My Mother Was A Nanny, written and illustrated by Laura James. Groundwood, 2023. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 

"My mother was a baker. 

On Wednesdays, Mummy made bread for the 
whole week. Then she took the leftover dough
and made my favorite dinner - pizza! 

When I snuck a piece of cheese, Mummy said,
"Gwaan from ya!"

If you are a mom, you know just how busy most days can be! In this family story, a young girl closely follows her mother, watching and learning about the many ways that mother shows her love for others. She plays many roles: parent, nanny, breakfast maker, teacher, shopper, friend, cleaner, dressmaker, baker, sister. Are there more? Why, yes - a listener, a baby walker, a party planner, and a mother delighted to offer up a big Easter surprise! 

The many faces of her mother are described day by day through the week. Each day brings a new discovery about activities that occupy her mother's time. The child is asked to help from time to time; sometimes being sent away to fend for herself. With the arrival of the weekend, the child is invited to accompany her mother as she cleans an office. There she finds art supplies no longeer needed, and available to take home with her. 

"There was a box full of things for my mother to 
throw away, including paper and colored pencils 
and markers."

What a fine surprise! 

 After longing for her mother's attention that always seems focused on someone else and other distractions, a really special surprise comes one Easter Sunday morning. Although Mummy seems busy thinking about and helping so many others, she never ever forgets about her children and the things that are important to them. This is a heartwarming family story and will make an excellent read aloud in an early years classroom. Certain to inspire conversation and observations. 

Attack of the Black Rectangles, by Amy Sarig King. Scholastic, 2022. $25.99 ages 10 and up

"The three of us get up and leave her office as 
Dr. McKenny looks at us with a mix of confusion
and optimism on her face. Meaning: She's hoping
she just stopped us but really has no idea if she 
did or not. 
Fact: She not only didn't stop us, but she just made
us more determined than ever."

Many middle grade students have a strong awareness for the difference between right and wrong. They don't mind sharing their opinions concerning what is going on where they are. Such is the case with Mac Delaney. His sense of what is right has him asking thoughtful questions in the classroom. How many of those who signed the Declaration of Independence were slave owners? How did Indigenous people lose the land they had lived on for centuries? More importantly, for the trajectory of this story,  why are some of the words in classroom copies of The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen covered in black rectangles? 

No one in power seems to have a truthful answer for Mac and his friends. Their teacher defends the position taken. Mac, Denis and Marci will not be influenced by the reasons given or for the many other rules regarding curfews, junk food, dress codes or gay pride. 

Their opinions and complaints fall on deaf ears with the administration of the school. It would be better to be swept under the rug with no need for change. The sixth graders will not stop; eventually taking it to the school board. They are well-versed in the issues and their concerns for their learning. How can seeing the word breasts in the text be worse than a story of the Holocaust? There is room for both sides to be heard. Wouldn't that be a move forward in these days fraught with disagreement and a refusal to listen to the other side. 

This would be a wonderful read aloud in any middle grade classroom, offering a clear look at what happens when censorship raises its ugly head. The author is respectful of her characters and their ability to take a stand and have their voices heard. I love that Jane Yolen plays a pivotal role for those students.  

Winning characters, thoughtful dialogue and a current topic of interest are sure to attract readers. It is an honest look at the topic of censorship, and an invitation to offer those young people a place at the table in discussions of decisions that concern their reading and learning. 

Pigs Can't Fly, written and illustrated by Wallace Edwards. Scholastic Canada, 2023. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Mice don't juggle, it's often said,
For juggling is too hard.
Yet I saw one juggling just today,
While balanced on a card."

It is always quite wonderful to see a new book from Wallace Edwards. His detailed and colorful illustrations are an invitation to all young readers to look beyond what they know and see what they can imagine. 

Thinking about the phrase when pigs fly allows for the realization that pigs cannot. In Mr. Wallace's whimsical world, they can and do. The first entry is a poem about seeing pigs that actually do fly by, if we are lucky enough to be looking up at the very moment that it happens. 

"I've heard it said that pigs can't fly. 
They never leave the ground. 
But I have gazed up at the sky
And watched the flying pigs go by. 
They never made a sound."

The artwork shows confident pigs using various means of aviation transportation: wings, a cape, an umbrella, feathers, a spaceship and a well-imagined propelled tank. The pigs themselves are nattily dressed and very pleased with themselves. 

The format for the rest of the book follows this pattern. A four-line poem on the verso, with accompanying spot illustration from the facing page. Besides the pigs, the animals include a penguin, a mouse, a turtle, a worm, a swan, fish, a frog, an alligator, an elephant, a rhino, a chameleon, and finally a cow. The author concludes with an ode to love and its enduring ability to hold each of us up. 

There are many, many fine discoveries to make while reading the poetic words, and carefully considering the gorgeous (as always) art. This third book in a series that encourages wonder and imagination is a welcome addition to the first two, Can You Imagine! (Scholastic, 2021) and Do You Wonder? (Scholastic, 2022). 

Happy 'Turn Back the Clock" Sunday to you!

 

Hi Everyone! 

Just a note to apologize for the lack of posts this past week. I am at home recovering from a full knee replacement and becoming more mobile every day. I hope to be back and telling you about amazing new books in the next few days! 

Thanks for your patience while I heal!