Year: 2011

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:

Dr. Seuss Returns!

| Tasha

Random House Children’s Books has announced that they will be publishing seven stories by Dr. Seuss that appeared in magazines during the early 1950s.  These stories have never before been published in book form. 

The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories will be published on September 27, 2011. 

Kate Klimo, v-p, publisher of Random House/Golden Books Young Readers Group, said, “We’re like happy prospectors, having discovered a hidden vein of gold. We know that Seuss fans, from the youngest right on up to collectors will share our joy come this fall when they break open a whole new collection of Seuss stories.”

Via Publisher’s Weekly

Glorious Golden Book Gown

| Tasha

Designer Ryan Novelline has created a spectacular gown out of Golden Books.  You can visit the website for more photos of the gown as well as a look at the process that made it possible.

Via The Centered Librarian

Argus: A Celebration of Being Different

| Tasha

argus

Argus by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Andrea Wesson

When her class at school does a science project with eggs, Sally’s egg looks very different from the regular white chicken eggs.  Hers is much larger and polka-dotted.  When the others eggs hatch, the fluffy yellow chicks emerge.  When Sally’s egg hatches, out comes something scaly and green.  Argus is completely different from the other chicks.  He doesn’t eat seeds, instead he’s rather eat the other chicks.  Perhaps even the students!  Sally finds herself longing for a yellow, fluffy, normal chick of her own.  But when Argus disappears, she realizes that he has become very special to her and that his own unique qualities are what make him himself.

Knudsen has created a picture book that is very funny.  She plays up the humor of a dragon emerging from an egg in a classroom.  I also enjoyed the role of the teacher, Mrs. Henshaw, who takes all of the differences and surprises in stride, managing all of the situations without getting flustered.  It is as matter-of-fact a book about a dragon as you are likely to find, which is a large part of its charm.

Wesson’s illustrations have a light touch and lots of details.  The yellow chicks are roly poly and jolly.  Argus is not.  Yet children will never be afraid of Argus because he wears a smile and has friendly yellow eyes.  Another touch from Wesson are the graphs and measurements that the class makes of their “chicks.”  Argus definitely does not conform.

A funny, wry book about differences and acceptance, this book will be welcome in libraries and classrooms as a way to discuss difficult subjects with humor.  Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from library copy.

Also reviewed by:

Philip Pullman Shortlisted for Man Booker International Prize

| Tasha

Philip Pullman, author of the acclaimed His Dark Materials series, has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize.  The prize is awarded every two years to a living fiction author whose work is either originally in English or has been translated into English and is generally available. 

The winner is selected by the judging panel only with no submissions from publishers.  Pullman’s The Amber Spyglass was longlisted in 2001.  It won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award, the first time the prize was given to a children’s book.

Live Webcast with Gary D. Schmidt

| Tasha

Join Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and author Gary D. Schmidt for a live webcast on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 1:00 pm EST.  Schmidt will be discussing his writing and his books, The Wednesday Wars and Okay for Now.

You can sign up for the webcast here.