Year: 2011

Book Review: The Little Plant Doctor by Jean Marzollo

| Tasha

littleplantdoctor

The Little Plant Doctor: A Story about George Washington Carver by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max

An old tree in Diamond, Missouri recounts its favorite story, a tale about George Washington Carver as a little boy.  When the tree met George, they were the same height, and George planted wildflowers around the tree.  He watched the flowers closely, moving them from sun to shade if they drooped.  George was bright, but was not allowed to go to school because he was African-American.  So he stayed home, continuing to study plants on his own.  Eventually, George did get to go to school and then to college.  Now the tree stands in the George Washington Carver National Monument, helping to tell the story of a young George Washington Carver who became one of the most famous scientists in history.

Marzollo has chosen a unique perspective from which to tell the story of George Washington Carver.  It makes it less of a biography, but still firmly roots the story in reality.  At times, the wording in the text can feel clunky and the use of the tree as narrator cumbersome.  This is especially true in the last part of the book.

Wilson-Max’s illustrations bring the book to life with their bright, deep colors that speak to the beauty of the plants, the strength of the tree, and the dedication of George to his pursuit of science.  They have a pleasing rustic quality to them that speaks to the natural setting.

This friendly book about George Washington Carver will entertain young children and is also educational about the famous scientist.  Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from ARC received from Holiday House.

Judy Moody Movie Trailer

| Tasha

I hadn’t seen the trailer for Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer film that is due out on June 10, 2011.

It’s the first film based on the Judy Moody series that has sold 14 million copies in 23 languages.

So what do you think?  Looking forward to seeing it?  Or looking forward to being disappointed by it?

Woody Harrelson and Stanley Tucci in Hunger Games

| Tasha

 

The Hollywood Reporter has the news that Woody Harrelson has been cast as Haymitch in the upcoming movie adaptation of The Hunger Games.  The film is due out March 23, 2012.

Variety has the news that Stanley Tucci has been cast as Caesar Flickerman, the flamboyant host of the games.

Frankly, I think both are brilliant casting picks.  What do you think?

39 Clues : The Movie

| Tasha

Brett Ratner will be directing the live-action movie based on the popular 39 Clues series.  Steven Spielberg had been expected to direct back in 2008.  Ratner is the director of Rush Hour and X-Men: The Last Stand. 

Via Moviefone

Book Review: Woof Meow Tweet-Tweet by Cecile Boyer

| Tasha

woofmeowtweet

Woof Meow Tweet-Tweet by Cecile Boyer

Released June 1, 2011.

This inventive picture book begins by asking if readers can tell the difference between a dog, a cat and a bird.  The book goes on to explain the differences, such as a the dog lives outside during the day and the bird hates its cage.  But instead of an illustration of the animals, Boyer has replaced them with the word for the noise they make: woof, meow, and tweet-tweet.  The book continues showing the differences between the animals and eventually explores what happens when they meet each other, with great effect, lots of fighting and pouncing.  A word-filled elegant picture book that will have readers looking at the world in a new way.

Boyer’s text is brief, and matter-of-fact, allowing the attention to rest mainly on the illustrations themselves.  The art is filled with strong lines, graphic elements, and lots of color.  Even the choice of fonts for the three different animals says something about them.  Woof is done in a deep brown, thick font.  Meow is elegant and even slinky.  Tweet-tweet is narrow and light.  The words play beautifully against the background that is elegantly minimalist. 

Boyer has created a book filled with wordplay that both children and adults will enjoy.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from ARC received from Seven Footer Press.

Book Review: Manners Mash-Up

| Tasha

mannersmashup

Manners Mash-Up

Fourteen picture book creators take on manners in this mash up of talent.  Each illustrator is given a double page spread to fill with their work as well as some advice on how to mind their manners.  There is a specific setting in each one, including school, birthday party, table manners, and the supermarket.  All of the illustrators approach manners with a light touch and plenty of humor, meaning that this is one manners book that children will actually enjoy!

One of the pleasures of the book is turning the page and discovering an entirely different style from a new illustrator.   The book includes illustrators like Bob Shea, Tedd Arnold, Lynn Munsinger, Sophie Blackall, and Adam Rex.   It keeps the book very fresh, as each illustrator works in their distinct and unique style.  The lists of manner rules are very silly, especially when they deal with the ultimate manner rule of no picking! 

Manner books at libraries tend to come in sets of books and trend toward the preachy.  This is a fresh, funny look at manners that puts those to shame.  Make room on your library shelf for this one!  Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from copy received from Dial Books for Young Readers.

Also reviewed by:

Book Review: These Hands by Margaret H. Mason

| Tasha

thesehands

These Hands by Margaret H. Mason, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Joseph’s grandfather’s hands can still do so many amazing things.  He used to be able to tie knots very quickly, now he helps Joseph learn to tie his shoes.  He can play the piano.  He can show Joseph how to do a waterfall shuffle with cards.  He could pitch a curve ball in his youth, now he can teach Joseph to hit a line drive.  But there were things his hands couldn’t do when he was younger.  His hands were forbidden to touch the bread dough in the Wonder Bread factory.  His hands could touch the broom to sweep the floor, work the line, load the trucks, but not touch the bread.  So his hands helped with the protests and organizing, and now all colors of hands can touch the bread dough.  His hands can do anything in the world.

This is a powerful book that speaks of discrimination in a very tangible way that children will clearly understand.  Mason writes from the point of view of that grandfather speaking to Joseph.  The book has a clear point of view, a ringing tone, and a wonderfully light hand.  Looking at a grandfather through his hands makes him so human yet so amazing.  This focused approach makes the book even stronger.

Cooper’s art is stellar.  The illustrations have a softness that is beautiful, all hard edges softer and rounder.  The light in the art is also particularly well done with its warmth that stays consistent even during the dark times of the story.  The art shows such strength, such vivid storytelling.

Highly recommended, this is a picture book about discrimination and civil rights that will work very well with small children.  There’s plenty to discuss here in a classroom or in a living room.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

| Tasha

divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Beatrice lives the selfless life of a person in the Abnegation faction.  She wears gray, avoids mirrors, and tries to always think of other before herself.  But she feels that she isn’t any good at it, unlike her brother, who manages the strict lifestyle perfectly.  In this dystopian novel set in Chicago, there are five factions who keep the peace.  Now that Beatrice is 16, she is tested for suitability in different factions and then is given the choice of which faction she wants to join.  But her results are odd, indicating that she could be suitable for three of the factions, meaning that she is divergent.  It is something that is not only rare but could put her life in danger if others found out.  Now Beatrice has a choice, leave her family behind in Abnegation or stay and be selfless as she has always been taught.

I tried to keep any spoilers from my summary above.  You’ll find that all of that action happens in the first few chapters.  I avoided reviews of this novel, waiting to get my hands on a copy, and I was very happy to discover the world of Divergent myself. 

Roth has created a dystopian fantasy that is a wild ride of a novel.  There is lots of violence, tons of action, and scenes that are guaranteed to raise your pulse from excitement.  And just with any great teen novel, there is romance.  In this case, it’s a romance that may not surprise but builds and matures with grace.  Roth has created a world that is alarming and very different from our own.  The political intrigue of the novel gives it a wonderful depth.

Beatrice is a great heroine who has plenty of self-doubt, learns about herself, underestimates herself, and learns to make friends, depend on others, yet stay uniquely independent.  She is a strong heroine who shows her vulnerability too.  With that touch of doubt, she becomes a much more human character whom readers can relate to.

A delight of a dystopian fantasy, make sure you have this in your library teen collection.  Get it directly into the hands of Hunger Games fans, who will return begging to know when the next book is coming out!  Appropriate for ages 15-18.

Reviewed from library copy.

Reviewed all over the blogosphere.

Book Review: If I Never Forever Endeavor by Holly Meade

| Tasha

ifineverforever

If I Never Forever Endeavor by Holly Meade

Capturing the tension of a fledgling about to leave the nest, this picture book celebrates taking chances and testing your wings.  A small yellow bird muses on what would happen if they just stay in the safety of their nest, because though there would be new things to see, there is also plenty to fear.  Of course, if they stay, then there is no flying, no soaring, and no making a new friend to share the air with.  This book will speak to anyone looking to make a change, try something new, or just test the wind a bit.

Meade’s writing her is a poem that is spare yet gentle, a poem that stirs, lifts and soars.  She does not shy away from words like “endeavor” or “scallop” which I really appreciate.  This is a book that will have children and their vocabulary reaching forward too. 

Her art is done in collage, combining watercolor painting with linoleum block printing.  The result is a book that has strong patterns and lines yet also the softness of a watercolor sky to play against.  The play of the graphic against the soft adds a very dynamic feel to the book.

Ideal for the end of the school year as teachers send their students on to the next grade, it would also make a lovely graduation gift.  I’m keeping it in mind for any children’s librarian heading to a new job.  What a treat to have it tucked under one wing.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from copy received from Candlewick.

Also reviewed by Classroom Connections and Kiss the Book.