Love Agnes: Postcards From An Octopus. Written by Irene Latham and illustrated by Thea Baker. Millbrook Press, Lerner. Thomas Allen & Son. 2018. $29.99 ages 5 and up

"Agnes rolled her eyes.
She still knew how to do
a thing or two. She jetted
superfast across a current.
When a dogfish followed
too close, she blasted it
with a cloud of ink.

When the color cleared, what
did she see floating by?"

In keeping with yesterday's post about letter writing and using it to express feelings, I want to tell you about Irene Latham's newest book. It is the story of a giant Pacific octopus and is shared in a series of postcards, beginning with one that annoys Agnes. She responds immediately to Andrew's opening shot. It is addressed to him at Above the Waves, California and says:

"Dear Andrew,

Just because I have a beak
that can crush bones and
arms that stretch as wide
as a car does NOT make
me a monster. I'm a mollusk,
okay? Look it up.

Sincerely,
Annoyed Agnes"

It is a while before Agnes hears from Andrew again. In the meantime, she does receive postcards from denizens of the deep who have opinions and observations to share. Another younger octopus is rude and up for a fight. A crab is happy to have avoided her arms and suckers. Then, there is another from Andrew that furthers annoys. Her second response sets them on a new path. Others postcards are written to her eggs, to her babies, and to the world at large.

Through it all, we learn  a great deal about the octopus in an ingenious, informative text that is written alongside the set of postcards. There are clear facts provided concerning the care she provides for her eggs, the changes in her own being as time passes and she awaits the hatching and quick departure of all those babies, and her own gentle demise.

Before she goes, she has a message for the world:

"Dear World,

What a life, what a place! I have friends
above the waves!
And now I must
say goodbye ...
GOODBYE! Don't worry, the end
is not at all like I thought it
would be. (You'll see.)

Gratefully,

Agnes Octopus"

Collage, acrylic paint, and digital illustrations by Thea Baker are filled with the colors of the deep, and are textural and attractive. Children will want to pore over them to be sure they miss nothing about this amazing creature. Backmatter provides engaging facts and offers a list of books for further reading.

This book is one that I classify as faction with young readers: it contains both facts and story. It is also wise in the ways of the world, and a celebration of life! What a gift at Christmas for a reader who loves learning new information mixed with a well-told story, humor, and told in a way that is new and refreshing! Checks a lot of boxes, doesn't it?
                                                                       

Dear Substitute, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick. Illustrated by Chris Raschka. Disney/Hyperion, 2018. $18.99 ages 5 and up

"Dear Line, 

Yes, I know I'm supposed
to be line leader this week.

Especially since I was chair
stacker last week.

I'm sorry that You-Know-Who
doesn't know how we do things
in Room 102."

Poor substitutes! It's not an easy pursuit. In the early grades, little ones miss their teacher. Then, they miss routines that make their days easier and more familiar. In older grades, students often do their best to give the 'sub' a go! This would be a perfect book for a substitute teacher to carry in a bookbag to be read at the beginning of every new assignment.

The first letter is directed at the person who replaces Mrs. Giordano.

"Dear Substitute,

Wow. This is a surprise.
What are you doing here?
Where's Mrs. Giordano,
and why didn't she warn us?"

There are sixteen short letters her; the first to the substitute herself and the final one to Mrs. Giordano. The rest are written to the varied events that take place during the school day, including a library visit, the school pet, lunch, and story time. Each is written to show readers how much things are disrupted with someone new is in charge of a classroom. The day certainly seems catawuimpus.

As he does, Chris Raschka uses watercolor and gouache to create his colorful, detailed artwork. His borders and humorous images add charm and interest, and are sure to hold attention. Poor turtle waiting for a clean tank! Lovely world of poetry and imagination! And, I love the spread that shows Miss Pelly with her special powers.

"Dear Miss Pelly, 

Now you care about rules?
How did you even see us swapping?
I think you have what my mom has:
back-of-the-head eyes.
I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about
people being allergic to things.
I was just thinking about Connor's yummy chips."

Using humor and understanding, the authors pen a story that might just help little ones understand that changes can be welcome, if we look with a new perspective.

For those who spend their days being the 'chaos' in classrooms, you might add the following books to your repertoire (along with a book of fun poetry). Good luck and happy days!

Miss Nelson is Missing (Allard, 2003), and Here Comes Teacher Cat (Underwood, 2017).
                                                                             

Want To Play Trucks? Written by Ann Stott and illustrated by Bob Graham. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2018. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"Want to play trucks?"
asks Jack.

"Let's play dolls ...
that drive trucks,"
says Alex.

So Jack and Alex
play dolls that drive
trucks.

"WEE-HOO! WEE-HOO!"

As happens in real life, you don't have to love the same things to be friends. As happens so often with children, they easily accommodate how to navigate their differences ... especially when left to their own devices.

Ann Stott has written a simple, and important, story focusing on two children who play happily together by compromising and finding comfort in each other's company. Both have a love for toys that are very different. Their decision to assure both are incorporated into their play is heartwarming and a testament to the imagination. In the end, nothing matters more than a shared love for ice cream. Satisfied, and satisfying.

I must admit I got this book because I am such a fan of Bob Graham's work. He is able to make this lovely story even more so with his brilliantly detailed artwork. Every image plays an important role to the importance of the story being told. The gorgeous endpapers provide a perfect start - and finish. In between, he offers an autumn morning filled with action and life. It is a neighborhood brimming with activity, and people, and their pursuits.

The two have created a book worthy of sharing, and then rereading.       

                                                      

                                                                 

You're Snug With Me, by Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry. Lantana Publishing, Thomas Allen & Son. 2018. $25.99 ages 4 and up

"When the willows turned
crimson, Mama Bear dug
into the snow drifts not
far from the sea.

She made a den just big
enough for her to turn over,
and waited for the falling
snow to seal it shut.

As the cold set in, she
gave birth to two bear cubs."

Once her cubs are born, Mama Bear turns to the task of keeping them snug, answering their questions and assuring them about their future. The cubs are impatient to know what life will be like for them outside after the long, cold winter. She is endlessly patient, and full of wisdom to help them understand the changes they will face when spring arrives with warmth and sunshine. As they wait, she encourages them with her brave and warm responses.

"Don't be afraid," said Mama
Bear. "The Earth dances on her
toes and when she tilts, our
nights will get shorter
and spring will return."

She teaches lessons about living good lives, about their world and the changing of the seasons, and all those things they will need to know if they are going to live independently. She passes her knowledge along, knowing that her cubs will need it when they move out into the world.

"Will you stay with us always?" they asked.

"Only until you're ready to be
on your own," said Mama Bear.

The cubs whimpered.

"Don't be afraid," said
Mama Bear. "I'll teach you
everything I know
before I leave."

For now, they are 'snug' with their mother ... and safe.

In an author's note, Chitra Soundar further describes the polar bear, and reminds her readers that each of us can contribute to the good health of this world we live in by taking only what we need from it. The beautiful and intricate designs are inspired by the Indian heritage of the two collaborators who bring their story to little ones. There is so much rhythm in the lines, swirls, stars, and backgrounds that adorn its double page spreads. Readers will be in awe of the detailed presentation. So. grab a blanket, bring a cup of hot chocolate and snuggle up before bed for a family read. Reassuring and full of wonder, this is a really lovely book.

Be sure to check for its companion - You're Safe With Me (Lantana, 2018).
                                                                       

The Stuff of Stars, written by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Ekua Holmes. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2018. $23.99 ages 5 and up

"No Earth with soaring hawks,
scuttling beetles,
trees reaching for the sky.
There was no sky.
No you.
No me.
Only the speck,
waiting,
waiting ...
And then
the beginning ... "

What a gorgeous book this is ... it is a harmony of carefully chosen and captivating poetic words complemented by spectacular 'hand-marbled paper and collage assembled digitally' artwork by the remarkable Ekua Holmes. One cannot help spending time reading and rereading, while thoroughly examining every detail of the amazing double page spreads.

It is a book that will find fans of every age. The author helps her readers take a close look at the Big Bang and the creation of our universe. It begins in the deep darkness of space which held nothing but a single speck.

"There was yet no time,
there was yet no space.
No up,
no down,
no edge,
no center."

Only one planet is near enough to its closest star to be not too hot and not too cold to sustain life. As time passes life forms are born and die, until the reader arrives from its own 'stuff of stars'.

"You took a big breath
of the same air
once breathed
by woolly mammoths.
You cried tears
that were once salty seas.
Your hair
once the carbon in a leaf."

We are all made of the 'stuff of stars'. This celebration of the universe, our Earth, and humanity is a remarkable achievement, graced with artwork that cannot accurately be described by me. The beauty  Ms. Holmes creates needs to be seen. This is a magical book, and deserves a place in all libraries and on bookshelves everywhere.
                                                                     

Thank You, Omu! Written and illustrated by Oge Mora. Little Brown and Company, Hachette. 2018. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"Omu thought for a moment.
She was saving her stew
for dinner, but she had made
quite a bit. It would not hurt
to share. "Would you like some?"

The little boy nodded.

And so Omu spooned out some
thick red stew from the big fat
pot for her her nice evening meal."

I love stories of community! Goodness knows, we need them now. Everyone in the neighborhood loves Omu, and she loves them back. The smell of her 'thick red stew in a big fat pot' is all the incentive they need today to stop by for a visit. Do you think they are all hoping for the same thing?

 Omu is happily reading while her stew simmers. The scent of it cannot be contained within her apartment walls. Her first visitor is a little boy. - and he's intrigued by the delicious smell. She shares some stew.  It turns out that he is not the only one who wants a taste.. A police officer is next; then,  the hot dog vendor, and more and more people from the neighborhood. Omu shares with each visitor until there is nothing left for her own evening meal.  No matter! She has grand and giving community friends who appreciate her kind and generous nature, and have learned another lovely lesson in generosity.

Though her pot was empty, her heart 'was full of happiness and love'. Isn't that the way it should be?

This is a splendid debut for Oge Mora. The text has rhythm and a structure that will encourage shared reading, and a return to the book for another go. The collage illustrations were created using 'acrylic paint, china markers, pastels, patterned paper, and old-book clippings.' They are filled with expression and diversity in detailed spreads sure to please young readers and encourage discussion concerning Omu's kind and giving heart.

We all want to see more kindness in this world. Books like Thank You, Omu will  make a difference!

FYI: Omu is pronounced Ah-moo, the Igbo word for queen.
                                                         

The Honeybee, written by Kristen Hall and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster. 2018. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"A dance begins.
Waggle,
wiggle.
The dance is lovely.
Tremble,
jiggle.
The dance goes straight now -
in a line -
a figure eight is the final sign.
OH! NOW WE KNOW!
WE KNOW WHERE TO GO!"

As the world struggles to know what is happening to the honeybee, it's important to be cognizant of their plight and find ways to make sure we better support their well-being, and our future. Ms. Hall wants her readers to know how bees manage to do the work they do, how hard they work, and the great value their bring to our lives.

The honeybee makes its way to the beauty of a floral meadow where it is first heard, then seen. It chooses the perfect flower for this visit and begins its work of the day.

"This is the flower the bee has chosen.
This is the flower the pollen grows in.
This is the flower, its color so bright,
its sweet blooming scent calls the bee from its flight."

The work of gathering nectar begins with a long, satisfying sip. Then, it's off to find another flower, and then another. Once full, it returns to the hive where a dance ensues that tells the next bee swarm where to go to do its own work. While the second wave is gone, the returnees fill the honeycomb with all they have gathered. Ah, sweet honey is capped and sealed, awaiting a hungry day when it will provide sustenance.

Winter's arrival is an occasion for rest.

"Come now, rest.
Join our nest.
Huddle and cuddle,
the winter's our test.'

A test it is, but spring eventually stirs the meadow creatures to a new awakening and a renewal of life. The bees begin again in earnest to find the flowers, drink the nectar, and produce the honey.

The beautiful golden colors that permeate its pages and enhance the rhythmic, accessible language  inspire warmth and comfort through mixed-media illustrations by the exceptional Isabelle Arsenault. She helps readers understand the bee's work and the need to protect these tiny, invaluable creatures. A note from the author following the text provides further information and an appeal to help maintain and care for the amazing honeybee.

If we want to keep putting honey on our toast in the morning, we need to do our best to ensure the bees have what they need to do their work. Charming, and just right for reading aloud to your kids.

                                                                           

The SUPERPOWER Field Guide: BEAVERS. Written by Rachel Poliquin and illustrated by Nicholas John Frith. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Raincoast. 2018. $26.50 ages 9 and up

"I can almost hear you saying, “But aren’t beavers just lumpy rodents with buck teeth and funny flat tails?” Yes, they are! And believe it or not, those buck teeth and funny flat tails are just a few of the things that make beavers extraordinary."

If you thought that you didn't want to know anything about beavers, this fascinating and funny new book will surely change your mind! It is so much fun to spend the time given to learning as much as Rachel Poliquin is willing to contribute to our learning.

Elmer and Irma are life partners, having been together for six years already. The author sees them as real 'superheroes" and is more than happy to offer up compelling reasons when considering the superpowers that make them so.

*CHAINSAW TEETH
*UNSTOPPABLE FUR 
*EVER-TOILING TAIL
*THE INCREDIBLE SCUBA HEAD
*HYDROPOWERED BUILDING BRILLIANCE 
* PAWS OF POWER
*SUBAQUATIC WINTER SIEGE SURVIVAL SKILLS
*SUPERCHARGED SUPERSTINK
*INDUBITABLE DELUGE DOMINATION
  (That means Elmer is King of the Floods!)
* UNBEATABLE BOGMAKER

Ms. Poliquin then goes on to describe each of these superpowers in the most interesting, instructive and inspiring way. The text is chatty, and accessible for its target audience. There are quizzes throughout meant to test the reader's memory and absorption of pertinent facts. Nicholas John Frith adds humor and delight with his illustrations done is black ink, pencil and wax crayon on paper (with digital color).

"A family of beavers can make a small dam overnight. But if you give beavers time, they can make a dam that's visible from space! It's true - the biggest beaver dam on record is 2, 800 feet (850 meters) long. It's in Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta, Canada. If you flipped that dam upright, it would stand as tall as the Great Pyramid of Giza stacked on top of the Eiffel Tower stacked on top of the Empire State Building!"

Bet you didn't know that, did you?

There is a glossary in back matter, and a helpful bibliography for those wanting to learn more.

This is the first book in a planned middle-grade nonfiction Superhero Field Guides series. Full of the facts, and humorous as all get-out, it will have many fans. If it is any indication of what we might expect in the future, bring on MOLES (scheduled for publication in June 2019).

Auntie Luce's Talking Paintings, written by Francie Latour and illustrated by Ken Daley. Groundwood Books, 2018. $18.95 ages 5 and up

"It is December, the time of
year when I leave the snow and
snowman-making behind. I
step onto an airplane, and
when I step off again a wall
of heat wraps my body and
instantly warms my blood.

Inside the airport, Auntie
Luce waves me to her, and
the metal bracelets along her
arms stand to sing."

It is a welcome trip made by a young girl from America to her aunt's home in sunny Haiti. Though her mother and Auntie Luce have made different choices concerning where they will make their homes, the trip keeps the daughter/niece connected to their homeland and the beauty of it. On one trip, when the child was only 7, her aunt painted her portrait. It now sits on a shelf in her mother's bedroom. 

Ready to leave, the child thinks back on that time when Auntie Luce painted her. Her mother is sure she was too young to remember it. The child insists she was not; in fact, she remembers every detail of that trip. This is her story of that most memorable time.

She feels the warmth, hears the sounds, sees the brilliant color of the island. She loves to think about her aunt's other remarkable paintings that speak to the vibrant island life, its history, and its heroes. The walls in her aunt's studio are resplendent with artwork that reflects the beauty of the island, the struggle for independence it endured and the joy her aunt finds in representing it through her art. 

"I paint to remember what I've seen and heard
and smelled and felt.  The balconies wrapped
around houses which seem to go on forever,
the fists pounding on neighborhood doors and
sending people into hiding.
To paint Haiti takes the darkest colors and the
brightest ones, and all the colors in between."

As the child sits for that first portrait, she worries that she does not feel a strong connection to being from America or from Haiti. Her dear aunt helps her understand that she is a part of both, though she does not make her home on the island.

The incredible artwork, done in acrylic on illustration board, would make anyone want to take her same winter trip to see, smell, feel and be moved by the extraordinary colors and scenes from the island. The images add depth and context to this celebration of Haiti's history and culture.

Wonderful!

 An enlightening author’s note tells readers about the Haitian revolution and the importance of never forgetting the past.
                                                                         

Is That You, Eleanor Sue? Written and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2018. $23.50 ages 4 and up

"This morning I delivered
doughnuts to the queen of
a small island faraway across
the sea. After that, a box of
blue marbles to a centaur who
lives deep in a forest under a
large pile of leaves. I wore
my shoes right through, ma'am.
I've traveled that far.
Eleanor Sue's mother prepared
a footbath of warm water,  soap
and lotion."

Oh, what a lovely and inventive tale this is. Eleanor Sue is one blessed little girl. She has a marvelous imagination and a patient, willing mother. That mother is fully involved in every bit of fun her little one can dream up.

Eleanor Sue has a bedroom filled with perfect pickings for a girl who loves to play dress-up - a shelf full of bonnets and hats, a long line of shoes of all types, a trunk just begging to be opened and a wardrobe to store everything else she might need. Our first glimpse of her favorite Saturday past time shows her in a green dress with shoes to match, and all of the accoutrements needed to create a puffy bouffant hairstyle. Eleanor Sue is pretty impressed with herself.

Out the window she goes and straight to the front door where she is welcomed by her mother. She introduces herself as the new neighbor, with gift in hand. Invited in for tea, she regales her mother with a humorous answer to an innocent question about settling into the neighborhood.

"Eleanor Sue responds with a sniff, "Well, it's okay. The sun
shines right into my windows so I must wear sunglasses while I
nap, and the birds sing so loudly down the chimney that I wear
cotton in my ears, and I skinned my knee getting out of the
bathtub, and my eyebrows hurt."

Offering thanks for the visit, Mom ushers her guest out the door. A while later, a witch appears there, and so their day goes. Eleanor Sue visits in a variety of costumes, her mother provides welcome, patience, interest and encouragement. Each visit provides a clue to the next guest. At last, the neighbor's lost cat arrives and sets Mom on a hilarious attempt to catch her daughter at her own game. Eleanor Sue will not be thwarted.

When the cat is sent home and the door is closed, Mom turns the tables. Eleanor Sue changes one last time, and must then answer the doorbell when no one else is there to do it. Imagine her surprise when her dressed-alike mother greets her! The final spread is just perfect - as is the whole story!

Creative, full of love and joy, I look forward to reading it to others. It is bound for my 'keepers' shelf to be read to Sicily and Chelsea when they next visit.
                                                                       

Josie's Lost Tooth, written and illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2018. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"Josie checked for a loose
tooth every night.
But nothing ever moved,
not even a bit.
"I lost a tooth at
breakfast," Richard said
one morning. "I brought it
in with my shark tooth for
show-and-tell."

Josie is not accustomed to coming in last at much. So, being the last to lose a tooth is not sitting well with her. Josie and her friend Richard are pretty competitive with each other. He tells his stories of tooth loss, as do the other children in the class. Josie wants to be like them. But, she is concerned. What if she never loses a tooth? Her efforts to lose just one tooth lead to so some pretty hilarious though conventional antics.

Richard does his best to help Josie forget her worries. They are in the midst of an ambitious game of chase between a shark and a squid when Josie falls face first to the ground and her tooth pops out. The trouble is that the two cannot find it anywhere. No tooth ... no tooth fairy. Maybe a letter to the tooth fairy explaining what happened will result in a coin for that missing tooth. What will the tooth fairy think of that?

Ms. Mann proves herself adept once again at truly understanding children and their unique personalities. The way they talk with each other, the accessible text, the appealing childlike illustrations all make this a story that little ones will find most enjoyable. The letters back and forth offer incentive for readers to try some letter writing of their own.

Teachers and parents are always on the lookout for a book that speaks to certain special concerns in a child's life. This one hits the spot!

Who Eats Orange, written by Dianne White and illustrated by Robin Page. Beach Lane, Simon & Schuster. 2018. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"Turkeys, too.
Turkeys?

NO! Turkeys don't
eat red.

They eat ...

yellow.

Who else eats yellow?"

Little ones love books that help them with new learning, and that provide a guessing game for them as they go. This entertaining book helps them with both of those interests. The pattern is set early with the question on the front cover.

"Who eats orange?
Bunnies in their hutches do.
Chickens in the henhouse too.
Who else eats orange?
Goats. 
Pigs. 
Gorillas too. Gorillas?
No!"

Gorillas eat a different color when choosing their foods. And so the book goes. Providing 'food for thought' for the little ones who will share it. Soon, they will be reading along and letting others know all they have learned about colors, about animals who choose food by color, and about the foods themselves. Fun, indeed.

The animals chosen to answer the color question are diverse, and not always well known. This adds another level of learning. The Adobe Photoshop illustrations are boldly colored, realistic and  very
appealing. Their bright eyes invite close observation and give a playful feel to the book.

The final question involves the reader and the fact that they eat all colors when choosing their foods!

Back matter provides further information about the habitats visited, the animals presented and the foods they consume.

"TUNDRA 

... Yellow-bellied marmots are
generally herbivores that like to
feed on the leaves and blossoms
of a variety of grasses and forbs,
such as alpine forget-me-nots,
which are some of the first flowers
to bloom on the tundra. They also
eat fruit, grains, and sometimes
bugs."

Fun, and full of information.
                                                                                 

Anna at the Art Museum, written by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert, and illustrated by Lil Crump. Annick Press, 2018. $21.95 ages 4 and up

"In the next gallery, she
pulled out her snack.
But why was the attendant
looking at her that way?
"Are you hungry?" she
asked. "We can share."
He was not hungry.
"No eating," he said
with a firm voice. She
could only drink at the
water fountain in the hall."

Anna speaks for me when visiting art galleries. It can be a chore and a challenge. She and her mother are on an anticipated visit when Anna begins to display what are very natural behaviors for a young child. As she sits and waits for her mother to pay, she decides that she will have to make the best of it. Roaring at a lion is fun until the attendant requests quiet. Playing peek with a baby from behind a free-standing exhibit gets a 'Careful!' warning. A talk with her mother is the result of her antics.

"No shouting. 
No running. 
No climbing. 
No touching."

When she touches a painting and sets off an alarm, she is embarrassed and finds herself a quiet place to sit while her mother continues her tour. Knowing the little girl is in need of something special, the kind guard (who has been doing his job) provides a diversion not often initiated. He offers a peek at the work being done behind the scenes. Here, Anna finds art that speaks her language. She begins to  recognize that art is a reflection of life ... and she finds inspiration in the rest of the art seen as they finish their tour. 

I read the text first and then went back to concentrate on the gorgeous reproductive artwork created by Lil Crump. Real life is explored on every page; visitors to the museum reflect much of what is found in the accompanying works of art. Humor is evident at every turn, the artist showing her audience real life reflected in the art pieces ... or the other way round. Connection is at the heart of this story and those connections are shown with joy and understanding. Anna is not the only child struggling to meet the expectations of the adults present, and that is encouraging and uplifting for those who might find a visit to the art museum difficult. Lovely!

A much-appreciated key to the works displayed is provided in back matter.

The Poet X, written by Elizabeth Acevedo. Harper, 2018. $21.99 ages 14 and up

"I should be used to it.
I shouldn't get so angry
when boys - and sometimes
grown- ass men -
talk to me however they want,
think they can grab themselves
or rub against me
or make all kinds of offers.
But I'm never used to it.
And it always makes my hands shake.
Always makes my throat tight."

https://youtu.be/YH4gIM6TZkQ

I really don't need to say much more than Elizabeth Acevedo just said about her brilliant debut  ... but, I will! I don't want you to miss reading this important, powerful, meaningful and courageously written novel which just won the 2018 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Lucky I am to share it with you. It is a book I read in the summer, and it continues to find its way into my heart and my head. It certainly does not speak to my own experience; rather, it informs, enlightens, and opens my heart to Xiomara Batista and the amazing young woman she is, and the many other young women she represents through her compelling, poetic voice. . 

Although a twin to Xavier, the two have little in common but their love for each other. X is tough, outspoken, and 'one who is ready for war' (as is the meaning of her given name).  Her controlling parents wish it were not so. As she nears her confirmation in the Catholic church, she begins to ask questions - it is not a popular stance with her parents, her brother, or her best friend. She must constantly reject attention from her male peers and the older men in her neighborhood. She is intrigued by her lab partner Aman. His interest in X has little to do with how she looks. The two are attracted to one another, and keep it a secret.

It is only through poetry that X is able to clearly express her thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams. Readers will be drawn to her story through that poetry, and will feel the undeniable emotions she is able to share there. There is so much love - for her parents, her brother, her best friend and for Aman. Her story is also awash with misunderstanding, secrets, rebellion, a growing sense of self. A teacher's invitation to join the poetry club is enticing, but fraught with difficulty. If she joins, without her mother's approval, will she ever be able to share the poems that speak to her heart and who she really is. 

"Every Day after English Class

Ms. Galiano asks me to read her something new.
With five minutes between classes,
I know I need to pick the best and shortest pieces in advance.
But every day I pick a new poem and I have learned:
to slow down, to breathe, to pace myself, to show emotion.

The last day before winter break
Ms. Galiano tells me I'm really blossoming."

Brilliant, forceful, heartbreaking, and full of impact on every page, you should read this book and then share it with others.

 “It almost feels like
 the more I bruise the page
 the quicker something inside me heals.”

Bravo and congratulations!

https://youtu.be/ha3awWZtifM

Carmela Full of Wishes, written by Matt De La Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson. G. P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2018. $23.99 ages 5 and up

"Carmela followed as he cut back into the street at Freedom Boulevard, past the crowded bus stop and fenced-off repair shop, past the old folks' home where two hunched old women waved smiles, past the huge home improvement store where her dad used to stand around weekend mornings, waiting for work."

It's a pretty important day for Carmela, as birthdays are for most small children. Because she is now old enough, Carmela is allowed to go with her brother as he runs his errands for the day! They venture out together; Carmela is proud and happy, her brother does not feel the same way. Still, she perseveres and follows him through their neighborhood.

Seeing a single dandelion growing up through a crack in the sidewalk Carmela picks it up and prepares to blow its showy seeds into the world. Her brother is quick to make her feel silly.

"Did you even make a wish?
You're supposed to make a wish. Everyone knows that."
"Of course I made a wish," she told him.
But it was a lie. Carmela didn't know."

Because she doesn't know what her wish should be, Carmela keeps careful hold of the dandelion as they work to complete their route. Her imagination works overtime with wishes for herself and others. One is personal, one is humorous, others are poignant:

"... imagining her mom sleeping in one of those fancy hotel beds
she spent all day making for fancy guests.

... imagining her dad getting his papers fixed
so he could finally come home."

The flower is even more important when she internally voices those wishes - until she falls, and the dandelion lies crumpled on the sidewalk. With love and compassion, her brother comes to her rescue. Only then do they head home again.

As they did so beautifully in Last Stop on Market Street (G. P. Putnam's, 2015), these exceptional artists create another perfect story to cherish and share. Matt De La Pena's sensitive and meaningful words are accompanied by Christian Robinson's superbly constructed scenes of Carmela's community 'using acrylic paint, collage, and a bit of digital manipulation'.  The result is increible!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vIPY-NKDSI
                                                                          

Door, by JiHyeon Lee. Chronicle, Raincoast. 2018. $25.99 ages 4 and up

"What's on the
other side of the
door?

There's only one
way to find out:

you'll have to go
through it."

An antique key, a tiny flying bug, and an inquisitive boy - all that is needed to begin a journey. Walls and doors hold special appeal for most of us; for little ones, who have few fears, they are an invitation to experience something brand new. The boy in this book does exactly what we might expect of him.

Key in hand, he walks through a drab and colorless world, awash with apprehensive, gloomy people. The door looks unused, with numerous spider webs providing cover. Not to be deterred, the boy walks through it and into a world of ever-increasing color - and welcome. As he walks and meets the inhabitants of this unfamiliar world, he begins to smile. There is great variety in their appearance and he has no knowledge of the language they speak. He knows only that he is happy and comforted.

As he wanders, he is greeted with friendly smiles. The creatures' company is refreshing. He happily follows where they lead - from swings to tree branches, and finally to an open space with a collection of many doors that lead to new adventures. One of the doors opens to a wedding, and the party that follows: a delicious feast, some dancing and a group photograph. Finally, the key he does not know he lost is returned. The time to leave this fantasy world has come. But, why close and lock the door?

As she did in her earlier book, Pool (Chronicle, 2015), Ms. Lee creates a world of imagination and good will. The illustrations, in pencil, are full of fun, innocence, magic, and understanding. It is worth celebrating.
                                                                         

Click, written and illustrated by Kayla Miller. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Raincoast. 2018. $15.50 ages 9 and up

"Hey guys! What's up?
Wanna go to the park and
play touch football?

Sorry, Olive. We really 
want to work on our dance
routine for the show. 

Oh ... Okay."

Olive enjoys her friendships, and she has many at school, in the neighborhood, and on the bus. When an announcement concerning the fifth grade variety show leaves her without a partner, she begins to worry. Everyone else has a part to play in the show; she does not. Did they not want to be with them? Her mother notices her sadness and asks about it.

"Nobody wants to do an act with me
for the school variety show.
No one? 
Nobody.
None of the kids from your class? 
No.
The kids from the neighborhood. 
No.
Your friends on the bus?
Nope.
The girls you sit with at lunch? 
No!
You asked all of your friends
to be in an act with you and they 
all said no? 
Well, not exactly."

Her mother has a suggestion; it is not acceptable to Olive. Instead, she begins to wonder about her place in the world. She has nightmares, is anxious, talks with her aunt who offers advice and is grouchy with her family. She doesn't want to ask to be part of an already formed group. It takes some introspection and a serendipitous sleepover with her aunt to help her decide what her part in the show could be. 

As her friends offer her a place with them, she remains confident that she has found the perfect role. Recognizing that her friends had no intention of leaving her out on purpose gives her even more confidence. The night of the show she proves she made the right decision.

Ms. Miller's artwork extends the premise of her story, and makes it easily accessible for readers from 9 to 12. Emotional and telling, she accurately portrays fifth graders as they attempt to come to terms with issues at school, in families and for their future.

The title is grand, the action engaging, and the story sure to find favor with many readers.

The Forest, by Riccardo Bozzi. Illustrated by Violeta Lopiz and Valerio Vidali. Translated from Italian by Debbie Bibo. Enchanted Lion Books. Publishers Group Canada. $25.95 all ages

"In this part of the forest,
the explorers usually
realize they are not alone
after all. And that they are
surrounded by other travelers.
From these encounters
grow friendships, rivalries ...
sometimes even loves.

From early on, the explorers
develop a curious habit. "

What an absolutely gorgeous book this is! Not only that, it has a message that is mysterious and slightly puzzling. The beauty of the design from its Mylar encased, boldly colored front cover to its final blank white page is worthy of attention and praise.

The text is essential, while sparse.

"It is said that the forest has a certain limit
if you look straight ahead, but the sides are boundless.
Here is where the explorers can venture with enjoyment
and curiosity."

As the reader travels through the forest it becomes ever more difficult. On alternating embossed pages, the observant reader will note that the human image is ever-changing, and a peep-hole invitation to move forward, despite any concern. The face matures and changes as the story continues. It is a story told with emotion, and it invites additional opportunities to share ideas and opinions through ongoing discussion. Each time it is read, it adds more meaning and then encourages another visit.

The pattern is evident, and the growth and depletion of the forest as well. So much happens from that small grove of trees, through the verdant abundance of  forest life, to the lack of life seen anywhere in the forest. In the final white spread, readers are unable to find a discernible human presence. Then, as nature is wont to do, there is regrowth. Ah, the mystery of life and death.
                                                                           

Backyard Bears: Conservation, Habitat Change, and the Rise of Urban Wildlife. By Amy Cherrix. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Raincoast. $26.99 ages 12 and up

"Favorite part of the bear 
study:The overwhelming 
support for the project by the citizens of Asheville. We connect with homeowners on a daily basis. We hear their personal bear stories, answer their questions about the animal ... (Nick Gould)."

As I so often have been, I was amazed to read this book and discover the goings-on in Asheville, North Carolina. What a study it is and how wonderful that many of the residents are living peacefully side by side with a growing black bear population!

The leader of the group of scientists studying the bears is Colleen Olfenbuttel. She is a biologist and professor at N.C. State University. The team does what field teams are tasked with doing - capturing and tagging the bears so they can keep a close watch on them. Many have been fitted with radio collars which help to follow them.

The author, a resident of Asheville, shares a personal and warmhearted view for her audience, as she writes about the scientists and the bears themselves. She accompanies the team on two up-close-and-personal encounters with bears. Many of the full-color photos are the work of a local wildlife photographer, Steve Atkins, adding another level of care and concern for some of the city's wild creatures. The photos allow readers to see the beauty of the landscape, where and how the bears live in backyards, and the many bears who make their homes there.

Ms. Cherrix offers much additional information regarding the life of the black bear itself. She writes about the way in which bears have become a part of the Asheville landscape as they adapt to habitat changes and the willingness of the human population to do their best to adapt themselves. She offers some advice on what to do should you encounter a bear. She also relates a list of places throughout the world where humans have learned to live with various animal species, including coyotes in the United States, feral chickens in Hawaii, boars in Berlin, and turkeys in Boston.

"As the well-fed birds evolved, they grew stronger and
better able to tolerate New England's harsh winters.
Eventually they migrated to the lush green spaces of
neighborhoods and city parks, doing their part to gobble
up insect pests that bother people."

This is a terrific addition to the always popular and well-written series. Back matter includes a glossary, a list of notes, a selected bibliography, an author's note, and an index. In case this is your first encounter with the Scientists in the Field: Where Science Meets Adventure series, the publishers have provided a comprehensive list of previously published works, and a website:

http://www.sciencemeetsadventure.com/

The Truth About Bears: Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals. Written and illustrated by Maxwell Eaton III. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. $20.99 ages ages 6 and up

"Bears like to eat ...

Watch out!
We're hungry! 

mostly nuts and berries.

Ooh, raspberries. 

A bear can eat 
thousands of berries 
in a day." 

Oh, my! Young readers are going to love this series - The Truth About ... 

They will love the information provided, as well as the silly statements meant to entertain and make them laugh. The author recognizes that children will get the humor, and recognize the real goods  being shared. 

The pages are designed to grab attention, and they do so with great success. Early readers will have no difficulty reading the text provided. When they are not reading the amusing observances of the bears, they will learn about the variety in species, where they live, what they eat, how they behave and what makes them special in terns of adaptation.

"Polar bears have thick fur and small
ears to protect them from the cold."

Meanwhile, the animals' conversations also offer up useful information while making readers giggle.
The text boxes are clearly delineated so kids can see the real truth, and nothing but the truth.

"Some bears sleep all winter.

What happened to my pillow? 

Bears sleep, or hibernate, in dens dug under large 
rocks and roots, in caves, and inside hollow trees."

Back matter includes tips on bear safety, followed by a bear file. The file provides a list of habitats, a look at a set of tracks, field notes, a world map that shows where bears are found, and a list for further research.

Other books in the series provide 'seriously funny facts' about Elephants, Hippos, Dolphins, and Crocodiles. What terrific additions they will make to a classroom collection, or to the personal library of young kids who always want to know more about animals of the world.