—Daniel José Older*
 |
| Tree of Knowledge bookplate Via Pinterest |
*Via Seven Scribes
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Give Yourself A Break
"For me, writing always begins with self-forgiveness."
—Daniel José Older*
*Via Seven Scribes
—Daniel José Older*
*Via Seven Scribes
Friday, April 27, 2018
PPBF: Danza!
And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick*
Danza!
Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de México
Written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Abrams BFYR, 2017
Ages 6-10, 32 pp, 980L
Themes:
Dance, Cultural Diversity, Biography
Opening:
Amalia (ah-MAH-lee-ah) Hernández was born in Mexico City in 1917 and everyone assumed she would grow up to be a schoolteacher like her mother and her grandmother. Even Ami (AH-me), as everyone called her, expected that.
But one afternoon while her family was on vacation, Ami saw a pair of dancers in a town square. They stomped and swayed to the live music. The danzas that they performed had been danced by the people of that area for generations. Ami was hooked. She made a decision: she was going to become a dancer herself.
Synopsis:
Amalia Hernández is an overlooked figure in the history of entertainment. She was a dancer, teacher, and a collector of folk dances from her home country and around the world. She pioneered new styles of dance and incorporated cultural influences in her productions. She founded a prestigious ballet company, effectively cementing the importance of Mexican and folk dances in the collective consciousness. This book takes Amalia from her exposure to dance as a young girl, through the many high points of her life, and ends with her lasting legacy.
What I Love:
This book is written with scrupulous research and obvious respect, though the text is sometimes thick and overburdened with Amalia's many accomplishments. It is presented for ages 6 and up, but I think younger readers will have a difficult time grasping the details in the book. It can instead be used to introduce the very young to an exciting Hispanic personality and an important art movement. And older readers can enjoy the subject's amazingly full life and her ability to influence society. Unfortunately, the writing is sometimes less like a story, than an encyclopedic account. However, the book's significance and the omission of Ms. Hernández's broad accomplishments in most other places, makes this a picture book to try.
The author's choice to illustrate in a classical style adds to the book's message that Mexican tradition has much to offer. The nature of the art style is sometimes at odds with the theme of the book: Tonatiuh's art is fluid, but stiff at times, while Hernández's art was all about energy and movement. Tonatiuh does an excellent job of including even more facts into the back matter, facts which would have distracted from the linear nature of the story.
Danza! is a lovely and remarkable book which many people will find inspiring.
Bonus:
1. Patricia of Wander, Ponder, Write has also reviewed this book for Perfect Picture Book Friday.
2. The Adelante Movement has published more information on the life of Amalia Hernández or check out the page on Danzantes Unidos.
3. You can learn the names and details about ten important traditional Mexican dances on CultureUp, as well as seeing a video for each.
4. PinBureau posted an inspiring article on the local Ballet Folklorico groups in the Phoenix, AZ area. Why not explore your town for a company near you?
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
6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
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 27, 2018 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
*As a CYBILS second round judge, I was expected to review this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
 |
| Danza! A biography of Amalia Hernández, by Duncan Tonatiuh |
Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklórico de México
Written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Abrams BFYR, 2017
Ages 6-10, 32 pp, 980L
Themes:
Dance, Cultural Diversity, Biography
Opening:
Amalia (ah-MAH-lee-ah) Hernández was born in Mexico City in 1917 and everyone assumed she would grow up to be a schoolteacher like her mother and her grandmother. Even Ami (AH-me), as everyone called her, expected that.
But one afternoon while her family was on vacation, Ami saw a pair of dancers in a town square. They stomped and swayed to the live music. The danzas that they performed had been danced by the people of that area for generations. Ami was hooked. She made a decision: she was going to become a dancer herself.
Synopsis:
Amalia Hernández is an overlooked figure in the history of entertainment. She was a dancer, teacher, and a collector of folk dances from her home country and around the world. She pioneered new styles of dance and incorporated cultural influences in her productions. She founded a prestigious ballet company, effectively cementing the importance of Mexican and folk dances in the collective consciousness. This book takes Amalia from her exposure to dance as a young girl, through the many high points of her life, and ends with her lasting legacy.
What I Love:
This book is written with scrupulous research and obvious respect, though the text is sometimes thick and overburdened with Amalia's many accomplishments. It is presented for ages 6 and up, but I think younger readers will have a difficult time grasping the details in the book. It can instead be used to introduce the very young to an exciting Hispanic personality and an important art movement. And older readers can enjoy the subject's amazingly full life and her ability to influence society. Unfortunately, the writing is sometimes less like a story, than an encyclopedic account. However, the book's significance and the omission of Ms. Hernández's broad accomplishments in most other places, makes this a picture book to try.
The author's choice to illustrate in a classical style adds to the book's message that Mexican tradition has much to offer. The nature of the art style is sometimes at odds with the theme of the book: Tonatiuh's art is fluid, but stiff at times, while Hernández's art was all about energy and movement. Tonatiuh does an excellent job of including even more facts into the back matter, facts which would have distracted from the linear nature of the story.
Danza! is a lovely and remarkable book which many people will find inspiring.
Bonus:
 |
| A Mexican dancer to color, from Crayola |
2. The Adelante Movement has published more information on the life of Amalia Hernández or check out the page on Danzantes Unidos.
3. You can learn the names and details about ten important traditional Mexican dances on CultureUp, as well as seeing a video for each.
4. PinBureau posted an inspiring article on the local Ballet Folklorico groups in the Phoenix, AZ area. Why not explore your town for a company near you?
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
6. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
 |
| Reviewed by Vivian |
 |
| Reviewed by Beth |
 |
| Reviewed by Erik |
 |
| Reviewed by Patricia |
 |
| Reviewed by Maria |
 |
| Reviewed by Joanne |
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, April 27, 2018 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
*As a CYBILS second round judge, I was expected to review this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Eye-Opening Books
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
—Marcel Proust*
*From Remembrance of Things Past via age-of-the-sage
—Marcel Proust*
 |
| Galleon bookplate by Franklin Booth |
*From Remembrance of Things Past via age-of-the-sage
Friday, April 20, 2018
PPBF: Dazzle Ships
And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick*
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.
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
Bonus:
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.
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.
 |
| Dazzle Ships, by Chris Barton and Victo Ngai |
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 |
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
Bonus:
 |
| Striped inside and out, t his cupcake recipe from Eats Amazing could be turned into dazzle ships! |
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 |
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.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Reading in Bed
"A full stomach, a soft mattress, a feather comforter, a pillow, a long candle and nobody to tell you what to do. ...Heaven must be something like that."
—Sarah Ellis*
*From The Several Lives of Orphan Jack
—Sarah Ellis*
 |
| Reading chair bookplate from University of Delaware Library Digital Collections via Pinterest |
*From The Several Lives of Orphan Jack
Friday, April 13, 2018
PPBF: Shark Lady
And now on to today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick
Shark Lady
The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became The Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
Written Jess Keating
Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2017
Ages 4-8, 40 pp, 730L
Themes:
Ocean, Animals, Biography
Opening:
It was Saturday, and Eugenie wanted to stay at the aquarium forever. She wanted to smell the damp, salty air and stare at the glittery rainbow of fish. She wanted to keep watching her favorite animals...The sharks.
Synopsis:
Shark Lady follows scientist Eugenie Clark's life from fascination with sharks as a child to her ground-breaking studies as a marine biologist. The book focuses on the misrepresentation of sharks and uses it to strengthen the theme: that Eugenie Clark was also misunderstood. As a woman scientist, she faced opposition as well as challenges she set herself in her field work. The back matter includes a timeline, shark facts, and other interesting bits.
What I Love:
With multiple degrees and awards to her credit, Clark is a great role model for young readers. Keating's text is readable, and re-readable. The art is playful and colorful, perfect for attracting readers of both sexes, even ones who aren't interested in the subject. I love the underlying idea that we look too much on the outward appearance and tend to misjudge both animals and people. While Keating's What Makes A Monster? is somewhat heavy-handed, Shark Lady sets just the right balance. The entire book is designed to be engaging from the charming endpapers to the clever "Shark Bites" of information in the back where the author includes, not just more information, but deeper, funnier, or more kid-friendly factoids.
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
Bonus:
1. Play Fishy Fishy Sharky Sharky or Minnows and Sharks during recess.
2. For snacktime, mix up some gummy sharks and blue Jello or a watermelon shark.
3. PBS Parents has cooked up a shark-themed coding game for women's history month.
4. TeacherVision is a great resource for classrooms, from biographical worksheets on Eugenie Clark, to shark matching pages.
5. Learn more about Eugenie Clark at The Marine Laboratory & Aquarium or read her bio on National Geographic, published after her death.
6. Take a field trip to The Georgia Aquarium or a facility near you.
7. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
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 13, 2018 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
*As a CYBILS second round judge, I was asked to review a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
 |
| Shark Lady, a biography of biologist, Eugenie Clark |
The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became The Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
Written Jess Keating
Illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2017
Ages 4-8, 40 pp, 730L
Themes:
Ocean, Animals, Biography
Opening:
It was Saturday, and Eugenie wanted to stay at the aquarium forever. She wanted to smell the damp, salty air and stare at the glittery rainbow of fish. She wanted to keep watching her favorite animals...The sharks.
Synopsis:
Shark Lady follows scientist Eugenie Clark's life from fascination with sharks as a child to her ground-breaking studies as a marine biologist. The book focuses on the misrepresentation of sharks and uses it to strengthen the theme: that Eugenie Clark was also misunderstood. As a woman scientist, she faced opposition as well as challenges she set herself in her field work. The back matter includes a timeline, shark facts, and other interesting bits.
What I Love:
With multiple degrees and awards to her credit, Clark is a great role model for young readers. Keating's text is readable, and re-readable. The art is playful and colorful, perfect for attracting readers of both sexes, even ones who aren't interested in the subject. I love the underlying idea that we look too much on the outward appearance and tend to misjudge both animals and people. While Keating's What Makes A Monster? is somewhat heavy-handed, Shark Lady sets just the right balance. The entire book is designed to be engaging from the charming endpapers to the clever "Shark Bites" of information in the back where the author includes, not just more information, but deeper, funnier, or more kid-friendly factoids.
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
Bonus:
 |
| Craft a paper fin hat to wear during the playground games. Courtesy of Susan's Site |
2. For snacktime, mix up some gummy sharks and blue Jello or a watermelon shark.
3. PBS Parents has cooked up a shark-themed coding game for women's history month.
4. TeacherVision is a great resource for classrooms, from biographical worksheets on Eugenie Clark, to shark matching pages.
5. Learn more about Eugenie Clark at The Marine Laboratory & Aquarium or read her bio on National Geographic, published after her death.
6. Take a field trip to The Georgia Aquarium or a facility near you.
7. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
 |
| Reviewed by Maria |
 |
| Reviewed by Penny |
 |
| Reviewed by Sue |
 |
| Reviewed by Vivian |
 |
| Reviewed by Joanne |
 |
| Reviewed by Susanna |
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, April 13, 2018 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
*As a CYBILS second round judge, I was asked to review a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
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