Dictionary For a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z, written by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, with illustrations by Mehrdokht Amini. Carolrhoda Books, Thomas Allen & Son. 2020. $26.99 ages 10 and up

"Pink light
winks through
blue curtains,

house silent,
save Mama's
hacking -

so I leap up,
wake-dress-feed
my sister."

That is the beginning of a poem called Compassion. It continues the story of a young girl and her sister comforting their mother and wishing her well before the two head to the bus on their own. At the bottom of the page we are told the poem is an aubade: a morning song.  The facing page features a quote from Julian Lester (This Strange New Feeling: Three Love Stories from Black History). It is followed by a note from Irene that speaks to the meaning of compassion for her, and ends with the following;

"Compassion needn't be a grand gesture. In fact, it is often
the smallest moments of connection that carry us through
tough times."

Further to that, there is a prompt for readers to TRY IT! She suggests looking around to find someone you can help with something. Then, do it!

What a rare, and lovely dictionary this is. It begins with an abecedarian written by both authors that clearly states the premise for this new collaboration. They then move forward with 48 words described in quotes, prompts, meaningful remembrances, and a wide variety of poetic forms. They range from that first abecedarian to villanelle. Each is described in a concise caption. Both poets pen personal stories that relate to the word being considered. Their encouragement to try something new is accessible to their audience in both word and deed.

Reading this book more than a few times makes me hopeful for the future - something we sure need now more than ever. The language is inspirational, the suggestions meant to improve our communities and make a connection with the people who live in them. Most letters suggest two words, some just one, and a few more than two. Each is meaningful and worthy of being here.

The final poem has an abundance of meaning for these trying times:

"The Etymology of Progress

After gathering these words,
we discover
our dictionary is endless!
What makes the world
a zinger
is remembering
we're all in this

 together"

Mehrdokht Amini's mixed media artwork is wonderful, adding much to the tone of the book. Back matter is extensive. There you will find an author's note, a list of books, poems, and speech referenced, an extensive list of books for further reading, a list of poetry resources for readers wanting to know more, an alphabetized index of poetic forms, and a gratitude list.

It will be on my bedside table for a long while. Bravo!

The Girl Who Rode a Shark & Other Stories of Daring Women, by Ailsa Ross with illustrations by Amy Blackwell. Pajama Press, 2019. $26.00 ages 10 and up

"The Canadian space program was looking for astronauts. Roberta already had a private pilot's licence. She was the perfect candidate. She won a place out of more than 4,000 applicants. For nearly a decade, Roberta trained for her mission. She exercised her body into peak physical condition. She put together ideas for science experiments,. She spent long hours in NASA's classrooms ... "

The author offers readers a reason for wanting to tell these stories of daring women:

"I hope these women's stories inspire you to listen to your dreams and fall in love with our planet. After all, among all the galaxies in the universe, this world of frogs and fireflies and daytime moons is the only home we have. If you ever feel small, remember: adventure is within you. It's in listening to your own voice. It's going beyond your comfort zone. It's daring to be brave."

Ms.  Ross writes 52 quick biographies of women who live all over the globe, who lived in the past and are living now, who are culturally and geographically diverse. A world map is placed prior to each new section. That map, and the list of women included are placed on a double page spread that is, in effect, a table of contents for the women to come. They are artists, pioneers, scientists, activists, athletes, and seekers.

Each verso includes the name, the title, the birthplace and birthdate, and the home country. The facing recto shows a colorful digital media illustration of the woman presented. Personal quotes are included, as well as a short list of other daring women who fit the category: Zora Neale Hurston's story is briefly told, and an additional list of More Excellent African-American Writers at the bottom of the page includes Maya Angelou (1928-2014) and Alice Walker (b, 1944).

Conversational in tone, and with lovely artwork throughout, this book is full of tales that are sure to inform and entertain. Every one of the women here were looking for adventure and wanting to learn more about the world and the time in which they lived.

The maps are a welcome addition, as is the beneficial glossary. Inspirational, it will surely encourage readers looking for more information.

"Nujeen misses her mother and father, who are still
in Turkey, but she tries not to feel too sad. When she was
asked to define herself beyond labels like "refugee" and
"disabled", she said, "Nujeen Mustafa is happy with who
she is. She loves herself. She loves everyone else as well.
Nujeen Mustafa loves life and the whole world."

Other brave young women added to her biography page
are Malala Yousafzai (b. 1997, Pakistan), Greta Thunberg (b. 2003, Sweden)
                                                                       

Dare To Dream Big, written by Lorna Gutierrez and illustrated by Polly Noakes. Sourcebooks Kids, Raincoast. $14.95 ages 4 and up

"Dare to be
second 
to none. 

Dare to see
when others
don't ...

Dare to speak
when others won't."

In this week that has shocked and saddened so many people in the world, this book is truly meant for all ages, I think. How can we ask our little ones to dare to dream big, to speak out, to fly higher when too many adults in their world refuse to do so?

It is a lovely message we want our children to hear from us. We want them to experience life in all of its possibilities. How can we not? Ms. Gutierrez' poetic text invites her readers to explore their own unique selves and embrace all that makes them special. It is a needed invitation, and the adults who share it need to take heart from its message as well.

There are many ways to be our best selves. We just need that reminder. Every double page spread encourages children to try what might seem impossible. Polly Noakes uses loose and lively watercolor and ink artwork to create sunny scenes that show children 'daring' to try to enliven their days with worthy pursuits. 

"Dare to sing,
dare to dance.

Dare to have
a hand to lend.

Dare to be
your own best friend."
                                                                           

I Can Be Anything! Don't Tell Me I Can't. Written and illustrated by Diane Dillon. Blue Sky Press, Scholastic. 2018. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"No, I'm not. I'm bigger than
you. Maybe I'll be a scientist
and discover things, or I'll be
an inventor and build a robot
that will talk louder than you -
so I won't hear you."

The voice was quiet for a
while.

"I'll be a veterinarian and help ... "

Zoe is not afraid to dream, and to voice those dreams for her future. Nothing is going to get in her way. The voice has something to say about that:

"What if you fall? said a little voice."

"What if you can't get home? said the voice.

"What if you get homesick?
You're too little, said the voice."

Zoe is tenacious, and imaginative. She is not too little. She will not fall. Always, that little voice to make her stop and think ... but, she won't give up her dream of being anything she wants to be. That voice won't stop her. Zoe gives young readers pause to consider what they want for their future. In the end, she knows exactly what she must do.

" ... but first I have to learn to read ...
and read ... and read! And I'll read books
about all the things I can be.
Don't tell me I can't!"

In this first book to be both written and illustrated by Diane Dillon, she brings Zoe into scenes filled with detail and placed on thick white framed borders. Each little scenario shows a confident, thoughtful little girl making her way in a world of imagination and delight.

The Sun Is Also A Star, written by Nicola Yoon. Doubleday Canada, Random House. 2016. $21.99 ages 12 and up

"When they say the heart wants what it wants, they're talking about the poetic heart - the heart of love songs and soliloquies, the one that can break as if it were just-formed glass. They're not talking about the real heart, the one that only needs healthy foods and aerobic exercise. But the poetic heart is not to be trusted. It is fickle and will lead you astray. It will tell you all you need is love and dreams."

I wonder if a sophomore book causes its author as much worry and concern as a sophomore CD. When the first is as successful, and as star-reviewed as Everything Everything (Doubleday, 2015), it must give one pause. Nicola Yoon need not have worried at all, if she even thought about it. She proves her writing prowess with this follow-up novel. I was hooked from its first page!

Natasha does not believe in fate. Daniel does. Natasha does not believe in love at first sight. Daniel does. Natasha believes in science, the facts that rule the world. In fact, her family is facing deportation back to Jamaica on the very day she meets Daniel. They are undocumented, discovered and there seems little can be done to keep them in the United States. Daniel is a poet, whose Korean immigrant parents insist that he become a doctor. When they meet, Natasha is resistant while Daniel feels it is their destiny.

Their story is told in two first person voices. Daniel is so desperate to convince Natasha that they are meant to be, he uses a scientific list to help it happen. Natasha is distracted by her family's desperate situation and with trying to find a way to resolve it. What good would it do to fall for a romantic dreamer? There is no future in it.

There are digressions from the two perspectives, and they are quite wonderfully presented. Here is a part of one of them:

"four minutes
  A History of Love

Daniel sets his phone timer for four minutes and
takes both Natasha's hands in his. Are they supposed to hold
hands during this part of the experiment? He's not sure.
According to the study, this is the final step in falling in love.
What happens if you're already in love?

At first they both feel pretty silly. Natasha wants to say aloud
that this is too goofy. Helpless, almost embarrassed smiles
overtake their faces. Natasha looks away, but Daniel squeezes
her hands. Stay with me is what he means."

Have I tempted you to find a copy, and discover their story for yourself? I hope so. Nicola Yoon is a gifted wordsmith, whose story is certainly romantic. It also takes a close look at family, immigration and the ways in which certain events in our lives seem serendipitous. It explores life with its many blemishes, and offers a ray of hope for both optimists and pessimists among us.

You should read it!

“Meant to be doesn’t have to mean forever.”

The Secret Subway, written by Shana Corey and illustrated by Red Nose Studio. Schwartz & Wade, Random House. 2016. $23.99 ages 8 and up

"Now a new army of workers arrived carrying paintbrushes and plaster, curtains and mirrors. When they were done, Devlin's basement resembled a fairyland. Perfect! thought Alfred Ely Beach. It was time to share his secret. A few days later ... "

Have you ever stopped to consider the origin of the subway system in New York City? If you have not, as I had not, this is an account that you are sure to find most interesting.

In the mid-nineteenth century, Alfred Ely Beach had a great idea!
Why not build an underground train in New York City to avoid all the congestion and noise to be found above the ground?

With permission to build two pneumatic mail tubes, he began. He did that; he also designed a short working subway that would run from one Manhattan street to another. He had a short tunnel built, used a single car, added the machinery that would make it move pneumatically and voila! a new method of getting from one place to another ... all below the ground. The tunnel was purposefully short and meant to show the political machine it could be successful.

History is alive with grand ideas that have only minimal success. Beach's idea was brilliant, and forward thinking. Unofficially, Boss Tweed had great power at the time and was able to put a stop to any such project. In telling the story, Shana Corey brings history, science, corruption and secret doings to the forefront in descriptive, clear text that is as informative as it is fascinating to her intended audience.

Immediately remove the book jacket to get a step-by-step look at the artist's process for creating the incredible illustrations that so perfectly match the author's text. What amazing work it is! The attention to detail will have readers poring over each and every page, often returning to favorites for continued enjoyment. The vintage photos used as backdrops are a visual delight and add depth for understanding the city at the time.

 

An author’s note offers a bit more detail, and leads to the opening of the famed subway system in 1904. A suggested bibliography and a list of Internet sources will be helpful to those wanting to know more.

 

https://youtu.be/AaAZYNBPiwQ

A Violin for Elva, written by Mary Lyn Ray and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Thomas Allen & Son. 2015. $21.99 ages 6 and up

"When she could have
been learning subtraction,
or should have been going
to sleep, she was playing
music only she could hear.
Summer, autumn, winter,
spring, Elva played. And
Elva grew. She outgrew her
sleeves, outgrew her shoes."

Elva is a dreamy young girl, wearing overalls and soaking her feet in a nearby stream when we first meet her. She seems delighted with the world. As she picks up her boots for the walk home, she stops in her tracks when she hears music. She watches through a hedge; but. she doesn't tell her parents. All she says to them is:

"I want a violin."

She is polite, she is self-assured. Her parents refuse. Elva has a solution ... she pretends. As she walks home from school, she uses a tennis racket and a tree branch for her performances. At home, she uses her toothbrush to prepare for her future success. Music consumes her. Throughout the seasons, throughout the years, Elva uses her imagination to make the music she loves.

Although she is very busy with her job, Elva never forgets how much she once wanted to play.

"I'm much too busy," Elva said, though she began to borrow records from the library downtown. At home, she listened to them. And then she felt she had picked up her violin again."

When she returns the records, the music stops. Nothing but silence. She does her best to fill the silence. And, she works. Years pass, Elva flourishes at her work and life. Suddenly she is too old to play the violin - or is she? Buying a much-loved instrument is the least of her worries. Learning to play on her own is a most difficult undertaking. There is so much to learn. Despite her ineptitude she perseveres.

Then, one day ... a solution presents itself in a newspaper ad.

Tricia Tusa's watercolor and ink artwork allows readers to dream along with Elva as she grows from young, impressionable girl to responsible working woman, and finally to an aging music lover with recurring dreams of making the music she loves. The pages are full of life and action; music permeates its pages. When Elva finally realizes her lifelong dream, we cannot help but smile seeing her stand with all of Madame Josephina's beginning students, proudly showing their skills in recital.

Brava, Elva!

Max's Math, written by Kate Banks and illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2015. $19.99 ages 6 and up

"Max started the car.
"Where are you going?"
asked Max's brother Ben.
"To look for problems,"
said Max. "Why would
anyone go looking for
problems?" asked Karl,
Max's other brother.
"Because it's fun," said
Max. "Can we come?"
asked Karl."

I do hope that you have met Max and his brothers in past books. This is the fourth in a series that introduces young children to various concepts. In this one, the focus turns to numbers. Max is intrigued by them, finding them everywhere he looks.

He's building a car and needs two more wheels to make it run. Once up and operational, Max is off in search of problems. His brothers want to tag along. Cruising down the road all three find numbers at every turn. Leaving the highway in hopes of discovering whether the number they find on the side of the road is a 6 or a 9, they come to a crosswords. They let the traffic policeman know that they are on the lookout for problems, and he offers two destinations ... Shapeville or Count Town. Both are certain to satisfy them.

Shapeville is a mess. A storm has blown away all of the squares. Max has a solution. That solution leads to a smidgen of trouble, which Max can easily fix. Once again, he uses his knowledge of math and shapes to get he and his brothers back on the ground. Their crash landing leads to a sorting problem which is soon solved. Then, it's on to Count Town for a rocket launch. Everyone is going!

When they get there, some numbers are missing, including zero. Without it, they are in big trouble at the launch site.

The pace is quick, and the textured bold colors of Boris Kulikov's compelling artwork offer much for young readers to discover as the pages are turned. What a fantastic world he has created to accompany Ms. Banks' strong storytelling. Look, and then look again; you are sure to find something new each time.

Last Stop On Market Street, written by Matt De La Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson. G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin. 2015. $

"They sat right up front.
The man across the way
was tuning a guitar.
An old woman with curlers
had butterflies in a jar.
Nana gave everyone a big
smile and a "good afternoon."
She made sure CJ did the same.
The bus lurched forward
and stopped, lurched forward
and stopped."

Do you find yourself often wishing for something more? One of the real pleasures of growing older for me is that I know I have more than enough ... and really don't have much on  my wish list. That is not to say that others should feel the same way. I want to be 'just like Nana' in this wonderfully brilliant new story from two superb artists.

CJ and his Nana have been to church and are now waiting at the bus stop.

"Watched rain patter against the windshield of a nearby car.
His friend Colby climbed in, gave CJ a wave,
and drove off with his dad.
"Nana, how come we don't got a car?"

It is the first of a number of querulous questions from a grandson to his patient grandmother. As the bus pulls up and they climb aboard, they happily greet the bus driver, and the people who are sharing their ride. CJ is filled with questions and comments about how lucky his friends are not to have to ride this bus, and about the people on board. He sure feels sorry for himself. As new passengers climb on, Nana is welcoming. She encourages her grandson to see the beauty in the diversity of the world around them. Rather than coveting the music player and earbuds that two other young passengers have, why not listen to the guitar-playing singer across the aisle from him. Will CJ feel the magic?

"He saw sunset colors swirling over crashing waves.
Saw a family of hawks slicing through the sky.
Saw the old woman's butterflies
dancing free in the light of the moon.
CJ's chest grew full and he was lost in the sound
and the sound gave him the feeling of magic."

At the 'last stop on Market Street' the two disembark and stroll toward the soup kitchen which is their weekly destination. Along the way, CJ manages to see through his Nana's eyes the possibilities in the world and the people that surround them.

"I'm glad we came."

In a pairing that shows just how perfect an illustrated book can be, we are witness to the beauty of  'story'. Matt De La Pena's tale is wondrous and magical, loving and lovely. Christian Robinson's seemingly simple 'acrylic paint, collage, and a bit of digital manipulation' illustrations are flawless in depicting the Nana's community that is so inspirational and uplifting. Because of their collaboration we are 'a better witness of what's beautiful.'

 There are days when it does seem difficult to find beauty in the world ... even for adults. Would that we all had CJ's Nana to stand by and remind us how truly lucky we are, and how grateful we must be.

How thrilled was I that, on the day I received a copy of Last Stop on Market Street, I heard a short interview with Matt De La Pena and Christian Robinson on NPR Morning Edition? In the interview they were asked if the experience they were sharing came from their own lives. Both said that it did. Their grandmothers had been instrumental in their upbringing, and both had encouraged the boys to be thankful for the each of the blessings in their lives.

Here's the link to the interview on NPR:
 http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=2&t=1&islist=false&id=383856887&m=384223120&live=1

Two Speckled Eggs, written and illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2014. $17.00 ages 4 and up

"Finally it was time for silver-and-gold cake, Ginger's favorite. But Maggie didn't like coconut and Sara wouldn't eat the pineapple part. The rest of the girls just picked at the frosting and didn't touch the cake. Except Lyla Browning."

You know the scenario: a birthday party is on the horizon, and the birthday girl would rather not invite EVERY single girl in the class. Mom is adamant that if one is invited, they ALL get an invitation. So, Ginger invites Lyla, even though she would rather not. After all, Lyla is odd and a bit of an outcast.

As the party progresses the invitees would rather scuttle the party plans than abide by Ginger's directions. The tail for the donkey get stuck on the girls rather than the donkey. The egg in the egg and spoon race is ruined before the fun can even begin. Most have something to say about Ginger's favorite birthday cake, and refuse to eat it. Lyla Browning, who has been conspicuously absent from most of the activities while she investigates other more important distractions, loves the cake.

Ginger is discouraged by her friends' attitudes, and ends up in tears...until a ladybug lands on her nose! Lyla thinks it's funny, and so does Ginger. The presents are opened, the girls are off to other endeavors. The two are left alone with Lyla's present; it is the last ....and the very best! It's handmade, and holds two speckled eggs. When the rest of the girls have gone home, Ginger and Lyla discover mutual interests, and Ginger realizes it can be quite wonderful to have a friend who is independent, self-assured and giving.

Illustrations, done in pencil, gouache and digital collage assure that listeners take note of the story's characters, their demeanor, and their changing importance for the birthday girl. It's easy to see that a birthday party can be a bit of a challenge. This timeless story is a reminder that friends arrive in a variety of packages. It has a classic feel and is sure to inspire conversation for those who share it.

Josephine, words by Patricia Hruby Powell and pictures by Christian Robinson. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2014. $19.99 ages 9 and up

"So, instead of dancing,
Josephine became the DRESSER.
She helped dress the dancers
down in New Orleans.
Until her usefulness ran out.
And who just happened to be in town,
but the ragtag JONES FAMILY -
Papa, Mama, and Doll."

I have seen videos of Josephine Baker's performances (http://youtu.be/iVPJD3kaKRQ) and was totally intrigued to read a book for children about her.

In the early half of the twentieth century, Josephine was an internationally known 'star'. In fact, by 1927, she was known to be the highest paid entertainer working in Europe. While a book intended for a young audience that introduces her celebrity as a dancer and performer can show much about her life, it cannot possibly bring full disclosure. She was NOT a children's entertainer. That does not negate her importance in history.

This beautifully designed picture book autobiography does much to show Josephine to be a strong, willful and bold African-American woman who didn't allow barriers of race and poverty to keep her from her calling - dance! Her mother had had the same dream. It was quashed by the need to help provide for her beloved family. At her mother's side, Josephine soaked up the music and the dream:

"She flung her arms,
                      she flung her legs,
Like she flung her heart and her soul.
'Cause DANCIN' makes you HAPPY
                       when nothin' else will."

Unable to find work in any vaudeville show, Josephine became a dresser. She watched from the wings and learned the routines, in case a chance to perform presented itself. When she did get that chance, she added her own flair, much to the delight of every audience. She faced the same segregation that all colored entertainers faced at the time:

"The VOLCANIC PRESSURE
                     kept squeezing tighter,
    way below the surface -
hot magma,
         MOLTEN LAVA,
                           TRAPPED WITHIN."

Paris offered artistic freedom, rapt audiences and a chance to do what she loved doing. It didn't matter her color or background. The audience wanted to be entertained. Josephine had found a perfect place to hone her craft and have her star rise. Eventually, she longed for home and fame in America. She became the 'FIRST and ONLY Negro Follies star. EVER.' But, discrimination forced her to return to Paris and show her gratitude to those who had supported her career. She worked for the French during WWII, and was lauded as a hero.

As dramatic as her stage life was, her personal life matched it. Following the war she married and, in her remaining lifetime, she adopted twelve children from varied cultural backgrounds. She dubbed them her Rainbow Tribe.

I love the design of this book! It is arranged as acts on stage, encompassing the various periods of time in her life and marked by her singular personality. There is so much to see, and to come to understand about the life she lived. I have great admiration for the team who created this book filled to the brim with Ms. Baker's personal triumphs, her mesmerizing personality and her great beauty. The acrylic artwork, the free verse text placed so purposefully and elegantly, the personal quotes and the celebration they create are exemplary. Bravo!

If reading this post has piqued your interest, please find the book at the library or in your nearest favorite bookstore. Then, you can really appreciate the brilliant pleasure of it. Further, you might want to check this out:

http://youtu.be/Ggb_wGTvZoU

Learn to Speak Film, written by Michael Glassbourg. Design and illustrations by Jeff Kulak. Owlkids, 2013. $16.95 ages 10 and up

"You can learn so much about cinematography from taking photos. Taking photos not only helps you understand light, framing, and composing images, but it also helps you become a better storyteller. And that's what cinematographers do: we tell visual stories..."

This is the fourth, and last, book in the Learn to Speak series from Owlkids. As with the others which dealt with fashion, dance and music, this book takes a step-by-step look at the subject of film. It begins with inspiration and ends with the work it takes to get what you have worked so tirelessly at for a long time into someone else's hands, and to the public.

Michael Glassbourg does a great job of letting his audience know about the many separate parts of the process of making a film. He introduces himself, upping his credibility with young film enthusiasts who will now know that he is very involved in acting, directing, and writing. He explains that he loves to share that knowledge and goes on to do exactly that in 6 chapters that start with the stories we all have to tell, and end with getting the film you have made to an audience. In between, he engages his readers by providing all sorts of lively conversation about the pictures, the script, the process from pre- to post-production. 

There is much to learn about every stage of filmmaking. I was totally intrigued by the process. He shares his expertise with candor, breaking it down into its many steps and making it totally accessible to those who will read his book:

"OK, you've got your digital camera and you are itching to do something with it. First of all, get used to holding if. Get used to all the buttons because you'll have to find those without looking. It's useful to have something specific to accomplish while you are learning, so here are two things to try that will teach you a lot about visual storytelling and cinematography."  

It's hard work, but worthwhile. There is a lot to learn, and Mr. Glassbourg certainly sets readers on the right path. He makes great suggestions for movies to study, and even has other professional film makers add their ideas for readers. The design is clear, and attention getting. There are tip boxes, 'try this' suggestions, and 'film fest' ideas that suggest looking at the works of others and meant to inform the learning.

Quotes from noted leaders in the field add to the appeal. An appendix entitled 'Roll the Credits' breaks down the roles of the many who work on a film. It showcases a number of careers that are part of the film industry. There is much here to attract the attention of those who have an interest in film itself, or in the art that is movie making.      

Locomotive, written and illustrated by Brian Floca. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster, 2013. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"Men came from far away
to build from the East,
to build from the West,
to meet in the middle.

They cleared the rocks
and dug the tunnels.
They raised the hammers
and brought them down -

"Three strokes to the spike,
ten spikes to the rail!"

You cannot possibly walk away from reading this book without having acquired an immeasurable amount of knowledge concerning steam trains, history, and the incomparable work that one creative spirit will produce to bring it all to a rapt and thankful audience.

'SIX STARS' and counting....incredible and absolutely deserving of the accolades. Brian Floca spent years researching his passion for the steam engines that rode the transcontinental railroad once it was completed and fit for travel.  That research, he assures us in his SOURCES list at the back of the book, did not all have to do with bookshelves and the computer screens:

"In Essex, Connecticut, through the Valley Railroad Company, I had the experience of sitting in the engineer's seat and driving a steam locomotive myself. It was only for an hour...

Then a drive along the route of the first transcontinental rail line showed me firsthand the landscape through which that road ran and got me to people and places who helped me learn more about the railroads of the time. (A drive instead of a trip on a train? Lines have changed since the nineteenth century, and it is easier today to follow the 1869 route by road than by rail.)"

He uses free verse to tell his story of a pioneer family who are traveling by rail to California. As we travel with them, we learn about the two rail lines that would be joined with a golden spike at the Promontory Summit in Utah:

"It took two companies to build this new road,
and it takes two companies to run it.
Now you'll change from one to the next.
The Union Pacific has got you this far,
the Central Pacific will finish the job.

It began as a fairly simple idea...to describe a steam locomotive, how it worked and how it got from one place to another. In an interview with Julie Danielson (http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings) at Kirkus on September 16, 2013, the author explains that it became so much more than that:

"There was nothing contained about the transcontinental railroad, though. It sprawls. It's history, it's engineering, it's the landscape, it's the West!...
The more I learned about how the machines worked, the more interesting they became to me—in the same way that a puzzle can become more interesting as you begin to solve it. And the more I thought about and read about and then saw the landscape through which the transcontinental line traveled, the more amazed I became. Some of that landscape is beautiful and frightening in its openness, emptiness, grandeur."

His second person voice ensures that the reader is right there with him for every step of this amazing journey:

"In the cars
it's time to sleep -
or at least it's time to try.

In better cars, there are better beds;
porters pull them from the ceilings,
they make them from the seats.

In your car, for a bed
you use your bench.
Get as comfortable as you can."

 It is so informative and inviting to see the sights and hear the sounds while learning just exactly what each member of the train's crew is responsible to do. I was flabbergasted by the amount of information that is included and how truly interested I was in each page. The endpapers add to our accumulating knowledge of locomotives and train travel. The front endpaper maps the railroad line from Omaha to San Francisco, offering a glimpse at the history of the time, and adding a brochure describing the trip west. At the back, a clear explanation of steam power is provided, accompanied by a detailed and captioned illustration of the locomotive and tender. A train schedule and price list adds a finishing touch.

We, as readers, experience all that those early travelers experienced from sitting in the engineer's seat to praying that the rickety looking trestle bridge at Dale Creek will hold until the train clears the far side. The ride is full of wonder and discovery.

Majestic in scope and brilliant in execution, Mr. Floca's watercolor, ink and gouache artwork is a celebration for everyone lucky enough to share this extraordinary book.  YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR OWN COPY!  

The First Drawing, written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2013. $19.00 ages 4 and up

"When collecting stones
for spearheads and knives,
you think some look like
animals, too.
"Mama, this stone looks like
a bear!"
"To me," says your mother,
"it looks like a stone."
You wonder,
Why can't they see what I see?"

What a truly beautiful way to help celebrate Picture Book Month...another glorious book by noted author and artist Mordicai Gerstein! No one sharing this book can doubt the love he feels for art and the work of artists throughout history. It is an homage to all who came before him, and who will follow.

"Some of the oldest drawings ever found were made more than thirty thousand years ago in a cave in southern France. In that same cave is the footprint of an eight-year-old child. Alongside it, the footprint of a wolf."

At the site of one of those first paintings of a woolly mammoth we see a young boy, drawing supplies in hand and faithful dog at his side. He is impressed! In the next image, that same boy and dog are at the zoo, observing an enormous elephant and ready to get started creating his own personal impression of it. What will he draw on the large piece of white paper he is attaching to the wall?

Inviting us to imagine what might have happened in that cave so long ago, Mr. Gerstein moves his story back to the stone age when a wolf might just be a boy's pet, when the boy shows his interest in watching the animals that are so plentiful near his home, when his vision of the world differs from those around him. He shares his visions when the family gathers in the flickering firelight.

 In his dreams he sees what others do not see. When he tries to tell his family about the animals, they are confused and wary. So, he draws them on the cave walls, and only adds to their apprehension. His father insists that he stop what he is doing:

"He aims his spear at the wall.
Everyone huddles in the doorway,
the wide-eyed children clutching
their parents' legs.
"I can see it," gasps your father.
"This...is MAGIC!"

In fact, it truly is. And, the young boy knows it!
  
Had you been there thirty thousand years ago, you might have witnessed the boy who invented drawing!

What a truly stellar story about creativity and communication! Mordicai Gerstein reminds us that art has a magic all its own, passed down through the ages to entertain, delight and chronicle history. He uses acrylics, pen and ink, and colored pencil to create the excitement felt by the young boy who shares his gift so selflessly with those he loves and perhaps, with those who follow in his footsteps. We, as the audience, are there every step of the way as he describes just what might have happened all those years ago.         

                   

 

 

The Spooky Box, written and illustrated by Mark Gonyea. Henry Holt, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2013. $16.99 ages 4 and up

"I HOPE it's
not HAUNTED...

OKAY, I'm going
to OPEN it.
HERE I GO!

AHHGH!
I CAN'T DO IT!
IT'S JUST TOO
SPOOKY."


Although you can't really tell from the above book cover, Mark Gonyea uses graphic stencil art in a black, white and orange palette to create this highly entertaining and interactive book for young listeners. He dedicates it 'for everyone who loves thinking of endless possibilities'. Then, he creates a perfect book for exactly those who will share it.

The angles are sharp, the fonts are clear and often loud! When a box is discovered on the doorstep following a doorbell announcement, the wondering begins. It has no labels and the receivers are offered no clue to its sender. It is, in fact, a bit spooky that no one knows what is inside.

But, we can wonder, and imagine, and surmise, and even hazard a strong guess at what it contains. Could it be bats? or rats? or spiders? Truly, it could be anything that is not bigger than the box itself.
With all of the possibilities, it is a bit of daunting task to work up the courage to check it out.

Bravery wins out, and the box is opened only to find two more boxes inside! Now, what? The boxes are smaller, so the guesses must be scaled down to something that could actually fit within these new spaces. Want to know what is really inside? You might be surprised!

The possibilities are endless, and include allowing those who share it to create their own box and contents. Imaginations will run wild. The more materials available, the more creative the results.  Sheer delight!

Erin told me about this book, and I was quick to order two copies...one for me and one for my wonderful and wacky friend Val, grade one and two teacher extraordinaire. Luckily, it arrived on my doorstep today and I knew exactly what it was. No guessing for me. I would, however, love to be a fly on the wall when she shares it with her students tomorrow at their Halloween party!

My Name is Blessing, written by Eric Walters and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes. Tundra, 2013. $19.99 ages 5 and up

"He could think clearly. He was one of the top students in the entire school. "And I know you have a greater spirit. I can sense it." She paused. "It is so sad that other children can only have ten fingers when you have a larger heart, a bigger brain, and greater spirit." His smile grew from the inside."

Eric Walters tells a simple story that is dear to his heart and to the hearts of anyone who cares about the world's children. Mr. Walters and his family founded Creation of Hope for Kenyan orphans. This is the harsh, yet hopeful story of just one of them.

He is named Mithuni, and he lives with his grandmother. We learn quickly that Grace is caring for nine grandchildren. Mithuni is the youngest; and he is last of the children to be served from the porridge pot each day...perhaps only once. Even at his young age, he has a wish:

"There was only one thing that would have made it better. He wished that his Nayana had saved some for herself. Most often, she only ate the burnt parts from the bottom of the pot."

It takes mere moments for readers to learn that life for this Kenyan family is very difficult. There is never enough food, and Mithuni is often the object of derision because of an abnormality at birth. He has no fingers on his left hand, and only two on his right. In his language, his name means 'suffering'. Grace does not notice his hands, and is quick to let him know that his heart is the most important part of him.

As he plays soccer at school one day, he notices that his grandmother is watching. He is concerned that she has walked so far to see him. He senses that there might be trouble. As they walk along, she tries to prepare her grandson for what is to come:

"She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I am too old to do what I want to do. So now I must do what I have to do." She let out a deep sigh. "You and I must go on an even longer walk. I only hope you can forgive me."

Grace is desolate over her need to leave her youngest grandson at a nearby orphanage; but, she knows it is in his best interest. You will be delighted to read the rest of the story, and to meet Baraka...

Eugenie Fernandes gives life to the story's characters, and to the Kenyan setting. The love and concern that Grace has for her family is evident on every page. Her joy in family assures as good a life as she can provide...she is proud, but realistic about Mithuni's future and her own.

An author's note, accompanied by clear and telling photographs, allows us to meet the boy and his grandmother, and to know how being part of the Creation of Hope family has changed their present and their future.

Please visit www.creationofhope.com to learn more.

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, written and illustrated by Peter Brown. Little, Brown & Company, Hachette. 2013. $19.99 ages 3 and up

"Mr. Tiger was bored
with always being so proper.
Good day, Mr. Tiger.
Good day, Mr. Deer.
Lovely weather we are
having.
I suppose.
Indeed.
Now, children,
please do not act like
wild animals."

Oh, Peter Brown! You do such brilliant work!

I couldn't wait to see this new book, and was delighted when Melanie made sure that it arrived in my mailbox last week. It has all the elements of the storytelling and entertainment that I have come to expect from this amazing artist. If you don't know his work, please take the time to seek it out and share it with your children and students. It will lead to chortling, perhaps even guffawing, and great delight that is sure to have them begging...'just one more time, please!'

Mr.Tiger is disgruntled with the way things are. It's all so polite and well, boring. Only Mr. Tiger brings color to his drab and tedious surroundings. While he is decked out in the very handsome attire that is expected of his Victorian surroundings, he has color in his face and paws...a glorious tangerine shade that stands out from the rest. Even his speech bubbles have color.

He is living a life he doesn't want to live. Only he can alter it. A wild idea leads to a startling new way of life. He moves about in a distinctly different manner. With each day new changes in demeanor emerge, and his friends and neighbors are dismayed and bewildered by his actions. They are also adamant that he leave:

"Mr. Tiger! If you must act wild, kindly do so in the WILDERNESS!"

That is exactly what he does. When loneliness rears its ugly head, he faces making another life-changing decision. He returns to his friends, and finds that things are no longer so staid and uppity. He is now a much happier tiger than he was before turning to his wild ways!

The artwork is stunning. Of it, Peter Brown has this to say:

Anyway, I knew I wanted to use watercolor for Mr. Tiger. Watercolor is just inherently beautiful, the little swirls and imperfections make it interesting and organic, with lots of happy accidents and gorgeous mistakes. But I didn’t want to do traditional watercolor paintings, I wanted the illustrations to have bold shapes with interesting patterns and rich textures, so I had to come up with my own way of using ink and watercolor. Instead of making tons of little pencil drawings, I made tons of little watercolor and ink shapes (as well as a few pencil drawings and handmade textures), and scanned them into Photoshop where I colored and layered and combined them into the finished illustrations. It took a while to figure out my new technique, but I’m pretty happy with the finished result."

Get Outside, written by Jane Drake and Ann Love with illustrations by Heather Collins. Kids Can Press, 2012. $17.95 ages

"Wari is an Egyptian board game that's more than a thousand years old. The game spread to Africa and then traveled with African slaves to America, and the West Indies. Wari boards have been dug in the soil or made from wood, stone or pottery. To have your own instant wari board..."
Even easier than a sandy beach for some children, an egg carton works as a permanent board for playing this ages-old counting game. On page 71 of this new nonfiction activity book by sisters Jane Drake and Ann Love, you can find all the information you need to get started at learning how to play it.

In their newest book, the authors have taken ideas from their earlier books to focus on the things you can do 'outside' throughout the seasons. It is arranged chronologically from spring through winter, with four identical sections for each season...nature lover, outdoor fun and games, snug inside and look to the sky. In each short section concerning games for inside when weather prevents outdoor exploration and fun, they suggest card games, crafts and other activities that may be familiar to parents. All encourage time away from electronic toys and such distractions. All other sections concern themselves with great variety in ways to entertain children and to enjoy what is right at hand.

Heather Collins has created detailed, useful illustrations to accompany many of the suggested activities. The captions help with understanding, the labels are clear and concise, and they add fun and learning to the many activities presented. I love the looks of wonder and joy on the children's faces as they work and play together.

Anyone who spends time with children at home, in day care,  at the beach, in the snow will find much to use to encourage creative and active play. It's so much fun for everyone involved. Now, get outside and have a blast!

Just as an aside, I was sitting at my dining room table having lunch when I looked out the front window to see a young man (early 20s) strolling slowly down the sidewalk, eyes on the sky and thoroughly enjoying the beautiful, big, feathery snowflakes falling all around him. It was pure delight to be an observer of his joy in the wonder of nature and his ability to take the time needed to bask in it!

The Forgiveness Garden, written by Lauren Thompson with pictures by Christy Hale. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2012. $18.99 ages 5 and up

"One day, Sama walked along the stream, yearning for something to ease her aching, angry heart. She reached a calm pond and bent to drink. What she saw reflected there stopped her. She saw the ugly scar, but most of all, she saw her own dark, brooding scowl.
"Who have I become?" she cried."

"Forgiveness is giving up all hope of a different past..."
That, I think, is a thought to live by. This story takes as its focus a real garden planted following the civil war in Lebanon:

"The Garden of Forgiveness is in Beirut, Lebanon, and is the vision of Alexandra Asseily, humanitarian, activist, and psychotherapist, who has decided that 'every act of revenge is a time bomb thrown into the future'. It was created in the aftermath of a civil war that claimed 300, 000 lives (1985-2000).

In her story, Lauren Thompson envisions two villages, each harboring resentment of the other and their conflict is ever present. When Karune, a village boy from Gamte, hurls a rock that hits Sama, a village girl from Vayam, more violence is the result. Everyone is angry and bent on revenge. Karune has an inkling of concern over his action. However, the long and always evident hatred of the Vayams is uppermost in his mind. Sama wants more than the sad and aching heart that beats within her body.

On the day she sees her reflection in the pond, it gives her pause to think about her destiny. While looking across the pool at some Gamte children, she comes to the realization that they are the same as she is. At that very moment avengers from her village capture Karune and urge her to seek vengeance against him.

When she looks up into their angry, bitter faces, she realizes that retribution is no solution:

"Let us build a garden instead, " she said.
Now, all of the people grumbled. Someone shouted, "What kind of garden?"
Sama knew. "A forgiveness garden."

Out of the mouths of the children....

Is wondering how others feel in the same situation a step toward kindness to all? Is forgiveness one path to peace? There are no real answers., but it certainly sparks conversation, doesn't it? Building a community garden together must surely make a difference.

In this book we asked to remember Archbishop Desmond Tutu's statement: “There is no future without forgiveness.”

 Christy Hale’s beautiful collage images create a place in time for this thoughtful story and encourage readers to think about their actions and the ripple effect of what they do. The colors change as the tone of the tale changes, beginning with greys, browns and blacks and ending in cool blues, greens and violet. The bravery of two young people point the way toward healing in the beauty of this  serene space.

.

No Crystal Stair, written by Yaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Carolrhoda lab, 2012. $22.50 ages 12 and up

 
"Sometimes  a man gets pushed,
pushed too hard. Too far.

Until the neglected and the rejected
are accepted and respected, there's
gonna be no damn peace...nowhere!

Only a tree will stand still while
it's being chopped down."

I think that I would have loved to visit Lewis Michaux's book store in Harlem and to learn from the man who gained admiration from so many. He did not seem destined to be a bookseller; but, when someone said no, Lewis found a way to battle the odds:

"Michaux's dumber than he looks if the thinks one little bookstore is going to change the Negro condition. The man has no experience in the book business. I suspect he hasn't had much education. A store like that that won't last six months in Harlem. Michaux would lose his shirt and our five hundred dollars. I must admit, he had a good line - even had me laughing a couple of times, but I still sent him packing for his own good - and the bank's.
Now if he wanted to open a place to sell fried chicken or chitterlings, we could do business. Negroes eat up that kind of stuff."

From all accounts, Lewis Michaux was a learned man who had charm and charisma, while also being smart and aware of social and political issues. To tell his story, his great-niece Vaunda Michaux Nelson did her research over a period of fifteen years in order to do justice to his legacy and the bookstore that provided a place for African Americans to learn about themselves and those who came before them. It started as a family history, no thought of a book-to-be. Then, she decided that she would write a biography, but that changed into what Vaunda Nelson's husband called 'documentary fiction'. And, that is just what you will have in your hands when you buy or borrow it.

 It is an amazing collection of voices that invite a close look at the man who began life in Virginia and whose path led him to Harlem, where he opened his bookstore in hopes of spreading his love of reading to other African Americans. Each of the voices is strong and unique, none stronger than Lewis himself:

"I listen to everybody
but I dont' hear
everybody. It's all right
to listen, but you don't hear
everybody because if you do,
you cease to be yourself
and become the
fellow you hear.
It's an intelligent thing to
do, to entertain the man
who's trying to tell you
something, but never
lose your individuality."

He is a brilliant character...and one I have come to love. R. Gregory Christie's thoughtful and telling images, the archival primary source photos, posters, and announcements, and the winning design hold our attention and push us to always want to know more. The back matter is filled with the impeccable research done to create this award winning book.

His son Edward Jr., who bas born when his father was sixty is most eloquent in speaking to his legacy:

"You used to talk to me about the smell of books. I remember I didn't get it at first. But you taught me...helped me to smell the trees in the paper, the words in the ink, the history in the words...helped me to smell the knowing. Now, the smell of knowing overwhelms me. And there's something else beneath it. Another smell. Your aftershave. Old Spice.