THE BOY WHO DREW BIRDS: A Story of John James Audubon

 I've been a lover, observer, and advocate of birds for as long as I can recall. I've always loved and appreciated the beauty and grace of their bodies, movements, and songs, assuming (wrongly) that they were part of everyone's lives and always would be. I've mentioned this in prior posts, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. (Okay, there are more, but I've been doing this for a long time. Just type BIRDS in the search bar in the right menu and you'll find them.)

That's why Audubon has been a source of ambivalence for me. He's the John James Audubon who's the subject of this new picture book, and also the fellow whose art and field guides are iconic references for beginners through experts. His art is beyond critique from scientists and casual birders alike. His observational accuracy is consistent from depicting the creatures themselves to the extensive details he observed, recorded, and reported involving behavior, habitats, songs, nesting/eggs, and global patterns of migration. Plusses, every one of them.

But I learned early that he blended his truly "natural" observations in the wild with vast amounts of "specimen collection", then preserving and mounting creatures, posing them in the actions and settings he had observed earlier. This approach did, in fact, provide previously unavailable information to the broader public, inspiring hobbies of interest and scientific study. Even so, I was appalled about the deaths his study had caused. It was not until recent years that I also became aware of his lifelong slaveholding practices, which were conveniently never mentioned or assumed. Now, even official organizations are renaming their identities, not to erase him or deny his contributions but to honor the study and conservation of birds, including his role in the process, without retaining his name in their titles.

Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004

THE BOY WHO DREW BIRDS: A Story of John James Audubon is written by Jacqueline Davies and illustrated Melissa Sweet. This is not a new book, and it garnered awards and "best of" designations in many categories. That's not unusual for books by either of its creators, but this one certainly merits our attention even a few decades later.  A combination of factors called it to mind to share now: my new residence/office space allows me to observe my feeder space many more hours of the day, Audubon's public status continues to shift, and undeniable changes in climate are affecting patterns for bird migration and survival. This last factor means some of what Audubon recorded will, or already has, changed and newer resources are the most reliable.There are ever-growing numbers of hobby-birders of all ages and backgrounds relying on Audubon resources for their study. They remain reliable starting points. 

The straightforward but eloquent text reveals that young Audubon was raised in England by a bird/nature-loving father. In early adulthood, still called a boy, he was sent to live in America. He was obviously from a family of means, allowed to live without working by that benefit and the labor of enslaved people. That was not mentioned in the text, published in 2004. John James Audubon disdained school but immersed himself in nature, noticing, collecting, and sketching everything in his new environment. The text follows him  through those early years in which he developed his art and observational skills. His questions, field study, patience, and gentle experiments helped to answer centuries-old debates about patterns of migration and "wintering" of the millions of small birds on both continents. His simple experiment with banding baby phoebes (then known as peewees) provided irrefutable answers.

The illustrations are equally researched and rendered in a mix of collage simulation, sketches and painting. The assemblages are also informative in the relationships and labeling among objects included. The results on the page expand the informational content and also bring to life the thoroughness and depth of commitment of this man who grew to be the ultimate resource for everything involving birds. His status in that regard is solid, and remains breathtaking in many cases. The same can be said for the details of content of text and images. Author and illustrator notes are also helpful. It is a picture book that merits many close looks and rereads, and a fine example of alerting older readers to ways in which content changes over time by referencing the publication date and current concerns. It's an awareness that should be shared with young readers regarding nonfiction content and also publication dates in every subject area.

My own ambivalence about the man is unchanged, but I appreciate his obsession with nature, and birds in particular. His guides remain near my window and are a welcome gift to new birders. This picture book could be the start of a lifelong interest for young ones interested in art, nature, and especially birds!

TOGETHER WE SWIM: Don't Miss This!

 I am a genuine fan of author Valerie Bolling. Since her picture book debut she has consistently captured everyday magic in lives of young children and families, with a special gift for starring Black families within scenarios that once ignored them. Black Child Joy is authentically portrayed without glamour or exaggeration, and her titles welcome ALL children to recognize themselves within those  universal situations, emotions, and developmental learning stages. I reviewed her earlier title, TOGETHER WE RIDE, here, including my "rememory" (thank you, Toni Morrison for that priceless vocabulary addition) of learning to ride a bike with my dad.

Chronicle Books, 2023

A companion title has splashed on the scene, and it is equally welcome and celebrated: TOGETHER WE SWIM!, also illustrated by Kaylani Juanita. I'd like to say that learning to swim is a universal experience, since it is skill more vital to a long life/survival than bike riding and does not require much equipment. Sadly, some recent statistics indicate that about 70% of all Black Americans DO NOT know how to swim. (Check article here.)

Before my praise/raves for this book begins, I'll mention the dedications. 

From the author:

"For every child who's learned to swim and for those who one day will." 

And from the illustrator: 

"To Black mothers, aunties, grandmothers, and guardians. We celebrate the entirety of you."

These captured some of my favorite aspects of this new offering. The portrayals of a new-learning child in a family of successful swimmers is ideal, especially in his ambivalence of eagerness and anxious concern. It is the mom, in this case, who does the direct instructing and provides hands-on support that allows the child to take that first dip, to grip and eventually release, to risk and trust, to succeed. The rest of his supportive family notices, cheers, and welcomes him to their world of confidence and joy in the watery world, a second happy habitat for life and joy. 

All that can be found in images, including expressive features and body language, watery effects that begin and end on end papers, and a resolve that extends the learning of new things into a family bonding moment that stays with you. 

But that visual narrative only enhances Bolling's brilliant rhymed text. Those of us who write picture book text often hear (and repeat) only a slice of the message we receive from agents and publishers: "not interested in rhymed text". The ENTIRE message is actually more true, and Bolling's crisp, creative, compelling rhymed titles prove the rule: No one wants to read attempted rhymed text unless it is precisely written in rhyme and meter, unless it tells the story better than prose would, unless it reads well aloud and in natural language. Bolling is not an exception to a rule,  she proves it. Rhymed picture book text that was well done is ALWAYS welcome, especially in families with young children. Since her first picture book was published a few years ago she continues to create lively language, gaining fans among readers and those who MAKE books..

A brief example:

"Toe dip,"

"Side grip"

TOGETHER WE SWIM, Interior Spread

I'll bet those four words generate your own "rememories" of making your way into a pool before learning to swim. They're all that are needed for the first two double page spreads, in which we meet this young man and his family, swimming along on his journey. By my count the entire text is 76 words, each perfectly achieving  exactly what it should; no more, no less. The two-to-three word lines in rhymed couplets allow young readers to chime in, to read along, to eventually read on their own with the same gradual acquisition of skill and growth in confidence that this swimmer displays. 

Don't waste another moment of summer before reading and sharing this delightful book. And check in your community to see if there are ways you can support the teaching of swimming in Black communities for all ages. Like riding a bike, it's never too late to learn!

A few years ago I had several swimsuits in great condition but not being used. I checked and found an elementary school that sponsored after-school swimming lessons but found some unable to participate due to lack of swimsuits or the means to buy them. I was able to make those lessons possible for a half dozen kids and adults at no cost to me other than dropping off those suits or mailing them to an address they provided. 

CHALLAH DAY! Delicious and Fun for Everyone

If "challah" bread is not familiar to you, think about Brioche, Hawaiian Bread, or any other bread made with a basic yeast dough enriched with egg, oil, and (often) sweetener. Some also use a bit of honey and other tasty additions in the recipe. When prepared and served as challah bread, it is braided in a variety of loaf or ring shapes. 

Image courtesy of King Arthur Flour

Pronunciation of challah bread in English commonly renders the initial /c/ as silent, HAH` luh. The word is actually Hebrew, in which the initial sound and accent are not the same as in English, with /ch/ having a throaty sound, closer to a breathy cough. Khul AHH`. 

A new picture book offering is thoroughly Americanized, using brief rhymed text and big-eyed,  comic-style illustrations of the family and  their dog. In that context, this title CHALLAH DAY!  produces a pun in standard American English, for HOLIDAY. In fact, that's what first caught my attention.

Holiday House, 2023

CHALLAH DAY! is written by Charlotte Offsay and illustrated by Jason Kirschner. That photorealistic challah loaf on the cover appears on the title page, the cookbook cover in illustrations, and on other pages throughout. It features the rich golden (egg-brushed) crust, the knobby shape and yeasty rise from braiding, evoking an appetite-boosting sense of how that loaf would smell, fresh out of the oven. 

There was a time in this country that the only way to try challah bread was to make it yourself or live near a Jewish bakery. The luxurious taste, textures and versatility have brought it into nationwide supermarkets, bakeries, and restaurants, even when not labeled with the name of its Jewish origins. Weekly Sabbath/Shabat meals on Fridays after sunset provide the traditional celebratory reason for having a challah-making-day on a weekly basis.It also stars on the table for other Jewish holidays (with the exception of Passover, for which yeast/leavening may not be used).

This  text and its vibrant illustrations provide  a fantastic way to introduce the meaning, making, and savoring of challah bread in one family's life. It will likely inspire families (or singles) to try making it at home, since a straightforward recipe and advice appear in the back pages. Don't be intimidated by the prospect of making homemade bread, even if you've never done so before. Don't let the braiding process deter your efforts, either. This enriched recipe yields a stretchy, stable dough that supports amateur attempts. You can also find countless Youtube videos with walk-through directions for braiding in simple or elaborate ways. In this book, the two young siblings manage braiding with numbered images, so you certainly can do it. 

The rhymed text and simple illustrations comprise a series of spreads showing "how-to" with step-by-step simplicity, including spills or splashes. Also noted is that slices of challah bread make exceptional French toast. Challah bread is an ideal example of ways in which cultural and religious traditions are more universal than we might otherwise think. Rather than viewing anyone "other than" our own families or communities as "others", books like this one encourage us to draw a circle of open-mindedness, to consider what anyone might have or do from which we can learn. I recently featured a book (OUT AND ABOUT)  that exemplifies a Jewish value of giving to those in need, especially doing so anonymously and consistently. Now that's a value that we should all share, right? The familiar expression to "break bread together" means to welcome, to trust, to enjoy the company of others. Try sharing this wonderful new book with others, and making a loaf or four for yourselves!

A SMART, SMART SCHOOL- Perfect For Fall!

HARPER COLLINS, 2023

 Whether you've read Sharon Creech's earlier A FINE FINE SCHOOL or not (but I hope you have), this companion/sequel book features a wiser principal, Mr. Keane, and the irrepressible TILLIE (student) in the same fine school. In fact, the opening lines reference that it is, indeed, A FINE FINE SCHOOL, with several spreads revealing that this involves creativity, imagination, and collaborative learning.All taking place under the proud and watchful eye of that enllightened principal.

 In this title, though, that now-beloved principal is rushed to the hospital for an appendectomy. His replacement views such frivolous, indirect activity as foolishness, requiring testing, testing, testing. All day. All week. 

No cards or banners or song-writing may continue under his thumb, even though the students are all eager to deliver their greetings and good wishes for recovery to the hospital to present to Mr. Keane. After-school time is loaded with non-stop study for the many tests to come.

HARPER COLLINS,  2003

In this sequel/companion picture book, Tillie is not the single-handed spokes-girl. Instead the entire school, exhausted students and teachers alike, use their Saturday morning to visit and stage a Mr. Keane greeting on the lawn outside his ward. 

Certainly, the ending is satisfying and fun, and that fine school is both fine and SMART once Mr. Keane resumes the reins.

A SMART, SMART SCHOOL, written by award-winning Sharon Creech and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan, makes a brilliant parent night book for back-to-school, for all grades and ages. Often their highest concerns are for the success of their own children, but that translates as test scores. My experience tells me  that these crafts, songs, poems, banners,  and other initiatives are not wasting time, nor are they simply "break" activities. Using creative processes in the course of the day actually elevates learning, motivation, and understanding, all reflected in those occasionally necessary test scores.

What an excellent discussion to have with parents and students in the starting months and throughout the school year.

Please note that the original book was illustrated by the incomparable Harry Bliss. These illustrations by Semmirdzhan are charmingly effective in capturing the scenes and moods of the first book, along with providing a dose of second-look-worthy details on many pages.

Love it.

August Dog Days... Time For HOT DOG by Doug Salati

 Late July and early August has always been seen as the hottest of weather (in the northern hemisphere), tagged as "Dog Days". (Click to learn more about the history of this phrase and the patterns of summer in Almanac.com.) I spent several of those "dog days" viewing the annual (now virtual) SCBWI summer conference. A featured creator was Doug Salati, the author/illustrator for HOT DOG, winner of the latest Caldecott Gold Medal and the EZRA JACK KEATS gold, both for picture books of extraordinary visual narratives.

Albert A Knopf, 2022

In a conference keynote, Salati described his creative process for HOT DOG. Those who might assume that making a picture book is a simple process should have heard his account. Click his name above to see the many books he has successfully created/illustrated and you'll note that he features both artistic talent and undeniable skill at visual storytelling. Even his covers indicate reveal what lies under the covers and also the celebratory nature of his colors and lines. You might have assumed that this was a smooth creation story. 

It was not.

His persistent efforts to bring this little dog's beach romp to readers required many revisions, major and minor. Ultimately, the little canine becomes an unforgettable character. Opening endpapers feature  line sketches in the many poses a dog adopts to begin its day, while final endpapers sketch those just-before-well-earned-sleep poses at the end of its long, hot,  joyous day.

As you might imagine, an apartment-dwelling city dog would welcome a leash walk to help its busy person while doing chores on hot urban streets. Minimal but superb text:

"concrete 

crumbles

sirens 

screech"

and wonderfully intense vertical panels of "street scenes" positioned as Triptych or Diptych images draw readers right onto those streets. Waiting is hard, surfaces are scorch-y, and this hot dog is overwhelmed by a steaming, screaming city that is"

 "too close! 

too loud! 

too much!"

HOT DOG, 2022. Interior spread

Some who are reading this will recall exactly those same reactions. Certainly small children will! The transition from being a tag-along companion for adult business shifts early in the book when dog puts its foot down (actually, belly down) in the middle of a crosswalk. Nonverbal communication is superb. Only then does the woman at the other end of the leash gain her new perspective. The remainder of the book reveals a spontaneous taxi ride and train/subway journey to arrive at space, sand, water... relief! 

The jubilant dog romps and revels, then locates and shares countless bits of this landscape with the woman, who savors the relief of sea breeze and boisterous joy by treasuring those tokens, presented with such wagging love.

I hope this summary, in more words than Salati used in the entire book, will entice you to take a look for yourselves. Have no fear that I've spoiled the plot, since that slim text and those rich illustrations hold many surprises, including a very satisfying and heartwarming ending. And yes, even on the hottest city streets, a story like this will chill your mood from the initial intensity so that warming your heart is a welcome reaction. 

Jagged nerves, weariness, and furry-bodied exhaustion find their ideal antidotes in the pages of this book. I am convinced you will, too. With such stellar awards to its credit, you can be sure I'm not alone in singing its praises. I hope you will join the chorus.

While HOT DOG may sound like the ideal summer review, I'm months overdue at sharing it here. Please don't delay even a bit in getting your hands on it and sharing it widely, sooner rather than later.

INTERVIEW: Liza Wiemer, Author of OUT AND ABOUT: A Tale of Giving

 

KALANIOT BOOKS. August, 2023

Happy Book Birthday 

 OUT AND ABOUT: A TALE OF GIVING

It's my pleasure and honor to introduce you to LIZA WIEMER, the author of  a wonderful new picture book that released today: OUT AND ABOUT: A Tale of Giving.

As you no doubt noticed, the cover looks like this is a winter/holiday offering, perhaps getting a jump on the season. But don't be fooled. Let the chilly scene wrap itself around you during these hot-weather days, but also cuddle into the underlying story. It is one that will warm your heart and also make clear that the family's spirit and grace are practices suited to every day, every way, every season, every climate.

Last week I offered my review of the book itself, HERE. I was not alone in praising this important story. Kirkius review had this to say about it, in part: (Click to read more.)

"A beautiful and thoughtful message woven into 

a brief yet poignant story."

Liza was kind enough to make time on this exciting release day to share some thoughts about this career achievement and her insights about the story. 

SB: Liza, your work quality and voice for teen readers (and adults!) has been firmly established. What made you want to write a picture book for younger readers and their families? 

LW: Thank you so much, Sandy, for the opportunity to be on your blog and to answer these outstanding questions.

This picture book was inspired by a story my grandfather told me about his childhood and took me over 20 years to get published. The value of giving to others in need is one that is deeply important to me, one that I have shared with my children. When I taught preschool, I used to tell this story to my students, and they loved it. That motivated me to write it.

 

SB:There is a fine line between writing a book to “teach” a lesson and writing a book that touches hearts to reveal important ideas and values. With the thousands of words available to a novelist, writers have room to finesse that line. In writing picture books, your word count is drastically less. This is not unlike writing poetry, even when not rhyming. Missteps between telling readers what to think or feel and allowing readers to discover or conclude those thoughts and feelings are beyond awkward- actually painful to read for many readers. A real turn-off. How did you manage to negotiate that territory so successfully?

 

LW: This was something I thought about a lot during the writing process. I knew Daniel had to have his “ah-ha” moment but struggled with how to make that happen. A conversation with a college professor who analyzes picture books spurred on the final idea of how Daniel figures out what his parents are doing. Along the way, however, I wanted Daniel to reflect while also having fun using his imagination. I want kids to use their imaginations and decide what they think Dad and Mom put in the boxes that they gave away to help others.

 

SB: Was your  prior experience in writing poetry/free verse at all helpful in developing text for this picture book? You used repletion of phrases, cycles of awareness, and found a very effective resolve on the last page. Were you conscious of those patterns and other approaches to the text from prior writings, or did that all need to come to you fresh for work in a picture book?

 

LW: I don’t think I consciously was making that connection between my love for free verse poetry and the writing in this picture book, but now that you mention it, that’s an outstanding observation. I read my picture book out loud multiple times, listening for cadence and readability. The repetition of “out and about” was important because we want the reader to be able to answer the question posed by Daniel’s brother at the end of the book: Where did you go? And, of course, the answer was “Out and about.”  

 

SB: Since this picture book story was on such a longtime journey to reach young readers, is it a “one-and-done” in this format or are there others in the works that you'd be willing to share with us? 

 

LW: I have a few more ideas I would love to see become picture books. But for now, I’m keeping them hush-hush.

 

SB: That's very understandable. After all, allowing this story-of-your-heart the time it deserved to work its way onto the page has had a beautiful result. I know you’ve spent many hours working directly with young readers regarding your writing and theirs, but that has mainly been with teens. Have you had an opportunity to share this new picture book  with younger readers yet? If so, what was memorable about that/those experiences? If not, how do you plan to approach those groups?

 

LW: Great question! Other than sharing the story with my preschool students and family, I haven’t had the opportunity to read it to kids! I’m excited to do so. I love the illustrations. 

\

Interior spread, OUT AND ABOUT. Kalaniot Books, 2023

 

SB: I agree completely about the illustrations enhancing your text and inviting young audiences to put themselves into Daniel's shoes. I feel like the images entirely capture the idea that Daniel totally imagined that there might be exciting things for HIM in those boxes. His imagination definitely followed a typical young person's point of view, and that he did not seem to be greedy, just curious, excited, and typical of his age. That's another fine point of balance you achieved with this central character.

Thank you again, Liza, for sharing your time and insights with readers here. I want to add a reminder that the author note in back matter shares more details about the origins of this story in your own life. There is also additional information about Jewish cultural/religious values and practices and a brief glossary. 

Learn more about Liza Wiemer and her upcoming appearances, projects, contact information, and  teaching/discussion resources on her website, HERE.

 https://www.lizawiemer.com

Twitter:  @LizaWiemer

Instagram: LIzaWiemer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liza.wiemer

TikTok: lizamwiemer  

I hope you'll explore any of the above sources to learn more about Liza's writing journey, to view interviews and videos, and to check her calendar for appearances near you.

Mostly, as Levar Burton always said on Reading Rainbow,

"Don't take my word for it, read!"

 

THE QUEEN OF CHESS, and the POWER of Passion

 For many years in my teaching career, I was my school's designated CHESS QUEEN. Not because of any skill or aptitude. I know enough about chess to know how truly unskilled I am. But I also knew enough about chess to introduce new-to-chess eight- and nine-year-olds to the basics during their weekly "activity choice" gatherings after lunch. My qualifications include that I was the only volunteer for this topic. Thus, I was CHESS QUEEN in a very small kingdom. For eight Fridays in a row, my classroom became a hive of players ranging from those who knew more than I did about the fine points of chess to those who thought chess was checkers with fancy pieces. It was exciting to see how those who knew nothing gained ground week by week, and those who knew a great deal still grew- sometimes to find that they had mis-learned some elements of the game. All exited that quarter loving chess and finding interested partners. Each subsequent quarter a new group arrived, so that by the end of the year, every child had learned the basics of chess.

little bee books, 2023

THE QUEEN OF CHESS: How Judit Pogår Changed the Game is an artful and inspiring account of the woman who deserves that title on the world stage. The art by Stevie Lewis gives Judit the royal treatment from her earliest ages through each stage of life and on every page of competition or daily life. The illustrator captures the intensity and masterful mind behind this queen, one whose power of anaylsis, study, memory, psychology, and courage match the undeniable strength of the queen-piece on a chess board. Lewis also uses scene and image details to inform and explore the era of the late 2000's, as well as life in a seemingly typical Budapest apartment with a loving family. 

Author Laurie Wallmark has gained well-deserved acclaim for her thorough research and recounting of many noted women in math and science, some well-know and some lesser-known, including  SOPHIE KOWALEVSKI, THE QUEEN OF MATHEMATICS (reviewed here), CODE BREAKER, SPY HUNTER, (reviewed here), and GRACE HOPPER, QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODES (here) among other wonderful picture books, with more to come.

Wallmark's efficient and informative text captures the clarity of focus and high expectations Judit felt, powered by her own curiosity and competitive nature but also revealing the warmth of her chess-mastering siblings and parents. Just when I was wondering if perhaps her singular concentration on chess success might have been isolating, Wallmark and Lewis reveal her wide-ranging interests and playful approaches to the game she loved and mastered.

It is no spoiler to note that Judit achieved her goals, becoming national champion, and also the youngest chess grandmaster at that time, defeating long-reigning Bobby Fischer. Wallmark's back matter is a worthy read, providing a dated timeline/lifeline for Judit (still alive) and also a simple introduction to the basics of a chess board and how it relates to mathematical thinking. She makes the case in very few words that chess players and mathematicians share many thinking attributes and analytical skills, not to mention high level and social/emotional skills. 

As a chess queen of the lowliest sort, I add my praise to THE CHESS QUEEN and urge you to read it.  I strongly recommend that every child be offered a chance to learn chess. Some may find the magical fascination with it that marked Judit's life and success, but most will find it fun and satisfying to have unlock the secrets behind those squares and fancy characters. Once learned, the game and the thinking practices stay with you through life.

The queen has spoken!

OUT and ABOUT: A Story of Giving

 If the name of author Liza Wiemer is familiar to you, it could well be from her contemporary teen novel THE ASSIGNMENT. It's an award-winning and globally successful story inspired by actual events in this last decade. If you haven't read it, I urge you to do so. 

It is often said/presumed that novelists and others who write for teens and adults struggle to write picture book text. In extended prose, the author needs to "illustrate" everything the reader needs to know and feel and consider with language.  In picture books, the text is not only drastically lower in word count, but each word must earn its place on the page. The text must also allow the illustrator  the space and respect and trust that visual narratives will not just mirror the text but provide as much or more of the storytelling as the words do. That is a challenging task for the illustrators but also for the author to determine what needs to be said with words and what does not. Wiemer has succeeded beautifully with her first endeavor into picture books. Her text and illustrator Margeaux Lucas achieve that masterful interaction of text and images that convey the heart and soul of a wonderful story. 

Kaliot Books.  August, 2023

OUT AND ABOUT: A Tale of Giving is written by award-winning author Liza Wiemer and illustrated by Margeaux Lucas. There is so much to enjoy about a well-told story in a picture book format, and this new offering provides both entertainment and heartwarming life lessons without being didactic. 

The illustrations, of course, enhance the qualities of Daniel and his family's relationships, which are both loving and supportive but also realistic in the personalities and playful approaches of their interactions. Daniel's keen observations, insatiable curiosity, and vivid imagination reveal a believable boy who sees any mysterious box as potentially fulfilling his dreams. 

Eventually, though, that observational curiosity allows him to put puzzle pieces together and realize that other peoples’ dreams matter, too. That's especially true when life circumstances place hurdles in the way of happiness. I especially enjoyed that Daniel developed his growing understanding and chose steps forward to participate in kindness without relying on prompts or explanations from the adults or older siblings. His final page decision about how to respond to the curiosity of his younger brother was a satisfying confirmation of the change he had embraced.

This narrative involves an accessible amount of text with page placement and font sizes resembling short passages of longer, full text. That is a great match for Daniel's character and for the skills of target readers' ages. It also reaches readers at their own developmental capacity to take the same steps of logic and empathy as Daniel does. 

A brief glossary, simple explanation/quiz about the Jewish principles of giving, MAIMONIDES’ EIGHT LEVELS OF TZEDAKAH, and a short author note expand this particular Jewish family experience into an informative resource as well as an opportunity to reflect on the universal value of giving in ways large, small, publicly magnanimous, and generously anonymous. 

Author Liza Wiemer writes from her heart at every level, and she has agreed to answer several interview questions about this story and its origins in a post on her BOOK BIRTHDAY, August 15.

 

Until then… stay generous and giving in the best possible ways.

 

 

ARMANDO'S ISLAND: Interview With Author Marsha Diane Arnold

CREATIVE EDITIONS, 2023

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to a new and important picture book, ARMANDO'S ISLAND, and to its creators, Marsha Diane Arnold and illustrator, Anne Yvonne Gilbert. 

Marsha Diane Arnold

 It has been my pleasure and an honor to review this impressive new offering (HERE) and several other previous titles by Arnold, HERE and HERE. She has kindly agreed to discuss some of my questions and I'm delighted to share that conversation with readers today, on LAUNCH DAY for ARMANDO's ISLAND.

SB: Thanks for taking time to respond to my questions, Marsha. ARMANDO’S ISLAND is such a lovely, lush, and important new picture book that I’m imagining you are quite busy celebrating its release today. I'll get right into it so you can go back to cake and tropical treats!.

Which came first for you in this writing- the topic of the rainforest, the character Armando, or something else? Readers love hearing the story behind a story.

 

MDA:  

First, I should explain that I wrote this story over twenty years ago. I don’t have a lot of my early notes. I’ve always loved nature and wildlife. I feel most at home in nature, surrounded by wildlife. I’ve been involved for decades with organizations that work to preserve nature and our precious wildlife. For me to write a story, a fable really, about the destruction of the rainforest, was not a big leap. To answer your question, I started with the rainforest and its wildlife

SB:  From that response, I wonder if you could share more about your research process and decisions in terms of writing fiction or nonfiction, writing realistic contemporary or taking a slightly fantastical/magical approach? How did you “land” on the storytelling approach here?

 

MDA:

I’m a storyteller at heart. I enjoy writing fiction stories and I often use anthropomorphic animals.  I feel young children naturally relate to stories and talking animals. In my Lights Out, also from Creative Company, I wanted to write about how light pollution affects animals, but I didn’t want to do it with non-fiction. I chose to write the tale of a group of animals, searching together for Darkness, trying to escape the constant light that surrounded them. So too I decided to write a fable-like story of the rainforest and its destruction. 

 

My memory is that I wrote this story fairly quickly and didn’t research extensively. I already knew what was happening in the rainforest. I already knew a bit about the wildlife that lived in the rainforest. I needed a setting and I did think about other places, like Indonesia, but the wildlife of the Amazon rainforest called to me. 

 

But your questions caused me to think again. I have almost no notes on my computer, but I wrote the story over two decades ago. I searched my file cabinet and lo and behold! There, in a drawer rarely opened, was a long forgotten file entitled Armando’s Island. In it I found a 1993 note from the World Wildlife fund about tropical rain forests! I found a brochure from the Rainforest Alliance, information from Amazon Watch, and notes I’d taken from other books about the rainforest. I was probably collecting information for years before I sat down to write. This often happens with me. An idea tumbles in my head for months or years, I collect information as I come across it, and finally sit down to write the story.

 

SB: An aside... I recently moved and downsized many things, but transported some of my own writing files (hard copies), even ones I hadn't opened for years. Your response encourages me to think that I might one day be glad i did. Thank you.

 Back to the subject at hand...

Do you dream of the rainforest, of visiting it, of returning to it? Do other habitats and global destinations call to you?

MDA: 

My husband and I had a tiny casita in Costa Rica for a time. It was near the forest. Toucans, peccaries, and monkeys surrounded us. To me, that was heaven. And yes, I’d love to visit more rainforests around the world. The setting of my first book, Heart of a Tiger, was India, yet I’ve never visited. Besides the Amazon, I’ve longed to visit India and see a tiger in the wild.

 

SB: My review mentioned the challenges felt by individual protectors standing strong against more wealthy and powerful forces. Would you share your thoughts about that, and about how young readers might retain their purpose and determination when feeling very small or helpless?

 

MDA: I think we all feel small and helpless against the forces of destruction. My May 2023 book One Small Thing had this exact theme. It’s a “cozy” book, even though Raccoon loses his home to a lightning strike in it. The other animals don’t know how to help, until they each realize that they don’t have to do something big.  Just one small thing will benefit. All those small things together can make a big difference. Each of us can do “one small thing” to help the rainforest, whether it’s eating local beef and fruits or avoiding products with palm oil. Perhaps, most importantly, we can start by learning about the rainforests and their wildlife. When we learn about them, we will care. Only when we care, will we have the will to do something.

 

I’m currently working on an Activity Guide for Armando’s Island. That will be one way to learn about the rainforest and how to protect it. I hoped to have the guide on my website by launch day, but it is likely to be available be early September as schools resume.

 

SB: Is there something else about this book that you’d like readers to know?

 

MDA: 

The illustrations are magnificent. As my grandson says, “They’re so detailed.” Anne Yvonne Gilbert is a world-renowned illustrator and I am humbled to have had her do the illustrations for Armando’s Island. If you, like me, can’t fly off to a rainforest right now, just open Armando’s Island and sit for awhile with the beautiful wildlife Anne Yvonne has painted.

 

SB: I can't wait to do that very thing. (I reviewed a file of the book.) My preordered copy should arrive today!

I have no doubt that you are busy celebrating the release of this wonderful new book, but you are also likely to be involved in writing/planning for new works and upcoming releases. Are you able to share any news or hint at some sprouts?

 

MDA: The truth is that I’ve had two books come out this year and with all the PR for those, plus the manuscript consultations I do for other writers, I’ve had little time to work on my own projects. However, I did sell a manuscript in January that I am very excited about. It hasn’t been announced, so sadly, I can’t share about it quite yet. It is non-fiction, most unusual for me, but it’s not about a person or an animal. Wait until you see! Look for it in spring 2025! 

 

I do have several stories I am eager to begin work on or finish up. A couple of those are about animals. Probably not a surprise.

 

Thank you so much, Sandy, for your interest in my work and the rainforest!

 

SB: Diane, I am so grateful for having this opportunity to share the book and your responses with readers here. Thank you again for sharing your time and thoughts. Congratulations on the importance and success of this latest release, and the upcoming new title-- I'm so excited to learn more!

Readers, you can read my recent review HERE, and praise from others HERE, and HERE.

 

Marsha Diane Arnold

Website: www.marshadianearnold.com

Social media access:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarshaDArnold/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshaDianeArnoldAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshadianearnoldauthor/

 

 

 

 

 

ARMANDO'S ISLAND: Trust Your Values

 

CREATIVE EDITIONS, 2023

Author Marsha Diane Arnold has produced another sure-to-be-classic picture book, ARMANDO'S ISLAND,  whose narrative and illustrations will entrance readers of any age. The cover itself is an invitation to immerse ourselves in the incomparable home of flora, fauna, and a young character who is wise beyond his years.

Readers first meet Armando as he breaks the fourth wall by aiming his gaze at YOU, the reader, who has found him in his home. Arnold's direct yet lyrical text incorporates accurate rainforest terms and descriptions, nestled within a heart-tugging fictional tale about the power of purpose in Armando's life. By connecting so strongly with readers through text and images, they, too, will experience that purpose. Rich with sensory detail, even though written as a third person narrative, the unfolding text channels Armando's daily life so intimately that it opens readers to sensing "the leaves crunching beneath him", "mud squishing between toes", and the intimate connection he feels to this leafy refuge.

From the pre-narrative note about Armando's responsibility for a specific small tract within the rainforest, to the title page art which gently frames his home in a heart-shaped form, the mood is set to fall in love with the rainforest and root for everything Armando loves. Even before the main text begins.

Within the first few page turns we note that Armando has grown from a boy to a young man who treasures those early years of his life and the ways in which the rainforest continues to offer him peace and security. He (through the high-stakes text) perceives whirring chainsaws, rumbling trucks, flames, and other ominous signs closing in from all directions. This raises the stakes for him and for readers. Within single lines of text, various creatures "no longer..." (text describes typical behaviors), providing information about rainforest inhabitants while sustaining emotional investment and growing concern for their welfare.

In a classic "storymagician" approach, three sets of "others" make their ways to Armando to offer every conceivable option in exchange for his increasingly isolated "island" of rainforest. In each case Armando considers, respectfully, but declines. In each case, surrounding parcels that are lost to development lead creatures from those areas to take refuge within Armando's territory. The conclusion does not surprise, in terms of Armando's choices or the resulting effect on the wildlife. Instead it affirms and reassures readers. If anything manages to suspend belief it is that his rights and wishes prevailed, since that is so seldom the case when money and power are involved. This, though, merits our trust and confidence, since a single read-through will leave us with shock and chagrin that ANYONE would destroy such a treasure. I can't imagine anyone reading this book only once. EVERYONE must move through cynicism to believe, and HOPE, as Armando does, that the siren song of rainforest awareness might one day reawaken in those who have lost sight of what has real value. 

Back matter provides brief paragraphs about some of the animals whose presence and behaviors appear within the narrative. 

I can't resist spending some moments on the incredibly skilled and beguiling illustrations of Anne Yvonne Gilbert.  The intricate details, layered lives, emotional energy, and delightful demeanors that weave themselves into each scene invite readers to experience indirectly as many elements of a rainforest habitat as those who live within it. Any single spread could be displayed as a work  of art, yet the shifting perspectives, maturing Armando, distressed and desperate animals, and determined intruders contribute immensely to the page-turning power of this story. Although I often insist on not having favorites among many decades of picture book loves, I will always include Lynne Cherry's THE GREAT KAPOK TREE: A Tale of the Rainforest among my "Best of ALL Time" listings. (Clarion Books, 2000). If you haven't read it, please do, and consider "voicing" the animals who speak in the boy's dream in ways that mirror their natural sounds. Feel the urgency of those desperate KAPOK TREE residents as they beg for protection of their singular, remarkable home. It, too, is a sort of island of survival within a rainforest. 

ARMANDO'S ISLAND stands strong and proud in the long wake of this classic picture book. It offers just as much allure and emotional depth while informing and inviting participation by the reader in important decisions about the preservation of the rainforest. In this case, the animals speak only through their compelling expressions and natural impulse to seek survival within a shrinking habitat. Armando is wide awake to the reality of what is being offered to him and what the consequences of his choices would mean. This new offering, like Cherry's more fanciful account, is informational fiction at its best.

Aramano's Island is available for preorder HERE.  I am grateful to Marsha Diane Arnold for agreeing to respond to several questions and will share our conversation in a future post on August 8, the release date. I hope you'll check in to see what she has to say about writing this remarkable text.