Nix The Naysayers

It seems to me children come into this world ready to freely express themselves anytime, anywhere.  For some this continues for the rest of their lives.  For others it's simply not easy.  Trust me when I say, I have firsthand experience in feeling apprehension prior to public speaking whether it's answering a question in class or standing before a room full of my peers.

For this reason, my students and I have conversations about making everyone feel welcome to share; appropriate responses are discussed.  Each person truly has a remarkable, unique story to share.  Talent show jitters can be particularly troublesome especially when you know deep down inside, you are good.  Author Judith Viorst and illustrator Sophie Blackall have given readers an encouraging, amusing and oh-so-true look in And Two Boys Booed (Margaret Ferguson Books, Farrar Straus Giroux) at experiencing and overcoming stage fright. 

On the morning of the talent show, I was ready to sing my song.

Why is this guy ready to sing his song?  Not only has he practiced over and over and over, but he is wearing his two favorite articles of clothing.  He's feeling even better when he realizes, seated and waiting, there are five students ahead of him in line.

As each of his classmates performs, shortening the time before he sings, his sense of "this is a piece of cake" turns to "why did I ever agree to do this".  When his turn arrives he stands up, then sits down and repeats this again.  Apparently this is not okay to two boys in his classroom.  They do the unacceptable; they boo.

His thinking gets muddled; words are switching places with other words in his mind.  His frustration grows.  But...all is not lost for this young soloist.  Practicing, blue boots and pants with pockets save the day; his classmates have a hand in it too!

What readers and listeners will like about this book is the cumulative format used by Judith Viorst with the narrative.  Each of the boy's new thoughts is added on to the previous one with the slightest alterations.  It's a wonderful technique for building anticipation.  In this case it creates the ideal canvas for his mishmash of thoughts as his doubt increases.  

Through her illustrations Sophie Blackall is able to cast her special artistic light on the essence of a story and also broaden the reader's view.  She takes a single scene elevating our awareness with her whimsical but realistic details.  As an example look at the dust jacket/book case.  The main character is off to the left with the five students who performed before him sitting in the chairs glancing in his direction.  Juggling balls and paper airplanes are placed above and below them.  It's a stroke of design brilliance to have them holding cards spelling out the final word of the title.   

To increase the pure fun of reading this book she has placed ten flaps within her pictures; readers gaining further insight with every lift. We might see the boy with the covers over his head and then smiling beneath them when they are pulled back or the teacher clapping.  The shape of the final flap is HEARTwarming.

Blackall shifts her visual size to emphasize a particular point in the story.  When the text speaks about the number of times the boy practices, twenty-five small pictures spread across two pages show all the boy is doing at the same time he is singing.  She has readers turn the book to see her vertical illustration zooming in on the pants and boots.  When the boy is shown waiting with the five others they are spread apart to depict his initial ease.  As it gets closer to his turn his stripped sweater acts as a turtle's shell.  I particularly enjoyed watching what the girl did with her poem.  Blackall is a master of conveying the everyday; no element is too small to note.  

The collaboration of Judith Viorst and Sophie Blackall in And Two Boys Booed is certain to dispel any fears, large or small, guys and gals might have when faced with standing before others.  It is brimming with understanding.  It builds a bridge between those with no fear and those who are not at ease.  It deserves a standing ovation.  

The link embedded in Sophie Blackall's name gives readers access to her personal website.  This link to the publisher's website shows eight pictures from the title.  This book, Judith Viorst and Sophie Blackall are part of a trifecta.  Sophie Blackall is featured by teacher librarian John Schumacher on his blog, Watch. Connect. Read., Judith Viorst is interviewed by educator Colby Sharp on his blog sharpread, and Sophie Blackall talks about making books at the Nerdy Book Club.  TeachingBooks.net has audio recordings of both Judith Viorst and Sophie Blackall speaking about their names.  Here is a link to a five question interview of Judith Viorst at The Horn Book.

Plan R For Read This You Must

No matter how much care is given to the implementation of an idea, it sometimes does not work.  If another party is involved (your nemesis), it can be baffling as to how they seem to know exactly what your intentions are almost before you do.  They are indeed very clever or you may have discovered your soul mate; even if you are a child and they are an adult.

If you have read Lulu and the Brontosaurus or Lulu Walks the Dogs, you are familiar with this tenacious troublemaker whose mind never rests; continuously plotting to get her own way...always.  Lulu's Mysterious Mission (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) written by Judith Viorst with illustrations by Kevin Cornell, dust jacket illustration by Lane Smith, finds this manipulative maven facing her biggest challenge yet.  It seems Lulu's parents are about to do the unthinkable; take a trip without her.

But first let's go find Lulu, who is in the living room screeching "No! No! No!" although she doesn't screech much anymore. However, the news she was hearing from her mom and dad was so utterly, totally SHOCKING that it not only started her screeching but almost shocked her into throwing one of her heel-kicking, arm-waving, on-the-floor tantrums. 

Lulu is not about to take this news without a fight.  She fails to understand how her parents can enjoy themselves without her.  She wonders what kind of person could possibly take good care of her; said person might have ulterior motives like kidnapping her for ransom or starving and hitting her or locking her in the basement (the fact that their home has no basement is irrelevant).

Her parents assure her they've

hired the best babysitter in town---maybe the world---to take care of 

her.  Well, when Lulu hears the word babysitter that starts a whole new tirade.  Filled with fury she stomps up the stairs to her room when informed Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky will be arriving shortly as her parents are leaving the next day.  What? Tomorrow?  It gets worse and worse as far as Lulu is concerned.

Fuming she starts to hatch a plan which is executed quicker than anticipated when Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky loudly announces her presence, boldly walking into Lulu's bedroom despite her proclamation of being extremely ill.  Now if you are under the belief this caretaker of children is some sweet little old lady, think again.  Dressed in a military style uniform with a canteen and binoculars hanging from her belt, hair pulled back in a severe bun, combat boots on her feet, with a single glance anyone can tell she means business.  As soon as Lulu's parents are out of earshot, she tells her precisely how things are going to play out over the next week.

The next day when her parents have left, Lulu realizing plan A was an utter failure, decides it's time for plan B.   That strategy is a bust.  Plan C flops miserably.  When plan D appears to be working splendidly, Lulu gets stopped mid-argument by a single word from Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky.  It's time to call a truce and bargain with her archenemy.

Attached to that single word are other word groups, Repair and Restore, Disguise and Penetrate, Hacking and Codes and...those two words for which you've been patiently waiting...Mysterious Mission.  The days fly by as Lulu puts forth her best efforts (and believe me, knowing Lulu, it's not easy) to comply with the instructions of Triple S before her parents return.  Her mom and dad are absolutely bewildered when she insists they take more trips without her in the future, requesting that Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky stay with her. As readers you won't be the least bit surprised because Lulu gets her way...always.



Judith Viorst, as in the two previous titles, begins with a two page introduction of sorts, advising us of her unintentional deceit with the title.

STOP! Don't begin the first chapter just yet. There's something I need to tell you.  And I think I'd better tell it to you right now.

This one-on-one conversation, in a no-nonsense-let's-be-perfectly-clear tone of voice, with the reader continues throughout the story.  It's like we are getting extra information, the inside scoop, from the one person who knows everything.

You couldn't ask for characters, Lulu's mom and dad, Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky and Harry Potter, Lulu's trombone instructor, who play their parts any better.  Ms. Solinsky would have any other boy or girl raising a white flag after the first round but not Lulu. When a fictional character is over-the-top outrageous in their words and deeds, you can't help but laugh.  This is the Lulu, created by Viorst, whose escapades we have come to admire.

Known for not going with the flow, she still keeps us guessing as to her next plan of action.  Lulu's eeny meeny miney mo chant whispered under her breath, with a verse added after each loss and, in a twist of fate, success, definitely heightens the hilarity.  When she and Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky plot and converse, readers will keep those pages turning as fast as they can.  Here is a single sample.

... But before she could finish another "That babysitter's got to go," a loud "ahem!" disturbed her happy mood.
Standing at strict attention at the bottom of the tree---and what, in heaven's name, was she doing out there?---was none other than Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky.
"What, in heaven's name, are you doing out here?" Lulu fake-sweetly asked her. "I was just getting ready to meet you by the front door."
"I very much doubt that," said Ms. Solinsky, scowling down at Lulu and shaking a stern finger in her face. "But I'm warning you, don't bother trying that climb-out-the window-and-down-the-tree-nonsense again.  Believe me, I know tricks that you've never dreamed of.  Besides which, you were already wearing your sneakers."

For this third title in the series Kevin Cornell's illustrations rendered in graphite and watercolor on paper and then digitally manipulated add an extra spark to the text.  He leaves no doubt as to the many moods of each character, especially Lulu.  Smaller insets, full page and larger illustrations crossing the gutter fit the flow of the narrative seamlessly.

Two of my favorites are Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky holding the back of Lulu's skirt so she can't fake faint when her parents are leaving.  We see a highly distraught Lulu, the long legs, combat boots and arm of Ms. Sonia Solinsky with the paler outlines of the living room in the background.  When Lulu is sure plan D is proceeding toward victory, we see the text of her chant in blue as she does a determined dance, legs and arms raised, with Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky towering behind her in a lighter hue.

Run, don't walk, to your nearest independent bookstore or library to get a copy of Lulu's Mysterious Mission written by Judith Viorst with illustrations by Kevin Cornell.  This book is one hundred eighty-two pages of pure pleasure.  I know because I've read it twice.  I predict as soon as you finish this as a read aloud (and you must read it to one or more), you will be asked to read it again.  Everyone loves to laugh.  It's guaranteed with this book.

Please be sure to visit the illustrators' websites by following the links embedded in their names.

She's One of a Kind

Every child is unique.  Each is remembered for those subtle, or not so subtle, little details that make them who they are; a physical trait, a personality distinction, a phrase only they would utter.  There are also those children who are like fingernails on a chalkboard; so obnoxious they're funny as long as they're characters in a work of fiction.

In 2010 readers were introduced to one such child, a little girl about to have her birthday.  She is, in the words of the author,

...a pain.  She wasn't a pain in the elbow.  She wasn't a pain in the knee.  She was a pain---a very big pain---in the b u t t.

Lulu and the Brontosaurus written by Judith Viorst with illustrations by Lane Smith showed us one persistent, persnickety gal who would do anything to get her way, having a brontosaurus for a pet.  It did not end as she anticipated or as readers might have predicted.

This little bundle of feistiness has returned in all her glory.  In Lulu Walks the Dogs (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) she has her sights set on gaining a possession her parents refuse to fund.    Even parents who give their child nearly everything they want, have to draw the line at ridiculously expensive.

Lulu is aghast her parents would recommend earning the money herself.  Furthermore it irritates her to no end when they make reference to the boy down the street, Fleischman.  Fleischman is the bane of Lulu's existence.

He is kind, courteous, ever so helpful, hardworking, an expert flutist, a straight "A" student and neat as a pin.  His uncanny ability to know something about everything drives her absolutely nuts.  She makes it plain in her no nonsense way, he is to stay clear of any of her money-making enterprises.

Ultimately, Lulu believes walking dogs to be the easiest way to make the extra cash.  To her delight three neighbors respond to her promotional flyers.  Brutus, Pookie, and Cordelia will be her new four-legged morning walking buddies.

Of course, Brutus won't budge, Pookie must have her name pronounced correctly or else and Cordelia...where is Cordelia anyway?  Who should saunter into the midst of Lulu's problems?  It's Mr. Perfect Kid, Fleischman.

Fleishchman being his usual sweet self (almost too good to be true) offers his assistance which Lulu grudgingly accepts.  And so it begins, the trials and tribulations of dog walking this trio and the un-easy (mostly on the part of Lulu) sort of partnership that is formed.  And if you think there is smooth strolling ahead, think again.  After all, this is a story about Lulu.

Judith Viorst's voice, as the narrator, in this title as in the first, is just plain sassy.  Her listen-to-me-I'm-the-boss-of-this-book tone is splendid for the intended audience and anyone else who loves to burst out laughing.  It's not hard to visualize her staring intently into your eyes, demanding your undivided attention as she tells the tale.

Dialogue between Lulu and the rest of the characters, her parents, Fleischman and the dogs' humans could not be funnier.  The pacing is impeccable.  To accentuate a point or pause, a chapter might only contain a single paragraph, sentence or a question and answer time-out section.  But the added treat in this episode is the Money songs.

Here is a single passage from the book.

She was about to add that Brutus was among the everyones she didn't like when his owner said, "You're hired. You're hired. You're definitely hired. And furthermore, because Brutus is on the large side, I'm going to pay you fifty cents extra a day."
(On the LARGE side? Brutus was GIGANTIC---a mountain, a whale, an SUV of a dog!)

Pencil on pastel paper illustrations rendered by award winning illustrator, Lane Smith, make frequent appearances throughout the story.  Their placement as full page spreads, small insets or across two pages add to the emotional flavor of the story; reinforcing the hilarity.  Personalities, dogs' and humans', are emphasized through the definitive facial expressions on their prominent round heads.

If you're looking for a fantastic read aloud or a book that will have an individual reader giggling uncontrollably, then Lulu Walks the Dogs written by Judith Viorst with illustrations by Lane Smith  is the title for you.  Viorst and Smith combining their talents for another slice of Lulu's life is a major plus for readers.  I most certainly hope another volume is in the works.

If you wish to browse inside this title head over to the Simon & Schuster site linked here.