Picture Book of the Day - What a Wonderful World, illustrated by Tim Hopgood

If this feels a little like something you've seen before on Sprout's Bookshelf, you're right! I think this might be a first, that I am reviewing a book whose text I've already written, about but with a different version by a different illustrator. 

It's no surprise that there are a couple of picture book versions of Louis Armstrong's iconic song "What a Wonderful World". The text is just about perfect to share with young children - an homage to beauty and a testament to hope. Sprout and I have read the version illustrated by Ashley Bryan for a couple of years now, checking it out from the library whenever we stumble across it. He loves the Ashley Bryan version because one of his favorite preschool teachers used to share it with the kiddos, so I wasn't entirely sure how he'd take to this update, illustrated by Tim Hopgood. 

But you know what? As it turns out, Tim Hopgood's What a Wonderful World is a totally different experience for Sprout than the beloved Ashley Bryan version. I credit the illustration styles, which are much different. Hopgood's take follows a small boy and a bluebird, as they venture throughout different landscapes and scenes. In the forest, they're celebrating the trees; they sing about the sky as the boy flies in a balloon; they swim in the ocean (well, the boy does) and frolic with horses. And every page spread is alive with color and motion and vibrancy, a really exuberant love song to the wonderful world in which we all live. 

I've always enjoyed the message of this song, and this fresh new take by Tim Hopgood just deepens my affection. Whether you want to inspire a classroom of kiddos or spend some time creating one-on-one, What a Wonderful World is a perfect pick to launch art projects, nature walks or other creative endeavors. Just be prepared to harmonize as you read - this title is so absolutely joyful, you almost can't help but sing!

What a Wonderful World, illustrated by Tim Hopgood, published by Henry Holt

All ages

Source: Library

Recommended 

Review: Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall

Let's say you want to write a children's book, and you are doing so because you have a point to make. If you're like many authors, you start out with that point in mind, then whip up a plot that more or less covers the ground you want, populate it with somewhat unique characters, and finish off with a great big ol' teachable moment at the end. Not unlike the ABC After School specials of my childhood, these types of books are somewhat less than subtle, if you get my drift.

And guess what? Kids tune out halfway through reading this type of thing. Oh yeah, you think you've been clever by making the character a monkey who doesn't know how to climb, or whatever, but trust me, kids see through it.

That's what makes Michael Hall's Red: A Crayon's Story such a winner. Hall definitely had a message in mind when he wrote this beguiling picture book, but the story is so well-executed, it totally sneaks up on young readers. It's filled with bold graphics that grab the eye and lots of sly humor. And, best of all, the theme -- that sometimes we're labeled one way, but we really are something else entirely -- is general enough to apply to lots of different scenarios, making this a great choice for school and classroom libraries, since educators can use it with all types of kids.

Our hero is Red, a crayon who doesn't fit in. He tries to do all the things he's supposed to -- draw a red berry, a red ant, even mix with yellow to draw an orange -- but he just can't. The other crayons have lots of opinions on where Red is going wrong. He should press harder, maybe, or not be so lazy. Even the other art supplies get in on the advice, offering to loosen his label or even sharpen him (ouch!). But try as he might, Red just can't do what is expected of him, and he completely blames himself.

In the end, it takes a sharp-eyed crayon called Berry to notice what's up -- Red isn't red at all, he's blue! And once Berry points this out, Red's whole outlook is changed. Suddenly he's drawing blue sky and ocean, and loving every minute of his crayon-y life.

Of course kids are going to see the problem right from the get-go, and they'll cheer like Sprout did when Red finally figures out his true colors. I read an interview with author/illustrator Hall in which he talked about his own childhood being diagnosed as dyslexic, and having written Red: A Crayon's Story in part as a response to that experience, I think Red absolutely works in that context, but in others as well. To be honest, my own first response and that of others I know who've read this book is to think of kids experiencing gender-identity issues. This would be an enormously comforting book to share with a child who didn't feel comfortable in his/her own skin, due to gender or any number of other experiences.

But most of all, Red is a great book to share with all kids, to teach them through a fun, lighthearted story that we are all more than the labels we give one another, and that we need to look beyond the surface to see someone's true colors - and to celebrate them!

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall, published by HarperCollins
Ages 4-6
Source: Library
Highly recommended

30 Days of Diverse Picture Books - Firebird by Misty Copeland

It's Day 21 of our 30 Days of Diverse Picture Books. Last night we finished rereading Charlotte's Web to Sprout - his kindergarten teacher read it to the class and he loved it so much, he checked it out from the school library and brought it home to reread. I adore seeing Sprout's fondness for books deepen and grow, and to hear him say, as we finished the last chapter, "I just love that story." Melts this mama's heart!

Tonight's pick is one that also melts my heart, because it's such an important example of representation. Firebird is a picture book by acclaimed American ballerina Misty Copeland. Copeland is the third African American soloist in the American Ballet Theatre, the only one in the past twenty years. She's written Firebird as though she's speaking to a young dancer who dreams of being a professional ballerina, but feels her goals are out of reach. Copeland explains in her author's note that she never saw herself in books about ballet when she was a child, and hopes to change that with this book.

Christopher Myers did the illustrations for Firebird, and as you might expect from Myers, the pictures are amazing. Somehow he's captured the fluidity and light and motion of ballet in static images, using color and texture to set off the figures that fly across the pages. Copeland's text is poetic and lyrical, sure to be an inspiration to young ballerinas. And it's lovely to see ballerinas with gorgeous brown skin, their costuming a match for their incredible athleticism. Major points to Copeland for using her fame to increase representation for young ballerinas of color.

Firebird is a stellar title that belongs on every aspiring ballerina's bookshelf -- while celebrity picture books rarely make my must list, this one deserves its place!

Firebird by Misty Copeland, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons

30 Days of Diverse Picture Books - Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales

It's Day 18 of our 30 Days of Diverse Picture Books. I'm often asked where I find so many great diverse titles to share. The truth is, they are out there but it sometimes takes a little bit of digging to find them! I have an advantage, being that I get paid to spend 40 hours a week working for the library (pinch me!). But I have begun to compile a list of recommended resources -- still a work in progress, so check back often.

Tonight's title is by the incredible artist Yuyi Morales: Viva Frida, a picture book homage to the artist Frida Kahlo. When this book arrived at my library, we really wrestled with where to put it, as it's an unusual take on a biography. We ended up putting it in the picture book section because frankly it's absolutely brilliant and I wanted it to get the widest audience it could, not be buried in biography. So there.

Morales's artwork is on full display here as she pays tribute to Frida Kahlo's life and work. There's an appearance by Diego Rivera, her self-portraits, her mystical realism, all of it. And the arresting imagery is accompanied by snippets of poetry that speak volumes. The final spread merely reads, "Vivo - I live!", but that's all the text that's needed, as Morales's image of Frida surrounded by animals and light and wearing vibrant clothing captures the essence of the artist entirely. It's a tremendous title, and would be the perfect starting place for an art unit inspired by Frida Kahlo's work. (An afterword fills in more details about Frida Kahlo's life.)

Pair Viva Frida with other art-infused picture books like Georgia's Bones or Vincent's Colors for an exploration of life, art and the world at large.

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales, published by Roaring Brook Press

30 Days of Diverse Picture Books - Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown

It's Day 3 of 30 Days of Diverse Picture Books. We're having a great time rereading some old favorites and checking out new books in order to select the titles for our 30 Days. Terrific stuff is coming your way!

Today's pick is a new title by debut picture book author Katheryn Russell-Brown -- Little Melba and Her Big Trombone. Russell-Brown joins the ranks of a number of authors who have turned the lives of Black Americans into engaging picture book material. In this case, Russell-Brown tells the story of Melba Liston, the first woman to achieve prominence in the jazz scene for her trombone playing.

And what playing it was! The book takes us back to Melba's youth, growing up in Kansas City "where you could reach out and feel the music". Melba longed to play an instrument, so her mother bought her a trombone. Melba set about teaching herself everything there was to know about that horn, achieving prominence as a composer and performer who worked with famous musicians of all sorts.

Melba Liston was a trailblazer, and it's wonderful to see her story brought so vividly to life (we especially love the jazz-infused style of illustrator Frank Morrison). Read this one with your kiddos and get ready to dance - 'cause Melba's story won't keep you in your seat for long!

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown, published by Lee & Low

Multicultural Children's Book Day - Review of Dreaming Up!

I'm SO excited about this event, folks - tomorrow, January 27, 2014 is Multicultural Children's Book Day. Dreamed up by the amazing bloggers Mia from Pragmatic Mom and Valarie from Jump Into a Book, this is an event designed to bring awareness and attention to the importance of multicultural literature in the world of children. You'll want to visit both Pragmatic Mom and Jump Into a Book tomorrow for all the Multicultural Children's Book Day festivities.

Of course you know this is an issue near and dear to my heart - the need for diversity in literature is what prompted me to begin writing Sprout's Bookshelf and what drives me to continue to seek out quality multicultural books for Sprout and other kids. I'm fortunate now to work in a library system, where a part of my job is ordering all the picture books for our branches. And I can tell you that, while there are some amazing multicultural books being published each year (you'll see proof of that from Multicultural Children's Book Day sponsors Susan Fayad and publishers Wisdom Tales, Chronicle Books, and Lee & Low), it's just not enough. Diverse books not only provide much-needed mirrors for children of color to see themselves reflected in literature, they also give white children a window into the experience of others. And that's vital if we are to raise sensitive, compassionate kids who are global citizens.

I read a whole lot of multicultural kids books over the course of a year and keep lists of hundreds more (check out our Pinterest boards for proof!), so it's never hard for me to find something to recommend when asked for a good pick. I find that some publishers are easy to rely on for thoughtful reads that incorporate diversity seamlessly into the storyline or characters. Lee & Low has long been a go-to publisher for me, and their recent book Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building was no exception. Author Christy Hale has pulled off an incredible feat with this title -- I mean, who would think that a book about architecture could be not only accessible to the picture-book set, but also a page-turner? But Dreaming Up is just such a book.

Right from the cover you know this title is going to be somewhat different. It features an illustration of a brown-skinned youngster building a block tower, against a field of photos of famous buildings. Inside, Hale presents the concept -- on the lefthand side of each spread, an image of children creating their own structures from familiar materials, and on the righthand side, a photograph of a landmark piece of architecture that mirrors the children's creation. Thus, kids who are stacking cups into spires are set opposite a photo of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. A house of sticks built by two girls flanks a picture of the Bamboo Church in Cartagena, Colombia. And best of all, each spread features a snippet of poetry, artfully arranged in a way that sets off the shape of the building being shown, and which suits the tone of the landmark as well.

I'm hard pressed to say just how terrific this title is, as a resource and as an inspiration. Sprout's eyes lit up when we explained the concept to him. He was every bit as fascinated by the book itself as with the glossary at the end, which shows each building along with the architect who designed it, and gives a brief history of creator and creation. I especially love the quote Hale includes from architect Nader Khalili, who said, "Everything we need to build is in us, and in the place." To me, that sums up the essence of Dreaming Up -- that the seeds that are planted in children as they play, take root in later life, when inspiration of place and material are married with those early dreams.

I love the thought that Dreaming Up may inspire a generation of future architects, designers, engineers, creatives of every sort. And I especially love that when we looked at the faces of all these great men and women, who designed such iconic pieces of artwork, Sprout pointed out that, "They all look different, Mom. And that man (Ghanian architect David Adjaye) looks like me!" Therein, my friends, is the power of diversity -- the dream made possible, viewed through windows and in mirrors.

Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building, by Christy Hale, published by Lee & Low Books
Ages 4-7
Source: Library
Highly recommended

My Blue is Happy by Jessica Young

If there's one thing librarians like, it's categorizing stuff. We just adore it. Lining everything up in its proper place, classifying a random bunch of things, making order out of chaos, well, that's the cornerstone of our profession. And while some take it a little too far (cue the stereotype of the rigid old lady with her bun pulled too tight), the rest of us see the beauty in organization. After all, if things are classified in a systematic way, it makes everything easier to find, right?

Well, that's true, but it's also the case that authors and publishers love to throw us curveballs. One of the hidden secrets of my own job is the extent to which we all consult to determine how to categorize materials so patrons can find them. Because after all, it's the rare person who comes into a library or bookstore armed with title/author/ISBN/publisher (present company excluded, of course). And so we deliberate over classification, over subject heading and series listings, and all the little moving pieces that make it possible for patrons to head up to a catalog and type in something like "animals train" and pull up Steam Train, Dream Train, for example. (Trust me, it works.)

And then along comes a book like Jessica Young's My Blue is Happy and all that carefully organized classification goes out the window. Oh it's a picture book, all right, that much is clear. But what's the subject? Colors, maybe -- you could easily put it with concepts because Young is describing each color using metaphors, if nonstandard ones, and the book is rich with saturated hues thanks to the illustrations by Catia Chien. Moods, perhaps -- our protagonist is considering the interpretation that someone else has about a particular color and contrasting that with the mood she is sometimes in. Or maybe it's creativity, and how we are all inspired by the same basic elements in different ways. Hmmm.

Luckily we don't have to narrow it down too much, and we can assign subject headings that encompass all of these aspects, and more if we need them. But still this is a tough book to boil down. I would argue that the elemental message of this book is that we all view life through our own unique lens. Even though most people have one association with something, you might have another take on it, and that's perfectly okay. The narrator knows that blue is sad for her sister, but she herself finds it happy, like swimming in the pool on a summer day. Orange might be fun for her cousin, but this girl finds it foreboding, like there's danger ahead. And she's not cheery with yellow, like Mom, but rather worried, like a trapped butterfly.

My Blue is Happy is a great title for talking with kids about how they view the world, and introducing the notion that we don't all see things in the same way. This may be a debut, but Young's confidence in her thesis is strong and her voice follows suit. It's definitely a title that will spark creativity in even the most seriously grounded youngsters (and grownups). Chien takes the same base color -- brown, for example, and shows how one tone of the color brings up one feeling to someone, while another tone has an entirely different connotation. The visuals are strong and impactful, and the message is one that will resonate with kids: being yourself can mean that you have a different view of things, and that's where the beauty and variety of life reside.

For little ones just starting to find their independence, Young's message is reassuring and supports the importance of individuality. Hey, even librarians don't agree all the time -- though I think most would find My Blue is Happy stands out all on its own.

My Blue is Happy by Jessica Young, published by Candlewick Press
Ages 3-5
Source: Library
Sample: "The boy next door says red is angry / Like a dragon's burning breath. / But my red is as brave as a fire truck / And my superhero cape."
Recommended

30 Days of Picture Books - The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

It's Day 9 of our 30 Days of Picture Books. Tonight's post is going up a bit later than normal because we were gone most of the day to a friend's birthday party. I must say, it's quite nice to have other adoptive families in our lives, and especially nice that our boys, all within 6 months of another, get along really well. Today was cupcakes, pizza and a major bounce house - what else do a bunch of 4 and 5 year olds need to have a fun day??!?

Our pick today is one that was a birthday gift to Sprout from one of the coolest folks we know (you know who you are, Auntie S.). She works at a book wholesaler and so we know a package from this auntie is going to be full of some bookish goodness. She didn't disappoint with this pick, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. It's every bit as fun as you'd think a book about crayons could be, and then some.

The title tells the story in a nutshell - one day Duncan reaches for his colors and discovers that the crayons have gone on strike. It all starts with Red, who is a bit stressed out from being in very heavy rotation, as colors go. Purple's upset that his color seems to be going outside the lines. Black is fed up that he's just used for outlines, Yellow and Orange are feuding over who is the best color for the sun, and Pink feels underused. Each color has its own unique complaint, and each writes Duncan an impassioned letter pleading its case. Duncan, fortunately, takes all the issues into consideration, and at last comes up with a solution that's the perfect display of each color's palette.

Oliver Jeffers does an amazing job of personifying the crayons themselves, manifesting in his drawings each of the complex range of emotions that Daywalt's text brings out. Each spread features not only the color who has written the letter in question, but also an example of Duncan's drawings that *illustrates* (like that artsy pun, there?) the problem at hand. We like White the best, I think; its complaint, as you might expect, has to do with going unnoticed, and is captured nicely within its letter -- written, of course, on black paper.

The Day the Crayons Quit is best for older preschoolers, just so that they understand the point of the story. It took a bit for Sprout to get the jokes here, as the humor is somewhat meta in nature. But once he did, he thought it was hilarious that the crayons had opinions and feelings. And I notice that ever since we first read it, he's a little more even-handed with his colors, making sure that everyone gets a turn.

Coincidence? Maybe, or maybe Sprout's just trying to prevent his own crayon walkout!

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, published by Philomel Books

Winter Fun with Kiwi Crate + Giveaway!

If you've read this blog much, or if you know me in my real life, you know I am anything but a crafty mom. I just don't have it in me. I aspire to be one of those awesome Pinterest folk who can turn a few bottle caps and some macaroni into a masterpiece du jour, with their toddlers no less, but alas, I fear it's not to be.

But my kid's another story. Sprout loves him some craft time. And when he started at preschool and began bringing home fantastic art projects one a regular basis, I knew we needed to step up the creativity around Casa de Kinser.

So what's a craft-challenged mama to do? Just so happens that I found the perfect answer for our situation in the form of one little green box. Kiwi Crate is a arts-and-crafts subscription service designed for kids ages 3-7 that is really beyond all my expectations. Really.

Here's the scoop: you sign your kiddo up, and every month a box of awesome arrives on your doorstep. It's tempting right from the get-go. You'll have to just let the dishes pile up and jump right into the fun.

Then you open it up and see all kinds of wonderful stuff. (You might lose your mind a little.)

Each Kiwi Crate contains all the supplies needed for two craft projects, tied together with a theme.

And when I say all the supplies, I mean *everything*. Ours came with high-quality watercolors, scissors, and pastels - score!

Sprout didn't have any trouble deciding which project he wanted to tackle - penguin bowling. As in, decorate your penguins and then use them as bowling pins, naturally. Right down a preschooler's alley, har har har.

We all got into the decorating fun. The Kiwi Craters not only sent us multiple penguins to decorate, they also included plenty of stickers for the perfect amount of flair for each one.

 

Sprout loved doing the decorating and using his imagination. We cracked out our markers to put on some finishing touches and give each penguin his or her own persona.

Sprout didn't let Daddy sit on the sidelines - he had to put down the camera and "make your penguins Daddy!". Unlike some of the stuff daddies have to do, this activity was pretty darn entertaining.

You will be very proud of your creation. You'll want to show it off to your family, your friends, the blogosphere.

This is the chance for us non-creatives to tap into our undiscovered artistic side. In our case, each of our penguins got a back story and a very original name. Like the one with the Rasta hat who Sprout named "Food-Bacon" (which, in retrospect, is just weird enough to be a celebrity baby name - you heard it here first.)

So then we had to try out the bowling aspect. . . first we did a bit of warmup with tabletop bowling.

It took tremendous focus and concentration to get those penguins flying. You gotta get your head in the game -- be the ball.

After a few warmup rounds, we were ready to go pro. STRIKE!

 

Coming soon to ESPN-3 -- Full Body Penguin Bowling! This might just be the next big thing, people.

Seriously, though, this was a way cool activity for all of us. Sprout loved having a creative outlet on a rainy winter day. Daddy loved the silliness aspect of the theme. Mommy loved not having to spend an hour in the craft store gathering up a bunch of supplies we'd only use once. It was all in that crazy Kiwi Crate ready and waiting for us. And Sprout was over-the-moon excited to hear he'd be getting another fun crate next month (the suspense is killing us).

Naturally we had to read some books to go along with our penguin-themed afternoon. We found three terrific stories to read, all about penguins, of course, but also about what it means to be a friend. (And not just a bowling pin!)

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester - Tacky uses his unique talents to save the perfect penguins from danger, even though they've never quite appreciated him.

Little Penguin by Patrick Benson - Everybody's bigger than Pip, even the other penguins! But she soon discovers that even the big guys don't measure up to a very cool new friend.

Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon - Penguin loves his friend Pinecone, enough to give him up when the two must part. But love doesn't go away so easily - instead it grows into something more.

And here's the best part - you too can get into the fun with your very own Penguin Bowling Set! The kind folks at Kiwi Crate have graciously provided us with a sample Crate to give away to one lucky winner. It comes complete with everything you need to bowl with penguins, plus a second activity of making postcards inspired by the Aurora Borealis. And there's other fun suggestions and surprises included also. You're going to love it!

(Photos provided by Jacob Kinser Photography. Prize provided by Kiwi Crate. Cuteness provided by Sprout.)

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Picture Book Review - Unspoken by Henry Cole

Next week I'll be attending the ALA Midwinter convention, and I'm pretty much thrilled. Not only is it my first trade show as an almost-librarian, it's also the one where the ALA Youth Media Awards are announced. You probably know these awards more by their individual names: Caldecott, Newbery, Printz, Coretta Scott King, Sibert, etc. This is a big deal for us kidlit folks - think the Oscars for children's book geeks. Swoon!

The Awards will be announced on Monday, and the kidlitosphere is all abuzz in predictions. (Pragmatic Mom has a nice rundown of the frontrunners compiled from some heavy hitters in kidlit.) Usually I don't dip my toe into those waters, preferring to watch from the sidelines and root for my own favorites to take the top prize, or at least an Honor. But this year I'm putting it out there in the form of my own pick for the Caldecott, the prize for illustration: Unspoken by Henry Cole.

Unspoken, according to the author's note, arose out of his history of living in Loudoun County, Virginia, an area steeped in connections to the Civil War. Cole reports growing up hearing stories from elderly relatives, themselves connected in some way to people who had lived during the war. And so, Cole recounts, "It's not so suprising that I wanted to create a picture book that was evocative of that era. . . . I wanted to tell -- or show -- the courage of everyday people who were brave in quiet ways."

And that's exactly what Cole has done. In this evocative book, we are transported to a homestead during the Civil War, when a young girl living on the farm discovers a runaway slave hiding in the family's barn. She knows what she's expected to do, to raise the alarm, and yet the look in the stranger's eyes convinces her otherwise. She begins to sneak out food, day by day, bit by bit. Then one day slavers come looking, asking questions. The girl watches, hidden, and fearful for her friend's life. Later, she sneaks to the barn, underneath the night sky with the North Star shining bright overhead. And there she finds her friend has gone, but left behind a gift: a smiling doll, fashioned from the cornstalks behind which the slave found refuge.

Unspoken is a bit of an unusual choice for an award winner: it features a black-and-white palette AND it's wordless. The two characteristics themselves aren't that uncommon - Chris Van Allsburg won the prize for his black-and-white Jumanji, for instance, and Jerry Pinkney for the wordless The Lion and the Mouse. But the two together? That's a bit of a stretch for some. And then let's not forget that this is a historical title to boot.

But quite honestly I don't think any of these factors, taken singly or together, should stand in the way of Cole receiving the top honor this year. Because this, my friends, is a simply extraordinary picture book. There's so much we don't know -- who the slave is, why he or she found this place, where he/she is headed next -- but none of that alters one bit of the power of this story. Cole's use of pencil brings the stark contrast of light and dark to the forefront, where it belongs in a book about slavery and the Underground Railroad. The expressiveness of the features on the characters, in particular our heroine, communicates so much beyond the thread of narrative - it tells of the emotions that surround the difficult choice one girl must make, the connection she feels to someone she knows not at all, and the fear she experiences when it seems her bravery may be uncovered. Cole goes far beyond technical skill here, to tell a story of courage in the face of danger, of hope in the midst of unspeakable fear.

Unspoken, for me, elevates the picture book format to art form in a way that I think might cause even non-picture book fans to stop and take note. And, whether or not the committee agrees, that's the mark of a winner in my eyes.

Unspoken by Henry Cole, published by Scholastic Press
Ages 4 and up
Source: Library
Highly recommended

Bonus: a review of Unspoken from Kirkus Reviewer Julie Danielson

30 Days of Picture Books - Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

It's Day 27 of Picture Book Month. Today I have a confession: I am not a crafty mom. I wish I was, because one of the things Sprout really loves is making all kinds of art, using different materials and really getting creative. But sadly, I'm more than a bit challenged in this area. I don't sew, don't knit, don't draw, and can't for the life of me seem to finish our wedding scrapbook (or, um, start it, I mean).

But I do really admire the creative impulse, and we try to nurture it in Sprout. One of my goals for next year is to try to incorporate some more crafting time into our family activities, because I think it's important for kids to flex their imaginations. After all, childhood is the time for flights of fancy, not hunching over a screen like you're toiling away in a cubicle all day, right?

To that end, I was thrilled to find the book that's our pick today: Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell. Sprout ADORES the first book by Lovell, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, and I do too. It's high on my list of books to recommend to all kids, packed with positive messages about being yourself and standing strong even when others try to knock you down. So we were pretty excited to read the next adventure with Molly Lou Melon, and I'm happy to say it does not disappoint.

In this latest outing, Molly Lou Melon is again acting on a lesson from her oh-so-wise grandmother, this time on using your imagination and the tools at your disposal to create your own playthings. Molly Lou's new neighbor, Gertie, has all the most expensive toys and elaborate gadgets around, but she's always bored. And so Molly Lou's showing her how to have fun, by being creative. Molly Lou cracks out some incredible creations, all of which come to life with David Catrow's colorful and whimsical illustrations. (Plus Molly Lou's delightfully droopy-faced dog is back again -- Catrow really draws the most terrific dogs, so perfect that you just want to reach out and scruffle their heads!)

Of this new book, Sprout says, "It's silly again!". He especially loves Molly Lou's cardboard-box race car, which she's painted and fashioned to look like the most amazingly cool paper-airplane ever (betcha that sucker is super fast!). I love that Lovell again sends a message about inclusion -- this time around Molly Lou's friend Gertie uses crutches, but it's not a plot point, just a feature about Gertie like her auburn hair or glasses. And Gertie learns that Molly Lou's way of having fun is so much better than watching TV or playing with a cell phone, so score one for old-school ways of amusing oneself.

Next time your kiddos complain that "there's nothing to do", share Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon with them, and talk about some of the ways you can inject some creativity into the day. With a little imagination (and some spare thingamajigs), you too can have as much fun as Molly Lou!

Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons

30 Days of Picture Books - Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

It's Day 21 of Picture Book Month and today I'm thinking about tradition. Picture books are a great way to bolster traditions and help celebrate new ones. As far as Thanksgiving goes, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade makes the holiday for a lot of people, myself among them. I remember sitting with my dad on the sofa watching the parade on TV, with the smell of turkey wafting through from the kitchen and the promise of family coming later in the day. Those Thanksgiving mornings are indelibly etched on my memory, and I know I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Sprout's never seen the Macy's Parade -- we don't have cable -- and so I wasn't sure if the pick for today would really speak to him. But I needn't have worried, because he loves parades. Who doesn't, really? The festivity, the color and music and pageantry of it all. When I took Melissa Sweet's Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade off the stack tonight, and told him it was about parades and balloons, that was all it took to pique his interest.

Sweet's book, which she wrote and illustrated and which has garnered a number of awards (including the Sibert Award, given for nonfiction), is many things. It's history and memoir, telling the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg and his quest to bring puppets to the Macy's Parade. It's inspiration, as we follow Tony's efforts, culminating in the unveiling of the amazing balloons that graced the Parade in 1928, and made balloons a centerpiece even of today's parades. And it's art, filled with incredible mixed-media illustrations that tell Tony's story and give even the most faraway readers a hint of the magic of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Balloons Over Broadway is a great example of some of the wonderful nonfiction available for kids, books that are impeccably researched and bursting with life. Teachers and parents who want to use this title to inspire art projects will find ample fodder for discussing invention and creation with kids; I can absolutely see this as a take-off for making puppets inspired by Tony's outstanding artwork (check out the author's website for loads of links related to this and her other titles).

For his part, Sprout was very intrigued by the notion of marionettes, which I realized that he'd never seen either, so we'll be hunting down an opportunity to watch some in action. And I wish I'd had a camera at the ready as we were reading the book the first time -- when I flipped to the page where Tony's first balloon takes flight over the street below, his jaw dropped wide open in complete amazement.

So as you watch the parade tomorrow, give a thought to Tony Sarg, whose vision and talented team of assistants brought the balloons to Broadway. Rest in peace, Mr. Sarg; our holidays are all the more magical because you were here.

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet, published by Houghton Mifflin

Picture Book Review - Dragon Dancing by Carole Lexa Schaefer

Ever since Sprout started preschool, art has become a big thing for him. His teachers believe in affording the kids lots of opportunities to stretch their creative muscles, providing them with all kinds of fun art supplies and giving them (mostly) free rein. One night a few weeks ago I came in to pick him up and he was busily constructing a caterpillar for Daddy's office - cut-up egg carton, pipecleaner antennae and googly eyes, just like I remember doing when I was in elementary school. It's so much fun to see the pride in his eyes when we display one of his fantastic creations, such as the neon noodle art and sponge paintings that are hanging on the family fridge even as we speak.

That same spirit of creativity is alive and well in Carole Lexa Schaefer's Dragon Dancing. Set in a preschool much like Sprout's, populated with a diverse cross-section of kiddos, the story begins with the class reading a book about dragons. Fueled by thoughts of these fire-breathing beasts, the students begin using their art supplies to create a magical dragon of their own. Soon the children, "in a long dragon line", are transported right out of their classroom and into strange and beautiful worlds beyond. The flights of fancy this creative parade takes can only be brought back to earth when the children are called back in by their teacher (of course).

One of the things we like best about Dragon Dancing is the way illustrator Pierr Morgan makes use of every bit of the page to tell her visual story. Sprout can pretty much read this for himself, Morgan's pictures are so vivid and lively. She captures the joy of the child-dragon as it ascends a snow-topped peak or tiptoes past breakfasting panda bears, starkly black-and-white against a background of soft bamboo forest. I'd love to know just how the artwork was created, because it strikes just the right balance between realism and softly whispered imaginings. This one's definitely a feast for the eyes, if ever there was one.

And the text is great too, filled with the kinds of phrases any true devotee of read-aloud will love to share. The dragon's not just dancing through the flowers, he is "swirl-whirling around whispery meadows." Rather than just swimming, he's "slip-sliding across foamy seas." You can just about feel the atmosphere Schaefer's dreamed up, just by the choice of dialogue she employs. This is magical stuff, and a great beginning to conversations about word choices and shades of meaning.

That is, if you get that far - you may just be captivated, as Sprout and I are, by the bounty of delightful imagery each page brings. At the end, Sprout's completely tickled by the fact that the children transform back into themselves just in time to share Mei Lin's birthday snack - lollipops, which he feels sure a dragon wouldn't really enjoy that much. And who knows, maybe he's right - but then again, a dancing dragon could need a little sugar boost too.

Don't save this one for Chinese New Year - bring it out any time you and your little ones want a feast for all your senses, in the form of this vibrant storytime choice!

Dragon Dancing by Carole Lexa Schaefer, published by Viking
Ages 2-6
Source: Library
Sample: "After, in the art room, we decorate for Mei Lin's birthday with sparkly paper and ribbons. Snip, twirl, flip. 'Look at me!' Mei Lin shouts. 'I'm Birthday Dragon!'"
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