The Mermaid and the Shoe

Everyone has a talent- some people have many talents.  What are yours?  I, for one for instance, have double-jointed thumbs and can form them into grotesque shapes that freak out my friends and family.

Minnow, the heroine of K.G. Campbell's The Mermaid and the Shoe, is the daughter of King Neptune.  Well, she is one of Neptune's 50 daughters.  Each daughter has a talent- singing, making jewelry, gardening...but Minnow is only good at asking questions.  One day she finds an object, and is determined to find out what it is.  Turns out, asking questions is a talent- especially asking the right questions!  And more importantly, she can answer a very significant one: who am I?

The illustrations in this book are magical, you constantly see and feel the movement from being underwater.  I'm not sure if it's chalk? pastel? neither? but there's an eeriness to the dark coloring- with the stark illumination of the mermaids.  It's beautiful, almost ghostly (but not scary).  There's a beautiful scene where Minnow finds the shoe, she's swimming up with a group (or, I guess technically, a "smack") of jellyfish.  Again, the contrast of the dark with a bright red-orange, and Minnow's luminescence, and the red shoe- it's so simple, but stays with you.  Also, there's a pretty amazing shrugging octopus.

I love that the book encourages kids to ask questions, and lets them know that no matter how small it seems, a talent is a talent.

There's so much cute in here, too- as previously mentioned, the shrugging octopus, and when Minnow sees the "landmaid" with her "leg-hands."  Very...Ariel, Scuttle and Dinglehopper.  I think it would be a great one for parents and kids to read together.  It also reminds kids that curiosity could also mean they are brave explorers.  





The Mermaid and the Shoe is published by Kids Can Press.  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Released: 04.01.2014

Weird! Dare! Tough! [Bullying Series]

The Weird Series by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paula Heaphy, is a trilogy about bullying that would be appropriate for elementary ages (but also adults working with children).

In Weird! Luisa is the kid being bullied (she speaks Spanish and wears polka dots!)  Dare! is from the perspective of Jayla, a bystander, and former victim of bullying, watching Luisa's struggles.  Tough! is about Sam, the bully.  The colors in the illustrations pop, and add to the story.  It's interesting to note things that carry over from one book to the next.

This trilogy of bullying and conflict resolution from different perspectives would be a great addition to any home and library.  Each book is great as a stand-alone, but the three together are powerful.

Each book comes with a series of thought-provoking questions, a letter from the main character explaining how they felt and why they took the actions they did.  There's a teacher's guide (well, Leader guide), an Activity Corner, and information for both adults and kids on approaching the issue of bullying.  I think some good discussions would come from sharing this with your children or students.

Note: Also meets Common Core standards.




The Weird Series is published by Free Spirit Publishing.  Digital ARCs provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 09.01.2013

Snatchabook

Who would you blame if your books started disappearing?

The Snatchabook is a picture book written by Helen Docherty & Thomas Docherty.  Eliza Brown lives in Burrow Down, where animals enjoy their nightly bedtime stories.  But! The stories are disappearing!  Eliza stays up late to see what's going on, and meets the book thief- the little Snatchabook, who is only stealing them because he has no one to read him a bedtime story.  Eliza helps him see the error of his ways, and the Snatchabook rights his wrongs (and even makes some friends).

This is a brilliantly written and illustrated bedtime story!  I dare you to read this and not start reading it out loud (I read it with the cadence I do with "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening").  I liked how Eliza helped the Snatchabook, and kind of took him under her wing.  Something kids can definitely learn from.

The illustrations are adorable.  I may get a little freaked out if I ever meet a Snatchabook the first time, but it's still cute.  I loved the setting illustrations- the lines of the grass and burrow and trees; the midnight blues, moonlit hues, and yellow glow of reading lights.  And the animals are just so cute!

This is definitely a book that should be part of your bedtime story repertoire.





The Snatchabook is published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky.  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Published: 10.01.2013

Will in Scarlet

I've never read Robin Hood.  I tried watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves once and fell asleep quickly.  Which is pretty darn sad, because I have a loosely contained mega-crush on Alan Rickman (I mean, seriously, Colonel Brandon?  and have you heard him read Sonnet 130- "My Mistress Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun?" or heard him sing "Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore?" Pure ear bliss).

Everything I know about Robin Hood, I learned from Disney/Roger Miller and Mel Brooks.  Incidentally, my crush in Robin Hood: Men In Tights was not dear Cary Elwes (oh, sweet Wesley), but Will Scarlet...O'Hara.

Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody, tells the story of the boy behind the Robin Hood legend.  Will Shackley is a 13-year old boy whose father is on the Crusades with King Richard.  Treason and loyalties cause Will to separate from his mother, and run into Sherwood Forest.  It is there he meets orphan girl (disguised as a boy) Much, the giant John, drunken Rob, and others.  As these bandits band together, we see the rise of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

This was an interesting backstory to the Robin Hood tale.  To be honest I was surprised at how mature it was...not in a sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll kind of way- but the dialogue was very High English, and Will has to approach things like betrayal, revenge, etc.

This is most definitely a "guy" book.  While the language may be a throw-off for more reluctant readers, if you're recommending it throw in the fart jokes and nods to bodily functions.  There's a bit of a love story thrown in, but I could argue it's really just a friendship story (and we are free to speculate where that will go).

The first chapter caught me, as it read similarly to the first chapter in Game of Thrones- wolves, winter, fighting.  Again, though, much more middle-grade appropriate.  There are also some similarities to The Runaway King trilogy by Jennifer Nielsen.  Kind of High Fantasy without any magic/mysticism.

It was interesting to see the development of Robin's band of Merry Men, and Robin himself.  I loved the description of the camp they stayed at, which also caused me to look up Herne the Hunter.  So, I got a double-dose of folklore reading this.

I'd recommend this to any boy (or girl) who likes the tale of Robin Hood: hunting and bows, fighting and swords, and justice versus revenge.  Also anyone who liked the series I mentioned above- Game of Thrones, The Runaway King.





Will in Scarlet is published by Random House Children's.  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 10.08.2013

Mishan's Garden

What an awesomely crazy week it's been!  Filled with new hires, book exchange brunches, makeup parties, and cooking up a storm...now here I am, back to blogging; 30 years to the day after my parents got married...5 days before my one-year anniversary.  This is how awesome my parents are, guys...Smokey Bear came to their wedding!

Okay, okay.  Now back to bookishness :-)  I loved Mishan's Garden by James Vollbracht, illustrated by Janet Brooke.

In a cold, barren village where nothing grows, and no one is happy, lives a little girl named Mishan.  Mishan wants to grow a beautiful garden in this cold area, but is mocked by the villagers.  Eventually, the villagers soften, touched by Mishan's gift of spreading kindness and seeing what is best and unique about each person.

To be honest, I wasn't blown away by the cover.  I do tend to pick books (especially picture books) with some regard to the cover--I know, I know, bad librarian.  I had actually put off reviewing this book, because the cover didn't catch me.  That being said, I'm glad I opened it.  The story was beautiful.  The illustrations going with the story are also beautiful.  So much so that I went back and read the book two more times, and showed my husband different pictures.  

The artwork differs, alternating between full page illustrations and smaller drawings inserted into text.  And it's gorgeous.  My favorite illustration is toward the beginning- it shows Mishan up in the mountains, it's snowing, little boys are pointing and laughing at her.  The snowflakes in the picture break the 4th wall, and beautiful little Mishan, her black braid blowing in the wind, her cheeks rosy from the cold, still kneels- burying the seeds.  The beautiful blues, browns, and purples combine to make you feel the chill of the air, to picture a sun above...most all of the pictures feel as if they're moving.

I'd put this as allegory.  Mishan plants her seeds in the cold ground, and also spreads kindness around the cynical village.  Her kindness has a ripple effect resulting in a warmer, flourishing village.  It's got a bit of a sad, but very poignant ending. It conveys the message Mishan's father teaches her at the beginning, "...things are not always what they seem!"

So...read this book, to yourself, to a child...to anyone.  Then, go and spread seeds of kindness and see what grows!  (and wow that was cheesy...but I meant it!  Go! GO!)






Mishan's Garden is published by Wisdom Publications.  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 10.15.2013

Fairy Tale Comics

As has (I hope) become apparent- I love fairy tales.  And graphic novels.  Particularly :01 First Second's graphic novels (which currently make up about 90% of my graphic novel collection...cuz they're freakin' awesome).

I received a copy of Fairy Tale Comics (edited by Chris Duffy) awhile ago, and am psyched that I got the chance to review it!  I reviewed The Storyteller GN awhile back, and while this is similar...it's so. much. better.

Fairy Tale Comics is a collection of fairy tales, re-imagined (and re-imaged) by various cartoonists- Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Craig Thompson (Blankets), and Brett Helquist (A Series of Unfortunate Events) to name a few.

The tales span from Grimm's Fairy Tales to Russian and Japanese folktales to Bre'r Rabbit tales from the South.  The variety of illustrations is amazing, each with its own qualities.  Some are narrative, some are mainly dialogue, some are wordless. Speaking of dialogue, "Hansel & Gretel"- illustrated by Gilbert 'Beto' Hernandez- is hilarious...at least I thought it was.  It was...I don't quite know how to explain it.  The only way I can think of is, like, overdramatic overacting.  LOVED it!  Luke Pearson's "The Boy Who Drew Cats" also had me chuckling- in a more adorable "Bartleby the Scribner" kind of way.

I went in not knowing much about certain cartoonists.  When I got to "The Prince and the Tortoise" I thought "this is really similar to classic comics- like Prince Valiant or something."  Turns out Ramona Fradon illustrated Aquaman in Super Friends.  The same happened with the story "Sweet Porridge."  "Hmmm...this is kind of nostalgic cartooning...reminds me of Popeye."  Again, Bobby London illustrated the Popeye comic strip from the mid-80s to early 90s.  I'm actually both proud and ashamed of myself for placing (yet not placing) these cartoonists.  There's a great list of contributors in the back which is helpful for both recognizing artists, and noting future works of theirs to look into.

One of my favorites was Gigi D.G.'s interpretation of "Little Red Riding Hood."  The artwork was beautiful and adorable.  Like, in the event of future Little Sare-endipities...I'd love to do a nursery in this style.  There was also some girl power in this version, which I am always happy about!  I won't give the twist away, though!  The same with Raina Telgemeier's "Rapunzel" [cue Spice Girls!]

The range of stories, the range of artistic styles and talent, the range of humor...this has something for everyone.  If you love fairytales and folktales, bright colors, humor, and pure awesomeness- get this graphic novel.  I have a feeling this will become as treasured as my Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales (and has much better illustrations!)

Fairy Tale Comics is published by :01 First Second.  Review Copy graciously provided by the publisher.

Release Date: 09.24.2013

Kat McGee and the Halloween Costume Caper

As I'm drafting this post, I am waiting for my husband to jump out of a plane.  Our friend turned 30 in May, and has decided to experience something new EVERY day of his 30th year.  Follow his adventures at:  Never365.  He's done some amazing things in just a couple of months.  Annnd here's hoping everything turns out okay, because our one-year anniversary is in a couple of weeks...

So! Kat McGee and the Halloween Costume Caper is the second in the Kat McGee series, and is written by Kristin Riddick.  I haven't read the first yet...it's called Mrs. Claus and the School of Christmas Spirit, and is by Rebecca Munsterer.

Kat McGee is a spunky girl.  She isn't the smartest or most athletic, but she is the BEST at Halloween!  She looks forward to it all year; but this year, Mr. S is threatening to take the day away.  Kat is magically transported to Treatsville, where Halloween costumes live for the rest of the year.  But someone has been kidnapping the costumes there.  With the help of the sweet witch Dolce, her cat deLeche (yep, they went there) and her costume pals, Kat faces a series of tests to prepare her to take on the evil Snaggletooth.  As she is tested, she learns to face fears, and that she's a winner- not just on Halloween.

I love that this book encourages young girls to be inquisitive and to work together.  It teaches girls to take their fears head on, and that it's okay to make mistakes.  

Kat's quest reminded me a bit of Sarah's quest in The Labyrinth- I kept expecting Hoggle to pop out of the Haunted Forest somewhere.  I could definitely see this being made into a Nick or Disney made-for-TV movie (like the Halloweentown series!)  There's also a hint of the Bailey School Kids series- if anyone remembers those...

I was a bit put off by Snaggletooth's accent- it was just inconsistent.  Sometimes Boris-y, sometimes Pepe Le Pew-y, sometimes...I don't know.  But! If that kind of thing doesn't bother you- and for the ages this was written for, I'm sure it won't be an issue- it was a really cute story.  Kat is a great character for young girls to look to; she faces problems like bullying and feeling insignificant, but she's strong, courageous, and a leader. 

Note: My husband is safe and sound, and has a certificate to prove it!






Kat McGee and the Halloween Costume Caper is published by In This Together Media.  Digital ARC provided by the publisher.
Released: 09.01.2013

Uglydoll: Goin' Places

I remember the first time I saw an Uglydoll.  November of 2006; I had just flown into LAX, and my friend who picked me up took me to Chinatown to walk around.  One of the stores we went into had this, well, ugly doll.  Sadly, I can't remember which one it was- I think it was Little Ugly Big Toe.  Anyhoo, I wandered around the store clutching it and, remembering my scant budget, had to put it back before leaving.

Now!  Fast forward a few years, I'm at ALA 2013 in Chicago, and Viz Media is having a Book Buzz session on their Children's Publishing!  I geeked out a bit, because, of course, all the manga I read is through them!  One of the new products?  Uglydoll graphic novels!

The running theme for all the vignettes in the graphic novel is..."goin' places!"  Which would have worked so well for our "Have Book, Will Travel" summer reading theme!  Their adventures lead them to the sea, into space, back in time...and to a library!

The first thing you notice is the bright, fun colors.  And the kooky characters. They instantly draw you in!  There are many talented authors and illustrators- Sun-Min Kim & David Horvath, Travis Nichols, Phillip Jacobson, Ian McGinty, James Kochalka and Mike LM Kelly.  They provide so many little details and jokes throughout the stories that you may not catch the first time. 

The stories are great.  I was chuckling reading the whole GN...actually I think a few guffaws made it in there ("We're SO bats right now!" did me in...I ended up reading it out loud to my husband after).  Two of my favorites were "Get Lost" and "We're So Bats Right Now."  Babo was just adorable, trying not to lose his stuffed bear when he traveled, and Ice Bat & Ninja Batty Shogun were hilarious, honing their radar (oops, I mean sonar) skills. [sidenote: as I'm typing this there's a bat outside my window chittering EXTREMELY loud.]  Babo's postcards are super-cute, too.  

Annnnd...in trying to remember the first Uglydoll I saw, I went to the website.  Um...guys? I don't care if I'm almost 30, I would be stoked to get either of these:

http://www.uglydolls.com/p/ice-bat-hello-kitty

http://www.uglydolls.com/p/babo-bear

[the mugs are pretty cool, too!]

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes these dolls- young and old alike.  As I mentioned before, there are lots of jokes that will appeal to all ages.  The colors are fun, and the Uglydolls are adorable.  Definitely planning on getting this for the library.  It would also be good for those who enjoy humor and adventure.

Uglydoll: Goin' Places is published by Viz Media.  Review copy graciously provided by the publisher.

Released: 07.02.2013

Giada De Laurentiis's Recipe for Adventure: Naples!

She can write fiction, too!?!

I was lucky enough to get a copy of Giada's new book at ALA 2013...but unlucky enough to be too far back in the line, and she had to leave before I could get it signed (wah wah...).  And so!  The first in Giada's new middle-grade series!

Recipe for Adventure: Naples! is a fun story about Alfie (short for Alfredo), his sister Emilia, and their great-aunt, Zia Donatella.  With a bite of magic zeppole, Alfie and Emilia are transported to Naples, where they become friends with a boy named Marco.  Marco's got to find all the best ingredients, so his family can win the annual pizza festival- but someone from another restaurant is following them!

This was such a cute story!  It kind of reminded me of Magic Tree House...but with food.  Which makes it a bit better, in my opinion :-)  It's a good intro to the Italian language- the characters insert Italian phrases throughout the book.  Sometimes there are explanations, sometimes you just have to take it in context, but either way, it's helping kids learn.  On top of learning new languages, the reader learns some of the finer points of cooking and ingredient selection.  And if you read this without becoming hungry...I don't know what to say.  As soon as I closed it I told my husband I wanted to make pizza...real pizza.  Luckily, the book also comes with two recipe cards: one for Zeppole, and one for Tomato-Basil Pizza.

I look forward to forthcoming books in the series (Paris is next, I believe!)  It's fun and educational, and this one focused on the importance of family.  Good for both boys and girls, especially ones interested in travel and/or cooking!






Giada De Laurentiis's Recipe for Adventure: Naples! is published by Grosset & Dunlap (an imprint of Penguin Group USA, Inc.)  Bound Galley received at ALA 2013.
Release Date: 09.03.2013

Here I Am

Have you ever gone to a new country?  Where everything looks strange, different, even scary? You can't understand what anyone around you is saying?  I can kind of relate; when I was 16 I spent a summer in Greece.  It was gorgeous, but there was a lot of adapting/being confused...and I knew I would be heading back to my home country.

This is not the case with our young protagonist in this new picture book.

Here I Am by Patti Kim (and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez) is a wordless picture book about a boy who immigrates to the United States from Korea.  His treasured souvenir from home is a beautiful red seed, which he uses to imagine life back in Korea.  One day, his seed falls out the window and is picked up by a little girl jumping rope.  As the boy leaves his house to follow the little girl, and get his seed back, he embarks on a wondrous tour of the city.  He meets a wide array of characters, and comes to realize this new place isn't so bad.

Words aren't needed, as the beautiful illustrations convey all the noise and confusion into which the little boy and his family fly.  Using non-linear progression and beautiful mixed media, Here I Am shows us a boy's journey to a new land, new language, and new friends.  The gibberish on the signs shows readers what the boy is seeing.

This would be a great book for anyone.  For those new to a language and country, they can see that others have made this journey.  For those who are local to the country, they can try to understand where new kids are coming from.  Since the book is wordless, it can appeal to both at the same time!  With its beautiful illustrations, and universal message, I would recommend this book to everyone.  Definitely want a copy for my library, and a copy for myself!

Also, from Capstone, here's a great book trailer!

Here I Am is published by Capstone Young Readers.  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

Release Date: 09.02.2013

Scaredy Squirrel Prepares For Halloween: A Safety Guide for Scaredies

Oh, I love Scaredy Squirrel :-D  Not as much as my co-worker, but I have been known to sit my husband down for an evening of cautionary squirrel tales.  We've had those storytimes with Walter The Farting Dog, too.  Guess which one he liked more. 

Anyway, the Scaredy Squirrel series by Mélanie Watt is great.  So far in this series, Scaredy Squirrel has overcome leaving his home, going to the beach, having a birthday party, and making new friends.  Now, it looks like it's time for some October 31st celebrations!

Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween: A Safety Guide for Scaredies is an 8-chapter guide on, well, preparing for Halloween.  It's less of a story and more of a how-to, but is still hilarious.  Kind of a kids' version of Amy Sedaris' I Like You: Hospitality Under The Influence.

It starts with a warning to avoid reading the guide during the full moon, and includes a quiz on how "scaredy" you are of Halloween.  There's a Jack-o-Lantern guide (only friendly!), and a black & orange decoration guide (black forest cakes, and orange flotation vests for example).  There's also a costume guide with  a Scare-o-meter, for your convenience.  Scaredy has a handy approach to candy inspection, and lets you know why the apple is a particularly scary fruit.

Honestly, I think this would be great for an actual kids' party, on top of being just a fun read.

If you haven't read this series, probably best not to start with this one; but don't let that deter you from reading it.  And remember, if all else fails...play dead!

Scaredy Squirrel is published by Kids Can Press.  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.

Release Date: 08.01.2013

Star Wars: Jedi Academy

Star Wars: Jedi Academy was so fun!  I ran into a couple at ALA who had gotten a copy, and gotten it signed/illustrated by Jeffrey Brown.  They were so geeked out about meeting him, I HAD to look into it more.

Told from the perspective of artistic young Roan, we see the galactic universe through the eyes of a middle-school boy from Tatooine.  Roan wants to get into Pilot Academy, like his Dad and older brother Davin.  However, he is rejected.  Resigned to attending the local Agricultural School, he is surprised to get an acceptance letter from Master Yoda to...Jedi Academy!  Through entries in Roan's journal, and graphic panels, we see Padawan Roan hone his skills in light-sabering and using The Force (as well as dealing with bullies, his first crush, and trying to understand Master Yoda!)

I love how Brown used so many mediums to tell this story.  There are the journal entries, and the panels...but there are also bits from the student newspaper, Jedi Academy FAQs, yearbook-esque staff pictures, report cards, sign-up sheets...it's like a journal-scrapbook (instructions on how to make your own at the end!)  It was kind of like...Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, but still its very own thing.

And it's funny!  There are so many little quips, and especially drawings that made me snicker.  There was something about algebra being used in real life (I hate math, so I liked that one).  And the light saber teacher is also the Home Ec teacher. There are lots of Ewoks...and pictures of Endor.  I have a bit of an Ewok obsession, so that made me happy.  And the Librarian is Librarian Lackbar (sadly, no "It's a TRAP!" exclamations, though).

I can already think of about 20 middle-grade boys I'll be recommending this to- as well as a few adults. Brown has two other graphic novels out, too, that I need to check out now: Darth Vader and Son, and Vader's Little Princess.

Also, I dare you to read it without getting this stuck in your head:

I'd recommend this to middle-grade (and younger...and up) guys, fans of Star Wars, and those who'd like to learn a bit about Star Wars' more obscure characters.





Star Wars: Jedi Academy is published by Scholastic.  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 08.27.13

The Adventures of Bella & Harry: Let's Visit Istanbul!

-not Constantinople! [c'mon, you know you were singing it, too]

The Bella & Harry series, written by Lisa Manzione and illustrated by Kristine Lucco, is about sibling chihuahuas who visit different countries with their family.  In Bella & Harry: Let's Visit Istanbul, we join them on a trip to Turkey.  We visit various mosques, bazaars, and keep a lookout for magic flying carpets!

As someone who grew up traveling, I love how this series introduces different cultures and languages to young readers in a very accessible way.  Children learn basic words/phrases in context in the story, and are provided a glossary in back.

The beautiful illustrations give us even more context, from the beautiful colors of spices at the market to the Blue Mosque.  We also learn about things like Turkish Delight!  Which, of course, I knew about from The Chronicles of Narnia.  I tried making it from scratch having never tried it...epic fail.  I do see it at a local grocery store from time to time...should probably try it that way...

Even grown-ups can take something away from this book and others in the series!  I actually hadn't known about the Bosphorus Bridge, and learned that it's the bridge that connects Asia to Europe.  Let's Visit Istanbul is the ninth book in this series, and I look forward to reading the rest!  Even though I'm not the biggest chihuahua fan (I had a babysitter who had a very mean one- Bella & Harry seem legit, though).

I would recommend this to parents and children who are interested in travel, languages, cultures, and of course- dogs!

The Adventures of Bella & Harry series is published by Bella & Harry, LLC.  Digital review copy provided by NetGalley.

After Iris

After Iris by Natasha Farrant is the bittersweet story of Blue and her family in London.  Told through Blue's diary entries and screenplay transcripts, this middle-grade novel follows the Gadsby family as they continue to deal with the death of Iris- Blue's twin sister.  As parents become busier with work to forget, a Mr. Tumnus-esque au pair enters to deal with Flora (16), Bluebell (13), Jasmine (8), and Twig (10).  Anyone with siblings will appreciate the relationship these four share.

Don't let the heavy subject matter deter you.  Farrant manages to deal with the death of a sibling (or child) while still catching hilarious family moments.  I mean...really?  Pet rats racing around a schoolroom in RC Aston Martins?  The story has some very heartbreaking moments, but they are balanced with very heartwarming moments.  

It did take me awhile to get used to the screenplay format, but once I did *shrug*.  It helped paint the scenes!  While there is an overarching storyline, the different "scenes" had their own mini stories.  If anyone read something like McCloskey's Homer Price, it reminded me a lot of that.

I enjoyed After Iris very much (and not just because Iris is my grandmother's name)- and would recommend it to Jr. Highers who want to read about families, death in a family or England. Or who enjoy filmography.


After Iris is published by Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin USA).  Digital ARC provided by NetGalley.
Release Date: 07.11.2013

Cozy Classics: Les Misérables

As I sat at the reference desk the other day, a little girl wandered into the Youth Department. Looking around, with eyes wide, she headed straight toward our New Picture Books Display. From that tiny girl, came a shockingly loud "MOM! THIS IS SO COOL!" Which, of course, made my heart happy. Little people excited for books!

As an English major, I do enjoy the classics (well, most of them). I was so happy to discover this board book series: "My Cozy Classics." It takes a classic novel like Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Moby Dick or Oliver Twist, and puts it in a format that can grow with a child. Instead of drawings, the illustrations are needle-felted. Actually, I'd be much more likely to read Moby Dick again in this format. [Bonus: Here is a REALLY COOL video on how they do the needle-felting]



According to the  website: 

Cozy Classics uses a simple one word/one image format to help babies and toddlers build vocabulary and learn everyday concepts such as body parts, emotions, animals, relationships, actions, and opposites. However, Cozy Classics organizes everyday words in a more unique way: through story. By putting words in the context of a story, our books help children find further meaning through a growing sense of narrative.

I was lucky enough to review a copy of the Cozy Classics version of Les Misérables.  

The experience was a bit...roller-coastery for me.  I went into it without reading the back of the book, or knowing what Cozy Classics was about. I was excited to read it at first, then realized it was the one word/one image format.  I had expected something with a bit more narrative.  I was disappointed.

However-

I had never seen needle felting before, and kept going back to look at the illustrations.  About the third or fourth time going through, I realized "Actually, what better way to start your child off with a classic!"  The pictures tell enough of the story that the single word does its job- enriching the child's vocabulary, and putting it in context.  Then, I thought about it some more, and realized that the child could grow with this book!  From learning the words, to telling, and understanding, the story!

A brief synopsis of the story is provided on the back, and a more detailed one is provided on the website (which also includes quotes from the novel).  Parents can explain to the child what is happening, and eventually the child will be able to relate words to scenes.

I did want to provide a second picture, better showing the illustration.  This is from the Cozy Classics website, and was one of my favorite parts of the book.  I actually laughed out loud.  The word for the page is "STROLL," and is the scene where Cosette and Valjean are strolling through the garden, as Marius looks on...and even in felt, Marius looks like a creeper.

Having read this title, I find myself looking forward to the rest of the series coming out (and I don't even have kids yet!).  Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice acquisition is going to a priority.  

Definitely recommended to those who enjoy needle crafts, classic literature, and early literacy. 

The "My Cozy Classics" series is published by Simply Read Books.

Primates

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birutė Galdikas

Written by Jim Ottaviani; Illustrated by Maris Wicks

Okay, I admit...I judged this book by its cover.  The colors and lines really jumped out at me.  I also admit, I only knew about Jane Goodall before reading this graphic novel.

Primates chronicles three female scientists who were all recruited by anthropologist Louis Leakey (whom I'd also never heard of- ah well).  Evenly paneled story-boards take us through this fantastic journey of primatological study.  We start with Jane Goodall, and her study of chimpanzees. We then join Dian Fossey in her fight for the safety of mountain gorillas.  Eventually, Birutė Galdikas swoops in and rehabilitates orphaned orangutans.  I laughed more than once, as each had humorous/strange/unbelievable interactions and experiences with the primates and new environments.

As I said before, I had only heard of Jane Goodall before reading this.  I was so very impressed with each woman's story, and her contributions to this area of study.

The artwork is bright, very eye-catching.  I don't want to say it is simple, but the panels are not overcrowded.  The narration is informal- a mix of exposition and dialogue.   It feels voyeuristic (in a non-creepy sense)- like you're a fly on the wall, experiencing all these little moments with Jane, Dian and Birutė.  

All-in-all, an enjoyable triple biography.  I would recommend this to anyone interested in anthropology, strong, smart women, and travel.  I could even see some boys interested, due to some very funny (though probably not at the time), embarrassing situations.

Thank you for the chance to review, :01 First Second!