families

Book Review: 999 Tadpoles by Ken Kimura

| Tasha

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999 Tadpoles by Ken Kimura, illustrated by Yasunari Murakami

Released May 1, 2011.

999 tadpoles are born in a small pond but when they turn into frogs, they completely run out of room to even breathe!  So mother and father frog decide they must find a new home to live in.  All of the 999 tadpoles follow their father across a big field.  He warns them about the dangers of snakes, just a moment before the little frogs come dragging a sleepy snake up to him.  They escape that danger, but don’t notice the hawk circling above them.  Down comes the hawk and grabs the father frog in his talons.  But when he flies up into the sky again, it is not just the father frog that comes along for the ride, but all of the frog family.  It’s a much heavier load than the hawk can manage, but what will happen if the frogs are dropped?

Kimura has written a book is a friendly, conversational style that is a pleasure to read aloud.  The voices of the little frogs and their parents are clear and individual.  Get ready to speak in more than one froggy voice for this book!  Kimura has also built plenty of action into his story which has adventure and dangers that will keep children’s attention.

Murakami’s illustrations create a very unique feel to the book.  Using white space to great effect, the polished yet simple illustrations have a graphic appeal to them.  With so many of the illustrations being shown from the overhead perspective, the humor of the number of little frogs is never lost. 

A book about tadpoles and frogs that focuses on fun, family, and humor.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from NorthSouth Books.

Also reviewed by Kids Book Review.

Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen–A Family Favorite

| Tasha

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Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen

When I first read Harris and Me, I had it along with me on a family trip with my husband and parents.  I ended up reading entire portions of it aloud to a room of adults who all hooted and laughed and begged for me to continue.  Then when my older son was around the right age, I read it aloud to him.  He loved it.  This week, I finished reading it aloud to my younger son, who loves to be read to but doesn’t care to read to himself much.  He asked for his own copy so he could read it whenever he liked.

Some lines from the book have entered our vocabulary in our family.  If I get grumpy, my husband (far too often) says “Now, Buzzer…”  Whenever a little car revs past our house, I say “the engine starved for oxygen its entire life.”  And perhaps even worse, we all get the joke and laugh, immediately thinking of the scenes from Harris and Me.

Paulsen has created a book that is so funny.  It reads aloud like a dream, and having read it aloud cover-to-cover at least 3 times by now, I should know.  The humor is often naughty, involving things like peeing on an electric fence, being kicked in the groin by a cow, and attempting to kill a very evil rooster.  At the same time, it is belly-laugh funny, quoting lines great, and will linger with you after you finish it.

And the ending, well.  Let’s just say it’s the most challenging part to read aloud because no matter how many times I read it, I will always cry.

So if you are looking for a book to hook a kid with its humor, with its inappropriateness, with its pure appeal, look no further!  This one is a winner with every person I have ever shared it with.  It’s a definite family favorite for three generations of our family.

Anna Hibiscus Series Continues to Offer a Charming Glimpse into Africa

| Tasha

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Good Luck Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

Have Fun Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

In the first two books about Anna Hibiscus, readers were treated to a glimpse into life in Africa among a large extended family.  But Anna Hibiscus has even more family, a grandmother who lives in Canada.  Book three in the series tells the story of Anna Hibiscus’ preparations for heading to Canada for the first time.  The first few stories reintroduce Anna Hibiscus’ family, including her baby brothers who get into all sorts of trouble.  The other stories tell of trying to find warm clothes suitable for a Canadian winter in Africa and how her family gives her a send off.  Book Four follows Anna Hibiscus to Canada starting with her plane trip.  Those of us in North America will see snow with fresh eyes, enjoy Anna Hibiscus’ first attempt at ice skating, and will enjoy getting to know her grandmother’s dog too.  This series continues to be a celebration of family, expanding now to far-flung families and new adventures.

Atinuke tells all of her stories with a storytellers structure and tone.  There is repetition that echoes throughout the series, tying them all together nicely.  At the same time, her structure remains easy and friendly, offering an inviting cadence to old and new readers alike. 

The entire series is illustrated by Lauren Tobia.  The illustrations weave throughout the book, creating a window into the cultures shown in the stories.  They make the book welcoming for newer readers who will find a great friend in Anna Hibiscus.

If you were a fan of the first two Anna Hibiscus books, make sure to check out these two as well.  They are just as lovely as the first.  Appropriate for ages 6-9.

Reviewed from copies received from Kane Miller.

Cinnamon Baby

| Tasha

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Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley, illustrated by Janice Nadeau

Miriam was a baker who had her own little bakery where she made wonderful breads.  She always saved the cinnamon bread for last because it was her favorite.  As she made the bread, she sang the songs of her childhood, weaving them with the scent of cinnamon in the air.  Then one day a young man named Sebastian bought some cinnamon bread and continued to by a loaf every day for a year.  Finally, he proposed to Miriam and she said yes.  Soon a baby was on the way, but when the baby arrived it cried and cried and cried.  Nothing would settle the baby down until Miriam got a sudden idea  and headed for the bakery with her family.  She made every kind of bread with the cinnamon bread saved for last.  And what do you think happened when her voice mixed with the cinnamon and sugar in the air?

This modern magical story is simply delicious.  Winstanley’s writing is gentle and strolling, building towards the story and throughout until it is neatly tied together by the end.  There is a sense of ease, of simplicity and of love throughout the entire book that is very comforting and warm. 

Nadeau’s illustrations have a modern feel to them with their bright mix of yellows and pinks against browns and grays.  At the same time, they feel timeless with the people riding bicycles, pushing prams, and the motif of curling wrought iron. 

This sweet story has the spice of cinnamon to keep it interesting and the warmth of bread baking to keep it filling.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Kids Can Press.

Tall Story: A Magical Giant of a Book

| Tasha

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Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

Andi is a very petite 13 year old and has just found out that she won’t be able to play point guard on her school basketball team, because her family is moving.  The move from their small apartment to a larger home will hopefully allow her older brother, Bernardo, to join their family at last.   But there is no basketball team for girls at Andi’s new school and when her brother does arrive, he is a giant!  Bernado feels very guilty leaving the Philippines and his small village behind.  Over the years, he has become an almost folk hero for his village, where he is credited with stopping the daily earthquakes.  Now he and Andi have to figure out how to be siblings to one another, what family means, and how basketball plays into it all.  This is a funny, touching and heartwarming story that has a great depth to it as well.

The novel is written from both Bernardo’s and Andi’s points of view, allowing readers to relate to both protagonists.  This also underscores their different attitudes about family and their relationship with one another.  The book weaves magic into a realistic story in a way that will have readers convinced that there is magic at work, yet able to also think it may simply be coincidence.  It is very subtly crafted.

This book deals with deep subjects of culture, family and belonging.  At the same time, it remains upbeat and celebratory of our diversity.  This is a book that would work well as a classroom discussion thanks to its natural depth and its positive attitudes.  There is plenty here to discuss that is timely and relevant to any community.

Highly recommended, this is a book that will put a smile on your face and warm your heart.  Appropriate for ages 10-13.

Reviewed from copy received from Random House.

You can check out the book trailer below:

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Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale

| Tasha

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Sweet Moon Baby: An Adoption Tale by Karen Henry Clark, illustrated by Patrice Barton

This is an adoption story that takes a more fairy tale approach.  In China, perfect baby is born.  However, her parents don’t have enough food for themselves and worry about the future of this tiny baby.  So they put trust in the moon and send their baby away down the river.  On the journey, several animals help that baby.  While she sleeps, she is carried by a turtle, flown high by a peacock, sheltered by a monkey, and guided by a panda.   On the other side of the world, a family is waiting for a child.  While they wait, they prepare for her.  They create a garden, plant trees, build her a room, and fill it with pretty things and lots of books.  They know she is there, but where?  They travel long distances following the moon’s path.  And when the moon paths of the baby and the family meet, so do they.

So often adoption books are about the concrete steps taken from one family to the next.  It is a pleasure to read a book that is whimsical and magical about adoption.  Clark’s writing celebrates the connection between child and new family while paying homage to the birth family as well.  The entire book is suffused in a gentle beauty that allows anyone reading to know immediately that this is a joyous tale. 

Barton’s illustrations are particularly fine.  From the first two-page spread of the new baby and her bright-eyed beauty, the illustrations are captivating.  They have a subtle humor to them as well as a soft touch that matches the tone of the book.  Done in sketches and then digitally, the images have interesting textures.

A very successful fairy-tale telling of the adoption story, this book may not answer the questions of how an adoption takes place, but it does speak to the magical nature of love.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Knopf Delacorte Dell.

Pecan Pie Baby: Warm and Sweet

| Tasha

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Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Gia is not looking forward to the new baby coming.  In fact, she is sick and tired of hearing about the “ding-dang baby” all the time.  That baby is copying her and her mother’s love for pecan pie.  It’s going to take all of her old outgrown clothes.  So when Gia is told that the baby will come with the first snow of the year, she wishes a secret wish for no snow at all.  Her friends at school want to talk about the baby coming just like her aunties, who don’t have the time anymore to play tea party with Gia.  Finally, Gia has had enough and yells “I’m so sick of that ding-dang baby!” at Thanksgiving dinner.  She is sent to her room and when her mother comes up to talk with her, Gia finds out that her mother too will miss all of their special times alone together. 

Woodson’s writing skills translate finely into the picture book format.  She has created a very readable, very engaging book for all of the new siblings out there.  The depth of Gia’s feelings are an important piece of the story as are her worries about her entire life changing because of this interloper.  Nicely, Woodson does not feel a need to “fix” Gia’s feelings, instead she validates them and allows her the anger and concern.  In fact, the lack of a baby at the end and the resolution of Gia’s feelings is not here.  That makes it a much more powerful book.  Though snow has begun to fall as the book closes.

Blackall’s art is warm and rich, depicting a loving relationship between mother and daughter.  This relationship is at the heart of the book and is celebrated on almost every page.  Additionally, the multicultural children and adults make for a book that has a very inclusive feel to it.  

A warm and lovely book, this is an honest look at the conflicting feelings of expecting a new sibling.  Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Putnam.

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Old Bear and His Cub

| Tasha

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Old Bear and His Cub by Olivier Dunrea

Old Bear and Little Cub live together.  Old Bear loves Little Cub with all his heart, and Little Cub loves Old Bear with all of his heart.  Old Bear makes sure that Little Cub eats all of his porridge, wears his scarf in the snow, doesn’t get hurt, and takes his nap.  But when Old Bear catches a cold from not wearing a scarf himself, it is Little Cub that knows exactly what Old Bear needs to feel better.  This is a delight of a book that will have children laughing as the roles reverse between the adult and child.

Dunrea’s latest has such a winning tone to it.  Reading just the first few lines, I knew I was in for a treat.  And it just kept getting better.  Dunrea uses repetition to great effect here, as Little Cub refuses to do what Old Bear is telling him, insisting that he won’t and Old Bear insists that he will.  Then Old Bear stares hard at Little Cub and Little Cub does as he is told.  The same exchanges happen when it is Old Bear who won’t do what is best for him, complete with the hard stare. 

I also appreciate a book where the adult’s relationship to the youngster is not clarified.  This makes the book work for many families, allowing them to see themselves reflected here.  Whether it is a grandparent raising a child, a single parent, an uncle, this book reflects that relationship and that love.

Dunrea’s illustrations center around the pair of bears and their relationship to one another.  Both obviously headstrong and very loved by one another.  The bears are shown against Dunrea’s white backgrounds that are a mark of his work.  While the white could be stark, here it serves to highlight the warmth of the relationship.

A great winter read, this book is all about loving and families.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Philomel.

Make sure to check out the sketches and studies for the book at Olivier Dunrea’s website.

Jake: A Small Present Filled with Christmas Joy

| Tasha

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Jake by Audrey Couloumbis

Only a few days before Christmas, Jake’s mother falls and breaks her leg.  With his mother in the hospital awaiting surgery, Jake has to get to know a grandfather that he has only talked with on the phone.  When Jake’s grandfather arrives, he is nothing like Jack had imagined him.  Though gruff and rather military, his grandfather also has friendly crinkly eyes and a voice that is deep and friendly.  He does have a nightmare dog that Jake is definitely wary of.  Luckily, Jake also has a next door neighbor who takes care of him occasionally and is an adult to ask the important questions of the hospital, handle the car that was left in the parking lot, and also gives Jake a place to feel at home.  As Jake gets to know his grandfather, he realizes that memories he thought were of his father are actually memories of his grandfather.  The holidays arrive, and Jake, his mother and their family of friends create a warm and happy holiday for one another.

This is a small book with a huge heart.  Jake is a protagonist who is bright, funny and optimistic.  The depiction of a single mother is well done, especially with her fascinating group of friends and the neighbor.  This is a child who has been surrounded by loving adults his entire life and it shows.  His bonding with his grandfather is shown clearly and is given plenty of time to mature naturally.  The depiction of the older characters in the book is very well done with plenty of flirting and personality.  These are multi-dimensional people who are a pleasure to spend time with.

A joyful holiday read, the book has plenty of warm moments and great characters.  It is a celebration of family, no matter what that family may look like.  

Reviewed from copy received from Random House.