Calling the Wind: A Story of Healing and Hope, written by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages

 

"Moshi moshi? (Hello?)
Are you there? It's me. 
Can you hear me? 
I just hear the wind. Is that you? 
I feel like you're here somewhere."

It is winter, and the family is gathering for a meal together. Loss is felt in the silence of the room. As they sit to eat, memories of happier times make the sadness more intense. One of the children moves outside, leaving him alone with his thoughts in the wintry landscape. 

He makes his way to a phone booth where a yellow bird is filling the air with song. A phone sits there - an invitation to pick up the handset and have a one-way conversation. On the way home, he finds a yellow daffodil (his mother's favorite flower). Taking it home with him and sharing it with his sister brings joy and a chance to show her the information he has found about the phone booth. The two return so she has a chance to 'talk' with her mother. 

"Moshi moshi?
It's not fair! 
Why did it have to be you?"

They return home to show their grandfather and young sister, who are crafting origami cranes. Grandfather is hesitant, but the three convince him to venture out with them. Grandfather and little sister speak from their hearts as they collect the yellow daffodils that surround the phone booth. Father is furious to hear and see what they have done. Everyone flees from his anger, as he cradles the daffodils they have brought home with them. 

It is his turn now. His son finds him there. The two release a paper crane into the sky. As spring bursts forth, there is a change from the deep sadness of winter. 

"haru (spring)

       pain's sharp edge softens
       heavy hearts become lighter
       hope blossoms anew"

Love lives on. 

Back matter tells the story of Itaru Sasaki who created the original “wind phone” in Ōtsuchi, Japan in 2010 as a way to voice his grief over the death of a beloved cousin.                                                                                    

Nutshimit in the Woods, written by Melissa Mollen Dupuis and illustrated by Elise Gravel. English text by Gaelle Mollen. North Winds Press, Scholastic. 2023. $22.99 ages 4 and up

"Wolverine is a great trickster. It can transform 
itself into all sorts of things and even take on a 

HUMAN FORM! 

It's said that Wolverine once decided to bend
the birch tree to teach humans not to waste
the bark of this precious tree. 

Eku miam! *

* Okay, good! 

Now humans will have to look harder 
to find birch trees that are straight."

In her first-person account of Innu culture, Melissa Mollen Dupuis takes readers on a journey. She introduces herself with in Innu - Aimun, the language of her people. She lets readers know that nature has been important to her from the time she was a small child. 

Ms. Mollen Dupuis shares stories of creation, and explains that she has been hearing these stories for her lifetime; today she shares them with her own children. She invites readers to join her as she prepares to share her surroundings and her culture. She mentions the importance of the five senses as she treks into the forest. Her favorite tree is the birch, as it has numerous uses. That leads to the wolverine, a birch polypore called pushakan which is useful for building fires. 

Every turn of the page leads to further facts about life in an Innu community, the connections to nature, the animals and birds of the surrounding environment, and those who protect them. When she talks about the importance of boats and the sea, she mentions that her family lived on her dad's fishing boat for a time. 

As this informative walk together comes to an end, she talks about the treasures that nature provides and adds her goodbye. 

"I had a THOUSAND things to tell you about 
the forest and nature, but I don't have enough
space in this book." 

Might there be another? We will have to wait and see. There are many Innu words to learn. Some are repeated on the final page. Elise Gravel add context to the importance of the sharing in friendly, signature artwork sure to add to the appeal for all readers.                                                                                     

A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054, written by James Gladstone and illustrated by Yaara Eshet. Owlkids, 2023. $21.95 ages 8 and up

 

"So how did the guest star fit into this 
dark-sky puzzle? 
The guest star was no star at all. It was 
the light of Supernova 1054 - that long-
ago explosion in space. 
And the Crab Nebula is the starry remains
of Supernova 1054."

In another excellent picture book, James Gladstone and Yaara Eshet explore supernovas and nebulas. One stands out for them - Supernova 1054 - a distant light seen in the morning sky so many years ago. It just suddenly appeared. People in China were in awe of its light and wondered if others could see it as they did. People around the world were seeing the same light! 

It faded, leaving only memories. Had it been possible to see it more clearly then, astronomers would have discovered a nebula which was growing where the light had once been. It took centuries before the telescope allowed astronomers to see what was really there. That nebula was named the Crab Nebula and it called the same today. 

As happens, scientists have continued to learn more and more. 

"Many years later, scientists learned that some huge
stars explode. They called these star blasts supernovas. 
After a blast, a supernova leaves behind starry remains that, 
with time, spread farther throughout space."

That distant light seen so long ago was the light of Supernova 1054, and the Crab Nebula is the starry remains that continue to grow today. Allowing young readers a look at one of the mysteries of the universe, this book's accessible text and gorgeous illustrations detail the spread of a supernova through varying shades of blue skies. Back matter closes the book with a clear explanation of supernovas and their resulting nebulas. 

Look up!                                                          

Behold the Octopus! Written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. Peachtree, Penguin Random House. 2023. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"The blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochaena lunulata)
may be small, but it's very powerful. Though its body
is around the size of a golf ball, about 2 inches (5 
centimeters) across, it produces extremely dangerous 
venom - potent enough to kill people. When hungry, the 
blue-ringed octopus wiggles an arm to imitate a worm 
and attract fish and crabs."

What remarkable creatures octopuses are, and what wondrous photorealistic artwork makes them come alive in this book of nonfiction for young readers! Its bulbous eye and curving tentacle provide the perfect invitation for kids who have a passion for the ocean and its inhabitants to turn the pages and begin a new adventure in learning. 

Except for the opening and closing spreads, every other full spread begins with a single word (verb or adjective) on the verso, facing a recto that features extended notes on different octopus species. An outstanding illustration of the particular species presented fills the rest of the space with the beauty of its ocean habitat and other fine details of its surroundings. The opening and closing spreads offer simple sentences that describe an octopus in general terms. 

There is much to learn about these intelligent sea creatures. There are roughly 300 known species. 11 are described here. This stunning book is perfect for reading aloud with a group, and includes clear information concerning anatomy, defense, habitat, egg-laying, feeding, and life span. 

Four pages of back matter show photographs of several species, provide additional facts and a list of resources that might help fascinated kids learn even more than they have learned here. 

What a wonderful introduction to a singular and surprising creature! 

https://youtu.be/LIB86oJi3Bg
                                                                              

Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine: Josephine Cochrane's Bright Invention Makes a Splash, written by Kate Hannigan and illustrated by Sarah Green. Calkins Creek, Astra. Penguin Random House, 2023. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"Working in the backyard shed with a 
mechanic, George Butters, Josephine 
brought her idea to life. 
When it failed, she started over. When
she was close, she kept refining. 
Revising, reworking, rethinking. 
Finally, like a crystal-clean goblet, 
things began looking brighter!"

Thank goodness for wise and persistent women like Josephine Cochrane - always striving to make life better! A modern woman living after the Civil War, she is always looking forward. In the aftermath of a dinner party, Josephine takes it upon herself to wash dishes that have seen better days. As she stands working, she realizes she is missing doing those things she loves because of the dish washing. 

"There must be a better way!" 

At a time when many inventors were doing important work, Josephine decides to join them. Doing her research, Josephine studies what had come before her time. She is convinced she can do better. After a number of tries, it looks like she will be successful. The sudden death of her husband puts a stop to her dreaming. 

Once the many bills are paid, Josephine goes to work with Geroge Butters again, intent on finding success. Her patent is approved early in 1886. A woman running a company is unlikely to get invenstors in a male-dominated business world. Josephine is persistent, taking her dishwasher to Chicago's Columbian Exposition in 1893 and winning first prize. Orders pour in, leading eventually to great success for the inventor and the many homes that benefit from her invention today. Bravo!  

Did you know who invented the dishwashing machine? I certainly did not. Now, I do. 

An author's note, a list of noted inventors who are women, a timeline of fascinating inventions, and a list of sources are included. 

NO Is All I Know! Written by Chris Grabenstein and illustrated by Leo Espinosa. Random House, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 3 and up

"Oliver was too tired and too full 
of macaroni and cheese to say NO! 
before Jess said YES!
And so, outside they went ... "

Oh, if you know a cantankerous kid, you have probably been in this place. Oliver McSnow likes nothing better than saying "NO!" It's loud, and he's proud that it is the answer he uses whenever he is asked a question. No, he didn't brush his teeth! No, he doesn't want to put away his toys! The more he says it, the louder it gets.

Nothing pleases him, and everyone knows it. He doesn't even want to play with his cousin Jess. Or hear a story. Or have ice cream. What on earth? When Jess shows up to play, their adventures are epic: chasing butterflies, stomping in puddles, swinging, playing marbles, even hugging dogs. It turns out that Jess says YES! to everything. What a contrast he is. 

"Suddenly - thanks to Jess and his super-powerful YES! - 
Oliver's world was full of new things. 
                                        New food. 
                                          New fun. 
                                      New friends."

Will Oliver revert to his old ways tomorrow? I wonder what he'll say. 

Mr. Espinosa has great success letting readers know just how agitated Oliver's parents are as he rejects any and every suggestion made, but for macaroni and cheese. There is such balance between text and art, allowing young readers a close- up look at the characters as they react and respond to the many experiences. 
                                                                                   

       

This is NOT My Story, written by Ryan Uytdewilligen and illustrated by David Huyck. Kids Can Press, 2023. $21.99 ages 5and up

"Once upon a time, a valiant dragon-
slaying knight protected a mighty 
kingdom. But when the most 
dangerous, most frightening, most 
spine-tingling - 

A fairytale? 
Really? 
They're so old. 
And I could never 
slay a dragon.  

I mean look at this guy. 
He's so cute!"

Clever and inviting, this book begins with flying saucers surrounding a spaceship piloted by our narrator. Brave and confident, he knows just what to do. Or does he? With fear in his eyes and a knowledge that someone is responsible for what is happening on the page,  he asserts that this is 'not my story'. The author argues the point; the spaceship captain capitulates. 

The story continues. The captain insists with every turn of the page that he is not meant to be in this tale! The author checks a messy idea sheet and agrees that it is the wrong story. Rather, the boy's story is about a rodeo. No way! He has no talent for being a cattle wrangler. Is there another idea? A knight fighting a dragon? A vampire in a Transylvanian castle? A Paris date with an angry poet? An easily solved mystery? A science textbook? 

The writer agrees they are getting nowhere, and asks for help. Cold and shivering in his underwear, the boy suggests an illustrator whose cozy pajamas inspire some thoughts. The writer finally gets it - magic pajamas that ... no way! After more objections, the author decides to give up. The excitement generated by the boy when he wants to do some of the writing will have readers giggling. 

In final pages, the author provides a list of the variety in genres readers might like to try for their own stories. What kind of story will you write? 

Zany artwork enhances the action throughout as the two banter back and forth about the trajectory of each genre. Expressive and full of fun, they garner attention and add context to the many revisions that take place. 

This is a great way to learn about the development of ideas and the writing process itself. 

Bears Are Best!: The Scoop About How We Sniff, Sneak, Snack, and Snooze! Written by Joan Holub and illustrated by Laurie Keller. Crown Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Hi! I'm Sun Bear. I'm nocturnal. 
That means I sleep by day and 
search for food at night. So I 
don't see the actual sun that often. 
I'm the smallest bear. 

But I've got the longest tongue 
of any bear - ten inches! 

I'm diurnal - active during the 
day unless too many people, 
predators, or other bears are 
nearby." 

I had hopes that a copy of this new book would be here before my granddaughters returned home last week. We have anxiously anticipated its arrival since author Joan Holub suggested her new book would be about bears. We knew about it because we read I Am the Shark almost every night they were here last July. They loved it then, and it remained a favorite read this past July as well. Oh well, there's always next year. Full of information and humor, Bears Are Best is sure to be a hit with them. 

It doesn't take long to meet a brown bear, a polar bear, an American black bear, a sloth bear, a spectacled bear, a sun bear, a giant panda, and an Asiatic black bear. They introduce themselves in order, starting with Brown Bear who believes he's the only bear in the entire book. Imagine his surprise when the others introduce themselves.

"Three bears in one book? It's getting to 
be like that Goldilocks story in here."

Through conversation that moves back and forth between the eight species, readers learn about the features that identify one from the other, where they live and their routines, and what they like to eat. When Brown Bear has finally had enough of the interlopers, he explodes: 

"STOP! 
NO MORE BEARS!

There are officially only eight species (kinds) 
in this book, and in the whole world. That's ALL!"

At this point, a masked octopus does its best to introduce itself as a bear. The bears will not be fooled, noting the many contrasts between a bear and an octopus. It occasions the development of a list of similarities, entitled EIGHT THINGS THAT MAKE A BEAR A BEAR. Number eight concerns favorite foods and affords each species a chance to share its very best meal. 

With the arrival of winter, the bears prepare to return to their homes; two to hibernate, and the rest to 'hibernot'. Soon, Brown Bear is the ONLY bear left. In need of alone time, he snuggles up in his cave for a long winter's sleep. 

Collage illustrations certainly add to the appeal, with cartoon animals whose expressive faces and body language are endearing and humorous. Final pages revisit each of the bear species, offering short paragraphs of further facts.There is also a list of resources for those who want to know more. 

Just a thought: is the fact that an octopus has been included in the book's pages a hint of what's to come? I wonder. 

Lion on the Inside: How One Girl Changed Basketball. Written by Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir with Judith Henderson, and illustrated by Katherine Ahmed. Kids Can Press, 2023. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 

"I nab the ball. 
Pivot past him. Drive to the basket. 
Lay up the shot, give him the eyeball
and leave."

I am often in awe of those who stand up for themselves in spite of the roadblocks put in their path. Women making an inroad into male-dominated sports has improved, but still needs work. I was intrigued to hear Ms. Abdul-Qaadir's story. I had not been aware of it prior to reading this inspiring book that is part of the Citizen Kid series from Kids Can Press. 

A Black athlete and a Muslim, Qiisi was the first woman to be allowed to play basketball on a NCAA Division I team while wearing a hijab. From a very young age, she loved to play basketball and took no time to show just how much talent she had for playing the game. By the time she was 12 and wearing her mother's hijab, she was having great success playing against boys' teams. She had begun dealing with remarks about her 'ugly scarf'. 

Both brave women, her grandmother cheered loudly at every opportunity;  her mother suggested quiet confidence when dealing with unwelcome comments and opposition to her playing the game she loved.  In high school, now wearing her own hijab, she felt its power for helping her do what was right. At 17, a referee told her not to wear it while playing. She refused to remove it! Her team and many fans in the crowd made enough of a fuss that the referee reversed the decision. 

Her career in basketball moved on from there. She even played hoops with President Barack Obama at the White House! As an international professional player, she was told once again that wearing her hijab was against international rules of play. Making the choice between her love for the game and her faith is not easy. 

"So I choose. 
I choose not to play. 
That day changes my life forever. 
And my heart 
       is 
       broken."

It takes hard work and three years to change the rule. By then, it is too late for Qisi; not for other girls like her. Back matter adds further facts about this amazing young woman, alongside two photographs. There is also a section to encourage talk, and another with a list of resources for learning even more. 

When Rubin Plays, written and illustrated by Gracey Zhang. Orchard Books, Scholastic, 2023. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Rubin was not alone. 

An audience had gathered silently 
on light paws, their ears sharp and 
alert. Bright yellow eyes followed the
movement of Rubin. 

eeeeeiiiiioo went Rubin's violin."

Rubin loves to listen to the melodic sounds of a small orchestra in his town. As he listens, he feels the music lift him up. His sister plays there every day. When he asks Maestro if he might learn to play, he is given a violin. Oh, the howl that comes from a bow's slide across the strings. His playing is hushed, with advice from the Maestro to practice. 

And practice he does - as quietly as he can so as not to disturb others. He even makes his way into the forest so that he can be alone with his violin. The noise attracts a cat's attention. In fact, there are a number of cats, all howling along with Rubin as he plays. Attending practice, he is given advice from orchestra members in hopes it will make a difference in his playing. 

He returns each night to the forest where he is accompanied by an appreciative audience. When the time comes for a performance for their families and community members, the musicians send beautiful sounds floating above the crowd. His heart singing, Rubin closes his eyes and plays. It is a discordant sound, made more so with the arrival of his forest companions. The louder Rubin plays, the louder the cats howl. Everyone is caught up in 'the whirlwind of Rubin's sound' and entirely charmed by his playing. What joy is found in music from the heart!  

An author's note is telling and enjoyable. 

Breaking News: Why Media Matters, written by Raina Delisle and illustrated by Julie McLaughlin. Orca, 2023. $26.95 ages 10 and up

 

"Have you seen the movie Up? In the opening scene, 
a young Carl Fredricksen goes to the movie theater
to watch a news story about an explorer's efforts to 
capture the beast of Paradise Falls. As far back as the 
early 1900s, before television was invented, people
went to movie theaters to watch the news on film. 
These productions were called newsreels and were 
usually shown before movies."

Middle grade and high school readers need to know all they can know about the impact of media in our world. As with other books in the Orca Think series, this new addition is laid out with appealing visuals - clearly captioned photographs, helpful additional illustrations, Behind the Headlines entries based on selected stories from the news, real examples of Star Reporters, and Extra! Extra! text boxes that provide a lot of information. 

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Many teens look to social media for news. 

* 77 percent get news and headlines from social media.

* 39 percent "often" get news from personalities, influencers
and celebrities on social media and YouTube. 

* 28 percent say their "preferred" news source is personalities,
influencers and celebrities on social media and YouTube.

- Common Sense Media, Teens and the News 2020"

In this book interested readers will look at the industry, how it works, why it has importance in today's world, and ways to get involved in making things more relevant for themselves. It begins with media's origins and brings readers to current practices and issues faced today. Raina Delisle has "on the ground" experience and it shows in her writing. 

"In 2022 I started working in government communications, 
giving me a new perspective on the media industry. I still 
occasionally write stories for my favorite publications."

Divided into six chapters, she discusses News You Can Use, Media Matters, Making the News, Press Under Pressure, Saving Journalism and Become a News Hound. Ms. Delisle covers those subjects with care and insight. She encourages her readers to get involved in media in ways that work for them. 

Back matter includes a glossary, a generous list of resources to further enlighten and inform, acknowledgements for those whose work made her book possible, and an index. 

Engaging and important, let's hope reading this book will be impetus for those readers who aspire to become the journalists we need to keep the industry vibrant and important to all. 

From Here to There: A First Book of Maps, written by Vivian French and illustrated by Ya-Ling Huang. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $23.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Anna nodded. Together they walked past 
the shoe shop, the pond in the park, the cafe
where Zane's mom liked to get coffee, and 
the library - all the way to Zane's blue front 
door. 

She rang bell 6 ... "

I love looking at physical maps. They tend to give so much additional scope than what I see when I use GPS. In this book that helps young readers understand what a map is and how it can be used, readers meet two children, Anna and Zane. Anna lives in a small yellow house; Zane lives in a six-story apartment block. An invitation sent from Zane to Anna sets the action in motion, when he invites her over and includes a map to help her find her way. 

On his map, Zane has plotted main streets, crossover streets, and relevant buildings. Anna recognizes some inconsistencies in the map. Her father suggests she draw her own. Anna is keen to work it out independently. Her paper is not big enough for all she wants to include. Dad suggests she look at a conventional map. Anna doesn't like the fact that it has no pictures. Dad explains that it is a bird's-eye view. 

"There are lots of different maps. This map shows a very 
large area, so the scale is smaller than on Anna's map to 
fit more in."

Anna likes her own map! She decides to draw a map of their house for her cat Whiskers, while her dad has created a family tree - a totally different kind of map altogether. Finally, Anna decides to make a map for Zane. That way he won't ger lost when he comes for a visit. It will have Anna's house in the middle. When it's time for Dad to help Anna find her way to her friend's house, Zanes's map is a hit! 

The author ends by encouraging her young audience to make a map of their own. The possibilities are endless! Lovely watercolor drawings match the book's text and ideas, offering up help at a new pursuit and keeping Whiskers visible throughout. 

Giraffe Math, written by Stephen R. Swinburne and illustrated by Geraldo Valerio. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2023. $23.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Giraffe tongues are the longest in the world
for a land animal. Some reach 1.65 feet, or
20 inches. Your tongue is probably only 4
inches long. And talk about color! Our 
tongues are black, dark blue, or purple and
have lots of a pigment called melanin, which 
helps protect them from sunburn. Your skin 
has melanin, too." 

About to be released, this book that has kids looking at giraffes in numeric terms is sure to attract interest. We all know how connected to animals of all kinds most kids feel. Twiga is the giraffe narrator who comfortably welcomes readers to learn about the ways that math concepts and giraffes can fit together. Obviously, she knows a great deal about them. 

She begins with height, stating that giraffes are the 'tallest animals on earth'. Geraldo Valerio's paint, colored pencil and paper collage artwork uses perspective to show just how tall they are when he places a horse, child, and dog in close proximity. Twiga moves on to explain that when she bends over to take a drink of water at a waterhole, her body forms a triangle shape to allow such movement. Vulnerability to attack in that position is ever-present. 

She moves on to compare her weight to a whale, an elephant and a human adult. Further facts are provided with each turn of the page: their group name (a herd or a tower), the length of an ossicone on top of her head and the difference between male and female ossicones. There is a description of vision, including the size of the eye and length of the eyelashes. And talk about a tongue; they are the longest in world for a land animal. It takes a vertical turn of the book to show readers just how long her neck is. 

The heart, the tail, spots and camouflage, powerful legs, hooves the size of a medium pizza, and personality also have importance in the narration. Back matter includes further facts, including a description of a giraffe's life cycle. A map of Africa shows their historical range from the 1700s, as compared with today. 

"In the 1700s, more than a million giraffes 
roamed across Africa. Today, scientists 
estimate that only 117,000 giraffes remain 
in the wild."

The Nature Journal: A Backyard Adventure, written and illustrated by Savannah Allen. Viking, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Scrapbooks. Nature journals. 
Pictures. All dusty and torn, but 
full of the adventures that his dad
took before Tim was born. 

Tim read and read his 
dad's journals ... 

... until he couldn't keep his eyes open."

Tim and his dad love being together. Tim wants to be like his dad was when he was a boy; a boy who loves the outdoors and creates a journal that reflects all he is observing and collecting. He so aches to share what he has done with his father, who is too busy doing chores to listen right then. 

A trip to the attic, when he grows tired of waiting, allows Tim a chance to look at his dad's many saved treasures. After falling asleep while checking things out, Tim has an exciting dream about seeing the many places his father has visited. From a day in the rainforest canopy, to a camel ride in the desert, to an underwater swim equipped with snorkels, and a trip to the top of some snowy mountains, Tim revisits his father's favorite places. 

Upon awakening from his dream, Tim quickly draws pictures of his own imagined adventures. His father comes searching for him, with an apology and a chance to see what Tim has been doing. Dad's response is what every young child hopes for. 

"He looked at Tim's drawings closely and smiled
proudly. "You know, of all my adventures, being 
your dad is my favorite one. What do you say we 
add some pages tomorrow?""

Well done, Dad! 

Digital artwork highlights a love for the outdoors and their time spent together. Plenty of white space makes the love the two have for each evident both inside and outside. The full-page spreads that accentuate Tim's dream are filled with bold color and action. Be sure to check out the endpapers ...

Why not get outside with your kids and create a nature notebook together before school starts again? It might be a lot of fun making memories that last a lifetime. 
                                                                 

Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories, written and illustrated by Jarvis. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Bird took a bite and began to chew.
Everything was resting on this leaf. 
This randomly plucked leaf. This 
slightly soggy leaf. 
Bird stopped chewing.
Then she chewed a bit more.
"Bear," said Bird.
"Yes?" said Bear. 
"It's ... delicious," said Bird."

In the first of four connected stories about Bear and Bird, young readers learn that silly things happen to friends when Bird gets stuck inside a flower while waiting for Bear. When Bear comes outside to get on with their day, he can't find his friend; he does discover a talking flower. It takes a while and a lot of conversation for Bird to make her escape. Bear remains oblivious to the fact that the flower could not talk, not realizing it had been Bird all along. 

The second part of their day together is meant to be a picnic. Bear doesn't want Bird to be unhappy, so he assures Bird he has done everything she has asked of him to make the day a success. He has been to the bathroom, he has brought the music player, packed both the lawn chairs and the picnic. In fact, he has done none of those things. Along the way, he constantly diverts Bird's attention from discovering what he has NOT done. Or does he? 

When the two set up easels in Bird's garden for an afternoon of painting, they get right to work. It doesn't take long until Bird realizes that Bear is very good at it. Bird, on the other hand, not so much. When the other animals praise Bear and laugh at Bird's attempt, she storms off to be on her own. Being the true friend he is, Bear is quick to catch up with Bird and reassure her.  

The final story concerns a blanket. all warm and cuddly and hard to leave. When Bird asks Bear to join her in watching the sunset, or going for apple crumble, he makes excuses. Worried, Bird brings back warm, minty tea only to hear Bear to talking to someone. Jealousy rears its ugly head. A heartfelt explanation has a lovely result. 

Full of warmth and the misunderstandings between friends, Jarvis has created a book that a young audience will fully understand. The appealing illustrations add another level of appreciation for the ups and downs of real friendship - mostly ups! Each of the little surprises as the stories end add to the charm. 
                                                                             

Shy Robin and the First Day of School, written and illustrated by Jaime Kim. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"I find a place that is safe and quiet.
Then an otter catches my eye. 
He is wearing pretty bracelets - 
and they're purple, just like my headband."

Robin is brave, loud, funny, and energetic - at  home. When she makes her way into the outside world, she is quite shy. Many young children will understand that. So, when it's time to start school for the first time, Robin is full of all of the worries that shy children feel when dealing with new situations. 

Her mom knows she will be fine: to make her feel more comfortable and confident, she gifts her daughter a purple headband as a reminder. Robin is not the only one in class who has initial worries about being at school. At circle time, a young otter proves himself even quieter than Robin is. No one hears him when he says his name is Marco, except for Robin. She knows how Marco feels. 

Robin makes an effort to stay close to Marco throughout the day. Marco does not respond to her overtures. As Robin becomes more comfortable at classroom activities, she becomes more like her 'home' self. It allows her to approach Marco, who wonders where her headband is. Poor Robin. How will she manage without her headband? 

Marco knows just what to do. That's what friends are for! 

Glaciers Are Alive, written by Debbie S. Miller and illustrated by Jon Van Zyle. Charlesbridge, Penguin Random House. 2023. $21.99 ages 6 and up

 

"Beyond the glacier, sea otters dive for food in 
the fjord that the powerful river of ice carved 
long ago. They find clams and mussels on a sill, 
an old moraine far below the water's surface. 
That sill provides a good habitat for shellfish, 
sea stars, and anemones."

The benefits that a glacier has on the environment are explored in this welcome book. So much happens when a glacier forms, and the support it provides for both flora and fauna has real impact. The plants and animals that benefit from the thick layers of firm ice are plentiful as Ms. Miller shows in her straightforward, accessible text. 

Young readers learn how the glacier first forms, and then carves a valley as it makes its way to the sea. Seasonally, it supports the growth of pink algae which feeds ice worms that make excellent meals for snow buntings. Its massive rock piles provide safe nesting places for seabirds. Ice climbers find adventure on its icy surfaces. When it reaches the sea, it offers beauty for passing kayakers, safety for seals, and freshwater for the sea. Animal life there reaps the many benefits of its presence. 

Climate change is impacting the life of glaciers as is happening everywhere else in the world. It is not an idle threat, and loss of these glaciers will have significant repercussions for the health of our planet. 

"With warmer weather, glaciers melt and shrink.
Some glaciers are losing so much ice that they will 
eventually disappear.

Where will the murrelets raise their chicks without
tidewater glaciers? Where will these harbor seals
have their pups if there are no icebergs?"
                                                                         

                                                                          

The Never-Ending Sweater, written by Erin Welch and illustrated by Dorothy Leung. Orca Books, 2023. $21.95 ages 4 and up

 

"Peter grew so much that he outgrew his 
village and decided to see the world. Peter
packed a smoked-oyster sandwich, a tin of 
tea, three pairs of socks and, of course, his 
purple sweater. Then away he went, off to 
see the world. His grandmother's only 
request was that he would send back to her
stories from his travels."

Peter was a little boy when he asked his grandmother if she would make him a VERY BIG SWEATER. He wanted her to be sure that it was 'too big'. What's a grandma to do? Of course, she knit Peter a very large sweater with thick wool. It had sturdy cuffs and a long body. Peter loved how it looked and how it made him feel. 

No matter what they were doing together, Peter always wore his sweater. He grew so big that his sweater finally fit him. When he decided to see the world, his adventures took him to unfamiliar countries where he learned about yak herders, shearing New Zealand sheep, visiting the mountains, and becoming fluent in new languages. Though he thought about home, those adventures kept him from returning to it. 

When he finally returned to his grandmother's village, many things had changed. The family that now lived next door to his family home included a young boy named Little P. The two loved spending time together gardening, going clamming, and watching the fog roll in. Little P. shared that he wished his grandmother could see him now. Peter felt the same. 

As summer turned to fall, Perer put on his beloved sweater and spent time remembering his adventures through the collection of  promised letters he had sent to his grandmother. He felt it was time to pass that sweater on ... to Little P. It would keep him warm and one day, it would remind him of home, too. 

Dorothy Leung's colored gouache, pencil, and digital illustrations are warm and filled with many emotions, allowing readers to see how adventures may be exciting but home is where the heart is. The Maritime village setting is enticing. 

Special Delivery: A Book's Journey Around the World, written by Polly Faber and illustrated by Klas Fahlen. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House, 2023. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"Some things are stored. 

Others are loaded onto 
delivery vans like Dan's. 

Dan drives over some hills
to a town, where he delivers
one box around the back of ... 

Pip's bookshop."

Jay has only forty days to wait until his birthday. Readers can see in the close look at his bedroom that Jay likes racing cars and other modes of transportation, books, robots, guitar, and volleyball. That scene quickly switches to factory workers arriving to begin their day. 

A quick turn of the page and a surprise awaits. A worker is busy packing copies of the very book being read ... Special Delivery! The packing box makes its way along a conveyor belt to be crated, lifted into a delivery truck and sent on its way to the dock it is loaded onto a huge ship ... just one of five thousand containers already there! 

The book's journey continues until it is safely unloaded on the other side of the world. A freight train travels through the night to a depot where it will be unpacked. From the crate it is transported to its final destination - the bookstore. A passerby steps into the bookstore, chooses a copy of Special Delivery and has it mailed to her grandson. Guess who that is! When Jay delivers his thank-you note to his grandmother, he is the only step on its journey. Love that surprise ending. 

What a truly fascinating way to show young readers the many workers whose jobs it takes to get a book from being printed and finally delivered into the hands of a delighted child. Along the way, many of the workers are named. They are a diverse group and ensure that the book's journey is a success. Knowing who they are adds a very personal touch to a network that is rarely described for kids. 

The colorful, detailed digital illustrations are sure to please kids who have an absorbing interest in machinery of all kinds. The text is straightforward and accessible for even the youngest readers. Backmatter will astonish those who love to know the 'nuts and bolts' of how things work in a global delivery system. Fascinating from start to finish! 

"Many forklift trucks are powered by batteries. 
They're programmed to go no faster than walking 
speed so the people around them are safe. They can 
carry loads that would otherwise need 100 people 
to move. 

A delivery van can deliver up to 200 different items
in a single day's work."                                                                                

The Girl Who Built An Ocean: An Artist, an Argonaut, and the True Story of the World's First Aquarium. Written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"Jeanne started to collect everything that 
caught her eye. She kept specimens of 
minerals and fossils in jars, preserved 
delicate butterfly wings on paper, and 
lined her desk with a rainbow of sea-
shells, pebbles, and coral."

What an interesting and inquisitive woman Jeanne Villepreux-Power was! In her time, female scientists and their work were given little attention. She persisted in her studies and today is known as the woman who invented the first aquarium, as well as a top researcher into the shell growth and behavior of the argonaut. 

Growing up with a shoemaker father and a dressmaker mother, Jeanne's interest in fabric and design was not surprising. Determined to become better, she moved to Paris at 18 and worked as a seamstress. Her hard work and design instincts found favor with many women from around the world. Always adventurous, she moved with her new husband to Sicily. There, she discovered the beauty of the ocean and its many amazing creatures. Her obsession with discovery led to avid collection and observation. 

As she sketched the intriguing ocean creatures, she was discouraged with their sudden disappearances. She needed to find a way to keep them closer for a longer time. Her interest and inventiveness led her to design a variety of aquariums to 'bring the ocean to her'. There was much to learn. 

Jeanne was especially intrigued by the argonaut; a small octopus with a delicate shell. Her curiosity concerning the shell inspired further research. 

"Jeanne collected argonaut eggs from 
the ocean. Raising them in her aquariums, 
she took notes, made sketches, and observed 
them every day." 

Her hard work led to oceanographers around the world learning more about the environment itself and its many astonishing creatures. What an inspiration! 

Those who know Jess Keating's books will know that her writing makes science accessible to even our youngest readers. This book is no exception to that. In clear text, she introduces another female researcher whose work is testament to the perseverance that led to new discoveries in the world of science. Ms. Nutter's digital artwork adds impressive settings and many fine details to the storytelling. An author’s notes about Jeanne, the argonaut, and a timeline are welcome. 
                                                                             

Full Moon Pups, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Chuck Groenink. G. P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 3 and up

 

"The older wolves come loping, 
gather pups up in their mouths, 
and take them far from danger, 
higher up and further south."

In opening images, Mama Wolf makes her way under a full-moon sky in search of a place to birth her five healthy pups. She cares for them as best she can, with the rest of the pack watching over her. The pups begin exploring and Mama keeps them close. When a sudden storm and rising waters threaten the den, something must be done! 

The older wolves help to carry the pups (in their mouths) to higher ground where they will be safe. They continue to grow, taking note of the moon's ever-changing face until it is completely gone. Then, unfamiliar nighttime noises evoke howling and barking throughout the dark night. Soon, they grow braver as they explore their world and find delight in their many discoveries. 

As happens, time passes quickly, they grow and flourish, and life has much to offer. 

"Each night brings new surprises - 
a wrestle or a roar, 
a bit of meat from Mama, 
and moonlight more and more."

Together, they await the rise of a full moon. 

The life cycle of the wolf is presented in conjunction with one lunar cycle. In rhyming text, young readers will see the pups grow and change as the moon does the same. Warm, moonlit artwork provide background for the birth and growth of the pups under the careful attention from the rest of the pack. There will be many more of those moons before the pups are grown. 

An author's note explains that Ms. Scanlon grew up in the Rocky Mountains where wolves were once plentiful. Human development changed that. Close to extinction, it took hard work from many scientists as well as government protection, to help their numbers improve. She has based the wolves in her story on gray wolves living near Yellowstone National Park. She also includes a note about a wolf's life cycle, the phases of the moon, and a selected bibliography with a list of internet sources.                                                                              

Good Food, Bad Waste: Let's Eat for the Planet. Written by Erin Silver and illustrated by Suharu Ogawa. Orca, 2023. $26.95 ages 9 and up

 

"Can you guess which foods are most likely to end
up in your green bin at home? Vitamin-packed 
fruits and vegetables. They make up over 40% of
what we let go to waste. But the good news is, with 
a few easy changes you can help your family "take
a bite" out of food waste."

As they have done in the eight previous books from the Orca Think series, Orca Book Publishers brings another meaningful issue to the attention of middle grade readers. While so many families in the world are struggling with food insecurity, much food is being wasted on a daily basis. 

"... food waste is a major problem all over the world.
Every day, in grocery stores, restaurants, our homes
and even school cafeterias, good food is tossed in the 
trash. ... We're talking about massive amounts of usable 
food, in countries around the globe."

Readers are invited to take a careful look at their own food waste, and encouraged to find ways to lessen the impact. Some people in our own towns and cities are going hungry while others are throwing away perfectly good food. Why? And what can each one of us do to change that? 

In five informative and impactful chapters, Erin Silver introduces her target audience to the fundamental problems that food waste creates and how making changes will reduce landfills, increase food security and help to fight climate change.  She begins at home - in fridges that are too often filled with more food than a family can possibly consume in a week. A quick trip to the grocery store for one or two things only adds to the abundance, if we shop without a list and spontaneously buy non-essential items. How often does that happen for your family?  

A lot of research has been done and digested before citing the amount of waste that comes from our homes. Ms. Silver offers many practical and easy ways for families to work together to change that. For families who live in poverty, it can be a more difficult task to consider options. 

Each chapter is written in a conversational and inviting ways. Illustrations are helpful and add contextual meaning by including captioned charts and graphs, and colorful images. Clear, color photographs are also useful and telling. In one image, a stack of burgers represents the scale of U.S. food waste, while Canada’s stack is poutine, Belgium’s is waffles, and France’s is macarons. 

Bits + Bites information boxes are plentiful, adding needed information. Food for Thought paragraphs encourage readers to think clearly about some of the issues that can be incorporated into daily living and making changes for the better. Profiles of FOOD-WASTE HEROS let readers see that there are many people working tirelessly to improve conditions and find ways to make the world a better place. They suggest eating locally as much as possible, cooking meatless meals, taking surplus food to those who need it, helping to plant a community garden, feeding our scraps to animals and composting. 

Why not try shopping smarter with your family, cooking together, and using leftovers for another meal. Even taking care to store the food you have in the proper place in your fridge helps to keep it fresh for a longer time. We can make a difference if we have the information we need to do it. This book is sure to help with making better choices. 

Back matter includes a glossary, a long list of resources, and helpful websites. 

Dounia and the Magic Seeds, written and illustrated by Marya Zarif. Translated by Yvette Ghione. Owlkids, 2023. $21.95 ages 7 and up

 

"They set off at sunset. Dounia holds her 
grandfather's hand tight. 
"Jeddo, I'm scared," she tells him. 
"Let yourself be rocked by the sea, 
Dounia. It will be all right."
The little girl looks at the water
stretching out around them and 
musters all the courage in her heart."

Just as has happened for too many children of the world and their families, Dounia must leave her beloved home to find peace and safety elsewhere. Leaving Aleppo, Syria is heartbreaking for them. Dounia's life there has been filled with sunshine and good friends. One of the merchants tells her that the baraka seeds she is seeking for her grandmother's cheese are magical, and will keep bad luck away. Her grandmother shares a few of those seeds with her. 

When war threatens their lives, the family accepts their fate. With hope in their hearts and incredible resilience, they do what they must do. Their journey is long, leaving them with nothing but what they are wearing. As they cross the sea, Dounia remembers the seeds in her pocket. She throws one into the sea, hoping it will protect their family from harm. It works its magic and the family lands safely in Greece. They join many others at a barbed wire fence - all are waiting for safe passage and facing angry soldiers. 

This time, Dounia throws one of the baraka seeds into the warming fire. It works to encourage the migrants to enjoy music and dancing with the soldiers. When the time comes to move forward on the next part of their journey, Dounia offers her third seed to a dove. She imagines it will find them a place to call home. Where will that be? The bird lands near a blue house and a welcoming family who agree to help Dounia's grandparents with their immigration. The last of the four seeds is planted in a flowerpot given to Dounia's new friend, Rosalie. The many seeds it provides will protect both families and allow them to share their story with others. 

An author's note speaks to the resilience of the Syrian people as they find peace and laughter again, and the fact that Dounia represents the children of war whose unbreakable spirit helps them find a new free world. Ms. Zarif's story offers parents and teachers a way to encourage empathy for those whose experiences are very different from our own. All any child wants is a home, wherever that might be.

Desert Jungle, written and illustrated by Jeannie Baker. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"That evening, 

I leave my bag outside 
the ranch house. 
It has everything in it, 
even the cake my mother 
made for us. 

But when I go to get the cake ... 
my bag is gone!" 

In first person narration we hear the story of a young boy whose life in his small desert village is disturbed at night by the howling of coyotes. Those howls spark fear in him. When he is invited to spend some time at his grandfather's isolated ranch house deeper in the desert, he prefers playing on his tablet to exploring. 

His backpack (with tablet inside) is stolen by a coyote when he leaves it outside. His aversion to spending time without the tablet leads him to wander off in search of it. Soon enough, he realizes he does not know where he is. He is scared of what he can't see, but forces himself to remain calm and take in his surroundings. Only then does he recognize the shape of the mountain near his grandfather's home - it leads him back home. 

When he admits he is scared of the 'desert  jungle', his grandfather convinces him to explore his surroundings. The discoveries made, with guidance from the older man, let the boy identify the real beauty there and to learn to love it as his grandfather does. While Grandpa works, he explores on his own. He gains greater understanding and respect for the importance of the landscape, its flora and fauna, and he ends up collecting some very special treasures to take home with him.

During a desert storm, he finds shelter in a nearby cave - one he inadvertently shares with a coyote! He brings his grandpa back to see it, and to tell him about the coyote. 

"I return to my village 
feeling love for my desert home. 
I try to give its creatures space ... 
My fear is gone." 

For anyone who has ever experienced the real beauty of Jeannie Baker's impressive collage artwork, there is continued admiration here. Her three-dimensional images are full of rich color and textures, and ensure that readers have a real sense for the grandeur to be found in the desert. They will want to reach out and touch the creatures, the treasures, the many gorgeous succulents, and the sure-to-be prickly cacti that grace every spread. 
 

Back matter includes a map, information about the Valle de los Cirios in the Sonoran Desert, and a note on Baker’s motivation for creating the book.

Stop, look around you, and appreciate the true wonder of our world. It is life changing. What are we protecting when we care about what surrounds us? This book is testament to that very thing. 

What you do not know, you will fear. 
What one fears, one destroys.
        Chief Dan George

Think Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and Innovate. Written by Lisa Deresti Betik and illustrated by Alexander Mostov. Kids Can Press. 2023. $23.99 ages 9 and up

"Male bowerbirds are not born with all
of the skills needed to impress a female -
they have to develop them. Young males
spend a lot of time watching older ones
build bowers. They also role-play while
visiting older males' bowers. These actions
are good for both birds: the young male 
gets to observe how the older one sings 
and dances, and the older male gets a 
chance to practice."

Divided into five chapters, and including an introduction about different types of intelligence and a glossary, a list of resources and an index, this book uses a conversational tone to interest readers in the many ways that animals apply their skills to use signals to share information, to work together and learn from each other, to solve problems, and to express emotions in countless ways. It is a lesson to those who think only humans are intelligent beings. In fact, readers will be surprised to find that animals display many 'smarts' themselves. 

There is much to learn here. The book's pages are filled with factual information meant to educate and amaze. It's another of those books that allows kids to pass along much of what they are learning to family and friends: vampire bats share the blood they drink with other hungry bats; two ravens will pull on the ends of a rope at the same time to reach two pieces of cheese, especially if they are a relative or friend; scrub jays remember where they've hidden food caches and what food is there; and an octopus can camouflage itself as a rock, plant or other sea creature. Impressive, indeed. 

Each entry is presented to hold interest without being too wordy. Digital illustrations add context and humor for the target audience. There is much we can learn from and about animals by reading this excellent example of nonfiction. 

Here's more to know about the octopus: 

"They recognize and react differently 
to individual humans. 

They create mental maps and can 
remember information about places 
they've been. 

They're difficult to keep in aquariums 
because they take things apart! 

They can open jar lids to get crabs out."

Bibi, written and illustrated by Jo Weaver. Peachtree, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"I made this journey when I was small like you. 
I was afraid then too," she said. 

As she spoke, she noticed a 
small chick lagging behind.

It was Toto, collapsed on the dry 
earth, exhausted by the heat."

Bibi is the oldest flamingo in her flock. It is evident that she holds a special place in the hearts  of its members. After all, she has taught each one of them some very important lessons: graceful dancing, feather preening, standing on one leg, nest building, and welcoming new chicks. 

When the summer sun dries up their lake, there is an urgent need to find food and get out of the hot sun. Bibi suggests leading the chicks, who cannot yet fly, to the water. She encourages the adult birds to fly ahead of them. The journey across the parched ground is exhausting. Too soon, one of the tiny chicks can go no further. Bibi protects the chicks in the shade of her wings while they wait for Toto to rest and gain strength. 

As they wait, she tells them stories of what life is like on the lake. With that in mind, they are ready to move forward. The glassy lake surface is soon in sight, giving the chicks the push they need to keep going. 

"Soon they were splashing through the cool water 
to join their grateful parents."

Throughout the summer Bibi keeps watch. As the time nears to take flight and move on, Bibi is not sure she has the strength needed to go with them. She finds a place away from the flock. Toto is the first to notice Bibi is missing. Not willing to leave her behind, it is decided the flock will not leave without her. They will feed her and help her gain the strength needed for the upcoming flight. 

What a lovely celebration of a life well lived and appreciated! Community is a glorious thing, and Jo Weaver ensures that young readers can appreciate the effort it takes to protect the oldest members, in keeping with the tender loving care always given to them. 

Created in charcoal and then digitally colored, the stunning illustrations are lifelike and expressive. Backmatter provides information about flamingo migration and this story's origins.  

MINE! Written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann. Anne Schwartz Books, Penguin Random House. 2023. $25.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Along padded Fox. 

"Whoopee," yipped he. 
"My nose does not deceive. 
I'll soon be eating supper, 
with patience ... and a breeze!"

And he waggety-dashed 
into a hollow log to wait."

Oh, such a group of greedy varmints! They all want ownership of the apple that Mouse has her eye on. It is ripe and ready to fall, so Mouse hides herself under a fallen leaf to wait for the apple to drop to the ground nearby. Assuming she is the first to spot it, she considers it her own property. She is hungering for it. 

Who should bounce into the story but Hare? Hare is eager to make the apple his lunch. He, too, considers it his. Then Fox, Deer, and Bear show up, all hungering for the bright, juicy, red apple that will soon fall from the apple tree. They hide themselves away in preparation. When the wind blows the apple from its branch anchor, every animal pounces on it. What a brouhaha! 

In the midst of the bedlam, the apple is sent flying where it is found by an unsuspecting possum who will willingly share it with the worm she sees on the inside. What a surprise, and a delightful ending for this rhythmic read for young listeners.  

The descriptive vocabulary-building text is accompanied by Eric Rohmann's winning artwork that gives life to each of the characters longing to make the apple their own. The spreads are spacious and offer a clear look at all the action. The split screen, focusing on the animals singularly as they watch the apple fall, is stellar. The varied perspectives and expressive animal faces hold attention until the final, surprising illustration.

Children will want to hear this one again and again! 

SUPERMOMS: Animal Heroes. Written by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper and illustrated by Jamie Harper. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"An American alligator's mighty mouth makes 
the perfect super stroller. Mom scoops up her 
hatchlings and shuttles them safely to the water."

Most kids know that their moms really are superheroes - if they think about it seriously. Moms do so much for their kids on a regular basis that it comes to be expected of them. In this book, readers will be astounded at the lengths some animal mothers go to for their young. 

In this first book in an anticipated new series about animal heroes, the authors explore the habits of many of nature's species and how these super moms manage to keep their babies safe from harm and raise them to be independent. There are 18 different animals who inspire the world with their remarkable powers. They are grouped in categories that show their prowess at making a home, making sacrifices to feed their babies, being creative when moving their young from place to place, protecting them from dangers they encounter, and teaching them what they need to know to survive. 

"With powerful instincts and extraordinary skills, 
these moms give their youngsters everything they 
need to go out into the world and thrive."

 

Every one of them is introduced with relevant text and cartoon illustrations that shows habitat, and also includes speech bubbles that are telling and often humorous from the little ones. A final double-page spread provides a thumbnail of each mother, her superpower, a personal note about where she lives with her family, and a 'guess what?' tidbit of further information. 

"I LIVE in rivers, swamps, and lakes, and 
I EAT fish, turtles, snakes, birds, and small 
mammals. 

GUESS WHAT? I cover my eggs with a giant
mound of vegetation. My nest temperature
determines the gender of my hatchlings!"

Back matter provides lists of books for children, online resources, audiovisual resources, and the authors' website addresses for additional resources and activities. 

This is excellent nonfiction for children, presented in a way that informs, holds attention, and invites conversation. Well done!                                                                                

                                                                            

Lunch From Home, written by Joshua David Stern and illustrated by Jing Li. Rise, Penguin Workshop. Penguin Random House. 2023. $23.99 ages 5 and up

 

"The next day, a kid at Mina's table wrinkled 
his nose at her gimbap and said, "Ewww. You're 
eating seaweed!" Mina looked at the neat green-
edged rolls of rice with carrot, radish, and ham 
at their center. 

"It's not seaweed," 
said Mina. "It's gim." 

"Looks like seaweed to 
me," said the kid."

With the beginning of another week at school, the children in Mina's class gather to have lunch. Most have sandwiches, sent from home and packed in a lunchbox. Preeti has dhokia cake and mango pickles - their favorite. A child sitting beside them makes a remark about the smell. At home, when discussing lunch for the next day, Preeti asks for a sandwich. 

When Mina opens her lunch box the next day, another kid makes a remark about what she is eating. Mina loves gimbap; the child beside her thinks it's seaweed. He is not impressed, and eats his cheese sandwich. The next day, Mina brings a sandwich. 

The same happens for Niki when she unpacks her bagel with lox, cream cheese, capers and tomato. Her lunch companion is sure it's 'just weird'.  As expected, Niki brings a sandwich the following day - just like all the others. On Thursday, Ray is the only one who doesn't have a sandwich. His abuela has sent his hot dog and eggs wrapped up in a tortilla. Guess what Ray wants for his Friday lunch! 

Now, everyone is eating a sandwich for lunch. The same is true on Monday and Tuesday. Mina is fed up with sandwiches by then. Wednesday brings a welcome change. Mina brings 'gimbap, kimchi, spicy cucumbers, boiled bean sprouts, stir-fried ferns AND dried squid in a spicy sauce called gochujang'. She LOVES it all. Ray returns to burritos on Thursday. Preeti brings dhokla with vagar and Niki unpacks her bagel and pickled herring on Friday. As they eat, they share family stories about making those lunches.

Jing Li creates bold digital art that makes each featured lunch look so very appetizing. When the four  children return to bringing their own favorite lunches, Ms. Ling follows each with a full wordless spread that beautifully allows readers to see the joy experienced when making those lunches with loved ones. 

An afterword reveals that the four students are based on the childhood experiences of professional chefs.