This beautiful picture book celebrates the natural world and all its wonder, and brings together two incredible talents: Newbery winning author Cynthia Rylant and Caldecott honor winner, the illustrator Brendan Wenzel. Rylant’s spare, poetic and meaningful text has an inspirational bent to it, confidently asking young readers to find a connection between the animals on the page and their own lives. To say Wenzel takes the text and runs with it is an understatement. From the captivating cover to the glorious title page which gives us a panoramic view of simple life forms swimming in water, Life hooks you at the start. Page after page, spread after spread, Wenzel offers up memorable images. I especially love the illustrations that mirror or comment on one another (a dog and a cat facing each other, looking startled but also curious; a gorilla facing a polar bear as the words “And something to protect” appear on the page, reminding us that these beautiful animals are endangered). Meanwhile, his double page spreads are very cinematic, taking us up, over, and about, under the water, and into the sky. Life mesmerizes.
Archives: Book Reviews
Tooth and Claw, by Jo Walton
Walton takes the Victorian social novel to new levels by making dragons the main characters. Suddenly, all of the social conventions of the age are backed by biological necessities – the need to have gold for one’s hoard, the need to have a parent’s estate (that is, their body…) divided fairly so one can eat it to grow and survive, a tell-tale change in the body that shows to all if a female has been in close contact with a male. All of this, plus the fact that social faux pas can lead to being eaten instead of just shunned, raises the stakes considerably, and creates a wholly original and entertaining story!
Anna Hibiscus – Books 5 – 8 – by Atinuke
Welcome Home, Anna Hibiscus!; Go Well, Anna Hibiscus!; Love from Anna Hibiscus!; You’re Amazing, Anna Hibiscus! all by Atinuke and illustrated by Lauren Tobia
Do you know Anna Hibiscus? Through her enthusiasm, you are introduced to “Africa, amazing Africa,” the wisdom of Anna’s grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and the escapades of her younger twin brothers, Double and Trouble. Atinuke celebrates the joys of living in one house with your whole extended family in a compelling look into lives lived differently than most in the US. I can’t recommend them enough as beginning chapter books, books about ordinary middle class life in Africa, books about girls coming into their own. So, you can imagine my joy when FOUR MORE BOOKS were published about Anna!
Atinuke clearly is showing an Anna Hibiscus ready to take on more difficult challenges in this set of books — the difference in healthcare & education for rich and poor, coping with the loss of a loved one, the struggle to understand and respect others.
And now I can recommend Anna Hibiscus even more highly. Atinuke and Lauren Tobia have given us a rare treasure in this newest set of books. Do yourself a favor and read them out loud to someone you love. You too will have changed along with Anna Hibiscus when you are done.
Space Battle Lunchtime by Natalie Riess
“Do you have what it takes to be the Greatest Chef in the Galaxy?” Step aside “Great British Bake Off” and “Top Chef,” there’s a new show in town and it airs in Space. Okay, so it doesn’t actually exist beyond the pages of author and illustrator Natalie Riess’ new book, Space Battle Lunchtime, Volume one: Lights, Camera, Snacktion, but it’s still just as much a treat! And Riess’ vibrant illustrations only enhance the fun, dramatic and exciting “episodes.” The story revolves around plucky, Earthling baker Peony, who is quickly scouted and beamed up by assistant Zonda (a frog looking alien) who needs a replacement for the show, pronto. Though you’ll root for Peony as she works to adapt her cooking and baking skills with unknown ingredients, the question of where the contestant she replaced went will become increasingly concerning. Will Peony’s fate have her winning the competition over the other five contestants or fighting to stay alive? Be prepared for a cliffhanger, this is book one for the new series. Good for grades 3 and up.
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
A delightful concept, wonderfully executed. Kell is a magician, one of the last with the power to jump between different versions of London, one of which exists in each different world. The three Londons we see (and the one we don’t) are all beautifully brought to life, as are the characters who inhabit them. Plus, plenty of fast-paced action, magical duels, aspiring pirates, thievery, and mayhem! This is the first book in a series, but has its own satisfying ending. Also available as an eBook and eAudiobook!
Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Martin (2017)
This is a biography for kids about one of America’s most innovative classically trained chefs who sells his creative food (Korean tacos!) in a food truck or in storefronts in the distressed areas of Los Angeles. His food is a dramatic mix of Korean and America fast food. The thing that makes this book blockbuster is the illustrator — Man One, a famous museum-quality graffiti artist who knows Roy Choi himself. His use of color is very innovative and really makes you feel you are reading about street food! This is Man One’s first children’s book and I hope it will not be his last.
Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder (2017)
Fall into this timeless book and get caught up in the word of Orphan Island. It’s a place governed by rules and magic and nature. Idyllic. Until one of the nine kids decides to break the rules…
Snyder treats world-building very differently than most fantasy authors. She does not share the background of the magic, nor does she sketch a complete world. She is interested in her wonderfully real characters and what they will do next.
This is NOT a book for folks who need all the loose ends tied up nor is it a book to pick up if you are feeling fragile or lost. You need your wits about you to read this book and definitely a friend to talk to, preferably one who’s also just read this book! Because so much is left open at the end, you will desperately want to talk to someone about this book. So, hurry up and read it so I can talk to YOU!
I would be surprised if Orphan Island wasn’t mentioned as a contender for the Newbery.
My Brother’s Husband by Gengoroh Tagame
Anderson Cooper calls it “heartbreaking” and “quietly dazzling.” Alison Bechdel (Fun Home) calls it “delightful and heartwarming”. I can’t quite even put into words how good this book is.
My Brother’s Husband Volume 1 has grabbed me as no other graphic novel has! It is a contemporary story from Japan by one of Japan’s great gay manga artists about one straight father’s start in rethinking what makes a family, based on a surprise visit of a Canadian man who was his brother’s husband in Canada. (Japan does not recognize gay marriage, either between citizens or between visitors from other countries.) The story is full of tender surprises highlighting the differences between cultures. And the drawing is unbelievably good; Tagame draws men in great and loving detail (Kana, the young daughter in the story is more cartoon-like) revealing their unspoken feelings and thoughts.
Beautiful, shattering, intense, quiet and lovely.
Riding Chance by Christine Kendall
Troy’s life has been a roller coaster lately. His mom passed away and now it’s just Troy, his dad and grandma. Things have changed so much and Troy has started to get into trouble with his best friend Foster. When Foster and Troy are busted for their most recent incident they are given the option of working at the horse stables in the city instead of going to juvie. Cleaning up after horses does not seem like a great option, who wants to spend their time shoveling horse poop? But, Troy and Foster get a chance to learn to ride the horses too. Troy begins to enjoy working with the horses and even starts to get excited at opportunity to join the stable’s polo team, but Foster is not interested at all. Troy really begins to bond with a horse named, Chance, who he rides during polo practice. As Troy gets more involved at the stables he has to make decisions about his friendship with Foster and also how to handle some tricky situations that come with the other polo players. Riding Chance is a great read for fans of G. Neri and Jason Reynolds.
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Is it possible that Kimberly Brubaker Bradley could write a sequel to the The War that Saved My Life that would live up to the beloved Newbery Honor book?
A resounding YES! The author concludes this story beautifully, resolving the issues of the first book in the first few chapters before entering into the terrible challenges the war presents to Ada, her family, and friends. She grows to be a strong girl, one who can not only nurture herself, but lead others to healing and hope. Every step is hard won. Watching Ada learn to trust, like a fist slowly uncurling, is achingly beautiful. If you haven’t read The War that Saved My Life, run and get the book now — and know that you are in very good hands. Ms. Bradley is a master artist and I can’t wait to see what else she will create for us.