Day: October 1, 2007

Samsara Dog

| Tasha

Samsara Dog by Helen Manos, illustrated by Julie Vivas.

Originally published in Australia, this book shows reincarnation in a simple and accessible way.  It follows the lives of Dog, who moves from being feral and self-focused to slowly and through many incarnations becoming a dog who lives for someone else. 

The illustrations are amazing, ranging from vistas looking out over the sea to moments of such intimacy they are luminary.  And the text is equally luminous with a gentleness about death that works very well. 

There are definitely tragedies in this picture book.  I read it to my very soft-hearted six-year-old and we both ended the book with tears streaming down our faces.  It is a book that will create discussion and so shouldn’t be read at bedtime or for a story time, unless your goal is to start a discussion of reincarnation. 

Recommended for children who can handle the subject matter or are asking questions about death and dying.  The content is appropriate for ages 6-9.

Baby Can

| Tasha

Baby Can by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Maxie Chambliss

There is a time in parents’ lives when they are looking for gentle books on having a new baby in the house that will help an older sibling through the transition.  And there are quite a few of them out there, but this one is a charmer!

Each time Brendan’s parents tell him that the new baby James can do something, Brendan shows that he can do it too.  The adults in the book respond with enthusiasm and kindness by appreciating Brendan’s demonstrations of his own skills.  Through the picture book, James grows from a tiny baby into a toddler.  It is Brendan who notices his brother walking for the first time, and it will surprise no one who James decides to walk towards. 

The book is pure joy with no negative messages for new older siblings.  Though Brendan is obviously concerned that the baby gets a lot of attention, it is not spelled out in the text.  Instead older siblings learn that there is plenty of attention for them as well.  The illustrations are very friendly, filled with lots of white space, warmth and bright colors.  The text is equally welcoming and is appropriate to use with toddlers who are becoming older brothers and sisters.

Recommended for 2-4 year olds.

Banned Books Week

| Tasha

Happy Banned Books Week! 

Libraries use this week each year to make the public aware of the fact that people are attempting (and succeeding) to restrict access to books.  Some books are more of a target than others.  Just give a picture book any homosexual content, no matter how subtle and well-handled, and I guarantee a place on the list.  As many of you probably know, And Tango Makes Three is the most banned book of the year.  Shouldn’t surprise me, but it is a lovely book and NONFICTION. 

The Office of Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association has created a video featuring the top banned books of the year.  So many of them are titles for children and teens!  Definitely worth viewing and sharing.

Nominations Are Now Open

| Tasha

Nominations are now open for the 2007 Cybils Awards! 

You can make nominations in any (or all) of the categories:

Fantasy/Science Fiction
Fiction Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade Fiction
Non-Fiction: Middle Grade and Young Adult
Non-Fiction Picture Books
Poetry
Young Adult Fiction

Of course there are rules:

The books must have a publication date of 2007.
You can only nominate one book in each category.

Just go to the category, click on comments and type in the author and title of the book.

I’m happily serving on the Fantasy/Science Fiction nominating panel.  Can’t wait to read as many of the nominated titles as possible!  So nominate some great ones!