It is both beautiful and informative. It can be read on two levels: large font provides only a single sentence, or a few, per page, written in almost a poetical tone; a smaller font provides more details for curious readers. The focus of the book is on how the pack works together, with different roles for each member, and it’s written in a cyclical manner, beginning with a mated pair getting ready for pups, and continuing through until grown wolves are ready to set out on their own to begin a pack of their own. It does a good job of describing the dangers the wolves face along the way, without getting overly gruesome. The soft illustrations pay tribute to these beautiful animals. It touches the heart even while informing the brain.
Category Archives: Reviewer’s Library Type
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
If you’ve got the original Strega Nona in your library, this makes a fine Christmas sequel, that fans of the original will enjoy. Without first knowing Strega Nona and Big Anthony from their first story, I’m not sure readers who pick this one up first will really connect them, as the character development pretty much assumes you already know them and will understand Big Anthony’s repeated urging of Strega Nona to just use her magic to accomplish the chores to prepare for Christmas. In the end, Big Anthony, known for his laziness/foolishness, proves the hero this time, as he arranges a Christmas surprise for Strega Nona.
The Littlest Weaver
The illustrations a soft and pretty, offering an inviting, if romanticized image of old-time live in the Appalachian mountains. The story tells of a young girl and her pa who live alone in the mountains, weaving story rugs that they take to town on market days to sell. It’s suggested that the reason Laurel makes such beautiful rugs is by they guidance of “her mama’s angel hands.” When a gloomy new neighbor moves to town with a look of loss in his eyes, Laurel recognizes it and she and her father set out to try to welcome him with their rugs but they are rebuffed. Eventually they created a design into which they poured their own tears, which spoke to the man. The gift of it seemed to help move him through his grief, and in the end he accompanies Laurel and her pa on their next visit to town.
I Can Be All Three
Multicultural Day is coming and the teacher has assigned a project. Students will make something that tells the story of who they are. Kids begin cutting, pasting, drawing and planning. But, there is one student that is struggling. Does she highlight her mom’s German culture or her dad’s Indian heritage? What about her American roots? All are integral to who she is as a person. After much thought, the child displays items from all three cultures. She doesn’t have to be one or two cultures. She is all three, “telling the story of who she is”. And, guess what? Other students come forward to share their multicultural stories, too!
This important book will lead to some wonderful conversations about who we are – a marvelous combination of those that come before us! Proudly embracing our cultural heritage is told in simple language with beautifully rendered illustrations. In a day and age when we are even more a mix of so many vibrant cultures, this book is a winner. Share it with everyone!
Angelina and Henry
Fans of the other Angelina Ballerina books will enjoy this one, and will be drawn to the familiar characters and illustrations, but in looking for some trait on which to recommend it for it’s own sake, I’m coming up a bit blank. It’s not a bad little story. I just can’t think of anything that makes it stand out as a must-have. It tells of Angelina and Henry off on a camping adventure with Uncle Louie. It’s a longer hike than Angelina would’ve liked, and then they still need to pitch their tents and gather firewood before they can have their campfire, but when they’re sent off to gather wood, Angelina and Henry get distracted playing until they are lost and there’s a storm, and eventually Uncle Louie comes to find them and they get back to camp and have a campfire (no explanation for where the wood came from) and dinner and all is well.
The Not-So-Brave Little Lion
The illustrations are cute and sweet and will draw young readers in. The rhyming text reads smoothly and tells the story of a young lion too full of various anxieties to run and play with the big lions who are rougher and tougher. Instead he hangs out with friend and watch the big lions in hopes that someday they’ll grow up and be ready to join in. When little Bird hops to the top of a tree, and calls out in fear because she’s too afraid to jump since she doesn’t know how to fly, the big lions try to help, but they’re too big to climb the tree. In putting concern for his friend ahead of his own fears, Little Lion finds his brave and climbs up to rescue his friend. In finding his brave, he inspires little bird to be brave too, finally stretching her wings to fly. I like the message of finding one’s brave by putting the needs of others first, and I think it’s delivered effectively without being preachy. The cute pictures simply need to be shared with readers young enough not to know much about actual lions, like that manes are only on adult male lions, and that adult male lions don’t hang out together, but are either solitary or surrounded by a pride of females and young (maneless) cubs.
Martina Has Too Many Tias
Martina is not happy that her three tias are coming to her home. They are loud and vibrant and they give her a headache. She slips into the kitchen to smell the pot of bubbling guava fruit and is transported to a wonderful island paradise, where she meets a variety of animals. Each animal wants to play. But, their voices are too loud for Martina. She meets a mouse, who sits quietly as he plays and it’s perfect! Eventually, he tires and leaves. This is when Martina becomes lonely and it seems almost too quiet. She is then transported back to her loving, lively family and tells her story. She realizes her family is special and her place is there with them.
This story is a nod to the Caribbean folktale “La Cucaracha Martina” and reminds us all that individuals come in all shapes, sizes (and volume) yet can fit together like puzzle pieces to make a nurturing close-knit family. The author’s note discusses this and the connection to “La Cucaracha Martina”. Digital collages illustrate the story beautifully in bright, vivid colors, which are especially appropriate in the illustrations of the tias. This is a fun, warm story that will definitely resonate with the quieter kids in the family.
Babo: a tale of Armenian rug-washing day
We talk about books being both mirrors to reflect our own experiences, as well as windows to show us a world beyond our own experiences. This book has the potential to serve as both for many children. On the one hand, it offers a glimpse of Armenian language and traditions to students who may not be familiar with this culture (or a mirror to those who come from this background). As a story about a young girl celebrating family run-washing day as her favorite day of the year, it simultaneously gives readers the opportunity to reflect on their own family chores that can be turned into fun. I really like when a book serves as both window and mirror, because it helps young readers find connection with those that may at first seem different and unfamiliar. The world needs us all to be able to find more connection.
Izzy’s Dog Days of Summer
written by Caroline Adderson
Izzy and Zoe are so excited to go to summer camp until they realize two things: it’s awful (partly because Izzy drew big black eyebrows on her face with permanent marker) and you don’t even camp out overnight! So, Izzy and Zoe plan their own week of summer camp in Izzy’s backyard under the watchful eye of Izzy’s nanny, Rosa. They have so much fun and are so loud (partly because of Rollo, Izzy’s excited dog) that the neighbor, Mr. Entwistle, is even grumpier than usual on his side of the fence.
Camp gets less fun when Zoe gets sick and can’t come over. Then, Izzy’s mom tells Izzy about Mr. Entwistle’s late wife, Maevis. Izzy realizes that Mr. Entwistle might just be lonely and she invites him to her backyard summer camp. He comes over for lunch and they get along so well that she goes to his house while Rosa is getting her hair done. Well, excitement ensues when Rollo knocks the bathroom door shut and it locks Izzy and Rollo inside. Mr. Entwistle calls 911 and the friendly firemen (who all know Izzy) get her out of the bathroom, which makes for the most excitement that Mr. Entwistle has had in a very long time. All this excitement (and more) leads to a wonderful friendship between Mr. Entwistle (Isodor) and Izzy (Why, they are almost twins with those names!).
This lovely, accessible chapter book is brimming with fun and energy. While there is a moment of reflection when Izzy learns why Mr. Entwistle is so grumpy and sad (done in a very respectful and gently way), the overall tone is humorous and light. The black and white illustrations on nearly every two page spread add to the accessibility of the story. Give this book to your early readers. They will love it!
Grumbones by Jenn Bennett
Driven by a desire to ensure that her beloved late grandmother, Babi, is truly at peace, 6th grader Helena Novak has been leaving gifts at Babi’s grave in the hopes of luring her spirit back to the world of the living. While investigating the sudden disappearance of these gifts, Helena and best friend Ben discover a passage which plunges them into an eerie and extensive underworld full of creepy forests and shady characters. Helena and Ben’s presence in the underworld is perilous (getting lost is not an option!) and even with their new found guide, Grumbones, they are ill at ease, but determined to find Babi.
Bennett creates a palpable, powerful, and fantastical sense of place in this story; the underworld is truly an enticingly and fascinatingly weird and wonderful realm. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as Helena and Ben journey through the underworld and will be mesmerized by the equally mysterious and suspicious Grumbones. And while the chilling and eerie aspects of the underworld will initially hook middle school readers, Helena’s love and care for Babi and her steadfast friendship with Ben, will resonate with readers long after the last page. A perfect paranormal fantasy with plenty of intrigue and heartfelt feeling.