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READING STYLE GUIDE

Lunar New Year

11/29/2018

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D is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine ill YongSheng Xuan

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Originally published in 2006, Compestine’s celebration of Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a vibrant compendium of Chinese culture. Presented in an alphabetical format, readers observe youngsters as they prepare for and participate in this annual fifteen-day  traditional festival.
Children anticipate New Year by crafting messages on red paper and getting haircuts. Enjoy mouth-watering traditional foods: noodles, oranges, roast duck, and dumplings. Join in the celebrating with kites, lanterns, incense, and firecrackers.
Xuan’s illustrations are replete with gorgeous jewel colors.  Soft yellow backgrounds play up the vibrant reds.
He seamlessly blends images across the gutter, skillfully joining two distinct concepts into one image. Objects such as the imposing dragon figure span an entire two-page spread. This creature is magnificent!
The artist includes an interesting note describing the four different calligraphic styles used to denote a dragon. Characters from the Song Dynasty, the Wei dynasty, the Grass style, and the Han dynasty appear in the background.  Close study of the illustrations is needed to discover each of the four unique dragon representations.
This updated edition is bilingual. Text accompanying each illustration is presented three ways: English, Mandarin Chinese written using the Latin alphabet, and ideographically with Chinese characters. Trim size has been expanded to a generous 8.5 x 11 inches. This neatly accommodates the expanded dual language format. Readers not familiar with Chinese calligraphy may notice some of the repetitive characters and language patterns visible throughout the text. 
This update significantly  enhances the original version. In the spirit of the new year, libraries will want to start the New Lunar Year by replacing the well-used and beloved older edition of D is for Dragon Dance with this sparkling masterpiece.  
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Background 

The Chinese New Year 2019 or Lunar New Year will begin on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. This is the Year of the Pig, an animal that represents diligence, kindness, and generosity.
The holiday is observed in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Mauritius, and in countries with a large Chinese community.
​A Chinese calendar is not like the Gregorian calendar. It is based on the phases of the moon.  The first day of Chinese New Year starts with the new moon.  The last day, known as Lantern Festival is celebrated with night lantern displays.

Celebrate the New Year

Additional resources to enrich your Chinese New Year celebration.
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Newbery Award-winning author illustrator Grace Lin celebrates the New Year.
Learn to read and write basic Chinese characters with Chineasy created by ShaoLan.
Make delicious dumplings with author and cook Ying Chang Compestine.
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Liu Na's graphic novel of her childhood in China.
Copy provided by publisher
Pub date: October 23, 2018 Publisher: Holiday House  ISBN: 978-0823440290
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Story Stork

11/27/2018

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Babies. Beautiful babies. Anticipating the arrival of an infant is often a joyful occasion. Creating handmade items for mothers expecting the arrival of a little one is one of life's pleasures
Here's the small "fish" shaped cap I knit for a newborn whose parents are  aficionados of the seashore. I decided to make this a thematic gift and include a few other items related to fish. It proved to be a terrific idea.

I wondered: Could I create thematic baby gift packages featuring my handcrafted items? If so, what would I include?
The answer was simple: board books.
Viola! a small, actually a teeny tiny, cottage industry was created:
Story Stork
The premise: pair a board book with a handknit infant hat. I was in business. The knitting needles began to fly. I would match cute little head toppers with a charming board book that would be just the right size and shape for chubby hands.
​Heads up. Hands down. This is one great gift idea!

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Making and printing Story Stork tags to accompany each gift was the finishing touch.
I like the idea of giving books to expectant mothers. It's never too early to begin cultivating a love for books and stories.
Story Stork.  Coming to a baby shower near you.
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The Story Continues

After I moved to South Texas, warm woolen items became a bit more problematic. The summer heat presented the opportunity for Story Stork to branch out and create something new. 
Embroidered little cotton shirts and onesies are better suited to this temperate climate.
It is fun to coordinate the gift wrap.  I like to use pages from picture book galleys as wrapping paper.  The excess paper strips make eye-popping decorative bows.
The Story Stork strikes again!
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Bonus

Incorporating children's books into gifts doesn't need to be limited to gifts for babies. For many years I have participated in the Red Scarf Project, knitting red scarves to be included in care packages to foster care students.
I include a personalized gift tag that features Jon Klassen's art from the award-winning Extra Yarn. (Note on the card attributes the art.)
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Bonus Part Two: Related Reads

Get your knit on or keep it going with delighful knitting-related picture books.
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Bake Your Heart Out

11/20/2018

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Sweet Revenge: Passive-Aggressive Desserts for Your Exes & Enemies
by Heather Kim

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The holidays are upon us.  This may mean strained relationships. Stress with a capital S. Maybe it's time to throw  out the calorie count and indulge in decadent desserts. Sweet Revenge: Passive-Aggressive Desserts for Your Exes & Enemies has you covered.
This tantalizing cookbook is fun to read. Text is replete with clever turn-of-phrase and precisely the right amount of snark. 
It's a visual treat as well.  Book design has a slightly edgy feel with bold fonts, quirky graphic elements and eye-popping photographs.
Heather Kim states in her introduction that this volume is first and foremost a cookbook. So let’s talk food: not your standard chocolate chip and snickerdoodle fare. The recipes are inventive, and some are downright dangerous. Consider these: Pretzel-Peanut-Butter Cups, Cannoli Waffles with a candied Pistachio topping, Coconut Mochi Cake with Coconut Sesame-Pecan Icing, Carrot Cake Truffles with Cool Ranch Doritos Sugar.  Some venture into truly innovative: Elvis cupcakes (banana cake, peanut buttercream frosting and butterscotch candied bacon) or Flamin' Hot Cheetos Ice Cream Sandwiches.
I tried the S'more Brownies.  It's basically a brownie topped with squares of homemade marshmallow and  graham cracker streusel.  There's a nice hint of cinnamon in the cracker/butter mixture.  Now the fun: toast the  fudgy little squares with a torch or under the broiler. Watch them lightly brown. Then devour.  Taste-tested by a panel of teens and adults, we all agreed that these are yummy!
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Heather Kim is an adroit author.  She taps into teen social drama and offers concrete suggestions for coping with rejection. Her premise is that when a breakup occurs, get into the kitchen and whip up something new and different.  Then she suggests two possible options:  Wrap up the goodies and deliver them to your ex,  i.e. "kill with kindness." Or go the alternative route and eat your creation.  Savor each bite.  Because life is too short to waste on self-pity.  Either way, the result will be delicious.
I shared this with a teen who loves to cook, especially complicated desserts, and had recovered from a devastating breakup. He started leafing through the pages and smiled knowingly when he encountered phrases such as: "Like sweet and salty, opposites attract...except when they don't."
This makes the perfect gift for anyone experiencing the pain of a breakup.  It's therapy with a mixing spoon.  Go bake your heart out!
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: January 1, 2018 Publisher: Switch Press ISBN: 978-1630790899
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Dear Santa

11/15/2018

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Dear Santa, I Know It Looks Bad but It It Wasn't My Fault!
by Norma Lewis
ill Olivia Beckman

If you've ever gotten stuck in something, you know I'm the victim here.
It’s that time of year. Time to start making a wish list. Time to begin justifying all the reasons one is deserving of a Christmas gift. If you’re bending toward naughty rather than nice on the behavior scale, you will empathize with Scalawag. Mayhem seems to follow him everywhere he goes. ​
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​Ten days before Christmas:
  • The pet canary is missing,
  • There is cat poop in the neighbor's sandbox.
  • The cat's head is stuck inside an empty milk pitcher.
A week before Christmas:
  • Scalawag climbs up the holiday tree.
  • The tree topples over.
  • All the ornaments are shattered.
  • The tablecloth catches on fire.
  • Miss Violet is temporarily knocked unconscious.
Norma Lewis has her tongue firmly in cheek as Scalawag pens letter after letter to Santa. Attempting to justify his request for a Catman and Robin video game, his missives to St Nick are a countdown to December 25. ​He repeatedly explains to Santa that all these mishaps are not his fault. From this cat's point of view, these arguments based on his peculiar brand of logic are valid.
Oliva Beckman's illustrations capture this conniving feline and his waggish antics.  Facial expressions and the body language of Scalawag, Violet, her friend Mitzi, and the canary amplify the humor.  
Dear Santa, I Know It Looks Bad but It Wasn't My Fault is an excellent entertainment selection after a hectic day of holiday preparations.   You don't have to be a pet owner to appreciate the sly humor. But just in case... Secure the bird cage, Watch out for candle flames. Purchase a backup set of ornaments. 
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Got your own holiday mischief-maker? Try these handmade gift ideas.
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Porcelain Ornament
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Cotton Bandana
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Pet Collar ID Tag
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 1, 2018 Publisher: Peter Pauper Press ISBN:  978-1441324214
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On the Border

11/13/2018

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“Poetry is the clearest lens for viewing the world.”

They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles 

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This slim poetry collection becomes more relevant with each passing day. They Call Me Güero chronicles the life of twelve-year-old Güero, a Mexican American boy living on the swath of land near the Rio Grande. Although he lives on the American side of the river, his heritage and identity are deeply rooted in Mexico. 
He frequently traverses the bridge connecting the two countries. In Mexico he and his father eat breakfast and purchase fresh groceries. Güero's imagination inhabits his grandmother's world filled with chilling tales of mythical monsters.
He possesses distinctive physical characteristics which distinguish him from other members in his community: a light complexion with freckles and a head of bright red hair. 
He's a 7th grade student who enjoys sharing books, comics, movies, and gaming with his nerdy friends. He fluidly moves between two countries, navigating crowded middle school hallways and the bustling pulga. He is equally comfortable communicating in Spanish, English, Spanglish, and colloquial Texan. ​English teacher Mrs. Wong expands his multicultural view of the world, incorporating Aztec, Mayan, Chinese and Korean mythology into the curriculum. ​
This first person memoir takes shape through multiple poetic forms such as haiku, rhyming couplets, and free verse.  "Mis Otros Abuelos" is a concrete poem which narrows as the family crosses the bridge connecting the two countries and expands as the family travels further into the interior of each country. 
Bowles handles sensitive topics with a light touch. Racism, stereotypes, immigration are part of Güero's life and are subtly revealed throughout the narrative. This is a boy discovering a world closely connected to his heritage, family, and friends.   
Spanish is clearly an important feature in the text. Bowles liberally peppers these verses with Spanish phrases and references to Mexican and Mexican-American culture. A glossary for most of the phrases with pronunciation and the English equivalent enriches the reading experience. This is especially helpful when reading aloud.
The poems can be read as a collective narrative.  They also work well as standalone vignettes.  Read. Enjoy. Discuss. Share. Repeat.
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¡Gracias!
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​THE REFUGE
ON THE RANCH
It's quiet here except for the hushed flow of the river
and the hum of the bugs answered by the sharp trill of birds
Somewhere, an ocelot growls.

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"I know poetry when I hear it.”
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 4, 2018 Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press ISBN:  978-1947627062
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Music! Music!

11/9/2018

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Khalida and the Most Beautiful Song by Amanda Moeckel

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Khalida and the Most Beautiful Song is a tribute to the power of inspiration and determination. Khalida is awakened from slumber by a melody stirring inside her. This young pianist heads to the keyboard in search of the haunting tune. Time and time again she sits down to the piano to capture the music in her head. Repeatedly she is told "Not now."
Not at home. Not at school. Not at her music lesson.
When the melody returns to her mind during a visit to the park, she races toward the piano located on the park's grandstand. Khalida is determined to capture this song. She begins to play the music that has been welling up inside her.
Music flowed through her fingers, onto the keys, and into the air.
As her song fills the outdoor space, people notice. A rapt audience forms around the piano. They are drawn to the compelling melody, momentarily forgetting their cares. Khalida allows the music inside her to find expression, bringing joy to the performer and to the listeners.
Moeckel's evocative illustrations capture the story's essence. Cool muted lavenders and grays dominate each page. The song inside her is represented with swirling light-hued patterns that are superimposed on each scene. It is only when she begins to play her music that the rising lyrical designs burst into color: vibrant variegated reds and purples.
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The song ripples around Khalida as she sleeps.
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She searches for the opportunity to bring her inspiration to life. 
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The young musician brings the  music inside her to life.

Meet Amanda

Amanda is a 2015 MFA graduate from the School of Visual Arts.  In addition to illustrating children's books, she also teaches, works for editorial publications, accepts personal commissions, and maintains a pet portrait business.  
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View the video trailer for her dummy picture book Only Good Dreams, her thesis project for the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program.

Book Trailer - "Only the Good Dreams" from Amanda Moeckel on Vimeo.

More Picture Books

Page Street Kids is a new publisher.  The developing picture book collection contains charming  stories with delightful art.  Take a look at these titles including this review of Oliver: The Second -Largest Living Thing on Earth.
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Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 18, 2018   Publisher: Page Street Kids  ISBN:  978-1624145797
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Award-winning Illustrations

11/7/2018

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The Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2018

The New York Times has released the 2018 list of Best Illustrated Children's Books.  It's a list that features a rich variety in subject matter and illustration style. Find copies of these excellent picture books at local libraries and bookstores.
​Since 1952, we’ve convened a rotating annual panel of three expert judges, who consider every illustrated children’s book published that year in the United States. They select the winners purely on the basis of artistic merit. The judges this time were Leonard Marcus, a children’s literature historian and critic; Jenny Rosenoff, a children’s librarian at the New York Public Library; and Bryan Collier, the author and illustrator of many acclaimed picture books and a past winner of the award.
AYOBAMI AND THE NAMES OF THE ANIMALS
written by PIlar Lopez Aliva 
​illustrated by Mar Azabal
OUR CAR
written by J.M. Brum
illustrated by Jan Bajtlik
THE FOREST
written by Riccardo Bozzi 
illustrated by Violeta Lopiz & Valerio Vidali
THE FUNERAL
​written and illustrated by Matt James
RUN WILD
written and illustrated by David Covell
DREAMERS
written and illustrated by Yuri Morales
FLORETTE
​written and illustrated by Anna Walker
SHE MADE A MONSTER:
​How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein 
written by Lynn Fulton
illustrated by Felicita Sala 
THE HOUSE THAT ONCE WAS
written by Julie Fogliano
​illustrated by Lane Smith
THE VISITOR
written and illustrated by Antje Damm
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Lies & Liars

11/6/2018

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Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

That’s not just a fib, Sawyer Ann. That’s a lie.
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Sawyer Taft isn’t exactly debutante material. Working as an auto mechanic, she has managed to keep a roof over herself and her oft-times absent mom.
Grandmother Lillian Taft arrives and offers her a contract: a five hundred-thousand-dollar college education trust fund in exchange for living with Grandmother for one year and participating in the annual Symphony Deb Ball. Sawyer decides to sign up.
Her primary motivation is certainly not for all the trappings of her grandmother's southern society life.  She wants to learn the identity of her father. ​
It turns out to be much more than she bargained for. Beyond the formal luncheons, facials, glittering ballgowns, and charity functions is a world of dark secrets. Sawyer finds herself wondering. Who is her family?  Who can she trust? 
we don't have friends...we have alibis
Barnes has ingeniously set the story within the context of two alternating time frames: Sawyer's record of nine months leading up to the Symphony Ball and a narrator's account of events transpiring during two hours on April 15th. This framework expertly ratchets up the tension as important pieces of information are revealed, leading to a stunning conclusion with more than a few unexpected plot twists.  
Little White Lies may feature debutantes with elbow length white gloves and exquisite ball gowns, but the debutantes' lies are anything but little. Think theft, kidnapping, entrapment, planting evidence.
​This is one compulsive read that kept me up and reading way past my bedtime. Bless your heart, Jennifer Lynn Barnes. ​Bless your precious little heart.

Looking for more intrigue? Try these

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​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher
​​Pub date: November 6, 2018 Publisher: Freeform ISBN: 978-1368014137
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Great Spotties!

11/1/2018

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Teach Your Giraffe to Ski 
by Viviane Elbee  ill Danni Gowdy

Snow!  Slopes!  Skis!  Great spotties!
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When a task is daunting, you sometimes need a little incentive. Take skiing. It's a sport that requires training and a measure of courage.
Meet a boy who is hesitates to try something challenging. Can he step away from his comfy chair and soothing hot chocolate?
Giraffe wants to ski and she is not waiting another minute. She's heading out to the slopes. Now. Our young protagonist realizes that without basic instruction this rash impulse portends disaster. Grabbing his skis, he heads out in the snow.
He teaches giraffe how to: put on a pair of skis, slow down "the pizza move," speed up "the french fry stance, "and turn "S shape maneuvers."
Things seem to be going well. But Wait!  Our timid little skier is astounded when giraffe leaves the bunny hill and heads towards a VERY BIG slope.  Shooting spotties!   ​
Supporting his friend means that he must journey by ski lift to the mountain's summit and then push off, traveling at an incredible speed. Scary! It is going to require a massive dose of courage. There will be thrills and spills. There will be a few mishaps. But if he succeeds, it could be a fun adventure. A. Lot. Of. Fun.
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Viviane Elbee explores the anxiety associated with attempting something  difficult. It’s a story of overcoming one’s fears and being willing to take risks. She injects plenty of humor and whimsy, which prevents the story from becoming a heavy-handed moralistic tale.
Grab a copy of Teach Your Giraffe to Ski. Then be brave and try something new.
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Giraffe Gyrations

I've always been intrigued with a giraffe's gait. Longs legs and knobby knees moving in parallel, front legs together followed by back legs. I have never pictured them as particularly limber creatures. Danni Gowdy playfully envisions giraffes entangled in a game of Twister, gracefully executing Yoga positions, and of course, traversing the snowy slopes. I’m now thinking about giraffes in a different light, Thanks Danni.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher
​Pub date: November 1, 2018 Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN:  978-0807577677
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    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
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    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
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