Expectations Gone Awry

Does every living being plan?  We know plants and animals plan for changes in the weather and seasons, in fact they are often a sign of what we can expect in both.  They do so to survive.  We humans make daily plans.  We plan for special events, many of them months and years in the future.  We devise plans to reach our short-term and long-term goals in our academic, career, and personal lives. It is also a given that at any moment, sometimes seconds in length, our plans are unexpectedly and significantly altered.  We learn that often the best plan is to have no plan.

Six years ago we met an enchanting character in Julia's House for Lost Creatures.  Julia is an energetic young woman who puts her heart's desires into action, but often the results are unpredictable.  She returns in a companion title, Julia's House Moves On (First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, September 29, 2020) written and illustrated by Ben Hatke.  Julia's house sits on the back of an enormous turtle and Julia pulls up her mailbox in anticipation of what is to come.  

Julia's House was for lost

creatures of every kind.

But the house was getting

restless.  It was time to move

on.  Everyone could feel it.

The creatures residing in Julia's House were no longer their normal selves, acting entirely out of character.  Julia was certain she had the perfect plan in place for the upcoming relocation.  She was packing like a pro.  She had a new setting in mind, but the house had other intentions.  It began to move.

Julia was not ready.  Her plan was not in place any longer.  The turtle had its own plan.  It was on the move.  Before Julia, and her resident creatures knew what was happening the House was in ruins, drifting on the sea sans turtle.  Julia reassured everyone that she had a plan.

Everyone jumping in the water and pushing the House did not go well.  Dangerous conditions had everyone finding refuge in the now sinking House.  Julia still thought she had a plan.  She rummaged through her workshop and boxes, finding what she knew was a solution.  It was a disaster.

Julia now, diminished in her vigor, believed she could plan her way out of this situation, but the creatures left before she could present her ideas.  Julia is now alone, and her plans float away on the wind.  Suddenly, something, more than one something, she never envisioned in her wildest dreams happened.  It was not a part of any of her plans, but many times this is life's way of telling you to let go and embrace whatever it sends you.

In a spirited, conversational blend of text and dialogue, Ben Hatke presents a life lesson within a captivating story.  His spare, but specific, choice of words builds one incident upon another leading us to a spectacular, luminous conclusion.  These sentences also leave room for further enhancement by the images.  Here is a passage.

The creatures scrambled

back on board.  The house

was sinking faster.

"DON'T WORRY!"

Julia called.

"I HAVE 

A PLAN

FOR THIS!"

The warmth in the shades of orange and yellow on the front, right, of the open and matching dust jacket and book case, hint at either a sunrise or a sunset, presenting that each is the chance for a new beginning.  We can see the House in the background is already limbering up for its move.  The creature in Julia's box, a ghillie, is a recent arrival, but a remarkable character to this story.  

To the left, on the back, is an enlarged interior image of Julia determinedly looking through boxes in her workshop for a single item she believes will save the House.  The pale canvas highlights the vibrant colors of the objects in the boxes.  Careful readers will see the ghillie there with Julia.

The opening and closing endpapers begin and conclude the story including the initial title page and the final sentence.  On the first, on the left, an overturned pot, on its side, has dirt spilling out.  The ghillie trailing earth, leaves and wearing a single flower walks across the bottom of the initial title page on the right.  On the second, on the left, Julia's House is on its way to a new adventure, small in the distance and surrounded by gorgeous clouds in hues of yellow, orange, and complementary tones of purple and blue.  On the right, in a small square image, Julia, spyglass to her eye and wearing a captain's hat, is next to a railing.  The Patched Up Kitty is next to her, paws resting on the rail. Engraved in the railing are the words:

for IDA!

The verso and formal title page is a large, double-page picture of Julia's House on the edge of the sea and the surrounding community.  The ghillie is walking down a path toward Julia's House.  If you look closely, you will see the reason the House moves unannounced.  Ben Hatke uses every space to tell his story from the beginning to the end.

The illustrations' sizes alter to accentuate the pacing and narrative.  There may be wordless panels with a small image on a single page or a single page picture.  At times, a panel is inserted into a single-page picture for emphasis.  Panels are layered on a large image in the center of two pages.  Double-page picture with and without words are highly dramatic and at times emotional.  The perspectives offered in each image are perfection, panoramic or close-up as needed.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is on a single page.  It is a close-up of Julia holding the ghillie for the first time.  It is cupped in her hand.  She smiles with affection at the creature.  It looks at her, calmly resting in her hand, with an open look.  This is the essence of Julia, and of the creatures who live with her.  Their respect and affection are mutual.

This book, Julia's House Moves On written and illustrated by Ben Hatke, like the best kind of story will resonate differently with each reader depending on their personal life experiences.  One thing is certain, though, this is a book to cherish for its words and wonderfully animated visuals. I highly recommend this title for your personal and professional collections.

To discover more about Ben Hatke and his other work, please access his website by following the link attached to his name.  Ben Hatke has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter. Ben Hatke is featured at author Maria Marshall's site, and at author, reviewer, and blogger Julie Danielson's Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. At Macmillan Publishers enjoy some interior illustrations and an activity kit you can download.  I think you'll like these videos.

Taking Wing . . .

We were traveling from northern Michigan back downstate to our homes.  The views from the two-seat airplane were spectacular.  Riding with a pilot known for his excellent flying abilities provided a sense of safety until . . . he did a loop-de-loop. YIKES!  Who knew your legs could turn into cooked noodles in a matter of seconds.  For a girl with no fear of heights, this was an epic moment.

Safely back on the runway at a nearby small town airport, my self-assurance at being above ground was shattered and replaced with unease. There were times in the following years when this was set aside to help others with a greater fear than mine or when a foot of snow needed to be shoveled off a roof.  The confidence and courage were still present but the distress at being up was stronger.  Little Iffy Learns To Fly (Two Lions, October 17, 2017) written and illustrated by Aaron Zenz is certain to strike a chord with anyone fearful of taking the first step (or flap) in realizing their full potential. 

Little Iffy is a bitty griffin.

       Griffins are part lion   
       and part eagle.

The eagle part of Little Iffy prefers to have both feet planted on the ground.  The slightest sound startles this gentle soul.  As he watches his red balloon drift away, he knows he won't fly.  He knows he won't go up to get it.

Down is Little Iffy's favorite word.  Down feels safe.  Down is rock solid.

Little Iffy's friends have other ideas.  They want him to fly.  Eggs Pegasus is full of plans.  It's one of her best qualities.  A swing set, a long slide and a tower of friends are essential to possible success.  With each suggestion Little Iffy has the same reply.  He finally sits at

the down-est 
place he can find. 

Suddenly, through no part of any plan, Little Iffy is in the up-est place he was avoiding.  Grabbing hold of that which he lost, an earlier fright places him in even greater jeopardy.  Down takes on a whole new meaning.  So does up.


The simple sentences in the narrative and conversations penned by Aaron Zenz leave no doubt as to Little Iffy's whole attitude on flying.  With a few more page turns we are also aware of the support Little Iffy has in his group of friends.  They recognize his fear but offer encouragement whenever they can.

A repetition of key words and phrases welcomes reader participation.  Aaron interjects humor in the unexpected element during the last of three plans.  It's guaranteed to trigger laughter.


Upon opening the book case the scene on the front extends over the spine to the left on the back.  Little Iffy's three additional friends are smiling and talking as they lean in from the left edge.  Clearly Eggs Pegasus wants her friend to fly but he's certainly not ready.  His fearful look is in direct contrast to the expressions on his friends' faces.  The cheerful pastel colors on the case are found throughout the title.  A rich purple covers the opening and closing endpapers.

Digitally rendered the illustrations begin to tell their story on the title page with a happy Little Iffy holding a red balloon.  Aaron alters the picture sizes from two pages to single pages to assist with the pacing of his narrative.  A crisp white, pale blue or pale yellow background is perfect to draw our attention to his characters.

Readers will readily identify with Little Iffy.  I'll bet younger gals and guys have been in many of the shown body postures at one time or another.  What's really wonderful is the way Aaron uses a balloon and bee several times to enhance his story.

One of my favorite of many illustrations is when the unplanned element is introduced into the story.  As our eyes move from left to right, even before seeing what happens to Little Iffy, we know a huge surprise is coming. The looks on the three friends' faces are anything but happy.  Aaron Zenz cleverly leaves it to readers to guess what Little Iffy is thinking and feeling.


Little Iffy Learns To Fly written and illustrated by Aaron Zenz expresses with utter charm the joy found when we do the thing we think we can't do.  Young readers are going to want to hear this story read to them repeatedly.  And you will gladly comply.  You will want to have a copy on your professional and personal shelves.

To discover more about Aaron Zenz and his other work, please visit his website by following the link attached to his name. Aaron maintains an Instagram account filled with his delightful artwork.  Aaron wrote a guest post for the Nerdy Book Club, The Family Who Reads.  School Library Journal hosts The Yarn podcast when Aaron visited Travis Jonker's school for an author visit, Anatomy of an Author Visit with Aaron Zenz.  Author and educator extraordinaire, Colby Sharp, showcases Aaron at one of his 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 interviews on SHARPREAD.  Aaron visits All The Wonders, Episode 280 with librarian Matthew Winner.  I know you will enjoy reading about Aaron's spectacular project at Artprize.


Be sure to visit the other stops on this blog tour.  You'll read some fantastic interviews, book reviews and get to see loads of artwork in the process of creating this book.  Have fun!

Monday December 4: Mile High Reading
Tuesday December 5: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Wednesday December 6:  100 Scope Notes
Thursday December 7:  Everead
Friday December 8:  Librarian's Quest
Saturday December 9: Amanda's Pile of Books
Sunday December 10:  Kids Talk Kid Lit
Tuesday December 19:  Nerdy Book Club
Monday January 1: Picturebooking Podcast

A Quest For Truth

There is an essence, a spark, deep within every living being.  At its most basic level it's a need to find the means to survive. How, when and where it grows is left to each individual.  No being has absolute control over what may happen but their response shapes the size and durability of the flame burning within them.

For some existing in extreme dire circumstances keeping the fire aglow is a minute by minute struggle.  In her debut novel for children, The Wonderling (Candlewick Press, September 26, 2017), author and illustrator Mira Bartok weaves the fabric of a world unlike any place you have previously encountered.  It is, like our world, full of darkness and light, good and evil, kindness and cruelty.  Thrumming beneath it all is ancient magic.

In Part The First: On the Mysterious Origins of the Wonderling & His Arduous Life at Miss Carbunkle's Home for Wayward & Misbegotten Creatures we read:

Chapter 1
An Inauspicious Beginning

BEFORE HE WAS CALLED THE WONDERLING, he had many names:  Puddlehead, Plonker, Groundling, and Spike, among others.  He didn't mind these much, not even Groundling.  The name he truly disliked was the first he ever remembered being called:  Number Thirteen.

This being referenced is no more than three feet tall, probably remaining this height his entire life.  He looks somewhat like a fox but walks upright; a mix of animal and human known as a groundling.  Unfortunately he only has one ear, a right ear.  He has no recollection of his life other than living at the Home ruled by harsh, demanding and thoroughly evil, Miss Carbunkle.  About his neck hangs a cord holding a medallion stamped with the number thirteen.  He does as the rules dictate and is quiet, trying to be invisible.  His demeanor invites, through no fault of his own, the attention and bullying of a sly, wily rat named Wire and his two cronies, Mug and Orlick.

Number Thirteen hides and keeps with him at all times a scrap of blue blanket monogrammed with a letter he believes to be M.  Tucked inside it is a tiny gold key.  These two connections to his past are his only solace.  He is without friends until the fateful day, a Sunday, when the wards of the Home are outside in the yard.  Doing something brave and dangerous, something he has never done, earns this groundling a steadfast friend.  Her name is Trinket.  She is a brilliant inventor, small and shaped like a kiwi but lacking any sort of wings.  She gives Number Thirteen the name of Arthur.

Friends can change your perspective.  Friends can visit you in the infirmary where you learn shocking facts about Miss Carbunkle and meet her niece, compassionate Nurse Linette.  Friends can tell you about your beautiful voice singing as you sleep.  Friends can and do help you escape.  Oh, yes, friends change everything.

Both Arthur and Trinket have questions needing answers.  What neither of them can imagine are these leading them to meet a young child living inside a tree with his family, discover the disparity in the shining city of Lumentown, live and work for a kind-hearted, thieving scoundrel, encounter The Songcatcher, suffer and live in fear in Gloomintown, a subterranean world beneath Lumentown, become friends with a valiant mouse, uncover a diabolical plot and travel with lightning speed on the back of a night crow as big as a horse.  As threads from Arthur's previous life are woven into his current, constantly shifting status challenges mount creating numerous life and death situations, necessitating instant decisions.  Readers will come to understand in some souls the spark is but a single note waiting to release a powerful song.


When thinking of this title penned by Mira Bartok it's as intricate and singular as each individual.  Layer after layer reveals a little bit more of the entire story but an aura of mystery and magic still remains at the satisfying conclusion.  The past, primeval and more current, figures prominently in the paths chosen by characters within the narrative.

Mira Bartok excels at world building with highly exquisite descriptions of places, seasons and weather.  This enhances the moods and outlooks of the characters.  Her characters through their thoughts, conversations and the narration are living, breathing beings molded by choices and fate.  They embody charity and wickedness in varying degrees. Here are some sample passages.

Two dim-witted mastiffs the size of calves stood chained together in front of the gate, barking incessantly and salivating so much that small puddles of drool gathered at their feet.  At night, beneath the eerie glow of the gaslight, the guard dogs resembled a slobbery Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of hell---minus one head, of course.  The dogs responded to one voice only, that of the headmistress, Miss Carbunkle, who ruled over her dominion with a cold, impenetrable heart.


Arthur heard a haunting sound.  It was the hoot of an owl.  He and Trinket watched its silhouette flash by, wings spread across the indigo sky, then disappear.

"Miss Carbunkle gives them a bad name," said Trinket.  She motioned upward with her beak.  "Owls, hawks, falcons and such.  Even Merlyn the magician had an owl as a friend." 

A gust of wind shuddered through the trees, and the two friends, a bit fearful, burrowed closer together beneath the old gray blanket.  Comforted, they lay still, gazing up at the sparkling night wrapped around them.

All of a sudden Trinket hopped out from under the blanket.  "Arthur! Make a wish! Do it right now!" 

"What?"

"Make a wish.  It's the perfect night for it.  Come on!"


"...And without our dreams, we are nothing."


Rendered in ink, gouache and graphite the images created by Mira Bartok heighten the atmosphere of this title.  Beginning with the dust jacket in cool tones with hints of luster on the varnished elements, we are transported to Arthur's world.  We immediately wonder about the mechanical beetles and their part in this story.  On the back, to the left, is a depiction of the pamphlet advertising the warmth and welcome given to the wards of Miss Carbunkle's Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures. It is, without a doubt, a complete fabrication.

After a full length picture of Arthur beneath the text on the title page, we are treated to a map of The World Of The Wonderling.  Elegant illustrations are placed on the table of contents and each of the three parts.  Each chapter begins with a small visual and within some chapters other pictures are placed to elevate a moment.  Spot color is carefully placed on the otherwise sepia-toned images.

One of my favorite pictures of several is a loose oval taking up nearly a page.  It features Arthur and Trinket seeking shelter near the huge tree.  They are nestled under the old blanket gazing up at the starry sky.  Trinket is reaching toward Arthur certainly imploring him to make a wish.


It's easy to imagine reading this aloud to a gathered group of gals and guys.  They will hang on every word, begging you to keep reading The Wonderling written and illustrated by Mira Bartok. Each reader will literally reach a point where they can't stop reading compelled by this world, its inhabitants, the intertwining of their lives and the heroes who emerge.  I highly recommend you place a copy of this title on your professional and personal bookshelves.

To learn more about Mira Bartok and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  At Penguin Random House you can view several interior pages, including the map.  Publisher Candlewick Press has developed discussion questions.  There is a website dedicated to The Wonderling.  Teacher librarian, former Caldecott Committee member and blogger, Laura Given chats with Mira Bartok on her blog, LibLaura5.  There is an article posted at Publishers Weekly about The Wonderling prior to its publication.  Mira Bartok chats with Corinna Allen, Live at ALA, Books Between, Episode 35.  Please take a few minutes to watch this video.  It will endear you to Mira Bartok and her book completely.





UPDATE:  Scholastic's Ambassador of School Libraries, John Schumacher, chats with Mira Bartok at Watch. Connect. Read. October 25, 2017