Day: January 12, 2010

Day Is Done

| Tasha

Day Is Done by Peter Yarrow, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary wrote this poignant song about the wisdom of children and their ability to lead us.  This picture book takes the lyrics of the song and turns it into a book for children that adults will appreciate as well.  A variety of animal families are featured in the book including bears, deer, rabbits and raccoons.  Sweet’s illustrations explore the connections of families, nature and wonder as her animals live in a forest bedecked in flowers drawn with a child-like hand.  Both the song and illustrations combine to create a world of shelter, love and connectivity.

Sweet’s illustrations with their touches of thick crayon and youthful simplicity are deceptive.  Looked at closely, they are mixes of collage and watercolor that are expertly combined into a seamless unity.  Sweet’s art moves from late afternoon through evening and night, changing from pastels to deeper starlit blues. 

A beautiful and accessible version of the beloved song, this book includes a CD with two additional songs.  Appropriate for ages 2-6.

Reviewed from library copy.

Also reviewed by Jama Rattigan, LadyD Books, and Brimful Curiosities. 

Cora Cooks Pancit

| Tasha

Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, illustrated by Kristi Valiant

Cora always got stuck with the kid jobs when her mother cooks like licking the spoon and drawing in the flour.  So when her older siblings head out of the house, Cora asks her mother to make pancit.  Cora’s mother gives her the red apron that belonged to her grandfather who was a cook.  After washing her hands, Cora gets to help with grownup jobs like shredding chicken, checking the soaking noodles, and stirring the hot pan.  When the family sits down to dinner, Cora is nervous.  Will her pancit taste good?

This is a very warm book with a bustling, busy family.  It really speaks to the relationship of a mother and daughter, the way that traditions and foods are handed down to the next generation, and the pleasure children get from being part of creating and learning.  Gilmore’s text is joyful as it explains Filipino foods and heritage, giving us glimpses of the family history along the way.  Valiant’s art with its warm, deep colors show us a family that is familiar but has its own particular culture. 

A glowingly friendly look at a loving Filipino family, this book will have you hungry for your own family recipes and offers a great venue to discuss everyone’s particular family heritage through food.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

Interview with Kristi Valiant at Elizabeth Dulemba’s blog.

Also reviewed by Paper Tigers, The Picnic Basket, Jama Rattigan’s Alphabet Soup, and BookDragon.

Gomez Is Beezus?!

| Tasha

Brace yourself.  The film version of the book Beezus and Ramona, which will be titled Ramona and Beezus, will star Selena Gomez as Beezus.  She’s the lead in Disney’s The Wizards of Waverly Place. They are obviously cashing in on her rising star status.

The 17-year-old Gomez will be playing a character who is supposed to be ten in the book.  And the actress playing Ramona, who is 4 in the book, is 10 years old. 

This makes no sense to me.  Surely there was a more appropriate vehicle for her?  Though of course her squeaky-clean Disney image should be clung to as long as possible.  My, I’m snarky today!  But really, don’t mess with Ramona!

Anyone else mortified at this?  Cinematical certainly is!

2010 Sydney Taylor Book Award Winners

| Tasha

The Association of Jewish Libraries has just announced the winners of the Sydney Taylor Book Award for 2010.  Here they are:

 

YOUNGER READERS

New Year at the Pier by April Halprin Wayland, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch.

Honor Books:

   

Nachshon Who Was Afraid to Swim: A Passover Story by Deborah Bodin Cohen, illustrated by Jago.

Benjamin and the Silver Goblet by Jaqueline Jules, illustrated by Natascia Ugliano

A Yankee at the Seder by Elka Weber, illustrated by Adam Gustason

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax? by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Andre Carrilho

 

OLDER READERS

The Importance of Wings by Robin Friedman

Honor Books:

Anne Frank – Her Life in Words and Pictures by Menno Metselaar and Ruud van der Rol.

Faraway Island by Annika Thor

 

TEEN READERS

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba by Margarita Engle

Honor Books:

Lost by Jacqueline Davies

Naomi’s Song by Selma Kritzer Silverberg

 

NOTABLE BOOK FOR ALL AGES

JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible retold by Ellen Frankel, illustrated by Avi Katz

 

Thanks to ForwardsBooks for the list

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