Built To Restore

Repeatedly we humans go about our business, small and large, without regard for the effects on others around us.  We rarely tend to give thought to how our changes to the environment will impact those living in the wild.  Our alterations to their areas have a ripple response, upsetting long standing homes on the ground and in trees, feeding practices, and sleeping habits.  

One crucial element of their lives is how and where they move on a daily, seasonal, or yearly basis.  In our efforts to make our travel more advantageous, we have hindered their travel.  Crossings: Extraordinary Structures For Extraordinary Animals (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, October 13, 2020) written by Katy S. Duffield and illustrated by Mike Orodan is an extraordinary exploration of humans' efforts to make movement safer for the animals who reside with us on this planet.

Over, under, across, through.

Around the world, construction crews build

overpasses, underpasses, bridges, and tunnels---

ways for people to get from one place to another.

These overpasses, underpasses, bridges, and tunnels have greatly hindered the lives of animals.  Innovative thinkers across our globe have imagined, designed, and continue to build solutions.  In the north, along the Trans-Canada Highway, there are forty plus overpasses and underpasses which a variety of animals use.  Some of these animal pathways are fenced to safely direct those that use them.

Did you know that across the ocean in Africa, Kenya to be specific, an underpass now allows two separated groups of elephants to mingle?  Much like a giant spider web, rope bridges across a highway in Australia allow squirrel gliders to skillfully cross, protected from harm.  Have you heard of the red crabs who live on Christmas Island?  In numbers too high to count they leave the interior of the island making for the Indian Ocean to lay eggs once a year.  Bridges have been built for them.

Experts have conceived special little alleys for spotted salamanders, beneath human roadways, for them to use in the spring in the state of Massachusetts.  In Arizona coyotes and a host of other animals wander safely over a highway.  In case you might be wondering how they know where to build these special routes for animals, studies are conducted following prints and the scat left by local critters.

In order for pangolins to be able to get proper food, shelter, and find mates, a shapely bridge over the Bukit Timah Expressway allows them to maintain their lives in Singapore.  Through this book, we visit twelve spaces in twelve places around the world, fascinated by the strides made for our fellow animal companions.  It's an inspirational and hopeful look at what we can do if we make the right choices.

After the introductory sentences, questions and answers, for each entry Katy S. Duffield has a single bold statement on each two-page presentation.  Opposite or under each of these, she adds, in smaller print, a short paragraph offering more details.  Each of these sections are connected by repeating one (or more) of four important words which supplies a nice rhythm to Katy S. Duffield's informative narrative.  Here is one of those bold statements, followed by a partial paragraph.

Titi monkeys tightrope ACROSS blue rope bridges

that keep them safe above a Costa Rican road.

Costa Rica's smallest species of monkey, the

titi, is endangered.  A group of young people,

Kids Saving the Rainforest, found a solution to

help save them . . .

The dramatic open and matching dust jacket and book case quickly capture readers' attention.  The darkness of the overpass extends over the spine to the far, left side.  The setting sun highlights the movement of the adult cat over the road.  Lights from the fast-moving vehicles stream beneath it.  On the left section of the overpass on the back, two younger cats saunter behind their parent.  The color palette here is a prelude to the stunning artwork in the entire book.  The white title text is raised and varnished.

On the opening and closing endpapers, illustrator Mike Orodan features a single titi monkey sitting on a loop of blue rope, its long tail hanging toward the bottom of the page.  It is looking toward the sky in the background.  On the first set of pages the sky is streaked with dawn colors.  On the second set of pages, the sky has deepened in richer hues as the first stars twinkle above the single titi monkey with a child now clinging to its back.

On the title page with a white background, four animals highlighted in this book use the letters in the title text to move.  The majority of the images 

rendered by hand with graphite pencils and Adobe Photoshop

span two pages in breathtaking displays of animals around the globe, the dangers they face, and the structures made to assist them.  For these illustrations we are alternately brought close to the animals or move back for a more panoramic perspective.  

The details in the animals' characteristics are marvelous.  For many of them Mike Orodan uses a fine line of light to outline their forms.  His application of color fashions fabulous scenes.  Shadow and light are used masterfully.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is a double-page picture showcasing the blue penguins found in Oamaru, New Zealand.  A lighted tunnel was built so they could feed at the sea during the day and travel back to their young in the evening without crossing a dangerous highway.  On the left side is a close-up view of one of the penguins now in the tunnel.  On the right side three more penguins are entering the tunnel at different points, their size appropriately shown.  Beyond the opening of the tunnel is an exquisite scene of cliffs, the beach, the turquoise sea and the sky glowing from the setting sun.  That fading sunlight circles inside the beginning of the tunnel and bathes the penguins in gorgeous colors.

You will be educated.  You will be entertained.  This book, Crossings: Extraordinary Structures For Extraordinary Animals written by Katy S. Duffield with illustrations by Mike Orodan, is one to encourage others to take similar steps when presented with these situations.  It will promote discussions and further investigation.  At the close of the book are two more pages with additional information about each of the animals.  There is a selected bibliography and further reading section.  I highly recommend this title for your personal and professional collections.

By accessing the website of Katy S. Duffield by following the link attached to her name, you can discover more about her and her work.  Katy S. Duffield has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Mike Orodan has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images, including the one I mention here as a favorite of mine.

This title and illustrator are featured at author, reviewer, and blogger Julie Danielson's site, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  November 22, 2020

A Single Extraterrestrial Sneeze

It all starts with a single sneeze.  This is usually followed with an increase in sneezes over the course of two or three days.  Despite your best defensive efforts, you find your ability to breathe hindered by a stuffy nose.  It hurts to swallow because of your sore throat.  When you speak, it's as if a frog has set up residence in your vocal chords. There's no doubt about it, you have acquired a cold.

The length of this misery is determined by numerous factors.  In your humble opinion, whatever it takes to speed your body to wellness is welcome.  Aliens Get The Sniffles Too! Ahhh-Choo! (Candlewick Press, November 7, 2017) written by Katy S. Duffield with illustrations by K. G. Campbell is a lighthearted look at the best remedy no matter where you live.

Little Alien was sick.

And sick is extra-terrestrial bad when you have two throats, five ears, and three noses.

When he sneezes it's not a simple ahhh-choo!  Each one holds words previously uttered by earthlings.  His parents listen sympathetically when he tells them his throats feel rough.

Daddy Alien whooshes off in his interstellar vehicle.  In no time at all he returns with a tasty treat for Little Alien to ease the pain in his throats.  He is not sure if it helped his throats because his five ears are aching.

Using an old family recipe Mama Alien mixes just the right amount of stardust to

a Little Dipperful of water.

Little Alien does not feel like he is on the road to recovery.  Instead he announces to his parents his noses are blocked.  How is he supposed to breathe?  Their final attempts at a cure have Mars Rover, Little Alien's canine companion, with eight legs and three eyes, deciding he needs to take matters into his own considerable paws.

Like a one-dog variety show Mars Rover begins his routines.  He is a nonstop bundle of energy.  Wait!  Was that a smile on Little Alien's face?  Saturn's rings become props in one of the acts.  In his last stunt Mars Rover heads into the starry expanse.  One look and one listen at Little Alien and the pooch knows best friends can work miracles.  Ahhh. . .!


Author Katy S. Duffield weaves extraterrestrial lingo with ease into a humorous tale destined to assist readers under the weather.  Each uncomfortable symptom is cleverly described and enhanced by the physical characteristics of Little Alien.  By blending dialogue with the narrative text readers can more readily identify with Little Alien's suffering and his parent's and Mars Rover's efforts to help him.  Katy S. Duffield clearly knows how dogs can sense better than any other individual how to best assist a buddy.  Here is a passage.

But just when it looked like Little Alien might doze off at last . . . (page turn)

AHHH-MOON-ORBIT-EARTH-CHOO!

"Which nose did that come from?" Mama Alien cried.


Careful readers will immediately note the physical characteristic of Little Alien and Mars Rover on the opened and matching dust jacket and book case.  They will be counting ears, noses, fingers, paws, eyes and tails.  The fact the duo seem to be floating among planets will be duly noted.  The starry scene extends over the spine (as does one of the rings) to reveal three other odd (by Earth standards) looking creatures.  Their green rectangular heads are peeking in from the left, top and bottom.  Each of them is holding a gizmo.  Could these be the

lunar decongestants?

A shade of blue akin to the coloring of Little Alien covers the opening and closing endpapers.  At the first page turn on a canvas of pristine white is Little Alien's stuffed toy.  In a small circle beneath the title text on the second page alien abodes with pink smoke coming from their chimneys are shown.

Rendered in pen, watercolor, and colored pencils the illustrations of K. G. Campbell using the pastel shades of pink, blue, green and purple in combination with the golden hue of Mars Rover create an other-worldly atmosphere.  The sizes of the visuals, two-page pictures, single page illustrations loosely framed in white or placed on a white canvas, or single page images, page edge to page edge convey the mood and pacing with excellence. The large expressive eyes on all the characters portray appropriate concern, misery, dismay and happiness.  They are guaranteed to have readers and listeners chuckling in agreement.

One of my several favorite pictures is when Mama Alien is mixing the ingredients for

Granny Alien's Famous Shooting-Star Ear Drops.

In this single page image, through the circular window, we can see Saturn hanging in the starry sky.  Daddy Alien sits in a floating chair on the right holding the ear drop dispenser.  Mars Rover floats next to him watching Mama Alien mix the stardust with the water.  Little Alien bends over with rapt attention.  The Little Dipper, held by Mama Alien, glows with individual stars.  It is a hopeful moment.


With the advent of the winter season most families are struggling to keep everyone healthy.  Aliens Get The Sniffles Too!  Ahhh! Choo! written by Katy S. Duffield with illustrations by K. G. Campbell is sure to lift the spirits of readers regardless of their current state of health.  Most of us know exactly how Little Alien is feeling.  And we know there is nothing like a forever friend making a less than ideal situation far better.  Your professional and personal bookshelves need the dose of laughter this title will bring.  It would be fun to pair this title with Bob, Not Bob! (To be read as though you have the worst cold ever:)(Disney Hyperion, February 14, 2017) written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick with illustrations by Matthew Cordell.

To learn more about Katy S. Duffield and K. G. Campbell and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their respective websites.  At Katy S. Duffield's website there is an Activity Guide.  At Penguin Random House you can view interior images different than the one found at Candlewick Press.  You can discover more about K. G. Campbell and his art at Brightly and Painted Words.  Enjoy the book trailer.