THE DAY MOON AND EARTH HAD AN ARGUMENT, written by David Duff and illustrated by Noemi Vola, introduces young readers to the planets in the totally relatable terms of a couple of friends having a snarky spat. Even though “both said things they didn’t mean,” neither makes nice, and, “after 4.5 billion years together, [Moon] packs her things and leaves.” The illustrations are bright and cheerful and have gobs of personality—you’ve gotta love Moon’s pink and blue backpack with green straps, the socks and shoes worn by all the celestials, and all the expressive faces, especially the close-up of Moon, full page spread near the end, when she realizes she’s “a long way from home.” Backmatter gives more facts, I love, love this one for ages 3-6 especially!
POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME, written by Betsy Bird and illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi, is great, raucous, read-aloud fare. Beginning with —yes, Pop! Goes the Weasel, then on to Mary Had a Little Lamb, Jack and Jill, and more, the weasel in this story has way too much fun disrupting and subverting all of the rhymes. And there’s a large bird who’s taking it all very seriously… Kids will love reciting the familiar rhymes and shouting along with the weasel, and there’s a bit of extra suspense near the end to tie things up nicely. The cartoony digital illustrations are full of action and expertly describe the perfect dose of storytime chaos.
EXACTLY AS PLANNED, written and illustrated by Tao Nyeu, is a clever two-sided book that tells the same story from two different points of view. Moose, who has just knitted a red scarf, is invited to Fox’s home for tea, and decides to bring the new scarf as a gift. Unfortunately, along the way it unravels, and although Moose collects other “random” gifts along the way (apples and flowers), he’s still upset that he doesn’t have a proper gift for Fox. When Fox offers up a skein of pretty blue yarn, Moose knits his friend a hat, and the two chat for hours, enjoying a terrific visit, “exactly as planned.” Flip the book over, and we find Fox cooling freshly-baked brownies for Moose’s visit. When a crow flies off with the treats, Fox is terribly upset at having nothing to offer her guest, but then finds a strand of red yarn that’s gotten stuck on a bush. Since Moose “likes crafty things,” Fox gathers it up, collecting other small treasures, as well. Goat dyes the scruffed-up yarn a delightful blue color, then Fox goes home to welcome her guest. As Moose knits, Fox bakes an apple pie, and the two friends enjoy a terrific visit, “exactly as planned.” This pair of stories imparting kindness and cooperation weave together beautifully. Pastel-colored silkscreen and colored pencil illustrations on light beige paper reinforce the gentle tone and offer plenty to enjoy on repeated readings.
In THERE’S A GHOST IN THE GARDEN, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Katty Maurey, a boy and his grandpa spend time together in a garden that’s full of activity. The ghost may be mischievous, “knock[ing] over flowerpots and trash cans,” or friendly, leaving “little presents.” Grandpa thinks there may be more than one, possibly deer ghosts or fox ghosts, or the “ghosts of migrant birds circling back to their old haunts.” There is peace in this garden, but also regret, as the forest is smaller now, the stream is gone, and the “air is loud with car horns and the neighbor’s music.” Still, the pair listen, and talk, and remember together, as a “ghost circle[s] back to its old home.” Maclear’s lovely, sweet, uplifting text is supported by Maurey’s pitch-perfect gouache on paper illustrations.
In DRAGON DREAMS, written by Roni Schotter and illustrated by Khoa Le, (human) sister-dragons have had “an angry day, with way too much pinching, poking, and pushing.” Daddy tucks them in for dragon dreams, and one sister stays awake listening to the night sounds. Then there’s “a rustle and a whirrrrr” and wings at the window announce her “own special dragon” has come calling. They fly high into the sky, where “stars wink their secrets,” and “comets leave messages on the blackboard sky.” When they arrive at the Secret Gathering, they find dragons “of every color and kind” carrying children “of every color and kind.” Daytime differences are resolved, there is dancing, until it’s time for home and more dragon dreams. A sweet fantasy, supported by a list of the many different dragons who made an appearance at the end, and dreamy, deeply-colored nighttime digital illustrations nicely enhance the magic.
ADI OF BOUTANGA: A STORY FROM CAMEROON, written by Alain Serge Dzotap, illustrated by Marc Daniau, and translated by the author, is a longer, older picture book about a girl who is part of a group of nomadic herders who live in a village of “great chameleon grasses.” Adults take what jobs are available, with Dad driving a “motorcycle as a cab,” and Mom now selling “makala—palm-oil doughnuts—on market days.” The girl loves going to school, where her demanding teacher shows her how to trace words in notebooks so “a strong wind [doesn’t] steal them as soon as they [leave her mouth].” But when Uncle Amadou decides she’s “already become a woman” and must marry, the girl and her parents quietly plan how to “oppose the decisions of the eldest member of the family” to save their “still a little girl” from the arranged marriage. The girl embraces a new life in a new place, far from her old village, where she can play and learn and grow up to fall in love, all in her own good time. An author’s note and backmatter about Camaroon give context. The text is riveting, and brightly colored oil on paper illustrations support it quite well.
--Lynn
