Fact Friday on a Sunday: Serengeti: Plains of Grass by Leslie Bulion

Image: Peachtree Books

Serengeti: Plains of Grass by Leslie Bulion. Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. 48 p. Peachtree Books, March, 2022. 9781682631911. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Ugh! I was getting ready to write my Middle Grade Monday post early for once and saw that I didn't copy over my Fact Friday post. So sorry!

In #nevertoooldfor picturebook news, Fact Friday features Serengeti: Plains of Grass by Leslie Bulion and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. Ecosystems are fascinating subjects. Poet Leslie Bulion is an ace at conveying science-y subjects through the imagery of poetry. Here, Ms. Bulion utilizes the Swahili poetic form utendi to do so. Animals large and small play a role in balancing an ecosystem. 

The poems sit in the upper left hand corner of the verso pages and bits of prose expand on the concept mostly on the recto pages. Softly hued single- and double-page illustrations depict much of the wildlife. Back matter includes the origin of the word, "serenget" from the Masai language, a two-page glossary, information about Serengeti stewardship, books and websites for further reading and a map of the region. This book is perfect for poetry lovers and budding ecologists. Happy reading!

Fact Friday: Life in a Frozen World: wildlife of Antarctica by Mary Batten

Image: Peachtree

Life in a Frozen World: wildlife of Antarctica by Mary Batten. Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. 40 p. Peachtree, November 1, 2020. 9781682631515. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

 
Happy Friday! The temperatures dipped this week and hopefully you broke out the layers as well as hat, scarf and mittens. Cold temps shouldn't prevent you from getting out of doors every day! Speaking of cold, Fact Friday features Life in a Frozen World: wildlife of Antarctica by Mary Batten and illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. Antarctic is a biodiverse home to many organisms, from microscopic bacteria to the blue whale. They have adapted to the extreme cold at the southern pole of planet Earth. 

The succinct text provides a brief overview of animal life from krill to the penguins we all know and love. But it's the illustrations that are the stars here. Thomas Gonzalez's pastel and water colored pencil spreads are breathtaking. Really, each one is immersive - the textures, the colors, the drama - all transfix. Back matter includes a map; 10 more facts about Antarctica; an author's note; a glossary and a list of books, websites and films to learn more.

Life in a Frozen World is a must-read for all fact-hounds and readers who are fascinated by extreme conditions. I just loved this one.

November is Picture Book Month! Review: Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp

Image: Peachtree Publishers

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp. unpgd. Peachtree Publishers, March, 2020. 9781682630594. (Review of paperback edition borrowed from public library.)

I found this sweet book on the new book display at my local library and couldn't resist that sweet cover and the word, library. That's the way to a librarian's heart! But, I'm no pushover!

We've all had a few Madeline Finn's in our life. The child who hates to read. The child who struggles to read. The child who hates to read because he/ she struggles to read. I was one of those struggling readers who eventually learned to love to read. I was in "group three," the lowest of the low. The group that was behind in the Dick and Jane series. The group that looked on enviously as the kids in group one roared with laughter over something humorous in one of the stories. The group that was the last to laugh and we didn't really once we finally got there. So Madeline is me.

Aside from that personal connection to a long ago younger me. This story pulls the reader in with both words and illustrations. The reader FEELS Madeline's frustration and aches for her. It's beautifully wrought and allows both readers and non-readers alike to empathize/ sympathize with Madeline. 

This book is just gorgeous and I'm sorry that I missed its hardcover release several years ago, but happy that my library featured it prominently.