Happy New Year 2019---One Little Word

Three hundred sixty-five days have come and gone in what seemed like a heartbeat.  Where did 2018 go?  Did someone speed up the clock?  The sense of not being able to catch up seemed stronger this past year.

Many people have been selecting one little word at the beginning of each calendar year for more than a decade.  The One Little Word project was started in 2006 by Ali Edwards.  For this first post of 2019, still having 2018 books to highlight, I decided to generate a list and assign a single word to each title.  I will include links to the author, illustrator and publisher when able to do so.  I will provide a passage from the book.  May everything that is right and good flourish in this coming year for each of you.

CONFIDENCE

Neck & Neck (Little, Brown and Company, June 5, 2018) written and illustrated by Elise Parsley

"I just

love 

this guy!"

At that, 

Leopold sighed and turned . . .

. . . and gasped

at the

gleaming smile

bobbing beside him.

Book Chat with the Illustrator: Elise Parsley Returns from LB School on Vimeo.



NEIGHBORHOOD

Hey, Wall: A Story Of Art And Community (A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, September 4, 2018) written by Susan Verde with illustrations by John Parra

Hey, Wall!

Guess what?

I'm ready to change all that.







Book trailer premiere with chat at Watch. Connect. Read. with John Schumacher



COMPASSION

I Am Human: A Book of Empathy (Abrams Books for Young Readers, October 2, 2018) written by Susan Verde with illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds  

I have a feeling of wonder.

I am amazed by nature.

I have a playful side.

I find joy in friendships.

I am Human.



PERSPECTIVE

The Wall In The Middle Of The Book (Dial Books for Young Readers, October 2, 2018) written and illustrated by Jon Agee  

Wait a second.  What's going on?!

This is not supposed to happen
on this side of the wall!




Book trailer premiere at 100 Scope Notes with Travis Jonker



CHOICE

Little Brown (Beach Lane Books, October 2, 2018) written and illustrated by Marla Frazee

He knew he could be a dog who would---if given
half a chance---chase balls, run in circles, nap in
the shade, or get muddy.

But Little Brown just watched the others . . .
and got crankier and crankier.  






UNITY

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands (Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., October 9, 2018) written and illustrated by Rafael Lopez

We've got the rivers and the mountains
in our hands.
We've got the oceans and the seas
in our hands.
We've got you and you've got me
in our hands.
We've got the whole world
in our hands.






EXPLORE

My Heart Is a Compass (Little, Brown and Company, November 6, 2018) written and illustrated by Deborah Marcero

It could have been anything.
Something exotic?
Something magical?
Did it even exist?
Where could she find such a thing?

For that, she needed a map.  Not an atlas or a globe.
To find the secret coordinates, she would
have to draw her own map.  

Watch the delightful book trailer premiere
at A Fuse #8 Production with Betsy Bird



STORY

No Boring Stories! (Viking, Penguin Young Readers, November 6, 2018) written by Julie Falatko with pictures by Charles Santoso

Those are boring stories!
I like books where strange stuff
happens.  But everyone says my
stories are too weird.

I think weird
stories are cool.

Remember the one you
wrote where the main
character was a discarded
shoe who loved to sing?

That sounds hilarious!

GIVE

Found. (Simon & Schuster Book for Young Readers, November 20, 2018) written by Jeff Newman with illustrations by Larry Day

This story is wordless.  It is a powerful statement on loss.  It speaks to giving when it's the hardest possible choice.  It's also about finding pure sweet love.

From An Expert

Most of us strive to be the best we can be at whatever it is we do.  When learning something new, we look for the best possible teacher.  We want someone with time-tested experience.  We want someone who sees not only the whole picture but the difference the tiniest of details can make.  We want someone who understands the essence of what we are going to do.

In other words, we want to get our instruction straight "from the horse's mouth."  Jon Agee's newest picture book title, Lion Lessons (Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, July 5, 2016) explores this concept with hilarious and surprising results.  Sometimes the challenge is much more than anticipated.

It's not easy getting your Lion Diploma.
I know.  I took lessons.

Upon entering a studio and after donning appropriate attire, a boy enters an office to meet his instructor.  This instructor, an actual lion, informs him of a seven-step process.  Before they can even begin their lessons stretching, in a variety of poses, is essential.

As the king of beasts the first lesson has to do with the appropriate stance.  On the "roar-o-meter" it registers the lad's technique needs work...a lot of work.  In selecting meal choices the lion's preferred menu and his pupil's favorites are a plate of pasta apart.

The tasks for stealth and speed give new meanings to the word behind for this struggling student. Lesson seven, the final lesson, is of the utmost importance.  Back to back, standing tall, the mentor and the novice scan the horizon, searching.

First one and then another are spotted.  When questioned by the lion, the boy initially responds as expected but his second reply astounds the lion and the other local inhabitants.  Meow power!


Jon Agee addresses his audience using simple, straightforward sentences.  Having the boy narrate his own story gives it authenticity.  You believe the boy took lion lessons from a walking, talking lion.  By including conversational exchanges between the teacher and student, Agee enhances the believability element as well the liberal doses of humor.  Here is a sample passage.

Step five was sprinting. ...
..."You mean the little one here?"
"No," said the lion.  "The big one on that faraway hill.
I'll meet you there in five minutes." 

It took me an hour.
"You need to hit the gym," said the lion.


What greets readers on the front, the right of the opened matching dust jacket and book case, is the boy attempting to replicate the first lesson on appearing fierce.  Although he looks the part at this point, remember what you see is not necessarily what you get...at least in the beginning.  To the left, on the back, the view is identical but the point of view has changed.  We are looking at the back of the duo.  The canvas color for the opening and closing endpapers is the same as the text on the case and jacket.

Jon Agee cleverly begins his story with the first page turn after the opening endpapers.  The boy is walking down a sidewalk, hands in his short's pockets.  All the signs for the businesses are advertising a variety of lessons.  The stroll is continued down the street on the verso and title pages with the boy turning to look at us as he walks into the Lion Lessons shop.  The title is the sign on the outside.

Agee is a master of using white space to accentuate his pictures especially when he groups smaller illustrations together.  In this book his other background hue of choice is usually pale blue with one difference.  Black heralds a significant shift in this story.  You can't help but smile at the added details in his visuals; the great lions in history poster, the Harvard School of Claw certificate on the lion's wall, or the food choice names like Grass Fed Gnu or Organic Iguana.  And I can hardly keep from laughing at the body postures of both characters and the looks on their faces from lesson to lesson.

One of my favorite illustrated pages contains two images.  On a white background first the lion is bending slightly over and forward, moving secretively into the woods.  The boy is trying to creep along behind him.  Beneath this, the second picture shows the lion's face peeking out from a large bush.  The boy is nearly hidden except for his tail hanging out along the ground.  Clearly he needs more practice at this lesson of sneaking and hiding.


I guarantee you will be romping and roaring after reading Lion Lessons written and illustrated by Jon Agee.  It is always a good plan to learn from an expert but our basic instincts can leap into action when necessary.  Fans of felines will gather to read this repeatedly...so will all readers who love laughter and a great tail...er tale.

To discover more about Jon Agee and his other books, please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  To view an interior image follow this link to the publisher's website.  Author, reviewer and blogger, Julie Danielson, highlights this title on her blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

If We Only Knew

They look at you with complete understanding as if they have a command of whatever language you are speaking.  Outside they may suddenly pause as if all their instincts have gone on red alert.  If you should happen to leave them alone for longer than intended, it's uncanny how things seem to have been moved in your absence.

Keeping these things in mind it should come as no surprise when an author/illustrator introduces you to a canine with unique creative abilities.  What sets It's Only Stanley (Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, March 17, 2015) written and illustrated by Jon Agee apart is the humans in this dog's world.  They have no idea as to Stanley's true capabilities. 

The Wimbledons were sleeping.

It was very, very late,

When Wilma heard a spooky sound,

Which made her sit up straight.

"That's very odd," said Walter.

"I don't recognize the tune..."

Upon checking Walter discovers the family beagle howling at the full moon.  Time passes.  It gets later.  Daughter Wendy wanders into her parent's bedroom complaining of another strange noise.  Investigating, dad discovers Stanley busy fixing the leaky oil tank in the basement.  

After reporting this news to his wife and daughter, no one seems the least bit surprised at Stanley's handyman talents.  (At this point I can feel laughter starting to erupt.)  Before you know it, another child, Willie awakens, complaining about a weird smell.  It is now 2:30 in the morning.  Dad locates Stanley making catfish stew.  

As the number of people occupying the parent's bed increases Wanda and an hour later Wylie each hears a buzzing and a splashing.  Stanley continues to make much needed repairs.  By now though, Wilma, Wendy, Willie, Wanda and Wylie are getting a tad bit cranky.  They crave sleep.  Stanley has to stop.

KAPOW!

No one, not one single soul including Max the cat, in the Wimbledon clan has a clue as to what has happened.  Of all the curious sounds and smells this night, easily explained, this has them baffled.  Dad is going to get to the bottom of this immediately.  With the now familiar words, he announces

"It's only Stanley," Walter said. "We're...

With the first two sentences the rhythm of Jon Agee's rhyming will be asking you to join the narrative.  With each subsequent page you find yourself wondering who is going to hear or smell what next.  In addition to the cadence Agee supplies with his words choices; the repetition of key phrases provides a beat of its own, further engaging readers in the story.  As another humorous alliterative touch all the human names, first and last, begin with w. 

You are not quite certain from looking at the matching dust jacket and book case as to what Stanley is doing.  On the left, the back, the cat, Max, is watching with disgusted interest with more cobbled contraptions appearing in the background.    One thing is certain, though, Stanley is no ordinary dog.  This beagle is all business.  He is on a mission. And our curiosity is off the charts.

The bright yellow seen on the back of the jacket and case is carried to the opening and closing endpapers as a solid color signaling the electrifying effects of this story.  Prior to the verso and title pages, Stanley is pictured asleep on the front porch as a 

Howoooooo

breaks the silence.  The story continues beneath the text of the title with Stanley now awake looking at the full moon.

Heavy loose black lines define the elements in each illustration done in a muted color palette of greens, blues, yellow, red, brown, black and white. It isn't until the final pages another color is introduced.  With the simple lines on the characters' faces we are clearly aware of their moods.  

Agee alters his illustration sizes, two pages, edge to edge, single pages, edge to edge and smaller pictures set in white space, depending on the point in the story.  The only text on some pages is sound effects and subtle clues.  As if the story is not funny enough, you must watch the cat in every sequence.  He is certainly a victim of Stanley's endeavors.  

One of my favorite illustrations is of Walter standing in his pajamas outside in the tall grass looking at Stanley howling at the moon.  Max is with him.  It spans across two pages.  Little do we know the significance of this scene or what is in store for the Wimbledons.

I have literally been laughing off and on all afternoon and this evening after reading this book repeatedly.  It's Only Stanley written and illustrated by Jon Agee is utterly hilarious.  I can already hear the giggling of the guys and gals (and the adults) when this story is read aloud.  The comedic pacing is perfection.  

To learn more about Jon Agee and his other work please visit his website by following the link attached to his name.  Author and blogger Julie Danielson talks about this title at Kirkus and at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  Due to the generosity of teacher librarian extraordinaire, John Schumacher who hosts Watch. Connect. Read. Xena wants to give someone their own copy of this canine treat.  Xena and I thank you, John.
UPDATE:  John Schumacher tweeted about a video interview between Jon Agee and Becky Anderson, owner of Anderson's Book Shops in Illinois.  It's a must watch. 

In His Youth

No matter the extent of my exhaustion, there is one daily ritual which is never ignored, reading at bedtime.  It's become such a part of my life, I can't remember a time when I didn't do this.  The other night (actually in the early hours of the next morning), it was with anticipation I picked up a new picture book release to read.

As is my custom I looked at the jacket and cover, my hand running across the gold sticker on the former reading, Signed Copy.  I smiled when I saw the name Jon Agee handwritten beneath the opening title, Little Santa (Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.). The following wordless picture brought on a huge grin and any thoughts of sleep were banished as I continued with the double-page illustration for the formal title page.

In the North Pole, in a little cabin, lived Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their seven children, Larry, Mary, Willy, Millie, Joey, Zoe, and Santa.

Day in and day out the Clauses toll in the harsh wintry climate.  It seems like there is always something to do; chopping wood, shoveling snow, fishing for food, mending the quilts, and tending the fire.  None of them are happy except for one, Santa.

He finds joy in the simple things; building snowmen, creating snow angels, stringing garlands on pine trees and baking cookies.  With no playground nearby, his favorite thing in the whole world is to slide down the chimney.  When told by his family they are moving to Florida, he wonders how they could leave this wonderful place.

To everyone's surprise on the day of their departure, a blizzard has left their home nearly hidden under mounds of snow.  Santa immediately offers to go up the chimney for much-needed help.  Setting off with a bundle of food and snowshoes, his first discovery in a land encased in white is what appears to be a branch.

It's not a tall tree but a reindeer stuck under the snow.  After being freed, the reindeer offers to give Santa a ride.  Let me tell you, readers.  It was a very surprising trip.

Their next stop is a house filled from top to bottom with elves.  (Oh, I love this.) As Santa tells the tale of his family's troubles, the elves are eager to help. There isn't anything they can't build, quickly and carefully.

A return trip is taken by all.  Life at the North Pole for the Claus family is definitely different.  The lure of Florida is still strong though, except for one, Santa.  For that we are most thankful.


Straightforward sentences, stating the truth as seen, propel the narrative.  What makes the storytelling of Jon Agee pure pleasure are the pauses he inserts as well as the unexpected humor...and a talking reindeer.  The stop and go is so smooth you as a reader are unaware you are following the beat of his tale.  Here are a couple of sentences.

The house was full of elves.
"Holy snowflake!" said the oldest one. "Who are you?"

Beginning with a single illustration extending across the front and back jacket and cover, Jon Agee acquaints readers with his main character, a reindeer friend and the snow-covered hills of the frigid North Pole.  Rather than use any of these colors for the endpapers, Agee selects a solid shade of green which appears frequently as an added hue in his illustrations rendered in watercolor. I challenge you not to smile or burst out laughing as I did at the single illustration placed before the formal title page. Set on a stark white background is Santa's bed, his spotted dog sleeping next to it, as he dresses in his one-piece red outfit complete with a pointed hood.

White, blues, grays and a sunrise/sunset sky provide a backdrop for the two-page, single page or smaller drawings Agee uses to enhance his narrative.  This altering of illustration size and viewpoint, aligns well with the ebb and flow of his storyline.  His signature heavy black lines define all the elements in his pictures, the setting, the characters and their expressive moods.  The duller tones of Santa's parents' and siblings' clothing along with their glum faces contrasts with his rosier outlook on life in general, making him stand out.  One of my favorite illustrations is the one interpreting this exclamation:

"Gee whiz!" said Santa. "You're a pretty special reindeer."

The look of wonder Santa is wearing along with the smile on the reindeer's face is a perfect pictorial moment.


Little Santa written and illustrated by Jon Agee is a delightful seasonal title which should be given a spot in all Christmas collections.  His vision and version make wonderful sense.  This book is a gift to all readers.

For more information about Jon Agee, visit his website via the link embedded in his name above.  Make sure you take time to read Five questions for Jon Agee at The Horn Book.  Enjoy the book trailer!