The First Six 2020-One Little Word Part 2

It is with happiness I continue to showcase books published in the first six months of 2020 not previously discussed here.  As I did last Tuesday (August 25, 2020) I will try to include links to author and illustrator websites, as well as links to publishers' websites.  I have decided to add links to social media accounts for authors and illustrators.  All these author and illustrator links, websites, and social media accounts, reveal fascinating further information about the creators' work and specific book titles.  If there are other items of interest, educational resources, additional posts, or videos, I will include them, too.  I will assign One Little Word to each one, provide a short summary, and a bit of first-page text.  If even one of these titles connects with the right person, then I say mission accomplished.  Enjoy, my reader friends.

SEASON

Green On Green (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, March 17, 2020) written by Dianne White with illustrations by Felicita Sala 

Activity Kit

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast hosted by author, blogger and reviewer Julie Danielson featuring Felicita Sala

Dianne White---Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter

Felicita Sala---Facebook, Instagram

Colors introduce the four seasons of the year, inviting readers to seek the simple pleasures in each one.  These colors are enhanced by elements of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in poetic observations and marvelous images telling their own story.  Even as we move through the year, green is part of each one.  A rhythm is supplied in each of the four portions as we follow the colors, then the season, and how it is enjoyed.

Yellow the flower.

Yellow the seed.

Yellow and black the buzzing bee.

GREEN on GREEN by Dianne White, illustrated by Felicita Sala from Dianne White on Vimeo.

COLLABORATION

What's that Noise? (Candlewick Press, March 24, 2020) written and illustrated by Naomi Howarth 

Penguin Random House (additional images)

Naomi Howarth---Instagram, Twitter

Magnus is an Arctic seal.  One morning he wakes up to a weird noise, a rumbling.  He cannot figure out what it is.  He asks Hare first.  Together they go from Arctic animal to Arctic animal, each one providing a possibility which does not prove to be the answer until they come to Walrus.  Repetition is an open invitation for reader participation.  Each animal is described further at the close of the book.  The images are animated and lovely.

Early one morning, while the sun was rising over the icy plains of the Arctic, a long, low rumbling sound woke Magnus from a very deep sleep. "What's that noise?" he wondered.

rumble rumble rumble

GRIEF

Maybe Tomorrow? (Scholastic Press, March 26, 2020) written by Charlotte Agell with illustrations by Ana Ramirez Gonzalez 

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast hosted by author, reviewer, and blogger Julie Danielson highlights some art and a review of this title

Picture Book Spotlight on author Charlotte Agell

Charlotte Agell---Facebook

Ana Ramirez Gonzalez---Instagram, Twitter

Elba, a hippo, has a big black block she takes with her everywhere.  It has been with her a long time.  Norris is a happy-go-lucky alligator who befriends Elba.  Through his acceptance of her sadness and patient care, little by little Elba learns to let go of her grief, realizing some will always remain, but life can be wonderful in a new normal, especially with the support of a good friend.  Their conversations are truly profound.

ELBA had a big block.  She'd been dragging it around for a long time.  It made her walk slowly.  It made her think darkly.  It was heavy.

NORRIS danced everywhere he went, even uphill.

Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell and Ana Ramírez González from Let's Talk Picture Books on Vimeo.

EXPLORE

Rover Throws A Party: Inspired by NASA's Curiosity on Mars (Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, March 31, 2020) written by Kristin L. Gray with illustrations by Scott Magoon 

Kristin L. Gray---Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Scott Magoon---Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube

Did you know NASA programmed the Mars Curiosity Rover to hum the Happy Birthday tune on its one-year birthday?  This book takes that fact and fashions a day-by-day diary spoken by Rover and relates information about how and what Rover does as it makes discoveries.  You'll be cheering for Rover as it hopes for guests at its party, even though we all know its alone.  The two story lines work together in tandem, showcased by fascinating artwork. At the close of the book is an author's note, a bibliography, and Curiosity Rover facts.

JULY 27

Rise and shine!

Time to capture another sunrise.

On Mars, sunrises and sunsets appear blue, while the daytime sky is rust.  Fine dust particles in the Martian atmosphere absorb blue light and scatter colors like red and orange.  This makes Mars' sky the opposite color of Earth's.

APPRECIATION

In the Woods (Candlewick Press, April 7, 2020) written by David Elliott with illustrations by Rob Dunlavey 

Penguin Random House (more images)

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast hosted by author, reviewer, and blogger Julie Danielson is a fabulous post with artist Rob Dunlavey about this book with lots of artwork and process information

David Elliott---Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Rob Dunlavey---Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr

This stunning collection of fifteen poems leaves readers with a deeper respect for those animal, bird, and insect dwellers of our woodlands. Each poem, in a variety of forms, is accompanied by a breathtaking double-page image in varying perspectives.  Together the words and artwork will have you longing for a walk to make your own observations.  At the close of the book are short paragraphs of further information about each of the forest residents described. 

The BEAR

The shadow stirs

in its musky den.

A yawn,

a stretch,

a muffled snort,

and then

the shadow emerges

breathing in the snowmelt air. . . .

IMAGINATION

Mermaid and Me (Little, Brown and Company, April 7, 2020) written and illustrated by Soosh 

Soosh---Instagram, YouTube

A young girl's fascination with mermaids causes her to be a bit of a loner until one day her dream comes true.  As she gazes into the water at the sea, a mermaid gazes back at her.  A friendship develops between the two as they share mutual experiences and acquaint each other with their worlds.  A storm scares both of them and surprising help forges unlikely bonds.  A promise is made.  A promise is kept.  You'll enjoy the author's note at the end.

This is me, the girl wearing a mermaid tail, in an old class photo.  I really love mermaids.

REVELATION

Baby Clown (Candlewick Press, April 14, 2020) written by Kara LaReau with illustrations by Matthew Cordell 

Candlewick---A Conversation with the author

Penguin Random House (additional images)

School Library Journal-100 Scope Notes hosted by author, and teacher librarian Travis Jonker with the book trailer premiere

Watch. Connect. Read. hosted by Scholastic's Ambassador of School Libraries John Schumacher includes an interview with both the author and the illustrator

Nerdy Book Club guest post by Kara LaReau

Kara LaReau---Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Matthew Cordell---Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Everyone at the circus was excited at the birth of a baby to Boffo and Frieda Clown.  No one was more thrilled than the ringmaster.  The problem, the big problem, was Baby Clown would not stop crying.  Nothing worked to turn this child's frown into a smile.  Everyone tried to help.  At Mr. Dingling's, the ringmaster's, insistence the show went on.  That night in the center ring to a sold-out house, the circus people learned the truth about Baby Clown.

When Boffo and Frieda Clown had a baby, everyone in the circus was over the moon.  "A STAR is born!" said the big boss, Mr. Dingling.  "We'll call him Baby Clown."

FRIENDSHIP

The Word For Friend (Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, June 16, 2020) written and illustrated by Aidan Cassie

Jena Benton, Writer & Illustrator features Simply 7 with Aidan Cassie-"The Word For Friend"

Aidan Cassie---Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

A pangolin named Kemala is excited to begin school after recently moving.  She loves to talk, but when she arrives at school the language the other animals are speaking is not her language.  She introduces herself, but she is met with silence.  No one can understand her.  She curls into a ball until she can escape to a tree at recess.  There she meets an anteater named Ana, who is intrigued by Kemala's ability to cut shapes from the tree's leaves.  Each of them, pangolin and anteater, work on their needed skills.  One evening their friendship and a shared passion builds a bond.  Artwork, charming text, and conversations make this a huggable book.  Two pages at the close of the book discuss the new language and pangolins.

From her new house, Kemala could see her new town.  Somewhere in her new town was her new school.  It was filled with new friends.

She was sure of it.

Happy New Year 2020---One Little Word

Every year it seems as though time goes faster and faster.  The days, weeks and months in 2019 came and went like lightning.  With the welcoming of 2020 a decade ends and a new one begins.

For some each new year is an opportunity to start over, to readjust goals and shift points of view.  These 365 days are a gift.  Since 2006 the project One Little Word, initiated by Ali Edwards, has been adopted by numerous people.  Each year a word is chosen to be a guide, an objective or an inspiration.  This year, as happened last year, I find myself with running out of time to talk about wonderful 2019 picture books written and illustrated by people committed to bringing their best to children's literature.  A single word has been assigned to each title.  Links to the author, illustrator and publisher websites are attached to each respectively.  A passage from each book is provided.  May this year, 2020, bring wonder, health and changes for the good into all your lives.  (The books are listed in order by release date.)


PERSPECTIVE

Spencer's New Pet (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, August 27, 2019) written and illustrated by Jessie Sima 

Guide To Sharing Wordless Picture Books With Young Readers

A boy is enraptured with his red pet balloon dog until the inevitable happens.  In a word---surprising.




CURIOSITY

Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You (Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, September 3, 2019) written by Sonia Sotomayor with illustrations by Rafael Lopez

Despite our differences, our physical, medical or mental characteristics, we are more alike than we are different.  Remember, no two snowflakes are alike; therein lies their beauty.  In a word---truth.

Kids are all different too.  Some of us are in a hurry, and others take more time.  Some of us seem shy and quiet, while others are chatty and loud.  Some of our differences are easy to spot.  Others take longer to notice.  Each of us grows in our own way, so if you are curious about other kids, JUST ASK!




PERSPECTIVE #2

Five Minutes (That's a lot of time)(No, it's not)(Yes, it is) (G. P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, September 17, 2019) written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick with illustrations by Olivier Tallec  
Educator Guide 

Five minutes has a whole different meaning depending on who says it and the situation in which they find themselves.  In a word---hilarious.

Are we there yet?

We'll be there in five minutes!

How am I supposed to wait five minutes?



GRATITUDE

Apple Cake (Frances Lincoln Children's Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, September 24, 2019) written by Dawn Casey with illustrations by Genevieve Godbout
Discussion guide

Everything is connected in ways we rarely stop to consider.  We really cannot have one thing without another.  In a word---lyrical.

Thank you, hedge,
thank you, tree.

Thank you, flower,
thank you, bee.








OPTIMISTIC

The Balcony (A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September 24, 2019) written and illustrated by Melissa Castrillon
Popup Storywalk

Single words introduce portions of this wordless picture book following and illuminating a young girl's attitude and actions when leaving a home she loves.  In a word---ripple.


DISCOVER

Explorers (Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group LLC, September 24, 2019) written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Cover Reveal at A Fuse #8 Production
Elizabeth Dulemba interview about this book

In this wordless tale exquisite details and shifting perspectives on every page pull you into the separate world of a museum and the diverse group of people who are drawn to museums.  The day begins and ends with magic and in-between there are many discoveries during the day; discoveries about places, objects, people and us.  In a word---revelation.


ACCEPTANCE

Sulwe (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, October 1, 2019) written by Lupita Nyong'o with illustrations by Vashti Harrison
Curriculum Guide 

A special starry night journey into the world of lore, allows a young girl to see her true self and the lightness she holds inside her heart.  In a word---stunning.

Mama asked, "What is your name?"
"Sulwe," she muttered.
"And what does it mean?"
"Star," Sulwe whispered.

"Brightness is not in your skin, my love.  Brightness is just who you are.  As for beauty," Mama said, rubbing Sulwe's stomach the way she always did to comfort her.  "You are beautiful."
Sulwe sighed.

"Well, you are beautiful to me.  But you can't rely on what you look like to make you feel beautiful, my sweet.  Real beauty comes from your mind and your heart.  It begins with how you see yourself, not how others see you.  Now, up you get and out you go."




FREEDOM

Chicken Break: A Counting Book (Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC, October 29, 2019) written by Cate Berry with illustrations by Charlotte Alder
Cynsations author interview
PictureBookBuilders author interview

With fowl-less wordplay and a rhyming narrative readers are taken on a riotous romp as a flock of chickens make an escape for the day and then, break back inside the coop.  Readers can expect non-stop laughter from beginning to end.  In a word---chaotic comedy.  (Okay, that's two words but I can't stop laughing.)

One chicken, standing guard.
Two chickens scan the yard.




BRAVE

Sofia Valdez, Future President (Abrams Books for Young Readers, November 5, 2019) written by Andrea Beaty with illustrations by David Roberts  
Publishers Weekly  

Sofia Valdez's beloved Abuelo is injured one day at a local landfill and this further motivates this spirited young girl, who does as much as she can for others, to build a park in the place of the rubbish heap.  Her can-do mindset soon has others championing for her cause.  In a word---inspirational.

Up the squirrel ran to the top of the hill
made of leftover junk for the local landfill.
They reached the tip-top of that mountain of trash
which jiggled and broke with an earsplitting CRASH!

Down they tumbled and hit with a THUD
on a moldy old pumpkin surrounded by mud.

"Ouch!" cried Abuelo.  He struggled to stand.
"A dangerous mess!" he said, grasping her hand.


FLEXIBLE

Pluto Gets The Call (Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, November 12, 2019) written by Adam Rex with illustrations by Laurie Keller
Publishers Weekly
Scientific Inquirer
Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)
The Children's Book Podcast

After receiving the shocking news, he's no longer a planet, Pluto takes readers on a tour of the solar system introducing them to planets and other space objects.  Conversations will have readers laughing and learning.  In a word---space-tacular.

Psst, NEPTUNE!
Are you awake?

This is Neptune.  He's closer to the Sun than me, but he's still so far away that it takes him 165 years to orbit all the way around!  It only takes Earth one year!  One year exactly! That's what a year is, actually.

AHHH, a BLACK HOLE!
Don't get sucked in!


KINDNESS

The Cool Bean (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, December 3, 2019) written by Jory John with illustrations by Pete Oswald
Activity sheets

In the beginning there were four beans in the pod but three of the four became "cool" beans able to do "cool" things.  The fourth was feeling like there was nothing special about him.  One day, this all changed when he learned no gesture is too small when done in kindness.  In a word---excellent.

WATCH OUT!
Here come the cool beans!

The cooooool beans.

Oh yeah . . .check out how they move.
Look at the way they swagger.
Notice their sunglasses. Yow!