Shelf Awareness--The Blue Velvet Chair

PB Review: The Blue Velvet Chair

The Blue Velvet Chair by Rio Cortez, illus. by Aaron Marin (Denene Millner Books/S&S, 40p., ages 4-8, 9781665912594)

The Blue Velvet Chair combines eloquent language with cozy illustrations to deftly convey a child's view of the world outside their window, perceived from the comfort of a favorite chair.

When a Black child wakes in the morning, the first thing they do is "streeeeetch [their] arms up beside [their] ears and climb the blue velvet chair" located by a window in the living room. Today, it's winter in the city, and the child sees white snow, brown branches, and their own "tiny cloud" of breath on glass. Sometimes it's spring and "the roof across the street is wet with rain." Sometimes a "black cat licks its paws"; other times, people are dancing. When the glass is warm, "that's summer." In autumn, the trees in the garden "turn orange and yellow and make crunchy piles," but the "roof across the street is quiet." As day winds down, the child stretches their arms up beside their ears and imagines "all the little ways the world might change tomorrow."

Poet and picture book author Rio Cortez (Golden Ax; The ABCs of Women's History) writes a flowing text that is a pleasing tumble of child-friendly musings. Sensory descriptions emphasizing the variable nature of the outside world tenderly express the message that time is always changing, and so are we. In Aaron Marin's sophomore work of picture book illustration (Amoya Blackwood Is Brave) he uses fully saturated colors with few outlines to highlight the warmth of the home and the closeness of its family. The Blue Velvet Chair offers an excellent excuse to snuggle up with a loved one for storytime or some world-watching. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

Shelf Awareness--Squirrel and Bird

PB Review: Squirrel and Bird

Squirrel and Bird by Laura Baker, illus. by Stacey Thomas (Tiger Tales, 32p., ages 3-7, 9781664300866)

In the dynamic, thought-provoking Squirrel and Bird by Laura Baker (Monsters Everywhere series), illustrated by Stacey Thomas (The Inventor's Workshop), an increasingly irritated Bird chafes at being typecast by a narrator's narrow interpretation.

A narrator states, in no uncertain terms, that Squirrel is so loud, "you can hear Squirrel from anywhere." And Bird "hardly makes a sound at all." Squirrel is "busy, busy, busy," while Bird "prefers to sit and do nothing." Frustrated, Bird tries to explain otherwise but is repeatedly ignored by the adamant narrator. The two friends are preparing for a concert: gathering instruments, sheet music, and inviting all the animals in the forest to attend. When the stubborn narrator decides that perhaps Squirrel, who is "oh-so-easy-breezy," should perform alone because Bird is "freaking out," Bird finally shouts "ENOUGH!" Bird vehemently insists that there is "so much more" to each of them, and now that Bird has spoken up, the narrator agrees. Bird is a lot of things, most notably a thinker and a performer, while Squirrel can be loud, excitable, and shy. With the narrator duly chastised, Squirrel and Bird can begin their story all over again. And, this time, they will tell it their way!

Baker's irresistible tale playfully demonstrates the downside of making assumptions and judgements. The entertaining text is thoughtful and full of energy, with Bird actively breaking the fourth wall. Delicate, predominantly yellow and gray illustrations cleverly contradict the narrator, showcasing the true nature of Bird's contributions and highlighting the multifaceted personalities of both endearing characters. Squirrel and Bird may appear lighthearted, but it packs an undeniable wallop of wisdom. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

August's Book of the Month--Your Forest

August’s Book of the Month is the board book YOUR FOREST, by Jon Klassen.

“This is your sun. It is coming up for you.” Thus begins a seemingly simple offering from Klassen. But there’s a lot going on. The child is immediately centered in the narrative, with the one and only sun rising just for them!

The book continues: “These are your trees. They can go over by the sun.” Then comes the cabin, and “maybe some rocks. Not too many though.”

To me, this feels like a call to creativity. The trees, cabin and rocks can be placed anywhere, though for now they will go where the narrator thinks they should go. Someday, however, the child might place them differently!

And the ghost! The “forest ghost,” who is “nice” but “only comes out at night.” I want a nice, friendly ghost like this to hang around nearby!

The stream means the child will always have water, and the bridge means they can always go home. The sun sets, and “everyone is closing their eyes.” And finally, because the forest is asleep, the child can sleep too and think about all they “will do there tomorrow.” As a lovely final touch, the last spread shows that nice ghost is keeping watch.

So sweet, so simple, so empowering!

--Lynn

August Recommendations

BEAR LOVES HIS HOME, written by Karen Jameson and illustrated by Ishaa Lobo, follows a bear cub as he “forages and roams” through the “warm amber fields,” “wandering hills,” and “fresh forest pines” of his beautiful “wilderness home.” The book shares plenty of facts about the young Bear’s diet and terrain, both in the main text through exquisite rhyming stanzas full of strong imagery, alliteration, and onomatopoeia, as well as in back matter which supports the text by digging a little deeper into the info introduced on each spread. The sweet digital art showing Bear frolicking, with mom watching protectively nearby, should draw kids in. Though the story ends with the promise of a new day, cuddle up!—Bear’s evening hunt and Jameson’s lilting verse work perfectly for bedtime.

In OUR LAKE, by Angie Kang, an older brother takes his younger sibling “to swim in the lake like Father used to.” As “the domed sky swaddles [them] in heat,” and “the water glistens below,” the older brother is caring and attentive, but, without Father, “the water looks far away.” However, Brother offers plenty of encouragement, and with the memory of Father stretching, soaring, and splashing into this same lake, the younger boy finds strength enough—and joy—to make the leap, soaring like an arrow “the way Father taught [him].” This is a poetically-written, deeply-felt narrative of love and healing, made stronger by evocative mixed media illustrations that channel the rich blues, greens, and yellows of summer.

In A BOOK OF MAPS FOR YOU, written by Lourdes Heuer and illustrated by Maxwell Eaton III, an unnamed narrator shares the book of maps they’ve made. A map of town, which points out details like the “fresh-squeezed juice and honey” smell of the orange groves near Blossom Lane. A map of Pip Street, which shows the old Halloween house on the corner and the house with the chicken coop called “Little Farm.” More maps follow, including school and library, a pirate map, a maze, and a map of “our house,” with a lovely surprise ending that’s all heart. Text is full of details and advice that feel practical, personal, yet full of whimsy, while the also-detailed pen, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations convey all that is said and more.

In EVERY MONDAY MABEL, by Jashar Awan, Mabel wakes up early on this “best day of the week,” peeks out the window to make sure there’s still time, then races down the hallway with her chair. Past Mira’s room, past the kitchen (where she picks up a bowl of dry cereal), past her dad, and out the door where she does the “most boring,” “cutest,” or “funniest” thing—depending on which family member you ask. Mabel sits and waits and waits until RRRRRRRRRRRRR! HONK HONK! the best thing in the world arrives! The suspense in this book builds and builds, and when readers finally see what Mabel is waiting for, the payoff is worthwhile. Text is exciting and immediate, and digital art resembles cutouts with it’s flat, well-designed color blocks. Should be right up any kid’s alley!

MISTACO! A TALE OF TRAGEDY AND TORTILLAS, by Eliza Kinkz, is the—extremely—high energy story of Izzy, “the PRESIDENT of Mistakes! Whether its eating a bowl of queso while doing homework, singing while brushing her teeth, or “watching important videos about video games” instead of watching where she steps, Izzy’s mistakes make her feel like “chili con KA-KA.” Especially THE HUGE SCHOOL MISTAKE. Her large family may “Hooha Ha,” “Pffffft,” and snort with laughter, but they also know how to make Izzy feel better. Making tortillas with Lito allows her to work out her frustration, and then the whole family gets to eat “mistacos” by admitting their own mistakes. The scribbly-style art, made with pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache, crayon and muchas concha crumbs, is as high energy as the words. But there’s plenty of warmth here, too. And Spanglish. And a recipe for tacos.

In RABBIT’S FEAT, by Barney Saltzberg, every spring, when Cactus’s flowers are about to bloom, Rabbit hears how Boulder—who perches on a cliff above Cactus—wishes to see them up close. Now, Boulder insists “today will be the day.” Cactus “can’t wait!” Rabbit decides they can’t wait either, and while Boulder and Cactus seem content to talk about how much they dream of being near each other, Rabbit tries and tries to push Boulder over the ledge and next to Cactus. Before long, “with… a little… help… and a little kindness… BOOM!” Boulder and Cactus can enjoy being together at last. Mixed media digital illustrations use fun textures and sweet character design to bring this tale to life.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Immortal Consequences

YA Review: Immortal Consequences

Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie (Delacorte Press, 512p., ages 12-up, 9780593898802)

In Immortal Consequences, a compelling dark academia YA novel, six ambitious teens are stuck in a magic-infused world "parallel to life and death" where there is copious amounts of romantic tension, intrigue, and deception.

Wren, August, Emilio, Olivier, Irene, and Masika have all died, but none have "crossed over to the Other Side." Instead, they are at Blackwood Academy, a purgatorial magic school. Blackwood students generally "graduate" after a few hundred years--they lose "memories of their previous life" to the Forgetting and are sent to the Ether to "reap lost souls for the rest of their existence." Every decade, however, one outstanding student is nominated for the Decennial, a ritual that allows the student the option to join the academic elite or cross over. When the six teens sneak out to watch a new student arrive, they bear witness to a concerning--perhaps impossible--display of magic. Rather than getting in trouble, though, all six are ordered to participate in a startling revision of the Decennial: instead of celebrating one student, this year's Decennial is a competition. The six "unfortunate acquaintances" become immediate rivals, but there will still be only one winner--and all are determined it will be them.

I.V. Marie's well-crafted debut is a riveting page-turner with action, witty banter, mysterious secrets, and unfulfilled longing. Her agile prose describes an ensemble cast of competitive characters who are each driven to be the best, even as they remain haunted by mistakes of their past lives. The six strive to conquer fears, personality flaws, and errors in judgment, yet remain startlingly human: even dead, all are terrified of running out of time. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

July's Book of the Month--The Papaer Bridge

July’s Book of the Month is the exquisite picture book, THE PAPER BRIDGE, by Joëlle Veyrenc and Seng Soun Ratanavanh.

Anya lives in the village of Paperlee, where people are “paper-thin and paper-light.” Residents are happy, except for the five-and-a-half days a year when strong winds blow and they keep stones in their pockets so they’re not lifted away. But when windmills suddenly appear on a neighboring mountain, home to the village of Forestlee, the anxious people of Paperlee suddenly need to carry stones with them all the time!

Anya realizes she must go to Forestlee, but first she must design a bridge to cross the chasm that divides the two villages. Using skills gleaned from the papercraft of kirigami, the bridge is built and Anya bravely crosses, only to discover that things are very different in Forestlee. Nevertheless, Anya explains the plight of her people, helps to solve a problem, and in doing so she finds a friend.

Joëlle Veyrenc uses the language of folklore to bring this gorgeous, hopeful story of interconnectedness and problem solving to life. Equally important are Seng Soun Ratanavanh’s meticulous illustrations, which use kirigami, pencil, and watercolor on paper, hand-cut and arranged into scenes, then photographed (back matter shows samples of what the constructed art looks like). Let this mesmerizing tale sweep you away!

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Millie Fleur Saves the Night

PB Review: Millie Fleur Saves the Night

Millie Fleur Saves the Night by Christy Mandin (Orchard Books, 40p., ages 4-8, 9781339023373)

In Christy Mandin's wondrous, magical Millie Fleur Saves the Night, the follow-up to Millie Fleur's Poison Garden, young Ms. La Fae employs compassion, care, and homemade moon pies to encourage every townsperson of Garden Glen to be a "friend of the Dark."

Every evening, residents of Garden Glen deploy houselights, spotlights, and lanterns to ensure their homes and gardens are safe from the "scary" and "dangerous" dark. Not so Millie Fleur, whose moon garden wasn't growing and who "hadn't seen a single night creature" since she moved to town. The Dark is always welcome in Millie Fleur's yard so the girl marches (moon pies in hand) to the edge of the woods to greet her old friend and many other creatures of the night. Spiders and bats, katydids and moles follow Millie Fleur back to her garden, which springs to life with their gentle activities. The sweet smell of night-blooming plants enchants her neighbors, but they will have to be brave and meet the Dark if they want to experience Millie Fleur's sparkling garden.

Mandin's enchanting sequel has all the charm and singularity of her first offering and allows readers to once again experience the eccentric perspective of her offbeat horticulturist with a penchant for the sweetly macabre. Digital illustrations are dark, fully saturated, and highlighted with whimsical touches, such as curlicues and faces on plants. Creative, unthreatening, and bursting with atmosphere, Millie Fleur Saves the Night should enchant readers of any age as it encourages them to face their fears and embrace the unknown. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.