A delightful young-reader biography with an even more delightfully true premise: being a scientist and being an artist (dancer) are not mutually excluA delightful young-reader biography with an even more delightfully true premise: being a scientist and being an artist (dancer) are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the two pursuits actually develop compatible skillsets that make both careers more successful! What an inspiring life, and it is wonderfully celebrated in this book....more
This is an elegantly simple blend of subtle illustrations, poetic lines to launch each double-spread, and lyrical informative text about a creative arThis is an elegantly simple blend of subtle illustrations, poetic lines to launch each double-spread, and lyrical informative text about a creative artisan of distinction. George Nakashima's life lovingly unfolds from early years in Pacific Northwoods experiences, revealing his deep appreciation of natural and cultural influences and appeals, to his growing skill and innovation in working with wood in original ways. His career choices included architecture, but he preferred furniture making, which allowed him to work with the unique materials and principles while controlling every aspect of the creation directly. His reputiaotn rapidly grew and he received global acclaim. The mid-section of his life story includes his family's imprisonment in Japanese internment camps during WWII, his use of skills to make life there more livable using random wood scraps, and his decision to accept a move to Pennsylvania- to farm! The decisions he made after arriving, his uses of the surrounding natural materials, including tree-falls and ways in which those materials inspired him to create works of art that functioned not only as furniture but as foundations for peaceful interactions. Back matter includes an author note, photo and text examples of Nakashima working, segments about trees and their usable elements, photos of exemplary furniture he mad, and more. I found the poetry on each gently-evocative spread set the tone for the developments explored on those pages. The entire production and design made me believe that this book would please its subject, as it seems to have pleased Nakashima's daughter, who offers an introductory note. Highly recommend. ...more
The endpapers serve up an invitation to notice the farm-based products/objects and link them to the processed results on the closing endpapers. ThrougThe endpapers serve up an invitation to notice the farm-based products/objects and link them to the processed results on the closing endpapers. Throughout, the illustrations again provide a child-friendly but richly detailed and informative view of specific farm/food settings and steps in growing, harvesting, processing, and delivering food to our supermarket shelves. Language and descriptors are accurate but not excessive and make this a great book for early childhood. The text is not rhymed but uses a very intriguing hook for each cluster of pages. Direct address to the reader/characters inquiries-
"What's that, you say? You'd like ________?
RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE? Then you need a farmer."
The questions arise in everyday homes, include a variety of families and identities, and range from pancakes to fruit to dairy to veggies, to... more. Each page and element involves the farm-to-table stages, showing complex situations that subtly include features related to safety, health, and mechanical aspects bringing seed to supermarket. The concluding pages encourage young readers to grow food themselves and to "see" the process behind their bounty in every bite they eat. The cover does a great job of suggesting the way a simple dinner can call to mind the farmer on a tiller, a rancher with cattle, an orchard, bees, and more.
A delightful, multi-generational story of the family tradition of harvesting apples and making applesauce. The text and illustrations are both entertaA delightful, multi-generational story of the family tradition of harvesting apples and making applesauce. The text and illustrations are both entertaining and informative, with two pages of back matter readers can find a simple applesauce recipe and a delightful list of apple facts....more
The oldest library in the world, Located in the Middle East in a bustling medina, the oldest are in an ancient urban community. Before 900AD, young woThe oldest library in the world, Located in the Middle East in a bustling medina, the oldest are in an ancient urban community. Before 900AD, young woman Fatima had the bold and brilliant idea to form a school and reading area, which formed the roots of the eventual sprawling and remarkable library that set a model for all others to follow. The text allows the library its own voice, personifying centuries of history so that young readers might find greater empathy and connection to the glory days and the eventual disrepair of a classic structure and its purpose. The illustrations allow readers to immerse themselves in the tile art, architecture, and mosaic beauty that composes the entire structure, as well as the surrounding community members. This is a valuable book and story, one that will expand any Western-centric attitudes about literacy and literature. ...more
This is an appealing portrait of the man and creation story of the Yo-Yo craze in America. Incorporating important and rarely explained history of PacThis is an appealing portrait of the man and creation story of the Yo-Yo craze in America. Incorporating important and rarely explained history of Pacific Island immigration history and patterns, particularly from Phillipine Islands. This award-winning book will likely spawn more yo-yo attempts and potentially some talented stars! Backmatter is excellent....more
Wow. Ann Bausum is a reliably thorough and compelling nonfiction researcher and writer, with this latest offering a stellar example. Perhaps an aspectWow. Ann Bausum is a reliably thorough and compelling nonfiction researcher and writer, with this latest offering a stellar example. Perhaps an aspect of her talent and skill is revealed in her author notes and other readable and appealing back matter. Her writing topics often arise from personal fascinations about history, and now, in this case, she shares her family history involving First Folio research and Shakespeare emersion, as well as multiple attendances at live performances of a play aimed at revealing folio creation history. Her intrigue and enthusiasm spill onto every page, delivered in voice and language that welcome readers to join in on her explorations. The organization, format, design, and contents of this book are ideal for late elementary and middle grades, but readers of any age beyond that are also likely to find it informative and entertaining enough to want others to know about it. In this case her narrative blends language that explains (and makes memorable) the technical processes involved in seventeenth century book production as well as the social/cultural patterns of stage plays prior to the first folio's existence. Bausum incorporates enough familiar direct address to readers to keep young minds fully engaged, often indicating those outreach comments with parentheses ("Yes, it really says that."- P. 39). Within the main text, her direct and thorough voice includes thoughts like "There is so much we will never know," and other comments that are both critically necessary and also frankly honest about surprise discoveries and the limits researchers encounter. This is an exciting introduction for young readers to the creator behind ubiquitous (and likely required) subject matter in their future. The creation, distribution, mysteries, benefits, and weaknesses of these historic Shakespeare texts make a centuries-old society and its pop-culture feel relevant and intriguing for those who might otherwise minimize their attention to this treasury of literature. HIGHLY recommended, for individual reading and for group discussion....more
Truth resonates on every page. In this case, the lessons young Jose learns from his family and community are of love and acceptance. The chef and founTruth resonates on every page. In this case, the lessons young Jose learns from his family and community are of love and acceptance. The chef and founder of WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN learned his lifelong love of sharing food and support within his family, through their actions and lived commitment. Readers learn of Andres' early years in Spain visually (and with deftly-used bilingual lines throughout) in which his family shares meals with many in their community. His papa not only concocts a gloriously generous paella, he reminds Andres that "keeping the fire burning" is essential, even more important than stirring or adding ingredients. That metaphorical charge pairs with the occasional language patterns that mirror "the house that Jack built" to set Andres on a course for his lifetime mission. Endpapers brilliantly convey how global lives are actually interconnected individuals, depending on each other while also uplifting others, with the food of the world as a unifying force. We follow childhood Jose through his dream of creating food that would warm hearts and inspire others. Into adulthood, his travels and learning, lead to developing his own restaurants and chefs, earning accolades for innovation and irresistible cuisine. His mission remained to reach all people, especially those who most need to have their stomachs and hearts filled with acceptance and courage. It was an enormous goal, but he believed ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
His first "mass kitchen" emerged in Haiti after an earthquake that devastated the small island country. He dreamed even bigger and founded WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN with a goal that none should ever go hungry. When Hurricane Maria caused unparalleled destruction in Puerto Rico, Andres got to work. Throughout the country he and his ever-growing team of chefs and volunteers prepared food at kitchens across the island to feed hungry people, and to make clear that they were not forgotten, they were cared for. His standard was always high- the food must be hot and good! It always inc lauded Paella is much more than rice. It is a message of love and connection.
Since then, WCK (World Central Kitchen) has grown and served throughout places of natural disaster, war, chronic hunger (right here inn the US) and more. They are recognized by governments and warring parties with respect, although their work is far from safe. In April of this year a convoy was attacked and workers were killed while heading to a distribution site in Gaza. Despite his heartbreak about this horror, Chef Andres and WCK workers remain committed to serving those who hunger and feel ignored. His story is made both appealing and accessible in this outstanding new picture book. It's a book that can help us make sure young folks are "carefully taught" and inspired to grow and know- Anything Is Possible....more
Other noted reviewers have called this new book thought-provoking, intriguing, and important. I add my endorsement to all of those descriptors, as welOther noted reviewers have called this new book thought-provoking, intriguing, and important. I add my endorsement to all of those descriptors, as well as adding my reactions below after reading closely for several days. I say"reading closely" despite the fact that this is wordless book, until the final turn provides a single page of text to offer historic context and research validation from which this story emerged. That explanation is minimal, and "readers" of the visual narrative will find more or less in it depending on their own background information. That doesn't mean even the most naive readers won't be captivated by the dramatic events and images as well as the characters portrayed.
In my case I noted the seemingly incongruent humanoid types within this "family". Recent research has revealed errors in the assumption that what were identified as varied "stages" of pre-homo-sapiens fossils must have lived at distinctly different time lines in distinctly different locations. Instead, current fossil and archeological findings show that the varied subspecies likely lived simultaneously, could have interbred, and likely did. That accounts for the ways in which this small working unit of folks do and don't resemble each other inn anatomy, body hair patterns, and more. Cooperation and hunting techniques also reflect scientific evidence of actual communities. Tools and techniques are even more examples of ways in which this wordless book allows audiences young and old to experience daily life, vicariously, within such a group.
The book design offers up a multi-page opening act prior to then title page. In those scenes we meet the group, expoerience hardships (even fatal ones) within a harsh terrain, including active volcanoes and threatening climate elements. The Megafauna (giant animals) are fur-covered and resemble supersized animals of today, vaguely. The roles of different members of the group suggest both planning and intense cooperation as well as details indicating that these are hunter/gatherers, Everyone has a role (except for the two small naked children, whose behaviors are worth noting) including the young person who seems to always be noticing the creatures and drama of their journey. The black, white, and greyscale double-page spreads flow beyond the edges of the pages, suggesting a sprawling imagined landscape of enormous proportions (with potential threats at every turn). This stark approach to the visual storytelling is effective in lending a sense of time long past and its sharp-edged reality, not unlike archival photos. ...more
Josephine lived with enough means to have domestic help, yet the process of washing dishes, especially after a crowd, left her precious dishware dingeJosephine lived with enough means to have domestic help, yet the process of washing dishes, especially after a crowd, left her precious dishware dinged and chipped. Not one to complain without taking action, she plunged in to wash them herself, only to discover how much precious TIME was wasted in this process. As a modern woman (in post-Civil War 1800's) she was aware of many new inventions, some even created by women inventors. With a family heritage of inventors, Josephine was driven to create a machine that could safely and thoroughly wash and rinse her dishes without damaging them.
She not only imagined, sketched, and revised, she got to work with tools and her own two hands to bring her ideas into the world. This book credits the man, George Butters, who worked on these attempts with her (something rarely done by male inventors when assistants were women). It also indicates the near-disastrous impact of her husband's early death and ensuing debts.But Josephine was as determined as she was modern, which this book depicts with colorful and appealing illustrations that reveal much about the time, circumstances, and processes that led her to eventual successes. Efficient and compelling text throughout make Josephine's personality and accomplishments shine as brightly has her newly washed dishes. The expanded content in back matter provide excellent additional resources....more
This was a pleasure to read on so many levels. I repeated reading it several times and shared it with others. Merwin is an undeniably gifted poet withThis was a pleasure to read on so many levels. I repeated reading it several times and shared it with others. Merwin is an undeniably gifted poet with adult credentials in that field that are undebatable. yet I'd dar3 to suggest that what he accomplished in his reclamation/restoration/conservation of lands and plant species (especially endangered varieties of palms) is an accomplishment beyond measure. The author managed to write prose text with lyrical elements. The comparison of wild spaces being "straightened" out of existence, or damaged into wastelands, made a potent impact and is poetic language that will resonate with young readers....more
This is an important and worthy book to share. Evaluating the text and art reveals it as informative and persuasive, clarifying what "founding an orgaThis is an important and worthy book to share. Evaluating the text and art reveals it as informative and persuasive, clarifying what "founding an organization" involves, but mainly viewing Manford's life through the lens of her ability to listen, learn, and love. I am a fan of repetitive phrasing, but in this case it might occasionally distract some readers from the impact of the author's and featured subject's very important message about openness and leadership....more
Crisp and entertaining text combine with illustrator Martinez-Neal's trademark fluidity and grace to develop a portrait of a determined, creative, talCrisp and entertaining text combine with illustrator Martinez-Neal's trademark fluidity and grace to develop a portrait of a determined, creative, talented woman who never forgot her father's message- to make the world a better place for others. Her tools were her scissors, sewing machine, fabrics and ribbons, all used in service of making women of any size or shape feel wonderful in their clothing. Who knew that the iconic "Lane Bryant" clothing line had such an inspiring background? IU certainly didn't, and I am grateful to have learned it in such an appealing format. I look forward to sharing this with readers of many ages, including older ones who envision a career in design. Lena's father's advice will service them well in their careers....more
Simple text and illustrations allow the youngest readers to find themselves in the pages of this book, sparking curiosity and appeal for engaging withSimple text and illustrations allow the youngest readers to find themselves in the pages of this book, sparking curiosity and appeal for engaging with the good earth, seeds, and crops....more
This is a considerably fascinating look at the history of New York City's development. Tt has been labeled as YA but presents such intricate and detaiThis is a considerably fascinating look at the history of New York City's development. Tt has been labeled as YA but presents such intricate and detailed specifics that it seems more like a work for adults, to me. The archival photos are extensive and add to the full story immensely....more
An inspiring and empathy-elevating account of young people who responded to daily life under threat of bombs and destruction. It also shares the valueAn inspiring and empathy-elevating account of young people who responded to daily life under threat of bombs and destruction. It also shares the values of books, literacy, and community action....more
felt immediately connected to Millie, the first person, present tense narrator of IN OUR GARDEN, a celebratory, instructive picture book written by P felt immediately connected to Millie, the first person, present tense narrator of IN OUR GARDEN, a celebratory, instructive picture book written by Pat Zietlow Miller, with illustrations by Melissa Crowton.
Millie is a girl transplanted from the home she knows and loves. She's surrounded by concrete-- steps, sidewalks, buildings. She sees (and feels) gray, dull, hard. Mom calls it HOMESICK.
Millie longed for the tender, bright, uplifting color of her home. Then she has an idea, a bouncy idea, an idea that her classmates can't see.
They see what is. Millie sees what could be!
Millie's idea is inspired by her previous life in a tall gray building with a garden on the roof. Her roof now isn't the right kind, but her SCHOOL ROOF seems perfect. And her mission is launched: first with her naysaying classmates, then with her teachers, and eventually with the community. Of course, there's the unstated but joyful involvement of Nature, every step of the way. Lessons in science, math, and safety are needed to make this project possible and successful. Lessons were learned involving patience. (Lots of patience- no sign of grass sprouts after ten days, but I know what Millie knows: something IS happening. Out of sight! It makes dreamers like Millie bounce and believe. I'm right there with her.) Over time, a neglected, barren roof in a gray world under a gray sky is peopled with colorful new folks, old friends, soft and fragrant produce, and the buzz of life!
Is there a parent or child anywhere in America who does not know the most famous of Brown’s books, GOODNIGHT MOON? The story of its inspiration (a dr Is there a parent or child anywhere in America who does not know the most famous of Brown’s books, GOODNIGHT MOON? The story of its inspiration (a dream) is included in this thoughtful biographic profile, but I was more delighted by the background story of MY favorite of her many beloved titles, THE IMPORTANT BOOK. While seeking an identity/career, even with established success in writing for children and working in publishing, she longed to write something IMPORTANT, which she imagined must be for adults. But that reflection led her, as her musing often did, to examining and considering everyday objects and what was IMPORTANT about each. I’m often surprised to learn that many people are unaware of this title, and I urge everyone to read it. In a sense, it is a poetic parallel to her own remarkable life. She aimed to live each day with lightness and full attention, always seeking understanding of WHAT WAS IMPORTANT about everyday objects, what really mattered, what nature could teach her.
I found this story of Margaret herself to be more engaging than what I had learned before. She is so much more than a noticeably odd but likable woman with brilliant writing talent. Born in 1920, the same year as the passing of Halley’s Comet, the author effectively launches a premise that unfolds throughout her life: Margaret was rare, she sparkled and sought bright insights into everyday experiences. She was inspired by nature and children and viewing the world from new angles. The text never states this explicitly, but she lived a life of privilege and security, including travel and the luxury of discovering her own path over time without the necessity of providing safe shelter and food for herself.
Her mantra could well be: “to boldly go where no one has gone before”. She certainly did that in amusing anecdotal scenes, as a child and as an adult. The more important way in which this attitude changed the world was her decision to apply her impulse and talent for writing to the inspirations she found in the sparkling lives and language of children. When she determined she should write books for children, books with pictures, books that would sparkle and delight, there WAS no such career, and certainly none for a woman. Her success paved the way for the rich and ever-expanding universe of children’s literature today. The truth is that publishing is a business and making money is important. The economic reality of her success continues to be the origin of an entire branch of publishing today. Her talent, fame, and personality paved the way for careers and children's libraries and literary lives for generations past, present, and future. ...more
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