In CHIRP, by Kate Messner, Mia and her family move back to Vermont to help her grandmother transition into retirement after suffering a mild stroke, but Gram is all fired up to expand her cricket farm. When strange accidents keep putting the business (and crickets) in danger, however, it sure feels like someone is trying to sabotage the place. Mia and her new friends dig into the mystery and, along the way, Mia learns some truths about how to deal with a problem of her own, one she’s kept hidden for a long time. Readers are sure to relate. (MG)
MAÑANALAND, by Pam Muñoz Ryan, blends the boundaries of myth and reality in relating the story of Maximiliano Córdoba and the Guardians of fictional Santa Maria. Max loves to play fútbol, and, more than anything, he wants to play on the town team. But when it becomes clear that the new coach will want to see a birth certificate, Max’s dad must go to San Clemente in search of a replacement for the document. Meanwhile, there are bridges to build and Hidden Ones to escort to freedom, and Max uses his kind, generous nature and strong family values to guide him. Ryan weaves an engrossing tale. (MG)
Graphic Novels:
WITCHLIGHT, by Jessi Zabarsky, is the whimsical, offbeat story of a witch who has lost most of her power, and the woman who accompanies her to find it. After Lelek’s family sends her to a witch, insisting that she learn how to save their village, the witch seals most of Lelek’s power away to protect the young girl. This goes badly, and Lelek ends up alone, searching for her power until she kidnaps Sanja. Which ends up being the start of a beautiful friendship. Delicate drawings and innovative use of color make a lasting impression. (YA)
Picture Books:
DON’T WORRY, LITTLE CRAB, by Chris Haughton, is an affectionate look at fighting your fears. Little Crab doesn’t think he can get to the ocean, but, step by step, he makes his way down the rocks, where—yes!—he finds he loves the fish and the seaweed and the “giant game of hide and seek,” until, alas, it’s time to go home. Quirky, colorful, digital illustrations reinforce the love Big Crab brings to the outing.
THE IMAGINARIES: Little Scraps of Larger Stories, by Emily Winfield Martin, is just what the subtitle says—a book which pairs small bits of enigmatic text with intriguing, wonder-filled portraits, painted with acrylic on wood and gouache on paper. It will spark children of all ages to create their own “fragments of a secret world…stories which do not exist."
VAMOS! Let’s Go to the Market, and VAMOS! Let’s Go Eat, by Raul the Third, with colors by Elaine Bay, are two of the most entertaining, thoughtful, information-packed picture books around. Kind of like bilingual, comics-based Richard Scarry books. In the first, wrestling-obsessed Little Lobo checks his list to see what supplies he and Bernabé (his perro) need to take to people at the Mercado. The streets are filled with some pretty odd—and friendly--creatures! In the second, El Coliseo is buzzing with excitement before the big wrestling match. Little Lobo again has plenty of deliveries to make, this time to the hungry luchadores, who are practicing their moves. As an added bonus, Little Lobo and Bernabé are accompanied by rooster Kooky Dooky. Stylish and spectacular!!!
--Lynn
No comments:
Post a Comment