Ode to Grapefruit: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice, written by Kari Lavelle and illustrated by Bryan Collier. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages 7 and up

 

"The entire poem presented, 
    without pause or repetition. 
His resonant voice heard 
    for the first time at school. 
The students cascaded into applause!"

Reading aloud at school was James' worst nightmare. Although he knew he could read the words on the page, his words got stuck inside and he found it impossible to speak. His memories of other times when his classmates laughed did not help make it any easier. 

When he spent time in the barn at home, 'his words flowed'. The animals loved to listen to his voice. As he grew older, nothing much changed. His stuttering made it uncomfortable when meeting visitors. Urged by his parents to be polite, James could not force the words out of his mouth. Those encounters led to James making the decision to just stop talking. 

"No more sharing ideas. 
His emotions stuck inside. 
If he didn't talk, 
           he wouldn't stutter. 
So James listened."

That listening led to much learning and less anguish for the young James. In high school he met Professor Crouch, a teacher who loved poetry. James loved listening to him recite his favorite poems, while encouraging his students to memorize poems and say them out loud. That was not going to happen with James. 

In a surprising twist, the story turns to the arrival of grapefruit during one winter. It was the inspiration for James to put pen to paper and write a poem, Ode to Grapefruit. When Professor Crouch read it, he encouraged James to say it aloud to the class. For the first time, James spoke clearly and without pause. His classmates honored his effort with a round of applause. 

It was the beginning of a long and celebrated life, and an almost seventy-year acting career.

Striking illustrations, done in collage and watercolor, assure understanding and compassion for James' struggles and successes. Notes from both author and illustrator, information about stuttering, and a list of selected resources are included in back matter.  

James Earl Jones died in September this year. His legacy lives on in Mustafa, Darth Vader, and his many other important roles and accomplishments. 

Spider in the Well, written and illustrated by Jess Hannigan. Katherine Tegen Books, Harper. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"He was also the chimney sweep, 
the shoe shiner, 
and the milkman. 

He was assured by the townspeople
that this was a fair arrangement."

First up: meet the newsboy. He is tasked with delivering the daily news to the good people of Bad Goodsburg. His other jobs are mentioned above. When the news breaks that the town's wishing well is damaged, there is much distress among the townspeople. The baker, the shopkeeper, and the doctor are particularly perplexed. The news boy is interested to discover whether the wishes were important ones. 

The doctor explains that his wish was to cure every illness; the shopkeeper wished for perpetual happiness for all; the baker wanted fresh bread for everyone, always. What generosity of spirit the three show! As the bearer of bad tidings, the newsboy is now taxed with investigating the problem with the well. No one else wanted the job. 

With great admiration for the people whose wishes were for the good of all, he is happy to help. Arriving at the well, he finds himself face to face with a spider at its bottom. The spider wants to explain why the well isn't working. The spider tells the newsboy it just did what spiders do: find a 'damp, dark, and musty' place to spin a web. It has become rich because of the wishes. The newsboy should know the baker, the shopkeeper, and the doctor lied about the wishes they made. 

Knowing what he now knows, the newsboy makes a plan to create some havoc for the liars. The three are willing to follow him back to the well, and are not pleased when they find a spider is causing the chaos. The spider pleads for understanding. 

"I would never steal gold or overhear any secret wishes
or tell those wishes to a nosy little boy." 

Knowing the truth certainly works in the boy's favor. He is able to give up his extra jobs to the guilty parties, make a deal with the spider for half of the gold coins at present and going forward, and realize his dream of retiring early. What a coup! 

Jess Hannigan’s playful mixed-media illustrations enrich the story and capture the full attention of the reader. The three sections of the tale (The Newsboy, The Well, and finally Justice) are filled with drama and humor. There's great fun here for all. 
                                                                               

                                                                               

This Land is a Lullaby, written by Tonya Simpson and illustrated by Delree Dumont. Orca Book Publishers, 2024. $21.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Just as the last of the day starts to fade ...
hoots of owls and coyote howl! A twilight serenade. 

Wild horses race mighty clouds soaring by. 
Rolling thunder drums across the flickering sky."

A mother and her child stand on prairie grasses and listen to the 'sweet song of your home'. Descriptive couplets pay homage to the child's homeland. The lullaby shared refers to the geese that fly in prairie skies, the ponds that sing with frog song, fireflies and dragonflies that glow in the evening light of the plains, home to this Indigenous family. 

All speak to the wonder that is nature, and that same wonder that is the child whose ancestors 'sing just for you'. The peaceful beauty found in the sights and sounds of her surroundings is there as the child slips into slumber each evening. Captured in dramatic images created by Delree Dumont, using acrylic paints in a pointillism style, they fill double-page spreads with the intense beauty of flower-filled meadows, reedy ponds, golden grasses, and northern lights. 

Little ones ready for sleep will find comfort in the words as they speak to the bond that exists between Indigenous people and the land they call home. A mother's warmth and love are reflected in the words she speaks as her child snuggles in for welcome rest. 

"Now all is quiet, but for the loon 
trading holy secrets with Grandmother Moon."
                                                                                 

My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, written by George Takei and illustrated by Michelle Lee. Crown Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages 8 and up

 

"One afternoon Henry and I saw a shaggy black dog 
behind a pile of vegetable crates. He looked so hungry
we convinced our cook Mr. Kikutani to give him a 
piece of wiener teriyaki. 
The dog gobbled it up so quickly we knew he was 
still hungry. We took him to our unit and begged 
Mama for cookies."

I am constantly amazed at what I learn from books designed for children! There seems no end to the topics, the points of view, or the importance of what has been written to spark interest and to augment learning. Children learn about key issues in books that help them understand their world. They become more empathetic. When parents, teachers, and caregivers create a sense of community by choosing and reading meaningful stories, they inspire their listeners to think beyond themselves and to put themselves in someone else's shoes. 

In the foreword to his book, George Takei describes how being different resulted in great pain and a devastating loss for his family when they were taken, although American, from their home following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Being of Japanese descent was all that was needed to declare his family enemies of the American people, and to allow them to be 'imprisoned behind barbed wire fences'.  

Geroge was 4 in 1941 when the bombs dropped on Pearl Harbor. In February 1942 all Japanese Americans were forced into prison camps. With courage and determination, his parents were able to keep their three children safe. They were first assigned to a germ-infested horse barn. Their next move was to Arkansas; conditions were not a lot better there. Working tirelessly and with help from neighbors, they made a home for themselves.  

Mr. Takei's forthright portrayal of life in the camps, from a child's point-of-view, informs his readers of what it was like to live under guard of armed soldiers. He also wants them to know that they were moments to be enjoyed. They had movie nights and baseball games, a snowball fight and Santa Claus, singalongs and dances. 

Their parents did their best at all times to make the conditions as good as they could be. They worked hard creating community for all, and comfort for their children. After their parents refused to sign papers that would have them drafted to fight for America in the war, they were called disloyal and sent to Tule Lake in northern California. 

"Tule Lake was the largest of the ten prison camps and held 
the most inmates - more than 18,000 people. Half were 
children like Henry, Reiko, and me." 

Once more, they made a home there, and found a dog they named Blackie. Life was better with him near. When the atomic bombs fell in Japan and the war was finally over, the inmates were released with $25 each to make a new life. It took time; George's father finally found work in Los Angeles and the family rushed to join him there.  

Mixed-media artwork captures attention, and gives life to the many Japanese Americans who inhabited the camps. Fine details add to the visual appeal of the illustrations and provide context for the events described. An author’s note speaks to the fact that the time following their release did not end their struggles; only perseverance and hard work helped them find their way back to a good life and much success. Archival photographs are included. 

What About An Octopus: A Fact-Filled Underwater Adventure, written by Deborah Kerbel and illustrated by Dawn Lo. Owlkids, 2024. $21.95 ages 4 and up

 

"You'll want to give the octopus 
lots of space to swim around. 
Then when it gets tired from 
all that exercise, you can sing 
it a lullaby and wait for it to 
fall asleep. 

FACT: Like humans, octopuses have two 
stages of sleep. For octopuses, the first is a 
quiet stage, when they remain very still 
and pale. The second is an active stage, 
where their skin darkens and their muscles 
twitch." 

This book, designed for young readers, offers advice for a visit to the ocean. A young girl is the recipient of that advice as she snorkels in ocean waters looking for a seashell. Imagine her surprise when she encounters an octopus. While wanting to be friendly by shaking one of its arms, she learns that it is better simply to wave at it. The octopus, if sensing danger, can detach that arm. Worry not, it will grow back.

Each page turn suggests a friendly idea on the left-hand side, and a related FACT box on the right. She learns about sleep patterns, sensitivity, and its three hearts. Upon awakening, the octopus is hungry, and is well-equipped to take care of its own needs. A meal is sure to remind the octopus that it needs the bathroom, and privacy. Luckily, it can squeeze itself into small, dark spaces. 

If she is interested in having some fun, the octopus is likely to want to play. 

"FACT: Octopuses are extremely smart animals. 
They've been known to figure out mazes, do tasks 
for rewards, and even play games."

Readers are sure to be fascinated by all of the information provided here. The watery illustrations invite careful observation concerning the ocean habitat, and the sea life that lives below the surface. A bulleted list of Extra Octopus Facts follows. 

If you know someone who loves to learn about various animals, this would be a great gift. 

The Hotel Balzaar: A Norendy Tale, written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Julia Sarda. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 8 and up

 

"The world was utterly silent. 
Below them, in the attic room of the Hotel 
Balzaar, the perfume bottle mermaid sat on 
the dresser, smiling. The enormous slippers
were neatly aligned beside the bed, waiting, 
and somewhere within the Hotel Balzaar, 
Marta knew, her mother worked - cleaning 
and cleaning, her long, dark hair pinned 
beneath her cap."

Marta and her mother have not heard from her military father in a very long time; his absence has meant that the two are now living in the attic room at the Hotel Balzaar where her mother is a cleaner. Marta is allowed to explore the hotel; her mother's instruction is to be inconspicuous. She is not to garner any attention from guests or staff. Marta has a daily routine that allows her release from her lonely existence in the attic. 

When an elderly countess arrives and notices Marta, asking that the young girl come to her room to hear her stories, Marta cannot contain her curiosity. The countess, and her parrot Blitzkoff, are friendly to Marta. They are also strange and very mysterious. The countess has seven stories (although she disappears before sharing the seventh) to tell the young girl, and begins on the second day of her residency. 

The stories, as they continue, both fascinate and baffle Marta. They make connections and inspire Marta to think more deeply about their meaning. Some are related to her father. Marta is sure he will return, but unsure how he will ever find them. She is often reassured by the tales the countess shares with her. It is quite a magical time. 

Julia Sarda's black-and-white illustrations are a striking addition to the storytelling, adding detail and meaning to this second book in the Norendy series. The themes of love and loss, confidence and concern, and worry and faith are evident as Marta attaches meaning to the stories being told. 

Ms. DiCamillo celebrates storytelling in such remarkable ways. I am ever in awe of her formidable talent. 

"I want you to know that war destroys everything, always,” Marta’s father tells her in his letter. “If anyone tries to explain it to you otherwise, in some other way, in words of nobility or valor, do not believe them.”                                                                               

No More Senora Mimi, written by Meg Medina and illustrated by Brittany Cicchese. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"That means I won't be able to tell 
senora Mimi the best parts of my day 
or the things I'd do over, the way I 
usually do on our walks home. 

We won't stop in Mr. Ruiz's shop to 
buy peanuts to feed our squirrels."

The young girl who narrates this story lives in the same building as her babysitter. On the days that her mother has to go to work, the two stop at apartment 4C where senora Mimi lives with her little one and their dog. Mama leaves the child in senora Mimi's care. 

Before they leave for school, Ana watches senora Mimi feed Nelson, while Ana feeds Pancho some of the crackers they both like. As she washes her hands prior to leaving, Ana anticipates the arrival of Abuela, who is going to be living with Ana and her Mami starting tonight. Preparations for her arrival are complete. 

Abuela will be her new babysitter. As they head off to school, senora Mimi encourages Ana to hurry along or they will be late. There is no time to dawdle. Ana is sure that Abuela will not expect such things of Ana. Once at school, she announces to her class and teacher that Abuela is going to take care of her now. They will see each other every day. 

""Lucky you!" Tynisha says. "Grandmothers are way better than 
bossy babysitters! No more senora Mimi to tell you what to do 
every day!" 

"Oh," I say, startled. No more senora Mimi? I hadn't really 
thought about that."

There are many things Ana will miss about seeing senora Mimi every day. While they wait for her mother, Ana begins to understand what is about to happen. Senora Mimi explains that she will also miss Ana, even though they will still live in the same apartment complex. When it is time to leave, Ana promises to see her again soon. 

The friendship built between the two will not soon be forgotten. This is such a lovely tribute to caregivers and all they do for children as they provide care when their parents cannot be there. 

https://youtu.be/sOoF42VlClQ?si=Z1xX1p4Q16j-iJbc