Tidings Of Truth

Most people are filled with a need to know, an insatiable curiosity.  They thrive on facts.   Revived in 1984 the immensely popular Jeopardy! television game show has won more awards than any other game show in television history.  The board game Trivial Pursuit conceived by two Canadians, Chris Haney and Scott Abbott, in 1979 and released in 1981, has (by 2010) sold more than 100 million copies. The Guinness World Records books have been published for more than sixty years.  The only time they are on the shelves in school libraries is on the first and last day of school.

Another popular series with gals and guys is the Weird but true! titles published by National Geographic Partners.  National Geographic Kids Weird but true! Christmas: 300 festive facts to light up the holidays (September 12, 2017) is brimming with information.  Every page turn brings new truths, some downright astonishing.

On the title page we read

POLAR BEARS
HAVE BEEN
KNOWN TO
SWIM UP TO
100 MILES (161km)
IN ONE 
STRETCH! 

The polar bear, in a speech bubble, proclaims

THAT'S WEIRD!

Details about icicles being grown by a machine, Santa's wealth and an ornament of enormous size are spread across the first two pages.  Readers are warned about experimenting with their tongues and a piece of metal in freezing temperatures.

We learn about evergreen trees, Christmas lists, mistletoe plants, Christmas carols, reindeer names, Christmas day foods, toboggan material, snowflakes, poinsettias, Christmas cards, United States presidents and gingerbread houses.  Deep-fried caterpillars are considered a Christmas Day delicacy in parts of South Africa.  As a joke Apollo astronauts sent a message to NASA; they saw a pilot in a red suit flying an unidentified flying object.  President Franklin Pierce was the first president to have a Christmas tree in the White House.  President Theodore Roosevelt forbade Christmas trees from being in the White House.

Our minds are stuffed like stockings hung for a midnight visitor with information about Christmas lights, the North Pole, The Nutcracker, items baked in Christmas desserts, tinsel, Santa Claus, indoor snowball fights, snowmen and snow mazes and Nativity scenes.  In Victorian England people would gather to tell ghost stories as a Christmas tradition.  America's favorite pastime, historically, baseball is known for the record of people wearing Santa hats.  Thirty-five thousand people wore them to a game.  An ice festival in Sapporo, Japan holds a special record too.  Can you name it?  Can you guess where in the world people roller-skate to church on Christmas day?

Like a gift that keeps on giving we are educated on elves, candy canes, animals with seasonal names, snow and snow sculptures, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Advent calendars, strange seasonal laws and snow globes.  An Advent calendar costing close to 2.7 million dollars held

24 precious diamonds.

An annual custom is for the city of Oslo, Norway to give a Christmas tree to the city of London, England.  Did you know the staff at the White House once hung 8,000 paper snowflakes from the ceiling within the building? (In case you are wondering when this happened, here is an NPR article.)  I'll be staying up very late this year to see if a legend from Europe comes true.  It is said when the clock gets to midnight on Christmas Day, animals can talk.  One of the final fun facts comes from Canada.  They have a post office specifically for Santa letters.  The postal code is

HoH
oHo.


A group of experts are named in the acknowledgements for working on the writing and gathering of facts.  The facts are noted in no particular order throughout the book, but seem to create a subtle tension getting better and better as we get to the conclusion of the book.  As I flipped from page to page I was exclaiming out loud more and more often.

Each fact is accompanied by photographs or realistic drawings.  Backgrounds and the color palette shift accordingly.  Sometimes a fact and the image will extend across two pages.  Usually there are no more than five facts to a two-page group.  To provide variety in the design, facts may appear along the bottom of two pages.

Humor is added in the form of comments by elements in the illustrations.  When citing the custom of a giant snowman that explodes with fireworks, he can be seen, ablaze, saying

IS IT 
HOT IN
HERE?

A runner wearing a gingerbread man suit during a marathon is saying

CAN'T
CATCH ME!


You'll want multiple copies of National Geographic Kids Weird but true! Christmas: 300 festive facts to light up the holidays for all your collections.  It would make a perfect Christmas treat for under the tree or in a stocking.  (I have several copies for gifts.)  This title would be excellent for challenging students to use their research skills to verify the truth of these presented facts.  At the conclusion of the book is a six-page alphabetical fact finder listing all sorts of topics and their page numbers.  If the number is bolded there is an illustration.

At Penguin Random House you can view twenty pages in this title including the title pages.  At National Geographic Kids there are numerous links to more information fun.  National Geographic Kids has a YouTube channel.




Take a few moments to visit Kid Lit Frenzy hosted by educator Alyson Beecher to enjoy the other titles noted by bloggers participating in the 2017 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.

In A Little Town In Bethlehem

It's the day and evening before Christmas Eve 2016.  It would be a fairly accurate estimate to say I've read or had the Nativity story read to me several hundred times.  Although different interpretations by a variety of authors and illustrators shed new light on the heart of a religious and holiday celebration, the essence remains the same.  It was and is an unprecedented event.

On my personal shelves is a small collection of pop-up books, numbering just over thirty.  Half of them have been engineered by Robert Sabuda.  This year his newest entry honors The Christmas Story (Candlewick Press, September 27, 2016).  It's a luminous presentation in both images and text.

LONG AGO, in the town of Nazareth, there lived a young woman named Mary.  She was soon to marry a carpenter named Joseph.

Mary was visited by an angel with news, unexpected news.  She was to give birth to the Son of God.  Faithful to the Lord she humbly replied,

"I am the servant of the Lord."

After Mary and Joseph became husband and wife, they had to make a long journey to the town of Bethlehem, birthplace of Joseph.  A census had been ordered by Caesar Augustus.  With so many people traveling to Bethlehem for the counting, by the time the young couple entered the city, all places of rest and refreshment were full.

They spent the night in a stable.  Joseph made his wife as comfortable as possible on a straw bed.  She gave birth to a son surrounded by the animals lodged in the humble shelter.  Nearby angels came to a group of shepherds caring for their flock.  They announced the birth of the child in Bethlehem. Far away a bright star guided three wise men.  They sought a King.

The shepherds arrived.  The three wise men found the stable delivering their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Mary and Joseph were astonished but the words of the angel sent by God resonated within their hearts.  This was a night unlike any before or after.

For each of the six displays Robert Sabuda has engineered they are accompanied by beautifully worded paragraphs.  In most of them Sabuda has included exact Biblical quotes.  He draws attention to the human element.  He makes this extraordinary event accessible to readers of all ages.  Here is a portion of one of the paragraphs.

Mary wrapped the baby in a warm blanket,
and Joseph laid him in a manger filled with
fresh, sweet hay.

On the front of the book the circles of light around Mary, Joseph and the Child as well as the star are embossed in gold.  Along the spine the Star shines in gold foil above the title also in foil.  The contrast of deep rich royal blue with the pristine white is striking.

With a page turn a pale blue background highlights an angel in the upper, right-hand corner, wings spread.  Gold trims the neck, sleeves and waist of the angel's attire.  Mary, on the left, looks from one of two arched windows.  Doves are present.  Jars hold small growing trees.  With this first scene we are reminded of the masterful talent of Robert Sabuda.  His intricate details are nothing short of amazing.

When you open the pages a vista or a small vignette rises in front of your eyes; the hills and rolling sands of the desert landscape with buildings in the distance, animals peering at a man, woman and child or three men riding camels with a star reaching high above them.  Gold foil has been placed on portions of all the pictures for emphasis.  The backgrounds are different in all of the depictions.  Unlike the majority of the elements done in white, the clothing worn by the three wise men is a textured pearl color.

These six portrayals are all stunning but one of my favorites is the angels visiting the shepherds.  Eight sheep rise on the dusty green canvas on the left.  On the right two shepherds kneel in front of their fire.  A sheep is to the left of one of them.  Three angels, two playing instruments, speak to the men.  The angels have been placed above a swirl of clouds.


The Christmas Story interpreted and portrayed in a glorious array of pop-up pictures by Robert Sabuda is a book you will want on your personal shelves as a title to be shared every year.  As I have done in my professional collections in the past I would recommend its inclusion.  These books are well-loved quickly but they are most appreciated.  I thank Robert Sabuda for this title and for Candlewick Press for its publication.

To learn more about Robert Sabuda and his other work, please follow the first link attached to his name.  The second link takes you to a page his devotes to the making of pop-ups.  You can also further acquaint yourself with Sabuda through this NCCIL essay, an interview at Best Pop-Up Books, Four Questions for ... Robert Sabuda at Publishers Weekly, a video interview at Reading Rockets and a guest appearance at All The Wonders, Episode 308 with teacher librarian Matthew Winner.

Twitterville Talk 2012 Christmas Edition

In the last few days much good cheer has been sent over Twitter.  Everyone has been sharing resources and greetings with one another.  Have are some of the most memorable for you to enjoy this year and tuck away for use in years to come.  Merry Christmas everyone from my home to yours.  Xena and I wish you the very best.







I never get tired of seeing how creative people are with books.

12 Christmas Trees Made Out Of Books, via @themarysue: bit.ly/vVzWwd
— Shelf Awareness (@ShelfAwareness) December 23, 2012

Who knew about this?  I can't wait to share this with my students.

Just watched PRANCER. The screenplay was written by KILLER PIZZA author Greg Taylor. One of my favorite Christmas movies!
— Macmillan Kids (@MacKidsBooks) December 23, 2012

The magic of Christmas just gets better and better.

"There IS a Santa, and he speaks every language" (even ASL!) ow.ly/gkrd0 via HuffingtonPost #EdChat
— Oakland Schools (@OaklandSchools) December 24, 2012

Yes, Virginia...

An 1897 letter to Santa? Take a closer look: tinyurl.com/y8pcstb
— Antiques Roadshow (@RoadshowPBS) December 24, 2012

Tracking the route of Jolly Old Saint Nick...

New post: Where's Santa? goo.gl/fb/GxAfs
— Richard Byrne (@rmbyrne) December 24, 2012

Author/illustrator Jon Klassen spreading joy...

made a lil christmas thing jonklassen.tumblr.com/post/387228144…
— jon klassen (@burstofbeaden) December 24, 2012

Lovely lights around the world...

BEAUTIFUL! RT @natgeo: Colorful lights sparkle on buildings in the historic Grand Place in Belgium: on.natgeo.com/TV1724
— Mario Livio (@Mario_Livio) December 24, 2012

Illustrator Carson Ellis...

Happy holidays, friends! twitter.com/cfellis/status…
— Carson Ellis (@cfellis) December 25, 2012

Truly a wonder of wonders in the world of children's literature this year...

Wishing our readers a WONDERful Christmas! twitter.com/randomhousekid…
— Random House Kids (@randomhousekids) December 25, 2012

Another way to follow Santa Claus on his journey of journeys

2012 NORAD Tracks Santa (HD): youtu.be/jb0gj_sIBdg via @youtube
— Amer. Library Assn. (@ALALibrary) December 25, 2012

Adorable holiday greetings from author/illustrator Tad Hills

#happyholidays from D&G! twitter.com/tadhills/statu…
— Tad Hills(@tadhills) December 25, 2012

I've read quite a bit about this but interested to listen to this later on today.

Just Who Was The Real St. Nicholas? n.pr/W2F5qY
— NPR Books (@nprbooks) December 25, 2012

I have to add this tweet, even though I highlighted it already, because I completely agree with what Mr. Schu says and because Mr. Schu is like Santa Claus all year long to all readers everywhere.

Watch. Connect. Read.: Happy Holidays! mrschureads.blogspot.com/2012/12/happy-…
— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) December 25, 2012

This man never rests when it comes to sharing resources.

Four Christmas Slideshows larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2012/12/25/fou…
— Larry Ferlazzo (@Larryferlazzo) December 25, 2012

This appeared on Twitter a day after Christmas but was good enough that I have added it.

12 Days of Christmas [Infographic] is.gd/DTPrbh
— Piktochart (@piktochart) December 26, 2012

Here's author/illustrator Peter Reynolds favorite Christmas story video.

My favorite Christmas story video made by cool church in NZ youtube.com/watch?v=kWq60o… @stpaulsauckland
— Peter H. Reynolds(@peterhreynolds) December 27, 2012

This is going to be an annual read for me.  I have never read anything quite as beautiful as this.
Click on the tree to read the letter.  Thank you Martha Brockenbrough.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA by Martha Brockenbrough pinterest.com/pin/2270096374…
— Jill Corcoran (@JillCorcoran) December 19, 2012

Hound Dog Christmas

It's Christmas Eve.  Cinnamon, herbs and evergreen scents perfume the air.  Lights reflect off an ornament-filled tree as carols softly play.  Stockings are hung by the chimney.  Nearby cookies cover a plate next to a glass full of milk, waiting for a nighttime visitor.

There are not many evenings where anticipation runs higher.  Those special creatures who share our homes sense something out of the ordinary is in the works; knowing exactly what to expect unless this is their first December.  But then again, surprises come in all shapes and sizes as one particular basset hound discovers in Charlie and the Christmas Kitty (Harper) by Ree Drummond with illustrations by Diane deGroat.


Well, howdy!
Charlie the ranch dog here, reporting from
the country.

The ever-helpful (in his mind) Charlie is back with his energetic friend, Suzie, and his tiny, constant companion, a chipmunk.  More of a supervisor than a worker, the lovable, loyal, laid-back basset basically likes to sleep despite his title of King of the Ranch.  Overseeing the bringing in and decorating of the tree has him all tuckered out.

The dinging of a bell startles him out of his snooze.  What's this new furry being?! It's...it's...it's...a rabbit!  No, rabbits don't meow.  Ah, shucks...it's a kitty!

This new state of affairs has caught Charlie completely off-guard.  There's only one thing to do.  A nap should solve this problem; perhaps it's only a dream.

Well, it's not a dream.  Despite all his attempts to make the best of this situation he is persistently pursued by this feline who clearly wants to be his friend.  Kitty finally hits the right spot, finding what Charlie needs after a hard day's work on the ranch.  Ahhh...What?! Oh, no!


Charlie's first person narrative has a very distinctive voice as a canine member of a ranching family relating the events of a not-so-typical day.  Ree Drummond clearly understands Charlie, presenting his outlook with ample humor.  His thought processes and sleep-oriented solutions will elicit grins and giggles.


Illustrations created using Winsor & Newton watercolor paint over digital art by Diane deGroat capture the spirit of the season and life on the ranch.  The realistic, brightly colored front cover is a definite draw as is the photograph of Ree Drummond holding Charlie on the back with the added detail of the kitty batting the bowed bell attached to the barcode. Rich, red endpapers followed by Charlie clad in a Santa hat beneath the title get readers ready for some Christmas cheer.

Alternating between double page spreads, single pages and insets on a page, combining Charlie's perspective with more panoramic views, readers feel right at home.  All the added details enhance and extend the text; the cattle in the background, one looking right in the window as the tree is decorated, Christmas stockings with Charlie's and Suzie's pictures on them, the chipmunk sleeping with Charlie often under his ear.  The expressions on Charlie's face are portrayed so well even without the text we readers know his mood, his thoughts.


Whether you read the first book, Charlie the Ranch Dog (Harper, 2011) (reviewed here) or not, Charlie and the Christmas Kitty will be a Christmas favorite of dog and cat lovers and fans of The Pioneer Woman.  The combined talents of Ree Drummond and Diane deGroat bring the everyday happenings on a ranch, through Charlie's eyes, to life in a warm and welcoming way for all readers.  On the final page is Charlie's Favorite Christmas Cookies ( for human consumption). According to the publisher's website two more titles are in the works for the summer of 2013.
RRRROOOWW-OOOOOH!

Make sure to follow the embedded links in both Drummond's and deGroat's names to get to their websites.  There is a series of pages devoted to Charlie at The Pioneer Woman.  Here is a link to the Browse Inside feature at Harper to see more of the book.

Strike Up The Band!

People like parades.  Whether it's on a grand scale like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City or the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, The Rose Parade, or our smaller National Cherry Festival in Traverse City or the Venetian Festival in Charlevoix, people will gather days or hours in advance, lines of chairs marking their spots.  All you have to do is watch the children's faces along the route to know how much they are loving every minute of a parade.

When a holiday coincides with a parade, it has the potential to become a tradition, a memory maker lasting a lifetime.  For decades I have enjoyed the uplifting artwork and witty writing of Sandra Boynton, first on her greeting cards, later in her books and in her music.  For the 2012 holiday season her newest release Christmas Parade (Little Simon, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing) continues, presenting her well-loved characters doing what they do best, making us smile or even laugh out loud.


BOOM biddy BOOM biddy
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Biddy BOOM biddy BOOM
biddy BOOM BOOM BOOM!
What's that noise filling the room?

Pig looks around, sounds are coming in from the street outside.  He runs to the window, delighted by what he sees. Stepping to the beat of his drum dressed in a Christmas uniform is an elephant, leading a line of musicians.

In perfect synchronization a row of chickens follow, notes bursting from their bassoons.  Oh, look! now large balloons are carried by jovial porkers.  Three abreast, matching hippo drummers march...plus one small cat.

Tossing holly confetti into the air, red-nosed reindeer walk with a jolly ole' Santa rhino.  Saxophones, piccolos, trombones and one very loud tuba round out the group.  Our window-watching pig thinks all is past until he hears a knocking at his door.  It's a spectacular Merry Christmas surprise!


With a rhyming, rhythmic beat as jaunty as the parade of animals dressed in their Christmas best, Sandra Boynton's narrative describes an unexpected treat.  An array of critters not only spread holiday cheer but introduces readers to a collection of musical instruments.  Onomatopoeia abounds.


Who wouldn't want to follow a piccolo playing mouse trailing behind a determined elephant pounding away on a bass drum?  Sandra Boynton captures your attention immediately on the front cover with her signature characters.  Endpapers feature, on a dusty blue background, endless rows of snare-playing hippos marching out from the book.

Colorful shades, mostly of greens and blues, provide a bright engaging background for her members of the parade as they march through the pages.  Varied font sizes and types accentuate the musical quality of her text.  As always the expressive, intent expressions on her characters' faces provide for the underlying humor.  The detail of the pig sitting in his chair wearing white and pink bunny slippers, holding a teddy bear, is hilarious.


Christmas Parade written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton begins as seasonal cheer you hold in your hands, but I guarantee in a few moments readers and listeners alike will begin to move if not march around the room.  It's a happening holiday happiness (complete with hippos).

This is a link to Virtual Keyboard  which will pair nicely with the ending.  If you want to expand your interest in musical instruments head over to this BrainPOP video. Embedded in Sandra Boynton's name above is a link to her official website.  The video below is a CBS Sunday Morning interview which would be wonderful to use in the classroom.

Nature Knows

Hours spent walking in the woods of northern Michigan, the past thirteen years with my canine companion, Xena, have taught me to be aware of her perceptions of our surroundings.  A sudden pause, nose uplifted, a refusal to walk in one direction or growling barks heighten my attention, my guard.  A unusual silence without insect chirping, frog croaking or birdsong is also a very clear signal.

For the sake of preservation creatures in our natural world are instinctively aware of shifts from the norm; keen observers every one.  Thousands of years ago in a small town located in Judea our feathered flying friends knew uncommon events had transpired.  Author/illustrator Tomie dePaola has written and painted a profoundly respectful portrayal of The Nativity for younger readers, The Birds of Bethlehem  (Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group).

Every morning, 

the birds of Bethlehem

gathered in the field to

glean any corn that might

be left from the harvest.

Pairs of birds, named for primary colors, a mix of same and the absence of color, have paused in their eating to share news much like their modern human counterparts gathered at the local coffee shop.  Yesterday extraordinary events were noticed, pieces of a greater whole.  Green bird and his mate relate how they have never seen such a long line of people walking along the hilltops.

Each bird in turn with their partner has a tiny tale to tell; yellow bird, blue bird, red bird, brown bird and white bird.  Perhaps due to the gathering of people it was noticed the town's inn was full; so full a man and his wife were taken to a stable.  According to red bird and his mate, an Angel appeared to a group of shepherd's tending their sheep, bidding them to go as fast as they could to Bethlehem to see a child lying in a manger.

Two more, roosting in the same tree, that same evening heard and saw a chorus of Angels proclaiming joyful news from the Heavens.  Amazed by the sight, the final pair of birds, the white birds, followed the shepherds to the stable.  Tied together, these tiny tales, create a remarkable story; a story which cannot be ignored by the flock who seek to see its ending.


If readers were to think of birds and their place in the scheme of the animal kingdom, they might assign them the duty of messenger; greeting the sunrise with song, sounding the alarm when predators approach young or their noisy chatter in flocks racing to their roosts at night.  Tomie dePaola's use of birds to tell his story feels exactly right.  His simple narrative is like a whispered conversation, an expectant hush falling over the gathering as each recounts the wondrous things they have seen and heard for the very first time.


Tomie dePaola's artwork is uniquely his own.  The silver foiled letters on the front jacket sparkle like the stars, the Star, on the Holy Night.  Rich shades of midnight blue, stars scattered across the pages, cover the endpapers.  Illustrations rendered in opaque acrylics on handmade watercolor paper have a texture to them; sand, wind, dry dusty heat.

Although his birds are green, yellow, blue, red, brown and white, the shades he has chosen for each are more those one might associate with the Mediterranean area.  All of the illustrations are two page, left to right, edge to edge, a panoramic sense, alluding to the greatness of this story.  The details of the arched window over the checkered base, the small figures of Joseph leading Mary on the donkey in the line of people on the hilltop, the heart-shaped leaves on the trees and the Star looking like a rose window over the stable contribute to dePaola's rich rendition of The Nativity.


Tomie dePaola's The Birds of Bethlehem shines as brightly as the stars on that night so long ago, eloquent in its simplicity.

Please follow the link embedded in Tomie dePaola's name above to enjoy all the extras at his website.  This is a link to the Community of Redwoods Monastery recipient of dePaola's dedication along with one of the residents, Sister Veronique.

Roaring Into Christmas

When a kitten, puppy, bright red dinosaur or new baby enter our lives, it's a welcome reminder of all those firsts we may have forgotten.  To watch them experience rolling in the spring grass, jumping in a mud puddle, the sound of thunder, wading through a pile of leaves or running into a snow drift is like stepping back in time.  Our everyday activities taken for granted are completely new adventures for them.

Wait a minute!  Bright red dinosaur?  Yes, the toothy toddler is boldly back, flashing his irresistible grin roaring after each and every victory.  He has met and matched bedtime, the potty and the library (Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, 2008), (Dinosaur vs. the Potty, 2010) and (Dinosaur vs. the Library, 2011)(reviewed here).  Whether the folks at the North Pole are ready or not, Dinosaur vs. Santa written and illustrated by Bob Shea clearly reveals our prehistoric pal is as rambunctious as ever.

ROAR!

I'M A DINOSAUR!

ROAR!

I'm getting ready for Santa!

Coming in from the snowy cold our fearless friend first tackles his letter to Santa.  It's a win for Dinosaur.  Next up is decorating, followed by presents for Mom and Dad; both wins.  

Oh, oh...this might be a problem.  Can he resist the cookies and milk left out for Santa?  Or even more challenging, trying to sleep on Christmas Eve?  

Restless he hears the sound each and every child longs to hear, the jingle of bells.  Don't go downstairs, Dinosaur.  Santa might see you.  Did Santa see you?  Sleep and Christmas morning tell the tale.

With a pattern readers have come to appreciate Bob Shea's spare narrative proposes a task amid a a series of roars, followed by a flurry of activity with a tremendous single roar and then those two triumphant words, 

DINOSAUR WINS!

The most enjoyed (and tempting) moments in preparation for Christmas at home, letter writing, decorating the tree, hand-crafting gifts for parents, setting out the cookies and milk and the anticipation of Santa's arrival are written with great care for the intended audience by Bob Shea. Word choice captures the exact state of affairs; for cookies and milk it is Dinosaur versus...being extra good!  The series of segments when Dinosaur is avoiding sleep are hilarious as is the trip down and back up the stairs when he hears Santa.

Readers are treated to a seasonal front and back jacket and cover, the one a green background with Dinosaur decked out for the holidays, a foiled candy cane stripe down the left side, the other red as Dinosaur kneels in front of the tree on Christmas morning.  Endpapers, opening and closing, are in a three-hued yellow green argyle pattern with a grinning, dancing, Santa hat-wearing Dinosaur in the center of some of the diamonds.

Combining traditional drawing with digital, Shea's bold painted lines are filled with bright colors.  The addition of actual items, crayons, Christmas ornaments, a tube of glitter, Christmas cookies, printed papers, are part of his unique, inviting style.  Tiny details set his work apart; the pinpoint white breeze lines when Dinosaur leaves the door open, the different Christmas sweaters he wears, when he puts his letter in the mailbox to Santa he remembers to wear his boots, the glass holding the milk is a Christmas glass or the small pink heart near his Dad when he opens his gift from Dinosaur.  

Every DINOSAUR WINS! is different in color, pattern and font but reflects the event.  As each set of circumstances is captured in text, the illustrations elevate the moods, happiness, caution, indecision, fear and joy.  You can't help but grin when he is or feel empathy, especially those last four facial expressions before he drifts off to sleep.

Bob Shea has penned and pictured an outstanding addition to his Dinosaur series, Dinosaur vs. Santa.  Make sure you share this book with one or many, using your best roaring dinosaur voice.  Everyone wins.

By following the link to my previous review you can gain further insight into Bob Shea's process in creating his illustrations.  The link embedded in his name will take you to his website as well as his Facebook page.  Tucked in the back of this book is a very special piece of paper for readers to write their letter to Santa.  

Turning the Pages in Anticipation Quiet

One of the many benefits of having a dog as a member of your family, is you are outside when no one else is.  Late at night or early in the morning amazing things can be seen and heard.  Without any noise, within the silence, you gain a unique sense of seeing and hearing, noticing what you might otherwise have missed.

With the demands of modern day living it's hard to gain this perspective especially when the December holiday season begins in earnest.  The talented collaboration of author Deborah Underwood and illustrator Renata Liwska who brought to readers The Quiet Book (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, April 12, 2010) and The Loud Book (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, April 4, 2011) have created another title in the series, The Christmas Quiet Book (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, October 16, 2012).  When you stop and really listen, you are truly surrounded by quiet.


Christmas is a quiet time:
Mysterious bundles quiet

With a sense of hope running high, who can blame the younger guys and gals from sneaking a peek despite running the risk of being discovered.  No matter the age who has not listened intently, fingers crossed, for those magical words, school is cancelled due to snow.  Have you ever noticed how a child layered in snow clothes makes little or no sound except for the swish, swish of nylon on nylon?

Listen, can you hear? There is quiet playing in the snow, sipping hot drinks, watching holiday performances, decorating, baking, skating, children's Christmas plays, breathing the crisp air, nighttime walks, activities in front of a cozy fire, writing, wishing and yes, even in joy.  Some days more than others, sometimes happy, sometimes sad, the stillness is there.


With the exception of the first page Deborah Underwood uses a minimal amount of words preceding quiet, a single phrase for each page, some linking together.  She truly has a gift for capturing the exact moment of quiet which may come before or after a less than silent event.  It's as if she's gathered all her childhood memories, chosen the most memorable for their hush factor and shared them with her readers.

Forgotten line quiet
Helpful whisper quiet


Drawn in pencil then colored digitally, the illustrations of Renata Liwska are charming.  The front and back jacket when opened show a line of those adorable characters from the two previous books joined together as they unwind a string of colored Christmas lights against a backdrop of dusty blue sky peppered with snowflakes.  The front and back covers done in the same blue have a single figure on each.  The front cover shows a softly-colored, brown bunny wrapping a gift; the back has another similar bunny with a hair bow opening the same present which happens to be a copy of The Loud Book.

It's in the attention given to detail that Liwska draws in her readers.  On the title page a rabbit is hanging an ornament on the second "o" in Book, the owl skating across the ice has special shaped mittens for her wing tips with the string running across her back hooking them together.  There is also a feeling of nostalgia in her drawings; when picturing the radio with two bunnies listening for the snow day news, it is the old box kind with a red line going across the station numbers, a large red dial on the front.

As in the previous two books Liwska has selected a muted color palette replete with earth tones with spots of color for accents, using red on nearly every page for added warmth.  Her creatures of forest and field have never been more endearing.  To great effect she again shifts (as she did in The Loud Book) perspective as all the animals gather around the decorated Christmas tree.  We see them as if we are looking down upon the scene.

One of my favorite pictures is of the two rabbits in front of the fireplace, stockings hung, lighted candles on the mantle.  Both have fallen asleep reading, the one in a chair, the other lying on the floor.  The characters from the open book on the floor are walking off the pages.  Perfectly precious.


The Christmas Quiet Book written by Deborah Underwood with illustrations by Renata Liwska is a gentle gem.  As a read aloud or one on one this is cozy and quiet from cover to cover.  As with the other titles, it is sure to generate a conversation about other kinds of quiet.


Links to the author and illustrator websites are embedded in their names.  Here is a link to a wonderful page created by the publisher full of information about both the author and illustrator, additional artwork, plenty of extras and ....


Christmas Quiet Kit