May Recommendations

Graphic Novels:

In THE AQUANAUT, by Dan Santat, Sophia’s dad has been lost at sea, and now she lives with her uncle as he carries on the “super secret research project” the two men began years ago. When a group of underwater creatures, including a sea turtle and a dumbo octopus with "an amazing appetite,” pack themselves into a deep sea diving suit and venture onto land, Sophia’s life gets a little crazy. It’s up to her—and the sea creatures (aka the Aquanaut)—to save Aqualand’s marine life. There are good guys and bad guys, an orca in distress, and (Caldecott medalist) Santat’s art is superb! (MG)

In WITCH FOR HIRE, by Ted Naifeh, when Cody gets relegated to the lunchroom loser table, she’s surprised to meet some fascinating people, one of whom, Faye, is a witch. And when Cody finds herself mixed up with shy__shelby, an online influencer who forces her to do increasingly dangerous hate crimes, she needs Faye’s help, and badly. It’s delightfully dark and full of magic. (YA)

THE DIRE DAYS OF WILLOWWEEP MANOR, written by Shaenon K. Garrity and illustrated by Christopher Baldwin, is a pleasantly odd graphic novel wherein Haley, unabashed lover of gothic romance novels, rescues a strange man who’s drowning in a river, and is in turn rescued herself by an even stranger man in a strange land that could be right out of one of Haley’s favorite stories. There’s the titular castle, complete with a foreboding housekeeper, gowns, a ghost, three brothers, and a curse. Yes, it’s weird but it’s also a complete hoot. (YA)

Picture Books:

In MINA, by Matthew Forsythe, Mina is a mouse who’s not bothered by anything until the day her father brings home a squirrel. Even though he assures her that “everything will be fine,” Mina can see at once that this is not a squirrel. And, even though the text doesn’t say so for many pages, clever readers will immediately understand, just like Mina does, that her father has clearly brought home a cat. Absolutely gorgeous watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations wonderfully depict the menacing presence of cat/s and fill the pages with magnificent decorative elements. It’s beautiful and it’s funny so, if you haven’t seen it already, don’t miss it!

BATHE THE CAT, written by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts, is a zany domestic episode wherein Daddy assigns Bobby, Sarah, and Dad their chores via magnetic letters on the fridge. But the orderly cleanup before Grandma’s visit is thwarted by the crafty cat, who does not want a bath. Holy hornets—the hijinks are hysterical! Colored pencil and watercolor illustrations depict this diverse family with a retro, magic marker-y feel. It’s a refreshing romp that will leave kids in stitches.

In WHERE IS BINA BEAR? by Mike Curato, Tiny is having a big party, but Bina Bear is nowhere to be found. Or maybe Bina is a lamp in a dark room. Or a table with a fruit bowl on top. Or a tree with a swing…who wants a banana. This is a lovely story of friendship and understanding that totally nails both humor and heart. The brightly-colored and cartoony ink, colored pencil, watercolor, and digital art is perfect for this winning tale.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--My Love Will Never Leave You

PB Review: My Love Will Never Leave You

My Love Will Never Leave You by Stephen Hogtun (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 32p., ages 3-6, 9781547608997, June 14, 2022)

A wise old tree teaches his young sapling all that she needs to know about life, love and carrying on after a loss in the touching, warm and reassuring My Love Will Never Leave You.

The old tree has been devoted to the sapling ever since she was a seedling. He's "watched over and cared for her," "pointed her to the sky" and "helped her branches grow true and strong." He's sheltered, shaded and supported her with his love. One morning, the curious little tree wants to know about the heart-shaped leaves covering his branches. He answers, "These are memories of the life I've led." When the sapling asks if she will grow similar leaves of her own, the old tree realizes that it's time for the little tree to "see and learn" for herself. The pair walk upon hills, sit by streams, study the birds who "find refuge in their branches" and enjoy the fragrance of flowers. The old tree teaches the young sapling many things as they travel and, lo and behold, one day soon the little tree has her own leaves, "all heart-shaped, fresh, and green."

All is well until autumn, when the sapling discovers that some of the old tree's leaves have fallen, and as the weather grows colder, his leaves become fewer. At last, the old tree must go, but not before assuring the young one, "Each time the wind blows, in your leaves is where you'll find me." In time, the little tree understands that her "bright memories" will keep her safe and warm and can guide her home.

Hogtun's text is relatively spare and poetic. His choice to use trees as walking, talking stand-ins for humans is an inspired one, infusing a sense of fantasy into the weighty discussion of mortality. While the trees are familiar figures who inspire reflection on loving and nurturing (as well as on the loss of someone special), the approach leaves much up to readers to fill in for themselves. The luminous illustrations convey plenty of emotion and conjure a pervasive sense of dreaminess and wonder. This allegorical offering gently inspires readers to understand that while "we cannot stop the seasons," sorrow will almost certainly be followed by joyful moments of surprise and renewal. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

Shelf Talker: In this gentle, allegorical picture book, a wise old tree teaches his beloved young sapling about love, loss and renewal.

May's Book of the Month--Big and Small and In-Between

May’s Book of the Month is BIG AND SMALL AND IN-BETWEEN, the transcendent new picture book by Carter Higgins and Daniel Miyares.

From “the SUN and its SHINE/when it asks you to rise,” to “your TOOTH/when it wiggles and waggles/but isn’t all the way in/or all the way out,” to “a SNAIL and her HOME and the road she has traveled,” to the perfect ending note, readers will be treated to moments of triumph and moments tinged with melancholy, moments grounded in reality and moments of fantasy, moments concrete and moments abstract. Moments that truly are big and small and in-between. And everything. All are worthy springboards for thought and contemplation, and/or for simple, quiet enjoyment.

The graceful prose is perfectly matched with elegant graphite, gouache, and digitally collaged art. Also of note is the quality and adventurous nature of the bookmaking by Chronicle which allows this premise to soar, from its smallish, intimate size and many pages, to the interactive paper elements that begin the first three sections, to the glorious gatefold at the end.

Kids—and wise adults—will truly enjoy the worlds this book opens up to them as they read and reread and reread…

--Lynn