Poetry Friday: A review of Bees, Snails, and Peacock Tails

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by nature. When I was growing up I wasn't much good at remembering mathematical formula or Greek grammar, but I could recite, ad nauseam, facts about animals and plants. I knew that male and not female sea horses take care of their babies, and that lemurs are only found in Madagascar. I knew that orchids are epiphytes and that some plants use moths and bats as pollinators. It is therefore not surprising that I was drawn to today's poetry title. As soon as saw the cover I knew that this was a book for me, and I was right.

Bees, snails, and peacock tails

Betsy Franco

Illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Poetry Picture Book

For ages 7 to 10

Simon and Schuster, 2008, 978-1-4169-0386-4

   Nature is full of patterns and geometric shapes. Some of them, like the hexagons that you find in a honeycomb, are quite fascinating because we still have no real idea how the “math” of the pattern is passed on “from worker bee / to worker bee.”

   Other patterns are more subtle. Have you, for example, ever noticed that moths are perfectly symmetrical? If, on a summer evening, a moth is drawn to your porch light, take a close look and you might see how the features on one wings are “perfectly matched” with those on the other.

   In the fall, in many places in the northern hemisphere, you can look up into the sky and see another pattern literally flying by. Somehow geese and other migratory birds know that flying in a v-shaped “wedge” makes it easier for them “slice through the air.”

   If you go snorkeling in a place where puffer fish live, it is likely that you will one day meet one of these usual fish. When they sense that danger is near, puffer fish fill their bodies with air until they are “almost a sphere.” Looking like a strange spiny floating ball, they are now in a form that makes them unattractive to a creature that is looking for its next meal.

   With wonderful rhymes and gorgeous collage illustrations, the author and illustrator of this book give readers a picture of some of nature’s miraculous patterns and shapes.

   At the back of the book the reader will find further information about the eleven topics that are explored in the title.

   

Fiction Wednesday - The Borrowers

On the weekend, a new animated film called The Secret World of Arrietty came out. The film is based on the book The Borrowers, which was written by Mary Norton and published in 1952. Mary Norton went on to write four other books about the Borrowers.


I loved this series when I was younger, and when I reread the first book recently I was charmed all over again.The main character, Arrietty, is a brave little person who refuses to let her mother's fears prevent her from living her life fully. Instead, she pursues her dreams, accepting that doing so may be dangerous.

The Borrowers

Mary Norton

Fiction

Ages 8 to 12

Harcourt, 2003, 0-15-204732-8

   Pod, Homily and their daughter Arrietty are the last borrower family left living in the old house. Being only a few inches high and very secretive little people, theirs is an odd and solitary little life spent for the most part under the floor boards of the kitchen. Homily and Pod are quite happy with their lot, but young Arrietty wants so much more. She hankers to be able to go outdoors, to be free, to see the sky and to breathe the fresh air.

  It seems that this dream is very unlikely until life begins to change for the borrowers. First Pod is seen by a boy who is visiting the house. This is a very traumatic event for a borrower, because being seen can lead to all kinds of disasters. Who knows what will come of it after all? Then, on her very first borrowing expedition, Arrietty is not only seen by the boy but she actually talks to him.

   It isn’t long before the boy and the borrowers develop a relationship. Lonely and fascinated by the little people, the boy brings the borrowers all sorts of treasures for their little home under the floor boards. Some of the things won’t be missed by the grown-ups in the house, but others soon are. It isn’t long before the housekeeper, Mrs. Driver, is on the warpath and the borrowers are in grave danger.

   Mary Norton is a master of characterization. Pod, Homily and Arrietty are warm, vibrant little people with very real fears and loves. Arrietty is especially sympathetic, and we easily understand why she would want to leave the old house in search of a new life in the sunshine. At the same time we can see why the very idea of “emigrating” makes poor Homily hysterical. With beautiful descriptive passages and a gripping story, this timeless tale is a classic. 

An Interview with Tim Warnes, Chalk, and Cheese

Not long ago I reviewed Chalk and Cheese, a book about a little English mouse who makes friends with a dog who lives in New York City. I loved the book, and was delighted when I heard that the author, Tim Warnes, has started an online comic strip featuring Chalk and Cheese. I decided that it would be interesting to find out how the online comic strip came into being, and Tim Warnes (and Chalk and Cheese) were gracious enough to agree to an interview.

TTLG: Tim, how did Chalk and Cheese come into your life?

©2011 

Tim: It all started back in art college in the early ‘90s. I’d been to  New York for a few days, and came back with lots of reportage drawings of the city which I used as the backgrounds for a series of illustrations based on dog phrases; for example ‘doggone’ and ‘doggy bag’. That’s when the first version of Chalk appeared. I developed the visuals further into the idea of an English rat visiting the dog in New York dog. The idea sat in a drawer for over 10 years until my editor at Simon & Schuster spotted it and asked me to develop it further. That’s when I hit upon the idea of basing the characters on me (Chalk) and my son, Noah (Cheese), who was aged about 5 at the time.

TTLG: Tim, I am a huge fan of your online comic strip. Tell me why you started it and what it is like to work using a blog format.

Tim: I started the comic strip for a number of reasons, the main one being because I needed to let it out! I desperately wanted to do the original picture book as a graphic novel for kids (I love the work of Posy Simmonds) but my editor wouldn’t let me take it that far. After Chalk and Cheese was published, I continued to jot down conversations with Noah, only now I’d sketch them being said by Chalk and Cheese. It’s just sort of grown from there.

I’ve always loved reading comic strips, and my mind seems to naturally write in that way. I also thought it’d be a fun way to promote the book, but was reluctant to commit to doing a regular strip. But seeing how people used the blog format encouraged me to take the plunge, making it possible to publish it with no financial cost to me. It’s a great creative outlet as it’s my chance to produce something exactly as I’d like to, without having to run it by designers and editors (I do show it to Noah and my wife, children’s illustrator Jane Chapman, though. Noah’s quite a comic book aficionado himself, so I really respect his thoughts).

TTLG: Cheese, you’re a country mouse in a foreign city. What’s that like for you?

Cheese: TOTALLY AWESOME! I like living in the countryside, but I like New York more. America’s a bit like England, cos you speak English except with Australian accents. But it’s different too cos everything’s so big. And you’ve got King Kong.

TTLG: Is there anything you miss about the countryside?

Cheese: No, not really.

Chalk: Nothing at all?!

Cheese: Well, the only thing that’s sort of different about the countryside is the walks, and I don’t really like them anyway. At least in New York I’ve got someone to carry me.

TTLG: Chalk, you’re best friends with Cheese, but you’re quite different. How’s that work?

Chalk: I try not to do anything Cheese doesn’t want to.

Cheese: Otherwise I might sulk. Wait a minute - sometimes we do do stuff I don’t want to, it’s just I don’t want to say... like I never really want to go for a walk, and I’m never too keen on not going to a toy shop.

TTLG: What’s the best thing you’ve done so far in New York, Cheese?

Cheese: I liked skating at Rocky Fella’s!

Chalk: No you didn’t - you hated it!

Cheese: Did I?... I can’t remember.... oh yeah! I like meeting cockroaches - Cutey Pops was my favourite. I wonder how that lil fella’s doing? I ‘spect he’s still in the subway. I’m not a big fan of the subway. It’s dark and it smells. Why d’you call it the sub anyway?  In England we call it the Underground. You speak funny in America.

TTLG: Is there anything you’d like to do in New York that you’ve not tried yet?

Cheese: Why are you asking me all these questions anyway? Is it an interrogation? Am I under arrest...?!

Chalk: I’d like to take Cheese to a museum or maybe...

Cheese: What I’d really, really love to see is Kong. Or a hillbilly. And I’d like to go to Gimbel’s. You know, the giant toy shop from Elf ?h

Chalk: Gimbel’s closed down years ago, Cheese.

Cheese: WHAT?! Well that sucks. Anyway, can we stop now? I’m bored.

TTLG: One last question. I see from your strip that you both enjoy books. What are you reading at the moment?

Chalk: The Complete Peanuts 1959-1960 and Understanding A.D.H.D.

Cheese: What was the question again...?

Thank you so much Tim, Chalk and Cheese. I would like to mention that Chalk and Cheese are being included in the Team Cul de Sac project to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's research. Team Cul de Sac was formed as a project by Chris Sparks and cartoonist Richard Thompson, the creator of the awesome 'Cul de Sac' comic strip, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The idea was to have an open invitation to artists to submit their takes on Richard's characters in whatever way they wanted (unsurprisingly the majority took the opportunity to place the 'Cul de Sac' characters in their own comic universes!) The book is going to be released in June 2012.

Picture book Monday - A review of A Jazz Age Josephine

February is Black History month, and in honor of this celebration (which is what it is by the way), I have reviewed a book about a remarkable African-American woman who dared to defy convention, and who dared to thumb her nose at racism. She was a beautiful and talented woman who wanted the world to see that she was a beautiful and talented woman. 

Jazz Age Josephine

Jonah Winter

Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Historical Fiction Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Simon and Shuster, 2012, 978-1-4169-6123-9

   Josephine Baker was born in St. Louis in 1906 and she, like so many other African Americans at that time, had a very hard life. She lived in a shack, had very little to eat, and her prospects for the future were quite grim. There was one person though who felt that little Josephine would one day be “a princess.”

   Josephine’s life was so full of misery that the only way she felt that she could get through it was by acting the fool. She made funny faces and crossed her eyes, and then she started to dance. It did not take long before people began to realize that Josephine was a gifted dancer.

   After the African American part of town was set alight by “white folks,” Josephine left St. Louis and she traveled around the country with an outdoor traveling show. She finally ended up in New York City where she auditioned for a show. At first, she was told to “Beat it,” but then the director agreed to let her dance in the chorus line. She also performed wearing a clown costume and black makeup on her face. The role was so insulting that Josephine decided to leave the United States, and she sailed for France hoping to find a place where people would accept and appreciate her.

   Based on the real story of the extraordinary Josephine Baker, this picture book combines bright colors and a rhyming bouncing text to give readers a real feel for what the performer’s life was like. Readers will be amazed to see how the poor little girl grew up to become one of the most famous performers of her time, and how she did so in spite of the racism that was commonplace.

   At the back of the book the author provides his readers with further information about Josephine Baker’s life and career.

Poetry Friday - A review of The Pop-Up Dinosaurs Galore!

When my daughter was little, she decided one day that she loved dinosaurs. Most of the little boys at her school were dinosaur mad, and they ran around holding their plastic dinos and roaring loudly. It annoyed my daughter that they thought that girls had no business being interested in dinosaurs. She and I decided that something needed to be done. We read some books about dinosaurs together, and the next day she went to school armed with all kinds of 'cool' dinosaur facts. After that day, the boys never dared to tell my daughter that she could not play dinosaurs, and she ran around with them roaring her head off.

For today's poetry title, I have a book that will excite little children who have a fascination for T. Rex, Brontosaurs, Pteradons, and other dinosaurs. It in, funny poems are combined with amusing artwork and novelty features such as pop-ups. What more could a young dino fan ask for.

The Pop-Up Dinosaurs Galore!

Giles Andreae

David Wojtowycz

Novelty Poetry Book

For ages 3 to 6

Tiger Tales, 2008, 1589258371

We are going to visit a swampland where dinosaurs of all kinds live. So get ready for a wonderful adventure.

   First of all let me introduce you to Tyrannosaurus Rex. This large meat-eating dinosaur will be "very pleased to meet you," but beware, because his main interest probably is "to EAT YOU!"

   Next we are going to soar up into the skies where the Pteranodons fly. These large flying creatures have large crests on their head that help them glide. Take a look too at the dinosaur that is swimming in the ocean beneath them.

   This charming pop-up book is sure to delight young dinosaur lovers. Most of the double page spreads look at one particular kind of dinosaur. On each one, young readers get to read a bouncy and often funny poem, pull the tabs, admire the pop-ups, and look at the illustrations. They might notice that one little pink dinosaur has a habit of turning up on all the pages.

Fiction Wednesday - A review of Dodsworth in New York

Most of us, at some time or another, get a sudden hankering to visit someplace new. We want to have fresh adventures, and meet interesting people. We want to eat exotic food, and gaze upon natural and man made wonders. Of course, going on a trip can be fraught with difficulties, which is what Dodsworth discovers when he decides to go on a trip. 

Dodsworth in New York

Tim Egan

Fiction

For ages 7 to 9

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007, 978-0-618-77708-2

   Dodsworth has decided that he needs to travel; he needs to have an adventure of some kind. After breakfast. So, he goes to Hodge’s Café to have something to eat before he starts his trip. Hodge has a pet duck who is, in Dodworth’s opinion, “crazy.” Certainly on this occasion the duck behaves in a very bizarre way; it throws pancakes at Dodsworth. Thankfully, Hodge comes out of the kitchen and he quickly puts a stop to the pancake throwing, and Dodsworth gets that excellent breakfast he was looking forward to.

   Eager to begin his adventure, Dodsworth gets on a train that is going to New York City. After the train leaves the station, Dodsworth opens up his suitcase and he discovers, to his annoyance, that Hodge’s duck has stowed away inside it. The duck is apparently “looking for excitement,” and he is looking forward to the trip ahead. Dodsworth is not happy at all, and he is determined to send the duck home as soon as possible.

   The problem is, the duck has no interest in going home. He manages to avoid capture, and soon poor Dodsworth is trotting all over the big city looking for Hodge’s wayward duck.

   Children will laugh out loud when they see how poor Dodsworth is outwitted, again and again, by Hodge’s wily duck. Just when the reader thinks that Dodsworth has the upper hand, the duck pulls a fast one.

   Divided into chapters and full of delightful touches of humor, both verbal and in the art, this is the first in what promises to be a very amusing series. 

The Lorax has a Giveaway for you!

Enter for a chance to win Lorax-themed prizes! Click here for the link!

Random House Children’s Books is hosting a daily giveaway through Friday, March 9^th

on its “Dr. Seuss Books” Facebook page in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday and NEA’s Read Across America.

Thank you for celebrating with us!

For more Seuss fun and games, visit http://www.seussville.com/.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

Books for Valentines Day

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and I have reviewed some wonderful titles for younger readers that explain what this special day is all about and how it came into being. There are also some stories that have a Valentine's Day theme. You can view my reviews of these books on the Valentine's Day Feature Page.

Picture Book Monday - A review of Marching with Aunt Susan

On February 15th, 1820 Susan Brownell Anthony came into the world. She grew up in a home that was strongly anti-slavery, and as a teenager became active in the anti-slavery and temperance movements. A few years later, Susan read about a speech that Lucy Stone gave at the first National Women's Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts. From this moment Susan devoted her life to the cause of women's rights.

In honor of this great lady's birthday, I have a picture book for you that is about how one little girl in California was affected by Susan's words and deeds. 

Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women's Suffrage

Claire Rudolf Murphy

Illustrated by Stacey Schuett

Historical Fiction Picture Book

For ages 7 to 10

Peachtree, 2011, 978-1-56145-593-5

   Bessie is very annoyed because her father and brothers won’t take her hiking with them. They think that girls belong at home, and that “strenuous exercise is not for girls,” which is nonsense of course.  After all, she can ride her bicycle faster than everyone who lives on her block, including her brothers. It is very irritating to be thus excluded because of her sex, and Bessie complains to her mother.

   Bessie’s mother invites Bessie to help her get the house ready for Susan B. Anthony’s visit that afternoon. Bessie looks at Susan B. Anthony’s photo in the newspaper and thinks that she looks like a “crabby old lady.” Bessie soon finds out that the old lady in question is a force to be reckoned with, but she is also a willing to listen to Bessie’s problems

   The next day, Bessie goes to hear Susan B. Anthony speak at the Golden Gate Auditorium, and she begins to understand that getting votes for women is important for many reasons. Bessie and her friend Rita decide to help with the cause. They learn that there are children all over the country who have to work instead of being able to go to school. Perhaps, if women could vote, laws would be put in place that would help “adults and children.”

   This book is based on the real story about Bessie Keith Pond and the 1896 suffrage campaign in California. Just like the Bessie described in the story, the real Bessie’s family members were strong supporters of the suffrage movement, and Bessie was close friends with Susan B. Anthony.

   As they read this book, young readers will come to realize why gaining the vote mattered so much to so many. Through Bessie’s eyes they will see how women and girls were discriminated against, and what they had to put up with as they fought for the right to vote.

   At the back of the book, the author provides her readers with further information about Bessie Keith Pond, the California suffrage campaign, Susan B. Anthony, and the history of the American suffrage movement with a timeline.