Fact Friday: Woodpeckers: drilling holes & bagging bugs by Sneed B. Collard III

Woodpeckers: drilling holes & bagging bugs by Sneed B. Collard III. 48 p. Bucking Horse Books, April, 2018. 9780984446094. (Review of purchased finished copy.)

I nearly skipped Fact Friday as my nonfiction reading has taken a nose-dive thanks to all the reading I am needing to do as a round one Cybils judge. But, after finishing two entries this morning, my mind needed a break from middle grade fiction. I unearthed this book from the bottom of my tbr pile and settled in.

Conversational and punny, this book is a fantastic introduction to the members of the Picidae family. Beautifully designed, well organized and filled with a - mazing photographs, this one has the awe factor. Backmatter includes suggestions for learning more, a glossary, some photo bloopers (!) and an index. My one teeny-tiny quibble has to do with the desire for a map or list at the back showing the regions the woodpeckers can be found it. Some, like the Gila Woodpeckers and the two-page section about woodpeckers found abroad, are obvious. But I had to head for my Field Guide to find out whether I could see the Acorn Woodpecker or the Lewis' Woodpecker in my area. Alas, no.

I have enjoyed the author/ photographer's earlier books. Here's a link to Firebirds, which I found fascinating.

Mr. Collard laments the fact that there aren't any good books about woodpeckers for children in the section called, "Tapping Deeper." He has filled this void magnificently. Woodpeckers: drilling holes & bagging bugs is a first-purchase, as are his other titles.

#tbt: Mick Harte was Here by Barbara Park

Mick Harte was Here by Barbara Park. 89 p. Random House Children's Books, March, 1995. 978069970880. (own)

#tbt features Mick Hart was Here by Barbara Park. Published in 1995, this novella is the first person narration of thirteen-year-old Phoebe talks about her brother, Mick and his decision to forgo wearing a helmet and the impact his death has had on their family and the community. This is a short, powerful, emotional read.

Waiting on Wednesday: Where the Heart Is by Jo Knowles

Where the Heart Is by Jo Knowles. 304 p. Candlewick Press, April 2, 2019. 97807636200034.

Publisher synopsis: If home is where the heart is, what would happen if you lost it? Compassion and humor infuse the story of a family caught in financial crisis and a girl struggling to form her own identity. 

Teen Tuesday: Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac

Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac. 400 p. Killer of Enemies #1. Tu Books/ Lee & Low Books Inc., October, 2013. 9781620141434. (Own.)

Teen Tuesday features Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac. In a dystopian near-future, Lozen's world is divided into Haves and Have-nots, with the Have-nots being virtually enslaved to the whims of the Haves and the Ones -people who genetically and technologically augmented themselves and other creatures until they are barely human and the creatures are monsters. Then came the Cloud, which wiped out all technology and most of the Ones. The monsters are on the loose and Lozen is sent to hunt them. You will need to buckle up here because the action is fast and furious. Suspense is high and the pace is non-stop.

Middle Grade Monday: Everything Else in the Universe by Tracy Holczer

Everything Else in the Universe by Tracy Holczer. 274 p. G. P. Putnam's and Sons/ Penguin Young Readers Group, June, 2018. 9780399163944. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

The year is 1971 and twelve-year-old Lucy is awaiting her father's return from Vietnam. He was a surgeon and Lucy and her mother moved to southern California to stay near her father's relatives while he was in country. When he finally does step off the plane, Lucy quickly discovers that her dad is missing more than his arm. Something is not right and Lucy is determined to help him. Only, he doesn't want her help. Not only does her mother find herself a job by she and her father send her to her uncle's house to spend the summer days. Her uncle, in turn, encourages her to make friends with Milo, who is staying with his grandmother for the summer.

This is such a beautiful story of friendship, of family and of the fallout the Vietnam War had on returning vets and their families as well as the families of those who did not return home. It's heartbreaking. You will need tissues. But you will laugh out loud too. Lucy's extended family leaps from the pages with noise and love. The writing is lovely. The characters are memorable. Lucy's friendship with Milo is genuine. I did not want the story to end.

This is Holczer's second novel. Fans of her first, The Secret Hum of a Daisy, will love this one as will readers who love books about family and friendship.

Picture Book Review: A Truck Full of Ducks by Ross Burach

A Truck Full of Ducks by Ross Burach. unpgd. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., March, 2018. 9781338129366. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

For the first ten years of my school library gig, I worked in a k - 8 school. While it definitely had its trials, one of the joys of my job was sharing absolutely rollicking silly books with my K - 2 students. Sometimes, I even shared them K - 8. (I'm looking at you, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!) This is one I would look forward to reading.

The story starts on the end-pages; so don't skip them. We've got a lot of ducks hanging around an office where the phone is ringing. Bernie, the dog answers and assures the caller that he can, indeed, supply a truck full of ducks. Unfortunately, one extra-hungry duck eats the dog's directions. Not to worry, our intrepid hound will ask random passers-by if they ordered a truck full of ducks. These include a little girl wanting to mail her brother "very far away;" a construction worker waiting for a dump truck; some dudes waiting for an ice cream truck; a pirate waiting for a cracker truck; and a pirate waiting for a cracker truck. Eventually, the ducks need a (hilarious) pit stop, and after one more mismatch, they end up in a dark and scary forest, where the ducks are meant to be delivered to H. Ungry Fox. Yikes!

This exuberantly illustrated picture book contains plenty of visual humor so let your young readers linger. This is a terrific book for reading aloud. 

Picture Book Review: Sleep, My Bunny by Rosemary Wells

Sleep, My Bunny by Rosemary Wells. unpgd. Candlewick Press, November 13, 2018. 9780763692629. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Bedtime rituals for children are so important. They should be started really early and should always, always include reading. So it should come as no surprise that there are tons of "good night" books to choose from in any library or bookstore. A number feature bunnies. Not surprising, really. Bunnies are quintessentially cuddly. 

I discovered Rosemary Wells thirty-two and a half years ago when my own Max was born and we received a set of Max the Bunny board books along with a Max stuffy. The board books and Max doll are packed away but they are remembered fondly. Several of them have some toddler teeth marks on the corners. We also bought other Max and Ruby picture books over the years and Shy Charles was beloved as well. Others were borrowed from the public library. Wells has written over 120 books for children. There really is something for everyone in her impressive body of work.

Somehow, we missed Sleep, My Bunny, which was originally published in 1979 as "Good Night, Sweet Prince" in Don't Spill It Again, James. Candlewick Press is releasing Sleep, My Bunny as its own picture book on November 13. 

The art, while still cartoonish, is softer and, opens with an impressionistic  painting of a tree and a snug little house at sunset. The scene is evocative of Van Gogh with its rich points of colors. The text is framed by solid green and surrounded by a variety of stippled colorful backgrounds that are mirrored in the window of each illustration.

Each illustration features a moment in a small bunny family starting at dinner with mother pouring some milk. Father helps baby bunny clean up the toys. Mother gets him ready for a bath. Father sits at the side of the tub and talks. Mother reads and Father plays his violin. It's delightful that both parents participate. The text is spare and soothing and invites snuggling and snoozing. Sleep, My Bunny would be a perfect gift for new and expectant parents. It is also a perfect way to continue celebrating Picture Book Month!

Candlewick Press generously provided me with an extra copy and a signed poster to offer in a giveaway! To enter, please leave a comment and include your email address. I will be tweeting the review as well. If you're on Twitter, retweet and I will add your name again. I'm @kahnbrenda. (Yeah, I know. I had proseandkahn when Twitter first started but deactivated the account. Now, it's taken.)

I will choose a winner on its book birthday, November 13.