Arthur Who Wrote Sherlock, written by Linda Bailey and illustrated by Isabelle Follath. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 9 and up

"At medical school, Arthur is still poor. He has
only two pennies for lunch each day - enough 
for a meat pie. But on the way to the pies, there's 
a bookstore. It has a barrel of books out front with
a sign that says, "Your choice for two pennies!"
Most days, Arthur eats a pie for lunch. But he 
can't help peeking in the barrel. And once or twice
a week, he buys a book instead ... 

And goes hungry."

Linda Bailey does an exceptional job of bringing to life a man who loved stories as a child, and was always asking for more. His mother, a brilliant and imaginative storyteller, satisfied that need with story after story. She taught him to read while he was very young. The town librarian made a new rule about book borrowing - only two exchanges a day - when Arthur was a constant visitor. 

Arthur pens his first story when he is six; he is on his way to becoming a famous and beloved author. The stories he hears and writes help Arthur deal with the many difficulties he faces in his life - poverty, moving from one place to another, his father's mental illness, and enrolment by his rich uncles in boarding school which occasions limited visits with his family each year. 

Life there is not much fun. Sports and offering new and exciting tales bring happiness to the other boarders, and often food from those absorbed listeners. Later, medical school introduces him to his mentor's power of observation which will prove extremely important to him. Because of a lack of funds to keep at his studies, Arthur takes jobs that afford many impressive adventures. 

With time to write stories, Arthur uses his many experiences to plot tales he hopes publishers will buy. That does not happen until he uses what he learned about observation and adventure to help him create Sherlock Holmes. The stories are a hit, and in much demand. 

"They're fascinated by the strange crimes.
They're gripped by the clever writing. 
And they can't wait to see how the mysteries will be solved. 
Sherlock is a SENSATION!"

With fame and money come untold problems. Fans can't get enough of the quirky detective. They demand more and more. Arthur's writing leaves time for nothing else. Ending Sherlock creates a furor that cannot be contained. Arthur is forced to find a way to revive his iconic character and offer even more stories about him. 

In learning about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, readers will discover much about the man whose name is not typically synonymous with Sherlock. Sherlock has always been the star. (Fans even wrote letters directly to Sherlock himself, asking for an autograph, advice, and help to solve their own problems). Ms. Bailey chronicles Arthur's life from beginning to end, allowing readers to see how his own upbringing and life experiences fostered stories about one of the most beloved characters in literature. 

This adventurous and often surprising picture book biography is enhanced by Isabelle Follath's glorious artwork created with 'watercolors, pencil, a pinch of Photoshop and gallons of coffee'. Her illustrations add depth and action to the storytelling, engaging the reader at every turn of the page. 

A lengthy author’s note at the back of the book describes Bailey’s fascination with Sir Arthur and provides further biographical information about him.

Parachute KIds, written and illustrated by Betty C. Tang. Scholastic, 2023. $16.99 ages 9 and up

 

"I feel bad you're walking 
home with me when you have
a bike. 

I am happy to walk and talk 
to you. 

Talk with you. 

Ah, with you. 
Yes, yes. 

I hope I'm not being 
annoying?

No, no. 
You help me. 
I thank you. 

I don't know how you 
do it, Jessie. It must be 
so hard, being in a new 
country! 
And without your parents!

It is hard."

When the Lin family touches down in Los Angeles in 1981, they explain to Customs and Immigration authorities they are on vacation. They soon discover that their visas are not in order. They are allowed entry anyway, meet with friends, and enjoy time together visiting iconic tourist spots. 

It isn't until Baba is packing his suitcase that the three children learn they will not be going home. Ba will return to Taiwan, while Mama and the children stay in America. This will be their new home. The parents are convinced that life will be much better for them. It is a huge, and unwelcome, change to have Ba return for work and the family separated. Mama enrols the three children in local schools. Then, comes the next blow. Mama's visa extension is denied, and she must go back. The children are left to live on their own, with help from family friends. 

At 10, 14, and 16, in a new country where they do not know the language or the customs, it is a harrowing experience. It obviously has real repercussions for the family and changes how they feel about life. They must learn to speak English, deal with inherent racism, and meet many other challenges. It does not go well. They, too, are undocumented and must be very careful that no one knows their living arrangement for fear of being deported. A scam, an accident, and being influenced by others has consequences that are too much for most children to negotiate. The Lin children show tremendous ingenuity and persistence in dealing with every situation they face.

When Baba and Mama finally are able to be with them, they offer a delicious meal and money saved from summer jobs. The story works well at every level, although it certainly instilled angst for the reader. The characters are credible and their circumstances, though devastating, are understandable to those who face some of the same immigration issues. 

This is Ms. Tang's first graphic novel, and is inspired by the fact that she, too, was a 'parachute kid". That is explained in an author's note. The colorful artwork is emotional and compelling. The author uses red text in yellow speech bubbles whenever Chinese is spoken. That is a real plus for readers. 

This fine novel is filled with humorous moments and a tremendous amount of character. What a difficult journey it must have proved to be for so many. 

Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome, written by Nancy Cooper and illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Owlkids, 2023. $21.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Amik and her cousins head to the family 
lodge to look for Nishiime and meet Amik's 
parents, who are cutting down a poplar tree. 
While the beavers visit, two white-tailed deer
come out of the forest to nibble on the poplar
leaves. "Miigwech" says one deer to the beavers.
It's easier for us to get to these leaves after you 
cut down the trees.""

Amik's family is eager to welcome their beaver cousins from various Indigenous nations. Only Amik's sister, Nishiime, is hesitant. She has never met them, and wonders what they will be like when they finally arrive. Amik has much to show them during their visit. 

The cousins come bearing gifts of thanks to Amik and her family for their hospitality. Each gift - dried muskeg tea, dried cranberries, a purple wampum shell, juicy maple twigs, wild strawberries, and a woven cedar headband - comes from their own part of the forest. 

When Amik turns to introduce her sister, Nishiime has vanished. Amik and her visitors go in search of the little one. As they go, they seek help from the deer, the fish they see in the pond, a red fox, and a mother otter. No one has seen her, but each animal encountered offers thanks for the beaver's dam and how it helps them. As night falls, the time has come for the cousins to say their goodbyes. Only then does Nishiime come out of hiding, explaining that fear made her stay away. 

"I watched you from the trees, and I could see that our cousins are 
just like us, even though they live far away and have different families. "

After many questions, she asks if she might visit them at their homes some day. The answer is affirmative, and the cousins head for home. 

Appealing artwork is filled with symbols of Anishinaabe culture, and shows warmth in the rich colors of nature. Observant listeners will note that Nishiime is never too far away. The Anishinaabe words used in the text are translated with a pronunciation guide, and the names given the beaver cousins are linked to each nation represented.  

nell plants a tree, written by Anne Wynter and illustrated by Daniel Miyares. Balzer + Bray, Harper. 2023. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Before sacks of pecans
and a crack and a crunch
and a roll and a press
and a mix and a pour

and a peek in the oven
a shoo from the kitchen
a blue baking timer
that finally dings, 

before anyone takes the first 
bite of warm pie, 

Nell digs a hole."

This delightful book begins with 'before', and then goes back and forth in time to show readers how one tree has an effect through generations of a family. Before children scale the tree to see how high they can climb, Nell finds a seed and picks it up, and plants it. She tends it until it is ready for planting. 

The planting of that one small tree, nurtured and cared for by a young girl, leads to countless adventures and events throughout her life. Through the years, family members find a robin's nest with three eggs and watch them hatch, use it in a race from house to tree and back, or as a perfect place for reading quietly. Finally, it provides the nuts needed for now Grandmother Nell to bake a warm and tasty pecan pie for a family gathering. What a wonder! 

Captivating text takes readers back and forth in time, all the while showing them the connections that lead from past to present. As the family grows, so does the tree. Accompanying artwork, created using pen and ink, gouache, and collage, brings nature alive as the family spends many joyous days in their rural environs. 

Who could have known that the careful nuturing of a tiny found seed would bring such abundance to family in the years ahead?                                                                                    

Night in the City, written and illustrated by Julie Downing. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2023. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"When you climb into your bed 
and get a good night hug, 
other people say goodbye to 
their family and friends, their 
dogs and cats and birds and 
even their fish. 

Every night people go to work."

As a small child gets ready to climb into bed for a good night's sleep, his father is just waking up. While his dad is giving him a warm goodbye hug, others are doing the same for their loved ones. Those sharing this welcome book about essential workers are able to follow each of eight people who are setting out to do their jobs through the night. They are a nurse, a taxi driver, a firefighter, an emergency dispatcher, a janitor, a security guard, a film technician, and a baker. 

We watch them in a cutaway look at their apartment windows as they prepare for work, then leave home. Once they are on the way, we can see they use various modes of transportation, along busy streets to their workplaces. They are always visible to readers. At times, their paths cross. 

As the night passes, the important work they do is chronicled in clever detailed illustrations that tell so much more of the story. The gentle, unassuming text provides continuity. The connections made will elicit much discussion and many stops as the story moves forward. How apt to see each worker stop at the bakery following their shift, before heading home. 

"It is morning in the city. 
And some people are just going to sleep."
                                                                            

School Trip, written and illustrated by Jerry Craft. Quill Tree Books, Harper. 2023. $18.50 ages 10 and up

 

"Hey, Ramon! Since this is your first
time in Paris, let's order room service! 

ROOM SERVICE?! You mean like in the 
movies? 

You've NEVER ordered room service 
before? 

To be honest, Maury, I don't ever remember
staying in a hotel before. Whenever we go to
Nicaragua, we stay with family."

In this third graphic novel about the Riverdale Academy Day School students, Jordan receives an admission letter to art school. It is his dream come true. It also means leaving his best friends at RAD, instead of going on with them to high school. Does he really want to be the new kid again? He doesn't have a lot of time to make the decision; the art school wants his answer in a few weeks. 

In the meantime, annual class trips are announced. Jordan and his friends are going to Paris! That brings even more worries. How will he navigate a country where he doesn't speak the language? His friends are with him, and together they will make it a memorable time. They remain a diverse group who stand by their friends and deal with issues that make for adventure and angst as they travel Europe together. 

While away, Jordan is able to push the worry about leaving his friends and attending art school to the back of his mind. He wants to make the most of the opportunities that arise as they travel together. Andy, an irritating classmate, causes some concerns. There are unexpected obstacles; they are handled with support and energy. Relationships grow and change, affording each student a chance to make personal decisions about the present and the future.

The author is a wonderful storyteller, and laces his tale with humor at every possible opportunity. As the friends consider this might be their last chance to be together before high school and the changes that will bring, they make the best of it. The characters are familiar, including Jordan's parents and the accompanying teachers. Double page spreads, inserted throughout the novel, are artist Jordan's way of focusing on thoughts he is having concerning the events taking place. 

"Here, the meals take longer. 
But you enjoy them! AND you 
get to enjoy other people. 

They REALLY seem to 
respect time. 
Even how they don't seem to 
tear down their old buildings ... 

Or their old people!" 

This is a terrific story, told with heart and humor. If it's the first of the series read, look for New Kid and Class Act. They do not disappoint. 

One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth, written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Jenni Desmond. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $24.99 ages 7 and up

"GAOLIGONGSHAN NATIONAL NATURE 
RESERVE, CHINA (6:30 a.m.)

First light is the cue for gibbons to start their 
song. Listen: that's the female whooping. 
Next, her mate joins her in a wild duet, 
which says, "This is our home."

Lower down the mountain, all the trees
have been cut down. But up here, gibbon
families still sing from night to day ... 
sending pangolins and clouded leopards
off to bed and waking birds and monkeys."

In a marvelous journey that allows two sisters to travel across all time zones on Earth in one 24-hour period, readers join them as they start at their home in Greenwich, U.K. The children are tucked under a blanket fort with a book and a flashlight, accompanied by a long line of toy animals who will find a role in the story to be told. The room is dark but for the flashlight, and the clock reads 11:45. 

A globe shows where their home is. A note to the reader reminds that Earth is always turning. Twenty-four hours in a day, 24 hourly segments to travel through, all being a different time than where the journey begins. As the clock strikes midnight in their bedroom, it is 1 a.m. on the Arctic Circle where the sun is still shining even though it is nighttime. A polar bear is hunting to feed her twins, but ice melt is making her search more difficult all the time. 

At 2 a.m. in Zambia, a newborn elephant is trying to find its legs while protected from danger by her family. Wildlife rangers also work to protect the elephants from poachers who want their tusks. Moving on to India, it is now 5:30 a.m. and baby sea turtles are wriggling their way across the sand toward the ocean. They are protected here and make their way safely. As the clock strikes a new hour, the children move on. 

And so it goes ... they are off to the next destination, and new learning about the animals living in every corner of our world. Short paragraphs describe them and some of the threats that climate change is causing for them. They also learn that humans can be of help for the animals' protection. The children do as children do - hanging from a tree with a sloth, swimming with sharks and humpback whales, and cavorting with kangaroos as they deal with the scorching heat. 

When they finally arrive home it is the first hour of Earth Day. After all they have seen, they now have the power to encourage those who are just waking p to take care of this amazing place we call our home. 

Outstanding text and remarkable illustrations offer readers and listeners a clear look at the wonders of our planet. End notes include words from both author and artist, an explanation of climate change, and what people can do to help make a difference. Time is ticking away. Unless we get busy and do something, there will be little left to be done. This is an ideal book to share on Earth Day ... or any day.                                                                                  

Welcome Rain, written by Sheryl McFarlane and illustrated by Christine Wei. Greystone Kids, 2023. $22.95 ages 3 and up

"But, maybe that's enough now, Rain. 
The creeks and lakes are full 
and the birds are huddled in our trees, 
fluffing up their feathers
so they can stay warm and dry."

After an early spring snowstorm that blanketed much of the region this past week, we are hearing that there may be rain showers in coming days. I think they will be welcome, especially if the weather warms and affords everyone a chance to get outside and enjoy the fresh smells, the puddles, and the needed moisture for lawns and plants. 

The young child who narrates this lyrical welcome to rain is fascinated by its many delights. Carrying umbrellas, wearing rain boots with her brother and puppy in tow, the two children splash through puddles and bask in the beauty of raindrops washing over a lush garden. They give thanks for its many gifts. 

"Thank you, Rain, 
for the water from our taps
to cook spaghetti and wash up after. 

Thank you for the water for my bath
and for Mom's herbal tea."

Then, like so many of us, they decide enough is enough. Rain has done its job in spades, and a thunderstorm sends the two into hiding from its noise. A stop in the deluge allows for a return to normal outdoor activities. But, wait!  The heat is causing the grass to brown and plants to wilt. In full circle, the rain returns and all is well for now. 

Wet and dry seasons have their own unique and appreciated adventures. Too much of one or the other causes varying reactions, and a plea for change. Mixed media illustrations are filled with details that show a brother and sister as they deal with both. 

How lovely it is when rain eventually returns as SNOW! More adventure beckons. 

Hoops, written and illustrated by Matt Tavares. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $17.99 ages 8 and up

"And, Judi, you're 
my point guard. 

Now, if I didn't just call 
your name, don't think for 
one second you are not an 
important part of this team. 
If we're going to win with 
just eight players, I'm going
to need 100 percent from every
single one of you. Got it?"

Judi loves to play basketball on the driveway with her brother and his friends. She dreams of being on a basketball team someday, not cheerleading for one. Wilkins Regional High School has a boys' team, and their Friday night games draw huge crowds and a great deal of support. There is no girls' team. It is, after all, the 1970s. 

When Title IX legislation is passed, the school announces that they will field a team for girls. Judi is thrilled, and keen to get going. How will she tell her best friend Stacey that she is choosing to play rather than co-captain the cheerleaders? It does not go well. When she gets to the first practice, there are only 8 girls interested, they have no coach, and they are having to practice in an elementary school gym because the boys are using the high school gym. They have no funding for buses, travel, or uniforms. It is not an easy endeavor. 

Frustration with the system that honors the boys' team and does little to support the girls is a constant source of concern. Judi works tirelessly to keep team spirit up and make it worthwhile for all. There are many disparities. The basketball scenes are filled with action, the trips are eventful, and the success they achieve is worthy of admiration for their perseverance. 

This is a terrific middle grade novel about sports equality with a historic bent. In an author's note, Matt Tavares shares what led him to tell the story of the 1976 Warsaw High School Tigers girls' basketball team. As well, he explains why he chose to tell it in graphic form, envisioning an older audience than the one he most often writes for. He was lucky enough to meet with three of the starting players from that team and hear their stories.  The result of those conversations and his extensive research brings this novel to full life, perfect for those who love sports stories and for those who cheer for the underdog. 

In Every Life, by Marla Frazee. Simon & Schuster, 2023. $23.99 all ages

"In every smile, 
blessed is the light. 

In every hope, 
blessed is the doing."

It's been a very long time since Marla Frazee imagined writing this book. 25 years, to be exact. It is a book filled with wonder and beauty. It is a book that should be shared with all ages. It will go straight to my 'keeper' shelf as soon as I am finished this post. I can't wait to share it with my granddaughters, when they are here in the summer, to see what stories it inspires. 

It's larger size offers plentiful space for the seemingly limitless vignettes it presents to all who will take the time to share it. Be prepared to stop, talk, engage, and listen. The two-page spread for birth offers ten comforting, heartfelt scenes of families as they welcome new family members. The wordless spread that follows is a gorgeous look at a cloud-filled pink sunrise being admired by a family and their dog. 

Ms. Frazee then looks at smiles and those times that make all of us smile ... reading together, hugging a pet, eating ice cream, talking on the phone to a friend ... the full wordless spread that divides it from the next concept is pure delight. She goes on to show hope, sadness, mystery, tears, and love. 

There are no borders, nor any captioning for the scenes created in pencil and gouache. They are filled with joy, wonder, and kindness. The colors chosen for each concept are in keeping with the theme, and add another dimesion. Eighty illustrations invite readers and listeners to imagine their own stories for each. The next time it is shared, the stories can be interpreted differently, many times over. 

I think we all need this book. What a blessning it is. 
                                                                         

Otis & Peanut, written by Naseem Hrab and illustrated by Kelly Collier. Owlkids Books, 2023. $21.95 ages 6 and up

 

"I still feel like me. 

But with a hat.

I need a bigger change,
Otis. 

What about a new coat? 

I LOVE COATS!"

The first book in a new graphic novel series introduces developing readers to Otis, a guinea pig, and Peanut. a naked mole rat. The two have a supportive and humorous friendship. Three stories offer a closer look at them as they deal with a needed haircut, sadness, and making a house a home. These changes are handled with keen awareness and empathy. 

In the first, Otis is worried about what might happen when he gets his hair cut. Will it hurt? Will he become someone entirely new and different? Peanut considers getting a haircut of her own, just to change things up. Otis has a suggestion or two for making a change without getting an unnecessary haircut. Peanut soon looks like a brand-new friend. What can Otis do to change his appearance? Voila! A haircut works. 

The second story is laced with sadness. Otis is swinging all alone when Peanut arrives at the park. Missing Pearl is consuming Otis's thoughts. There are many things to miss about her friendship. Peanut proves a wise and caring listener as the two share memories of what made Pearl so important to Otis. In sharing those secrets, the sadness lifts and allows for considering happier times. 

Finally, in the third tale of enduring friendship, Peanut helps Otis do what needs to be done to provide a welcoming place for friends to spend time together in his new house. It is in having things from outside and in that carry memories of good times. In that way, a house becomes a home and a gathering place for friends to create new memories. 

Appealing characters and heartfelt scenes offer comfort and charm for readers, and assure they will want to see Otis and Peanut in future adventures. 

The Hospital Book, written and illustrated by Lisa Brown. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House. Penguin Random House, 2023. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"I didn't cry when I got
a bracelet with my name on it. 

The fourth time I cried was 
when a doctor pressed on my 
stomach with her hand and 
asked if it hurt.

It did." 

As she did so brilliantly in The Airport Book (2016), Lisa Brown now introduces her readers to a hospital visit for the same little girl who played a meaningful role with her family at the airport awaiting their flight. She is older now, and the visit to the hospital is her first. Her stomach pains have brought her there to be checked out. After a thorough examination and a variety of tests, she is diagnosed with appendicitis. 

In first person text, she lets readers know that her pain and the trip to the hospital were not made without tears. She explains that she cried nine times, and provides all information for the whens and whys. Her pain is enough to alarm her parents, and to have hospital personnel doing their best work to find out what is causing it, as well as to explain what is happening every step of the way. 

Surgery is completed and recovery has begun before she is released to go home with her family. The best part now is that her stomach pain is gone. She can do the rest of her healing in a familiar and comfortable place where the tears are happy ones. That is the narrative part of the story 

 It is in the amazing watercolor artwork that many other tales are told. Numerous story lines are evident for those who take the time to pay attention and follow one person through the book's pages, before returning to the beginning to watch a different someone. Some will be recognized as having been at the airport. A helpful, caring group of hospital workers do all they can to make the child comfortable and to assuage her understandable fears. There is evident diversity in the people, the families, and the cultures whose stories are told in changing perpectives and scenarios. This may be a common experience for children; Ms. Brown makes it special in every way.  

Beaky Barnes: Egg on the Loose: A Graphic Novel, written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein. Penguin Workshop, Penguin Random House, 2023. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"A little later ... 

Inspector! I've been slapped 
by a fish 
and I demand justice! 

Sorry, ma'am, you'll have 
to contact Fish and Wildlife. 
This is the lost and found. 

Well, I am looking for a 
lost chicken.

Would you settle for a 
xylophone?"

Inspector Cobb is having a very boring day caring for the town of Simpleton. Nothing is going wrong at all. Lunchtime breaks up the monotony; the inspector settles in to have his usual lunch: tea and an egg sandwich. When the egg falls out of his sandwich onto the ground, he is off to find another egg. The cafe offers no help for his dilemma. The chef has no eggs available. 

With the inspector offering to wait and check for anything unusual taking placein the cafe, the chef closes the cafe until he can find an egg. After all, unbeknownst to the inspector, the restaurant houses many pets and an elephant cook. The closure sets off a series of humorous events in a place where a scarcity of eggs is causing big problems. As he returns to the cafe eggless, the chef sees a woman and her chicken (Beaky Barnes) awaiting service. Perhaps the chicken will supply the needed egg. Readers will see how that works out for the chef when a zany adventure starring a fish who needs help to get to college, an elephant whose heart is broken, a flattened bike, and a series of other funny scenes play out. The silly story is sure to delight young readers. 

In his first graphic novel, David Ezra Stein weaves his characteristic humor through artwork that his many fans will recognize. The action is neverending, the cast of characters is numerous and dramatic, and the story is fully realized in Mr. Stein's signature style. Do take time to read the advertisements that are included as the story moves forward.  

It's my understanding that this is the first book in a new series. Don't miss it! 

Squished, written by Megan Wagner Lloyd and illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter. Scholastic, 2023. $16.99 ages 8 and up

 

"So much for being a professional
dog walker. 

Thanks, by the way, for getting all
the little kids home earlier. And for 
coming back and going to Miss 
Patty's with me. 

No problem. 

I guess I was sorta helpful ...
for someone you hate."

Avery is a young girl trying desperately to find her own space in a house filled with children. She is 11, and is the second oldest of 7 children who live in a small, quiet town in Maryland. In the hustle and bustle of living in a large family, she tries to find time for the art she loves, to spend time with her two best friends, and to wait for the annual fair that ends the summer before school begins again. 

It's fifth grade graduation, and the whole family is there. Embarrassing? It can be and is, when her toddler brother is so excited about seeing his big sister on stage that he runs straight down the aisle toward her while losing his pants along the way. Poor Avery! Her constant lack of privacy has her wanting a room of her own. Nope, her older brother is the lucky one. Apparently, he needs it more than she does. 

She does her best to find ways to earn money that might help with cleaning up the basement and offering her a room of her own. Nothing is successful. Then comes the real surprise. Her older brother Theo lets it slip that her parents are considering a move across the country to Oregon, where her mother has an opportunity for a new job. Avery is heartbroken and furious that she has not been told, or considered in such a big change. 

This excellent graphic novel for middle graders provides an authentic look at life in a large, loving family. The relationships are full of tenderness and welcome experiences. Each character is well drawn, and has a role in daily exchanges between the parents and siblings. Kids in large families will recognize themselves in many scenarios so realistically shared. 

This is a family worthy of admiration. Their story is both heartwarming and humorous, and definitely worth reading. 

The Shape of You, written by Muon Thi Van and illustrated by Miki Sato. Kids Can Press, 2023. $21.99 ages 3 and up

 

"The shape of thinking 
is quiet. 

The shape of learning 
is a question. 

The shape of surprise 
is best when it hides
what's inside."

There are many, many shapes in our world. In this book, a mother and child set out to explore nature in the very best way - together and on foot. This allows them to carefully consider all the sights and sounds of the world around them. In doing so, they also consider the shape of the Earth (sphere), the shape of the hill that sits beside their house (triangle), the shape of their front door (rectangle), and the shape of their dining table (square). 

What an invitation for young readers to take a careful look at their own space and see what shapes they can find. Once lunch is eaten, they move on to take note of so much more. While doing so, they expand the concept of familiar shapes. 

"The shape of friendship
is a dog. 

The shape of warmth 
is a space waiting to be filled." 

With serene text that expands vocabulary and understanding, the author invites careful consideration of the concepts being shared. Miki Sato provides textured collage artwork that is absolutely full of charm and familiarity. The scenes focus on the child's environment and the warm relationship between the two.    

Lovely, and memorable. 

Stillwater and Koo Save the World, written and illustrated by Jon J Muth. Scholastic Press, 2023. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"On their bike ride, Koo told Stillwater, 
"I woke from a dream. 
I'm worried about the world. 
How can we fix it?"

"These are big feelings.
Let's stop here for a moment," said Stillwater." 

There are plans for this book to be the first of a four-book series about Stillwater and Koo. Koo starts with a big ask of his Uncle Stillwater. Koo wants to fix all the wrongs and save the world. Stillwater, as he so expertly does, turns attention to one small thing at a time. They start with tidying Koo's room, feeding the cat and changing its litter box, and visiting the fish pond. All are activities that calm and quiet his eager nephew. 

When Koo expresses a concern for world hunger, Stillwater suggests making a cake for the new neighbors. That is a doable and much-appreciated gesture. Following delivery of the cake, the two go on a bike ride which leads Koo to share a dream he had about fixing the world. They make a stop. Stillwater agrees that caring for the world and each other is a worthy effort. 

Just at that moment, Koo sees a family of ducks in danger of being hit by an oncoming truck. The two rush to keep the ducks safe, then return home where they continue to consider Koo's concern. 

"Is saving the world 
even possible at all?
I am still not sure," said Koo. 

Stillwater smiled. "My bighearted
Koo. You did so many things today
that made the world a better place!"

Lovely and gracious, as always!                                                                                     

Too Small Tola Gets Tough, written by Atinuke and illustrated by Onyinye Iwu. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $21.99 ages 7 and up

 

"Too Small Tola is on lockdown in a 
run-down block of apartments in the 
city of Lagos. Grandmommy is with 
Tola. But Moji and Dapo are locked 
down somewhere else in the city."

In the first chapter of this three-chapter early years novel, readers learn that Tola and her family are doing very well now that Dapo has a job as a mechanic. Tola and her sister Moji are both able to attend school, Grandmommy can stay at home to care for the family, and they have food on the table every day. When neighbors start shouting about a lockdown, Grandmommy is off to see what is causing the fuss. 

There is a sickness coming, and soon there will be a lockdown. Very quickly everything changes for the family. Moji's teacher arrives to arrange for Moji to continue her studies. She will live with her teacher until the lockdown ends. It is the same for Dapo. His boss comes to take him to the garage where he will work to keep vehicles running in the coming time of need. Grandmommy and Tola are left to fend for themselves. 

As conditions worsen, and the availability of food and money becomes less and less, their friend Mr. Abdul offers a solution. He has a very rich customer in need of a house girl. By working there, Tola will get all the food she can eat and she will earn money for her Grandmommy. Of course, Tola is reluctant. 

She is also determined, capable and very smart. Her penchant for numbers finds a big problem in the household. It reveals that someone is stealing from her boss. Once the thief is caught, a reward ensures that Grandmommy will have what she needs for rent and food. It also means that Tola can return to the love and care of her grandmother - the only place she wants to be. 

This is the third book in a popular and welcome series. Atinuke shares the reality of the pandemic as it affects many, and the disparities felt between the rich and poor during forced quarantine. Tola is a pistol, a worthy protagonist. Her story is emotional, timely and leaves fans itching for a next visit with her and her family. 

The Last Two Crayons, written by Leah Freeman-Haskin and illustrated by Shantala Robinson. Groundwood Books, 2023. $18.99 ages 4 and up

"Sienna drew a grizzly bear. It was climbing 
a giant tree trunk with a beehive inside and 
licking honey from its paws. 

I can add leaves if you want. 

Before Sienna could say yes, Andy was 
covering the branches with little green 
circles."

When Sienna's art teacher puts out crayons as the medium for entries to the spring art show, Sienna is late to the table and the two crayons left are shades of brown. What can you draw with only brown crayons? One of the kids teases that she will be drawing 'mud and dog poop'. 

Sienna's imagination fails her when she tries to think of ways to draw some of her favorite things using only brown. Her teacher encourages her to think outside her go-to images, and think about all things brown. What can she draw using brown crayons? Classmates offer encouragement by suggesting chocolate ice cream and a grizzly bear. Good ideas, for sure. 

With ten minutes left to complete her entry, Sienna remembers an afternoon at home with her mom, drinking hot chocolate and hearing her mom say that brown is a beautiful color. That observation had been in reference to the differences in their brown skin color. The memory sparks the perfect solution - she will draw her family, showing the differing tones in her parents' skin, and the mix that is her own. 

It is an ideal entry for the art show. 

Shantala Robinson’s attention-getting cut-paper artwork is textured and appealing. She creates a classroom filled with diverse children interacting as they work together to complete a given task.  

Why Are We Afraid, written by Fran Pintadera and illustrated by Ana Sender. Kids Can Press, 2023. $21.99 ages 4 and up

 

"We can be afraid of feeling lonely
or of being alone. People need people. 
Being around others can warm us 
like a fire.

A thunderstorm and the resulting power outage provide the perfect backdrop for a father-son conversation about fear. In candlelight, the boy asks if his dad has ever been afraid. Dad is quick to clarify that fear is a universal emotion, felt by everyone at one time or another. He also explains that fears flood the room in an instant. 

He goes on to name some of the many things that evoke fear in different people. With each type of fear mentioned, Max visualizes a place where that fear might release its power ... In the unknown, in shadows, in loud words. Sometimes loneliness can cause a person to be fearful. Or, fear of what might  happen. 

"We're afraid because 
we can't control 
the future. There's a 
tall door hiding what's 
ahead, and we're not 
sure we want to open it."

This a companion book to Why Do We Cry? (2020), and deals with fear as effectively as they did with sadness. It is a book that encourages discussion, and is reassuring for those young children still finding their way in the world while dealing with what scares them. For Max, the glow from the streetlights that happens when power is restored, leaves him enjoying the lack of light in their house. He thinks the semi-darkness is just right for storytelling. Will thsoe stories be scary? 

In added information at the end of the book, readers are provided with an explanation of fear, its types, its lessons, what masks it, and why it can be appealing. Activities are also presented through questions, and the awakening of personal experiences. 

Muhammad Najem, War Reporter. Written by Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus and illustrated by Julie Robine. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2022. $16.99 ages 12 and up

 

"Look! A journalist wants to promote my 
videos! He wants to show the world what 
is happening in Syria! 

Muhammad, you can't send this. 

Why not? 

Do you know who this is? 

Yes, a journalist. 

He claims he's a journalist. 
What did I tell you about showing 
where you live?" 

What a truly powerful story this is.

Muhammad Najem lives in war-torn Syria in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus. Although he has always felt safe in his father's shop, life changes dramatically when Assad's soldiers march in with their threats and terror-filled searches. Children grew up very fast in the midst of the Assad regime. At 13, Muhammad had lost his father to a bombing while he was praying, and his family was reeling from that loss. When they also lost their home and so much else of importance, Muhammad looked for a way to inspire himself to keep going. 

He found that inspiration when he interviewed children about the war, and posted it to social media so the world would know the real story. Would their story encourage people around the world to support the Syrian people? 

Yes, he was afraid. Yes, he was warned of reprisal from the government. Yes, he was brave enough to keep reporting. Eventually, at 15, he got the attention of Nora Neus, a CNN reporter who helped him write this book to tell his story. 

A normal, happy life was turned upside down because of war and governmental conflict. The people of Syria lived through great loss, poverty, and terror on a daily basis. Expressive artwork allows a clear look for readers at all the important moments for Muhammad and his family. Heartbreak, accompanied by moments of warmth, humor, and love is evident. The conflict continues today for so many. Readers will begin to understand the struggle that forces so many Syrian people to try to find a safe path to a new and happier life. 

Appended author notes and photographs bring the story into the present.

 https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/02/21/eastern-ghouta-syria-15-year-old-boy-lon-orig.cnn

https://youtu.be/DrhPuaSuhwc