—Helen Keller*
 |
| Bookplate by Svoboda, Courtesy Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum & Exlibrissamling |
*Via Nerdy Chicks Rule
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Book Meld
"All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
—Helen Keller*
*Via Nerdy Chicks Rule
—Helen Keller*
*Via Nerdy Chicks Rule
Friday, December 23, 2016
PPBF: The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Merry Christmas to all!
 |
| The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, first edition. |
Written Susan Wojciechowski
Illustrated by P. J. Lynch
Candlewick Press, 1995
Ages 6-10, 40 pp, 2860 words
Themes:Christmas, Overcoming Loss
Opening:
"The Village children called him Mr. Gloomy. But, in fact, his name was Toomey. Mr. Jonathan Toomey. And though it's not kind to call people names, this one fit quite well. For Jonathan Toomey seldom smiled and never laughed."
Synopsis:
A widow and her boy need the local wood carver to replace her heirloom nativity set. The wood carver happens to be Jonathan Toomey, the grouchiest man in town. As he works on each figure in the manger, the widow's young son watches intently. Despite the carver's scowls, the boy can't help interrupting. The sheep isn't happy enough. The cow isn't proud enough. The angel doesn't look important enough. As the relationship between the two progresses, the characters each begin to come to terms with their griefs. When Mr. Toomey faces his greatest challenge, how to represent the baby Jesus and his mother, his inspiration is drawn from a surprising source.
What I Love:
Some books have an enduring value that makes them timeless, even classic. This is one of those books. Published over twenty years ago, it has won awards, been reprinted multiple times, and continues to be sought by new generations of readers. Picture storybooks of the 90's were text heavy rather than stripped down like today's texts, but the story doesn't feel flabby. Instead the author takes time to develop backstory and uses plenty of dialogue.
Susan Wojciechowski's story is funny and heart-warming without being sappy. While the ending seems inevitable, it does not feel predictable.
If you've never experienced P. J. Lynch's luscious illustrations, you'll be spell-bound. His watercolors are more than life-like. They are rich and warm. The textures make you want to sit and stare.
 |
| P. J. Lynch's stunning watercolor illustrations add texture and emotion. |
Bonus:
1. When my kids were small, I adapted the text, nearly word-for-word into a play for the school Christmas program. The kids enjoyed it and the audience laughed in all the right places. We used minimal sets and cast a narrator. Now that I think about it, we probably should've sold books as a fundraiser after the performance, giving the audience an opportunity to make it an annual event in their own homes.
2. I've seen the movie version. It was well-done and adequate, but it didn't move me like the book or like performing the story live.
3. My daughter is interested in whittling. We haven't tried it yet, but I recommend reading more on sites like JM Cremp's Adventure Blog. You can find a great selection of supplies at Mountain Woodcarvers.com.
4. We put our ceramic manger scene in a prominent place during Christmas. The figures were painted by my mom and the wooden stable was made by a dear friend's dad. I try to make it the first decoration so Jesus's birth stays central in our thoughts all season. I seem to remember an old Italian tradition in which nativity pieces were wrapped and one was opened each night like an advent calendar. Though I couldn't find internet evidence of that, there's an interesting article on traditional Italian Christmas celebrations on Kids World Travel Guide.
5. Read more Perfect Picture Book Friday reviews for seasonal titles: Goodnight, Manger, reviewed by Erik, Christmas in the Trenches, reviewed by Jarm, Christmas Lullaby, reviewed by Julie, or Twas Nochebuena, reviewed by Patricia.
6. Why not make this book a holiday tradition? Pair it with Patricia MacLachlan's The True Gift or Ruth Graham's One Wintry Night.
 |
| The True Gift, by Pat MacLachlan and Brian Floca |
 |
| One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham and Richard Jesse Watson |
Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Perfect Picture Book Friday will return in 2017, available through Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Building Better Readers
"There is ample evidence that one of the major differences between poor and good readers is the difference in the quantity of total time they spend reading."
— National Reading Panel, 2000*
*Via Read Faster
— National Reading Panel, 2000*
 |
| Cat on shelves bookplate Curtesy Miss Jacobs Library |
*Via Read Faster
Monday, December 19, 2016
MMGM: A Child's Christmas in Wales
Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick
A Child's Christmas in Wales
Written by Dylan Thomas
Cover art by Trina Schart Hyman
Holiday House, 1985
Ages 8 and up
48 pages, 3000 words
Themes:
Humor, Christmas, Memoir
Opening:
One Christmas was so much like another, in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all sound except the distant speaking voices I sometimes hear a moment before sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve of whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six.
Thoughts:
Dylan Thomas rambles elegantly about the Christmases of his childhood, somewhere around 1924. His book is full of anecdotes about the eccentric uncles ("There are always uncles at Christmas. The same uncles.") and aunts and their holiday habits. But mostly this book is a reminiscence about a world long-gone. Not just nostalgic candy cigarettes and erector sets, but also enormously exaggerated snowfalls and childhood pranks expertly seen through the eyes of a boy and the lens of an old man.
This is the sort of classic which I probably would never have gotten around to reading but for the copy I received, where the words magically came to life through Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations. The text is lyrical enough for younger readers, but the meaning may escape them. Certainly many of the historical references will leave them wondering, particularly if they are unfamiliar with European culture. But, like Victor Hugo, Thomas groups his examples in great bundles so one is sure to catch the meaning through context. For example, when listing the marvelous Christmas confections, Thomas mentions, "Hardboiled, toffee, fudge and allsorts, crunches, cracknels, humbugs, glaciers, marzipan, and butterwelsh for the Welsh." My mouth waters at the crunchy-chewy-sticky goodness of a bowl full of Christmas sweets despite the fact I've only ever eaten marzipan.
Kids will certainly relate to the excitement of a snowball fight, the dreadful practicality of a new pair of mittens, the familiarity of skulking in a room full of tipsy relatives singing at the top of their voices. I enjoyed Child's Christmas as a kid and I pick up something new each time I read it. (This year I get the joke about the "Happy Families" game and I finally know the difference between jelly beans and jelly babies!) Try it as a read-aloud and pair it with reminiscences of your own. Kids are fascinated by stories of grown-ups as children, especially how things were so different yet so similar.
Bonus:
1. If you enjoyed A Child's Christmas in Wales, you may like the audio version read by the author himself before he died. It's intriguing, but may be too hurried for young listeners.
2. If traditional illustration isn't your style, you can try these more recent versions.
3. I can't help myself. Trina Schart Hyman's work transports me. Here are more of her books which you might like to read.
4. Start your own holiday tradition by making peppermint humbugs, for fans of Harry Potter as well as Dylan Thomas.
5. Looking for candy cigarettes, jelly babies, space ships, rock candy, licorice pipes, and the like? You can find them all at Ballyhoo, old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop, if you're ever in Pennsylvania.
Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for December 19, 2016.
MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?
 |
| A Child's Christmas in Wales, by Dylan Thomas, Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman |
Written by Dylan Thomas
Cover art by Trina Schart Hyman
Holiday House, 1985
Ages 8 and up
48 pages, 3000 words
Themes:
Humor, Christmas, Memoir
Opening:
One Christmas was so much like another, in those years around the sea-town corner now and out of all sound except the distant speaking voices I sometimes hear a moment before sleep, that I can never remember whether it snowed for six days and six nights when I was twelve of whether it snowed for twelve days and twelve nights when I was six.
Thoughts:
Dylan Thomas rambles elegantly about the Christmases of his childhood, somewhere around 1924. His book is full of anecdotes about the eccentric uncles ("There are always uncles at Christmas. The same uncles.") and aunts and their holiday habits. But mostly this book is a reminiscence about a world long-gone. Not just nostalgic candy cigarettes and erector sets, but also enormously exaggerated snowfalls and childhood pranks expertly seen through the eyes of a boy and the lens of an old man.
This is the sort of classic which I probably would never have gotten around to reading but for the copy I received, where the words magically came to life through Trina Schart Hyman's illustrations. The text is lyrical enough for younger readers, but the meaning may escape them. Certainly many of the historical references will leave them wondering, particularly if they are unfamiliar with European culture. But, like Victor Hugo, Thomas groups his examples in great bundles so one is sure to catch the meaning through context. For example, when listing the marvelous Christmas confections, Thomas mentions, "Hardboiled, toffee, fudge and allsorts, crunches, cracknels, humbugs, glaciers, marzipan, and butterwelsh for the Welsh." My mouth waters at the crunchy-chewy-sticky goodness of a bowl full of Christmas sweets despite the fact I've only ever eaten marzipan.
Kids will certainly relate to the excitement of a snowball fight, the dreadful practicality of a new pair of mittens, the familiarity of skulking in a room full of tipsy relatives singing at the top of their voices. I enjoyed Child's Christmas as a kid and I pick up something new each time I read it. (This year I get the joke about the "Happy Families" game and I finally know the difference between jelly beans and jelly babies!) Try it as a read-aloud and pair it with reminiscences of your own. Kids are fascinated by stories of grown-ups as children, especially how things were so different yet so similar.
Bonus:
1. If you enjoyed A Child's Christmas in Wales, you may like the audio version read by the author himself before he died. It's intriguing, but may be too hurried for young listeners.
 |
| Caedmon audio edition, 2002 |
2. If traditional illustration isn't your style, you can try these more recent versions.
 |
| 1993 edition illustrated by Edward Ardizzone |
 |
| 2004 edition illustrated by Chris Raschka |
 |
| A Christmas Carol Reviewed for MMGM, December 2016 |
 |
| A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Reviewed May 2012 |
 |
| Peppermint humbug recipe courtesy Feast Magazine |
5. Looking for candy cigarettes, jelly babies, space ships, rock candy, licorice pipes, and the like? You can find them all at Ballyhoo, old-fashioned ice cream parlor and candy shop, if you're ever in Pennsylvania.
 |
| Rob and Val, owners of Ballyhoo, Purveyors of fine ice cream and bubblegum cigars! |
Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for December 19, 2016.
MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?
Friday, December 16, 2016
PPBF: Non-Fiction Compendiums
There's no official Perfect Picture Book Friday today, but I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce a few of the worthwhile picture books I've read this fall.
Illustrated by Tracey Tucker, Thomas Pullin, Barbara Bakos, Chris Chatterton, Chester Bentley, Clair Rossiter, Lindsey Spinks, Jessie Ford, L'Atelier Cartographik, Jen Taylor,
360 Degrees, an imprint of Tiger Tales, 2016
Ages 8-11, 28 pp
Themes:
Nonfiction, General Knowledge
Opening:
"Enjoy a fresh perspective by looking at the wonders of the world from the outside, in. This super-size book slices its way through 101 objects, animals, and buildings to reveal some extraordinary interiors. Lift the giant flaps on every spread to see what surprises are hiding inside."
Thoughts:
In Focus actually offers 60 pages of inside/outside peeks at animals on land and underwater, historical and modern buildings from Egypt to the artic, detailing inside the smallest seed to beyond the farthest star. Turn the page to view a new topic by a new illustrator, let's say"Transportation" illustrated by Jen Taylor. The "Outside" pages introduce readers to a sampling of items in that category, in this case, a submarine or a hovercraft. Then readers can lift the page flap showing the "Insides," cutaways and part diagrams revealing a smattering of facts.
This is the ultimate trivia book. I enjoyed the variety of illustrators and the overall graphic style. I found the concept fascinating. However at first read, I thought the text too cursory and some of the cross sections vague.
So I handed it to a kid in the target age. First I let him take a look at it alone. Being a reluctant reader, he didn't give it more than a few seconds. He lifted a few flaps half-heartedly and asked if he could go. Being the scheming ogre I am, I asked him to read inside or outside once on every spread (that's only 10 sections / 10 facts.) He came back 45 minutes later and regaled me for the next week with random facts.
"Did you know a starfish can grow up to forty arms?"
"Did you know the strawberry isn't really a berry?"
"Did you know the frame that holds up the yurt at school is called a khana?"
So if you can get this book into the hands of a kid, I recommend you do. While it's not earth-shatteringly informative, it is fun and worthwhile. It would make a great companion on car trips or while waiting for Christmas dinner. Who knows what conversations it will spark around the table.
The Slowest Book Ever
Written by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Boyds Mill Press, 2016
Ages 8-12, 176 pp, 10000 words, 940L
Themes:
Nonfiction, Nature, General Knowledge
Opening:
“Warning: This is a S-L-O-W book. Do not read it while surfing, water skiing, or running to escape giant weasels. Avoid skimming it while swimming the backstroke or speed skating. Please consult a qualified librarian before reading your next book; after this, a fast-paced book might discombobulate your brain.”
Thoughts:
Another book of random trivia, this one compact and quirky. The Slowest Book Ever by its very layout, invites readers to take their time reading through the pages. The author uses thought-provoking language like "thought potatoes" meaning ruminate about this idea. She encourages readers to "Read them. Think about them SLOWLY. Slow thoughts are often big thoughts. So don't fret if it takes awhile to understand them. Don't worry if you need to read them twice. Traveling in a circle is, after all, still traveling."
The sections are random, but they lead from one concept to the next quite well. The information is not limited to outlandish facts about slow things like sloths and snail mail, but infuses slowing down into every page. One section is called "Chewy Nature Thoughts" inviting young minds to chew and digest before moving on to the next page. Page 148 is a blank spread on which to rest your face as you ponder the slowness of the universe. No kidding. Copious end notes and personal touches make this an outstanding book to inform and delight.
Animal Planet Animal Atlas
ed. James Buckley, jr.
Animal Planet, 2016
Ages 7-10, 96 pp, 1000L
Themes:
Nonfiction, Animals
Opening:
"Most of the Earth's land is divided into the seven continents, and each of the seven continents includes a range of biomes. The animals pictures on this map represent just a few of the millions of species that live in them. You can look for your favorites and jump forward to the continent that they live on, or read page-by-page to discover new places and animals."
Thoughts:
This book is just what it says, an over-sized atlas highlighting short tidbits about animals around the globe. The main difference with this book, is it is sorted by biome. Though the table of contents lists sections by continent, within each section, the map will be divided by the biomes on that continent. This was a fun and interesting way to look at the world and a good way to introduce facts which might be omitted from other similar books.
Bonus:
May I also recommend
Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Today's theme is FUN FACTS!
Created by Libby Walden 
Illustrated by Tracey Tucker, Thomas Pullin, Barbara Bakos, Chris Chatterton, Chester Bentley, Clair Rossiter, Lindsey Spinks, Jessie Ford, L'Atelier Cartographik, Jen Taylor,
360 Degrees, an imprint of Tiger Tales, 2016
Ages 8-11, 28 pp
Themes:
Nonfiction, General Knowledge
Opening:
"Enjoy a fresh perspective by looking at the wonders of the world from the outside, in. This super-size book slices its way through 101 objects, animals, and buildings to reveal some extraordinary interiors. Lift the giant flaps on every spread to see what surprises are hiding inside."
Thoughts:
In Focus actually offers 60 pages of inside/outside peeks at animals on land and underwater, historical and modern buildings from Egypt to the artic, detailing inside the smallest seed to beyond the farthest star. Turn the page to view a new topic by a new illustrator, let's say"Transportation" illustrated by Jen Taylor. The "Outside" pages introduce readers to a sampling of items in that category, in this case, a submarine or a hovercraft. Then readers can lift the page flap showing the "Insides," cutaways and part diagrams revealing a smattering of facts.
This is the ultimate trivia book. I enjoyed the variety of illustrators and the overall graphic style. I found the concept fascinating. However at first read, I thought the text too cursory and some of the cross sections vague.
So I handed it to a kid in the target age. First I let him take a look at it alone. Being a reluctant reader, he didn't give it more than a few seconds. He lifted a few flaps half-heartedly and asked if he could go. Being the scheming ogre I am, I asked him to read inside or outside once on every spread (that's only 10 sections / 10 facts.) He came back 45 minutes later and regaled me for the next week with random facts.
"Did you know a starfish can grow up to forty arms?"
"Did you know the strawberry isn't really a berry?"
"Did you know the frame that holds up the yurt at school is called a khana?"
So if you can get this book into the hands of a kid, I recommend you do. While it's not earth-shatteringly informative, it is fun and worthwhile. It would make a great companion on car trips or while waiting for Christmas dinner. Who knows what conversations it will spark around the table.
 |
| The Slowest Book Ever, by April Sayre and Kelly Murphy |
Written by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Boyds Mill Press, 2016
Ages 8-12, 176 pp, 10000 words, 940L
Themes:
Nonfiction, Nature, General Knowledge
Opening:
“Warning: This is a S-L-O-W book. Do not read it while surfing, water skiing, or running to escape giant weasels. Avoid skimming it while swimming the backstroke or speed skating. Please consult a qualified librarian before reading your next book; after this, a fast-paced book might discombobulate your brain.”
Thoughts:
Another book of random trivia, this one compact and quirky. The Slowest Book Ever by its very layout, invites readers to take their time reading through the pages. The author uses thought-provoking language like "thought potatoes" meaning ruminate about this idea. She encourages readers to "Read them. Think about them SLOWLY. Slow thoughts are often big thoughts. So don't fret if it takes awhile to understand them. Don't worry if you need to read them twice. Traveling in a circle is, after all, still traveling."
The sections are random, but they lead from one concept to the next quite well. The information is not limited to outlandish facts about slow things like sloths and snail mail, but infuses slowing down into every page. One section is called "Chewy Nature Thoughts" inviting young minds to chew and digest before moving on to the next page. Page 148 is a blank spread on which to rest your face as you ponder the slowness of the universe. No kidding. Copious end notes and personal touches make this an outstanding book to inform and delight.
 |
| Animal Planet Animal Atlas |
ed. James Buckley, jr.
Animal Planet, 2016
Ages 7-10, 96 pp, 1000L
Themes:
Nonfiction, Animals
Opening:
"Most of the Earth's land is divided into the seven continents, and each of the seven continents includes a range of biomes. The animals pictures on this map represent just a few of the millions of species that live in them. You can look for your favorites and jump forward to the continent that they live on, or read page-by-page to discover new places and animals."
Thoughts:
This book is just what it says, an over-sized atlas highlighting short tidbits about animals around the globe. The main difference with this book, is it is sorted by biome. Though the table of contents lists sections by continent, within each section, the map will be divided by the biomes on that continent. This was a fun and interesting way to look at the world and a good way to introduce facts which might be omitted from other similar books.
Bonus:
May I also recommend
 |
| The Human Body, A compendium of physical facts. |
 |
| Welcome to New Zealand, A journal of flora and fauna. |
 |
| Glow, A school of glowing sea creatures. |
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Still in the Library
"In any library in the world, I am at home, unselfconscious, still and absorbed."
~Germaine Greer*
*Via Quote Garden
~Germaine Greer*
 |
| Sylvan bookplate by George Wolfe Plank Courtesy Pratt Institute Libraries |
*Via Quote Garden
Friday, December 9, 2016
PPBF: Art, Scupture, Photography
There's no official Perfect Picture Book Friday today, but I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce a few of the worthwhile picture books I've read this fall.
Dorothea's Eyes: Dorothea Lange Photographs the Truth
Written by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrated by Gerard DuBois
Calkins Creek, 2016
Ages 8-12, 40 pp, 580L
Themes:
Biography, Disability, Nonfiction, Photography
Opening:
Dorothea opens her grey-green eyes.
They are special eyes.
They see what others miss . . .
Thoughts:
Photographer Dorothea Lange may have been shy as a child, but when she developed polio, leaving her with a limp, she wanted to completely disappear. By hiding behind her camera, she could almost do that. Though she wished to remain invisible, Lange wanted nothing more than to draw attention to the invisible people she saw through her lens. As a photo-journalist, she told the stories of the poor and destitute. Her work speaks powerfully for the voiceless common people, saying, "This is the way it is. Look at it! Look at it!"
This was a great story and an interesting biography. Of course I know Lange's work and have studied her influence, but I didn't know anything about her as a person, nor how her personal struggles changed the course of her life and informed her photography. As with all of Barb Rosenstock's books, Dorothea's Eyes is well researched, thoughtfully written, and superbly organized.
For more reviews of this book, check out the posts from fellow PPBF participants, Beth Anderson and Sue Heavenrich.
Joel Meyerowitz: Seeing Things: A Kid's Guide to Looking at Photographs
Written by Joel Meyerowitz
Illustrated with photos of thirty famous photographers
Aperture, 2016
Ages 8-12, 80 pp
Themes:
Art Appreciation, Nonfiction, Photography
Opening:
"I chose the photographs in this book with the hope that the things you discover in them will encourage you to open your eyes and your mind so that you can see the world around you in a new way."
Thoughts:
"The moment of seeing is like waking up."
The author's goal is to teach readers how to think about photography. What to look for. How the photo was created. Why the photographer chose that particular moment in time. The result is stunning. Broken into sections such as Timing is Everything, Shadow Play, and The Frame Within the Frame, this could be a textbook on artistic composition or a study of the world's great photographers. Each section has a photo by a different artist which illustrates something specific to look for: repetition of shapes, components that move the eye around the page, the use of reflections, the power of a human gaze. Readers will appreciate art in a new way. They will not only take away tools to use in seeing the world or in making their own art, but also a greater understanding and appreciation for photography as an art form. I loved this book. I recommend it for every student, and I don't say that lightly. It is engaging, enlightening, transforming. After reading Seeing Things, I have no doubt many kids will stop to think as they snap chat or pose for their next selfie. And that's a good thing.
I should note that both front and back covers are cutouts, with the eye, iris, cornea being on different layers. It may help draw readers to this book, but it is not the kind of design that will last in a school library or classroom. I was disappointed the book didn't contain an index of photographers. Also, the typesetting was bizarre, offsetting paragraphs and drastically changing font sizes. I guess the changes were meant to keep kids reading through the whole page, but it was a bit annoying for me, seeming haphazard and arbitrary. But don't let it stop you from reading and recommending this book.
Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois
Written by Amy Novesky
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Harry N. Abrams, 2016
Ages 5-8, 40 pp, 1000L
Themes:
Biography, Non-fiction, Art
Opening:
"Louise was raised by a river. Her family lived in a big house on the water that wove like a wool thread through everything."
Thoughts:
Cloth Lullaby uses poetic imagery and highly stylized illustrations to underscore the idea that Louise's experiences and memories wove together to lead her to become a fabric sculptor as an adult. Her mother was a weaver, and the idea of tapestries is a recurring theme throughout. Spiders and webs, too, find their way into the illustrations. As well as reinforcing the idea of weaving, they prefigure what is perhaps Bourgeois's most famous work, Maman, a thirty-foot spider.
Kid Artists: True Tales of Childhood from Creative LegendsWritten by David Stabler
Illustrated by Doogie Horner
Quirk Books, 2015
Ages9-12, 208 pp, 1010L
Themes:
Biography, Sports, History, Nonfiction
Contents:
DaVinci, Van Gogh, Potter, Carr, O'Keeffe, Nevelson, Seuss, Pollock, Schulz, Ono, Basquiat, Monet, Picasso, Kahlo, Lawrence, Warhol, Haring,
Thoughts:
This was my first glimpse at the True Tales series. I can see the kid-appeal. The stories, picked from actual childhood events, are usually amusing, generally inspiring, and frequently educational. The style of illustration is absurd, aimed at luring kids who might not normally read biography books. I liked how the author grouped the artists: incidents during which the artist was influenced by nature, artists' whose work was shaped by difficulties like illness or loss, and artists who showed persistence in spite of obstacles or failures. I also liked the variety of artists the author chose. This guide seems like a great introduction for young readers despite the decidedly ridiculous tone and the lack of any actual reproductions of their work.
Bonus:
Check out these and other 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!
Today's theme is FINE ART!
 |
| Dorothea's Eyes, the biography of photographer Dorothea Lange |
Illustrated by Gerard DuBois
Calkins Creek, 2016
Ages 8-12, 40 pp, 580L
Themes:
Biography, Disability, Nonfiction, Photography
Opening:
Dorothea opens her grey-green eyes.
They are special eyes.
They see what others miss . . .
Thoughts:
Photographer Dorothea Lange may have been shy as a child, but when she developed polio, leaving her with a limp, she wanted to completely disappear. By hiding behind her camera, she could almost do that. Though she wished to remain invisible, Lange wanted nothing more than to draw attention to the invisible people she saw through her lens. As a photo-journalist, she told the stories of the poor and destitute. Her work speaks powerfully for the voiceless common people, saying, "This is the way it is. Look at it! Look at it!"
This was a great story and an interesting biography. Of course I know Lange's work and have studied her influence, but I didn't know anything about her as a person, nor how her personal struggles changed the course of her life and informed her photography. As with all of Barb Rosenstock's books, Dorothea's Eyes is well researched, thoughtfully written, and superbly organized.
For more reviews of this book, check out the posts from fellow PPBF participants, Beth Anderson and Sue Heavenrich.
 |
| Seeing Things, A Kid's Guide to Looking at Photographs |
Written by Joel Meyerowitz
Illustrated with photos of thirty famous photographers
Aperture, 2016
Ages 8-12, 80 pp
Themes:
Art Appreciation, Nonfiction, Photography
Opening:
"I chose the photographs in this book with the hope that the things you discover in them will encourage you to open your eyes and your mind so that you can see the world around you in a new way."
Thoughts:
"The moment of seeing is like waking up."
The author's goal is to teach readers how to think about photography. What to look for. How the photo was created. Why the photographer chose that particular moment in time. The result is stunning. Broken into sections such as Timing is Everything, Shadow Play, and The Frame Within the Frame, this could be a textbook on artistic composition or a study of the world's great photographers. Each section has a photo by a different artist which illustrates something specific to look for: repetition of shapes, components that move the eye around the page, the use of reflections, the power of a human gaze. Readers will appreciate art in a new way. They will not only take away tools to use in seeing the world or in making their own art, but also a greater understanding and appreciation for photography as an art form. I loved this book. I recommend it for every student, and I don't say that lightly. It is engaging, enlightening, transforming. After reading Seeing Things, I have no doubt many kids will stop to think as they snap chat or pose for their next selfie. And that's a good thing.
I should note that both front and back covers are cutouts, with the eye, iris, cornea being on different layers. It may help draw readers to this book, but it is not the kind of design that will last in a school library or classroom. I was disappointed the book didn't contain an index of photographers. Also, the typesetting was bizarre, offsetting paragraphs and drastically changing font sizes. I guess the changes were meant to keep kids reading through the whole page, but it was a bit annoying for me, seeming haphazard and arbitrary. But don't let it stop you from reading and recommending this book.
 |
| Cloth Lullaby, The biography of sculptor Louise Bourgeois |
Written by Amy Novesky
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Harry N. Abrams, 2016
Ages 5-8, 40 pp, 1000L
Themes:
Biography, Non-fiction, Art
Opening:
"Louise was raised by a river. Her family lived in a big house on the water that wove like a wool thread through everything."
Thoughts:
Cloth Lullaby uses poetic imagery and highly stylized illustrations to underscore the idea that Louise's experiences and memories wove together to lead her to become a fabric sculptor as an adult. Her mother was a weaver, and the idea of tapestries is a recurring theme throughout. Spiders and webs, too, find their way into the illustrations. As well as reinforcing the idea of weaving, they prefigure what is perhaps Bourgeois's most famous work, Maman, a thirty-foot spider.
 |
| Kid Artists, the newest book in the Kid Legends series |
Illustrated by Doogie Horner
Quirk Books, 2015
Ages9-12, 208 pp, 1010L
Themes:
Biography, Sports, History, Nonfiction
Contents:
DaVinci, Van Gogh, Potter, Carr, O'Keeffe, Nevelson, Seuss, Pollock, Schulz, Ono, Basquiat, Monet, Picasso, Kahlo, Lawrence, Warhol, Haring,
Thoughts:
This was my first glimpse at the True Tales series. I can see the kid-appeal. The stories, picked from actual childhood events, are usually amusing, generally inspiring, and frequently educational. The style of illustration is absurd, aimed at luring kids who might not normally read biography books. I liked how the author grouped the artists: incidents during which the artist was influenced by nature, artists' whose work was shaped by difficulties like illness or loss, and artists who showed persistence in spite of obstacles or failures. I also liked the variety of artists the author chose. This guide seems like a great introduction for young readers despite the decidedly ridiculous tone and the lack of any actual reproductions of their work.
Bonus:
Check out these and other Perfect Picture books at your local library.
 |
| Gordon Parks, by Carole Boston Weatherford and Jamey Christoph |
 |
| What Degas Saw, Samantha Friedman and Cristina Pieropan |
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Patiently Step Forward
"Being a writer takes more than simply the ability to write. In fact, we have to do more than engage the audience, more than catch the eye of that dream publisher, more than sculpt the perfect story arc with characters that are powerful and memorable.
"We have to do it all with the patience and tenacity to forge through a journey with no path, no timeline and a million different directions."
—Erika Wassall*
*Via Kathy Temean's Writing and Illustrating
"We have to do it all with the patience and tenacity to forge through a journey with no path, no timeline and a million different directions."
—Erika Wassall*
 |
| Stepping Stones bookplate, by Otto Krebs via Pinterest |
*Via Kathy Temean's Writing and Illustrating
Monday, December 5, 2016
MMGM: The True Gift
Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick
The True Gift: A Christmas Story
Written by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrated by Brian Floca
Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2009
Grades 2-6, 81 pages
6400 words, 480L
Opening:
Liam and I sit on the backseat of Papa's old car. The car heater isn't working, so Liam and I share a blanket. We can see our breath in the air.
"How many books did you bring?" whispers Liam.
Liam and I share a worry. Our school closes for ten days, and we're going to Grandpa and Gran's house. We always go there in December, waiting for Christmas and Mama and Papa to come Christmas Day. We worry about not taking as many books as we'll need.
"I brought fifteen books," I say.
"I brought thirty-seven," says Liam.
Thoughts:
Maybe this is more of a chapter book, but the narrator is old enough to be a middle grade character, and the story is so touching and well-written, that it would make a great fireside read for all ages this season.
Lily and Liam go to their grandparents farm like they do every Christmas. When Liam notices the white cow in the field is all alone this year, he gets the idea she must be lonely. And when Liam gets an idea in his head, all his sister can do is hang on for the ride.
As in all MacLachlan's books, the voice is genuine from the first page. She reveals the innermost thoughts of her characters effortlessly through dialogue and actions. Her subtlety is unmatched. I love the ending after the ending in this story, but I warn you, it may bring a tear, or maybe I'm just extremely sentimental. If you are already of fan of Sarah Plain and Tall, then you know there's every reason to give this book a try.
Bonus:
1. If you enjoyed The True Gift, I recommend any of Patricia's other books, including those reviewed by other MMGMers below.
and one of my personal favorites
2. Want to know more about Patricia MacLachlan? You can read a Q & A with the author on Publisher's Weekly or listen to an audio interview from Reading Rockets. Harper Collins has provided a video biography below.
3. And if you are very clever, perhaps you can make a White Cow or Brown Cow Christmas ornament using the pattern on Doobie's Doings. The book and ornament together would make a great gift.
Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for December 5, 2016.
MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?
 |
| The True Gift: A Christmas Story, by Patricia MacLachlan and Brian Floca |
Written by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrated by Brian Floca
Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2009
Grades 2-6, 81 pages
6400 words, 480L
Opening:
Liam and I sit on the backseat of Papa's old car. The car heater isn't working, so Liam and I share a blanket. We can see our breath in the air.
"How many books did you bring?" whispers Liam.
Liam and I share a worry. Our school closes for ten days, and we're going to Grandpa and Gran's house. We always go there in December, waiting for Christmas and Mama and Papa to come Christmas Day. We worry about not taking as many books as we'll need.
"I brought fifteen books," I say.
"I brought thirty-seven," says Liam.
Thoughts:
Maybe this is more of a chapter book, but the narrator is old enough to be a middle grade character, and the story is so touching and well-written, that it would make a great fireside read for all ages this season.
Lily and Liam go to their grandparents farm like they do every Christmas. When Liam notices the white cow in the field is all alone this year, he gets the idea she must be lonely. And when Liam gets an idea in his head, all his sister can do is hang on for the ride.
As in all MacLachlan's books, the voice is genuine from the first page. She reveals the innermost thoughts of her characters effortlessly through dialogue and actions. Her subtlety is unmatched. I love the ending after the ending in this story, but I warn you, it may bring a tear, or maybe I'm just extremely sentimental. If you are already of fan of Sarah Plain and Tall, then you know there's every reason to give this book a try.
Bonus:
1. If you enjoyed The True Gift, I recommend any of Patricia's other books, including those reviewed by other MMGMers below.
 |
| Sarah, Plain and Tall Illustrated by Marcia Sewall Reviewed by Jennifer |
 |
| White Fur Flying, Cover art by Amy June Bates? Reviewed by Mundie Moms |
 |
| Kindred Souls, Cover art by Erwin Madrid Reviewed by Karen |
 |
| The Truth of Me Cover Art by Erwin Madrid Reviewed by Jennifer Reviewed by Michael |
 |
| The Poet's Dog, Art by Kenard Pak Reviewed by Patricia Reviewed by Rosi |
 |
| Journey, Illustrated by Barry Moser review from Publisher's Weekly |
2. Want to know more about Patricia MacLachlan? You can read a Q & A with the author on Publisher's Weekly or listen to an audio interview from Reading Rockets. Harper Collins has provided a video biography below.
3. And if you are very clever, perhaps you can make a White Cow or Brown Cow Christmas ornament using the pattern on Doobie's Doings. The book and ornament together would make a great gift.
 |
| cow Christmas ornament courtesy Doobie's Doings |
Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for December 5, 2016.
MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?
Friday, December 2, 2016
PPBF: Winter Trees
Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick
Winter Trees
Written Carole Gerber
Illustrated by Leslie Evans
Charlesbridge, 2008
Grades K-5, 507 words
reading level 3.7
Themes:
Poetry, Nature, Winter
Opening:
Crunch! We walk through fresh new snow that sparkles on the frozen ground.
It's peaceful here among the trees—our footsteps make the only sound.
Synopsis:
Illustrated with linoleum prints, the book follows a child's trip through the woods, identifying seven species of trees as they appear in winter, leafless.
Both the MC and his dog explore the woods using all of their senses to enjoy the beauty of winter even as the text identifies characteristics of the trees found in most Northeastern deciduous forests. Intricate illustrations and lyrical text make distinguishing different types of trees easy--even in the middle of winter, when only bare branches stand like skeletons against the sky.
What I Love:
I love the perspective used in this book. Thinking about how nature looks during a different season makes this story fresh. Leave it to a poet to see things with new eyes. Startlingly beautiful as a walk in the woods, when your heart pounds and you hold your breath because the stillness is so complete. Rhyme is off in one places with a couple nearly-off meters, but still rhythmic and informative, moving the narrative forward. I loved it. Highly recommended!
Selected for the 2008 John Burroughs Young Readers List and as a NSTA/CBC Outstanding Tradebook for 2009.
Bonus:
1. Obviously, the best activity would be to use this book as a guide and see how many of the trees in your neighborhood match the trees in the book. If you don't live near a deciduous forest, use your senses to take note of the trees which grow in your area. I recently reviewed Welcome to New Zealand, where I posted links for starting a nature journal along with the suggestions mentioned in the book.
2. Sue blogs about ideas to look for and record in your nature notebook every "Wild Wednesday" on Archimedes Notebook.
3.For a holiday themed tree craft, get messy on KidsActivitiesBlog using their instructions for a cute handprint Christmas tree.
4. eHow has step-by-stepp instructions for creating birdseed ornament feeders which readers con hang during their nature walks.
5. Where Imagination Grows produced simple glass jar luminaries for fall, but by changing the color of the tissue paper, I think these would be a beautiful craft to go along with the book, and they double as pretty teacher gifts.
6.A few cookies and a little decorator's icing from FineMotorSkills, and you'll have cookies as pretty as hers, decked out in wintery branches and snowflakes. Her step-by-step instructions include plenty of photos and her text is easy to follow.
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, December 2, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
 |
| Winter Trees, poetry in linoleum print collage, by Carole Gerber and Leslie Evans |
Written Carole Gerber
Illustrated by Leslie Evans
Charlesbridge, 2008
Grades K-5, 507 words
reading level 3.7
Themes:
Poetry, Nature, Winter
Opening:
Crunch! We walk through fresh new snow that sparkles on the frozen ground.
It's peaceful here among the trees—our footsteps make the only sound.
Synopsis:
Illustrated with linoleum prints, the book follows a child's trip through the woods, identifying seven species of trees as they appear in winter, leafless.
Both the MC and his dog explore the woods using all of their senses to enjoy the beauty of winter even as the text identifies characteristics of the trees found in most Northeastern deciduous forests. Intricate illustrations and lyrical text make distinguishing different types of trees easy--even in the middle of winter, when only bare branches stand like skeletons against the sky.
What I Love:
I love the perspective used in this book. Thinking about how nature looks during a different season makes this story fresh. Leave it to a poet to see things with new eyes. Startlingly beautiful as a walk in the woods, when your heart pounds and you hold your breath because the stillness is so complete. Rhyme is off in one places with a couple nearly-off meters, but still rhythmic and informative, moving the narrative forward. I loved it. Highly recommended!
Selected for the 2008 John Burroughs Young Readers List and as a NSTA/CBC Outstanding Tradebook for 2009.
Bonus:
 |
| Thanks to Stacey of GluedToMyCrafts for this crafty painted tree |
2. Sue blogs about ideas to look for and record in your nature notebook every "Wild Wednesday" on Archimedes Notebook.
3.For a holiday themed tree craft, get messy on KidsActivitiesBlog using their instructions for a cute handprint Christmas tree.
4. eHow has step-by-stepp instructions for creating birdseed ornament feeders which readers con hang during their nature walks.
5. Where Imagination Grows produced simple glass jar luminaries for fall, but by changing the color of the tissue paper, I think these would be a beautiful craft to go along with the book, and they double as pretty teacher gifts.
6.A few cookies and a little decorator's icing from FineMotorSkills, and you'll have cookies as pretty as hers, decked out in wintery branches and snowflakes. Her step-by-step instructions include plenty of photos and her text is easy to follow.
7. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
 |
| Reviewed by Sue |
 |
| Reviewed by Penny |
 |
| Reviewed by Loni |
 |
| Reviewed by Cathy |
 |
| Reviewed by Susanna |
 |
| Reviewed by Joanne |
 |
| Reviewed by Julie |
 |
| 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, December 2, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Creativity is a Process
"Inspiration is for amateurs -- every great idea I've ever had grew out of work itself. Sign on to a process and see where it takes you."
—Chuck Close*
*Via CBS News
—Chuck Close*
 |
| Art Nouveau-style bookplate, by Otto Tragy |
*Via CBS News
Friday, November 25, 2016
MMGM: Squashed
Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick
Squashed
Written by Joan Bauer
Speak, Imprint of Penguin, 1992
Ages 8-12, 194 pages, Lexile 930
about 48,400 words
Opening:
I was preparing my secret booster solution of one part buttermilk, two parts Orange Crush, and about to inject it into the thick stem of my world-class Big Max—technically a variety of squash, but often the winner in giant pumpkin contests. I called him Max for short. He was the biggest squash I had ever grown— 107 inches wide around his middle—which put him over three hundred pounds, approximately. Awesome was the only word for it, especially since this was only August. We had forty-six days to go until the Rock River Pumpkin Weigh-In and Harvest Fair, where I, at sixteen years of age, am the only teenager ever to enter the adult growing division. I was facing heavy competition for the blue ribbon from Cyril Poole, four-time Weigh-In champ and a deeply despicable person. If I didn't win, I was sure I'd die, which was why I couldn't bother with anything else right now."
Thoughts:
All Ellie can think about is her prize pumpkin, Max. He's her confidant and security blanket in a way. Though Max is just a vegetable, Ellie goes to him for comfort and refuge from her teenage troubles. Sometimes, it's like he's taking care of her. Her dad doesn't understand her. She's awkward and nerdy, in a growers-kind-of-way. She is smitten with Wes, the new boy in school, and she is constantly at war about her desire to weigh less and her desire for comfort food.
Everything in Ellie's life is a dichotomy. She is driven and absolutely sure of herself, and yet she struggles with self-image and others' perception of her. Ellie says she can't bother with anything else, but the book is about just the opposite. She takes pains to build a relationship with her dad, she wants to impress Wes, she diets on and off again, and she spends precious time despising her rival pumpkin grower, Cyril Poole.
Ellie's strong voice, genuine teen-age mutability, and penchant for comparing life to a vegetable patch make this a book I couldn't put down. I just had to review it here because, while it was the first and probably not the best of Joan Bauer's amazing novels, it is largely unsung. Thankfully, Speak has put the story back in print with a new cover and a new chance at popularity. It's hard to get readers excited about a story where the MC grows a prize pumpkin (trust me, I've tried) but I am convinced they will see a part of themselves in her inner struggles, whether they live in the city or the heartland.
Bonus:
1. If you enjoyed Squashed, I recommend anything else by Joan Bauer, particularly Hope Was Here or Rules of the Road, which are even better. But don't take my word for it, read reviews by other MMGMers.
Hope Was Here
Reviewed by The Paige Turner
Close To Famous
Reviewed by Jenni Enzor, Shannon Messenger, That's Another Story, and Mrs. Yingling Reads.
Soar
Reviewed by Always in the Middle
Almost Home
Reviews by The Hopeful Heroine and Mrs. Yingling Reads.
2. Feeling the need for comfort food? Joan Bauer includes a pumpkin bread recipe on her site. Bake some up and cuddle up for a cozy read. Or make a Beef and Pumpkin shepherd's pie for dinner, courtesy Nestle Very Best Baking.
3. The crux of what Joan's books represent is encapsulized in these ten short video clips from AdLit.
Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for November 28, 2016.
MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?
 |
| Squashed, by Joan Bauer |
Written by Joan Bauer
Speak, Imprint of Penguin, 1992
Ages 8-12, 194 pages, Lexile 930
about 48,400 words
Opening:
I was preparing my secret booster solution of one part buttermilk, two parts Orange Crush, and about to inject it into the thick stem of my world-class Big Max—technically a variety of squash, but often the winner in giant pumpkin contests. I called him Max for short. He was the biggest squash I had ever grown— 107 inches wide around his middle—which put him over three hundred pounds, approximately. Awesome was the only word for it, especially since this was only August. We had forty-six days to go until the Rock River Pumpkin Weigh-In and Harvest Fair, where I, at sixteen years of age, am the only teenager ever to enter the adult growing division. I was facing heavy competition for the blue ribbon from Cyril Poole, four-time Weigh-In champ and a deeply despicable person. If I didn't win, I was sure I'd die, which was why I couldn't bother with anything else right now."
Thoughts:
All Ellie can think about is her prize pumpkin, Max. He's her confidant and security blanket in a way. Though Max is just a vegetable, Ellie goes to him for comfort and refuge from her teenage troubles. Sometimes, it's like he's taking care of her. Her dad doesn't understand her. She's awkward and nerdy, in a growers-kind-of-way. She is smitten with Wes, the new boy in school, and she is constantly at war about her desire to weigh less and her desire for comfort food.
Everything in Ellie's life is a dichotomy. She is driven and absolutely sure of herself, and yet she struggles with self-image and others' perception of her. Ellie says she can't bother with anything else, but the book is about just the opposite. She takes pains to build a relationship with her dad, she wants to impress Wes, she diets on and off again, and she spends precious time despising her rival pumpkin grower, Cyril Poole.
Ellie's strong voice, genuine teen-age mutability, and penchant for comparing life to a vegetable patch make this a book I couldn't put down. I just had to review it here because, while it was the first and probably not the best of Joan Bauer's amazing novels, it is largely unsung. Thankfully, Speak has put the story back in print with a new cover and a new chance at popularity. It's hard to get readers excited about a story where the MC grows a prize pumpkin (trust me, I've tried) but I am convinced they will see a part of themselves in her inner struggles, whether they live in the city or the heartland.
Bonus:
1. If you enjoyed Squashed, I recommend anything else by Joan Bauer, particularly Hope Was Here or Rules of the Road, which are even better. But don't take my word for it, read reviews by other MMGMers.
 |
| Rules of the Road, by Joan Bauer |
 |
| Hope Was Here, by Joan Bauer |
 |
| Soar, by Joan Bauer |
Reviewed by The Paige Turner
Close To Famous
Reviewed by Jenni Enzor, Shannon Messenger, That's Another Story, and Mrs. Yingling Reads.
Soar
Reviewed by Always in the Middle
Almost Home
Reviews by The Hopeful Heroine and Mrs. Yingling Reads.
3. The crux of what Joan's books represent is encapsulized in these ten short video clips from AdLit.
Have you reviewed a Marvelous Middle Grade Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations for November 28, 2016.
MMGM started way back in 2010 by Shannon Messenger, author of Keeper of Lost Cities. Each week, participating bloggers review our favorite books for ages 8-12. Why not join us?
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