Month: April 2011

Anna Hibiscus Series Continues to Offer a Charming Glimpse into Africa

| Tasha

goodluckanna havefunanna

Good Luck Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

Have Fun Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

In the first two books about Anna Hibiscus, readers were treated to a glimpse into life in Africa among a large extended family.  But Anna Hibiscus has even more family, a grandmother who lives in Canada.  Book three in the series tells the story of Anna Hibiscus’ preparations for heading to Canada for the first time.  The first few stories reintroduce Anna Hibiscus’ family, including her baby brothers who get into all sorts of trouble.  The other stories tell of trying to find warm clothes suitable for a Canadian winter in Africa and how her family gives her a send off.  Book Four follows Anna Hibiscus to Canada starting with her plane trip.  Those of us in North America will see snow with fresh eyes, enjoy Anna Hibiscus’ first attempt at ice skating, and will enjoy getting to know her grandmother’s dog too.  This series continues to be a celebration of family, expanding now to far-flung families and new adventures.

Atinuke tells all of her stories with a storytellers structure and tone.  There is repetition that echoes throughout the series, tying them all together nicely.  At the same time, her structure remains easy and friendly, offering an inviting cadence to old and new readers alike. 

The entire series is illustrated by Lauren Tobia.  The illustrations weave throughout the book, creating a window into the cultures shown in the stories.  They make the book welcoming for newer readers who will find a great friend in Anna Hibiscus.

If you were a fan of the first two Anna Hibiscus books, make sure to check out these two as well.  They are just as lovely as the first.  Appropriate for ages 6-9.

Reviewed from copies received from Kane Miller.

Book Review – Lost & Found: A Graphic Novel Wonderland

| Tasha

lostfoundtan

Lost & Found by Shaun Tan

This collection of three stories by Tan which were previously published in Australia as separate stories combine to create an incredible experience.  Tan wrote two of the stories himself and did the art for all three.  The three stories are unique and different, though they are all about loneliness, discovering what is right in front of us, and unexpected beauty. 

The Red Tree tells the story of a woman trapped in darkness, though if you look closely you will see a sign of hope that continues through the images.  The illustrations are filled with large urban buildings, strange mechanical beings, and empty curving landscapes.  Until finally, the red tree is found where you least expect it. 

The Lost Thing is the story of a man who discovers something strange on the beach.  It was something odd, unusual and completely out of place.  The man searches for where the lost thing belongs, eventually taking it home with him and figuring out what it eats.  But this is not a story of a lost and new pet.  It is a story of secret places, unusual beings, and discovering what you were once blind to.

The Rabbits is a story written by John Marsden, who is also from Australia.  The story takes a look at the colonization of Australia through the story of the rabbits entering and taking over the continent.  Marsden and Tan create a story that tells the tale of take over, theft and oppression through animals, at once making it a story that can be told clearly and coolly but also one that echoes with tragedy on a larger scale.  For me, this was the story in the book that resonated and continues to linger.

Tan pays close attention to details throughout the book.  The transitional pages between the stories create a unified feel to the book, tying the stories together as if they are hand-in-hand.  The effect of the three stories is one of uniqueness and universal themes. 

Beautifully created, these stories are a treasure for graphic novel fans who will find out that graphic novels can be artistic, deep, compassionate and amazing.  Appropriate for ages 12-15.

Reviewed from copy received from Scholastic.

Also reviewed by:

D.E.A.R.

| Tasha

2011-03-29_1454

Drop Everything and Read Day is coming on April 12th.  The official site has resources to plan programs at your library or school, flyer templates, activity ideas, tips for parents, and much more. 

If you are in search a great read for the day, you can take a look at book lists by age or just pick up any of Beverly Cleary’s books.  April 12th is her birthday too.

Birdsong: Get Ready to Make Some Noise

| Tasha

birdsong

Birdsong by Ellie Sandall

This book is a simple, bright invitation to make some noise during story time!  One bird lands on a tree branch and begins to sing “Kitcha kitcha Kee kee kee.”  Another bird flies to the same branch and begins its own song “Urrah!  Urrah! Rah rah ree.”  More birds come, including an owl and a parrot, until finally a very large bird with an enormous voice manages to clear the others from the branch with very humorous results.

Sandall keeps the concept clear and simple.  The narrative portion of the book is kept to an absolute minimum of just introducing the entering birds.  Her bird calls when read one after another form a rhythm and music.  The repetition makes this a great choice for toddlers as well as preschoolers.  The illustrations are a pleasing mix of the roughness of pencil in the branches and trees to the silkiness of watercolor for the birds.  The colors are bright and vibrant, filling the illustrations with color.  The illustrations are large enough to work well with a group.

Upon first reading the book, I thought it would work very well as a play for preschoolers to put on.  Each child as a unique bird with an interesting call that is the only line they have to learn.  And then a comic ending, to wrap the whole thing up.

A great addition to any story time about birds, children will enjoy helping make the musical noise in the book and could even be assigned instruments to match each bird and their call.  Think of the lovely cacophony!  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from copy received from Egmont.

Also reviewed by:

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream: Diverse and Universal All-American Story

| Tasha

claralee

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Han, illustrated by Julia Kuo

Clara Lee wants to be Little Miss Apple Pie in the upcoming Apple Blossom Festival parade.  But it requires that she gives a speech in front of the entire school and that worries her.  So when she has a dream that she thinks is a nightmare but her grandfather assures her is good luck, she discovers that she has an entire day of luck.  She gets the backseat on the bus, she climbs all the way to the top of the rope in gym class, and someone secretly gives her a candy necklace.  So she signs up to compete for Little Miss Apple Pie.  But before she can give her speech, her luck changes for the worse.  Will she be able to restore her good luck before the contest?

Han has created a book that is fresh and a delight to read.  Clara Lee is both all-American and beautifully Korean.  Her life with a foot in both worlds will easily be related to by anyone who has a strong cultural tie to another country.  There are some scenes that capture this especially well, like the meal where Clara Lee and her family eat fish soup, except for her little sister who gets to eat chicken wings instead.

That scene is refreshingly honest not only about the multiple cultures but about family relationships, especially with younger siblings.  The emotions that Clara Lee exhibits are real and tangible for the reader.  Clara Lee is not a perfect girl, instead it is her more human moments that make her the protagonist she is.

This chapter book is just right for young readers transitioning from easy readers to full chapter books.  There are friendly illustrations that make the reading easier and the writing is simple and forthright, ideal for transitional readers.  Get this in the hands of children who enjoy Ivy and Bean.  Appropriate for ages 6-8.

Reviewed from library copy.

Also reviewed by: