Month: May 2012

Review: The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool

| Tasha

cloud spinner

The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool, illustrated by Alison Jay

This is the story of a boy who could weave cloth out of clouds.  The color of the thread would change throughout the day, as the clouds’ colors shifted with the changing light.  There was gold in the morning, white in the afternoon, and crimson in the evening.  The boy had learned from his mother to only use as much as he needed, nothing more.  But when the boy’s amazing scarf caught the eye of the king as he rode through town, the boy was ordered to create a scarf for the king.  The king was pleased with the scarf and immediately ordered the boy to create a cloak and also dresses for the Queen and the Princess.  The boy spun and spun, pulling the clouds from the sky until there were no clouds left at all.  Then the rain stopped falling and a terrible drought hit the country.  It will take two children to figure out how to fix it.

Catchpool has written a very enjoyable tale with a strong environmental heart.  The story is structured as a traditional folktale, rather than a modern one.  It has lines that repeat, a medieval setting, and the play of rich and powerful against poor subjects.  The book reads aloud well, thanks not only to the structure, but also to the writing being clear yet filled with lovely little details such as the colors of the thread from the clouds.

Jay’s illustrations are done in her signature crackle glazed style.  That lends a sense of history and time to the entire work.  Her pictures are filled with light and color.  Keep an eye out for the smiling hills that dot the countryside, a jaunty little touch.

A timely picture book about conservation, the environment and using just what you need and no more, this picture book would make a great addition to Earth Day or green programming.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Alfred A. Knopf.

Review: Falcon by Tim Jessell

| Tasha

falcon

Falcon by Tim Jessell

Told in lush illustrations and verse, this picture book follows the daydreams of a young boy.  A boy in a summer field dreams of being a falcon.  He would fly high in the mountains, along the coast, and roost in the cliffs where he could hear the crashing waves.  He would journey to the city, where he could perch far above the noise and bustle and watch the city from above.  Then he would dive down, faster and faster, towards the sidewalks and the people.  At the very last moment, he would spread his wings and fly above their heads.  The fun he could have, if only he were a falcon.

Told in verse that is spare and lovely, this poetry will work well for a young audience.   The imagery in the poem is directed at that audience.  For example, towards the beginning of the book, this symbolism is used:

With the sound

of tearing paper,

my wings would

slice through

the air.

Immediately, children will hear the sound and realize just how fast that falcon is flying.  It is beautifully, clearly written to great effect.

Combined with this poetry are incredible illustrations that are deep colored and striking.  They range from close-ups of the falcon to long-distance images of the coastline at night.  They are immensely beautiful and captivating as they capture this imaginary life of a falcon.

A radiant picture book about imagination and flight, this book will have young readers dreaming their own daydreams of gliding high above the earth.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Random House.

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

| Tasha

grave mercy

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Hated by her father since the day she was born, Ismae had survived her parents’ attempt at abortion and was left permanently scarred.  Sold into the brutality of an arranged marriage, she manages to escape into the hands of the convent of St. Mortain.  There she is offered the chance to become what she has always wanted to be: a woman with choices and power.  In the case of Mortain, it is the power to kill.  Ismae discovers that she is tolerant of poisons, allowing her to work closely with them and learn all of their secrets.  She is sent to the court of Brittany to do the work of Mortain, killing those she is instructed to and reporting her political findings back to the convent.  She must pose as the mistress of Duval, bastard son of the dead Duke.  Ismae quickly becomes embroiled in the politics and betrayals of the court: the many men vying for the promised hand of the young Duchess, and the French pressuring for capitulation or war.  And of course, there is also a romance blooming.  This adventure in 15th century Brittany will be sure to please historical fiction and fantasy fans alike.

First, I have to take a moment to mention this cover.  Even better, it is a cover that is not only beautiful but wonderfully in sync with the storyline.  This is Ismae, an incredibly strong and vibrant heroine.  She has little interest in the more womanly pursuit of needlecraft and even less in flirtation.  Instead she turns into a disturbingly eager assassin, ready to dole out damage where required.  That is until things are not quite so clear as she had thought.  Then the book turns and becomes deeper and even more magnetic.  LaFevers allows her young heroine to guide this book, telling her own strange, amazing story.

The characterizations here are compelling and original.  The setting is just as much so.  And the setting here is a large part of the storyline itself.  The high court of Brittany is a place of dangers and yet wonders.  The political pressures add organically to the dynamic storyline.  The use of the old gods and ancient religion as a backbone to the story also works very well.  It adds yet another dimension to the story, creating great depth.

Highly recommended, this book is a luminous gem of a book.  Get this into the hands of older teens who will wait breathlessly for the next in the His Fair Assassin series.  Appropriate for ages 15-17.

Reviewed from library copy.

Review: Vote for Me by Ben Clanton

| Tasha

vote for me

Vote for Me by Ben Clanton

This picture-book look at the campaigning process takes young readers through a comical look at politics.  The donkey and elephant represent Democrats and Republicans only superficially.  They make no claims that match the party platforms at all.  Instead, it is about how cute elephant is, whether you will accept candy or peanuts as a bribe for your vote, and lots of grandstanding.  Soon the two are completely at odds with one another and slinging actual mud along with their bitter words.  The insults they use are harsh but humorous, just right for the picture book crowd.  Soon both of them have said things they regret and they agree to get along.  But it just might be too late for either of them to win the election!

This book is not an in-depth look at voting or politics.  Instead Clanton has created a light-hearted look at arguments and fighting through the lens of an election.  Adults will enjoy the clear ties to modern American elections while children will be engaged by the humor. 

The illustrations have a great vintage feel with a modern edge.  The pages are dappled like old paper that has just begun to mildew.  The two characters show lots of emotion throughout the book and it is clearly conveyed by their body language and facial expressions.

A chance to laugh a bit at the cantankerous campaign ahead of us, this book would work for discussions about arguments as well as a light-hearted look at elections.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from copy received from Kids Can Press.

Review: Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett

| Tasha

chloe and the lion

Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Adam Rex

You know this book is going to be unique when you get introduced to the author and illustrator before the book begins.  Then you meet Chloe, a little girl, who is the main character in the book.  The story begins and Chloe is collecting loose change that she would use to ride the merry-go-round in the park as many times as she could.  When she headed home, dizzy from the ride, she got lost in the forest.  Then a huge lion jumped out at her!  Except Adam Rex, the illustrator, did not draw a lion.  He thought a dragon would be a much better choice.  Mac Barnett, the author, doesn’t like that idea at all and insists that this is HIS book because he is the author.  The fight goes on from there, until Mac feeds Adam to the lion that a new stand-in illustrator drew for him.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t really like the art of the new illustrator and also finds that he can’t draw well enough himself to fill in for Adam.  What is an author to do?!

I love books that break that fourth wall and take a look at the inner workings of the author/illustrator or involve the audience in an interesting way.  The book’s art and writing are so closely integrated together that it is almost impossible to review them separately.  The tone here is clean and clear until the fight scene where it becomes comically fraught with emotion.  There are running gags, funny comments and lots of humor throughout the story that make it all the more fun to read.

The illustrations are inventive and add real dimension to the book.  There are several elements at play.  There are the figures done in clay that represent the author and illustrator.  There are the flat drawings of Chloe and the lion.  Then there is a stage where the book story takes place.  It’s a wonderful mix of theater, reading, and art.

The silliness doesn’t stop at the end of the book, make sure to check out the author blurb at the back, along with the very short illustrator blurb.  This book will thrill children with its silliness, dynamic illustrations, and its clever look behind the curtain of making a picture book.  Appropriate for ages 5-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

This Week’s Tweets and Pins

| Tasha

Here are the links I shared on my Twitter and Pinterest accounts that you might find interesting:

You can check out my library-related and e-book related social media items on my Sites & Soundbytes blog.

‘Between Shades of Gray’: Discover the book that’s being confused for ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ | Shelf Lif… http://j.mp/Kodc6s #yalit

Career soars ever higher for children’s-book creator Peter Sis | Books | The Seattle Times http://j.mp/ICyK2d #kidlit #authors

Fox Animation Picks Up Children’s Book ‘Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom’ (Exclusive) – Hollywood Reporter http://j.mp/JNavR8 #kidlit

Interview: Veronica Roth on her book ‘Insurgent’ and feminism http://j.mp/IKvmzZ #yalit

James Dawson’s top 10 books to get you through high school | http://j.mp/ooI9mF http://j.mp/Kgmv8B #yalit

The Ongoing Problem of Race in Y.A. – The Atlantic Wire http://j.mp/Kglb5J #yalit

Philippa Gregory, new star of teen fiction – Telegraph http://j.mp/Knpv88 #yalit

The Return of ‘Rocket’ http://prsm.tc/nH61CR #kidlit

Salvador Dalí Illustrates Alice in Wonderland, 1969 | Brain Pickings http://j.mp/w20lmf

Stephen King interviewed by Neil Gaimanhttp://prsm.tc/ZAchto

Suzanne Collins: Hunger Games author who found rich pickings in dystopia | Books | The Guardian http://j.mp/KgUYnx

Why are so many highly-praised children’s books gloomy? | Children’s books | http://j.mp/ooI9mF http://j.mp/IQS2A5 #kidlit

Writing Teen Fiction or Writing For Teens? by Marcus Sedgwick (guest post) | Writing Teen Novels http://j.mp/IjTRbq #yalit

Review: It’s Milking Time by Phyllis Alsdurf

| Tasha

its milking time

It’s Milking Time by Phyllis Alsdurf, illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher

This picture book looks at milking time on a modern dairy farm.  A little girl works alongside her father.  She helps to bring the cows in from the field and then into the barn.  She scoops feed into their stalls and helps get the milkers ready.  Then she opens the big barn doors and the cows enter the barn and line up in their stanchions.  The little girl goes around and locks them.  Milking starts, and there are quiet moments to look out at the growing corn, but then milk is ready to be carried to the milk house, a pitcher filled for the family.  Then the calves must be fed, the manure shoveled, and finally the two walk up to the house in the twilight.

Told with great detail and a loving tone, this story shines with love for the heartland and dairy farms.  While the farm is clearly modern, there is a great timelessness to the story with the interaction of farmer and cows, the buckets of milk, and even the pitcher of milk for home use.  Alsdurf uses a refrain throughout the book, “Every morning, every night, it’s milking time.”   That repetition works well, reminding readers that this same activity happens over and over again on a farm.

The illustrations add to that feeling of timelessness.  They are done in soft colors with late afternoon light flowing golden over the images.  They also have soft edges, like favorite jeans that have been washed many times.  They are pure comfort.

For librarians in Wisconsin, this book is a natural fit.   It’s good to see a farm setting that is not historical but keeps that pastoral feel.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

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

Review: The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle

| Tasha

pirates next door

The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle

This book first came to my attention when it won the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize in the UK.  It is the story of a girl living in a neighborhood where all of the lawns are neat and tidy, until the pirate family moves in next door.   They arrive complete with pirate ship, treasure chests and barrels of grog.  There is a pirate boy named Jim Lad, his parents, his grandfather, and his little sister, Nugget.  Jim Lad and the girl quickly became friends, but the rest of the community was not as welcoming to the pirate family.  Rumors spread quickly about all the nasty things the pirates were up to and the fear was that if one pirate family lived there, then more would come.  But this pirate family is only there while their ship is being repaired, so soon Jim Lad is off again, leaving behind a touch of pirate treasure for everyone.

Duddle has written a child-friendly book about segregation without ever using the word or focusing on that concept.  It is a book about people who are different from you moving into your neighborhood.  Happily, the pirates expect to be shunned to a large degree, and just live their lives the way they always would.  They are unapologetic, make no efforts to fit in, and then disappear, but not without making a real impact and changing people’s minds. 

The illustrations in this book really set it apart.  They have that lush feel of cinematic animation.  Each character has a unique feeling to them, effortlessly distinct and interesting.  That’s true of the pirate family and also of the many elderly neighbors who gossip about them.  The effect is rich and striking.  The illustrations also use the color palette of cinema, with the dramatic lush colors, deep blues of night, and often playing with light and dark. 

This exceptional book takes the appeal of a pirate story and weaves in social commentary with great restraint.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from library copy.

Review: Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

| Tasha

plant a kiss

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Perfect for spring and Valentine’s Day, this book celebrates the way that love can grow.  A little girl plants a kiss in the ground using a shovel and watering can.  Then she gives it sun, water and attention.  For awhile she doubts if it is going to grow into anything, but then there is a sprout of glittery yellow and pink emerging from the ground.  Others gather around and she decides to share it, she hands out glowing yellow and pink wisps to everyone, even though others try to warn her that it is too rare and precious to share.  When she runs out, she heads back to her plant where she discovers that there is even more to give away!

When glitter is added to a book, it does a lot to create immediate appeal.  Unfortunately, many glitter-filled books don’t live up to that shimmery hype.  This one though is one that is designed to share, just like the kiss itself.  Rosenthal’s writing is light, airy and offers just a few words per page.  While her message of sharing love is clear, there is nothing preachy about the book, thanks to the cheery writing.

Reynolds’ art has that same light feel, including the wafting glittery clouds of kiss.  His young protagonist has a great quirky quality to her.  The glitter is incorporated into the story very successfully, adding to the book rather than distracting from it. 

The perfect snuggling book for the little one that you plant kisses on.  Appropriate for ages 3-5 and could be used as a gift for adults as well.

Reviewed from copy received from HarperCollins.