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.

The First Six 2020-One Little Word

To say this year, 2020, has taken the world by surprise is a vast understatement, perhaps the largest understatement in the last 100 years.  People are suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, continued, and escalated social, economic, and racial injustices, and the horrific effects of climate change.  The sparks of hope, the lights, in this darkness are the creators of books for children.  These people continue to write and illustrate with their whole hearts, brightening our souls. 

On January 2, 2020 and on January 3, 2020, I selected books from 2019 I had not previously discussed, but wanted to highlight before diving into the new year's books. For each of the twenty-four books, I selected One Little Word as designed for the original 2006 project by Ali Edwards.  In that spirit, I wish to feature over two separate blog posts, on August 25, 2020 and September 1, 2020, eighteen books from the first six months of 2020 not previously showcased here.  For each title I will provide links when available to the publisher's website, the author's website, the illustrator's website, educational extras, books trailers, a short summary, and the introductory text.  I sincerely hope you will discover new titles to enjoy personally or professionally.

PEACE

Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With A Tail (Charlesbridge, January 28, 2020) written by Leslea Newman with illustrations by Susan Gal

Additional image views Penguin Random House

In a rhythm of contrasts between inside a family's home on the first night of Passover and outside with a homeless kitten, readers are introduced to Jewish celebratory traditions.  A boy and the kitten are connected through the waiting each one is experiencing. Both are surprised at the outcome. An author's note supplies further information. 

Inside, there was light.

Outside, there was darkness.

Inside, it was warm.

Outside, it was windy.

Inside, there was laughter.

Outside, there was silence.

SAVOR

Straw (Disney Hyperion, February 4, 2020) written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal with illustrations by Scott Magoon

Little, Brown and Company

Four Questions for Scott Magoon at Publisher's Weekly about his collaboration with Amy Krouse Rosenthal on this series of books

This third title, following Spoon and Chopsticks, focuses on Straw, a fellow with a need for speed.  He, along with readers, finally understands the value of moving slower.  You see much more in each day if you stop to enjoy each sensory moment. 

This is Straw's story.

Straw has a great big family of all stripes and colors.

Straw has a great bunch of friends.

And Straw has a great thirst for being first. 

HILARITY

NIGHT ANIMALS need sleep too (Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, February 25, 2020) written and illustrated by Gianna Marino

The crew of creatures we fell in love with from NIGHT ANIMALS returns prompting laughter with every page turn.  Possum can't sleep.  In his search for someplace dark to doze, he manages to wake up all his nighttime friends amid a series of too-close encounters.

Hey, Possum, what's wrong?

It's too bright. I need somewhere dark and quiet to sleep.

LIGHT

Fly, Firefly! (Sleeping Bear Press, March 1, 2020) written by Shana Keller with illustrations by Ramona Kaulitzki

Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb---Shana Keller

A lovely rhyming journey taken by a firefly to the sea with luminous illustrations presents the power of light.  This is based upon a letter read by the author written by Rachel Carson to a friend.  At the close of the book are a page each dedicated to Rachel Carson and Living Light.

 

On a breeze, through the trees,

a wind current carried him out

to see the sea.

ACCEPTANCE (HILARITY #2)

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings (Peachtree Publishing Company Inc., March 1, 2020) written and illustrated by Julie Colombet

Publisher's website includes discussion guide, excerpt, and personality quiz

Who knew lemmings had so many rules?  Each page reveals not only rules, but an excess of comedic commentary by the mass of lemmings.  Bert has had enough and meets a bear.  It isn't until a drastic situation ensues that the lemmings understand there is a place for rules, and a time to bend them.

This is the society of distinguished lemmings.

Deep in their underground burrow, the lemmings follow a strict set of rules and are always busy with social events.

They perform long and serious plays.

Whose skull is that?

That has to be a wig.

To be or not to be, that is the question.

 

 FRIEND

My Best Friend (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Division, March 3, 2020) written by Julie Fogliano with illustrations by Jillian Tamaki 

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast hosted by author, reviewer, and blogger Julie Danielson This is an extensive post about the book.

Watch. Connect. Read. hosted by Scholastic's Ambassador of School Libraries, John Schumacher This is a cover reveal and a chat with both the author and the illustrator.

Experience for the first time or relive your first true blue friendship, through the words and artwork expressing the heart of a child. 

i have a new friend

and her hair is black

and it shines

and it shines

and she always laughs at everything

she is so smart

and when 

i say la la la

she says

la la la

CREATE

Studio: A Place For Art To Start (Tundra, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers, March 3, 2020) written by Emily Arrow and The Little Friends Of Printmaking

Activity Kit

Readers join animal creators as the meaning of studio is defined by the activities in which they are engaging.  Rhyming text invites readers into the spaces.  Collaboration and sharing are part of creativity, too.

A place for making music,

A place for making art,

A place to build and dream and move,

A place for art to start.

LOVE

When my brother gets home (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, March 3. 2020) written and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

A Fuse #8 Production School Library Journal guest post by Tom Lichtenheld

Oh, the wonderful joy of waiting and dreaming of the magical things you will do with your brother when he gets home from school. The title phrase ties each possibility together as the images expand them into another realm.  Each time the title phrase appears a childlike illustration portrays the school bus in another position on its trek from school to hone.

When my brother gets home . . .

we're going to have 

after-school snacks . . .

for the entire kingdom.

PERSPECTIVE (HILARITY #3)

Fire Truck vs. Dragon (Little, Brown and Company, March 10, 2020) written by Chris Barton with illustrations by Shanda McCloskey

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Storytime! with Bill on Facebook This is a read aloud of this title.

In this companion to the earlier Shark vs. Train  Dragon and Fire truck are the best of friends.  
They are chatting with a trio of children about all the endeavors in which each of them excels.  As the story moves along, they realize the children (with whom they are camping) want them to do something else.  You'll be cheering amid your laughter with the children at the end. 

It might surprise you that a

fire truck and a dragon can in fact

be good friends.

We get along great!

Why wouldn't we?

LIVE

Follow the Recipe: Poems About Imagination, Celebration & Cake (Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, March 10, 2020) written by Marilyn Singer with illustrations by Marjorie Priceman

Vibrant, lively images complement a collection of twenty-three recipes for life.  There are recipes for success in cooking, measurement, adventure, a poem, for love, and for endurance to name a few.  These recipes are presented in a variety of poetic forms to spice up the results. 

recipe for a good recipe

What's in a good recipe?

Something right for me and you.

Steps to follow, A to Z.

What's in a good recipe

for falling in love, for making a stew,

for balance or for harmony?

What's in a good recipe?

Something right for me and you.