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

There are times when we have to do what is expected of us. We have to work, we have to pay our taxes, we have to go to the dentist. Then there are those time when we perhaps should do what is expected, but we don't because it just doesn't feel right. We are invited to go to a posh party, and instead of wearing a boring a black tuxedo we wear a purple suit with a red bow tie. Why not? 

In today's picture book you will meet a group of animals who decide that instead of saying what is expected, they are going to say what they want to say. So there!

What animals really like

Fiona Robinson

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

Abrams, 2011, 978-0-8109-8976-4

   Professor Timberteeth, conductor extraordinaire, is presenting his new song “What animals like most” to the public for the first time. So, get comfortable, settle back in your seat, and prepare yourself for a great performance.

  The curtain opens and there are all the animal performers, carefully dressed in suits and elegant dresses. Professor Timberteeth raises his baton and soon the lions are singing about how they “like to prowl,” and the wolves are crooning about how they “like to howl.” All goes well until the cows decide that they like to “dig” instead of to moo.

   After a few moments of discussion, Professor Timberteeth is able to resume the song, and for a few more bars everything is at it should be. Until the warthogs sing that they like to “blow bubbles.” The poor conductor gets quite flustered because once again these words are not the ones that are supposed to be in the song. His performers are not singing what they are supposed to be singing, and his song is falling to pieces before our eyes. What is this poor professor going to do? Will he insist on performing his song his way, or will he let the animals tell us what they really like?

   Young readers will find it hard not to laugh as they read this clever and unique picture book. Who can resist a story that is hijacked by the characters, and that demonstrates to great effect that some animals (and people) simply cannot be forced to conform. Readers are sure to be delighted when they see how the professor gets several big surprises at the end of the performance. Encore, encore!

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

I don't know if any of you have seen what happens when an animal gets loose in a place where animals are not welcome. I once saw a cat get out of a carrier in an airport, and I was amazed to see how much chaos this one small animal managed to cause in a relatively short period of time.

In today's picture book, you will see what happens when a pet mouse pays an unwelcome visit to a very posh hotel.


Pip in the grand Hotel

Johannes Hucke

Illustrated by Daniel Muller

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 6

NorthSouth, 2009, 978-0-7358-2225-2

   Mary has a new pet mouse who is called Pip, and she is eager to introduce him to her friends. Unfortunately, when she open the box that Pip lives in, the little gray mouse hops out and dashes towards the doors of the Grand Hotel. The doorman is convinced that Pip could not have got by him, but it soon becomes clear that he is wrong.

   In the main lobby of the hotel, the children see all kinds of people, many of whom clearly come from distant places. The hotel manager is appalled when Mary explains that she is looking for her pet mouse. As for as he is concerned having a mouse in his elegant and posh hotel is a “Disaster!” Then one of Mary’s friends sees Pip running along one of the steps in the lobby, and soon the children (and the hotel manager) are following him into the hotel kitchen.

   The kitchen is packed with people who are all busy doing something. Kitchen assistants are chopping and prepping food, chefs are tasting food, and through this scene of organized chaos runs Pip, the children, and the hotel manager.

   Children are going to love this large format picture book with its wonderfully detailed illustrations. They will enjoy trying to find Pip hiding in the art, and will appreciate how everything works out in the end, especially when they see how Mary and her friends get the better of the fussy hotel manager.

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

I like to think that I am a good listener, but there are times when I hear myself talking for too much and saying "I" far too much, which is when I endeavor to shut my mouth and do some listening instead. This picture book is about a bear who cannot find anyone who is willing to listen to what he has to say, and who feels very frustrated as a result.

I know that this book is out of print, but I so enjoyed reading it that I reviewed it anyway. You can still buy it on Amazon and in stores.

I have a little problem,” said the bear

Heinz Janisch

Illustrated by Silke Leffler

Picture book

For ages 5 to 7

NorthSouth, 2009, 978-0-7358-2235-1

   One day a bear tells an inventor that he has a problem. Without waiting to hear what the problem is, the inventor announces that he knows exactly what the bear needs. Convinced that the bear’s problem is his great weight, the inventor gives the bear a pair of wings so that he can “feel lighter.”

  His problem still very much unsolved, the bear moves on. He meets a tailor who, just like the inventor, does not let the bear explain what his problem is. Instead, the tailor gives the bear a scarf, which the tailor is sure the bear needs.

   Every person the bear meets is convinced that he or she has the solution to the bear’s problem, and each one of these people fails to let the bear explain what his problem is. Soon the bear is loaded down with a hat, a pair of glasses, a jar of honey, a box of pills, a good luck charm, and a pair of boots. Since none of these items will solve the bear’s problem, he sets them aside, feeling very despondent. Is there no one who will listen to what he has to say?

   Many of have a tendency to talk too much and to listen too little. We think that we know all the answers, even when we don’t really know what the questions are. In this clever picture book, Heinz Janisch helps his readers to see that being a good listener is very important. Indeed, being a good listener can help you make new friends, and it can make you a better friend to the people you already know.  

   With wonderful collage illustrations and a story that conveys a meaningful message, this picture book will resonate with anyone who doesn’t have someone who will listen to them.

   

Poetry Friday - A review of A dazzling Display of Dogs

Until recently I had never encountered concrete or shape poems. No, these are not poems carved in cement. Instead they are "poems in which the typographical arrangement of words is as important in conveying the intended effect as the conventional elements of the poem, such as meaning of words, rhythm, rhyme and so on. It is sometimes referred to as visual poetry, a term that has evolved to have distinct meaning of its own, but which shares the distinction of being poetry in which the visual elements are as important as the text." 

What on earth does this all mean you are thinking. Well, concrete poems are poems where the words are placed on the page to create an image or picture. Thus, a poem about a tree might be arranged to have a tree shape, or a poem about a snake may have a snake shape. 

Today's poetry title is full of poems about dogs, and readers will not only enjoy the sounds and meanings of the words, but they will also enjoy the ways in which those words appear on the page. 

A dazzling display of dogs

Betsy Franco

Illustrations by Michael Wertz

Poetry

For ages 8 to 12

Tricycle Press, 2011, 978-1-58246-343-8

   Dogs provide love and companionship to millions of people around the world. They greet us when we come home, and somehow they know just what to do to cheer us up when we are feeling blue. In this unique book, Betsy Franco’s poems are paired with Michael Wertz’s artwork in such a way that the words and the art become one, and they give dog lovers of all ages a delightful canine-centric treat.

   As they turn the pages, readers will meet Baloo, a pompom-ish poodle who manages to get out of his yard and who gets into Ms. Johnstons’ house, were he eats all kinds of things, including a teddy bear, a cupcake, a steak, a taco, and some popcorn.

  Further on in the book, we get to meet Willy, a beagle who lives behind a fence that has a “Beware of Dog” sign on it. The funny thing is that Willy “rarely ever growls.” Instead, the “harmless beagle only yooooowls!”

   Jake is quite different because he barks at everyone. He may be small, but this jack russell terrier “hasn’t been frightened by any dog yet.” Fearlessly he barks at friend and foe alike because he is a “barking machine.”

   Then there is Gwen the bassett hound. Gwen is always going in and out the door, and her person faithfully opens and closes the door for her “again and again and again.”

   This book will charm people who have dogs in their lives. Many of the doggy traits mentioned in the book will be familiar, and readers will be reminded of all the charming, infuriating, and funny things that dogs do that make our lives richer.

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

There are some books that are a joy to read out loud because the language the author used is just so beautiful, and so perfectly put together. Today's picture book is just such a title, and I think that it would be wonderful to share it with a child just before bedtime.

I took the moon for a walk

Carolyn Curtis

Illustrated by Alison Jay

Picture Book

Ages 4 to 6

Barefoot Books, 2004, 1-84148-611-6

   One night a boy takes the moon for a walk. The boy, with the moon faithfully following him like a “summer kite,” has all sorts of little adventures. The moon, being perhaps a little unused to going for walks with little boys, almost ends up stuck to a church steeple. Later, the gently smiling and glowing moon carries the boy across the night sky, holding his hand, and letting his friend see the countryside from up above where the owls fly.

   Alison Jay’s richly detailed folkloric style paintings beautifully compliment the simple rhythmic and lyrical text in this book. In this gentle and evocative little story, we get to share a little boy’s dreams. We also get to see a night time world bathed in moonlight, and the many animals that come out at this time of day.

   At the back of the book, the author includes information about “The Mysterious Moon,” and facts about “The World at Night.”

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

When I first saw the title of this book, my first thought was, who on earth would write a book about a stick? I could not imagine that such a book could be interesting. Then I got intrigued, opened the book, and began to read. I don't want to give away too much here, but I do want you to know that this is a marvelous book, and it is one that grownups will appreciate too. 

The Clever Stick

John Lechner

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Candlewick Press, 2009, 978-0-7636-3950-1

   There once was a stick who was very intelligent. He would “sit in the sand and think up all sorts of clever things.” He would make up poetry, and contemplate the beauty of nature. Though the stick could think about so much, there was one thing that he couldn’t do. The stick could not speak, and therefore he could not share his thoughts, ideas, and poems with anyone else. It was a very frustrating situation.

   One day the stick tried to say hello “to all the animals, insects, and flowers” by bowing, but he ended up tripping on a pebble instead. What made things even worse was that no even noticed that the stick had fallen over. Feeling utterly dejected, the stick “dragged himself all the way home,” which is when he discovered something that would change his life forever.

   One would not usually think of a stick as being an engaging children’s book character, but the stick in this story is not your average stick. With his wonderful expressive illustrations and minimal text, John Lechner tells a story that will resonate with anyone who has doubted him or herself. The stick shows us that we should never give up hope, and that all of us have greatness in us. 

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

Though we like to think that we know what we should or should not do, there are times when our good judgement fails us. We make poor choices, and as a result, we get into unfortunate situations.

In today's picture book, you will meet a pair of sheep who consistently make bad decisions, and you will also meet a sheep dog who is regularly forced to save them from themselves.

Sneaky Sheep

Chris Monroe

Picture Book

For ages

Lerner, 2010, 978-0-7613-5615-8

Rocky and Blossom are a pair of sheep who live in a mountain meadow along with one hundred and forty-seven other sheep and a sheep dog. The dog is called Murphy, and he knows all to well that Rocky and Blossom are a pair of troublemakers. Therefore, when the two sheep tell Murphy that they want to go to the high meadow on the mountain, he informs them that they need to stay where they are. Murphy knows that the mountain is a place that is full of dangers.

   Not surprisingly, considering their track record of making “bad decisions,” Rocky and Blossom do not listen to Murphy, and as soon as they get the opportunity, they sneak off. Murphy catches up with them and brings them home. Every time they sneak off, the dog finds them. Then, one day, the two naughty sheep finally manage to give Murphy the slip, and they find out for themselves that it really is not wise to ignore the advice of a sensible sheepdog.

   Many of us like to think that we know what is best for us, and we resent it when someone tells us that something that we really want to do is a bad idea. After all, what do they know?

   In this laugh-out-loud funny picture book, Chris Monroe uses his sheep characters to show to great effect what can happen when we don’t listen to words of caution. Children will love to see the predicaments the sheep get themselves into, and they will enjoy looking at the interesting formats used in the story that include frames and speech bubbles.

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

I was lucky enough to grow up with a wonderful sheepdog called Balloo. Her mother was a working dog, so Balloo had very strong instincts to take care of baby animals, including me. When I was around two or three, my parents got a Siamese kitten, and they named him T.S. T.S. was not a strong kitten, and soon after he arrived Balloo adopted him. She washed him and he would sleep curled up against her side. Even when T.S. was a large middle aged cat, he would go to Balloo when he was upset or sick, and she would care for him.  T.S did not care that Balloo was a dog. As far as he was concerned she was his mother.

Seeing the love between the very large fluffy white dog and the skinny Siamese cat made me realize early on that love and family connections can cross all kinds of boundaries. Today's book is about another pair of animals that create a family, despite the fact that they are nothing alike. 

The Little Green Goose

Adele Sansone

Illustrated by Anke Faust

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

NorthSouth, 2010, 978-0-7358-2292-4

   Mr. Goose lives on a farm with a collection of other animals, and he enjoys spending time with the chicks, reading them stories or taking them for a swim. The truth is that Mr. Goose would love to have a chick of his own. He would love to have a baby to care for “who would call him Daddy.”

   Mr. Goose asks the chickens if one of them would give him one of their eggs, and they make it clear that they are not interested in helping out a poor goose like him. Then Daisy the dog finds a very large egg, and she gives it to Mr. Goose, who faithfully sits on it to keep it warm.

   Then one day the eggs cracks and the most peculiar little chick hatches out. Instead of a beak and feathers, this chick has shiny scales and a long tail. It is a rather strange little goose, but Mr. Goose does not care. The baby calls him “Daddy” and Mr. Goose sets about caring for his offspring with love and tender care.

   Then one day the rooster tells the little green goose and he is not a goose at all, and that Mr. Goose cannot possibly be his daddy. The poor little green goose is distraught, and he sets off to find his real daddy.

   Families come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes parents and their children look nothing alike, but the love that connects them is a bond that cannot and should not be broken.

   In this charming picture book, Adele Sansone shows to great effect how love is what makes a family, not a blood tie, or even a species tie. Anke Faust’s delightful multimedia artwork perfectly compliments the heartwarming story. 

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

I have recently been shown, once again, how precious true friends are. They are there in good times and bad, and they help make those scary moments in life a little less scary. I know for a fact that I would climb mountains for these people if I needed to. In today's picture book, you will meet four lawn ornaments who find the courage to do something very frightening so that they can be reunited with the little girl who is their dearest friend. Having read this book, and I will never look at a lawn ornament the same way again. 

Lawn to Lawn

Dan Yaccarino

Picture book

For ages 5 to 7

Random House, 2010, 978-0-375-85574-0

   Pearl is a little girl who is best friends with the lawn ornaments who live in the yard in front of her house. One day Pearl tells Betty the deer, Flo the flamingo, Norm the garden gnome, and Jack the jockey that she and her family are moving to a new house. Pearl is excited, but the garden ornaments are not so sure because they have “never left the lawn before,” but they love Pearl and want to be with her no matter what.

   On moving day, the car is loaded up and Pearl and her family drive away. Without the lawn ornaments. Betty, Flo, Jack, and Norm are appalled. What is going to happen to them? If they stay put, they might end up on the curb and everyone knows what happens if you are put on the curb. A garbage truck takes you away and you are never seen again.

   Determined to find Pearl, and to avoid garbage trucks, the lawn ornaments set off. They have a map to guide them, but they have a long way to go, and who knows what they are going to have to deal with on their journey.

   In this heartwarming book, Dan Yaccarino uses his very unique cast of characters to explore what it means to truly value friendship. The lawn ornaments are not ideally suited to travelling across long distances, but they don’t give up, and we cannot help admiring them for their courage and determination.

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

Most of us like to think that we are fair people. When we see someone living on the street we try not to assume the worst about that person. When we see someone who looks different in some way, we try not to place a label on them. We try, but we do not always succeed, and sometimes we make assumptions that we shouldn't make about the people around us. 

Today's picture book shows to great effect how dangerous it is to make assumptions on this kind. 

Meena

Sine van Mol

Illustrated by Carianne Wijffels

Picture Book

For ages 4 to 8

Eerdmans, 2011, 978-0-8028-5394-3

   Meena is a large woman who lives on Fly Street, and the children who live on that street are terrified of her. They have decided that Meena is a witch who is dangerous, and when they see that a little girl is visiting Meena, they get into a panic. Meena has taken a prisoner!

   Wanting to do something for the little girl, Christa, Klaas, and Thomas write WITCH on the street, and they also draw an arrow that points to Meena’s house. Their hope is that once everyone knows what Meena is, the old lady will move away.

   One day the little girl who visits Meena reads the words on the street. Christa, Klaas, and Thomas talk to her and find out that her name is Anna. They are appalled when Anna explains that Meena is her grandmother. They are convinced that Meena has put a spell on Anna. Anna is equally appalled (and angry) when the three children refuse to believe that Meena is a not a witch.

   Even when we are being very careful, many of us judge people without knowing anything about them. Something about their appearance or behavior makes us decide that they are weird, creepy, dorky, geeky, or uncool.

   In this picture book, Sine van Mol and Carianne Wijffels address this issue head on, showing to great effect how hurtful and cruel snap judgments can be. Children will see for themselves that Christa, Klaas, and Thomas are persecuting Meena, even though they have never actually met her or talked to her.