Month: July 2017

Blue Sky, White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus

| Tasha

Blue Sky, White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus

Blue Sky, White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (9780803737006, Amazon)

Very simple patriotic text allows the illustrations by Nelson to shine on the page. The text moves from describing the nation and its flag to the various natural beauties of its land. The people of the nation come next. A well-worn face of Lincoln next to the well-worn flag that is tattered. People march on the streets, other attend a baseball game and still others are the face of America on its porches. Faces of all colors and creeds fill the pages until they return to the flag, our shared purpose and freedom itself.

This is one of the most patriotic picture books I have ever seen. The words are so simple and yet speak so profoundly of all that the United States holds dear. The illustrations for these words are truly exceptional. Each page is a wonder, and turning the pages is like visiting a gallery of Nelson’s work. They are filled with the faces of America, symbols of our nation, and the beauty of the land.

Awe inspiring, patriotic and grand, this picture book is superb. Appropriate for ages 3-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

Claymates by Dev Petty

| Tasha

Claymates by Dev Petty

Claymates by Dev Petty, illustrated by Lauren Eldridge (9780316303118, Amazon)

Two balls of clay meet one another and then are formed by an artist into an owl and a wolf. The two are left alone and quickly discover that they are able to change their own shapes as they like. They rapidly change from one form to another, elephants and peanuts, things big, small, flat and sharp. As the artist returns, the two balls of clay try to remember what they had originally been shaped as but don’t quite get it right. So back they go into a wolf and an owl and then eventually into balls of clay. But they aren’t done playing yet!

The text of the book is entirely done in a dialogue between the two characters, so it is simple and easy. The result is a book done in photographs that reads much more like a comic with speech bubbles. There is a delight in the photos and the clay shapes, evoking claymation movies and the joy of childhood play with clay.

Throughout the book, there is lots of humor both in the dialogue and the shapes that the clay takes. The illustrations also incorporate the tools the artist uses to shape the clay, and the early pages of the book show an image of the set and photography equipment. The clay shapes are clever and funny, inviting readers to explore clay themselves and start to make friends through play.

A joyful look at friendship and creativity. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from library copy.

 

Shark Lady by Jess Keating

| Tasha

Shark Lady by Jess Keating

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns (9781492642046, Amazon)

Eugenie was a young girl when she first visited an aquarium and fell deeply in love with the creatures there, particularly with the sharks. But it was the 1920’s and girls were expected to become housewives or secretaries not scientists. Still, Eugenie never gave up on her dream and continued to study sharks at the library and join the local aquarium as a member. At the time, people thought that sharks were heartless and frightening killers, but Eugenie set out to prove them all wrong. Eugenie got her degree and earned a place on a scientific vessel to study marine life. That was just the beginning of a career that spanned many decades, led to several books and articles, and proved that women have a place in science.

Keating shows the growth of Eugenie’s scientific aspirations in this nonfiction picture book, moving from her childhood fantasies of swimming with sharks to the lack of support at school and finally to the discoveries that she made as her dreams became reality. The book has a tone of pure curiosity and joy where readers will cheer Eugenie as she overcomes the many obstacles standing in her way.

The illustrations are lighthearted and playful. Aquarium hallways are filled with floating sharks and fish as Eugenie dreams about them. They celebrate the beauty of the ocean and its lifeforms, showing sharks as graceful and amazing rather than dangerous.

A vibrant and celebratory nonfiction picture book that embraces women in STEM wholeheartedly. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from e-galley received from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.

Binny Bewitched by Hilary McKay

| Tasha

Binny Bewitched by Hilary McKay

Binny Bewitched by Hilary McKay, illustrated by Tony Ross (9781481491020, Amazon)

Binny’s family has been concerned with money since her father died. They live in a house that is far too small for all of them, her sister has sold all of her possessions to pay for flute lessons, and her mother works extra shifts all of the time. So when Binny sees a large amount of money left behind in an ATM, she grabs it and takes it. Does that make her a thief or just lucky? Binny soon discovers though that she can’t spend the money without others asking lots of questions. So she hides it, then hides it again and again until she can’t remember where she hid it! Meanwhile, Binny’s neighbor seems to be putting curses on all of them, like Clem’s flute breaking and James losing his best friend over buried treasure. As Binny realizes she has to be honest about the money, she has to find it first and figure out just who may have taken it.

This is the third Binny book and it’s just as charming and fantastic as the first two. McKay has a gorgeous way of writing, showing her characters and families complete with messy homes, money problems, and everyday woes. She always gives her characters lots of heart and big imaginations so that even normal days turn into adventures and bad decisions turn into mysteries.

As always, McKay’s families are ones that you want to spend even more time with. Readers will want to climb behind the couch with James, explore Clem’s bare but lovely room, share the birthday cake, and explore the beaches. The love in this family overflows the pages, even when they are distracted with their own problems. In fact, a hallmark of McKay’s books are that the children do the figuring out and realizations, not the adults. It’s a refreshing look at the power of children when they are given plenty of freedom.

Another winner from McKay! If you haven’t met Binny yet, make sure to start with the first since they are all such a treat. Appropriate for ages 8-12.

Reviewed from copy received from Margaret K. McElderry Books.

 

Rodzilla by Rob Sanders

| Tasha

Rodzilla by Rob Sanders.jpg

Rodzilla by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Dan Santat (9781481457798, Amazon)

An enormous chubby monster is heading for the city! News crews are reporting on the disaster as the monster releases stink-ray farts. There are slime missiles of snot and even one big upset tummy effect. Hoses try to push him from the city, but it just ends in a belly flop. But the monster gets back up and continues his rampage. Until two brave people are willing to take on the disaster directly, by picking the terrible toddler up.

Sanders channels Japanese monster films in his text, offering just the right tone of awe and fear into the text. The book is great fun to share aloud, using an announcer voice that just makes the humor even funnier. Sanders offers just enough gross moments for children to be engaged and then moves on to other sources of humor. The switch from monster to toddler is also well handled and will not surprise readers who have been given clear hints about the end.

Santat uses his signature style here. The reactions of the people on the ground to Rodney’s gross emissions is particularly effective, as they run in fear or try to survive. Santat’s illustrations also offer clues to Rodney actually being a human toddler, ones that become more clear as the text progresses.

A funny look at the destructive nature of toddlers that will be appreciated by older siblings and parents alike. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Bunches of Board Books

| Tasha

Here are some of my favorite recent board books:

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Baby’s First Words by Stella Blackstone and Sunny Scribens, illustrated by Christiane Engel (9781782853251, Amazon)

This board book is also available in Spanish. A baby spends her day with her two dads exploring everything from morning to night. Things in their lives are labeled with words, including objects and actions. There are animal noises, foods, clothes, vehicles, and feelings. The entire book is merry and bright, just right for all families to enjoy.

Reviewed from copy received from Barefoot Books.

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Blanket of Love by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Brooke Boynton Hughes (9781481489720, Amazon)

One of the books in the New Books for Newborns series, this book uses gentle rhymes and a soft rhythm to introduce all sorts of blankets to little listeners. There are blankets of grass, snow, sand, water, stars and much more as different families explore being outside together. The book ends at bedtime, indoors and cozy under a physical blanket. Gentle and loving, this is a lovely book.

Reviewed from copy received from Little Simon.

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Getting Ready by Cocoretto (9781846438868, Amazon)

This is a novelty board book just waiting for little fingers to explore all of the surfaces. Done in a simple style, it offers a fuzzy teddy bear, a blanket to pull back, a zipper to tug, and a door to open. There are other surfaces as well like corduroy pants, t-shirts and socks. All waiting for help, so get ready to play.

Reviewed from copy received from Child’s Play.

The Very Berry Counting Book by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Joy Newton (9781580897846, Amazon)

Count from one to ten in this counting board book that features lots of berries. There are berries that children will recognize like strawberries and blueberries and also new ones to explore. The vintage feel of the book is very appealing and it’s a great way to explore berries and numbers all at once.

Reviewed from library copy.

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Welcome: A Mo Willems Guide for New Arrivals by Mo Willems (9781484767467, Amazon)

Just right for sharing aloud, this board book will be appreciated by parents and older siblings as they prepare for a new baby. Using signs similar to those at airports or on large machinery, the book is a wonderfully warm welcome to new babies that combines warnings of the bad things that can happen like ice cream accidents and the wonder of a new member of the family.

Reviewed from library copy.

 

This Week’s Tweets, Pins and Tumbls

| Tasha

Here are some cool links I shared on my Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr accounts this week:

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

6 picture books for summer reading

2017 Mind the Gap Awards: The books that didn’t win at ALA |

can impact everything from a child’s cognitive development to physical health. Here’s how to curb it.

Books Will Be Books: Enough With Gendered Children’s Lit |

The Calm Before: 9 Picture Books That Celebrate Stormy Weather

Encouraging your kids to read silly books can actually get them reading more than ever. Learn how –>

New Sendak Picture Book Discovered via

Top Ten MG Books to Use as Read Alouds Beginning of Year via

LIBRARIES

FIIIELLLLDD TRIIPPPPP: Starfield Library is a new library in Seoul, South Korea that you’re going to want to visit:

Stacks of Books, But Short on Cash – https://t.co/O5GMZFrx3Z

UW-Madison Spinoff Helps Libraries Help Local Musicians – https://t.co/X1aJuzvtUP

READING

TSA de-cluttering tests get attention from ACLU – book screening not moving forward –

You Will NEVER Read All the Books – and That’s a Good Thing:

TEEN LIT

25 of Our Most Anticipated YA Books of July – https://t.co/sAvVvpkh2n

50 Crucial Feminist YA Novels – https://t.co/aVJkK8qicw

170 YA Books Hitting Shelves This Summer

Are you falling in love with ‘s GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE? Download these coloring pages for free!

My Daddy Rules the World by Hope Anita Smith

| Tasha

My Daddy Rules the World by Hope Anita Smith

My Daddy Rules the World: Poems about Dads by Hope Anita Smith (9780805091892, Amazon)

Coretta Scott King Award winner Smith returns with a new collection of poetry and illustrations that focuses on fathers. The book shows fathers who make breakfast and chat contrasted with others whose work keeps them far away but still in contact. There are fathers who cut hair, others who dance, others who wrestle or play catch. They teach their children to ride bikes or play instruments or read. Each poem is told in the voice of the child of that father and shows how very different dads can be but that they all love their children completely.

Smith writes poetry that is thoughtful and honed. She makes sure that it is appropriate for the young audience, inviting young readers to explore poetry and see themselves in it. The poems are misleadingly simple, not showing the skill that it takes to write at this level and with such apparent ease.

Smith’s illustrations are diverse and inclusive. With her torn paper illustrations, she makes sure to show families of various races and multiracial families. There is a warmth to the illustrations and a folk-art element that underlines the richness of being a father and in a family.

A strong collection of poems for young people, ideal to share with fathers. Appropriate for ages 7-10.

Reviewed from library copy.

Priscilla Gorilla by Barbara Bottner

| Tasha

Priscilla Gorilla by Barbara Bottner

Priscilla Gorilla by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Michael Emberley (9781481458979, Amazon)

The bestselling duo behind the Miss Brooks books returns with a new book. Priscilla loves gorillas, mostly because they get to do whatever they want. She acts like them and dances like them. She loves to wear her gorilla costume all the time, particularly at school. But because she acts like a gorilla, her teacher puts her in the Thinking Corner sometimes. As Priscilla starts to be seen as a troublemaker, other children join her in the Thinking Corner in their own costumes. But perhaps it’s not being really gorilla-like to be so troublesome, since gorillas are also known for cooperating together. Can Priscilla figure out how to be true to her own inner gorilla even if it means cooperating?

Bottner has such a way with capturing the spirit of childhood on the page. Priscilla speaks for all children as she struggles to navigate the lines between being troublesome, being an individual, and cooperating with others. Bottner writes in an engaging way, allowing the story to unwind at a natural pace that keeps readers caught up in the story. The book ends with Priscilla’s class visiting the zoo and the book beautifully comes full circle as cooperation merges with gorilla dancing.

Emberley’s illustrations are superb. He depicts all of the children in their animal costumes with a wry sense of humor, plushness, bent tails and wrinkles. One wants to crawl into a costume and join the fun. The depiction of Priscilla’s parents and teacher are also cleverly done, showing parents who are allowing their daughter to figure things out but also giving a gentle gorilla nudge in the right direction.

Funny and smart, I’m bananas about this picture book. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Atheneum.