An Awesome Book of Love!

     Inspired by a conversation about dreaming with his young son, Los Angeles-based writer/artist Dallas Clayton quickly put his ideas to paper.  In 2008, he self-published An Awesome Book, a touchingly sweet children's book celebrating the joys of wishing that dreams come true, which found fast success with young and old readers and critics alike.

       Clayton's latest heartwarming follow-up, An Awesome Book of Love! is very reminiscent both visually and in tone to the classic stories of Dr. Seuss.  Clayton gently and whimsically explains to his readers that love is very powerful and can be shown and expressed by people in a wide variety of ways.  When I recently read this charming tale to a group of Kindergartners, the children enjoyed Clayton's rhyming prose almost as much as I did.  I will, however, admit, to getting quickly choked up when I came across this passage, which mirrors my love for my son:
      "Make me feel younger
       You make me feel brave
       You make me feel something these words can't contain."

      An Awesome Book of Love! makes the perfect gift for anyone, anytime when you want to remind a special someone in your life (whether they are 1 or 91) how much you will always love and treasure them.

An Awesome Book of Love!
Written and Illustrated by Dallas Clayton
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Published in 2013
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 9780062116666
Retails for $16.99 (hardcover)
For all ages

I’ve Seen the Promise Land─ The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

     This past week, one of our Third Grade classes came to the library looking for biographies of famous African-American’s in order to complete a special project in honor of Black History Month.  The origins of Black History Month began during the early 20th-century.   During 1915, motivated by his strong desire to put a spotlight on the accomplishments of African-Americans, a historian named Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (presently called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History or ASALH for short).  The ASALH quickly established publication of The Journal of Negro History, and a decade later, Carter Woodson’s plan for a week of celebration and activities devoted to African-American history became a reality.  On February 7, 1926, the first Negro History Week was held.   Fifty years later, the ASALH expanded the week-long celebration of African-American history to a month, and Black History Month began.

      Unfortunately, although our library contains numerous titles detailing the lives of famous African-Americans, some of our books, most specifically on the life of the Civil Rights pioneer, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., are above the Third Graders reading level.  And, while we encouraged our students to seek the assistance of their teacher or parent if they encounter any difficulty when they are reading some of their books, I couldn’t help but think that we would have to make a special order soon for biographies that all of our students would be able to read and comprehend easily.

 

     Needless to say, when I came across I’ve Seen the Promise Land─ The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by Coretta Scott King Award winning author’s Walter Dean Myers, I was so pleased to be able to find the type of story that provides an overview as well as explains the difficult aspects of Dr. King’s life in a simple yet compelling way that my students would appreciate.  While King’s basic biographical information starting with his birth in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929 is presented, set amidst powerfully emotional illustrations by Leonard Jenkins, I’ve Seen the Promise Land─ The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., highlights his beginning work during the Civil Rights Movement after Rosa Park’s historic refusal to sit in the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.  Myers narrative is presented in such a way that children will find it easy to grasp.  I appreciated the way that Myers explored the origins of Dr. King’s principals of accomplishing social justice without resorting to violence by recalling King’s historic 1959 visit to India to meet with Mohandas Gandhi, the great India leader to led his country to independence by employing non-violent acts of civil disobedience.  And, while the aspects of Dr. King’s tragic death by assassination in 1968 are not glossed over, Myers implorers his young readers to understand that, “Dr. King wanted to be remembered simply as someone who had tried to do his best and to serve all people, regardless of race,” and how King’s legacy can continue to be achieved.

 

I’ve Seen the Promise Land─ The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Written by Walter Dean Myers & Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins

Publisher: Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Childrens

Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Published in 2004

For ages 4 to 8

ISBN: 978-0-06-225002-5

Retails for $6.99

 

 

 

 

Love is in the Air!

 Love is in the air!  Even in ancient times, February was a month devoted to the celebration of love and romance; however, the legend behind the origins of Valentine's Day remains shrouded in mystery.  Who exactly was St. Valentine, you may ask?  And, what were the exact circumstances of his life that led to this upcoming holiday?
     According to the Catholic Church, there were three different Saint Valentines, and all of them became martyrs.  One legend suggests that Valentine was a priest who lived during the third century in Rome under Emperor Claudius II.  When the Emperor decreed that the single men in Rome made better soldiers for his army than those who were married, he outlawed marriage.  Valentine, realizing the cruelty of this new act, defied the Emperor's wishes and continued to perform marriages in secret.  Risking his own life to join young couples in marriage, he gave others the gift of a life together in the name of love.
     Another legend states that Valentine was the first person to send a "Valentine" greeting or love letter while in prison.  Some believe that he became enamored with his jailer's daughter, who visited his cell.  His last love letter concluded with the now popular phrase, "From Your Valentine."
     And, whatever legend you choose to believe, one thing is for certain, Valentine's Day is a perfect opportunity to spend time with your little ones and show them your love.  So, settle back, and savor something extra sweet this Valentine's Day, with these heartfelt and humorous titles that will surely delight all of the special "Valentines" in your life.

Mia:  The Sweetest Valentine
     The lovable little kitty ballerina is back, and this time, Mia and her friends Anna and Ruby are celebrating Valentine's Day with a party.  Their celebration includes lots of balloons, streamers, cards, and just when it couldn't get any more perfect, Mia comes across a box of scrumptious looking chocolates that she kindly shares with her friends.  But, when she soon learns from her father, Mr. Cat, that the chocolates were a present for her mother, Mia tries her hardest to make it up to her mom.  Moms and Dads will appreciate how the message of learning how to ask permission before you touch anything is simply portrayed by author Robin Farley in a way that little ones will be able to comprehend, and your children will delight in the sweet illustrations by the husband and wife team of Olga and Aleksey Ivanov as well as the full page of stickers that go along with the storybook.

Written by Robin Farley
Illustrated by Olga and Aleksey Ivanov
ISBN:  978-0061978623
Retails for $6.99
For ages 4 thru 8
Publisher:  HarperCollins Children
Website:  www.harpercollinschildren.com

A Valentine for Ms. Vanilla (Level 2 Easy-to-Read Puffin)
     On Valentine's Day the members of Ms. Vanilla's class participate in a party, write poems, open cards, and present a heart they all have signed to a special valentine.  A Valentine for Ms. Vanilla is one of our "go-to"books this week, as it sweetly depicts children making valentines and writing creative, if unusual, poems. This book helps to make children inspired to get crafty and creative, instead of resorting to store-bought valentines.

Written by Harriet Ziefert
Illustrated by Martha Gradisher
Publisher:  Puffin
ISBN: 978-0140368710
Retails for $7.50


Valentine's Day Is
     Written and Illustrated by the well-known and beloved children's author Gail Gibbons, Valentine’s Day Is  presents the history behind this special holiday in a simple way, and shares with her littlest readers what the day has become to mean in our society today.  While it is a day filled with candy hearts, flowers, and chocolate truffles, Gibbons thoughtfully shows how it is also a day to give thanks for our loved ones in our life.

Written and Illustrated by Gail Gibbons
Publisher:  Holiday House
ISBN: 978-0823420360
For ages:  5 and up
Retails for $6.95

Fancy Nancy:  Nancy Clancy, Secret Admirer
     No sooner does a "Fancy Nancy" book is placed back on the shelves, it is quickly
picked up and signed out by yet another fan of the popular series by the New  York Times bestselling duo of author Jane O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser. In this latest installment, after learning all about the science of human heart in class, Nancy Clancy and her best friend Bree are determined to find out the mystery behind what makes the heart fall in love.  Soon, the best friends hatch a plan and become little matchmakers for Nancy's guitar teacher and the girls' favorite babysitter.  But, sometimes, as Nancy and Bree find out, the heart doesn't always do what they want it to do. 

Written by Jane O'Connor
Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
ISBN: 978-0062082954
Retails for $9.99
For ages 6 thru 10
Publisher:   HarperCollins Children
Website:  www.harpercollinschildren.com

Mercer Mayer's Little Critter: Just a Little Sick (My First I Can Read Book)

     The dreaded cold---it came on real suddenly last week arriving first in the form of sneezing fits.  Then the clogged up sinuses led quickly to that familiar achy feeling in my bones.  Oh, those miserable symptoms of a cold settled down for a while, until, thankfully with the help of some rest, my mom's homemade chicken soup, and the miracle powers of NyQuil, I was back on my feet at school.
      Once I returned after a two day absence, I learned that the students in one of our many first grade classes were so concerned that I wasn't there (luckily, in the year that I have been working at my school, I escaped being sick up until last week).  When they arrived for their weekly library session, I was greeted with hugs and advice.  "Wash your hands a lot, Mrs. B," said one.  "Eat lots of garlic," said another.  To repay all of their sweet attention, I knew that I had to read them a story that they would see that both adults, like Mrs. B, can feel just as yucky as they do when they don't feel good, and how feeling awful isn't always as it's cracked up to be.


     Mercer Mayer's Little Critter:  Just a Little Sick (My First I Can Read Book) is, quite honestly, an irresistible read.  After all, looking at the cover before my students arrived, with the lovable character, Little Critter, sitting up in his bed with a thermometer in his mouth, his trusty bear and comic book by his side, kind of reminded me of my own sick self (and yes, I will admit, with a bear, too, but by my bedside shelf, and replace the comic book with my laptop to work on my lesson plans)!
     This sweet, simple tale was a delightful read to my inquisitive group of first graders, assisting them to learn how to understand why they are feeling so awful without getting way too over their heads.  Little Critter soon learns that being sick isn't always as fun as he thought it would be, since he wasn't able to do a lot of fun activities since he was stuck indoors all day long, and he also had to visit the doctor. Mercer Mayer's Little Critter:  Just a Little Sick (My First I Can Read Book) may also be one of those must read books to have on hand to ease your child's fears when your little one needs to visit the doctor.
     The "My First" series of books are known for having five levels of difficulty, and these levels are each identified by colors on the front book jackets.  Mercer Mayer's Little Critter:  Just a Little Sick's front cover displays a bright yellow circle, which indicates that this book is ideal for sharing with emergent (and healthy advice) readers, just like my first graders!

Mercer Mayer's Little Critter:  Just a Little Sick (My First I Can Read Book)
Written & Illustrated by Mercer Mayer
Publisher:  HarperCollins
Published in 2009
For ages 4 and up
ISBN:  978-006-0835552
Retails for $3.99
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com

    

In the Land of Milk and Honey

    

A young family's search for a new beginning.  The promise of a better future that lay await in a new place where all people, regardless of their race or culture, can live together in relative peace.  In the Land of Milk and Honey, internationally acclaimed National Book Award-winning author Joyce Carol Thomas lovingly looks back at her childhood, chronicling the long journey that her family took across country by train to seek out a new life in California in 1948.
     Having previously enjoyed reading The Gospel Cinderella, Thomas' clever, updated twist on the classic fairy tale to my second grade classes last year, I was completely in awe of her latest work.  Readers both young and old will quickly be drawn into Thomas' youthful recollections of a trip that lay ahead for her, her mother, her four brothers and her young sister, which was filled with  anticipation and adventure.  Thomas' captivating pose draws you in both literally and visually as she recalls the words of both her mother and father, when describing their new state:

"Daddy says,
     if the lemons are big as oranges
     if the oranges are big as grapefruits
     if you bite into a strawberry and taste heaven in your mouth
     Why, you're in California, the Land of Milk and Honey."

 "Mama says,
     if the redwoods are tall as giants
     if golden bears fish like men
     and quail fly higher than eagles
     You know you're in the Land of Milk and Honey."

     Floyd Cooper's lush illustrations add beautiful detail to the text, as the newly arrived family is greeted by a joyous welcome, as their train finally pulls into the station.  Once settled into town, they enjoy their first tastes of the different local ethnic foods, including warm Mexican hot chocolate, and take in their very first views of the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and feel the cool spray of the Pacific Ocean's majestic waves.  With the family struggles temporarily left behind them at this moment, in this land of milk and honey, they are comforted by a warm sense of stability and belonging.
     Joyce Carol Thomas' subtle, yet beautiful lyrical language graces throughout this poetic memoir, which would make an excellent addition to any classroom/family list of must-read upcoming Black History month titles.

In the Land of Milk and Honey
Written by Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Publisher:  Amistad (An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
Published in 2012
For ages 4 thru 8
ISBN:  978-0-06-025383-7
Retails for $16.99
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com

    

Brick by Brick--The Little Told Tale of the Building of Our First President's Home

     During the beginning of last week, we placed a wide variety of grade appropriate books on our special spotlight shelf, detailing the life of the late Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday our nation will be commemorating on Monday.  As I looked across the shelf at the end of the school day,  I hesitated.  Although I felt that we had a nice selection of stories that our children would appreciate and check out to read, I felt that something was missing.  Knowing that this holiday also coincides with the inauguration of our President's second term, I knew that we needed to have something related to this event.  It was late in the day, and I decided to give it some thought until tomorrow.

     However, when I arrived home, there was a large package of new books from the kind publishers at HarperCollins.  As I opened the package and took out the books, much to my complete astonishment, turned out to be just the kind of book that I was looking for, that would fit perfectly alongside Dr. King's books on our shelf.
     Brick by Brick, by the Coretta Scott King Award-Winning team of author Charles R. Smith, Jr and Illustrator Floyd Cooper, tell us the little-told tale of how our country's very first President's home was built from the collaboration of many hands.  These hands belonged to newly arrived immigrants, while other hands were those that belonged to free African-Americans.  And, when there weren't enough of workers to assist in the construction of what would become the first White House, the government looked to slaves to add to the work force. 
      Smith's pose is filled with pure emotion as he explains how deeply grueling this work was on the hands of the slaves involved in building this symbol of our nation.  "Chiseling, carving, and transporting stone, slave hands ache, dark skin to white bone.  Slave hands blister under a bright, hazy sun; slave hands toil until each day is done."  The indignities that these hardworking men, both young and old suffered, most especially by their owners, who we learn, kept most of their shillings earned from days work, are etched in Cooper's captivating illustrations.  But, with each shilling that they were able to save, each slave was able to move towards the ultimate reward--- buying their freedom.
     This absolutely beautifully written and illustrated book is a must read for any classroom discussion about the impressive role that African-American people played in the creation of one of the most famous symbols of our nations history.

Brick by Brick
Written By Charles R. Smith, Jr.
Illustrated By Floyd Cooper
Publisher:  Amistad (A division of HarperCollins Publishers)
Published in January of 2013
ISBN: 978-0-06-192082-0
Retails for: $17.99
For ages 5 thru 8
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Cozy Childhood Winter Memories Revisited in A Perfect Day

    


        Warm winter memories of my childhood came flooding back after reading, A Perfect Day by author/illustrator Carin Berger to my class of First Graders last week.  Sledding down the hills of the local state park only minutes from my home; making varying, but mostly unsuccessful attempts at dodging snowballs from my uncle; making slides in the towering snow piles that were, at least to my young eyes, taller than the oak trees.  Our tiny hands and faces would be flushed red from the icy cold winds and temperatures, but yet nothing would make us go back into the house, except the promise of steaming hot Ovaltine with tiny marshmallows that my grandma would make that was always guaranteed to shake the cold out of us.

     Although my "Floridian" Pre-K and Kindergarten students may have never seen a snowflake yet, this lovely, charming tale brought to life the delights of winter to my students.  They were in awe of the fact that they would be able to build forts out of snow drifts; and how each tiny snowflake is different from the next.
      Berger's subtle use of rhyming and alliteration in the simple yet spare text shines amidst a beautifully illustrated artwork backdrop.  The unique, yet absolutely stunning use of cut-paper collages helps to make this one of the most imaginative and delightful tales that assists us with celebrating the special joys that this season brings to so many of us.

A Perfect Day
Written and Illustrated by Carin Berger
For ages 4 to 8
Publisher:  Greenwillow Books (An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
$16.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-201580-8
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com