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Sisters, Shells, & Storms

12/30/2021

Maya's Treasure by Laurie Smollett Kutscera

In a tiny tropical village near the sea, sisters Alita and Maya carry on their grandmother's traditional craft: fashioning jewelry from seashells. They scour the shore, searching for the best specimens.

Alita critically examines each carapace, choosing only the perfectly formed pieces. Maya has a different approach. She considers the intrinsic value in stained and broken pieces. Inspired by the words of her grandmother and the gentle island breezes, she uses shell fragments to
make wind chimes.

When loud incessant sounds of clanking shells waken the villagers and warn of an impending storm, Maya's imaginative use of broken pieces saves villagers' lives.

Maya's Treasure is a quiet little tale celebrating the inherent value in imperfection, creativity, a grandmother's love, dreams, wind power, and recycling. Lovely book.

Art is evocative of lush island life, brimming with a variety of golden hues, and deep shades of blue. Kutscera's illustrations show the vastness of the shore and days filled with sun-washed brightness. In contrast, storm scenes are muted dark shades that suggest the terror of the squall. Depictions of night have a dreamlike quality.
While obviously siblings, each girl has her own hair color and skin tone.

Sights and Sounds of Wind Chimes

Young readers can fashion wind chimes from an assortment of objects. Chimes can produce a variety of sounds. The sonance depends upon material type as well as construction techniques.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 1, 2021 Publisher: Peter Pauper Press ISBN: 978-1441337627

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Fast and Fashionable

12/28/2021

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She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner
by Rita Williams-Garcia & Chelsea Clinton art by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

Today is her birthday. Now she is eight years old.
Here's the amazing thing about her. She naturally runs like a gazelle.
Her body seems to traverse distances fluidly and effortlessly. And she is fast. So fast.

What do you give her for birthday gift? The answer is obvious: a biography of Florence Griffith Joyner. This slim volume is part of She Persisted, a series for young readers chronicling the lives of women who have made a significant contribution to world events.

Williams-Garcia's narrative is chock full of fascinating details. As a child, Florence was called Dee Dee. The young girl chased jackrabbits near her home in the Mojave Desert. Later, she won one silver and three gold medals in the 1988 Olympics.

Bonus materials include an introduction by Chelsea Clinton, a list of references, and eight suggestions by the author on "How You Can Persist." Some suggestions are "Push yourself to try something new." "Make your own creations." and "Engage in some fun physical activity for at least fifteen minutes or more each day."

Listen to a sample of the audiobook edition read by Janina Edwards.

She Persisted: More Amazing Individuals

This series presents a variety of women who have made significant contributions to the fields of activism, education, government, literature, performing arts, research, science, and sports. Young Ruby Bridges and Malala are also profiled.
The 5.31 x 7.63 inch size fits neatly in a small hand. Brief chapters, and engaging illustrations make this an excellent choice for young readers.

Inspire a new generation with this collection of accessible biographies. Recommended for classroom, school and public libraries. Also an excellent resource for organizations that empower children.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: June 29, 2021 Publisher: Philomel Books ISBN: 978-0593115961

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Behind the Iron Curtain

12/7/2021

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The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
by Eugene Yelchin Narrated by the author

"What does drawing correctly teach us, children?" "Drawing correctly teaches us to live by the rules."

Yelchin pulls back the Iron Curtain, offering a glimpse of life for Jews living in 1970's Russia. Six-year-old Yevgeny lives with his parents, older brother Victor, and grandmother, eking out a meager life in a communal apartment. His poetry-loving father, mother whose ballet dreams were denied, and competitive figure skating sibling are described in charming detail.
Living conditions are so cramped that the only place for the boy to sleep is under the table. He secretly swipes his father’s only pencil to draw on the table’s underside.

Short chapters offer poignant snapshots into a bizarre world that glorifies the mummified body of Lenin, requires citizens to earn a stamped coupon to purchase a book, and causes family members to remove all images of grandfather from the family’s photo album.

From the opening pages, readers are aware of an ongoing Russian obsession with the United States: a land of bright colors, forbidden chewing gum, blue jeans, and rock & roll. The shameful treatment of Jews is a puzzle to Yvegeny. He is confused by his father's robot-like devotion to the Communist party.

Sardonic wit punctuates the narrative. Yevgeny wonders at the meaning of the word “defect.” It sounds to him like “defecate.” Does this mean that people leave the USSR to relieve themselves?

The memoir is more than a recount of life in Russia. The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain is an exploration of art that breaks rules, exposes truth, and yearns for freedom. It is also a story of the love within a family that expands beyond a cramped one room communal space.

Yelchin’s considerable talents as a storyteller, illustrator, and narrator make this slim volume an education and a delight. Yevgeny's “artistic talent” will fascinate readers.

Art and the Iron Curtain

Picture books accounts of artists who fled the confines of life in Cold War Russia. Poignant memories. Gorgeous art.

Audio copy accessed via Net Galley.

Release date: December 7, 2021 Libro.fm

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Some Days

12/2/2021

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Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness
by Julie A. Stamm art by Chamisa Kellogg

being different makes you unique and special

Meet Wyatt and his mother Rosie. Wyatt believes that his mom has superpowers. For example, she makes delicious chocolate chip pancakes, educates groups of people, and plan family adventures.

Mom also possesses one special superpower: the power to battle multiple sclerosis. Stamm ingeniously introduces this medical term as Wyatt struggles to correctly pronounce the two word diagnosis. The initials M.S. are also used as an identifier.

Narrative centers on the phrase “some days,” emphasizing the unpredictable nature of M.S. Wyatt knows that life with mom will include visits to museums, parks, and ice cream shops. But there will also be days when mom must rest at home, quickly locate a public restroom, or even go to the hospital for treatment.

Despite challenges, Rosie and her son remain optimistic. A wheelchair is like a roller coaster ride. Her cane becomes a magic stick. Mom can be a "train" scooting her son around the floor.

Stamm suggests the family’s financial burden with a two-page spread highlighting a community-wide fundraiser to help offset the cost of treatment for this chronic illness.

Kellogg reinforces the picture book’s upbeat tone with jewel-toned images, smiling faces, and comforting mother son embraces. There are several illustrations that include a male caregiver who is present in family outings. He takes Wyatt’s hand when mother is hospitalized. The artist occasionally dresses Rosie and her son with capes, a subtle message that both mom and son superheroes.

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness presents a realistic portrait of life with M.S. A story of acceptance, patience, courage, hope, and love.

Kindness is truly the best thing you can add to this world.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 26, 2021 Publisher: The Experiment ISBN:9781615198108

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Sisters, Shells, & Storms

Maya's Treasure by Laurie Smollett Kutscera

Sights and Sounds of Wind Chimes

Fast and Fashionable

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner
by Rita Williams-Garcia & Chelsea Clinton art by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

She Persisted: More Amazing Individuals

Behind the Iron Curtain

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
by Eugene Yelchin Narrated by the author

Art and the Iron Curtain

Some Days

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness
by Julie A. Stamm art by Chamisa Kellogg

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Sisters, Shells, & Storms

Maya's Treasure by Laurie Smollett Kutscera

Sights and Sounds of Wind Chimes

Fast and Fashionable

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner​by Rita Williams-Garcia & Chelsea Clinton art by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

She Persisted: More Amazing Individuals

Behind the Iron Curtain

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain​by Eugene Yelchin Narrated by the author

Art and the Iron Curtain

Some Days

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness by Julie A. Stamm art by Chamisa Kellogg

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner
by Rita Williams-Garcia & Chelsea Clinton art by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
by Eugene Yelchin Narrated by the author

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness
by Julie A. Stamm art by Chamisa Kellogg