August Recommendations

A RIVER OF DUST, written by Jilanne Hoffman and illustrated by Eugenia Mello, lyrically details the journey of dust as it leaves North Africa—“not just any dust, though”— but dust from the Sahel, which is “a ribbon of land spread between/the Sahara Desert, to the north,/and the tropical savanna,/to the south…from the Red Sea, in the east,/to the Atlantic Ocean, in the west.” Carrying a "precious cargo/needed by all life on Earth,” it swirls and soars, shrouds and sifts, whips and spirals across continents until it comes to rest where it can nourish the earth and anchor the trees of the Amazon rainforest. The poetic text, narrated in the voice of the dust itself, is bolstered by some very thorough back matter, and the vibrant digital illustrations do a fabulous job of making the concepts accessible. Nicely done!

In TOO MUCH!: AN OVERWHELMING DAY, written by Jolene Gutiérrez and illustrated by Angel Chang, a sensitive child is barraged by a noisy alarm clock, harsh sunlight, confining clothes, and unwanted hugs. It’s all “TOO LOUD! TOO BRIGHT! TOO ITCHY! TOO TIGHT!” Luckily Mom is there at the end of a tough day to provide the “careful squeeze” of a sheet-hug, as well as time, space, and plenty of understanding, all of which help the child find “a peaceful place to still [her] mind.” Rhyming couplets entertain while also inviting readers to learn about themselves and/or others, and the book provides plenty of positive coping strategies. The bright, expressive digital art is both animated and quiet as needed. Likewise, this book nicely manages to be both thoughtful and active enough to engage all types of readers. An entertaining, informative, and valuable picture book resource!

In BABY T. REX, written by Julie Abery and illustrated by Gavin Scott, “fluffy and tough” T. rex hatches from his egg and goes in search of food. But then “out of the nest,/tumble and roll,” another egg gets “lost in a hole,” and it’s up to T. rex to save it! The rhyming text, full of clever, active verbs, is well-paired with colorful, active illos using fun perspectives. Kids will bounce and RRRROAR along with the fun. In BABY STEGOSAURUS, equally engaging text and art show Baby chomping and munching along with the herd, until a volcano erupts and Baby can’t keep up. When he’s “snatched by the flow” of a river, thank goodness for a fallen tree—and Mama—to the rescue! These fun board books get it just right.

ONCE THERE WAS, written by Corinne Demas and illustrated by Gemma Capdevila, is a clever fairy tale in which each “episode” serves as a link in the story chain. A little girl who lives by the sea dreams she’s a “princess in a golden gown.” Readers turn the page to find that the “princess in a golden gown” dreams she’s a “horse with a flowing mane,” who in turn dreams she’s a “tree with a tall, straight trunk,” and, yes, the tree dreams, too! Readers will follow the chain back to find the sea dreaming she’s “a little girl who live[s] in a vine-covered cottage by the sea.” The musing text pairs well with stylized illustrations that add to the pleasantly fantastical universe.

THE DUCK NEVER BLINKS, by Alex Latimer, is rip-roaring meta fun, as the narrator addresses readers with mounting indignation regarding said duck’s unwillingness to well, yes, to blink. Perhaps we could all shout, or tell a sad story, or “look away for a second…and then look back really fast,” or ? The digital cartoony duck is simply—yet perfectly—done. Should be a great hit at story time. (Yes, it’s true, as that kid who engaged in endless staring contests…)

CRANE JANE! written by Andrea Zimmerman and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, tells a boisterous, rhyming, onamatopoetic story of Crane Jane, who climbs up and into her “tall, tall crane,” where she hooks, lifts, THUMPS! and sends the freight away on a trip, “TOOT-TOOT!” All goes well until “wilder winds begin to blow,” and the “final load swings to and fro.” But never fear, because “Crane Jane is tough,” and with some help she’ll save the day. Zimmerman’s text scans beautifully and Yaccarino’s digital art is strong and bright. HOORAY! HOORAY! for Crane Jane!

--Lynn