Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

When I first viewed the illustrations featured in Yuyi Morales picture book Dreamers, I gasped in astonishment. The art was so vibrant, so full of imagination and wonder. As I read the text, tears began to form and softly spill onto my cheeks. Yuyi's story of a young immigrant mother and her child is a story of hopes and dreams, A story of discovery.  A story of possibility. A story of love. The text seamlessly blends English and Spanish, moving between present reality and the opportunities to explore the richness of art and imagination. Yuyi has created a glowing tribute to the power of libraries, books and art. Dreamers everywhere can find inspiration within the pages of books.  Hint: Be sure to look at the cover inside the book's jacket for another perspective of Dreamers.

Bonus

Yuyi describes her first encounters with picture books at the public library.

Yuyi Morales currently resides in Mexico. Learn more about her decision to return to Mexico in this interview.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson ill Rafael López

Uncertainty. Anxiety. Fear. We've all experienced a stomachache, teary eyes or wobbly legs symptom when venturing into the unknown. Jacqueline Woodson's latest picture book assures readers that these are natural and normal feelings. At some point we all are keenly aware that we don't "fit in." Appearing different, speaking an unfamiliar language, having a unique culture and capabilities can cause one to feel alienated from other members of the group. Woodson doesn't stop with reciting a list of differences. She provides strategies for moving past negative thoughts and emotions. For example, she suggests that when someone feels excluded, the response may be to first relate a personal story. Then listen to the individual stories of others. Understanding commonalities and appreciating differences can help to build friendships.

Bonus

Front end papers

Back end papers

More Picture Books to Share

Why am I Me?

Last Stop on Market Street

Each Kindness

Carrot and Pea: An Unlikely Friendship

What Do You Do With a Voice Like That?
The Story of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan
by Chris Barton ill Ekua Holmes

Full disclosure: The first time that I heard Barbara Jordan speak, I was mesmerized. I had tuned into the impeachment hearings, and listened as a powerful voice spoke with measured authoritative language. I wanted to learn more about the woman behind that voice. Well-known and respected Texas author Chris Barton whose Whoosh, Dazzle Ships, and The Day-Glow Brothers are some of his outstanding nonfiction titles has penned a picture book biography that is worthy of this Texas legend and her legacy.

View

I had the opportunity to hear Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator Ekua Holmes (Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement). She displayed some of the original art that she created for this picture book. ​Ms. Holmes shared that her granddaughter served as the model for young Barbara Jordan. Note: she's the young girl in pink standing in front of a tree. It took a few tries before she captured the essence of a confident young Barbara Jordan. The image of Barbara, returning to her home years later is particularly poignant. The artist used a family home as the model in these images. It is fitting that these sources serve as inspiration for her work.

Listen!

How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace
by Carole Boston Weatherford ill Frank Morrison

Carole Boston Weatherford uses pairs of end-stopped couplets to create a lyrical retelling of the life of John Newton and the origins of this famous hymn. The pictures book chronicles the history and popularity of this hymn, sung by African Americans, Cherokees, Civil War soldiers, activists, gospel singers, recording artists, and even a president of the United States. Back matter includes a current version of the lyrics, an Author's Note, and suggestions for further reading and viewing. All enhance the value of this compelling story.

Marvelous Art

Multi-talented artist Frank Morrison painted classic images that are well-suited to the text. I had the opportunity to view some of Morrison’s original work for this book. The framed paintings are awe-inspiring. He has eloquently captured the heartfelt emotion reflected in the song's lyrics. Below are my photos of two Morrison paintings, paired with the illustrations and accompanying text as they appear in the published book. ​​This picture book, signed by the artist, is now one of my treasures.

Amazing Sounds

The Book Tree by Paul Czajak ill Rashin Kheiriyeh

Imagine a world without books. Paul Czajak invites youngsters to visit the fantastical world of Arlo, a boy who loves to read. One day, while nested in the branches of a tree with his book, misfortune strikes. The volume slips from his hands and lands upon the head of the mayor. Furious, the mayor immediately calls for the destruction of all books, as he deems them dangerous. Arlo is bereft  when all books are torn apart and the pages float away. He is not the only one missing books. There are no more stories for children at nap time. Meals become dull, as there are no cookbooks to consult. The theater ceases to perform as there are no scripts to enact. Arlo determines that perhaps he can create stories of his own. His writing germinates a torn book page, buried deep within the earth. A book tree begins to grow, nourished by the stories Arlo writes and shares. Eventually the book tree is filled with books and the town springs back to life.

Meet the Author

​"​When it comes to science people have this idea that it is all numbers and equations, but in fact science is filled with creativity.  Go look at a picture of the Hadron Collider and try to tell me that didn’t take some serious imagination."

He is the author the Monster and Me series.  Monster Needs Your Vote might be an appropriate selection to read during this national election cycle. ​Paul has created coloring pages, which may be downloaded from his website.

Meet the Illustrator

My Hair is a Garden by Cozbil A. Cabrera

For as long as she can remember, MacKenzie has been the object of ridicule at her school. Students constantly tease her about her hair. She tries ignoring their taunts. That doesn't work. She takes to wearing a hat to cover her head. That doesn't help. Finally she flees to the home of her neighbor Miss Tillie, who lives in a warm and welcoming home. MacKenzie pours her heart to her compassionate friend. "I need help with my hair. Folks have been poking fun of my hair since I was little...Mama tried to fix it, but the truth is, she doesn’t know what to do with it."

Following a gentle shampoo and careful combing, Miss Tillie invites her young guest outside to enjoy her garden. Years of thoughtful planning, cultivation, and nurturing have resulted in a retreat that is a filled with a variety of lush and vibrant landscaping.   MacKenzie discovers the similarities between caring for a garden and caring for her crowning glory.

​Cozbi A. Cabrera has created a lovely picture book celebrating the magnificence of natural black hair. In addition to the narrative, she thoughtfully includes helpful hair care tips, along with suggestions for self-improvement and personal development. ​Recipes for Herbal infusion Rinse and Moisturizing Shea Butter include directions on proper application.

For the Love of Hair

Bonus

Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring
​by Angela Cervantes

Paloma Marque is spending the month of June in Mexico City. While her mother pursues advanced studies, she can become acquainted with the city, language, and culture of her deceased father. Initially she is reluctant to leave behind her US friends, but she soon becomes captivated with her father’s native city, a handsome boy, the art of Frida Kahlo, and the mysterious disappearance of a jeweled ring. With the help of two friends, Paloma goes in search of the missing ring. She finds herself caught up in a series of dangerous situations involving some nefarious individuals. Paloma summons up the deductive skills and courage of her favorite fictional detective Lulu Pennywhistle. She plots a strategy to recover the missing ring and return it to its rightful owner. ”Okay,”  Paloma said to herself. “I just need to Lulu up and do this.”

La Casa Azul

View studio, dining room, or garden.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê  ill Dan Santat

Minh Lê has created a tribute to the miraculous power of art, imagination, and love. Readers meet a young Asian American boy sent to spend time with his grandfather. This is difficult for both because they appear to have little in common. Grandfather speaks only Thai. Grandson speaks only English. Using a graphic novel format, Dan Santat opens with a series of wordless panels, as the young man is unwillingly deposited on his grandfather's doorstep. Images highlight the contrasting cultures, with wordless panels progressing into panels with separate speech balloons in Thai and English. Things are not going well for either one. Until... The boy gives up talking and begins to draw. Observing what is happening, Grandfather hurries to find his own drawing implements. With his first brush stroke, a new world opens.

In the process of drawing together, the two form a connection that is able to break down barriers and overcome obstacles. The narrative is beautiful and satisfying on many levels.  It's the story of bridging the divide between cultures and generations.  It is also a story of the power of shared creation and exploration.  The story of a willingness to try.  A desire to find common ground.  A story of love. A story of hope.

​Judging a Book by Its Cover: Twitter Thread

Limiting colors to complimentary purple and yellow, opposites  on the color wheel, is brilliant.

Wild Swans by Xanthe Gresham Knight ill by Charlotte Gastaut

​Some tales get lost over time. They fall through the cracks of pavements or are washed out into the ocean. But some child, playing on the street or digging in the sand, will catch sight of a story gleaming like a chip of old china or lost silver. They will pick it up, hold it to the light and never rest until they have experienced every moment. Perhaps you are one such child.

And thus it begins. In the hands of a skilled storyteller, Wild Swans weaves its magic with lustrous words and images. The King of the North was blessed with eleven sons and one daughter Eliza. A plague swept through the land, taking the lives of many, including his wife. The king remarries a woman who possess powerful skills of healing and magic. She sends the brothers away to teach them about the world, as well as protect them from the plague. Casting a spell upon the boys, they become swans by day, human at night. Eliza grows up, far from the plague-riddled kingdom, learning to spin and knit. When she receives word that her father and stepmother have succumbed to the plague, she goes in search of her brothers. Eliza learns that she can reverse the stepmother’s enchantment by gathering nettles, spinning the prickly fibers into yarn and knitting a tunic for each boy. Time runs out. She completes all but the sleeve of the eleventh tunic. Tossing a tunic upon each swan, the boys permanently become human. One brother retains a white wing, due to the missing sleeve. The princes return to rule the eleven kingdoms of the north. Eliza is crowned Queen  and rules over all.

Meet Xanthe Gresham Knight

Introducing Charlotte Gastaut

Charlotte Gastaut is a talented French artist. Her work includes an extensive variety of projects. In addition to book illustration she has been commissioned by companies such as Godiva to create product packaging.   Her work has also been embraced by the fashion world.  Some of her illustrations were reproduced on dresses of Maison Fendi, for a fashion show at Rome's Trevi Fountain. The collection was designed by Karl Lagerfeld. Gorgeous design. Sumptuous art.