In That Moment

Some people believe the words content, happy, and joy are interchangeable.  To me they represent different degrees of a similar feeling.  Content symbolizes a foundation, a steadfast state of calm and acceptance.  When happiness enters contentment, intermittent skipping is added to an abiding walk.  Joy is when the walking and skipping stop and twirling commences.  Joy is a surge of uncontrollable emotion.  It comes in a moment of awareness.

The intensity of joy can leave you gasping, laughing, and storing those seconds or minutes deep in your heart.  Joy does not fade but multiplies if freely given.  When you read This Joy! (Abrams Books For Young Readers, October 4, 2022) written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes, your soul will fill with the pure bliss found within its pages.  

MY ARMS AREN'T

BIG ENOUGH

The girl freely admits her arms aren't big enough to wrap them around the world.  She is grateful for all the green and blue she sees and experiences in our world.  She wants the world to know how very happy it makes her.

Even standing on her tiptoes, she can't reach to the top of trees or touch the clouds, but we know she wants to do this.  On the sandy shore she understands she can't walk on all the grains of sand or splash in every wave, but we know she wants to do this.  If she could, she would send her joy to all the people in the world even though she can't count all of them.

She tries to arrange letters into a word to express this intense affection and appreciation, but she can't find the right one.  She continues to search for the correct conveyance.  Is it a mark or melody to be made?

Should she look around her in the outdoors? Is it a dance?  What exactly defines how she feels?  She finally recognizes what we all should recognize each day.  And this understanding . . . is joy!

Whatever you may be feeling prior to reading the words of Shelley Johannes in this title, it is guaranteed you will be changed for the better when the final sentence and the last word are read.  Each carefully chosen word and the phrases made from those words ask us to look around and embrace what we see with positivity and thankfulness.  Through the cadence fashioned by this child and her declarations, we come to accept or remember what each day is.  Here is a passage.

IS IT BIRDS IN FLIGHT?

SQUIRRELS AT PLAY . . .

THE SQUINT

OF MY EYES

IN THIS 

SYMPHONY 

OF LIGHT?

How can you not smile, giggle, or maybe spin around when you look at the front, right side, of the open dust jacket?  Look at that child.  Look at her mouth open with laughter, her arms outstretched and ready to be received by the loving arms of her mother.  The rays radiating from her body signify the glow she emits with her enthusiasm.  The text, the child, and the waiting arms of her mother are varnished.

To the left of the spine, on the back, the little girl is doing a somersault down a grassy hill.  Her back is to us as she rolls.  Above her the words read:

TODAY IS A GIFT

MY ARMS CAN'T HOLD.

On the book case, on either side of the spine, an interior image is enlarged.  The little girl is singing with four of her friends on a grassy knoll.  Their open mouths, arms and legs spread wide, and eyes closed all shout out loud their utter joy.  A dog is at the end of the row of them, head raised and howling.  

The opening and closing endpapers are bright red.  On the title, verso, and dedication pages is a double-page visual.  The child sits on her mother's shoulders on the right side of the picture.  A brisk breeze blows some of the mother's hair across the gutter.  Their backs are to us as they look at the grass and water spreading in front and on either side of them.  Water birds pepper the sky.

These illustrations rendered

with pencils, pastels, crayons, and markers---and a little bit of Photoshop

by Shelley Johannes are in full color and highly animated.  Often a crisp white background will highlight a close-up of the little girl.  There are double-page pictures, full-page pictures, and several smaller illustrations on a single page.  The perspectives will have you gasping at their perceptions of this child's exuberance.  We might see her swinging in a tire swing, at an angle, with clouds above her.  Or across two pages, we see just a small portion of her feet and toes resting on the sand as waves splash over them.

One of my many favorite illustrations is on a single page.  It is a close-up of the refrigerator (pale green) in their home.  On the bottom, the little girl's head is tilted as she arranges brightly-hued magnetic letters on the refrigerator door.  Both of her hands are visible.  Above her she has already spelled

GIDDY

GLORIOUS

GRATEFUL

SPEECHLESS

as she tries to find the right word for how she feels.

As an educator, there are some days when you are bone-tired at the close of the day.  Regardless of this and regardless of how you may have felt at the beginning of the day, this educator (me) always left uplifted.  This is the gift of children.  The little girl in This Joy! written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes not only depicts this, but also portrays what each day truly is for everyone.  I highly recommend this title for all your collections.  You can never have too much joy or gratitude.

To learn more about Shelley Johannes and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  Shelley Johannes has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  This title is highlighted at John Schu's Watch. Connect. Read. with an interview with Shelley Johannes.  At the publisher's website, you can view interior images.

Whatever The Weather

All manner of people come and go in our lives daily.  Some are there for the briefest of moments.  Others are there for decades.  They bring us laughter and sadness.  They challenge us and support us.  Some dislike us for no understandable reasons.  Others, most if we are fortunate, shower us with warmth and love.

We know at an early age; everything is better together.  The positive is multiplied and the negative is halved.  If it were possible to hold sheer happiness in our hands whenever we desire, then More Than Sunny (Abrams Books for Young Readers, May 11, 2021) written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes is exactly the title necessary for this accomplishment.  This debut picture book by a beloved author illustrator (Beatrice Zinker: Upside Down Thinker) is the quintessential representation of heightened joy through shared experiences.

*knock

knock *

An older sister and the family canine companion are eager to start their day.  They wake up a younger brother, pulling him outside.  The day is sunny, early and full of birdsong.  As they move through their world, other descriptors follow them and the word sunny.

At the pond, it is muddy, and a family of ducks follows them.  As the day and season warms, the sister and dog want to explore some more.  It is humid.  What's with all the bugs?!  They are thankful for a gentle breeze and each new discovery at the pond, in the meadow, and off the dock.

When the rains come, all three still go outside, enjoying those creatures who love the rain the most.  Back home, their wetness is absorbed by a loving parent.  Spring and summer are wonderful memories as autumn leaves pile on the ground spiraling up and down in the winds. Geese formations point to the south against a darkening sky.

Heavy snowflakes fall on two extended tongues.  Pleading leads to a walk in the snow.  Silence reveals gentle wonders.  Mom, children, and their dog play until late in the day when daddy arrives.  More fun ensues.  Four angels leave an impression in the snow.  Now it is time to go.  Stories and snuggles and 

*knock

knock* 

In a reversal, one final glowing glory is displayed.

A knock at a door always holds an element of surprise and anticipation until we realize who is there.  This is a wonderful way to lead readers into the merriment of this story.  Author Shelley Johannes skillfully uses punctuation, short phrases, and rhyming to supply readers with the best each season can offer.  Here are two paired passages.

it's MUGGY . . .

AND BUGGY!

BREEZY

AND BUZZY . . .

SUMMER 

AND FUZZY!

On the front and the back, right and left, of the open dust jacket, we meet the siblings and their dog as they embrace the day.  You can see in both of the images; the brother is not initially as excited as his sister.  She is the personification of sunshine; her arms shooting up and out like rays.  On the front the brother, dog, sister, and text are varnished.

To the left, on the back, is one of the interior illustrations.  The brother, still wearing his pajamas and his yellow boots, carries his toy stuffed turtle, as his sister, holding his hand, runs out the door of their house.  Their dog leads them off the steps and outside into the yard.  The red door of their house contrasts with the pale blue of the early morning sky.

On the book case a fabulous double-page picture is presented on either side of the spine.  To the left is a close-up of the red door to their home.  The brother and sister are leaning out the opening of the door, heads back and tongues stretched to capture the first snowflakes of winter.  

These illustrations rendered

with pencil and mixed media on tracing paper and finished digitally

by artist Shelley Johannes are brimming with exuberance and pure delight.  Their size and perspective are altered to accentuate the pacing.  Every page turn yields more energy.

The details in the clothing, facial features, body postures and the settings welcome us into each visual.  The sister is so thrilled she does not have her shoes tied.  In the summer, the toys on the brother's rug in his bedroom reappear in real life.  Do you see the ladybugs, butterflies, and caterpillar?  On the stormy day, a fort is made for the dog from books and a checkerboard.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations spans two pages.  It shows the passage of time.  On the left side, a dock ends on the left.  On the right side, a dock ends on the right.  This dock is positioned near the center of the two pages.  Beneath the dock is green-blue water of a pond or lake.  Above the dock is a blue sky filled with wispy clouds.  On the left, the siblings wearing yellow life vests are leaning over the dock watching the water and their fishing lines which vanish under the surface.  On the right, their poles with the lines reeled in rest on the dock.  Now, sister and brother are on their backs, cloud gazing.  In both scenes the sister is talking.  

When you read More Than Sunny written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes, you will feel your spirit lighten.  Hopefully for many readers, the activities of the sister and brother will be a reminder of shared exhilaration or future marvels to relish.  I highly recommend this book for your personal and professional collections.  It is one to gift often.

To learn more about Shelley Johannes and her other work, please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  The book trailer can be viewed here, also.  Shelley Johannes has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  The cover reveal is hosted with an interview by Scholastic's Ambassador of School Libraries, John Schumacher, at his site, Watch. Connect. Read.  Shelley Johannes is featured at author illustrator Jarrett Lerner's site.  Travis Jonker, teacher librarian extraordinaire, chats with Shelley Johannes on his site 100 Scope Notes at School Library Journal.  At the publisher's website there are some downloadable extra resources.  There is also a video there for you to enjoy at the publisher's website.

Looking At The World Her Way

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.  Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

Henry David Thoreau

It takes great courage to be an original, especially for children.  The way you dress and wear your hair, the manner in which you voice your opinions, and how you choose to act all set you apart from everyone else.  Even if there are those who admire your outlook on the world in general and specifically how you live each day, they may keep silent.  The "box" has thick and tall walls.

What we all need to remember is those who dress, speak or act outside what is considered normal don't do so necessarily for the sake of being different but because this is who they are.  Beatrice Zinker: Upside Down Thinker (Disney Hyperion, September 19, 2017) written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes, her debut offering, gives us a character to cherish, for her individuality, her indomitable spirit and generous heart.  You will finish this title knowing if Beatrice Zinker were to be your friend, it would be an honor.

1

THE VERY BEGINNING

Beatrice Zinker always did her best thinking upside down.  It worked like magic, and she never questioned it.

It worked like poof.

It worked like presto.

It worked like shazam---

on every problem,

every pickle, and

each and every jam.

As the middle child Beatrice realized her older sister, Kate, and mom where cut from the same mold and her dad and little brother, Henry, were like two peas in the proverbial pod.  She, on the other hand, rejoiced in her two favorite words, wow and maybe.  Beatrice was in first grade before she found a friend, who understood her free spirit and extraordinary point of view.  For her and Lenny Santos no adventure was too grand.

In fact, just as summer was starting at the end of second grade, Beatrice's best idea ever, a scheme of large proportions, was discussed and planned for the first day of third grade.  On that day, Beatrice could hardly wait to see Lenny after her absence in the Philippines for a family vacation.  It hadn't been easy to get out of the house wearing her ninja outfit but cleverness had won the day.  So it was a deep disappointment to see Lenny not wearing her ninja attire but a new hairstyle and not Lenny-like clothing when she entered Classroom 3B.  And to make current circumstances even more challenging Lenny had a new neighbor, a new classmate and new friend at her side.

Beatrice, being Beatrice, however puzzled by this change in Lenny was determined to stick with Operation Upside.  Her new teacher, Mrs. Tamarack, a no-nonsense kind of woman who seated Beatrice right next to her, was not going to make it easy.  Beatrice had to survive, without getting into trouble, until recess. 

With the morning difficulties in the past, Beatrice is ready to climb toward the sure success of her plan but people and trees being what they are, disaster strikes.  Considerable time spent away from her classmates gives this free-thinking girl time to formulate another path toward progress.  With maybe and her compassionate soul guiding Beatrice a solid friendship remains true as another is formed.  At the end of the day, the first day of third grade, even her family decides to look at life with a new attitude.  Yum! Yum!

In Beatrice Zinker author and illustrator Shelley Johannes has fashioned a character who readers will feel an immediate affection.  Her individualistic approach to anything and everything is energetic, clever and full of heart.  The other characters we meet, her parents, siblings, friends, staff at the school and a neighbor and her cat, complete a world as natural and as wonderful as we could wish them to be.  

The twenty short chapters, with telling chapter headings, are linked together with concluding sentences leading us happily to discover what will happen next.  Humor is in abundant supply through the dialogue and thoughts of the characters.  Here are some sample passages.

When Beatrice finally spoke,

her first word was WOW.

"Wow indeed," said

her father.

"Uh-oh," said Kate.

"Oh, no," said her mother, "what now?"

As Beatrice grew, Kate said a lot of UH-OH.

Nancy Zinker said a lot of OH NO and a lot of

WHAT NOW? 

Every idea starts as a

tiny seed---even the biggest 

idea of the very best upside down

thinker.  Three months later

Beatrice launched the most

important plan of her upside

down life, but the seed of the idea was planted

that very afternoon in June on graduation day.

The award was still crisp in her hands.

The ink was still damp.

Her cheeks still hurt from smiling.

Beatrice had never felt better.

Up was the only option.

Beatrice lifted herself into the branches of the 

nearest tree.

The view was amazing.

With a panorama of the playground, she

plotted her course.  Ninja-nimble, feline-flexible,

and doggedly determined, Beatrice used all

her best moves.

There are only a few page turns without the loose-lined, whimsical, playful illustrations by Shelley Johannes.  Black and white with spots of orange-red, they are as animated as the people, places and activities being depicted.  Each one enhances the story line or broadens the text.

These images fit within the body of the words like pieces in a puzzle.  Their sizes vary to influence the story's pacing.  Some are single items and others are entire scenes being recreated.  All of them endear us to the characters, even Mrs. Tamarack.

One of my favorite pictures of many is actually a photograph taken by Beatrice's mother after she wins the award for Best Upside Down Thinker.  Beatrice is holding the award upside down.  When her mother asks her to flip it around, Beatrice does...her way.  In the picture she is standing on her hands with the award, right-side up, in her mouth.  Shelley has added spot color on Beatrice's shirt and the award.

Even now, after two readings of Beatrice Zinker: Upside Down Thinker written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes, I find myself smiling the entire time reading it.  Our world could use more people like Beatrice.  Our world could use more people recognizing the value of people like Beatrice.  This is an outstanding beginning to a promised new series.  You are going to want multiple copies on your professional shelves.  This is one book you will want in your personal collection too.  You'll pick it up to be inspired.

To learn more about Shelley Johannes please follow the link attached to her name to access her website.  Shelley Johannes wrote a guest post for the cover reveal of this title at the Nerdy Book Club.  Shelley is a guest at Cracking the Cover here and here.  Shelley is a guest on author Kirby Larson's blog for Friend Friday.  At Storymamas Shelley answers three questions. At The Horn Book Shelley answers five questions.