• Home
  • Style Guides
  • Blog
  • Author Index
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
READING STYLE GUIDE

Naturally Supernatural

10/29/2020

0 Comments

 
Two delightful new comics invite young readers into the world of the occult, confirming that there is a more to supernatural powers than tales of grisly terror. Explore the warm and welcoming side of the supernatural.

Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse

Oh, you’d be surprised how many things there are in this neighborhood!
Eleven-year-old Effie, recently orphaned, has been sent to live with her sharp-tongued step-aunt Selimene and mild-mannered partner Carlotta. These new living conditions come as a huge surprise and major adjustment for everyone.
Feeling unwanted, but with no other choice but to stay, Effie and Selimene come to a tentative truce. As she adjusts to her new home, Effie discovers a few oddities. The attached greenhouse is filled with a vast selection of medicinal plants which have healing properties. There is also an adjoining acupuncture office.
Most astonishing of all, in addition to their work as herbalists and acupuncturists, the two are witches. They are committed using their powers to help others.
Their supernatural abilities have awakened a latent power inside Effie. She discovers that she too is a witch. The two seasoned witches and their young protege are presented with a perplexing problem. A massively popular singer has developed a ghastly change in her facial coloring, making it impossible to publicly perform.
Picture
With the help of ancient book of magic, some extraordinary meteorological powers, and an assist from three of Effie’s new friends, the singer’s disfiguring skin condition is cured and she can resume her concert schedule.
Escabasse captures the quirky personalities of her witches with a deft hand. Petite fashion-conscious Selimene wears oversized statement jewelry and stylish footwear. Carlotta is a large woman with an extra-large heart who must smooth over difficulties often exacerbated by Selimene’s short fuse. Characters are loveable because of their idiosyncrasies.
Readers will want to return to this world of unconventional witches. More Witches of Brooklyn stories please.
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 1, 2020  Publisher: Random House Graphic; Illustrated Edition  ISBN: 978-0593119273

Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

Time doesn't care...sooner or later - Everyone grows up. They change. They move on.
Picture
Twelve-year-old Lora is lonely. Her friends no longer share her interest in imaginative play.
Lora decides to her own Séance Tea Party, surrounded by her stuffed animals and a Ouija board. A surprise guest joins the festivities. Her name is Alexa and she’s the ghost of a young girl who died years ago. Lora is delighted. She discovers that Alexa was her imaginary childhood friend.
The two become fast friends, accommodating Alexa’s spirit into the corporeal world. Alexa gently nudges Lora to move out of her comfort zone. She accepts a spur-of-the-moment invitation to attend a Halloween party. Her new friend is draped in a sheet. The perfect disguise for a ghost.
Lora gradually expands her circle to include an older woman. She begins to experiment with make-up, opting for a deep shade of lipstick and definative eyeliner.
The human is not the only one moving on. Alexa comes to realize that it is time for her to leave her earth-bound connection. A bittersweet scene touchingly shows the dear friends, acknowledging their affection for one another while recognizing the desire to step away from their present lives. ​A sweet story of growing up, letting go, moving on.
Yee captures Lora's innocence and Alexa’s wistful longing. There is an expressive quality to the art. The images begin with a juvenile sensibility that gradually morphs into a more mature perspective.
Bonus pages include a sneak peek into the artists craft, illustrated with numerous sketches.
​Séance Tea Party will be appreciated by a variety of audiences. It's a story of Halloween, ghosts, death, maturing, enduring friendship, multi- generational relationships, and the inevitability of becoming older.
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​​Pub date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: Random House Graphic; Illustrated Edition  ISBN: 978-1984894151
0 Comments

Weird on Top of Weird. Squared.

10/22/2019

0 Comments

 

Weird Little Robots
by Carolyn Crimi ill by Corinna Luyken

Real live robots and their pet squirrel. It's like weird on top of weird squared.
Picture
Penny Rose is lonely. In the past, she has always enjoyed friendships with other children in her neighborhood. Now everything has changed. Her family moved and she can't connect with any of her new classmates. She spends her free time sequestered in the shed in her family’s backyard, creating a collection of tiny robots from found objects: outdated technology, broken bits and pieces, even a set of false teeth. She names each creation and fills her days tinkering with these mini-friends.
Then she meets her nerdy neighbor Lark. A budding ornithologist, Lark has a yard brimming with an incredible collection of birdhouses created from assorted curiosities that the birds leave for her,
Lark wasn’t afraid to let her weirdness show, and Penny Rose thought that was very brave.
The two loners combine their shared resources and talents to create roboTown, an intricate metropolis for robots, complete with multilevel buildings, lights, and a battery-operated elevator. ​One night they discover that the robots have come to life.
Every story must have a dark moment and it arrives for Penny Rose in the form of a mysterious invitation to join a Secret Science Society. In a moment of weakness, Penny Rose shares her robots with members of the secret group. She does this without the knowledge or consent of Lark, betraying the trust of her best friend and the magical robots. There are consequences. Most of the robots are stolen, roboTown demolished, and her friendship with Lark damaged.
In the process of attempting to reclaim and repair broken relationships and the lifeless toys, Penny Rose makes her own discoveries: What does it mean to be friend? What is science? Can all mistakes be fixed?
Crimi brings the story to a satisfying conclusion, including a miraculous recovery of one robot and a repaired friendship. But she leaves a few threads open. Does this mean that there will be more adventures for Penny Rose, Lark, and their robots? Count my vote for an absolutely, positively, without a doubt yes. More Weird Little Robots. More Penny Rose and Lark. Please.
Picture
Picture
There are so many things to love about this charming little tale of friendship and creativity, science and magic. The girls are interesting and interested in the world around them. But it's the robots who steal the show. There's iPam, made from a cell phone. Her cracked screen displays text messages to the girls. Fraction, the friendly bot, is an old calculator with a heart-shaped sticker, Clunk with a meat thermometer head atop a transistor radio takes over plugging in the lights. Sharpie created from a pair of old dentures, can sometimes be a bit grouchy. Data with a marble eye keeps watch out the window. She can see the future.
​I absolutely adore these robots!
Luyken's full page illustrations accentuate the story's magic. She captures the essence to the two girls and the distinctive personality of the robots. Images of roboTown glow with the wonder of the girl's imaginations and cast a bewitching spell over the tale.

Build Your Own Robot

Penny Rose loved the idea of dressing up in the same costume for Halloween..."We'll be Best Friends Robots!"
​The girls want to dress up as robots for Halloween.
​Although their plans fall through, young readers can create a cardboard robot costume and make their own magic.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 1, 2019 Publisher: Candlewick ISBN: 978-0763694937
0 Comments

Which Witch

8/20/2019

0 Comments

 

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

I have to be both a witch and a person.
Picture
It’s Halloween and thirteen-year-old Moth Hush has given a lot of thought to the costume that she will wear to school. She decides that she will definitely ​be a witch. Black dress. Pointed hat. Nothing unusual about that.
​The girl who doesn't fit in decides that a traditional Halloween costume is a great way to assimilate. Maybe not.
​While trying to help the new kid in school, she discovers that she has extraordinary powers. Her mother confirms that she is, in fact, a witch. Moth learns that she comes from a long line of witches, both her mother and maternal grandmother are witches.
I’m a witch... Everything finally DOES make sense. I always thought I was just weird.
Local lore tells of a witch colony that disappeared centuries ago. Each year students reenact the story. In a strange twist of fate, Moth the costume assistant and her friend Charlie assume the roles of their ancestors in the production. Will they follow the script, or will they choose to reject the town’s traditional witch mythology and create a new reality?
There is ongoing tension between generations of women in the Hush family. Grandmother flees from an oppressive community and creates a new protective world. Mother rejects this exclusive society of witches and chooses to live among humans, never using or speaking of her latent powers. Moth is intrigued by her newly discovered identity. She wants to learn more about herself and her magical abilities.
Picture
This wide-eyed thirteen-year-old navigates the perilous life of middle school while simultaneously exploring Hecate, a witch’s realm existing in a parallel universe. It's new and exciting but strange and frightening. When history collides with the present, old wounds are reopened and past injustices exposed.
Three generations of witches. ​Three manifestations of Hecate: maiden, mother, crone. Three different perspectives on the practice of witchcraft. Mothers try to protect daughters. Daughters seek to break away and create a new life. Who is right?
Magic is an integral story element. Moth explores the past by jumping into her mother’s diary with a cat who is the reincarnation of a family friend and benefactor. Moth's mother, who appears ageless, reveals that she was born in 1675.
Mommy looks a lot younger than she actually is. And it's not just because she moisturizes regularly.
This graphic novel can be enjoyed on several levels. The Okay Witch is an entertaining story of a girl discovering her true nature.  It's a fascinating examination of the mother-daughter dynamic. Readers will also find similarities to historical accounts of early New England witchcraft.
The tale is chock full of delightful tidbits: references to classic movies " I don't think we're in Massachusetts anymore," clever asides "I don't do 'safe.' You've seen me eat expired yogurt,” and interesting visual clues. It will take several readings to catch all the goodies Steinkellner packs into every page.
While the book is marketed for middle grade readers, it has wide-range appeal. Libraries will want to feature this comic in Halloween book displays. Classroom teachers searching for a fresh fictional companion to the study of Salem Witch trials can ditch the well-worn play and add The Okay Witch to the curriculum. It would also make a thought-provoking selection for mother-daughter book clubs.
 Steinkellner's graphic novel debut is smart, quirky, and clever. 
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 3, 2019  Publisher: Aladdin  ISBN: 978-1534431461
0 Comments

Book It

10/20/2018

0 Comments

 
It's that time of year. Time to think about a costume. You can drag out that tired old black cape and plastic vampire fangs... again. Or you can try for something different. Looking for fresh costume ideas? Books for youth can be a source of inspiration. Check out these creative costumes and the books that inspired them.
There are many clever homemade ideas here.  Don't miss the pink Darth Vader. Pair it with the new picture book Are You Scared Darth Vader for a eye-popping ensemble. Dog Man and Frida Kahlo costumes are easy to put together.  The plain blue dress with stars and a planet headpiece for Miss Frizzle is perfect for the DYI designer who wants a more detailed outfit. 
With a little bit of imagination, costumes will celebrate the joy of reading.
0 Comments

Teeny Tiny Treat

10/24/2016

2 Comments

 

A Teeny Tiny Halloween by Lauren L Wohl ill by Henry Cole

Just in time for Hallowen is this delightful rif on the teeny tiny woman folktale.  
Picture
Picture
A Teeny Tiny Halloween cover art features a view of a charming little house, overwhelmed with autumn leaves. Comparing the size of the leaves with the size of the house informs the reader that this is indeed a very small house. As darkness falls and leaves begin to blanket the house, the teeny tiny woman living inside begins to be fearful and cries out, "Oh, who will save me?"  An oil lamp illuminates her face, revealing her rising terror as her cries for help go unheeded.
What to do? This resourceful woman tries making noise with various kitchen utensils. These baking implements give her an idea and she formulates a plan to attract rescuers. 
Picture
Help comes in the form of a cat, a ghost, and a witch who get to work, removing the mountain of leaves and uncovering the source of the delicious aroma wafting from inside the house. 
​
​Wahl's use of expressive language begs to be read aloud. 
The cat kicks away dry leaves: crackle crackle.
The witch sweeps leaves with her broom: swoosh, swish.
The ghost fans leaves away with billowing sleeves: whooooo, whoooo. 
​
​
 
Text size and placement enhance the storytelling experience.
​ 
"Oh, who will save me?" cries the 
teeny tiny woman in her teeny tiny voice.
No one hears her.
​Cole captures the expressive faces of the teeny tiny woman and the little treat-seeking hobgoblins. Note: Love the charming details. Take a look at the witch's monstrous green nose.
The Teeny Tiny Halloween is a storytelling treat.  Don't forget to add some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
2 Comments
    Author/Illustrator Index
    Get the latest updates delivered directly to you inbox:

    powered by TinyLetter

    Category

    All
    Activity Books
    Adventure
    Alphabet Books
    Animals
    Anthology
    Art
    Asian
    Audiobook
    Author-interview
    Author-profile
    Awards
    Bilingual
    Biography
    Black Lives
    Board Books
    Book Awards
    Book-club
    Book Stores
    Book Trailers
    Classroom Connections
    Comics
    Coming Of Age
    Cosplay
    Creativity
    Diversity
    Early Readers
    Fairy Tale
    Family
    Fantasy
    Food
    Friendship
    Girls
    Grahic Novel
    Halloween
    Historical Fiction
    Horror
    Humor
    Immigration
    Informational Books
    Latinx
    LGBTQ
    Library Activities
    Literacy
    Magical Realism
    Maker
    Math
    Memoir
    Middle Grade
    Music
    Mystery
    Mythology
    Native American
    Nonfiction
    Own Voices
    Picture Book
    Poetry
    Prose-and-comic
    Read Aloud
    Reading
    Reading Writing Connection
    Realistic Fiction
    Romance
    Self Acceptance
    Series
    Social Issues
    Sports
    STEM
    Storytelling
    Texas Connection
    The Margin Project
    Wordless
    YA Lit

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    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.

    Professional Reader
    Picture
    Frequently Auto-Approved

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.