Category: Maker

Sisters, Shells, & Storms

12/30/2021

Maya's Treasure by Laurie Smollett Kutscera

In a tiny tropical village near the sea, sisters Alita and Maya carry on their grandmother's traditional craft: fashioning jewelry from seashells. They scour the shore, searching for the best specimens.

Alita critically examines each carapace, choosing only the perfectly formed pieces. Maya has a different approach. She considers the intrinsic value in stained and broken pieces. Inspired by the words of her grandmother and the gentle island breezes, she uses shell fragments to
make wind chimes.

When loud incessant sounds of clanking shells waken the villagers and warn of an impending storm, Maya's imaginative use of broken pieces saves villagers' lives.

Maya's Treasure is a quiet little tale celebrating the inherent value in imperfection, creativity, a grandmother's love, dreams, wind power, and recycling. Lovely book.

Art is evocative of lush island life, brimming with a variety of golden hues, and deep shades of blue. Kutscera's illustrations show the vastness of the shore and days filled with sun-washed brightness. In contrast, storm scenes are muted dark shades that suggest the terror of the squall. Depictions of night have a dreamlike quality.
While obviously siblings, each girl has her own hair color and skin tone.

Sights and Sounds of Wind Chimes

Young readers can fashion wind chimes from an assortment of objects. Chimes can produce a variety of sounds. The sonance depends upon material type as well as construction techniques.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 1, 2021 Publisher: Peter Pauper Press ISBN: 978-1441337627

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Digging for Diamonds

10/5/2020

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Gnu and Shrew by Danny Schnitzlein ill by Anca Sandu

Meet a most unlikely pair. Gnu and Shrew sit together on the banks of a crocodile infested river. Gnu shares a secret with his friend: a cave filled with diamonds is on the other side of this very wide and deep river. Gnu dreams of someday obtaining the diamonds. With wealth from these gems he could get his own Ferris wheel or perhaps a golden bicycle.
As he imagines the possibilities, the bespectacled Shrew sets to work, figuring out how to cross the river. Gnu’s musings spark Shrew's thought processes. For example a revolving wheel has a possible practical application for a paddleboat design.

It will come as no surprise that Shrew's skill and hard work pay off. He obtains the diamonds and sets off to travel around the world. Success is his.
But what will become of Gnu? Schmitzlein gives this tale of perseverance and friendship a happy ending. The final page offers a hint to the happily-ever-after for this twosome. Hurrah for Gnu and Shrew.

A word about the illustrations. Sandu restricts the main color palette to deep yellow and complementary turquoise This color scheme accents the contrasting natures of the two protagonists. The cover features Gnu dreamily gazing at a butterfly while Shrew, tongue sticking out, is concentrating on the workings of a lightbulb. However, the animals are not drawn to scale. Similar sizes suggest that each character is equally important.

Discussion Guide: Points to Consider

This book can be introduced by inviting readers to view the cover and then consider: What is a gnu? What is a shrew? Which character on the cover do you suspect is the gnu and which is the shrew? Why do you think you may be correct?

Facts about two uncommon animals.

Meet the gnu. This member of the antelope family is native to Africa. The horned animals with shaggy manes and tails are very strong and can run up to 50 miles per hour. Their main predators include lions, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, and crocodiles. Often gnus that attempt to cross a river are attacked and eaten by crocodiles. The gnu is also known as a wildebeest.

Note: The "g" is not voiced. It might be interesting to discover other words that begin with "gn." Hint: gnat, gnome and gnaw are three common words.

Shrews are tiny mole-like animals with long noses and very sharp, spiky teeth. They have small eyes and cannot see well but have excellent senses of hearing and smell. They are very active and need to eat constantly. A shrew can consume from one half to two times its body weight each day! Shrews are venomous. The venom is stored within grooves in the shrew's teeth.
There are 385 different species of shrews. They can be found throughout the world.

Why do you think that the author selected these animals for the story?

The Power of Bold Ideas

There are dreamers like Gnu who imagine great things. There are makers like Shrew who experiment and develop solutions to problems. Together, the two make a great pair. Bold ideas combined with effort can produce remarkable results. In September 1962, President John F. Kennedy suggested that man could go to the moon. At the time it seemed unlikely. The dream was achieved in July 1969 after seven years of planning, testing, and experimenting by a team of technicians, scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

What new dreams might be imagined? What dedicated individuals will make those dreams a reality?

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 1, 2020 Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company ISBN: 978-1682631461

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Best Friends

4/4/2020

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Paper Planes by Jim Helmore and Richard Jones

How could they be best friends if they were so far apart?

Mia and Ben are best of friends. Inseparable, the duo can frequently be found designing and flying their own paper planes.
When Ben's family moves far away, the two are worried about the fate of their friendship. The distance between the two seems insurmountable. Then a small but remarkable thing happens. One smashed air ship and and a plane lacking wings bring the two together, joining forces to solve a problem. The challenge to construct a flight-worthy aircraft unites Mia and Ben. They also work out the challenge of their geographical separation with paper. Intricately folded paper.

Helmore has based the story on the long-distance friendship between his daughter living in England and her Australian cousin. This relationship spanning thousands of miles was forged and cemented by an exchange of paper planes.

With slightly greyish hues Jones' color palette has a muted quality that captures a sense of loneliness. The wide expanse of sky emphasizes the distance separating Mia and Ben. Images of flight emerge throughout the pages: geese soaring through the air, an airplane making dizzying dives in the skies, and boats gliding across the water.

While the story is based in reality, there is a gorgeous dream sequence where the friends meet high above the clouds. The longing to stay connected permeates the children's dreams. Paper Planes celebrates the youthful joy of friends with a shared interest. The pain of their separation followed by the comfort of discovering and strengthening their connection brings the tale to a satisfying conclusion.

Plan a Virtual Fly-off

Ben might be far away, but that didn't mean Mia had lost him forever.

This appealing picture book acknowledges the sorrow friends experience when they are far apart. This feeling is particularly poignant in today's world. Like Ben and Mia, kids can discover ways to maintain a friendship when separated by distance. Why not plan a virtual fly-off?

Peachtree Publishing Company offers online directions for making paper airplanes. This simple activity is great fun. Download the template and/or create your own paper planes. Customize the design. Decorate any way you would like.

Using your phone's camera, record the flight of your paper plane, carefully marking the start and landing points. Using a measuring tape, determine the distance flown. Invite your friend to do the same. Compare videos, noting the span of each flight. There can be many iterations of this contest. Will the winner be declared after two-out-three races? Will modifications be allowed? Perhaps you and your friend can create planes for one another and film the results for each of these test flights. Great way to learn about aerodynamics. Wonderful way to sustain a friendship.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: March 1, 2020 Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company ISBN: 978-1682631614

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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.

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.

Eat Up

Sample these Amy Krouse Rosenthal picture books.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: January 4, 2020 Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1484749555

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Weird on Top of Weird. Squared.

10/22/2019

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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.

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.

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

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Monster Mash

7/2/2019

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My Big Bad Monster by A. N. Kang

What should one do when that first little niggling notion of self-doubt creeps into one's mind?

Author/illustrator A. N. Kang envisions this uncertainty as a monster. It begins as a tiny squiggle escaping from a young girl's line drawing. When she steps back to examine her finished art, the scrawl leaps off of the floor, confronting the artist and her finished work. The monster's mocking laugh shames the youngster and compels her to obliterate her drawing with dark scribbles.

The monster moves on, taking residence on her head with derogatory thoughts about her appearance, her performance in school, and her playmates. Each negative thought that the girl accepts feeds the monster and causes it to grow larger. The influence is so pervasive, that this sweet little girl is in danger of becoming a monster herself.

Quite by accident, she discovers a solution to her problem. Noise causes the monster to cower under the table. She wonders: what if she were to create a series of interesting sounds? Our inventive problem-solver sets to work with pipes and pans, bottles and spoons. Viola! She makes her own "spectacular” sound. The music is a welcoming invitation for others to join her in making music and making friends.

Kang uses expressive faces and an economy of words to tell the tale. The menacing squiggle of a monster contrasts with the girl's masses of red curls. As the monster grows, it covers the entire two-page spread. When music overpowers
negativity, the spunky little music-makers completely replace the monster and fill the pages with their unique sound effects.

My Big Bad Monster is a charming picture book celebrating overcoming destructive thinking and making one's own music.

Think Positive Picture Books

The Brain Storm by Linda Ragsdale Ill by Claudio Molina

Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: July 2, 2019 Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1484728826

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Story Stork

11/27/2018

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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!

Making and printing Story Stork tags to accompany each gift was the finishing touch.
I like the idea of giving books to expectant mothers. It's never too early to begin cultivating a love for books and stories.
Story Stork. Coming to a baby shower near you.

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

Incorporating children's books into gifts doesn't need to be limited to gifts for babies. For many years I have participated in the Red Scarf Project, knitting red scarves to be included in care packages to foster care students.
I include a personalized gift tag that features Jon Klassen's art from the award-winning Extra Yarn. (Note on the card attributes the art.)

Bonus Part Two: Related Reads

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

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Sisters, Shells, & Storms

Maya's Treasure by Laurie Smollett Kutscera

Sights and Sounds of Wind Chimes

Digging for Diamonds

Gnu and Shrew by Danny Schnitzlein ill by Anca Sandu

Discussion Guide: Points to Consider

The Power of Bold Ideas

Best Friends

Paper Planes by Jim Helmore and Richard Jones

Plan a Virtual Fly-off

Sip Slowly

Straw by Amy Krouse Rosenthal ill by Scott Magoon

Making Things

Eat Up

Weird on Top of Weird. Squared.

Weird Little Robots
by Carolyn Crimi ill by Corinna Luyken

Build Your Own Robot

Monster Mash

My Big Bad Monster by A. N. Kang

Think Positive Picture Books

Story Stork

The Story Continues

Bonus

Bonus Part Two: Related Reads

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Maya's Treasure by Laurie Smollett Kutscera

Sights and Sounds of Wind Chimes

Gnu and Shrew by Danny Schnitzlein ill by Anca Sandu

Discussion Guide: Points to Consider

The Power of Bold Ideas

Paper Planes by Jim Helmore and Richard Jones

Plan a Virtual Fly-off

Making Things

Eat Up

Weird Little Robotsby Carolyn Crimi ill by Corinna Luyken

Build Your Own Robot

My Big Bad Monster by A. N. Kang

Think Positive Picture Books

The Story Continues

Bonus

Bonus Part Two: Related Reads

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Weird Little Robots
by Carolyn Crimi ill by Corinna Luyken