Review: Christmas ABC by Jannie Ho

9781536202496

$6.99

I had to admit, I was curious as to how much Ho would have to stretch to get certain letters to fit the holiday theme. I mean "s" is so easy it's hard to choose - Santa? Sweaters? Snow? But, what do you do for "q"?*

Fortunately, both her choices in words and her brightly colored illustrations make each page simple and clear. With the exceptions of perhaps "u", "v" and "y", I think most littles would see the pictures and immediately come up with the corresponding word - making this a good choice for introducing letter sounds at any time of year.

While this title is strictly for Christmas, and does not enter into other winter holidays, it does venture into a few traditions some children may not be familiar with (such as a Yule log, and Three Kings Day), so it is also a good starting point for talking very simply about what your family does to celebrate, and how others may celebrate differently.

All in all, it's a perfect Christmas present for a little one ready to start talking and exploring things on his or her own - like a certain adorable niece I am thinking of, so shh! Gift the book along with these awesome stampers and some play-do:

Not ready for clay yet? These are adorable (check out the narwhal!)

*"quiet", with a cute tip-toeing mouse!

Book Review: The Rabbit Listened, by Cori Doerrfeld

9780735229358

$17.99

Note to self: Must. Buy. Everything by Doerrfeld.

First off, just look at that cover. Sweet urchin in pajamas, cuddly rabbit giving a just-right hug. If you are having a baby, you need to get that framed and put it on your nursery wall.*

Second, the basic message. Sometimes sad things happen...and you don't want to talk it to death, you don't want someone to tell you how to fix it, you don't want to yell, you just...well, you don't know what you want. In which case, what you need is someone who will just be there, waiting for you to figure that out.

If there is one thing the world seems to need, it's the ability to handle our bad feelings better. Paired with Black's I'm Sad, this book belongs in every home and classroom library.

*The author/illustrator tells me Penguin is planning to come out with a limited edition print of the cover image! Add it to your Christmas list!

***This book has been nominated for a Cybils award. I am just one of many first round panelists, and my opinion should not be construed to mean inclusion on or exclusion from the final shortlist.

*****It made it to the short list! Congratulations, Cori!

Review: Dear Girl by Amy Krouse and Paris Rosenthal, and Holly Hatam

9780062422507

$17.99

As the cover says, a celebration, but also a lot of reminders. Ask questions! Make friends (some like you, and some not!) Be brave! And if something tells you to say no, say no!

While some, like the latter, are serious, the overall tone of the book is positive and lighthearted, (Make your room awesome. Make your room you. And while you're at it, make your bed!)

A joint project between the ever-popular Amy Krouse Rosenthal and her daughter, Paris, one can't help but wonder if there are some family stories behind some (if not all) of these "Dear Girl" letters. Would either of the Rosenthals care to chime in?

Illustrations are a charming mix of media and textures, worth taking a look at all on their own. A perfect gift for a young lady at any age, which brings us to:

Gifting Suggestions:

Present this book to your favorite young woman along with the promise of adventure and exploration. Take her places where she can try new things, or maybe learn alkittle more about herself. And make sure that she knows, as the final pages say, that she can always always always turn to you.

***This book has been nominated for the Cybils Award, and I am one of many judges. My opinions should not be construed as inclusion on or exclusion from the final short list.

Review: I See, I Touch by Giuliano Ferri

9789888341566

$9.99

In this delightful concept book for the very young, artist Giuliano Ferri uses clever die-cuts to explore the senses that invite a child to experience the world around them, and to feel and express love. The final page has a velour element, adding a tactile interactive dimension to this heart-melting story.

Wonderful sturdy pages, beautifully colored illustrations, and simple text help introduce the concept of our five senses. Perfectly paced for interaction:

With my nose I can...

Where is your nose? Can you point to it? Where is the elephant's nose?

smell the springtime flowers.

(Take a big sniff together) Do you smell flowers? What do you smell?

I dare you to get past the tongue page without sticking your out at the pig, by the way. I think that one qualifies as a reflexive action.

My only worry is that the last page, with the bit of fur to rub, seems to bow out a little at the back. That may give it a little less time on the library shelves as it slides against other books, but the fur does seem to be firmly fastened inside, so it should last a good long time with an individual child.

Gifting Ideas:

Put this in a five senses exploration kit - with something for toddler to taste, touch, look at, etc. Or, pair it with a card promising some sense exploration trips, where you will visit a new place and see what you can hear, taste, and so forth.

Review: Hazelnut Days by Emmanuel Bourdier and Zao

9789888341542

$17.99

It’s visiting day, and Dad smells like peppermint—yuck! If only he would wear that nice, breezy cologne that smells like hazelnut... So begins one boy’s brief weekly visit with his father in prison. Here’s a man who gets angry, but beneath that peppermint surface is much to admire, if only you take the time to look. This richly imagined picture book explores the inner life of a boy who struggles to love a father who can be difficult to love at times. Though they may only have brief visits together, it’s clear they love each other. This story bravely explores the all-too-hidden world of incarcerated parents. It’s also a beautiful testament to the power of love to bridge the walls that divide us.

This is not a book to read out loud to a class (unless special circumstances dictate), nor is it a fun story to read amongst your Robert Munsch and Elephant and Piggie picks. It is an important book to have on hand, however, if you are a librarian - one of those books that you don't need until you need it, and then you need it now.

There is not a sunny, happy ending, but there is hope and moving forward. The boy's parents are both allowed to be human beings, a mix of good and bad characteristics. The narrative is driven by the boy's feelings and perceptions, giving much-needed validation to any other youngster in a similar situation. There are a growing number of books being published for children of incarcerated parents, and this is definitely one of the better ones.

Review: The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes

9780763678838

$17.99

Before the universe was formed, before time and space existed, there was . . . nothing. But then . . . BANG! Stars caught fire and burned so long that they exploded, flinging stardust everywhere. And the ash of those stars turned into planets. Into our Earth. And into us. In a poetic text, Marion Dane Bauer takes readers from the trillionth of a second when our universe was born to the singularities that became each one of us, while vivid illustrations by Ekua Holmes capture the void before the Big Bang and the ensuing life that burst across galaxies. A seamless blend of science and art, this picture book reveals the composition of our world and beyond — and how we are all the stuff of stars.

Note that "poetic text" - I read the book before reading the description, and one of my first thoughts was that this might belong in the poetry section! Beautifully written, slow and quiet then exciting and loud, with Holmes's illustrations matching perfectly. So many art extensions begging to happen.

And then
the beginning
of the beginning
of all beginnings
went
BANG!

One of my friends in college was a dual major in art and chemistry, and he liked to explain that they were really the same things. This book brought him and that comment to mind. The language, concepts, colors and textures are all rich and deep. I found myself running my fingers across the pictures, expecting to feel texture.

This is a beautiful volume you will find yourself re-reading and leafing through over and over again.

Gifting ideas:

It's that time of year again! Gift this to your science-minded child with a microscope or telescope. Gift it to the artist with a set of oil paints and good heavy paper.

*** This book has been nominated for a Cybils Award. I am one of many first-round panelists, and my opinions should not be construed to mean inclusion on or exclusion from the final short list.

Review: Do You Believe in Unicorns by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

9780763694685

$14.99

Is that a horse wearing a hat? It’s definitely not a unicorn in disguise — that would be ridiculous, right? It’s probably just a horse that’s having a bad hair day. Or trying to keep the sun out of its eyes. Or perhaps this horse just really likes hats! If you follow it long enough, maybe it will take off its hat and you’ll finally know for sure. Or will you? It’s all a matter of perspective in this cheerful, cheeky story about seeing magic in the everyday.

This adorable book begins with a question, and never really answers it - or does it? It begs to be interactive, so is not for the story time leader who wants children to sit quietly and listen. But who does that any more anyway? Discussion and opinions with no clear right or wrong - I may even have to work this into some STEAM activities! The back cover invites readers to make their own magic, which could have you running all around your library together to try it out. Fresh and fun!

**At the start of the book I noticed the cute little lizard sleeping by the barn, and thought, "I may have to mention him somewhere." I am just going to say he was worth mentioning and flipping back to. That is all.