Of Significance

At times a book interests you because of specific things you find fascinating.  Other titles will be chosen because of references made by readers you admire.  Regardless of the reason, on a sunny spring morning you are likely to find yourself sitting down with a book you're eager to read.

You look at the dust jacket.  You remove the jacket to look at the book case.  You find yourself smiling at the title, verso and dedication pages.  The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown (Balzar + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, May 21, 2019) written by Mac Barnett with illustrations by Sarah Jacoby is a book which fills every one of those previous qualifying remarks.  It is guaranteed to shift your thoughts on Margaret Wise Brown, and the art of making books as it increases your respect for creators Mac Barnett and Sarah Jacoby.

Margaret Wise Brown lived for 42 years.
This book is 42 pages long.
You can't fit somebody's life into 42 pages,
so I am just going to tell you some important things.

Within the same narrative we learn Margaret Wise Brown wrote more than one hundred books, we also are told other books are written by other people which makes perfect sense.  We are asked to think about writers as living, breathing people rather than characters in a book.  They share real-life experiences with us, some similar and some more peculiar than our own.

These musings are followed by a series of questions and answers, purely conversational in tone, about what might be important about Margaret Wise Brown.  Regardless of your age or level of curiosity or knowledge of this author, you will find something you probably did not know.  Did you know that Margaret Wise Brown's favorite dog, Crispin's Crispian, bit lots of people?

You will be astounded at the number of pets she had as a child, particularly rabbits, and how she paid tribute (if that is what it was) when one rabbit's life ends.  We are told it is significant to realize that this book and the books Margaret Wise Brown wrote depict life to children in all its aspects, even if they might seem odd.  We are offered ideas about Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny and Little Fur Family.  We are given examples of what some people might consider unusual about Margaret Wise Brown and what some people might find extraordinarily wonderful about her.

We are reminded of the value of every book even if the people who write them might be perceived as strange or their content is considered strange.  Following this short discussion, we become acquainted with children's librarian Anne Carroll Moore of the New York Public Library, of her constant companion, NK, and her attitude about the books penned by Margaret Wise Brown.  (Who knew this?)  We are privy to the actions of Margaret Wise Brown and her editor Ursula Nordstrom during a notable tea party at the New York Public Library.

We, without hesitation, turn the pages until we discover or remember, depending on the reader, how Margaret Wise Brown died at an early age.  What remains is a beautiful discourse on the twists and turns of our lives and the telling of stories and their importance when the strangeness of one becomes the strangeness of the other.  We come full circle with a single sentence.


The words, sentences and paragraphs written by Mac Barnett in this book are done so after meticulous research and with intention.  This is evident in his first three sentences (and with every word written thereafter). His repetition of the number 42 is powerful and the use of the word important reflects on the title of this book, Margaret Wise Brown's books and the actual definition of the word important.

In his writing of this book, he employs a technique of stating simple truths, wondering about those truths and combining this with questions and some answers.  At times we ask ourselves is the author telling this story or are we telling it as readers?  It's an astounding feeling which grows as the pages are turned.  Margaret Wise Brown's life is depicted in Mac Barnett's words as if she had written it herself.  Here is a passage.

Now it's true that Margaret Wise Brown wrote strange books.
In her books, you would turn a page
and the story would suddenly change.
Sometimes a duck would appear for no reason.
And the narrator would often stop telling the story
and ask the reader a question.
Now isn't that a strange thing to do?


Readers will find it hard not to gasp for the first of many times when they remove and open the dust jacket.  The sky and clouds, and grass extend from the left flap edge to the right flap edge.  What readers can't see are rabbits, tucked in the grass to the left of the spine and on the right flap.  Margaret Wise Brown running after Crispin's Crispian mirrors her lively spirit to perfection.

On the book case the sky and clouds indicate in shades of peach, pink and yellow, the day is coming to a close. The scene extends across the back and the front, edge to edge.  Now Margaret Wise Brown is lying on her stomach in the grass on the right.  Some of her body crosses the spine to the left.  She is facing her beloved dog who, at rest, is facing her.  A single rabbit appears between them.  Other rabbits watch them from the left.

A pale, muted green covers the opening and closing endpapers.  On the title, verso and dedication pages Margaret Wise Brown is chasing after Crispin's Crispian again.  A portion of her body is running off the title page.  He has stopped on the dedication page to look back at her.  The illustrations rendered in watercolor, Nupastel, and Photoshop throughout this book by Sarah Jacoby are a marvelous pictorial presentation and extension of the text.

Rabbits subtly appear, almost silently, in a floral image, a field and woodland scene or as children with their rabbit librarian during a storytime featuring this book and other important books.  The details in Sarah Jacoby's work are intricate among her softly colored artwork.  Watch the rabbit listeners during the storytime.  Pay attention to the hands on the clock in the library.

Some of Sarah Jacoby's pictures are framed with borders, others span to the pages' edges, and some are small vignettes grouped together.  Her pacing is deliberate.  Among the delicate hues, line work, picture sizes and pacing, there is a spirit of joy and of a life lived completely.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is a double-page picture.  From left to right crossing the gutter is a wagon pulled by a gray horse.  The wagon is overflowing with flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors.  You can see the surprise on the seller's face when Margaret Wise Brown asks to purchase the entire cart.  Her dog is crouched ready to run next to the cart.  I particularly love this picture because it portrays a strange and beautiful moment in her life; it's a moment to treasure.


The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown written by Mac Barnett with illustrations by Sarah Jacoby is a stunning, brilliant portrait of a remarkable woman's life.  When you get to the end of the book, you will immediately pause unable to believe the wonder you hold in your hands.  Then you will read it again and again and again.  It is a very important book!  On the verso page is a list of sources by books, articles and collections consulted.  I highly recommend this book for your personal and professional collections.

To learn more about Mac Barnett and Sarah Jacoby and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites.  You can view Sarah's blog from her website.  Mac Barnett has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  Sarah Jacoby has accounts on Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter.  There is an outstanding blog devoted to the development of this book, here.  At the publisher's website you can view interior images.  There are exceptional interviews with Mac Barnett and Sarah Jacoby at Blue Willow Book Shop here and here, and at author, blogger and teacher librarian Travis Jonker's 100 Scope Notes at School Library Journal.  Sarah Jacoby is interviewed by author, blogger and teacher librarian Carter Higgins at Design Of The Picture Book and by Dylan Teut, director of the Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival, on his blog, Mile High Reading.


Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy hosted by educator Alyson Beecher to discover the other titles selected this week by those participants in the 2019 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.

Always

Does it have a beginning?  Does it have an ending?  There is indeed a history attached to its measurement.  There are established methods of calculation.  How is it, then, the shortest amount can seem to last longer than the larger amount?  In other words, why can five minutes feel like five hours and why does eight hours seem to whoosh past in mere minutes?  Time is a constant, tick-tocking along, but it appears we can't capture it to fit our wants and needs.

Each situation, each moment, in which we experience life determines the value of time.  Age figures in the appreciation given to time but children are known to have great insight into its preciousness.  Forever or a Day (Chronicle Books, March 27, 2018) written and illustrated by Sarah Jacoby is the detailed descriptions, careful musings and earnest explorations of the concept of time by a child.

If you look closely you can see it.

As a child looks out an apartment window a truck with TIMES on its side putters by on the empty street as the early morning sun's rays color the buildings.  He continues to assess time by realizing sometimes we take our time and in other situations it's gone before we have a chance to grasp it.  There are people who allow it to dictate everything they do.  Others go with the flow.

As a train curves away from the city, the boy thinks becoming old is nearly unimaginable.  For musicians time is a cadence used to fashion the flow of a melody.  Have you ever waited and waited and waited for what you know is going to be wonderful?  Have you ever thought this is taking forever?

Suddenly forever vanishes.  You are greeted by those who feel the same anticipation. The entire day is shared from sunrise to sunset.  You wish, you hope with all your heart, time would stop.

The group gathers around a fire stretching the moments into longer rather than less.  A breathtaking starry vista spans above you until goodbyes are said.  It's a return, pajamas and bed but one final phrase is the true test of time well spent.


Every thoughtful sentence written by Sarah Jacoby in this title rings with realism.  These phrases are not long but a back and forth rhythm is supplied by the comparisons.  This child's assessment of time allows readers to bring into focus its many definitions. Here are two separate sentences.

It can be precise, like pouring the first cup of tea, or picking the perfect shoe.

Perhaps it is a ghost---
it can come and go
and you never even notice it was there.


The gorgeous dust jacket contains an image which goes from flap edge to flap edge, left to right.  On the left the golden sky with streaks of red hangs above a line of evergreen trees.  As this moves to the right the city appears between a basin formed before another row of trees begins.  In front of the trees and city you realize the large area is water.  The two children hands nearly clasping swing their toes and make circles in the water as they sit on the dock.

The book case is covered in a soft black with speckles of stars, one shooting across the sky.  A moon is rising on the horizon.  The children are in the same spot nearly hidden by the darkness.  The opening and closing endpapers are the same soft black with shades of purple and a bit of blue on the background.  Four rows show different phases of the moon.

A page turn portrays the TIMES truck moving along the street.  A rolled-up newspaper is tossed out.  Another page turn has the verso and title pages hosting a continuation of the city street as dawn slides into the city.  Someone walks a dog as street lights glow.

Rendered in watercolor, NuPastel, and mixed media these illustrations bring to mind a single word, hushed.  The use of the medium noted provides a soft texture.  Light and shadow are used masterfully.  Tiny delicate elements ask readers to pause.  Size of pictures and point of view varies giving us smooth pacing.  A wordless picture will have you gasping.


One of my many favorite illustrations covers two pages. On the left a glow is surrounded by a grove of trees.  Two bears are climbing among the trees.  On the right another glow, this from a bright crackling fire, lightens more trees.  Another bear, a group of deer and a fox move toward the people and music from a guitar.


No matter how often you read this book, Forever or a Day written and illustrated by Sarah Jacoby, you will feel the same.  As you read this a sense of deep calm builds within you.  The statements on time are like a lullaby.  I highly recommend this title for your professional and personal collections.

To learn more about Sarah Jacoby and her other work, please visit her website by following the link attached to her name.  (If Mulan could see the illustration on the first page of her site, she would be howling with joy.)  You'll want to stop by author, reviewer and blogger Julie Danielson's Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast to view an interior image and to read her review at Kirkus.  Sarah's publisher Chronicle has a post titled 13 Questions with Debut Children's Book Author, Sarah Jacoby.  Sarah is featured at Professional Book Nerds podcast.  Sarah Jacoby has an account on Twitter and Instagram.


(And now I think I'll listen again to Jim Croce's Time in a Bottle.)

Wherever We're Together

Defining home depends on the individual.  For some it's a permanent structure in the same place year after year.  A more temporary residence with a changing location is home to others.  Home may not even refer to a physical object.

Home may not be something you can see.  It might be anywhere as long as you are with a particular being, or where you feel loved.    For those in the animal world home can be these things along with other attributes.  The Road Home (Abrams Books For Young Readers, March 7, 2017) written by Katie Cotton with illustrations by Sarah Jacoby presents a breathtaking lyrical and visual representation of home through four animals.

Fly with me to far away,
where sun sill warms the ground.

An adult bird beckons to a baby, asking it to take flight.  The seasons are shifting and they need to do the same.  Winter can be harsh.

A tiny mouse, though its paws are sore, is encouraged to keep working.  A nest must be made from straw and leaves offering them protection.  To be hidden is to be safe.

Wolves race for food, hunger gnawing at their stomachs.  The younger of the two is learning to hunt. To take a life is to save their own lives.

Two rabbits, hearts pounding, run for shelter through brambles.  The chilling fingers of cold mingle in their fur.  They are pushed by the panic filling their bodies.  Their den offers sanctuary.

Each of these animals is moving during the day with different intentions but what they seek is the same...home.  Home is survival, the opportunity to live another day.  Do you think they see the world as a whole as home?


Though the narrative describes difficult living conditions it does so with grace and distinction through the words written by Katie Cotton. For the bird, the mouse, the wolf and the rabbit at least four sentences, two of them rhyming, depict survival essentials.  Warmth, safety and food are driving forces in their lives.  To have the same sentence at the close of each description ties all the animals together.  When Cotton alters it at the end, a truth is revealed.  Here are three more sentences.

Come with me through tangled trees
and thorns that grasp our coats.
The air is cold and sharp as ice.
It chills our trembling throats.


Rendered with watercolors and digital media the illustrations by Sarah Jacoby create an atmosphere complementing and heightening the text.  The intricate lines and exquisite details as well as the altered perspectives seen on the book case are continued throughout the book.  To the left of the adult and baby mouse, on the back, is a panoramic view of snow-capped mountains in the background with forest trees and rolling hills in the foreground.  Framing this along the bottom is the last of the flower blooms of the season.  The title text is embossed copper foil.

The opening and closing endpapers reflect in a wash a season or perhaps a time of day.  The first is in hues of blue and the second is in warm golden yellow and orange.  Beneath the text on the title page the two mice are shown in miniature.

Most of the images span two pages with the exception of several grouped together on one page with a single page picture opposite them.  Those smaller illustrations, three, in a group definitely ask us to slow our reading.  This allows us to feel the full emotional impact.

One of my favorite pictures of many is at night.  Snow covers the ground as a full moon glimmers through the tree branches on the right.  Beneath it are rows of evergreens behind a large open field.  A path cuts through the white.  On the left we can see inside a hill where the adult rabbit and baby rabbit are curled in sleep, safe for the night.


The majesty of animal life is conveyed beautifully in The Road Home written by Katie Cotton with illustrations by Sarah Jacoby.  The eloquence of the words and luminous illustrations fashion a volume which reads almost like a lullaby.  You will want a copy on your professional and personal bookshelves.

To learn more about Sarah Jacoby and her other work please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  You can view interior images at the publisher's website.