The Midnight Panther, written and illustrated by Poonam Mistry. Candlewick Studio, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Across the earth
under the trees
lay feathers of all
shapes and sizes. 
Panther placed them
one by one around his head.

"Now I can blaze as bright as the sun, 
just like Lion," he said."

The story itself is not new; Panther is the smallest cat, and quite sure there is nothing special about him at all. He prowls through the rainforest, enjoying the beauty found in its environs. At the end of each day, Panther retreats to the tall trees and reveals that he won't climb too high. He feels alone up there.

He simply needs to look around him at those cats who share his space to see just how unworthy he is of any attention. Tiger brags about the stripes that make him feel bold; Lion admits his mane makes him blaze like the sun; Leopard boasts about his dazzling spots. Panther lacks confidence concerning any of the attributes that make the big cats so exceptional. 

Thinking these thoughts leads him on a mission to be more like them. With each attempt at similarity, Panther falls short. As night falls and Panther prepares to retreat to the trees, he is fascinated by the large and glowing moon in the night sky. As he climbs closer, he forgets his fear and continues reaching even higher. Encouraged by Moon's voice, he gets ever closer.

" ... Moon said, "I see beauty in you, little one. What a 
special gift you have to be the color of the night."

Only at night does the moon shine so brightly and the stars fill the sky with their brilliant light. It is then that Panther realizes his beauty also shines brightest at night. Listeners are sure to find satisfaction in this tale. It is told with drama, while also feeling soothing in the telling. I cannot begin to describe the inspiration readers and potential artists will feel when they allow themselves to pore over the incredibly intricate and colorful illustrations. They are filled with natural surroundings and ensure panther's darkness is evident throughout the day.                                                                                      

Plain Jane and the Mermaid, by Vera Brosgol. First Second, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2024. $19.99 ages 10 and up

 

"Hey, stop it!
You were just a kid. 
A selfish person wouldn't 
have helped me.
A coward wouldn't have 
gone as far as you have ...
Just to save someone who I'm 
pretty sure doesn't deserve it. 

But that's selfish too. No one 
else would marry me. 

I mean, look at me."

Poor Jane! After being treated poorly by her parents throughout her life, the sudden death of the two only adds to her many difficulties. She is being threatened with eviction from the family home. The law says marriage is her only option if she wants to stay. To that end, she suggests a plan to an unhappy young fisherman that they should be married; she would get the family fortune, he would get the money needs to live the life of his dreams. 

It seems to be working until Peter is captured by a mermaid and put in an underwater prison. With magical help, Jane makes her way to the mermaid village far below the surface. It is a dangerous mission, requiring the assistance of cantankerous (while also engaging) seal who helps her learn about the dangers inherent in life under the sea. 

The mermaid (and her sisters) who has taken Peter is vainer that Jane can imagine and uses her beauty to further victimize Jane. Luckily, Jane is learning that she has much to offer. She is persistent in her quest to save Peter and proves she has great worth while doing so. 

Ms. Brosgol creates an expressive and charming character in Jane. She manages to hold her own in a story that looks closely at beauty, daring to do the right thing, and friendship. Middle graders who have a penchant for graphic novels will find much to appreciate in Jane's story. The story moves along quickly, with many twists and turns ... just what many readers are wanting to read. The ending is very satisfying for all. 

Olive, written and illustrated by Jed Alexander. Creston Books, Firefly. 2023. $25.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Who is the real giant in this wordless
story inspired by Jack and the Beanstalk?"

Following up on the first two books in this color series, Red (2018) and Gold (2022), Jed Alexander uses a gorgeous soft green to tell the story of a plucky young girl and her adventures in the sky. 

Her home sits in a field of green, surrounded by flowers and garden beds. A bird with a small green seed in its mouth, flies above the title on said page and dramatically drops it in the flower bed. The next double-page spread shows the growth of that tiny seed into far-reaching roots and a budding plant. Readers can see the immensity of the tree trunk before the page is turned. 

A small girl, dressed in signature green shirt, emerges from the house, looks up; a turn of the book to vertical shows the enormity of the tree. Next images show the child climbing higher and ever-higher, until above her stands a giant in green shorts and t-shirt. Their eyes meet, the child is held carefully by huge hands, and carried from the giant's garden to be placed inside a plate that holds her meal.

As the giant eats, the child sits and watches until encouraged to try a bite. Once her hunger is sated, the two are off on a day of wild adventure. To keep the child from danger, the giant ties her to her with a long strand of  hair. This allows all manner of movement for the two of them. As happens, exhaustion kicks in; the child is tucked under a leaf for the night. Morning sunshine brings a return home for the child, and a warm hello to a tiny mouse found in the flowers there. 

What an incredible perspective change! 

Kids who know the Jack and the Beanstalk story will recognize some similarities and be able to talk about them. They will also be inspired to ponder the concept of giant. Who is the real one in this sensational book? Bravo, Jed Alexander ... you have done it again!                                                                         

The Shade Tree, by Suzy Lee. Translated by Helen Mixter. Greystone Kids. 2023. $23.95 ages 4 and up

"The rich man went home with a big 
smile on his face. 

The traveler invited the villagers to come
and rest. "Now that the shade is mine, you 
can lie here whenever you want," he said. 

And the villagers thanked him and happily 
relaxed."

Suzy Lee creates such fabulous books! I am in awe of her storytelling and her brilliant art. 

This story begins with a traveler seeking shade under a large tree. The sun is hot, the shade is cool; the traveler sees that the villagers stop in the tree's shade to rest. As the traveler prepares to join them, there is a hue and cry from a seemingly rich and powerful man. He insists that everyone leave as the tree is on his land; therefore, the shade is his! 

The traveler is surprised to hear that shade has an owner. The owner is adamant, and lies down beneath the tree. The traveler is willing to buy the shade. Being greedy, the owner sees a chance to make more money. He accepts all the money the traveler has to offer. The deal is done. At the traveler's invitation, the villagers return to enjoy the cool, and the traveler explains that they can sit in the shade whenever they like. After all, it is his now. 

At sunset, the shadows grow longer and longer. Ms. Lee's gatefold of the traveler cavorting from the tree to the rich man's garden is delightful. The man's response is as expected; he is furious. The traveler's calm reminder of what the man has promised leaves the rich man with no option ... except to eventually move away from the tree and the shade it provides. 

Character silhouettes and the ever-present tree and its shade match the storytelling at every turn. A lovely retelling of a Korean folktale.  Stellar!                                                                                    

The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $21.99 ages 7 and up

"They looked out over the forest. 
"You said you ran away," said 
the skull. 
"Yes," said Otilla.
"You don't want them to find you." 
"No," said Otilla. "I don't."

The skull waited to see if she wanted 
to say any more, but she didn't. 
"All right," said the skull."

The Skull is based on a Tyrolean folktale I have never encountered. I am happy for that; this retelling by Jon Klassen is my introduction and has become one of my very favorite books this year. I love his version. In an author's note, Jon explains how it came to be. 

He begins with Otilla, a young girl running through a dark and snowy night while hearing voices calling her name. She keeps moving on. A fall makes her cry, but ultimately leads her forward. At the edge of the trees, just as the sun is rising, she sees a big, old house. The only occupant is a skull who looks out from an upstairs window. 

She tells the skull she needs a place to rest and to hide. The skull offers shelter in exchange for Otilla carrying him, as rolling around is constantly difficult. She agrees, is welcomed inside, and offered a tour of the house, the skull's home for many years. After a tour of its many lovely spaces the two sit for tea in the fireplace room where the skull shares a secret. 

A headless skeleton chases the skull every night. He is worried that it won't be long until it catches up with him. Using all the ingenuity that children so often have, Otilla comes up with a plan. She does not share it. The skeleton arrives with its demands. In a terrifying chase, Otilla leads the skeleton to the tower where she pushes it over. Once she has tucked the skull back in bed, she executes the macabre plan she has made. Otilla quietly returns to bed for a lasting, peaceful sleep. 

Morning brings warm sunlight to their world, and a promise for a bright future ... together! 

Genius!