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READING STYLE GUIDE

Beastly Feast

1/12/2021

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The Beast and the Bethany
​by Jack Meggitt-Phillips ill by Isabelle Follath

Ebenezer Tweezer, a young man with golden hair and a mansion filled with everything he desires, has a secret. In reality he is almost 512 years old. He owes his youth, stunning art collection, and grand piano to a hideous monster who lives in the top floor of a mansion. In this reimagining of the classic Faustian bargain, Ebenezer must regularly feed the monster in exchange for a potion that grants him eternal youth.
The beast's appetite has increased over time. Where once a tasty morsel satisfied, sacrificial offerings are currently demanded. First it was small animals but now the beast wants a child. Tweezer realizes that he is crossing into territory that strains his sense of morality. He rationalizes that if he can find a truly despicable youngster the world will be rid of one nasty human. That's not so bad, is it?
His search for a suitable child eventually leads him to an orphanage run by the loathsome Miss Fizzlewick. There he meets Bethany, an obstinate and obnoxious girl who alienates everyone she comes in contact with.  She will be the perfect meal.
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Back at the mansion there are complications. The beast decides that Bethany is too thin and needs fattening up. Ebenezer complies with her request for mountains of chocolate cake and ice cream with treacle toffee sauce. He reasons that this is a good thing. She will quickly become a large and tasty meal. Bethany is bewildered. Instead of annoying an adult, her atrocious menu pleases him.
But this is a redemptive tale and as Ebenezer waits for his prospective meal to get fatter, he begins to enjoy spending time with his charge. Bethany, a girl that is determined to antagonize everyone, starts to care about others in small meaningful ways. Eventually Tweezer divulges the Beast's ultimate objective. The two devise a plan to save Bethany from becoming a beast feast.
Like Roald Dahl books, The Beast and the Bethany features a revolting child (think Veruca Salt), an authority figure who delights in making children miserable (think Miss Trunchbull), and outrageous quantities of chocolate cake. 
The narrative steadily leads the reader from one horrific scene to the next and will keep readers turning pages. Isabelle Follath's black and white drawings liberally sprinkled throughout the short chapters are spot-on.
Things don't go as planned. There are several heart-pounding moments when it appears that Bethany and Tweezer are doomed. Then Meggitt-Phillips, that fiendish devil, adds a final plot twist that leaves readers with a frightful chill. The author's note at the conclusion is a must read!
Deliciously dark and delightfully devious. If you like your fiction with a macabre twist, Meggitt-Phillips has just the story you are looking for. ​
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: December 8, 2020  Publisher: Aladdin  ISBN:  978-1534478893
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They’re Back!

10/9/2020

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The Popper Penguin Rescue by Eliot Schrefer

The penguins are back! Countless generations have loved Florence and Richard Atwater's Mr. Popper's Penguins. Awarded a Newbery Honor in 1939, this classic is a staple in home, school, classroom, and public libraries.
Like many readers, I hoped that the story would go on and speculated about what would become of Captain Cook, Greta, and their droll offspring. My wish has been granted. Award-winning author Eliot Schrefer continues the penguin saga with contemporary sensibilities while retaining the charm of the original.
Years after Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake established a penguin colony in the Arctic, a Popper descendant and her children move into the old Penguin Pavilion located in a neighboring Stillwater community. The kids, Nina and Joel, explore the basement and discover two eggs. The decision to take the eggs to school does not turn out well. Nina's egg cracks during a spelling quiz and a playground bully steals Joel's egg. Despite the difficulties and with a touch of Atwater-like magic, the long-forgotten penguin eggs hatch.
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These siblings are now caretakers for two chicks christened Ernest and Mae. ​They wonder: what to do? The local Penguin Foundation offers to sponsor an Arctic expedition to resettle these chicks with the colony established by Mr. Popper and Admiral Drake. There are a few perilous moments. Ernest inadvertently sabotages the boat's central navigation system, causing the boat to run aground. Their expedition braves a blinding arctic storm and below-freezing conditions.
A solution to the Antarctic animals' relocation dilemma is more complicated than the Poppers had originally considered. The conclusion satisfies environmental concerns while preserving the Popper Performing Penguins' legacy.
Schrefer handles the narrative with a light touch. Even the fantastic seems believable. He balances the wildly hilarious with serious threats to the penguins' existence. Ernest and Mae play their own version of chess while snacking on dried squid. There is even a penguin body surfing scene where the birds transport arrivals across the colony. Admiral Drake’s grandson makes a cameo appearance. Schrefer pays homage to the classic tale, neatly tying in elements from the original. Bonus: these penguins canoodle!
Jim Madsen's black and white illustrations are fresh, contemporary, and contribute to the story's appeal.
Oork! Oork! Confetti and ribbons, penguins, and Poppers! The Popper Penguin Rescue will delight fans of the original classic and introduce new generations to the magic of flightless birds in tuxedoes.
Electronic copy accessed via Edelweiss.
​Pub date: October 13, 2020  Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers  ISBN:  978-0316495424
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Kitties: You Got This

9/21/2020

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Kitties on Dinosaurs by Michael Slack


​Three adorable wide-eyed kitties have scaled to the top of everything nearby: the cat climbing tree, an actual tree, even an old out-of-the-way litter box. They are ready for a new challenge. They decide to climb the dinosaurs on Dinosaur Island. This is a daunting proposition. Dinosaurs are huge and fearsome. These cute little felines are warned by the narrator “They will eat you alive.”
Not to be deterred, the brave little trio set sail for the island of dinosaurs in their cozy covered cat box, also known as the litter mobile.
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​Things do not go well. The monstrous lizards frighten the kitties away. But these are determined felines. They are not ready to give up. With cell phone and notebook in paw, they huddle inside the litter mobile and devise a new plan of attack. Actually, they try and fail multiple times. The inventive kittens try a lasso, camouflage, parachutes. Nothing works. The dinosaurs intend to eat them.
​Until... the prehistoric beasts realize just how cute and cuddly these little furballs are.
It would seem that the story has arrived at a happy ending. However Slack has a surprise for readers that will keep them wondering about what will happen next. Youngsters may be inspired to create their own dramatic Kitties escapades. Retellings with Kitty and Dinosaur puppets would be SO MUCH FUN.
​Bold oversized font and a generously wide trim size of over eleven inches make this picture book perfect for read-alouds. The narrator speaks directly to the kitties, issuing repeated warnings. Sound effects from the frightening rawrs to soft mews encourage audience participation. Illustrations are part of the fun: kitties in red cowboy boots, cat puppets made from twigs, and tiny drones whizzing through the air. The amazing litter mobile with periscope for aquatic travel and wheels for land transport is genius.
Kitties on Dinosaurs is a delightful romp into the land of make-believe. Be prepared to frequently stop while reading, as kids point out all the clever things they notice on each page. Be ready for giggles galore and cries of “read it again” the moment the story ends. A sure-fire hit with this test audience.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 22, 2020  Publisher: Dial Books, Illustrated Edition ISBN: 978-0593108383
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Compatibility Testing

9/14/2020

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Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake ill by Jon Klassen

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My first impulse while reading Skunk and Badger: I really want to invite Amy Timberlake to tea. I imagine a delightful afternoon, chatting with someone who conjures up a tale of a peculiar little Badger, living in Aunt Lula’s brownstone and devoting his days to Important Rock Work. This fastidious fellow is in for the shock of his life when Aunt Lula also invites Skunk to live in the brownstone. Skunk’s lifestyle is decidedly different from Badger's. He loves to cook, concocting scrumptious meals, but leaves washing the dishes to Badger. A gregarious fellow, he wants to chat while Badger is accustomed to hours of quiet devotion to his rocks. The ultimate test of the roommates’ compatibility is chickens. Skunk invites an astonishing number to their home. The brownstone is filled with incessant bocking and feathers scattered everywhere. Inevitably there is skunk spray. That the conflict will be resolved is never in doubt. It’s how the pair will iron out their differences that will keep readers engaged. ​
The narrative is seasoned with charming asides, inner dialog, and clever word play. Reading aloud is an extra treat. Book recommendations appear in the The New Yak Times Book Review. Badger muses that chickens are here today, gone to leghorn. There is mention of special markings in the sand known as Chicken Scratch, the most ancient of chicken languages.
Timberlake lovingly pokes fun at her characters' idiosyncrasies which makes them all-the-more endearing. In the spirit of Christopher Robin saying “silly old bear” to Pooh, readers will be enamored with the fussy Badger who wears pickaxe-and-dynamite pajamas and strums E Huli Mākou on the ukulele. Skunk’s special chicken whistle to gather the chickens for story-reading sessions, will bring knowing smiles to teachers and librarians.

​The trailer offers a sneak peek at Klassen's signature style black and white illustrations. He captures the character of these two often maligned mammals with wit and charm. Look at that grin on Skunk's face! Another reason to love this tale.
Come on over.  I'll put the kettle on, and we'll have great fun getting acquainted with Skunk and Badger.
A tale of a mismatched pair who work through the inevitable difficulties of sharing a home. It's The Wind in the Willows meets Frog and Toad and it's destined to be a classic. Want more good news? This is Book 1. There will be more Badger and Skunk. ​Hurrah! Hurrah!
Electronic copy accessed via Edelweiss.
​​Pub date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers  ISBN:  978-1643750057
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Once Upon a Space-Time by Jeffrey Brown

6/2/2020

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Once Upon a Space-Time! by Jeffrey Brown

This is not your normal Once Upon a Time. This is Once Upon a Space-Time. Jeffrey Brown takes readers on a journey into the final frontier.Two young recruits: Jide the science nerd and Petra the sci-fi fan are selected for a mission to Mars. Tobey the alien will be joining them along with several other aliens named Tobey. Not surprisingly Brown uses the classic Shakespearean line: Tobey or not Tobey.
It’s a space adventure jam-packed with silliness and word play, along with a dose of bathroom humor. When the kids put on their space suits for the first time, a dozen panels reveal close-ups of myriad items which must be pulled up, snugly fitted in place, layered on and snapped shut. Then Jide realizes that he needs to go to the bathroom. The procedure is reversed. Everything comes off. Following a quick trip to the bathroom, the entire suit goes back on again. That's when Commander Gusevich informs Jide that all suits have built-in diapers.
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Brown sneaks informational tidbits into the mix including relativity, gravity, and space exploration. This is the first in this graphic novel series and sets up what will be an ongoing space odyssey. Great fun.
​Crash landing on Mars: "Let's call it a safety challenged landing, okay?"
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Comics Conquer Space

When science meets science fiction, comic book style. Follow the historic expedition to the moon with Rocket to the Moon. Meet the first women to explore space in Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier. Then travel to an imaginary space station with Sanity and Tallulah. The wonder of space. The joy of comics.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher
Pub date: June 2, 2020  Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers  ISBN: 978-0553534351
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Dog Tale

5/28/2020

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How I Trained My Dog in Ten Days
by Norma Lewis  ill by Tim Tinn-Disbury

It seems particularly appropriate that How I Trained My Dog in Ten Days published on April 1, a day set aside for practical jokes. Meet the dog who plays the ultimate prank on his owner.
Lewis offers a lighthearted take on the joys of pet ownership. The story’s outcome, while predictable, is none-the-less charming as each page reveals yet another attempt by this youngster to train his dog Scamp. It’s a losing battle. Each day the dog inches beyond the boundaries his owner sets. This necessitates the owner constantly moving the goal post. From the garden to the dining room his pet defies the rules, claiming new territory. Ultimately the dog takes ownership of boy's video games, bathtub, and even the pillow on his bed.
​Each page turn confirms young readers’ growing awareness that the dog is winning this power play.
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The authoritative narrator confidently raises his hand while directing readers to be firm and establish clearly defined rules. However it’s Tinn-Disbury’s Scamp who steals the show. The cover image of dog with a smirk on his face and game controller dangling from his mouth makes it obvious who is in charge.
Be sure to view the back cover where Scamp licks his owner’s happy face with a slobbering tongue and a caption proclaims, “Best friends forever!”
Delightful addition to storytime, bedtime, or anytime.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 1, 2020  Publisher: Peter Pauper Press ISBN: 978-1441332646
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Sweet with a Sprinkling of Salt

5/14/2020

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Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim

What does it mean to follow my heart, anyway?
​What if pleasing my parents and wanting to do comedy are both pieces of my heart?
Hurrah! A middle grade book that is funny. And heartwarming and painfully honest. Bonus: It is served with a side of tasty Korean barbecue.
Meet Yumi Chung, eleven-year-old daughter of immigrant parents. Pressure. She constantly feels parental pressure to excel academically. It's particularly difficult because her older sister Yuri is the embodiment of the ideal Korean daughter: accelerated educational advancement and currently a medical school student.
Not Yumi. Earning high marks and academic accolades are not that important. What she really loves is stand-up comedy. This seems bizarre, as she is painfully self-conscious.
Mom has decided that Yumi will spend her summer with tutoring sessions in preparation for the SSAT, Secondary School Admission Test. ​​​Yumi grudgingly heads off for morning test prep sessions combined with three hours of afternoon study at the library. 
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Then something amazing happens.
​She discovers a comedy club adjacent to the library. What luck! YouTube sensation Jasmine Jasper is facilitating a comedy camp. Right now. At the club. Yumi succumbs to temptation and steps inside. She is mistaken for a camp registrant who failed to show. Here’s Yumi’s chance to shine. Performing using another identity frees her from stage fright. She is a success!
Unfortunately, the family is dealing with several other issues. Her high-achieving medical student sister has decided to quit school and join the peace corps. The family restaurant is experiencing a significant financial downturn. Yumi wants to quit the prestigious and expensive private school favored by her parents and enroll in the new Performing Arts Magnet School.
Yumi's juggling act of working at the restaurant, attending morning test prep classes, maintaining the pretense of studying daily at the library, preparing a routine for an upcoming comedy club showcase, and assuming the identity of another workshop participant all comes crashing down. Big time.
My plans are teetering like Jenga bricks, and I'm going to get caught under the rubble...
Readers will sympathize with Yumi as she tries to unravel the mess that she has created, support the family's business, honor her parents’ wishes, and find a way to realize her dream. Everything doesn't work out perfectly. There are heartbreaking moments and several compromises. However... there are jokes!
​Like Korean barbecue Stand Up, Yumi Chung! is sweet with a few salty tears but definitely savory. YUM! ​Kudos Jessica Kim.

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Holy Hot Cheetos!
It's Yumi's Super-Secret Comedy Notebook
Yumi picked up a tip from her comedy idol Jasmine Jasper. She maintains a journal, recording her observations and reactions to events in her life. These entries could be the basis for possible jokes and comedy routines.
Readers will find several pages from Yumi’s notebook scattered throughout the first person narrative. Yumi accompanies her entries with personal emojis that express her current mood .
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 17, 2020  Publisher: Kokila  ISBN: 978-0525554974
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Bunch of Baloney

4/21/2020

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Baloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli

Come and see...the masterful...the magical...the one and only Baloney!
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When times are tough, when days are dark, when "normal" is a fleeting memory, some may wonder if there is anything that will bring a bit of cheer to world weary souls. The answer is yes. Baloney and Friends is here to dispel some of life’s hopelessness.
This collection of graphic novel shorts begins with the introduction of four slightly zany cartoon characters. Readers meet Baloney, the pig and star of the book. He is joined by friends Peanut D. Horse, Biz E. Bee, and Krabbit a rabbit. Krabbit lives up to his name often responding with a sarcastic “whatever."
Readers are treated to a selection of stories interspersed with mini comics. Follow Baloney as he entertains his friends with tricks which may or may not be magical. The gentle humor continues as he struggles with fear of the unknown and feelings of sadness. Pizzoli has created a winsome collection of tales with precisely the right amount of snark.
Bright colors, a handy trim size of just over 6" x 8", an easy-to-read 96 pages, and limited word count make this an excellent choice for emergent readers. Bonus back matter provides step- by-step tutorials for drawing each of the book’s characters. Silliness, snappy dialogue, and a few bathroom jokes will delight young readers. It’s a bunch of baloney that kids will eat up.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 21, 2020  Publisher:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers   ISBN: 978-1368054546
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Long and Short of It

4/6/2020

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Long Story Short: 100 Classic Books in Three Panels
​ by Lisa Brown

Literature is long. Comics are short.
Long ago, somewhere between the age when dinosaurs roamed the earth and the advent of Walkman cassettes, I discovered Richard Armour’s The Classics Reclassified. Armour's tongue-in-cheek synopsis of literary standards such as The Iliad, Julius Caesar, and Ivanhoe are awash with witty observations, puns, and a plentiful side of silliness. An example is this title and subtitle "The Scarlet Letter: An A for effort."
​I enjoyed that slim volume and would carry it around, quoting it to anyone who would listen.
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​Long Story Short has gone one better. Actually, it's one hundred better with pithy summaries of classic  literature ranging from Dante's The Inferno and Beowulf to contemporary classics such as Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Hinton's The Outsiders, a groundbreaking YA novel for young adults. Lisa Brown also skewers beloved children's books: Harriet the Spy, Charlotte's Web, and *gasp* Harry Potter. 
Here's what stands out: Brown condenses the larger works into a comic format, with about three jaw-dropping panels for each title.  Think newspaper comic strip/Cliffs Notes mash-ups. It's amazing.
The abridged comics are organized into thematic sections: "Big Thoughts," "Epic," "Female Trouble," "War is Hell," "(Un)Happy Families," "The Horror," "Jeepers! Creepers!" "Friends and Frenemies," "Love,"  "Sex," and "Death." 
​Back matter includes a one-page guide on How to Write Your Own Three-Panel Book, index listing by title, and index listings by subject.
This is a book for those with a literary bent. Readers familiar with these titles will appreciate Brown's wit and her remarkable ability to distill a magnum opus into a few cleverly drawn panels. Well drawn. Well done.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: April 7, 2020  Publisher: Algonquin Books  ISBN: 978-1616205034
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Sip Slowly

12/16/2019

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Straw by Amy Krouse Rosenthal  ill by Scott Magoon

Not everything’s a race. Some things are meant to be savored.
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First there was a Spoon, then Chopsticks, and now Straw joins the trio of picture books featuring eating implements. Amy Krause Rosenthal’s fertile imagination gives Straw a distinctive personality and character trait. That’s right. Straw is his name so a capital letter is in order.
Here’s the thing: Straw has a compulsion to be first. He measures his consumption in relationship to the nearby straws, constantly comparing himself to others. ​With help from friends, he learns to slow down and savor the moment.
​The text is chock full is delightful word play. "I think what you're feeling is called awe, Straw."  Gentle message. Charming characters. It's better than a thick milkshake with whipped cream and cherry on top.
Scott Magoon's illustrations capture the anxiety of wanting to be first. He injects whimsy into the narrative, giving the straws expressive faces and body posture. Who knew a paper drinking straw could be so dramatic?
Straw’s tubular shape is highlighted with imaginative page design and orientation, inviting readers to turn the book and look at things in a new way,
There are not-so-subtle homages to the author scattered throughout. A mug of AKR root beer, a glass of lemonade with a cheery sunshine logo, even her signature yellow umbrella makes an appearance.

Making Things

Amy Krouse Rosenthal liked to make things: books, films, salads, something out of nothing, and wishes. This list is paraphrased from the foundation website.
In this spirit of making, I tried making things with drinking straws. Armed with a handful of plastic straws and my trusty glue gun, I got to work. Here are the results: A cardboard box maze, ready for a marble race. Mini rockets that launch with a puff of air. A tiny easel that holds a name card. Try having a marble maze relay or a rocket launch competition. Finish with a milkshake. Sip slowly.
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Eat Up

Sample these Amy Krouse Rosenthal picture books.
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Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: January 4, 2020  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion  ISBN: 978-1484749555
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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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