Detailing the mythology around whales as monsters of the ocean, the book has a beautiful color palette and plenty of information to share from how theDetailing the mythology around whales as monsters of the ocean, the book has a beautiful color palette and plenty of information to share from how they breath to how they grieve.
It's focused on sharing the information from an ecological standpoint so that we can protect them and save them from destruction due to climate and humans by recognizing the immensity of their impact on the world and in the ocean. ...more
This celebratory memoir of a woman who switched careers when she moved to Sicily deciding to study the sea specifically and found a way to build an aqThis celebratory memoir of a woman who switched careers when she moved to Sicily deciding to study the sea specifically and found a way to build an aquarium so that she could do just that.
I loved the way the book was approached and how the story and the illustrations bolstered the intelligence and fierceness of a woman who wanted to be a scientist. Her biggest claim to fame is that she proved the paper nautilus grew and lived in its shell rather than stole it from another creature. These keen observation skills and meticulous notetaking is the kind that's celebrated about other female scientists of observation like Jane Goodall. And even when most of her research was lost in a shipwreck, she got back at it and did the research again and fought to keep her name as the discoverer even when men wanted to take that from her.
It's a celebration of so much- science, marine life, and women! Science rules. ...more
Using a haiku and then one or two text features explaining the science behind the humorous (and often gross) haiku of an animal in nature, it's a smarUsing a haiku and then one or two text features explaining the science behind the humorous (and often gross) haiku of an animal in nature, it's a smart way to learn cool facts about animals like the toad that sprouts its babies off it's flat back or the lobsters that pee out of their faces or the koalas who eat their mom's poop for nutrition.
Love the intersection of humor, science, and language. ...more
Recounting the story of how the Salem Witch Trials began with featured people like Tituba and Reverend Parris, it was easy to see how Tituba was goingRecounting the story of how the Salem Witch Trials began with featured people like Tituba and Reverend Parris, it was easy to see how Tituba was going to be the scapegoat for whatever the girls were thinking-- whether it was all in good fun and quickly became out of hand or was sinister from the beginning (though one theory is that they were intoxicated with a plant that could have explained it).
Either way, it was a tragedy on many levels and the Who HQ that uses a graphic novel with intermittent text to explain the scenes lays the groundwork to understand texts like The Crucible but history in general around this topic. I always learn something new when I'm reading one of these books in the series whether it's the text or graphic novel format. ...more
Messner's beautiful series "Over and Under" explore areas and biomes of the world- this one the wetlands from the water snakes to the herons. Always bMessner's beautiful series "Over and Under" explore areas and biomes of the world- this one the wetlands from the water snakes to the herons. Always beautiful, always knowledgeable, always worth reading and exploring both the book and the backmatter that she does so well. ...more
I wholeheartedly adore this graphic novel that includes adventure, action, folklore, and tons of heart with a touch of danger and darkness! I didn't eI wholeheartedly adore this graphic novel that includes adventure, action, folklore, and tons of heart with a touch of danger and darkness! I didn't expect to love it as much as I did and instead sat right in my chair and finished it in one sitting, and I still didn't want it to end!
Anzu isn't fitting in, in particular she's started trying to make new friends and call herself Anne rather than Anzu. Then during some celebratory festivities, she ends up chasing this dog but falls and when she wakes up, realizes that she's in another world- Yomi- the Shinto underworld and she's being told she needs to return to the human world as soon as possible or she'll be trapped there. And not everyone is who they seem, specifically a queen who seems nice but instead is a little deadly and who has bad intentions for Anzu. Can she be the heroine to get herself out (and when she discovers there are others to rescue as well) them too?
Particularly entertaining was learning about the world. In Yomi the cardinal directions are where the gates are: high heaven, sea, night, and reeds. Then there are the mythological creatures Anzu meets. The mix of action adventure and journey challenge make it quietly intense and readers will love Anzu as a character. I fell in love with her as much as the graphic art approach with the blocky panels and colors.
The color palette is as delightful as the art style, the fun Goldilocks retelling, and the Scares antics that Goldilocks knows she can corral by cookiThe color palette is as delightful as the art style, the fun Goldilocks retelling, and the Scares antics that Goldilocks knows she can corral by cooking up her odd food filled with dreadful things.
It's a fun one to read and a visual feast for the eyes. The Scares have their repetitive saying and every kid could do an activity creating their own boo stew. Totally love. ...more
Who knew? Literally I always feel like I don't know enough about the ongoing political and religious arguments but now I have a good context for the sWho knew? Literally I always feel like I don't know enough about the ongoing political and religious arguments but now I have a good context for the site itself including the multiple rebuilds of the city, how the religious establishments came to exist and war with one another, and how existence has been historically.
Using the structures themselves for the three religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, I have a grasp on the layout and landscape. I can only imagine it's beauty and the stories it has told over time. ...more
There was SO MUCH I didn't know about Washington Irving. Keenan's background and focused explanation to give context to the lore of the headless horseThere was SO MUCH I didn't know about Washington Irving. Keenan's background and focused explanation to give context to the lore of the headless horseman was the perfect lunchtime read for me. Plus, I've been to the cemetery and visited his grave (I'm a taphophile) and there were tidbits that I shared with others including the "knickerbocker" name and how he was the first American to make a living in publishing.
I always enjoy a good Who HQ story when done like this! ...more
I love the art in Fallon's books, particularly the look of the kid which is super adorable with his big square glasses and excitement at the anticipatI love the art in Fallon's books, particularly the look of the kid which is super adorable with his big square glasses and excitement at the anticipation of holidays (now Halloween) as the countdown begins.
Using the countdown and rhymes, he's undecided about what he wants to be but finally settles on his costume and enjoys the mounds of candy trick-or-treating.
Writing this time for a children's audience in a picture book rather than his YA graphic novel memoir, this one talks about the same horrific details Writing this time for a children's audience in a picture book rather than his YA graphic novel memoir, this one talks about the same horrific details of Japanese internment. While many of these young readers won't know who George Takei is as a celebrity, they will be able to learn about the atrocities visited on those of Japanese descent during this time.
Takei had to move several times to different camps, including one forcible move because his parents were labeled "disloyal" when they answered "no" on the form that was distributed to all who could possibly serve because then they needed able-bodied people to serve in the military even though they were labeled as enemies by the state though war had changed their feelings in some way.
Takei paints a picture from a child's view. His mother made each place they were living in as much of a home as possible even when they were small rooms or converted horse stalls. He experienced snow and enjoyed movies, but the confinement still existed nonetheless.
A good introduction to the topic for a younger reader. ...more
Getting into the spooky season, I figured I'd borrow this book now because Boynton was a favorite when I read to my kids, I love her Instagram, and wiGetting into the spooky season, I figured I'd borrow this book now because Boynton was a favorite when I read to my kids, I love her Instagram, and will always stop to read a new book (or an oldie I missed).
This rhyming story about everyone dressed up as other things/animals but in the end, it's only Halloween. ...more
Even if it stayed similar to the opening pages rhyming where and what mushrooms look like in different places, I wouldn't have been disappointed yet iEven if it stayed similar to the opening pages rhyming where and what mushrooms look like in different places, I wouldn't have been disappointed yet it did veer into the magical with the tiny world of mushroom living and animals enjoying lemonade giving it Alice in Wonderland vibes.
It's an ode to mushrooms and a delightfully short and rhythmic bedtime story. ...more
Celebrating books, a girl dives into books and gets to travel, experience, and enjoy all that the world of books have to offer folded inside the pagesCelebrating books, a girl dives into books and gets to travel, experience, and enjoy all that the world of books have to offer folded inside the pages of books.
Seasonal-focused poetry through the four seasons in this poetry comics, if they made a series out of it in some way, I wouldn't be mad because this waSeasonal-focused poetry through the four seasons in this poetry comics, if they made a series out of it in some way, I wouldn't be mad because this was fantastic both of the mechanics and understanding of poetry as well as celebrating nature, such as my favorite both visually and poetically "Reflection / in the still pond / the same world / but blurred."
Both the artistic and linguistic work together seamlessly. ...more
Want to know how the dads of the animal kingdom take care of babies? It's all here. The coolest animal dads whether it was seahorses or the great hornWant to know how the dads of the animal kingdom take care of babies? It's all here. The coolest animal dads whether it was seahorses or the great horned owl. It's not overwhelming, just simple facts with a touch of humor and additional backmatter for more context. ...more
Gosh, who could love this more? It's basically 4.5 if not as I think about it more, a five star book because of the subject of two characters being frGosh, who could love this more? It's basically 4.5 if not as I think about it more, a five star book because of the subject of two characters being friends, one an elementary schooler named Sophie and the other, an elderly neighbor named Sophie is the stuff of beautiful stories.
There is an impending sense of dread by the younger Sophie-- she's overheard a parental comment that the elder Sophie's son is coming to visit and it's likely that he'll be taking her to be evaluated and remove her from her home because her mind is slipping. The younger Sophie knows this can't happen because the elder is her best friend. They enjoy food, conversation, and life together. Therefore she devises a bit of a plan to do some pre-evaluative understanding of Sophie's abilities and realizes that just maybe things aren't going to go the way the younger Sophie wants and the elder is actually losing some of her faculties. It reminds me of the Shel Silverstein poem that I had in my sons' room for quite some time called "The Little Boy and the Old Man."
This is one of Lowry's best and we know her intimate connection with memory loss that gave us the ultimate GOAT: The Giver, which I recently reread.
"Dear Great-Aunt Kate, Thank you very much for the bath salts. I have never had bath salts before. In fact, I have never had any kind of bathwater additive. Isn't it interesting that they call them salts? What if they called them bath peppers? Ha ha. Seriously, the container is very pretty, and lemon verbena is one of my favorite scents. Well, lemon is. I have not smelled verbena before. But I expect I will like it very much. Love, Sophie".
And the last chapter-- chef's kiss! Ralphie for the win in the way that Arch was there for Tully in Deep Water. ...more
I'm a Marks fan so I was excited to listen to the Netgalley digital audio copy about Elise, a girl who wakes up the day after her birthday and realizeI'm a Marks fan so I was excited to listen to the Netgalley digital audio copy about Elise, a girl who wakes up the day after her birthday and realizes that she's just time jumped but no one else seems to notice but it's made quite clear that something is up because her friends are no longer her friends and she's got to uncover the mystery about why she's the only one that seems to have time jumped.
A friend jumps into the mix to try to identify what's up as well. It involves a few trips to a local store, plenty of investigation from phones to photography class clues, questions to her family, and more, plus there's some "history" by including bits about the pandemic.
The story is approachable, feels classic for the intended audience, and isn't overwritten. Enjoyable! ...more
A bit of a throwback. I remember having a few of them though I don't much remember playing with them or the stories around them however this edition iA bit of a throwback. I remember having a few of them though I don't much remember playing with them or the stories around them however this edition includes a contemporary story, a throwback story, and a mix of another short story to make it a bit of a collection of stories to bring a new generation back to My Little Pony.
Beautifully colored illustrations, uncrowded panels and pages, and a nifty little story. ...more
Explaining the traditions of mehndi/henna through the generational story of a girl, her mother, and her grandmother, readers come to understand the cuExplaining the traditions of mehndi/henna through the generational story of a girl, her mother, and her grandmother, readers come to understand the cultural and religious significance of when to do it and how to do it.
In this story the little girl is going to begin to learn designs but messes up right away and tries to avoid ever doing it again before she learns more deeply about why it's necessary to keep practicing and passing it down as her grandmother did to her mom and now to her.
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