When three young crocodiles are born, Jim is afraid to swim, but is determined to learn. Deciding that his own swamp is too dark and deep, he goes in search of a smaller swamp. Stumbling upon a kiddie pool and floaties he finds his courage, until his claw pops his floatie, but by then his sisters have joined him and point out that the pool is shallow enough to stand in. After some lessons from his sisters, he’s ready to return to the family swamp and join in the family fun. The illustrations are inviting, and the fear of learning to swim is certainly something a lot of kids can relate to.
Dress-Up Day
It’s a sweet story of a young girl who is all excited, anticipating a school costume party, but after helping her mom make a fabulous bunny costume, she is disappointed to wake up ill on the day of the party and has to miss the party. When she’s feeling better the next day, mom suggests she where her rabbit costume that day instead, and her joy is restored. Until she gets to school and the other kids stare and laugh, and she begins to doubt. Joy is restored once again when another classmate who was ill the day before also turns up in his costume, and by the end of the day he has become her best friend. The next day all the kids show up in costumes, convincing our protagonist that she’d had a great idea all along. The illustrations are charming, and the dilemma, as well as its solution are very relatable for young children: the difficulty of being all alone, and the power of a single friend to turn things around.
Hang in There!
In rhyming verse it asks the reader if they’ve ever had a day when nothing seems to go their way. It suggests a list of terrible disappointments that are both relatable and absurd: a walrus at the sink when you need a drink, scrambled worms being served for breakfast, your coat getting eaten by a goat right when it’s time to go, and so forth. It chronicles a really miserable day, illustrated with a young cat having to deal with all sorts of other animals in a difficult day at school, finally giving up and going home, only to be confronted by a yak sitting on its toys. Just when the culmination of the day’s events are about to push the kitty round the bend, a yak fart turns cries to laughter. The book ends with an admonishment never to give up hope, but to find the humor and face a bad day together with your friends. It’s fine, but I find the color scheme of the illustrations a bit jarring. I think there are better books that address the same theme without resorting to fart humor.
Teo’s Tutu
I like it. It celebrates being yourself, while recognizing that it’s not always easy to do so. It tells of a young boy who loves to dance. He’s excited and nervous on his first day of ballet lessons, knowing it will be different than the cumbia or bhangra dances he enjoys at home with his family, but inspired by memories of seeing a Swan Lake performance. When another boy in the class asks why he’s wearing a tutu, he simply answers, “Because it’s pretty.” I like that the story shows both boys and girls in the ballet class. I like that the parents and dance teacher never once make any kind of issue about Teo’s tutu, but are only ever positively encouraging Teo to enjoy himself, and yet when it comes time for Teo to choose a costume for the big performance, it only takes feeling the eyes of the other students on him to make him feel pressured to choose the shirt and pants. Even when peer pressure is subtle it can be powerful. In the end, Teo chooses the costume in which he feels most comfortable and thoroughly enjoys a successful performance before his biggest fans.
Mouse Calls
Mouse Calls is written by Anne Marie Pace and is a delightful picture book about a mouse who carefully gathers everyone together to wait out a storm.
The book begins with dark clouds rolling in across the waves. Mouse runs to tell Moose, setting off a series of events that has all animals rushing to shelter in a cave. The message quickly passes from one animal to the other in a rhythmical pattern, “Mouse calls Moose. // Moose calls Goose. / Goose calls Dog / and Hog / and Hare. // Hare calls Bat. / Bat calls Cat. / Cat calls Frog / and then calls Mare.” The animals in the book seem to be chosen based on rhyme rather than habitat.
My favorite part of the book is Erin Kraan’s detailed illustrations which are layered with different patterns, textures and colorful details. Students will have fun looking at what the animals bring along with them as they gather in the cave to pass the time or share with others. This is a fun, rhyming read aloud focused on the theme of community.
Rosie and the Pre-Loved Dress
Rosie and the Pre-Loved Dress is a charming book highlighting the world of possibilities found in a thrift store. Rosie visits her local thrift store with her mother when a yellow dress that sparkles and shines catches her eye. When Rosie gets the dress home she finds the name Mila written on the label inside. She tries to imagine all of the adventures Mila had in the dress before her. Rosie loves the new-to-her dress and wears it every day until she outgrows it.
The illustrations are whimsical and sweet. The character is cute and quirky, she wears the dress on many adventures like skateboarding with mismatched socks. A fun fact, author Leanne Hatch is also a textile and accessories designer that lives in the Pacific Northwest. I highly recommend this book. I think this book is a great way to share the joy and wonder of recycled clothing.
Becoming Blue
Author Ellen Tarlow and illustrator Julien Chung create a clever and engaging picture book about finding what it means to be your true self.
Blue very much wants to be like his friend Red. Red is exciting, funny and fascinating. Blue tries to copy his friend Red, but it isn’t easy or as fun as Blue thought it would be. Blue sets out on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
The illustrations in this book are simple and bold. The message of self-acceptance is easy for young readers to relate to and understand. It would be a wonderful book to add to classrooms and library collections.
A Secret Princess
The YA novel, A Secret Princess, is a creative collaboration by two renowned young adult literature authors, Margaret de la Cruz and Margaret Stohl. With clear homage to Frances Hodgson Burnett, the author of The Secret Garden, A LittlePrincess and Little Lord Fauntleroy, de la Cruz and Stohl weave an entertaining but fanciful story around three young people who chance to meet in a repressive English boarding school called The Select Seminary for Young Ladies and Gentlemen. The 2022 novel holds no surprises in plot, setting or character development. Teenage attraction at almost first sight, the unfair use of adult power, the instant friendship formed from disadvantage and the magical powers of a hidden garden are formulaic and expected. The surprising and refreshing aspect of this light and breezy novel is the inclusion of a person of color, Sara from the Philippines, who experiences subtle and blatant prejudice from every class level in pre-industrial England. The “prince” is a physically challenged young man whose wealth and privilege cannot bring him what he most desires: health and mobility. The third main character is Mary, a strong-willed, determined young woman who will not be the “lady” that is expected of her.
The rewriting of the classic stories by Burnett to reflect multi-cultural backgrounds and people of color is to update the original work with an air of honor and respect. These young characters overcome difficulties through friendship, courage and a bit of “luck”. A Secret Princess is a whimsy, frivolous read.
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
Reviewed by OHS Senior, Adelaide E.
Interweaving Arthurian legend with the harsh realities of slavery and its modern affects, Bloodmarked will be a compelling and educational read for people of all ages, but primarily the YA audience, as it has a young female lead on the path of discovering more about her heritage and newfound powers. This retelling of Arthurian legend will engage readers who enjoy books with themes involving confronting racial prejudice and discovering oneself and abilities.
Soon after the events of the previous book Legendborn, Bree Matthews is learning to control her powers as a medium and the Scion of Arthur in order to rescue fellow scion Nicholas, a quest on which her right to rule is questioned by the Order of the Round Table, and her relationship with the Kingsmage Selwyn Kane develops.
I liked that it had a strong female protagonist whose struggles included people challenging her right to rule and discovering the implications of her new status as a medium, which includes obtaining the powers, skills, and qualities of her ancestors, such as Arthur.
Personally, I didn’t feel that there was much development with her relationship with Sel or Nick. Nothing substantial happened because Nick was kidnapped throughout the entirety of the book, leaving Sel to remain his Kingsmage. There was some discussion about whether Sel would be able to be Kingsmage to the both of them, but this was an unresolved point in Bloodmarked.
Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow
Readers who like Karen McManus will love this new book by Rebecca Barrow. Set on an old-money island, Luca and her peers believe the place to be cursed. Too many of Parris Island’s young girls have gone missing and turned up dead; including Luca’s best friend and sister. As Luca pursues the clues surrounding the disappearance of the girls, she quickly becomes surrounded by her own dangers. This is a thrill ride from the start; lots of clues to be had in this fast paced mystery. Just when we think things are working themselves out; there’s always more to uncover. Highly Recommend.
