Friends Are Friends, Forever

Posted on 02/06/2022

Henry Holt & Co./Godwin Books | 978-1250778185

 

Dandan is moving an ocean away. She and her best friend, Yueyue, have one last night – Lunar New Year’s Eve – before the long journey from China to America. As the girls savor Nanai’s dumplings, her stories chime in their ears. Then…

“When the grown-ups start their card game,
Yueyue pokes me. She and I have our own
New Year’s Eve tradition.
We pleat red papers,
zigzag our scissors, and unfold.”

The girls make their best snowflakes, slip them into thin metal plates filled with water, and stretch string across them. Outside, their plates wait for the freezing air to turn their paper creations into icy ornaments.

“Our best snowflakes yet,” Yueyue says.

She gives Dandan a stack of red paper and a spool of string so she can make cutouts with a new friend in America.

“Friends are friends, forever.”

CLICK TO ENLARGE © Illustration by Lynn Scurfield

 

But there’s much for Dandan to learn in her new home. The culture is different. And so is the language. “I race to learn a hundred words a day. Sometimes I get ten, sometimes only three.”

The students are not always kind. When Dandan wears a special red satin dress on her birthday, most of her classmates snicker. But one – Christina – reaches out and, over time, Dandan’s “voice blooms.”

CLICK TO ENLARGE © Illustration by Lynn Scurfield

This tender story by debut author Dane Liu, is based on her own childhood immigration experience of moving Changchun, China to the US in her teens.

FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS, FOREVER beautifully illustrated by Lynn Scurfield explores the gift and power of friendship.

 

  • Enjoy this VIDEO of the author and illustrator reading and talking about the process of writing and illustrating their book.

 

 

Charlie & Mouse: Lost and Found

Posted on 01/30/2022

Chronicle Books | 9781452183404

 

If you haven’t had a chance yet to read Laurel Snyder‘s early chapter book series, CHARLIE & MOUSE, why not start with, CHARLIE & MOUSE: Lost and Found. It’s the 5th in the collection, the first having had the honor of winning the Geisel award in 2018 for the “most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States.”

CLICK TO ENLARGE © illustration by Emily Hughes

This next in the delightful series continues the adventures of the two brothers. A favorite blanket goes missing and a dog, found, must be returned. There is sadness and loss, hellos and goodbyes, and, fortunately, one last happy hello at story’s end to welcome a sweet little puppy that the boys name “Boop!”

With endearing illustrations in graphite and Photoshop created by Emily Hughes, this gentle chapter book will warm the hearts of emerging readers.

CLICK TO ENLARGE © illustration by Emily Hughes

 

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FLY

Posted on 01/23/2022

 

Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books | 978-1534454873

 

FLY, a stunning debut by Brittany Thurman, illustrated by Anna Cunha, is a joyous celebration of a young girl’s determination to show the world what she’s made of. When she learns about a double dutch competition, Africa announces, “I’m going to jump, fly, double dutch to the sky.” The only problem? She doesn’t know how to double Dutch.

CLICK TO ENLARGE @ Illustration by Anna Cunha

But not knowing how isn’t enough to dim Africa’s determination.

“Africa feels certain she can double Dutch until her shoes are
in fast-forward, until her feet forget the ground,
until she flies like the birds in the sky.”

She does her best, tries to learn on her own, but it’s hard!


CLICK TO ENLARGE @ Illustration by Anna Cunha

Undeterred, Africa knows exactly  what to do. Her besty best, Bianca, teaches her how to dance. Omar teaches her how to step, and on it goes. By the time Sunday rolls around, she’s ready.

This lyrical story of empowerment, persistence, and optimism is a must read!

 

 

ROOM FOR EVERYONE

Posted on 01/16/2022

Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum Books | 978-1534431393

 

“Hop in,” someone shouted. “Get out of the sun!

There’s plenty of room for EVERYONE!”

 

Inspired by the author, Naaz Khan‘s  “… own fantastically fun… ride from Stone Town to Nungwi Beach, in Zanzibar,” ROOM FOR EVERYONE is a rollicking, rhyming, cumulative counting story.

When Musa first boards the daladala, a shared minibus, he has no idea how many others will soon be joining him and his sister Dada on the bumpy ride to the shore.

Early on, the daladala driver passes an old man with a bike that has no seat. The driver honks, pulls to the side, and asks:

“Dear brother, do you need a ride?
It’s hotter than peppers out there in the sun!
Come in, there’s room for everyone!”

But how, Musa wonders, can there possibly be enough room?

“Don’t worry, Musa, there’s space galore!
If you move just a bit we can make room for more.”

There are wiggles and giggles and lots of fun, and plenty of room for everyone.

CLICK TO ENLARGE © illustration by Mercè López

Past baghala boats and fruit vendors, a farmer with pails of milk, and mamas with fish, each stop brings the question: Will there be enough room?

One way or another, the passengers manage to squeeze together, finding just enough space so that no one is left behind.

CLICK TO ENLARGE © illustration by Mercè López

This energetic tale, rendered in acrylic, ink, graphite, and digital media, by Mercè López makes  a wonderfully rich and satisfying read-aloud with a message we can all embrace, summed up beautifully in the author’s dedication:

“For travelers everywhere… may you always find comfort, joy,
and welcoming strangers on your journey.”  

 

 

NINA: A Story of Nina Simone

Posted on 12/12/2021

G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | 978-1524737283

 

At an early age, Eunice Kathleen Waymon discovered music.

“She wasn’t the first Waymon child, or the last, but she was the only one who sang before she could talk and found rhythm before she could walk. The only one with music on the inside.”

Eunice had talent and it wasn’t long before her mom’s employer, Mrs. Miller, heard Eunice play and “knew the little girl had a gift.”

Mrs. Miller’s friend – Muriel Mazzanovich – was a piano teacher. Together, Miss Mazzy and Mrs. Miller “carefully planned Eunice’s musical education.”

Soon, Eunice was learning concertos and fugues, and the people around town began to recognize her on the street.

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE © illustration by Christian Robinson

But all was not well. These were Jim Crow times, and that meant that Eunice felt the sting of discrimination. It wasn’t easy tamping down the anger that was growing inside her, but Eunice had dreams. She spent the summer at Juilliard School of Music in New York City and then, Eunice hoped to be accepted at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadephia.

Things didn’t go as planned and Eunice wasn’t accepted to the Institute. The rumor was that she’d been rejected because she was Black.

“The old familiar anger and hurt came rushing back. And for the first time, Eunice wondered whether being Black meant an end to all of her dreams.”

Eunice stopped playing piano and worked in a photography studio for a time. But she couldn’t keep music bottled up inside forever.

CLICK TO ENLARGE © illustration by Christian Robinson

Eventually, she found work playing in bars and changed her name to Nina Simone. As her star began to rise, so did the voices of her people, protesting racial inequality and discrimination. Would Nina continue to tamp down the quiet anger that had simmered for years? Would she join the voices of others to fight against injustice?

This important biography, brilliantly and lyrically told by Traci N. Todd and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree, Christian Robinson with acrylic paint and collage, is a masterpiece appropriate for all ages.

 

Enjoy this:

  • School Library Journal interview with author Tracy Todd and librarian Betsy Bird
  • NPR interview with Tracy N. Todd and Christian Robinson
  • video introduction and discussion of the book with Traci N. Todd and Christian Robinson

 

 

 

 

WINTER LULLABY

Posted on 12/05/2021

Candlewick Press | 978-1536209198

 

It’s here! My newest book, WINTER LULLABY, gorgeously illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki in warm golds, silver blues and teal greens arrives on bookstore and library shelves Tuesday, December 7th!

CLICK TO ENLARGE © Ramona Kaulitzki

From the publisher:

Geese are calling, a chilly wind is blowing, and the sky is turning gray. Winter is on its way. For Mama Bear and Small Bear, that means it’s time to tuck into their den for a long sleep. But Mouse is scurrying by, and Chipmunk is still gathering nuts beside the lake. And look at Hare and Skunk, still romping through the leaves! Why can’t Small Bear stay up, too? To each question, Mama Bear responds with the coziest of answers, finally painting a dreamy picture of the brightening colors and new adventures that will greet Small Bear in the spring. But first comes sleep, in this irresistible invitation to drowsy little cubs everywhere.

Rendered with reassuring words and pastoral scenes, this soothing lullaby of a story is sure to settle even the most restless of cubs.

CLICK TO ENLARGE © Ramona Kaulitzki

 

Bright Star

Posted on 11/29/2021

Neal Porter Books/Holiday House | 978-0823443284
by Yuyi Morales

 

Child,
…you are
 ..awake!

Breathe in,
then breath out,
…… hermosa criatura.

© Yuyi Morales

It’s hard not to hear Yuyi Morales’ voice as I read the opening words of her gorgeous new book, BRIGHT STAR, the powerful and evocative follow-up to her New York Times best-selling DREAMERS.

As the young fawn awakens to take her first tentative steps through her Sonoran home, readers become immersed in her journey through the rich desert landscape.

……Mira!
Some things  you can see.
……………Others you must find.

It is beautiful. But there is danger, too.

Lie low.
………We want you safe.

No matter where you are,
you are a bright star
inside our hearts.

CLICK TO ENLARGE  © ¥uyi Morales

Rich with symbolism, BRIGHT STAR explores the borderlands between the US and Mexico, the flora, fauna and people who live there, and the way in which you and I and people and places we don’t even know are connected.

It is a book to study, ponder, read and reread. In the words of the author, it is a book she hopes will be “like a song that accompanied children when they most needed it — a book that felt like a lullaby, a lullaby that told children that they are not alone.”

One of my favorite parts are the notes found at the end detailing eleven reasons *why* the author decided to make this book.

“I made this book because you and I are connected…

“I made this book because I have many  questions…

“I made this book to show you an amazing place on our planet called the borderlands…

“I made this book using the most beautiful things I could find — words written in English and Spanish, drawings I made in my sketchbook… paper painted with bright colors, wool yarn threaded by hand and dyed with plants…”

Learn more about Yuyi’s process and thoughts on creating the words and images at the links below: