To Them Every Moment Is A Miracle

Every single day when morning arrives and I wake up, the first thing I see is my dog, Mulan.  She is either still sleeping next to me or giving me the where-is-my-breakfast stare.  And every single day, I take a few minutes to be grateful to have her sharing life with me.  She reminds me to focus on the now.  She does not dwell on the past, which is not to say that she does not remember.  She just chooses not to have it steal her current joy.  She does not think about the future except to get excited about what we will see on our walks or when we go for a ride in the car.  She, like the dogs before her who have been a part of my world, lives life as it should be, moment to moment.

For dogs everything is a sensory experience.  Based upon what they see, hear, taste, touch, or smell, they react with what I have come to believe is perfection with the exception of skunks and porcupines, of course.  Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, April 5, 2022) written by Maria Gianferrari with pictures by Pete Oswald is a book to savor every day, any day.  It is a reminder of the purpose and value of how we spend our time.

Can you be like a dog?

Being like a dog

is BE-ing.

Right now.

They tend to disregard what was and what will be in exchange for what is.  They embrace the morning with stretches, wagging, doggie kisses, and a breakfast and beverage enjoyed.  When they go outside, one of the first things they do is lift their noses to the air, gauging all the local happenings.  They sniff every whiff.

Do they know how to play?  They do with every muscle and movement in their bodies!  And they don't care if it is sunny, rainy, windy, or snowy.  

Whatever emotion comes their way during the day, they express it.  We should, too.  There is no better display of happiness than the happiness of a dog.  Wherever they go, whatever they do, they do it completely.  

They realize the need to rest during the day to recharge when necessary.  We should realize this, too.  Then, get back into the action in every season.  At the end of the day do you have a ritual?  Dogs do.  They let nature tell them it's time for bed.  Every muscle and movement in their bodies welcomes sleep and dreams.  

Author Maria Gianferrari has been and loves to be in the company of dogs.  She believes like Roger Caras that 

dogs make our lives whole.

It is through her observations of her canine companions and research about them that gives this book its authenticity.

Her short sentences and phrases are as if a dog is speaking them.  She takes us, word by word, through a dog's appreciation of finding joy and living fully throughout their day.  Alliteration adds to the zest this dog, all dogs, bring to a day.  As we follow this dog and his human, we are reminded to be like a dog.  And we find ourselves agreeing with total abandon.  Here is a passage.

Wade and watch in the water.

Tunnel and shovel in the sand.

Hide and leap from the leaves!

One of the first things you might think from looking at the right side, front, of the open and matching dust jacket and book case is this dog is wise in the ways of the world.  This dog is ready to embrace the day.  This dog loves to run, fetch, and return.  Do you notice the smile?  Do you notice the heart-shaped tag?  The dog and text on the front of the dust jacket are varnished.

To the left, on the back, beneath the words

Let's BE like a dog---right now.

is an interior image.  It shows this dog's human popping up from a pile of leaves as the dog jumps high in the air over those leaves.  We all know they will then roll around in the leaves together.  Both the child and dog have their mouths open in happiness.  

The opening and closing endpapers are the bright turquoise color we see on the dog's collar.  The title page is a mirror illustration of the jacket and case.  With a page turn we see the dog chasing a seagull on the left and sitting and waiting next to the tennis ball on the right.  These are the publication information and dedication pages.

Throughout the book, Pete Oswald 

used cut paper and scanned watercolor textures to create the digital illustrations for this book.

They are highly animated with spot-on dog expressions and body postures.  Pete Oswald includes details in the images allowing us to see the bond between this dog and the child.  

The pictures are single-page images with wide loose frames, smaller images grouped on a one or two pages, full-page pictures, edge to edge, and double-page visuals, edge to edge.  Regardless of the activities, our eyes are drawn to the dog and the human's response to that dog.  They are together, always.

One of my many favorite illustrations (I could literally frame a lot of them.) is the first double-page picture in the book.  It is morning.  On the right side of the image, through a window, we see tall buildings glowing in the morning light.  Near the window on an oval rug is an easel.  A picture of the dog has been painted by its human.  The tennis ball is beneath the window.  On the left side is the bed.  Above it, on the wall, are pictures representing the friendship between the child and dog.  (One of the pictures shows the child's hand reaching for one of the dog's paws, tip to tip.) The child, still under the covers, is stretching their arms upward.  The dog is on top of the blankets and stretching.  What a wonderful scene to begin a day!

Truthfully, I cannot imagine a personal or professional collection without a copy of Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness words by Maria Gianferrari and pictures by Pete Oswald.  At the close of the book are several pages giving us examples of how to be like a dog in all four seasons.  We are challenged and instructed to SNIFF like a DOG, HEAR like a DOG, SEE like a DOG, FEEL like a DOG and TASTE like a DOG.  Along the bottom of these four pages are facts about dog characteristics.  On the final page we are shown a Mindful Breathing Exercise.  The illustrations on these five pages are fabulous!

To learn more about Maria Gianferrari and Pete Oswald and their other work, please follow the link attached to their name to access their website.  Maria Gianferrari has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Pete Oswald has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Here is a link to a post on author Tara Lazar's Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) site including an interview with Maria Gianferrari.  You can view some interior images from this title there, too.  Here is a link to a virtual launch of this book at Books of Wonder with both Maria Gianferrari and Pete Oswald.

UPDATE:  Maria Gianferrari is interviewed at Picture Book Builders on June 14, 2022 about this title.

Maria Gianferrari is a community scientist, self-taught naturalist, and bird nerd who holds an M.A. in Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in English.  She is the author of narrative nonfiction picture books which celebrate urban ecosystems, the natural world and our wild neighbors.  She also writes engaging expository nonfiction.  And as a lover of dogs, Maria's fiction picture books star dogs as main characters and explore the human-canine bond.  She writes from her light-filled, book-lined study in Massachusetts with rescue dog, Maple at her side.  

It's No Yolk, You're Nice!

There are people known for always taking the high road in any given situation.  Regardless of circumstances they look for the silver lining.  They are the individuals others look to for support and consistency.  They live to be of service to others.

There is nothing wrong with striving for excellence but the drive for accepting nothing but perfection can take a toll.  It's a burden not all can bear regardless of their desires.  The Good Egg (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPulishers, February 12, 2019), companion title to The Bad Seed, written by Jory John with illustrations by Pete Oswald is about one of a dozen who simply broke under the burden of being the best.

Oh, hello!
I was just rescuing this cat.
Know why?
Because I'm a good egg.

A verrrrrry good egg.


This egg's generosity knows no end.  Whatever you need done, from plant watering to house painting, this oval optimist is bursting with enthusiasm.  Good Egg has been this way as far back as he can remember, even though the other eleven companions in his residence exhibit far less than eggs-cellent behavior.

If these eleven find something to do wrong, they do it.  It is tiring to follow behind their antics making everything right, but Good Egg is a

verrrrrry good egg.

Do you think his housemates notice his worthy deeds?  They do not.  As to be expected our protagonist cracks.  There is no denying the tiny fissures along the top of his head.

A visit to his doctor confirms stress is the culprit.  He needs to stop trying to make the other eggs be as good as he is.  No one cares when he leaves.  After weeks of roaming without purpose Good Egg faces his aloneness and ponders his future.

He starts to focus on himself!  He does all those things he never had time to do previously.  The results are unexpected and life-changing.  Good Egg heads back to carton sweet carton and the surprises there are endless.


If the word play used in the title is not enough to signal to you the gift of humor employed by Jory John in his writing, by the third page when examples of the egg's goodness are being shared, you'll be laughing out loud.  It's not often you see an egg changing a tire on an automobile.  When we get to the naming of the companions in the carton and their daily devilry, readers will be giggling nonstop.

For added mirth Jory John repeats key phrases, uses terms usually reserved in reference to eggs and supplies conversations between the characters.  We can't help but feel a kinship with the Good Egg when he speaks to us in first person.  We shadow this being as he discovers the gift of balance in his life.  Here is a passage.

I told Meg and Peg and Greg and Clegg and Shel and
Shelly and Sheldon and Shelby and Egbert and Frank
and other Frank that I was leaving.

"I can't be the only good egg in a bad carton," I said.
"Blah blah blah," they replied.


Can you look at the front of the matching dust jacket and book case without smiling? I can't.  Those huge eyeglasses are the perfect added element to the wide-eyed happy egg's expression.  All the details in this picture, the text on the carton, the groceries surrounding Good Egg and the starry light radiating from the top invite us to read this book as soon as possible.  We can't wait to meet the Good Egg.  Some of the text and the main character are varnished on the jacket.

To the left, on the back, four egg cartons, stacked on top of each other, among other cartons in the background, provide a platform for Good Egg's home.  Underneath the lifted cover, the looks on the faces of the other eleven eggs are hilarious.  We know loads of laughter are in the offing.  The placement of the ISBN is eggs-actly where it should be.

The opening and closing endpapers in green with white feature fifteen other foods with the Good Egg framed by stars.  The title page image is a replica of the front of the jacket and case.  Pete Oswald

used scanned watercolor textures and digital paint to create the illustrations for this book.

Altering his perspective to complement the narrative and accentuate pacing, some of the pictures are full-page, small vignettes grouped on a single page or double-page visuals.  Every item contributes to a lively whole.  When Pete Oswald depicts the troublesome eggs and their actions, readers will be unable to contain their mirth.  When they go wild in the bathroom with toilet paper, toothpaste, the toilet and plunger, it's total chaos.  This supplies a wonderful contrast to the scenes which follow when Good Egg mends himself.  One of those small images shows him floating on the river in a flamingo tube sipping a lemonade drink.

One of my many, many favorite pictures is of Good Egg on a single page.  He is relaxing in a spa.  On the varied blue tiled floor are eight burning candles.  They surround a table.  On the table rests Good Egg in a white terry robe and wearing a towel turban.  He rests on a rolled-up towel.  A mask covers his face and cucumber slices are on his eyes.  The clock on the wall is pointing to ME time.


In this book, The Good Egg written by Jory John with illustrations by Pete Oswald, readers will be cheering for the egg always seeking to be as good as he can be.  They will empathize with his frustrations and enjoy his journey to finding a peaceful medium . . . for most of the time.  I highly recommend this title for your professional and personal collections.

To learn more about Jory John and Pete Oswald, please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites.  Jory John has an account on Twitter and Pete Oswald does, too.  Pete Oswald has an account on Instagram.  At the publisher's website you can view interior portions of the book.  Jory John visits with teacher librarian and blogger, Travis Jonker, on his site, 100 Scope Notes, to chat about his work and this book.

Grow Into Your True Self

Sometimes it is very well hidden or it might be the first thing you notice about an individual.  It's a condition which can appear suddenly or it may have formed over a long period of time.  Whatever the circumstances, you want to do everything you can to reverse the course which this person seems to be following.  Their self-esteem is at rock bottom.

These children (and adults) need to realize there are choices.  Every person has the potential to be who they want to be.  The Bad Seed (Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, August 29, 2017) written by Jory John with illustrations by Pete Oswald takes the definition of two words and turns it around for readers.  It shows those readers who feel their lives are locked in stone a way to break free.

I'm a bad seed.
A baaaaaaaaaaad seed.

As the seed walks by the other seeds they point and confirm what he believes, out loud and in whispers when they think he can't hear them.  He hears every word.  In case readers might not believe he is as truly bad as everyone thinks, he lists his dastardly deeds.

Of his ten stated offenses here are several:

I never wash my hands.   Or my feet.

I lie about pointless stuff.

I cut in line.  Every time.

Of course the entire list of his faults is considerably longer because he is the worst kind of character.  He freely admits he has absolutely no control over his actions.

At this point we are privy to his backstory.  He grows up happy among the numerous members of his family on a sunflower.  As the sunflower ages, disaster strikes in the form of sunflower seeds being harvested.  To the seed's horror he finds himself in a bag and barely escapes with his life because of a huge spit.

As his tale continues, from then on his attitude is NOT of gratitude.  His aimless drifting on the streets hardens his heart.  Surprisingly enough a huge decision is finally made by this bad seed.  He's tired of being a cranky creature.  Does he still do bad things?  Does he do good things?  Let's just say he likes what he's hearing now much better.


The play on the two words, bad seed, is brilliant on the part of Jory John.  By definition a bad seed has no hope of redemption; their condition is a part of their essential nature.  His repetition of key phrases emphasizes the deep-seated mood of this seed.  As John reveals the conditions placing this seed in the bad category and the reason for his attitude, our understanding is increased.  We realize, like the seed does eventually, hope is present.  After the seed's change of heart, John makes several profound statements. Here are a few more sentences which serve as examples of the rhythm created by Jory John's writing.

But I can hear them.  I have good hearing for a seed.

How bad am I?

You really want to know?


The unique illustrative technique, scanned watercolor textures and digital paint, used by Pete Oswald is evident on the matching dust jacket and book case.  The limited color palette of the faded background buildings, which is employed in many parts of the book, focuses our attention on the seeds.  Evidently the bad seed is wickedly happy about using the crayon in his hand to announce the condition of his character.  To the left, on the back, in a different view of the same spot, mother seeds are standing with their children.  They are declaring two different opinions about the bad seed.  One, in the first bit of comedy, is covering her baby's eyes.

On the rustic red endpapers thick white outlines of other seeds show every single one of the twenty-eight smiling.  The bad seed is frowning. (Careful readers will note a change in the closing endpapers.) The thicker, matte-finished paper superbly highlights the images made by Oswald.

With each page turn we are treated to different perspectives.  When the bad seed declares

A baaaaaaaaaaad seed.

all we see is his eyes, freckles and frown along with a portion of his body above these facial elements.  When the other seeds are talking it's a collage of moments spread over two pages.  Hilarity is part of the pictures in Oswald's interpretation of the words.  When we read

I cut in line.  Every time.

three unhappy seeds, two of which are voicing their disgust, are waiting in line to go to the bathroom.  The bad seed cuts ahead and opens the door to a porta-potty.  What makes readers pause, though, is the attention to details; the variety of expressions on the seeds' faces, their tiny arms and hands, the shifts in point-of-view and the use of color to denote mood.

One of my many favorite illustrations is the large sunflower taking up nearly a single page.  In the center of the blossom is a collection of seeds, the bad seed's family.  They are cheerfully engaged in a variety of activities; playing tambourines, maracas, a guitar and a horn, painting, writing in a journal, laughing, talking and singing.  This bright yellow flower at the edge of a leafy stem is like the sun itself in a pale blue sky.


As soon as you read The Bad Seed written by Jory John with illustrations by Pete Oswald you'll get the urge to share it with others as soon as possible.  The text and images work so splendidly together, it invites you to read it aloud.  I can't wait to see what students think of it this week.  I'm know there will be discussions.  Please make sure you have a copy on your personal and professional bookshelves.

To learn more about Jory John and Pete Oswald and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their respective websites.  Pete Oswald maintains an Instagram account. Enjoy the book trailer.