2017 Picture Books

Because one is never too old for picture books. I would like to try to read a picture book a day for 2017.

January (21)
1. Esquivel! Space-Age Sound Artist by Susan Wood. (1/1)
2. I'll Wait Mr. Panda by Steve Antony (1/2)
3.  Bad Kitty Does Not Like Snow by Nick Bruel (1/4)
4. Octopus Escapes Again! by Laurie Ellen Angus (1/4)
5. Best Frints in the Whole Universe by Antoinette Portis (1/5)
6. Wolf in the Snow by Matt Cordell (1/9)*
7. Seven and a half tons of steel by Janet Nolan (1/10)*
8. Safe in a Storm by Steven R. Swinburne (1/11)
9. Where did all the dinos go? by Jim Benton (1/11)
10. Super Rawr! by Todd H. Doodler (1/11)
11. When It Snows by Richard Collingridge (1/11)
12. Will's Words by Jane Sutcliffe (1/15)
13. Now You See Them, Now You Don't by David L. Harrison (1/15)
14. Penguins Love Color by Sarah Aspinall (1/15)
15. Hungry Bird by Jeremy Tankard (1/15)
16. Doing Her Bit: a story about the Woman's Land Army of America by Erin Hagar (1/15)
17. Kai to the Rescue! by Audrey Penn (1/15)
18. Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs by Eric Litwin (1/15)
19. Are Pirates Polite by Corinne Demas & Artemis Roehrig (1/16)
20. Pirasaurs by Josh Funk (1/ 16)
21. King Baby by Kate Beaton (1/16)

February (20)
22. Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol (2/2)
23. Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds (2/3)
24. Duck, Duck, Porcupine! by Salina Yoon (2/3)*
25. XO, OX: a love story by Adam Rex (2/3)
26. 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy (2/6)*
27. Chengdu Can Do by Barry Saltzburg (2/6)
28. Chengdu Could Not Would Not Fall Asleep by Barry Saltzburg (2/7)
29. BunnyBear by Andrea J. Loney (2/7)
30. Dream by Matthew Cordell (2/10)
31. Spunky Little Monkey by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson (2/10)
32. Mighty Moby by Barbara Dacosta (2/11)
33. Rivers of Sunlight: how the sun moves water around the Earth by Molly Bang & Penny Chisholm (2/12)*
34. Rudas: Niño's Horrendous Hermanitas by Yuyi Morales (2/14)
35. Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems (2/15)
36. Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems (2/15)
37. Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems (2/15) 
38. Be the Change: a Grandfather Gandhi story by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus (2/16)*
39. The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! by Carmen Agra Deedy (2/26)*
40. Grandfather Gandhi by Arun Gandhi and Bethan Hegedus (2/26)
41. Rolling Thunder by Kate Messner (2/28)

March (19)
42. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (3/1)
43. Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss (3/1)
44. Penguin Day: a family story by Nic Bishop (3/1)*
45. Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis (3/1)
46. Life on Mars by Jon Agee (3/1)
47. Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Seuss (3/2)
48. Hello, Mr. Dodo by Nicholas John Frith (3/3)
49. I am (Not) Scared by Anna Kang (3/6)
50. You are (Not) Small by Anna Kang (3/7)
51. That's (Not) Mine by Anna Kang (3/7)
52. This & That by Mem Fox (3/8)
53. Are We Still Friends by Ruth Horowitz (3/8)
54. How do Dinosaurs Choose Their Pets? by Jane Yolen (3/9)
55. Clifford's Good Deeds by Norman Bridwell (3/10)
56. Rain by Sam Usher (3/17)
57. A Greyhound, A Ground Hog by Emily Jenkins (3/18)
58. Triangle by Mac Barnett (3/18)
59. I will Love You by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (3/24)
60. Old Turtle Questions of the Heart by Douglas Wood (3/24)

April (7)
61. My First Book of Soccer by SI Kids (4/9)
62. Brave by Stacey McAnulty (4/11)
63. Pig and Goose and the First Day of Spring by Rebecca Bond (4/14)
64. I am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer (4/18)
65. Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey (4/19)
66. And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon by Janet Stevens (4/28)*
67. Six Dots: a story of young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant 

May (13)
68. Malala: activist for girls' education by Raphaële Frier (5/1)*
69. Pirate's Perfect Pet by Beth Ferry (5/3)*
70. The Great Fuzz Frenzy by Jane Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel (5/3)*
71. Hey, Boy by Benjamin Strouse (5/4)
72. Blip by Barnaby Richards (5/4)
73. Goldfish Ghost by Lemony Snicket (5/4)
74. The Bear Who Wasn't There by LeUyen Pham (5/4)*
75. We're All Wonders by R. J. Palacio (5/5)
76. The Polar Bear by Jenni Desmond (5/5)
77. Shine by Patrick McDonnell (5/5)
78. The Hawk of the Castle: a story of Medieval falconry by Danna Smith (5/17)*
79. Like a Bird: the art of the American slave song by Cynthia Grady (5/18)
80. A Different Pond by Bao Phi (5/29)

June (4)
81. Snappsy the Alligator and his Best Friend Forever by Julie Falatko (6/2)
82. Before She was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome (6/2)
83. The Nutcracker in Harlem by T.E. McMorrow (6/2)
84. Welcome: a Mo Willems Guide for New Arrivals (6/2)

July (13)
85.  Melvin the Mouth: Young Mel Blanc...before he was the Man of 1000 Voices by Katherine Blanc 
86. Strong as Sandow: how Eugen Sandow became the Strongest Man on Earth by Don Tate (7/10)
87. The Secret Project by Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter (7/11)
88. Not Quite Narwal by Jessie Sima (7/11)
89. Life by Cynthia Rylant (7/11)
90. Pocket Full of Colors: the magical world of Mary Blair, Disney artist extraordinaire by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville (7/11)
91. The World is Not a Rectangle: a portrait of architect Zaha Hadid (7/11)
92. Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds (7/11)
93. Why am I Me? by Paige Britt (7/14)*
94. Olivia the Spy by Ian Falconer (7/14)
95. Bizzy Mizz Lizzie by David Shannon (7/14)
96. The World is not a Rectangle: a portrait of architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter (7/14)
97. ¡Olinguito, de la A a la Z! Olinguito, from A to Z! Unveiling the Cloud Forest by Lulu Deacre (7/18)

August (8)
98. Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines by Jeanne Walker Harvey (8/6)
99. Shark Lady: the true story of how Eugenie Clark became the ocean's most fearless scientist by Jess Keating (8/6)*
100. Abraham by Frank Keating (8/6)
101. Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins (8/8)*
102. Billy Bloo is Stuck in Goo by Jennifer Hamburg (8/18)
103.  Karl, Get Out of the Garden: Carolus Linnaeus and the naming of everything by Anita Sanchez (8/31)*
104. The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaito (8/31)*
105. Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat by Sue Lowell Gallion (8/31)(90)*

September (9)
106. Frederick Douglass: the lion who wrote history by Walter Dean Myers (9/1)(92)*
107. Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the power of a protest song by Gary Golio (9/1)(93)*
108. Trudy's Big Swim: how Gerturde Ederle swam the English Channel and took the world by storm by Sue Macy (9/1)(94)*
109. A Time to Act: John F. Kennedy's Big speech by Shana Corey (9/13)
110. The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Adam Rex (9/14)
111. Our Food by Grace Lin and Ranida T. McKneally (9/14)
112. Balderdash! John Newbery and the boisterous birth of children's books by Michelle Markel (9/18)
113. Bear and Chicken by Jannie Ho (9/20)
114. Listen: how Pete Seeger got America singing by Leda Schubert (9/24)

October (4)
115. This is a Good Story by Adam Lehrhaupt (10/1)
116. Polly and Her Duck Costume: the true story of a little blind rescue goat by Leanne Lauricella (10/27)
117. I am Peace by Susan Verde (10/17)*
118. The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney (10/28)*

November (Picture Book Month) (14)
119. After the Fall: how Humpty Dumpty got back up again by Dan Santat (11/1)*
120. Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey (11/2)
121. Red & Lulu by Matt Tavares (11/3)*
122. Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon by Annette Bay Pimentel (11/3)
123. Love by Matt de la Peña (11/3)
124. Plankton is Pushy by Jonathan Fenske (11/6)*
125. The One Day House by Julia Durango (11/7)
126. Jack B. Ninja by Tim McCanna (11/8)
127. Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey (11/8)*Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key taught the world about kindness by Donna Janell Bowman (11/21)*
128. The Little Red Cat Who Ran Away and Learned His Lesson the Hard Way by Patrick McDonnell (11/22)*
129. Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht (11/27)
130.  Nina: Jazz Legend and Civil-Rights Activist Nina Simone by Alice Briere-Haquet (11/30)
131. Around the World in a Bathtub by Wade Bradford (11/30)

December
132. Big Machines: the story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker (12/27)*
133. How to Say I Love You in Five Languages by Kenard Pak
134. The Girl Who Ran: Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon by Frances Polietti & Kristina Yee (12/27)
135. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: the case of R.B.G vs. inequality by Jonah Winter (12/27)
136. Dangerous Jane by Suzanne Slade (12/27)
137. The Good for Nothing Button! by Cherise Mericle Harper (12/31)
138. Silent Days, Silent Dreams by Allen Say (12/31)*
139. Mama Lion Wins the Race by Jon J. Muth (12/31)
140. Robinson by Peter Sís (12/31)*

Fact Friday and Review: Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers

Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers. Illustrated by Shawn Harris. 104 p. Chronicle Books, LLC, September, 2017. 9781452162812. (Review from purchased copy.)

This went on the morning announcements: Our Fact Friday feature is a great example of why one is never too old for picture books. In Her Right Foot, author Dave Eggers breaks the fourth wall to address the reader. He relates plenty of fascinating facts from its conception to its building, unbuilding and rebuilding. He also challenges the reader to contemplate the relevance of her symbolism in these contentious times. You think you know all there is to know about the Statue of Liberty. Read this book to find out.

Review: The very best teachers are great storytellers. This is especially true for social studies teachers. Dave Eggers would be a great social studies teacher because he tells a terrific story - factual, fascinating and fun. I hate to admit this, but my knowledge of the Statue of Liberty is cursory at best. I accompanied the eighth grade on two trips to visit the statue. One trip, the day was blustery and rainy so we basically got off the ferry and walked to the plaza to view the statue before catching the next ferry out. The next time, the weather was gorgeous and we walked the circumference of the island to view the statue from all angles. That was a few years ago. I can't say that I noticed her right foot.

The  social studies teacher takes his students to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty as part of his immigration unit. I'm sure he does a great job of prepping the kids. The LA teachers even get involved by reading Hope and Tears: Ellis Island voices by Gwenyth Swain. Her Right Foot would be a perfect addition to both classes.

As I mentioned in the morning announcement, Eggers breaks the fourth wall to address the reader. Some find this meta-fiction annoying. If used sparingly, I don't. I find it effective and engaging. The use of white space is interesting too, as it focuses the reader whatever the age. Shawn Harris must have been a very busy man as there are tons of illustrations here. The energetic and pleasing cut-paper and ink illustrations feature a variety of perspectives and a diverse cast of characters.

Backmatter includes photographs, of the statue and her right foot as well as the plaque that contains Emma Lazarus' poem, The New Colossus. There's a long list of suggestions for further reading and six sources. 

Her Right Foot belongs in every school and public library collection.

Fact Friday: Step Right Up: how Doc and Jim Key taught the world about kindness by Donna Janell Bowman

Step Right Up: how Doc and Jim Key taught the world about kindness by Donna Janell Bowman. Illustrated by Daniel Minter. unpgd. Lee & Low Books, October, 2016. 9781620141489. (Review from purchased copy).

William Key was born enslaved in Tennessee, where he showed an early propensity with animals and a natural curiosity that was encouraged by his "kind" owners. He learned to read and was able to travel from plantation to plantation to care for and train animals, earning himself the nickname, "Doc." He observed that animals were routinely beaten into submission and maintained that they would learn faster and better through kindness.

After the Civil War was over, he settled in Shelbyville, Tennessee and began to set up a series of businesses around the care and treatment of animals. He made medicines, including a liniment, that were in demand and so, he traveled the south with his medicine cart to sell his goods. While traveling through Mississippi, he came upon a circus that was trying to sell off their horses. He spied Lauretta, a broken and abused mare and recognized that she was an Arabian. He bought her and nursed her back to health. He had hoped to breed her but when her foal was born sickly, those hopes were dashed.

Nonetheless, he cared for the colt that he named Jim and Jim bonded with Doc. Doc noticed how observant Jim was and set about to see just how much Jim could learn. A lot, it turned out. The pair performed at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, where they were a huge hit and soon in demand. Eventually, Doc Key teamed up with humane societies to spread their message of being kind to animals.

The linoleum block cut prints were painted with warm-toned acrylic. The mostly double-page spreads perfectly complement the engaging and well-told story. There's plenty of back-matter with more information about the famous pair, along with photos and historical context. Source notes and bibliography round out this unique and important addition to the biography section. 
I learned of this when it made the Notables List. Once I read it, I knew it would be a perfect addition to my sixth grade picture book biography unit. I appreciate it more with each reading. It makes for a great read aloud. I chose to read it to my sixth graders on the half-day before Thanksgiving break rather than dragging the laptops out for the half hour. They were rapt.

Visit Lee & Low's website for more information on how to use this book in the classroom. There's a downloadable teacher's guide on the book's web page as well as interviews and even a video of the artist discussing his process. 

Picture Book FNG review: Jack B. Ninja by Tim McCanna

Picture Book Month Day 8:

Jack B. Ninja by Tim McCanna. Illustrated by Stephen Savage. unpgd. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc., June 28, 2018. 9780545917285. (Review from fng courtesy of publisher.)

This fng was in our goody bag from Bookfest@bankstreet. The first time I read through this jaunty play on the nursery rhyme, Jack be nimble, I didn't think the premise worked all that well despite the great illustrations. Then, I read it aloud to some students and grew to appreciate it so much more. Plus, the kids were tickled. This experience was a friendly reminder to myself to reread picture books a few times before reviewing. And, to try to grab a kid audience for one of the re-readings.

Jack is a ninja-in-training off on his first mission, but he falls into a trap and must escape some bad guys. The digitally rendered, vivid, graphic art is signature Savage - inviting and appealing, with a palette of mostly dusky blues and greens.

This would be a fun read aloud on its own or a great addition to a "fractured" nursery rhyme/ fairy tale unit. The rhyme scheme invites prediction, especially on the last page. 

By the way, Jack does eventually jump over a candlestick, or two.

Picture Book Review: The One Day House by Julia Durango

Picture Book Month Day 7:

The One Day House by Julia Durango. Illustrated by Bianca Diaz. Charlesbridge, August, 2017. 9781580897099. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Young Wilson is friends with his elderly neighbor, Gigi. He notices that her house has become rather run-down. He promises her that, "One day,..." To each home improvement suggestion that Wilson makes, Gigi's response is the his friendship is all she needs. But, as Wilson shares his hopes and dreams for Gigi's house, his close-knit community listens and comes together to surprise her with the repairs she needs.

This is a warmhearted, lovely story of altruism featuring a diverse cast of characters and a wonderful friendship between Gigi and Wilson. It's a perfect read aloud that gently imparts lessons of kindness without being didactic. An author's note at the end shares the inspiration for the story as well as information about charities that help neighbors and neighborhoods. 

The mixed media illustrations have folk art appeal. The palette is vibrant and the art is textured. The art-within-the-art has the appearance of child-drawn art. 

The One Day House is a lovely book to share with any young reader.

Picture Book Review: Red & Lulu by Matt Tavares

Picture Book Month Day 3:

Red & Lulu by Matt Tavares. unpgd. Candlewick Press, September, 2017. 9780763677336. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

I have a personal collection of holiday books within my home library. Since our family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, we have collected stories about both holidays over the years. The collection is fairly large and quite varied but there were favorites that were requested each year. Were my sons still small, Red & Lulu would become a fast favorite and one of those requested frequently. It's totally lovely.

Red & Lulu are a cardinal couple who make their home in the branches of a huge Norway spruce conveniently located in the backyard of a family with a bird feeder in the yard. It's an ideal home for the devoted couple being close to a reliable food source and densely branched so that they are protected. Their favorite season is winter because of the Christmas caroling and lights that are strung. O Christmas Tree is their favorite carol. They sometimes even sing along.

On one chilly morning, Red sets out to find some food. A spot illustration reveals that the feeder appears to be empty and a squirrel is perched on it scavenging for seed. A glance at the full-page recto illustration shows a top-down, bird's eye view of the yard, the tree, and Red flying off. But the family is gathered in the yard and one of the children appears to be flagging something down. Two trucks are trundling down the street.

The family's tree is being cut down and for some reason, Lulu doesn't fly away but hunkers down in a cavity. When Red returns, he finds his home strapped to the flatbed of one of the trucks and Lulu singing. He follows the truck to the George Washington Bridge but soon can't keep up.The city is a strange place to this suburban bird and a series of luscious illustrations depict a variety of New York City locations, including one of the lions in front of the New York City Library as well as Times Square. Soon he hears the sound of O Christmas Tree being sung and Red finds his way to Rockefeller Center where his tree is being lit with thousands of colored lights. The double-page spread depicting Red & Lulu's reunion is one to be lingered over. But what happens when their tree is taken away on the day after New Year? Read this instant Christmas classic and find out. 

A page at the end of the story provides information about how the tradition of a decorated tree at Rockefeller Center began. Don't forget to turn the page though. A final illustration provides the perfect environmentally friendly wordless ending as the copyright/ dedication page. It is hard to rush past the watercolor illustrations. They come in a variety of sizes and feature nifty little details and perspectives. Eagle-eyed readers have much to spot, including the family taking a selfie at Rockefeller Center in front of their tree.

Red & Lulu is a first-purchase and a much needed addition to any library collection. I wish I had a little one to curl up with to share this heartwarming story. 

Picture Book Review: Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey

Day 2 of Picture Book Month features:

Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey. Pig the Pug series. unpgd. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., June, 2017. 9781338136388. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Our obnoxious pug returns, this time, defacing the front end-page depicting pug's patient friend, Trevor. Poor Trevor. Whether it's running or chess, Pig is bent on winning. At all costs. And he's not above cheating to do it. Even when Trevor suggests playing a tetherball game for fun, Pig replies, "It ain't fun till I've WON!" We all know at least one person like Pig. 

Blabey's illustrations are energetic and hilarious. Pig is so obnoxiously expressive, he's almost endearing! Trevor handles the indignities with, well, dignity, saying more with a simple side-eye to the audience than any words. The jaunty rhyme works and easily falls off the tongue. 

Somehow, I missed Pig the Elf and need to remedy that situation asap. Pig the Winner is a winner! It's sure to please all sorts of fans from pug lovers to rhyme schemers to any reader who wants a hearty laugh. More Pig the Pug, please.

November is Picture Book Month! Review: After the Fall by Dan Santat

Oops! I almost forgot! November is Picture Book Month! Thanks to school librarian, Andy Plemmons for posting about it on FB today and reminding me. I usually try to read and post about a picture book as much as possible in November. So far for this year, I've read 118 picture books so I'm definitely living by my motto, "never too old for picture books!"

After the Fall: how Humpty Dumpty got back up again by Dan Santat. Unpgd. Roaring Brook Press, October, 2017. 9781250179371. (Review from purchased finished copy.)

I admire Dan Santat's art. He has illustrated quite a number of middle grade novel covers and the work of picture book authors with Oh No! by Mac Barnett being one of my favorites. He also re-illustrated Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series and wrote his own graphic novel, Sidekicks. This is his, I don't know, fourth solo picture book? Let's see, there was Beekle, Are We There Yet? and The Cookie Fiasco. I might be missing one. I loved Beekle and the fact that he wrote so beautifully about an imaginary friend. I got a big kick out of Are We There Yet? I thought he outdid himself with the outside-the-book thinking, visual humor and meditation on a long car ride. The Cookie Fiasco is hilarious fun. But, I think After the Fall is his best yet. Heartfelt and honest as well as having a healthy dose of outside-the-book thinking. When I first heard that he was retelling Humpty Dumpty, I thought he'd go for the goofy gags. This was a profound surprise.

The basic gist of the plot is Humpty Dumpty does indeed survive his fall. He IS put back together again but he's not the same. While "It was just an accident," his whole life is changed. He now has a fear of heights and getting hurt again. So he leaves Kings County Hospital (punny but also funny to those in the medical profession in the New York metro area) and returns home. But he sleeps on the floor because he's afraid to climb the ladder to his loft bed. In a brilliant double-page spread, Humpty chooses the blah cereal on a lower shelf instead of his favorite from the top shelf. The worst thing about avoiding the wall where it happened is that he misses birdwatching. Sure, he can see them from the street, but there was something about being on top of that wall...

This is a story of healing and it's beautifully told. Spare accessible prose will speak to all children, especially those suffering from anxiety. The art is captivating. Seriously, I could get lost in every spread. There's so much to see! Adorable little details like his dedication to his wife, Leah written as graffiti on Humpty's wall and incorporating her last name on a billboard in the final triumphant illustration. The end-pages are lovely as well. The publisher put a lot of care and thought into the design with an embossed wrap-around cover and pleasingly thick paper stock that will hold up to the multiple reading parents and librarians will be required (and want to) give this book.

Do not miss this gem. I expect to see it get something come YMA award time in January, oops February. It's late this year. It has already made a "Best" list. Publishers Weekly named it to theirs. It's one of my favorites of 2017 and will be yours too!

Picture Book Review: The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney. unpgd. Little, Brown and Company, May, 2017. 9780316341578. (Review of purchased finished copy.)

Folk tales and fairy tales are constantly being retold and illustrated or re-illustrated. Some are more successful than others. Let's just agree to retire all the fairy tales after the masterful Jerry Pinkney does the retelling and illustrating. 

Fairy tales and folk tales were a bedtime staple when the hub and I took turns reading to our sons each night. Both of us owned well-loved, well-worn fairy tale collections from our own youth. Mine was a collection of Hans Christian Anderson tales and his was a collection of Brothers Grimm. We read from collections, some of which were illustrated, some were, in fact, collections illustrated by Pinkney. As I became a fan, I sought out more books illustrated by him. John Henry, the tall tall retold by Julius Lester and illustrated by Pinkney absolutely gutted me. So did his own retelling of The Little Match Girl. I thought he was robbed when Noah's Ark garnered a Caldecott Honor instead of the medal. (Though I did come to appreciate My Friend Rabbit, the winner.) I vowed to be done with Caldecott should Lion & Mouse not win. Thankfully, it did and I can continue my love/ hate relationship with the big awards. 

I admire the obvious care and thought that gets put into each new book. His settings and supporting characters get as much attention to detail as the main characters. His author notes are always informative and offer a glimpse into his process. I appreciate that his publisher invests in producing books that will hold up to multiple readings. The paper stock is sturdy and the books are lovingly designed.

Readers will want to linger over each spread, starting with that gorgeous wrap-around cover. Don't forget to look at the end-pages either. The littlest goat is just sassy as can be. The troll is a study in grossness from his overgrown toenails bursting through the toe of one shoe all the way up to his tusks and fish detritus in his "Jerry Pinkney Red" cap.  This is one that gets better with each reading. Be prepared for your young charges to ask for it again and again. You will not mind in the least.

Fact Friday: a few days late: The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk

Oops! I forgot to schedule this post and was a bit busy in Nashville on Friday. 

The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk by Jan Thornhill. 44 p. Groundwood Books, October, 2016. 9781554988645. (Review from purchased book.)

Fact Friday features The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk by Jan Thornhill. This never-too-old-for-picture books picture book is as beautifully written as it is illustrated. For hundreds of thousands of years, these birds thrived in the icy north Atlantic seas. They had relatively few predators and while clumsy and slow on land, they were swift and strong swimmers. Then humans took to the seas, found their nesting places and plundered them. By 1844, this magnificent bird was extinct. 

This is a short but compelling read. Readers may be surprised at the emotional reactions they are sure to feel while they learn about this poor species' extinction. Solid science is beautifully embedded in lovely prose. Readers will also linger over the absolutely stunning illustrations. 

Picture Book Review: Listen: how Pete Seeger got America Singing by Leda Schubert

Listen: how Pete Seeger got America Singing by Leda Schubert. Illustrated by Raul Colon. unpgd. A Neal Porter Book/ Roaring Brook Press, June, 2017. 9781626722507. (Review from finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media)

Okay. Full disclosure here. I adore Pete Seeger. I also love Leda Schubert and Raul Colon. But back to Pete Seeger. I grew up the oldest of six children born in ten years. My childhood was imperfect with a capital I. But the songs of Pete Seeger were a part of it. My dad admired him. Fast forward to 1979 when I discovered Harry Chapin. I attended too many of his concerts to count and "Old Folkie" always brought me back to my dad and his admiration for Pete Seeger. Fast forward to today when I mention Pete Seeger or Woodie Guthrie to my students and am met with blank stares. 

If ever there was a time that need this biography, now is the time. The reader is asked to Listen. Listen. Listen as Pete got folks singing. He'd sing old songs, new songs and prompt tenors, altos and basses to join in to create four part harmony that "would rise to the rafters and drift to the stars."

This lyrical, spare blank verse biography brings Pete Seeger to life for children who may sing his songs without understanding the story behind them. Pete sang the Truth. He was unafraid to  to join union organizers or farmers or hoboes. He stood up the to House Un-American Activities Committee of the United States Congress. He joined the fight for Civil Rights. He campaigned for a cleaner Hudson River. He walked the walk. He talked the talk. And now is the time for a new generation to lift their voices. 

Raul Colon's illustrations follow Pete from his early days through his later years. The scratchy watercolor and pencil drawings capture the folk singer's commitment to social justice and is sure to inspire a new generation of social activists. A timeline, endnotes, selected bibliography and recommended recordings round out this remarkable picture book biography. I can't wait to share this with my students.

Picture Book Review: Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat by Sue Lowell Gallion

Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat by Sue Lowell Gallion. Illustrated by Joyce Wan. unpgd. Beach Lane Books, July, 2017. 9781481449779. (Review from finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)

Pug and Pig are back! They are not only more adorable than ever but they speak to my eight-year-old heart.* That hilarious cover tells the reader that clearly Pug has a problem with his costume. I laughed out loud at the title page featuring the rotund pair in silhouette with no detail save the glow-in-the-dark bones on the costumes. Ever cheerful Pig loves everything about her costume from those glow-in-the-dark bones to the snug fit and gets a trill from contemplating if people will even know who she is!

Pug is less than delighted. He feels squished in his costume and worries that no one will know who he is. He likes the costume better when it is ripped to shreds all over the yard! Pig now worries he won't have someone to share Halloween with but Pug has an idea. He finds a brilliant solution that will thrill and delight readers young and not-so-young alike.

The palette is decidedly and appropriately darker than Pug and Pig. Wan perfectly conveys Pig's joy and Pug's dismay as well as fun little details in the background, such as a cauldron full of treats standing by the front door and a photo wall of Pug and Pig. Each spread is such a delicious combination of humor and warmth as the two friends work out a mutually beneficial agreement enabling each to enjoy the holiday. 

You NEED to add Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat to your Halloween collection. It's sure to become a read aloud favorite. Read it often and share it widely. 

*I clearly remember detesting my Halloween mask.

Review: Karl, Get Out of the Garden! Carolus Linnaeus and the naming of everything by Anita Sanchez

Karl, Get Out of the Garden! Carolus Linnaeus and the naming of everything by Anita Sanchez. Illustrated by Catherine Stock. 48 p. Charlesbridge, March, 2017. 9781580896061. (Review of finished copy courtesy of the publisher.)

The scientist we know as Karl Linnaeus, father of the classification system of plants and animals we still use today was born Karl Linné in Sweden in May, 1707. Apparently, Karl's love of nature began early in infancy as he was calmed when placed in the garden. He was fascinated by everything in nature from plants to insects. He preferred to be in the garden than studying and it drove his mother, who hoped he would become a minister, scholar or lawyer, nuts. Thanks to a teacher who recognized Karl's affinity for plants, Karl went to medical school. He studied hard but soon realized that it was often difficult to tell which plants were which since the same plant went by different names. So he set about trying to name everything!

His classification system did not go over well. Rather than argue, he taught and his students loved him. Eventually, he was knighted by the king of Sweden. He also gave himself a scientific name: Carolus Linnaeus.

This picture book biography is just superb - engaging text marries perfectly to gorgeous pen, ink and watercolor illustrations. The added quotes by Linnaeus that are scattered throughout the book are a bonus. The end-page decorations feature field sketch spot art of a variety of plants. The paper stock is nice and heavy and will hold up to repeated usage. Additional information at the end include more about the scientist, a note about names, information about the scientific classification system, a time line, source notes, a bibliography and resources for young readers.

Give your science teachers a heads up about this. In my school, the fifth grade science teachers do a big unit on classification. I can't think of a better way to introduce the unit than to read this book aloud. I'll be adding it to my picture book biography unit my sixth graders will be participating in. Hand this to your patrons who might be a nature lover or a budding naturalist.

Non-Fiction Monday: As Strong as Sandow by Don Tate

As Strong as Sandow: how Eugen Sandow became the strongest man on Earth by Don Tate. 40 p. Charlesbridge, August 22, 2017. 9781580896283. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher ALAAC17)

Eugen Sandow was born Friedrich Muller in 1867. He was frail and skinny growing up in Prussia in the 1800s. But he transformed himself into a healthy, hulky, hunky specimen as an adult. It was after a trip to Italy, where he viewed sculptures of ancient athletes that he was inspired to become strong like them and began to exercise. He exercised through his teens and left for university, where he studied anatomy. He ran away from college to join a circus, where he worked as an acrobat. When the circus ran out of money, he supported himself by posing for artists. Eventually, he came under the tutelage of Professor Attila, a professional strongman. By the time he was twenty, he changed his name to Eugen Sandow and went on the road billed as the Strongest Man on Earth. 

Author/illustrator Don Tate brings the father of modern bodybuilding to vivid life with simple flowing text born of extensive research and mixed media illustrations that depict the period and Sandow's life with a muted palette and much humor. Additional information as well as a photo is supplied in an Afterword. A page is also devoted to encouraging young readers to exercise and stay active. Four exercise suggestions are provided. In an author's note, readers discover that Mr. Tate's own interest in bodybuilding and competing helped inspire the book. Backmatter continues with a list of 18 books and websites for further reading, quotation sources and photo credits. 

Strong as Sandow is a fine addition to any collection. I plan on adding it to a unit on picture book biographies for my sixth graders come fall. 

Review: Moto and Me by Suzi Eszterhas

Moto and Me: my year as a wildcat's foster mom by Suzi Eszterhas. 40 p. Owlkids Books, April, 2017. 9781771472425. (Review from copy borrowed from public library.)

I was browsing the new books section at my spectacular public library  the other day. Honestly, I love the public library that is conveniently located across the street from my school! My own town's library is small and lovely and completely serviceable, thanks to the ability to ILL. My second public library, the one I visit most often is Amazing! 

Now, I ask you, how can you possibly resist this cover? It definitely has the "aw" factor. Once lured, readers are in for a lovely memoir of the months the author/ photographer spent fostering a serval. A serval is a medium-sized, spotted African wildcat. They have the longest legs and the biggest ears of all the cats for their body size, lending an air of goofiness. They use those long legs to jump really high and run really fast. (p. 38)

Ms. Eszterhas is a wildlife photographer who travels the world photographing animals. She spent nearly three years in the Masai Mara, a wildlife preserve in Kenya. Moto, named for the Masai word for fire, was being carried by his mother across a road to escape a brush fire, when she was startled by a jeep carrying tourists. She dropped her kitten and fled to safety at the side of the road. The jeep stopped to investigate; but the tourists didn't see her and they carried the helpless kitten to a park ranger, who then contacted the author. The kitten was only about two weeks old and required a lot of attention and care. She also had to take care not to domesticate him. 

The story is engaging and well-organized. The font is pleasing and there's plenty of white space. There are plenty of well-captioned photographs documenting all the milestones in Moto's life. Some are full-page, some are collages and others are more snapshot-sized. Each one is cuter than the last. Case in point, my class was doing some writing so I thought I'd work on this post. A student looked over as I flipped through the book and said, "Aw-w! Let me see!" Soon, there was a gaggle of sixth graders oohing over it. See what I mean? Display this prominently and it won't spend much time on the shelf.

The book has value as a conversation starter in a conservation unit or as an introduction to said unit. It can also be used as a mentor text in a memoir unit. A final page in the book contains additional facts about servals. There is no other back matter. The book is dedicated to all the wildlife rescuers in the world. According the jacket flap, a portion of the royalties are being donated to the Mara Conservancy. Visit Ms. Eszterhas' beautiful website here. This is the first book I've read by the author, but won't be my last. I am shocked that I have missed her work. Don't you! Moto and Me is a wonderful addition to any collection.