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READING STYLE GUIDE

Process of Creation 

1/4/2022

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Opposites Abstract by Mo Willems

​“The artist may get to create the work—but the audience gets to create the meaning.” Mo Willems
I respectfully disagree with Amazon Books. The website entry for Opposites Abstract suggests that it is approprate for audiences ages birth - 2 years. An examination of this picture book suggests that it will appeal to a signicantly wider audience.
Willems has created a stunning masterpiece that is a treat for eyes and inquiring minds. A single concept is introduced with a question on the left side of the spread and a corresponding abstract illustration is placed on the right. At the book's midpoint, the page design is reversed with images on the left and questions on the right. Framing each illustration as a question invites readers to move beyond the basic concept of opposites and explore new ways to express ideas.
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IS THIS CALM ?
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IS THIS EXCITED ?
Each page turn, with two exceptions, pairs art representing contrasting descriptive terms: dark and light, soft and hard, mechanical and organic, intentional and accidental, etc.
The initial entry "starting" faces the title page and is expressed in the present tense. The concluding "finished" image appears on the final page and is written in past tense.
Willems has embedded the book with multple details awaiting discovery. This an excellent resource for introducing opposites, Beethoven, music appreciation, and elements of abstract art including color, texture, line, and form. This book will find its way into classrooms, studios, lecture halls, and schools for the fine arts. It's a book for creators and inquisitive minds of any age.
Mo is the inaugural Education Artist-in-Residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and a section of the Center's website is devoted to Willems and his work. An exhibit of the artist's large scale abstractions will run from January 8 to March 20, 2022. It is free and open to the public.
​Beethoven’s nine symphonies were the inspiration for the series of Willems' large abstract paintings. This year-long project became the genesis for Opposites Abstract.

​Watch as Yo-Yo Ma performs "Songs of Comfort" and Mo Willems responds to the music, creating an abtract work of art. Observe that the color choice, specific tool, and method of application change as the music progresses. Melody and tempo influence the images he creates. Masking the work space means he doesn't have to worry about "staying in the lines." The final touch is when he signs his art and dedicates it to the performer.

Try This

Try Willems' technique of fusing music and art to create a masterpiece. Listen to some music. Have a large piece of paper and crayons, markers, or colored pencils handy to create as you listen. You can also try painting or experimenting with other art forms as you listen.
View a flashmob performance of "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
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Listen to a symphony composed by Beethoven and create your own artistic response to this glorious music. You can learn a bit about all nine symphonies here.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 19, 2021  Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children  ISBN: 978-1368070973
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Love, Loss, and Violins

2/22/2021

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When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

A closely knit quintet of Asian American teens have remained together throughout their high school years. Stellar students and high achievers, each hopes to attend a prestigious university. All apply to several schools throughout the U.S. Beth Claire harbors the dream that all five will remain together, attending the University of California at Berkeley.
Musically inclined, they are members of the local youth orchestra. Beth is second chair violin to the technically precise Jason Tsou, first chair.
Beth lives with her Asian mother and has limited contact with her white father who remains aloof. Her maternal grandparents live nearby but she rarely sees them.
Her four friends are her anchor, her source of security and validation. Senior year exposes underlying stresses and fissures in their bond. They witness a father’s brutal physical abuse of his son. One tries to bring her romantic interest into the friendship circle. Another attempts suicide. When college acceptance notifications begin arriving, it is evident that the five will soon be geographically separated. Things are not the same. They will never be the same.
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Beth tries to understand and manipulate events, hoping to make everything “better.” A quiet observer who clings to her idealization of the group, she goes to extraordinary measures to get along and go along, even when it doesn’t feel right.
Gilbert's characters, as seen through the lens of Beth’s perception, often reveal their personalities through dialogue. A hallmark of her writing is an exploration into the essence of each individual while simultaneously illuminating the group’s dynamic. Tiny intimate details give the story its emotional depth. One of the most heart wrenching scenes occurs when Beth stands outside her father’s house, but never steps up to his door.
After a series of missteps and misunderstandings, Beth finally acknowledges that music gives direction and purpose to her life. As she plays her violin, she becomes one with the music. Following her passion requires courage and a belief that embracing music does not mean the end of treasured relationships.
Love the gorgeous book jacket. Note the sumptuous colors that wash over Beth as she turns away to face a future different from what she expected. An apt metaphor.
I wept as I read the final pages. When We Were Infinite is exquisitely written, simply elegant, yet intriguingly complex.
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​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: March 9, 2021  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers  ISBN:  978-1534468214
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Lift Every Voice

7/24/2019

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Sing a Song: How “Lift Every Voice and Sing" Inspired Generations
​by Kelly Starling Lyons ill by Keith Mallett

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.
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It is a common occurrence for me to cry when I finish reading a book, it is uncommon for my heart to swell and tears begin to spill down my cheeks from the very first page. Sing a Song: "How Lift Every Voice and Sing" Inspired Generations had me instantly reaching for tissues.
Kelly Starling Lyons has penned a soul-stirring recital of the Black National Anthem's story. Inspired by her family's history, she traces the song through five generations. Beginning with a birthday celebration of Abraham Lincoln, the anthem is an integral part of the family. The music journeys with the family through the Great Migration, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement and culminates with opening of the National Museum of African American History.
​And you know what? That song is part of you.
The narrative voice is warm and personal, with the storyteller speaking directly to the reader. "Before you were born, a girl learned a song." The narrator invites the reader to interact with the story, interjecting "And you know what?" at several points in the telling.
​An Author's Note provides helpful background information.
Back straight, head high, heart and mouth open
Keith Mallett exquisitely captures the hope and resolve of individuals as they sing. A master of his craft, the images of these portraits of faith, determination, and joy are indelibly imprinted on my heart.
Both Sing a Song and  Going Down Home With Daddy, create a deep personal bond with readers. These are stories which nourish the soul.

Sing Along

Be inspired by these recordings of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" from Melba Moore, the Aeolians of Oakwood University, and the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Looking for More Inspiration? Try these books

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Copy provided by publisher
​Pub date: August 6, 2019  Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books  ISBN: 978-0525516095
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How It Happened

3/5/2019

1 Comment

 
Because by Mo Willems ill Amber Ren
“ If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person"
​Mister Rogers
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Because is a word laden with possibility. Mo Willems explores a chain of cause and effect in his latest picture book Because. 
Willems begins with Beethoven and traces the events that lead from his composition to a performance by an orchestra. He includes moments on this continuum that are deliberately planned: musicians who learn to play an instrument and practice until they become proficient. Then there are unexpected occurrences: due to illness there is an extra ticket available.
The result of this string of events is that the life of one girl is changed. She becomes a composer and conducts an orchestral performance of her composition.  
And that night, someone heard her music and was changed.
Ren's illustrations are filled with many charming touches. The portrait of Beethoven hanging on the wall shows him glancing into the future at young Franz Schubert.  A violinist practices in his home and on the side table is a photo of himself as a young boy with his first violin.   A continuous golden musical ribbon weaves throughout the book, tying all the elements together. End papers featuring the score of Schubert's Symphony no. 8 in B-minor and Hilary Purrington's contemporary composition The Cold appropriately bookend the story.                
This is how it happened:
I sitting with a teen and together we read this book. We considered how because happens in her life. Because she wanted to play a music instrument that was different from the instruments other members of her family play, she decided to try strings. Because she liked the sound and the shape, she decided to try the cello.
Because she played the cello with the orchestra in her school, she met another student studying the cello. Because they performed together, the two became best friends.
​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 5, 2019  Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children ISBN: 978-1368019019
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Music! Music!

11/9/2018

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Khalida and the Most Beautiful Song by Amanda Moeckel

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Khalida and the Most Beautiful Song is a tribute to the power of inspiration and determination. Khalida is awakened from slumber by a melody stirring inside her. This young pianist heads to the keyboard in search of the haunting tune. Time and time again she sits down to the piano to capture the music in her head. Repeatedly she is told "Not now."
Not at home. Not at school. Not at her music lesson.
When the melody returns to her mind during a visit to the park, she races toward the piano located on the park's grandstand. Khalida is determined to capture this song. She begins to play the music that has been welling up inside her.
Music flowed through her fingers, onto the keys, and into the air.
As her song fills the outdoor space, people notice. A rapt audience forms around the piano. They are drawn to the compelling melody, momentarily forgetting their cares. Khalida allows the music inside her to find expression, bringing joy to the performer and to the listeners.
Moeckel's evocative illustrations capture the story's essence. Cool muted lavenders and grays dominate each page. The song inside her is represented with swirling light-hued patterns that are superimposed on each scene. It is only when she begins to play her music that the rising lyrical designs burst into color: vibrant variegated reds and purples.
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The song ripples around Khalida as she sleeps.
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She searches for the opportunity to bring her inspiration to life. 
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The young musician brings the  music inside her to life.

Meet Amanda

Amanda is a 2015 MFA graduate from the School of Visual Arts.  In addition to illustrating children's books, she also teaches, works for editorial publications, accepts personal commissions, and maintains a pet portrait business.  
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View the video trailer for her dummy picture book Only Good Dreams, her thesis project for the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program.

Book Trailer - "Only the Good Dreams" from Amanda Moeckel on Vimeo.

More Picture Books

Page Street Kids is a new publisher.  The developing picture book collection contains charming  stories with delightful art.  Take a look at these titles including this review of Oliver: The Second -Largest Living Thing on Earth.
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Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 18, 2018   Publisher: Page Street Kids  ISBN:  978-1624145797
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Ebony and Ivory

10/30/2018

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Blended by Sharon M. Draper

Is normal never being sure of what normal really is?
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Eleven-year=old Isabella feels that she is constantly being pulled in different directions. Her life ping-pongs back and forth, as her parents share custody. She lives part-time with her black father, his girlfriend and her son. Alternate weeks are at the home of her white mother and future stepfather.  Two different homes. Two different families. Every. Other. Week.
At dad's house, she is Isabella and practices her music on a grand piano. To mom she is Izzy and prepares for her upcoming recital on an electronic keyboard.
Then there are the Exchange Days, the dreaded moments when her two sets of parents meet at the mall and Izzy/Isabella must switch backpacks, lifestyles, and identities.
It's confusing.

Draper has fashioned a compelling portrait of a biracial girl living with conflict.  In addition to the tension between her parents, Isabella faces racial hostilities: her best friend Imani discovers a noose in her locker. Who would do something like that? And why? On a shopping trip Imani and Izzy discover an exclusive dress shop. They are tailed by security and eventually asked to leave the store.  Is it because of the color of their skins? Their young age? When her soon-to-be brother is accused of theft, things take a frightening turn. These encounters leave her shaken.
Blended combines questions of identity, racism, friendship, and family.  Like a Sonatina and an old-time swing tune, Draper's novel for young readers hits all the right notes. Melody and harmony blend in one dazzling performance.

Listen Up

Izzy/Isabella prepares for the Pianopalooza by learning music composed in the eighteenth century. She also discovers a treasure trove of old boogie-woogie and blues numbers. Want to hear these two very different musical numbers? 
Bumble Boogie, a 1946 version by Jack Fina of Flight of the Bumble Bee 
Sonatina in C Major by Muzio Clementi  1752-1832

Additional Sharon M. Draper Books

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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher
​Pub date: October 30, 2018 Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books  ISBN:  978-1442495005
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In Our Hands

10/8/2018

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We’ve Got the Whole world in Our Hands by Rafael López

It begins with a multi-hued ball of string.
 How far can it travel?
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Follow this string as it sails across seas and continents, through day and night, meets creatures large and small, and into the hands of children throughout the world.
Rafael López interprets this traditional song with his distinctive artistic flair. Using a mixed media approach that incorporates a collage of found objects and cut paper with traditional watercolor and ink techniques as well as digital skills, he creates vibrant illustrations that capture the heart and soul of a world worth singing about.
The spherical motif echoes throughout the pages: sun, moon, snail shell, ball of string, hot air balloon, and ultimately, the planet earth. A celebration of the connections that we all share.
Glorious! ​
We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands  features stunning art on every page. 

String Along

What can you do with a ball of string? Try your hand at replicating the string game pictured in the book. These instructional videos can help you. Create a Cat’s Cradle with a friend. Jacob’s Ladder requires only one set of hands. However, it’s great fun to gather a couple of friends and create these fascinating string patterns.

Sing Along

López includes a printed copy of the lyrics and music for this well-known spiritual. View these children singing their interpretations of the classic song. Then expand the experience by helping youngsters create their own unique verses and movements. This activity can be adapted for children everywhere.

Bonus

A bilingual English/Spanish edition is also available.
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I've got a signed copy in my hands. Gracias Rafael López
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 9, 2018 Publisher: Scholastic Press  ISBN:  978-1338177367
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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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