Blog Archives

Dos Chicos

4/30/2020

Two Latino boys. Two engaging stories. Two distinctive illustration styles. ¡ bravo!

Frederico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez ill by Elisa Chavarri

Once upon a modern time...

Gomez takes the well-known tale of "Little Red Riding Hood," dresses the main character in a scarlet hoodie, adds a distinctive Latin flavor, and sets it to a rhythmic beat. It's Federico and the Wolf, a contemporary retelling.

In this version, young Federico bikes to his grandfather's shop. First he stops to purchase ingredients for pico de gallo. He and grandfather plan to enjoy lunch together and then whip up a batch of hot salsa.

Federico is on his way with a basket of groceries when a hungry wolf appears and declares his intent to devour this niño. It takes some quick thinking and a large habanero to outwit un lobo.

At the tale's conclusion, Gomez shares a recipe for pico de gallo. She adds a glossary of Spanish words and phrases with pronunciation guide along with definitions.

Chavarri's charming illustrations have a contemporary folk-art quality. End papers feature colorful traditional patterns with the faces of Federico and Grandfather nestled within the designs. Her portfolio includes this dazzling bookmobile art.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 19, 2020 Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN: 978-1328567789

Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffield

Tonight I dream in my house.
Nuestra casa para siempre-
our always house.

Brick mason meets young reader. Sheffield has ingeniously woven together the building of an architectural structure and the creation a reader. Both are busy: constructing brick by brick, book by book.

Pages views alternate between parallel activities. Papa scales the scaffolding while Luis scrambles up playground equipment. Papa mixes mortar and trowels a layer of cement as Luis molds clay. Papa stacks bricks row by row and Luis arranges a tower of his favorite stories, book upon book.

The heart of the story is the relationship between a father and son. Luis rides on his father's shoulders while wearing papa's hard hat. The two share a warm abrazo.
Together they work and plan for the fulfillment of a dream: a house that they can call home.

Sound effects displayed with various font colors add to the sensory experience.

TAP TAPS brick into place
SCRRRRAPES drips the mortar
KERCHUNKS lunch box closes
WHIRRRRRR a mixer at work
WHOOOSH water added to the slurry

Illustrations are stellar. Sheffield's collages of textures, colors, shapes and snippets of photographs are ingenious. Artistic assemblages are enhanced with painted details.

Observant readers will find papa's boots are photographs of actual work boots. The United States flag is a collection of irregular red and white stripes, hand drawn stars on a blue background and a snippet of blue jeans. Pieces of actual brick form the buildings. Multicolor angular shapes become falling autumn leaves.

Spanish phrases are seamlessly woven into the narrative. Messages are carefully placed throughout the illustrations. A city illustration includes the messages "dream" and "mis sueños" which echo the father and son's hopes for the future. When the pair drive away from the city toward their new home the environmental art contains a different message: "bye" and "adios." Brick by Brick is brimming with the joy of hard work and the realization of a dream.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 5, 2020 Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books ISBN: 978-0525517306

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Think Pink: A Triple Treat

4/24/2020

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Pink. Look at all the pink! Love the warm, positive vibes this color embodies. This trio of books for middle grade readers feature stories of Muslim girls living in a world where they are frequently a minority. These narratives explore discovering and embracing one's religious and cultural identity. Delightful. Thoughtful. Read one. Read two. Read all three!

All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney

Allie Abraham works on blending in. A Circassian with reddish-blond hair and hazel eyes, it is easy for this sixteen-year-old cheerleader, academic standout, and school choir member to ignore her Muslim heritage. Allie's non-practicing Muslim father believes that this will protect her from discrimination.
However, Allie is drawn to the culture and religion of her grandmother. She wants to learn Arabic, study the Qur'an, begin a habit of regular prayer, and dress modestly. She meets with a group of forward-thinking Muslim young women who practice their faith in modern America. She's an All-American Muslim Girl.
Publicly acknowledging her heritage is a challenge. She hides her newfound interest in Islam from her father, walks a fine line with her boyfriend whose father is a well-known and bigoted news personality. She deals with classmates who mock her faith and other Muslims who condemn her for not being Muslim enough. What to do?

Allie must determine who she is and what she believes. How will she dress? How will she handle her growing attraction to a young man when her faith forbids personal contact? At what point will she inform her father of her changing views on religion? She must answer for these questions for herself.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: November 12, 2019 Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) ISBN: 978-0374309527

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

This collection of short stories paints miniature portraits of an assemblage of Eid-al-Fitr celebrations. While the practice of faith varies within the Muslim community, each unique Eid observance is memorable.
The anthology contains lighthearted as well as poignant glimpses into the culminating observance of Ramadan with descriptions of private prayer, public celebrations, distinctive clothing, special food, and gifts. Readers meet a recent convert to Islam who fasts and samples spicy fare for the first time. For others Eid is bittersweet, reviewing celebrations from years past and remembering absent family members. Some stories follow the journey to be with family: taking the subway to the Bronx or sitting in the car’s back seat with siblings while traveling to Sydney, Australia. I loved the descriptions of clothing: choosing to wear a hajib for the first time or fashioning a unique gown from a thrift store purchase.

Once Upon an Eid celebrates traditional and contemporary Eid observances with a variety of writing styles and formats including prose, verse, comic panels. Bake a batch of special Eid brownies with ALL the toppings and savor this delightful anthology. Share the joy of family, generosity, and friendship.

Electronic copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 5, 2020 Publisher: Amulet Books ISBN: 978-1419740831

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Jude leaves her father and brother to escape the increasing violence in her Syrian hometown. She and her mother journey to Cincinnati, Ohio where they take refuge at the home of her uncle. Mother and daughter attempt to build a new life. It's hard. Everything is foreign including communicating in an unfamiliar language, eating strange food, and encountering a different style of dress. Jude has the added burden of being a seventh grade student, a difficult experience for anyone. Ignored by her cousin, Jude must navigate the treacherous waters of this strange school environment on her own. She struggles to find her place among students who “don’t look like me."

A possible solution presents itself. Jude loves theater and movies. She learns that the school is staging a production of Beauty and the Beast. Summoning her courage, she auditions for a part in this fairy-tale musical. Can a girl from Syria can make it onto the stage in Ohio?

Other Words for Home is a 2020 Newbery Honor Book. The lyrical free verse is richly textured, layered with sensory imagery, poetic language, and astute observations. Jude speaks eloquently to the plight of a young Syrian refugee adjusting to a new home and culture. This is also a story for anyone who has felt left out, trying to fit in when belonging seems impossible. Ultimately it’s a story of hope.

Audiobook accessed via Overdrive.

May 28, 2019 Publisher: HarperAudio AISN: B07PJWVHBD

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Bunch of Baloney

4/21/2020

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Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli

Come and see...the masterful...the magical...the one and only Baloney!

When times are tough, when days are dark, when "normal" is a fleeting memory, some may wonder if there is anything that will bring a bit of cheer to world weary souls. The answer is yes. Baloney and Friends is here to dispel some of life’s hopelessness.

This collection of graphic novel shorts begins with the introduction of four slightly zany cartoon characters. Readers meet Baloney, the pig and star of the book. He is joined by friends Peanut D. Horse, Biz E. Bee, and Krabbit a rabbit. Krabbit lives up to his name often responding with a sarcastic “whatever."

Readers are treated to a selection of stories interspersed with mini comics. Follow Baloney as he entertains his friends with tricks which may or may not be magical. The gentle humor continues as he struggles with fear of the unknown and feelings of sadness. Pizzoli has created a winsome collection of tales with precisely the right amount of snark.

Bright colors, a handy trim size of just over 6" x 8", an easy-to-read 96 pages, and limited word count make this an excellent choice for emergent readers. Bonus back matter provides step- by-step tutorials for drawing each of the book’s characters. Silliness, snappy dialogue, and a few bathroom jokes will delight young readers. It’s a bunch of baloney that kids will eat up.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: April 21, 2020 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-1368054546

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A Tale Retold

4/17/2020

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Bluebeard: A Feminist Fairy Tale by Metaphrog

The dynamic duo Metaphrog have created a creeptastic reimagining of Bluebeard. Award-winning co-creators John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs have cast this traditional French folktale as a fantasy feminist story. Readers meet a girl who doesn’t wait to be rescued. She rescues herself.
Here’s how it happens:

Eve and her family live near an enchanted forest. Beyond the forest atop a high mountain is the castle of Count Bluebeard.

Eve's idyllic life with her family and her best friend Tom is disrupted when strange things begin to happen near the forest. Animals disappear. People can be trapped in the masses of dense vegetation. No one dares to enter this sinister wood.

After Eve reaches her eighteenth year, Bluebeard decides to select a bride from among the townsfolk. With a roll of the dice, Eve is selected to become his wife and live with him on the mountaintop. Following the marriage ceremony he takes her to his imposing, opulently furnished castle. Eve notices a long corridor leading to countless rooms. At the end of an extended hallway is a door opened only with a special golden key.

When Bluebeard leaves on urgent business he presents Eve with a ring of keys giving her access to all rooms in the castle. She is explicitly warned to never enter the door unlocked with the golden key. Alone and anxious, Eve roams throughout the castle, going from room to room.

Eventually she opens the forbidden door. To her horror she finds the bodies of all the Count's former wives, hanging from the ceiling, their blood staining the room a violent red. The horrific truth dawns on Eve: He has killed all his wives. She is trapped inside the home of a murderer and she will be his next victim.

Meanwhile in the village Eve's older sister Anne has disappeared. Tom worries about Eve as there has been no communication from her. Tom suspects foul play and decides to take action. He recruits Eve's brothers to help him storm the castle, locate Anne, and rescue the two sisters.

Bluebeard returns to his home and finds that Eve has discovered the bodies of his murdered wives. In an intense climactic scene, Eve struggles to save her sister. Not waiting for Tom and her brothers, she courageously takes matters into her own hands, finishing off the count and setting both girls free.

Tension escalates with a series of panels that depict Eve gazing up a dizzying spiral staircase while Bluebeard stealthily inches nearer. Close-ups of razor-sharp teeth and talon-like extended fingers bring the terror into sharp focus.

Art is breathtaking. Intricately detailed dark silhouettes contrast against the soft jewel tone tints. The gorgeous backgrounds are enchanting.
Color plays an important part in the story. Some of the opening settings and coloring are reminiscent of the classic Disney fairy tales, such as Cinderella. Eve's world is a sparkling pink, while the appearance of Bluebeard is signaled with predominantly blue hues.

Shine Your Light. Shine Your Story.

4/14/2020

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When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, and Iman Geddy

If you know how to look, there are stories woven into the very essence of stars.
Be like a star. Shine your light. Shine your story.

Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed's When Stars Are Scattered introduces readers to the reality of survival for displaced individuals, an existence filled with deprivation, uncertainty, and boredom.

Jamieson is a masterful storyteller. She brilliantly describes her childhood interests in Roller Girl, a Newbery Honor Award book and All’s Faire in Middle School. Now she steps away from personal experience to chronicle the childhood of Somali refugees Omar Mohamed and his younger brother Hassan.

The narrative is based on Omar’s memories. He and Hassan escaped Somalia's civil war, lost contact with their parents, and were given shelter at a camp located in Kenya. Looked after by a kind woman, they subsist on meager rations and sleep in a tiny tent. Omar assumes responsibility for disabled brother's daily care. Life changes when a UN worker suggests that Omar attend a school organized for the camp's children. Education becomes his lifeline and an escape from the grim reality of camp life. Fifteen long years later, the two resettle in Arizona.

Drawings are clean and uncluttered, keeping the focus on these young siblings. Each frame becomes a metaphor for life within the refugee camp. Omar remains trapped inside the confining panel boundaries. There are a few instances where Omar breaks through the restrictive lines which limit him. Using a stick, his elbow stretches beyond the frame as he writes letters in the ground. Arms extend out as he considers his decision to attend school. His hand drops out of the panel to receive a packet of verses that distill the lives, hopes, and dreams of young refugees. The inference is that education breaks the confines that hold him captive.
Color tends to be flat except the expanse of sky, where a breathtaking array of hues ranging from soft pinks to deep blues are sprinkled with the glimmering pinpoints of tiny stars. The sky appears limitless.

Jamieson takes a few liberties with Mohamed's story, fleshing out the narrative with additional characters. Two fictional camp residents deal with the harsh realities for girls in this society: few basic supplies, limited education opportunities, and arranged marriages at a young age.

Back material consists of an Afterword, Author's Notes by both Mohammed and Jamieson, photographs of Omar and his family, and Acknowledgments.

With extraordinary grace and simplicity, Mohamed and Jamieson put a name and a face on the plight of refugees. The suffering and unsettled circumstances are evident on every page. Without undue sentimentality or overwrought emotion, young Omar’s story is simple and straightforward yet powerful in it's impact.

This graphic novelization of Omar’s life as a refugee is heartbreaking and eye opening. It's the story of the bond that connects siblings, of living with a disabled family member, of a repressive view of women, and the long-lasting aftereffects of war. Notwithstanding these obstacles, this is a story of hope.
This seminal work written for children is a must read for all ages. A harrowing story well told. A story of humanity and possibility.

Want to Do More?

"I lived in Dadaab Refugee camp for over fifteen years. I know what its like to spend your entire childhood without resources. Now I'm working to change that for my family, friends, and neighbors." Omar Mohamed

Inspired by the story of a young refugee? Learn more about the mission and work of Refugee Strong.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher

Pub date: April 14, 2020 Publisher: Dial Books ISBN: 978-0525553908

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Long and Short of It

4/6/2020

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Long Story Short: 100 Classic Books in Three Panels
by Lisa Brown

Literature is long. Comics are short.

Long ago, somewhere between the age when dinosaurs roamed the earth and the advent of Walkman cassettes, I discovered Richard Armour’s The Classics Reclassified. Armour's tongue-in-cheek synopsis of literary standards such as The Iliad, Julius Caesar, and Ivanhoe are awash with witty observations, puns, and a plentiful side of silliness. An example is this title and subtitle "The Scarlet Letter: An A for effort."
I enjoyed that slim volume and would carry it around, quoting it to anyone who would listen.

Long Story Short has gone one better. Actually, it's one hundred better with pithy summaries of classic literature ranging from Dante's The Inferno and Beowulf to contemporary classics such as Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Hinton's The Outsiders, a groundbreaking YA novel for young adults. Lisa Brown also skewers beloved children's books: Harriet the Spy, Charlotte's Web, and *gasp* Harry Potter.
Here's what stands out: Brown condenses the larger works into a comic format, with about three jaw-dropping panels for each title. Think newspaper comic strip/Cliffs Notes mash-ups. It's amazing.

The abridged comics are organized into thematic sections: "Big Thoughts," "Epic," "Female Trouble," "War is Hell," "(Un)Happy Families," "The Horror," "Jeepers! Creepers!" "Friends and Frenemies," "Love," "Sex," and "Death."
Back matter includes a one-page guide on How to Write Your Own Three-Panel Book, index listing by title, and index listings by subject.

This is a book for those with a literary bent. Readers familiar with these titles will appreciate Brown's wit and her remarkable ability to distill a magnum opus into a few cleverly drawn panels. Well drawn. Well done.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: April 7, 2020 Publisher: Algonquin Books ISBN: 978-1616205034

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Best Friends

4/4/2020

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Paper Planes by Jim Helmore and Richard Jones

How could they be best friends if they were so far apart?

Mia and Ben are best of friends. Inseparable, the duo can frequently be found designing and flying their own paper planes.
When Ben's family moves far away, the two are worried about the fate of their friendship. The distance between the two seems insurmountable. Then a small but remarkable thing happens. One smashed air ship and and a plane lacking wings bring the two together, joining forces to solve a problem. The challenge to construct a flight-worthy aircraft unites Mia and Ben. They also work out the challenge of their geographical separation with paper. Intricately folded paper.

Helmore has based the story on the long-distance friendship between his daughter living in England and her Australian cousin. This relationship spanning thousands of miles was forged and cemented by an exchange of paper planes.

With slightly greyish hues Jones' color palette has a muted quality that captures a sense of loneliness. The wide expanse of sky emphasizes the distance separating Mia and Ben. Images of flight emerge throughout the pages: geese soaring through the air, an airplane making dizzying dives in the skies, and boats gliding across the water.

While the story is based in reality, there is a gorgeous dream sequence where the friends meet high above the clouds. The longing to stay connected permeates the children's dreams. Paper Planes celebrates the youthful joy of friends with a shared interest. The pain of their separation followed by the comfort of discovering and strengthening their connection brings the tale to a satisfying conclusion.

Plan a Virtual Fly-off

Ben might be far away, but that didn't mean Mia had lost him forever.

This appealing picture book acknowledges the sorrow friends experience when they are far apart. This feeling is particularly poignant in today's world. Like Ben and Mia, kids can discover ways to maintain a friendship when separated by distance. Why not plan a virtual fly-off?

Peachtree Publishing Company offers online directions for making paper airplanes. This simple activity is great fun. Download the template and/or create your own paper planes. Customize the design. Decorate any way you would like.

Using your phone's camera, record the flight of your paper plane, carefully marking the start and landing points. Using a measuring tape, determine the distance flown. Invite your friend to do the same. Compare videos, noting the span of each flight. There can be many iterations of this contest. Will the winner be declared after two-out-three races? Will modifications be allowed? Perhaps you and your friend can create planes for one another and film the results for each of these test flights. Great way to learn about aerodynamics. Wonderful way to sustain a friendship.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: March 1, 2020 Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company ISBN: 978-1682631614

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Dos Chicos

Frederico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez ill by Elisa Chavarri

Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffield

Think Pink: A Triple Treat

All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

Bunch of Baloney

Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli

A Tale Retold

Bluebeard: A Feminist Fairy Tale by Metaphrog

More Wondrous Stories

Shine Your Light. Shine Your Story.

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, and Iman Geddy

Want to Do More?

Long and Short of It

Long Story Short: 100 Classic Books in Three Panels
by Lisa Brown

Best Friends

Paper Planes by Jim Helmore and Richard Jones

Plan a Virtual Fly-off

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Dos Chicos

Frederico and the Wolf by Rebecca J. Gomez ill by Elisa Chavarri

Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffield

Think Pink: A Triple Treat

All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voicesedited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

Bunch of Baloney

Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli

A Tale Retold

Bluebeard: A Feminist Fairy Tale by Metaphrog

More Wondrous Stories

Shine Your Light. Shine Your Story.

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, and Iman Geddy

Want to Do More?

Long and Short of It

Long Story Short: 100 Classic Books in Three Panels​ by Lisa Brown

Best Friends

Paper Planes by Jim Helmore and Richard Jones

Plan a Virtual Fly-off

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices
edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

Long Story Short: 100 Classic Books in Three Panels
by Lisa Brown