The King and the Seed

January 11, 2010 | Tasha

The King and the Seed by Eric Maddern, illustrated by Paul Hess

King Karnak has no heir and is coming to the end of his reign. So he puts out a call for anyone who wants to be king to come and join in a competition. Knights come from across the land, ready for the battle to begin. But the king surprises them all by handing each one of them a seed and asking them to bring it back in six months to show what they have grown. A boy, Jack, who came only to witness the competition, gets a seed for himself. Jack tries and tries to make his seed grow, but nothing works and six months later he heads back to the castle. There he finds the knights with armloads of plants, huge flowers, all different from one another. Jack doesn’t want to admit his defeat to the king, so what’s a boy to do?

Maddern’s storytelling has a great flair, filled with small touches and humor that really bring the story to life. The book has a strong message that is not overdone. It also has a classic folk tale format that is mixed with a modern storytelling style, creating a very engaging book. Hess’ illustrations are bright-colored and offer interesting perspectives on the action. They will work well with a group.

Ideal for reading aloud, this book is a great modern folktale that emphasizes the importance of honesty. Appropriate for ages 4-8.

Reviewed from library copy.

All Kinds of Families

January 11, 2010 | Tasha

All Kinds of Families by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marc Boutavant

Bottle caps, gingersnaps, buttons, or rings

You can make families from all sorts of things!

Explore the idea of family as a broader thing. People are families, animals are families, but also socks, marbles, thimbles and more! The idea of family is embraced here, going far beyond our everyday concept of it and allowing children to find families everywhere. In the book, the human families are also celebrated and children’s roles in them are highlighted. This flowing poem even has you seeing families in fingers and toes. A celebration indeed!

Hoberman’s rhyme here is great fun, offering lists of items that are families and inviting readers to add their own ideas. The highlighted text above nicely finishes each verse of the poem. Boutavant’s illustrations are retro 1970s and equally fun. They feature grinning objects, lots of animals, and small details to enjoy.

This is a jolly book that is a warm hug of inclusion for everyone and everything into the world of families. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from library copy.

In the Belly of an Ox

January 8, 2010 | Tasha

In the Belly of an Ox: the Unexpected Photographic Adventures of Richard and Cherry Kearton by Rebecca Bond

Two brothers, Richard and Cherry Kearton, grew up in the hills of Yorkshire and spent much of their time outside exploring. When they both moved to London, they missed the countryside, so they visited it whenever they could. One visit, Cherry brought his new camera and took a picture of a bird’s nest. An idea was born! The brothers decided to take pictures of birds nests using a variety of blinds, disguises and props, including a large bull to hide inside. It took them three years and 30,000 miles of travel across Britain to make their book. British Birds’ Nests was published in 1895. It was the first nature book to be illustrated entirely with photographs.

This is really the story of two brothers who were willing to work hard, invent their own solutions, and follow their personal dreams. It is a story of being yourself and finding your own way in life and not listening to what “should” be done. Make sure to look at the end of the book where you can see some of their photographs. One is a heart-stopping photo of both brothers high in a tree with a ladder.

Bond’s text here sets just the right mood. She and the readers revel in the inventiveness of the brothers and their enthusiasm and hers shine. Her illustrations have a wonderful vintage feel. The watercolor landscapes evoke the region nicely and the brothers come through as vibrant characters.

A great piece of picture-book nonfiction, this title is one that should be shared. It’s a great piece to start conversations about what children are really dreaming of, what their special gifts are, and what they may become someday. And it just might get indoor children moving outside to take their own pictures and climb their own trees. What could be better?! Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from library copy.

Comment Challenge!

January 8, 2010 | Tasha

The incomparable and incredible MotherReader and Lee Wind will be hosting the 2010 Comment Challenge. Just head here to sign yourself up. If you manage to post 100 comments by Thursday, January 28th there are even prizes! Suh-weet!

Plus it’s a great way to get conversations started, build a stronger kids lit community online, and just plain have a ball.

We Troubled the Waters

January 8, 2010 | Tasha

We Troubled the Waters by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Rod Brown

It takes a very special picture book to leave you with tears standing in your eyes. This is that book.

This book of poems takes readers from slavery through Jim Crow to the KKK and the battles of the Civil Rights Movement. It is a visual and poetic trip through African-American history, a journey that evokes the emotions, the cruelty, the hate and the oppression. It lifts only at the end speaking of modern life in America with a hopeful tone and a unity that sees beyond color.

Shange’s poems are powerful, unflinching looks at historical moments. They celebrate victories while continuing to honor the slain and victimized of the past. She writes with an honesty that elevates these poems beyond simple historical facts, creating emotional and honest portrayals of what people felt and experienced during those times.

Brown’s art is equally powerful. His portraits of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks speak to the people themselves and their message even more than their outward appearance. They are beautifully rendered in deep colors, a tribute to the history and the people.

Highly recommended, this is a book that is ideal for February’s Black History Month but should be used all year long. This is our history no matter our color. It is a history we should all be aware of so that it never repeats itself. Appropriate for ages 8-12.

Reviewed from library copy.

Also reviewed by TheHappyNappyBookseller.

The Duck and the Kangaroo

January 7, 2010 | Tasha

The Duck and the Kangaroo by Edward Lear, illustrated by Jane Wattenberg

Combine Lear’s classic poem with funky, modern collages and you get a winner of a picture book! Duck is bored living in his pond. He wishes that he could travel the world the way Kangaroo does so he asks Kangaroo to carry him on his back. But Kangaroo has one major concern about the plan, Duck’s wet, cold feet would be awfully uncomfortable. Duck has already solved this problem by getting knitted socks and a cape to keep himself warm. So off they hop, the two friends around the world three times.

Lear’s poem would make a great pairing with his other more famous The Owl and the Pussycat. This poem is silly, wild and rather surreal, which matches well with Wattenberg’s illustrations. Her collages incorporate Lear’s own art and that of others, creating a cohesive and fascinating blend of old and new, all in vibrant color. Duck’s wide-eyed view of the world enhances the humor of the poem, as do other small touches like the rainbow of knitted socks perfect for webbed feet.

A wild and funny book that will find a niche of eager readers looking for something joyous and surreal. Just hop along with the story and you will find a real treasure of a friendship by the end. Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

2010 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize Winners

January 7, 2010 | Tasha

This award is given for excellence in science books. Here are the winners:

PICTURE BOOK

Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm

MIDDLE GRADES

The Frog Scientist by Pamela S. Turner

YOUNG ADULT

Invisible Kingdom: From the Tips of Our Fingers to the Tops of Our Trash, Inside the Curious World of Microbes by Idah Ben-Barak

I’ve read the first two and they are amazing! I’m sure the third is too. Great choices.

Thanks to The Miss Rumphius Effect for the news.

Thank You Publishers!

January 7, 2010 | Tasha

I am so pleased to have a great relationship with publishers who generously send me books to be reviewed. In 2009, I was able to donate over 1200 books to my library and other local libraries that I received from publishers for review.

I review books from both publisher copies and library copies. What the publisher copies allow me is the ability to see books that my library does not have ordered, read books before they are released, find gems that the libraries have missed, and read books with no overdue fines! 😉

So thank you publishers for another great year of collaboration. I appreciate all you do for me and other bloggers in the kidlitosphere.

Judging the Cybils YA Fantasy & Science Fiction

January 6, 2010 | Tasha

Yippee! My part of the Cybils process has arrived. And wonderfully, they created two judging panels for the Fantasy and Science Fiction category. One set for middle grade and one set for YA.

I’ve read over half of the finalists. I have one that I’m not crazy about, three yet to read, and three favorites! It is always exciting to see what comes out the winner!

Here are the YA Fantasy & Science Fiction Finalists