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READING STYLE GUIDE

Justice is Served

1/13/2020

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​Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Big Words)
by Doreen Rappaport ill by Eric Velasquez

I got the idea that being a lawyer was a pretty good thing, because you could do something for your society.
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This generously-sized picture book celebrates the life and legacy of the second woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.
Using her trademark format, biographical narrative interspersed with appropriate quotations,  Rappaport recounts important events in the life of this influential woman. 
The U.S Constitution serves as a backdrop for the cover’s close-up portrait of the Associate Justice. Looking directly into the faces of readers, Ruth is clear-eyed and resolute. ​Opening pages feature Ruth as a young girl, her childhood filled with books and school activities, music and traditional Jewish observances.
Ruth loved her mother, who taught her to work hard, think for herself, and act independently.
My mother was the bravest and strongest person I have known.
The well-researched profile highlights Ginsburg’s scholarship, her efforts to overcome inequities she experienced firsthand and witnessed in the lives of others, her marriage and family, and the crowning achievement of her professional life: nomination to the Supreme Court. Rappaport supports the narrative with interesting details.
Velasquez' stunning images of Ruth begin with a tender girl and conclude with a joy-filled group portrait of the four women who have served or are currently serving as Supreme Court Justices. Intervening pages reveal Ginsburg's developing maturity and gradual aging.  Her innate girlish shyness is replaced with growing resolve, and and quiet confidence. Facial expressions and body language reflect her evolving self-assurance.
Rich back matter includes a timeline of events, author's note, illustrator's note, selected bibliography with additional resources, acknowledgements, and source notes. This excellent introduction to a remarkable individual, Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a worthy addition to classroom and children’s library collections.

Big Words: Picture Book Series

A variety of illustrators capture the individual’s essence in each of Rappaport’s beautifully presented biographies. The artist's style is appropriate to the subject. The realistic Frederick Douglass portrait is rendered in somber tones. Helen Keller is positioned in profile, rather than a direct full face. John Lennon’s glasses reveal the title in his left lens and a mirrored reflection of the words in his right lens. Each portrait could be a framed work of art. Discover this glorious series.
Captivating life stories. Memorable quotations. Gorgeous art. Stellar series.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: February 11, 2020  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion   ISBN: 978-1484747179
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More than Bread

12/20/2019

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Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
​by Kevin Noble Maillard ill by Juana Martinez-Neal

Native American is not a past history of a vanished people and communities. We are still here.
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This is a story of bread. But it's more than bread. Much more. This is a story of family. Of tradition. Of Native American pride.
Kevin Noble Maillard, member of Seminole Nation, Mekusukey Band shares a long-standing Indigenous special food: fry bread. Recipes for fry bread are as diverse as the numerous Native nations.
The sentence stem "Fry bread is..." introduces this delightful cultural staple. By turns it is food, shape, sound, color. flavor, time, history, place, nation, everything. Written in free verse, each concept fills the entire two-page spread. Replete with information and symbolism, each fry bread attribute is also a metaphor for Native Americans.
Familiar and foreign, old and new
We come together
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Martinez-Neal has captured the warmth and closeness of family. Notice the infant, carried in the arms of various family members. This child is a part of the extended family, happily content with mother, grandmother, siblings. Each shares responsibility for this little one. Note: the child seems comfortable with any and all members of the community.
Illustrations make clear that there is no typical Native American. An array of hair colors and textures, a vast range of skin tones, and an assortment of various generations are all Indigenous people. One individual is pictured wearing eyeglasses and another walking with a cane.
Personal connections are embedded throughout. Names of family members and others involved with the book's creation are scattered across one page, some of the names handwritten.  A picture of Aunt Fannie, who taught Maillard to make this traditional staple appears twice. 
The Author's Note is an important and integral part of the story. Page by page, Maillard annotates and amplifies each concept with personal reflections and anecdotes.  The Reference section is a numerated notated listing of sources. Maillard includes his recipe from fry bread. End papers are a bonus, enumerating large tribes, small tribes, rancherias, villages, and groups that have not yet received official status. 

Making Fry Bread

If there is one thing that all Natives can agree upon about fry bread, it’s that everybody else's version is wrong,
Fry Bread brings back warm memories. When I was a college freshman, one of my roommates, Norma, was a Navajo from Arizona. She was very proud of her nationality and delighted in sharing Navajo culture with her roommates. She loved to sing, but not the hit songs playing on the radio. She sang traditional Navajo songs, with distinctive tonal patterns, and language. In my mind, I can still hear her singing. She was gentle and patient with us, helping us appreciate the Navajo Way.
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For a treat, she would make us Navajo tacos. She never used a recipe. She just got out the flour and baking powder and went to work. Her recipe differed from Maillard’s. She didn’t use cornmeal or yeast.
​I tried to replicate Norma’s recipe. I’m sure that this isn’t exactly the same, but my family appreciated my efforts. They liked them sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. As I shared my memories of Norma, I realized that this experience with fry bread was a celebration of rich culture. It’s true. Fry Bread is more than bread.
Fry bread reflects the vast, deep diversity of Indian Country and these is no single way of making this special food.
​But it brings diverse Indigenous communities together through a shared culinary and cultural experience.
​That's the beauty of fry bread.
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 22, 2019  Publisher: Roaring Brook Press  ISBN: 978-1626727465
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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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Chinese New Year Colors by Rich Lo

11/19/2019

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Chinese New Year Colors by Rich Lo

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Bold graphic design. Vibrant color. Strategically placed traditional symbols.  Chinese New Year Colors is a visual treat. Take a look inside:
​The left-hand page splits to display a color word written three different ways: English, Chinese in the Latin alphabet,  and Chinese characters, inverting the color scheme on the bottom half of the page.
Each right-hand page features a single culturally appropriate item, rendered in exquisite detail against a soft color wash. The entire two-page spread is monochromatic. Lo teases out the magnificence of each item through various shades and hues. It  is a brilliant study in color values.
Youngsters are introduced to the New Year celebration through objects associated with this holiday. A picture index at the back of the book gives a brief description of each celebratory object. End papers echo the theme in a print-like fashion.
Illustrator and graphic designer Lo conveys substantial information through page layout, color, text style, and text placement.  Add this beautiful book to your collection of introductory Chinese books for young readers.  An elegant bilingual picture book.

Companion Books

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Bilingual alphabet book in ​English, Mandarin Chinese in the Latin alphabet, and  Chinese characters.
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Written and illustrated by Rich Ho, young readers learn about Chinese opera and the value of persistence.
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: November 19, 2019  Publisher: Holiday House  ISBN: 978-0823443710
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World of Art

11/14/2019

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Superlative 2019 Illustrated Children's Books 

Each book is a visual treat.
Members of the 2019 panel:
  • Bruce Handy, a journalist and critic and the author of “Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult.”
  • Jessica Cline, supervising librarian in the Picture Collection of the New York Public Library.
  • Jillian Tamaki, the Book Review’s By the Book illustrator and a past winner of the award. She is the author and illustrator of several graphic novels and the picture book “They Say Blue.”
This selection of books is particularly notable by the number of books with an international connection: authors and illustrators represent an array of countries and cultures.  A stunning variety of story lines, book design, artistic styles and expression are evidence of the universal appeal of fine art for young readers. This small sample from ten award winners invites readers to visit a local bookstore or library and experience the wonder of picture books for children.
Travel the world with this year's award winners.  Pairing these picture books with a map of the world would make an interesting learning experience for young readers. Note: Books with a connection outside the continental United States are designated with a global icon. 
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Small in the City written and illustrated by Sydney Smith
Sydney Smith  lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Small in the City published by Neal Porter Books, is an imprint of Holiday House. The story is set in Toronto. Fun Fact: Town Is by the Sea, illustrated by Smith is a 2017 Best Illustrated Children's Book. 

Another written and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Christian Robinson lives in San Francisco, California in a converted warehouse. Another is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. Fun Fact: Leo: A Ghost Story was recognized a 2015 Best Illustrated Children's Book.
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The Lost Cousins written and illustrated by B.B. Cronin
Brian Cronin was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland.  He now lives in New York. The Lost Cousins is published by Viking Books for Young Readers. Fun Fact: Cronin has created several Lost titles including The Lost Christmas, The Lost Picnic, The Lost House.
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A Million Dots written and illustrated by Sven Völker
Sven Völker, German Professor of Art and Design. A Million Dots is published by British publisher, Cicada Books. Fun Fact: There's a Little Black Spot on the Sun Today is a collaboration: "King of Pain" lyrics by Sting and illustrations by Völker.
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Just Because written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Isabelle Arsenault is a Canadian illustrator living in Montreal, Quebec. Just Because is published by Candlewick. Fun Fact: Migrant (2011) and Jane, the Fox, and Me (2013) are New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books.
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Child of Glass written and illustrated by Beatrice Alemagna
Beatrice Alemagna is from Bologna, Italy. Child of Glass is published by Enchanted Lion Books. Fun Fact: Alemagna's On a Magical Do-Nothing Day is a 2017 New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book.
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Monkey on the Run written and illustrated by Leo Timmers
​Leo Timmers was born in Belgium. Monkey on the Run is published by Gecko Press in New Zealand. Fun Fact: Timmers is currently developing an animated TV series based on his work.
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The Boring Book written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
Shinsuke ​Yoshitake, born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan illustrates children's books and essays. ​The Boring Book is published by Chronicle Books. Fun Fact: Yoshitake also creates comics.
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​The Farmer written and illustrated by Ximo Abadía
Ximo Abadía, illustrator and graphic designer, lives and works in Madrid, Spain.   The Farmer is published by Holiday House. Fun Fact: His work was selected for the Bologna Children's Illustrator's Exhibition in 2017.
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I Miss My Grandpa written and illustrated by Jin Xiaojing
​Jin Xiaojing is an illustrator based in New York City. I Miss My Grandpa is published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Fun Fact: Printed in a bilingual format with Chinese translations and Mandarin pinyin transliterations.

Art in the Making​

Art History
Visit this year's award-winning  artists at work.
View the New York Times New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books from  2018 and 2017.  
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A Quest

11/12/2019

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The Perfect Seat by Minh Lê ill by Gus Gordon

“Can you read to me?”
​This simple request sets in motion a quest.
Adult moose and a young mooseling sporting a shirt with the numeral four (hinting perhaps four years of age?) want to share a story. But where? A search is underway. Readers will recognize a familiar pattern.
One seat too big. The next too small.
Another too old. Followed by one that is too new.
The rhythm breaks with queries such as "Should the perfect seat make you this dizzy?" when big moose's hat goes flying off his head and "Are you okay down there?" when moose is beneath the bridge .
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With gentle humor, the author sends the pair on a search for a solution to their problem. Eventually, the perfect solution falls right into their laps.  
Lots of explore on each page. Gordon chooses to focus on the central characters by sketching supporting cast members with a blue-grey outline. A bird flits from page to page. The map featured on the end pages warrants attention.  There is a street to "nowhere interesting" and a Nessie-like creature floats in the middle of a lake that is "quite wet." 
"Can you read to me?" is an invitation to explore. Lê shows readers that reading brings delightful and unexpected discoveries.
​Looking for a follow-up activity?
After reading The Perfect Seat, bear and I went in search of the best spot for reading.
Invite young readers to select a favorite book and the best place to be while reading. Create a photo gallery of perfect places to read favorite books. Be sure to caption the photo with the book title. Credit the author and illustrator as well. Note: If privacy is a concern, use a stuffed critter for the photo shoot.
​
What's your perfect seat?
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: November 12, 2019  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1368020046
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Curiosity on Mars

10/29/2019

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Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars by Richard Ho ill by Katherine Roy

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Here's an intriguing approach for an informational picture book: anthropomorphize a mobile space laboratory. Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars introduces young readers to Curiosity, a two-thousand-pound laboratory exploring the geology and climate of Mars for seven years.
With succinct sentences and elegant language Richard Ho describes the mission, history, and accomplishments of the scientific endeavor.
​It ...is quiet...but not still.
Vast...but not empty.
Barren...but not lifeless.
Near the book's conclusion the perspective shifts. Moving beyond Curiosity's close-up view, the planet Mars takes up the narration and provides readers with an expanded view of space exploration.
Katherine Roy's predominantly red color palette is awe-inspiring. Full two-page spreads echo the vastness of the endeavor. Inset images offer additional details. A gatefold reveals a stunning panoramic vista. Magnificent!
​Supplemental matter includes Mars at a Glance factoids, background information of the Curiosity project, a brief description of each of the previous unmanned explorers, list of additional print and online resources.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: October 29, 2019 Publisher: Roaring Brook Press ISBN: 978-1250198334
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Celebration of Light

10/26/2019

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Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar ill by Charlene Chua

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Diwali, a five-day Hindu festival, commences with the new moon on the darkest night of fall. The picture book Shubh Diwali! introduces young readers to this festival of light.
A multigenerational family dressed in western clothing prepare and decorate their home in anticipation of the holiday. Observance includes wearing new traditional clothing, telling stories, ringing bells, and lighting lamps.
Soundar's rhyming couplets provides a glimpse into the celebration. Back matter includes an Author's Note which introduces Diwali in more detail with her personal recollections, a brief description of each of the Five Days of Diwali and a Glossary.
Chua's illustrations feature wide-eyed family and friends who have a variety of skin tones and manner of dress. Included are depictions of individuals with disabilities.
A complementary color palette that is predominantly various shades of gold and purple accentuate the night sky and contrast with the dazzling fireworks and lamp light. Interior scenes in warm yellows and golds reinforce the warmth and closeness of family and friends.
Wide-eyed wonder of the children's illuminated faces on the cover is particularly striking.

​​Dessert Over Darkness

Celebrate with this traditional Diwali treat.
​Shrikhand (Strained Sweet Yogurt)
​Shrikhand is a creamy yogurt-based dessert from western India made simply by straining yogurt and sweetening it. The yogurt is traditionally strained by pressing it between newspaper (to soak up extra whey), but if you can find thick, full-fat Greek yogurt at the grocery store, then the process is even simpler: Hang it in a mesh strainer over a bowl for a day, and let the excess whey drip out. You can substitute slivered almonds for pistachios, if that's more your speed, or even skip the nuts altogether for a smooth shrikhand flavored only with sugar, cardamom and a celebratory sprinkle of saffron threads.
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INGREDIENTS
  • 32 ounces plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 ½ cups loosely packed confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup roasted unsalted or lightly salted pistachios, roughly chopped, plus ⅓ cup for garnish, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon saffron threads, finely chopped, plus a pinch for garnish, finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
PREPARATION
  1. Put yogurt in a fine-mesh strainer suspended over a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Let excess whey strain for 24 hours.
  2. Transfer yogurt to a large mixing bowl, and gently stir in sugar, pistachios, saffron and cardamom. When they are combined, transfer mixture into a serving dish, using an offset spatula to smooth out the top. Evenly sprinkle reserved pistachios and pinch of saffron over the top, and chill for an hour before serving. Shrikhand will keep covered in the fridge for a few days (though the pistachios will soften).
Recipe: NYT via When It’s Too Hot For Cooking, Try Yogurt For Dessert  TEJAL RAO
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 1, 2019  Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN: 978-0807573556
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Mysterious Doings

10/15/2019

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The Upper Case: Trouble in Capital City
by Tara Lazar ill by Ross MacDonald

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Following up on her hit picture book 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story Tara Lazar brings readers another clever take on our alphabet system, specifically capitalized letters.
Readers are treated to a noir style whodunit. Private I is informed by Question Mark that the capital letters are missing. ALL of them. Our intrepid detective is on the case.
This was serious. If all the capital letters were gone, there’d be incomplete sentences dangling everywhere.
The super sleuth begins to search for clues, hoping to enlist the assistance of punctuation marks. They are busy. Hyphens dashes around, apostrophe gathers personal possessions, while ampersand minds her p's and q's. Lazar is a master of the well-placed pun.
Eventually Private I returns to waitress little b at Café Uno. Together they locate the missing letters and rescue them from a theater marque. "I'd always wanted to see my name in lights."
Tranquility is restored. Or is it? The final page suggests that there will be more mysteries for Private I.
MacDonald's illustrations add to the frivolity. Letters fade away. Distinctive expressions animate the punctuation and letter faces. Observant readers will find Easter Eggs scattered throughout the book. Hints: Look for the train with conjunction cars attached behind the engine and find Exclamation reading a copy of 7Ate 9. Final tip: keep an eye on the mouse.
The Upper Case: Trouble in Capital City is a read aloud delight. Who knew that grammar and punctuation could be so much fun?

Upper Case Antics

The Upper Case trailer
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Alphabuild magnetic blocks
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Bake alphabet cookies
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 15, 2019  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion  ISBN: 978-1368027656
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Outfoxed

10/1/2019

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One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read

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Can a counting book be a thriller? In the capable hands of Kate Read the answer is an emphatic YES.
The title page features paw prints, stealthily walking across the two-page spread and heading into... the first page and one famished fox. Page two zooms in on the face of said fox, shifty eyes focused on its prey. A single feather floating at the bottom of the page is a tantalizing hint as to what will follow.
The page turn confirms our suspicions.
​Three plump hens.
The tension builds as readers follow the items enumerated on subsequent pages: snug eggs, silent steps, on ominous tapping, beady eyes shining in the darkness, and a set of sharp teeth.
What will happen now? Read's theatrical background is evident as a climactic scene explodes in a wild riot of flying feathers. The conclusion will leave audiences sighing with relief and immediate cries from youngsters "Read it again." 
Striking illustrations feature bold colors, textured paper collage, and interesting shapes accented with printed details.  Design composition  and carefully planned page turns  make One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller a visual treat.
Read has elevated the simple counting book format to high drama.  Debut author/artist Kate Read is one to watch. 

Outfoxing a Fox

These classic picture books feature a trio of  hungry foxes.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 1, 2019  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company  ISBN: 978-1682631317
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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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