Shelf Awareness--It Happened on Sweet Street

PB Review: It Happened on Sweet Street

It Happened on Sweet Street by Caroline Adderson, illus. by Stéphane Jorisch (Tundra Books, 44p., ages 4-8, 9781101918852)

This zany picture book delivers a tasty treatise on the benefits of keeping the peace--and keeping a variety of desserts at hand!

On Sweet Street, "between the bric-a-brac boutique and the shoemaker," stands the bakery of Monsieur Oliphant, "Exclusive Creator of Cakes." Customers line up to buy his "jelly-rolled," layered and "cherried" creations. When the shoemaker retires, Mademoiselle Fée, "Cookie Concocter par excellence," moves in. Soon there is a line in front of her store, too. People wait to buy treats she has stamped, "tooled... and jeweled" and dusted with sugar. Though there are plenty of customers to go around, Monsieur Oliphant tries to out-create Mademoiselle Fée. Then the bric-a-brac dealer retires and Madame Clotilde moves in. As a third line of customers waits for the pies "the divine Pâtisserie Clotilde" has "rolling-pinned," frilled and filled, both Monsieur Oliphant and Mademoiselle Fée work to "out-concoct" their new rival. When all three bakers angrily step outside, "a massacre of cream, a catastrophe of meringue, a devastation of crumbs" follows, culminating with cheerful coexistence at last.

Author of the Jasper John Dooley series, Caroline Adderson's waggish text promotes the benefits of cooperation over competition in tones as delicate as any Sweet Street confection. Paired with Stéphane Jorisch's (Betty Bunny series) quirky illustrations, rendered in pencil, ink and watercolor then digitally assembled, the stylish color and line work lends credence to the farcical tone of the piece. The lucky people of Sweet Street cheerfully reap the rewards when their bakers finally get the message: there is always room for more dessert. "Délicieuse!!!" --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Discover: When Sweet Street's only baker of cakes must make room for a cookie concoctor and a pie purveyor, things get sticky before they get better.

Shelf Awareness--Catch That Chicken!

PB Review: Catch That Chicken!

Catch That Chicken! by Atinuke, illus. by Angela Brooksbank (Candlewick Press, 32p., ages 2-5, 9781536212686)

In Catch That Chicken!, Atinuke (Anna Hibiscus series) combines irresistible characters with an engaging narrative and sets her age-appropriate tale of self-empowerment in a cozy compound in West Africa.

Lami's compound is busy, with Sister Sadia, who is "speedy at spelling"; friend Fatima, who is "fast at braiding hair"; and big brother Bilal, who is "brave with bulls." But when it comes to catching chickens, Lami is speedier, faster and braver than anyone. In fact, Lami is "the best chicken catcher in the village." That is, until the day Lami chases a chicken right up the trunk of a huge baobab tree, moving so quickly she falls out. With her ankle sprained "so badly it puffs up like the neck of an angry lizard," Lami is certain that if "she can't chase" and "she can't climb," then "she definitely can't catch chickens." Luckily, she's got Nana Nadia close by to suggest that "it's not quick feet that catches chickens--it's quick thinking."

Atinuke's well-paced text uses repetition, alliteration and seamless bilingual text to draw her audience into the story. It's nicely paired with Atinuke's previous illustrative partner (B Is for Baby; Baby Goes to Market) Angela Brooksbank's brightly colored, patterned and energetic mixed-media illustrations, which convey a strong sense of life within the bustling compound. Lami, always bubbling with energy, is especially appealing. Her reaction to adversity is a great lesson for all: with encouragement and the will to try, Lami is able to figure out "the best" way to keep doing what she loves. --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Discover: Lami is the speediest, fastest and bravest chicken catcher in the village, until a sprained ankle threatens to slow her down.

July Recommendations

Novels:

WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE, by Renée Watson, is the first book of a contemporary middle grade series about a plucky girl with a boy’s name. Ryan means “king,” and her mother wants her to “feel powerful,” like “a leader" every time she hears it. Ryan really tries, but life can be frustrating. Her parents say they have to move to a smaller, more affordable house, so of course there are plenty of adjustments, and fourth grade is tough, no matter how you look at it. However, a loving family, a creative mind, and a boatload of confidence all help. Ryan is a delightful character who rarely lets anything get her down for long. (MG)

THE TIME OF GREEN MAGIC is the latest in a long list of artfully crafted, literary novels from Hilary McKay. Like Renée Watson's book above, this one involves a move to a new house, but THE TIME OF GREEN MAGIC is set in England rather than Portland, Oregon. When Abi and her father Theo blend their family with Max, Louis, and their mother Polly, there are a lot of domestic issues to work out. Throw in a babysitter who’s an art student from France, and a touch of magic seemingly conjured from the eerie house itself, and you get another winner from McKay. (MG)

I’m late to the party, but THE VANDERBEEKERS OF 141st STREET, by Karina Yan Glaser, is such a fun read! The Vanderbeeker family lives in a brownstone “in the middle of a quiet block on 141st Street.” As the story begins, they are being evicted by a grouchy landlord, forced to leave their beloved house and Harlem neighborhood behind. Dear friends join in to help, as the five quirky siblings dream up plan after plan to try to convince Mr. Beiderman to allow them to stay. (If you loved The Penderwicks, give this a try—and if you haven’t read The Penderwicks, you should!) The third Vanderbeekers book came out last fall. (MG)

Picture Books:

In SPACEBOT, by Mike Twohy, a UFO touches down and robo-dog called Spacebot disembarks. But, alas for the poor earth-dog who wants to play, Spacebot is way more interested in hanging out with the kitchen appliances. Short, punchy text and energetic art—rendered in watercolor and felt pen—make this book especially appealing for beginning readers. (And for parents reading aloud who appreciate brevity.)

CAT DOG DOG: The Story of a Blended Family, with words by Nelly Buchet and art by Andrea Zuill, is an even shorter text, mainly comprised of combinations of the words Dog and Cat, accompanied by a few choice additions. Add in the ink and digital illustrations, and this book tells the complete story of—well, of a blended family. It’s spot on and very clever.

WHOO-KU HAIKU, by Maria Gianferrari and Jonathan Voss, is a stunner. Gorgeous digitally enhanced ink and watercolor illustrations accompany an impressive story told completely in haiku. A family of owls find a nest, lay eggs, and hatch baby owlets, who eventually fledge. Back matter adds more information and suggests additional resources.

--Lynn

July's Book of the Month--Fry Bread

July’s Book of the Month is FRY BREAD: A Native American Family Story, written by Kevin Noble Maillard, and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Every time I read it, I’m struck by the tremendous volume of material that lives in this rich, uncluttered picture book.

The main text is a poem. The first line of each stanza is boldly displayed, and the words that follow briefly elaborate with sensory details. Sight, sound, smell, motion, emotion, all are employed. Important concepts are taken on with grace and age-appropriate simplicity: “Fry bread is color” is followed by "Golden brown, tan, or yellow/Deep like coffee, sienna, or earth/Light like snow and cream/Warm like rays of the sun.” The words are accompanied by illustrations of children representing all these beautiful colors. Martinez-Neal’s acrylic, colored pencil, and graphite illustrations beautifully handle both the literal and more esoteric ideas portrayed within these pages.

"Fry bread is time...Fry bread is art…Fry bread is history…” Following the poem, the author’s back matter cleverly uses these opening sentences as headings to delve more deeply. In fact, Maillard likens the story of this ubiquitous treat to “the story of American Indians.” The depth of feeling the creative team achieves, and the wealth of information, in this personal, yet universal, story is staggering. This is one book for all to treasure! There’s even a fairly simple and tasty-looking recipe for fry bread :—)

--Lynn