Rot: The Bravest in the World by Ben Clanton

June 16, 2020May 8, 2020 | Tasha

Rot: The Bravest in the World by Ben Clanton (9781481467643)

This follow-up to Rot: The Cutest in the World is a squirmy, squelchy, muddy read. Rot is a mutant potato and just like all mutant potatoes, he loves mud. They play in it, eat it, even sleep in mud. So when Rot found a massive mud pit, he couldn’t wait to jump right in. But before he can, his older brother Snot tells him to watch out for the Squirm, a monster that lives in deep mud, slimy and gross and hungry! Snot leaves laughing, but Rot is not deterred. He just needs a good plan. Perhaps a superhero costume will make him brave enough? When that wasn’t enough, he adds a knight costume on top, but even that doesn’t work. Perhaps adding something that loves mud too? Soon Rot is dressed up as “Sir Super Rot, the Pigtato!” When he goes back to the puddle, he discovers that there is something squirmy in the mud. Will he be brave enough to find out what it is?

Clanton imbues his picture book with a marvelous sense of humor from beginning to end. At the same time he has created a picture book with a strong story arc with Rot as a central compelling character that children will root for. When he begins to put on costumes to make himself more brave, the humor is there but also a strong sense of empathy for this courageous potato.

As with the first book, the art is bold. It is filled with rich potato and mud browns. The handwritten dialogue is shown in bubbles that look like potatoes too. Keep an eye out for the little pink insect who follows Rot on his adventures.

Squidgy and muddy fun. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from copy provided by Atheneum.

Papa Brings Me the World by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

June 16, 2020May 7, 2020 | Tasha

Papa Brings Me the World by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (9781250159250)

Lulu’s papa travels for a living. When he is about to leave, she tucks notes into his pocket to remind him of her love. In his work as a photojournalist, her papa climbs mountains, swims in oceans, rides camels, and explores the world. He brings Lulu items from his travels like coins from 28 countries. Lulu longs to join him on his travels, but instead she follows his journeys with her mother, using a map on the wall. Sometimes Papa has to miss big events because he is gone, but he always returns. In fact, on his next trip Lulu finally gets to travel along and fill her own journal with her experiences.

In her author’s note at the end of the book, the author speaks of her own childhood growing up in a family with a father whose work took him around the world. Her deep understanding of the mixture of sorrow, pride and longing that the young protagonist feels makes this book all the more poignant and impactful. Her art is done in mixed media, including collage, pencil, acrylics and stamping. The illustrations are rich and layered, offering a glimpse into the life of this busy multiracial family.

A warm and loving look at a father who has a job unlike regular parents. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy provided by Henry Holt and Company.

Hello, Little One: A Monarch Butterfly Story by Zeena M. Pliska

June 15, 2020May 5, 2020 | Tasha

Hello, Little One: A Monarch Butterfly Story by Zeena M. Pliska, illustrated by Fiona Halliday (9781624149313)

Caterpillar’s entire world is filled with green after he leaves his egg. Then something orange arrives, soaring high above. Caterpillar calls out to the flying orange thing, but it doesn’t stop. Later, Orange lands nearby to sip nectar from a flower. Caterpillar is eating a leaf nearby. The two spend time together, Orange talking about how they used to feel as a caterpillar and Caterpillar longing to be more like Orange someday. Orange tells all sorts of stories of the things they have seen as they fly. Soon it is time for Caterpillar to form their chrysalis. Orange explains that they won’t be here when Caterpillar emerges. Once caterpillar emerges, they too are a monarch butterfly and are ready to inspire another tiny caterpillar on their journey.

Pliska writes with a tenderness in this picture book. Her words look at the wonder of a new world filled with green leaves and the promise of eventual flight. She creates a natural connection between the two characters who clearly enjoy their shared company. The beauty of the change from caterpillar to butterfly plays out against the sadness of Orange not being there. These quiet and aching moments create quite a special book.

The illustrations in this book are done in traditional and digital mixed media. The colors are so vivid and deep. They are large enough to work well with a group, focusing on the bright colors of the caterpillar and butterfly and also the greens and blues of their surroundings.

A marvelous book about butterflies, their life cycle and the circle of life. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Page Street Kids.

The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert

June 15, 2020May 3, 2020 | Tasha

The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert (9780316456388)

Alberta has lived in the small town of Ewing Beach her entire life. She’s one of the only Black kids in the entire middle school, so when another Black girl just her age moves into the old bed and breakfast in her neighborhood, Alberta is thrilled. Alberta does have a best friend, but Laramie doesn’t understand some of the things that Alberta experiences, particularly with Nicolette, a bully who makes sly comments that imply that Alberta is different or gets special treatment due to her race. As seventh grade starts, Laramie gets closer with Nicolette and the popular group of kids while Alberta finds herself spending more time with Edie, the new girl. When Edie and Alberta discover a series of old journals in the bed and breakfast, they find themselves untangling a mystery that reveals haunting secrets about race and identity.

This is Colbert’s first middle-grade book and she brings the skill she has shown in her award-winning novels for teens to this new audience. The book embraces difficult subjects but also shows how having a strong family and sense of identity eases even hard conversations and situations. The book deals very directly with race and racism, having gay parents and a complicated family structure, and divorce. It also explores middle grade friendships and their tensions with empathy and solid advice.

Through the two main characters of Alberta and Edie, readers get to experience different sorts of Black girls. Alberta wears bright colors and loves to surf, spending lots of time at the beach. Edie who is from Brooklyn, wears black goth clothing and loves to read. They are both far from being stereotypical in any way, something that shouldn’t need to be said about today’s books but is also still noteworthy. The adults in the book show the same differences and exude a sense of warmth and support.

A great middle grade read about family, friendships and race. Appropriate for ages 10-13.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Forest of Reading Awards

June 12, 2020June 11, 2020 | Tasha

The 2020 Forest of Reading Award finalists have been announced. Each year, students across Canada vote for their favorite title to select the winner. The winners will be announced on June 16th in an online children’s book festival hosted by the CBC. Here are the awards and their respective finalists:

BLUE SPRUCE AWARD (picture books for K-2)

Emma's Gems

Emma’s Gems by Anne Renaud & Leanne Franson

Giraffe and Bird Together Again

Giraffe & Bird Together Again by Rebecca Bender

The Magic Boat

Magic Boat by Katherine Farris & Kit Pearson, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

Me, Toma and the Concrete Garden

Me, Toma & the Concrete Garden by Andrew Larson, illustrated by Anne Villeneuva

Mustafa

Mustafa by Marie-Louise Gay

A Plan for Pops

A Plan for Pops by Heather Smith, illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan

The Reptile Club

Reptile Club by Maureen Fergus, illustrated by Elina Ellis

Sleep, Sheep!

Sleep, Sheep! by Kerry Lyn Sparrow, illustrated by Guillaume Perreault

Sloth at the Zoom

Sloth at the Zoom by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Orbie

That's Not Hockey!

That’s Not Hockey by Andree Poulin, illustrated by Felix Girard

SILVER BIRCH EXPRESS AWARD (Grages 3-4)

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk

Dragons in a Bag (Dragons in a Bag #1)

Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliot

Earthrise: Apollo 8 and the Photo That Changed the World

Earthrise: Apollo 8 and the Photograph that Changed the World by James Gladstone, illustrated by Christy Lundy

Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes

Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes by Wab Kinew, illustrated by Joe Morse

Light A Candle/Tumaini Pasipo Na Tumaini

Light a Candle: Tumaini Pasipo Na Tumaini by Godfrey Knongolo and Eric Walters, illustrated by Eva Campbell

Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein

Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey & Julia Sarda

Scholastic Canada Biography: Meet Tom Longboat

Meet Tom Longboat by Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by Mike Deas

Megabat (Megabat #1)

Megabat by Anna Humphrey, illustrated by Kass Reich

The Mushroom Fan Club

The Mushroom Fan Club by Elise Gravel

Wicked Nix

Wicked Nix by Lena Coakley, illustrated by Jaime Zollars

SILVER BIRCH FICTION AWARD (Grades 3-6)

Anyone's Game

Cross Ups: Anyone’s Game by Sylv Chiang, illustrated by Connie Choi

Inkling

Inkling by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Sydney Smith

My Life as a Diamond

My Life as a Diamond by Jenny Manzer

The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane (Black Hollow Lane, #1)

The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel

Oculum

Oculum by Philippa Dowding

Orange for the Sunsets

Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide

A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying

A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Wings of Olympus (Wings of Olympus #1)

Wings of Olympus by Kallie George, illustrated by Fiona Hsieh

Winnie's Great War

Winnie’s Great War by Linsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

YELLOW CEDAR AWARD (Nonfiction for Grades 4-8)

Be Prepared!

Be Prepared! The Frankie MacDonald Guide to Life, the Weather, and Everything
by Frankie MacDonald & Sarah Sawler

Beavers

Beavers by Rachel Poliquin, illustrated by Nicholas John Frith

Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them

Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science behind Them by Galadriel Watson, illustrated by Cornelia Li

Follow Your Stuff: Who Makes It, Where Does It Come From, How Does It Get to You?

Follow Your Stuff: What Makes It, Where Does It Come From, How Does It Get To You? by Kevin Sylvester & Michael Hlinka

Amazing Hockey Stories: Hayley Wickenheiser

Hayley Wickenheiser: Amazing Hockey Stories by Lorna Schultz Nicholson, illustrated by D.A. Bishop

Highrise: The Towers in the World and the World in the Towers

Highrise: The Towers in the World & The World in the Towers by Katerina Cizek

Hubots: Real-World Robots Inspired by Humans

Hubots: Real-World Robots Inspired by Humans by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Alex Ries

Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History

Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History
by Allison Matthews-David & Serah-Marie McMaho, illustrated by Gillian Wilson

My River: Cleaning Up the Lahave River

My River: Cleaning Up the LaHave River by Anne Laurel Carter with Stella Bowles

Too Young to Escape

Too Young to Escape: A Vietnamese Girl Waits to be Reunited with Her Family
by Van Ho & Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

RED MAPLE AWARD (Fiction for Grades 7-8)

Call of the Wraith (The Blackthorn Key, #4)

Call of the Wraith by Kevin Sands

Crush (Berrybrook Middle School, #3)

Crush by Svetlana Chmakova

A Grain of Rice

A Grain of Rice by Nhung Tran-Davies

In the Key of Nira Ghani

In the Key of Nira Ghani by Natasha Deen

The Light Between Worlds

The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth

No Fixed Address

No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen

Operatic

Operatic by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiller

Stowaway

Stowaway by Pam Withers

Surviving the City (Surviving the City, #1)

Surviving the City by Tasha Spillet, Illustrated by Natasha Donovan

The Unteachables

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

WHITE PINE AWARD (Fiction for High Schoolers)

All Our Broken Pieces

All Our Broken Pieces by L.D. Crichton

Baggage

Baggage by Wendy Phillips

The Beauty of the Moment

Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena

Comics Will Break Your Heart

Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks

Crown of Feathers (Crown of Feathers, #1)

Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto

The Field Guide to the North American Teenager

Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe

The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali

The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

Sadie

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Synchro Boy

Synchro Boy by Shannon McFerran

We Contain Multitudes

We Contain Multitudes by Sarah Henstra

News to Wake Your Brain Cells – June 12

June 12, 2020June 11, 2020 | Tasha

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

7 books to help talk to your kids about racism, as recommended by black authors – Glamour

20 Canadian books for kids and teens to read for National Indigenous History Month – CBC

20+ children’s books that discuss race and racism – My Modern Met

25 must-read books for 4th graders – Book Riot

43 must-read books about racism for adults and kids – Chicago SunTimes

A children’s and YA anti-racist reading list – Publishers Weekly

How ‘Reading Instruction’ oppresses black and brown children – Forbes

JK Rowling gets backlash over anti-trans tweets – Variety

Revolution kid style now!: writing books (about kids) that break the rules – Horn Book

We Need Diverse Books steps up to help kidlit community – Publishers Weekly

LIBRARIES

Changes loom as public libraries begin to reopen – Publishers Weekly

How libraries are stepping up as a front line of resilience – Governing

NYC public libraries aim for July reopening, will offer grab-and-go service to start – 6sqft

Portland Library plans gradual reopening – The Portland Beacon

YA LIT

9 LGBTQ+ YA books for a joyful summer read – Nerdist

20 LGBTQ+ books for teens coming out in 2020 – Teen Vogue

21 exceptional and unputdownable YA books to read during pride – BuzzFeed

62 books by black authors we’re reading in 2020 – Teen Vogue

Chills and thrills: your summer of YA horror books – Book Riot

The utopian turn in YA lit – Los Angeles Review of Books

YA books about race and identity to diversify your teen’s bookshelf – Time Out

The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan

June 11, 2020June 11, 2020 | Tasha

The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan, illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle (9781624149238)

The little blue cottage on the bay waited patiently every year for the little girl to return. She came with the warmer weather, taking up her place in the window seat and looking out at the water. The cottage was her favorite place, filled with dolphins, seagulls, swimming and boats. When fall came, the little girl and her family left once again, leaving the cottage to face winter. Still, summer came each year and the girl arrived, growing ever bigger. Eventually though, she and the family stopped coming, leaving the blue cottage to fade to gray, empty and waiting for years. Then one day, the girl, now a mother, returned to her beloved cottage to repair it, repaint it a merry blue, and live in it once more.

Jordan’s text invites readers to really experience the seasonality of cottage life. She uses near rhymes and natural rhythms to share both the joy and loneliness of the cottage that mirrors the emotions of the humans in the story as well. The long seasons of neglect have a quiet dignity to them, while the triumphant return is a marvelous ending.

The illustrations are detailed and visually interesting. They show the cottage on its own little beach, the beauty of the busyness of the family and the light they bring with them. The growing weeds and fading paint are particularly well done. The family is multicultural, adding to the book’s appeal.

Just right for vacation reading, this one will have you dreaming of a cottage on the water. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy provided by Page Street Kids.

Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse by Johnathan Stutzman

June 11, 2020June 12, 2020 | Tasha

Llama Unleashes the Alpacalypse by Johnathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox (9781250222855)

Llama continues on his path of scientific exploration and world destruction in this second picture book in the series following Llama Destroys the World. The book opens with the promise that by dinner Llama will have unleashed a great alpacalypse upon the world. Breakfast comes first but Llama makes an awful mess making a balanced meal. He hates to clean up, so he turns to inventing a new solution, a dangerous one, a Replicator 3000. At lunch, Llama invites Alpaca over. Alpaca loves to clean and soon is inside the replicator. With a zoop, she is replicated, but then Llama continues to push the button, creating an army of cleaning alpacas set to clean the world. As they leave Llama’s house and head out, dinnertime arrives. Disaster near, but a clever plan involving great pizza may be enough to save us all, until dessert.

I adored the first book in this series which had plenty of humor and lots of science. This second book has a lot to love too. It has less science but continues with the wild humor of the first, offering plenty of clever noises, rather clueless characters, and dangerous but exhilarating science experiments.

Fox’s art adds to much to the book with her googly-eyed Llama and Alpaca, the merrily cleaning army, and the alarmed citizens. Swirls of toilet paper, wet mop paths, and spritzes of cleaner make this just right for our pandemic sensibilities too.

One joyous mess of a picture book. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Henry, Holt and Company.

New Zealand Book Awards Shortlists

June 10, 2020June 8, 2020 | Tasha

The shortlists for the 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for children and young adults have been announced. The awards are given in a wide variety of categories. Here are the shortlisted titles:

PICTURE BOOK AWARD

Abigail and the birth of the sun