August Recommendations

A RIVER OF DUST, written by Jilanne Hoffman and illustrated by Eugenia Mello, lyrically details the journey of dust as it leaves North Africa—“not just any dust, though”— but dust from the Sahel, which is “a ribbon of land spread between/the Sahara Desert, to the north,/and the tropical savanna,/to the south…from the Red Sea, in the east,/to the Atlantic Ocean, in the west.” Carrying a "precious cargo/needed by all life on Earth,” it swirls and soars, shrouds and sifts, whips and spirals across continents until it comes to rest where it can nourish the earth and anchor the trees of the Amazon rainforest. The poetic text, narrated in the voice of the dust itself, is bolstered by some very thorough back matter, and the vibrant digital illustrations do a fabulous job of making the concepts accessible. Nicely done!

In TOO MUCH!: AN OVERWHELMING DAY, written by Jolene Gutiérrez and illustrated by Angel Chang, a sensitive child is barraged by a noisy alarm clock, harsh sunlight, confining clothes, and unwanted hugs. It’s all “TOO LOUD! TOO BRIGHT! TOO ITCHY! TOO TIGHT!” Luckily Mom is there at the end of a tough day to provide the “careful squeeze” of a sheet-hug, as well as time, space, and plenty of understanding, all of which help the child find “a peaceful place to still [her] mind.” Rhyming couplets entertain while also inviting readers to learn about themselves and/or others, and the book provides plenty of positive coping strategies. The bright, expressive digital art is both animated and quiet as needed. Likewise, this book nicely manages to be both thoughtful and active enough to engage all types of readers. An entertaining, informative, and valuable picture book resource!

In BABY T. REX, written by Julie Abery and illustrated by Gavin Scott, “fluffy and tough” T. rex hatches from his egg and goes in search of food. But then “out of the nest,/tumble and roll,” another egg gets “lost in a hole,” and it’s up to T. rex to save it! The rhyming text, full of clever, active verbs, is well-paired with colorful, active illos using fun perspectives. Kids will bounce and RRRROAR along with the fun. In BABY STEGOSAURUS, equally engaging text and art show Baby chomping and munching along with the herd, until a volcano erupts and Baby can’t keep up. When he’s “snatched by the flow” of a river, thank goodness for a fallen tree—and Mama—to the rescue! These fun board books get it just right.

ONCE THERE WAS, written by Corinne Demas and illustrated by Gemma Capdevila, is a clever fairy tale in which each “episode” serves as a link in the story chain. A little girl who lives by the sea dreams she’s a “princess in a golden gown.” Readers turn the page to find that the “princess in a golden gown” dreams she’s a “horse with a flowing mane,” who in turn dreams she’s a “tree with a tall, straight trunk,” and, yes, the tree dreams, too! Readers will follow the chain back to find the sea dreaming she’s “a little girl who live[s] in a vine-covered cottage by the sea.” The musing text pairs well with stylized illustrations that add to the pleasantly fantastical universe.

THE DUCK NEVER BLINKS, by Alex Latimer, is rip-roaring meta fun, as the narrator addresses readers with mounting indignation regarding said duck’s unwillingness to well, yes, to blink. Perhaps we could all shout, or tell a sad story, or “look away for a second…and then look back really fast,” or ? The digital cartoony duck is simply—yet perfectly—done. Should be a great hit at story time. (Yes, it’s true, as that kid who engaged in endless staring contests…)

CRANE JANE! written by Andrea Zimmerman and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, tells a boisterous, rhyming, onamatopoetic story of Crane Jane, who climbs up and into her “tall, tall crane,” where she hooks, lifts, THUMPS! and sends the freight away on a trip, “TOOT-TOOT!” All goes well until “wilder winds begin to blow,” and the “final load swings to and fro.” But never fear, because “Crane Jane is tough,” and with some help she’ll save the day. Zimmerman’s text scans beautifully and Yaccarino’s digital art is strong and bright. HOORAY! HOORAY! for Crane Jane!

--Lynn

August's Book of the Month--The Sharing Book

August’s Book of the Month is just the thing as summer winds down and we head into fall:

Sun is perfect for mornings.
Clouds are just right for the sky.
Wonder is waiting to happen and…
TODAY, this day, is for sharing.

THE SHARING BOOK, written by Dianne White and illustrated by Simone Shin, offers a smooth segue into cooler days when hiking isn’t quite so sweaty and cozy nights might be spent making music around a campfire. The rhythmic, lilting text unfolds with a series of gentle surprises, and colorful, stylized mixed media art ably conveys all the joys of this delightful experience. From sunrise to sunset and beyond, the diverse group of campers depicted here enjoy their time in nature, sharing friendship, meals, adventure, and much, much more.

I reached out to Dianne about her process for writing THE SHARING BOOK, and she kindly shared this:

"Almost all of the picture books I’ve published arrived by way of a few words that catch my attention. Sometimes those words are part of a conversation I’ve had, sometimes they’re related to something I’ve seen or overheard. Sometimes a phrase literally drops into my head. However it happens, when it does, it’s like a small seed that might, with some coaxing, lead to a new story.

"But, that’s only the beginning. In order for those words to grow into a picture book, I will need to spend a lot of time thinking about the shape the story might take.

"In the case of The Sharing Book, it meant months of playing with the words to land on the frame that I would use for each of the stanzas/vignettes in the book. Once that question was settled, I would then spend more time considering which particular moments I’d include - friends, laughter, adventure, music - and so on.

I hope readers enjoy the heartwarming illustrations Simone Shin (https://www.simoneshin.com/) created to accompany the text and will be reminded of their own special moments shared with family and friends."

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Bean the Stretchy Dragon

PB Review: Bean the Stretchy Dragon

Bean the Stretchy Dragon by Ari Stocrate (Andrews McMeel, 96p., ages 7-10, 9781524881016, September 19, 2023)

Playful, visually punny Bean the Stretchy Dragon is an energetic debut graphic novel for young readers from popular French comic artist Ari Stocrate.

Every day is "an adventure" for cheery Bean, a tiny black dragon with a tan belly and big orange eyes who lives with his witch caretaker, Sally, in the swamp. Today, Bean wakes up with a good, long stretch, takes in the "nice view," and tumbles (literally) downstairs. She performs her "morning routine" of nail trimming (scratching the couch) and tooth sharpening, then enjoys a "light jog" (intense tail chasing) before grooming herself. Next, it's time for her favorite breakfast--beans (cans and cans of them)--followed by an "after-meal snack" of zombie tibia. Bean then heads through the swamp and into the forest to bury the bone in a pit with the rest of her treasures. When "something more interesting comes along," Bean is off in pursuit of a baby jackelope... until its much-larger mom puts an end to Bean's fun.

Bean continues wandering and encounters a multiplier dragon ("anything they eat... they poop out three times!") and picnicking fairies, as well as bouncing mushrooms and crying mandrakes. Sally shows up just in time to save Bean from a swamp monster, but not before the dragon is thoroughly covered in swamp slime--it's time for a bath, after which Sally uses a towel to turn her into "a bean burrito." The pair spend the rest of the day enjoying various other misadventures; in the evening, the little dragon and her witch curl up together by the fire to sleep "until tomorrow comes."

Stocrate's winsome graphic novel is adapted from her popular web comic, "Sally & Bean." Endearing, childlike main character Bean (inspired by the artist's own pets, a cat and two lizards) can usually be found digging, racing, chasing, or swooshing, and spends the entire book getting into amusing and messy trouble. Page turns sustain the action, and the dawn to dusk narrative is interspersed with entertaining illustrations of the "truly magical" beings who inhabit the neighborhood, such as the fur-bearing trout and the abbagoochie ("a mix between an owl, a fox, and a deer"). Throughout this nimble, kid-friendly offering, Stocrate's storytelling makes the most of the visual nature of her format, and this--along with an ever-present sense of humor--allows her to deliver a dynamic and accessible early graphic novel. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

Shelf Awareness--Sometimes, a Tiger

PB Review: Sometimes, a Tiger

Sometimes, a Tiger by Z.B. Asterplume (Feiwel & Friends, 32p., ages 4-8, 9781250823441)

Z.B. Asterplume's debut picture book beautifully conveys how imagination--and "sometimes, a tiger"--can make all the difference on a belly-grumbling, "not-so-shiny day."

Dario wakes up "hungry for possibilities." He looks into the mostly bare pantry where he finds "a can of beans, pretzels, pickles; the usual breakfast stuff." But he also finds "something else" entirely: a large, majestic tiger. The boy squeezes into a school bus seat with the wondrous creature, and muses on "how many other possibilities a not-so-shiny day might hold." By the afternoon, Dario and his tiger have helped all the kids in his classroom, as well as teacher Ms. Voll, "see things a little differently." In fact, wherever Dario and his tiger go, they show folks "what could be instead of just what was." Dario arrives home to find his pantry is still mostly bare, but in a final, joyful moment, his neighbors and classmates bring a picnic to his window, demonstrating that even on "not-so-shiny days there are plenty of possibilities."

Sometimes, a Tiger, with its perfect balance of text and art, is a story of food insecurity, but it's also a story of sharing, caring, making connections, and strengthening community. The accomplished digital illustrations deftly enhance both the whimsy and gravitas of the book, making great use of gloomy shadows to express Dario's hunger, while depicting his hope and imagination in more optimistic shades. Young readers should relate to Dario's kindness being repaid in kind. Because, surely, there are times when everyone can use a tiger. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

July Recommendations

BITSY BAT, SCHOOL STAR, written and illustrated by Kaz Windness, is about a little bat who dreams “BIG STAR dreams.” But on her first night at school, Bitsy seems to be doing everything wrong. (She hangs rather than sits, uses her feet to paint rather than her fingers, and her snacks, well, they crawl!) Finally, Bitsy has “a FIVE-STAR meltdown.” Back home, with the help of her loving family, Bitsy realizes that “everyone shines a little differently,” and she comes up with a “BIG STAR idea” to help her classmates understand. Back matter provides info on autism and an author/illustrator’s note makes it personal. Graphite and Photoshop illustrations showcase a really fun character design and palette, and they add plenty of punny humor to the buoyant text. This entertaining story never lags.

100 MIGHTY DRAGONS ALL NAMED BROCCOLI, written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Lian Cho, is a humorous, quirky, and super-original counting book, featuring—yes—a hundred mighty dragons all named Broccoli, and they disperse in wide-ranging and unexpected ways. There’s plenty of subtraction, a bit of addition, and a surprise twist at the end. Vibrantly-colored acrylic and colored pencil dragons are full of life and personality. The zany illustrations are a perfect match for the zany text, and this whole zany book will keep even the most math-averse readers engaged.

REMEMBER, written by Joy Harjo and illustrated by Michaela Goade, beautifully celebrates “where and who you come from,” as well as poetry itself, which brings “the most secret dreams of your heart into existence.” The book is a call to remember “the sky that you were born under,” “the sun’s birth at dawn,” as well as “sundown and the giving away to night.” To remember your birth, the earth, and all in this life who “have their tribes, their families, their histories, too.” Who are “alive poems.” The striking, jewel-toned watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations invoke Tlingit creation stories and “the concept of haa shagoon, which is the understanding that our ancestors are united with the present and future generations.”

HOW TO GET YOUR OCTOPUS TO SCHOOL, written by Becky Scharnhorst and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett, is full of punny advice for getting your reluctant octopus to school, something you know he “will love…if he gives it a chance,” but who “would much rather stay home with you and play hide-and-seek or dress-up.” Since octopuses are very, very good at hiding, and hugging, and trying on lots of different outfits, getting him there is going to take a while. And once he’s there, well, we’ll just see who has trouble letting go. Digital illustrations are full of energy and amp up the fun. Kids should have no trouble relating to this one, and the humor still leaves room for plenty of heart.

In LIA & LUÍS: PUZZLED, written by Ana Crespo and illustrated by Giovana Medeiros, when Lia and Luís open a package from their grandma, they find “a puzzle…with a secret message.” Mamãe tells them they must hurry and finish the puzzle, and Lia and Luís figure out how to do just that. They inspect the pieces closely, and learn about sorting them based on shape, color, and size. Finally, the puzzle is done and it’s time to solve the mystery. Digital illustrations are bright and clear. There’s a glossary of Portuguese words, an author’s note, and some math activities which make this picture book even more appealing for very young readers.

AS NIGHT FALLS: CREATURES THAT GO WILD AFTER DARK, written by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Felicita Sala, is a lyrical look at nighttime and the creatures that inhabit it. Beginning slowly with “some young ones, who close their eyes and nestle sweetly into sleep without a whisper,” readers will turn the page to find many “other young ones,” whose thoughts “wiggle and giggle and race to burst free.” We see how “nighttime is action time,” as the “mini go ballistic,” and the “big ones go berserk.” Bumping, striking, slither-crawl-looping and swooping verbs drive this narrative, making it sing. But, for me, it’s the wondrous and wonderful gouache, watercolor, ink, colored pencil, and oil pastel illustrations that truly set this book apart. I would happily frame any spread in this book!

--Lynn

July's Book of the Month--The Flamingo

July’s Book of the Month is The Flamingo, a grounded-yet-fanciful, mostly wordless graphic novel by Guojing.

A young girl visits her beloved Lao Lao, and together they enjoy the nearby beach and its many treasures. When the girl finds a flamingo feather in her aunt’s home, Lao Lao begins the story of finding an egg, then hatching and caring for a little flamingo. Scenes of domestic tranquility are interspersed with more whimsical ones of raising the flamingo chick, and much love permeates all.

Back home in the city, the girl dreams of—and draws—a flamingo (is it the flamingo?) on which she flies back to Lao Lao, and the two sail away, on its back, together. The girl’s book of drawings, mailed to Lao Lao, further connects the two loving relatives who live so far apart.

The expressive Photoshop, watercolor, and pencil illustrations wonderfully convey the warm relationship between child and adult, and also the wonder the flamingo brings to their world—soft and muted for reality, bright and colorful for the tale, readers will have no trouble moving between the two. A charming, magical, and lovely book!

PS: maybe it’s because I grew up in the city, but there’s a spread near the end where the child flies away on the back of the flamingo—orange-pink bird against the blue-grey-purple skyscrapers—I’m right there, and I’m flying away, too!

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Teddy's Midnight Adventure

PB Review: Teddy's Midnight Adventure

Teddy's Midnight Adventure by Yoko Mori, transl. by Cathy Hirano (Pushkin Children's Books, 32p., ages 3-7, 9781782694014)

In the enchanting, ethereal Teddy's Midnight Adventure, one young girl and her stuffie experience the magic of a moonlit night as they search for Teddy's lost eye.

Akiko and Teddy are playing outside until Akiko's mother calls the girl in. That's when "Teddy's eye pop[s] off and sail[s] through the air." Akiko searches, but the eye doesn't turn up. She lovingly wraps a bandage around Teddy's head and wishes she was "as small as Teddy" so she might "walk under the grass and look for it." That night, Akiko wakes to find that she is indeed very small. She leads Teddy outside and they hunt for the eye, though at first, it's nowhere to be found. The "trilling" bell crickets, Mee-chan the cat, and sleeping Mrs Crow are no help, but after a sudden rainfall Akiko and Teddy find toadstools, "balloon-like" puffball fungi, and "a forest of glowing mushrooms." By the light of these magical lamps, Akiko spots Teddy's eye. When she wakes the next morning, Akiko is "back to her normal size," and Teddy's eye is "back on his face, just like always."

Yoko Mori's story depicts what could be any child's dream: a post-bedtime adventure that transforms the comforting realm of the everyday into fantasy. Hirano's gentle translation fully expresses the magic and sweetness in Mori's picture book. Detailed gray-scale illustrations feature pops of red to highlight Akiko's clothes and the wonderful glowing mushrooms. The intricate, accomplished, often whimsical art fills Mori's nighttime world with glamour. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.