Shelf Awareness--Dream for the Land

PB Review: Dream for the Land

Dream for the Land by Laekan Zea Kemp, illus. by Leo Espinosa (Anne Schwartz Books, 40p., ages 4-8, 9780593710302)

Dream for the Land is a moving and ultimately hopeful look at how one family in the Southwestern U.S. works and dreams of rain during a megadrought.

A child with brown skin and messy pigtails chases bunnies away from crops on her family's small farm. But this is the second batch of tomatoes that looks "withered on the vine" and the squash is being destroyed by spider mites. When a horned toad "skitters across the soil," Pá demonstrates how to catch it, kiss its head, and make a wish. The hardworking family prunes and weeds, but the drought means clouds refuse to "burst open over [their] small farm." When Pá was a boy, this same land "used to be green as jewels" and he would swim in the "cobalt river"; now, the river is only a memory. The child realizes the family needs some magic: they find another horned toad and "plant a gentle kiss on his head," dreaming of "the world as it once was" and "the world as it could be."

Laekan Zea Kemp (Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet) tells a tenderhearted story that depicts the hardships of tending a drought-stricken land yet maintains hope. Illustrator Leo Espinosa (Islandborn) uses pencil and Photoshop to illustrate both sweeping landscapes and intimate emotion; an earth-toned palette uses gentle colors that realistically show the stark climate. Though the child's situation is dire, the story ends optimistically. A powerful author's note points out that although the Southwest is experiencing its longest megadrought in 1,000 years, there are "Indigenous communities and other communities of color that know exactly what the earth needs to heal." --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

May Recommendations

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

Shelf Awareness--Hurricane

PB Review: Hurricane

Hurricane by Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books, 48p., ages 5-8, 9780823458493)

In Hurricane, Caldecott and Sibert Medalist Jason Chin (Watercress; Life After Whale) delivers another sensational work of creative nonfiction that features precise details and exacting illustrations.

"A storm is raging over the Atlantic Ocean." But it's no ordinary storm, it's a hurricane, with "howling winds, raging waves, and torrential rains [that] can cause terrible destruction." And it's heading toward the east coast of North America. Luckily for people who live in its path, the storm is being watched by a weather satellite hovering 22,000 miles above Earth, meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center in Florida, and brave hurricane hunters who pilot their "airborne weather station[s]" into the very storm itself. Informed residents know to prepare with emergency supplies; they fuel cars, check on neighbors, board up windows, and when forecasts indicate lives may be at risk, these residents lock their doors and leave.

Chin's fascinating, information-packed narrative tracks the hurricane day by day, describing the violent storm and its effects on the residents in its path, while sidebars and back matter explain related topics. His pen, ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations gracefully and diligently depict both the meteorology and the urgent-yet-measured approach informed residents might take. Chin demonstrates the extreme importance of weather monitoring in general, and hurricane tracking in particular, offering a welcome presentation of how they can be vital to human safety and emergency preparedness. Hurricane is a top-notch addition to the strong body of hurricane picture books for children. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

May's Books of the Month

May’s Books of the Month are two distinctive biographies, both illustrated by Lauren Soloy.

The first, TOVE AND THE ISLAND WITH NO ADDRESS, is written and illustrated by Soloy. It describes how, the summer when she is seven, Tove Jansson and her family pack a boat with what they deem “essential” and “[move] to an island with no address.” There aren’t many people on the island, but there is plenty for young Tove to do, including “dangerous things, boring things, digging things, exploring things…” all of which she sets out to accomplish on the very first morning. She “visit[s] the grotto where her secret friend live[s],” offers to take his daughters for a walk, and gets caught in a terrible storm—during which the girls blow away! The book is atmospheric, fantastical fun, and hints at the creative mind of the woman who eventually was responsible for the wonderful, classic Moomin books. Back matter gives a bit more context, and Soloy’s text gets us into Tove’s head nicely.

The second, A TULIP IN WINTER: A STORY ABOUT FOLK ARTIST MAUD LEWIS, is written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Lauren Soloy. Young Maud is a content child, playing with her brother, “stroking the cats, listening to music, and playing piano.” But other kids tease her “for her crooked walk, and how small she [is].” As her fingers grow more stiff and bent, she turns from music to painting, and, as she grows up, “colour flow[s] through her days.” But adulthood is hard for Maud. No one will hire her, and after her parents die she becomes a live-in housekeeper for the “gruff as a billy goat” fish peddler Everett Lewis. Right away, she brightens the house with her colors, and when they run out, Everett scavenges some more. Maud and Everett get married, and drive around the countryside selling her paintings and his fish—until they have to sell the car because it’s too expensive. Through it all and until her death, Maud paints “all the beauty she had ever seen in nature.” Back matter here, too, is welcome for context.

In both books, Soloy’s colors are strong and lush, employing descriptive black outlines as needed, to achieve her moody-yet-whimsical, solemn-yet-mischievous, decidedly enchanting digital artwork. These are welcome additions to the picture book biography genre!

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--I Come from Another Galaxy

PB Review: I Come from Another Galaxy

I Come from Another Galaxy by James Kwan (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 40p., ages 4-8, 9781419771149, July 1, 2025)

I Come from Another Galaxy humorously, compassionately--and with a healthy dose of cuteness--relates the story of a dauntless young human who finds that things are very different away from Earth, where they are now the alien.

"Hello, friends." Intrepid adventurer James, who's zooming off to school in another galaxy, explains that they're writing in their little book to share "discoveries from outer space." Their new classmates are all aliens, adorned with slimy tentacles, big googly eyes, and noodle arms. James has "never seen anyone like them!" At school, no one knows how to pronounce the young traveler's name ("Joo-mez?"), and the bathroom has so many buttons that James decides to "hold it in." Not only is James not slimy enough for slime-ball, but when it's time for show and tell--where everyone else shares their favorite shiny, fancy things--James realizes that all they have to share is their little book. Slowly, they open it and read what they've written.

Turns out communicating helps! Once the aliens learn how to say the name "James" correctly, they cheerfully say "hi" (and "greetings" and "beep boop") to the human, after which they advise "PRESS RED! THEN GREEN! THEN SQUARE!" to help James use the toilet. With the help of new friends James can even be slimy enough to play slime-ball. Finally, wonderfully, James offers up things from their own "alien" culture: toothbrushes, socks, and noodles for lunch ("!!!"). The little book, it turns out, lets James "feel bigger having shared it."

James Kwan (Dear Yeti) takes the familiar premise of aliens coming to Earth and spins it 180 degrees. James (the character) is an earnest adventurer who's exhilarated by all the exciting new things they can learn, and their counterparts in the other galaxy are likewise eager to find out about James, all of which delightfully affirms the power of dialogue and the benefits of keeping an open mind. Kwan's pencil drawings are digitally colored in dark pastels, and his characters are engaged, unthreatening, and frankly adorable as they demonstrate how easy it might be to help someone new feel at home. I Come from Another Galaxy beautifully suggests it is likely that everyone has "special stories to share"--even if they are stories from another galaxy. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

April's Book of the Month--A Universe Of Rainbows

April’s Book of the Month is A UNIVERSE OF RAINBOWS, a fascinating celebration of art and science, with poems selected by Matt Forrest Esenwine and illustrated by Jamey Christoph.

Seventeen accomplished poets contribute twenty-one uplifting entries, each of which delve into a different facet of the beauteous phenomenon that is the rainbow. We begin with a poem by Nikki Grimes which bemoans a rainy day devoid of sunshine, hopscotch, and soccer, only to end with the wonder of “the storm’s apology.” It’s accompanied by an explanation of how rainbows are created, some terms for talking about them, and the suggestion to make one of your own with a garden hose. Following are poems about sun dogs, moonbows, prisms and crystals, rainbows in water, rainbows on trees, rainbows on wings, and more. So many kinds of rainbows! The book winds down with Garden of Stars, by Georgia Heard, along with its explanation of the rainbow nebula, then the book finishes with a long list of resources and a glossary.

This intelligent book has it all— evocative poems, bright, eye-catching illustrations, and a good amount of science on the side.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Never Thought I'd End Up Here

YA Review: Never Thought I'd End Up Here

Never Thought I'd End Up Here by Ann Liang (Scholastic Press, 320p., ages 12-up, 9781546110675, June 3, 2025)

In the inviting Never Thought I'd End Up Here, Ann Liang (This Time It's Real) gives the classic enemies-to-lovers trope a fun, fish-out-of-water twist by forcing her Los Angeles-born heroine to take a trip to China with her (now handsome) childhood nemesis.

Seventeen-year-old Leah Zhang was convinced that being a model would turn her from the ugly duckling into the swan. It did, to some extent, but it was also "an all-consuming force" that colored in "every single aspect" of her life. Worse yet, Leah hates being stared at--a huge problem when she realizes she has to offer a toast in Mandarin at her superstitious cousin's wedding. Leah, who generally communicates with her Chinese relatives "via elaborate gestures" rather than the language she barely knows, is given tips on what to say. Stressed and nervous, she accidentally wishes the happy couple a "depressing marriage" and hopes they "fall ill quickly." Leah's horrified mother signs Leah up for a two-week trip to China to immerse her in the language and culture. Unfortunately, "evil" Cyrus Sui, the boy responsible for a deeply humiliating betrayal that "permanently stained" Leah's school records, is also attending.

The pair are repeatedly thrown together, first on the airplane, then as teammates in the group competition, and Leah realizes she can humiliate Cyrus for ruining her life by playing up her flirtation and grabbing hold of his heart. She decides she will demand a public display of "chocolates and balloons and streamers," then laugh "long and loud, right in his face." But first, Leah will need to make Cyrus want her, and she's not immune to his "solemn, dark gaze and the visible cut of his collarbone." To her dismay, Leah becomes increasingly more affected by Cyrus's unexpected tenderness--and his "enviably long" eyelashes.

Liang spins her story with plenty of verve, as Leah develops from being somewhat lost and self-absorbed to a thoughtful young adult. While Never Thought I'd End Up Here is first and foremost a romance, Liang uses humor to explore cross-cultural disconnect and investigate the development of self-worth: as Leah's China trip proves an opportunity for an awkward, "uncultured" girl to learn she is actually worthwhile and "interesting" enough to make her own life choices. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.