dust of eden, written by Mariko Nagai. Albert Whitman and Company, Thomas Allen & Son. 2014. $18.99 ages 11 and up

"Then the first bus started to move, 
and everyone became quiet. People
outside. People inside. All of us quiet...
We were all sad, but put on smiling faces, like we did not care, like our hearts were not breaking, though if you listened hard, if you ignored the engines, you could hear thousands of hearts breaking, shattering, into pieces."

How on earth would a 13 year old girl begin to understand the thinking behind the internment of Japanese Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942?

In clear verse Mariko Nagai helps her readers experience the confusion, the terror, the utter sadness that engulfs Mina Masako Tagawa and her family. She goes from being a middle-school girl singing Christmas carols one day, to having her father imprisoned for a year with no contact, to first one camp in Washington and finally, to Idaho where the family (mother, brother and grandfather) endures spending their days under the watchful eyes of camp guards - all because of her Japanese heritage, and a unrealistic fear that all people of Japanese descent were enemy spies following the unprovoked attack in Hawaii.

It is a piece of history that cannot be erased, despite public apologies to those who were so poorly treated and unjustly detained. Stories such as these should be heard. Hearing it through the eyes of a young, confused girl makes it seem more real for its intended audience. Mina misses her father, her best friend Jamie, her home and all that was once familiar. She is shocked by the conditions that they must endure, and by the constant fear of what might yet happen to them. She is virtually immobilized by the uncertainty of it all.

Mina tells of the less than adequate living conditions in both camps. The food is unfamiliar, and often repetitive. The lines are long. Injustice is at every turn. Her grandfather has little to hold his interest, or to encourage a will to live. Her mother works long hours in the camp kitchen, often falling into bed as soon a she returns from her work day. Her brother Nick is full of anger and resentment at what has been done. As a final injustice, the American government asks young Japanese men who are there to join the service and fight for 'their' country - the very country that has imprisoned them!

Letters from Mina to Jamie and back again let her know that their home is being cared for, about school in Seattle and evoke a yearning for the friends to be together once more. Mina writes to Nick following his enlistment and receives news back from him concerning the war effort and his part in it.

One of her saddest lines for me is:

"We held our breath for three
 years. We did not have anything to call
our own …”

What they did have was isolation, stress, lengthy separation, loss. Father does come back to them, a changed man. Grandfather dies while in the camp. Nick finds his place in Japan following the war, and writes a letter to his family that is the epilogue to this compelling tale:

"It's strange to be here;
everywhere, I see people
who look like me,
who look like Dad and Mom,
but to them, I am American.
Maybe it's the way I walk,
maybe it's my bad Japanese,
maybe it's my uniform,
but I don't look Japanese to them,
and I don't feel
Japanese. I know, more
than ever, I'm just an American,
pure and simple."

A historical note is added.

Good Night, Sleep Tight, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Judy Horacek. Orchard Books, Scholastic. 2013. $18.99 ages 2 and up

"We love it!
We love it!"
said Bonnie and Ben.
"How does it go?
Will you say it again?"

"Some  other time," said
Skinny Doug.
"But I'll tell you another
I heard from my mother:"

Ah, Poetry Month and what better way to celebrate than with books that make readers bounce with rhythm while learning all about rhyme...especially nursery rhymes. Not a lot of children know them these days! It's sad.

I am happy to share Mem Fox's belief that most children who know six nursery rhymes by heart before they are four years old are likely to be successful readers by the time they are eight. That's a pretty encouraging statistic, isn't it? I spent a bit of time with eight month old Bentley just this past weekend. He and I had a great time dancing and singing; I also spent time sharing some of my favorite nursery rhymes with him, from my heart rather than a book. He was totally attentive to the sound of my voice, to the fun of clapping along with the rhythms, and to some of the silliness that can be a part of such sharing.

In planning for books I might post this month, and considering the joy that children find in words, I remembered that I had not shared this book with you. What I was thinking?

This charmer was published first in 1988, and meant to help young children delight in those rhymes that we have shared over many years. Following their success with Where Is the Green Sheep? (Harcourt, 2004), Ms. Fox and Judy Horacek have teamed up to create a new, bold version of that original bedtime story. I love the premise, and the promise of it!

Skinny Doug is the absolute favorite sitter of all time for Bonnie and Ben. They are thrilled with his presence on a Friday night. After a few shared games, it's time for bed:

"Good night, sleep tight.
Hope the fleas don't bite!
If they do,
squeeze 'em tight
and they won't bite
another night!"

Who wouldn't want to hear that again? Skinny Doug is not so keen on repeating that verse, but he goes on to share six others (that he learned from his mother!). With each repetitive refrain from the children, he is encouraged to add to their repertoire. It will take no time at all for your listeners to be independently moving the story along for you.

The text is perfect for little ones! Mem Fox is incredibly adept at creating stories that encourage them to want to read on their own. Her books have been favorites of mine through the years, and I have a special place on my 'keepers' shelf for each one of them.

Judy Horacek matches the text perfectly with artwork that is visually stimulating,  not bogging children down with too many details. She has chosen watercolor and ink to complement the joy in the rhymes, while also allowing the children to imagine themselves part of the action. There is lots of movement, and a range in presentation that will hold their attention and encourage the plea: 'please, read it again!' Bedtime is delayed, children are happy!

While I have ALWAYS loved sharing Mem Fox's books with young readers, no one reads them better than the author herself!

http://youtu.be/fJMwhxVjyh4

far, far away, by Tom McNeal. Alfred A Knopf, Random House. 2013. $21.00 ages 12 and up

"When the silverware was finally finished, other tasks were assigned - the feather dusting of his collections of nutcrackers and novelty salt and pepper cellars, for example - until at last the noon hour came and the baker set out plates of sandwiches, plump with preserves and cream cheese, their crusts neatly trimmed, and served with a thick fruit nectar..."

Jeremy Johnson Johnson is one very special young man.. His life is grim. His mother has gone and left him with his deeply depressed father. The fact that he can hear ghosts is what sets him apart of any of the other children in his small village.

Jacob Grimm narrates this fantastic story. In doing so, and because Jeremy can hear him, he acts as a protector and mentor. Thanks in part to Jacob's tutelage, Jeremy does well in school, and has knowledge of fairy tales that is stellar. Ginger, a classmate who intrigues and beguiles Jeremy, eventually sees what is so special about him and they become fast friends. The magical Prince Cakes made by the town's baker help cement the relationship. Together, they make some mischievous choices and their adventures begin.

Thankfully, Jacob is caught in the time between mortal life and life after death. The Germans call it the Zwischenraum. It offers the chance for him to interact with Jeremy and be the adult presence he so badly needs. Jacob does his best, despite the fact that he is not always successful.  The village of Never Better is hiding some secrets. Children are disappearing, and evil seems to lurk on its streets.
It is the mysterious Finder of Occasions who brings darkness to this modern tale, and reminds us that Grimm fairy tales are often sinister and unsettling.

Tom McNeal blends masterful storytelling with intense and intricate plotting to create a cast of memorable and mostly likable characters who charm and befuddle the readers at times. The setting is pretty contemporary which gives the story a sense of immediacy and believability. The story is totally engaging from the first page to the last. I found that I had great difficulty getting any sleep once I started reading it. (Just one more section, I kept telling myself.)

The warm-hearted relationship between Jeremy and Jacob, and the often humorous scenes are much needed to offer relief from the sinister events on the pages of this stunning tale. If Jacob is to move on, he must prove he can protect Jeremy and keep him safe. Will he be able to save his young friend from the evil that has shown its ugly face in Never Better?

This is a fascinating and mesmerizing tale...one of the best I have read in the past year. It makes me wish I were still teaching so that I could read it to a class of middle years students. The writing is dramatic and very impressive. I think you should read it, and then share it with anyone who loves wonderfully told stories. Thank you, Tom McNeal!

http://youtu.be/65WJP89LHSo

Firebly July: A Year of Very Short Poems, selected by Paul B Janeczko and illustrated by Melissa Stewart. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2014. $ 19.00 ages 6 and up

"A wild winter wind
Is tearing itself to shreds
On barbed-wire fences.
-Richard Wright

Rain beats down,
roots stretch up.

They'll meet
in a flower.
-Raymond Souster"

What a perfect way to begin April Poetry Month, with this celebration of words and seasons!

300 years of poetry, and this practiced poet and anthologist is content to choose 36 poems to take his readers through the four seasons. It must have been a daunting task; he has chosen admirably and with clear attention to what is sure to captivate a warm and welcoming audience.

It is not a traditional collection. Each section explores the many subtle signs of the seasons in short, spirited choices. Some will be familiar, others will not be. Some have only a few words, but each evoke an image that is made even clearer with Melissa Sweet's brilliant mixed-media collages.

"Window

Night from a railroad car window
Is a great, dark, soft thing
Broken across with slashes of light.

- Carl Sandburg"

If you have experienced travel on a night train, you will know exactly what Mr. Sandburg imparts in his short poem. Melissa Sweet illustrates it with eighteen train window panels, showing the ever-changing muted moonlit sights, alongside brilliant flashes when the sun rises, when the moon glows brighter, or even when city lights offer glimpses of an urban landscape.

What makes a season memorable to you? There are poems here that will help you describe just exactly what that is. There are many lovely poems chosen. Each artistic interpretation offers a changing view and perspective. The design is beautiful, and varied. Meant to be read by everyone, it is a terrific collection.  Enjoy!                                                                        

peggy, written and illustrated by Anna Walker. Clarion, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Thomas Allen $ Son, 2014. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"Peggy landed with
a soft thud.
She was far from home.
She picked herself up,
ruffled her feathers,
and went for a walk.

Peggy saw things
she had never seen before."

Yes...another chicken with adventure at hand. There have been others. Peggy is sure to charm you. She's got a perfectly lovely little house, a trampoline (what chicken wouldn't enjoy the pleasures of such an apparatus?), and a yard filled with sunflowers. She spends her days fully content with its many distractions. It is a rogue wind that changes her life.

She is happily bouncing on the trampoline when a gust blows her into the air, over the fence and drops her with a soft thud in unfamiliar territory. Always up to a challenge, Peggy makes the best of the situation. The place is a mass of movement and revelation. It isn't too long until she yearns for home. Help is not easy to elicit. When she sees a familiar sunflower, she follows it. Alas, it leads nowhere familiar!

Forlorn and cold on a park bench, she happens to notice a flock of pigeons overhead. Might they be the ones she has seen from her backyard? Might they lead her back home again? IF she finds her way home, will she now be content to stay there day after day?

This is a short story, told simply in repetitive language that will encourage early readers to try it for themselves. The ink and photo collage artwork is created to bring the subtle humor of the story to the forefront. I love the sea of city feet and the urban sky filled with brightly colored umbrellas, the droll expression of a chicken set on an adventure she was not expecting but dealing with its results, and the happy (if a bit surprising) ending. It is sure to make your listeners giggle and you to want to read it again.

You MIGHT even learn a new appreciation for pigeons!

                                                                             

Etched in Clay, written and illustrated by Andrea Cheng. Lee & Low Books, Inc. 2013. $19.95 ages 10 and up

"Someday the world will read
my word etched in clay
on the side of this jar
and know about the shackles
around our legs
and the whips
upon our backs.
I am not afraid
to write on a jar
and fire it hot
so my word
can never be erased."

Whenever I read a novel in verse, I am reminded of how incredibly talented these writers are to tell their stories in the fewest, most perfect words possible. They awe readers with the beauty of the language used to give us characters, settings and situations that shock, inspire and teach us so much more than we can know ourselves.

I know nothing of the pain of slavery and the unjust conditions that so many people of the world continue to experience today. But, I have experienced just some small bit of it through the words of Andrea Cheng in this book, which is written in Dave's (Enslaved Potter and Poet) voice, and in the voices of others who are a part of his life. As I read it and then read it again, I was reminded that their voices shine through each of the experiences because this remarkable author has done her research, and used what she learned to create a story that would shape my thinking about the bravery of this very special man.

Dave had an innate need to communicate with the greater world. His only outlet was to make inscriptions on the pots that he made. To be punished for being literate is totally unimaginable to me; I am quite sure I would not have had Dave's courage in the face of the beatings and the humiliation he was forced to endure. No matter what was done to him, Dave persevered and continued to leave his mark.

There are few records to confirm Dave's life. We do know he was born in 1801, that he was only 17 when he was bought by Harvey Drake whose family owned a stoneware company. Dave became one of their most accomplished potters. It was the beginning of a life filled with great adversity:

"The sky is dark,
no stars, no moon.
How can I know
when my mother passed?
What about Eliza,
who smiled at me
as she walked by.
What about Lydia
and John and George?
Are those boys still reading
and writing?
"Please," George would beg.
"Teach us how to spell
another word."
Where are they now?
I go back to the turning house,
 and by the light of a candle,
I write across my newest jar:
I wonder where is all my relation
friendship to all - and, every nation."
As Ms. Cheng imagines Dave's life, and uses stunning woodcuts to illustrate its many events, we are blessed to learn his story, to begin to understand his need to have a say and to admire the quiet rebellion that was his alone as an artist and a man. Bravo!

Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons. Presented by Koo and Jon J Muth. Scholastic, 2014. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"shadows getting Long
snowfall flutters around
the outside lamps

Morning crocuses!
winter is old now
and closes her doors"

I accept that everything created by Jon Muth is sure to dazzle...all you need to do is look at his body of work. It totally impresses, and continues to do so with this newest book that includes the enchanting panda Koo.

He explains his choice of form before we read the first entry:

"For me, haiku is like an instant captured in words - using sensory images. At its best, a haiku embodies a moment of emotion that reminds us that our own human nature is not separate from all of nature."

It is poetry; it is seasonal; and, it is beautifully designed as a celebration. We see Koo in front matter, daintily licking the top of a double scoop, sprinkle-infused ice cream cone, and then moving on to somersault himself up a grassy hill. He is ready to guide us through the seasons, beginning in the fall. Koo endures the falling leaves, the endless raking, the blustery wind, the cold rain. Warm soup and equally warm cookies help. When friends arrive to invite him out for snowy fun, Koo wonders at winter's many surprises:

"Icicles
reach down with dripping fingers
will they touch the ground?"

And so we venture through spring and finally, summer.

A cool surprise is that the author manages to include a nod to the alphabet, capitalizing one word in each deftly written phrase. The truly gorgeous watercolors are set on plenty of white space which allows a child's attention to focus on the small pleasures that they constantly find in the world of nature.

The illustrations tempt our senses, while also making us smile and take time to bask in the quiet beauty that surrounds us. Don't miss the squared-eyed, blank stares that result from too much TV watching during a long, cold winter. Then, feel the warmth of a spring morning as two gentle children read to and feed a small flock of robins.

Absolutely beautiful!

                                                                          

Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door, written by Hilary McKay. Albert Whitman & Company, Thomas Allen & Son. 2014. $15.99 ages 5 and up

"Arthur opened the door of George's hutch and delivered the parcel. All at once George became very awake. He hopped round his parcel, inspecting it from all sides. He sniffed it carefully. He rubbed his chin over the knot in the string. He scrabbled at it with his paws, rolling it over. Arthur wondered if he should help. Then George picked the whole parcel up with his teeth, holding it by the string."

I cheered when I saw that this fourth Lulu book by the brilliant Hilary McKay had been published. The cheering was for her delightful writing, and for my chance to read another book about Lulu and her love of animals; but, the raised voice is particularly for those early years readers who have been waiting to get their happy hands on another book that is written with them in mind. As we search for chapter books that are 'just right' for 6, 7 and 8 year olds, we can't go wrong when suggesting this series. I can't wait to share this latest tale!

Many people in North America are not familiar with Hilary McKay and her wonderful collection of books. She lives in England, and her books are not simultaneously published here. If you have had the pleasure of reading any other books that she has written, you will know why I am always eager to see a new one. She has a gift for creating appealing characters, and Lulu is no exception. She is spirited, outspoken, and crazy for animals of every kind. So far, she has had encounters with a duck, a dog and a cat. It looks like the next animal in her catalogue of 'rescues' is going to be a hedgehog. I will wait patiently.

Lulu has an accomplice in her cousin Mellie. They live on the same street and are quick to notice changes in the neighborhood. So, it is no surprise that they know a lot about Arthur and his family before he knows one thing about them. Arthur lets them know pretty quickly that his rabbit is a gift, and holds no real interest for him. Lulu and Mellie set about changing that right away; and they don't give up. Can they help Arthur learn the many joys of being a pet owner? My money is on their winning ways.

If you are looking for a series of appealing and contemporary stories for readers moving into independence in reading chapter books, Lulu's stories are sure to be a hit for anybody! If this is your first Hilary McKay book, you might want to look for her other popular series...Porridge Hall, Paradise House, Exiles, Pudding Bag School, and the Casson Family chronicles. I promise that you will not be disappointed!

Two Bunny Buddies, written by Kathryn O Galbraith and illustrated by Jon Cepeda. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Thomas Allen & Son. 2014. $18.99 ages 2 and up

"Two bunny buddies,
hungry for lunch.

The sun is hot.
The path is long.

"Let's go this way."

"Let's go that way."

They are both pretty stubborn, as you can sense from their demeanor on the front cover. Don't you cross your arms when you are feeling that you are in the right, and  you don't want any opposition? Readers and listeners will surely see how silly some arguments can be.

The two are anticipating some difficulty as they stare off down the long road, aware of the rumbling in their tummies. Backpacks in place, they head off together...until they come to the fork in the road.
That's when the arguing begins:

"THIS way!"
THAT way!"
"Carrot head!"
"Beetle brain!"

Little ones may giggle at the names the two toss at each other. It doesn't take long for the buddies and the audience to realize that being together beats being alone. They have berries and they have clover; it's a perfect picnic for two friends to share. Will they be able to put their differences aside?

The text is 'just right' for emerging readers, and is plotted perfectly for understanding the power of language. There is a lot of action, paired with repetitive and rhyming words, to assure that the simple message is understood even by our youngest listeners.  Jon Cepeda uses bold black outlines for his characters, and spare pastel background colors to keep the focus on the buddies, and their actions. Expressive faces assure that we know exactly how they are feeling as the story moves forward.

In the end we all learn that even naps are more fun when you have a friend to lean on!

Wild About Bears, written and illustrated Jeannie Brett. Charllesbridge, Thomas Allen & Son, 2014. $14.95 ages 6 and up

"Bears are omnivores and eat a variety of plants and animals. The giant panda is sometimes called a herbivore because of the large quantity of bamboo it consumes. Eating primarily seals, the polar bear is often referred to as a carnivore."

I have never asked myself how many different species of bears live in our world. After reading this information-packed and beautifully illustrated book, I now know there are eight. I also know a great deal more about these bears than I did half an hour ago, and that's pretty cool!

Jeannie Brett begins with an opening that identifies them:

"Eight bear species live on earth today: the polar bear, brown bear, North American black bear, spectacled bear, Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, sun bear, and giant panda."

A turn of the page offers a look at the physical traits that are common to all. She follows this with another double spread that focuses on  bear behavior. Then, she gets to the 'guts' of the book: showing each species in their own environment and relating interesting and attention-getting facts about them. She starts with the polar bear, introducing it with its scientific name, the common names it is called, and its size. A short descriptive paragraph, in simply written text, provides what a young researcher might need for a class project. Realistic and appealing watercolor images of the bear in its natural habitat are captioned with further information.

Each bear species is described using the same format, making it easy to access for young readers and allowing them to learn what they need to know. Ms. Brett points out to her readers how the bears differ and assures a genuine feeling for protecting them with her winsome and winning artwork.
Adding a world map, a habitat glossary, and a page filled with additional resources adds to the appeal, and to the value of such a book for those wanting to know more about the bears of the world.

"The spectacled bear gets its name from the cream-colored rings of fur around its eyes, which can make it look as if it is wearing glasses. Spectacled bears spend a lot of time in trees. They make crude nests from bent and broken branches. These nests give them easy access to favorite plant foods and also serve as a lookout."

Who knew?
                                                                               

Great Things To Do Outside, edited by Lili Bryant. DK Publishing. Tourmaline Editions, Inc. 2014. $13.99 ages 5 and up

"This book is full of fun and exciting things to do, from building a den to pressing flowers and trapping bugs. Take it with you wherever you go and you'll find an activity that helps you explore the natural world.
It doesn't matter if the book gathers a little dirt along the way -
just don't let it gather dust on your shelf."

And so begins another wonderful book from DK Publishing. Since it's talking about your kids getting outside, I guess you can tell that I have high hopes that spring is really on its way! While we are back in the middle of a cold snap (the wind chill tonight is -32!), I cannot help but feel that the end is in sight. So, get your hands on this book and prepare yourself for some fun in the sun...

There are '365 awesome outdoor activities' described for you and your family. It is perfect for anyone who wants to experience some of the absolute pleasure that can be found in the great outdoors. The suggestions are varied, informative and will keep kids busy for many hours. If you live where days can be mighty cold, and not always conducive to being outdoors, there are many activities that can be done indoors, too. Rather than following the plan day by day, you may have to save some for those days when it's impossible to be outside for any length of time.

Nonetheless, the variety in things to be tried and accomplished is stellar:

"022 Make a Martian landscape

Put sand in an old baking sheet. Snip steel wool over it.
Moisten the sand with salty water and leave for a few days.
As the steel wool rusts, the sand turns red, like the soil on Mars."

A time clock is placed in each idea box. This one tells those interested in trying a Martian landscape that it will take 15 minutes to complete the suggested idea.

As is expected from their exemplary nonfiction titles, each idea is accompanied by a helpful and clear photograph that makes following the instructions uncomplicated. Some methods are numbered for ease of execution. A list of what is needed is included, too.

Some are more ambitious than others; all will hold attention and encourage the target audience to take a step back from the television and video games to find fun in the outdoors!  It's a perfect size for carrying along, and would make a great addition to any outdoor adventure that you have planned with your children.

Santiago Stays, written and illlustrated by Angela Dominguez. Abrams, 2013. $13.95 ages 3 and up

"Do you
want to...
fetch?
No?
I know,
let's go
for a
walk!"

Santiago is a tough sell! I know bulldogs ( I have two granddogs, remember?) and they can be enticed to do most anything with a happy smile and a bit of encouragement. I spent a lot of time with a lovable French bulldog, and know that he only wanted to please. So, it's a surprise that no amount of coaxing gets Santiago to leave his chosen spot. He seems rooted to it!

His young owner knows all the tricks, but none work; not a walk, the chance to wear his favorite sweater, or a treat. He stays planted on the map, while looking like he might finally succumb when food is offered. He just turns his back. Percy (the older granddog who turned 7 this week) does not have the wherewithal to ignore any kind of food.  

The conversational text makes this a perfect book for early readers. Pets, especially dogs, offer a special appeal when they are choosing their own books to read. Expressive and full of feeling, it is sure to encourage repeated readings.

 Ms. Dominguez uses pencil, marker, ink, tissue paper and digital color to create a warm and loving story of a dog bent on the task at hand, and unwilling to give in to temptation. I laughed out loud when I saw the turkey leg reflected in Santiago's gentle, brown eyes. And again when I saw how full of yearning he was at the thought of all that food he must pass up!

The mystery of his ability to resist is only evident in the final three spreads. His dignity in the face of the onslaught is sure to elicit an "AWWW!"
                                                                            

   

                                                                             

Have You Heard the Nesting Bird, written by Rita Gray and illustrated by Kenard Pak. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Thomas Allen & Son. 2014. $19.99 ages 3 and up

"Cardinal wears a pointy hat.
cheer - cheer - cheer -
purdy - purdy - purdy

Chickadee is an acrobat.
chick - a - dee - dee

Catbird sounds like a hungry cat.
meow! meow!"


As they wander through the meadow near their home and wonder at the bird songs they hear, two children have a question about the nesting bird they encounter:

"But have you heard the nesting bird?
"What bird? Where?"
"That robin, nesting up there."

Rita Gray allows her readers to 'hear' the calls of twelve common and familiar birds: mourning dove,  woodpecker, starling, sparrow, swallow, crow, cardinal, chickadee, cowbird, blue jay, whip-poor-will, wood thrush. Despite being able to see the robin, there is no sound coming from its nest.

It isn't until there are sounds of tapping and cracking that the two finally hear the bird call they have been waiting to hear. Both male and female robins are pretty excited to welcome three tiny babies!
Then, and only then, is their song heard far and wide.

There are many new books this spring season about the birds that so interest little ones...and me, too. I often find myself sitting in the spring warmth (if it ever really arrives this year) of the back porch listening to bird calls and wondering what bird might be making them. If I can't figure it out, I don't worry. I just enjoy the lovely and welcome sounds (but for the loud and raucous crows that are sure to make a return engagement anytime soon) as one bird sings to another.

The accuracy of the written bird calls is remarkable. I went to my trusty book of bird song to compare the two. I am impressed. The text is simple and repetitive which will encourage early readers to try their hand at independent reading. The gentle beauty of the meadow and the expressive nature of the avian singers are captured in a soft palette of greens, grays and browns. The artwork deftly matches the quiet observations that the children make, and the unfailing care of the robins.

In "A Word with the Bird" at the conclusion of the story's text, a series of questions are asked of the mother robin. She answers with clarity, providing details about her silence and her vigil as she hatches a new batch of young. She also talks about her mate's role in rearing their new family.

Most informative!

Brush of the Gods, written by Lenore Look and illustrated by Meilo So. Schwartz & Wade Books, Random House. 2013. $19.99 ages 8 and up

"Then, with a  flick of his wrist, a straight line dropped out like the back of a robe...then curved and squiggled and fell into a hem. "I love calligraphy!" he cried. "That's not calligraphy, " the monk sighed. Each day something new and surprising dripped out of Daozi's brush. His straight lines splintered into trees. His hooks caught fish."

You must tire of my telling you to be on the lookout for wonderful new picture book biographies. I'm sorry about that. I just can't stop! I am forever intrigued to learn about people whose life stories I have not heard.

Such is the case with this gorgeous biography that tells young readers (and artists) about a hero to the Chinese people. Wu Daozi lived in the seventh century, during the Tang dynasty and is known to be one of China's most accomplished artists. His artistic prowess was evident at a young age: while trying to learn the intricacies of calligraphy, his paint brush would often take him down a clearly different, and more imaginative, path. His teachers were persistent:

"Press gently," said their teacher as he showed the class how to draw a smooth stroke from left to right, making a glistening number in Chinese on an old tortoise shell. "Calligraphy is the highest of the arts," he continued, slowing writing more numbers in beautiful strokes. "It reveals your character. Do it well and you will bring great honor to your family."

Daozi's inspiration could not be contained. His calligraphy strokes remarkably turned into animals, without his seeming to have any control over his creations. He painted on walls with abandon, and the people were amazed. His images appeared quickly and were much admired. Coins were left to thank him for the joy he brought to those who watched. He took those gifts to feed the poor.

He loved to paint, and never stopped. As he worked, he got better. His work became legendary, and even a bit magical! His brilliance drew attention from the Emperor, who gave him a wall mural project to complete. It took many years; when it was finished, Daozi was an old man.

"When the drapery was pulled away, mountains pierced holes into the sky. Bamboo swayed. Birds flew. Horses galloped in the distance. There were nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine things to behold. The painting was as brilliant as the fresh-fallen snow.
The crowd fell silent.
The emperor bowed.
The moon wept."

Lenore Look's writing style is perfect for her young readers. The text is playful, yet often poignant. Children will quickly become aware that Doazi had little control over the art that consumed him. He lived for it, and worked at it every day of his life. The magical notes of the story will attract their attention while they learn about an important historical figure.

Meilo So is incredibly adept at bringing Ms. Look's words to glorious life. She uses watercolor, ink, gouache, and colored pencil to fashion a playful, determined boy, a lively joy that is felt by all who see his work, and a setting that is detailed and always moving.

I love the magical feel, and the author's endnote:

"Legend has it that Wu Daozi never died - he merely walked into his final painting, a landscape commissioned by Emperor Xuanzong, and disappeared. The work, painted on a palace wall, did not survive. The year of Wu's disappearance varies - sometimes it is given as 759, sometimes 762 or 792 - the uncertainty being further proof, they say, that he cheated death."

It is lovely to think so.
                                                                           

The Noisy Paint Box, written by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Mary Grandpre. Alfred A Knopf, Random House. 2014. $19.99 ages 8 and up

"Vasya's well-off world was
perfectly polite...until the day
his aunt gave him a small
wooden paint box.
"Every proper Russian boy
should appreciate art," said
Auntie. She showed Vasya
the correct way to mix
colors on the paint-box
palette."

Imagine my surprise when this week's episode of Modern Family saw Cam and Mitch invite Manny and Alex to go with them to a modern art show! I had just finished reading this tribute to Vasya Kandinsky, and was intrigued by his story. Vasya's art was also the inspiration for the closing ceremonies for the Paralympic Games on Sunday afternoon from Sochi. Coincidence??? Funny how that so often happens.

I am the first to admit that I know little about art, having never taken any art course. I tell people that what I have learned about art and artists mostly comes from my abiding interest in illustrated books for children. They are a wonder! So, I was right there with Cam when he asked if the docent might point him in the direction of the Kandinsky exhibit. Deflated to find out that particular exhibit was no longer showing, he panicked (he had prepared himself to talk about it, knowing that he was attending with others who would know much more about abstract art than he would). It took him no time to bow out of the tour.

Having finished this book earlier in the week, I found myself thinking back to Kandinsky's experience as one of the pioneers of abstract art. I knew little about him, or his life. That is what I find so fascinating about the number of picture book biographies that are making their way onto publisher's lists. They introduce children, and their parents and teachers, to a stunning array of personalities who have, and continue to shape history. They impact all walks of life, and we need to know about them.

This book chronicles Vasya's life from early childhood until he won acceptance as a great artist. His childhood was spent learning to live a life that was expected of a Russian boy in the late nineteenth century. It wasn't until his aunt gifted him 'a small wooden paint box' that he heard sounds in the colors he was mixing:

"Vasya painted the sounds of the colors.
He spun a bright lemon circle onto the canvas.
It clinked like the highest notes on the keyboard.
He brushed a powerful navy rectangle that
vibrated deeply like the lowest cello strings."

                                                       

He painted until he could no longer hear the colors, and then took his artwork to show his parents. They were confused, not recognizing the images that he had painted. They were not impressed and Vasya was pushed to take formal art lessons. Needless to say, now he was not happy!

Today, we might recognize synesthesia as the reason that Vasya saw the world so differently. Barb Rosenstock does an impressive job of ensuring that her readers see the world as the young Kandinsky sees it. Her ability to tell his story with warmth and understanding is what will draw readers to his work. Mary Grandpre uses acrylic paints and paper collage to help us envision the energy of Vasya's work, the brilliance of the colors he heard, and the joy he took in creating art that begged the question: "how does it make you feel?"  She deftly portrays the artist using blues and purples as he lives the dull life expected of him as a youngster, then swirls his surroundings with brightness as he listens to the colors that ultimately find their way onto his canvas. Brilliantly crafted so that readers understand the evolution of a new art form.

In the back matter, you will find an author's note, four reproductions of his work, source notes and internet resources for further study. She also includes two personal quotes from the artist.

It's wonderful!                                                                             

                                                                             

 

       

I Didn't Do My Homework Because... Written by Davide Cali and illustrated by Benjamin Chaud. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2014. $14.99 ages 8 and up

"I gave my pencils
to Robin Hood.

A famous director
asked to use my bedroom
to shoot his new movie.

Some strange birds
made a nest on our
roof."

For those kids who never get their homework done, here's a book that will give them many more excuses. They may be absurd, but that is what will attract readers to this book. I hope that teachers share it with their students. It is a nod to quick thinking. What a mentor text for some imaginative writing!

When I was working as a teacher librarian I heard a lot of reasons cocerning the state of the book being returned, the loss of a book, and the ever-used, "I'm sure I didn't borrow that one!" It was fun to listen, and then add them to my little black book of excuses. I would often refer to it to prove to kids that I had actually 'heard that one before'. That is not the case with the reasons showcased in Davide Cali's new book.

One truly imaginative boy, and a myriad of answers to the missing homework question posed by his teacher. Each follows the next in a rapid fire attempt to befuddle. You have already read three of them. I wonder how many more your students might add to Mr. Cali's list. Of course, nothing will be their fault!

There are 44 pages and each page turn offers one more crazy reason for not doing the assigned task. In the end, the boy gets his just desserts...his teacher brings a copy of the very same book we are reading out from behind her back. Tada! He's toast...

Benjamin Chaud has chosen shades of red and green to set the stage in his accompanying artwork. The boy offering the excuses is dressed elegantly in a dark suit with a bold red tie. Each image is detailed and suited to the absurdity of the boy's justification for the absence of the expected work.

Entertaining and very appropriate for older children who will appreciate the nonsense.
                                                                              

BENNY and PENNY in THE BIG NO-NO! Written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes. A Toon Book, Candlewick Press. Random House, 2009. $6.00 ages 4 and up

"It's a little GIRL!

Uh, oh!
This one on
the end is all
broken!

Now, I will
have to make
a new one.
YEOW!"

I trust that you have met Benny and Penny prior to seeing this tale. They are mice; they have the same personal issues that many siblings have; and they are curious and inventive. They also have new neighbors, and they wish they knew if they had a kid. A furtive look through a knothole in the fence provides no answer. Oh, well. There's a lot for them to do at home.

The real action begins when Penny uses her watering can to collect some water from their wading pool. It leads to a familiar confrontation:

"Okay. WHERE is my pail?
I don't know!
It was here yesterday!
Well, I didn't take it!
WHERE IS IT!!
I don't know!!
Why do you have to cry all the time?
I was just ASKING!
WAAAAAAA!!!
SNIFF!
Maybe the new kid took it."

Of course, why hadn't Benny thought of that?

Over the fence they go ( a definite NO-NO for both of them), and the search begins. They cannot figure out what kind of neighbor they have...the footprints that lead from the fence are unfamiliar. Their trek through the neighbor's yard holds mystery and some terror. The panels are sequenced and tell a story that might play out in any backyard. Misunderstanding abounds, and it is left to Benny and Penny to make amends when they realize that they have made a huge mistake. There is also a chance to experience a helping of sibling unity.

I'm pleased to add it to a rapidly growing list of worthy TOON books for young readers.

                                                                         

A Snicker of Magic, written by Natalie Lloyd. Scholastic, 2014. $18.99 ages 8 and up

"Oliver's story of the Threadbare curse had stuck with me. I'd written the words in my blue book, but I might as well have written them inside my head and inside my heart and in the air all around me. Because I couldn't stop thinking about them. And I didn't know why. The Brothers Threadbare were dead and gone."

My brain can hardly get itself around the fact that this wonderful, inspired, and truly lovely novel is a DEBUT for Natalie Lloyd. My, she has written it brilliantly, and she's given me a host of memorable characters that I long to meet again!

So much has been written about it that you might not even need to read this recommendation. I just can't help telling you about it. It put a smile on my face that is sure to last for hours and days, and return whenever I think about Felicity Juniper Pickle, her family, her best friend Jonah and the beautiful people of Midnight Gulch.

When Felicity and family arrive there, just another stop in their life of wandering. her artistic Mama explains that it used to be 'a magical place to call home'. As they drive past the town's welcome sign, they note that it now says that Midnight Gulch is 'a proper place to call home'. Felicity is not so sure:

"I didn't say another word to Mama that night, but I could feel something good even then: the YES in my heart, the swirling-around in my belly, the prickly tingling all the way from the freckle on my finger to the tip of my pinky toe. That much wonderful could only mean one thing:
There was still magic in Midnight Gulch.
This is how I turned it loose..."

And turn it loose she does, thanks to the support, love and assistance of the special people she meets there. It is, after all, where Mama grew up. Perhaps it will soothe her wandering heart. While the setting has great warmth and appeal, it is the characters who become our friends that up the ante for the pleasure of reading all about them. They are many and varied, and worthy of our attention and love. Their stories are endless; magical, mysterious, and entertaining.

Felicity loves words, and sees them everywhere. She then collects them in her blue book. As she meets the people, hears their stories, learns about the connections to the old timers, including the Threadbare brothers whose curse has impacted all that happens in their town, the magic of her word collecting works some magic of its own.

You will want to meet them all, to know their stories, and to know that Felicity makes some very important discoveries for herself:

"I still missed Roger Pickle. I was still hurt that he hadn't come back to us. But I didn't feel like my family was in pieces anymore. We might never look like a normal family, but I didn't mind. Normal was never one of my favorite words anyway. I glanced up at the painted faces of all the people I'd come to know, and wanted to know. Home isn't just a house or a city or a place; home is what happens when you're brave enough to love people."

AMEN!

Baby Bear, written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Balzer & Bray, Harper. 2014. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Excuse me, dear Frog.
I am lost.
Can you help me find
my way home?
Do you mind? I am busy.
But I'm lost and afraid.
Do not be afraid, Baby Bear.
Trust yourself.
You will find your way home.
Now please, if you don't mind..."

Baby Bear's story is familiar to little ones. He is lost and looking for help to find his way home. As he wanders, he seeks sage advice from the animals that he encounters in his forest home. Each offers a suggestion. None are especially helpful on its own, but all encourage him to look inward for the strength and knowledge that will help him find his way. When he finds Salmon, we know that he is nearing exactly where he wants to be!

Using dialogue between the little bear and the other animal characters provides a strong structure for early readers, and some repetitive text will help them with understanding the course of the search. While we don't ever meet Baby Bear's family, we end the story knowing that he has found his way 'home'...it is a splendid ending after all his encounters.

If you know Kadir Nelson's work, it will come as no surprise to you that each page is a treat for your eyes! I love the silhouettes of the dusk and dawn endpapers, allowing readers to accompany this tiny cub through uneasy darkness to growing light. His use of light and changing perspectives beg the reader to stop and wonder at the details, the luminescence, the growing sense that Baby Bear is indeed on his way to exactly the right place...home!

He is safe at all times, getting gentle advice from every animal he meets to help with his continuing  journey. Their bits of advice will hold each of us in good stead, and bear repeating: go your way, trust yourself, hug a tree, choose wisely, listen to your heart, climb higher and keep walking, sing a song. Once you have completed this comforting book, I am sure you will be asked for a repeat performance.
                                                                         

Sandy's Circus, written by Tanya Lee Stone and illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Viking, Penguin. 2008. $18.50 ages 6 and up

"Even though Sandy loved creating things, he didn't always want to be an artist. He went to college and learned more about making things by studying to be an engineer. Sandy had different jobs but never really liked any of them. Then he worked as a fireman in the boiler room of a ship. One night, he was sleeping up on deck..."

Alexander Calder's course in life seemed to be set for him from birth. He was born the son of artists and encouraged to create freely from a very early age. The tools needed were always available, and he was given free rein to follow his passion for design. Even as a child, he could be found using wood scraps, bits of wire and leather to fashion items of delight for his friends and his sister.

A singular emotional event after awakening on a ship's deck so impressed him that he turned his talents to art school, and the rest is his story. Taking a job as a newspaper artist sent to draw circus images led him to change course again with a move to Paris. There, he gave his artistic vision free rein in a city that was filled with other artists. He used wire and pliers to ply his trade, and impressed many friends with his intricate work.

"One day, Sandy made a little wire lion. He built a colorful cage for the lion. Of course, since the lion was a wild animal, it needed a tamer. So, Sandy made him, too."

That was just the tip of the iceberg for this talented visionary. It wasn't long until he could use these tiny miniatures to develop a circus show of his own, all carried back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean in five suitcases. His shows were tremendously popular, entertaining huge crowds for hours at a time. All this, before he made the very first mobile!

The text, penned by the accomplished Tanya Lee Stone, is deserving of our attention. We learn much about Sandy Calder's character and drive, his art and his love of moving things. Boris Kulikov uses mixed media to create the illustrations that help young readers understand the importance of Mr. Calder's work. He uses full, bold colors alongside black and white art pieces to bring the intricacy of the designs into perspective. From the close-up images of Sandy working with his circus to the detailed drawings of his life's events, we are always close to the action at hand.

An author's note explains Ms.Stone's abiding interest in the artist, after discovering some of his work while on a leisurely drive through the Connecticut countryside. An archival photo of Mr. Calder at work is included in the back matter, as are sources used for her research. It is a fascinating look at an artist unknown to me until now. I will certainly share his story with others.