Picture Books

Lighthouse Ladies by Kris Coronado – Book Review

| Tasha

Lighthouse Ladies: Shining a Spotlight on Hardy Heroines by Kris Coronado, illustrated by Islenia Mil

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.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Clarion Books.

Nightsong by Sally Soweol Han – Book Review

| Tasha

Nightsong by Sally Soweol Han (9781547615063)

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.

Blue Sky Morning by Kim Jihyun – Book Review

| Tasha

Blue Sky Morning by Kim Jihyun (9781782509080)

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.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Floris Books.

Giant Parsnip Soup by Daniela Sosa – Book Review

| Tasha

Giant Parsnip Soup by Daniela Sosa (9781665961967)

What should you do if you find a giant parsnip with your friends? Make giant parsnip soup together, of course. All it takes is 1 giant parsnip, 2 bags of potatoes, 3 crates of carrots, and more ingredients as we count to ten together. A diverse cast of children work together on the huge pot of soup that is taller than them. There are children of a variety of races, children with hearing aids, and a variety of ages. The book ends with 10 full bellies once a dog and cat join in the fun.

A friendly and bright counting book sure to make your tummy rumble. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Beach Lane Books.

Double Dutch Queen by Deann Wiley – Book Review

| Tasha

Double Dutch Queen by Deann Wiley (9781250876386)

Shay would love to try double dutch with her cousins, but she’s way too worried about getting tangled in the ropes or falling down to give it a go. She knows that she can do other complicated and fast things like hula hooping or roller skating, but in the end she longs to double dutch. It’s not until her auntie comes out and skips rope herself that Shay is encouraged and brave enough to risk trying it herself. Soon all of her cousins are cheering her on too. A picture book featuring a large Black family where taking a risk and failing seems far too frightening to even try. The illustrations are large and bold with bright jump ropes and the perfect sunny day. Great for encouraging trying new things while surrounded by love.

Appropriate for ages 4-6. Reviewed from e-galley provided by Henry Holt & Co.

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess – Book Review

| Tasha

Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Cátia Chien (9780063216723)

It’s a hot July day in the city as two siblings head outside. The fire hydrant offers some splashes of water along the way. They give the musician in the park some coins. There is watermelon to feast on and music that comes through the open windows to dance to. The two climb way up to the top of the building where they wait… for fireworks!

From the anticipation through their entire day to the marvelous display at the end of the book, this picture book truly captures the joy of fireworks, their mesmerizing qualities, and the fizz that stays with you afterwards.

A great summer read. Appropriate for ages 3-7.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by HarperCollins.

Firefly Season by Cynthia Leitich Smith – Book Review

| Tasha

Firefly Season by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Kate Gardiner (9780063274440)

Piper loves spending time with her cousins and family in Cherokee Nation fishing, dancing, and learning to speak Mvskoke. Back home, Piper has a new neighbor, Sumi who is a few years younger. The two girls start a friendship, spending lots of time together. Then Piper’s parents decide to move away. The two girls are sad but keep in touch. Until Piper’s mother has a great idea to bring them closer together.

In the strong tradition of found sisters and family, this picture book celebrates both family connections and those we find along the way. The illustrations capture both nature and also the natural postures and facial expressions of the characters in a way that connects readers to the page.

A big-hearted book about friends who become family. Appropriate for ages 5-9.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Heartdrum.

Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin – Book Review

| Tasha

Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin, illustrated by Yu Yin, translated by Shan Chen (9781623546236)

A young boy and his family head into the Chinese mountains to pick tea together. Father usually goes on his own, and it’s a special treat for everyone to come along. They must pack extra clothes for the mountain weather and carry baskets on their backs. When they reach the mountaintop, there are the tea fields. Everyone must work together to pick the tea leaves with their sticky juice. The brothers work hard, have some fun, take a nap, and enjoy their day together as a family. The nature around the family is shown in deep greens, from the mountains to insects to birds and snakes.

This is a fascinating glimpse of Chinese culture. Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Charlesbridge.

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the Day) by Corey R. Tabor – Book review

| Tasha

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor (9780063373587)

Crow is sitting on his spot on the telephone wire and doesn’t want to play today. He KAWS Squirrel away rather than joining in creating a mess of trash, he won’t practice tricks and loops with Hummingbird, and rejects all of the other animals too. Crow seems awfully grumpy until the phone rings and he suddenly leaps into action! Children will love the sudden change from angry Crow to saving the world and then seeing Crow come back to the telephone wire and be much friendlier.

Clever and funny, this is one for those curmudgeons among us, and their friends. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Greenwillow Books.