Mr. Frank, written and illustrated by Irene Luxbacher. Groundwood, 2014. $16.95 ages 5 and up

"It would need to be stylish.
Even more stylish that the
suits he made over fifty years
ago.

It would certainly need to be
playful. Even more playful
than the dresses and skirts he
hemmed forty-some-odd years
ago."

You are likely to admire Mr. Frank from the moment you meet him! He is a tailor, who has been doing the work he loves since he was very young. As he nears the end of his career, one order brings his love of the job full circle...he has never been so excited about a project.

As he contemplates the work, he thinks back on his many years and the many tasks he has tackled...army uniforms, suits, dresses and skirts, a wide collection of hip outfits, jeans and tutus. It's been a worthwhile way of living for sixty years!

This new project? Nothing matters more:

"The fabric Mr. Frank chose today was
velvety soft, as light as silk, more durable
than denim and as warm and cozy as the
finest felt.

The design was so simple it was elegant.
And so strong it could be worn and washed
a thousand times - plus one."

It must be perfect! Indeed it is...

Do you want to know what the special project looks like? Get out there and find a copy of this lovely homage to a father, and grandfather. It is very special.

Irene Luxbacher uses graphite and mixed media to create the gentle, warm artwork to provide a retrospective look at the tailored styles through the years that Mr. Frank has plied his trade. The collage images are sure to hold your attention and elicit discussion concerning history in the making, as we pause to ponder the fabrics, the archival photos, the aging process  of a man who found his calling early in life, and followed his heart until his final, most successful day in his shop.  Still, there is work to be done...
                                                                   

Winter Is Coming, written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Jim LaMarche. Simon & Schuster. 2014. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"October is gone.
Moon rises early.
A ways off, a lynx ghosts
along.
A lynx with black-tipped
ears. A lynx with Egypt
eyes. A lynx the color
of moon.
My mother says wild things
are full of light."

As hard as it is to accept the reality that winter is indeed on its way, you just have to look outside and feel the chill in the air to know that it is inevitable. The young girl in Tony Johnston's engaging new book knows it, too. Using a sketchbook, binoculars and an inordinate amount of patience in one so young, she spends much of her time wandering through the woods near her farm home. She begins in September:

"The red fox sniffs the last apple
on our apple tree. The apple is wrinkled
like my grandma's face.
But, wrinkled or not, it is food.
And winter is coming."

From her platform perch, she is able to remain close enough to quietly watch the wildlife...the fox and a bear and its mother in September, a skunk family, woodpeckers, and rabbits in October. Then November arrives, and her days are spent watching and drawing a lynx, some chipmunks, a mother doe and her two fawns. Canada geese rise into the air and fly off to warmer climes, entertaining with their loud song.

In the final short days before winter's arrival, she shares what she has learned:

"We can learn from animals, my father says.
About patience. About truth. About quiet.
About taking only what you need
from the land because
we are just its keepers."

Ready or not, here comes winter. This would be a winning way to celebrate its arrival.

Once again, I am floored by the extraordinary illustrations created by Jim LaMarche using acrylics, colored pencils and opaque inks. His richly colored landscapes make the coming of winter bearable, enticing readers to make the outdoors a place for exploration and discovery. His amazing use of light and his changing perspectives are trademarks of the work he does. The focus for each spread is the young girl and her tree perch. If you have a naturalist on your Christmas list, this book would be a perfect gift!
                                                                                 

Lucky, written and illustrated by David Mackintosh. Harper, 2014. $19.99 ages 6 and up

"Hey...we might be
getting a lift!

But Mum says that
climbing stairs is
good for our calves.

Just maybe...
my very own room,"

You never know what might happen when Mom announces that her sons have a surprise in store for them when the family gathers later for dinner! What might it be?

There is no end to the guessing that goes into trying to determine what their mum has in mind. Younger brother Leo is hoping for 'crinkly chips.' His older brother thinks back on other surprises, and manages to negate many of his own ideas. It could be a new car, a swimming pool, a lift in their apartment building, a room of his own...the mind is full of possibilities!

It isn't until Leo sparks thinking in a brand new direction that the boys are able to concentrate on the chance that they have made THE correct guess:

"HEY!
I bet we're going to
Hawaii for two weeks:
all expenses paid!"

Leo has all the information from a brochure he's reading in the doctor's office. Off they go, imagining a trip won in a competition. It doesn't take long for word to get out; a secret told is a secret shared. Everyone on the school bus hears before the bus stops. Soon, the teacher knows and then the Head Teacher...it's a celebration for all!

Home they go...all anticipatory glee at knowing that the surprise has been guessed! They can't wait to tell their mum. She's in for a stunner....or, is she? Turns out, after removing himself to his bedroom to pout, Leo has orchestrated a 'different surprise.' Huzzah!

David Mackintosh's uses mixed media, and abundant ideas, to tell this family story that is full of laughter and love. There is so much to see in the detail-loaded illustrations. You are sure to pore over them again and again as you share this story with your kids. Aren't they LUCKY?
                                                                       

All Different Now, written by Angela Johnson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Simon & Schuster, 2014. $19.99 ages 6 and up

"And nobody knew,
as we
ate a little,
talked a little,
and headed to the fields
as the sun was rising,
that soon,
it would be all different."

June 19, 1865 - two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation- the news reaches one cotton field in Texas that all slaves have been freed. A child's innocence captures the joy of the moment when she and her family learn that things will be 'all different now'.

The day does not begin with anticipation for change; rather, it begins as most days do. The hot sun rises, the family wakens and prepares for another day of hard work in the nearby cotton fields.  As they work, word is spread that a Union general has shared the freedom news. It finally reaches the field workers whose response is befitting such an unbelievable pronouncement. Their joy is palpable, and leads to an afternoon picnic on the beach:

"Papa, Mama, the aunts and uncles, and all of
my cousins had an afternoon picnic by the water.
My baby brother crawled around our blanket as we
listened to the sounds of the waves."

Juneteenth is celebrated today in more than forty states, and commemorates the day that Texas slaves heard the news that freedom was theirs. Angela Johnson imagines what it might have been like for her great-grandparents and honors them with her story.

In an illustrator's note, E.B. Lewis talks about his research for the significant artwork that accompanies Ms. Johnson's beautiful words:

"What I learned both enraged and thrilled me. I alternately felt despair and jubilation; grief in face of man's devastating inhumanity to man and joy for the resiliency and beauty of the human spirit...It's simply impossible for a contemporary American, of any color, to put himself squarely in the shoes of a nineteenth-century slave."

That is certainly true; but, I cannot imagine a more brilliant interpretation of the day than the one E.B. Lewis brings to the pages of this important book. With great care and compassion, he helps us see how it might have been for those who had never known another way of life, and who were suddenly faced with an overwhelming reality. There is so much to love about his honorable images, not the least of which is the final double page spread.

Angela Johnson stated it in a recent interview:

"The heart of All Different Now is truly the essence of change. Change might seem to come slowly but at the same time appear to come out of nowhere, swiftly. With that said, though, I played no part in the decision to show the family packing to leave at the end of the book. But I have always believed the measure of a good working text is that the artist can go beyond and interpret the emotions of a manuscript. E. B. [Lewis] has done this wonderfully."

Be sure to take the time to read the back matter: included are an author's note, an illustrator's note, important dates, Juneteenth, then and now, and a list of online sources and key terms. Each one serves to enhance the importance of the telling.                                                                            

Haiti my country, with poems by Haitian Schoolchildren and illustrated by Rogé. Translated by Solange Messier. Fifth House, Fitzhenry & Whiteside. 2014. $ 14.95 ages 8 and up

"Little home
Of wood and concrete
Of sheet metal or straw
Surrounded by flowers
and green trees
Welcomes children
Receives parents
After a day of hard labor
Protects family
From heavy rains
And the giant noon sun"

As he did in Mingan my village, the poetry of young Innu writers, Rogé has drawn incredible personal portraits of these child-poets from Haiti. He spent several months preparing the artwork to accompany these poems that help readers see the beauty in their Haitian surroundings. They are hopeful, and filled with a love for the land that they constantly work to rebuild...with spirit, with cooperation and with a belief in the future:

"When we have a day
Of thousands of sacrifices in a country of tears,
People come here to rebuild their thoughts
Between the sea, the beach, the mountains, and the sky.

On the distant horizon, the sun disappears
To refresh our souls.
We observe the sea and the sky
In harmony, awakening tenderness within us.

While looking up to the mountains
They become neighbours to the sky
That carry the banner of our hope
Into another tomorrow, another sunrise.

- Angelo Borgela (born in 1991)"

They were born between 1991 and 1999.  Rogé is able to capture the spirit and pride that these young teens feel for their country in his carefully drawn portraits. Each of the poets is an inspiration to the reader. Now, his work is being recognized for its brilliance with this announcement sent for immediate release by the Canadian Children's Book Centre on Thursday, October 30:

"The New York Times Book Review has published its annual list of the 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2014. This year’s list includes Canadian artist Rogé who is being honoured for his evocative illustrations in Haiti My Country (Fifth House Publishers, May 2014). For several months Rogé prepared a series of portraits of Haitian children which accompany poems written by students of Camp Perrin in this beautiful collection of art and poetry. Haiti My Country reflects the indomitable spirit of the people of Haiti. It is our hope that this book will help to remind people of both the issues still facing Haiti and the strength and determination of the Haitian people."
                                                                                    

Nana in the City, written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo. Claron Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Thomas Allen & Son. 2014. $21.99 ages 3 and up

"I love my nana,

but I don't love the city.

The city is busy.

The city is loud.

The city is filled with
scary things."

Visiting Nana is busy, and loud, and scary! Her grandson is not convinced that his nana should be living in New York City for all those reasons. When he arrives, he is welcomed with a big hug and a nana who is assured and keen to show him her home. As they travel the streets together, he becomes ever more cognizant of the many sights and sounds that make him feel the way he does. And there are many...streets full of honking taxis, the subway, people everywhere, construction zones, traffic police, graffiti, food carts, the homeless asking for monetary help, and huge buildings!

Nana loves the city, and everything about it as she explains while they share tea and cookies in her apartment. As she tucks him into bed, she makes a promise for new and exciting adventures in the morning. While her grandson sleeps, his nana works at something special for him to wear as they travel the city streets. It's a brilliant red cape and it makes him feel very brave.

Off they go! Their day is filled with the delights of the park and its many visitors, the music of the streets, and all those many things that could be scary - but aren't. There is much to do, and to enjoy!
Sharing his cape to keep his nana brave is his parting gift, and an assurance that he will be back to visit again.

The brilliant watercolor images will have readers falling in love with the urban life that Nana so loves, and bring assurance that feelings of concern can change with understanding and time. I love it! I can only hope that future visits with my brand new granddaughter will afford me the chance to show her the small prairie city that I so love. A freshly sewn cape??? Not so sure...but old dogs can learn new tricks, right?

                                                                           

Bunny the Brave War Horse: based on a true story. Written by Elizabeth MacLeod and illustrated by Marie Lafrance. Kids Can Press, 2014. $18.95 ages 6 and up

"It was late winter by the time the soldiers and horses arrived in France. From there, they traveled to Belgium, where they joined the fighting. Their first day of battle would be one they'd never forget. Bud and Bunny rode toward the fighting."

When war broke out in Europe in July 1914, the Allied forces, which included Canada, were faced with the need for strong horses and riders to help with the war effort. Four police officers and eighteen horses were chosen from the Toronto mounted police force, and shipped to Europe early in October. The fought in their first battle in April 1915, after a long and miserably cold winter.

This war didn't need horses for cavalry charges; rather, they needed them for many other reasons. Millions of them were used to deliver messages, carry the wounded, pull ambulances and supply carts, and even to haul cannons and heavy artillery. They often responded with as much bravery as their riders.

Two of the police officers sent were brothers, Bud and Tom. Bud was Bunny's first rider. They faced the horrors of war together, until the day Bud did not come back from the front. When the captain relayed the news that his brother had died in battle, Tom was asked to ride Bunny. He did so for three long years, until the war ended in November 1918.

Bunny was the only Canadian horse to survive the fighting. When peace was declared, Tom was excited that the two would be going home together, until he learned that Bunny had been sold to a Belgian farmer. Tom never forgot the bravery of his grand mount.

It is interesting to note that Bunny's original rider, named 'Bud' for this story, was not on any of the records kept at the time.

As we search for stories to share with children about past wars, this story of bravery, love and loss will make a welcome addition. The quiet palette used by Marie Lafrance provides a realistic European backdrop for the obstacles faced, and the ravages of four years of fighting. Listeners' awareness of the real costs of war will be raised as they consider the fate of the brave horses sent to help.

 Elizabeth MacLeod does meticulous research, and we are better for it. Since she could not track down all of the facts for this story, she lets her readers that it is 'based on a true story.' On the other hand, she uses much of what she learned to make her story readable and poignant. It is a wide-ranging story and will allow for further discussion of many issues. Animal stories have tremendous appeal for children, and give them something special to inform their learning. This fine book ensures that Canada's participation in past world conflicts is remembered.

Back matter includes further accessible information concerning this Great War, and a map.
                                                                             

   

iF...A Mind-Bending Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers, written by David J. Smith and illustrated by Steve Adams. Kids Can Press, 2014. $19.95 ages 9 and up

"iF all the food produced
around the world in one
year were represented by a
loaf of bread with 25 slices...
*11 slices of bread would
come from Asia
* 5 from South and Central
America
* 4 from Europe
*2 3/4 from North America
*2 1/4from Africa..."

I am like kids and have such a tough time contending with huge numbers. So, David Smith helps me in this second book that explores those things that may prove too difficult to comprehend. He tells his audience that the comparisons he makes can be surprising:

"But what if we took these big, hard-to-imagine objects and events and compared them to things we can see, feel and touch? Instantly, we'd see our world in a whole new way. That's what this book is about - it scales down, or shrinks, huge events, spaces and times to something you can understand."

By using scale to help his readers understand, he addresses the galaxy, the planets, the history of the earth, life on earth, events of the last 3000 years, inventions through time, inventions of the last 1000 years, the continents, water, species of living things, money, energy, life expectancy, population, food, your life. Big issues, indeed. His scaling down results in some truly astonishing comparisons that inspire thinking...and then more reading and thinking!

Steve Adams uses two-page spreads to bring the enormity of the idea being considered to an entertaining and equally informative format.

I'll leave you with this:

"iF all the wealth in the world -
about 223 trillion (223 000 000 000 000)
U. S. dollars - were represented by a pile
of 100 coins...

*the richest 1% of the world's population
would have 40 of the coins
*9% would have 45 coins
*40% would have 14 coins
*the poorest 50% - half the world's
population - would share just one coin."

In an accompanying map, it shows the coins divided by continents...North America, 32 coins; South America, 6 coins; Europe, 34 coins; Africa, 3 coins; Asia, 22 coins; and Oceania, 3 coins.

Should that give us pause?

My Father's Arms Are a Boat, written by Stein Erik Lunde and illustrated by Oyvind Torseter. Translated from the Norwegian by Kari Dickson. Enchanted Lion Books, Publishers Group Canada. 2012. $19.95 ages 5 and up

"My window is pitch black.
I have socks on,
and a woolly sweater under my
pajamas.
I can't sleep.
It's quieter now than it's ever been.

I go back to the living room.
My dad looks at me,
and I climb onto his lap."

Much has changed in the house in the woods that is home to a father and his son. The evening begins with the two watching the fire. The boy then leaves the warmth of his father's presence to go to bed. He is lonely, and returns to his father, crawling onto his lap. They find solace in each other's company.

They talk about their plans for the following day...the chopping down of a big spruce tree. When the boy shows concern for the red birds outside who might find shelter in the tree, and the fact that the fox might get to the food the pair left for them before the birds do, the father is reassuring.

""What if the fox eats the birds' breakfast?"
"Then we can put out more bread."
"What if the birds wake up before us and
there's no food?"
"Everything will be all right," Daddy says.
"The fox doesn't like bread."

It is only as the conversation continues that we realize the reassurance is needed to help the young boy deal with the loss of his mother. Dressing for the cold, the two go out to look at the stars. The father holds his son and sings a gentle song as they walk into the yard, look at the stars and moon, and make secret wishes on a shooting star. Returning to the warmth of home, the two snuggle up together and wait for sleep to come:

"We watch the fire for a long time.
I still can't fall asleep.
"Everything will be all right," says Daddy.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."

For the moment, it is all the boy needs.

Beautifully crafted in words and art, this is a book that you will not soon forget. Yes, it is about sorrow. It is also about endless love and hope for times to come. The illustrations are done is folded paper and collage, giving them a quality that evokes the desolation. Done in black, white and grey, with light touches of color, they add an ethereal beauty to the words.
                                                                          

WHAT THERE IS BEFORE THERE IS ANYTHING THERE: A SCARY STORY. By Liniers. Translated by Elisa Amado. Groundwood, 2014. $18.95 ages 6 and up

"He knows that they are
coming. They come every
night when the ceiling
disappears.

First comes one. It's not
always the same one.
It floats down from where
the ceiling was.
Slowly, slowly."

If you have a little someone, or even a big one, in your house who has a fear of the dark, you may not want to read this book with them! On the other hand, if there is someone who loves to be scared by the dark, this is a perfect book! I guess the final decision for sharing might be made by your relationship with things that 'go bump in the night!'

When his parents put him to bed, turn out the light and shut his door, the ceiling above him disappears. Now, he can only see 'a black hole...black and infinite.' He has seen the creatures on previous nights. Sometimes they look different, but they always float down to where he is. Lurking in silence, the first is just that - the first. Others follow, and not one of them makes a noise. They like to stare.

Now, he is scared. It happens every single night. These creatures are only the beginning! Soon, a low, whispering voice adds to the terror found in darkness. Off he goes at a run, to the safety of his parents' bed! It will be the last time, his mother says - or will it?

I love the scary color palette that Liniers uses to keep that feeling of suspense alive and well throughout this story of nighttime fears, and the relentless power of the imagination. The sharp, short sentences ramp up the concern, and perfectly match the story's unnerving tone. 
                                                                           

Miss Brooks' Story Nook (where tales are told and ogres are welcome!) Written by Barbara Bottner and illustrated by Michael Emberley. Alfred A Knopf, Random House. 2014. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"It's too dark to read.
So, let's huddle in close
and make up our own 
tales," said Miss Brooks.
"I mainly like to read
stories," I said. "Not tell
them.
"Good readers make
wonderful storytellers,"
said Miss Brooks."

I trust that you know Miss Brooks. She shares your passion for, and interest in story books. She strives to share that passion with each one of her students. In a previous book (Miss Brooks Love Books) she infuses that love with a little girl who is quite sure that she has no interest in such pursuits.

In this companion book, Miss Brooks faces a different challenge with just as much energy and encouragement as she did that first time. Everyone is ready for a story when the lights go out and her students cannot see the book she is reading. A power outage doesn't stop her! It simply changes her course. When there is no story to see, the learning turns to the age-old art of telling tales. You don't need a light for that!

Acting as a guide, she suggests that the children close their eyes and give way to a wandering mind. Surely, that will encourage a sharing of invented tales. Missy has nothing. Miss Brooks suggests a problem, an interesting character, action and a continuing plot...plus a 'satisfying ending.' At each of her suggestions, Missy spins a story that keeps her classmates intrigued, sharing opinions and asking questions. Story Nook ends when the power comes back on, leaving Missy with a dilemma. She needs an ending to her tale of ogres, snakes, and wild animals.

By morning, she has an idea...and uses it to tame Billy Toomey, her neighborhood nemesis. It's very 'satisfying'!

Michael Emberley describes his illustrations as 'drawn with pencil, scanned, then printed onto Arches 90 lb. hot press watercolor paper using waterproof ink, then painted with tube watercolors'. However he does it, he creates a zany and appealing cast of characters and backgrounds that are sure to grab a reader's attention and hold them in their thrall as they learn the joys of storytelling in the best possible way! The expressions are wondrous, and the numerous spot pictures carry the story with all the details that are sure to make it a favorite at story time and for a family read. Then, wait for your listeners to start some storytelling of their own!

                                                                        

Hermelin: The Detective Mouse, as told to Mini Grey. Alfred A. Knopf, Random House. 2014. $20.99 ages 6 and up

"It is Thursday,
which is Trash Day
on Offley Street,
and I am
just on my way
to return
a lost notebook
I have found
(to Emily at Number33)
when I see:
Baby McMumbo has..."

It's lovely meeting the many diverse and interesting people who live on Offley Street, and right on the first double page spread of Mini Grey's newest boo! They live upstairs and downstairs; they love to read and sing; they sell sausages and have tea parties.

Hermelin is a reading, writing, and a finder of lost things mouse! He, too, lives on Offley Street...at Number 33, in fact. From the attic there he practices his literacy skills on an old typewriter. As he wanders the neighborhood and peruses the notice board, he is aghast at the number of lost things posted there...a bag, reading glasses, a diamond bracelet, a goldfish, a notebook, a teddy and even a cat named Parsley. He is keen to help.

Being an organized and literate mouse, he keeps a casebook. As each case is solved, he leaves an explanatory note concerning the loss, and the means to finding said object. He signs each note and the villagers come to know the name Hermelin. Using all of his skills, he even saves a baby! That story is picked up by the Offley Times and Hermelin becomes a bit of a hero. Now, everyone knows his name and they all want to meet him:

"Dear Hermelin,

We don't know who you are, but you have
helped everybody - and you have
saved the life of Baby McMumbo.
Please come to our
THANK-YOU PARTY IN YOUR HONOR
at Bosher's sausage shop
at 4pm this afternoon.
Everybody wants to meet you!
Yours gratefully,
The People of Offley Street"

To say they are surprised to meet him would be stating the obvious! Back at his attic home, Hermelin makes an equally unsavory discovery: he learns that he is a pest, and decides he must leave. Luckily, there is someone on Offley Street who shares his amazing detective skills, and she is need of an assistant!

As is her habit, Mini Grey uses detailed and informative artwork to add warmth and understanding to her characters. The world that is Offley Street is a wonderful place! Do slow down and take time to read the book titles, cat food cans, milk carton ads, etc. She uses voice balloons, messages, and humor in her clues to entice readers to really 'read' the full story of Hermelin, the detective mouse!

                                                                             

Fox's Garden, by Princesse Camcam. Enchanted Lion Books, Publishers Group Canada. 2014. $18.50 ages 6 and up

"On the fresh snow
    as in my heart,
  footprints, traces."

This is another splendid addition to the Stories Without Words series from Enchanted Lion Books. It is also a debut for Princesse Camcam (aka Camille Garoche). I recently told a group of teachers and library personnel that I would have bought it just for the inventive and oh, so intriguing author's name.

It is a tender tale of kindness. A lustrous red fox is first seen trudging through a snowy forest. Noticing the warmth of lights in the distance, it approaches a house. Chased from one house and then another, it finds quiet shelter through the open door of a conservatory. A young boy watches from the window of a nearby home.

It takes no time until he is seen, basket on arm, making his way through the snow to the conservatory's door. He carefully places that basket on the floor near where the mother fox is now feeding four brand new kits. Upon his return to the house, we see the young boy in the warm glow of his bedroom light, reading. Soon he is asleep. As he sleeps, the fox and her kits, in response to his kindness, leave their own gift of thanks. Awakening in the morning, he is smiling and overwhelmed by the unexpected gift. The foxes take their leave.

The gorgeous cut-paper images are infused with light and then photographed and help to show true compassion in this story of generosity and heart. A gentle touch of color comes from the warmth of the windows, and the identical color of both the fox's and the boy's coats.

                                                                                  

 

Princess Pistachio, words and pictures by Marie-Louise Gay. Pajama Press, 2014. $12.95 ages 7 and up

"Every day, the king and queen showered her with presents - silver skates, invisible kites, a parrot that spoke five languages, and a piano-playing monkey. A thousand and one presents, each one more wonderful that the one before. But one day, a ghastly witch, green with envy, stole their precious princess. The witch abandoned her on the other side of the world, at 23 Maple Street..."

Pistachio finds it very hard to believe that she is where she should be and doing what she is doing. She is convinced that her home is not her real home, and that her parents and little sister have no place in the life she is meant to live. She knows, even  if no one else does, that she is a princess!

Her parents are the king and queen of Papua! Everyone should be aware of that. So, when a card that has no signature and the gift of a golden crown arrive just in time for her birthday, she has all the proof she needs. Along with the many other indulgences they have provided, 'Princess' Pistachio has one more gift to add to her stash. She is sure it will be no time at all until they arrive to claim her for their own. She is ecstatic!

This princess leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to manners, and her treatment of others. She doesn't like her little sister, she refuses to eat spinach, and she always has better things to be doing.

"Can't you see I have other things to do?" Pistachio replies.
"Besides, princesses never look after smelly babies."
"Princesses," her mother says, "always obey their mothers,
or they go without television for a week."
"My real mother would never deny me anything," Pistachio mutters."

Have you been there? I know I have...with both a prince and a princess!

It's a great deal of fun to read about Pistachio and her attempts to prove her worth as royalty, despite many parental obstacles. Her parents are not about to give in, her classmates dismiss her assertions and tease her, her dog yawns when she introduces herself. Poor Pistachio!

Despite her many attempts to prove herself worthy of a royal title, Pistachio must finally admit that her family is her family. It is her Grandpa who breaks the unwelcome news...he sent the present. It is a rude awakening. It isn't until a family emergency fills her with worry and sets her on a course to find her little sister that she realizes what is truly most important in life.

This is  welcome early reader that is sure to earn even more fans for the very popular and charming Marie-Louise Gay. You will find Pistachio to be lovable, energetic and very opinionated.
                                                                                    

IVAN:The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla, written by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Thomas Allen & Son, 2014. $21.99 ages 4 and up

"The one thing Ivan didn't
need to learn was how to eat.

The more he ate,
the more he grew.

The more he grew, the less
he could live a human life
in a human house."

First, let me tell you that I have loved The One and Only Ivan from the first time I read it (and for each of the next five times). I have a few copies left for giving, even after having given a number to both children and adults. It is a story that is remarkably well written, and full of everything you would want in a memorable read. As happens with a story that you have strong feelings about, I was a tad nervous when this book arrived in the mail. I know that Katherine Applegate is a gifted writer. I know that Ivan meant a great deal to her; but, I wondered how she would tell his poignant story in a 32 page illustrated book of nonfiction. I need not have worried one bit!

Ms. Applegate tells Ivan's story with all of the love and honor she showed in her fictional account of  his story. She captures the essence of his character using a third person voice that is well-suited to this nonfiction look at his life. She begins where he began. Born in Africa and raised in a family group of lowland gorillas, Ivan thrived. He learned what his family had to teach him, watching and imitating the older members of his troop. He had no knowledge of humans until:

"Poachers with loud guns
and cruel hands
stole the little gorilla
and another baby."

While Ivan's life was unusual when he first arrived in Tacoma, Washington, he was happy. He learned much about sharing this new reality with his human caregivers. When he grew too big to be kept in their house, he was moved to the mall and for many years he watched people watching him. His life was limited to a cage, and a few distractions.

Eventually, people began to protest his captivity and his life without benefit of family and freedom.
Twenty-seven years after his arrival, Ivan was moved to Atlanta where he was carefully cared for, and slowly assimilated into a more normal life for a grand and gentle silverback.

"In leafy calm,
in gentle arms,
a gorilla's life began
again."

G. Brian Kara creates emotional and telling illustrations to match the changing tone of the story, and to bring Ivan to readers with the many joys and sorrows of his long life. An archival photo of Ivan, and an author's note are included  to give readers a summary of his life story, and to make a plea for more humane treatment of all animals.

Bravo!

                                                                                     

On the Wing, written by David Elliott and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. Candlewick Press, Random House. 2014. $19.00 ages 5 and up

"The Japanese Crane

What music do they hear
that makes them flutter so?
It's early spring;
the cranes are dancing,
dancing in the snow."

This is another impressive book of poetry from the talented Mr. Elliott. If you, as I do, appreciate books that teach, awe, and give us mentors to honor and emulate, you are going to read this welcome book more than one time. It is beautifully designed and readers will learn about a wide variety of bird species while it also serves well as a chance to see different poetic forms.

Each bird is carefully rendered in gouache, and placed in a stunning surrounding which adds to the learning being done by young readers. The birds are named in bold print, and then one or more features are presented in the accompanying poem:

"The Cardinal

He's a hotshot
valentine.
She's a Plain Jane.
But one without
the other...
a song with no refrain."

Perfect for little ones wanting to know more about birds and very entertaining for those who will share it with them. I hope you have seen, or have in your collection his previous books: On The Farm, In The Wild, and In The Sea. Complete your collection of David Elliott's poetry with this often humorous, always engaging book!

El Deafo, written and illustrated by Cece Bell. Amulet Books, Abrams. 2014. $11.95 ages 8 and up

"Hi!

So, who all's here?

You're the first,

ac-tu-a-lly. But it'll

be Car-rie, Ell-en,

and Miss-y. I can't

be-lieve Miss-y's

com-ing - she is so

pop-u-lar!

The other guests

arrive..."

Fans of graphic novels will not be the only ones who enjoy this new memoir from Cece Bell. Meningitis at 4 causes a loss of her hearing for the young girl. Suddenly deaf, she is scared and she is also confused by her dramatically changed world. Sticking close to her mother for security, Cece is not so sure about the hearing aid that her mother suggests she wear. It straps around her neck, and makes her look funny. Her hearing improves, but it is not perfect!

When she enters first grade, she is given a 'Phonic Ear' which is much better. It is strapped to her chest, and has wires up to her ears. Her teacher wears a microphone to ensure that the first grader is hearing instructions and able to participate in new learning. It is very funny to learn ALL that she hears! The captions that accompany a full-page rendering of the Phonic Ear are many, and funny. Readers will want to stop and enjoy each and every one of them.

When she realizes that her Phonic Ear affords her entrance to the staff room (she can hear everything when her teacher has the transmitter on) and the staff washroom...embarrassing! No one else knows what she can hear and she begins to think of herself as having a superpower...El Deafo is born. She knows exactly when her teacher is returning to the class, and saves the mischief makers from trouble. Those powers come in handy, time and again.

                                                                              

School can be traumatic enough for many children. When you add being deaf, things become even more complicated. Ms. Bell helps her audience see how she often feels ostracized and lonely because of her inability to hear all that is being said. She learns to lip read, and avoids learning sign language (thinking it will make everyone take note of her being deaf). A sleepover with friends is an issue when the lights are out, and she can no longer 'read' what her friends are saying. She only wants to be back home. Her quest is to find a friend who likes her for who she is, not because she lives next door, or is deaf, or for any other reason than they connect and care about the other. It's a tough task, but doable. In the end, Cece finds that 'just right' friend, and is content.
                                                                           
Both funny and poignant, this is a memoir that will give readers pause to think about friendship, and about differences. The terrific color illustrations and the clarity with which the story is told is sure to make this a favorite for many. If you are in a library, you might want to have more than one copy!
                                                           

                                                                                 

http://youtu.be/Cnj5STG0SZo

Bob's Hungry Ghost, written and illustrated by Genevieve Cote. Tundra Books, 2014. $19.99 ages 4 and up

"Ghosts don't like to
fetch at all. And they
can't actually sit.

"Walking a ghost on
a leash isn't a very
good idea either.
Fluffy can't walk.
BUT he sure can
fly!"

Well, pets are pets! Bob wants one, and the one he gets happens to be a ghost. Not a lot of people have experience with caring for ghost pets. Bob does his best to provide for its every need, and keep it happy. Named Fluffy, an innocuous and sweet-sounding moniker, doesn't help with the ghost's penchant for ignoring all that Bob wants from his pet.

Fluffy doesn't come, sit or fetch. A leash doesn't work. But, he can fly and he likes to play hide-and-seek. Bob is not too impressed with that little trick. There's not much to do with your ghost then, is there? Fluffy feels boredom setting in. Apparently when ghosts can't find enough to keep them busy, they get hungry. That happens with puppies and kittens, doesn't it? They just may not go to the lengths that Fluffy does.

As Fluffy gets bigger and bigger, Bob's belongings seem to be disappearing. Could it be that Fluffy is devouring them? Bob sets out to solve the problem. His problem solving skills will impress. As well as honing those skills, he also learns an important lesson in caring for a pet.

Rotten Pumpkin: A Rotten Tale in 15 Voices, written by David M. Schwartz and photos by Dwight Kuhn. Creston Books. 2013. $21.50 ages 8 and up

"Some think that mice like me are cute nibbling on a pumpkin, but it's not cute being everybody else's lunch. Weasel, gopher, owl, snake, badger, bobcat, house cat, rat - they all want mouse pie!"

I read about this book last year, and didn't get it in time to share. So, here it is for you now!

It's a great mix of fact and fiction...I call that faction. The pumpkin is happy to be a jack-o-lantern and help the children who come to the door celebrate this exciting time of the year. Following that special night, it is off to the compost bin where a mouse, a squirrel, a slug and even a fly have something to say about how much they enjoy pumpkins. The fly is about as gross as you might assume:

"My keen fly nose smells what I am looking for - dead fish, rotten meat, dog doo - the stinkier, the better! A rotting pumpkin is perfect. I taste with my feet. You're gonna love hearing how I eat. I vomit on the pumpkin flesh. My vomit dissolves pumpkin nutrients so I can lap them up. A delicious, nutritious morning smoothie!"

Again I say....EWWWW!

As the memory of Halloween fades, so does the pumpkin itself.  The molds grow and tell readers what they are and what they do. It is only when the skin has rotted that the sow bug can find sustenance in the rotten flesh. The pumpkin continues to have a voice, despite the changes from that once admired jack-o-lantern:

"Am I still a pumpkin? My top is collapsing, and my skin is a mess of molds. they grow all over each other and right through me, eating my flesh from the outside-in and from the inside-out! Not even winter snows and low temperatures have slowed them down..."
Soon, it is nothing but a 'rotten mess spilling my seeds on the garden soil.' Not good for anything any longer. Or is it?

This is science at its most interesting! David Schwartz gives great descriptions of the whole decomposition process, without lengthy explanation or writing beyond his young audience's understanding. The photographs are visually informative and quite memorable. Watching how the pumpkin's face changes over time might just remind them of other pumpkins from past Halloweens. Now, they know exactly what happened!

 A glossary of terms and useful “Classroom Investigations” are found at the end of the book.

                                                                               

Dog and Bear: Tricks and Treats, written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2014. $16.99 ages 4 and up

"I just saw another
bear, and he looks
just like me."

"No way," said Dog.

"It's true. He looks
EXACTLY like me!
Please, Dog, let me
show you."
"Okay, Bear. Show me."

In their fourth book concerning friendship, Dog and Bear are happily preparing for Halloween. In the first of three short chapters, Bear is busily trying on costumes (Dog has already got the perfect one!) when he makes an alarming discovery. There is another bear in his dressing room! And, it looks just like him; it is the same color, does all the same tricks. Calling Dog to the rescue, Bear makes another amazing discovery!

In the second story,  Dog is only too happy to greet the trick-or-treaters at the door. It isn't until Bear notices that their stash of treats is getting bigger, not smaller, that Dog realizes his mistake. Finally, their visitors have come and gone. Dog and Bear are off to collect their own treats, until a ghost stops them in their tracks for not wearing costumes. No costume, no treats! They are more than happy to prove the ghost wrong.

Enormously appealing for all listeners, and for those readers who are just making the move to accessible short stories. It's the perfect size for small hands, colorful, full of expression, and has just the right ending for each of the tales! You'll smile!