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

The moment when a child realizes that he or she is connected to others in many different ways is often quite dramatic. I remember when my daughter decided that she couldn't be bothered to pick up her legos (after I asked her to do so). Later that day I slipped on the legos and fell down. When she saw the cut on my leg and the bruises on my arm my daughter was horrified, and she tearfully promised never to "do that again."

In today's picture book you will meet a little boy who does whatever he pleases for much of the day, until he is made to see that being a pest and a nuisance is not cute or funny. In fact, it can really upset people. 

When I woke up I was a hippopotamus

Tom MacRae

Illustrated by Ross Collins

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Andersen Press USA, 2011, 978-0-7613-8099-3

   One morning a little boy wakes up and instead of being a little boy, he is a large sleepy and sluggish hippopotamus. Since hippos “don’t get up in the morning,” the little boy doesn’t get up even when his mother warns him that he is going to be late.

   At the breakfast table the little boy is a robot, a robot who is not programmed to eat and who cannot eat cornflakes. Though his father tells him to “Come on! Eat up!” the boy (in his robot form) cannot understand what he is saying.

   In school, the boy is a monkey who not only climbs on a table, but he also talks back to his teacher when she chastises him for misbehaving.

   As his mood shifts from moment to moment throughout the day, the little boy changes from being a monster to a rocket, and from rocket into a giant, until he goes just too far. Which is when he gets a dose of his own medicine.

   All too often children do not realize that their actions impact others. They blithely go through their day doing whatever they feel like until something happens that shows them that their actions have a ripple effect.

   With delightfully funny illustrations and a bouncy rhyming text, Tom MacRae and Ross Collins help young children to better understand that they need to be aware of others as they go about their day.

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

In almost every group there is that one person who is "out there." This person does what he or she pleases, which often makes other people feel a little uncomfortable or even embarrassed. We don't know how to react when he or she is in full flow, and sometimes we even behave in an unfortunate way that is hurtful. 

In today's picture book you will meet a raven who is definitely the odd bird out, and who has to find his own special place in the world. 

Odd bird out

Helga Bansch

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Gecko Press, 2011, 978-1-877467-08-0

   Robert is raven who really does not behave like a raven at all. He is “chirpy,” cheerful, and he loves to dress up, crack jokes, and sing. For a while the other ravens tolerate Robert’s outrageous unravenlike behavior, but eventually the day comes when they decide that enough is enough, and they tell Robert to “Skedaddle” and that he is “a scandal.”

   Poor heartbroken Robert packs his bag, he says goodbye to his family, and he flies off. Far from home and feeling quite worn out, Robert takes a rest in a tree and he sings “a lonely song” to himself. Birds start turning up to listen to Robert, and soon the natural performer is telling them stories, singing songs, cracking jokes, and delighting his audience with his colorful clothes. Robert is a huge hit! Back at home though, the ravens discover that though everything is as it should be, something is just not right.

   In this splendid book, Helga Bansch celebrates those people (and ravens) who are different. She celebrates the people who break the rules and who make the world brighter, happier, and more colorful.

   With unique illustrations and a meaningful story, this is a picture book that will resonate with readers of all ages.

Blog Book Tour - The Cheshire Cheese Cat - With a book giveaway

All the reviewers and bloggers I know do what they do because they love the written word, and I am proud to say that I am an inveterate book collector and an unapologetic lover of words. For this reason, I was delighted to participate in the Peachtree Publishers Cheshire Cheese Cat blog book tour. The book in question is about a cat to be sure, but it is also about a literate mouse and an author who is suffering from writer's block. Here is my review of the book.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale

Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright

Illustrated by Barry Moser

Fiction

For ages 9 to 12

Peachtree Publishers, 2011, 978-1-56145-595-9

   Skilley is an alley cat who lives in London and who has a secret that he has never shared with anyone. He knows that his reputation will be in tatters if any of the other alley cats find out what his secret is.

   Tired of life on the streets, Skilley decides to try his luck at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, an inn where the best cheese in London is sold. Not surprisingly, the inn has a dire mouse problem, and Skilley is sure that the innkeeper will be glad to have a good mouser on the premises.

   Sure enough, the innkeeper is delighted to have Skilley living at the inn, and the barmaid is even happier because she has a mortal fear of mice. What neither of these people know is that Skilley has no interest in catching and eating the mice, the reason being that he does not like to eat mice! Instead, Skilley likes to eat cheese.

   Soon after arriving at the inn, Skilley makes friends with a very well educated mouse called Pip. The cat and the mouse put on a performance for the humans at the inn to give them the impression that Skilley is doing a great job catching mice. In return for his protection, the mice give Skilley some of the delectable Cheshire cheese that is sold at the inn. There is one person who visits the inn, Mr. Charles Dickens, who begins to realize that all is not what it seems, but he is having trouble with his new book so he does not bother investigating.

   Skilley’s arrangement with the inn mice goes very well until the barmaid brings another cat to live at the inn to help with the mouse problem. Pinch is an evil tomcat who loves to dine on mice, and he is determined to eat every mouse in the inn. Skilley is justifiably frightened of Pinch, and he has no idea how he is going to protect the mice and his reputation at the same time.

   In this clever novel, the authors tell the story of a relationship between a mouse and a cat, and at the same time they also tell the story of a writer who has writer’s block, and a raven who needs to go home.

   It is fascinating to see how Skilley comes to terms with his own identity, and how he struggles to do the right thing for himself and for those who depend on him. Readers will be delighted to see how, in the end, the mouse, the cat, and their allies triumph in more ways than one.

I was curious to find out more about Pip and why he loves words so much, so I wrote him a letter. Being such   courteous mouse, he wrote back to me. Here is his letter:

Dear Marya:
Why do I love words, you ask? What is inconceivable to this mouse is that one could do verbal battle in this world (as is often necessary if one is to right a wrong, woo a heart, or win back one’s cheese) without the armamentarium that is a good vocabulary!
What? In plain English, you say?
Mmmm.
Very well, then.
Have you ever had a great thought? No. A truly great thought. A thought that was bigger than yourself and clear as glass in your mind’s eye, but slippery to describe? And did you, hearty soul that you are, nonetheless try to explain this notion of yours to someone, only to find yourself stumbling about for the right words…only to find your listener looking at you as though you were speaking monkey gibberish?
Maddening, isn’t it?
Well, dear friends, that is why words are so important.  
With my best wishes,
Pip


Well, there you have it. The words of an exceptionally intelligent mouse. If you want to find out more about Pip, his world, and the book, take a look at the Cheshire Cheese Cat website


Please visit the other stops on this wonderful book tour. They are:


10/3 A word's worth
10/3 From the mixed up files of Jennifer Bertman
10/4 There's a book
10/5 Booktalking
10/5 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
10/6 Not just for kids
10/7 Peachtree Publishers

Last, but by no means least, I have GIVEAWAY!! If you would like to be entered to receive a copy of this delightful book, please email me, telling me why you love words.

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

When I was a child I loved going to the library. For me it was a magical place that was full of stories and new possibilities. I have been lucky because I have always had access to libraries, and my daughter has had the same privilege. Both of us have always had many books of our own as well that we can pull of the shelf whenever we please. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a child who does not have books to read.

Today's picture book is about just such a child who lives in a remote village and who owns only one book. 

Waiting for the biblioburro

Monica Brown

Illustrated by John Parra

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Tricycle Press, 2011, 978-1-58246-353-7

   Ana is a little girl who loves to read. Every day, after she has done her chores, Ana sits down with the one book she owns and she reads it. Ana’s teacher gave Ana the book for being an excellent student, but now the teacher has moved away and Ana and the other children in her village no longer have a school. They also no longer have access to new books.

   One day Ana hears the sound of a donkey brayin,g and when she goes outside to find out where the noise is coming from she sees a man and two burros coming up the road. The man is carrying a sign that reads Biblioburro, and his two burros are carrying books. The man explains that he is a librarian, and his two burros, Alfa and Beto, are carrying his library.

   After the librarian reads the children some books, he invites them to choose a few books to borrow. In a few weeks he will return to the village so that children can exchange their borrowed books for new ones.

   Ana is thrilled to have new books to read, and she shares the new stories with her little brother. Several weeks go by and Ana waits and waits for the return of the Biblioburro. She begins to worry that the librarian and his moving library will never come back to the village.

   This memorable book is a fitting tribute to the men and women around the world who have found creative ways to get books into the hands of children. Based on the true story of a man who delivers books to Columbian village children using two burros, this story perfectly captures the passion that many children have for books and stories. It shows readers how books fire up a child’s imagination, and how they inspire children to be creative in their own way.

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

Most families have traditions that they value, things that they like to do together. And most families have at least one family member who needs to be handled delicately. There is the grandpa who likes to talk about his war experiences (for hours), or the aunt who criticizes everything and everyone, or the grandma who loves to pinch cheeks hard. In today's picture book readers get to share a Sunday dinner with a large family and their Auntie Mabel, a lady who likes to deliver long blessings before the meal.  

Don’t let Auntie Mabel bless the table

Vanessa Brantley Newton

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Blue Apple, 2010, 978-1-60905-029-0

   Every Sunday, the people in Auntie Mabel’s family go to her house for a family dinner. It is a typical Sunday, and the table and sideboard is loaded down with delicious food, and everyone is sitting around the dining table. Poppa says that it is time to pray and he starts to say grace, which when Auntie Mabel cuts in with her own prayer.

   Auntie Mabel blesses all the dishes that are waiting to be eaten. Then she blesses all the children, the President of the United States, the schools, the teachers, Pastor Bob, and then she starts to bless the chairs. Clearly something has to be done before it is too late, and all the food is spoiled.

   This funny and heartwarming picture book celebrates a family gathering and the traditions that the colorful family members share. With love and a sense of humor, the family members solve what could be an awkward situation. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book two hundred and seventy-five

When we first brought home Pinot from the dog shelter he was very small indeed. He was also fearful and unsure of himself. Everything frightened the puppy, even the cats. My daughter, who fell in love with him in seconds, wanted to play with him, but she had to learn how to play with him so that he didn't frightened. She also had to convince him that she was not out to harm him in any way.

In today's picture book you will meet a sweet dog who has to learn a similar lesson. 

Katie Loves the Kittens

John Himmelman

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Henry Holt, 2008, 978-0-8050-8682-9

   Katie the dog is so excited because her person, Sara Ann, has brought home three little kittens. Katie loves the new arrivals so much that she starts to howl with joy. The problem is that the loud noise terrifies the kittens and they run away. Sara Ann tells Katie that she should stay away from the kittens until they get used to her, which saddens Katie because she wants to play with the kittens so much

   Katie tries to stay away from the kittens, but this turns out to be very hard to do. Try as she might, Katie cannot resist the sweet little furry babies, and every time she gets near them she howls and terrifies them.

   In this delightful picture book readers will meet a loveable canine who has an unusual problem. The laugh-out-loud funny illustrations perfectly capture Katie’s personality, and readers of all ages will appreciate how hard it is for Katie to restrain her kitten loving exuberance. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book two hundred and seventy-four

Being able to do magic is something many children dream about. I used to know a little boy who kept trying to find a way to magically make his little brother disappear! Thankfully he never succeeded. Today I have a delightful picture book for you that is about a little boy who thinks he can do magic.

Anton can do magic

Ole Konnecke

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Gecko Press, 2011, 978-1-877467-37-0

   Anton is a little boy and he has a magic hat. Actually it is a magic turban, but as far as Anton is concerned it is a hat.

   One day Anton decides to do some magic. He tries to make a tree disappear, but his spell does not work. Deciding that perhaps he was being overambitious, Anton decides to make a bird disappear. As he is casting his spell, Anton’s hat slips over his eyes, and when he repositions it, he discovers that miracle of miracles, his disappearing spell has worked!

   Anton’s friend Luke walks up, and Anton tells him that he can make things disappear. Not surprisingly, Luke does not believe Anton, so Anton does his magic, his hat slips down over his eyes, and when he lifts it back into place Luke is gone. At first Anton is thrilled. Then he realizes that “Luke shouldn’t disappear.” How is Anton going to bring his friend back?

   In this delightful book, the author combines minimal art with an engaging story to give children a memorable bookish experience that will delight and amuse them. Readers will love the way in which circumstances make it appear that Anton is able to do magic, and how, in the end, everything works out.

Poetry Friday - A review of Dear Hot Dog

Yesterday I had the ill fortune to be sick. Really sick. As I lay in bed, I came to realize how much I appreciated really simple things at that moment. I loved the coziness of the quilt that I lay under, the one that my mother bought me. I felt less alone because my two cats were curled around me. I was grateful for the gorgeous view that I could see outside my bedroom window. I was thankful for the telephone calls I received from people who were checking up on me.

Today's picture poetry book explores a few everyday things as seen through the eyes of three children, and it is a celebration of those simple things that make life better and happier.

Dear Hot Dog

Mordicai Gerstein

Poetry Picture book

For ages

Abrams, 2011, 978-0-8109-9732-5

   Throughout the day, we have these little moments when we use or encounter everyday objects and things, and we don’t even think about the experience. When was the last time that you thought about your toothbrush and what it does for you? Have you ever considered how useful your cup is as it conveys your breakfast juice to your mouth? Have you ever contemplated the perfection of a hotdog in its bun, dressed with mustard, relish, and ketchup? Probably not.

   In this book, you can follow three friends as they play, run, swim, and make their way through a day. You are there when they wake up, and you are there when they finally fall asleep. Best of all, you will connect with these children as they talk about some of the simple things that make their lives better. Their words come to us in the form of poems, each one being written as if the girl or one of the two boys is speaking to us.

   The day begins with a little boy brushing his teeth. As he brushes, he ‘converses’ with his toothbrush. The boy talks about how he gives the toothbrush “toothpaste / for breakfast,” and how in turn, the toothbrush works hard “scouring and scrubbing” his teeth.

   Next, we meet a little boy who loves his pants. After all, the little boy and his pants “go everywhere / together.” The pants carry the little boy’s “treasures” in pockets, and together they share all kinds of adventures. Of course, it is very hard for the pants to endure being washed, but as soon as the clean “limp and lifeless” garment is worn again, it comes back to life.

   The poems that follow look at toes, socks, shoes, water, summer sun, rain, books, and many other things that we connect with and experience on a typical day. Each poem is rich with images that children will recognize and enjoy, and each one celebrates those simple yet precious everyday moments.

   Paired with his delightful artwork, Mordecai Gerstein’s collection of poems is a treat to read and to look at, and children will enjoy dipping into the book to see what new treasures they can find.

  

  

   

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book two hundred and seventy-three

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes the most unlikely looking characters turn out to be the only ones who can save the day when something goes horribly wrong. In today's picture book, you will meet a cat who does not look like he can do much of anything, except raid the nearest garbage can. Thankfully, it turns out that he has inner resources that are very valuable indeed. 

Warduff and the corncob caper

Mat Head

Picture Book

For ages

Andersen Press USA, 2011, 978-0-7613-8095-5

   One evening Warduff the cat is having a post snack snooze when he is woken up by a telephone call. Fefferflap the goose from Corncob Farm is on the other end of the line, and he is in a flap because the local fox is apparently coming to dinner. Fefferflap and the other animals at the farm don’t want to be on the menu.

   Warduff is large and not exactly beautiful, but he is loyal to his friends, and soon he is at the farm, listening to the farm animals who desperately need his help. Warduff tells the animals to calm down, and then he goes into one of the fields where he thinks and thinks until a cunning plan comes into his head. Soon Operation Corncob is under way.

   Young readers will greatly enjoy seeing how Warduff the cat works on finding a way to save his farm friends from a hungry fox. They will see how important it is to cooperate with others when there is danger ahead. Even the smallest and weakest amongst us can defeat a bigger foe if we work together.

   With wonderfully expressive illustrations and a clever story, this is a picture book that is sure to become a firm favorite with children who like a happy ending.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book two hundred and seventy-two

This is banned books week, and in honor of this important week, I have a review of Americus, a graphic novel that shows, in a fictional setting, how banning some books affects young readers. This is an extraordinary book, one that readers of all ages should read.

Americus

MK Reed

Illustrated by Jonathan Hill

Graphic Novel

For ages 12 and up

First Second Books, 2011, 978-1-59643-601-5

For Neil Barton and his friend Danny Burns, life in the little town of Americus is not much fun. Neil and Danny just want to be left alone, and one of the few things that they can do to escape their lives it to read. In particular, the boys share a love of a fantasy series, which is about a character called Apathea Ravenchilde.

   The boys are coping pretty well considering, when Danny’s mother Nancy decides that the newest Apathea book is “wicked.” She takes the book back to the library and rips it up in front of Charlotte, the librarian. Back at home, Danny and his mother have a blazing row, which causes Danny’s parents to send him to military school camp. Neil is now friendless and he is going to have to navigate the perils of junior high alone.

   Following the removal of her son, Nancy Burns declares war on the Apathea Ravenchilde books. She wants them removed from the public library because she thinks that they glorify witchcraft, violence, and countless other immoral beliefs and behaviors. Neil is appalled and angry. He feels helpless against Mrs. Burns’ religious tirades and her virulent indignation. How can he, a shy, withdrawn, and unpopular boy, do anything to stop the library board from banning the books?

   In this powerful and sometimes disturbing book, MK Reed and Jonathan Hill explore a very explosive issue, the banning of books in public libraries. Through the eyes of Neil and Danny, we see how the banning of books affects young readers, and we see how important it is to stand up for what you believe in, even if it scares you to do so.