More, more, more: A Bear Far from Home: Susan Fletcher

A Bear Far From Home is an historical incident, plus beautiful writing filled with wonder, and illustrations inspired by medieval tapestries. For the older siblings of your readertotz, Susan Fletcher's imagined recounting of a white bear finding itself relocated in England is a beautiful tribute to beginning again. As well, the door will be opened to discuss oppression, zoos, slavery, and the rights of all. The bear finds a new home; yet, it is chained and in a foreign environment. Fletcher brings the readers' empathy alongside the bear, as she imagines how it feels throughout the entire experience. 

"Imagine

how strange and loud and lonely

the world must have seemed 

to the bear--" 

Rebecca Green's illustrations pay homage to the time and space. The Tower of London, the King's Menagerie and King Henry III are featured. Layouts and perspectives vary and increase the emotional impact of the work. 

This exquisitely rendered book will provoke thoughts and emotions in readers. Just imagine. Let the connections rise and discussions begin!

A Bear Far From Home

by Susan Fletcher

illustrated by Rebecca Green

Anne Schwartz Books, 9/27/2022

More, more, more: Heckadeck, Travis Nichols

How about instead of 52 cards, you have 160 to play with? Imagine being able to play Go Fish with your totz and then maybe Hearts with your older children, with the same deck of cards. Heckadeck offers you 8 suits of 16 cards. You can also anticipate new ranks, visual shapes, and more. What might your family create with Clouds, Zeroes, Beasts, and Travelers? 

An accompanying game booklet offers up the rules for old games and new. There's even a section for reading cards, if you're interested. The power is yours as you and your loved ones sit down for some fun card playing.  

Creator, illustrator Travis Nichols' imagery is both adorable and intriguing. The palette is softly muted. The box says for ages 6 and up, but I see you might use the Heckadeck with younger children in many ways. They might match cards, learn colors and numbers, spot imagery, and play memory games. 

With an opportunity to invent your own games, and the extra cards for further creativity, this deck is fun for all. Shuffle away! 

Heckadeck

by Travis Nichols

Chronicle Books, 2022

More, more, more: Out of a Jar, Deborah Marcero

As feelings are strong, and we search for answers, meaning, and peace, Out of a Jar by Deborah Marcero might be a perfect place to begin with your readertotz. Llewellyn the bunny likes all things scary, but he does not like to be scared. Other feelings, too, can't be ignored and continue to come around, but all is well when Llewellyn discovers they can be tucked inside jars. Even pleasant feelings can be bottled. It's not until they are all released that he is able to finally feel relieved. 

This adorable bunny with long ears, who lives in a subtly patterned world, will win hearts. The fresh exploration may help your first readers to identify emotions and assist them in witnessing and expressing their feelings in healthy ways. 

Out of a Jar

by Deborah Marcero

G. P. Putnam, 2022

deborahmarcero.com

More, more, more: On Wings of Words

On Wings of Words, the Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson is a beautiful presentation of the poet's life and words. Jennifer Berne captures Emily's experiences, and Becca Stadtlander's art sets a perfect tone for the setting. At times, illustrations are historically accurate, but the work flies even farther when she is free to render Emily's thoughts and emotions. 

The weaving of portions of poems with the author's text is organic and well-weighted: 

"But everywhere she looked,

she was told to obey without asking,

to believe without knowing why. 

  

        So she began to put her faith in

        what she could see and understand.

                    In the name of the Bee-

                    And of the Butterfly-

                    And of the Breeze-Amen!"

Add this tribute to our beloved poet to your library for your totz. 

"The World is sleeping...we must

be crowing cocks, and singing larks,

and a rising sun to awake her." 

On Wings of Words, The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson

by Jennifer Berne

illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

Chronicle Books, 2020

More, more, more: When We Say Black Lives Matter

Here is a must find, must purchase, must share! When We Say Black Lives Matter is the poetic, spot-on answer for our readertotz when they ask, "What does Black Lives Matter mean?" 

Maxine Beneba Clarke's direct, compassionate beauty fills this picture book as black parents speak to their black child. Clarke's watercolor pencil and collage resembles chalk drawings which glow like stained glass over the large format. Verbs illuminate what this powerful statement means, whether it is screamed, danced, or laughed. 

"When we smile

Black Lives Matter,

we're raising our spirits high.

We're saying

we are here,

and we are enough.

Black-beautiful-brave, 

my child."

Let Clarke, who is speaking to her own beloved family around the world, fill your home with affirmations of truth and joy. Black Lives Matter. 

When We Say Black Lives Matter

by Maxine Beneba Clarke

Candlewick Press, 2021

More, more, more: Goodnight Ganesha

 

There is so much beauty in this work from Nadia Salomon, illustrated by Poonam Mistry. With a nod to Goodnight Moon, two children say goodnight to Ganesha, as they visit their grandparents in India. The evening includes stories and rituals which set a beautiful tone. 

Mistry's tapestry style artwork brings mystery, warmth, and awe. You can look long at the intricate patterns and stylizations which accompany Salomon's rhyming text. 

Goodnight, thali.

Goodnight, kumkum. 

Goodnight, deepam--and wafts of perfume. 

Visit this beauty with your totz before they drift to sleep. 

Goodnight Ganesha

by Nadia Salomon

illustrated by Poonam Mistry

Philomel Books, 2021

More, more, more: ABC of Feelings

How many of us could benefit from this new picture book? I can! Author/illustrator Bonnie Lui brings a range of emotions to young readers by walking through the alphabet. Short definitions and expressive illustrations aid in the teaching. A background painter for Dreamworks and WB, Lui has created beauty in another format for all to enjoy. 

A is for anxious. Anxious is feeling really worried about something. 

B is for brave. Brave is being nervous about something...and doing it anyway!

or

N is for needy. Needy is wanting someone you love to pay attention to you. 

O is for overwhelmed. Overwhelmed is having too many thoughts and feelings all at once. 

I can imagine reaching for this book over and over as your readertotz gain self-awareness and learn to identify emotions. Get ready to spot those feelings!

ABC of Feelings

by Bonnie Lui

Philomel, 2021

More, more, more: Three Little Engines

Empathy and compassion versus self-interest and personal success. Bob McKinnon's Three Little Engines brings a new perspective to The Little Engine That Could who has taught us for 90 years that the road to success is self belief. The journey isn't the same for all, and we can look about and help others forward as we have also been helped at times. 

Illustrations by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson are unique while they echo the older picture book. Fun patterns can be found in flattened shapes in rolling landscapes. 

Three Little Engines has reached the New York Times Bestseller list! Watch the recent CBS Sunday Morning interview here. Your first readers will cheer for all the engines as they learn a life lesson in care. The illustrators dedicate the work so beautifully: 

For all people who act for greater equitable good and say, "I know we can..."

Three Little Engines 

by Bob McKinnon 

illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson

Grosset & Dunlap, 2021

More, more, more: The Magnificent Books Series

Publisher Weldon Owen International has released two works in their The Magnificent Books Series. Oversized, the format delivers incredibly beautiful illustrations. In The Magnificent Book of Birds, written by Tom Jackson, illustrator Walerczuk's realistic imagery captivates. One expects the birds to sing and fly from the pages. A fact file gives the basics, while further bulleted text expands on habitat and behaviors. When proportions or scale warrants, the book is turned on its side, such as for the Greater Flamingo or the Resplendent Quetzal. The wide age spans are just one interesting feature to compare from bird to bird.

The same creative passion is given to The Magnificent Book of Horses. The text is by Tom Jackson and Diana Ferguson while illustrations were created by both Simon Mendez and Val Walerczuk. From the Camargue to the Brabant, horses from around the world walk, prance, stand, and run through the pages. The fact file includes the horse's character, such as the friendly Icelandic Horse, the strong-willed Mustang, and the stubborn Shetland Pony. Both books in the series give a human scale reference in silhouette. 

Enjoy these works with your entire family. I can imagine leaving the book open on a coffee table to feature one horse or bird a day. Brilliant!

The Magnificent Book of Birds

by Tom Jackson

illustrated by Walerczuk

The Magnificent Book of Horses

by Tom Jackson and Diana Ferguson

illustrated by Simon Mendez and Val Walerczuk

Weldon Owen International, 2021 

More more more: Sunny Day, A Celebration of the Sesame Street Theme Song

How has this not been created before? The Sesame Street song begs to be illustrated as a picture book. So how about eighteen illustrators sharing their views? Perfect? Yes! The diversity of imagery and artists allow this imaginary street, and the journey to it, to come alive in one more format. Permission to imagine your own setting is given by the multiplicity of illustrators. 

Be sure to peak under the dust jacket to see the illustration wrapping the cover. Roger Bradfield illustrated for Sesame Street in the 1970s and the style takes me back to my Sesame Street. Also included on the title page is an illustration from Joe Mathieu who has been illustrating Sesame Street books since 1971. 

So, celebrate Sesame Street with this treasure. Find your way with your child. With thanks to the illustrators, the music and lyrics by Joe Raposo and two other lyricists: Bruce Hart and Jon R. Stone. Enjoy your Sunny Day!

Sunny Day, a Celebration of Sesame Street

by Joe Raposo, Bruce Hart, and Jon R. Stone

illustrations by various illustrators 

Random House, 2019

Heads up! This picture book will be released in board book format, September 2021. Woohoo!

More, more, more: I am the Shark

The great white shark enters bold as the greatest shark there is. It isn't long before he's challenged. There are other sharks who are great, as well. They swim faster, live longer, hide better, and more. The great white shark learns there will always be others who are great and greater than him. To be happy, being yourself is the way to swim. Along the way, first readers will learn fascinating, fun facts about many shark varieties. And who knows? Maybe it's your joyful smile that will set you apart in the end. Regardless, there's room for all to be admired and enjoyed for who they are. Even a bear...

Joan Holub's funny, heartwarming text bounces along with the great white's search for specialty. Laurie Keller's art amps the humor to its fullest level. What a winning combination for schools, libraries, and families who love sharks! 

I am the Shark

by Joan Holub

illustrated by Laurie Keller

Crown Books for Young Readers

More, more, more: Sulwe, Lupita Nyong'o

Enjoy this entire, awarded, beautiful work! 

 

Sulwe

by Lupita Nyong'o

illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Simon & Schuster

More, more, more: The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself

This work truly is extraordinary. Every last little bit can be used in eco-friendly projects. Thirty activities will keep you and your readertotz busy. You will cut, and fold, and tear, and glue your way through fun that will benefit our earth. 

Illustrations by Pintachan are charming and Susan Hayes and Penny Arlan's text is engaging and not overly heavy. The entire work is a delight. Holding it in your hands, one is immediately inspired to action. The only difficulty is deciding where to start! 

You can rescue old clothes, build a bug hotel, chase away electricity vampires, upcycle your junk, and more. Checklists are provided for various challenges as changes are attempted and actions are taken.

Alone and together, we can make a difference as we journey forward. Bravo, Earthaware Kids!

The Extraordinary Book That Eats Itself

by Susan Hayes and Penny Arlan

illustrated by Pintachan

Earthaware Kids, 2020

More, more, more: My First Day

There's so much beauty in this upcoming picture book. My First Day takes the reader down the Mekong Delta to school as a Vietnamese boy paddles alone through the waters. Similarities and differences of experiences blend in the common feelings shared for walking or boating through firsts. How can you not marvel at this hero's journey through rain, forests, and waves? 

The cover possesses the soar into the the future, but I find it doesn't fully capture the richness of other illustrations. The interior holds a stunning light you don't want to miss. This is a top pick from publisher Make Me a World, and the author and illustrator team Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien. Brilliant! 

My First Day

written and illustrated by 

Phung Nguyen Quang

and Huynh Kim Lien

Make Me a World, February 16, 2021

More, more, more: Lilah Tov Good Night: Ben Gundersheimer

 

This precious book is not to be missed. The main character is saying good night to all around her after a "long and beautiful day." 

"Lilah Tov to the roosters and hens

Lilah Tov to the bears in their dens"

The depth of the work is in the secondary story, or actually the main story. The family is leaving their home in the night and traveling on foot to a new land. She says good night to the creatures she passes, the beach, and the waves. She speaks to the stars at sea, and the fish. Finally, reaching land, the journey continues until she is in a new home. There she snuggles down and wishes the reader, and all, a good night. The family menorah has traveled the distance from one window to another.

Brilliant beauty. The art was done in pencil and digitally rendered. Noar Lee Naggan's paintings are luminous. The best of the best from publisher Nancy Paulsen, as usual. 

Lilah Tov Good Night

by Ben Gundersheimer

illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan

Nancy Paulsen Books

More, more, more: Sound, Shhh...Bang...POP...BOOM!

For the older siblings of your readertotz, look for the picture book, Sound, Shhh...Bang...Pop...Boom! With nearly dayglo colors, the sound vibrates straight out of this fascinating book. Graphic flat overlays of color create our auditory world. 

Within the main text, such as:

"In the sea of known and unknown sounds,

we look for order and harmony. This is how music is born."

there is small text which labels images: organ, accordion, French horn. Further info is delivered, as well:

"Even vegetables can serve as great musical instruments. A band called The Vegetable Orchestra plays music on vegetables and then makes soup out of them." 

This BolognaRagazzi Award winner, for best nonfiction in 2018, isn't confined to musical instruments. It explores city sounds, language, animals, people of sound, and people who speak in silence. The work is brilliant. Appreciate sound and then the lack of it. 

Sound, Shhh...Bang...POP...BOOM!

by Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv 

translated by Vitaly Chernetsky

A Handprint Book

More, more, more: Heart on Pluto

The heart-shaped Tombaugh Regio of Pluto is the focus of this picture book for the older siblings of your readertotz. Joining New Horizons, we travel across the solar system to reach our beloved dwarf planet. There, nitrogen ice warms and vaporizes day and night like a beating heart. 

Karl Jones' text is straight forward while Andrew J. Ross's illustrations soundly resonated with me. There is such tenderness given to the imagery and scratchy font.  

All of the symbols within the picture book work together to comfort. From our smallest planet, to a long journey to find love, to messages of love sent and received over long distances, young readers might find solace in our current isolation from Covid 19. Celebrate Pluto and our love for each other through this beautiful work. 

Pluto's Heart

by Karl Jones

illustrated by Andrew J. Ross

Penguin Workshop 2020

More, more, more: Tiger Wild

"There's a time to be quiet and still and a time to be wild and free!" So concludes, Lily in Tiger Wild. Here is a dear homage to Where the Wild Things Are and a further exploration of feelings. Max, meet Lily.

After misbehaving, Tiger and Lily run away to the wild where they come to face emotions beyond anger and help each other forward. Penny, the caregiver, even ends up exploring the wild with the two of them at times.

Illustrations are open and fresh, with a captured quickness to further illustrate Lily's adventures. There's a crayon quality which is so relatable. (Look for Tiger mimicking a Wild Thing in his stance.)

Use this work to discuss emotions with your older siblings of readertotz. Hand in hand, go into the wild.

Tiger Wild
by Gwen Millward
Viking Books for Young Readers

More, more, more: The Mermaid Atlas

Oh, such love of the merfolk around the world is captured in The Mermaid Atlas, Merfolk of the World. The attention to detail and inclusion of so many representations is beautiful. Crossing the continents, Anna Claybourne and Miren Asiain Lora (illustrator) introduce us to the tales we hold about the magical merfolk who swim the seas of our collective conscious.

From a general description:
"While a typical mermaid is female, with flowing hair and a fish’s tail, that’s far from the only type. There are plenty of male fishpeople, or mermen. There are also stories of twin-tailed merfolk, fish-humans with webbed hands and feet, and mermaids who are part-seal, part-octopus or part-dolphin. Some merpeople can even assume human form for a while, step on to the land and walk among us, undetected."

To a specific example:
In seas, rivers and lakes all around Africa, you could come across the water spirit Mami Wata. She takes the form of a glamorous woman with a fish’s tail, a snake’s tail, or in the east, where she is called Mamba Muntu, a crocodile’s tail. She also has a pet snake, which wraps itself around her. Mami Wata is not usually harmful, but she is sometimes blamed for strong water currents, and children are warned to stay away from deep water in case she catches them. She adores pampering herself, and you can keep her happy by leaving her luxurious gifts: jewellery, make-up, perfume and food.

Here is book for all lovers of merfolk. Add this lovingly crafted, artful compendium to your collection.

Mermaid Atlas, Merfolk of the World
by Anna Claybourne
illustrated by Miren Asiain Lora
Laurence King Publsihing, 2020

More, more, more: Intersection Allies

Intersection Allies, We Make Room for All shares the stories of children of diverse experiences as they come together to be allies for each other. The text rhymes, but it carries a breadth of information. Front and back matter will aid further discussion and empower caregivers to confidently discuss our societal need for understanding and compassion for all.  

Flat, patterned, simple shape illustrations flow throughout. These raise the accessibility for topics such as protests and immigration. 

Here is a book to increase awareness of the beautiful and different life experiences of many. May we see our intersectionality and be allies with all. 

Intersection Allies, We Make Room for All
by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi
illustrated by Ashley Seil Smith
Dottir Press
Free download through June 19, 2020