30 Days of Diverse Picture Books - Ruby's School Walk by Kathryn White

It's Day 27 of our 30 Days of Diverse Picture Books. You know, sometimes I go along in my little bubble, forgetting how hateful the world can be. And then I'm brought up short by something like social media, where I was informed yesterday that I am "close minded", prejudiced and raising my son to have racial biases. All of which was said "in love". And that reminds me why it's necessary for us to have diverse books - because there are many, many points of view, and intolerance has no place in this world.

So, moving on. Tonight's book is Ruby's School Walk by Kathryn White, part of the series of Ruby books published by Barefoot Books. Sprout saw me preparing to write about Ruby's School Walk and wanted to make sure I mentioned that he likes the pictures best. They really are super adorable, so there wasn't much need for the reminder! Still, he's a fan of illustrator Miriam Latimer's style, as am I - whimsical yet realistic, a great accompaniment to White's story about all the crazy things Ruby sees on her walk to school.

For this is no ordinary school walk, ladies and gentlement. Oh no - Ruby's seeing crocodiles and witches and tigers (where there actually are innocuous, everyday things, of course. Right?). This makes the walk all that more adventurous, but we soon see that Ruby's repeated phrase, "I must be brave, I must be strong" has more to do with the reassurance she needs to get through the school day. Luckily her sweet mama's got Ruby's back, giving her a gentle boost that helps strengthen Ruby's flagging confidence.

Ruby's School Walk is equal parts fun and affirming, a great blend in a package that will make kids smile. And really, in a world that can be unkind, isn't that what we all can use?

Ruby's School Walk by Kathryn White, published by Barefoot Books

Picture Book Review - Baby Bear Counts One

Kids and animals are a natural match, aren't they? Sprout's been fascinated by animals almost from the first day we met, quickly getting over his hesitations with our dog Maxie to the point that within a few days of coming home, he was imitating her behavior. Our early days as a family were cemented by trips to the zoo and watching squirrels out our dining room window. Once we started visiting the library, the animal books came home in droves - we went through obsessions with dogs, cats, sea creatures and now dinosaurs. Lately Sprout's become a collector of animal-related trivia; spend much time with him, and you're bound to learn all kinds of facts about peregrine falcons and even, as I recently found out, the African crested porcupine (yep, it's a real animal).

And I know Sprout's not alone in his love for critters, which is why I tend to share so many of them here on the blog. (Also, I really like them - and it's my blog, so there.) Today's pick is one that will be a huge hit with the youngest kiddos, because it marries a concept and adorable animals. Honestly, take a look at the cover for Ashley Wolff's Baby Bear Counts One -- can you even stand the cuteness??

This title's a follow-up to Wolff's Baby Bear Sees Blue, which as you might expect was all about colors. With this outing, Baby Bear is watching some strange things happen in the forest around him. The animals are preparing for winter, and Baby Bear is noticing what they're up to -- and counting as he goes. Squirrels drop acorns on him, prompting Baby Bear to count how many of the quick gray critters are cavorting around (two, as it happens). Turkeys are filling up on grapes before the cold weather moves in, and Baby Bear counts six of them. And the geese are flying way in search of warmer climes -- this flock is nine strong, by Baby Bear's reckoning. Fortunately, everyone accomplishes what they need to before the snowflakes fly. And of course, Baby Bear counts those too!

Wolff uses linoblock techniques for the striking images throughout Baby Bear Counts One. I'm not sure how the illustrations could be better - drenched in color, strong graphics, and plenty of little visual surprises that kids can pore over. This would absolutely work for babies and toddlers too. Best of all, there's such a lovely sense of fall running throughout. I'm fully aware that it's spring now, and we should be reading about bunnies and chicks and all things vernal, but Baby Bear is just too cute to resist. Reading this one, you'll be so drawn into the fall preparations that you'll probably want to do what we did and snuggle up in the blankets to share this book one more time through.

For creature-minded kiddos, for talking about seasons, or for just sharing a concept book that gives even more than just one-two-three, Baby Bear Counts One is a charming addition to any kid's bookshelf!

Baby Bear Counts One by Ashley Wolff, published by Beach Lane Books

Ages 1-3

Source: Library

Sample: "Deep down in the den, Baby Bear perks his furry ears. Thockthockthockthockthock! 'Mama, who woke me?' he asks. 'That is the woodpecker,' says Mama, 'hunting beetles before winter comes.' / Baby Bear counts 1."

Recommended

30 Days of Picture Books - Pouch! by David Ezra Stein

It's Day 7 of our 30 Days of Picture Books Series. We have loads more wonderful titles to come, and I hope you're planning to follow along with each entry in the series. Follow us on Facebook and you'll be getting two picks per day - our selection in the 30 Days of Picture Books Series, plus the Picture Book of the Day choice, nominated by a rotating selection of bloggers. Either way, you can't lose with all this good stuff.

Today's pick is so vibrant, it just about leaps off the page at you - and it stars a kangaroo, so I'm almost being literal here! David Ezra Stein has written a host of fantastic picture books, but Pouch! is one of our favorites. It's perfect for every very young kids, as the illustrations, while colorful and complex, are also sketchy and full of movement. You may find yourself doing what Sprout and I did the first time we read it -- acting out the hops of the baby kangaroo and counting each one. Hey, books + movement = a total win-win from my perspective!

Stein's main character, predictably named Joey, is a baby kangaroo who feels he is more than ready to leave the nest -- er, pouch. "I want to hop!" Joey tells his mama. And Mama encourages him to climb out of the pouch so he can do just that. Right away Joey encounters an unfamiliar creature, namely a bee. That's enough to scare Joey right back into the pouch, where he stays until he is able to muster up the bravery to do it again. Of course on the next hop he runs into yet another stranger, and on and on the book goes. Finally, though, Joey runs into someone with whom he has more than a little in common, and finally finds the courage to stay out of the pouch on his own.

Pouch! provides plenty of reassurance for little ones on the verge of venturing out themselves - whether that's going to preschool for the first time or spending time with a new friend. Stein gently encourages kids to push their boundaries a little at a time, just like Joey does, each time finding a little more security in the otherwise unfamiliar world. I love that Stein dwells more on the surprises that Joey finds, and doesn't diminish Joey's need to recharge in his mama's pouch. Haven't we all been just like Joey at one time or another?

For a sweet and spunky title that's great for the toddler set, look no further than Pouch! Just don't forget to explore the world around with some hops of your own!

Pouch! by David Ezra Stein, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons

Bonus: a fun look behind the scenes at the making of Pouch!

Phoebe and Digger by Tricia Springstubb

It's no secret that I have a vehicle-obsessed kiddo - if you've read this blog at all, you'll know already that Sprout is a hardcore fan of trains, trucks, cars, planes, boats, etc. etc. No trip to the library is complete without a stop by the "Things that Go" section, where we can generally find some favorites to check out yet again. And Sprout is absolutely nutty for books like the Richard Scarry Busytown titles, where vehicles veer toward the wild and crazy; just the sight of the pickle car is enough to send him into fits of laughter.

While it's pretty mainstream to find books about cars and such with male protagonists, though, it's somewhat harder to find books about girls who share this obsession. I think that would be a huge point of frustration from me, were I the parent of a daughter. After all, many of us work hard to override the all-too-prevalent messages connecting gender and playthings (ever strolled the aisles of Toys R Us and felt weighed down by the flood of pink and blue?). So when a book comes along that shakes up the mold, I think it's absolutely cause to celebrate.

Tricia Springstubb is just the author to create such a book, having already written some fantastic stories about strong girls (What Happened on Fox Street is one of our favorites!). And Phoebe and Digger, her newest picture book is a worthy addition to her body of work -- no surprise to me to find out that Springstubb is a former children's librarian, she knows what kids want, and need, to read. Plus this is a title that kids will be drawn to right off the bat, with its colorful, large format illustrations that balance realism and cartoonishness to the perfect degree. You can bet I'll be seeking out other examples of illustrator Jeff Newman's work after looking at this one!

With Phoebe, Springstubb gives us a girl who loves her digger fiercely and single-mindedly, much like Sprout loves his collection of engines. Phoebe got Digger under interesting circumstances: "(w)hen Mama got a new baby," we learn, "Phoebe got a new digger". Digger keeps Phoebe company while Mama deals with all the escapades of the baby, many of which Phoebe finds completely terrible. One day, Mama and the baby get on with their boring stuff at the park while Phoebe and Digger start getting some work done. But after an encounter with a "crybaby boy" (he's afraid of the worm Digger found) Phoebe runs into even more trouble, in the form of a bully who snatches Digger away. And Phoebe, who thought she could deal with absolutely everything on her own, suddenly discovers it's pretty great to have family on her side when she needs it (oh, and maybe the baby isn't so bad after all).

I love this title for its humor and its realistic depiction of the sibling struggle. It's pretty natural for a big sister to be a little nonplussed by a new baby, and I appreciate that Springstubb willingly tackles that emotion. And I also like that we have an honest look at how kids feel when a bully comes along - overwhelmed, dwarfed, frustrated and not always ready to ask for help (love that Mama jumps in just at the right moment). This is a terrific springboard to talking about lots of complex topics, feelings and reactions, as well as helping kids discuss what Phoebe could do next time the same kind of kid comes along.

Got a young truck fan at home? Check out this engaging story, because no matter if your kiddo is boy or girl, Phoebe will strike a chord with everyone!

Phoebe & Digger by Tricia Springstubb, published by Candlewick Press
Ages 4-8
Source: Library
Sample: "Both Phoebe and Digger loved the park. The park had trees and swings and a kindly man who sold frozen treats. But best of all, the park had. . . real dirt."
Recommended

Bonus: Phoebe & Digger Story Hour Kit from the author's website!

Mama's Saris by Pooja Makhijani

Have you seen this infographic yet?

First Book, a remarkable organization dedicated to promoting childhood literacy, included this graphic in their recent blog post "Lack of Diversity in Kids' Books and How to Fix It". (You should go read the post, if you haven't already, and consider supporting this group in their efforts.) The stats are alarming, and they're real - based on data from the Cooperative Children's Book Center, which each year tracks the number of books published in the US that are by and about people of color. The most frightening thing about these statistics is that they've gone relatively unchanged in the timeframe that CCBC has been tracking this information (check out the statistics on the CCBC blog).

First let me admit a little bias here. I think the CCBC is an incredible group and I admire so much of what they've done. To be honest, my secret desire is to work there as a librarian someday (a girl can dream, right?). And as you already know if you've been reading this blog long, I feel strongly about the significance of multicultural literature for ALL children. So it may seem as though I'm just reiterating what has already been said, but it's obvious to me that these numbers don't lie. 

And the repercussions of these kinds of statistics -- say what you will about the causes, everything from a lack of manuscripts to "multicultural books don't sell" -- are huge for our society. There's a ripple effect here, and it starts with kids who don't see themselves reflected in the literature available to them or taught in their schools, who then begin to think books don't apply to them. And it continues to kids who see themselves reflected too much, who then begin to think their culture is normative and all other is just that, other. Further, it extends to all areas of our society. Where we see indifference and intolerance, prejudice and exclusionism, condescension and dismissal, we can be sure that there's a cultural disconnect that runs pretty deep. Think how different that might be if all kids learned at a young age to embrace difference and celebrate diversity!

To that end, I've made a conscious reading goal with Sprout. This is something I haven't really done up to now, largely because I like to follow his lead with our reading time and present a wide range of choices for us to share. But I also want to make sure that I'm giving him selections that are fully rounded, so I've decided to work through a list compiled by the CCBC, 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know. I've referred to the list before, and have already reviewed several of the selections on the blog. But going forward, as Sprout grows, we'll be working our way through the list, and I'll share a bit about each title as we read it together. (Look for the full list, linked to reviews, on Pinterest.)

First up was a book inspired by the author's affinity for playing dress-up as a child. In Mama's Saris, Pooja Makhijani writes about a little girl who longs to wear a beautiful sari like her mother. It's her seventh birthday, and our heroine feels she's ready for one of these incredible garments of her very own. She asks Mama, but the answer is not quite yet. So instead our girl helps her mother pick out a sari, and the journey through Mama's suitcase is full of gorgeous fabrics and delightful smells, and memories. And at the end, Mama relents and our heroine gets to wear a breathtaking blue sari for her special day.

This is a lovely story of family togetherness and the special bond between mother and daughter. As the two relive important moments in their lives together, readers find themselves in the moment, thanks not only to Makhijani's emotive text but also the thoughtful illustrations by Elena Gomez. Sprout loves not only the use of shifting perspectives, but also the incorporation of colors and patterns that blend with to produce some stunning spreads. Best of all, Mama's Saris includes Hindi words, with a glossary at the front that defines them, and a great insight into Indian culture. This is a terrific one for moms and daughters to share, but it's also a perfect choice for classrooms and libraries as well.

Stay tuned as we work our way through the 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know. It's not going to happen in a day (more like years, really!) but we're looking forward to experiencing all of these books together, and sharing our thoughts. And we'd love to hear what titles from the list your family has enjoyed!

Mama's Saris by Pooja Makhijani, published by Little, Brown and Company

Ages 4-7

Source: Library

Sample: "I jump onto my mother's bed and sit down. I watch her reach under the bed and pull out a leather suitcase. Inside are her sairs -- the yellow satin one she wore for Uma Didi's baby shower, the peach-colored one that is as fine as a spider's web, and my favorite, her red wedding sari, which I have only seen once because it is carefully wrapped in an old bedsheet."

Recommended

Bonus: interview with author Pooja Makhijani by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Library Find: In the Park by Huy Voun Lee

Wow oh wow, are we glad to see the warmer weather around these parts! I'm telling you, it's no mean feat keeping a four-year-old busy and engaged when the weather's too foul to play outside. And so we soak up as much outdoor time as we can once the clouds start to dissipate. This year we've been working on a big yard project, and Sprout's been right in the thick of things, helping us dig, hauling dirt and weeds in his wagon, and riding his brand-new birthday bike. Bonus: he sleeps like the dead every night! :)

Of course we had to read some summer-themed books to sustain the mood, right? And among the treasures we unearthed on a recent library trip is Huy Voun Lee's picture book In the Park. This title is part of Lee's Season Series, which includes At the Beach, In the Snow, and In the Leaves. Today's pick is an oldie, so you might have to look a bit for it - I'd try the library, or a good used bookstore if you want to own your own copy.

I'm hard put to say what we like most about this title, because there are several elements that make it not only fun to read but also a treat for the eyes. Firstly, there's the plot: as the weather turns nice, Xiao Ming and his mother head to the park to enjoy an afternoon outside. Mother suggests that they work on their Chinese characters together while they are there. As the pair explores, she finds opportunities to teach Xiao Ming new characters based on what they see. The character for earth, for instance, looks like a plant growing. The sight of a bird in flight presents a chance to learn the character for bird. Even a spring storm helps Mother introduce the character for umbrella.

What's great about the Chinese characters is that Lee helps readers learn how to write them, presenting visual examples as well as helpful hints for remembering them. Each character is tied to an event in the book, and kids will have fun guessing what character the pair will be writing based on what the illustrations show. And let me tell you, these illustrations are really stunning, as Lee uses cut-paper collage to articulate the actions of the story. Each page includes lots of small elements that deepen the visual impact, such as shadows on a hilltop or dandelion seeds wisping in the wind. There's a ton of diversity here too, a real bonus for all audiences. Lee elevates what could be a didactic premise into a gorgeous one, that not only celebrates a culture but also the relationship between a mother and son.

The first and last pages of In the Park are a glossary of the Chinese characters included. For each character, Lee has included a visual reference, the character itself, its meaning, and the written word in Chinese, with its pronunciation. This is a very nice touch and helps take the book to the next level, in my estimation. Families familiar with Mandarin will en;joy the book, but it's also a nice one to share with children as an aid to reinforce linguistic similarities and differences. And kids can't help but be intrigued by the images formed by these characters - Sprout was fascinated at the thought that each word is its own little picture!

I've said it before but I'll say it again - tying books into the events happening in our lives is one of the best ways to reinforce the relevance of literature for children. And when there's an opportunity to do so while including a multicultural theme, the benefits grow exponentially. Check this one out and see what I mean!

In the Park by Huy Voun Lee, published by Henry Holt
Ages 3-6
Source: Library
Sample: "Xiao Ming and his mother walk until they come to a stream. 'What does this look like to you?' she asks Xiao Ming as she stops to draw. 'It looks like water flowing,' Xiao Ming says. 'It must be the character for stream."
Recommended

Kate and Nate Are Running Late by Kate Egan {The Children's Bookshelf}

Happy Mother's Day! Around our house it is a festive day today indeed: Mother's Day, my last day of graduate school, and Sprout's 4th birthday. We have LOTS to celebrate -- don't worry, there will be cake. :)

With all that going on, it seems more evident than ever that there are just not enough hours in the day sometimes. And of course, there's a picture book for that! Today I'm sharing a title that we've recently been reading and enjoying, mostly because it seems to personify everyday events at our house. Kate and Nate Are Running Late by Kate Egan not only has a catchy title and fantastic illustrations -- by Dan Yaccarino, a perennial favorite of ours -- but it's also a pretty great look at life in our busy modern times.

Nate wakes his mom, Kate, up and the action begins. Everyone has overslept, AGAIN! So they must hit the ground running, and they do. While Mom herds Nate around getting him ready and making breakfast, lunches, etc., big sister Maddie's working on her get-ready list. Then both kiddos throw their stuff together while Mom takes a quick shower and hustles through her morning routine. It seems like things are going okay, but then disruptions come up, as they always do: the cats get out! Nate left something behind! But the family manages to scoot into the car and pull into the schoolyard just on time for everyone to get a big surprise.

I'm not going to spoil the fun by telling you what the surprise is, but suffice to say it's not the kind of news that would make your morning rush any better. Sprout quite likes the jokey ending of this one, and he's often asked me to read it again just so he can snicker through the story, knowing what's coming. Yaccarino's illustrations are a delightful companion to debut author Egan's rhyming text. Though the rhyme scheme's a bit uneven, it's still charming, and the frantic activity of the family's get-ready-rush comes through in both word and image. Maddie is pretty much serene and calm throughout, while Nate and his mom are the ones running around like chickens. There's a spread at the beginning that I just love -- Kate snatches Nate by the hand, trailing him in midair as she darts off to begin the morning frenzy. Can you relate? I'm usually the one scooting out the door first in our house, but it's a process of negotiating hugs, kisses, multiple goodbyes and a complicated door-opening schema that leaves me as breathless as Kate is at the very end.

It's a safe bet that most families will see themselves paralleled in the shenanigans in this home, whether you're running late for work or some other activity. And next time you're scrambling to get out the door, take a moment to stop and breathe, lest Kate and Nate's surprise be yours as well.

Kate and Nate Are Running Late by Kate Egan, published by Macmillan Children's
Ages 3-6
Source: Library
Sample: " 'It's getting late,' announces Nate. / Kate rolls over, rubs her eyes. / She sits up straight. 'Oh that's just great. / Not again!' Nate's mother sighs."
Recommended

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This post is part of The Children’s Bookshelf, a weekly linky party with the goal of connecting parents with great books for their kids. Do you have a book review, literacy or book-related post that you think will be helpful for parents? If so, please add your link below.

NOTE: By linking up you are giving permission for any of the co-hosts to pin and/or feature a your photo on a future The Children’s Bookshelf post. Kindly link up to an individual post, not your blog’s homepage. The hosts reserve the right to delete any links to homepages, commercial links, repeat links or otherwise inappropriate links. Thank you for your understanding.

You can also follow The Children’s Bookshelf on Pinterest or visit TCB’s co-hosts: Sprout’s Bookshelf, What Do We Do All Day?, No Twiddle Twaddle, Smiling Like Sunshine, My Little Bookcase, The Picture Book Review, MemeTales and Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns. You can find more details here.

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Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore {The Children's Bookshelf}

To Eva Moore, author and Nancy Carpenter, illustrator:

You are both responsible for my early wake-up call the other day -- 4:30 a.m., to be exact.

Let me explain. Your picture book, Lucky Ducklings, so captivated my young Sprout that after we read this  delightful tome at bedtime, he apparently thought about it all night long. Then at 4:30 in the morning, he came and woke me up, saying, "We need to read this again, Mama. Right now, okay?". I was able to forestall him until 5:15, but no longer. And that was only accomplished because he parked himself on the floor next to my bed and paged through the book, examining each of Ms. Carpenter's engaging illustrations in detail and repeating the names of the ducklings in question ("Pippin, Bippin, Tippin, Dippin and last of all - Little Joe").

I blame myself, really. I should have known better than to bring home a book that fairly drips with charm, through both its simple yet stirring text, courtesy of Ms. Moore, and of course those darling pictures. I should have known that a book so reminiscent of other classics (Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey being the obvious, yet unavoidable, parallel), would be bound to seize hold in Sprout's imagination. When we first read through your book -- a tale set in an idyllic little town, of a mama duck and her five babies, who are placed in danger when they fall through a storm drain -- I could have guessed that the story would be the kind that would linger in my boy's mind. And the rescue of the ducklings, by the city firefighters and an enterprising citizen, is the stuff of little boy's dreams. But an early morning request to read it "one more time"? That didn't figure into my plans.

And, I should note that we've read Lucky Ducklings every evening since, and that each time I forget to add it to the book stack I am roundly chided by Sprout for the oversight. I should also note that it's quite clear we need to return this to our library and buy a copy for ourselves post-haste, as this is the sort of book Sprout will remember and want for his own little ones some day.

Not only has your book resulted in my own lack of sleep (and the need for a little extra caffeine that morning), but it's also responsible for some of the sweetest storytimes we've had together in recent memory, as our whole family pores over this enchanting title together.

I hope you are both happy.

Sincerely,
Mary Kinser

P.S. - Of course now I'll have to seek out more work by each one of you, because Sprout is completely won over by both Ms. Moore's text and Ms. Carpenter's lovely drawings. But you better believe I'll plan an earlier bedtime first.

Lucky Ducklings by Eva Moore, published by Scholastic Press
All ages
Source: Library
First lines: "The Duck family lived in a pretty pond in a green, green park, in a sunlit little town at the end of a long, long island."
Highly recommended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This post is part of The Children’s Bookshelf, a weekly linky party with the goal of connecting parents with great books for their kids. Do you have a book review, literacy or book-related post that you think will be helpful for parents? If so, please add your link below.

NOTE: By linking up you are giving permission for any of the co-hosts to pin and/or feature a your photo on a future The Children’s Bookshelf post. Kindly link up to an individual post, not your blog’s homepage. The hosts reserve the right to delete any links to homepages, commercial links, repeat links or otherwise inappropriate links. Thank you for your understanding.

You can also follow The Children’s Bookshelf on Pinterest or visit TCB’s co-hosts: Sprout’s Bookshelf, What Do We Do All Day?, No Twiddle Twaddle, Smiling Like Sunshine, My Little Bookcase, The Picture Book Review, MemeTales and Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns. You can find more details here.

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Teen Review - The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano

For my teen literature class last semester, I compiled a list of historical fiction titles as my end-of-term project. It was a fun list to put together, and I was shocked at how many historicals I'd read in recent memory. But what struck me about the list was how many books about certain eras there are. Take World War II, for instance -- one of the most fascinating periods in world history, for lots of reasons, and as you might expect there are tons of books on the subject. But look for teen books on other eras and you might be hard pressed to find anything at all, much less anything worth reading.

The 60's are one of those eras that tend to be somewhat untapped when it comes to teen lit. I can't figure out why -- maybe it's not long past enough to be truly historical for some? Not really sure, but it seems to me that I've read some really extraordinary books set during this turbulent timeframe. And it's a natural match to the turmoil of adolescence, with all the uncertainty and the shades of black and white fading into gray in so many areas of life. Seems like gold to a novelist, I would think.

And that's certainly true of the debut novel by Sonia Manzano, The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. Manzano's name probably sounds familiar -- she's best known as the actress who plays Maria on Sesame Street. I'm not ashamed to admit that Sesame Street made a huge impact on me, as it did to so many of us babies of the 1970s. The second I read about Manzano's book, it went on my reading list, because, hello? It's Maria! And I'm so glad I jumped at it, because this affecting, emotional novel is truly a gem that deserves a spot on every reading list.

Evelyn Serrano used to be known as Rosa Maria, but when she turned 14 she decided a name change was in order. Besides, there are entirely two many Rosas and Marias in her Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and Evelyn doesn't want to blend in. She also doesn't want to be like her Mami, clinging to the ways things were in Puerto Rico, fashions and decorating and all of that. So she's breaking out on her own a bit, and things are going pretty well -- until her abuela turns up, Mami's mother from Puerto Rico. Abuela's not like any of the other grandmothers - she's sassy and brash and she knows things, political things, that Mami never wants to talk about. Evelyn's drawn to Abuela and her politics, and before long all three of the Serrano women are embroiled in activism, as the Young Lords, a protest group, make a stand in Evelyn's Spanish Harlem neighborhood.

Manzano may be on her first outing as a novelist here, but her talents for characterization are clearly well-honed. Evelyn is a believable and interesting narrator, one modern readers will identify with as she struggles to find her footing in a world of upheaval and uncertainty. The issues Evelyn faces -- issues of family, politics, love, and identity -- are universal, which makes their placement amidst this historical setting all the more powerful. Personally I didn't know much at all about the Young Lords, and I found Manzano's account not only stirring but informative. Much like Rita Williams-Garcia's stellar novel One Crazy Summer, and its depiction of the Black Panthers, Manzano's novel gives us a side of the conflict in Spanish Harlem that most of us may not fully understand. All this while keeping the action moving, an impressive feat for a debut novelist.

More than just a book about politics, though, Revolution is ultimately a book about a young girl, and the transformation she undergoes not only with how she sees herself but how she understands her friends and family. The relationship between Evelyn and her mother is a thorny one (much like that between Mami and Abuela), and Manzano shows us the whole thing, unstintingly. These are real people, which makes them all the more complex and interesting - and ultimately, believable.

I can't wait to read more from Manzano, and I'm thrilled that her recent Pura Belpre honor for this title will take her book to that much wider an audience.

The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano, published by Scholastic
Ages 12 up
Source: Library
Sample: "At the kitchen table sat a woman whose eyebrows were drawn on with a black makeup pencil. On her eyelids was a thick spread of eye shadow the same blue as my snow cone. The woman's lips were as pink as the inside of a seashell. And, oh, her hair -- it was as orange as Bozo's, puffed up and piled on top of her head like a wad of cotton candy. Mami was serving this strange lady a cup of coffee. / Mami spoke in a very tired way. 'Mija, this is your abuela.'"
Recommended

My Mom Has X-Ray Vision by Angela McAllister {The Children's Bookshelf}

Parenting a preschooler can be a real challenge. They have their own opinions, which they aren't afraid to share. They want to be independent at all costs. And they can dig in their heels like nobody's business when it's bedtime, bathtime, or just pick-up-your-Legos time. But the good news is you can still pull off some real parenting coups. Like say when you're in the other room and hear the candy drawer open, and you tell them "No candy before dinner!" To a preschooler this is still incredible -- how did she know?? -- and it's proof that Mom and Dad just might have superpowers.

That's the concept behind Angela McAllister's delightful picture book My Mom Has X-Ray Vision. Matthew's mom seems like everyone else's mom, but she has the uncanny knack of always knowing just what he's up to. Even when he's in the backyard or upstairs in his bedroom, Mom seems tuned in to Matthew's activities. It's a little spooky! So Matthew decides to devise a test of Mom's superpowers. He hides in his closet and waits for Mom to find him. But she doesn't come -- could Mom really be like all other mortals, or is there something else going on? Has Mom's x-ray vision really let Matthew down?

Preschoolers will love being in on the secret that Matthew can't see, and parents will appreciate the sly humor here. The whole effort is made even more charming with illustrations by Alex T. Smith, who builds in plenty of cute details and a keen understanding of a small boy's eye-view. Sprout likes the imaginative scenes best - Matthew wrestling with an octopus in the bath, or fighting a (not so) fearsome dragon in his room. Even the endpapers are part of the story, so be sure not to skip past those either!

This is a great humorous title to add to any kid's bookshelf. Hubs is crazy about it too, as a gateway to fostering Sprout's love of all things superhero and graphic novel. I'm not sure that McAllister's book convinced Sprout that I have superpowers -- we're still working on it -- but it's definitely planted the seed in his mind. And who am I to persuade him otherwise??

My Mom Has X-Ray Vision by Angela McAllister, published by Tiger Tales
Ages 3-6
Source: Library
Sample: "Matthew's mom was like all the other moms. She had ordinary hair, ordinary clothes, and a nice smile. Matthew's mom was just like all the other moms. . . except she could see through things. Matthew was pretty sure she had x-ray vision."
Recommended
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This post is part of The Children’s Bookshelf, a weekly linky party with the goal of connecting parents with great books for their kids. Do you have a book review, literacy or book-related post that you think will be helpful for parents? If so, please add your link below.

NOTE: By linking up you are giving permission for any of the co-hosts to pin and/or feature a your photo on a future The Children’s Bookshelf post. Kindly link up to an individual post, not your blog’s homepage. The hosts reserve the right to delete any links to homepages, commercial links, repeat links or otherwise inappropriate links. Thank you for your understanding.

You can also follow The Children’s Bookshelf on Pinterest or visit TCB’s co-hosts: Sprout’s Bookshelf, What Do We Do All Day?, No Twiddle Twaddle, Smiling Like Sunshine, My Little Bookcase, The Picture Book Review, MemeTales and Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns. You can find more details here.

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Little Night by Yuyi Morales {The Children's Bookshelf}

If there's one thing I've learned through the past two and a half years of motherhood, it's that you can never have enough good sleepytime stories in your arsenal. We tend to read 2-3 books at bedtime, and at least one of those is generally a winding-down kind of book, the sort that gathers up all Sprout's boundless energy and bundles it away for tomorrow. These books are critical for the active toddler/preschool years, to help transition into sleep, but who among us doesn't love a good snoozy story? I know I do, and the time of night when we're reading quiet tales is one of my favorite parts of the day.

A recent addition to our dozy books collection is Yuyi Morales's Little Night. I initially encountered Morales's work through my multicultural children's literature class, and from the first page of the first story I was hooked. Morales is one of those multitalented wonders who makes your jaw drop not only from her lavish and colorful illustrations, but also from her finely drawn text as well. Really, you can't go wrong with her books - she's definitely one that I consider a cornerstone of diverse children's literature in publishing today.

And with that in mind, let me just say that Little Night is one of my favorites from this extraordinary artist. The story is unique but has a whiff of the familiar about it, as though taken from legend: at the end of day, Mother Sky is helping her Little Night get ready, but the mischievous Little Night keeps disappearing. Mother Sky must stop and look for the silly little one, in places as unexpected as a rabbit hole or a bat cave, and as the colors in the sky deepen, it becomes that much harder to find Little Night. Finally, though, Little Night is all ready, dressed in her gown crocheted from clouds, with her starry pins in her hair. Mother Sky tosses her moon ball to Little Night, who is off to play amid the velvety shadows of the darkened sky.

Oh, this is a beautiful book, and one that you will enjoy just as much as your little one. Morales's story is set off perfectly by her illustrations, of a brown-skinned mother and child playing in the gathering darkness. There's so much whimsy to be had here too, in Mother Sky's curling braids and her trailing skirts, and in Little Night's twinkling eyes and upturned smile. And the colors are all those of the most incredible sunsets -- the palette is rich and deep, adding to the tone of gentle quiet that Morales sets up with her carefully chosen words. (A Spanish language edition is also available).

As we read this the first time Sprout and I talked about how the sky turns colors, from pink to purplish to dark violet and on to black. And now each time we look up at the night sky, I swear I can see Little Night, dancing among the stars with her moon ball, just within her mother's reach.

Little Night by Yuyi Morales, published by Roaring Brook Press
Ages 2-6
Source: Library
Sample: "Mother Sky sits Little Night on her lap and with her shiny comb she untangles the knots, twists the hair between her fingers, and makes little swirls, one on the left side, one on the right. / To keep them in place she takes three hairpins from her pocket. 'Venus on the east, Mercury on the west, and Jupiter above.'"
Recommended
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This post is part of The Children’s Bookshelf, a weekly linky party with the goal of connecting parents with great books for their kids. Do you have a book review, literacy or book-related post that you think will be helpful for parents? If so, please add your link below.

NOTE: By linking up you are giving permission for any of the co-hosts to pin and/or feature a your photo on a future The Children’s Bookshelf post. Kindly link up to an individual post, not your blog’s homepage. The hosts reserve the right to delete any links to homepages, commercial links, repeat links or otherwise inappropriate links. Thank you for your understanding.

You can also follow The Children’s Bookshelf on Pinterest or visit TCB’s co-hosts: Sprout’s Bookshelf, What Do We Do All Day?, No Twiddle Twaddle, Smiling Like Sunshine, My Little Bookcase, The Picture Book Review, MemeTales and Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns. You can find more details here.

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30 Days of Picture Books - Nightsong by Ari Berk

Down to our last week of Picture Book Month -- sob! We will miss sharing our daily picture book picks with you, dear reader, though I am looking forward to blogging about some chapter books and a few other choice bits we've run across in the past month. And don't forget to check out our Pinterest boards for even more title lists and other bookish fun!

So, our Day 26 pick is a tale of adventure. Picture books, as I've said before, allow readers to try on new personas. All books do this, really, and isn't that why reading is such wonderful fun? Through a book you can be anyone, go anywhere, try anything. For me, as a quite introverted kid, that was the pure magic of reading, and most likely why I love it so. And that's one of the best gifts we can give our kids, I think, the gift of possibility and imagination and worlds without limits.

Today's selection is Nightsong, written by Ari Berk and illustrated by Loren Long. You'll recognize Long as the author/illustrator of our Day 2 pick. Though this is just as much a spectacle visually speaking, it's got a very different tone than Otis. Here, Long makes use of a darker palette to bring to life Berk's tale of a young bat named Chiro, headed out for his very first solo expedition. Being a bat, Chiro is flying out into the darkness; when he expresses his reservations about this to his mother, she tells her child "There are other ways to see. . . other ways to help you make your way in the world."

Night is a character here, a force that imprints Chiro's experience indelibly. At first the little bat is frightened, but soon he realizes that his "good sense", as his mother calls it, can indeed help him to see in new ways. After eating his fill at the pond ("Eeeeewww, he eats bugs!" Sprout shudders gleefully at this bit), Chiro decides to venture a bit further. And here is where the nightsong changes, where Chiro hears and feels and senses in an entirely different fashion than he has known before.

Oh, this is a lovely book, and distinctly different from Stellaluna, Janell Cannon's classic work to which there will be inevitable comparisons. Berk's evocatively written narrative is so much about testing one's wings, about venturing out even as we keep the memory of what is safe nestled close to ourselves, that we might return to that safeness when adventure is done. The whole book is lush and beautiful, the kind of deeply extravagant piece that is an experience unto itself. Even as it casts its own glow, Nightsong reflects the best of children's literature with its enduring themes of exploration and discovery.

As Chiro's mother tells him, "Sense is the song you sing out into the world, and the song the world sings back to you. Sing, and the world will answer. That is how you'll see." Whether you read this with your own kiddos, share with extended family or simply dip into it on your own, Nightsong is a treasure you won't want to miss.

Nightsong by Ari Berk, published by Simon & Schuster

30 Days of Picture Books - Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest

Happy November Everybody! Can't quite believe that the calendar has turned over to the eleventh month, but there are lots of things to celebrate in the next 30 days. Some people are writing novels, some people are remembering adoption, others are just glad the campaign ads will be over soon!

In our family, November's great for lots of things, especially being thankful. And one of the biggest things we are thankful for is picture books.

Picture books are pretty amazing, when you think about it. So much of the world open right there before you, your first taste as a child of the sense of wonder and mystery that surrounds us. Picture books help us be global citizens, build togetherness, develop literacy, spark creativity, teach us the building blocks of everyday life. And such riches are available to anyone -- just crack the cover and dive on in.

In celebration of November as National Picture Book Month, we're going to feature a new picture book every day. Stay tuned for some classic favorites as well as some relatively new finds that we just adore. And we'd love to know what your best-loved picture books are -- fill us in by leaving a comment here on the blog or contacting us via Facebook or Twitter, and check out our Pinterest board "30 Days of Picture Books", because we'll be adding a new title every day!

 

 

Today's title is a recent find of ours, one that we love as much for its message about family togetherness as for its cozy nature. Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest is a perfect book for a fall bedtime, when the wind and rain are howling outside and inside everyone's snuggled up in the covers. "It was a dark and stormy night on Plum Street," the book begins, but inside Sam Bear is getting ready for bed. Mama remembers just about everything he needs: a bedtime story, a cuddly nest, all his best friends and a glass of warm milk. But Mama's forgetting something that Sam Bear really needs in order to get to sleep!

Little ones will love guessing along as to just what it is Mama's forgotten (okay, they'll probably get it right off -- Sprout did -- but it's still fun to pretend we don't know!). Hest's sweet story is captured perfectly with illustrations by Anita Jeram, the talented artist behind another gentle tale of mother and child, Bunny My Honey. I love that Sam's whole world is right inside that room at day's end - when what more does anyone need than a cozy bed, a good book, and the comfort of a kiss good night. Bedtime bliss!

Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest, published by Candlewick Press (they believe in picture books!)

48 Hour Book Challenge - When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt

One of my goals for the 48 Hour Book Challenge was to catch up on some older kidlit that I'd previously overlooked. I also want to get some more award-winners under my belt. Kimberly Willis Holt's When Zachary Beaver Came to Town fit both categories nicely, as an older title (1999) that won the National Book Award plus ALA Notable status. And I'd read Holt's novel The Water Seeker last year and really enjoyed that, so I've been looking forward to this one.

Zachary Beaver did not disappoint. Despite being a quick read, it was a surprisingly emotional and impactful one, with lots of heavy themes that are carried out with the lightest of touches. Holt's depiction of small-town Texas life is realistic, and her characters are personalities but never charicatures. Zachary Beaver breezes into town as a sideshow attraction, "the fattest boy in the world," and like everyone else in town, Toby and his best buddy Cal can't miss out on the show. But when Zachary's guardian leaves him behind, Toby discovers a sudden kinship with this boy, unexpected since Toby himself never realized how much his own life parallels Zachary's. Left behind by his mother who's gone seeking fame and fortune, Toby struggles to reconcile his feelings about his mom with his newfound friendship with Zachary, worry about Cal's older brother Wayne in Vietnam, and his attempts to woo the beautiful Scarlett Stallings. In the end, Toby sees that though external appearances may differ, people are all the same deep within, and loss touches us all in ways we could never imagine.

Holt's not shy about facing difficult situations, and about putting her characters in places that other authors might think twice about. But the result is a well-developed plot that is peopled with the kind of folks we all know, and that we're sure to recognize in our own friends, family and selves. This is a well-rounded and highly readable award winner that belongs in every classroom and library - lots to discuss here, in a story that will keep young readers turning pages.

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt, published by Henry Holt
Ages 9-13
Source: Library
Sample: "Cars and pickups pull into the Dairy Maid parking lot. Some people make no bones about it. They just get in line to see him. Ohters try to act like they don't know anything about the buzz. They enter the Dairy Maid, place their orders, and exit with Coke floats, chocolate-dipped cones, or curlicue fries, then wander to the back of the line. They don't fool me."
Recommended

YA Review - How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Teen fiction is not what it used to be. There's a lot been said in recent months about the darkness of it, about how vampires and werewolves and paranormal romance are going to be the undoing of modern youth (which I highly doubt - if anything, it's getting them reading, right?). But what I think is most significant is that authors who write for teens are willing to explore new topics and themes. Yes, some of these lead to dark places, but others just examine the messy business that is real life, which so rarely comes wrapped up with a cutesy little bow. (Maureen Johnson says it better here than I possibly could.)

Take Sara Zarr, for instance. Zarr writes realistic contemporary fiction for teens - in other words, no time traveling detectives here. And what she writes are novels that peel back the layers, one by one, that construct the experience of teens in this reality, right now. These are kids who face difficult problems, many of which are brought on by forces outside their control, just like kids always have, but who do so in a culture that is often frantic and always changing. You know what I mean.

In How to Save a Life, Zarr brings us a whole slew of issues in the form of Jill, her mother Robin, and Mandy, a pregnant teenager whose baby Robin hopes to adopt. Jill's bitter, and angry, not about the baby so much as she is about the sudden death of her father in a car accident almost a year ago. She's dealt with her grief by building walls around herself, pushing away anyone and everyone who cares, and not letting anyone new inside her circle. And here comes Mandy, bursting with life and new possibilities, but with secrets and pain of her own. Mandy knows Jill doesn't like her, but she's so grateful to be in a safe place, a real home, not the cobbled-together life she's lived with her mother's rotating boyfriends. OK, so maybe Mandy has misrepresented herself a teeny bit, but it's for a good reason, right?

And then the carefully constructed facade that each character has made for herself begins to crumble. Mandy's never had someone care for her like Robin does, and she's not sure she's ready to give that up -- or her baby, for that matter. Jill thinks she knows the role everyone in her life has to play, and it's all structured. But then an unexpected encounter in the parking lot leads to a new friend that Jill just can't shake, and a growing realization that the emotions she's kept bottled up won't stay there forever. Both girls struggle to find their footing on this shaky new territory, and to reexamine what they thought they knew about themselves at the most elemental core of their being.

Zarr's writing is balanced and fluid, her gaze unflinching as she peers into the most secret corners of her characters' lives. No one is wholly good or entirely bad, and for that I applaud her -- if you're looking for stereotypes, you won't find any here. Most interesting of all, she turns adoption inside out, giving voice to the experience from all angles. As a birth mother, Mandy wrestles with the idea that her daughter will one day feel abandoned, or think that Mandy didn't love her. As a prospective adoptive parent, Robin wonders if what she's doing is enough, or if she owes a greater debt. And as a soon-to-be older sibling, Jill fluctuates from feeling betrayed to mourning the fact that her sister will never know the father that Jill so adored.

Those who say they don't read "kids books" are really missing out when it comes to authors like Sara Zarr. Honestly, I'd put How to Save a Life up against anything from an "adult" author and it would hold its own. Strong characters, skilled writing and a story that sticks with the reader long after the last page is turned. In my book, that's quality fiction, no matter where it's shelved.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr, published by Little, Brown
Ages: 12 up
Source: Library
Sample:
Mandy -- "My mother says that when another girl steps up to you, just smile and let her have the last word. My mother says it's usually jealousy or her wanting something you have. But I can't think of one thing I have that Jill, who has everything, could want. And I can't smile when we're talking about a tragedy."
Recommended

Library Find - With You Always, Little Monday by Geneviève Côté

Sometimes a mama gets her fill of trains and trucks, and just wants a quiet, sweet bedtime choice. That's probably what led me to pick up With You Always, Little Monday by Geneviève Côté, during a recent trip to the library. I'm a sucker for artists like Côté, whose sketchy, smudgy bunny named Monday is adorable in a way that won't make your teeth ache. I wasn't familiar with Côté’s work before this, but low and behold, there lurking in my Google Reader queue was this interview from the outstanding blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. How’s that for serendipity?

Anyway, if the cover art made me pick it up, the quote on the back clinched it for me. “Sometimes, in a quiet moment, Little Monday wonders who his mommy might be.” The storyline is basically that – Little Monday doesn’t know who his mommy is, so he asks everyone in the forest. Each friend has something uniquely wonderful about them, but no one fits the description. Finally Little Monday goes to sleep, exhausted and wondering if he’ll ever find his mommy. But then he wakes up to discover his mommy has found him – she is the rabbit in the moon. And though Little Monday’s mommy can’t be with him physically, she is watching over him from above, and she is always there in spirit.

Whoa.

As adoptive parents, we know all too well the pain of loss in our children's lives. We all face the moment when we will tell our children about their birth families. For little ones, the details may be overshadowed by the loss, the sense of longing that their birth mothers or fathers or siblings are not within reach. Open adoptions allow for contact, but in the case of international adoption, it’s not always possible to have any relationship with the birth families. This is not an easy thing for anyone to accept, and children will naturally grieve for the loved ones that they may have never known.

Enter books like Little Monday. What Côté does here is introduce a book that not only addresses the grief and loss, but also gives children the hope that their birth families are with them, that the family they have lost is watching over them and that they will never be truly alone. What an amazing reassurance this is! Little Monday embodies all the fears and longings that I know Sprout will one day grapple with, and this simple picture book will be one more way that we underscore for him that his birth family is never really lost to him.

Even if your child is not adopted, Little Monday is a sweetly powerful way for you to talk to him or her about loss. What better way to begin the healing process, and to draw closer as a family.

With You Always, Little Monday by Geneviève Côté, published by Harcourt

All ages

Source: Library

Sample quote: “And there, in the big bright moon, a rabbit was smiling at him. Little Monday rubbed his eyes. ‘Could you be my mommy?’ he called. ‘But you’re so far away, up there in the sky!’”

Recommended