Month: May 2011

Book Review: RRRalph by Lois Ehlert

| Tasha

rrralph

RRRalph by Lois Ehlert

Ehlert returns with another cleverly illustrated book, this time featuring a dynamic dog.  Ralph is a dog who is able to talk.  No, really!  When they brought him home and asked him his name, he replied with “RRRalph Ralph.”  He can tell you where he is when he climbs up on his doghouse: “Roof roof.”  Just ask him what is on the outside of a tree, and he knows that it’s BARK.  The book continues with more questions for Ralph and him answering them with a variety of barks, until at the end, he only replies with a snore since he’s fallen asleep.

The book has a great sense of humor and after the first couple of examples of how Ralph replies to questions, children will be trying to guess the next answers that Ralph will give.  The dynamic color combinations of the backgrounds with the pop of black-and-white dog on them add to the fun.  Ehlert excels at her illustrations done using collage and found objects.  The can tab nose gives Ralph a jaunty friendly feel, as does the colorful collar and heart-shaped tag. 

A dog book that is barking up just the right tree for young children, this book belong on every library’s shelves and adds to the incredible body of Ehlert’s work.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from library copy.

Book Review: The Queen of France by Tim Wadham

| Tasha

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The Queen of France by Tim Wadham, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

When Rose woke up in the morning, she was feeling royal.  So on went the crown, jewelry and skirt that turned her the Queen of France.  The Queen of France walked up to Rose’s mother in the garden and asked if she had seen Rose.  Rose’s mother explained that she hadn’t but that she hoped that Rose would remember to clean up her room.  The Queen of France was also interested in the ugly rose bushes that Rose’s mother was planting, but the queen’s finger was pricked by a thorn, so she had to find the Royal Physician.  The queen found Rose’s father, but not the Royal Physician.  The queen then took off her crown, and became Rose again.  She bandaged her finger and cleaned her room.  She then dressed as the queen again and headed to Rose’s mother.  The queen asked if Rose’s mother would be fine with the queen switching places with Rose.  Rose’s mother considered the idea, but explained that she would miss Rose very much if she left.  The queen left and Rose returned to herself for dinner.  Until that evening, when Rose felt scary…

Debut author, Wadham has created a picture book that celebrates imaginative play in a very charming way.  Rose is supported by her parents in her play, both of them happily participating as Rose changes characters.  The parents remain supportive and kind throughout, never questioning that Rose is playing rather than cleaning her room, just giving broad hints that it should be done. 

The illustrations add to the charm of the book, with their soft palette of pinks and blues and a lovely mix of modern and old fashioned feel.  Yes, this is a pink book with glitter on the cover, but it is a book that both boys and girls will enjoy thanks to its quality.  Rose’s body language changes as she becomes the queen, her nose high in the air and her feet prancing high.  I particularly enjoy the small clutter in the rooms: toys on the ground, bowls on the counter. 

Highly recommended, let’s hope Tim Wadham continues to create books like this with their deep understanding of childhood.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

Also reviewed by:

Book Review: Ladder to the Moon by Maya Soetoro-Ng

| Tasha

laddertothemoon

Ladder to the Moon by Maya Soetoro-Ng, illustrated by Yuyi Morales

One evening Suhaila asked her mother what her Grandma Annie was like.  Her mother replied that her grandmother was like the moon, “full, soft and curious.”  She also told Suhaila that she had her grandmother’s hands.  At bedtime that night, Suhaila wondered what other ways she was like her grandmother.  Later that same night, a golden ladder appeared at her window and on the lowest rung her grandmother was waiting for her.  Together the two of them climbed the ladder to the moon.  The two sat on the moon together, listening.  Below on earth, they heard voices calling.  When they looked, they found children trapped by a flood and invited them to come to the moon to safety.  They rescued two young women from an earthquake.  They continued to help people to the moon, filling it with people who needed healing, needed love.  Until it was time for Suhaila to head back home to her own bed and tell her mother that she had gotten to meet Grandma Annie.

Soetoro-Ng was inspired by her own mother, Ann Dunham, also the mother of President Obama.  This book sings with admiration for the power of love and healing.  It’s a magical book that shows the power of one person and the impact they can have.  The book dances to its own beat, sometimes taking an unusual step here or there, but creating as a whole, something beautiful.

Morales’ illustrations are glorious.  From the very first image of the daughter and mother together under an immense moon where the brush strokes form the breeze in the air, the reader knows this is something special.  Morales skillfully blends all types of people into the story, different ages, different colors.  Most impressive is the illustration where different peoples share their stories, each with a glowing phrase in different languages around their heads.  The light is warm firelight, candles and also the clear white of the moon. 

A beautiful book that will work as a way to talk about shared beliefs across nationalities and faiths, it is also a testament to the power of grandparents in the child’s life.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from copy received from Candlewick Press.

Also reviewed by:

Book Review: Running with the Horses by Alison Lester

| Tasha

runningwiththehorses

Running with the Horses by Alison Lester

Follow the harrowing rescue of the Lipizzaner horses during World War II in this picture book.  The book is nonfiction woven with fiction, seen through the eyes of a fictional character, Nina, the daughter of the stablemaster at the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna.  As the war came closer to Vienna, Nina’s school was closed and people were fleeing the city.  To save the last four stallions, Nina would have to ride over the Alps with her father.  But she could not leave her favorite old cab horse, Zelda, behind in the deserted city.  So Nina rode Zelda, following her father and the horses, not knowing the dangers that she and Zelda would face together as they crossed the Alps to safety.

Lester has created a picture book that successfully marries fiction with history, giving young readers a glimpse of the dangers of the War as well as the bravery that it created.  Nina is a ten-year-old whose care for her horse and courage during the adventure will inspire.  The book does have more text than many picture books, making it more appropriate for a slightly older audience, one which is more likely to understand the historical aspect of the book better as well.

The illustrations are a very attractive mix of photographs and pencil drawings.  The characters are shown in black and white throughout, contrasted with the colored backgrounds.  This creates a unique look that has the people in clear relief from their surroundings.

A look at a moment in history that has the appeal of horses and a young heroine as well.  Appropriate for ages 6-9.

Reviewed from copy received from NorthSouth.

Also reviewed by:

Andy Stanton’s Tips for Helping Children Love Reading

| Tasha
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Image via Wikipedia

The Sun has a very nice article by Andy Stanton, author of the Mr. Gum series, that has practical tips that every parent can use.  The best part is that his focus is not on forcing children to read, but instead in getting children to enjoy books and reading. 

Here are some of my favorites, there are many more in the article:

  • Don’t distinguish between good and bad.
  • I think some kids can be frightened of books so make sure you have them around.
  • Make story-time part of the bedtime routine and part of their world.
  • Put books in their way.
  • Take children to the library.

And my personal favorite: “Every child should read Roald Dahl. He’s like The Beatles of children’s books.”

I needed this after reading articles about a study that shows that boys “can’t read past the 100th page” of a book.  What the title doesn’t tell you is that it is according to their teachers, not a study of boys actual reading habits but teachers’ perceptions.  I think I’ll leave it at that, since I promised myself I would not rant about it.

Book Review: The Watcher by Jeanette Winter

| Tasha

watcherwinter

The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter

Follow Jane Goodall’s life in this vivid picture book.  The book follows Jane from her childhood where she spent a lot of time watching the animals around her, including having a robin nest built on her bookcase in her room.  Jane left home soon after graduating from school, heading to Kenya.  There she met Louis Leakey who was looking for someone to observe chimpanzees.  Jane headed into the jungle to watch the chimpanzees, spending time out near them just quietly viewing them.  She learned all sorts of things that no one had ever discovered before.  Jane spent many years with the chimpanzees learning, but then people began to threaten the chimpanzee habitat, so Jane had to leave them and become their voice, speaking out to assure their survival. 

Winter has created a book that speaks to the heart of what Goodall has done, all of her accomplishments and discoveries pale in the book and in life to her dedication to the animals themselves.  Goodall is a perfect subject for a picture book.  She is a brave woman who braved living alone in the wilderness to do what she felt she was meant to do with her life.  Winter captures all of this in few words, allowing Goodall’s life to speak for itself.

Winter’s illustrations are done in acrylic paint and pen.  They have strong forms, deep colors, and a childlike quality that make the book even more approachable for children.  I especially enjoy the cover image with the reflection of the chimpanzees in the lenses of her binoculars.  It sums up the book delightfully.

There is something special about a book that tells children to follow their hearts, but this one is even more special because it also shows children the value of watching and learning too.  Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from copy received from Random House Children’s Books.

2012 Hans Christian Andersen Awards Nominees

| Tasha

IBBY has announced the nominees for the 2012 Hans Christian Andersen Awards.  The awards are given every two years to “an author and an illustrator whose complete works have made an important and lasting contribution to children’s literature.”  The nominees below are selected by IBBY National Sections from 33 countries. 

I always love seeing the covers of the books, even though I don’t speak many of the languages, so here are a selection of book covers from the nominated authors and illustrators along with the list of nominees:

  

Argentina: Author: Maria Teresa Andruetto; Illustrator: Pablo Bernasconi

  
Australia: Author: Christobel Mattingley; Illustrator: Bob Graham

  
Austria: Author: Monika Pelz; Illustrator: Renate Habinger

 
Belgium: Author: Bart Moeyaert; Illustrator: Louis Joos

 
Brazil: Author: Bartolomeu Campos de Queiros; Illustrator: Roger Mello

 
Canada: Author: Tim Wynne-Jones; Illustrator: Stephane Jorisch

 
Cyprus: Author: Elli Peonidou

 
Czech Republic: Illustrator: Peter Sís

  
Denmark: Author: Lene Kaaberbol; Illustrator: Charlotte Pardi

 
Finland: Author: Sinikka Nopola / Tiina Nopola; Illustrator: Virpi Talvitie

 
France: Author: Jean-Claude Mourlevat; Illustrator: Henri Galeron

  
Germany: Author: Paul Maar; Illustrator: Rotraut Susanne Berner

  
Greece: Author: Christos Boulotis; Illustrator: Effie Lada


Iran: Illustrator: Mohammad Ali Baniasadi

 
Ireland: Author: Eoin Colfer

 
Italy: Author: Bianca Pitzorno; Illustrator: Francesco Tullio-Altan

 
Japan: Author: Masamoto Nasu; Illustrator: Satoshi Kako

 
Republic of Korea: Author: Hwang Sun-Mi; Illustrator: Hong Seong-Chan

 
Latvia: Illustrator: Anita Paegle

 
Netherlands: Author: Tonke Dragt; Illustrator: Annemarie van Haeringen

 
Norway: Author: Bjorn Sortland; Illustrator: Oyvind Torseter

 
Romania: Author: Silvia Kerim; Illustrator: Valeria Moldovan


Russia: Illustrator: Gennadij Spirin

 
Serbia: Author: Ljubivoje Rsumovic; Illustrator: Dobrosav Zivkovic

 
Slovak Republic: Author: Daniel Hevier Illustrator: Peter Uchnár

 
Slovenia: Author: Tone Pavcek; Illustrator: Alenka Sottler

 
Spain: Author: Agustin Fernandez Paz; Illustrator: Javier Zabala Herrero

 
Sweden: Lennart Hellsing; Illustrator: Anna-Clara Tidholm

 
Switzerland: Author: Franz Hohler; Illustrator: Kathrin Scharer

 
Turkey: Author: Sevim Ak; Illustrator: Feridun Oral

 
United Kingdom: Author: Philip Pullman; Illustrator: John Burningham

 
USA: Author: Paul Fleischman; Illustrator: Chris Raschka


Venezuela: Illustrator: Arnal Balleste

Book Review: My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer

| Tasha

mysideofthecar

My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer, illustrated by Jules Feiffer

Sadie and her dad are finally heading to the zoo.  Their trip has been cancelled for several reasons that Sadie can clearly remember, but today nothing can stop the trip.  They are on their way to the zoo when Sadie’s father points out that it’s raining.  Sadie looks  out her window and says that it isn’t raining on her side of the car.  Her father keeps driving, because all Sadie sees out her window is sunshine and lots of people heading to zoos.  People on her side of the car are watering their lawns, though it’s pouring on her father’s side of the car.  When they get to the zoo, Sadie’s father allows her to decide if they should stay, because it is raining hard on his side of the car.  Sadie decides that it would be too wet to go to the zoo in the rain.  So they reluctantly head home, until her father notices that the sun is out on his side of the car…

This picture book is inspired by a real-life event between author Kate Feiffer and her father, illustrator Jules Feiffer.  They share their version of the event that inspired the book at the end of the picture book, and Kate continues to insist that it was never raining on her side of the car.  That’s be beauty of personal perspective and the power of imagination and expectations for children.  This book captures it with humor and because it is told from Sadie’s point of view, with an honestly and care for the child view.

The combination of the fresh point of view from Kate Feiffer and the loose-lined art of her father is a winning one.  The imaginative power of Sadie never wavers in Kate’s writing.  The humor of the text and its attitude is reflected effectively in the illustrations as well.

Highly recommended, this book reminded me of both my own strong convictions as a child and those of my own children.  It is a testament to the imagination and creativity through which children view the world.  Appropriate for ages 5-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

Also reviewed by

Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Winners

| Tasha

The Ontario Library Association gave out their 2011 Forest of Reading Awards:

Blue Spruce Award (Grades K-2)

My Think-A-Ma-Jink by Dave Whamond

 

Silver Bird Express Award (Grades 3-4)

Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires

 

Silver Birch Fiction Award (Grades 4-6)

Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders by Kevin Sylvester

 

Silver Birch Non-Fiction Award (Grades 4-6)

How to Build Your Own Country by Valerie Wyatt and Fred Rix

 

Red Maple Fiction Award (Grades 7-8)

Not Suitable for Family Viewing by Vicki Grant

 

Red Maple Non-Fiction Award (Grades 7-8)

The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara with Susan McClelland

 

White Pine Award (Grades 9-12)

The Monkeyface Chronicles by Richard Scarsbrook

 

Le Prix Tamarack (Grades 4-6, French-language)

 La Quête du dernier dodo: Les Adventures de Cosmo le Dodo by Patrice Racine

 

Le Prix Tamarack Express (Grades 4-6, French-language)

Les Dragouilles 2 – Les Bleues de Montréal by Maxim Cyr and Karine Gottot

Anyone read any of them?  I really enjoyed Binky the Space Cat, but haven’t read any of the others.  And the Les Dragouilles 2 looks very appealing, but I’d have to have it in English.