May Recommendations

TELL ME ABOUT OCEANS and TELL ME ABOUT SPACE, written by Lisa Varchol Perron and illustrated by Jennifer Faulkner, both use simple, rhyming text in a question-and-answer format to explain basic concepts in a way that the youngest of readers should appreciate. Melodic main text is supplemented with explanatory sidebars which go into further detail, so the books work on a couple of levels—to keep older siblings interested, as well, and/or to grow with the child as they are ready to learn more.

My favorite page is (of course) about the moon: “Tell me how our moon lights up/ and makes the nighttime glow./ The moon is dark but bounces sunlight/ down to Earth below.” And then we learn in the sidebar how the moon “the moon does not create its own light,” but instead “acts like a mirror,” and so on. The illustrations do a great job of making concepts clear—give these early science books a try!

In EMMA FULL OF WONDERS, by Elisha Cooper, Emma is “a large dog with many small dreams.” In fact, Emma has “one, two, three, four, five” favorite things, which are “singing, dancing, rolling in the grass, splashing in water, going for walks,” and then there are food and naps, which are the sixth and seventh. Readers will go on to learn many other important things about Emma, a gentle, thoughtful dog with a secret. Cooper’s masterful ink and watercolor art works in perfect unison with an absolutely wonderful text that somehow manages to be both active and reflective at once, and never says too much. It’s hopeful, reassuring, and sweetly done.

BENITA AND THE NIGHT CREATURES, written by Mariana Llanos and illustrated by Cocoretto, stars an avid reader who’s too engrossed in her book to be scared of the monsters who try to haunt her. Benita has a new book, so she’s not paying attention when Cuco bounces into her bedroom to yell “BOO!” (or even “BOO HAAAHOOOO!”) Nor is she impressed by Tonche, who whistles “FEEEEE EEENNN!” Or Supay, who wails “BAHAAHAAAHAAAA!” No, Benita is reading and, honestly, isn’t reading the best kind of “enchanting magic,” anyway? Text is active and fun, and bright, engaging pencil and digital illustrations feel like block prints or paper cuts. Lots of storytime fun to be found in this one!

In THE CONCRETE GARDEN, by Bob Graham, “after a cold, hard winter,” Amanda brings a box of chalk outside where children play, having “spilled out [from their apartments] like candies from a box.” Amanda uses green to make a drawing on the ground, which Jackson turns into a dandelion. Janet adds a mushroom and the Bradley twins contribute flowers (which are smudged by Luke’s dog). Next come a snail, some foliage, and, piece by piece, “a beautiful and exotic garden spread[s] across the concrete.” People in the apartments above notice, and the kids all get to take a bow. When rain washes away their concrete garden, the kids aren’t sad, because now they get to create something new! Bob Graham is a master, and I would bet anything he creates is worth a look—this one certainly is. Illustrations, full spreads with some panels, are watercolor and ink in his signature style.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Squirrel Needs a Break

PB Review: Squirrel Needs a Break

Squirrel Needs a Break by Kristen Remenar, illus. by Matt Faulkner (Charlesbridge, 32p., ages 4-7, 9781623543709)

Wife and husband team Kristen Remenar and Matt Faulkner (Groundhog's Dilemma) have created in Squirrel Needs a Break a winning picture book filled with humor, heart, and a celebration of community.

Squirrel's an attentive dad, but after being "stuck in the nest" with three exuberant kits all winter, he's "even grumpier than usual." So, Sparrow, Bear, Hare, Owl, and Groundhog decide to give Squirrel a much-needed break. While Owl takes Squirrel for a breakfast of peanut butter pie, Hare makes pancakes with the kits. Then Hare turns the energetic little ones over to Sparrow (yes, "syrup happened") and Hare and Squirrel proceed to the spa. Meanwhile, Sparrow gives the sticky kits a bath, then hands them off to Owl, who then delivers them to Groundhog. At first, Squirrel enjoys his time off with friends, but during yoga class, he begins to miss his family. As the day winds down, Squirrel and his kits are reunited and Bear has one final surprise in store.

Remenar's earnest characters are as endearing as her plot is full of energy. Her clever text includes fun dialogue and allows plenty of room for Faulkner's expressive digital illustrations. His deftly rendered, cartoony art depicts characters with human-like features and body language, contributing to the story's relatability. Child readers will likely delight in the kits' capering while caregivers will almost certainly connect with the exhausted animals. Indeed, this entertaining, affectionate picture book title should be as big a hit with adults as it is with their rambunctious kits. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

May's Book of the Month--Everyone Starts Small

With its lyrical text and vibrant, colorful art, EVERYONE STARTS SMALL, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Dominique Ramsey, offers an inspiring ode to our living planet that ends with some gentle encouragement to help Earth “recover, regenerate, and look after itself.”

“Everyone starts small,/in seed or sky or rocky bed.” The story begins with Sun’s beams, Grass’s blades, and Cloud’s exuberance, but soon “everyone sprouts and bursts/and hatches and spreads.” Tree “reaches and widens,” Water “tumble[s] end over end,” Grass, Sun, Bug, and Berry, “rise and ripen.” But then comes Wind, and Sun grows too hot. And so does Fire. Then Rain, who is wet, calms everyone down. And they’re all tired, but “Soil holds on,” and slowly “threads of life” again burst forth.

The language is so smooth and wonderful to say, I couldn’t help reading it aloud and over-quoting it to describe the story. Liz Garton Scanlon is a master, but the illustrations completely hold their own, with bright colors and swirling, organic shapes adding to the sense that Earth is always in motion, always growing and dying back and growing again. It’s a delightful read.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--The Island Before No

PB Review: The Island Before No

The Island Before No by Christina Uss, illus. by Hudson Christie (Tundra Books, 56p., ages 3-7, 9780735272415, July 16, 2024)

The Island Before No cleverly, comically, and with plenty of aplomb relates the story of how a huddle of overly agreeable walruses deals with the challenge of a contrary new Kid who arrives on their island, neatly demonstrating how "YES [can] work as a great partner to NO."

On this island full of walruses, "every simple question had just one simple answer: yes!" According to the walrus narrator, yes worked beautifully when questions pertained to staying up late or eating cake; it was "not so great when someone asked you to wear an itchy shirt or get a haircut." But "yes" is the answer these walruses know, so they went with it. Until the Kid shows up. The Kid parks his boat in the middle of the Walrus Ball court and, when asked to move, responds with something new: "NO!"

NO wasn't "shaped like YES, but somehow it was still an answer." NO is "heavy like a bookcase, solid as a boulder." And NO allows the Kid to take all the donuts from Café Donutto. When the narrator wishes to share, the Kid says NO ("the best word in the world!") and instead calls for a piggyback ride. The poor walrus answers, predictably, "yes." Ensuing requests come quickly and are all answered with the familiar yes. When the fed-up walrus begs, "Would you stop using my toothbrush to paint the cat?" the Kid, of course, says NO.

The Kid invites friends who all borrow toothbrushes. Donut supplies begin to run low. Finally, the frustrated walruses decide they need to employ the "big new word" themselves. Their first NOs are "squishy like sponges." But, with practice, the narrator manages to squeeze out a small NO. Even though it's not big or heavy, it works! Now, armed with a whole wheelbarrow full of NOs to go with their yeses, the pod sets about saving their island.

Christina Uss (The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle) delivers a chucklesome narrative that follows a clear, concise arc, one she expertly punches up with plenty of fun linguistic devices. The story is allowed to unfold in 56 generous pages, giving debut book illustrator Hudson Christie ample room to contribute enthusiastic, appealing visuals. Christie's clay and paper dioramas bring a solid, 3-D heft to the art and some spreads--which are illustration only, even the text ("yes" or "NO") rendered in the artist's Claymation style--help both pace and emphasize plot points. This splendid cautionary tale comes in the most kid-friendly of packages! --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

April Recommendations

IMAGINE YOU AND ME, by Benson Shum, is the sweet story of Randall and Parker, who together enjoy summers filled with ice cream, “visiting magical worlds,” and “lifting each other up when needed.” When they’re disturbed by a sloth of bears, Randall (a bear) is initially worried, but Parker (a girl) encourages her friend to overcome his shyness and ask the others to play. Everything goes well, except that the other bears can’t see Parker. But she’s there to coach Randall through his insecurities, and the bears are kind. More and more, Randall plays with the bears, and less and less with Parker, until one day Randall can’t find Parker anywhere. Earnest characters are beautifully described with spare text and sparely-colored, cartoony illustrations. An earnest, heartwarming atmosphere permeates this gentle—imaginary—friendship story.

In LIGHTS OUT: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds, written by Jessica Stremer and illustrate by Bonnie Pang, a flock of sparrows begin their journey south for the winter, flying by night, with “a map made of stars” to guide them. In the city, bright lights cause the map to fade, and the sparrows become confused. Many find their way, but one is left behind until a girl’s “helping hands” rescue it. The girl learns that “people all over the city” can make a difference by turning off their lights ”so the birds can see the starry map.” Lyrical text combines with the rich palette of the digital illustrations to create this uplifting, kid-friendly call to action inspired by the Lights Our movement.

HOW TO FIND A BIRD, written by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Diana Sudyka, describes some of the many ways readers might seek out these wonderful creatures. Perhaps, young birdwatchers will blend in, or move slowly, or sit quietly and look. Not just up, but down, where birds forage, sneak snacks, splash, and/or nest. And straight ahead, where they blend in. And up, too, where they can be found flying, sitting—and murmuring! Readers can give them a home and feed them. And they can close their eyes and listen. Thoughtful, informative text and completely stunning watercolor and digital illustrations include fun onomatopoetic bird calls and labels for the many birds depicted within these pages. Back matter adds practical ways for kids to begin birdwatching in earnest.

In IF YOU WANT TO RIDE A HORSE, written by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Gael Abary, there are questions to answer. Will your horse be “Black or bay?/ Dappled like a starry sky, or gray?” or white? or wild? What will you call her? There are steps to follow, like brushing her coat and—yep—scooping her poop. And there are secrets to ponder, such as how it might feel “if your horse is out of sorts.” But ultimately this story is about how, if you want to ride a horse, “all you have to do is close your eyes.” The poetic text canters smoothly along, accompanied by delicate mixed media art, and, together, both will surely instruct and inspire readers.

PARTLY CLOUDY, by Deborah Freedman, stars two very different bunnies who are looking at clouds. Where bunny number one sees “cotton candy,” the other sees “a cumulus cloud.” Where one sees a “cozy blanket,” the other sees a “stratus cloud.” And on they go: “cotton balls” vs. “altocumulus,” “pea soup” vs. “fog” until a scary storm shows how much each bunny has learned from the other! Gentle, uncluttered watercolor illustrations introduce two bunnies with plenty of personality, and showcase lots of cloud-related science and whimsy.

EVERGREEN, by Matthew Cordell, is a longer picture book with chapters. It’s the sweet story of Evergreen, a scaredy-squirrel whose mother asks her to take an acornful of magic soup to Granny Oak. But Granny Oak lives on the other side of the Buckthorn Forest, which would be “a scary place—even if you weren’t squirrel named Evergreen.” Still, Evergreen takes a deep breath and heads off. Along the way, she has many adventures, including rescuing a rabbit, getting carried off by a hawk, rescuing a young toad—GROAK—meeting new friends and dodging a few enemies, until she encounters “the loudest, scariest, ground-shaking-est noise of the day”… and after all this time the soup nearly spills! Timeless text is supported by the Caldecott Medalist’s dramatic, expressive, scratchy pen and watercolor art, and it’s a lot of fun to follow along as Evergreen understands she can be both afraid and brave.

--Lynn

April Books of the Month

Two of my longtime critique buddies, Dianne White and Karen Jameson, have three inspiring, wonder-filled books newly out in the world: FINDING GRATEFUL, IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE, and WAKE UP, WOODLANDS!

“Mama says you don’t need a map to find grateful.” In Dianne White and Faith Pray’s FINDING GRATEFUL, after their car breaks down, a child relates how her mama encourages her to notice "this thing/that thing/anything, really.” The child realizes she can find grateful in a smile, or “a cold spray on a hot day.” She pays attention to wiggling toes, and the smell of honeysuckle, indeed, to all the wonder of the here and now. The uplifting, lyrical prose will sweep readers along, and it’s deftly illustrated in an appealing, fully-rendered yet sketchy style that conveys movement and enthusiasm. This child’s eye view of mindfulness is a lovely and comforting read.

IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE, also written by Dianne White and this time illustrated by Nanette Regan, is an inspirational, board book take on growing up and becoming your best self. Opening verses (“There’s a time to begin/and a time you will wait./A time when you're early./A time when you're late.”) are accompanied by an infant in a crib and a toddler learning to walk, followed by the child aging up and growing her life experiences. “There’s a time for inside/and a time to go out./Small moments of quiet./Big moments of SHOUT!” The text is smooth and song-like and begs to be read aloud, while illustrations, loose and evocative, are active or contemplative in turn. IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE, with its gentle push for this child to “show the world who you are: confident, courageous, a bright rising star!” is sweet and lovely. This book would be a terrific gift for new parents, or graduates of any age!

WAKE UP, WOODLANDS, written by Karen Jameson and illustrated by Marc Boutavant, is the rhyming, beautifully illustrated follow up to 2020’s WOODLAND DREAMS, created by the same talented team. As a group of kids emerges from a cabin to celebrate the end of winter, the text calls out to a succession of sweetly nicknamed critters to do the same:

Wake up, Tiny Whiskers.
No more storming
Woods are warming
Sweep your sleepy dreams away.
Scamper out to meet the day.

Smoothly written stanzas “croon a song” of spring, and bright, bucolic illustrations showcase children and animals alike, as they make their way across these colorful pages. WAKE UP, WOODLANDS works as a lovely companion to WOODLAND DREAMS, a story about bedding down for winter, or on its own as a paean to spring.

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Being Home

PB Review: Being Home

Being Home by Traci Sorell, illus. by Michaela Goade (Kokila, 32p., ages 4-8, 9781984816030, May 7, 2024)

Family and finding one's own rhythms lie at the heart of this striking new picture book by two-time Sibert Medal honoree Traci Sorell (Mascot) and Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade (We Are Water Protectors). The collaboration, much like its dynamic characters, moves with a compelling, powerful beat.

A Cherokee child lives with their etsi (mother) in a city where "cars rush" and "crowds collect." Etsi says this is not their rhythm, so they are moving to the Cherokee Nation Reservation. The pair are excited to be leaving a place where, as more houses are built, "fewer animal relatives visit" and "family is too far away." With a "see you later, house" and a "gotta go, swing," the exuberant child and Etsi pack up the car and head home. The drive is long ("Are we there yet?") but the destination promises to be sweet--"singing,/ shell shaking,/ storytelling,/ stickball playing,/ all offer different beats" than the ones in the city they leave behind.

Indeed, when the child and Etsi arrive, family surrounds them, hugging and helping them to unpack. The child finds animal relatives, a new swing, and plenty of wonders to explore on ancestral land, including "room to run, ride, or roll along" and the "cool and constant" creek. Now, there are "no more busy streets" and "no more faraway family." The child and Etsi are "close enough to gather, eat,/ laugh, dance, and share" with their people--the wonderful "rhythm of being home."

Sorell's poetic text focuses on the deeply felt reasons that drive the child and their etsi's move from city to reservation. The author beautifully expresses core themes of family and the importance of full self-realization on ancestral land; in doing so, she echoes the oh-so-important rhythms which animate her characters. Goade's mixed-media art is at once delicate and strong, with spirited, sparkling colors and a keen sense of motion that reinforces the text's rhythm and energy. A jaunty pink is prominently featured while deep greens, blues, and browns ground the images. Well-placed spreads from the child's perspective help keep this picture book focused on its young protagonist, and the child's naïve-style art adornments and handwritten words are sprinkled throughout, providing even more variety and vigor to the scenario. Alive with movement, Being Home is an exceptional offering, emphasizing the inherent rhythms and motions of life. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.