music

Review: Zoozical by Judy Sierra

| Tasha

zoozical

Zoozical by Judy Sierra, illustrations by Marc Brown

This sequel to Wild About Books continues with the same vivacious spirit of the first.  It is winter and the visitors to the zoo start to stay home.  All of the animals had the winter blues too.  But just when the blues seemed to be inescapable, a very small hippo and young kangaroo started to hop.  Soon everyone was dancing along with them and then everyone started to sing.  The dancing and singing turned into their own stage show complete with sets and costumes.  Once again, the zoo was the place to be despite the snowy weather.

Told in rhyming verse, there is a bubbly, bouncing feel to the book.  The verse also reads aloud tremendously well thanks to the rhymes and the natural rhythm that Sierra has created in each line.  The thrill and creativity of the theatre are captured in the jaunty text as is the slow, winter dullness. 

Brown’s art is boisterous, big and bright.  The colors change from the blues and grays of winter into an almost tropical feel when the animals are feeling themselves again.  Greens, oranges, yellows and reds pop and glow on the page.  There is always plenty to keep your eye on in the illustrations as well, giving children a reason to read this one again and again.

A standing ovation to Sierra and Brown for this bright, bubbly, boisterous book.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Random House Children’s Books.

Review: Little Pig Joins the Band by David Hyde Costello

| Tasha

little pig joins the band

Little Pig Joins the Band by David Hyde Costello

His family all call Jacob, Little Pig, and he is the smallest in his family.  So when his siblings get out his Grandpa’s old marching-band instruments, Little Pig has trouble finding one that fits him.  He’s far too small for the drums, too little for the trumpet and trombone, and don’t even ask about the tuba!  All he can do is watch as his older brothers and sisters march around the room.  But when they come to a crashing stop, Little Pig knows just how he can join the band after all.

This simple story speaks to everyone finding their own niche and value in a family.  Here, Little Pig finds the special place for himself rather than the older children or adults helping him.  It makes for a very powerful message for young children, that not only do they have value but they can discover it on their own. 

Costello writes with simplicity and a solid feel.  His story has small, clever asides that are filled with puns as well.  His art is friendly and cheerful.  Little Pig has an oversized snout, small eyes and expressive ears.  Even the older children are treated as individuals in the art, with one decked out in hat and a boa.  I can see more stories about the children in this family.

A strong story about finding your place and becoming a leader, this book has a cheery feel that is very appealing.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Charlesbridge.

Also reviewed by

Book Review: A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg

| Tasha

Layout 1

A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg, illustrated by Colin Bootman

This is the heartfelt fictional story of Louis, a 10-year-old boy living in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits.  When the storm hits, no one is really worried, until it worsens.  Then there is no time for the family to gather any belongings except Louis’ horn.  When they leave their home, they find a piece of porch floating and Louis and his mother climb aboard.  His father pushes the porch with them safely on top.  On the way, they saw disturbing things: a dog they are unable to rescue and a body floating by.  When they finally got out of the deeper water, they headed for the Superdome with the rest of the crowd.  His father went in search of food and water, leaving Louis and his mother in the seats.  But when some people got rowdy, they moved to a safer part of the Superdome.  The question becomes how will they ever find Louis’ father again?

Beautifully written and illustrated, this book bring images from the flood to life.  Uhlberg manages to write in an unflinching and honest way, while still keeping his young audience clearly in mind.  There are difficult issues here, but they are presented in a way that can be glossed past or more deeply explored.  Uhlberg also manages to build moods very skillfully from the storm itself to the days of waiting in the Superdome, there is a constant sense of hope.

Bootman’s artwork is exceptional.  He evokes fear, concern, but above all love and hope in his images.  The paintings play light against dark throughout, until the climax of the theme at the end of the book. 

A personal and powerful look at the impact of Hurricane Katrina, this book would work well in a classroom setting and for any child wanting to learn more about the hurricane.  Appropriate for ages 6-9.

Reviewed from copy received from Peachtree Publishers.

Also reviewed by:

Five Flavors of Dumb: It Rocks

| Tasha

5 Flavors of Dumb

Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

Winner of the 2011 Schneider Family Teen Book Award

High-school senior, Piper has been invisible in her school for years.  Until one day, she gets herself a lot of attention for cheering for a band.  Not that unusual?  Well it is for Piper, because she’s deaf.  And now her mouth has gotten her involved with the band as its manager.  Now the girl who can’t hear the music has to figure out how to get the band ironically named Dumb paying gigs.  And she has to do it in a month.  Piper is tired of being invisible to her classmates and her family, so being a band manager comes at exactly the right time for her.  It will take her getting to know the members of the band, understanding a lot more about herself, and learning to feel the music before she can discover her inner rock and roll. 

John has written a book with protagonist who has a disability but does not let it dictate her life.  Piper is a great character who is filled with self-doubt but does not allow it to stop her from moving ahead.  She is at times jealous, manipulative, pushy and self centered, and it all makes her that much more human and relatable.  Throughout the book she is one amazing, powerful female character.  Nicely, the book also has other great girl characters of different types. 

This book just feels real.  John uses music and humor in the book to create a beat that moves the story forward.   Small touches make sure readers know they are in Seattle.  Piper’s entire family is vividly dysfunctional but equally believable and filled with love for one another, though they have problems showing it.  The growth of the characters, including Piper’s parents, has a natural feeling. 

Highly recommended, this is a great teen book that is certainly not dumb.  It just rocks.  Appropriate for ages 14-17.

Reviewed from copy received from Dial Books.

Drum City

| Tasha

Drum City by Thea Guidone, illustrated by Vanessa Newton

A great choice for a musical story time, this book offer charming illustrations and a dynamite beat.  The beat starts with one child banging on a pot with a whisk and spoon.   Soon children take to the streets with all sorts of objects to drum with: pots and pans, kettles and cans.  They march down the street, surprising grown ups with their music.  The parade of people grows and grows, turning the entire city into a city of drums.  Not only does this book offer a catchy beat, but it also shows the delight of music and its ability to bring people together.  Drum!

Guidone’s words create all sorts of rhythm, never hesitating to be jazzy or complex.  This makes the book far more interesting to read aloud than a sedate or steady beat.  She begins most stanzas of her poem with the word “drum” and ends most with that word too.  This gives everyone a chance to stop and restart with another rhythm.  Purely infectious! 

Newton’s illustrations, done in Photoshop, are filled with a city of people of all colors, ages, and occupations.  Interestingly, they incorporate not only digital art but a collage effect with word clippings in unlikely places.  Sharp-eyed children will also spot postage marks in the pictures. The illustrations nicely capture the busyness of an urban setting along with the excitement of the music.

Recommended, this book is one you must try with children.  Just go with the rhythm, hand everyone different things to drum with, and everyone is sure to have a bang up time.  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from copy received from Tricycle Press.

Boom Bah!

| Tasha

Boom Bah! by Phil Cummings, illustrated by Nina Rycroft

Break out the noise makers, drums, and kazoos and start your own band after you share this one. 

It all starts with a mouse tinging a spoon against a teacup.  Then the cat gets involved by banging a spoon on a can.  Pig grabs two pot lids to bash together as cymbals.  And soon a line of animals are marching and dancing to the beat.  What could that be coming over the hill?  A real  marching band with real drums, a tuba, trombones and more.  Everyone starts to play music together with a happy “Hey ho!”  A jolly book filled with rhythm, music and merriment, this is a winner of a book for toddlers. 

Cummings text is kept to a minimum, just carrying the noises and the beat along with it.  The words are simple and great fun to read aloud because they are so jaunty.  Rycroft’s art is silly and warm toned.  I love that she included diving insects on most of the pages.  If you look closely you can even see beetles in the grass who also get caught up in the music.  Her attention to the small but delightful details is clever and adds to the fun. 

Highly recommended when you want a story time about music and you don’t mind the kids getting loud with their own marching band.  Appropriate for very small children through preschool, this book will work for ages 1-4.

Reviewed from copy received from publisher.

Shake, Rattle & Turn That Noise Down!

| Tasha

 

Shake, Rattle & Turn That Noise Down!: How Elvis Shook Up Music, Me & Mom by Mark Alan Stamaty

When Mark Alan Stamaty’s parents gave him his own radio at age eight, they thought he’d be listening to the gentle popular music of the time.  But one evening, Elvis and “Hound Dog” blasted from the radio and everything changed with rock and roll.  Mark’s mother was alarmed at this new music and forbade him from buying any of Elvis’ records.  Mark was still able to read about Elvis in magazines, listen to him on the radio, and even see him on TV.  Eventually, Mark’s mother gave up and gave in and he was able to buy Elvis records.  Mark changed the way he did his hair into an Elvis pompadour, helped the other boys in his class get the same look, and when his school picture was taken everyone thought he looked just like Elvis.  So it was natural when the Cub Scout talent show came along that Mark impersonate Elvis, but how would his mother react?

Stamaty is a cartoonist and that shows in this book.  Filled with the frames of cartoons, speech bubbles and caption, the book has its own rocking and rolling feel.  His illustrations show a delightful mix of vintage and modern that echoes the feel of Elvis too.  This book will not work well as a read-aloud because of the graphic novel format, but individuals will enjoy it immensely.  The final pages of the book are a real treat as readers get to see the famous Elvis school picture and a snapshot of Mark performing in the Cub Scout event.  There is also information on Mark performing as Elvis for President Clinton.

A humorous look at a moment in history, this picture book will be most appreciated by slightly older children who can identify with growing up and having preferences of one’s own.  Appropriate for ages 6-9.

Reviewed from copy received from publisher.

Check out Linda Davick’s interview with Mark Alan Stamaty as well as Stamaty’s own website.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

| Tasha

All Things Bright and Beautiful by Ashley Bryan

Renowned illustrator, Ashley Bryan, takes the beloved hymn by Cecil F. Alexander and adds cut-paper illustrations.  Starting with the sun as a Ferris wheel, he creates entire ecosystems in paper.  Readers will see a huge whale, people of every color, fantastically detailed flowers and birds, mountains, rivers, and much more.  This book is a feast for the eye, filled with bright colors and smiling faces. 

This book will work well paired with Bryan’s other book, Let It Shine, which has a similar style.  Bryan did the entire book with his mother’s sewing scissors, as he mentions in the first pages.  This book is a true tribute to the vividness of life, the wonder of our land, and the diversity of our planet.

Highly recommended for every library collection, this book is a feast of color, art and song.  Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from copy received from publisher.