PPBF: Adrift At Sea

And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick*

The true story of Tuan Ho,
told by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch and Brian Deines

Adrift At Sea
A Vietnamese Boy's Story of Survival

Written Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch and Tuan Ho
Illustrated by Brian Deines, bio

Pajama Press, 2017
Ages 6-9, 40 pp


Themes:
Immigrants, Cultural Diversity, Vietnam


Opening:
When I come home from school today, a jug of water and bags of dried food sit by the door.
Ma gathers me in her arms. "Are you leaving me now too?" I ask.

Synopsis:
The Ho family live in Vietnam in the 1980's. This is the story of how Tuan and his sisters made a daring escape from that country, were lost at sea, and survived. The book includes photographs and details to inform the reader about Tuan Ho's family members, making the journey very personal. The author's note gives facts about the Vietnam War and the subsequent struggles of refugees.


What I Love:
This book is a beautifully written account of a harsh emigration from a young boy's perspective. The author includes sensory details to heighten the experience. The fine art paintings are beautiful, evoking a strong sense of realism.

I did think the book needed a bit more context for young readers. The enormous cast introduced in the first few pages was also a bit confusing. The solid back matter could be used by adults to provide a framework and summary before reading the story to children. There were places where I wished the art was more illustrative. I think the artist could have used some spreads to heighten the tension, reinforcing what was unsaid in the text. Yet the art was breathtaking, definitely creating a sense of mood on every spread.

Overall, this book is a much needed and honest picture of something many immigrants experience. Despite its shortcomings, I recommend Adrift at Sea for use in homes and classrooms.


Bonus: 

Culture map from Kids Press Magazine

1. Try kid-friendly recipes for fried rice, noodles, or summer rolls from A Week in the Life of the World.

2. Duolingo is my favorite app for learning languages. Try a few minutes of Vietnamese for free, and you'll be hooked.

3. Fluent in Three Months adds language games to get your kids moving and articulate.

4. Print and color Vietnamese paper dolls from education.com.

5. In case you missed the other CYBILS Award finalist reviews, I've included the links below:
Hatching Chicks in Room 6
Once Upon A Jungle
Shark Lady
Dazzle Ships
Danza!
What Makes A Monster?

6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

A Different Pond, family life
of Vietnamese immigrants

Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories,
Folk Tales

The Little Refugee,
Vietnamese Emigration

Maya Lin, Vietnamese architect

When Jesse Came Across the Sea,
Jewish immigrant story

The Wall, German escape story

Light in the Darkness,
African Escape story

The Name Jar,
Korean-American story

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, May 11, 2018 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

*As a CYBILS second round judge, I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

PPBF: Dazzle Ships

And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick*

Dazzle Ships, by Chris Barton and Victo Ngai

Dazzle Ships
WWI and the Art of Confusion 

Written Chris Barton
Illustrated by Victo Ngai

Millbrook Press, Lerner Publishing, 2017
Grades 2-5, 36 pp
990L, ATOS 6.10


Themes:
WWI, Art history, Biography


Opening:
One of the ships on this page is painted in sneaky, stripy camouflage.
You probably can't even see it?
Oh. You can see it?
Hmmmmmmm.

Synopsis:
Dazzle Ships is my favorite kind of non-fiction. It covers history biography and a bit of legend. The book introduces important concepts about the First World War by focusing on the devastating effect of German torpedoes on British ships and the desperate attempts by Norman WIlkinson to convince the navy to use reverse camouflage. The highly-imaginative illustrations dazzle with their interpretation of countries as characters, the creative colorschemes, and the almost graphic novel-like storytelling.

Modern dazzle ship recreation via 1418Now, Scotland

The method of painting dazzle ships to confuse the enemy periscope sighters and the desperate plight of the civilians of the British isles are all thoroughly explained.

With additional notes and a timeline included in the back matter, this book provides the ideal doorway to exploration of a larger subject.



What I Love:
Dazzle Ships is a delight. The subject matter and the artist treatment are both unique. The author includes a well-rounded picture of history in an interesting way which will capture both newbies and history buffs. While the illustrations are extremely stylized, the artist uses them to make the story crystal clear. Some may not like the fantastic treatment, but I think her idea is genius.

The one drawback was the way the author revealed the doubtful results of the dazzle painting, almost as an afterthought in the last page of the story. While I appreciate the author's honesty, I think he could have presented in a different way. As a reader, I was caught up in dazzle fever, just like the British and Americans. When the author reveals the whole idea may not have made a difference, I wonder why I even bothered to read the book!

Just tweaking the tone of his revelation would have swayed me to give this book the full five stars. Nevertheless, I think in the hands of a parent pr teacher, an inquisitive child is going to be fascinated, to learn to think outside the box, and to be inspired to change the world.

You'll find all the picture book nominees for the CYBILS Award* on Perfect Picture Book Fridays. Here's what you may have missed so far:
Hatching Chicks in Room 6
Once Upon A Jungle

Shark Lady

Bonus: 

Striped inside and out, t
his cupcake recipe from Eats Amazing
could be turned into dazzle ships!

1. The Best Children's Books has compiled a tidy list of picture books and middle grade choices centering on the Great War era.

2. Animal camouflage would be a fascinating study to go along with this book. For some top picture books, try Secrets of Animal Camouflage, by Carron Brown, Animal Camouflage, by Sarah Dennis and Sam Hutchinson, Animals Undercover, by Madeleine Fortescue, Hidden in Plain Sight, by Elsie Belback, and What Color Is Camouflage?, by Carolyn Otto and Megan Lloyd, to name a few.

3. Find more about wartime camouflage on Kiddle.

4. There's more to the man who designed dazzle ships than a commission from the British Navy. Meet the artist on The Vintage Poster and at Darnley Fine Art.

5. In case you missed the other CYBILS Award finalist reviews, I've included the links below:
Hatching Chicks in Room 6
Once Upon A Jungle
Shark Lady

6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Susanna

Reviewed by Kathy

Reviewed by Kristen

Reviewed by Jarm

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Joanne

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, April 20, 2018 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

*As a CYBILS second round judge, I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

PPBF: Rettie and the Ragamuffin Parade

Here's today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Rettie and the Ragamuffin Parade, a historical fiction picture book

Rettie and the Ragamuffin Parade
A Thanksgiving Story
Tales of Young Americans series

Written Trinka Hakes Noble
Illustrated by David C. Gardner

Sleeping Bear Press, 2017
Ages 6-9, 32 pp, 800L


Themes:
Historical, Poverty, Holiday


Opening:
All the tenement children on New York's Lower East Side couldn't wait for the Ragamuffin Parade o Thanksgiving morning. But no one was more excited than a young girl named Loretta Stanowski, whom everyone called Rettie.

Synopsis:
The story focuses on one little girl who depends on the Ragamuffin Parade and the penny scramble to put food on the table for her poor family. Rettie has always been too young to participate in the penny scramble, but she is determined to elbow her way to her share of coins this year in order to help her struggling family. Rettie shows she is a hard worker and persevering through the many chores she undertakes while her mother is sick. The spread of influenza threatens to cancel the parade, which further complicates Rettie's plans. Back matter includes information on President Wilson, World War I, influenza, the origins of the Macy''s Thanksgiving parade, and the penny scramble.


What I Love:
The rich text and engaging illustrations make this book a must for homes and classrooms. The author includes sensory images to put readers in the middle of the action. She skillfully combines historical facts into the fictionalized story in order to ratchet the tension and increase the stakes. The art beautifully compliments the words not only through exquisite detail, but with animated character poses and expressions. A personal note and informative backmatter completes the picture.

I was surprised at the high word count, but drawn in by the rich storytelling. I love the way the text explains the details without bogging down. For example, the main character plans to collect change at the penny scramble, which might seem trivial to modern children. So the author includes a trip to the market where readers learn the cost of produce at that time. Rettie cannot afford to spend a few extra cents on an apple, reinforcing the value of money and increasing the family's plight in the eyes of the reader.


Bonus: 

Take kids to the market like the mom on An Everyday Story
to teach them the value of money.

1. Sleeping Bear Press has designated a dozen worthwhile picture books in to the Tales of Young Americans series.
I've reviewed Lily's Victory Garden
Diane Tulloch has reviewed The Tsunami Quilt
My friend Doris illustrated Black-Eyed Susan

2. You'll find amazing photos from the early Ragamuffin Parades on Gothamist and at the NY Public Library site. Learn more on Hey Ridge.

3. Witness a modern penny scramble if you're in the neighborhood of Yorkshire or at the Florence County Fair, for example or host your own.

4. In the author notes, you'll see President Woodrow Wilson's role in the celebration of Thanksgiving. Learn more about America in the first decades of the 20th century from the Woodrow Wilson House. Read past president's proclamations for giving thanks on What So Proudly We Hailed or on the American Presidency Project.

5. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Susanna

Reviewed by Penny

Also reviewed by Susanna

Reviewed by Jarm

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Julie

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, November 17, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: Clara and Davie

Here's today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick:

A biographical story of sibling love, by Patricia Polacco

Clara and Davie
The True Story of Young Clara Barton, Founder of the American Red Cross

Written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Scholastic Press, 2014
Ages 3-6, 40 pp, 690L

Themes:
Biography, Siblings, Kindness


Opening:
On a cold, blustery morning in North Oxford, Massachusetts, a blizzard was threatening and bearing down hard. It was Christmas Day 1821.
Mama was expecting her fifth child. Ten years had passed since her last baby. Mama's health was fragile.


Synopsis:
Young Clara adores her older brother. He encourages her to explore nature, to look into employment outside of traditional women's roles, and to be herself. Her passion for animals leads her to become a sort of veterinary doctor her community relies on, but when her brother is gravely injured, Clara will need all her skills to help him survive.


What I Love:
The text is in a slightly older, more wordy style, but it tells the story with warm, sensory detail. The tender relationship between siblings, though they are ten years apart, is one modern audiences need to hear. The author uses this true story from Clara Barton's past to give readers a look into her depth of character and into the circumstances which helped shape her groundbreaking career. The author's note explains the writer's personal connection to the family and provides more historical detail. Lively illustrations in Polacco's trademark style add personality and ground the story in time and place.


Bonus: 
1. Find fascinating facts about the real Clara Barton at the Clara Barton Museum in Washington, DC or explore their website. HistoryNet offers fasts facts and a summary of her accomplishments, while the National Archives houses several of her correspondence and photos.

2. Visit the Red Cross site to find ways even kids can volunteer, and be an example of good citizenship by finding a blood drive near you. RocParent offers suggestions for teaching children about blood donations and Easy Science For Kids elaborates on the technical side of your circulatory system.

3. Boys' Life posted a great article on stocking a first aid kit. Use it along with the 5 easy safety tips every kids should know from Boston Parent Paper.

4. Clara started out as an animal caretaker, a good place for all kids to learn gentleness and empathy. I enjoyed reading the creative ways kids can get involved in animal-centered volunteering from Mother Nature Network, the Central PA Humane Society, and PETA Kids.

5. Did you know there are several songs about Clara Barton? Makers asked modern songwriters to band together to create songs to teach and honor Clara. "Angel of Mercy" is a teaching song, by Jonathan Sprout. "Lady With the Lamp", by Jerry Garcia, and "Thank-you, Nurse" by Joe McDonald are two you can find online.

6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Leslie

Reviewed by Joanna

Revieweed by Family-Ship

Reviewed by Valarie

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Kid-Lit Reviews

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, November 3, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: Miss Moore Thought Otherwise

And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise
How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries For Children

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise

Written and illustrated by Jan Pinborough
Illustrated by Debby Atwell

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt , 2013
Ages 6-9, 40 pp, 1060L

Themes:
Libraries, Biography


Opening:
Once in a big house in Limerick, Maine, there lived a little girl named Annie Carroll Moore. She had large gray eyes, seven older brothers, and ideas of her own.



Synopsis:

Anne Carroll Moore loved books, but women were not supposed to read much or visit libraries when she was a young girl. As Anne grew, she looked for opportunities to follow her heart's desires. When a job opened up for Anne to become a librarian, she pursued her education and delved into her work. Soon Anne was championing others who were restricted from libraries, namely children. She promoted children's books and literacy. Anne was instrumental in establishing the pattern for the modern style of children's library, beginning with the New York Public Library's famous children's reading room. Her ideas to create a place for kids to fall in love with books spread across the country. This book highlights some of Anne's particular accomplishments and children's libraries in general.


What I Love:
The book is as colorful and inviting as a children's library should be. It explores, not just a woman who challenged her perceived role in life, but society's perception of a library's role. The  story uses Anne's particular accomplishments to touch on a larger history and the theme of literacy. Bright, folk-art style illustrations echo the energy of the main character and encourage the reader to explore the pages of this book and all the others at their local branch.


Bonus: 

 1. It goes without saying to visit a local children's library.
When my children were little, we visited a library once a week. I made a point to visit different branches and even got them library cards from the neighboring county. Every library was different. Some were loud and some were quiet, some had constant activity, some had secret places to explore. Some of the librarians were wonderfully kind and others...need to read this book about Anne Carroll Moore. But the one thing we gained from each one was an opportunity to find new books. Books my kids might have scorned in one branch, they gravitated to in the next. And we always took out many more than we could read in a week. It bothers me when I hear parents limiting their toddlers to just one. The benefits of books in the house, the benefits to the library (you know they get more funding when they check out more books, right? And if a book is taken off the shelf it has a slimmer chance of being culled from the library's collection), far outweigh my other parenting instincts. This is a place I want my kids to go hog wild!

2. In addition, what does your local children's reading room need? Better toys? New crayons? That signed illustrator's poster you are never going to hang? Donated books for their permanent collection or for sale? Involve kids in finding the answers to these questions and organizing a volunteer group. Start a book club for various ages and partner with the library to create elementary, youth, or teen panels who help plan events, review books, or clean up around the library.

Easy bookish decorations from My Chocolate Moments.

3. There are THOUSANDS of bookish ideas on Pinterest for hosting an amazing book party. Build a fort with lots of throw pillows. Collect stacks of books. Choose one or two to read aloud. Dish up themed snacks. Craft some bookmarks. Maybe even watch a bookish movie. I've collected some of my favorite recipes for every age group on the Bookish Food board and some great party ideas on the It's My Party board.

4. The Horn Book published an interesting article on Librarian Anne Carroll Moore back in 1997.

5. What could be more fitting than a visit to the NY Public Library Children's Reading Room? Plan your trip today. Explore the history of the library before you go.

6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Kirsten

Reviewed by Clara

Reviewed by Vivian

Reviewed by Susanna

Reviewed by Erik

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Sue

Reviewed by Beth

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, October 27, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: Animals Christopher Columbus Saw

And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Christopher Columbus, Part of the Explorers Series

Animals Christopher Columbus Saw
An Adventure in the New World

Written Sandra Markle
Illustrated by Jamel Akib

Chronicle Books, 2008
Ages 7-10, 48 pp, 970L


Themes:
Exploration, History, Animals


Opening:
Would you believe that, once, worms inspired people to explore the world? In fifteenth-century Europe, silk made from the thread of silkworms was more valuable than gold. Silk and silkworms could only be found in the areas now known as China and Japan, and finding the fastest sea route between these areas and Europe could make an explorer very rich. Christopher Columbus was determined to find that route. In 1492, he set off with three ships, and while he did find land, it wasn't what he expected. Neither were the animals he found along the way.

Synopsis:
The author weaves both history and zoology into the story of Christoper Columbus's voyage. She uses journals and primary sources to uncover the probable route of the three ships and straighten out the facts in our minds. She details the various species of animals on land, sea, and air which Columbus's crew encountered. Her book is full of historical place names and vocabulary and doesn't shy away from the introduction of slavery and disease. However, the focus is not on the value of the journey, but rather on the wildlife. Each spread has narrative paragraph which tells about the sailors and a paragraph which highlights an animal the crew encountered. The text is a bit complicated for younger readers to read themselves, but would be a great introduction to the subject for both lower and middle grades. The focus on the animals is a kid-friendly way to teach history. The book includes a glossary and age-appropriate resources plus an author's note.


What I Love:
I love this series of animal books by Sandra Markle. I appreciate the way she tries to be historically accurate and put the details into perspective. I am sure there are many people who think she does not hit the issues like slavery harshly enough and that this book glorifies Columbus in a Eurocentric way without regard to the chaos of colonialism. Personally, I like how the author found an important theme running through Columbus's voyage and also that she has an opportunity to show what the voyage meant to his people at the time. It opens conversation about pre-conceived notions about what makes a civilized society and still leaves room to explore the history without the modern politics.
The illustrations are beautiful, though I was disappointed by the book's design. I would have liked the narrative sections and the animal sections to be set apart differently. Though a period map was included in the illustrations, I think a more detailed map would be more useful.


Bonus: 

1. There are other books in the Explorers series including one about Marco Polo and one about Robert Shaw.

2. Kids can create their own journal of animal species with the tips from Reading Rockets and biome-specific helps from Earth'sKids.

3. Geocaching is another way to get kids out and exploring. Go to their official website, or check the overview on LifeWire.

4. To dig deeper into the truth about Columbus's journey, try Biography and IndianCountryToday. While KidsPlayAndCreate offers a list of historical facts and dates.

5. Both Calliope and Dig magazines featured issues on Queen Isabella, and Cobblestone's issue on explorers would pair well with this book.

6. National Geographic's website encourages kids to follow in modern explorers' footsteps. Even city kids can do some adventuring on CityKidExplorers.

7. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Didn't one of the PPBF participants review Monsoon, illustrated by Jamel Akib? I couldn't find it, but I'm sure I read it. If so, please leave the link in the comments or drop me an email. Thanks!

Reviewed by Sue

Reviewed by Sue

Reviewed by Joanna

Reviewed by Joanne

Reviewed by Diane

Reviewed by Beth

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, October 6, 2017 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.