The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and seventeen

If you haven't had the privilege of having in a cat in your life, you have no idea how much mess and chaos a cat can create in a very short period of time. Cats get into places that seem safe, and before you know it a precious vase is smashed, a stack of books in tipped over, and a cake (inside a cabinet) has holes nibbled in it. 

Today's picture book is about a cat who gets into a house, goes exploring, and leaves a trail of destruction in his wake.

Cat jumped in!

Tess Weaver

Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Clarion, 2007, 978-0-618-61488-2

   It is a warm summer day, and someone has left the kitchen window open. Cat jumps in through the window and begins to explore the kitchen. He walks across the rolled out pie dough and drinks some cream. Somewhere in that kitchen there is something fishy and Cat tries to find it. Finally, after much searching, he finds the source of the smell in the garbage can. Someone comes into the kitchen and she sees the mess. She sees Cat, who streaks out of the kitchen and hides in a closet.

   In the closet, Cat finds warm coats to rub himself against, and he plays with a scarf that has a tantalizing fringe. Then cat sees a hat on a shelf, and the feathers decorating the hat are just too hard to resist. Cat jumps up…and the shelf comes tumbling down with a loud cracking noise. The lady comes to see what is going o,n and she sees the cat. “Cat? Out!” she says.

   Young readers are sure to enjoy seeing how the cat in this story leaves a trail of chaos behind him. Everywhere he goes, his curiosity gets the better of him and he does something that he shouldn’t. With a text that is punctuated by shouts and sound words like “Woosh!” and “Thwump,” this is a picture book that children will enjoy. After all, children know all about getting into trouble…and getting out of it.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and sixteen

Every so often, when I am driving around running errands, I see a dog trotting down the sidewalk, and it is looking thin, filthy, and desperate. Whenever I can, I will pick the dog up and take it to the animal shelter, hoping that it has simply lost its way and that its family will soon come to pick it up. All too often the dog goes unclaimed. For some reason, the dog's family does not care about it anymore.

In today's picture book you will meet a dog who is abandoned, but who never gives up trying to find a new home and a new person to love her.

Tupelo rides the rails

Melissa Sweet

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Houghton Mifflin, 2008, 978-0-618-71714-9

   One day Tupelo’s owners drop her off on the side of the road and drive off. All Tupelo has is her toy, Mr. Bones, but she does not give up. “Everyone belongs somewhere” she resolutely says, and she goes off to find out where her place is.

   Tupelo finds lots of wonderful places, but none of them have room for “a scrappy dog.” Then her nose leads her to a place where a group of dogs, the BONEHEADS (the Benevolent Order of Nature’s Exalted Hounds Ernest and Doggedly Sublime) are gathering for a special ceremony. The dogs explain that they are going to make a wish on Sirius, the Dog Star, and in return they will bury a bone as an “offering.” The other dogs all offer up their wishes to Sirius, but Tupelo has no bone to bury, so she cannot make a wish. Not knowing what else to do, Tupelo decides to follow the pack.

   The dogs are fed by a hobo called Garbage Pail Tex, and then all of them, including Tupelo, get onto a train. When they get to Hoboken, Tex and his hobo pals set about finding homes for all the dogs. Many are just lost, and their owners are delighted to see them again. Others truly are homeless, but there are people who are happy to invite the dogs into their homes and lives.

   Eventually Tupelo is the only dog left, and no one seems to want her. She is all alone again without the BONEHEADS, and without Tex.

   In this delightful picture book, readers will meet a dog whose owners abandon her. They will also meet a charming pack of dogs and learn about several of the world’s most famous dog characters including the fictional Toto and the real life Balto. We can tell how Tupelo feels as she tries to find a home of her own, and we can appreciate the fact that Tupelo, like all dogs, needs someone to love and care for her.

   Throughout the book, the charming text is perfectly paired with Melissa Sweet’s unique multimedia illustrations.

   

Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/Veteran's Day - A day when we remember

When I was growing up, everyone would don a little felt poppy to wear on November 11th. We called this day Remembrance Day, though some people still called it Armistice Day. On this day in 1918, The Great War ended after four terrible years. A generation of young men was practically wiped out, and many of the survivors came home from the war horrible damaged in mind or body. 

In school we learned a poem that still brings me to tears every time I read it. 

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

      Between the crosses, row on row,

   That mark our place; and in the sky

   The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

   The torch; be yours to hold it high.

   If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

         In Flanders fields.

Here in the United States this day is called Veteran's Day, and it is a day when we honor all our soldiers who have served, and who have fallen. 

I have reviewed two books about Armistice Day/Remembrance Day/Veteran's Day that you might like to share with your child or children. There are also the titles in the World War I feature that will help children to understand what that conflict was about, and what it was like to live through it.

Poetry Friday - A review of Falling Down the Page

For me, lists are tools that save me from forgetting to do all the things that I have to do. Were it not for lists, my life would be in a perpetual state of chaos. It has never occurred to me that lists can actually be creative things, even beautiful ones; that lists can be turned into poems that are a joy to read. 

When you read today's poetry title, you will see for yourself that lists really can be turned into wonderful poems. I hope you enjoy the poems in this book as much as I did. 

Falling down the page: A book of list poems

Edited by Georgia Heard

Poetry

For ages 7 to 10

Roaring Brook Press, 2009, 978-1-59643-220-8

   For many of us, lists help us to keep our busy lives organized. Without a list we don’t remember what to buy at the grocery store, or who to invite to a party. Typically, lists are not creative things, but poets have been using the list format for a long time to explore their fondness for words in new ways. For this collection, some wonderful poets (including Jane Yolen and J. Patrick Lewis) have written thirty-two list poems that show to great effect “the wide variety of the list form.” The poems are presented in such as way that they give the reader a picture of the school year.

   This journey begins with Eileen Spinelli’s poem “Good-byes,” in which she says goodbye to all those wonderful summer vacation things that make summer special and memorable. With school starting soon, we have to say goodbye to “splashing waves,” “matinees,” and “swooping gulls.”

   Then there are all the things that are “On the menu for school today,” a list of school doings that will surely be familiar to many. Here are the planets that need to be labeled, the bells that need to be shaken, and seeds that need to be planted, and the words that need to be spelled.

   Later still we find a list of all the places where one can read a book, and what a list it is too! It may seem ridiculously long at first, but as you read, you come to appreciate that every single one of these places is a perfect book reading place.

   Don’t forget that school days would not be complete without a visit to the box where all the lost and found items are kept. Here you will find the things that someone somewhere “misses,” those little things that somehow get forgotten for a while. Here is the “poodle pin,” “a pair of gloves,” and even “One yellow boot.” Where is the other boot we wonder.

   This delightful collection of poems will forever change the readers’ opinion of lists. It is true that shopping lists are usually boring, but clearly poem lists are quite the opposite. Young (and not so young) readers might even inspired to try writing a list poem of their own. If they do, there is a good chance that they will be surprised by the journey that they take as they play with words, mixing them up, saying them out aloud, and trying them out for size.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and fifteen

There are some picture books (and board books) that are perfectly suited for bedtime reading. Often the language is musical and comforting, and usually the artwork is full of images that warm the heart and calm the mind. Today's picture book is just such a title.

Good night world

Willa Perlman

Illustrated by Carolyn Fisher

Picture Book

For ages 3 to 6

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4424-0197-6

   Night has fallen, and a little boy is going to bed. Holding his stuffed bunny, he sits on his bed, looks out of the window, and thinks about the fact that in other places it is morning, “but here it’s night.”

   Then the little boy starts to wish the world goodnight. He begins with the sun and the planets, including Earth, and then goes on to deserts that are “pink and blue.” He says goodnight to the mountains with their snow-capped peaks, and to the froth-tipped ocean waves.

   As he wishes a goodnight to one place after another, we are taken to all kinds of wonderful places. Among other things, we see a rainforest where a gibbon mother carries her baby on her back. We see a twisting road curling over a countryside, and a house with its yard and shed.

   With a musical rhyming text and remarkable multimedia illustrations, this book will remind children that they are part of a big and beautiful world that is full of people, animals, and extraordinary places. The cadence of the text is soothing, like a lullaby, which makes this a perfect last-thing-at-night book to read. Little children will enjoy looking for the little bird that is present in every single illustration. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and fourteen

For months my daughter has been pestering me to read today's book, and now that I have actually done so, I can see why she was so persistent. It is a the first title in a series of graphic novels, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I have had to restrain myself from picking up and reading the rest of the books in the series. 

The Elsewhere Chronicles – Book One: The Shadow Door

Nykko

Illustrated by Bannister and Jaffre

Translated by Carol KlioBurrell

Graphic novel

For ages 9 to 12

Lerner, 2009, 978-0-7613-3963-2

   Max, Noah, and Theo are sitting on the wall of cemetery watching as Old Man Gabe is finally laid to rest. Old Man Gabe was reclusive, and people in town were scared of him. So much so that there are only a few mourners present at his interment. One of them is a little girl called Rebecca. Bored by the proceedings, Rebecca comes up to the boys and strikes up a conversation, explaining that Old Man Gabe was actually her grandfather. Then she announces that she going to see her grandfather’s house, which, it is said, is haunted.  Since Rebecca is not from Perryville, the three boys offer to show her the way.

  From the moment that they arrive at the gate in front of the house, Theo is convinced that something about the place is “weird.” Though the inside of the house is rather spooky, the children don’t find anything of interest until they get to the library. There they hear a voice, and they see something that completely freaks them out, which is when they do the sensible thing and run like mad.

   The next day, Rebecca overhears one of her siblings talking to someone on the phone, saying that Grandpa Gabe’s house is going to be sold, with all its contents. She really wants to save a few of his books, perhaps the ones Grandpa Gabe wrote himself, so she persuades the boys to go back to the house with her. Exploring the library on her own, Rebecca finds a strange and very large projector. she turns it on…and she disappears.

   When the three boys try to find her, they discover that Old Man Gabe was a very strange man who had a lot of secrets, and when the projector is accidentally turned on again, they discover that it opens a doorway to a different world. Rebecca comes through the doorway back into the library, and she is about to tell them what happened to her,when she and Max are sucked back through the doorway, which then closes. Noah and Theo somehow have to find a way to reopen the door and rescue Max and Rebecca before it is too late.

   This is the first in what promises to be a thrilling graphic novel series. The story has  likeable characters, bizarre machines, and dangerous monsters, and readers will quickly get caught up by the exciting narrative. They will also be curious to find out more about strange Uncle Gabe and the machines that he built. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and thirteen

When I was a child, The Church Mouse by Graham Oakley was one of my favorite books. It originally came out in Britain in 1974, and I honestly cannot tell you how many times I read the book and looked at the detailed artwork. I was thrilled when I saw that this book is now available in the U.S, and I hope the other books about Arthur the mouse and his friend Sampson make it across "the pond" soon. 

The Church Mouse

Graham Oakley

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Kane/Miller, 2010, 978-1-935279-69-3

   In a busy town, in the church, lives a mouse called Arthur. Arthur’s best friend is Sampson, a cat who has heard so many sermons about “the meek being blessed” and universal brotherhood, that he treats Arthur like a friend and not like a dinner on four legs.

   Though Arthur has a good life, he is a little lonely. Then one day he gets a brilliant idea, which the parson approves. Arthur goes into the town and he invites as many mice as he can find to come and live in the church. The parson will pay the mice in cheese, and in return they will do some odd jobs around the church. The town mice love this idea. What could be better than a life in a place where there are no mouse traps and no nasty cats or dogs or other dangers.

   The plan works very well for a while. The mice clean up the church, polish the brasses, arrange flowers, and other chores, and in return they are fed by the parson and have a life free of care.

   Then one Sunday Sampson falls asleep during the sermon, and when he wakes up he discovers that he is chasing mice all over the church, causing chaos. In his dreams Sampson dreamed that he was his former unreformed self, the self that chased mice instead of befriending them. The people in the congregation are furious, and they demand that the parson get rid of the mice or they will “never come back.” The parson has no choice but to ask the mice to leave.

   In this delightful picture book, readers will see how a friendship develops between two unlikely animals, and how that friendship is tested and saved. With wonderfully detailed illustrations and a text that is touched with humor in all the right places, Graham Oakley gives readers a tale that children and adults alike will enjoy sharing again and again.

   

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and twelve

When I was a child, I never really like the story of the three little pigs. Though other children seemed to find it captivating, I did not. I was very grateful therefore when I my daughter did not show any great interest in the story. I was spared having to read about the three little pigs and their misadventures over and over again. 

In the last few years I have encountered some very clever versions of the famous tale, versions that I actually enjoy because they are different. Today's picture book is just such a title. 

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot

Margaret McNamara

Illustrated by Mark Fearing

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Random House, 2011, 978-0-375-86689-0

  Far away, on the planet Mercury, three little aliens live with their mother. One day Bork, Gork, and Nklxwcyz’s mother tells her three children that they need to “find a planet of your own,” and soon the three aliens are zooming off into space.

   Before they left home Bork, Gork, and Nklxwcyz’s mother cautioned them to “watch out for the Big Bad Robot” and to “Always stick together,” but when they get to Mars, Bork sees a space rover travelling across the surface of the planet and she decides to make it her home. She leaves her sibling and sets up house inside the rover.

   When Gork and Nklxwcyz get to Jupiter, Gork starts riding on a satellite that is circling the giant planet. Though Nklxwcyz warns his brother that living on “a ring that goes around in circles” is a bad idea, Gork pays no attention to him and he goes whizzing off astride the satellite.

   Sensible Nklxwcyz builds himself a solid house on distant Neptune, where he hopes he will be safe from the Big Bad Robot. He never imagines that in the not too distant future he is going to have to face his greatest enemy.

   In this delightful version of the story of the three little pigs, the author and illustrator take us on an exciting journey across our solar system with three amusing alien characters who learn, the hard way, that it is generally a good idea to do what your mother tells you.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and eleven

Humans like to think that they and they alone corner the market when it comes to being able to form friendships and having the need for friends. I do not believe this is true at all. I have seen my dogs get upset when one of their number is missing, and one of my cats walking around the house crying and trying to find her friend - who is at the vet's office. Friendships develop between species too. Just look a the story about Owen and Mzee. Who would have thought that a baby hippo and an elderly giant Aldebaran tortoise could be friends, but they were.

Today's book is about a beast who finds that he is lonely and who tries to find other beasts to be his friends.

The Lonely Beast

Chris Judge

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Andresen Press USA, 2011, 978-0-7613-8097-9

   There are Beasts all over the world, but since there is only one in every country, they don’t know each other. These gentle rare creatures love to tend their gardens, drink tea, read good books, walk in the snow, stand in the rain, bake cakes, and eat cakes. They live in remote places like high mountains and deep woods.

   There was one of these Beasts who one day realized that he was lonely and he decided “that he would go and find some other Beasts.” He travelled a long way and endured many hardships until he came to a city. There were no Beasts there, but there were a lot of people. At first, the people were frightened of the Beast, but soon they grew to like him, and he lived in the big city park.

   The Beast had plenty to do, and many human visitors, but he still felt lonely. He tried to contact other Beasts using the media, and soon everyone was talking about him. The problem was that none of the other Beasts were getting in touch.

   This wonderful picture book is charming and inspirational. Readers will be moved when they see what the Beast does to try to find other Beasts like himself. They will grow fond of the gentle creature who loves to read good books and eat cake, and they will find themselves hoping that this Beast gets his wish.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and ten

When I was growing up, there were very few biographies written for young readers. The few that I was able to get my hands on were, for the most part, rather dry and dull. I certainly don't recall ever reading a historical fiction biography. Thankfully the children's book world has changed a great deal since then, and now many authors are creating excellent nonfiction biographies and  historical fiction biographies that are both interesting and informative.

For today's picture book I have Monica Kulling's newest book in which she tells the story of a woman inventor.

In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps up

Monica Kulling

Illustrated by David Parkins

Historical Fiction Picture Book

For ages 7 to 9

Tundra Books, 2011, 978-1-77049-239-4

   It is 1850, and Margaret Knight is buying nails so that she can build a sled for her brothers. Typically, girls living in 1850 don’t go around building things with wood and nails, but Margaret doesn’t care. She likes to build things and so she does.

   Since the death of her father, Mattie has been cared for by her big brothers who work at the mill, and by the time Mattie is twelve she too goes to work there, alongside many other children.

   The mill room is kept humid so that the threads won’t break, but sometimes they do break and the flying shuttles often injure people. Mattie comes up with a device that will prevent the shuttles from breaking free, and it is such a success that soon it is being used in all the mills. Being a child, Mattie is not able to apply for a patent for her invention.

   By the time she is thirty, Mattie she is working in a paper-bag factory and dreaming up new inventions in the evenings. One day Mattie starts to wonder why there isn’t machine that can make a flat-bottomed paper bag. Surely there must be a way to make such a machine, and she sets about designing one. It takes her two long years, but eventually Mattie succeeds, and she creates a machine that can make a flat-bottomed bag. Now it is time to get a patent for her invention.

   In this fascinating picture book biography, Monica Kulling tells the story of Margaret Knight, a woman who loved to invent machines, and who defied the conventions of her times to do what she loved. Young readers will be delighted to see how Margaret triumphs over those who are eager to discredit her. This is the third book written by Monica Kulling for Tundra’s Great Ideas series.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and nine

In most books and movies, ghosts are scary, spooky, and even dangerous. They are things to be feared, and their haunts should be avoided at all costs. There are a few stories and movies though that present ghosts in a different light. These ghosts are capable of being friendly, and often they are in need of help of some sort. In today's picture book, you will meet a ghost whose home is taken over, and who does his best to scare off the 'invaders' using ghostly methods that have stood the test of time. Until now.

The hungry ghost of Rue Orleans

Mary Quattlebaum

Illustrated by Patricia Castelao

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Random House, 2011, 978-0-375-86207-6

   Fred lives in an old house on Rue Orleans tending his cactus and eating air when he gets hungry. The house is in bad shape and everything inside is covered with a layer of dust, which makes it the perfect hangout for a ghost like Fred.

   Then one day Fred’s quiet is disturbed when Pierre and his daughter Marie come into the house. They are going to turn Fred’s house into a restaurant, and Fred is not at all happy about it. Despite Fred’s protestations, the house is painted, repaired, and cleaned. It is furnished and soon diners are eating Pierre’s delicious gumbo, crawfish, and red beans and rice.

   Fred has had enough, and since no one is listening to him, he decides that more drastic measures are needed. Fred moans and he makes the food jump in their dishes. Surely such a spooky performance will scare off the restaurant guests for good, and then Fred will get his house back. Alas for Fred, the guests at the restaurant love his spooky doings. They add a little something special to the enjoyment of their meals.

   Readers who have a fondness for ghostly tales are sure to enjoy this special title in which Mary Quattlebaum brings together delicious food and a ghost to give us a delightful and memorable story.

The new issue of Through the Looking Glass is now online

The November and December 2011 issue of Through the Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews is now online. I have put together a wonderful collection of reviews for you for this issue, and I hope you enjoy reading the reviews as much as I enjoyed writing them.

In November and December, people start thinking about and getting ready for the holidays.  For this issue, I chose titles that would make excellent gifts, and therefore almost all the new books in this issue are stand-alone titles, or they are the first book in a new series. The one exception is  Goliath, which is the final book in a trilogy. I included it here because I think the complete trilogy would make a fantastic gift for young readers, and also for adult readers who have an interest in steampunk.

For this issue I have chosen to focus on books about Pirates. I know that many people think that pirate books are exclusively suited to boy readers, but this is no longer the case. It used to be that most of the main characters in books about pirates were men or boys. In many of the books I have reviewed for this feature, there are girls or women who are bold and brave pirates alongside their male brethren, or there are clever girls and women who find ways to outwit their piratical enemies. The books in this feature will suit readers of all ages because there are board books, novelty books, picture books, beginner readers, and novels.

In November and December autumn shifts into winter. During these months, we get serious about bundling up in warm clothes, toasting ourselves in front of warm fires and wood stoves, and finding ways to spend really wet or cold days. I actually really enjoy this time of year as I enjoy sitting under a warm blanket reading a book. What could be better?

For this month’s Editor’s Choice title, I selected In Search of Mockingbird  by Loretta Ellsworth. When I read this book, I could not put it down, and a week after I read it, I read it again. It is a truly extraordinary account of one person's journey of self discovery.

Don’t forget to look at the Bookish Calendar page for reviews about Claude Monet, Roald Amundsen, the mystery of the Mary Celeste, and much more. This calendar is a great tool to use at home and in the classroom to help children incorporate books more fully into their lives.

There are several bookish events taking place in November that I would like to tell you about. They are:

• November 1 is National Author's Day (USA) 

• November 8th is National Young Readers Day (USA) - National Young Readers Day is a day that was created by Pizza Hut and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in 1989 as a way to celebrate literacy in schools. 

• November 20th is Universal Children's Day

Some of the titles I reviewed several years ago are now out of print. Though you cannot buy these books in every bookshop, many of them are still available for purchase on websites like Amazon.com.

I hope you enjoy this new issue, best wishes for the holiday season, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Poetry Friday - A review of Pirates

Like many other people, I loved pretending to be a pirate when I was a kid. My best friend and I made treasure maps, we wore eye patches, and he regularly got seasick during the storms that we encountered as we were sailing across the world's oceans. For us, the piratical life was full of adventure and glamour.

I now know more about what pirates were really like. Much as I would like to see pirates through Jack Sparrow tinted glasses, I know that pirates were, for the most part, a savage lot. They were thieves who did whatever was required to get their prize.

The poems in today's book of poetry are unique because they do not glamorize pirates. Instead they tell the real story of what it was like to live outside the law, sailing in a stolen ship, and trying to stay alive.

Pirates

David L. Harrison

Illustrated by Dan Burr

Poetry Picture Book

For ages 9 to 12

Boyds Mills Press, 2008, 978-1-59078-455-6

   Many of like to imagine that pirates were dashing fellows who charmed ladies, and robbed the rich without harming anyone. We like to think that they were basically “heroes” who were worthy of admiration and respect.

   The truth is a lot less glamorous. In actual fact, pirates were a dangerous lot who cared only about themselves, and who would happily rob anyone they encountered so that they could line their own pockets. They very violent and often died violently. They were men (and women) who lived outside of the law.

   In this collection of poems, David L. Harrison gives us a very realistic picture of what pirates were really like. He begins by describing a “Pirates Nest,” a place where men neither gave nor expected “mercy.” This was the place where the down and out and criminals gathered, and where pirates would go to sign on a crew.

   Not surprisingly, pirates looking for new crewmembers were not picky. In fact, they were quite happy to take on people who had “snatched a purse or two,” or a person who was “rotten through and through.” Once the new crewmembers were found, they had to listen to and sign on to the “Ship’s Rules.” They were told that they would be flogged for stealing, and shot for mutinying.

   Once they are at sea, the pirate crew would have to contend with days of boredom when all they could do was to “sit another day” for “another day without pay.” They would have to eat food that most people would consider inedible, and then, when a prize was sighted, risk their lives for whatever the prize might be carrying in its hold.

   In this fascinating and beautifully written collection of poetry, David L. Harrison gives his readers a very true to life picture of pirate life. Readers will get a sense of what it was really like to be a pirate, and they will come to appreciate that the life of a pirate was not an easy one.

   At the back of the book the author provides us with further information about real pirates, debunking myths, and helping us to better understand pirates and their ways.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and eight

I was very lucky that I was never forced to read any books about etiquette. Instead my grandmother made me walk around with a book on my head (so that I would "walk like a lady and not like an elephant"), and she drilled me so that I would learn which fork went with which course. She also taught me to open doors for my elders, and to "be nice to people until they do something that makes it clear that they are not worthy of your respect." At the time these lessons drove me crazy, but I am not grateful for them.

The children in today's picture book do not have a loving grandmother to teach them the dos and dont's of correct behavior. They have a famous book of etiquette forced on then, and they are not amused. 

Thanks a LOT, Emily Post

Jennifer LaRue Huget

Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Random House, 2009, 978-0-375-83853-8

   The family has just gone to Books & Sons, and Mother has purchased a book about etiquette that was written by Emily Post. “Everything was just dandy” until the moment when Mother starts to read the book. Now Emily Post’s etiquette suggestions are severely affecting her children’s quality of life. They cannot slump in their chairs, shout, or talk with food in their mouths. Everything that the children like to do is being ruined by Emily Post’s wretched rules.

   To make matters worse, Mother is always talking about the characters who appear in Emily Post’s book. It is as if Mrs. Wordly, Mrs. Toplofty, and Mrs. Wellborn are in their home, constantly correcting the children’s behavior.

   There finally comes a time when the children have had enough. Somehow they have to convince their mother that Emily Post’s book is not a good thing to read. Somehow they have to use Emily Post’s lessons to get rid of her once and for all.

   In this delightfully funny picture book, young readers will see how Emily Post’s famous book of etiquette affected people. In truth, her book did change the way people behaved. It showed them that having good manners is not just about knowing which fork to use when. It is also about showing others respect and treating them with kindness.

   This is the perfect book for all those children who think that manners are a waste of time. As they read, children will be delighted to see how the characters in the story deal with their problem.

   At the back of the book there is further information about Emily Post and her famous book.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and seven

When I was around eight years old I managed to convince my mother that I absolutely HAD to have my ears pierced. If I didn't I would be a social pariah, and I would never be able to hold my head high in school again. She fell for it, and I got my wish. Ha Ha!

In today's picture book you will meet a little girl who wants to have pierced ears more than anything else in the world, and her parents steadfastly refuse to let her have her wish. 

Earrings!

Judith Viorst

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Simon and Schuster, 2010, 978-1-4424-1281-1

   All over the world, there are girls who want something more than anything else. They beg their parents to let them have their ears pierced. More than anything in the world they want “Beautiful earrings for pierced ears.”

   I would like you to meet a little girl who is completely crazy about earrings. As far as she is concerned, she needs to have earrings, and she cannot understand why her parents have an objection to her having her ears pierced. Women and girls of all kinds wear earrings, so why can’t she? To make it worse, she is the only girl in her class, in the solar system, whose parents won’t let her pierce her ears.

   Desperate to have her dearest wish fulfilled, the little girl asks for earrings for her birthday and Christmas. She talks about how they will “make me feel good.” She pesters and pesters her parents promising that she will stop pestering them as soon as they decide that she is old enough to have earrings.

   Most of us have something that we really really want. This picture book takes a look at one little girl’s passion, a passion shared by girls of all ages all over the world. Told in her own voice, the narrative perfectly captures the little girl’s personality, and the desperation she feels because her wish is not being granted. Young readers and grownups alike will find it hard not to smile as they read this book together, because the main character is so wonderfully persistent.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and six

I once knew a little boy called George who was...well...he was horrid. George was spoiled rotten, and when he didn't get what he wanted, he threw a tantrum. The only time I ever saw George moderate his behavior was when he met another child who was just as horrid as he was. Faced with naughty little boy just like himself, George didn't know what to do. 

Today's picture books is about two naughty children who face a similar dilemma. How can you really enjoy being bad if you have competition?

The Taming of Lola: A Shrew Story

Ellen Weiss

Illustrated by Jerry Smath

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Abrams, 2010, 978-0-8109-4066-6

   Lola is a shrew who lives with her large family in a cunning little home under a large tree. Though Lola is a very small shrew, she has an enormous temper. She is so bad-tempered in fact that her siblings stay away from her, and after a while everyone starts giving in to her demands because it is the easiest thing to do.

   One day Lola’s cousin Lester comes to visit and Lester is so rude and so obnoxious that even Lola is shocked. She gets so annoyed that she tells Lester off, and soon the two young shrews are screeching at each other. They fight about which beds they are going to sleep in, about who is the bigger “foo-face,” and numerous other things. In fact they fight so much that they miss meals and they don’t have any fun.

   In this funny picture book we meet two very badly behaved shrew children who learn an important lesson about learning to get along with others. Young readers will enjoy seeing how the two difficult shrews come to an agreement that seems to survive the test of time.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and five

There are many people out there who spend a large part of the lives trying to be perfect. They get it into their heads that perfection is attainable and that mistakes are not to be tolerated. Over the years I have come to the conclusion that perfection is overrated. Not to mention the fact that trying to get it usually makes one miserable. 

In today's picture book you will meet a little girl who never makes mistakes. Ever. 

The Girl who never made mistakes

Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein

Illustrated by Mark Pett

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Sourcebooks, 2011, 978-1-4022-5544-1

   Beatrice Bottomwell never makes mistakes. Really. She has never goofed in any way, and everything she has ever done has always been perfect. Naturally Beatrice is rather famous. People are eager to see “the Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes.”

   One day Beatrice almost makes a mistake while she is cooking with her two friends at school. She slips on a piece of rhubarb while she is carrying four eggs.  Most people would have dropped the eggs, but Beatrice manages to catch all four of them before they can fall and break.

   For the rest of the day Beatrice worries that she might make a mistake during her juggling performance at the school talent show. Her father tells her not to worry, and reminds her that “you don’t mistakes.” Unfortunately in this instance Beatrice’s father is wrong because Beatrice does make a mistake during her performance. And it is a doozy.

   The is a perfect book for all those perfectionists (of all ages) out there who are convinced that mistakes are not to be tolerated. Readers will come to see that Beatrice’s mistake-free life is actually not that much fun, and that mistakes have a place in our lives, even the unpleasant ones. 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and four

Jon J. Muth is one of favorite author illustrators. He wrote and illustrated The Three Questions and Zen Shorts. 

The panda bear character in Zen Shorts, Stillwater, is back in this Halloween title. In this book, readers of all ages will once again to be challenged to think about themselves in a new and interesting way. 

Zen Ghosts

Jon J. Muth

Picture Book

Ages 6 and up

Scholastic, 2010, 978-0-439-63430-4

   Karl, Addy, and Michael are getting their Halloween costumes ready. Their friend Stillwater the panda bear comes over and he explains that he is going to be a ghost for Halloween. Karl is going to be a monster, and Michael is going to be either an owl or a pirate. He doesn’t know which he prefers. Stillwater suggests that Michael might like to be an “Owl-Pirate.” After all, on Halloween anything is possible. Stillwater then tells his young friends that this Halloween is special because there is going to be a full moon. He knows someone who can tell the children a ghost story.

   So, after treat-or-treating on Halloween night, the children meet Stillwater at the stone wall and he takes them to his house where they meet a panda bear who looks exactly like Stillwater. He tells them a story about a girl whose soul separated and went into two different directions. One soul stayed with her family, and one ran away with the boy she loved. Which soul was the real girl?

   In this beautiful and thought-provoking picture book, Jon Muth brings readers an old story that has timeless appeal. Yes, it is a ghost story of sorts, but it also a story about duality, which is something all people of all ages encounter. I am my mother’s child, but I am also someone’s best friend. Which self is the real me?

   With gorgeous paintings throughout and a story that will resonate with readers of all ages, this picture book is an enduring treasure. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and three

Halloween is just a day away, so I have a couple of Halloween titles that I would like to share with you. You can find many more titles that have a Halloween theme on the TTLG Halloween Feature. 

And then comes Halloween

Tom Brenner

Illustrated by Holly Meade

Picture book

For ages 4 to 6

Candlewick Press, 2011, 978-0-7636-5299-9

   Every year when the days get shorter, when Papa stacks firewood under the eves, and when the geese fly south, the children know that now, at last, it is time. It is time to cut out paper witches, to bring home and carve pumpkins, and to decide about costumes.

   When they see spooky decorations start to “sprout on lawns” and hang from trees, the children know that they need to get their costumes ready. Then, after so much waiting and planning, it is Halloween and the fun can begin.

   This delightful picture book, with its cut paper art, perfectly captures the anticipation that builds in the fall as children wait for, and plan for, Halloween. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and two

Not long ago my daughter was bemoaning the fact that her life is "so complicated." We both agreed that small children have an easier time of it because they have so few responsibilities. Of course little children have a different opinion. They resent the way they are not allowed to do all the "fun stuff" because they are too small. I can sympathize with this, and therefore today I have a review of a book that was written for little children who are forced to hear the words "you are too small" over and over again. 

A small surprise

Louise Yates

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Random House, 2009, 978-0-375-85698-3

One day a little rabbit, who is out in the world on his own, comes to a circus. He sees a sign that explains that there are jobs available at the circus but “small animals need not apply.” Though he is definitely a small animal, the rabbit goes into the big circus tent anyway.

   Inside he meets a large gorilla, a tall giraffe, a hefty rhino, a big lion, a long snake, and a bear. The rabbit admits that he is small. He admits that he is too small to wipe his own nose, to tie his shoes, to walk far without getting tired, and to eat his food without making a mess. However, there are things that small animals are very good at doing.

   When you are young, and small, grownups are always telling you that you are too little to do practically everything that is really worthwhile doing, and it is very annoying. This book was specifically written for little children who are forced to experience this exasperating adult behavior. With its minimal text and its deliciously funny illustrations, this book is a perfect fit for little children because it reminds them that there are things that are best done by small people. 

Poetry Friday - A review of Rumble, Roar, Dinosaur!

There a a few topics that seem to have a universal appeal for children. The ones that come to mind are: dragons, wizards, witches, princesses (for girls mostly), dogs, cats, bears, and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are HUGE, especially for kindergarten and elementary school kids.

Since I happen to find dinosaurs interesting as well, I am happy to review dino-centric books. For this reason, I really enjoyed reviewing today's poetry title, which combines poetry, illustrations, and lift-the-flaps to give little children a dinofabulous bookish experience. 

Rumble, Roar, Dinosaur!

Tom Mitton

Illustrated by Lynne Chapman

Novelty Poetry book

For ages 5 to 7

Kingfisher, 2010, 978-0-7534-1932-8

   Many children have a passion for dinosaurs. They cannot resist looking at pictures of these strange creatures of long ago, and love learning new facts about hadrosaurs, stegosaurs, and their relatives.

   In this unique book, Tom Mitton’s amusing poems are paired with Lynne Chapman’s colorful and expressive illustrations to give young readers a memorable dinosaurish bookish experience. On the first spread there is an introduction from the dinosaurs in which they tell us that we “can read about us on our very own pages” and that we should “take a look and watch us in our world of long ago.”

   What follows are seven double page spreads, each one of which features one kind of dinosaur. Here, on the first spread, is a herd of hadrosaurs “honking through the trees.” We read that hadrosaurs had special horns on their heads that helped them to communicate with each other. When we open the flap on one of the pages we see two a picture of these dinosaurs making their singular noise.

   Further in the book we get to meet elasmosaurus, a marine creature that had a long neck “like a snake” with a tiny head on the end. Open the flap and we can see how that neck helped the elasmosaurus catch its food.

   The poems throughout the book are cleverly written and amusing, and at the same time they provide young dinosaur fans with lots of dinosaur facts that will engage their interest.

   At the back of the book, the author gives us more facts about the seven dinosaur types that are described in the book.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and one

As the mother of a tween girl, I often worry that my daughter will get caught up in what I call the "look at me" crowd. These are tweens and teens who think their appearance defines them. They spend so much of their time creating an image for themselves that they spend no time at all thinking about what they are like as people.

In today's picture book you will meet an elephant who is, like all elephants, rather odd looking. Thankfully, Willy the elephant has the good sense not to worry about how he looks. Instead, he focuses on helping the people around him, which means that he is loved and appreciated. 

Willy

Geert De Kockere

Illustrated by Carll Cneut

Picture Book

For ages 5 and up

Eerdmans, 2011, 978-0-8028-5395-0

  Willy is an elephant, which means that he has four pillar-like legs, an enormous body, huge ears that flap, a trunk attached to his face, and a tail with a “ridiculous brush at the end” attached to his rear. In short, Willy is not exactly beautiful. In fact he is downright odd looking.

   One would think his oddness would be a problem for Willy. But it isn’t. He is “invited everywhere.” Having such big ears, Willy is an excellent listener. He hears about happy things, and he hears about the events that made people sob and sigh. Willy’s tail serves as an excellent paintbrush, and his trunk does an admirable job beating time in the choir. Of course, some people make unkind remarks about Willy’s appearance, but Willy’s friends and admirers “brushed off,” “overruled,” or “swept away” these words.

   Most of us have our own version of Willy’s big ears, his long dangly trunk, or his funny little tail. We wish we were blonder, bigger, smaller, and so many other things. Luckily Willy is here, in this book, to remind us that what we look like doesn’t matter. What matters is how we choose to help others, and how we are loved.

   With a message that is ageless and timeless, and a loveable main character, this is a picture book that will resonate with readers of all ages.   

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred

Many people have written stories that are told from the point of view of a stuffed animal. Through their glass or button eyes we have found out what it is like to have the kinds of adventures that stuffed animals have. In today's picture book you will meet a stuffed animal who does not have a special dramatic adventure. Instead, Bunny shows us what it is like to grow up with a little boy, and how the boy and Bunny teach each other all kinds of important lessons.

Bunny’s Lessons

Harriet Ziefert

Illustrated by Barroux

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Blue Apple, 2011, 978-1-60905-028-3

   Bunny and his little boy Charlie are the best of friends. Over the years, Bunny has learned all kinds of things from Charlie. He has learned about loud music, and that meals of butter noodles are messy. He has learned about pretending, time-outs, and what it feels like to be jealous.

   Sometimes Bunny’s times with Charlie are wonderful, like when Charlie reads to him. Other times are really unpleasant, like the time when Charlie paints Bunny blue. Thankfully the bad times can usually be turned into good ones.

   In this delightful picture book we explore a close friendship between a little boy and his toy bunny. Just like all friendships, there are high points and low points, and just like all good friendships, the bonds of love make it all worthwhile.

   With wonderful illustrations and a loveable main character, this is a picture book that little children will love to read again and again, savoring Bunny’s lessons as they snuggle with their own favorite stuffed animal.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and ninety-nine

I have days when I just cannot bear to read a book that is sad. I don't want to have to suffer with a character as he or she tries to survive in a dangerous world. I want to experience the book equivalent of being wrapped in a cozy quilt. Today's picture book is just such a cozy quilt title. It is sweet, funny, and is a perfect book to read when the world is looking rather grim and frightening. 

Very Hairy Bear

Alice Schertle

Illustrated by Matt Phelan

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Harcourt, 2007, 978-0-15-216568-0

  The very hairy bear is hairy all over. He has a hairy body, and hairy feet, and a hairy head. The only part of him that is not hairy is his “no-hair nose.”

   In spring, the bear does not care that his nose has no hair. He is far too busy catching tasty salmon in the river. During the summer months, the bear has a fine time raiding bee hives. Even when his no-hair nose gets stung and covered with honey, the bear does not mind. His no-hair nose is very useful in the fall when he uses it to find all those acorns that the squirrels hid under the oak trees. There is a time of year though when having a no-hair nose is a problem.

   With gorgeous soft illustrations and a delightful story, this is a picture book that children will find irresistible. They will laugh at the bear’s antics, and smile when they see how he solves his nose problem.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and ninety-eight

It is not easy to teach a child how to problem-solve. Often children expect their grownups to fix everything for them, to make bad things go away, and to make things goods easy to acquire. In today's picture book you will meet a little girl who takes the initiative, and who figures out how to solve a problem that is very dear to her heart.

I want a dog!

Helga Bansch

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

NorthSouth, 2009, 978-0-7358-2255-9

   Lisa loves dogs, all kinds of dogs, and more than anything else in the world she wants a dog of her own. The problem is that her parents feel that their apartment “is too small for a dog.” People give Lisa toys that have a dog theme, trying to satisfy her need for a pet, but these gifts, though well meant, really don’t fill that doggy shaped hole in Lisa’s heart.

   Lisa tries being really really good in the hope that her parents will reward her with a dog, of course. But they don’t. Then she tries to be bad, but that does not work either. Finally Lisa realizes that she is going to have to think outside the box to solve her problem.

   In this delightful and sweetly funny picture book, children will meet a little girl who knows what she wants, and who uses her head to get what she wants. Children will be delighted when they see what Lisa does, and they will appreciate how she figured it out all by herself. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and ninety-seven

Most of us, at some point, wish we could do something interesting that is different from our everyday lives. Sometimes those of us who pursue an adventure, end up having some unexpected misadventures instead. Today's picture book is about a little girl whose quest for a little excitement does not quite go as planned. 

The Child Cruncher

Mathilde Stein

Illustrated by Mies van Hout

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Lemniscaat, 2008, 978-1-59078-635-2

   It is summertime, and a little girl is bored because there is no one to play with and nothing to do. Luckily a “big, ugly villain” comes along and kidnaps the little girl. Finally she is going to have a little excitement in her life. Of course, the little girl tells her dad that she is being kidnapped. Dad, who is working in his study, tells her to remember to brush her teeth and to “Have fun.”

   The little girl has every intention on having fun. She and the villain have a wild ride on a horse through the forest until they get to the villain’s den. The villain is in a terrible mood and he goes to bed “without saying goodnight.” The little girl decides that she will try to cheer him up, and she gives his den a makeover while he is asleep. Instead of being pleased, the villain behaves very badly and he then explains that he intends on having the little girl for breakfast. The little girl is very peeved. Her adventure has not turned out as she had hoped and she is not going to accept being stuck with “an ordinary old child cruncher.” What a nuisance!

   Children who suffer from bouts of I’m-bored-itis and there-is-nothing-to-do-itis will surely appreciate this clever and unique picture book. The will appreciate the little girl’s keen need to do something interesting (for a change), and will laugh out loud when they see how she deals with the child cruncher.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and ninety-six

Most of us have something in our lives that we are passionate about. I have always been a bibliophile, and like the little girl in today's picture book, I used to spend many hours reading at home or at the library. Luckily my love of books was balanced by my fondness for outdoor games, play dates, and other activities. This is not the case with Lily, as you will see. Lily thinks that reading books is the only worthwhile pastime. 

Library Lily

Gillian Shields

Illustrated by Francesca Chessa

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Eerdmans, 2011, 978-0-8028-5401-8

   Once Lily learns how to read there is no stopping her. She reads all the time and “she couldn’t stop.” Lily reads at night under her bed covers, she reads when she is supposed to be eating her dinner. She reads so much that she does not notice the seasons unfolding outside, and she never plays or does the kinds of things other children do.

  One day Lily’s mother takes her to the park and she encourages Lily to try to “have an adventure.” Lily cannot imagine how one can have an adventure if one is not reading a book. Then Lily meets a little girl called Milly, and Lily is shocked to find out that Milly hates to read! Instead, Milly likes to play, climb, and explore. Milly invites Lily to climb the tree that she is in and Lily discovers that “There’s a whole world out there.” Who knew!

   In this wonderful picture book, we meet two very different little girls who, through their friendship, share their passions with each other. By becoming friends, they find out that the world is an incredibly rich place full of adventures that you can enjoy within the covers of a book, and outside in the real world.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and ninety-five

I always enjoy hearing the unique words that toddlers come up for things. Yesterday my friend's grandson told me all about his "gaga" and I had no idea what he was talking about until my friend explained that "gaga" means Grandma. My own daughter loved to pat her "goggies," and read books about "pincessess" and ate "sketti" for dinner.

In today's picture book you will meet a little girl who uses a word that baffles her family members. Try as they might, they cannot figure out what she is saying.

“Shwatsit!”

Christine Ditchfield

Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Random House, 2009, 978-0-375-84181-1

   Babies sometimes have their own words for things, words that we can usually figure out after a while, but this baby has a word that she says all the time and it is a word that no one can translate. What on earth does “Shwatsit” mean?

  Try as they might, the baby’s parents and siblings cannot figure out what “Shwatsit” means. It could be anything. It could mean “bus” or “Joe,” “brush” or “grass.” The baby says it all the time; when she is at home, when she is at the park, when she is following her mother around the house, and when she is saying goodbye to her brothers and sister when they get on the school bus.

   In this charming picture book children will meet a “clever tot” who has developed a very unique word, a word that is very clear once you understand what it means.

   With a rhyming text and a delightful and funny story, this is a perfect picture book to share with young children.

Poetry Friday - A review of Cat Poems

When I come home, my three dogs always give me an enthusiastic welcome, even if I have only been gone for ten minutes. My two cats have a different approach. First their feign indifference. Then then come over and give me a look as if to say "and where were you may I ask?" Only after they have made it clear that I really am not worthy of their notice will they condescend to say hello. Such is the way of cats. 

Today's poetry picture book perfectly captures the quirky personalities of cats. 

Cat Poems

Dave Crawley

Illustrated by Tamara Petrosino

Poetry Picture Book

For ages 7 to 10

Boyds Mills Press, 2005, 1-59078-287-9

   Anyone who has spent a decent amount of time with a cat knows that cats are singular creatures that cannot be forced to do things that they do not want to do. If you think that you have the upper hand, you will soon discover that you have been had, and that the feline is the one who has won the battle. Don’t believe me? Well, take a look at this book, and you will see what I am talking about.

   The author begins by telling us about Malabar. Malabar was a beautiful cat who was chosen to be the new spokescat for Fluffyfood, a brand of cat food. After being groomed, stroked, and combed by a team of people, Malabar was offered two cans of food. One was Fluffyfood, and one was “another brand.” While the cameras rolled and “watchers clapped,” Malabar began to eat the food. The problem was that he chose to eat the rival brand of food instead of the sample of Fluffyfood.

  Then there is the story about the cat who cannot read, “To think he could would be absurd.” Though words on a page are beyond him, this cat does seem to know how to read minds. I say this, because whenever his mistress tries to read a book, the cat “stops and flops on chapter one” making it impossible for the girl to do her homework. The cat clearly knows that the girl “didn’t want to work,” and he makes it easy for her to avoid doing so.

   Unlike dogs, cats are not really interested in pleasing their people. They will not do tricks, and rarely respond to efforts to train them. The truth is that cats are far too intelligent to chase sticks, to sit on command, or to come when they are called. Why should they when they know all too well that we humans will feed them and play with them no matter what they do. It would seem that cats are adept people trainers.

   In this book, Dave Crawley’s delightful poems are paired with Tamara Petrosino’s illustrations to give cat lovers of all ages a special cat-centric bookish experience. Cat owners will nod as they read about the felines in his poems, recognizing attitudes and behaviors. They will laugh at the cat antics described, and will appreciate that Dave Crawley is clearly an unrepentant cat fan.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and ninety-four

When you first become a parent, you imagine that your job is - among other things - to teach him or her right from wrong. You are the one who knows what is appropriate, and you are the one who lays down the law and who is always right. Wrong! The truth is that sometimes we parents make mistakes too, and when our children see these mistakes we have to have the courage to admit that we messed up.

In today's picture book you will meet a father who, like everyone on this planet, is not perfect. He has a habit that adversely affects the members of his family, and he has to learn how to say sorry and change his behavior.

Bravo!

Philip Waechter

Illustrated by Moni Port

Translated by Sally-Ann Spencer

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Gecko Press, 2011, 978-1-877467-71-4

   Helena lives in a little house by a stream with her mother, her father, and little brother. She has a wonderful life, playing her trumpet for her encouraging mother and patient brother. There is only one thing that spoils her happy existence, but it is a big thing. Helena’s father is a shouter, and Helena finds his shouting intolerable.

   In fact, she finds it so intolerable that one morning she packs her bag and she leaves home. Helena’s father comes from a long line of shouters, and Helena is determined that she is not going to become one too.

   Helena finds a kind woman to take her in, but back at home her parents are very upset. They go looking for Helen, asking people if anyone has seen their daughter. Helena’s father finally realizes that his shouting drove his daughter away. He starts talking softly and promises never to shout again if “only she’ll come home,” but he has no idea where Helena is.

   In this very special picture book young readers will meet a father who has to learn an important lesson, and a daughter who has to make a very difficult decision. Sometimes we forget that our actions can impact the people around us, but this book reminds up of this very important fact in an elegant and memorable way.