Book Reviews

Preschool Day Hooray!

| Tasha

Preschool Day Hooray! by Linda Leopold Strauss, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata

This friendly, bouncy book offers a glimpse at a preschool day that is perfect for children heading to preschool for the first time.  The book follows the course of a day in preschool.  It begins at the breakfast table, moves through arrival and drop off, crafts and playground play, snack and naptime, dancing and toys, to parents picking up the children.  Strauss’ verse is just right for small children with a happy cadence that is easy to read aloud. 

Nakata’s illustrations add to the friendly appeal of the book with their rosy-cheeked children who are often doing their own thing rather than acting as a group.  The illustrations are very child-focused and reveal the mess and exploration of preschool. 

My only issue in the book, which is filled with children of different colors, is that at the end of the book only Mommy is mentioned as picking children up after school even though the illustrations also show a father.  I’d rather have had Mommy changed to parents in the verse to show that Daddy is just as involved.

A very positive view of preschool, get this into the hands of new preschoolers!  It is printed on heavy pages with a sturdy binding, ideal for little eager hands.  Appropriate for ages 1-4.

Reviewed from copy received from Scholastic.

How Does a Seed Grow?

| Tasha

How Does a Seed Grow? by Sue Kim, photographs by Tilde

A visually interesting book all about seeds, sprouts and the harvest.  Each page is dedicated to one kind of seed complete with photographs of the seeds.  That then unfolds to show a large photograph of the seedling in a cutaway format that shows below the ground to the roots and up above the ground for the leaves.  Readers then unfold the page one more time to see a photograph of a child holding the fruit or vegetable.  The text is very simple and rhyming.  The illustrations are the heart of this book.  It is a book guaranteed to fascinate children not only with the unfolding pages but with the details of the seeds and seedlings.

The book covers tomatoes, blueberries, bell peppers, peas and oranges.  The brief rhymes do give a sense of the needs of plants from loose dirt to warmth to water and sunshine.  Readers will enjoy looking at the differences in the shapes and sizes of the seeds and the different ways that the seeds grow.  The children pictured with the fruits and vegetables are multicultural.  One quibble is that some of the pictures are a little blurred, which is noticeable when compared with the crispness of the other images. 

This book will work well in a classroom setting or in a story time focused on spring and plants.  The foldout pages will not survive circulation at a library for long unless they are reinforced with tape.  Appropriate for ages 2-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Simon & Schuster.

A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend

| Tasha

A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner

When Julia is killed in a car accident, it left a hole in Cass’ life that was impossible to fill.  When Julia’s drama friends discover that the secret project that Julia was working on is a musical with ninjas, they decide to perform it as a tribute to her.  But Cass doesn’t fit into the drama group without Julia there.  Especially not when Heather, a bully from middle school who publicly questioned Cass’ sexuality, is cast as the lead.  But Cass feels she must do something to fill that hole in her life Julia left behind, so she sets out on a solo bike trek over the summer from Chicago to California.  The book moves from the time following the bike trip when Cass returns to school and her travels.  It is about journeys, tributes, friendship, and love.  It is a book that fills holes, honors all kinds of love, and celebrates those of us who don’t quite fit in until we find the right people.

This book is not easy.  There are no simple solutions to a friend’s death, and Horner honors this friendship with a grand tribute.  From the beginning of the book, readers know that Cass does not complete her ride to California, but this makes the book even more powerful.  It becomes not about the accomplishment of the goal, but about the journey itself.  There are ugly truths in the book that readers are asked to understand and there are beautiful twists and turns along the way.  The book is a ride, a journey, a tribute and so it must be difficult and contain things that bring us to another place.

Horner’s writing is constantly showing and not telling.  Emotions are told through reactions, allowing them to be complex and much more honest.  She has created a heroine in Cass with such heart.  She is complicated, fascinating, and marvelous.  Horner also excels at backstory without burdening the reader.  Cass’ parents are Quakers and that influences her life tremendously.  Through the skill of Horner’s writing, that too is told as it comes up, revealing itself and its layers slowly.  This is much the same way that Cass’ sexuality is handled, honoring the process that Cass is going through to understand it herself.

Simply a magnificent book, get it on your shelves, into your hands and most of all into the hands of teens.  Appropriate for ages 14-17.

Reviewed from copy received from Dial Books.

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Moon Bear

| Tasha

Moon Bear by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illlustrated by Ed Young

Follow a moon bear through a year from one spring to the next.  Each page begins with a question that is then answered through a short verse.  So much of the book, just as with the bear’s life, is taken up with the search for food.  Food that will make children squirm and food that they too would love to find.  Guiberson’s text is more poetry than scientific information, offering readers a beautiful look at a rare creature.  Adding to the beauty of the book are the amazing collage illustrations by Ed Young.

The question and answer format of the text in this book make the book very intriguing and inviting.  The fact that it is verse works very well here, brief condensed verse.  This is certainly a nature picture book but never becomes dry with facts, rather it is an ode to an endangered creature.

Young’s illustrations add an exciting element to the book.  Done in collage, they contain photographs and patterns that keep the eye fascinated.  The illustrations also capture textures, combining them to great effect.  As the book comes full circle, it offers children a treat at the end of the book.  The author’s note at the end contains facts about moon bears as well as photographs of the bears.  To my eye, the ones built out of Young’s collage look even more real and true. 

Highly recommended, this is a celebration of a unique bear that we should all get to know with this unique treatment.  Appropriate for ages 4-8.

Reviewed from copy received from Henry Holt.

At the Supermarket

| Tasha

At the Supermarket by Anne Rockwell

This updated edition of Rockwell’s picture book from 1979 offers a modern and timeless feel.  A little boy heads to the supermarket with his mother.  They buy meat, fruit and vegetables, bread and peanut butter.  In the cold dairy case, they get milk, butter, eggs and cheese.  Then there are the items in boxes and cans like coffee and napkins.  But it turns out that this is a special grocery trip and the boy and his mother select items to help them bake a birthday cake, including sprinkles and ice cream!  Returning home, they bake the cake together.

There is something special about books that focus on a specific activity.  This book is both universal and specific.  Children will enjoy seeing the similarities of what their family buys and also the differences.  Rockwell wisely lingers on the specific purchases, offering images of many of them.  Her illustrations that update this new version of the book are done in acrylic gouache.  They are simple and specific, underlining the universal appeal of the book and its subject.

Toddlers will relate quickly to this book and enjoy seeing another child heading out to the grocery store with a parent.  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from copy received from Henry Holt.

Dancing Feet

| Tasha

Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig, illustrated by Marc Brown

This bright, fun book is sure to have toddler toes tapping in no time.  In alternating double-page spreads, children see the feet of an animal and then get to guess what it is.  When the page is turned, the answer is revealed.  The rhyme and rhythm here are great, adding to the dancing theme.  Each set of animal feet make a noise from Tippity! Tippity! to Thumpity! Thumpity!  This engaging picture book is ideal for toddler story time where children need to get their wiggles out.

Craig’s verses are filled with infectious rhythms.  The sound words she has selected make for book that will get kids moving and enjoying the guessing game.  Brown’s collage is filled with vibrant color made even more interesting with textures.  The illustrations are large and will project well to a group of children.

Toddlers who are wiggly will enjoy doing movements to this book, making animal noises and even using instruments to follow the rhythm of each type of foot step.  With so many animals inside, it is sure to find a place on your go-to shelf for toddler storytimes.  Appropriate for ages 1-3.

Reviewed from copy received from Knopf.

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Seeds of Change

| Tasha

Seeds of Change by Jen Cullerton Johnson, illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler

We have already seen two incredible picture books about Wangari, so I was hesitant to pick this one up.  I should never have hesitated.  This book adds to Wangari’s story by telling the story of her youth growing up in the bounty of Kenya.  Her mother teaches her about each tree and what it offers.  Though it was unusual for girls in Kenya to be educated, Wangari’s parents saw how bright she was and sent her to school.  After she graduated from elementary school, Wangari went to the city to continue her education, eventually heading to the United States to study biology.  Throughout her travels, she thought often of Kenya and her home.  Kenya had changed with the land being harvested for timber by big foreign companies.  Wangari returned to Kenya and taught women and children to plant trees, giving the people a way to feed themselves and turning the barren land green again.  In 2004, Wangari won the Nobel Peace Prize, the first African woman or environmentalist to receive it. 

Johnson has taken the time to really reveal where Wangari came from and what created the seeds of environmentalism within her.  Other picture books pick up where Wangari is seeing the damage done in Kenya, but this addition of her childhood and education make for a more complete understanding of her.  Sadler’s illustrations use thick white lines which remind me of batik or stained glass.  The images show interesting design choices that are often dreamlike. 

I would recommend pairing this with both Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli and Planting the Trees of Kenya by Claire A. Nivola.  The three together offer a strong environmental message combined with a complete view of the woman behind the movement.

Highly recommended, this book tells the powerful story of Wangari and her legacy in Kenya.  It shows readers that one person can definitely make a difference.  Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from copy received from Lee & Low.

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Nebeel’s New Pants: an Eid Tale

| Tasha

Nabeel’s New Pants: an Eid Tale retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams, illustrated by Proiti Roy

Nabeel had a busy day selling shoes, now he was ready to buy his family gifts for Eid.  He purchased a burqa for his wife, a dupatta for his mother, and bangles for his daughter.  On his way out, the shopkeeper recommended that Nabeel buy himself some new pants since his were worn and patched.  Nabeel agreed, but the only pants there were 4 fingers too long.  Once he got home, Nabeel gave his wife her gift but she was too busy to shorten his pants for him.  His mother was given her gift, but she was also too busy to shorten his pants before Eid.  Mariam, his daughter also was too busy.  So Nabeel went home and shortened the pants himself, 4 fingers.  His wife found time too to shorten the pants 4 fingers.  His mother came over and also shortened them 4 fingers.  Finally, his daughter too shortened the pants.  Now what was Nabeel to wear to Eid?

With the feel of a classic tale, this book offers a universal style of folktale with plenty of repetition and cumulative action.  Children of all cultures will immediately feel at home here.  Gilani-Williams has kept the text tight and focused, making a great read aloud Muslim story.  Even when the humor is unfolding, the text keeps a straight tone that adds even more humor.  Roy’s illustrations have a classic feel to them merged with a cartoon style. 

A clearly Muslim tale with a universal feel, this book is perfect for any public library collection.  It will fit in well with story times or units about clothing or celebrations.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from copy received from Marshall Cavendish.

I Know Here

| Tasha

I Know Here by Laurel Croza, illustrated by Matt James

The little girl in this story lives in a remote area of Saskatchewan where her father is helping to build a dam.  She lives in a trailer among a group of trailers.  There are woods to play in, a creek to catch frogs, and lots of animals.  But now her family is moving to Toronto.  Her teacher in their one-room school suggests that the children draw pictures to remind them of this place.  So the girl decides that she will draw a picture of her beloved home and all that surrounds it so that she can carry it with them to her new home, safe in her pocket. 

Croza’s words are understated and so allow us to really feel the emotion coming through them.  She has captured the emotions with skill and grace, not overwhelming them, but allowing them to stand on their own.  So many children have either moved or are about to move that this book will find a welcome audience and even better will offer children a way to deal with their emotions and what they miss or will miss. 

James’ illustrations are wild at times with a giant, alien frog on one.  They have intriguing perspectives and through the deep color also help reveal the emotions of the text.  They are imaginative and fantastical, capturing a world of wonder for the reader in their paint.

Few picture books have ever moved me to tears.  This is one of them.  There was such a bittersweet tone at the end that I responded from the gut.  Beautiful.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from library copy.

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A deeply-felt picture book, this picture book captures a setting with