Fashioned from two socks and stuffed with stockings, my sock monkey acted as comforter and confidant. She was a constant companion until she was little more than pieces held together by threads. Hand stitched, her facial features were unique. The eyes and smile were filled with compassion.
In the natural world, her fellows are widely and wildly different. Mad About Monkeys (Flying Eye Books, August 11, 2015) written and illustrated by Owen Davey is a collection of captivating information about the monkey population on our planet. By the time you read the final word, your appreciation for these remarkable creatures will indeed grow.
WHAT ARE MONKEYS? Monkeys belong to a group of mammals known as primates. Humans are also primates but humans are not monkeys. However, monkeys and humans aren't all that different.
Monkeys (and other animals) are called quadrupeds because they walk on all fours for most of the time. Their diet can vary from seeds to small animals depending on the species. If they choose to live in trees they are known as arboreal. It's interesting to note monkeys are not grouped with chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, gibbons, tarsiers or lorises and lemurs.
Did you know there is a distinction between Old World Monkeys and New World Monkeys? Physical characteristics and geographical location separate the two families. The smallest monkey in the world, fully grown, is no larger than the palm of an adult's hand. The largest monkey in the world, though shy, is fierce with large canine teeth sometimes two inches in length.
Monkeys have learned the benefits and challenges with living in a community. They can communicate in a singular language, supply security or engage in loud skirmishes for leadership. In specific instances they adapt well to their surroundings. In the search for grass and due to climate change the Gelada male monkeys grow fur long enough to be called a cape.
Three miles away a certain monkey howl is heard. Did you know monkeys grow beards? Can you imagine having a nose so long it hangs over your mouth? Who knew there are monkeys that can swim; feasting on crabs which they locate under water? Monkeys are sneaky when necessary or simply because of curiosity.
As part of cultural mythologies and religions, monkeys have a place in the human world. Their habitat, like many other creatures, is threatened. They are essential to the ecological community as a whole; therefore it is essential we offer them protection. We can do this.
When Owen Davey writes nonfiction you enter the world he creates with his words. In his fifteen chapters he selects information readers will find the most fascinating. His narrative is inclusive but conversational ranging from general to specific facts. He makes comparisons understandable to all readers. All of the featured monkeys are designated as Old World or New World in their labels. Here is another sample passage.
Red and blue coloured noses and multi-coloured bottoms make mandrills one of the most attractive and beautiful primates. 'But why such colourful bums?' I hear you ask. Scientists believe that these magnificent rumps are simply used as beacons in the leafy gloom of the forests. When following each other through the forest, the bright rear ends are easy to spot and follow.
When you hold a copy of this book in your hands, the first thing you notice other than the remarkable collage on the front book case, is the texture, feeling like cloth. The title text in red is raised. On the back, to the left, Owen Davey has used a portion of an interior image placing it in a darker setting. The matching opening and closing endpapers facing the title page in the beginning and the publication information at the end, showcase eleven different monkeys. The table of contents is positioned within a double-page picture of a monkey in tree branches.
All of the images in this work vary in size in direct relation to the text. This is an astounding example of beautiful design and layout. The illustrations are geometric works of art with details necessary to portray a specific monkey, a habitat, or food. The heavier matte-finished paper works well with the selected color palette.
One of my favorite illustrations is a single page showcasing the Pygmy Marmoset, New World, Monkey, South America. Davey has the monkey grasping a tree with lemons growing on the side. It allows the reader to see the actual size in comparison to something familiar. He also has the tail hanging down so we can see its length which is usually longer than the monkey's body.
If you are looking for a marvelous non-fiction read aloud picture book, Mad About Monkeys written and illustrated by Owen Davey is highly recommended. (Please note that Owen Davey has recently released a companion title Smart About Sharks, August 9, 2016.) The relaxed, friendly text with his distinctive images will appeal to a wide range of readers. Davey's final chapter Deforestation includes ways we affect forests and how we can change this effect. There is an index for the more than forty monkeys highlighted in this book.
To learn more about Owen Davey and his other work, please follow the link to his website attached to his name. He includes many images from this book at this site. Owen Davey wrote a guest post about this book at The Federation of Children's Book Groups. Owen Davey is interviewed at Pushing Pixels. You can discover more about monkeys at ARKIVE.
Each week by participating in the 2016 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge I learn more than I ever imagined I would. I am most thankful to educator Alyson Beecher for hosting this challenge at Kid Lit Frenzy each Wednesday. Be sure to visit the site and view the titles chosen by other bloggers.
When you're growing up sometimes you desire something so much it consumes your every waking moment. In conversations with your parents they try to explain the difference between wanting and needing a particular thing. Their reasoning may be logical and practical but it simply does not match your thinking. Regardless of your attempts to persuade them to understand your viewpoint, they remain steadfast in their answers.
Children may not always have much control over their lives but certain situations call for creativity. My Dog's a Chicken (Schwartz & Wade Books, February 9, 2016) written by Susan McElroy Montanari with illustrations by Anne Wilsdorf gives us a day in the life of a quick-witted little gal. She surveys her circumstances and hatches a plan.
Lula Mae wanted a puppy, but Mama said, "Dog's just another mouth to feed. These are hard times, Lula Mae. You've got to make do."
Standing in the yard on her farm, Lula Mae is surrounded by chickens, lots and lots of chickens. She promptly decides a chicken might make a pretty good dog. It's got to be a proper chicken, though. It must exhibit certain personality traits.
One chicken stands out among all the others and Lula Mae grabs it. Understandable the hen is not happy but Lula Mae declares to her Papa and Mama this chicken is her dog. She names it Pookie.
With her father and mother watching Lula Mae proceeds to point out all the fine abilities of her new "canine companion." She takes the bow from her hair placing it on the chicken and voila, she has a show dog. After a close encounter with a pesky cousin and a slithering reptile when she, Baby Berry and Pookie are reading under a tree, she announces Pookie is a guard dog.
Regardless of the stellar qualities of her "dog" Mama is steadfast in her resolve to not have Pookie in her house. Unexpectedly two members of the farm family cause a frightful commotion. Some changes are meant to be, others are not.
You have to admit the idea of a chicken being a dog is fertile ground for hilarity. Susan McElroy Montanaripens a splendid blend of easy, conversational narrative and homey dialogue. Lula Mae's rationale which rises to the top in each situation will generate loads of laughter. A comedic cadence is supplied when Baby Berry echoes portions of Mama's words. In fact he utters the final sentences in this story. Here is another sample passage.
There stood Cousin Tater holding a garter snake. Lula Mae shrieked, "You were going to throw that snake on me!" Tater looked down at the snake. "No, I wasn't," he said. "Just so you know, I got me a dog now," Lula Mae said. "That old stew chicken?" Tater asked. ...
The happy-as-a-lark look on Baby Berry's face and Lula Mae's expression of pure contentment on the front of the matching dust jacket and book case contrast with the get-me-out-here stare in Pookie's eyes. The laughter begins right here. The full color palette with splashes of bright red direct our attention to the most active characters, Lula Mae and Pookie. On the back, to the left, is an interior scene with text when Lula Mae is zeroing in on her choice for a chicken to be her dog. Pookie's free spirit lands her the job.
The opening and closing endpapers are full of chickens (There must be one hundred.) in all kinds of color combinations and body positions. To begin most of them seem to be running toward a double circle which is forming. Pookie is running off to the right. At the conclusion there are divided clusters of chickens with dotted lines zigging and zagging among them, signifying the crazy path taken by Pookie.
Rendered in watercolor and China ink Anne Wilsdorf'sartwork usually spans two pages. To enhance the pacing she places several smaller visuals together on several pages or single pages between the double pages. White space is used to excellent effect defining characters and their actions.
The wide eyes and longish, up-turned noses on her people endear us to them. The expressions on her chickens are sure to produce grins galore. In looking at each image readers will notice her fine lines and abundant details. Wilsdorf also includes hints of what is to come if readers look closely at her illustrations. The final picture without text is a second ending.
One of my favorite illustrations is of Lula Mae sitting against a tree reading. Pookie is under one arm and Baby Berry is under her other arm. They are all looking at the book. In the upper left-hand corner a blue butterfly flutters. Coming toward them from the left is another chicken. Cousin Tater is seen peeking around the tree on the right. Readers don't know it yet but this image signals a shift in the story.
My Dog's a Chicken written by Susan McElroy Montanari with illustrations by Anne Wilsdorf is read aloud gold. Readers and listeners will admire Lula Mae's ingenuity as they chuckle at her perceptions. I can guarantee you will be asked to read this title over and over again. This is a winning debut for Montanari.
More than two hundred years ago the kindness of a daughter and parents who recognized her generous heart saved a life. This life and one particular day were the inspiration for a popular and well-known nursery rhyme which has stood the test of time. As sometimes happens, there is still some debate as to the author of Mary Had A Little Lamb. (For those of you intrigued here are two articles which make for interesting reading and good discussion points. Nursery Rhyme Investigation: Mary Had a Little Lamb, Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal and Mary Had a Little Lamb-Yes, There was a Mary and She Did Have a Little Lamb, New England Historical Society)
Since the words were first heard, read and sung, this poetic ode to a little girl and her woolly companion have been the object of many illustrative interpretations and written adaptations. They have especially been fuel for the wonderful and creative minds found in children's literature. Mary Had a Little Glam (Sterling Children's Books, August 2, 2016) written by Tammi Sauer with illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a lively look at spreading joy through fashion.
Mary had a little glam that grew into a LOT. And everywhere that Mary went, she wasn't hard to spot.
This gal had an eye for blending textures and colorful patterns. She had a knack for knowing what extras would complement her clothing choices. This charming creature of cheer was not aware of the shock awaiting her on her first day at school.
Her classmates' attire had not one little pinch of pizzazz. As a matter of fact, the entire school needed a makeover. Like a magician waving a wand, Mary's sense of style began to transform everyone and everything. Everywhere that Mary went fashion was sure to follow.
Story time looked as if her classmates were about to attend a royal function, bling was a fad in art and a trip to the library was done with dramatic decorum. As the minutes passed in merriment the teacher soon proclaimed
"It's recess time!"
A picturesque procession left the building, ready to hop, skip and jump.
When the playground came into view, the students, and Mary too, suddenly did not know what to do. Surely their decked-out designs were not fit for all this dirt. In a twinkle Mary moved and moved some more. Her classmates did not tarry but followed Mary. Frolic.
With every word penned by Tammi Sauer in this rhyming rendition of an enduring verse, happiness, like a drum, beats and bounces off the pages. Her sentences are a tribute to individuality and the contagious nature of being free to be yourself. Never forced but full of fun, phrases portray this spirited soul as she and her classmates enjoy their morning until with no more than the merest hesitation the cadence continues. Mary has not only a flair for fashion but can be practical for a purpose. Here is a sample passage.
When Mary took a look around her heart was filled with woe. The other kids in class with her were glam-less head to toe.
How can you not smile when opening the matching dust jacket and book case? Using
Corel Painter, Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 and collaged vintage paper and fabrics Vanessa Brantley-Newtonrenders the illustrations in vivid, bright hues to pair perfectly with the personality of Mary. Her facial features, body position and attire say Hello world! What are we going to do today? To the left, on the back, Mary, shopping bags in hand, is featured with the first four sentences. The opening and closing endpapers showcase a before and after array of her classmates clothing on a white canvas.
The picture sizes shift as the text dictates from two pages, to single pages and smaller images on a single page. Brantley-Newton continues using the crisp white background to accentuate her palette and designs. Each illustration flows into the next flawlessly.
Her details invite readers to pause on each page. A man reading a newspaper is holding actual newsprint, Mary's constant companion is a small stuffed toy lamb purse, the name of the school is Mother Goose Elementary and the classroom jobs board is another nod to nursery rhymes. Careful readers will love noticing the changes in Mary's newest accessory, an occupied bird's nest.
One of my favorite pictures is of Mary walking to school. Her bubbly personality and glamorous garb has caught the attention of several dogs. Their walkers, one in front of Mary and the other behind her, are trying to keep everyone straight but entanglements ensue. A baker and dressmaker watch, smiling, through their windows and displays. The pennants and quilted shade at the bakery are a charming touch.
Mary Had a Little Glam written by Tammi Sauer with illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is like holding happiness in your hand. This delightful depiction will have readers wanting to spruce up their own personal styles. There will be requests for read it again and perhaps a boa, crown and beads.
There are advantages to living in a small community or a specific neighborhood within a larger city. Everyone knowing everyone can facilitate a sense of security, continuity and belonging. People are recognized by name and also for what they do.
I know this because I grew up in a small town; living there for the first twenty-two years of my life. We could walk to the grocery, five and dime and hardware stores, the bank, the post office, the roller skating rink, the public library attached to the township hall, Deadman's Hill for sledding in the winter, Kiwanis Park any time of the year and all the schools; elementary, junior high and high school. The flower shop where I got my first job at sixteen was on the same street as my home.
If we look within these close-knit communities and neighborhoods we will see they're alive with stories. (Now don't get me wrong. I think stories can be found everywhere but sometimes the intimacy of a smaller setting makes the details easier to see.) Lucy (Candlewick Press, August 2, 2016) written and illustrated by Randy Cecil recalls and pays tribute to the slower pace of another time. Told in four acts the tale spins like a magical movie.
As the sun rose over Bloomville, a distant trumpet began to play--- doodle-de-doodle-doo.
In an alley a little white dog sleeps through the music but wakes when a car door slams. She gets to her feet leaving to run through the streets; a mission on her mind. Familiar shops, the one-eyed cat in the window, and the pigeons in the park are passed. She reaches her destination. Up the steps she goes to wait in front of the red door of an apartment.
Inside the apartment a daughter, Eleanor Wische and her father, Sam, prepare to go about their daily tasks with the same focus as the little white dog. Eleanor wants nothing more than to lower a string with a bit of food attached to feed the dog. Her father wants nothing more than to perfect his juggling skills so he can perform in front of a live audience at the local vaudeville theater.
After her breakfast the dog finds a place to nap, dreaming of her former life. Sam goes to his job as a store clerk. Eleanor visits Enzo's Deli to buy her lunch. Each of the three characters continues their day; the little white dog getting food any way she can, Eleanor greeting other dogs on the street while thinking of the little white dog who she would name Lucy and Sam attempting to juggle at the theater. The curtain closes but not before a hook removes one failed juggler from the stage.
The next two days are similar but different; enriched by added elements. On the third day love and courage cause Eleanor and Sam to deviate from their regular routines. In a quirk of beautiful fate the little white dog, Sam and Eleanor are in the presence of each other but not all are aware. A highly skilled nose and a memory will prompt a standing ovation.
Even after repeated readings the flawless flow of Randy Cecil's writing will continue to enchant readers. There is a rhythm established with the repetition of each character's day but in each act Cecil includes extra incidents which in turn endear us further to the characters. We long for Lucy to find a home after her past is revealed in her naptime dreams. We yearn along with Eleanor for Lucy to be her own when we discover she is saving leftover lunch money to purchase toys for the little white dog. With every failure we cheer harder and louder for Sam.
The introduction of musicians, the neighbors with their dogs known by name, the familiar family playing in the park with their dogs and the store proprietors also known by name heighten the feeling of this story surrounding us. It's as if we are living in Bloomville too. Here is a sample passage.
As evening approached, Lucy positioned herself across the street from Bertolt's Butcher Shop. Mrs. Pennington ambled by on her last walk of the day with Bailey. And Mrs. del Rio strolled leisurely past with Dahlia and Daisy. Lucy sniffed a mailbox. She pretended to inspect a lamppost. Then she crossed the quiet street.
The front of the dust jacket contains the only color, red, in this title. (I am working with an ARC.) The interior art is reproduced in duotone with the illustrations rendered in oil. Throughout the book, the soft, textured quality seen on the front of the jacket is maintained. When we open the book case it's as if we are stepping into a theater.
At the beginning of each act Randy Cecil has painted a double-page depiction of a street in Bloomville. All the remaining pages contain a single visual in a loose circular shape. Readers will want to go back and look at these over and over to recognize the meticulous care Cecil has given to each one. Not only will they notice the tiniest of details but they might observe other stories within the illustrations.
One of my favorite pictures is of Eleanor and Lucy in the beginning. Lucy, sitting on the stoop in front of the red door, is looking up at Eleanor. Eleanor is leaning out her window unwinding the ball of string with the sausage attached at the end. There is a lot of emotion in this image; hunger for body and soul.
Lucy written and illustrated by Randy Cecil is a remarkable, charming and heartwarming tale with three distinct stories intricately tied together. Rarely will you see a picture book with the length of 144 pages. In this one there may be only a partial sentence, a single sentence or a few sentences accompanying each image. Whether you share this one-on-one or with a group, it will be greatly enjoyed. I can only imagine there will be collective sighs at the end.
To learn more about Randy Cecil and his other work please follow the link attached to his name to access his website. You can view interior illustrations at two different publishers' websites here and here. Randy Cecil is a guest at author, reviewer and blogger Julie Danielson's blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. At Walkerwe can learn more about Randy Cecil. At Publishers Weekly you can enjoy a Q & A with Randy Cecil about this title. Randy Cecil chats with teacher librarian Matthew Winner at All The Wonders, Episode 274. Enjoy the book trailer.
UPDATE: Author, blogger and teacher librarian Carter Higgins interviews Randy Cecil at Design of the Picture Book, October 11, 2016.
Every morning I take a walk around the yard, assessing the gardens and nearby small wooded section to see how they are faring from the lack of rain and heat. Yesterday as I passed a large tree, I looked from a particular plant to the tree's bark and a squirrel and I were eye-to-eye. We both watched the other as still as stone. Normally I would have expected instant flight but this one looked at me as if ready to speak.
It's not uncommon to see squirrels, rabbits, birds, butterflies and a large variety of bugs in my yard but even in many walks taken in the woods of northern Michigan over decades, I've never encountered a bear, wolf or even a coyote with their reported increased numbers. My thinking began, as it often does after a close wildlife meeting, to focus on all the places on our planet where seeing animals in their natural habitat will become less and less frequent. The Great Leopard Rescue: Saving the Amur Leopards (Millbrook Press, August 2016) written by Sandra Markle addresses the very serious issue of the fight to save a rare animal from extinction.
Danger!
In the fading light of an autumn day, a young male Amur leopard picks his way over a rocky ridge and sets off on his nighttime hunt.
In this first sentence in the first of seven chapters we follow this leopard as he attempts to locate food. We learn vital information about his hunting practices, first two years of life and how he establishes his range. Then he finds himself fleeing from a large fire.
Amur leopards make their home in the far eastern portion of Russia. It's astounding to think that their numbers have dropped from 2,400 to about fifty since the 1950s. Let's think about that number for a minute. There are only about fifty of these animals left in the wild before they are gone forever. (It was actually estimated to drop to thirty in 2007.)
The loss of habitat and food due to logging, farming and hunting greatly diminished the Amur leopard numbers. They need the taiga with its specific flora and fauna to survive. Of the three areas where they were living prior to the 1980s, the population completely vanished in two.
Concern for their lives has prompted responses. Zoos are no longer taking these leopards from the wild but are sharing leopards, carefully monitoring breeding, scientists are studying them through the use of radio collars and a team (Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance) has been formed to deter poaching and work with farmers. In 2012 a special area, Land of the Leopard National Park, was set aside for them.
Since 2012 an even greater effort and fascinating plan are unfolding. It will be 2020 before the results can be realized. A carefully selected and designed space, a meticulously controlled and ongoing study (You won't believe how they use dogs.), a first-time collaboration between Russian and Chinese scientists, and a specialized breeding program are all key components.
Remember the young male leopard trapped by fire in the first chapter? You will discover his fate. There are those working on a daily basis for the Amur leopards.
In the first chapter Sandra Markle creates a feeling of urgency; every single leopard's life is valuable. From this defining moment, through painstaking research, she gives readers a clear picture of the reasons for the population decline and the determined efforts to resolve the problem. There is an informed narrative paired with factual specifics, most very short but other lengthier paragraphs, which are apart from it. Captioned photographs and maps supply further understanding.
Within this narrative Markle includes dates, particular names and specific activities of high interest which intensifies the plight of the Amur leopards and the challenges of saving them. Her writing style reads like a tightly-woven, white-knuckle adventure. Here is a sample passage.
The Land of the Leopard National Park covers about 647,000 acres (261,832 hectares), about the size of the state of Rhode Island. People can visit the park, but it's illegal to farm, hunt, mine, or harvest lumber on the parkland.
With the protected park established, the number of Amur leopards increased slightly in new surveys following the 2007 all-time low. But scientists around the world remained worried. A catastrophe such as a disease could still wipe them out.
Big paws help this cat to be sure-footed in the rugged taiga. And its long tail is perfect for helping it stay balanced.
The Great Leopard Rescue: Saving the Amur Leopards written by Sandra Markle is a stellar work of nonfiction recommended for personal and professional shelves. Her meticulous research and writing style make for engaged reading from beginning to end. The layout and design of this book, rounded rectangles housing the text, attached from page turn to page turn with thick lines, placed among, over and under, to the left and right of exquisite photographs enhances the pace. At the close of the book is an Author's Note, Did You Know?(short facts about Amur leopards), Timeline, Glossary, Source Notes, Find Out Here (books and websites), Index and Acknowledgments.
To learn more about Sandra Markle, her other work and activities please visit her official blog by following the link attached to her name. At the publisher's website you can view fourteen interior pages.
UPDATE: Sandra Markle has created a post about her research for this title March 19, 2017
Please take a few moments to visit Kid Lit Frenzymaintained by educator Alyson Beecher to enjoy the other titles selected by bloggers participating in the 2016 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.
It hardly seems possible in less than two months autumn 2016 will arrive. One of the finest ways to enjoy the last weeks of summer is to participate in the annual Picture Book Ten for Ten. Co-founders of the event Mandy Robek and Cathy Mere have created a community of those who wish to list their current top ten favorites in general or by a theme. Cathy explains it here.
This will be my fifth year generating a list of favorite books around a common theme. In my first year I selected ten plus two of my favorite alphabet books from my collection. Year two had me unable to select only ten of my top picture books from my canine collection, so Xena my wonderful Labrador retriever picked the titles. That year I used an application called Learni.st to host the choices. This can now only be accessed by using the app rather than the website. If you use the app Learni.st and search under Xena the book list, August Ten for Ten Xena's Favorite Dog Books, will appear. As a companion to the first list I chose counting and number books in 2014. Last year my books revolved around bedtime, sleep and sweet dreams.
Our fascination with robots began centuries ago. Did you know Leonard da Vinci actually designed a humanoid robot? Robots can perform a variety of activities, become supreme victors, terrorize the world, be best friends, lull others to sleep and transform from one thing to another. In order of their publication I present ten of my favorite books with robots as key characters.
1. Hello, Robots (Viking, September 23, 2004)written and illustrated by Bob Staake
Four colorful robots, Blink wearing red is a supreme chef, Zinc wearing purple thrives on repairing things made of steel, Blip wearing green is a gardener extraordinaire and Zip wearing yellow is a cleaning machine. Each performs their tasks working side by side, their story told in a jaunty rhyming text. Every few pages a repeating phrase invites reader participation.
Hello, robots! Metal robots! Smiling bolt to bolt.
All is well for the friendly foursome until they get caught in an unexpected rain shower. Their circuits are mightily confused. Their jobs are a bit of mix and match. When they finally use their heads normalcy is restored. This is a read aloud jewel. By following this link you are taken to activities at Bob Staake website.
2. Robot Zot! (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September 22, 2009) written by Jon Scieszka with illustrations by David Shannon
Having traveled through the galaxy Robot Zot wishes to conquer the land where his ship has landed. He is in the home of a human and his size is greatly diminished. Half the size of a common household blender, he is not swayed in his determination zapping all enemies.
His warrior-like endeavors suddenly stop when he beholds the Queen of all Earth, a decorative toy phone. Her protection is his new prime focus until the fearsome Commander General approaches. Woof! Woof! You can expect a loud and happy response to this hilarious title. Here is a link to some accompanying activities supplied by the publisher. Follow this link to enjoy a video interview of Jon Scieszka at the publisher's website.
It's that time of year when those involved in the world of children and young adult literature start to reflect on the possibilities for the Caldecott and Newbery awards, not that we've not been doing it all year long. Trying to limit the list for our Mock Caldecott Election with the third and fourth grade students to twelve is going to be tough in 2011. One thing for sure is that Mac Barnett's book, Oh No! (Or How My Science Project Destroyed The World), illustrated by Dan Santat will be included.
Just seeing the huge words Oh No! on the cover conjures up all kinds of possibilities. Couple that with the reflection of a giant toad and robot in each lens of the girl's glasses and off we go! Revealed with the opening of the cover are detailed schematics for a robot and a growth ray device on the front and back endpapers respectively.
What's a robot to do when his glory days seem to be past? Rusty, old and with parts dropping off here and there, no one seems to want a robot who makes toast and plays music. The other robots try to keep his spirits high but as each one leaves, Clink gets sadder and sadder until he shuts himself down.
One day the notes of a harmonica spark an idea in Clink's metal mind. This robot puts on a show as if he is performing on Broadway. The results are not quite as he hoped but sometimes a disaster surprises everyone. Toast anyone?
5. Boy + Bot(Alfred A. Knopf, April 10, 2012) written by Ame Dyckman with illustrations by Dan Yaccarino
Back in 2001 I discovered a poster by Rick Ruggles titled Love is where you find it... From that time forward I have tried to slow down to notice heart shapes appearing everywhere, especially when Xena and I take our walks; discovering those special stones on the beach is like finding a priceless possession. But sometimes you don't find the heart, the love, unexpectedly, finds you.
First time author, Ame Dyckman, teams with illustrator, Dan Yaccarino, to bring readers, Boy + Bot (Alfred A. Knopf), an endearing story of a normal day turned extraordinary. Remarkable use of text and visuals, make this book a stunning example of the beauty to be found in simplicity. You never know what a day spent gathering will reveal.
Boy + Bot written by Ame Dyckman with illustrations by Dan Yaccarino is a clever story where caring + sharing = friendship. When readers' hearts are warmed and laughter tugs at the corners of their mouths, a book will be read again and again; shared with as many as possible. This is one of those books, a timeless classic.
6. Doug Unplugged(Alfred A. Knopf, February 12, 2013) written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Earlier this week one of my virtual colleagues, Cynthia Alaniz, wrote on her blog, Teaching in Cute Shoes, about a main character in a book who decides to give up all forms of technology, living like her grandmother did in 1962. At the end of her post she spoke about the value of virtual connections for her and asked us readers which technology we could live without. As for myself, I agree wholeheartedly with the value of the connections technology provides but it is definitely challenging to find a balance. After all when you've grown up with the first televisions being black and white only, phones having party lines and the first transistor radios being cause for celebration, it's fascinating to see the swiftness in which technological advances are rapidly changing nearly every facet of our lives.
I find myself pausing more and more, thinking about time saved due to technology versus time lost in those very connections, personal and professional, which consume minutes and hours previously spent on other endeavors. In the midst of these musing a book arrived by mail, the newest title written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, Doug Unplugged (Alfred A. Knopf).This robot wonders and then walks...well actually, he flies.
Doug Unplugged written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino proposes and shows the value in using all your senses to truly discover and experience the smallest details and the largest vistas as much as you can whenever you can. I, for one, am glad Doug tugged the plug. I highly recommend this as a read aloud; bedtime or storytime.
Our house was a house of making things. If something needed fixing Dad would devise the perfect albeit unique solution. No holiday or vacation was complete without lots of arts and crafts; Mom was never at a loss for ideas.
When combining Dad's inventiveness with Mom's creativity, our Halloween costumes were a sight to behold. One particular October I was the neighborhood robot; donning painted boxes decorated with knobs and gizmos galore. For that reason, the fact children adore anything about robots and my growing collection of alphabet books, I couldn't have been happier when I was handed R Is For Robot: A Noisy Alphabet (Price Stern Sloan, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC) written and illustrated by Adam F. Watkins the last time I visited my favorite independent bookstore.
If you are looking for quiet book R Is For Robot: A Noisy Alphabet written and illustrated by Adam F. Watkins is not for you. It's a fun-filled title loaded with action and humor. One read aloud will not suffice. Expect requests to read this again and again. I think it would be a great idea to assign a sound to each student in the classroom having them repeat it after it's read adding to the sounds until the end when it will be a symphony.
8. Power Down, Little Robot(Henry Holt and Company, March 3, 2015) written by Anna Staniszewski with illustrations by Tim Zeltner
As soon as the words are uttered by an adult, the children show an unprecedented genius. Plans worthy of a seasoned general are put into place. It's a battle of strategy and wits. Even if the guys and gals previously seemed to be slowing down, the sound of "It's time for bed" will energize them into action.
They will develop a thirst similar to an individual wandering the Sahara for days without a drop to drink. A need for clean pajamas, the brushing of teeth, another trip to the bathroom, forgotten homework needing to be completed by morning, and please, pretty please, just one more story will be only a few of their moves for avoiding the dreaded bedtime. Power Down, Little Robot (Henry Holt and Company, March 3, 2015) written by debut picture book author Anna Staniszewski with illustrations by Tim Zeltner gives a unique spin to the nuts and bolts of a daily ritual.
A pajama-clad boy moves down the hallway with his three robot pals to get ready for bed. After scrubbing up in the bathroom it's time for all four to snuggle and sleep in their individual places. The problem is the robots. They simply can't get settled. One mechanical complication after another seems to plague them. Their boy is getting more frustrated by the minute. A trick as old as time works wonders. Mission accomplished! No more beeping only sleeping.
Told in rhyme Todd Tarpley lulls us with his words into the bedtime ritual. His use of robotic terms fits as smoothly as a well-oiled machine into the story. By having the automated companions interrupt the boy's rest once, twice and three times before his irritation causes a verbal explosion, the fourth and final request is more surprising and satisfying.
10. Robo-Sauce (Dial Books For Young Readers, October 20, 2015) written by Adam Rubin with illustrations by Daniel Salmieri
When a version of the phrase,
you are what you eat, originated nearly two hundred years ago, it was meant to imply food will determine the state of your health. Today with the plethora of specialty cookbooks, diet plans, nutritionists and chefs with star status the definition remains intact. In fact scientific research supports the belief certain ingredients consumed will heighten and lengthen or conversely prove detrimental to our lives.
Author Adam Rubin and illustrator Daniel Salmieri, the collaborative team who brought us Those Darn Squirrels, Those Darn Squirrels and the Cat Next Door, Dragons Love Tacos, Those Darn Squirrels Fly South, Secret Pizza Party, and Big Bad Bubble, have combined their considerable talents and love of wacky wildness to explore the notion of whipping up a special potion. In Robo-Sauce (Dial Books For Young Readers, October 20, 2015) we discover with the right stuff dreams can and do come true. Get ready readers!
Happy reading to all of you! Remember to greet each day with a hearty Affirmative!
Nursery rhymes with their short phrases and spirited cadences become part of a child's language and literature foundation sometimes before they are even born. The reading, reciting and singing of these poetic pieces span generations. All you need to do is begin one of the more popular titles and everyone, regardless of their age, will join in.
Many nursery rhymes are a reflection of the culture and historical time period in which they originated. One of the better known collections of nursery rhymes are those bearing the name of Mother Goose. La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for Los Ninos (G. P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, July 19, 2016) written by Susan Middleton Elya with illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal is a charming bilingual blend and interpretation of eighteen of those poems.
Maria Had a Little Oveja Maria had a little oveja. Its lana was white as snow. And everywhere that Maria went, la oveja was sure to go. ...
In Baa, Baa, Black Oveja the words are changed to create a more familial setting for young readers but keep the same beat. One bag of wool is given to my sister and my mother (madre) and the third is shared by my brother and my father (padre). The theme of Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater is abbreviated but works splendidly. His wife is able to use her artistic talents matching casita and bonita.
Little Miss Amarilla (Little Miss Muffet) and Young Juan Ramon (Little Jack Horner) have new twists when it comes to food selections; beans and rice, guacamole, tomato and beans. Monday's Child names the days in Spanish but the final line gives a nod to an occupation which could lead to further discussion.
But the child that is born on domingo day will be un toreador. !Ole!
A rhythmic rendition of One Potato, Dos Potatoes is created by substituting Spanish for the numbers in the first two lines and using Spanish entirely for the final two phrases.
In Old Mother Hubbard the dog, while still going without a treat or meal, does receive something special. What Are Las Ninas (Little Girls) Made Of? and What Are Los Ninos (Little Boys) Made Of? are a lighthearted look at these rhymes with the slight changes making them absolutely perfect. Readers will surely giggle at the antics of the dish in Hey, Diddle, Diddle.
Moving toward the close of day we lift our eyes to the sky. A star will still twinkle like undiamante. And la luna will still see you as you gaze at her glowing, growing shapes.
Adeptly Susan Middleton Elyaplaces Spanish for English. Her gift is in knowing when to substitute one for the other without losing the cadence of the original rhyme. When the words are changed they ring culturally true. When Elya rewrites the poem creating a new rhyme, the bones of the first still remain. Here is an entire rhyme.
What Are Las Ninas Made Of? What are las ninas made of? What are las ninas made of? Azucar and flores and all los colores. That's what las ninas are made of!
When you open the dust jacket for this title it sings of shared moments; it calls out to readers asking them to speak the words within aloud. The charming scene of La Madre Goose happily walking with the laughing children on her back is a prelude to delight. To the left, on the back, continuing with the yellow background bordered in delicate branches are small pictures of el gato and the fiddle, three little gatitos and baa, baa, black oveja.
On the book case colored in a pale sage green with the branches framing the edges in white a child sits cozily on a crescent moon on the front. They are clothed in striped pajamas wearing a wreath of branches and holding a stuffed toy cow. You already want to be a part of the world you know you will find inside this book. The matching opening and closing endpapers in a dusty teal hue with the palest similar shade are thirty etched images with labels in Spanish. Some of them have more than one portion labeled.
Rendered in acrylics, colored pencils and graphite on handmade textured paper the exquisite illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal, covering either a single page or two, are brimming with warmth and merriment. Readers will pause at each page turn to enjoy her fine-lined tender details. The facial expression on all the characters will have you wanting to reach out and hug them all. Her visuals extend the rhyme.
In This Little Cerdo Went to Market a little girl is chatting with a pig sitting next to her. On the wall she has drawn all the parts of the poem in white chalk. Mice can be seen laughing after they've taken the little kittens' mittens and then they are throwing them back for the second portion of the rhyme. The Itsy Aranita is wearing a red and white polka-dot dress, eight white boots and carrying an umbrella, wondering if the sun will stay out.
One of my many favorite illustrations is for the rhyme One Potato, Dos Potatoes. Spanning two pages the scene unfolds in a garden. Along the edges of the garden are dainty purple flowers with yellow centers. On the right side is a bag full of potatoes, labeled papas. Standing on top is a rabbit holding a potato to be placed in the bag. Next to the bag is another rabbit watching a third rabbit on the left. This bunny is handing a potato from a row to a little girl. She is wearing polka-dot tights, a jumper and a yellow and orange striped shirt. In her hair are some of those purple flowers.
La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for Los Ninos written by Susan Middleton Elya with illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal is a wonderful addition to the children's literature realm. It will have appeal for both English and Spanish speaking readers creating connections between cultures. In the front of the book there is an extensive glossary of the Spanish words with their English translations. You will want to include this title in your personal and professional nursery rhyme collections.
To discover more about Susan Middle Elya and Juana Martinez-Neal and their work please visit their websites by following the links attached to their names. At Juana Martinez-Neal's site you can view several interior images from this title. She also has a link to a blog she maintains. Both Susan Middle Elya and Juana Martinez-Neal have accounts on Twitter at @susanpolkadot and @juanamartinez respectively.
In the natural world, her fellows are widely and wildly different. Mad About Monkeys (Flying Eye Books, August 11, 2015) written and illustrated by Owen Davey is a collection of captivating information about the monkey population on our planet. By the time you read the final word, your appreciation for these remarkable creatures will indeed grow.
