spread. The tet is smooth and reads aloud beautifully. Readers will enjoy predicting what comes next.
Wenzel's illustrations, created with mixed media - including cut paper, watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil, crayon, all digitally manipulated - zing and sing off the page. Starting on the front endsheets with dawn and the rising sun, the sky changes from dark to dawn to mid-day to twilight to dark on the back endsheets. Wenzel skillfully shows the transfer of golden light and the effect without having to depend on text to do this.
Use this in units of predicting what comes next, the sun, nature, and how actions have consequences.
David continues to get a rise out of adults each time he performs a silly, childish trick.
Once again, Shannon sNOTE: Reviewed from an ARC of the book.
David continues to get a rise out of adults each time he performs a silly, childish trick.
Once again, Shannon succeeds in bringing back that lovable little "monster" whose no-good tricks are riotous fun for kids (and grownups, too). This time he exhibits the kind of behaviors that kids from 3-7 think are uproariously funny, such as sticking as many straws as he can in his nose, blowing bubbles through a straw into his drink, and ramming the grocery cart into a fruit display at the store.
Observant readers will note that he is taller/older than in the first of the series - and in school. This time, Shannon uses a different, typical adult response to each action, adding to the fun. The artwork is consistent with the rest of the series, with its childlike roughness and bright colors that add to the excitement and energy of the story.
This fascinating introduction shines a light on the work of Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei, whose work was vandalized earlier today (9/24/24) at tThis fascinating introduction shines a light on the work of Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei, whose work was vandalized earlier today (9/24/24) at the opening of his solo exhibition in Bologna.
Growing up in a labor camp, Ai used art as his escape from the harsh realities of life. Many examples of his works of art are featured in this book about his art. The artwork often speaks for itself. Ho's lyric text gives context to it. Four pages of backmatter gives more information about his life and artwork.
Illustrations by Cátia Chien were created with pencils, pastels, and Photoshop. Largely in shades of blue, white, and black, orange is often added to give pop to each page. Why orange? That was the color of the life vests of refugees that he helped save and used in his work "Safe Passage", 2016.
An amazing way to bring this artist's life to the attention of children today.
Highly Recommended to include in studies of contemporary art collections and studies of art history for grades 4-9....more
This beautiful story mixes a pinch of the fantastic into this historical fiction graphic novel, set in the 1940's-1950's.
Amy and her family live in HaThis beautiful story mixes a pinch of the fantastic into this historical fiction graphic novel, set in the 1940's-1950's.
Amy and her family live in Hawaii in the early 1940's. When her grandmother falls ill, thirteen-year-old Amy is sent to Japan to help nurse her back to health. Unfortunately, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor when she is away and must remain in Japan during the war. She is conscripted to work for the Japanese as an English language interpreter for the military. She survives the bombing of Hiroshima and is found by the Americans who set her to work documenting accounts of other survivors. Her applications to emigrate back to the U.S. are rejected until one day it wasn't.
Smith's amazing story of a young Japanese woman's grit at a time when it was suppressed is simply, breathtaking! The strong emotions of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, anger when she learned that her parents had been interned at a camp in the U.S., pain when she loses loved ones, and hurt when she feels betrayed by her country. The story ends in the magical place it begins.
Illustrated by Christine Norrie, the B&W with blue tinting illustrations are dramatic, enhancing and extending the story.
Lovers of WWII stories will empathize the difficult place Amy is - caught between two worlds.
A wonderful book to use with kids who have change at home and makes one think about just what constitutes "family".
Ana is thrilled that her Abuela is A wonderful book to use with kids who have change at home and makes one think about just what constitutes "family".
Ana is thrilled that her Abuela is coming to live with her mother and her. She joyfully tells her after school caregiver, Senora Mimi, that she will be staying with Abuela after school in the future. When one of her classmates remarks that she is lucky not to have Senora Mimi tell her what to do, Ana is stunned and begins to remember all the future wonderful memories she will miss making as a result. All is well when Ana realizes she can continue to see Senora Mimi whenever she wants.
Medina again weaves a realistic tale of children in distress that find solutions to their problems. A calm, quiet story, this one is meant for the reader to think about the implications of change. This one is perfect.
Digital illustrations by Brittany Cicchese are full of color, action, and love. Senora Mimi's and Ana's matching hand-crafted sweaters are part of the supporting cast. This could be set anywhere and still be relevant. Emotions are well-captured.
Counselors and therapists will find this to be a useful tool to use with clients dealing with this similar situation.
One child uses art to help her through the trauma of being relocated far from her home.
Nur's idyllic homelife is shattered one night when the family mOne child uses art to help her through the trauma of being relocated far from her home.
Nur's idyllic homelife is shattered one night when the family must unexpectedly flee from their home due to government oppression. The family walks many miles until they reach a city where they make their new home. It is just not the same for Nur as she misses the beach and ocean, her Lovey Lamb, clothes, and food. To console herself, Nur begins to create images of her old life through art therapy.
Farid tells a remarkable story that is relevant today. Many groups of people have fallen victim to oppressive regimes, with whole families and villages wiped out, causing massive numbers of refugees seeking a safe harbor in other countries. Farid captures Nur's confusion, fear, and grit as she tries to make the new home as comfortable as the old one way. She has her memories to console, but they are not quite the same as before. Backmatter includes both author's and illustrator's notes.
Iranian illustrator Hoda Hadadi's digitally adjusted paper collage artwork is primitive, yet captures the vastness of the ocean that Nur has grown up next to. So many cultural touchstones are included in the images, making Nur's world come alive. The patterns and textures used are rich and authentic, the emotions on the faces of the family range from contentment to fear to resolution at the new circumstances.
This title would be useful in units on immigration/refugees, trauma, and problem-solving. It would be a useful tool for counselors and therapists working with immigrant groups to open conversations.
A beautiful introduction to the oft-maligned of wild critters, the spider.
Opening with front endsheets showing a jumping spider leaving a trail behindA beautiful introduction to the oft-maligned of wild critters, the spider.
Opening with front endsheets showing a jumping spider leaving a trail behind her, Lanan tries to calm the fear of spiders and replace it with respect and admiration for the tiny creature.
Lanan begins by comparing the size of the spider to a bean. Readers see the perspectives from both sides - from the girl's and from Jumper's. Readers learn how she moves from one pace to another, whether by using her web or by jumping, evade enemies, catches prey, and hears and sees both prey and danger. Backmatter includes special anatomy that jumping spiders use daily, a cutaway to see the spider's insides, the life cycle of a jumping spider, glossary of terms, author's note, tips for finding and identifying spiders, an a resource list.
Lanan's beautiful illustrations were created using ink, watercolor, and gouache. Visually, this beautifully composed book is a delight with multiple perspectives, range of colors, textures, and shapes.
Pull out for units on arachnids and for Halloween!! Text is easy enough for emergent readers.
When growing up, James Baldwin was a reader. Though his mother encouraged him to read, his stepfather, a NOTE: Reviewed from a F&G from the publisher.
When growing up, James Baldwin was a reader. Though his mother encouraged him to read, his stepfather, a preacher, felt the only book that should be read was the Bible. Words were so important to him that after he was beaten up by local police that he realized words could heal and worked to become a writer.
Harris' text is powerful. Non-judgemental, he pulls no punches as he describes the suppression Baldwin faced from his stepfather and local police and how he found his comfort when writing. Readers will feel for this young man and cheer him on as he follows his path of truth. He covers the highlights of Baldwin's life, from his youth to the publication of his first book. Backmatter includes a brief bio about James Baldwin (including a statement about him as a "queer", loving both men and women) and his importance in American literature, an author's note, a note from the artist (unseen), and a list of selected sources used in research.
Oil on board illustrations by Gordon C. James are stunning in their brilliance and movement. He has captured the gap-toothed Baldwin's wide range of emotions that Baldwin probably felt at different points in life: his fear when confronted by his stepfather for reading books other than the Bible and the police for playing in the streets, his determination and joy at finding new words in the streets of Harlem, and his self-confidence when moving to France to write his first book.
The only thing I feel is lacking is a timeline of Baldwin's life. The text does not give dates to give the reader context of the time period events took place. (I rounded up a 4.5 star to 5.)
Baldwin is a huge figure during the Harlem Renaissance time period in American Literature. Children should know his name, if not his works (though he did write one book for children).
Useful for grades 4-6 and those wanting to learn more about luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance.
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