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Donuts for Everyone

9/29/2020

Donut Feed the Squirrels (Norma and Belly) by Mika Song

In serious contention for Best Children’s Book Title of the Year is Donut Feed the Squirrels. The title's clever play on words and adorable characters featured on the cover are instant attention-getters. Song eschews drawing anatomically accurate squirrels. Instead her art perfectly captures the essence of Norma with her tiny heart-shaped nose and Belly's rosy cheeks and gumdrop-shaped body.
These little charmers are in search of breakfast. When their pancakes are burned, the pair are intrigued by the tantalizing aroma from a nearby food truck. They discover a fantastic treat: donuts!

The squirrels are determined to get donuts for everyone. Fortunately the proprietor of the mobile donutmobile briefly steps away from his truck. The enterprising duo have eight minutes to get in, get a sackful of donuts, and get out. There is a major complication. With a plot element that is an homage to the classic Homer Price doughnut machine fiasco, there is an equipment failure. Production is out of control. The shop rapidly becomes a doughy disaster.

Song's storytelling skills are sheer delight. The text is replete with clever little gems. There’s Little Bee, whose body is shaped like a upper case letter B. When Belly is covered with dough she reassures Norma that she has “never been batter,” Kids are gonna eat this comic up.

The art is a prime example that less can indeed be more. Simple, effective brush strokes allow the readers to add their own subtext to the tale. Limited color palette and soft pastel colors keep the focus on the squirrels.

The pictorial foreshadowing is ingeniously positioned throughout the story. Readers should pay close attention to all the visual cues. They will show up later in the narrative.

Norma and Belly’s exploits are a delicious treat. More squirrelly adventures please.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 29, 2020 Publisher: Random House Grapic, Illustrated Edition ISBN: 978-1984895837

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Skyhunter by Marie Lu

9/28/2020

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Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Enter a futuristic world of violence, corruption, deception. The Karensa Federation, seeking total domination, is invading the last free nation of Mara and crushing any resistance it encounters. The Federation has created a cadre of grotesque zombie-like Ghosts, programmed to hunt down and destroy all enemies.

A select group of highly trained Mara fighters are dedicated to fighting back. Warrior pairs, consisting of a Striker and a Shield, battle in tandem. In addition to their extensive combat skills, Strikers have at their disposal an arsenal of weapons including daggers, guns, bows and arrows. Talin is a remarkably adroit Striker. She grieves the loss of her Shield and best friend. When he is infected by a Ghost, she is required to kill her close companion to prevent him from becoming a Ghost. His death haunts her.

Soon after this tragedy, she is assigned a new Shield. His name is Red and he is a Skyhunter, half-human, half-machine creation of the Federation. With massive metallic wings hidden in his back, he possess impressive fighting capabilities. The final phases of Red's Skyhunter transformation were never completed and he now is a captive of Mara.

Is he a Federation operative? Can she trust him?

Talin is mute. As a young girl her vocal cords were damaged by chemicals released during a Federation attack on her home. She remains physically and emotionally scarred by the trauma. Gradually, her suppressed memories begin to return. Secrets from her past come to light.

The book's exploration of women’s empowerment, class structure, and the corrosive effects of absolute political control are relevant today.

Lu has created a fantastic universe teeming with complex characters and high-stakes confrontations. She knows how to build tension and keep readers rapidly flipping pages to discover what will happen next.

Warning. This is the first book in an ongoing series. The conclusion of Skyhunter will leave readers on tenterhooks. Please Marie Lu don’t make us wait too long.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 29, 2020 Publisher: Roaring Brook Press ISBN: 978-1250221681

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Kitties: You Got This

9/21/2020

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Kitties on Dinosaurs by Michael Slack

Three adorable wide-eyed kitties have scaled to the top of everything nearby: the cat climbing tree, an actual tree, even an old out-of-the-way litter box. They are ready for a new challenge. They decide to climb the dinosaurs on Dinosaur Island. This is a daunting proposition. Dinosaurs are huge and fearsome. These cute little felines are warned by the narrator “They will eat you alive.”
Not to be deterred, the brave little trio set sail for the island of dinosaurs in their cozy covered cat box, also known as the litter mobile.

Things do not go well. The monstrous lizards frighten the kitties away. But these are determined felines. They are not ready to give up. With cell phone and notebook in paw, they huddle inside the litter mobile and devise a new plan of attack. Actually, they try and fail multiple times. The inventive kittens try a lasso, camouflage, parachutes. Nothing works. The dinosaurs intend to eat them.
Until... the prehistoric beasts realize just how cute and cuddly these little furballs are.

It would seem that the story has arrived at a happy ending. However Slack has a surprise for readers that will keep them wondering about what will happen next. Youngsters may be inspired to create their own dramatic Kitties escapades. Retellings with Kitty and Dinosaur puppets would be SO MUCH FUN.

Bold oversized font and a generously wide trim size of over eleven inches make this picture book perfect for read-alouds. The narrator speaks directly to the kitties, issuing repeated warnings. Sound effects from the frightening rawrs to soft mews encourage audience participation. Illustrations are part of the fun: kitties in red cowboy boots, cat puppets made from twigs, and tiny drones whizzing through the air. The amazing litter mobile with periscope for aquatic travel and wheels for land transport is genius.
Kitties on Dinosaurs is a delightful romp into the land of make-believe. Be prepared to frequently stop while reading, as kids point out all the clever things they notice on each page. Be ready for giggles galore and cries of “read it again” the moment the story ends. A sure-fire hit with this test audience.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 22, 2020 Publisher: Dial Books, Illustrated Edition ISBN: 978-0593108383

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Compatibility Testing

9/14/2020

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Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake ill by Jon Klassen

My first impulse while reading Skunk and Badger: I really want to invite Amy Timberlake to tea. I imagine a delightful afternoon, chatting with someone who conjures up a tale of a peculiar little Badger, living in Aunt Lula’s brownstone and devoting his days to Important Rock Work. This fastidious fellow is in for the shock of his life when Aunt Lula also invites Skunk to live in the brownstone. Skunk’s lifestyle is decidedly different from Badger's. He loves to cook, concocting scrumptious meals, but leaves washing the dishes to Badger. A gregarious fellow, he wants to chat while Badger is accustomed to hours of quiet devotion to his rocks. The ultimate test of the roommates’ compatibility is chickens. Skunk invites an astonishing number to their home. The brownstone is filled with incessant bocking and feathers scattered everywhere. Inevitably there is skunk spray. That the conflict will be resolved is never in doubt. It’s how the pair will iron out their differences that will keep readers engaged.

The narrative is seasoned with charming asides, inner dialog, and clever word play. Reading aloud is an extra treat. Book recommendations appear in the The New Yak Times Book Review. Badger muses that chickens are here today, gone to leghorn. There is mention of special markings in the sand known as Chicken Scratch, the most ancient of chicken languages.

Timberlake lovingly pokes fun at her characters' idiosyncrasies which makes them all-the-more endearing. In the spirit of Christopher Robin saying “silly old bear” to Pooh, readers will be enamored with the fussy Badger who wears pickaxe-and-dynamite pajamas and strums E Huli Mākou on the ukulele. Skunk’s special chicken whistle to gather the chickens for story-reading sessions, will bring knowing smiles to teachers and librarians.

The trailer offers a sneak peek at Klassen's signature style black and white illustrations. He captures the character of these two often maligned mammals with wit and charm. Look at that grin on Skunk's face! Another reason to love this tale.

Come on over. I'll put the kettle on, and we'll have great fun getting acquainted with Skunk and Badger.

A tale of a mismatched pair who work through the inevitable difficulties of sharing a home. It's The Wind in the Willows meets Frog and Toad and it's destined to be a classic. Want more good news? This is Book 1. There will be more Badger and Skunk. Hurrah! Hurrah!

Electronic copy accessed via Edelweiss.

Pub date: September 15, 2020 Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers ISBN: 978-1643750057

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Black Legends of the Wild West

9/14/2020

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Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons
by James Otis Smith

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons is the comic we’ve all been longing for. Meet historical Black figures who come to life in an action-packed graphic novel.

This trio of biographical vignettes features fascinating stories from the American west. Though all were born enslaved, each legendary Black adventurer left southern roots and moved west to freedom in Montana, Arkansas, or Texas. Their stories are true tales of hard work, courage, resourcefulness, and grit. Nevertheless, he injects humor and intrigue into the narrative. Smith has done his homework, creating back matter that is chock full of information, period photographs, primary sources, timelines, and other informational graphics.
The color palette is predominantly earth tones, evoking the western setting. Each chapter begins with a full-page photo of the chapter’s subject. Includes an introduction by Kadir Nelson.

Stagecoach Mary

Mary Fields was a large, no-nonsense woman, packing an impressively fearsome rifle. Opening panels tell the well-known, almost mythical saga of one frigid Montana night in 1898 when mail clerk Mary Fields fought off a pack of vicious wolves.

Born about 1832 on a Tennessee plantation, she set out to find work following Emancipation in 1865. From chambermaid, to companion, mission laborer, and restaurant proprietor, Mary was a hard worker. She had a reputation as a whisky-drinking, card-playing, sharp-shooter. She was well-regarded for her years delivering mail by stagecoach. She was the second woman and the first African American woman to drive the Star Route. She never missed a delivery, even when she had to strap on snowshoes and slog through wet snow to complete a shipment. Mary was so revered by the people of Cascade Montana that each year school would close in honor of her birthday.

Bob Lemmons

Herds of wild mustangs, comprised of up to forty females and led by one stallion, roamed over a vast expanse of the Texas plains. They were fearless. The prevailing method to control the herd was to kill the stallion and force the females on long marches.

Bob Lemmons had another method. To the mustangs, he was perceived as a stallion. Traveling alone with his horse Warrior, he studied a herd’s habits and recognized individual mustangs by scent and scant. Bob never changed his clothes and waited to eat until his food had lost all human smell. He moved deliberately and cautiously until he was accepted as the leader of these wild horses. Only then would he lead this herd to a ranch. There the mustangs would follow him into a corral.
He eventually established his own ranch. This Texas legend lived 99 years.

Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves was a clever lawman who employed unusual tactics to capture wanted felons. For example, the Clancy brothers of Arkansas were wanted criminals with a $5000 reward offered for their capture. One night a quiet hardworking Black man arrived at the Clancy homestead, offering to work for a meal. He quietly endured an evening of insults from the brothers. After dark, Bass set to work and handcuffed the outlaws while they slept. The fugitives woke the next morning in irons and under arrest. They learned that the quiet visitor was Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshall.

Action. Intrigue. Humor. Fascinating tales well told. Kudos Mr. Smith. A must-have for library and school collections.

Additional Resources

Learn more about these American frontier heroes with picture books created by award-winning authors and illustrators. Bonus: R. Gregory Christi's art print of Bass Reeves is available for purchase.

Electronic copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 15, 2020 Publisher: TOON Graphic ISBN: 978-6976535210

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The Power of Poetry

9/10/2020

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Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam read by Ethan Herrise

This explosive cover introduces Punching the Air's powerful message. Inspired by the life and writings of Yusef Salaam, exonerated after serving almost seven years for a crime he did not commit, authors Zoboi and Salaam have joined forces to create an extraordinary novel in verse.

Sixteen-year-old Amal Shahid is a young black man with a promising future. A talented visual artist, his large-scale works feature innovative design and bold use of color. He recently earned a coveted spot for a prestigious high school art exhibition. His talent is not limited to visual expression. He is also a poet.

One night he finds himself in a situation he never considered possible. A combination of wrong place, wrong skin, wrong time set him up for criminal conviction and subsequent incarceration that should never have happened. The only witness who knows the truth is in a coma.

As a young Black man falsely imprisoned, he experiences shock, confusion, despair, anger, discouragement, and mistrust. Over time his feelings slowly evolve as he meets people that he can trust and is given an opportunity to create meaningful art. He begins to hope. The change in Amal is evident throughout the book, revealing his developing self-awareness and literary skill.

Herrise’s narration is understated, allowing Amal’s "old soul" to take center stage. Hearing the poetry read aloud magnifies its impact.

This is a story of pain and poor decisions, of circumstances that in an instant can change the trajectory of a life. Amal’s anguish bleeds through each phrase, each page. It’s raw. It’s real. Ultimately it is a story of overcoming impossible odds and holding on to hope. A must read.

Listen to a sample.

Additional Resources

Ethan Herrise recording Punching Air

Interview with Zoboi and Salaam

The Exonerated Five

Audiobook accessed via NetGalley.

Release date: September 1, 2020 Publisher: Harper Audio

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Where Do Stories Come From?

9/8/2020

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My Pencil and Me by Sara Varon

How does a book come into existence? Can the process be broken down into steps? Or is the creation of a story the result of inspiration? My Pencil and Me suggests that authors find that both method and inventiveness are important.

Varon offers young readers a glimpse into a story's creation. Meet an author as she struggles with developing a narrative for her book. Fortunately, she has two friends to help: her dog and her pencil. The faithful canine sits beside her and serves as a sounding board, helping Sara to frame her thoughts in an interesting way.
Her pencil, kept at the ready in her pocket, makes visible the ideas percolating in her brain. The dialogue between the pencil and author is reassuring and to the point. (Pun intended.) “My pencil always gives me great advice.”

Varon's signature style packs each page with delight. Several whimsical critters are located throughout the text, most notably on the baseball diamond. Readers observe the artist’s process, as she brings her ideas to life with a zany assortment of baseball players.

Varon concludes the book with a wonderful surprise. Moving away from the talking pencil and fanciful characters, readers are offered a “real life” photograph of this author and artist creating a book. Great fun!

Along with a box of freshly sharpened pencils, hand this to aspiring authors. It’s a lighthearted approach to overcoming writer’s block, encouraging youngsters with gentle humor. A welcome addition to school and classroom libraries. Particularly helpful for youngsters receiving instruction at home. This comic might be the impetus for an informal My Pencil and Me writers’ collective where creators share their own stories.

Electronic copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 28, 2020 Publisher: First Second ISBN: 978-1596435896

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Donuts for Everyone

Donut Feed the Squirrels (Norma and Belly) by Mika Song

Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Kitties: You Got This

Kitties on Dinosaurs by Michael Slack

Compatibility Testing

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake ill by Jon Klassen

Black Legends of the Wild West

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons
by James Otis Smith

Stagecoach Mary

Bob Lemmons

Bass Reeves

Additional Resources

The Power of Poetry

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam read by Ethan Herrise

Additional Resources

Where Do Stories Come From?

My Pencil and Me by Sara Varon

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Donuts for Everyone

Donut Feed the Squirrels (Norma and Belly) by Mika Song

Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Kitties: You Got This

Kitties on Dinosaurs by Michael Slack

Compatibility Testing

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake ill by Jon Klassen

Black Legends of the Wild West

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons ​by James Otis Smith

Stagecoach Mary

Bob Lemmons

Bass Reeves

Additional Resources

The Power of Poetry

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam read by Ethan Herrise

Additional Resources

Where Do Stories Come From?

My Pencil and Me by Sara Varon

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons
by James Otis Smith