Poetry Friday - A review of Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku

For today's poetry title I have a collection of haiku that are unique and often very funny. As they read through this book, children will enjoy exploring this interesting poetry form .

Wing Nuts: Screwy Haiku

J. Patrick Lewis
Illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Poetry Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Little Brown, 2006, 978-0316607315
If you are expecting simple and elegant haiku about matters of great importance and meaning, then you will have to look elsewhere, for in this book you will find nonsense senryu that are full of wit, wordplay and outlandish humor. The poets who created these funny flights of fancy write about things that are ridiculous, things from everyday life, and things that are completely improbable.

   For example, on one page we read about a boy whose sister gets a "complete makeover," and then on the next we read about some children whose "freedom vanishes" when the babysitter comes over. These are everyday situations that we can all identify with.

   Then, at the other end of the spectrum - in the realm of the fantastical - there is the poem about a mother hippopotamus and her baby who sit in front of the TV eating French fries. On another page we see a the old grumpy bear who listens to "Mom and Dad snoring." These are completely improbable and deliciously amusing situations to imagine.

   To go with these unique poems, Tricia Tulsa has created a wonderful series of illustrations that are full of humor, outlandishness, and charm. The combination of the poems and the artwork tickles the funny bone, and readers will see that poetry does not have to be serious to have an impact.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Nine

When my daughter was little, she used to 'play' with Reeka, one of our dogs. Reeka is a very gentle soul, and she tolerated my daughter's attentions with stoicism and good grace. Today's picture book is about another dog who has to put up with a loud and rambunctious little girl.

Merci Mr. Dash

Monica Kulling

Illustrated by Esperanca Melo

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Tundra, 2011, 978-0-88776-964-1

Mr. Dash is a dog who has not one, but many pedigrees. In short, he is a mutt. Despite that fact that he does not have a very grand lineage, Mr. Dash is always a very gentlemanly dog. His manners are exemplary, and he is a dapper dresser. Mr. Dash is also the kind of dog who likes a quiet life. He lives with Madame Croissant, and together they enjoy their days in Madame Croissant’s gift shop, and their evenings at home snoozing (Mr. Dash) and looking at stamps (Madame Croissant.)

   Unfortunately, on Sundays Mr. Dash’s quiet life is shattered. This is the day when Daphne, Madame Croissant’s rambunctious granddaughter, comes to visit. Daphne is a “little dynamo,” and Mr. Dash does not like her. Whenever he sees that Daphne is coming to visit, Mr. Dash heads to the park so that he can “read the papers in peace.”

   One Sunday, Dash does not make his getaway in time, and Daphne gets her hands on him. Despite the fact that Madame tells Daphne that Mr. Dash “is not a toy,” Daphne proceeds to treat Mr. Dash as if he is…well…a toy. Poor Mr. Dash is humiliated, his dog house is turned upside down, and then, as if this is not bad enough, Daphne washes Mr. Dash and wraps him in a blanket, pretending that he is “a cute baby.” Then something happens that demonstrates that Mr. Dash is not only the most patient and gentlemanly of dogs, but he is also “a hero.”

   This wonderfully amusing picture book serves as a tribute to all the many dogs who have had to suffer at the hands of little children. With his courtesy and gentle ways, Mr. Dash is the poster dog for good manners, and in the end, he shows even Daphne that dogs should be treated with respect. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Eight

I love people watching. When I was a child, I used to go to town with my father and we would sit in a cafe and make up stories about the people who walked by. We would wonder where were they going, and what were they doing in town. Now I play this same 'game' with my daughter. We find that airports and cafes are great places to people watch. Today's picture book is about a little girl who is watching the world go by from her balcony.

Passing By

Yona Tepper

Illustrated by Gil-Ly Alon Curiel

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Kane Miller, 2010, 978-1-935279-36-5

Yael is a little girl who likes to stand on the balcony of her home. From the balcony on the second floor, she can look into the street and watch the world go by. Here comes a little dog who is wagging his tail. Busily he jumps, turns around, and barks. Then the little dog trots down the street, and Yael wonders where the little dog has gone.

   Later on, Yael sees something else coming down the street. She “peeks between the railings” and she hears someone whistling and ringing a bell. Who is it Yael wonders, and then she sees a man riding a bicycle. He is wearing boots, and he has a basket and a fishing pole on the back of his bicycle. Yael wonders where the man is going and what he will do when he gets there.

   This charming picture book shows young children how interesting it is to observe the world around them. The narrative encourages them to try to guess what the animals and people that they see in the story are up to. Where are they going and what will they do next?

  With wonderful, brightly colored illustrations throughout, this is a picture book that young children are sure to enjoy.  

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Seven

Today's picture book is the kind of book that adults as well as children will appreciate. It conveys a message that is relevant to readers who are 7 or 17 or 27 or... I think you get the idea. It is the kind of book that gives you something new to think about every time you read it.

So Many Days

Alison McGhee

Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Picture Book

For ages 6 and up

Simon and Schuster, 2010, 978-1-4169-5857-4

As you go about your days, you will discover that there are so many doors that lead to somewhere, and there is so much “to wonder about.” You don’t know who you will be, nor do you know “where you will go.” Life is so full of unknowns.

   Notice all the wonderful things around you and enjoy them, take pleasure in the journey and know that, “You are stronger than you know.” Even when you are buffeted by a wind and tossed about by a storm, you will find a way to keep going because “You are braver than you know.”

   In this remarkable book, Alison McGhee’s lyrical text is perfectly matched to Taeeun Yoo’s multimedia art to help young people to see that everything they need to make their way in the world is within them. In their hearts, they will find courage, strength, hope, and love, all the tools that they will need during their journey to somewhere.

   This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone who is embarking on a journey of some kind.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Seven

Today's picture book is the kind of book that adults as well as children will appreciate. It conveys a message that is relevant to readers who are 7 or 17 or 27 or... I think you get the idea. It is the kind of book that gives you something new to think about every time you read it.

So Many Days

Alison McGhee

Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Picture Book

For ages 6 and up

Simon and Schuster, 2010, 978-1-4169-5857-4

As you go about your days, you will discover that there are so many doors that lead to somewhere, and there is so much “to wonder about.” You don’t know who you will be, nor do you know “where you will go.” Life is so full of unknowns.

   Notice all the wonderful things around you and enjoy them, take pleasure in the journey and know that, “You are stronger than you know.” Even when you are buffeted by a wind and tossed about by a storm, you will find a way to keep going because “You are braver than you know.”

   In this remarkable book, Alison McGhee’s lyrical text is perfectly matched to Taeeun Yoo’s multimedia art to help young people to see that everything they need to make their way in the world is within them. In their hearts, they will find courage, strength, hope, and love, all the tools that they will need during their journey to somewhere.

   This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone who is embarking on a journey of some kind.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Six

Life can be hard when something about us looks different, when we don't look like everyone else in some way. We went to fit in, and we feel that our differentness is a liability or a trial that we have to bear. This picture book take a look at how one little cat discovers, with a little help from her friends, that being different isn't that bad after all.

Square Cat

Elizabeth Schoonmaker

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Simon and Schuster, 2011, 978-1-4424-0619-3

   Eula is a square cat, and more than anything she wishes that she was round like her friends Patsy and Maude. Eula’s squareness makes it impossible for her to fit in mouse holes, and when she tips over, she has a terrible time getting back up. Eula’s square shape makes it hard to her to find clothes that fit right or that look nice, and Eula gets so unhappy that she loses her purr.

   Thankfully, Eula has two wonderful friends. Patsy and Maude are determined to cheer Eula up. At first they try to help Eula to feel as if she is round, but when that doesn’t work, they come up with another idea.

   In this charming debut picture book by author and illustrator Elizabeth Schoonmaker, we meet a cat who is different, and who does not like the fact that she is different. With a little help from her loyal friends, she discovers that there are times when being different is actually an asset.

   This heartwarming story will put a smile on reader’s faces, and it explores an important issue in a clever and thoughtful way.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Five

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope you have an enjoyable day full of hugs and smooches. Valentine's Day is, of course, all about showing the people you love that they are loved, and about making declarations of love. It is also a day when people give their loves gifts of flowers and rings. And chocolate. Chocolate truly does make life more pleasurable, and for today's picture book I have a title that is all about one little's boy's passion for chocolate. 

I love Chocolate

Davide Cali

Illustrated by Evelyn Daviddi

Picture Book

Ages 6 to 8

Tundra Books, 2009, 978-0-88776-912-2

   Chocolate is one of those things that makes the world a better place. It is one of those things that gives pleasure in so many ways. In this book, you are going to meet a little boy who has put a lot of thought into why he “loves chocolate.”

   He begins by pointing out the obvious: Chocolate tastes good! It comes in many forms, is flavored in countless ways, and it can even be surprising. Then the boy goes on to explain that chocolate can “make bad times better.” Chocolate is the perfect panacea when people get angry, when machines break down, and when life is dull, scary, frustrating, or annoying.

   Chocolate is also the perfect thing to have around when you are in a celebratory mood. You can share it with a friend, give it to someone as gift, or use it as a peace offering when you have done something wrong.

   In this delightfully funny book, the author and illustrator truly get into the spirit of chocolateness. They clearly appreciate the many ways in which chocolate makes the world a happier place. Chocoholics off all ages are sure to enjoy the wonderfully quirky illustrations, the amusing text, and the unique format of this memorable book.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Four

Valentine's Day is only a day away, so I have chosen a book that I think perfectly captures the confusion that comes with falling in love. Thankfully, in this tale at least, the characters figure out what is going on and there is a happy ending.

Ophelia

Ingrid and Dieter Schubert

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Boyds Mills Press, 2009, 978-1-59078-659-8

   It is a beautiful morning, and Ophelia the hippo has just woken up. She floats on her back in the water and looks at the pretty flowers in the tree over her head. Then Ophelia hears someone calling her name. She can tell that it is Kevin, and when he tells her that he has “butterflies in my stomach,” Ophelia gets very worried.

   Quickly Ophelia runs to the shore carrying a medical kit. She sees Merrkat standing on a rock, and she tells the little animal that Kevin has a stomachache. Meerkat decides to give Kevin a hot-water bottle, because hot-water bottles are very useful when you have a stomachache.

   Next, Ophelia and Meerkat meet Frog. Meerkat tells Frog that Kevin “has a terrible cramp. And his throat hurts.” Frog decides that what Kevin needs is some herbal tea. Soon Ophelia is trotting through the forest with Meerkat (carrying a hot-water bottle) and Frog (carrying a pot of tea) in her wake. What none of the animals know, is that Kevin does not have a stomach-ache at all. Instead, he is suffering from a very common and non-lethal complaint. Poor Kevin is in love.

   In this charming picture book, young readers get to meet a very warm-hearted group of animals who are prone to exaggerating, and who discover that love is a very contagious condition.

   The loveable characters and amusing story in this book are perfectly complimented by the charming illustrations. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Forty-Three

Today's picture book presents readers with a situation that is awfully familiar. Trying to impress others and get noticed is a problem that children and young people all over the world have to deal with. I have seen a boy throw sand in a little girl's face in a park in Paris because she wouldn't give him the time of day, and I have seen young men doing wheelies on a street in India when they see that a trio of pretty girls is coming their way. Meet Anthony, a little boy with an age old problem.

Anthony and the girls

Ole Konnecke

Translated by Nancy Seitz

Picture book

For ages 5 to 7

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006, 978-0374303761

   Anthony thinks he is “cool.” He has a bucket, and a shovel, and a really big toy car. Anthony takes these treasures up to where some little girls are playing in a sand box. He waves his bucket around, he sticks his shovel in the sand, and he pushes his car back in forth in front of  the girls, trying to attract their attention. The girls work on their sand castle, and they completely ignore Anthony.

   Anthony shows the girls that he can jump high, that he is strong, and that he can go down the slide on his stomach with his “Eyes closed.” Surely the girls will be impressed now. Surely they will notice Anthony when they see how talented he is. They don’t.

   In this unique picture book, the author uses very simple illustrations and a minimal text  to explore the ways in which children interact. Little boys and girl alike will laugh as they watch Anthony try and try again to get some attention, and they will appreciate that the story’s ending leaves readers will a question. What will happen next?

Poetry Friday - A review of A Child's Calendar by John Updike

For today's Poetry Friday title, I have a special book in which John Updike celebrates the seasons through poetry. His wonderful poems are paired with Trina Schart Hyman's beautiful artwork. This is a book that you will want to keep on your to-look-at-regularly shelf. If you don't have such a shelf yet, then get your shelf started with this book of poems.

A Child's Calendar

John Updike
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Poetry Picture Book
For ages 6 to 10
Holiday House, 1999, 978-0823414451
Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't take the time to enjoy the unique pleasures that each month brings. In this memorable book of poetry, John Updike looks at each of the months, exploring the sights, sounds, smells, and treats that one can expect at that time of year.

   In January "The radiator / Purrs all day" and "Fat Snowy footsteps / track the floor" when the children come indoors after playing outside in the snow.

   In March the weather is "fair" or "raw," and crocuses come up through the earth like "noses come / To sniff around."

  With John Updike’s beautiful image filled rhyming poetry and Trina Schart Hyman's lovely wtarecolor paintings, readers can explore a calendar year with a young family, their pets and their friends. The antics of the littlest member of the family are sure to bring a smile to reader's faces, and older readers may find themselves remembering their own childhoods as they share the joys of the seasons with these new friends.

This title received a Caldecott Honor in 2008