Saturday, October 27, 2018

What's New? Stacking the Shelves


Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Hop on over there to ogle what other bloggers got this week.

For review:

Sleep, My Bunny by Rosemary Wells. unpgd. Candlewick Press, November 13, 2018. 9780763692629.

Publisher synopsis: The owls and the crickets are singing together.

Outside the window, night falls in a vivid, expressionistic ode to Van Gogh. But inside the cozy house, in rooms lit with soft pastels, parents guide their little bunny through a universal routine: eating supper, putting toys away, taking a bath, reading a story, listening to a song. With gorgeous artwork and a simple poetic narrative offering the perfect script for a reassuring voice, Rosemary Wells gently ties nature’s rhythms to familiar ritual, creating a bedtime read-aloud certain to lull every small child into slumber.

I attended the Abrams preview yesterday and am very excited about their upcoming titles. We all received a Wimpy Kid bag with I am Human: a book of empathy in it. You can see the bag hanging on the back of the chair in this pic.


The space that Abrams occupies downtown is absolutely magical. I covet this library!

 



I am Human: a book of empathy by Susan Verde. Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. unpgd. Abrams, October, 2018. 9781419731655.

Publisher synopsis: I am human
I am a work in progress
Striving to be the best version of ME

From the picture book dream team behind I Am Yoga and I Am Peace comes the third book in their wellness series: I Am Human. A hopeful meditation on all the great (and challenging) parts of being human, I Am Human shows that it’s okay to make mistakes while also emphasizing the power of good choices by offering a kind word or smile or by saying “I’m sorry.” At its heart, this picture book is a celebration of empathy and compassion that lifts up the flawed fullness of humanity and encourages children to see themselves as part of one big imperfect family—millions strong.


Beast Rider by Tony Johnston and Maria Elena Fontanot de Rhoads. 176 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, March 19, 2019. 9781479733635

Publisher synopsis: Twelve-year-old Manuel leaves his small town in Mexico to join his older brother in Los Angeles. To cross the US border, he must become a “beast rider”—someone who hops on a train. The first time he tries, he is stopped by the Mexican police, who arrest and beat him. When he tries again, he is attacked by a Mexican gang and left for dead. Just when Manuel is ready to turn back, he finds new hope. Villagers clothe and feed him, help him find work, and eventually boost him back onto the train. When he finally arrives in LA and is reunited with his brother, he is elated. But the longer he’s there, the more he realizes that something isn’t right. Thrilling and heartfelt, Beast Rider is a coming-of-age story that reveals how a place and its people help to define you.


Up for Air by Laurie Morrison. 288 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, May 7, 2019. 9781419733666.

Publisher synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Annabelle struggles in school, no matter how hard she tries. But as soon as she dives into the pool, she’s unstoppable. She’s the fastest girl on the middle school swim team, and when she’s asked to join the high school team over the summer, everything changes. Suddenly, she’s got new friends, and a high school boy starts treating her like she’s somebody special—and Annabelle thinks she’ll finally stand out in a good way. She’ll do anything to fit in and help the team make it to the Labor Day Invitational, even if it means blowing off her old friends. But after a prank goes wrong, Annabelle is abandoned by the older boy and can’t swim. Who is she without the one thing she’s good at? Heartwarming and relatable, Up for Air is a story about where we find our self-worth.


A Suicide Bomber Sits in a Library by Jack Gantos. Illustrated by Dave McKean. 104 p. Abrams Comic Arts/ Abrams, May 13, 2019. 9781419728563. 

Publisher synopsis: “People stop thinking when they cease to read.” When a young boy enters a library wearing an explosive vest hidden underneath his lovely new red jacket, he only has one plan on his mind. But as he observes those around him becoming completely captivated by all of the wonderful books they are reading—books he has no ability to read—the boy can’t help but question his reasoning for being there. With Dave McKean’s unique mixed-media illustrations, bestselling author Jack Gantos brings to life the story of a young suicide bomber, his unquestionable duty to his beliefs, and the unexpected power of books to change lives.

The guest speaker was Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, who spoke about her upcoming picture book, Chicks Rule, which I want multiple copies of right now because it is so wonderful.


Sudipta graciously signed this final gift courtesy of Abrams,


I will try to talk about other books on Abrams' spring list soon! There is a lot to look forward to! Thanks to Jenny for inviting me.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for sharing all these great titles. I am especially excited about Up For Air and immediately went to Goodreads to add it to my TBR

    Here's my Stacking The Shelves

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