Love Sees With New Eyes

The first things we see when we step outside each morning are a multitude of elements composing one unique scene next to or layered on another scene.  These visuals are full of shifting colors, lights and darks and blends of various hues.  If we are able to dim our other senses momentarily we can see harmony in these presentations, regardless of the season or setting. 

There is unity between the colors as they work together complementing each other.  MIXED: A Colorful Story (Henry Holt and Company, July 3, 2018) written and illustrated by Arree Chung celebrates this cooperation and respect.  It's a call for us to step beyond the realm of color and recognize differences, similarities and the beautiful found in each individual.

In the beginning, there were three colors.

There were Yellows, Reds and Blues, each with their prevalent characteristics.  They worked and played together in a single city.  One day, a grumpy Red declared

REDS are the BEST!

The Yellows were not happy about this, challenging this announcement with one of their own.  The Blues felt this entire discussion was beneath them and remained quiet.  Before too long, the three groups decided it was best to live in three cities instead of one.

Later a Yellow was out and about one day and spotted a Blue seated on a bench.  The attraction was instant and mutual.  Of course, other Yellows, Reds and Blues were not happy about this relationship but that did not bother this Yellow and that Blue.  They felt nothing but love and married.

Their new baby was named Green.  She had the best parts of Blue and Yellow in her but also was her own singular self.  This little miracle got the attention of other Yellows, Blues and Reds (even the grumpy one).  Her existence gave others permission to see new choices and make changes.  She was hope.


Using a mix of narrative and dialogue Arree Chung tells an important and timely tale.  His short declarative sentences give readers a clear sense of reality in the world of the three original colors focusing on their strengths.  It is one of those unique abilities found in the one Yellow which bridges the resulting divide.  In the conversational asides Arree supplies common arguments which readers realize have no value when stacked against love and acceptance.  Here is a passage.

But then, one day, a Yellow noticed a Blue

And something happened.

I feel so
happy
when I'm 
near you!

And I feel so
calm when
I'm with you!


Placing the beginning central characters, a Red, a Yellow and a Blue on the crisp white background brings our attention to the individual facial features, body postures and added details in black highlighted here.  We know by these three individuals something big is going to happen inside this book especially when we look to the title and see the result of combining red and yellow and yellow and blue. To the left, on the back, four other titles by Arree Chung are showcased beneath a group of colorful characters.  The main title text and the three characters are varnished and raised.

On the book case smiling circular faces in all sizes look at readers.  They are a blend of the primary colors in all the resulting hues.  The opening and closing endpapers are rows of smiling faces, the first in the primary colors and the second a replication of the book case.

Using liberal amounts of white space Arree Chung is able to create a focus on his characters.  All the details on each of them, their hats, scarves, sunglasses and glasses, and additional elements like a microphone and a car are done in black and white.  This minimalist approach is highly effective.

The black lines are bold creating realistic cityscapes. They become thicker in times of crisis or during strong moods and moments such as the closing image.  When the emotional content is lighter, the lines are finer.  The use of visuals in varying sizes provides a wonderful pacing from small pictures surrounded by white to full, two-page pictures powerful in their depictions.

One of my many favorite pictures is after the birth of Green.  She is shown in three separate images on a single page.  In the first she is doing a happy dance because she is

bright like Yellow.

In the second she is leaning against a pillow reading a book because she is

calm like Blue.

In the final scene she is framed by flowers (in black and white) as she stands in a garden.  She is holding a tiny shovel and wearing an over-sized straw hat.  A basket is placed next to her.  A teeny ladybug crawls along the ground.  She is joyfully waving at us.


If asked to give a single word to the result of reading MIXED: A Colorful Story written and illustrated by Arree Chung, it would be uplifting. It is indeed a book about colors but it is much more.  It's about us and the ability to see beyond color.  We are shown how individual qualities can build bridges and break down walls.  It's about honoring singularities and generating one city for all.

To learn more about Arree Chung and his other work please visit his website by following the link attached to his name.  I believe you will enjoy reading past posts on his blog.  Arree maintains Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest accounts.  At the publisher's website you can view interior illustrations.  There is also an activity guide.  On June 12, 2018 Arree visited the Children's Book Podcast #443 to chat about this title.  Arree is featured on BookPage in an Icebreaker article.  Here is a link to Arree's YouTube channel where you can view two videos (trailers) for this book.

When We Sleep

Gals and guys around the world wait for his return every year.  Letters are written to him.  Some are sent to the North Pole.  Other notes are placed for him to find when he visits.  Depending on the country and customs, treats are left for him to enjoy; perhaps cookies, milk and carrots for his reindeer.

No matter how hard we try to stay awake to catch a glimpse of this jolly old elf, we fall sound asleep every single year.  He slips in and out of our homes magically, leaving behind a little bit of Christmas cheer.  Maxwell, a boy we first met in NINJA! (Henry Holt and Company, June 3, 2014) and who entertained us again with considerable hilarity in NINJA! ATTACK OF THE CLAN (Henry Holt and Company, June 7, 2016) has returned.  NINJA CLAUS! (Henry Holt and Company, October 10, 2017) written and illustrated by Arree Chung has Maxwell facing his greatest challenge yet.

Last year, I slept through all of it.

ZZZ...

Santa Claus ate the cookies, drank the milk and a hamster named Ted became Maxwell's new furry friend.  This year Maxwell has a plan.  He is going to set a ninja-style trap for Santa. 

First he writes a rather long note to Santa with specific instructions.  When Santa pauses to eat the cookies and drink the milk, he needs to sit in the red chair.  Despite camping out in the living room, Maxwell ends up fast asleep in his own bedroom upstairs.  (Mama has her own ninja talents.)

Loud noises in the living room wake Maxwell up.  He's in full ninja mode with Ted scurrying along with him.  He grabs his net and flashlight. Oops! Brutus gets nabbed in the net.  Now a boy, his hamster and the family dog are determined to discover the source of the commotion.

No one is more surprised than the ninja and the party in his trap when the flashlight beam shines on the red chair.  Mama swoops into the scene herding everyone back to bed.  Goodnights are said like the familiar close of the Waltons.

Now the most skilled ninja of all ninjas gets right to work.  Morning brings one revelation after another to more than one individual.  A promise is made for next year.


Using a blend of first person narration, letters, sound effects and dialogue Arree Chung supplies readers with a lively story of a persistent boy who lives and breathes life as a ninja.  Woven into the tale are ninja characteristic truths, providing contrasts to what is actually happening.  From one moment to the next humor is prevalent.  You will find yourself unable to contain your laughter on more than one occasion.   Here is a sample.

A ninja isn't afraid of the dark.

CLANG!

YELP!

Santa?

Brutus!  Are you okay, boy?
Let's find Santa.


Upon opening the dust jacket (I'm working with an F & G.) the darkened-room background continues to the left, on the back, highlighting the two earlier titles with professional reviewer recommendations.  On the front the title text is a mix of the red and yellow text and white and red backgrounds on the two earlier books.  It works wonderfully with Maxwell's ninja attire and Santa Claus.  With the glimmer of the lights on the tree and the beam of light from Maxwell's flashlight, the image is loaded with atmosphere.

Spread across the opening endpapers on a desk are envelopes addressed to Santa and a letter to him too.  On the closing endpapers is the table holding the plate with less cookies and the empty glass.  Next to them is a note from Maxwell to Santa full of gratitude and the promise.  The title page features the family fireplace and mantle decorated with a garland and stockings filled with presents.  Maxwell is in front of the fireplace laying a trap.

Rendered in acrylic paint on Rives BFK paper, found paper, and Adobe Photoshop the illustrations vary in size.  Several span two pages and single pages.  To provide pacing Arree Chung uses a combination of wordless panels, some rectangular and square and others in shapes indicating rising action.  These panels are framed in thick black lines with uneven edges, like brush strokes.  You can't look at the expressions on the characters' faces without smiling or bursting into giggles.  And be sure to notice the little extra details by watching Ted.

One of my many favorite illustrations covers two pages.  It is in the middle of the night.  Four large sounds in yellow are placed along the top.  Maxwell is sitting straight up in bed thinking this is Santa.  His eyes and mouth couldn't be more wide open.  His two favorite stuffed animals are next to him tucked under the covers.  On the table next to his bed is Ted's bed.  Ted is awake, open-mouthed and wearing a blue sleeping cap.     


The first time I read Ninja Claus! written and illustrated by Arree Chung I adored it.  And after subsequent readings I still do.  Readers of all ages (trust me) are going find themselves grinning from beginning to end.  Plan on at least one copy for your professional and personal bookshelves.  This would make a wonderful gift (along with the other two titles, too).

To learn more about Arree Chung and his other work please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  Arree Chung has a blog here.  It has a lot of good background information.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images. Arree has some on his website too. 

Play With A Passion

When something is of value to us, it finds a place of importance in our lives.  If it's a skill to be learned we observe, listen, study and practice.  We devote time; it becomes a joyful commitment.  Another component is passion.  It needs to find a place in our heart.

For some another element may be discovered sooner or later in pursuit of this special endeavor.  In the first picture book he has written and illustrated, NINJA! (Henry Holt and Company, June 3, 2014), Arree Chung introduces us to a boy with exceptional purpose.  Shh! Let's follow Maxwell on his latest mission.

A ninja needs a thick ninja stick, silent ninja footwear, sticky ninja gloves, an unbreakable ninja rope, and a bouncy ninja paddle. 

Once he has the tools of his trade, confidence needs to be declared with gusto.  Maxwell proceeds to acquaint readers with other traits of a skilled champion; the nimble actions of an Olympic gymnast.  With the goal in sight, every impediment must be overcome (including moving the family dog peacefully sleeping).

Exact care must be taken to advance effectively; a warrior needs to dig deep within himself relying on his inner fortitude.  Nothing is more important, not a single thing, than catching your subject off guard and scaring them witless. (It looks like Dad's nap on the couch is over.)  With this objective fulfilled, it's on to phase two.

Into the kitchen our fearless warrior sneaks.  His younger sister is about to have a snack of cookies and milk.  To ensure continued success he must maneuver with extreme caution avoiding his mom at all costs.

Barely breathing, with measured movement and faith in his abilities at an all-time high, Maxwell leaps, climbs and balances into action. With two cries ringing out, the scales are tipped.  The only honorable thing to do is done.  A young boy has found the final element.


Rich in language with not a single wasted word, Arree Chung gives us a window into the marvelous mind of Maxwell as he fulfills his desire for all things ninja. As each item this ninja uses is listed notice the descriptive adjectives.  In relating his movements a simple beat is created by the word choices; continuing as he tells us of a ninja's inner qualities and movements during the final stage of his mission.  This builds wonderfully and in contrast to his boyish glee at his accomplishments.   It also prepares us readers for the final two pages revealing the heart of a true ninja.

Flap edge to flap edge the dust jacket unfolds in a series of illustrations left to right, back to front, giving us glimpses into the narrative.  Beneath the book case with a wood grain background (closet doors) we see Maxwell on the front swiftly moving across the space declaring his status.  On the back is his sister happily observing her brother.  Both the dust jacket and book case feature the main character initially but focus on the importance of the younger sister if we fully extend them.  A pattern of folded paper ninja stars on a woven background (the same as the rug in the house) cover the opening and closing endpapers.

Rendered in acrylic paint on Rives BFK paper, found paper and Photoshop, the color palette is a direct reflection of the story line; shadowed for stealth, the background shifting to a royalty red (my description alone) with the luminous golden dragon when Maxwell's imagination is highlighted, lighter hues as he moves into the kitchen, total darkness when the discovery is made and back to light on the final pages. Arree Chung changes from one image size to another, two pages, a series of geometric panels across two pages or an individual page, or a single page, as the action dictates.   The expressive facial features on the characters (and body movements) enhance the text providing readers with a hearty dose of humor.

Two of my favorite series of images are when he defeats the angry beast, a series of panels on a single page, and the two pages of panels bursting with action prior to his completed mission.  The design and layout, the changing perspectives and colors make readers feel like they are participants.  Seriously though, all the illustrations in this book are evidence of this boy's love of being a ninja and the imaginative gifts he uses to live his story.

Grab a bag of ties, hand them out to your listeners and let the distinctive words and pictures spin a tale of wonder and laughter as Maxwell's escapades unfold in NINJA! written and illustrated by Arree Chung.  I am certain you will need more than one copy available to your readers.  This is sure to prompt discussions of other imagined adventures. You could fold paper ninja stars having listeners write a phrase for or draw their favorite parts on the points.

Please follow the links embedded in Arree Chung's name to access his website and blog.  His website has numerous fun-filled ideas.  Many bloggers featured posts about NINJA! on its release date or during the release week. You can learn more about the book by reading their thoughts and interviews of Arree Chung.  (These are the ones I could find.  Please list any others in the comments.) Here are their names along with their blogs:

Cynthia Alaniz, teacher librarian Librarian in Cute Shoes
Niki Barnes second grade teacher Daydream READER
Alyson Beecher, educator Kid Lit Frenzy
Carter Higgins, author, teacher librarian Design Of The Picture Book
Debbie Ridpath Ohi author illustrator inkygirl
Katherine Sololowski, fifth grade reading and language arts teacher Read, Write, Reflect
John Schumacher teacher librarian Watch. Connect. Read.

UPDATE: Here is the link to an interview given at KidLit411.