Day: June 19, 2009

What a Good Big Brother!

| Tasha

What a Good Big Brother! by Diana Wright Landolf, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher.

So many new sibling books are about angst and worry.  This book doesn’t mention that at all.  Cameron loves his little baby sister, so he is eager to help stop her crying.  When his father changes Sadie’s diaper, Cameron helps by handing him wipes.  When Sadie is hungry, Cameron fetches the nursing pillow.  And when no one can get Sadie to stop crying, Cameron manages to get her settled by rubbing her tummy gently and kissing her toes.  It is a pleasure to see an older sibling not bubbling with jealousy, happily being included in the new routines, and able to solve a problem through loving contact. 

The text has a nice repetition, as Cameron wonders why Sadie is crying and then is asked to help out.  Cameron also kisses the baby’s toes often, his own personal way of relating with Sadie.  And mothers will be pleased because that is so often the safe spot for older siblings to shower with love.  The illustrations are a mix of collage and paintings that tell the story in paintings and then are reinforced by the collages.  The word kiss appears often in the background as well as other small words like nap.  On the pages where Sadie is crying, there are watery marks on the page and drops of color.  And there are also hand outlines and foot outlines as Sadie is being soothed.  Here the illustrations are a true extension of the story. 

Clever illustrations and a positive look at being an older sibling make this worth putting into every library collection.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

A Tree for Emmy

| Tasha

A Tree for Emmy by Mary Ann Rodman, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss.

Emmy loves all kinds of trees, but her favorite is the mimosa tree at her Gramma’s pasture.  In spring, it had strong branches perfect for swinging on.  In summer, it had fuzzy pink blossoms.  In fall, it dropped seedpods that rattled.  And best of all, according to Gramma, Emmy and the mimosa tree were very similar: “stubborn and strong and a little bit wild.”  When Emmy’s birthday comes, she asks for a mimosa tree of her own.  But mimosa trees are not sold in nurseries, they are wild trees.  Just when Emmy is about to give up hope, she finds a tiny start of a tree growing near the mimosa tree at her grandmother’s house.  Now if it will just grow faster!

This could be seen as a fluffy little book about loving trees, but it is much more.  First, it is a great book on native species and how you can’t buy them in stores.  Second, it is a joy to have a book with a girl who is not shocked or worried by being called stubborn, strong and wild.  Hurrah!  This is a little girl with a big imagination, her own opinions, and a great sense of style.  She’s a treat to spend time with. 

Rodman’s text sets just the right tone here.  Nothing big is made of this unique little girl.  She is just herself.  The illustrations combine painting and collage into an interesting mix.  The collage is used most often for plants and for Emmy’s outfits and it works very well.

Recommended for gardening or tree story times or reading to slightly older children and discussing native species and what isn’t available in stores.  The time is right for a picture book that can lead us effortlessly into these discussions.  Appropriate for ages 5-7.