Shelf Awareness--What Makes a Bird?

PB Review: What Makes a Bird?

What Makes a Bird? by Megan Pomper, illus. by Maia Hoekstra (Owlkids, 32p., ages 5-8, 9781771476133, February 18, 2025)

What Makes a Bird? is a wonderfully thought-provoking picture book debut that ruminates on the surprisingly difficult question of how one defines a bird: Is there a single, preferred way, or is a bird, perhaps, more than simply the sum of its parts?

Through a series of well-considered questions, a brown-skinned child wearing a blue cap and kerchief and carrying binoculars tries to understand what, exactly, makes a bird. Is a bird "a bird" because of its feathers? But each feather the child finds on the beach is "not on a bird anymore," so does that make the bird "one part less bird?" Does it make the child holding the feather "one part more bird?" Maybe a bird is a bird because of its beak: there are many kinds of beaks, and whether they're "small and pointy" or "flat and rounded," every bird seems to have one. But if octopi have beaks, does that mean they are birds, too? Wings seem important, but bees also have wings. Perhaps a bird is defined by hatching from an egg. But a snake also hatches from an egg, as does a platypus, a fish, a lizard, and a turtle. If flying is the answer, "what about ostriches and emus and kiwis?"

Readers then begin to reach the crux of the matter, because now the child wonders if being a bird is "all of these things" or "none of them." And, really, who should get to decide? This book and its wise protagonist ultimately conclude that perhaps what exactly makes a bird doesn't matter; "they can be similar, different, ordinary, unique.../ and they can all still be birds."

Megan Pomper's child-friendly, contemplative text encourages scientific, empathetic, and poetic thinking that ponders deeply about the essence of bird-ness. Indeed, her story may even prompt some savvy readers to reflect on what constitutes a human being and who gets to decide. Maia Hoekstra's dynamic illustrations use natural tones combined with swirls of bright color as well as close-ups and active angles to create an impressionistic sense of a wide variety of birds and their habitats. Back matter identifies the many species pictured in the book and invites readers to create names for the three made-up birds "from the artist's imagination." What Makes a Bird? is an excellent and accessible meditation on identity. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness Pro.

Shelf Awareness--Fortune's Kiss

YA Review: Fortune's Kiss

Fortune's Kiss by Amber Clement (Union Square & Co., 368p., ages 13-up, 9781454950219)

Fortune's Kiss is a riveting, radiant, and often bloody YA novel that features two young women in dire straits who compete for their hearts' desires in a gambling house with unbelievably high stakes.

Best friends Lo and Mayté made a pact as children: if the magical gambling hall, Fortune's Kiss, ever returned to Milagro, they would work together to win the ultimate prize of "life-changing fortunes and their most desperate wishes granted." Now, a decade later, Fortune's Kiss reappears, and the girls are more determined than ever. Seventeen-year-old Lo dreams of finding her mother while also escaping unwanted suitors and her abusive father. Mayté, also 17, who has watched her father drink and gamble away her family's fortune, dreams of becoming a famous painter. But the casino's stakes are enormous--losers return "a mess" (if they return at all) and the steep price of entry is "a large sum in golden coins," a person's "most prized treasure," or, rumor has it, blood. Nonetheless, Lo and Mayté try their luck. The young women enter "El Beso de la Fortuna," where they are immediately drugged, pitted against each other, and forced to play by the house's own secret--and deadly--rules.

Fortune's Kiss is Amber Clement's vivid, colorful, and intense debut, a tale steeped in a magical Latine culture, peppered with Spanish words and phrases, and chock-full of the macabre. Gripping and gory, the novel features two strong heroines who struggle to hold on to what's most important to them while at the mercy of magic, a seemingly sentient gambling house, and even each other. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

December's Book of the Month--I Know How to Draw an Owl

December’s book of the month is the gorgeous, heartfelt I KNOW HOW TO DRAW AN OWL, written by Hilary Horder Hiply and illustrated by Matt James.

When Ms. Rio’s class draws owls, Belle’s picture stands out from the rest for its wise eyes, and the way it “almost looks alive.” Belle won’t tell how she was able to do this, but apparently she and her mom once had a home, just like the other kids. One day, though, they packed all their things into their old blue car, and “drove and drove” until they got to a park. “The perfect place,” Belle’s mom said.

Belle was still awake when the hoot owl called. “Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoooo!” She badly wanted to see that owl, but night after night she only heard his “hooty lullaby.” Until one night he didn’t sing. The moon rose and suddenly the owl appeared on a nearby branch—“big and wild, that owl”—and so near, Belle was able to look into his “two wise eyes” and see him looking back. Belle doesn’t think she’ll ever explain about her owl drawing, but one day, a new boy comes to school, dropped off from an old blue car just like Belle’s, and she takes him under her wing.

Hiply’s text is gently matter-of-fact, and full of feeling without being overly sentimental. I love how she uses the riddle of the owl drawing as a compelling way to entice readers into Belle’s world. Matt James has created a lush and beautiful world in which to immerse readers. Moody acrylic-on-masonite paintings using full, rich colors, dramatic lights and darks, and stylized figures bring this story to life. Don’t forget to check the book’s cover underneath its dust jacket, and don’t miss this beautiful book!

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna

PB Review: Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna

Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna by Uschi Müller, illus. by Brittany Lane (Greystone Kids, 40p., ages 4-8, 9781771649285 )

Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna is a fascinating tale of goats using their "sixth sense" to protect themselves--and their young goatherd--from disaster when a volcano unexpectedly erupts.

Salvatore, his parents, and their herding dog, Gina, live on a farm "at the foot of white-peaked Mount Etna," a rumbling, active volcano. Salvatore loves the goats, especially lead goat Bianca, who seems "to know more about the mountain than he [does]." Usually Papa takes the goats up the mountain to graze, but today Salvatore will do the job solo. Salvatore promises Papa he'll herd the goats--rather than letting them herd him--then, "with a whistle to Gina," he heads off. As they climb, Bianca, who usually leads the way, circles Salvatore; rather than eating grass, she begins "to kick and jump around." The other goats join in, and Gina starts to bark. When Bianca takes off down the mountain, followed by the rest of the goats, Salvatore realizes he's being herded! But Salvatore trusts Bianca, and when they reach the bottom, they hear the mountain roaring. Salvatore ties his scarf around his lead goat, and together they bring the herd safely home.

Debut author Uschi Müller, coordinator of the ICARUS project (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space) has crafted an intriguing, fluid story "inspired by true-life events" to illustrate the project's mission: to explore how "animals perceive upcoming catastrophes earlier than humans." Brittany Lane (The Day Dancer Flew) cleverly illustrates Salvatore's scenic home and conveys just the right touches of emotion and urgency through both human and animal body language. Backmatter rounds out this sure-footed offering with a pertinent, kid-friendly introduction to the ICARUS project. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

November Recommendations

THE MANGO TREE (La Mata de Mango), by Eden Rodriguez, is an extraordinary wordless picture book. On an island, a pair of friends eat, sleep, and play together in a magnificent mango tree. One day, a terrible storm knocks the tree over, and sweeps both it and one of the boys out to sea. The boy is carried to a new island, where nothing looks the same. Until he and his newfound friends plant the last mango from the tree, and a new tree sprouts, bringing joy to all. The brightly colored illustrations—woodblock prints that are assembled digitally—tell a touching, fantastical story with plenty to pore over in repeated readings. An author’s note gives some context and further enriches the story.

NO BEAR ANYWHERE, by Leah Gilbert, has all the ingredients for a fun and funny read-aloud. Bruin, a cute little kid in a bear hoodie, is hopeful they’ll get to see a REAL bear. He and his mom, with baby Pip in the stroller, set off down the trail. Each time readers think Bruin has found a bear—“Oh, Mama, LOOK!”—a dramatic page turn reveals a pinecone, or flower, or stone, or some other perfect thing to collect. Unbeknowst to Bruin, a family of bears follows along, always lurking just out of his sight. After the hike, Bruin ultimately doesn’t mind that he hasn’t seen a bear because the day has turned out “just fine.” The digital art is cute and adds to the story, as do the endpapers. Parents can explain later why bears are dangerous.

In ELBERT IN THE AIR, written by Monica Wesolowska and illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey, beginning “shortly after he [is] born,” Elbert floats. In the air. The neighbors suggest his mother, who has to stand on her tiptoes to feed him, “net him like a butterfly,” or even “deflate him…like a balloon.” But his mother replies that if he’s “born to float, I will let him.” Elbert feels lonely hovering by himself, and wishes for company. He wishes to fit in. But hIs mother continues to encourage him to be himself until one day, by floating ever higher, he finds—something fantastic! Wesolowska’s text is buoyant yet shows a range of emotion, and Pumphrey’s digital illustrations are in a print-making style; even when Elbert is feeling down (though not literally), they provide a lightness that perfectly suits the text. ELBERT IN THE AIR uses a playful premise to deliver a deeper message about being yourself, besides, who doesn’t want to float through the air?

HOW TO DRAW A BRAVE CHICKEN, and HOW TO DRAW A HAPPY CAT, written by Ethan T. Berlin and illustrated by Jimbo Matison, are fun and interactive. In the first, the text and illos demonstrate how to draw a chicken in a few easy steps, but “um, wait… she doesn’t look very brave.” Drawing “a suit of armor and a mighty steed” works, but then she wants to fight a dragon! Chaos ensues, including feeding the dragon ice cream on the moon, and drawing “the scariest party ever.”

In the second book, Cat “doesn’t look very happy,” so she’s given a cool T-shirt, a stuffy, and a skateboard. She’s “totally happy” for a while, but then Cat wants friends and a ramp, and after that she’s “scared of landing from this high up.” So Cat gets an airplane, and pizza, and parachutes, and readers are instructed to draw “the most awesome party ever!” The text is lively and the uncluttered digital art is shape-based so kids can actually try following the drawing instructions. Lots of energy and silliness should make these popular choices.

--Lynn

November's Book of the Month--Stella and Marigold

STELLA AND MARIGOLD, written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, is a smart, endearing, and beautifully illustrated chapter book for readers aged 6-9.

Stella only remembers four things from before Marigold was born but, afterwards, she remembers “everything.” When Stella’s parents bring newborn Marigold home from the hospital, Stella whispers into “Marigold’s squishy pink ear" that she’s going to tell Marigold “all the secret things…forever and ever.” And she does!

Most of the story takes place when Stella is seven and Marigold is four. They live with their parents in the bottom half of a house (the “lucky half”) in a city. When Marigold insists to her mother she did not take the drain cover off and drop a hairclip down the bathroom sink on purpose, Stella comforts her sister by explaining that it must have been the clips and pony bands, the brush and toothpaste, all walking around, as they do, for four minutes every night.

After Marigold gets lost in the Meerkat Mound at the zoo, Stella is there to soothe with another story, this one involving the Vice President and a medal. And, when Marigold’s turn at being Sprout of the Week ends badly, Stella takes her sister on a trip to Japan by rocket, with the moon and snow monkeys and hot baths in warm pools, until Marigold is ready to go home again for dinner. Marigold, in her turn, looks out for Stella, even when doing so includes eating barf-inducing eggs, and especially when it involves wearing her favorite Halloween bunny suit.

This book showcases a delightful understanding between the two siblings. When Marigold has trouble navigating her world, Stella’s stories are just what the younger girl needs and Marigold rewards her older sister with unconditional love, trust, and a healthy amount of adoration. Blackhall’s gorgeous, full-color illustrations adorn every spread and elevate the narrative into an especially lovely book to hold and treasure. I’m hoping for many more gentle adventures with this pair.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Why Not?

PB Review: Why Not?

Why Not?: A Story About Discovering Our Bright Possibilities by Kobi Yamada, illus. by Gabriella Barouch (Compendium, 48p., ages 4-up, 9781957891194)

Kobi Yamada (Finding Muchness) and Gabriella Barouch join forces again (Maybe) for a gorgeous picture book that offers several imaginative, inspirational ways for readers to live their own unique, "rare and wonderful" lives. A child with light brown skin wearing a hooded, animal-eared vest scrutinizes a puddle of water, their white fox-like pup by their side. The child is shown investigating their "vast treasure of talents" and making "the most of every moment," including riding in a magical balloon guided by flying stingrays, petting an enormous turtle with a crown, and examining ice crystals while cuddling with a menagerie of wild animals. Even though "the way might be difficult," courage, small steps, and the faith to keep going turn "shrinking possibilities" into "second chances."

Yamada's uplifting text nudges readers to find the extraordinary every day and embrace it--"especially the messy parts." Barouch's splendid illustrations feature the realistically rendered child wearing an orange and yellow vest that stands out against the generous white space and pastel colors that permeate the fanciful backgrounds. Why Not? is a perfect gift to entice young readers to explore themselves and ask "Why not see how good your best can be?" --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.