The superlative Ezra Jack Keats, when talking about his book characters, said, "...what's really important is the honesty," and we know from his work The superlative Ezra Jack Keats, when talking about his book characters, said, "...what's really important is the honesty," and we know from his work that he meant it. In his special way, Keats completely nails young readers' loaded feelings about the friendships that are most special to them. In this book, he tackles a universal question that carries into adulthood: how can we show the meaningful people in our lives how much they mean to us without making it weird and ruining it--or worse, risking rejection?
In this book (one of many about THE SNOWY DAY's Peter and his neighborhood community), Peter decides the best way to ask his special friend Amy to his birthday party is through a written invitation. However, when he ventures into a thunderstorm to mail it, he sees Amy and, flustered as he chases the envelope that has flown out of his hand, accidentally knocks her to the ground. (Both Peter and Amy’s shocked expressions—though for different reasons--on this spread are everything.) "Did you mail your letter?" his mother asks devastated Peter; "Yes," he says sadly. Honestly, these few spreads after the mailing are almost more than an empath can bear; while gentle, we very much feel Peter's heartbreak and self-recrimination for the unfortunate chain of events. The stakes for Amy's attendance now feel almost impossibly high: Will Amy attend? Will she forgive him? Will they ever be friends again???
And just when we are again wiping our eyes on our suddenly sodden sleeve as Peter is trying to delay his cake-cutting just.in.case., we see (and hear) Amy's birthday greeting and get the joy and relief that only our most wonderful mystery, friendship, can bring. Of course, Amy came--singing and cheering (with a parrot-back-up vocalist!) for Peter. That's what special friends do. And when Peter makes his unspoken birthday candle wish, it hardly matters what it might have been--because we know he's already gotten it....more
HI, BOOK FRIENDS! HOW ARE YOU DOING? ARE YOU READY FOR A BOOK REVIEW??
For those of you who know me IRL, it's probably not a shocker that a picture booHI, BOOK FRIENDS! HOW ARE YOU DOING? ARE YOU READY FOR A BOOK REVIEW??
For those of you who know me IRL, it's probably not a shocker that a picture book about a very enthusiastic library-lover with (perhaps, maybe, some might say) a voice that "carries" would pique my interest.
But the things I love about The Loud Librarian by Jenna Beatrice and Erika Lynne Jones are not only the main character, Penelope, who, let's say, I overstand.
They include: - The hyperbole. My goodness, the hyperbole! From a craft perspective, it is a delight to see a joke pushed in this way in a picture book. Her sonic boom of a voice knocks over bookshelves and shakes the ground--it even registers in space. IN SPACE, Y'ALL! - The read-aloud-ability. Also, how many books make use of VOLUME within a read-aloud? Not nearly as many as there should be, IMHO! - The bonus jokes: I will never NOT laugh at a building named Paige Turner Library. - You know that special feeling you get when you read a book and you can just tell the people who made it ENJOYED making it? Like, you can feel the fun they had radiating off the pages? This is that sort of book!
Best of all, it's not about Penelope changing who she is--rather, it's about her finding her way to use her natural abilities and interests. It's a hopeful, inclusive message emphasizing what we all love best about libraries: that everyone with love in their hearts truly "belongs" in one. And for that reason, I will proclaim (loudly): I THINK YOU'LL ENJOY THIS BOOK!...more
"What's the Matter with Carruthers?" is subtitled "A Bedtime Story," but to my mind, it's a great example of a picture book mystery, with a porcine an"What's the Matter with Carruthers?" is subtitled "A Bedtime Story," but to my mind, it's a great example of a picture book mystery, with a porcine and testudine detective duo on the case.
This book's logline is basically: no matter what his friends try, the grumpy bear remains a grump until he finally falls asleep. And, honestly, who doesn't identify with both sides of that equation? (There are good reasons why a parent's go-to tantrum toolkit includes a heavy dose of napping, and Instagram keeps serving me ads for things that say, 'I'm sorry for what I said before I had my coffee.')
While the mystery part is well-played--we get plenty of clues as we go along without them bogging down the cranky humor--there is more to this mystery than just what Carruthers's problem is. The mystery might just as well be: why are his friends putting up with this? (The answer, of course, being they love him and, thankfully, he's not generally like this.)
Strangley, one of the things I enjoy about the story is its dedication: to Susan Korn and Harry Allard. It's not too far a leap to connect the characters of Emily Pig and Eugene, and James himself is the model for the curmudgeonly Carruthers. Whatever the case, this is one of Marshall's earliest published works, coming out in 1972 (the same year as George and Martha), and I can't imagine George and Martha didn't significantly overshadow it. (I mean, how does a grumpy bear compete with two exuberant hippo friends?)
Still, I feel Carruthers has its own Oscar-the-Grouchish charms worth celebrating. Because whether you are on the receiving end of a sourpuss, or feeling crabby yourself (or, worst of all: both!), sometimes what we all really just need is a good nap....more
When the kids in room 2B arrive for the first day of school, there seems to be a surprising lack of, well, a teacher. But there is a sandwich on the dWhen the kids in room 2B arrive for the first day of school, there seems to be a surprising lack of, well, a teacher. But there is a sandwich on the desk and "Mr. S" scrawled on the chalkboard. Could...the SANDWICH...be their teacher? (And will the man going through a series of unfortunate events in the parking lot provide further clarification?)
There has already been a lot written about this book (thanks a lot, Betsy Bird—always reading things, making smart notes, and generally just raising the bar for us slower and dimmer readers), so I do feel like it's hard for me to top the already enthusiastic discussion. I guess I can just join the club, since this book is already on a roll.
Still, lettuce appreciate olive the humor here with a few rye, er, wry observations: * The raccoons in the "parking lot story arc" is *chef's kiss* * I very much enjoyed the pun about Mr. S being "as composed as ever" * I grinned at the name of the elementary school * I loved the "double twist" ending
I guess what I'm saying is: read the book. It's as satisfying as a really good sandwich (and that's saying something).
In Hudson Talbott's "The United Tweets of America," the state birds of the 50 states are competing in a pageant M.C'ed by (who else) a Bald Eagle. TriIn Hudson Talbott's "The United Tweets of America," the state birds of the 50 states are competing in a pageant M.C'ed by (who else) a Bald Eagle. Trivia and jokes galore dot every charmingly energetic page, and yes, it's hilarious--but especially so for a bird nerd (+ admitted 'regular' nerd) like me.
First, a side joke from the late great Mitch Hedberg: "I write jokes for a living. I sit at my hotel at night, I think of something that's funny, then I go get a pen and I write it down. Or if the pen is too far away, I have to convince myself that what I thought of ain't funny."
Random aside, I know, but what I really love about today's book is how aspects that might scare off a less experienced writer--overlap in the state birds, perhaps, or the daunting task of providing context for each of the 50 states in an even-handed way--are transformed from potential liabilities to unique and layered strengths in the hands of a lively writer like Talbott.
To wit: the book (naturally) is arranged alphabetically by state name. However, two consecutive states (Illinois and Indiana) share the Northern Cardinal as a state bird. What to do? Well, in this book, the territorial nature of cardinals is used to hilarious effect when the Indiana cardinal literally "crashes" through the page to attempt to scare off the Illinois cardinal.
It's a fact-filled romp, and whether you are a bird nerd, regular nerd, or a wordplay fan ('Hoosier favorite Hoosier' is one of my faves, but it's tough to choose from such wealth), I am certain it will both delight and inform....more
Breanna Carzoo's LOU is a fire hydrant with a punny name--because the (OH so MANY dogs) neighborhood dogs use him as one.
But is being a loo all Lou iBreanna Carzoo's LOU is a fire hydrant with a punny name--because the (OH so MANY dogs) neighborhood dogs use him as one.
But is being a loo all Lou is meant to do?
Instead of getting p'd off, Lou speaks confessionally to the reader about his hopes and dreams, while in the background, an untended pot and a cat that likes to knock things combine to create a fiery calamity. But when a determined Dalmatian approaches Lou, Lou braces for the worst, only to find out how the strength he always knew was in him could somehow save the day. And with a WHOA! WHOOSH! and WOOHOO!, Lou does what no one else can do.
Perhaps a strange juxtaposition, but when I read about this mistreated fire hydrant, I thought of the Maya Angelou quote: "I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it." On a sillier but no less existential level, Lou's story of not giving up—knowing that he is full of greatness despite his treatment—is no less important a theme for kids (and old kids) to absorb. It's a funny and heartfelt tale of unlikely superheroes and treating everyone, and everything, with dignity.
It's easy to see why there are multiple books about this très charmant snail's exploits, even if I (in snail-like fashion) am late to the party!
Let mIt's easy to see why there are multiple books about this très charmant snail's exploits, even if I (in snail-like fashion) am late to the party!
Let me tell you about Escargot. He... * wants to be adored. * is full of advice. * is a little pompous. * is a bonafide foodie. * loves books. * sometimes forgets to share. * interjects French phrases for emphasis. * is easily bored. * has a flair for dramatics. * considers his perceived 'negative' qualities as just being misunderstood. * is pro-PDA. * enjoys dancing. * likes to ask leading questions. * is nervous at events full of strangers. * is full of joie de vivre. * is maybe a little slow-moving, but... * is incredibly determined.
Hmm. As I reread this list, this particular forty-mumble-year-old woman realizes she has a shocking amount in common with an imaginary American-style French snail. ...more
I love most punctuation (with a side eye at the en dash, which, in my humble opinion, may as well be a hyphen). But out of my favorites (the em dash, I love most punctuation (with a side eye at the en dash, which, in my humble opinion, may as well be a hyphen). But out of my favorites (the em dash, ellipsis, and the exclamation point), the full-of-feeling ! has to be my very favorite.
What a treat, then, to read through a craft lens this simple ('simple' meaning the opposite of 'easy') story of an exclamation point who wants to fit in but finally embraces what makes them unique. Here is a brief compendium of what I love about this book.
* The title page! I don't recall ever seeing a "turned" title page before--but this one really stands out, being a landscape-style "long" book * The inventiveness! There are so many spreads here I would not have thought of. * The voice! Okay, it's not just one voice--the narrator voice is spot-on; full of puns, accessible and open. But also the character voices--which we are treated to about a 1/3 of the way through the book. * The kid-relatability! What kid has not struggled with the age-old predicament of wanting to both "completely fit in, yet feel unique and special"? * The layers! It's about a punctuation mark--but it's really about everyone making their mark in their own way! I mean, genius, right? * The fun educational content! Because learning is fun—though sometimes it seems we work awfully hard to disprove that. One can easily imagine a dry worksheet to explore when it's appropriate to use an exclamation point, but this book not only teaches that but also shares the beauty of using one's voice, finding one's way and being true to oneself.
It's a story with a point (ha!)--but still fun, inventive, unique and accessible. It's also a great case study on creating unlikely (but loveable) characters....more
Is there any children's writer who goes a full month without being jealous of a Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary book? It's not just that they so expertlyIs there any children's writer who goes a full month without being jealous of a Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary book? It's not just that they so expertly explored the lives of real kids; it's also that they explored such real stakes: commonplace and yet EVERYTHING in their main characters' (and readers') worlds.
Well, my very high compliment of Zachariah OHora's "Copydog" is that after reading it, I had to reset my "this many days without thinking of JB or BC" wall counter to "0." There’s just something that resonates as very true in this funny exploration of sibling dynamics—both the 'I love you and also wish you would just disappear sometimes' sort and also the grey areas where admiration and imitation collide.
Of course, there's more to adore about this book—especially the inviting art and super-hilarious details! (I mean…the pickle/cornichon spread! OMG! ...more
Something you may not know about me is that I have been working hard on my rhyming craft over the last few years, and that is definitely part of what Something you may not know about me is that I have been working hard on my rhyming craft over the last few years, and that is definitely part of what I loved about this book. The rhyme IS great--which makes it a wonderful read-aloud. But there is also a lot of humor here--including some (totally appropriate to the subject matter) gross-out humor--and lots and lots of melodrama. And it completely nails the ending (which...we all know...can be HARD to do) and so much more. But I think the two things I love most about this week's book are:
1) The premise. I mean, this was genius. I don't know how this book was pitched, but to me, it's "Pint-sized 'E.R.'" The stakes are baked right in: kids are (literally) hurting, and it's up to one nurse to sort them out.
2) The illustrations (including layout). I mean, of course, visual storytelling is ALWAYS critical to any picture book, but this one COULD have been a real mess! The cast of characters (in picture book terms) is HUGE; each has a relatively detailed backstory on how they arrived at their present state (so there's a lot of timeline-jumping); and, on top of that, there must have been a lot of consideration into how to show things like snot and vomit so that they’re there/authentic, but it's not...TOO off-putting? (So that it's more funny than gross, essentially?) But, the illustrator really lays it all out beautifully for us--there's a clever "visitor log" that runs along the lefthand side of the page, and each character's story is conveyed with emotional stakes, and it's all, even the snot, somehow charming?
It all works--AND it's something I think a whole lot of kids will want to read, and re-read, to boot! So, kudos to The Boo-Boos of Bluebell Elementary!...more
Chris Van Allsburg's THE MYSTERIES OF HARRIS BURDICK is an elegant solution to my problem with wordless picture books. Van Allsburg deftly sidesteps mChris Van Allsburg's THE MYSTERIES OF HARRIS BURDICK is an elegant solution to my problem with wordless picture books. Van Allsburg deftly sidesteps my go-to question: "If I'm expected to make up a freewheeling, oral story with my kid (which I'm totally on board with, btw), why do I want/need someone else's pricey, Very Art Directed book to do that?" and seemingly answers it with an enigmatic wink, like, "I'm with you, sister! Who indeed WILL step in and tell these so-called 'stories'--if one could even call these that? Bueller? Bueller?"
This book's innovative use of a mystery to shroud a series of mysteries is 'chef's kiss'. And, best of all, it still *works* as a book, only now with GENUINE "choose your own adventure" options! Each spread gives you just enough—one image, one pithy caption—to prompt real imagination, yet it doesn't force any expectations at all as to where you go next (or even what happened to *lead up* to the captured sliver of a moment).
And I love that about it! You could actually read the whole book in a night, pausing thoughtfully on each spread with your kiddo, or you could skip the intro and use each spread, one a night, for two weeks (TWO WEEKS!) of completely un-related—unless you choose them to be—prompts, sparking your family's own stories upon stories. It's...genius.
And, apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks so. In my basic Googling about the book, I found that there is a response book I now need to track down: "THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK: 14 AMAZING AUTHORS TELL THE TALES," By Chris Van Allsburg and others (“others” here including someone named Stephen King…) So. Yeah, it's already a well-documented "thing" that I'm once again v. v. late to the party on looking at from a craft perspective. But now you are "in" on the party, too, and maybe we can scan the tables for untouched desserts and cutlery, together....more
On the heels of "finishing" (air-quotes because this is not the first, nor last, time I'll read it) "Picture This: How Pictures Work," Molly Bang's exOn the heels of "finishing" (air-quotes because this is not the first, nor last, time I'll read it) "Picture This: How Pictures Work," Molly Bang's excellent book on visual literacy and composition, I am also re-reading/re-appreciating her multi-award-winning picture book, "When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry..."
The title alone has so many of my favorite things: in-line repetition for emphasis, a nice juicy em dash clause, and breadcrumbing ellipses leading us further into the story. And don't get me started on that delightfully startling cover image! I mean, Sophie really IS angry--really, really angry! (What did we do, Sophie???)
With a book that is so effective in its visual storytelling—particularly those created by an author-illustrator—it can sometimes be hard to focus on the craft of the written word because, honestly, the text often feels secondary. Still, one of the many things my kindly agent often reminds me about is the importance of text-support--which I imagine as a text-y skating partner who tries to throw and catch the dazzling partner everyone's actually watching. ...more
How do you describe big when "big" is relative? And how do you describe "small," when small could be *everything*? These are the questions poets and pHow do you describe big when "big" is relative? And how do you describe "small," when small could be *everything*? These are the questions poets and picture book creators attempt to answer, and why the children's literature field overflows with people who continually make my jaw drop.
One such pair are Carter Higgins and Daniel Miyares, the creators of "Big and Small and In-Between."
How can I describe this book? Other reviewers have correctly identified A Hole is to Dig and The Quiet Book as kin, but I would add that it's more like the discussion those two books might have after viewing the Eames' Powers of Ten.
There are three "sections" of the book, and--hold the phone!--they are Big, Small, and In-Between. ...more
There are fabulous picture books—and then there are those that are so jealousy-inducing that I've actually typed them out for myself to try to pinpoinThere are fabulous picture books—and then there are those that are so jealousy-inducing that I've actually typed them out for myself to try to pinpoint their wording wizardry secrets. This book is one of those.
OF COURSE, I love the illustration! To paraphrase Jack Donaghey, "I've got two eyes and a heart, don't I?" #christianrobinsonrideordie But trying (and it's…so hard!) to tear ourselves away from the incredibly inviting visual story, let's talk about:
Italics. YEAH, I SAID IT! Look, italics do NOT get enough love for how they signal a reader when to emphasize a word or phrase. The most highly successful picture books (in every sense of the word) create a rockstar "read-alouder" out of even the weariest parent or teacher. Look at how teapot is italicized as a "reader tip-off" to leave juuuust enough room for even the youngest reader to consider the size difference between a teacup and a teapot. The same goes for the italicized Never slobber! and Never yap!, which indicates that the performer expresses the exclamation point in a sort of pearl-clutching "Heavens, no!" sort of way, vs. a gruffer "Hey! You! Kid!" kind of way.
Another great lesson is DiPucchio's excellent pattern-making and breaking. (This is part of why the Rule of Three is so brilliant—two being the most succinct way to set up a pattern before breaking it with the third…) Only in this case, our sneaky author lets the pattern go for a third time before breaking it, which amplifies the final difference and adds to the story's theme. Used throughout the story, this smart "Rule of Three + an additional beat" pattern can also emphasize humor, such as when we meet the second dog family, with pups "Rocky, Ricky, Bruno and Antoinette."
There's more I could say, but boring you with italics and line structure isn't fair to this fabulous picture book accomplishment, with a "Pretzel" meets "Wolfie the Bunny" vibe. Read it to your kiddo if you haven't—I am confident they will love it!...more
Many of you will already know that William Steig was 61 when he began writing children's books--but did you know he was in his 80s when he wrote this Many of you will already know that William Steig was 61 when he began writing children's books--but did you know he was in his 80s when he wrote this one? Or that, in his 90s, when he was asked about the movie version, he said: "It’s vulgar, it’s disgusting — and I loved it!" #lifegoals
While this is not even my very favorite book of his (I'm a Pete's a Pizza girl, followed neck-and-neck by Sylvester...), it is a joy to read and definitely worth looking at from a craft perspective one time or a dozen.
First, Shrek is a real anti-hero--a rarity in children's picture books, being so often aligned with parent-and-teacher pearl-clutching.
Second, it meanders--is very wordy--uses a ton of esoteric vocab--breaks into random verse--and is still, somehow, a DELIGHTFUL read-aloud? To wit:
"Yokel," Shrek snapped. "What have you in that pouch of yours?" "Just some cold pheasant." "Pheasant, peasant? What a pleasant present!" (I MEAN! ...more
Somehow I'm new to the wonderful books of Oregonian (and multi-Caldecott Honor winner) Clare Turlay Newberry, but it's a mistake I could only make oncSomehow I'm new to the wonderful books of Oregonian (and multi-Caldecott Honor winner) Clare Turlay Newberry, but it's a mistake I could only make once, thank goodness. I came to her the way many of us accidentally find things--Instagram--when a vintage bookseller posted a copy of Marshmallow. I was immediately cover-smitten--and then, as these things often happen, the VERY NEXT time I was at a thrift book shop, what should be waiting on a shelf, turned out for me to see?
Anyhow, what a book! With a confident conté crayon and a simple (in a "simple being the opposite of easy") storyline, this tale of a cat who finds himself suddenly sharing his home (and human mother) with a baby bunny--and experiencing quite a bit of inner sturm und drang--will ring clear and true to older siblings anywhere.
And what suspense! The cat, could, at any time, could easily pounce on the vulnerable Marshmallow. (Truth be told, the bunny's adorable name adds to the drama--from the cover alone, we realize that Marshmallow is, in fact, quite squishy and cat-edible.) In fact, Clare so expertly explores the naivety of the bunny and Oliver's multi-pronged interest that I honestly found my heart racing on more than one spread. (A prime example is when Marshmallow wonders if Oliver could "possibly be his mother in a new coat"?) NO, MARSHMALLOW, NO! [nail biting!!]
A second note, this has maybe the best cat sound onomatopoeia I've ever read. "Prr'owrr!" I mean...that's exactly it, isn't it?
If I listed all the things I loved about this book, we'd be here all day, but I will add one more: delightful bunny poems sprinkled throughout.
Charming, suspenseful, and expertly-woven: call me a major Marshmallow fan!...more
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