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READING STYLE GUIDE

ABC

10/26/2018

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The ABCs of What I Can Be
by Caitlin McDonagh

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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.
Illustrations features young children, rather than adults in each of the occupations. Rather large heads imposed on bodies dressed in attire appropriate for the activity enhance a child's visual and emotional engagement. McDonagh uses a glorious array of skin tones, featuring multiple shades of browns and blacks.  
​Playfulness is amply evident. The environmentalists studying a tree appear to have arms around the tree (hugging). One nanny nestles two soundly sleeping infants while the other nanny holds a squalling baby.  A cat meme appears throughout the pages.  My favorite is the judge's bench with the scales of justice weighing a mouse and a piece of cheese.  The cat hungrily waits below the scales. That cat steals the show! Finding all the cats is a delightful bonus. 
The ABCs of What I Can Be is an excellent springboard for further exploration activities. These can include such things as: providing a box of costumes and props for dress-up and role playing, creating a personally illustrated "What I Can Be" booklet, or inviting community individuals to share careers and avocations. An author's note references the The United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook. She invites​ young readers to "try new things."

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.
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Copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: December 24, 2018 Publisher: Holiday House  ISBN:  978-0823437825
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Siblings

9/28/2018

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Dear Sister 
by Alison McGhee ill Joe Bluhm

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There is a unique quality to sibling dynamics. In the first place, there isn’t much mystery. You know all the secret little things that only two who share the same living space can appreciate. You have the same backstory. This can work for and against your relationship.
Alison McGhee explores this complex bond in Dear Sister, an epistolary collection of messages from a brother to his eight-years-younger sibling, beginning with his sister’s birth and concluding when he leaves home for college.
Required by his parents whom he often refers to as the wardens, he frequently composes cards and notes for his sister. Some celebrate important events such as birthdays. There are "report cards" grading her on characteristics ranging from crying to avoiding lima beans. There is more than one apology. Many are accompanied by his drawings. Readers follow the lives of both as they grow up and experience life’s challenges.
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The evolution of their relationship is brilliantly chronicled. A running thread is the young girl's insistence on multiple readings of her favorite book, Never Too Clever. Her delight in hearing the story read aloud does not diminish with time.
Bluhm illustrates with three distinctive styles: the onmiscent narrator in black ink drawings, often with blue shading; the young sister with her early childish scribbles and primitive drawings; and the brother's detailed pencil sketches. The boy's illustrations document his development as an artist. Expressive artwork becomes progressively more intricate as the years go by.
Not surprisingly, it is when the two grow older and one moves away that they come to fully recognize their shared affection for one another.
Readers with memories of family relationships will be drawn to this heartwarming story. Give a copy to the siblings in your life. Young and old, they will relate.
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How many "Been there. Done that" moments will you find within these pages? 

Meeting the Creators

I have been a fan of Alison McGhee’s work for some time. What I Leave Behind, Maybe a Fox, Birdie and Pablo are three recently published titles that I completely and totally fell in love with. Not only is Alison a gifted author, she is also a very talented narrator.
I had the good fortune to meet up with Alison and her sister Holly, literary agent and kidlit author. Wonder if these sisters ever had sibling issues?
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At a picture book presentation I sat next to an unfamiliar face. I was fairly certain that he was not a librarian, nor part of a publishing team. Who was this guy? He introduced himself: Joe Bluhm, illustrator for a soon-to-be-released book.
At the conclusion of the event, Joe produced a galley of a book based on an intriguing concept and filled with the most engaging illustrations. He shared a bit about the book and his illustration process. Thanks Joe for a copy of Dear Sister.
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He signed the ARC.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 2, 2018 Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books ISBN: 978-1481451420
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Crowning Glory

6/12/2018

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My Hair is a Garden by Cozbil A. Cabrera

My hair is a garden, and I give it love.
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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.
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​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.
My Hair is a Garden is more than a story of self-acceptance, more than a set of platitudes. It offers a positive approach and realistic advice. When hair receives attentive care, it is indeed "beauty wrapped in a song."
My hair is a garden and I take care of it.
My words and thoughts are like seeds that I plant.
I say and I think beautiful.

For the Love of Hair

Picture books celebrating the glories of natural black hair.
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Bonus

Cozbi A. Cabrera's creative talents are not limited to artistry with words and pictures.  She is a very talented seamstress, doll maker, and fashion designer. 
​Take a look at some of her creations.
Be sure to view her beautiful handcrafted dolls, featured in Country Living.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 1, 2018  Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN: 978-0807509234
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Elegant Retelling

1/18/2018

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Wild Swans by Xanthe Gresham Knight ill by Charlotte Gastaut

The stunning cover design is evidence that this will be an extraordinary retelling of a Hans Christian Anderson classic. From page one, that assumption is confirmed as Xanthe Gresham Knight introduces the tale in magnificent storytelling fashion.
​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.
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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.
Knight builds on Anderson's story:  editing, embellishing, and refining the original to create an interpretation that is familiar, yet fresh and new.  Gastaut's stunning illustrations defy any specific style, combing Art Nouveau with elements of Northern European and Middle Eastern art. This version of an Anderson tale is destined to become a new classic.
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Meet Xanthe Gresham Knight

"She unfolds each tale like the petals of a lotus. At the end, you leave with something beautiful created in your own mind."
British Theatre Review

Knight is a British storyteller and performance artist. Among her many honors she has performed at the Smithsonian, Ulster Museum, and Harvard Art Gallery. She was Storyteller in Residence for the Chelsea Physic Garden and Stoke Staffordshire Libraries, Storyteller Educator for Tate Galleries, and Lecturer in Drama and Storytelling at the University of East London.  She brings her considerable talents to the printed page in this exquisite fairy tale retelling.

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.
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Reviewed from electronic copy provided by publisher
Pub date: March 1, 2018        Publisher: Barefoot Books        ISBN: 978-1782853626
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Heart of Her Art

11/26/2017

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Deborah Marcero: Author and Illustrator

Take a look at  three picture books. Each is a little gem filled with creative storytelling, endearing characters, and inventive design. Deborah Marcero is the author of two and the illustrator for all three. And here’s the amazing thing: all have been published within the past eighteen months. That's one prolific artist! Let’s take a peek inside these enticing covers.
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Ursa's Light by Deborah Marcero

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"There were all the other bears...
and then, there was Ursa."
Ursa's Light, written and illustrated by Marcero, introduces readers to a charming little bear aptly named Ursa.  From the beginning the double play on words is readily apparent. While her classmates are busily engaged in playground amusements, Ursa is fixated on the heavens above. She has a dream: she wants to fly.  Not one to be deterred, she observes, calculates, tries, fails, refuses to accept to defeat, and tries again and again. There must be a way to realize her dream. Eventually she finds a way.  Not in the manner she initially envisioned.  But she finds a way.
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The pages are chock full of details:  Ursa's eyes always seem to be looking up; inserts of pages from Ursa's notebook; a brother named Orion; and a shirt emblazoned with the message "Live Delibearately."  The color pallet is bold, with plenty of black punctuated with strong shades of rust and gold. ​It fits Ursa perfectly.

Rosie and Crayon by Deborah Marcero

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"Rosie's tears reflected all the colors that filled her world."
Meet Rosie and her beloved puppy Crayon. Once again Marcero has selected an appropriate name. This pet colors Rosie's days, making each one vibrant. Initial pages feature colors that reflect Rosie's relationship with the pup, "tickled greens and fluttering yellows." One day Crayon is gone. Text does not specifically mention death, but it is implied. Color leaves Rosie's world. With a tear-stained face, she puts away her crayons and the dog's collar. Eventually she sets aside her grief and helps locate a lost kitten. Color returns to her life in the form of friendship with the missing kitten and its owner. A tender story of grief and healing. ​
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Rosie and Crayon effectively employs color to convey emotion.  Layout design is equally important to the story. Life with Crayon is busy, filled with a plethora of details. When Rosie is bereft, there are vast amounts of empty space on the page.  Observant readers will discover charming little details: R+C carved into a tree and letters for the title page  formed from crayons.

Twinderella: A Fractioned Fairy Tale
by Corey Rosen Schwartz illustrated by Deborah Marcero

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"Gadzooks, I must be dreaming!"
Who knew that Cinderella could become a foray into the world of fractions? Corey Rosen Schwartz knew.  Twinderella: A Fractioned Fairy Tale is delightful little riff on the traditional story featuring not one, but two mistreated sisters: Cinderella and Tinderella. Chores are divided in half. They appear to share everything, from supper to a bed. But they do not share the same dream. Will their fairy godmom be able to extricate the girls from their life of servitude and grant each girl the wish of her heart?  Will there be not one, but two "happily ever afters?" Well, this is a fairy tale, so some extraordinary magic on the part of this godmom makes it happen. Schwartz tells this fractioned tale in clever couplets. Double good. Double fun.
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End papers feature halves of sandwiches and oranges as well as pairs of shoes and gloves. Marcero ups the fantasy element with vibrant colors, including the sisters' bright red hair. Handsome Prince Charming has some serious moves and dances the night away with both girls.  Not to be outdone, Tinderella dips Charming, proving these girls can "dance with the stars." ​
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The Man Behind the Legend

7/17/2017

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Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke

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My tale begins in another time and another place, Ben Hatke was a young artist breaking into the comic scene with the publication of a charming graphic novel about a spacegirl named Zita. I was to meet Ben at a train station and escort him to an author event held at a public library.
I arrived at the designated station, searching for someone who looked like a cartoonist. As I scanned the arrivals, I could not see anyone who seemed to be seeking a librarian. The train had left the station and few travelers remained on the arrival side of the tracks.
Finally a young man came into view, nimbly working his way around the tracks, appearing to be on a grand adventure. I wondered: could this be the author/artist that I was to scheduled meet?
Bag slung over his should and flashing a winning smile, I soon learned that he was indeed Ben Hatke.
​We hurried off to the library and a room jam-packed with youngsters. Ben is not only an incredible artist, creating amazing stories with both words and images, he is also a talented performer. He wowed the audience with some impressive juggling and acrobatic skills. Sadly, the library director vetoed Hatke's offer to breathe fire. Nonetheless, his presentation was a showstopper. Then Ben graciously sat and signed books, personalizing each with a brief sketch.
When we finally finished up at the library all agreed that this was one author visit that no one would ever forget.
If you have been following comic artist Ben Hatke you know that he has created an impressive body of graphic novels and picture books for young readers. His latest book, Mighty Jack and the Goblin King does not disappoint. This story continues the saga of Jack. As readers will remember, Jack's sister Maddy has been captured and taken to another realm. It is up to Jack and his friend Lilly to use the magic of plants, a healthy dose of courage, and their wits to locate Maddy and bring her safely home.
In true Hatke fashion there are some bizarre characters, high-powered action scenes with plenty of sword-play, and a take-no-prisoners heroine who will leave readers cheering. Careful observation will offer readers glimpses of familiar themes, tropes, and characters.
A hallmark of Hatke's books is his brilliant use of dialog. Each character has his/her/its own distinct speech pattern. The story begs to be read aloud with ample pauses to appreciate the many visual bons mots waiting to be discovered within the pages.
There will be no spoilers from me except this: I gave an audible gasp when I arrived at a certain juncture in the story. Then my eyes filled with tears. How I love his characters and their stories. I Just Love Them
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Look what I found hiding within the stems of  a large houseplant. Could it be magic?

​What to do while you wait for the publication of Mighty Jack and the Goblin King

  • Read Zita the Spacegirl, The Return of Zita the Spacegirl, and Legends of Zita the Spacegirl
  • Read Julia's House for Lost Creatures
  • Read Nobody Likes a Goblin
  • Read Mighty Jack
  • Read Little Robot
  • Start digging. There may be gold and other treasure hidden nearby and now is the time to find it.
  • Collect all the gold, doubloons, jewels, and whatever riches you find and take them all to your local bookstore.
  • Order as many copies of Mighty Jack and the Goblin King as you can. (A gazillion will probably be the right amount.)
  • Secure the everlasting gratitude of Ben Hatke fans by gifting them with a copy of his latest book.
  • If you have any money remaining you should seriously consider purchasing a packet of magic seeds. Because you never know.....
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Beautiful Mixture of Dreams

7/11/2017

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Young People's Poet Laureate
​Margarita Engle

​​Songs follow you
Of peace, love, and good fortune
Offered to the poet who kisses these waters
Virtue, inspiration, and strength

From “A LA LUNA”  Juan Francisco Manzano
The Poet Slave of Cuba 
1797 - 1853
Congratulations Margarita Engle, named by The Poetry Foundation as Young People's Poet Laureate "in recognition of a career devoted to writing exceptional poetry for young readers."  This Cuban American author is the first Latino to receive the award.  She will serve at Poet Laureate for a period of two years.
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Here are some of my favorite images of Margarita Engle. They capture her gentle manner and her love of nature.​
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I distinctly remember my introduction to the work of Engle. While strolling through the book displays at an American Library Association conference, a small volume caught my eye. The title The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano and the stunning cover art by Sean Qualls intrigued me. I picked up a copy and was immediately entranced. What a remarkable man! I left that day with a copy of the book and a determination to seek out the works of Engle.
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I had the honor to serve on the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award committee for 2016.  Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir​ was selected as an Honor Book.  I had the opportunity to read this volume many times, taking copious notes. The more I studied this book, the greater my appreciation for the depth and strength this memoir and the elegant poetry she employs to tell her story.
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Look what's on my desk: Titles from Margarita Engle, Young People's Poet Laureate and all published in 2017. This trio of books explore and celebrate Hispanic literature, history and culture. Her work is indicative of her "passion, knowledge of nature, and curiosity about the world."
Here is a brief glimpse at these three exciting new poetic works. While each of these books have been published for children, the subject matter and the exquisite language and art are suitable for readers of all ages.

​All the Way to Havana
by Margarita Engle ill Mike Curato

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"Cara cara"
Cars! Beginning with the fabulous end papers, readers are treated to images of some amazing retro cars. But this book is about more than cars. It is a story of family and resourcefulness, a story of finding joy and pride in simple things. Take a trip to Havana in a blue 1953 Chevy. This is one ride you will want to take again and again. Mike Curato visited Havana to research this book and his attention to accurate detail shows on every page.
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Miguel's Brave Knight: Young Cervantes and His Dreams of Don Quixote
​by Margarita Engles ill Raúl Colón

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"No giant or dragon 
is bigger or stronger 
​than the human imagination
"
The life of young Miguel Cervantes is brilliantly captured in a series of poems highlighting his struggles and dreams. Engles does not shy away from including the painful episodes of his childhood: an absent father, a family struggling to survive, the threat of the plague, and limited opportunities for schooling. This is counterbalanced by Cervantes imagination, love to story, and desire to learn.
Colón's gorgeous ink and colorwash illustrations are the perfect blend of reality and fantasy.
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Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics
by Margarita Engle ill Rafael López

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"So many, so varied, such a beautiful
mixture of dreams!
"
This compilation of poems celebrating the contributions of Hispanic Americans highlights famous as well as lesser-known individuals. ​​Back matter includes additional information as well as a listing of "more amazing Latinos."  Strong colorful graphic art by López enriches the poetry. Kudos to the publisher for simultaneously publishing this book in Spanish and English.
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Enjoy the wide range of books that Engles has created for a variety of audiences
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Engle's poetry and prose are a gift to young readers everywhere.  They have timeless appeal and will remain classics for years to come.
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Love You to Mars and Back

3/2/2017

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Love, Ish by Karen Rivers

Ish: The girl who "just can't...pink" 
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No one creates characters quite like the girls in Karen Rivers' books. Following the success of The Girl in the Well is Me, Rivers has crafted another poignant tale of a girl who finds herself exploring a strange new world. Mischa, known as Ish, is a twelve year old with flaming red hair and a determination to visit the planet Mars. Her brittle exterior "I'm a machine... It makes me feel better to think that way. Machines don't have feelings. Machines don't have hearts or hopes or dreams." masks the anguish of losing her one true friend Tig. "If people broke when their hearts did, I'd have a crack just like that from my forehead to my feet, that's how bad I miss Tig. Instead, I've decided that my heart is officially closed for business, Locked up for good."
​There is a quality to Ish's narration that is raw, almost brutally defiant. It is laced with Rivers' signature sardonic humor, often revealing the tender underbelly of Mischa’s fear. Coping with the loss of Tig and a prickly relationship with her sister are compounded by the diagnosis of a brain tumor. Ish needs to summon every shred of strength to battle extraordinary obstacles and hang onto hope. 

I had a few questions after reading Love, Ish. Author Karen Rivers graciously took the time to provide answers. Thanks Karen.
Title
This title is brilliant! How did it come about?  Was the title part of your original idea, did it evolve as you wrote, or was it decided after you completed the manuscript?
The title was part of the original idea.  I knew the character would be Mischa, nicknamed “Ish”, and that the book was going to be about Mars and about how she learns about love.   It’s such a great tween/teen suffix.  They don’t have to feel love, the can feel love-ish.   So it was both a play on words, and obviously, her name.  

Dreams
They are such an important part of the story. I have never been much of a dreamer, but while reading this book I had one of the most vivid dreams that I can recall experiencing. It was about a deceased family member.  Do you dream? If so, do your dreams figure into your writing?
I definitely dream although I’m not sure my dreams figure into my writing very much.  The dreaming part of this book was inspired by a TV show that I saw many years ago.  It was either a medical drama or a legal drama, and it was about a woman whose reality was sub-par.  I can’t remember what the circumstances were, exactly, but I remember that she was lonely and depressed.  But at night, when she fell asleep, she entered an alternate reality.  Her dreams flowed like a continuous story in which she was happily married, kids, stability, joy.   (The plot of the episode was that she wanted to pay a doctor to KEEP her asleep so she could exist in this better, alternate reality.)  Technicalities aside, I was fascinated by this idea of realistic, somewhat continuous dreams.  In the show, I believe they were trying to answer the question:  If you perceive something as being “real”, does it matter if it is or not?   Which became part of the question in LOVE, ISH.  In dreams, if we’re lucky, we can be anyone, we can do things that are outside of the confines of reality, we can fly.

Chemo
Chemotherapy touches many lives, both those undergoing treatment and those close to the individual receiving treatment. Your descriptions of chemo are so painful, poignant, and true-to-life. The rawness was hard for me to read. How did you prepare for writing the chemo sequences?
Quite a long time ago, my son underwent some tests for what doctors thought that might be a heart defect.  (It wasn’t.) For one of those tests, we had to wait in a shared waiting room outside a pediatric chemo room.   I was struck by it, both the absolute normalcy of what was going on in there – video games abounded – and by the kids themselves.  I’ve had a few friends go through chemo (mostly as adults) and I knit their stories together with what I saw in the hospital that day to come up with Ish’s experience.   I hope that I got it right.  


Names
Buzz Aldrin. Brussels Sprout. Lunch Island. etc
The names in the story are intriguing. Do you maintain a list of interesting names/words for future stories or are the names that you use very specific to one particular story?
I SHOULD maintain a list, but instead I store things in my brain which become useful later.  For example, many years ago I was reading a book about Mars with my stepson, and we stumbled on the word Nirgal, meaning “Death Star” that was apparently (or according to this particular book) the Mayan word for Mars.   I didn’t know I was going to use it later, but it’s something that I always remembered.   The rest of the names were very specific to this story, I created them particularly for this book in the moment of writing it.  The parrot’s name made a few changes, but Buzz Aldrin is a terrific name for a parrot, don’t you think?  It fit the best.  Sometimes you have to try a few things on for size, but when it’s right, you feel it.


“Don’t touch me. No one touch me.”
What moments in your experience inspired you to include this pivotal scene?
Ah, this is a tough one to answer.  But without giving too much away, I think we’ve all experienced moments in our lives of such intense emotion that adding just one more feeling of any type –  even if it’s well-meaning and genuine sympathy – feels like it might break us into pieces.   When something happens that’s too much for us in the moment, we have to step away from ourselves before we can process kindness or compassion, or – even harder – someone else’s shock at what has happened.   Maybe it’s a bit like having to put on your own oxygen mask before you help someone else.  In that particular scene, Ish had to find her mask.  Everyone else needed something from her right away that she didn’t have available to give.  ​
Ish, I love you to Mars and back.

Companion Book

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The Girl in the Well is Me
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The Art of Ed Emberley

11/20/2016

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Spare Parts by Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley

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​It all started with a thumbprint. Emberley's charming little volume, Ed Emberley's Great Thumbprint Drawing Book started a whole new line of drawing books for kids: cartoons and characters that everyone could create. The premise? With a thumbprint as the base and a few simple lines, anyone could draw. Over the years I kept this book handy, not only for myself, but for students. It was fun. It was easy. It was great for inspiring creativity with a minimal amount of risk.
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In the intervening years, Emberley's art has evolved. He has kept his creative flair, but enhanced it with bold ideas and images. Spare Parts with lively verse composed by Emberley's daughter Rebecca, introduces readers to Rhoobart.  This invented name cleverly embodies both the concepts and the sounds of the words robot, art, and part. Rhoobot's worries when it appears that he has no heart. The storyline follows his search for this essential body component.
Emberley ingeniously concocts Rhoobot from a variety of recognizable tools. Grey industrial gears serve as an excellent background to this heartwarming tale.
We're all spare parts.
We've got secondhand hearts,
It's true.
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Worcester Art Museum ​is currently celebrating the art and legacy of Emberley with KAHBAHBLOOOM: The Art and Storytelling of Ed Emberley. This comprehensive retrospective explores his work over the past sixty years and includes an area where visitors can create their own drawings using Emberley's techniques. The show runs through April 9, 2017.

Companion Books

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​One Wide River to Cross, with text adapted from an American folk song by wife Barbara, this picture book was awarded a 1967 Caldecott Honor Medal. This counting book is illustrated with silhouettes imposed on colorful backgrounds.
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​Drummer Hoff, a collaboration with wife Barbara was received the 1968 Caldecott Medal. This cumulative rhyming tale tells of seven soldiers who build a cannon. The conclusion features Drummer Hoff who ignites the cannon's charge, setting off a riot of color
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Texas: Another Word for Friendship

5/21/2016

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Louise Visits the Lone Star State

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I love Louise.
I love art.
I love love Kelly Light, artist and author extraordinaire.
She is an inspiration for anyone who has a dream. Read her story.
She is an amazing presenter for young and not-so-young readers everywhere. Here is a recap of her visit to P.S 110.


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Sing along
"Louise Loves Art" an original song by Emiy Arrow inspired by
​Kelly Light's picture book of the same title. 


We were super thrilled when Louise came to visit Texas. We couldn't wait to show her the Lone Star State and were excited to help her make friends with boys and girls in Texas.
​We even made a photo album of Louise's Texas Adventure.
​Check it out.
After a whirlwind tour of South Texas, Louise met some of the terrific students who live in Texas. Off to third grade and boy howdy, were those students excited to meet her!
After sharing Louise Loves Art with the students, she was ready to introduce them to her new friend Andie. They loved Andie, they loved her art and they went absolutely crazy for Andie's dog Bacon.

It was one awesome day!

Thank you, Louise, for coming to Texas and introducing us to your friend Andie. We love her too.
​
Next time you come, please bring Kelly Light with you. 
Pretty please.
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    Barbara Moon

    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
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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