UNSTOPPABLE JOHN! Tribute to a Man, to Libraries, to Books

My recent break here is the consequence of a stubborn head cold, which continues to slow me down. Even so, this remarkable book demands that I share it with you. So, inspired by UNSTOPPABLE JOHN, my post was not stopped, just delayed. 

New picture books are coming out all the time, so keeping up can be a challenge. That's one reason why I only write about select titles, choosing those that stand out (to me) and appeal in particular ways that I think readers here will appreciate. After focusing on nonfiction works for the CYBILS AWARDS (see our finalists selections HERE) , I was especially eager to consider fictional material. But UNSTOPPABLE JOHN: How John Lewis Got His Library Card-- and Helped Change History is a long-awaited title that deserves the spotlight!

VIKING, 2025

Newly released UNSTOPPABLE JOHN is written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Jerry Jordan. Both are talented creators, and their talents blend perfectly on this project. For those meeting John Lewis for the first time, his love of reading, learning, books, and fairness will undoubtedly resonate with aspects of their own contemporary lives. The launching of this story finds Lewis as an impoverished young teen, longing for books, enough "to fill a room and spill into the hallway". He was well aware that libraries were such places, but also aware of the unjust rules that prevented anyone of color from having access to a library card. Even so, he requested one, was refused, and used that episode in his first official protest-- a letter to seek change.

To someone with my own history, someone near his age and aware of Lewis's activism and Civil Rights leadership at the time he was rising to roles within the movement, that simple act of protest did not surprise me. In fact, it reminded me of  earlier accounts, RICHARD WRIGHT and the LIBRARY CARD (MIller/Christie, 1997) and RON'S BIG MISSION (Blue/Naden/Tate, 2009), which depict a struggle for access to books by other young people of color. Wright became an honored American author, and Ron became a NASA astronaut. Lewis, though, chose a path directly related to making changes in the overt and subtle rules and laws in this country that imposed such limits on any members of our society. His path involved activism, politics, writing, and speaking, all of which are wonderfully described and illustrated throughout. It's a history and legacy that deserves attention, described in  a back matter timeline. 

Throughout, the narrative and images incorporate the powerful drive Lewis followed throughout his life: books. He read them, wrote them, used their contents to support the positions he advocated throughout his life, and even married a librarian! The essential value of reading, of access to books, of public libraries (now, too often, under attack) are at the heart of this new picture book and of John Lewis's life. The text is both accessible and comprehensive, incorporating Miller's talent for rhythm and appeal ("stopping by is not the same as stopping") and Jordan's images that depict Lewis in action as a boy/young man and then on into years of public service. The scenes and details in both text and images incorporate books, including standing in long lines to wait to register to vote and in lunchroom protests. Books anchor and center Lewis's strength and influence.

For most readers, this might be an introduction to John Lewis. His collaboration in writing a trilogy of graphic books, MARCH, Books One, Two, and Three, gained accolades and awards aplenty, and justly so. Anyone seeking further information about the details and consequences of his long life should read these. I fully anticipate that this recent picture book about his life will gain such attention and praise. It deserves both, and to be read by everyone, every age.

Another side note:

As we approach February, Black History Month, this is a superb addition to home, school, and library collections. That certainly affected the timing of its release. Even so, please be sure to make this book available to young readers throughout the year, year after year.  I wrote about HERE.

A Labor Day Weekend Throwback

 When I considered which of many newer picture books I might feature this Labor Day, I realized that there are many super-suitable prior posts that I'd rather spotlight. 

For starters, HERE is a post that celebrates those "essential workers", many of whom may not be able to take a day off while the rest of us enjoy a holiday and long weekend. If you click, you will note that the post begins with a time marker for when it was written- thirteen days into social isolation in March, 2020, when the phrase "essential workers" first became ubiquitous. This rave review of multi-award-winning MARVELOUS CORNELIUS includes quotations from Martin Luther King, Jr., and none other than Janet Jackson!

Let's not forget the labor/efforts of sports figures, writers, artists, musicians, and other creatives. Consider the following prior posts that feature books about workers/creators and those who researched and shared their stories. Try any of these: BETH ANDERSON, OLYMPIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS, LOUISE BORGEOIS, DAVE THE POTTER, GAUDI, and the co-authored A GIRL CAN BUILD ANYTHING.

So, I feel no guilt about taking this throwback approach to my LABOR DAY post for 2023. I'm excited to imagine you might spend a bit of your free time to click on one or more of the links above to read about some of the remarkable people who are featured in or work to make those picture books.  My own work on this post and twelve-plus years of earlier posts  have been a labor of love. Over time, I've gathered additional readers to this blog, so the links above may be new to those of you who joined in more recently. Whatever you do with your time today, I I hope you will pause long enough to reflect on those who work on this day, or on any other day, to make your/our lives better. Including your own.The dignity and value of work, of labor, of collaborative effort are of infinite value in all of our lives. For some of my earliest reflections about the nature of LABOR DAY, including several terrific picture books, start your CLICKS HERE.

And happy LABOR DAY to you all. Stay safe!

POETRY Picture Books: From the Ridiculous to the Sublime

Technically, these are not both poetry books. In an award category, the first would be considered a poetry collection by a single author. The second is a concept picture book in rhyme. Both are illustrated in ways that enhance the text, both are smile-inducing, and both will appeal to a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and can be shared for many purposes. 

CAMERON KIDS, 2023

ANIMALS IN PANTS is written by Suzy Levinson and illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell This first picture book is, in case you had any doubt, the RIDICULOUS side of the title in the post. I spent many happy minutes simply imagining how the author/poet first explored that premise... What would I have to say about animals in pants? In poems? 

Well, the cover offers hints (and ha-ha's) to invite readers to open up and explore the poems and images inside. The front end papers pose the central question;

"WHAT? You've never seen an animal in pants?"

By the way, the closing end papers suggest there could be a sequel, with this question: "What? You've never seen animals in hats?" After reading this collection I'd happily enjoy that newer offering if it comes to pass.

Let me just say that the star of the title page is a bear in pants who reminds me of a lovable character in one of the earliest picture book collections of my childhood. So I was a fan from the start. Opposite that page are the dedications by the author (To Dan: I LOVE YOU MORE THAN LEGGINGS), and by the illustration pair, to their nieces and nephews (THANK YOU FOR WEARING PANTS). With a start like that, nothing could disappoint! 

An array of animals from the familiar (cats, dogs, squirrels, raccoons, etc.) to the exotic (snakes, antelopes, yaks) and concluding with a clever poem incorporating a surprise tailor.Each poem could become the favorite of a variety of readers of many ages, many lines are memorable enough to become memes, to spread smiles into grins, on to "let me read this to you" funny. So, this, dear readers, is my nominee as a ridiculously irresistible picture book of poems.

LITTLE BROWN & COMPANY, 2022

Next up, WHEN I'M WITH YOU, written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler, lands squarely in the SUBLIME half of the title. I have come to expect the very best from either of these creators, regardless of their partners in picture book creating. But when they pair their talents the results are often magical. (If you've missed earlier comments about their work together, check HERE for my thoughts about WHEREVER YOU GO and HERE for BE BRAVE!) 

MIller's picture book success is indisputable, and she has also established a strong following for her workshops and webinars to support and coach other writers of picture book text. In those settings and in program presentations I've heard her say that she seldom writes in rhyme. I'll share my thought that when she does, though, she knocks it out of the park. In several of those titles, her rhymed text works perfectly for the purpose of the book, while actively developing the full narrative for the story arc as it unfolds, page by page. in this case, that is true, but it is also true that individual stanzas could stand alone as independent poems that might be memorized and recited by a delighted child who falls in love with the language and sense of those lines. 

An example of one stanza I adore (among many of these) is this:

"You're the numbers of my set,

all the suns I don't know yet.

But if one plus one makes two,

I'm the one who goes with you."

If you assume that every stanza repeats that line prompt, you underestimate the skill and craft that guides Miller's writing, and Wheeler's visual narrative that propel these charming and diverse characters, including a dog-buddy pair, through many life experiences. The ending is satisfying and inspired, making this a kid-friendly picture book that's also a brilliant choice for friends of any age. That might be a friend moving away, a mentor-mentee gift of thanks, a parent-child gift as relationships mature beyond dependence to friendships, or an end-of-school-year gift to a very special teacher. This, though, is why I call it sublime. Whoever the audience, whatever the purpose, this is a picture book you won't want to miss.

A GIRL CAN BUILD ANYTHING: You'd Better Believe It!

Penguin/Random House/Viking, 2023

  A GIRL CAN BUILD ANYTHING is co-authored by a power-duo of writers who know kids well and write for them superbly,  e.E. Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller .  Illustrator Keisha Morris provides the perfect complement to the well-paced and inspiring text with intensely colorful and engagingly constructive  scenes, if you'll pardon the obvious pun. Images from envisioning possibilities to bringing dreams to the real world are action-based but reveal powerful emotional strengths as well..

"Girls" are shown to be young, teen, and adult, working in collaboration to innovate, renovate, design and build every manner of useful and creative items and structures. Tools of the trade (there I go again) are pictured and named within natural language and sequential images to provide models of success... and failure. 

Some of my favorite lines in the book follow such a failure:

"Take a breath.

Take a break.

Then...

try again.

Because failure

isn't final. 

It's where new

ideas are made."

A circle of girls, viewed from above, surrounds those words, joined as if in a familiar mantra of determination and persistence. Around the perimeter of their faces and enfolded arms are the tools they have used, will use, will master to make those dreams and ideas reality. 

In their present lives and in their own futures. 

As designers, collaborators, dreamers, and builders of better communities, structures, and a new world. 

Highly recommended for ALL readers. Girls of course, but equally valuable for youth of all identities.

Check out past reviews of some amazing women builders in posts HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Prolific (and Inspiring) Author PAT ZIETLOW MILLER'S Spring Picture Books

 I began my recent review of HOW CAN WE BE KIND? for toddlers and early readers (HERE) with a brief reference to Pat Zietlow Miller's NYT best-selling title, BE KIND (my Goodreads review HERE). The range of topics, themes, characters, and writing styles embraced in Miller's many picture books is impressive, and inspiring. In May and June alone she celebrates the release of THREE new titles, two of which are featured here. These two are particularly clear examples of her versatility and talent in exploring the intentions, audiences, and purposes for writing to make a perfect landing on the "just right" approach. She doesn't apply a formulaic personal style and yet her expert touch is evident in all her books. In my opinion (which is what this blog is all about, isn't it?) the most recognizable pattern in Miller's many picture books is her success in seamlessly weaving characters, text approaches, and voices into an effective whole. She utilizes these creative and craft skills in each particular book to achieve the story that she wants to tell, the intended impact, and to best reach the children she hopes will read/hear her content. 

QUILL TREE BOOKS, 2022

Both of Miller's new releases are contemporary and yet timeless. I was struck by her choices in point of view and voice for each. NOT SO SMALL, written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Paolo Escobar, features young people as the stars. Kids are front and center on every spread, but the action is achieved through a third-person narrator rather than  using a more predictable direct address to the young figures, a "YOU" approach. 

In this manner the narrator uses sentences with more general phrases like "one person", a "small voice", "talkers", "writers", and "walkers". This approach allows space for the illustrator to portray young people of diverse backgrounds in various activism scenes, ones in which every child will feel they are the object of the narrator's message. Physical differences, identities, and demeanors in illustrations naturally extol every child to find  themselves within its pages. Each remains "small", in contrast with enormous buildings and issues. The steps that each ONE can take are stated and viewed in practical terms, but yield a powerful impact as they combine their voices, efforts, and commitments to be "heard". They leave an impact that is "not small...at ALL." 

I grew up in the Viet Nam protest years, which included multiple other actions and causes  involving public demonstrations, petitions, and campaigns, both pro and con. At that time there were few if any young children visible in newspaper or media coverage, except, of course, for teens/college students who populated  most of these events. The noteworthy exception to that were some of the many CIVIL RIGHTS demonstrations, sit-ins, and even arrests which came to include children (See MARCHING FOR FREEDOM:Walk Together Children and Don't Grow Weary, written by Elizabeth Partrtidge: VIKING BYR, 2009). 

There were no picture books addressing protest activity, and certainly none placing children front and center. None that celebrated the strength and authority of young children acting and using their voices to make a difference in an enormous world, yet the one they inhabit and will inherit. The marchers and their causes in this picture book do not advocate for or against, do not specify topics or themes, but allow any young person who feels committed to matters close their hearts to believe in and pursue their ultimate ability to make a difference. This, in fact, is a call to seek out others, to act locally and gradually see their global connections. It is a powerful call to arm themselves with clarity of thinking, collaboration, determination, community action, and commitment. 

Roaring Brook Press, 2022

By contrast, Zietlow's other picture book of Spring, 2022, is SEE YOU SOMEDAY SOON, In this case the author also avoids a predictable direct address, second person voice. This voice would be suited, of course, indicating through narration an understanding of the universal feeling of missing someone special in our lives. 

Instead, the young character is drawn with cartoon-style ambiguity regarding gender and ethnic identity, while their longed-for elder loved one is never named specifically as a grandparent, but is obviously an elder who is loved and deeply missed. The text and specifics are intensely personal, and yet the impact hits the mark directly in the reader's heart. 

Illustrator Suzy Lee is enormously talented at packing seemingly simple scenes with vibrant but not glaring colors, while using her remarkable cut-out skills to showcase key words, doubling the impact of colors, words, and expressions with unexpected reveals and smiles. Missing someone deeply is universally experienced. This small child's first person plea and promise are throughly authentic for the character, resonating with both crushingly real longing and a comfortingly reassuring resolution that has not a syllable or hint of schmaltz. This is a book with a highly specific character speaking in an intimately personal voice. even so, it reads as if it is revealing each reader's personal experiences.

Neither of these picture books is better than the other, and neither should actually be compared to the other, except perhaps in a craft examination such as this has been. Each stands strong on its own footing and with its own integrity and appeal. In fact, each of Miller's titles merits close reading and analysis by anyone hoping to write memorable and remarkable picture books. That, though, is advice for adults, when reading for themselves. These are titles that could well be used in instructional work as mento9r text for voice in writing classes. 

But these are books fully intended for the enjoyment of young audiences, and those audiences are the true test of a successful picture book. Try either (no, BOTH) of these new titles with young readers and see what they have to say. Whatever voice they use, I'm predicting a unanimous round of cheers.

Candlewick   June, 2022

If you recall, I mentioned that Miller has a third picture book that released just a few days ago. This is the first of several she has co-authored with e.E. Charlton-Trujillo: LUPE LOPEZ, ROCK STAR RULES.  Don't miss this new title, since it it the first of several upcoming books starring the irrepressible and lovable LUPE LOPEZ- kindergarten  rock star!

HOW CAN WE BE KIND? An IMPORTANT Question.

 

The premise on which I launched this blog more than a decade ago is that picture books are for every age and should NEVER be considered just a "stage" that children move through and leave behind once they can read chapter books, even early ones. (I won't elaborate or link my thoughts on that, but if you are new to this blog, scroll down my archives and read a few posts from the earliest days of posting in which I actively present my point of view.) 

I have reviewed here many of the picture books by talented Pat Zietlow Miller, but not her New York Times best-selling BE KIND (Illustrated by Jen HIll). I love it and keep a stock of copies on hand to use as gifts, but readers were obviously finding it without  needing a boost from me. In it, Miller's kind-hearted main character struggles with the central question: "What does it mean to be kind?". The age of the characters, with a layered plot and interactions, make that book an excellent choice for sharing  and discussion with individuals and groups who are school age (and older!).

Frances Lincoln Children's Books, July 2022

That's why I'm excited to celebrate a new picture book by the equally talented and prolific Janet Halfmann, HOW CAN WE BE KIND? Wisdom from the Animal Kingdom. Her title question explores the same premise, but frames nonfiction text with animal groups as examples of ways that little ones can recognize in their own lives and those of their families and communities. Illustrated by talented Darla Okada,  this text incorporates global animal groups as examples of instinctive behaviors that increase the survival and comfort and FUN of living in groups and communities. While a few of the samples will be familiar to North American audiences, most will be new to little viewers (and their adult readers!), yet they subtly expand our awareness that caring for others, benefitting from companionship, support and security, is a universal and natural way to live. 

It is also a delight for those audiences who are still lap-sized, with no personal connection to the school scenes and situations in which the Miller's story unfolds. That's a fine way to reveal that academic world in a gentle and comfortable way while revealing that answers don't all come from walking through school doors or through direct instruction while seated at a desk. Some of the most important life lessons are learned through respectful interactions with others.

What I celebrate in this new offering  is the language and format of Halfmann's latest, both  perfectly suited to the littlest eyes, ears, and experiences. The opening spread frames the question with human faces of many ages and ethnicities/identities, visually confirming that people of every kind can find ways to answer this seemingly simple question in the following pages.  Double page spreads reveal that question with images of a particular species demonstrating caring behaviors, followed by more double-page-spreads with  different species before returning to that central question. Each turn provides the name of the animals shown within the natural text of the questions and responses, framed as "We can __________ like ________". Those things /ways we can be kind are accessible and natural in everyday life, offering even the youngest toddlers an opportunity to consciously choose to "be kind" as the ubiquitous mantra extols us to be. The things we can learn include looking after each other, sharing, making others feel welcome, working as teams, putting others first, and even making others laugh! The animal examples include globally familiar creatures like ants and bees, but also European badgers, capybaras, European jackdaws, and more. 

I was especially a fan of the animal choices, to expand the underlying universality of the messages which is direct but not didactic, and also because the choices of species are visually similar to other animal "relatives" from around the world, keeping the examples very relatable yet inspiring curiosity about "new" discoveries. Halfmann, as always, does reliable research and found a way to answer some initial questions in user-friendly back matter. Small inset illustrations of each animal is accompanied by a short passage describing the actual species patterns depicted. Care was given to assure that these sometimes big-eyed critters reveal, in colorful, natural ,cartoon-styled art, the actual look and behavior of the animals in GROUPS, with no exaggerated humanizing by walking on hind legs when that is not the nature of the animal, etc. By the way, I recently reviewed a CAPYBARA picture book which made a fan of me, and would be a great companion title for readers captivated by less familiar animals. 

The text and images combine with small-hand-friendly trim size to make this a direct and delightful nonfiction favorite among the youngest set, but one that has potential for becoming an individual's memorable treasure, or to spark eager exploration of animals and their behaviors. Even in a single read, it will generate a deep-seated sense of how to be KIND. Always. Every day. The text and presentation also makes this an ideal candidate for translation in many languages, which has happened for many of Halfmann's prior titles.

In a recent post I mentioned an older picture book by author Janet Halfmann, GOOD NIGHT LITTLE SEA OTTER. Halfmann's appreciation of nature and environment are relflected in these titles and in many others for this target age. A lifetime of writing has honed her skills in writing and directing the curious content she discovers toward the developmental interests at various ages and for the purpose of the book, especially for these youngest audiences. In the case of How Can We Be Kind? , as with WHO IS SINGING? (previously reviewed HERE) she demonstrates mastery of producing well-researched and appealing nonfiction content in delightfully age-appropriate non-fiction picture books that are lovable in themselves but also spark interest in learning more and exploring the natural world. If any of these books appeal to you, visit Halfmann's website, HERE, to learn more about her current and past titles, and to follow what's coming next.

Garden Time... in Two Terrific Picture Books

 When rain (and slushy snow) were forecast for seven days in a row, I made an impulse decision to stop at the garden center and load up on grass seed and lawn patch kits. Within an hour I was spreading seed and seed/slurry across my badly bare and damaged lawn with flurries swirling around me. All week long, as folks around me grumbled about the gray, miserable days trudging one after the other, I held on to the dream I had of a green, healthy lawn, of seeds swelling and preparing to sprout, digging down and stretching toward the sun. (Eventually there will be sun, right?)

G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2022

I am not a lawn perfectionist, at all, preferring to trust Nature's management. But I do abhor bare patches, spots that seem neglected or uncared for. Then I do my part to give Nature a hand. 

That's why I felt immediately connected to Millie, the first person, present tense narrator of IN OUR GARDEN, a celebratory, instructive picture book written by Pat Zietlow Miller, with illustrations by Melissa Crowton. 

Millie is a girl transplanted from the home she knows and loves. She's surrounded by concrete-- steps, sidewalks, buildings. She sees (and feels) gray, dull, hard. Mom calls it HOMESICK. 

Millie longed for the tender, bright, uplifting color of her home. Then she has an idea, a bouncy idea, an idea that her classmates can't see. 

They see what is. Millie sees what could be!

Millie's idea is inspired by her previous life in a tall gray building with a garden on the roof. Her roof now isn't the right kind, but her SCHOOL ROOF seems perfect. And her mission is launched: first with her naysaying classmates, then with her teachers, and eventually with the community. Of course, there's the unstated but joyful involvement of Nature, every step of the way.  Lessons in science, math, and safety are needed to make this project possible and successful. Lessons were learned involving patience. (Lots of patience- no sign of grass sprouts after ten days, but I know what Millie knows: something IS happening. Out of sight! It makes dreamers like Millie bounce and believe. I'm right there with her.) Over time, a neglected, barren roof in a gray world under a gray sky is peopled with colorful new folks, old friends, soft and fragrant produce, and the buzz of life! 

Same sky, same sidewalk, new Millie!

Peachtree Publishing Company, 2022

Next up, MIGUEL'S COMMUNITY GARDEN is written by Ja-Nay Brown Wood and illustrated by Samara Hardy. This is also a contemporary, urban, realistic picture book, but it begins, in a sense, where IN OUR GARDEN ends. In this case the community garden (at ground level) is in full bloom and ready to harvest. Miguel is on a mission, too. His plan is to harvest a sunflower for his garden party. With a narrator using an implied second-person voice to the reader, the traits of a sunflower, a sort of "what makes a sunflower a sunflower?" listing, provides the anchor for the unfolding garden investigation. One by one, Miguel compares those traits to the plants he finds and harvests. 

What he doesn't find are the sunflowers. At each plant encounter the wheelbarrow is filling up with harvested goodies for the garden party. But what about that sunflower? A long view of the garden leads the reader's eye, and Miguel's, to the prized sunflowers, nodding at the top of their sturdy stems in the warm sunlight. 

This simply-told "story" frames a ciose examination of various plants, their traits, their names, and their colorful but accurate images on delightful spreads filled with the colorful bounty and bounce that Millie would love. There is plenty to learn in the direct text, but also within the cartoon-style illustrations that reveal other plants, specific little critters, and types of growing media and habitats. There is also a subtle seek-and-find tone, concluding with the picnic/garden party at which the various foods are served.

 The latter book is wrapped with vibrant endpapers splashed with the plants that appear in the story. Endpapers for IN OUR GARDEN are subtle line drawings on green background that depict the various tools and steps involved in bringing Millie's ideas to life. Both books  offer abundant opportunities to embrace the values, practices, and power of gardening, especially with kids and community. Their colorful joy extends to illustrations with varied skin tones, body shapes, relationships, and ethnicities. These occur in a naturally inclusive experience and require no direct references, a perfect way to reflect a diverse and accepting community. None of these identities affect their abilities to fully engage with each other or the projects involved. The portrayal of such worlds is a welcome window to a healthy neighborhood, especially for kids whose communities are more homogenous. 

As for my grass seeds... stay tuned!

Ask Yourself: What Does It Mean to BE STRONG?

Roaring Book Press, August, 2021

That's the question author Pat Zietlow Miller asked herself in writing this companion book to her NYTimes Best Selling picture book, BE KIND. In this recent related release, BE STRONG, Miller's text is again paired with gifted illustrator Jen HIll.  

Schoolmates from the original picture book return, this time featuring the voice, family, insights, and growth of Tanisha. As first person narrator, Tanisha begins with the traditional sense that strength equals muscle power. By that standard, she is NOT strong-- at least not strong enough to climb the climbing wall, or even carry her own backpack at times. 

She does have what I consider the greatest strength of all, and that is to ask questions. She adds "smarts" to her strength by going to her most trusted source, her family. 

In short but intriguingly detailed scenes, she learns from her father that being strong can mean SHOWING UP, from her mother, that strength means SPEAKING UP, and from her Grandma Zee that being strong means NEVER GIVING UP. 

I particularly appreciate the way Hill's illustrations enhance those principles, and are dense with small interactions that could each be a story of their own, yet don't distract from the main narrative. The personality of each and every character, complete with daily clothing changes (not always shown in illustrations), distinctive styles, and varied interests and needs shine through on every page, for every age. Each and every one feels as if they are fully formed individuals with stories to tell, stories I'd want to read. To tell the truth, though, the one I'd love to hear from next is Grandma Zee!

I also admire the way Miller cycles back through those three family interactions to peel back the layers and expand the truths of each bit of advice about real strength, allowing Tanisha to apply their examples to her own life.  A major bonus is when she realizes something more on her own- that it takes strength to be willing to reach out and ACCEPT help, not just offer it. There is also an implied message that being STRONG means not worrying so much about comparing ourselves to others, or what they might think about us or our choices or attributes. All this and more, without a "teacher-y" or hint of didactic tone. That perfect balance is what makes BE KIND a favorite among teachers and librarians and families, as will certainly be true for this new title.

As someone who writes picture book text, and has been working on learning and improving that craft for decades, I'll recommend that you spend some time enjoying this video interview featuring Miller and her editor for this pair of titles, Connie Hsu. 

If you aren't interested in the process behind picture book development and publication, just skip this link.  https://www.crowdcast.io/e/bestron

If you ARE interested, be aware before viewing that the process they describe is rare on two major counts. It offers a very special, seldom seen, insider look at the magic of collaboration in making the best of the best picture books. Also, the course of this creation is about the farthest thing from typical that you'll find: A best selling picture book? An editor reaching out directly with a request to write a manuscript involving a preselected basic concept (*Be KIND)? Working with the same (dream) team to produce a companion book on a different abstract concept? The percentage of picture books created in this way is vanishingly small.

Even so, the conversational exchange between this talented author and collaborative editor is inspiring and exciting to view. Pat is, like Tanisha, someone willing to ask for and accept help, who shows up, speaks up, and never EVER gives up, resulting in  a book that belongs in every classroom, library, and home.

The best way to check out if you agree with my opinion is to get it into your own hands to appreciate it fully. 

If you decide to order, Pat is willing to sign copies if you order from either of these bookstores in her area:  MYSTERY TO ME   and       A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN. Both bookstores stock many of Pat's other books, too, which makes personalized books great options for gift shopping!

Baby Brothers are Just Ducky! Science At Its Funniest!

Chronicle Books, 2020

Anchoring this post in time:
Covid 19 "Safe-at-home" day 42. Here's an example of science-at-home for your little ones.

That's fledgling scientist Stella Wells on the cover, introducing you to her brand new baby duck! MY BROTHER THE DUCK is written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Daniel Wiseman. When I first heard about this book I was intrigued. As soon as the cover was released I realized how many sibling scientists I might have misled with various shower and new-baby gifts in the past.
With an eye toward gender-neutral themes, I've often selected infant ensembles with bright colors and animal themes (turtle, ducks, ponies, puppies, etc.) Not once did it occur to me that young siblings might form some strange hypotheses based on observable patterns.

But it did occur to Miller. Her lively latest offering features an observant (and open-eared) older sister. Stella splashes a loving dose of affection into her STEM-ish effort to prove that the latest addition to her family is, in fact, a duck. She sustains a scientific drive to gather evidence to support her theory while remaining alert to other possibilities. Along the way she engages with her science-minded friend, Carla Martinez, and their duck-obsessed principal. The punny word-play and artfully scattered evidences avoid offering mic-drop simplicity or a cheesy bottom line. Instead, the story holds layers of appeal at various stages and will invite requests to "read it again", when kids and adults will notice more each time through.

It would be very unfair of me to reveal too many examples of how the pitch-perfect text and  illustrations achieve such results. You'll have fun with each page turn.  But this snap from the opening pages gives you a taste of the talents I praise.
Stella is less than thrilled with the idea of a baby brother, but overhearing Dad suggest that Mom's "waddling" could mean she is actually carrying a duck is the last straw.
Notice how the humor of the parent spread contrasts with Stella's concern, along with evidence that she is an academic-minded girl, including that handy notebook for recording observations. I love the duck-yellow background, too, an indication that Wiseman's blend of humor, story, and emotion are balanced with a finesse that enhances Miller's text.

Pat Zietlow Miller's combination of observation and imagination came together in lively text  to create her debut picture book featuring the irrepressible, irresistible Sophie and her Squash. That first book garnered many awards and countless fans by offering an original premise and story, delightful characters, cleverly pun-filled text, and heartwarmingly bright and lighthearted illustrations. Sophie's Squash fans led to a sequel, Sophie's Squash Go To School. (On the very slight chance that you don't know these books, make it a point to read them as soon as possible!)

Since then, Miller has created a roster of warm and fuzzy stories, books that achieved NYT best-seller status, that grace annual "best-of" and "favorites" lists, and have spawned countless snuggle hours. (Seriously, click Pat's name above and check out her books. Read every one of them!) 

Here she has returned to her roots, spinning a character's entertaining journey to leave readers chuckling and cheering for Stella who never gives up. Spoiler- Stella pursues her STEM/Science investigations to their logical conclusions, always alert for new problems to solve.

It's delightful to read this clever and appealing  book, a perfect example of a gifted adult author who views the world through the eyes and heart of a child. I'll never shop for infant gifts again without imagining the impact of my choices on older siblings. Now I'm wondering how a big brother might view the addition of a baby turtle to his household!

A Fresh Look at The Road Not Taken

First lines of many poems are highly recognizable. In some cases, several stanzas or the entire poem can be recited by heart. That's likely true for one of Robert Frost's most well known poems: THE ROAD NOT TAKEN. You can hear Frost recite it by clicking HERE (preceded  by an ad you can skip).

Memorization and recitation of poems have been shown to benefit the literacy, fluency, and learning of young people. Check this interview and notes. My unscientific opinion is that this is true for anyone, any age. 

Familius Books, 2019

Whether you know this particular poem or not, I urge you to take a close and reflective look at THE ROAD NOT TAKEN: Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood. The author, of course, is Robert Frost, and not a single word has been changed from the original poem. The publisher's note reveals that Frost originally wrote this poem as a joke about indecisiveness, but it has become a quiet anthem to self-determination, reflection, and appreciation for the journey itself. IN this picture book, illustrations created by Vivian Mineker lift the poem from the ear and offer a story for the heart that explore these expanded interpretations.

Line by line and page by page, the choices of daily life lead the young boy through many stages of human growth, each becoming a step toward the next until a boy becomes a man, a man becomes a partner, a couple raise a family, and so on. The fluid, rounded art is vibrant but subtle, wrapping the reader in both comfort and encouraging mindfulness. 

I've loved this poem since first reading it in my youth. The layered illustration approach and line-by-line unrolling of life revealed a deeper appreciation than I had previously enjoyed, despite years of rereading, reciting, and reflecting on this poem. 

I suspect it will do the same for you.

Young people will enjoy the book for its colorful appeal, for the visual narrative, and for the familiarity of scenes like collecting leaves, walking with a dog, etc. The book format also provides a tool for memorization, for recitation, and even for choral reading. 

I hope you'll give this a close look and consider using it with every age.

On a further note:

Graduation season is upon us. This title will make a remarkably suitable gift. Another title I've recommended (and gifted) ever since it first released is Wherever You Go, written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler.

Miller's book came to mind while I was reading THE ROAD NOT TAKEN for several reasons. The illustration styles are quite different, but both use rounded, flowing forms and  sweeping movement to propel the text forward. Both have a lyrical optimism and convey trust for the characters' choices. Both suit the immediacy of the moment and scenes, but offer a long view that fosters confidence and joy in each moment of the unfolding days and years. 

In the same way, either (or both!) will be treasured as gifts in during the time of celebration, but will intensify in meaning and relevance with each passing year.

Singing the Praises of "LYRICAL" Picture Books: Poetry Month

Kids often insist that nothing is a poem unless it rhymes. The flip side of that belief is that anything that rhymes is a poem. Actually, there are plenty of adults who feel the same way. 

I don't. 

Debates about what poetry is, or isn't, have gone on for centuries. Poetry.org says this:
POETRY: literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.

I've seen amazing visual art that strikes me as poetic (including the illustrations for these featured books) as well as scenes in nature (crashing waves, starlit nights, crystalline fields of snow, murmurations of starlings, etc.) But, since this is a picture book blog, I'll focus on literary poetry here. 
My questions of the day:

• If picture book text rhymes, does it mean it is poetry?
• Can picture book text be considered poetry if it doesn't rhyme?

My personal (arbitrary) guide in answering those two questions follows. 

Poetry (picture book or otherwise) is:

written and/or spoken;

distinctly lyrical (style and rhythm);

focused on emotions or concepts;

presented in a concise, intentional form.

That first point suits picture book text perfectly: It is written AND intended to be spoken aloud.

Jumping to the final trait, picture book text is concise and presented in an intentional format.  

Certainly anthologies, themed collections, and specialty forms (novels in verse, haiku, poems for two voices, etc.) are poems, too. 

But what about the very familiar category of narrative picture books, in two types:  rhymed and unrhymed?

For these, I focus on the two central traits above.

I'd argue that EVERY picture book should engage emotional or conceptual reactions. That isn't limited to tenderhearted reactions but includes humor or surprise or the simple satisfaction of a story well-told. When that is the case, picture book text meets three-out-four of my indicators of poetry.

The final condition comes down to that lyrical quality, which is by no means a trait of every picture book. Certainly personal taste comes into play, but there are qualities that can be noted and appreciated, too. I feel confident in asserting that the two examples below, both by the same author, are poetic text.

Harper, 2019

REMARKABLY YOU is written in rhyme by Pat Zietlow Miller with energizing, expressive illustrations by Patrice Barton.

"You might be bold, 

You might be loud.

Leading parades. Drawing a crowd.

You might be timid.

You might be shy.

Quietly watching your neighbors go by."

...

"You are a blessing,

a promise, a prize.

You're capable, caring, courageous, and wise."

These passages exemplify the lyrical quality that distinguishes all of Miller's rhyming picture books: a rhythmic style that appears effortless yet reveals deeply thoughtful craft. It's rhymed text that invites read-aloud and read-along while providing structure and story to propel prediction and page turns. The excellent rhythm and rhyme provide auditory pacing, and the progression of underlying concepts and messages build to a gratifying conclusion. 
These lines (and the entire text) serve well as examples for young readers eager to try their hands at writing rhymed stories. Writing in rhyme can be as challenging as it is fun. The trickiest aspect of lyrical text is achieving consistent meter (rhythm) that sounds natural, unforced. Miller's words are consistent in providing a sense of conversational speech, but are written with technically perfect meter that begs to be put to music. 
Adults trying to write rhymed text for publication, especially picture books, would do well to type out the full text. In that format Miller's mastery of the craft is even more evident: the use of parallel structures and images (as in the first two stanzas above), and the minimalist but familiar scenes suggested. The third stanza above comes near the conclusion of the book. In it, the resolution of emotion, empowerment, and momentum are undeniable. Using second person voice can be a dangerous choice, but Miller's lilting language is inspiring rather than teaching or--to be avoided at all costs--preaching. 

Is the text of this picture book poetry? I vote yes.

Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2019

WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE is written in unrhymed but undeniably lyrical text, enhanced by the lilting and emotionally expressive illustrations by Eliza Wheeler. This particularly brilliant author/illustrator pairing originated with one of MIller's earlier picture books, WHEREVER YOU GO (also by Little Brown BYR, 2015). 
In that work Miller used rhymed text. (I reviewed it when it released, here.) I'm delighted to see their talents once again interacting so magically in WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE. (I urge you to read more about Wheeler's approach to the text and view a short trailer for the book over at Betsy Bird's FUSE 8 Production blog for School Library Journal, HERE. I guarantee you'll enjoy the insights and closer look at the art.)
Meanwhile, I'm excited to share just a few lines from Miller's unrhymed but LYRICAL text.

"Some days, 

when everything around

you seems scary...

You have to be brave.

Brave as a bird that steps from its nest,

hoping to soar through the sky.

Brave as a dog that

wanders for miles,

searching for one

well-known light."

"At times like these, the world can seem...

Too big. Too loud. Too hard. Too much.

While you feel...

Too small.

Too quiet.

Too tired.

Not enough."

Unlike Miller's previous rhymed text, these lines read as free verse. The rhythm is established within the language itself. Replace each syllable with "la", then read it aloud. You'll find yourself reciting the text with a musical meter and flow. Miller magnifies that effect by using repetitive phrasing, figurative language, and metaphoric images. 

If that analysis suggests the text is formal or stilted, I assure you it is not. Note the child-friendly images of fledging birds and lost dogs, both with inherent appeal and intense emotional connections. Wheeler's illustrations explore those intense emotions, cycling through memories of common fears (public speaking, first day of school, etc.) without overwhelming, but honoring the legitimacy of the worry and angst those memories recall. 

Miller's theme (being brave) is artfully layered, emerging without even once using the word FEAR, providing scripted remedies, or calling on a character to have superpowers. In this narrative, she again uses second person/direct address, and again inspires rather than resorting to bossing or an "adult" tone. Readers are gently encouraged to recognize and draw on their inner resources to imagine, to remember, and to rely on themselves.  

This book in particular reminds me of the quality of Robert Frost poems, using ordinary and familiar objects and experiences to explore deeper emotions and address significant human questions.

Is the text of this picture book poetry?  Again, I vote YES.

So, whether honoring April's theme of poetry or reading picture books throughout the year, i encourage you (and kids you care about) to develop your own "rules" for what makes a poem a poem then apply that to the text. Kids eagerly enjoy rewriting lyrics to familiar songs, so consider using outstanding text such as these to model writing, too. 

Keep in mind that these are my opinions and I welcome discussion and additional title recommendations in the comments. I could recommend many other picture book titles, rhymed and unrhymed, that deserve designation as poetry.  Thanks to Pat Z. Miller for permission to quote lines from these picture books. I urge everyone to read the entire text, repeatedly.
Library editions of both titles were used for this review and post.