Green on Green by Dianne White. Illustrated by Felicita Sala. unpgd. Beach Lane Books/ Simon & Schuster, March 17, 2020. 9781481462785.
A happy belated book birthday to Green on Green on Tuesday. The book got lost in the shuffle of end-of-trimester grading and the beginning of our school's virtual learning experience due to Covid-19. My apologies. Reading it today was the perfect antidote to a stressful, uncertain week.
A beautiful brown-skinned, blue-eyed child passes through a year in his idyllic home surrounded by nature and the love of his parents. The spare, impressionistic text focuses on color, the seasons and the family bond. Eagle-eyed children will spot small details in the background as the year passes. The warm, retro feel of the illustrations are the stars here. Each spread lusciously depicts the thriving, curious boy who is immersed in nature and his parents attention. Green on Green is a lovely addition to any library.
What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The story of extraordinary congresswoman Barbara Jordan. unpgd. Beach Lane Books, September, 2018. 9781481465618. (Review of finished purchased copy.)
Celebrated biographer Barton penned a lovely tribute to Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. This gorgeous oversize book can't contain Jordan's energy, power and determination. It bursts from each page whether through Barton's lyrical prose or Holmes' bold collages.
Barbara Jordan grew up in the Fifth Ward in Houston, Texas. Her intelligence and curiosity compelled her to speak, to ask questions and to study hard. She excelled in college and was accepted into law school at a time when women, especially women of color had difficulty gaining admission. Barton relates Jordan's story chronologically and uses the refrain, "What do you do with a voice like that?" effectively. Backmatter includes an author's note, a timeline and suggestions for reading and viewing.
What do you do with a voice like that? is going into my picture book biography unit and should be in every school and public library.
Pug Meets Pig by Sue Lowell Gallion. Illustrated by Joyce Wan. Beach Lane Books, September, 2016. 9781481420662. (Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)
I'm a big dog person, more specifically, a lab person. We've owned and loved three and were about to find a fourth. That is, until son #2 thought it would be a good idea to buy a German Shepherd puppy at the end of his third year of medical school. After a week, he realized that this puppy needed more attention than he had time to give (Ya think?). Since he purchased the pup from a breeder somewhere in the south and picked him up at the airport, sending the dog back was not an option. So we took him.
If I were to own a small dog, it would be a pug. Or a beagle. I'd rather own a pug than a German Shepherd - or at least this one. I love him but he's very skittish, always hyper-alert and extremely protective of us. He needs lots of attention and stimulation. He needs a job.
I think I need a pug. Pugs are the coolest little dog breed ever. They are so ugly that they are cute. And, little as they are, the way their stocky little bodies move and stand, it's very "You don't want to mess with me, Dude." Which brings me back to Pug Meets Pig.
Look at that cover. Pug is facing off with Pig and he is not happy! Consider the front end-pages, Pug is a happy pup, content to be alone frolicking about his yard. Pug has a lovely home, a wonderful bowl, and he works hard in the yard. He has a great little dog house where he can chill. Until. Pig trots in all la-di-dah! Everywhere Pug goes - his food bowl, his yard, even his doghouse! There is Pig. Pug is going to run away. But, what is this? A pug-door? Hm,m.
Yeah, there are other adorable Pug books out there, but make room for this sassy sibling rivalry book. It's completely adorable from it's endpapers through its creamy, lovely illustrations. Pug Meets Pig is a fun read aloud and great for newly emergent readers as well.
Visit the author's web page for more information. There's also an activity guide with curriculum connections. Additionally, there's a Pug and Pig Halloween book in the works for 2017.
