Anya’s Secret Society by Yevgenia Nayberg

Anya was born with a dominant left hand. She was also born into a Russian culture that considered the right hand as the "legitimate" hand. Even the word "right" meant not only a direction, but also "correct."  When this resourceful and determined little girl recognized that local norms frowned upon use of the left hand, she taught herself to use her right hand for most activities. Anya was able to master even difficult tasks with this hand. However, there was one activity in which it was impossible to use her right hand: drawing. Her brain could only process and create images with her dominant hand, her left hand.

Anya created a special stratagem to live within the confines of Russian expectations and still express herself: a secret society. She learned that great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelango, and Rembrandt were left-handed. When she was alone, she would put on a mask and pretend to be in the company of famous left-handed artists. The secret society was the place where she felt that she could safely create. Then life took a surprising turn. Her parents chose to leave Russia and immigrate to America. In addition to all the differences she encountered in this new country, Anya was astonished to learn that left-hand dominance was not considered wrong. Schools were equipped with scissors and desks to accommodate children with either dominant hand. Her teacher did not seem to notice or care which hand Anya chose to use.

Art: A Visual Treat

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

Twinkle feels that she is a "nobody." Ignored by her parents, she longs to be noticed at school. An opportunity to shine comes when Twinkle is asked to direct a movie for the local arts festival.  Film geek Sahil has offered to help produce her filmmaking debut. They brainstorm an imaginative story concept, turning the classic Dracula into a gender-reversal version. But Sahil clearly wants more than just a business relationship. Twinkle has an ongoing crush on Sahil's athletic superstar twin brother Neil. When she begins receiving anonymous emails from a secret admirer, Twinkle assumes (hopes) that the sender is Neil. Menon uses a series of imaginary emails that Twinkle sends to famous women of filmdom in this story of finding where one's heart lies.

Rain is Not My Indian Name by Cynthia Leitich Smith

​Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Rain Berghoff, still mourning the death of her best friend, agrees to photograph the local newspaper's story of this summer's Indian Camp, organized by her Aunt Georgia. Prominent members of this mostly white Kansas community protest the use of public funds for Indian Camp. Rain's heritage includes Muscogee Creek-Cherokee, Scots-Irish and Irish-German-Ojibway.  Her mother refers to the loving, close-knit family as her "patchwork tribe."  ​After introductory pages detailing her friend's  tragic death, readers follow Rain's  chronological description of nine days: June 26 to July 4.  Smith begins each chapter with a journal excerpt which gives the narrative intimacy and poignancy. ​​Rain uses her camera to help her face the world after her heartbreaking loss, acknowledge her heritage, and bring closure and peace to her heart.

Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide
​by Isabel Quintero ill Zeke Peña

Quintero and Peña employ a mixed media approach to this biographical graphic novel illuminating the life and work of  Graciela Iturbide.  The pastiche of eloquent text, artfully arranged sequential panels, and photographs blend together seamlessly. Quintero's glorious text is rich with layers of meaning. Peña's realistic line drawings combined with black and white photographs and artful panel and page design provide a stellar reading experience. This biography is much more than a chronology.  It is a celebration of art, creation, and culture.  "I photograph and exist in the in-between: those spaces where unknown worlds, real and imagined intersect."

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!

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!

Bonus

Bonus Part Two: Related Reads

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

The Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2018

​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.

The ABCs of What I Can Be
by Caitlin McDonagh

Caitlin McDonagh explores possible life choices in this charming picture book. The alphabet serves as a template for exploring career options. Most pages are divided into quandrants showcasing a quartet of possibilities. For example, the letter L page illustrates a landscaper, lawyer, librarian, and lifeguard.  Amazingly, there are four careers for the letter X: xerophytic gardener, xylophone player, x-ray technician, and exobiologist. Less familiar careers can pique curiosity and send youngsters researching, which can promote some interesting discussions.  Personal note: As a Kindergartner, my son learned the word "paleontologist" and declared that was what he wanted to be when he "grew up."  For him, cool word equaled cool careers.

Meet Caitlin

Caitlin McDonagh is a 24 year old, Queens, New York native. She attended The Fashion Institute of Technology where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Illustration and minors in English and Art History. ​ Visit her online.

Everything and Everywhere:
A Fact-Filled Adventure for Curious Globe-Trotters
by Marc Martin

Martin has taken the appeal of infographics and combined it with detailed illustrations to create this fascinating volume overflowing with informational visual delights. It's a luscious "candy store" of world geography and culture. Trivia at its best. Beginning with Antarctica and circling the globe in a counterclockwise direction, readers explore fifteen locations. Stops include well-known metropolitan cities such as Hong Kong, Moscow, Cairo, New York City, and Rio de Janeiro.  Less famous, but equally fascinating are Alice Springs, Ulaahbaatar, Reykjavík, Galápagos Islands, and the Amazon Rainforest. The generous trim size (10.2 x 13.8 inches) invites students to spread out the volume on a floor space or table top where young readers can gather around and together discover the wonders of the world.

Companion Resources

We’ve Got the Whole world in Our Hands by Rafael López

Follow this string as it sails across seas and continents, through day and night, meets creatures large and small, and into the hands of children throughout the world. Rafael López interprets this traditional song with his distinctive artistic flair. Using a mixed media approach that incorporates a collage of found objects and cut paper with traditional watercolor and ink techniques as well as digital skills, he creates vibrant illustrations that capture the heart and soul of a world worth singing about. The spherical motif echoes throughout the pages: sun, moon, snail shell, ball of string, hot air balloon, and ultimately, the planet earth. A celebration of the connections that we all share. Glorious! ​

String Along

Sing Along

Bonus

A bilingual English/Spanish edition is also available.

I've got a signed copy in my hands. Gracias Rafael López

Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Sometimes it’s not simply that a picture that is worth a thousand words. Blue conveys a wealth of emotion with hues of a single color. Laura Vaccaro Seeger's signature painting style captures the essence of the relationship between a boy and his dog primarily with a variety of blues. Ingenious cut-outs lead the reader to explore vignettes of the twosome’s shared experiences: exploring outdoors, frolicking at the beach, playing tug-of-war. From infancy, the bond between these companions remains constant through the seasons of their lives: midnight blue, silly blue, stormy blue, chilly blue. Rhymes are subtle and flow naturally, never feeling forced or contrived. Tender moments. Poignant memories. A heart full of love. It is impossible for me to read this book without tears.

​For Sam, the little pup I tucked inside my coat ​and brought home one Friday night. "Please, can we keep him?" I begged. From that night on, you became a true companion. I will never forget you, my dear friend.

Construction Zoo by Jennifer Thorne  ill Susie Hammer

It's a quiet morning at the zoo until... a convoy of heavy-duty vehicles rumble in to disrupt the tranquility of the park. Jennifer Thorne uses simple rhyming couplets to introduce various pieces of equipment, describing the tasks that each perform. The intriguing twist to this picture book is the comparison between animal and machine: giraffes and cranes, monkeys and wrecking balls, elephants and front loaders. Susie Hammer's signature style emphasizing simple geometric shapes and bold colors accentuate the functional and visual similarities of these zoo inhabitants and their construction equipment counterparts.

More Zoo Doings

Little Whale by Jo Weaver

It begins south of the equator. A mother gray whale senses that it is time to leave the shelter of warm waters and migrate to northern feeding grounds. Her young calf accompanies her for the first time. The journey is filled with wonders as well as dangers: a coral reef, schools of shimmering fish, passing ships, and sharks, ​Realistic physical representation of these noble creatures dovetails nicely with the anthropomorphic elements. Readers young and old can relate to the calf’s repeated query “Are we nearly there?” The protective and loving relationship of a mother for her child is reinforced throughout the text. Migration patterns, an exploration of deep-water life, and a gentle reminder of parental love are all brought to life through gorgeous expressive art.

Bonus: Illustration Workshop

Jo Weaver shares the process for creating her illustrations for the picture book Little One.  ​ After reading Little Whale, view live footage of an encounter with gray whales.  A close-up look at these mammals is fascinating and informative. Inspiration for young researchers and artists. ​Science meets art.