One Year in Coal Harbor, written by Polly Horvath. Groundwood, 2012. $14.95 ages 9 and up

"But, I thought he's not really among us. That's how he's kept his kindliness. He exists in the thin places. He hovers there. He floats. I knew these places from when my parents had disappeared and I felt I floated, not quite in touch with people who had lives in gear on Planet Earth. It was like he was the outline of who he was but the substance was not available to anyone."

Do you remember Primrose Squab? If not, you likely didn't read Polly Horvath's first story about her in Everything on a Waffle (2001). She is a young woman who is remarkably unforgettable. You won't be sorry to meet up with her in this engaging and well-written sequel.

There are many quotes I would love to share with you. Needless to say, they have found a way into my writing notebook. Polly Horvath is a profound and accomplished author whose stories are on my
'favorites' shelf and have, in fact, been reread. That is not something I do very often as there are so many new books to read every single day!

Enough...get to the story! Primrose lives in the fishing village called Coal Harbor on Canada's west coast, and loves her community and most of the people in it. Her parents have returned following their year lost at sea, and things have come back to normal. Her father fishes, her mother works at a B & B, and Primrose spends a good deal of time helping Miss Bowzer in her restaurant, quaintly named the Girl on the Red Swing. Primrose likes to help with the cooking; but, she especially likes collecting favorite recipes and has plans to publish a cookbook.

Primrose has an ulterior motive for spending time with Miss Bowzer...she thinks that she would be a perfect match for her Uncle Jack, who helped care for her while her parents were gone. Other characters who have real presence in this story are Evie and Bert, a couple who are pleased to welcome Ked, a foster child and a new friend for Primrose. As events play out concerning the cookbook collection of recipes and a protest against a logging operation that will clear cut some nearby mountains, Ked remains a bit of a mystery to Primrose. He says little about himself and his life prior to his arrival in Coal Harbor. But, they become good friends and like to spend time together.

There is humor in the telling, and also some dark times. Polly Horvath manages to mix the two with aplomb and left me wanting to know more about her wonderful characters. While you can read this book without having read the first one, your reading life will be better for having read both. The setting is perfectly beautiful, and the sense of community is evident on every page...with all of its warts and blemishes.

I love Primrose. Her voice is strong, humorous, thoughtful, learned and always charming:

"But Miss Connon always said she had no patience with people who kept a white-knuckled grip on ignorance when any fool could see that if you didn't know a word all you had to do was LOOK IT UP. I noticed that Miss Lark was of the ignorance-is-a-terminal-condition-school because she had taken all of the Mary Oliver and Walt Whitman books from the free-time reading shelves and replaced them with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys."

Don't miss visiting with Primrose in the pages of this wonderful book! 

Kids of Kabul:Living Bravely Through a Never-ending War. Written by Deborah Ellis. Groundwood, 2012. $15.95 ages 12 and up

"It gets very dark in our house at night, and sometimes I get afraid. When you hear things in the dark and you can't see what they are, anybody would be afraid. It doesn't mean I'm not brave. But if someone shoots a gun or there is yelling or a cat screams, it can get scary. When I get scared I try to think of football or I practice my English."

It has been ten years since Deborah Ellis wrote her Breadwinner trilogy, bringing to her readers the plight of children in war-torn Afghanistan. Now, she has returned to this ravaged country to listen to the children about what the war has meant to them. What has happened to them since the Taliban lost power more than ten years ago?

Each entry begins with an introduction written by the author to detail some of the issues that face the children with whom she spoke: poverty, health care, the position that women hold within their society, education. There are twenty voices, and the children range in age from 10 to 17. Readers in North America will be surprised at the stories they have to tell.

Following the introductory paragraphs, the children speak about their lives. As we listen to their voices we become aware of how their daily lives are affected by the ongoing turmoil in their country:

"I am lucky though, because my mother stands up to him on this matter. She tells me to go to school, to study hard and make a good future for us.
My mother never had the chance to go to school. She cannot read or write. She has no experience of these things. But she knows how hard her life is, and she thinks that education might be the way to an easier life."   (Karima, 14)

The stories are diverse, and informative for those who share them. Some are heartbreaking, others are hopeful. Shabona makes a very interesting (and perhaps frightening) point when she asks:

"Will there be another war? We hope not! Afghanistan has had too much war. If war has to happen, let it happen somewhere else. Do you have war in Canada? Maybe it is your turn, then."

There is much for us to ponder when we hear their stories. I think that this would be a book worthy of sharing in a middle years classroom, allowing it to encourage discussion and for some, further reading.

Sophie's Fish, written by A. E. Cannon and illustrated by Lee White. Viking, Penguin. 2012. $17.00 ages 4 and up

"EXCEPT!
Now that I'm waiting for
Sophie to bring Yo-Yo
to my house, I am very
worried.
Very.
I don't know anything
about taking care of a
fish!"

I think we all know a Jake...he is a bit quirky and anxious. He wants to be a good friend and in doing so, agrees to be the caregiver for Sophie's fish while she visits her gram. He says yes, and then wonders how hard the job might really be.

Before he can get his head around that question, his imagination runs amok...and his brain fills with worry. He knows nothing about fish; so why does he think he can take care of Yo-Yo?  Every passing minute fills his head with unlimited scenarios that might lead to difficulty:

"What if Yo-Yo gets hungry and wants a snack? What kind of snacks do fish like to eat?"

Little ones will be answering the questions with characteristic aplomb; those a bit older might wonder some of the same things. Not likely with the same dogged concerns as Jake has about every aspect of helping his friend.

Lee White's accompanying illustrations had me totally and completely captivated. He uses ink, watercolor and collage elements to attract attention and add to the dilemma that Jake has created for himself. I loved watching the minute hand of the clock move slowly over thirty minutes while he realizes what he has done, and concerns himself with his decision and its repercussions.  The perspectives are constantly changing, the antics of his imagined troublesome charge are too funny for words...the books being read at bedtime are Charlotte's Tank, Herring Potter and The Invention of Catfish Cabret. What fun is that? Following this unbridled worrying, Jake makes an uncomfortable decision:

"Here's what I think. When Sophie rings my doorbell, I'll tell her to take Yo-Yo back home. No fish allowed in this house, I'll say. This house is a fish-free zone."

After all of his wild imaginings and the painful decision to disappoint a friend, Sophie finally arrives with Yo-Yo and the very simple instructions for his care. Jake relaxes and begins to think that he can do it.

Then the piece de resistance for young readers - a surprise ending! Wonderful.

Robbers, written by Andreas Schroeder and illustrated by Remy Simard. Annick Press, 2012. $12.95 ages 10 and up

"After they had drilled six finger-deep holes into the vault ceiling, they packed them with sticks of dynamite and topped them with blasting caps. Then nine of the dirt-filled sacks were packed directly over the holes to deflect the force of the blast downward. The other eleven were piled up some distance away to shield the trigger man."

Read that one paragraph to a group of intermediate or middle school readers, and you won't see the book again...until they have had their fill of it, and shared it with their friends, and talked about the capers endlessly.

I love books like this that tell real stories of real people and give readers just a hint at the story...enough to get them interested and wanting to know more. There are eight stories and I had some knowledge of only three; I found each one of them intriguing and really appreciate the way that Andreas Schroeder presents them to his audience:

"The problem for many robbers is that when they make a big score, they party, and blow their ill-gotten gains on huge mansions, flashy cars, or luxury yachts. But in order to spend a lot of money, you've got to keep stealing a lot of money. So a thief's life can become a treadmill - and when the police finally come knocking, that treadmill crashes."

He goes on to explore the stories of some of our most notorious robbers. Each caper describes some of the same elements. He talks about the robbers, the target of their attention, the heists they pull, and what follows each robbery. Each is accompanied by graphic illustrations that are often humorous and helpful in explaining the many facets of the jobs pulled. Information boxes are placed at opportune points to add critical pieces and facts about the particular robbery.

The language is accessible and reads like a story...enjoyable while informative:

"Just after midnight on May 14, 1876, three men stood at the corner of Picadilly and Old Bond Street in London, England. A low fog swirled around them, chilly and damp. At that hour, the shops, the sidewalks, and even the streets were deserted. The gas flames in the streetlamps flickered restlessly.
The three men spoke briefly, then headed down old Bond Street. Several blocks along, one of them ducked into an angled doorway that allowed him a clear view of the street ahead. The other two stopped a few steps later in front of an art gallery."

What do you think they had on their minds? If you want to know, you will have to find a copy of this book...at the library, or in your favorite bookstore. You won't be sorry you followed up on it, and neither will your listeners.

Summer in the City, by Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel. Groundwood, 2012. $15.95 ages 8 and up

"So I started this game where I invented secret identities for people. One day we skateboarded past a man pushing a stroller with a big bald baby screaming his head off. "Check out the Martian in the stroller." I whispered to Max. Max stopped and stared. Then he whizzed off, screaming, "The aliens are attacking! The aliens are attacking!" The man really liked that."

This is a family that spends their summers travelling. As the holidays loom nearer, no plans seem to be  in the works. Charlie is anticipating a trip to another out-of-the-way place where most families don't go; but, there is nothing to show that a trip is in the offing. When his parents make the announcement that this will not be their usual summer, due to a lack of funds and a heap of work, Charlie is not pleased. His neighborhood is pretty boring, and Charlie can't imagine that changing anytime soon.

Wanting to make the best of it, and having some control over what is going to happen, Charlie anticipates a summer job, or a solitary camping trip to be at one with the wildlife he might find outside the city.  The possibilities are endless....he's just not sure how to make them happen. He can't forget that his little brother Max must be part of his plan.

A poster for a lost cat inspires him. He will be a lost pet detective. People will be thrilled to have him on the case, and the rewards will be plentiful. It seems simple, but complications rear their ugly heads and the boys find that it is not as easy as it seems.

A camping trip may not be plausible with a young tagalong. But, there is the backyard and this is a 'stay-cation'. Putting up the old tent poses some difficulty, but, it will protect them from the elements. The adventure begins with all the events that camping conjures...scary stories, tag in the dark with flashlights, and noises in the night. An encounter between their cat and a visiting skunk has odoriferous results. Poor Miro!

One disaster leads to another in a series of stand-alone stories that will entertain readers and have them wondering what could possibly happen next. A flooded freeway, a ride of the wrong bus and an encounter with a group of bikers wearing Granddads on Wheels jackets, and a celebratory birthday for Charlie are all part of the summer adventures this time. Funny and thoughtful, with signature illustrations by the ever-lively Marie Louise Gay, this is a book that uses Montreal as its canvas and takes readers to places that will be familiar to those who grew up there, or anyone who has had the opportunity to spend time in this beautiful city.

If you haven't yet read Travels with My Family (2006) or On The Road Again (2008) be sure to borrow them from the library, or visit your favorite bookstore for your own personal copies. You will meet great characters, be a part of action-filled adventures and travel to places you may never get a chance to visit.

Wishes, written by Jean Little and illustrated by Genevieve Cote. North Winds Press, Scholastic. 2012. $19.99 ages 3 and up

"If wishes were puppies,
my brother would get
a puppy named Snug
for his personal pet."

It begins with a familiar, to me, refrain:

"If wishes were horses,
then poor folk would ride."

I think our mom must have used that on us when we were wishing for things we were not likely to get...a dog, new skates, the same supper as one of the neighbor kids! That's the memory it evokes for me today.

Jean Little uses that starting refrain and then expands on it to include many lovely sentiments concerning family and friends, and the things they like to do together. It has a soft, gentle feeling  of gratitude for what we have and for the simpler things in life...those things that bring joy and are within reach. Some are funny:

"If wishes were pancakes,
I'd eat a tall stack.

If wishes were parsnips,
I'd send the plate back."

Genevieve Cote adds to the soft, gentle tone of the verses with her mixed media artwork. Her children are smiling, rosy-cheeked cherubs who spend their days together, doing what they love to do. They are imaginative, joyful and dreamy!

I'm Bored, written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie Redpath Ohi. Simon & Schuster, 2012. $19.99 ages 3 and up

How can a potato be bored?

"Cause I have to hang out
with a kid.

Kids are boring.

What are you talking about?

Kids are fun!"

When it comes to a tussle over boredom between a little girl and a potato, would you take bets? I would be inclined to put my money on the little girl in this book. I mean, she seems to have no spunk, no desire to find a better way to spend her days. Then, she meets a potato. You would think anything would be better than the preceding events.

But, what is she to do with a potato....especially a potato that seems equally as disinterested as she is. The potato likes flamingos...none to be found. Boring! When the potato blames the girl for his boredom, it is just enough incentive for her to prove that he's mistaken.

Wanting to prove the doubter wrong, she sets out to show him all that kids can do when they set their mind to filling time. She is a whirling dervish of activity, proving time and again that kids have skills beyond anything the potato can imagine. Without cessation, his response is 'boring.'

No matter what she demonstrates or imagines herself doing, the potato remains adamant that nothing has changed his mind. In frustration, she stalks off leaving the potato on its own. When a flamingo chances by, the potato must accept a little of his own medicine.

Kids will be tickled by the story's premise and its charming and detail-filled pages. They will want to get in on the act when she is demonstrating all that she really can do, and their imaginations will run wild ideas, all with the encouragement of the artist and her zany illustrations. Fun, and funny!

Join in the rant? Of course, they will:

"HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY THINK KIDS ARE BORING WHEN WE CAN DO ALL THIS COOL STUFF AND THINK ALL THESE AMAZING THOUGHTS AND BE ANYTHING WE WANT TO BE! I'D RATHER BE A KID THAN A POTATO ANY DAY!"

Who wouldn't join in when she is leading the charge? 

The Pied Piper of Hamelin, written by Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2011. $19.00 ages 6 and up

"The streets and alleyways of Hamelin Town were full of beggars and children like us. In every square, on every street corner, under every bridge, you'd see us. We had nowhere else to go. We begged because we had to, stole because we had to. When you're starving you have to, I promise you. There was no other way to survive."

I love this book! No surprise when the words are written by master storyteller Michael Morpurgo and the full color illustrations are beautifully designed by Emma Chichester Clark. It is a rich and most enjoyable retelling, and I will be certain to share it with others.

The narrator is one of the poor, and he tells this tale of Hamelin and the people who live there, and how they change after a visit with the Pied Piper. He uses a crutch because of an accident with a horse-drawn carriage, and must beg for food with the other 'thief dogs'. They are treated abominably by the arrogant and wealthy mayor, by the rich people of the town and their children.

The town itself is filthy with huge garbage dumps sure to attract vermin. When rats begin to descend on the city, its homes and streets, people are terrified and unable to get rid of them. The mayor sees our narrator and his best friend Emma fighting back and keeping themselves safe; he offers food and lodging for their protection. While the despicable treatment of the poor children changes little, the mayor and his family are thankful for their safety.

All seems hopeless, and a town meeting is called to demand action from the mayor. A surprise visitor makes himself known as he throws open the door of the council chamber:

"This man was long and lanky, with a sharply pointed nose and darting, twinkling eyes that flickered around the chamber. He was so light and nimble on his feet that it seemed as if he were walking on air. And his clothes! You should have seen his clothes! He was dressed in a costume of brightly colored checks and patterns, with a hat on his head that had an enormous brim shading his eyes. He looked like some kind of court jester, or a traveling player maybe. All I knew was that whatever he was, he was wonderfully weird."

How could you not love such descriptive words?

The Piper has a plan, and a price. A promise is made and the Piper does what he has set out to do. When the task is completed, he has some advice for the mayor who takes umbrage to anyone telling him how he should run his city, reneges on his promise and is left to deal with the consequences.

The rest, as they say, is what classic stories are made of...action, reaction, and a happy ending. Lessons taught well can be good lessons to learn, and the people of Hamelin are much better for the Piper's visit and ultimatum.  All's well that ends well!

The artwork will be familiar to fans of this well-known British artist, whose work has graced many previous books. She uses medieval images and patterns to bring the Hamelin of the past to readers of today. The double page spreads had my eyes flitting from one image to the next, trying to take note of every single thing. She creates a piper who is hard to resist and to forget. She fills many of the pages with rats, without terrifying young listeners and causing bad dreams. In fact, I think this would make a great bedtime readaloud. 

Bananas In My Ears, written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Quentin Blake. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2012. $19.00 ages 3 and up

"What if
they made children-sized diggers
and you could take them down
to the beach
to dig really big holes
and great big sand castles
that the waves couldn't knock
down."

Poetry is definitely in the ears of the beholder! If your ears are sharp, you will find much to love in this new book, subtitled A Collection of Nonsense Stories, Poems, Riddles & Rhymes. Add to the fact that your ears will get a great workout listening to all the fun written here, your eyes will also find much to feast upon!

There are four sections shown in the Contents...The Breakfast Book, The Seaside Book, The Doctor Book, and the Bedtime Book. As the family arises and prepares for the day, breakfast is the first order. As they go about dealing with the things that happen in a family so early in the morning, we are also encouraged a to think on a 'what if...' Those thoughts have a place in each of the sections and are sure to get eager listeners thinking, and imagining. Also there for our entertainment are the quaint and quirky things that we say in a variety of situations. Or, this joke that is sure to set little ones to giggling:

"So his brother said it again.
"You've got bananas stuck in your ears." And the
little boy said, "What?" So the brother shouted
really loudly at him, "YOU'VE GOT BANANAS
STUCK IN YOUR EARS!" And the little boy
shouted back, "I'M SORRY, I CAN'T HEAR
YOU. I'VE GOT BANANAS IN MY EARS!"

Hilarious! I can hear little ones off to share the story with anyone who will listen!

Moving on to the seaside, we enjoy more of the same:

"There's a boy over there,
and he's sitting on the rocks,
eating apple crumble,
washing dirty socks."

In The Doctor's Office my favorite part is "Things We Say":

Son to mother: "Mom, I suddenly feel all right again."
Doctor looking at a little girl covered in multi-color polka dots: "Now what seems to be the trouble?"
Little boy counting chicken pox while he waits: "997...998...999..."

Nat and Anna have a related story in each section, siblings who drive each other crazy while loving each other enormously:

"Their Dad heard them and
he shouted up to them,
"Stop the noise! Stop the noise!
If you don't stop the noise, I'm
coming upstairs and I'll give
you some real trouble."

Everything went quiet.

A few minutes later one of the
children called out,
"Dad, Dad, when you come up to give
us some real trouble, can you bring
us up a drink of water as well?"

Been there. We called it bedtime.

Now, add the delicious artwork of Quentin Blake and you have a recipe for fun and enjoyment for days and weeks to come. He peoples the pages with his trademark images of family as they move through their days encountering familiar situations, and laces his artwork with humor and charm.

Once again, don't forget to go to www.readingstartshere.com to see whose video is shared today.

sky color, written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2012. $17.00 ages 3 and up

'The classroom buzzed with the sound of brainstorming. The students talked and sketched. Together they made a great drawing. Then they marched to the library. ""I'll paint a fish!" "I'll paint one, too." "I'll paint the ocean!"

Peter Reynolds has proven in two earlier books, The Dot and Ish that he has the heart of an artist and that he uses that heart to create wonderful characters whose artistic bent is evident in everything  they do. In this book, that is companion to the first two, we meet Marisol who is 'an artist through and through'. She has her own art gallery (which remarkably resembles the photo gallery I have on my fridge) and she oozes art from every pore:

"At school, Marisol was famous for her creative clothes, her box of art supplies, and her belief that everyone was an artist."

How can you not love her?  She is ecstatic when her teacher announces that the class is going paint a mural in the library, and she chooses to paint the sky. OOPS - no blue paint! What's an artist to do? When school ends for the day, Marisol has not solved the dilemma she faces. Boarding the bus, it is on her mind. As the sun begins to set, Marisol notices something. When she gets home, she continues to watch the sky colors. She even has a sky dream that night.

Upon awakening, she has the solution. Keeping track of the sky, and remembering her dream, Marisol confidently, and with great success, makes her contribution to the class project!

Peter Reynolds uses pen, ink, watercolor, gouache and tea to create the images for this well-told, beautifully illustrated book. He begins with little color; any used is on Marisol's artwork and in the paint pots. Color begins to emerge once Marisol is on the bus and concentrating on the problem she is facing. As the sun blazes on the horizon, he uses the warmth of reds, yellows, oranges to show the sky as it prepares for sundown. It's enough to get any one's creative juices flowing.

He dedicates this book 'to Aldo Servino, who took the blue paint away from me and helped me paint - and think - in sky color'. We, too, should grateful to Aldo. We reap the benefits of his teaching when we have the opportunity to share this book!
 

Don't miss the new video at www.readingstartshere.com Visit today!  

 

Creepy Carrots, written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown. Simon & Schuster, 2012. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"He first noticed something strange after the big games against the East Valley Hares. Jasper was about to help himself to a victory snack...when he heard it. The soft...sinister...tunktunktunk of carrots creeping. He turned...and there was nothing there. "Just my imagination," he thought. But he hopped a little faster."

I swoon every time I read Peter Brown's name on the cover of a book...I know it's going to be a winner. Right, again!

Lots of kids don't like vegetables much, and I am not sure that this book will help to solve that problem...especially in terms of carrots. Jasper Rabbit loves them, and he eats them every chance he gets. The very best came from Crackenhopper Field and Jasper loves to stop there morning, evening and even late at night. There is no limit to the carrots he can eat!

Then one evening, he thinks he hears an unfamiliar sound. He thinks he feels someone or something  following his every move.  Every eerie feeling leads him to look closely at his surroundings; nothing out of the ordinary. Every word and phrase is well-chosen to give readers a sense of doom, and then Peter Brown (as he is wont to do) creates artwork that gives gray and gloomy life to the discomfort Jasper is experiencing. Jasper begins to see carrots where there aren't any, and Peter Brown uses the color orange to dispute his every concern. Is he imagining all of it, or what?

I love surprise endings, and you are sure to love this one, too.

This is a full-of-fun story for now, and would make a great readaloud at Halloween. Great pacing for this terrific tale and the Peter Brown streak continues...keep them coming and I will keep checking them out.

The Very Hungry Bear, written and illustrated by Nick Bland. Scholastic, 2012. $14.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Now a fish to a bear
is like a chocolate eclair -
it's INCREDIBLY hard
to resist.
So the thought of a pile
that would last for a while
was an offer too good to be
missed!"

Life can be very difficult when you come from two totally different parts of the world! When the brown bear and the polar bear meet in unusual circumstances they establish a grateful friendship, bonding over fish:

"A HUNGRY bear is very strong,
so it didn't take him very long
to discover that he'd caught...
A POLAR BEAR!

"Excuse me," said Bear.
"Do you have fish there?
You are catching all of the fish."

The polar bear does not mean to be selfish...and he is more than willing to share his catch. But, he has a favor to ask. It seems he's in a precarious position atop an iceberg that is quickly shrinking. He'll trade all the fish for a place to stay.

As astute readers will be quick to discern, a brown bear's den is not the most suitable place for a polar bear! The fire is hot and welcoming, but causes a big problem for a bear from the far north whose protective coat and the ice he is holding are both in need a more refrigerated space.

It's too funny to watch as the two try to find a place of comfort for the northern bear. Once the problem is solved, they both can rest easy. The illustrations are full of light and shadow, warmth and cool, and expressive...oh, such expressive faces. The text is rhymed and will afford young readers a chance to test their rhyming ability...always a good thing when they are first learning about reading. Charming and sure to be a hit with Nick Bland fans!

Goldilocks and Just One Bear, written and illustrated by Leigh Hodgkinson. Nosy Crow, Candlewick, Random House. 2011. $19.00 ages 4 aand up

"The bear peeked through
a door and thought how very
pleasant it was up here.
"Not nasty and noisy
like down there," said the
bear. "Just the place for a
little rest." All that whooshy
traveling was certainly a
hungry business..."


OOPS! Without knowing how it happened, a bear finds himself away from all that is familiar...twigs, the woods, hooting owls; and lost in a maze of bright lights, loud cars and noise, noise, noise! With legs wobbling and heart pounding, he pops into Snooty Towers, looking for peace and quiet.

As he dizzily enters through the revolving door, he careens toward the open elevator door, and heads to the very top floor. When the doors open into a lovely (and peaceful) penthouse, the bear calms and makes himself quite comfortable. Kids will recognize what's coming next...the porridge, the chairs and the beds. There are a number of surprises as he makes his way through the apartment and has difficulty with the unfamiliar in this new environment.

After trying out a cactus and a cat for suitable seating, amid giggles and snickers from rapt listeners, Bear moves on to the bedrooms...tired and ready to 'feel like himself again. That's when his dreams of home are interrupted by loud shouting, and the bear is discovered in much the same that Goldilocks was found in the original fairy tale. The family members are not pleased...and the bear is terrified. That lasts for both until the story ends in a hilarious surprise for all!

The artwork is filled with details and humor and offers a very modern look at this traditional tale. Readers are sure to delight in the dilemmas that arise when the bear finds himself in unfamiliar territory. The signs are not of any help, the storefronts on the city street are great fun to read, and the thoroughly modern family sport all of the accoutrements that come with wealth and privilege.  The blues are striking, the greens lime, and there are plenty of pinks...all done in patterned, scratchy textures that will make you want to reach out and touch the pages. So much to see and enjoy!

Don't forget to visit www.readingstartshere.com today to see what Leonard Marcus has to say about the value in reading picture books to your children!

a bus called heaven, written and illustrated by Bob Graham. Candlewick, Random House. 2012. $19.00 ages 4 and up

"Stella changed, too.
She took her thumb from
her mouth, where it usually
lived, and said, "Mommy, that
old bus is as sad as a whale
on a beach. Then she pushed
open the door and climbed on board.
Stella, the color of moonlight,
stood among the bottles, cans and
trash."

I love the way Bob Graham sets his audience to thinking before his stories begin. Flipping a pale pink endpaper we see a street, a gathered crowd, a bit of a traffic snafu, and a broken-down bus:

"Abandoned. The bus appeared
one morning from a sea of traffic -
right outside Stella's house,
where no bus should be.
Tired, old, and sick,
it had a hand-painted sign on it,
held down with packing tape.
The sign said, Heaven."

And so it sat in Stella's neighborhood, in a no parking zone, with plenty of curious onlookers passing by. It brought a change to the street, and to Stella. People began to share conversation, to take time for their neighbors, to visit back and forth. It was Stella, an ethereal little girl, who stepped aboard first and in a entranced whisper said, "It could be...ours." With help from those gathered, they push it off the street and into Stella's yard (where the front sticks out a little).

Heaven makes a difference in the life of this multicultural community. Everyone takes a part in cleaning it, painting it, finding furniture for the comfort of one and all.  It even has pets...a dog and a goldfish.  As the bus settles into its new home, weeds, snails and sparrows become welcome guests. It is a community center of the best kind:

"Babies crawled,
people laughed,
kids fought,
grandads scratched dogs,
meetings were planned,
couples met,
and the Fingles showed their vacation pictures." 

Then, the city steps in with its regulations and talk of 'obstruction.' A two truck hauls Heaven to the junkyard -

Alarmed members of the community follow. Once there, Stella makes a deal with the boss and comes through for her family, friends and neighbors. With more than a little help the bus finds a new home, where it will be safe and welcome.

I have quite a collection of Bob Graham's books and am thrilled to add this beautifully designed tale. As with each of his previous stories, his rich watercolors invite repeated visits. With each return to this detailed, people-filled, light-infused world, I find something new and lovely. Filled with charm, constantly changing perspective, and subtle use of light and shadow, he brings Stella's world to our attention and shows us, while never telling us, that people and their actions are the heart of a vibrant community life.  It can start with one small child. Bravo, Stella!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Hey everybody! Happy Labor Day to you all.
Be sure to visit www.teachmentortexts.com with Jen and Kellee and see what they are reading.

Here's my labor for today!

 

 

 

 

 

People Who Said NO, written by Laura Scandiffio. Annick Press, 2012. $14.95 ages 12 and up

"Andrei Sakharov was about to be ushered into a world of secrets. Even the names of everything connected to the project were meant to hide what lay behind them. The "Ministry of  Medium Machine Building" was engaged in building a "device"; the laboratory, far from Moscow, where weapons were developed, was called "The Installation."  In early 1949, Sakharov was told he was being transferred from Tamm's team to work at the Installation."

You cannot read this book without being awed by the men and women who are the subject of this very informative and admirable look at their lives. What is it in them that makes them do what they do...take a stand against oppression? They are incredibly courageous in the face of frightening events, and they set such an example for the rest of the world for what it means to be willing to suppress everything else to take a stand and have a voice. It is testament to the fact that one person can, and has made a difference.

Could I do it? I don't think so. Why? I'm not sure of the answer to that question; I don't think I'm made of the 'stuff' it takes to stand up to the terror of unjust leaders and regimes. I would be terrified, I think. What would I do? I don't know. This book made me consider those questions seven times while reading it. Once for every heroic and undaunted person brought to our attention in this important new book.

The stories are as old as World War II and as new as the recent uprising in Egypt. Each person, or group of people, stood strong in the face of threats, incarceration and even death. Each story is personal and absorbing, terrifying at times and often so sad. They include the young Germans of The White Rose who fought against Hitler's tyranny and asked others to do the same, Rosa Parks and her refusal to leave her seat on the bus in Montgomery, Andrei Sakharov who worked endlessly for human rights, won the Nobel Peace Prize and was exiled from Moscow for speaking out, Helen Suzman who stood up to apartheid and brought the attention of the world to the way political prisoners were being treated, Oscar Romero who stood for the downtrodden against the rich  and powerful leaders ruling with injustice in El Salvador, Aung San Suu Kyi who wanted democracy for Burma and suffered house arrest for many years because of her beliefs and leadership, and finally the people of Egypt whose eighteen day protest resulted in the destruction of a regime of tyranny and lawlessness for so many.  

The author provides just enough background information and compelling action to help us understand why those people described made the decisions that they made, despite the dangers and the repercussions. It takes a lot of inner strength and tremendous conviction to live the lives that they led, and they are made more honorable when the audience is privy to the many reasons they chose to do what they did.

This is a book that is worthy of sharing in middle and high school classrooms one at a time in connection with curricular study, or as compelling stories of bravery in the face of oppression and worthy of our attention.

Cat Tale, written and illustrated by Michael Hall. Greenwillow, Harper. 2012. $18.99 ages 4 and up

"They plane a board.
They board a train.
They train a duck
to duck a shoe.
They shoo a truly
naughty gnu.
They knew
a rock
could squash
a berry..."

I couldn't believe this book when I read it first, so I read it again. Then, I read it again and now I can't wait to share it early and intermediate classrooms. I am a great believer in reading such books in older grades. I will read it to adults in workshops throughout the fall and winter. They will be suitably impressed. So, I wonder, why would we think we should not share it with older readers? Yet, it will also entertain and dazzle early readers with its brilliantly constructed illustrations and its terribly funny wordplay.

I have such admiration for Michael Hall and his work. In this one, he takes a risk that proves he knows his audience and what they will love to read.  We know we're in for a treat when the title page makes us laugh. Three cat tails, accompanied by the title (Cat Tale) and the following text:

"From word to word
they find their way,
Lillian, Tilly, and William J."

Just let those words roll off your tongue a few times. You can feel them in your mouth, can't you?
The onset of their adventure is pretty low-key, packing some 'chews' and seeing some 'ewes'.
As the exploration of homonyms continues, the action escalates and becomes downright dangerous at times. Brightly colored, textured, and sporting familiar shapes, each new illustration makes it perfectly clear what is happening and allows for understanding the words pairs as they are introduced...box and box, flea and flee, steer and steer. Is there no end to these 'punny' pages?

When things go awry, the understanding remains clear with the help of the simply constructed and beautifully brilliant artwork. As they get back on track we wander with them, always adventurous and wanting to know more. This is a book meant to be shared, and discussed, and enjoyed, and instructive (without anyone knowing that is the case, thank goodness!) with all ages. It is deserving of our attention and warrants a place on library shelves everywhere.

Demolition, written by Sally Sutton and illustrated by Brian Lovelock. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2012. $18.00 ages 2 and up

"Crush the stone.
Crush the stone.
Chip and grind and munch.
Make new concrete
from the old.
Whirr!
CHURR!
CRUNCH!"

You will be chanting this book in no time!

It's so great to see new books about construction and construction sites for young readers. I would pair this with Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (Chronicle, 2011) for them. That makes for a double scoop of fun that they will want to hear again and again.

Each four-line verse is followed by noisy words that are sure to encourage participation. Kids will be stamping, snapping, clanging, roaring, squirting and crunching with you and delighting in every single sound. The rhythm is contagious and meant to be read aloud...something I did while sitting at the computer working on this post. It's such fun!

In the beginning, workers prepare for the work to be done. Some are donning work clothes and hard hats, others are clearing debris, while the foreman gives instructions to the wrecking ball operator. When the smashing begins, everyone is behind the warning line. Each worker has a job to do and the multi-story building falls victim to the ball's power. The stone is crushed, the lumber shredded and the steel sorted. Soon the site is completely revamped.  What's that they are doing now? Is that a slide? Are those monkey bars?

Knock it down, build it up! What is more fun in the life of a preschooler?

I love Brian Lovelock's textured illustrations done with pigmented inks. He evokes the sights, the sounds, the dust-filled air of a demolition site. His ever-changing perspectives give readers a feeling of being right there while the work is being done. Young construction vehicle enthusiasts will gaze in wonder at the jobs each does, and be able to see it in action. The final double page spread is the picture of perfection for all who share it...aaaah!

Machine Facts at the end of the book adds another dimension and provides just the right amount of information to share with those little ones who know, or want to know, the names of every machine and what its job is.

You know the drill...if you are looking for a birthday gift, or already thinking about Christmas, this is a book that deserves a place on every library shelf...home and school!

Don't forget to go to Candlewick's site every day this month to watch the reading videos!

www.readingstartshere.com

a certain October, written by Angela Johnson. Simon & Schuster, 2012. $19.99 ages 14 and up

"Keone traces Misha's tattoo with his finger in an endless loop and it doesn't seem to drive her out of her mind. She's used to him. But I guess the biggest thing is Keone's used to her - so everything is quiet in the living room. He's used to Falcone, too. Falcone sits on the other side of him and is letting him listen to his favorite music on the iPod over and over again."

The streak continues. I have yet to find a book by Angela Johnson that I don't love. While I will admit that I don't think I have read every single one, I have certainly read most and am convinced that her skill at telling beautiful stories will keep me in her fan club for years to come.

Released this week, I am ever so grateful to April at Simon & Schuster Canada for sending it so that I can share it with you. Given my earlier experience with Ms. Johnson's work, I was not surprised to find that I could NOT stop reading, once started. In first person narrative Scotty, 16, tells us about 'a certain october'.

Her days in October are spent at school, with her friends and helping with her younger autistic brother, Keone. Falcone and Misha are her best friends and when she wants a break from home, they are together. Conversations center around the homecoming dance that is just around the corner and a trip they all hope to make to see Falcone's sister, Gina. Gina has been very special to Scotty, acting as a surrogate mother figure when Scotty's mom died.

Scotty's voice is so strong, and memorable:

"My life is like tofu - it's what gets added that makes it interesting. It might be good for me, sometimes its kinda bland and needs some hot sauce to spice it up, and most times I complain, silently, that I don't like it, but I think that's normal. I like to whine."

She holds grudges:

"I smiled at Misha and Falcone - remembering when we all used to get caught eating the paste  together underneath the art tables in kindergarten. They stayed friends with me when I was a bald nine-year-old after Kris Jones perpetuated a particularly nasty chewing-gum crime throughout my hair."

Thus, we meet Kris.

Keone is a bundle of energy, a young boy who loves cookies, and books about trains, planes and automobiles. When Scotty is charged with taking him to the pediatrician for her stepmother, they take the train. Keone loves it...except for this one trip. Kris in on the train, and offers to stay past his stop so he can help with Keone. In the following moments there is a crash, leaving two students dead (including Kris), Scotty injured and her little brother in a coma.

Scotty cannot get over the survivor's guilt she is feeling. She should have insisted that Kris get off at his stop, she should not be so afraid of driving and then they wouldn't have taken the train, she should have....the guilt consumes her and her friends try to help. As days pass, she visits the hospital and spends her time reading to Keone. She meets Jason and is infatuated with him. So much so that she tries to avoid him at all costs.  That is not going to happen if Jason has a say. As the month plays itself out, we realize that, despite this life-changing event, Scotty will find her way to 'better' with the help of friends and time. Wonderful and enriching, this is a book meant to be shared!

Bodyguards, written by Ed Butts with art by Scott Plumbe. Annick Press, 2012. $14.95 ages 12 and up

"But having power has its dark side. If you're the leader, it's hard to tell who your friends are and who just wants to get close to you to win your favor. Others will disagree with your decisions. Worse, history is full of stories about leaders who were the victims of assaults, kidnappings and even assassinations. As long as there have been people in power, there have been bodyguards..."

Oh my! It's always a bit disconcerting to learn how much you don't know about a subject. I had some smattering of an idea about the work of bodyguards and might have even been able to guess at a bit more, but after reading this new book by Ed Butts, I feel that I have had a unique history lesson in those who serve to protect. They have been at work since ancient civilization and continue to train today.

So we begin with the pharaohs, the supreme ruler and a god to his people. At home he was protected by the 'priestly guards' and in battle by the 'Braves of the King':

"A Brave of the King was treated better than an ordinary soldier. He received extra rations of food and wine, and he didn't have to pay taxes. He also knew that if he died in battle, the pharaoh would pay the cost of having his body mummified and buried."

From the Spartan guards of Greece to Roman gladiators, on to the Samurai of Japan, the Wild West and those who protect for a variety of reasons in modern times, Ed Butts entertains and informs with personal stories throughout history about these men and women. Because of  their designated roles, some have even changed history. I was particularly interested in the story of the Terra Cotta Army.The story of Qin the First Emperor, tells of a man who was terrified of death, and he wanted protection when that day finally came. He believed he would rise again. It wasn't until 1974 that the first soldier from the Terra Cotta Army was discovered:

"From what's been found so far, Qin's deathly army of bodyguards numbers over a thousand terra cotta soldiers, but it is estimated that the total number could be eight thousand. The army even has horses and  chariots. Every figure is unique. No two faces are the same, but each one looks like an authentic soldier from his hairstyle to the soles of his sandals." Amazing!

The stories are intriguing and well-told, in conversational language that makes them very accessible to middle and high school readers. They are varied; some even well-known. Anyone interested in being a bodyguard will find a very clear description of the training that takes place today to ensure protection for all. Following the text, you will find a glossary, a timeline of bodyguards through the ages, a bibliography and an index.

The illustrations are attention-grabbing, brightly-colored, light-infused and even using graphic-novel style panels to add interest and understanding. Numerous case files and information boxes are carefully placed to add to this fascinating world of protection at all costs.

This will an easy sell to those who love nonfiction, graphica and historical events...ancient to modern times.