It will take quick thinking, skillful maneuvering, and an enormous quantity of courage to protect the Jersey Devil from danger.   One constant threat to any mythical creature is the nefarious Schmoke Brothers, of Schmoke Industries. Their motto is "Making the World the Way We Want It to Be." They will stop at nothing to track down and capture mythical beasts.

Gidwitz's storytelling skills shine throughout the tale. He immediately takes readers into his confidence, sharing Elliot's thoughts as he boards the bus "They think I'm a weirdo." He mocks the eccentricities of adults. Miss Vole spoke to the students “like they were in kindergarten… if her voice got any higher, only dogs would be able to hear her. “ He keeps the action moving along, with plenty of hints suggesting possible peril. Short snappy sections are delicious little morsels, enticing readers on to the next page, paragraph, chapter.

Hatem Aly's black and white line drawings match character descriptions. Yes, Miss Vole does indeed resemble a vole.  The imposing figure of Professor Fauna completely towers over the children with eyes that look "like death."  Elliot and Uchenna have over-sized heads, giving them a slightly cartoonish quality.  It's like watching TV, only better.

My advice for libraries: begin clearing a shelf for this series. I worked with a group of youngsters last summer who could not get enough stories about Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster. Mythical creatures fascinated them. The Creature of the Pines is the first in a series that has the potential to be a sure-fire hit.

One final note about the end papers. The decision to show the "Official World Map" with edited improvements by Elliot and Uchenna is clever.  Let's hope that this map will evolve as the series progresses. 

Tom Edison's dream (not THAT Tom Edison) is to become a world-famous scientist. Sadly, the study of science is not his forte. This fact is of no consequence. He is convinced that given the proper opportunity, he will prove his potential. First step on the ladder to greatness: a job as a janitor at CEASE- the Center for Extremely Advanced Science Experiments. There he meets the quiet researcher Dr. Marisa Morice. Through a bizarre twist of fate, the two unlikely companions find themselves transported via a time travel machine to the prehistoric era. This is a land of cavemen, bats with an inordinate amount of guano, and one very determined saber-tooth tiger. How will the ever-exuberant but dim-witted Tom and the brilliant but socially inept Dr. Morice work their way out of this dilemma and return to the present?
​This is one fast-paced, laugh-filled adventure. Be advised: If you read this book in public and start laughing uncontrollably, people will take note and you'll probably have to read it aloud to total strangers.

Rodkey has created two things here: a hilarious time travel adventure and a how-to guide for aspiring young authors. Not since Adventures in Cartooning have I encountered such a successful and innovative approach to making a dual-purpose publication. The Story Pirates series takes it one step further. Rodkey solicitated Story Ideas from youngsters. He uses an idea from Vince Boberski, a boy from Memphis, as the premise for Stuck in the Stone Age. He explains the story creation process in a writing manual located at the back of the book. Throughout the text, references are made to sections within the manual which provide guidance and suggestions. The notations throughout the story are accompanied by clever illustrations. Helpful infographics are an added bonus.  Hatem Aly’s zany art provides the perfect complement to this wild adventure. This book is a gold mine for those who enjoy a good tale well told and/or those who want to tell their own amazing stories.

Interested in story creation? Story Pirates website is storytelling central. With live performances, educational programs, and online resources that include podcasts and videos, this is a treasure chest filled with imaginative delights.  Enjoy this sample of videos from the Story Pirate's YouTube channel.

The stunning cover design is evidence that this will be an extraordinary retelling of a Hans Christian Anderson classic. From page one, that assumption is confirmed as Xanthe Gresham Knight introduces the tale in magnificent storytelling fashion.

Knight builds on Anderson's story:  editing, embellishing, and refining the original to create an interpretation that is familiar, yet fresh and new.  Gastaut's stunning illustrations defy any specific style, combing Art Nouveau with elements of Northern European and Middle Eastern art. This version of an Anderson tale is destined to become a new classic.

But wait. There is more....

​Sturm has ingeniously included mini comics at the bottom of each page. Each mini strip, three or four panels in length, asks a question such as: What super power would you want? If your friend was a cookie what kind with they be? Ape and Armadillo take turns giving their responses. A bonus comic at the conclusion of the story revolves around that old "psychic" number guessing games. Armadillo and Ape turn the game on its head. Guessing numbers has never been so much fun!

But wait. There is more...

Check out this bonus material which includes an interview with James Sturm who draws while he answers questions from Maria Russo and those viewing the live broadcast. Wow! He can draw and think and talk at the same time!
Be sure check out the templates which young readers can use to create their own comics based on the mini strips running along the bottom of each Ape and Armadillo page.

Nominees for 2017 Eisner Award: Publication for Early Readers

Ape and Armadillo Take Over the World joins four other books nominated for this year's Eisner Award for Publication for Young Readers. The winner will be announced ​Friday, July 21 2017 at Comic-Con International. Which comic will win? Stay tuned.

Preface

The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog loosely follows the construct of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It's 1242 and a group of wayfarers find themselves at the Holy Cross-Roads Inn. The ale is flowing and rounds of storytelling commence. The group begins discussing the rumors circulating about three children: William, a Saracen of enormous size and son of a Crusader; Jeanne, a young peasant whose 'fits" often prove to be remarkably prophetic; and Jacob, a Jew searching for his parentage. And then there is the dog, the remarkable Gwenforte. This unlikely trio of companions has attracted the attention of King Louis. Individuals at the Inn are anxious to elaborate on the saga of these remarkable children.

Like Chaucer, some of the tales are earthy. Gidwitz adds this own signature "go for the gruesome" scenes with downright disgusting incidents that young readers will relish. (How many times will kids reread the gross-out description of the dragon that gets sick while gorging on sheep? My guess is an infinite number of times.)

There is religion, a lot of religion in the book. There are saints and martyrs, Jews and monks, Talmuds, and Bibles. There are questions. Big questions such as the question of Evil.
​
Gidwitz's storytelling skills are considerable and shine gloriously ​in this magnificent tale. The well- researched historical details are neatly embedded but never overshadow the story. Tension builds as events unfold, and an important secret is revealed. I kept caressing the cover over and over again when I reached the denouement.
Read this book for the medieval history. Read it for the humor. Read it for a consideration of thought-provoking questions on racism, religion, and the value of books. Read it for the wild and wonderful narrative that it is. Whatever your reason for reading The Inquisitor's Tale, you will be richly rewarded.

​Ready? Now prepare to take an astounding adventure.
​Step with me into the pages of The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill.

Magic.
Barnhill creates magic.
"In Which a Story is Told" introduces readers to the storyteller, who spins a tale to a fretful child. "Of course this is a true story. Haven't you been listening?"
It all begins when the witch rescues an infant, accidentally feeding her moonlight which enmagicks the baby. The child's growing powers of magic have a profound effect on the world.
The ensuing narrative consists of intricately interwoven threads following a witch, a bereft mother, a monster, a tiny dragon, a young man on a mission, the enigmatic leader of the Sisters of the Star, and a girl named Luna.
Each travels a path which eventually leads to the forest where their fortunes come together in a most dramatic way.

The voice, or rather distinctive voices throughout the narrative are captivating.
Consider these examples:
Xan, the witch
      "Sorrow is dangerous. Or, at least, it was. I can't remember why, now. I think we both became accustomed to not                  remembering things. We just let things get...foggy."
Glerk, the monster,
     "As the Poet says, 'Oh, ever changéd Earth -'"
Fyrian, a tiny dragon
     "I love foolish things. And clever things. I love all the things."
Antain, the nephew
     "What if we are wrong about the Witch?"
Sister Ignatia, of The Sisters of the Star
     "Oh, sweet Antain! There is no cure for sorrow."
Madwoman of the Tower
     She is here, in the heart of the robin.
     She is here, in the heart of the crane.
     She is here, she is here, she is here, in the hearts of a falcon and a kingfisher and a swan.

The prose shines with Barnhill's sparkling writing. Examples of her signature style include the use of a conversation tone "Moonlight is magic. Ask anyone you like", her clever turn-of-phrase "It was the first lie she ever told. Even though her words were true" and a concluding statement followed by a contradiction "They thought she was gone forever. They were wrong, of course."

Story construction brilliantly leads the reader through the multiple story lines and results in a conclusion which is at times surprising, always logical, and ultimately satisfying.
Readers will be enmagicked.

All of Barnhill's books. Read them all. Each is a treasure.

A Clatter of Jars by Lisa Graff

Similarities between Little Robot and The Wild Robot are easy to find. Both begin with a robot sealed inside a shipping crate which accidentally falls into the water and eventually lands in a remote area. In this most unlikely setting, the robot escapes the packing crate, explores its surroundings and eventually begins to form relationships.
Both stories are testaments to the power of kindness and friendship. They poignantly illustrate that the capacity to care and make meaningful contributions to the wellbeing of others is limited only by one's willingness to try.
For me the similarity reaches beyond the books themselves and extends to authors Peter Brown and Ben Hatke. Each has consistently created an exceptional body of work which I deeply admire.

"Worlds and everything in them are made real by the stories that inhabit them."
​
Twelve year old Sophie Quire, working from her father's bookshop, spends her days lovingly mending books. Her life dramatically changes when she becomes the owner of a curious book that possesses magical properties. This volume is one of four books. She learns that the combined quartet contains the entire world's magic. She also discovers her true identity. She is Daughter of Coriander Quire, Bookmender of Bustleburgh, Keeper of Stories, Protector of the Four Questions, and The Last Storyguard.
Sophie undertakes a dangerous mission: to obtain all four books, learn the fate of her mother, and save her world from a massive book burning. A monumental task for one young girl!

Auxier skillfully weaves a spell of words that captures the imagination and delights the ears of readers. Consider places such as the city of Bustleburgh, the forests of Grimmwald and the abyss known as The Uncannyon. And of course, The Last Resort, where the precarious Battle of the Last Resort takes place.
Character names are equally intriguing. Readers meet Professor Cake, Inspector Prigg, and an important figure which goes by the name Taro and just happens to be a mandrake. Isn't the name Torvald Knucklemeat the best ever for a villain's henchman? I love the shadrach charm: a very powerful spell which makes the object impervious to flame.
Careful reading finds several veiled references to other works. One of my favorites "The task must have chosen Sophie, but now Sophie must choose the task." pays homage to Garth Nix's Sabriel "Does the walker choose the path or the path the walker?"
Readers will revel in the wordsmithing. Auxier knows how to turn a phrase, twist a word, and place a description in order to extract every ounce of meaning from the narrative,

Ultimately it is the heart of each character which breathe life into the book. Two of my favorite scenes are Sir Tode urging on Peter Nimble when his doubts overtake him during a moment of crisis and Sophie finally attempting to ring the bell charm hanging around her neck. Such poignant vignettes demonstrate the power of love to overcome all obstacles.
"There are moments in life - rare for most people- when you suddenly realize that the tapestry of the world is grander and more intricately woven than you had ever imagined."

Turk is the recipient of the 2015 Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Award for his illustrations for the Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus picture book Grandfather Gandhi.
He used his work for this book to help teach some basic principals of color, design, and theme.
Students particularly commented on the use of fiber and the essential concept of spinning thread into fabric. They were able to identify this symbol when it appeared throughout the pages.

Turk concluded the workshop by allowing students time to practice some of the techniques which he introduded. After students created several pages of textures and patterns, they were given the opportunity to use the their own work to create a page for a well-known fairy tale. Several of the participants chose to share their illustrations with him. Evan posted some of the student's work online. 
What a thrill for a teen to have an award-winning illustrator share your design with the online community.