A Foursome Of Seasonal Treats (Seasonal Treats #2)

 As mentioned in the first post, in times of darkness, especially on a global level, people will seek and embrace the joy of celebrations.  These observances remind us of family, unity, and connectivity.  They remind us of past, present, and future miracles.  

Four September publications draw our attention to three holidays.  They present the best each event offers. They individually and collectively are a form of light. The first of the four, Binny's Diwali (Scholastic Press, September 1, 2020) written by Thrity Umrigar with illustrations by Nidhi Chanani, follows a little girl anxious to acquaint her classmates with her favorite holiday.

Binny woke up happy but nervous.  It was her

day to share about Diwali, the Festival of Lights!

Each month her teacher, Mr. Boomer, asks a classmate to speak about a holiday they enjoy.  Eagerly Binny dresses in the clothes her parents placed for her to wear.  Her mother is wearing a sari her father bought her for Diwali.  People shop for gifts for each other during Diwali.

Wearing her new clothes, Binny eats special treats with her parents for breakfast.  She will take additional jalebis and pedas with her to school.  Her father encourages her with words as comforting as the food.  At school, her mother gives her a gentle reminder about the oil lamps used in the celebration.  

When Mr. Boomer calls Binny's name, something happens.  Shyness makes her nearly speechless.  She closes her eyes remembering her mother's words about the diyas, the oil lamps.  This is all this little girl needs for her excitement to be released. She explains Diwali's name, length, and what it represents. 

Each wonderful custom associated with this holiday is shared; the fireworks, the sparklers, the streamers, and the diyas.  She demonstrates the use of the colored powders, and she shares the delicious food she brought.  Best of all is the image she creates in the minds of her fellow students.  It is the image of a traveler on an airplane looking down at a city during The Festival of Lights.

Author Thrity Umrigar invites us to experience the joy Binny has for this special holiday with her combination of text and conversation.  She gives us insights into the specifics of this five-day celebration by weaving information into Binny's thoughts and in her actual presentation to her classmates.  With each added layer of description to her friends and teacher, readers will find themselves wishing they were in Binny's classroom.  Here is a passage.

Binny did want to share her favorite holiday with her friends.

But she couldn't find the words.

Mr. Boomer put a kindly hand on her shoulder.  "Take a

deep breath," he whispered.  "I know you can do this."

[Please note I am working with an F & G.]

When you open the dust jacket, the glorious complementary blend of hues of purple and golden yellow continues over the spine to the far-left edge.  The cut-out paper streamer Binny brings to her classroom supplies a wonderful decorative top border on the front and the back.  The expression on Binny's face is one of contented happiness as the glow of the diya is reflected in her eyes and the light wraps around her face.  The design on the front and back of the jacket extends to the edges of the flaps.

Thanks to John Schumacher, here is a look at the book case, case cover.

Love the case cover for @ThrityUmrigar and @nidhiart’s Binny’s Diwali: pic.twitter.com/xNy7TI0FSC

— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) September 11, 2020

On the opening and closing endpapers is a pattern of diyas in shades of intricately decorated green, red, and blue on the palest of green backgrounds. Readers will notice the difference between the left side and the rights side.  Perhaps this represents before and after and during the celebration.  On the title page with a canvas of rich purple is a delicate design from left to right along the bottom lighted by diyas.  Binny is standing on the far right in her new clothes and her special blue suede shoes, holding a lighted diya.

These illustrations by Nidhi Chanani were rendered

digitally with handmade texture brushes.

They span page edge to page edge across two pages or single pages.  They supply an atmosphere of happiness and tradition.  Readers will be fascinated by the motifs in Binny's home, clothing, her community, and in the depictions of Diwali with all the lights spread before the homes. 

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is a double-page picture.  It is the pause taken by Binny when she can't think of what to say in front of her classmates.  On the left is a close-up of Binny.  We see her upper body and face with her eyes closed to concentrate.  Behind her on the right, crossing the gutter and going to the far-right edge is a scene of a community enjoying Diwali.  In front of the brightly colored homes, with all kinds of families standing in the doorways, are patterns of light made by the diyas.  This is an uplifting vision of goodness, of hope. 

Even now, after multiple readings of Binny's Diwali written by Thrity Umrigar with illustrations by Nidhi Chanani, a feeling of quiet joy wraps around this reader.  Readers will find a kinship with this girl and how Diwali is a welcome part of her life, and the lives of many others.  At the close of the book is a page titled The Diwali Story.  This is one of several legends about why Diwali is observed.  It is followed by The Five Days Of Diwali.  To close the author and illustrator have written notes about the meaning of this holiday to them.  This title is meant to be shared.  It is meant to be a part of your personal and professional collections. 

To learn more about Thrity Umrigar and Nidhi Chanani and their other work, please follow the link attached to their name to access their websites.  Thrity Umrigar has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Nidhi Chanani has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  Here is a link to a Book Joy Live event hosted by Scholastic's Ambassador of School Libraries, John Schumacher featuring conversations with both the creators.  Enjoy this video with artist Nidhi Chanani chatting about this book.

This year Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 10, 2020 and finishes on the evening of December 18, 2020.  It commemorates a miracle, a miracle centered in light.  The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol (Candlewick Press, September 8, 2020) written by Arthur A. Levine with illustrations by Kevin Hawkes is a beautiful offering by two gifted collaborators.  It is one story inviting more, as he states at the end of his Author's Note:

I have often wished that we could build up a bit more mythology too.  In the same way that new recipes for matzah brei or a beautiful new piece of music can enhance our experience without changing the religious observances and meaning of Jewish holidays, I wanted to do that with a story.  I hope you enjoy!

Nate Gadol was a great spirit who had eyes as shiny as golden coins and a smile that was lantern-bright. In answer to people's prayers, he made things last as long as they needed to.

Nate Gadol has always been available for large requests such as making oil last for eight days thousands of years ago, or for the tiniest but most important task to bring happiness to someone sick.  If you needed Nate Gadol, regardless of the issue, he was there.  Many years ago, when a particular family left Europe to journey to America, they had nothing left to celebrate Purim, except for a small bit of chocolate held by Mrs. Glasser.   When she looked inside her handkerchief the chocolate had multiplied. To the delight of her husband and children, it kept multiplying!

Nate Gadol held a special place in his heart for this good-natured family.  He noted their kindness and generosity toward their neighbors when they reached their destination.  The winter of 1881 brought added hardship to the Glasser family and their neighbors, the O'Malleys.  To help the sick O'Malley child, Mr. Glasser sold a handmade piece of furniture to pay for medicine.  It left them with nothing.

Now, readers, what you need to know is this night was also Christmas Eve.  Nate Gadol, pondering the problem of the Glasser family heard a noise.  It seemed his friend Nick (wearing a red suit and sitting in a broken-looking sleigh) was in trouble.  The two chatted a bit about the smaller amounts of seasonal magic in the air this year.  Then Nate had an idea.  A trade was made.

Nate Gadol, maker of magic, visited the O'Malley and Glasser homes on this evening.  Traditions past were honored.  And new ones, began.

Woven into the words written by Arthur A. Levine is a bit of Nate Gadol's magic.  Sentence by sentence as if he is telling a story to us, face to face, he spins this enchanting tale with descriptive imagery.  He provides examples to support the wondrous accomplishments of Nate Gadol and the pure hearts of the Glasser family.  Even though we are holding a book in our hands, we lean in, captivated by every moment leading us to what was a miracle for two families.  Here is a passage.

That night happened to be Christmas Eve.  The wind howled through the cracks like an angry cat, and snow began to settle on the rooftops, where Nate Gadol stood looking out over the street.  Suddenly, Nate heard a rumble of something like hooves on tar, and a voice shouting "Whoooaaaa!" behind him.

In a stunning display of artistry, Kevin Hawkes creates a memorable person as evidenced by his depiction of Nate Gadol on the front of the open dust jacket.  Here is a being able to move with grace wherever he is needed.  We can see by the windows in the building two families are observing two holidays.  How glorious that the children look up and see Nate Gadol.  What you cannot see is all the gold foil on this jacket.  It brightens the text, Nate's hair, vest, boots, and bag.  It flows from his hands.  This golden magic continues throughout the book on Nate Gadol and when he works his miracles.  To the left, on the back of the dust jacket, on top of another building is Santa Claus, seated in his sleigh with his reindeer spread before him.  He is waving toward his friend.

On the book case readers will see a replication of the buildings on the dust jacket.  All the windows are darkened, and Nate and Nick are gone.  On the front of the case these words are written:

Nate Gadol is never far away.

The opening and closing endpapers are a pale, pale blue.  On the verso and dedication page a single piece of chocolate rests in a handkerchief.  On the title page Nate Gadol's bag sits between the text.

These illustrations by Kevin Hawkes were rendered

in acrylic. 

Each image is a double-page picture.  The text is placed within a separate element with a thin, red-ribboned border. The tiny gold foil details elevate the extraordinary events portrayed in each visual.  Nate Gadol is larger than life as we see how he views our world, above us, in front of us, next to us, and sometimes hidden. 

The details in each picture take us into the moment, initially drawing our attention to Nate Gadol and then bringing our eyes outward to the entire scene.  Within these illustrations Kevin Hawkes skillfully creates more than one perspective.  It's as if we are present in each setting. 

One of my many, many favorite paintings is for the text above noted.  The majority of the page is filled with a swirling of white and gray sky, snowflakes peppering every space.  In the lower portion of the illustration are red-brick buildings with rows of windows.  The most prominent building begins on the right-half of the left, crosses the gutter and extends to the right-page edge.  Of the six windows, two have lights.  The first has a single candle and the fourth from the left has a lighted menorah.  Standing on the roof, to the left of the gutter, is Nate Gadol, wind blowing through his hair and coat.  His body is twisted back to the right after hearing the noise.

This book, The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol written by Arthur A. Levine with illustrations by Kevin Hawkes, is certain to become a seasonal favorite among all readers.  It centers on the miracles of believing in that which we cannot see.  It holds light up to hope.  I highly recommend this book for your personal and professional collections.  Please take a few moments to read the entire author's note at the end of the book or here at the publisher's website. 

To learn more about Arthur A. Levine and Kevin Hawkes and their other work, please follow the link attached to their names.  Arthur A. Levine and/or his publishing house have accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Kevin Hawkes has an account on Instagram.  Arthur A. Levine is interviewed by author Cynthia Leitich Smith on her site, Cynsations.  You are able to view interior images at Penguin Random House.

UPDATE:  Arthur Levine speaks about this book on NPR 

I'll bet you did not know one of the most bustling places on Earth is in the far, far north.  Here at the North Pole is the hub of all the mail written to Santa Claus.  In charge of this particular post office, Peppermint Post, is Postmaster Buck Growlersson.  As Christmas Eve gets closer and closer, the work becomes more frenzied.  Peppermint Post (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, September 15, 2020) written by Bruce Hale with illustrations by Stephanie Laberis is a story filled with a whole lot of hilarity and equal amounts of determination and a bit of Christmas luck.

You won't find the world's busiest post office in Mumbai, Manila, or even New York.  But head due north and there it is:  Peppermint Post.  

Shouting out orders to his postal workers, penguins, Postmaster Buck Growlersson makes sure the last wish is sent to Santa's Workshop.  Here the presents are made and loaded onto Santa's sleigh.  Buck finally allows himself to relax as he watches the sleigh carrying all the gifts, lifting into the sky.

As everyone is sipping on a well-deserved cup of hot cocoa, Buck makes a startling discovery.  It's a lost piece of mail!  Together with Fred, his head penguin, they rush to the Workshop.  The elf in chief says it's too late.  Buck begs, saying he will take the gift to Santa.

This is a challenge Buck and crew are not expecting.  The only available mode of transportation is a miserable-looking, back-up sleigh.  Fred volunteers all the workers to pull the sleigh.  How is that supposed to work?  Penguins can't fly.  They are not even supposed to be at the North Pole.

In what can only be described as a miracle, not without considerable trouble, Buck and the penguins guided by Fred start to travel skyward.  Their trip is fraught with danger and mishaps, and Santa seems to be always one house ahead.  Finally, Buck, Fred and the penguins arrive at one very special little girl's house at the same time as Santa.  Even now all does not go according to plan but remember Christmas can weave its own spell.  

As you read the words penned by Bruce Hale, you find yourself smiling, his carefree, conversational sentences inviting giggles and grins.  Lots of sound effect words invite reader participation.  Alliteration, rhyming, dialogue, and text supply a cheerful flow.  The repetition of a single phrase also welcomes readers to join in the telling.  Here is a passage.

Flying a sleigh wasn't nearly as easy as running a post office.

Buck and his team hit a few rough spots . . .

with a BISH, 

and a BASH,

and a SPLISHETY-SPLASH.

Readers get their first glimpse of the comedy replete in every image on the front and back of the open and matching dust jacket and book case.  The expressions on Postmaster Buck's face and the crew of penguins vary between happiness, dismay and determined struggle.  You will notice the poor shape of the sleigh.  How is it even staying together?  The peppermint as the dot on the I and the single peppermint button on Buck's bag are a pleasing design touch.  Buck and his crew and the title text are varnished.

To the left, on the back, is a close up of a cup of hot cocoa in a Peppermint Post mug with the motto, Persistent, Punctual, Persevering.  Chunky marshmallows float on top of the cocoa.  Steam reaches to the gingerbread boy cookie and a letter to the left, written by Buck to Santa.  The letter is certain to have you laughing.

The opening and closing endpapers are red.  On the initial title page, a penguin is pushing a Peppermint Post cart loaded with letters.  On the formal title page Buck and Fred are at the window looking at Santa taking off from the North Pole with his sleigh loaded with presents.

The illustrations by Stephanie Laberis vary in size in support of the text and its pacing.  Her details ask you to stop at every page.  It is in the details that the narrative is enhanced by her work.  The postal clock face is a peppermint candy.  Before the penguins attempt to fly, Fred is reading a Flying for Dummies book with a red Christmas bulb attached to his beak.  Each image is highly animated.  Many of the facial expressions are exaggerated to elevate the humor.  I guarantee readers will laugh out loud more than once.

One of my many, many favorite pictures is on a single page.  Postmaster Buck is seated in his light blue chair with his back to us. (His name is on his chair.)  There is a note on his desk from Mrs. C.  You can see the peppermint candy attached to his hat resting on his desk.  His In box is empty.  His OUT box is stacked high.  Buck is lifting his hot cocoa for a taste, holding the missed letter in his paw.  In the window we can see the reflection of his front.  His face looks like that of a deer caught in the headlights.  It's a total YIKES moment.

Readers are going to love laughing at the trouble encountered by Buck and his crew and how it concludes through the merry text and visuals in Peppermint Post written by Bruce Hale with illustrations by Stephanie Laberis.  This takes the motto of our very own USPS to its maximum meaning.  This book is about the true meaning of the season, putting others before yourself.  Teamwork plays a hand in the outcome, also.  Your readers will certainly enjoy having a copy in your professional and personal collections.

To learn more about Bruce Hale and Stephanie Laberis, and their other work, please follow the link attached to their names to access their websites.  Bruce Hale has accounts on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.  Stephanie Laberis has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  At the publisher's website is an Activity Guide.

The best part of the shift in any season is to be able to share it with a best friend.  The joys of the Christmas holiday and its traditions are amplified when you enjoy making it special for someone else.  This spirit of giving is richly portrayed in a new book by author illustrator Tad Hills.  Mistletoe: A Christmas Story (Schwartz & Wade Books, September 29, 2020) is as charming as the two characters we meet.

Mistletoe greets the chilly morning.  Snow is falling.

What a beautiful day! Finally, it feels like Christmas, she thinks.

When Mistletoe arrives at her friend, Norwell's home, the snow is deeper.  She excitedly calls for him to join her.  Norwell has no desire to go outside in the cold.  He invites her inside for some tea and to sit by the warm fire.

Norwell keeps mentioning how nice it is inside.  They even decorate his Christmas tree.  Mistletoe keeps mentioning how wonderful it would be to go out in the snow together.  It's much too cold for Norwell.  He is staying inside.  On her way home, Mistletoe is inspired.

Rushing around her house, Mistletoe gathers every ball of yarn she can find, and she starts to knit.  She knits all the time, everywhere she is.  Christmas is getting closer, day by day.  Mistletoe runs out of yarn and hurries to purchase more, bringing as much as she can home.  She knits and knits and knits some more.

On Christmas Eve she is finished, falling happily asleep.  The task of delivering her gift on Christmas morning is not easy.  It is rather huge.  At Norwell's home cheerful Christmas greetings are exchanged as well as gifts which mirror the affection Norwell holds for Mistletoe and she holds for him.  Nothing will prepare you for the image of Mistletoe and Norwell finally out in the snow together.  

Each portion of this story flows gently with purpose to the next.  Tad Hills has a gift for writing simple but meaningful sentences designed to reach his intended audience.  The blend of text, conversation, and the characters' thoughts make for a more intimate story, connecting to readers' own experiences.  Here are two adjoining passages.

"Hmmm, I don't know." Norwell

walks to the window.  He watches the

snow fall. "Brrrr," he says.  "It looks

even colder out there now, Mistletoe.

I think I'll stay home, where it's cozy."

So Mistletoe puts on her hat, coat, scarf,

and mittens and sets out on her walk home.

She soon finds herself in a field of snow.  As

evening approaches, the world turns blue.  She

stops.  She is as quiet and still as she has ever been.

Mistletoe seated in the wreath on the front of the open dust jacket is downright adorable in her seasonal, colorful winter clothing.  Her sincere nature is mirrored on her quiet face.  Mistletoe and the wreath are varnished.  The text and snow are raised and textured to the touch in glittery white.

To the left, on the back, is a serene scene from the interior of the book, enlarged.  On a canvas of pale purple Norwell is lifting Mistletoe in his trunk so she can place the star on the top of his Christmas tree.  Here the text reads:

Celebrate friendship

and the gift of giving with

this cozy holiday story.

On the opened book case, case cover, is a wonderful depiction of Mistletoe running home across the snow after she has her great idea for a gift for Norwell.  A large portion of the top is a night sky brimming with snowflakes.  On the snowy white you can see footprints from left to right.  Racing toward the right edge is Mistletoe, bright red with a little green and gray on the stunning landscape.

On the opening endpapers is a lighter replication of the book case without Mistletoe present.  The closing endpapers are similar with one notable difference.  It is, after all, Christmas Day.

These illustrations by Tad Hills 

were created digitally in the Procreate app.

Tad Hills alters his image sizes from double-page pictures to a large loose circle on a single page, to full-page pictures, and smaller geometric shapes together on one page.  These accentuate the pacing of his story.  His double-page pictures are utterly delightful.  Sometimes he brings us close to his characters placing an emphasis on a moment, and other times we find ourselves stepping back to get a larger view.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is for the second passage above noted.  The world is colored in hues of blue, even the snow at the bottom of the double-page picture.  Snowflakes gently fall from top to bottom.  Tracks made by Mistletoe stretch from left to past the center on the right, curving a little bit when she stops.  Mistletoe stands with her face pointed upward.  There is a slight smile on her face and her eyes are closed. Her feet are nearly covered by the snow.

I always enjoy reading the dedications in books.  This dedication speaks directly to the words and art created by Tad Hills for Mistletoe: A Christmas Story.  It reads:

In memory of my grandmother Florence Bullard,

who taught me that the best gift comes from the heart and hand.

And to Annie and Eliza, nimble-fingered knitters extraordinaire.

This is a story to read when the snow is falling outside, and you are gathered with one or more children, friends, students, or family.  It is cozy and comforting.  We can never have too much of either.  I am happy to add this title to my personal collection.  I believe you'll want to have a copy, too.

To learn more about Tad Hills, and his considerable body of work, please visit his website by following the link attached to his name.  Tad Hills has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images.

Wearing Happiness

To have a pair of shoes when they are needed is a blessing.  Growing up we had two pair, one for everyday and another pair for dress-up.  It always seemed a shame to have those dress-up shoes, beautiful shoes, sitting unworn except for church, birthdays, or holidays. The everyday shoes were far from fashion statements, parental selections designed for durability until they were outgrown.  This might explain my adult fascination with shoes, particularly red shoes.

Red is a color of warmth and positivity.  It makes a bold statement.  In Red Shoes (Scholastic Press, September 15, 2020) written by Karen English with illustrations by Ebony Glenn we see how objects have stories attached to them.  The stories reveal potential and personalities.

Red shoes dazzling---perched on a pedestal in the shop

window as if on a throne.

"I want those, Nana," Malika says to her grandmother as they

pass the shop.

"We'll see," Nana says with a wink.  "Looks like you could use

 a new pair."

To Malika's surprise, those very red shoes appear in a box on her kitchen table.  Her joy bubbles over into laughter as she slips on her new red shoes.

Malika parades around her house.  Malika walks out the door so everyone can see her red shoes.  On the first day of school, it is raining, but she wears rain boots over her red shoes to keep them cozy and dry.

For every special family occasion, those red shoes sparkle on Malika's feet.  They are there when she has a disagreement with her friend and when they mend fences.  One day, though, on Nana's birthday those red shoes hurt to wear.  She and Nana take them to a resale shop, so they can add pizzazz to another child's life.

Inna Ziya notices those shoes, just as Malika did, in the store window.  After the purchase they travel with her to Africa.  They are a gift for a girl who has passed a milestone in her young life.  The story of the red shoes is not over.  It will continue as long as there are little girls who need and want to wear them.

When we read the first three sentences penned by Karen English, we feel a surge of merriment.  Her choice to include dialogue between the two sets of characters brings readers closer to the story.  Who among us has not been delighted by the perfect present?  Readers are invited to participate by joining in with the sound effects made by Malika walking in her red shoes.  The repetition of the words red shoes is a cheerful cadence connecting events and people, even far away from one another.  Here is a passage.

Red shoes stomping home when

Malika and her best friend Keisha have a fight.

Malika is mad and sticks to it.

Red shoes jumping double Dutch 

at Keisha's birthday party after

they make up.

[Please note:  I am working with an F & G.]

When you open the cover (dust jacket), larger than life, in all their splendidness are Malika on the front, and Amina, the girl living in Africa, on the back.  Their body postures are a mirror image of each other with their hand positions and the pointing of a single foot in front of their bodies.  Both are placed on a canvas using the same three colors, but they have been switched to better complement the clothing each is wearing.  Amina is wearing a green-patterned dress with a hijab in two shades of purple.  Her eyes, unlike those of Malika, are wide open.

On the opening and closing endpapers is a celebratory design.  The smaller elements on a red background look like confetti in colors of purple, yellow, and green.  On the title page, Malika is pointing to a place on a globe.

Each of the images by Ebony Glenn  

were rendered digitally with Adobe Photoshop using chalk, paper, and watercolor textures.

They range in size from colorful double-page pictures, to a collection of smaller visuals to indicate the passage of time, and full-page pictures sometimes indicating a contrast between events.  The hues used in the images shift once the story continues in Africa.  

For many of the pictures, Ebony Glenn takes us close to the character of Malika and to Amina.  It makes the experience for us more personal as do the added details. The eyes on the faces of the characters elevate the moods of them.  You'll find yourself smiling or giggling several times.

One of my many, many favorite pictures is a double-page picture.  The background is a pleasing blend of shades of green (and maybe a pale yellow) with a multitude of raindrops and one big puddle on the right, which crosses the gutter slightly to the left.  On the right showing pure glee is Malika.  Her yellow-orange umbrella slightly crosses the gutter to the left, too, as she holds it above and behind her.  The handle on the umbrella is a bright green.  Malika is wearing a red raincoat.  Her yellow pants appear between the raincoat bottom and her yellow-orange boots.  Her eyes are closed, and her mouth is smiling.

You'll want to use this book for a group read aloud, or as a one-on-one storytime.  It can enhance a theme of clothing, stories are found everywhere, journeys, and the beauty of resale.  Red Shoes written by Karen English with artwork by Ebony Glenn will be a welcome addition on your personal and professional bookshelves.

To learn more about Ebony Glenn and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  Ebony Glenn has accounts on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.  Ebony Glenn is highlighted at KidLit411.  There is an earlier article about Karen English at BookPage in 2017.  Both Karen English and Ebony Glenn were guests on Scholastic's Ambassador of School Libraries, John Schumacher's Book Joy Live.  I guarantee, it, like this book will send your soul soaring.

Update:  This title is showcased on Scholastic's blog with a conversation between the author and illustrator. October 21, 2020

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like . . . 2019 #3

On this first Tuesday of December many people around the world are making preparations to celebrate holidays during this month.  These holidays have deep historical roots based upon religious beliefs and traditional customs observed for generations.  The challenges more people than we can imagine face during these plans and festivities differ in degrees of difficulty.

One of the greatest hardships is to have those we love separated from us not by their passing, geographical boundaries, or unforeseen circumstances but by walls built by the hands of humans.  Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border (Farrar Straus Giroux, September 10, 2019) written by Mitali Perkins with illustrations by Sara Palacios is a tale of ingenuity; this cleverness a result of what children do best.  They are keen observers.  They hope.

Abuela stars in all of Mama's stories, but my only memory is a voice calling me "angelita."

Five years have passed since this little girl heard her grandmother's affectionate word for her.  Today Maria and her younger brother Juan are traveling to the border separating Mexico from the United States with their mother.  It is La Posada Sin Fronteras. 

Mama is knitting the finishing touches on a scarf Maria has made for her grandmother to wear home.  Juan carries a picture he drew on cardboard for his grandmother.  It is of Mary and Joseph unable to find room in the inn.

When the bus carrying friends and family members arrives at the border two large fences, with a space in-between them, stretch into the ocean.  A limited number of people for a limited amount of time are allowed by border patrol officers to pass through the gate of the first fence to find their loved ones who have arrived from Mexico.

When the time arrives for Maria, Juan and their mother to meet Abuela, they are excited to see her and share words of news and affection in person.  A priest reads the story of Christmas and leads those present in carols.  When their time is up, Maria tries to push the scarf through the small holes in the fence.  A guard forbids it, returning the scarf to her.

Outside the gate Juan bursts into tears realizing he did not give his picture to Abuela.  Looking at the area around her and watching several seagulls gives Maria an idea.  Wind and suggestions of encouragement assist her endeavors.  Love soars.


With her words, author Mitali Perkins pens a story of abiding affection, family and persistence.  Simple conversational sentences in Maria's voice take us willingly on her family's journey to the border.  The mix of narrative and dialogue lends authenticity to the story.  The selection of specific words takes us deeply into these memorable moments.  Here is a passage.

Mama's words trip over Abuela's. Cousins, chickens, corn---everything in the village has grown.  Abuela drops kisses on our fingers. (Only fingers will fit through the fence, as people reach for each other.)  She is short, brown, plump, and jolly.  Hugging her would feel like hugging a chunk of cookie dough.


On the right of the open and matching dust jacket and book case, readers see a scene filled with joy; the joy is one of excitement at seeing a missed grandmother and for the gifts being made for her.  The tiny prints and patterns on the pillow, lampshade and rug are a reflection of the culture from which this family comes.  The heart pillow speaks to the strength of love in this family.

The background on the wall in the home is continued as a canvas to the left, on the back.  Within a large oval with a loose border, artist Sara Palacios has placed an image of the sandy beach, the ocean, a blue sky with wisps of clouds, seagulls, the white lighthouse on the Mexican side of the wall and palm trees.  Into this setting she shows Juan happily cheering his sister as she runs in her efforts to bring his gift to Abuela.

On the opening and closing endpapers Sara Palacios has given readers a beach view of sand, palm trees, ocean, sky and seagulls. These endpapers in the front host the title page on the right.  At the conclusion of the book, they supply a space for the publication information on the left.

Sara Palacios alternates her picture sizes from full-page pictures to double-page pictures, to smaller visuals for dramatic effect and a group of three double-page horizontal illustrations to highlight the passage of time in quick sequence.  Her perspective shifts from more panoramic positions, straight at readers, to panoramic places with a bird's eye view.  She brings us close to Maria's family to make us a part of their story.  The expressions on all the people's faces reflect their happiness and everyday tendencies, too, such as the siblings of another family teasing each other.

One of my many favorite illustrations is a single-page picture. Abuela is close to the fence on her side.  Juan, Mama and Maria are walking toward her and nearly at the fence.  All their faces are full of joy.  Mouths are open and smiling calling out words of love and greeting.  Maria proudly wears the scarf.  Juan is carrying the picture.  Mama has her knitting bag over one shoulder and carries her purse in her other hand.  Other families to the left of them are calling out to loved ones.  Pure bliss pours from this page.


Whether readers are familiar with Las Posadas or not, this book, Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border written by Mitali Perkins with illustrations by Sara Palacios, tells of a single day during this holiday and one family's minutes during an amazing achievement. This title offers the opportunity to discuss different holiday celebrations around the world and brings this holiday closer to children in the United States.  There are numerous possibilities for additional activities and research.  An Author's Note offers further information. I highly recommend this title for your professional and personal collections.

To learn more about Mitali Perkins (This is her debut picture book.) and Sara Palacios and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites. Mitali Perkins includes many references for this book on her website.  Mitali Perkins has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  Sara Palacios has an account on Instagram.  At the publisher's website you can view interior illustrations. The cover, short sentences from the author and illustrator and process art are revealed by teacher librarian Matthew C. Winner on his blog.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like . . #7

This morning, Christmas Eve 2018, everything outside is coated in nearly four inches of fluffy, newly-fallen snow.  It's like stepping into an enchanted scene.  Once the woods are left behind, it's obvious everyone out and about is focusing on the same things.  They are committed with intention to getting everything accomplished before tonight; shopping for food and drink, fuel, gifts, and decorations is occupying their every moment.

A crew of machines have inserted themselves firmly into readers' hearts.  Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Mighty, Mighty Construction Site are enjoyed no matter how many times they are read.  Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane Truck, Dump Truck, and Cement Mixer are celebrating the holiday season in a new title, Construction Site on Christmas Night (Chronicle Books, October 16, 2018) written by Sherri Duskey Rinker with illustrations by AG Ford.

Down in the big construction site,
there's work to do for Christmas night!

The last big project of the year;
the team is slamming into gear.

All five members of the group are working to build an exceptional abode.  Bulldozer must work from daylight to dusk to clear a spot.  As he finishes his day, there appears in his path a brand-new blade, with a special ribbon and note.  It's a Merry Christmas goodnight for Bulldozer.

Digging and digging all day Excavator fashions a foundation at last.  Snowflakes fall as he chugs toward home.  He too finds a gift wrapped with a ribbon and a thank you card.  For each of the machines remaining, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck and Crane Truck, as their jobs are completed and darkness descends special treats await them.  All five have seasonal sweet dreams.

When the sun shines bright on the next morning other vehicles race down the road.  A symphony of sounds announces their presence; bells, sirens and air horns shout out loud.

It's the town's new FIRE CREW!

That night as snow falls each truck of five finds a special spot; a garage for each one in a house built by a crew of five.  Friends help friends.  Ten peacefully rest ready for the next day.


Oh, there is happy beauty in the rhythmic text of Sherri Duskey Rinker when she spins a tale of these fabulous five.  At the end of every two lines is a rhyming word.  An additional cadence is created with the repetition of each member of the team finishing their job, finding a gift and settling in for the night.  The focus on giving (and receiving) is further strengthened with the arrival of the fire crew.  Here is a passage.

The job's all finished.  One last stop---
Crane Truck puts a star on top.

But Crane has one last thing to lift,
someone's left a SPECIAL gift.

a rock-'em-sock-'em wrecking ball!
It's red and green and ten feet tall.

Merry Christmas, Crane Truck.  Goodnight.


When readers open the matching dust jacket and book case, they will gaze upon a wintry holiday scene including from left to right, back to front, all ten of the vehicles.  There are large wrapped packages in places other than around the Christmas tree.  The clock tower gives the time as midnight.  A snowman keeps two of the trucks company.  On the jacket snowflakes, clumps of snow and the star are rough to the touch and raised.  The title text is red foil.

The opening and closing endpapers are in shades of deep blue.  Excavator is holding the star as he moves to the tree in the first set.  At the end the star is on the tree and Crane Truck is carrying another item toward the tree.  It seems as if the setting we see on the jacket and case is being constructed in the endpapers.

Rendered in Neo-color wax oil crayons by AG Ford the illustrations radiate warmth and cheer.  The matte-finished paper contributes to the soft texture of the images.  On the title page tiny details are tucked into the double-page picture.  Can you see what the man is shouting from the window?

AG Ford shifts the sizes of the visuals from double-page to double-page with a full-page inset, to large pictures crossing the gutter to make a column for text, and to groups of illustrations on a single page.  Sometimes the images will be bordered in a black line.  The expressions on the vehicles' faces convey every emotion explicitly whether they are awake or sleeping.

One of my many favorite illustrations is of Cement Mixer asleep.  The illustration crosses the gutter moving to the left.  Snow is gently falling in the night sky.  Along the background is the darkened cityscape.  On the left and right on mounds of dirt the old drum rests with the open gift box.  Cement Mixer, on the right, is wearing his new red-and-white striped (like a candy cane) drum.  His blanket is resting on his top.  A smile is on his face (grill).  Above the scene is a crescent moon, smiling too.


The spirit of the season bursts from the pages in Construction Site on Christmas Night written by Sherri Duskey Rinker with illustrations by AG Ford.  It's a wonderful, welcome companion to the series.  It's a fantastic festive addition to any holiday collection, professional and personal.  You can't resist reading it aloud.


To discover more about Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites.  Both Sherri and AG maintain accounts on Twitter.  On Instagram Sherri and AG have accounts.  At The Children's Book Review AG Ford shows readers how to draw Excavator.

Seeking The Soul Of The Season

If you are asked to name your favorite part of the Christmas season, what is your answer?  Also, what one word best describes what Christmas means to you?  Like many things in life it is to be expected our replies would be a reflection of our age, experiences and current circumstances.  Maybe our responses would be different from one year to the next. 

Sometimes we get so caught up in the preparations for the events attached to the celebration, we never truly pause to reflect on either of these questions.  Our time is completely occupied with the cooking and baking, the decorating, the sending of Christmas cards and selecting the gifts to be given.  In Finding Christmas (Albert Whitman & Company, October 1, 2017) written by Lezlie Evans with pictures by Yee Von Chan, three friends find themselves in an unexpected situation with life-changing results.

The Little Burrow was nearly ready for Christmas.

Hare was singing carols at the top of his voice as he placed decorations on the tree.  Squirrel was placing finishing touches on freshly baked cookies.  Mouse was leaving their home.  She still had to find the perfect present for Hare.

It seemed like Mouse had barely left the house when she returned deeply agitated.  She needed their help immediately.  Squirrel and Hare followed her through the snowy woods until they came to a swallow lying on the ground, a thin blanket of snow covering her.  The three carried the ill bird back to their Little Burrow.

Placing her close to the fire covered in blankets was not helping.  She did not move.  Hare had an idea.  He gave Squirrel his gift.  Squirrel was puzzled and did not want to open it yet, but Hare insisted.  Inside was Squirrel's favorite thing.  He understood it would help the swallow.

Next Squirrel gave Mouse her gift to open.  Inside was an item surely meant to keep the chill of winter from reaching her.  She understood it would help the swallow.  All night long the trio tended the swallow.

When Christmas morning arrived Hare, Squirrel and Mouse were talking about their gifts for each other.  Mouse, of course, was sad she had no gift for Hare.  As the light of a new day filled The Little Burrow, something else was carried on the air.  Hare did have a gift from Mouse.


With her storytelling skills author Lezlie Evans takes readers into the heartwarming relationship of the three friends within the first six sentences.  As the story continues we come to understand how much their affection is for each other by their gifts.  We also realize their true character in their willingness to give to another in greater need.  The repetition of a single phrase strengthens our knowledge of this.  Here is a passage before Mouse's sudden return.

As Squirrel pulled the last batch of cookies from the
oven, Hare hit a high note.
"Could you tone it down a bit?" asked Squirrel.  Hare
had been singing at the top of his lungs all morning.
"But music's my favorite part of Christmas," said Hare.
"Music helps bring the Christmas spirit."
Though tomorrow was December 25th, it didn't feel
like Christmas yet. 


The charm of a woodland setting and the three friends who dwell within its surroundings are immediately felt by readers who look at the matching, opened dust jacket and book case.  The blue-gray background with snowflakes provides an ideal canvas for the windows into the warmth of The Little Burrow.  Delicate, intricate details in each setting and in the leaves, berries and nuts framing each of them contribute to the overall enchantment.  To the left, on the back, again framed in holly leaves and berries, a red ribbon, ferns, berries, pine boughs, oak leaves and acorns, Mouse, Squirrel and Hare are doing their best to awaken the swallow and keep her warm.

A muted forest green covers the opening and closing endpapers.  On the title page readers are given a view of The Little Burrow as if we came upon it in the woods.  Snow is mounded over the rounded roof.  Light glows in the windows on either side of the circular door.  Smoke drifts upward from the chimney.  Trees frame the home.

Illustrator Yee Von Chan invites us into the world of these woodland creatures with two-page pictures, single page pictures, edge to edge and single page images in loose circular or oval shapes.  She alters the perspective to heighten the mood of the narrative.  Her fine lines and exquisite elements remind us elegance is found in the simple things.  Readers will notice she includes two other birds in several illustrations; each of them is wearing a scarf to maintain their warmth in winter.

One of my many favorite illustrations takes us close to The Little Burrow.  We are looking inside it on Christmas Eve along with two birds who are perched on the window ledge.  The window covers nearly two pages, framed in snow and the outside of the home.  Through the window we can see Hare loading a log on the fire, Squirrel feeding tea to the swallow, placed on a rug and covered in blankets, and Mouse offering a comforting touch.  A part of their Christmas tree, table with a plate of cookies and stove are visible.  A tray with a tea pot and cups is on the floor near the swallow.  We are looking at love.


Through the words of Lezlie Evans and the artwork of Yee Von Chan Finding Christmas is an engaging and heartfelt story of the best this season brings.  It is a gentle reminder to follow the Golden Rule, to choose compassion, whenever the opportunity presents itself to us.  You will want to add this title to your professional and personal collections. 

To discover more about Lezlie Evans and Yee Von Chan and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites.  Here is a link to the advent calendar Lezlie Evans recommends creating in her interview for the book trailer premiere at Scholastic's Ambassador of School Libraries, John Schumacher's blog, Watch. Connect. Read.  At the publisher's website you can view interior pages.  Lezlie Evans is interviewed about this book and her work at the Albert Whitman Blog.   She is also interviewed about this title and her process at Picture Book Playlist.  At Yee Von Chan's website she lists the other social media connections she has in which you can see her work.  She has another website called Whimsy Whimsical.

A Conversation with Thyra Heder

Good morning, Thyra.  I am happy to welcome you to Librarian’s Quest and to express my thanks to you for spending time with me and my readers today.  It’s been absolutely gorgeous here in southern Michigan as autumn brings in the cooler temperatures at night, clear blue skies, brisk breezes and a blanket of color in our trees.

Since the focus of our conservation today revolves around an animal companion I thought you might like to take an imaginary hike with me and my one-year-old chocolate Labrador, Mulan.  We enjoy walking through the woods, taking in the sights, sounds and scents.  So put on your comfy shoes or boots, grab a jacket and let’s get started.

Sounds great! My lab/rott mix Toby would like to follow Mulan to the stinkiest spots to roll in.

Mulan would love that! I, of course, might not be too happy with a stinky dog in the house but that's why water hoses and shampoo were invented.

In your Author’s Note at the close of the book, Alfie (The turtle that disappeared), (Abrams Books for Young Readers, October 3, 2017) you inform readers about your Alfie, the length of time Alfie has been a part of your family, your niece’s fascination with this turtle and your friend Nia’s turtle Max that seems to have an affinity for escaping.  Every time I read this book, the brilliance of two perspectives brings the story together flawlessly.  Did you always know you wanted to tell this story from both Nia’s and Alfie’s point of view?

Originally I wrote this story from an omniscient narrator and it wasn’t really working, because neither Nini (Nia’s original name) nor Alfie had much of a personality. Also, in this first idea, the turtle was gone for 30 years which ended up feeling very sad rather than fun.  I went to mope to my agent, Stephen Barr, which is what I often do when I’m stuck, and the two of us spent an hour basically just making each other laugh until suddenly one of us shot the firework of the idea of the change of perspective.  I honestly am not sure I can take credit for it, because I don’t have the memory of how it happened, but the second it was said aloud I knew it was right. All of my favorite novels involve switching character perspectives, so it became my mission to make this work in a picture book.  (In case you are interested, two of my favorites are To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf and Another Country by James Baldwin)

I am curious about whether you did any extra research or if it was pure observation of Alfie and Max so you could channel your inner turtle to write his point of view?

I’ve actually never met Nia’s Max! She’s just told me about his various escapes. I have followed my real Alfie around my parent's house a lot over the years, so mostly this was from memory. (Btw he really does love to hide in my mom’s shoes, get stuck under the radiator, and swim in the backyard koi pond)

How did you arrive at the name Alfie for your turtle and for the title of this book?

When I was five years old, I was obsessed with the book Esio Trot by Roald Dahl, which is about a man in love with his downstairs neighbor who is devoted to her pet tortoise, Alfie.  So for my sixth birthday, I got Alfie!

Your artwork for this book is utterly charming, elevating the text beautifully.  Did you have the text completed prior to the watercolor painting and inking?  Did the illustrations come first?  Or is it a combination of both? I am wondering about your process for this book.  

First of all, thank you! My process for every book begins with an instinct for what I want to paint, and then the writing follows as a way to justify that instinct.  It often is a painfully long process of figuring out how to construct the story with a lot of sketching of different dummies and rewriting and tearing my hair out (any of my friends will tell you that a perennial part of my writing process is wanting to throw the whole thing out).  But yes, I had finalized the text before starting to paint my images.   

However, after painting the final art for Alfie over many months, I reread it with the text and hated it.  I had spent so long creating the world in the art that when I looked at the writing again, it seemed to have zero of the same care and personality.  My editor at Abrams, Erica Finkel, is a saint.  She patiently sat with me in an empty office at 8pm before my book was supposed to be sent to the printer, and worked with me to rewrite every line of Alfie’s perspective.  For that, I am forever grateful, because the book got so much better.

You have included many wonderful extra details in your artwork?  What is one thing you hope readers will notice? (I noticed something entirely new when reading Alfie (The turtle that disappeared) again today.)

That makes me so happy! My favorite thing as an illustrator is to try to build enough into the art that those new surprises can happen.  I hope readers will notice how the walrus wears his pants.

I have an idea of why the rug pattern was chosen for the endpapers but I would love to know your reason for placing it there and for adding a portion of Alfie on the closing endpapers.

Well if I can earnestly and politely answer, “I don’t know, what do you think?” I’d love to hear your idea! To be honest, I was very stumped about the endpapers and they were due the next day and as I was falling asleep I just started talking to myself, I thought “okay, you have the book in your hand, you are looking at the cover, you open the book...what do you want to see?” and the rug popped in my head and felt good, so I did it.  I have spent many hours watching my Alfie crawl across carpets so adding him in the back came naturally and seemed to continue the story in a nice way.

It crossed my mind that the rug was a focal point for the first time Alfie and Nia were together with him roaming free. Also my thoughts on him being on the closing endpapers suggest he might be going on another adventure.

The use of a white canvas with the ink drawings of Nia and Alfie within the book and on the book case (case cover) is marvelous.  Were they always wordless and why or why not? Also, is there a particular reason Alfie is slightly airborne on the front of the book case?

Haha, I can’t help but feel that some of these questions are revealing that I sometimes don’t know why I make my own choices!  Initially I wanted the break to be two blank white pages, but, thankfully, Erica really pushed me to come up with something intentional for that moment. I knew it had to sort of exist outside of the story while relating to it, and I came across an old page of ink doodles in my studio with a little girl's silhouette and felt it click.  Alfie is floating on the case cover because it made me laugh.

I think it's going to make everyone laugh, Thyra.

Is the setting, the home and backyard, from your imagination or is it an actual place?

The setting is a mashup of my apartment in Brooklyn and my childhood home in Cambridge.

I know readers will want to know more about your Alfie, Thyra.  What kind of turtle is Alfie?

Omg, Margie, I AM NOT SURE!  We were told he was a Chinese Pond Turtle at the pet store, but he doesn’t look much like the photos.  It is actually also debateable whether he is, in fact, male.  I figure it doesn’t matter at this point? Alfie is just Alfie.

How old (approximately) is he now?

33 years young!

What is Alfie’s favorite food?

Alfie actually seems to prefer turtle food to the lettuce/carrots/guppies/crickets/grubs/hamburgers I tried to feed him when we were younger.

Thank you for chatting with me today Thyra.  It’s been a pleasure to learn more about Alfie (The turtle that disappeared), your process and the real-life Alfie.  I, and other readers too, certainly hope you have another project in the works.

To learn more about Thyra Heder please take a moment to visit her website and her blog.  You can get a sneak peek at her work space on her blog.  If you want to learn more about Alfie (The turtle that disappeared), the book, please follow the link attached to the title to read my blog post.

Also you can follow me on Facebook.com/thyrahederbooks for behind the scenes process photos and events.

Thyra Heder is the author-illustrator of Fraidyzoo and The Bear Report. In a starred review, Kirkus praised her latest picture book, Alfie, saying, "Heder takes readers on a journey about what it means to be a child with a new pet who sometimes loses its luster but never its worthiness of love." She is also an illustrator and storyboard artist whose clients include Kenneth Cole, Vogue and Coca-Cola. She graduated from Brown University in 2006 with a degree in art semiotics. She lives in Brooklyn.