Nell knows that her magic is going to appear soon since woman in her family gets their magic at age fifteen. Each woman’s is unique to them. Her mother changes ages constantly, her grandmother can feel every room in the house she is in, her aunt’s hair whispers secrets to her. Perhaps the worst of them is Nell’s sister, Mora, who bleeds music and who uses razor blades to release it from her body. Mora is now in the hospital to get help, and Nell fears what her own magic will do to her. When her magic arrives as insects that reveal the emotions that Nell is unable to feel, Nell doesn’t know what to do. The blue stick insects are her sadness, the ladybugs are her creativity, but worst are the wasps that are her rage. Can Nell manage to lock away her emotions deep inside to keep the wasps from coming again? Or can she find a way to feel these dangers emotions somehow?
This verse novel is simply incredible. Chewins writes a book of raw and edgy verse that demands that we see beyond the magic to the truth of each person’s experience. The verse lays bare Nell’s experience, including the abuse that she refuses to acknowledge and the trauma of her family because and despite the magic they have. The use of insects adds a creepy beauty to the book, enough to make your skin itch but also be in awe of the spectacle.
Furious, beautiful and dangerous, this verse novel insists on being heard. Appropriate for ages 13-16.
I. M. Pei, a renowned architect had successfully redesigned part of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. But when the President of France asked him to work on the Louvre, Pei decided to keep the project secret. The Louvre had many issues as a museum with people unable to find the entrance and the long walk to reach the art once they did enter. So Pei set out to create a new way to enter the building. It was unclear what would work, but eventually he designed a glass pyramid. The French people though didn’t love the idea and argued that they should have hired a French architect. Pei stayed the course, doing interviews and calmly explaining his design. Could he win over the French people?
A look at the design process of a gifted architect allows young readers to see the resilience and persistence that design takes. Even when the design was finalized, there were issues with the construction that arose and then the arguments about the design itself. This nonfiction picture book explores process and results, engaging the reader in Pei’s childhood visits to China and what he learned there. The digital illustrations are a filled with crisp edges and renderings that capture Pei’s calm pride in his work. The book provides more information on the building at the end as well as sources and online resources.
A strong nonfiction picture book about one of the top architects in the world and one of his most famous projects. Appropriate for ages 6-10.
Reviewed from e-galley provided by Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
This nonfiction picture book shares the stories of four women from history who worked in lighthouses across the United States. The jobs were a challenging mix of boredom, dedication and danger in tight quarters, often wearing long dresses. Ida Lewis worked a lighthouse in Rhode Island and was known for rescuing people whose boats had capsized. Juliet Nicols in California was challenged by the fog and her resilience and strength alone kept the fog bell sounding. Venus Parker worked in Virginia with her husband. She had to carry on despite terrible ice and her husband’s unexpected death. Julia Toomey worked in Hawaiian lighthouses with her parents. When her father died saving the lighthouse, Julia had to manage to carry on.
These stories of women and girls facing impossible tasks to save strangers from wrecking their ships and boats on the rocks capture the fraught nature of working in a lighthouse. The stories capsize the image of lighthouses as peaceful icons and instead show the risky work close up. They also ruin the tales that are often told of men having these sorts of roles rather than women. The illustrations are friendly and approachable, filled with curving stairs and beautiful lighthouses until the pages turn dark with storms and the dramatic moments happen.
A glorious look at women facing danger head on with skill and resilience. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
Lewis waits for his mother and the other grownups to stop talking and then boards the bus with her to head home. He is just getting sleepy listening to the engine and then suddenly one of the bus tires pops. They wait on the road and Lewis is bored. But just on the other side of the hedge he can hear noises, so he investigates. The dark is full of beetles and creatures moving, buzzing and rustling around. A creek burbles nearby and Lewis plays with a firefly. When it’s time to board the bus again, Lewis continues to think about the noises of the night he experienced.
This entire picture book focuses on sounds, from those within a house to on the street to settling into a nature scene. It’s an enticing framing for the story as Lewis discovers the world just nearby. The illustrations are done in rich blacks of the night sky and then fine lines that capture moonlight, small creatures and the sounds they make.
A quiet celebration of nighttime nature. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Reviewed from e-galley provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
The Society of Authors in the UK has announced the shortlists for their 2025 awards. There are 7 shortlists with one focused on children’s books. Winners will be announced on June 18th. The Queen’s Knickers Award is given to “an outstanding children’s original illustrated book for ages 0-7. It recognises books that strike a quirky, new note and grab the attention of a child, whether in the form of curiosity, amusement, horror or excitement.” Here is the shortlist:
Eunny’s school day starts slowly as she gets up and her family does too. Grandpa is coming back from his walk. After breakfast, it’s time to head off to school with Mama. Eunny makes sure to notice the flowers and the blue sky. She drops her mother at the bus stop and heads to school around the corner. She and a friend walk in together, happy on such a beautiful day.
This is a quiet and meditative picture book, full of little special moments that urge readers to slow down and notice. The art is done in fine lines and is filled with details of life in South Korea.
A lovely picture book to share in a still moment together. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
Waking Brain Cells 