Author Archives: Anne Hales

Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature by Rachel Williams

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Only by slowing down, you can truly appreciate the breathtaking complexity and precision of nature. Slow Down identifies fifty amazing natural processes and breaks down those processes into stages. Each of the 50 mindful moments starts with a statement connecting with the readers experiences followed by a brief summary. Over the next page and a half, the captions and illustrations walk the reader slowly through the highlighted moments.

Use as a tool to slow down and appreciate nature or as a model for sequencing or science writing.

Includes Table of Contents, Index, Further Reading (mindfulness and nature), and Selected Bibliography

Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshimi

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Written by Padma Lakshmi, the host of Top Chef and Taste the Nation, Tomatoes for Neela is a reminder that food brings us together, transcending time and place. Young Neela enjoys working in the kitchen with her amma (mother) where they share the recipes and customs passed down from her grandmother in India.

The story of Neela’s tomato sauce reinforces the benefits of local sourcing, home cooking and preserving. The simple, when done right, nourishes the spirit and the connectedness of family and community. Enjoying the preserved fruits of the kitchen in winter brings back the sense of fulfillment and family mixed into each jar of sauce.

Endnotes include paati’s (grandmother’s) child friendly tomato sauce and tomato chutney recipes as well as Tomato Fun Facts, About Farmworkers, and Author’s Note.

My Rainy Day Rocket Ship by Markette Sheppard

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Stuck inside because of rainy weather, a young boy is bored with his same old inside toys. Making the most of it, he decides to “make something really tough – like a whole new world in a different place.”

To get to this new place, he needs a rocket ship. He uses a rocking chair, a box, and some socks for a ship and swimming trunks with goggles for a space suit. Mom and dad are supporting in the background as the boy zooms off to Planet XYZ and arrives at B-E-D in the Land of ZZZZZZs.

A celebration of imagination and imaginative play.

Best Day Ever by Marilyn Singer

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A joyful relationship between a young boy in a wheelchair and his energetic dog told from the point of view of the dog. All everyday activities that excite a dog; morning greeting, digging in the yard, chasing a cat, frisbee are the things that make “the best day ever”. The vigor the dog displays with every new experience and the evident connection to his person reinforces the sense of joy found in the relationship between a child and pet. Even when a table is knocked over and the child yells in anger, all is forgiven. An apology and a commitment to work together on training reinforces the growth mindset message and the determination to find joy in all the moments of life.

A positive and natural portrayal of a child with a disability illustrated by a woman who also uses a wheelchair.

Simon at the Art Museum, by Christina Soontornvat

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A young child visits his first art museum with his parents. The things that intrigue Simon aren’t necessarily the art. He notices the the marble floors perfect for sock skating, the pigeons, and the cheesecake. The whole day seems both boring and a bit overwhelming through the eyes of a young child. The illustrations portray a variety of art types and a diverse museum visitors. Simon finally finds a piece of art that speaks to him – a painting of a young red-haired boy chasing pigeons.

Recommended as a field trip teaser or a sweet family day adventure.

Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers by Laura Renauld

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Fred’s Big Feelings is a biography for young readers that focuses on Fred Rogers life long commitment to early childhood social-emotional learning. As a child, Fred Rogers was quiet, sad, and often bullied. In high school, through a confidence bolstering friendship, Fred became a leader and experienced how one person can deeply affect the life of another. After he graduated from college, he became involved in the beginnings of community-supported television. His self-appointed mission was to create child appropriate programing that addresses how to recognize and appropriately express feelings.

Through almost 900 episodes and 33 years of programing, Mr. Rogers conveyed the message to children in his parting message each day:

“You always make each day such a special day. You know how? Just by being you! There’s only one person in the whole world like you, and people can like you exactly as you are.” (page 27)

Includes an author’s note with more information about the Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood programming.

Highly Recommended.

We Will Find Your Hat! : A Conundrum by Candy James

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This Archie and Reddie beginning reader uses simple language, humor, and a graphic novel format to keep emergent readers engaged and interested.Two fox friends are looking for their favorite hats for Hat Day. Archie can’t find the hat he wants to wear. After a series of humorous events, Archie realizes his favorite hat, the one that looks exactly like his head, has been on his head all the time. The series is sure to be a hit with fans of Mo Willem’s Elephant and Piggie.

I See You See by Richard Jackson

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Maisie’s mom asks her to walk the dog – and Jonah, her younger brother in a wheelchair asks to go along too. While Maisie struggles with the dog and pushing the wheelchair, Jonah’s imagination brings the walk alive. From a tree of cats and bell machine, to a popsicle garden and a sky slide, Jonah shares his joy. As the walk progresses, Maisie begins to see the world through a more imaginative lens, changing a chore into something filled with fun and laughter.

I See You See is a celebration of imagination and the bond between siblings.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid, by Drew Daywalt

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While the title suggests the childhood song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, the story is instead built around the nursery rhyme, Star Light, Star Bright. A young boy wishes on a star while at the same time a star is wishing on a little kid. Both are disappointed when their wishes don’t come true.Each wonder about the other’s wish. Did they wish for checkers? A tent? A frisbee? Walkie-talkies? Clyde cannot figure out what the star wished for. Finally both realize they each wished for a friend. Together they enjoy checkers, a tent, frisbee, and the walkie talkies; never having to worry about a lack of a friend again.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Kid is a sweet story with charming illustrations that would do well as a bedtime story, but lacks the humor and kid appeal of Daywalt’s other books.

Orca Rescue! : The True Story of an Orphaned Orca Named Springer by Donna Sandstrom

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A engaging true story for young nature lovers. When a young orca is seen all alone near Vashon Island without any pods nearby, it got the attention of both orca enthusiasts and scientists. A baby orca will not survive without a family to protect and teach it. Scientist and volunteers use her distinctive call and markings to identify her family. Since she was alone, it was assumed that her mother was dead, but her grandmother, aunts, and cousins were still alive in Canadian waters. In Orca Rescue! the story of Springer’s capture, transport, and release, and subsequent reunion with her family is described.

The nonfiction narrative of Springer’s story is interspersed with well researched, age appropriate information on Orcas in general and Puget Sound resident pods in particular. Sarah Burwash’s lovely watercolor illustrations portray the complicated steps in the rescue. The endpapers include photographs of Springer in different stages of her life, a matrilineal family tree of the A10 pod, a summary of some of the threats to whales and dolphins, glossary, and a list of the individuals and organizations that were instrumental in Springers safe rescue.