Nothing MOUSEY About These Books!

Since my "favorites" in all categories span wide timeframes, and especially so in the category of books, I'll use a "throwback" approach to this post. By featuring some prior reviews of outstanding titles, I'll maneuver my way to sharing a compact novel for adults that I read while on my recent hiatus. I've already added it to my Goodreads reviews, and shared it with friends, but I can't resist bringing ti to those of you who take time to read posts here. 

A star of that eventual review (below) is a mouse.

A thoroughly non-humanized mouse whose character and role i will never forget. 

When considering "mouse" characters in picture books, my thoughts immediately leap to PAUL O. ZELINSKY and BRIAN LIES.  Among the many Zelinsky titles I've praised are the fairy-tale-variant, CINDERELLA AND A MOUSE CALLED FRED (written by Deborah Hopkinson) and his much-earlier THE MAID, THE MOUSE, AND THE ODD-SHAPED HOUSE, which he authored and illustrated earlier in his career. Full disclaimer, Paul O. Zelinsky is also a fan of cats, featuring them in several picture books and personally in his life and family history. Even so, when a mouse breaks through in his work, it becomes a fully realized and celebrated character. 

Brian Lies has an undeniable penchant and talent for nature and rodent-y characters, though cats make appearances, too! My favorite of his MOUSE depictions is in illustrations for I. C. Springman's MORE, in which MAGPIE and MOUSE share a journey of transition and growth in a most exciting and fun way. (If you click MORE to find my brief review you can scroll down to find Brian's kind comments/interaction with the post!)

With those celebratory references to the potential for MOUSE characters in picture books, I segue into this novel-intrusion. It is a book for adults, but one that is suitable to youth, reading on their now or as read-aloud. I hope no one objects, because I am genuinely excited to think that some additional readers will find and enjoy this jewel of a book.

GODINE, 2024

Thank you to a social media friend who recommended this compact novel with the highest endorsement. I might not have picked it up without that, since my TBR pile was already high. I did, though, request it from the library and began reading as soon as it came in. 

The book in question is SIPSWORTH by Simon Van Booy. I loved every minute of the first read, realizing it would not be my last. In fact I read it twice again in as many weeks, because there is such a compelling arch to the overall plot, the development of each character, their interactions, and the time-spanning nest in which the story unfolds. 

The present-tense account of 83-year-old Helen Cartwright's "life" opens with passages that convincingly portray a woman who has lived a full and loving life but has prepared to simply wait for her own demise. I say convincingly because the reader is left with no cdoubt of her acceptance and resolve that her time cannot come soon enough, although there is no indication that she plans to hurry the process along. 

Her voice, that of the emerging characters in the story, and the unspoken voice of an unexpected and unforgettable rodent will stay with me forever. 

There are few books i choose to retain on my own shelves, knowing I can now always access through other means. A few though, and now this among them, NEED to stay in my possession. No, I am not stealing my library copy, but I have ordered one for myself as a "keeper".

I hope that's endorsement enough to encourage you to  give it a try. And, I promise, the next post here will celebrate an amazing NEW PICTURE BOOK! See you again then!

Fairy Tale Variants: Always Welcome Here!

 Anyone who has attempted (seriously) to write picture books for children will have heard some supposedly reliable advice: don't attempt to write fairy tales and folk tales, even ones with a "twist". Publishers will NOT be interested. 

That's certainly NOT the case, since you can see many fine examples of this genre in this review/post on the blog BOOK RIOT from just a few months back. Each publishing year such notable efforts break through that false advice and land in welcoming hands. If you are a fan of such stories, be sure to check out these excellent recommendations. If you are a writer who has abandoned such manuscripts due to the  discouraging words of warning, read that post. Then read the books.You'll find ample material to study to consider why she make it and some don't.

What makes such published and praised fairy tale/folk tale twists stand out is that they are superbly done. They bring the best of writing to the challenge, offering enough of the original references to invite comparison, add humor, provide wry insights, or introduce other layers of meaning to consider. They are written to provide new views on the characters, the problems, the range of audiences, the identities or cultures of the stars, or even to flip the typical "moral of the story" on its head-- or on its bum.

Anne Schwartz Books, 2023

One recent picture book that achieves many of those benchmarks is CINDERELLA AND THE MOUSE CALLED FRED, written by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.

The twist here is that Cinderella is an avid gardener who meets a mouse with kind and curious eyes. She calls the mouse Fred, and advises on ways for him to stay safe from the mean step-family and the housesat. Fred is smitten and devoted. Ella (as she prefers to be called) is tending to a prize pumpkin intended to win a blue ribbon at the end of the season. Ella asks Fred to help nurture and protect it.

The sudden appearance of the fairy godmother (see cover image) adds that comic element, and provides wild transformations of that pumpkin into a carriage and Fred into a horse. Quickly, the fairy godmother decks out Ella in an elaborate dress and glass (GLASS!) slippers, sending her to the ball as the driver of her own carriage. 

You can tell that familiar elements have been shifted to reveal a more complex personality for Ella, a more cognizant and opinionated role for mouse, with a thorough lack of traditional angst about falling in love or impressing Prince Charming. When that inevitable final chime at midnight ruptures the pumpkin and lands Ella on her un-bustled bum, she knowingly collects the seeds from that robust pumpkin for future planting. When the prince and entourage arrive to test that single glass slipper on the step-relatives, humor and exaggeration of their struggle burst from the page in images and effective commentary by Ella- "I'll find my own destiny, thank you!" 

The story line invites comparisons to the original plot, the characters, the goals, and the conclusions. At the risk of spoiling the final twist a bit, it is a happy ending involving a gardening contest and a soulmate who is most definitely NOT a prince. This is a delightful offering in storytelling, both in text and through visual narratives. It's a modernization and variant that works for any age. 

Dodd, Mead. 1981

Each of these elements provide mentor examples for those developing stories of their own. There is one aspect of this delightful book that can't be replicated, though, and that's the combined prestigious talents and name-recognition of its creators. Hopkinson is widely admired for nonfiction, kid-friendly boigraphies as well as her praised/starred picture book fiction. I featured some her other works posts HERE, HERE, and HERE. 

Anyone who has read prior posts on this blog will be aware that I am a longtime fan of Paul O. Zedlinsky's work. I'm not alone, of course, in that admiration. Zelinsky is a Caldecott Medal winner with multiple Caldecott Honors, among countless other awards. One of his earliest picture books is among my favorites: The Maid, The Mouse, and the Odd-Shaped House.

I treasure my signed copy of this out-of-print picture book. The moment I viewed the cover of the current CINDERELLA release I recognized the influence of the style Zelinsky displayed in "The Maid..." that guided these wonderful new illustrations. That was certainly not for lack of alternatives, since his various successes demonstrate mastery of a wide range of art approaches and techniques.  See examples in some links to prior posts I've shared about his work, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE, or type his name in the search box on the right menu bar.

Whether you click and check those earlier references or the recent one at the top, or not, please consider reading this delightfully fresh and appealing take on a traditional fairy tale. I believe you'll have fun with it and think of plenty of kids to share it with... soon.

A Christmas (Eve) Recap

 For those who celebrate a western tradition of Christmas on December 25 (ands also for those who celebrate other seasonal holidays or Eastern dates for Christmas or ignore holidays) this is recap of some of the picture books I've shared over the years, including the current publishing year.

If you are a fan of picture books at all, this bouquet of beauties will lift your spirits and please your eyes and ears. (For those who have yet to fall in love with picture books, this collection might win you over!)

Beaming Books, 2023

Starting with my "this season" favorite that has already landed on MANY best-of-year lists is a book that is certainly destined to be a classic, Take a look (HERE) at my glowing praise for LULLABY FOR THE KING, written by the incomparable Nikki Grimes with luminous illustrations by Michelle Carlos. 

Levine Quiredo, 2021

In recent years an equally compelling holiday picture book conveys a fictionalized version of true events, a story of anti-semitism and hate that is playing out across out country today. Of course, the ending is based on those real events and reveals the most uplifting of choices among the community surrounding the targets of such hate. RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND WHITE (reviewed HERE), was created by the immense talents of Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky. I gifted this book multiple times this season because the message is both necessary and inspiring, revealed for any age through effective storytelling and illustrations that are both luminous and emotionally powerful. Sadly, the origin story for this one goes back to 1993  and the hatred is rooted many centuries earlier.

Kids Can Press, 2012

Dipping back a decade, one of my favorite characters is a perfect fit for the youngest readers, guaranteed to generate laughs on each page turn (and repeat readings, guaranteed!). Adult readers will be chuckling right along and might be surprised by the astute observations and details noticed by those little lap friends sharing the book. SCAREDY SQUIRREL PREPARES FOR CHRISTMAS: A Safety Guide for Scaredies is both written and illustrated by Melanie Watt. Whether this book introduces you to Scaredy or  brings him to a new situation for you (among the countless situations that scare the tail off of him), you'll love this one season after season.

Kalliot Books, 2023

How often have you heard (or said), "If only the Christmas Spirit could last all year. *sigh*"? This next, also recent picture book, is not actually a holiday book despite wintery scenes. In fact, OUT AND ABOUT: A STORY OF GIVING, is a tale of sustaining that giving, caring attitude throughout the year. It is also about passing down values, the concern for and action to support others and their needs, which could not only continue the holiday spirit through the year but across generations. Just imagine what that world would be like. Written by Liza Wiemer and illustrated by Margeaux Lucas, this story/family reveal the ways in which we can move ourselves from a sense of caring and empathy into action, not requiring an occasion to do so. 

To this last offering, firmly set in contemporary families and situations, I'll add one last link that I've shared several times since the first post. My childhood memory and reflections on my own family include a short poem I wrote for my own family based on actual events as a child. May anyone reading this (and everyone else!) look around in the days, past, present, and coming, to recognize and celebrate the blessings you find in your lives- even when surrounded by struggles or concerns.  I wish you all many moments of peace, joy, generosity, and security.

Holiday Wishes To All

 This post marks a pause until the the New Year. I'll be spending time with family in happy gatherings and for one memorial that will be more poignant and reflective. That contrast in emotions is not unusual at holiday times. Sadness and struggle frequently intertwine themselves with special occasions, offering options to wallow or lean into those two sides of our very human lives. Last year at this time my own life was bound up with personal issues that threatened to overwhelm my physical and emotional health, but there were still so many moments of positivity- in family, friends, traditions, and unexpected joys.

One such experience was reading and reviewing a book inspired by actual events in one small community. RED AND GREEN AND YELLOW AND BLUE, from the talents of Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky. I reviewed it HERE. 

Everything I love in picture books made me a fan of this offering, but it also touched me at a deeply personal level. This seems to be a story about Hanukkah, and I am not Jewish. Yet it is so much more and was exactly what I needed to read at the time. Like the very best of picture books (any books?) it offers a network of emotional and conceptual connections to individual lives,  struggles, and insights. From a societal perspective, It is as timely now (or more so) as it was last  year.

I urge everyone to take a few minutes with this book,and  with other favorites. Share stories that celebrate finding light out of darkness, as Hanukkah and Christmas both do. Beyond the specifics of either classic story, the central theme of both is that life presents us with dark times, with threats, with struggles, or even chronic worries. These mid-winter, long-dark-days celebration dates are no accident. This is the season of hunkering down, right? But both traditions focus on the message of promise, of better times, of strength in our collective appreciation of light and hope. They celebrate gathering to support that light nana hope- beyond our nuclear families, within a broader community, and reaching out to humanity as a whole.

My year has resolved in many positive ways, leaving me in much better place this season. I celebrate the ways small glimmers of light led me forward from a year ago into today. I wish for all of you the blessings of good (or improving) health, of caring friends and family, of opportunities to gather together to celebrate those blessings. May you find your lights and share them with everyone you meet.

RED and GREEN and BLUE and WHITE: Color a Community

It's the first of December and I'm taking a side step from nonfiction reviews to feature a picture book INSPIRED BY actual events and people, but lightly and lovingly fictionalized. That approach adds to the timelessness of its message. In fact, I recall news coverage of the actual events, and was surprised to realize that they occurred so far in the past-- 1993, nearly thirty years ago. It feels much more recent to me, perhaps because of current social patterns, including the rise of anti-semitism. But this happened pre-9/11, pre-social media, pre-viral-trolling, and long before an infinite number of screens and links and countless channels invited silo-thinking and hate mongering. Even so, the event and subsequent reactions really happened, and were widely reported in national news. 

I'll back up to explain what "THIS EVENT" actually is.

RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND WHITE is written by Lee Wind and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. The cover introduces some essential aspects of the story. Viewed through a shattered window, the glorious and colorful Christmas lights are subdued, but the clear, real portion of the image encircles the families of two friends, neighbors, who gather in shock, but also in support. Careful observers will note that a menorah is lovingly held by a child. 

In Wind's retelling of actual events, Isaac is the son in the only Jewish family on his block, or much of anywhere in his little city. They live across the street from Teresa's family, and the two children are best friends. Isaac writes poetry, Teresa creates stunning art, and together they help their families decorate windows for the winter holidays. 

RED AND GREEN and Christmas trees appear in nearly every window, surrounded by strings of lights and flurries of snow. Isaac and his family trim their window with a decorative menorah and lights of BLUE AND WHITE. 

Until... the dark of night offers cover for a vicious act of hate-- a rock shatters Isaac's window, terrifying him and his family. A window can be repaired, and quickly is. But peace and security are far more difficult to restore. Should they NOT relight their decorations? NOT return their menorah display to the window? Isaac is aware that such a choice would be hiding from their Jewish identity. 

The next night, the menorah is lit. Teresa, watching from her window across the street, sees and smiles. What she does next lights up Isaac's spirit, too, and his song rings out in the night:

"BLUE AND WHITE, MENORAH LIGHT, FROM TWO HOMES TONIGHT!"

Word spreads to their school, library, block, and spirals in ever-widening waves throughout their small city. In window after window, menorahs are added to the lighted displays, until the entire community glows with RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND WHITE. Watch the trailer HERE.

A short note from the author indicates that Isaac and Teresa were the actual childhood friends, and that only a few minor details were changed for the sake of storytelling. Wind points out that the satisfying conclusion is fully authentic, and was the result of individuals who chose not to be BYSTANDERS. Instead, one by one, near and far, they chose to act, publicly, indicating their community support. They chose to be UPSTANDERS, knowing that silence or inaction would lend passive but powerful support to the hate-filled vandals. 

I'm an unabashed fan of all illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky, whose art is distinguished by excellence, though not by a single or characteristic style across his many books. Instead, the quality that shines through every project is how perfectly he pairs his approach to the heart and spirit of each particular story. In this case, with the lights of the season, of the holidays (Hanukkah celebrates the MIRACLE OF THE LIGHTS), and of friends and neighbors, the art achieves a distinctive look of winter nights with twinkling bulbs. The end papers extend that celebration symbolically, with bands of the four colors and interwoven swirls. These are embraced, literally, by a border formed by diverse people, arm in arm, facing the reader as a community with the confidence of mutual respect, tolerance, and love. UPSTANDERS all. Click HERE to learn more about ideas for teaching this approach to UPSTANDING  with young people.

This new book takes its inspiration from a positive community and amplifies it, shining it into our lives and into the future. It's the season for faith, and I choose to believe that the good in each of us can turn the darkness that seems to permeate society into light. One choice at a time. One light at a time. One book at a time. 

Start with this one.

All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah: Timely and Timeless

There are some names in the world of picture book creators that come with a guarantee of quality. Two of these talented individuals have joined forces to collaborate on text and illustration, reuniting after earlier successes working together. I can hardly be blamed for forming a hopeful and positive opinion about the work before I was even able to set eyes on it.

Penguin BYR, 2018

I actually felt that way before the starred reviews began rolling in, and weeks before the title began appearing on award shortlists. 
ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY HANUKKAH is written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, both of whom have garnered awards and commendations for wonderful  works in the past. My hopes couldn't have been higher. Once I had a chance to read and explore it, the actual book exceeded my highest expectations. 
This picture book extends the classic ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY novel series into a charmingly specific holiday celebration event that lets the characters shine through. 
The historic context and Hanukkah preparations are so thoroughly engaging that readers need not be familiar with either the foundational characters and stories nor the customs of Hanukkah celebrations to enjoy the book. The flowing language and the childlike charm of the illustrations keep readers focused on the perspective and emotions of the youngest daughter, Gertie, who takes center stage. She is desperate to help with latke preparations. Each step in the process (the peeling, grating, slicing, frying) presents dangers for one so small, even with loving older sisters who are kind and willing to share their chores. 
When Gertie has a meltdown, not unlike those likely taking place in holiday homes across the country (world), she is firmly banished to her room. Gertie's emotional rumination are recognizable, familiar, and  explore feelings we've all experienced as children. When Papa arrives home his role adds humor and reflects the loving nature of the family as a whole. 
The language and illustrations are nothing like a prior Jenkins/Zelinsky pairing in the TOYS GO OUT trilogy and picture book (TOYS MEET SNOW, reviewed here.). Just as Jenkins bends her ear and voice to capture those of characters she has loved for a lifetime, Zelinsky's art explores a rare childlike quality while incorporating a nod to authentic historic and cultural details. This approach provides expressive gestures and postures, with eye-level awareness of how dangerous a kitchen can actually be. The author's and  illustrator's notes following the story are worthy reads, and you'll definitely want to return to the book after reading their notes.
And then you'll want to place an order for hot latkes!

In past posts I've mentioned that I grew up devouring inhaling reading books, even though I had limited access to a very sparse branch library. I attended a school with a single shelf in each classroom collection. My childhood was at a time when very few children's books were being published. I read cereal boxes, the daily paper, and magazines, from BOYS LIFE to REDBOOK. I'd wait my turn to read every book that entered our home after Mom or my older siblings finished. 

That means I often reread books from our limited household library, including series titles like my sister's CHERRY AMES, STUDENT NURSE. There were other series from my meager public library, including The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries, although I was never desperate enough to read those titles more than once.
It's not uncommon to come across academic articles saying that reading series titles should be discouraged. They can be formulaic, with predictable patterns, plots, and character traits. I wouldn't deny that many series, particularly those written in the fifties and sixties, presented little challenge to readers, but they did provide better entertainment than the back of a cereal box.

One series I am certain I never heard of, or read, (and wish I had) is the ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY.  Apparently, though, young readers in New York City, particularly in Jewish families, read every book in this series by Sydney Taylor. They certainly weren't alone. Taylor was the first author to write novels about Jewish family lives that also became popular with young readers from other religions and backgrounds, although they certainly weren't in my parochial school classrooms. Loyalties to this series extended across generations as children took these characters into their homes and lives and hearts. 
Taylor's stories unfold at the turn of the twentieth century in a Henry Street neighborhood in New York's Lower East Side.The title comes from Papa's nickname for his family of five daughters, who are "all-of-a-kind". 
I wish I had been able to access these when I was young, because I'm sure I'd have enjoyed the family dynamics, the lively and distinct personalities, and the historic insights from the era.
I'm always excited to read and enjoy any picture book with the appeal of All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah. In this case I'm grateful to a picture book that has provided me with gift to my younger self. I'll be checking out the five titles in Taylor's series and indulging in several hours of delightful stories that I missed when they were new. Once you read this terrific new picture book you may want to do the same.

Hanukkah begins at sunset on December 2 this year. Blessings to one and all. 

A Celebration of Spring: Sharing Powerful Posts

Due to rigorous revison commitments with deadlines, I must either neglect this blog for a few weeks, offer slap-dash efforts, or encourage readers to check out some of my archived spring/baseball/warm weather posts. 
None of these options is adequate, so I will, instead, direct you to several recent posts offering wonderful suggestions from bloggers whose posts I do take time to read, even when time is a precious commodity. I hope you'll take the time to read them and explore the remarkable books they recommend.

Start here with suggestions from Leslie Colin Tribble on a group blog, aptly named GROGGORG, on Friday, March 18. If the four picture books featured here don't enhance your SPRING mood, you're hopeless.  It's Spring! Let's Get Outside!

Many years ago I attended a picture book workshop offered by the inimitable and prolific JILL ESBAUM. In the midst of her very busy life she manages to regularly contribute to another group blog about all things picture book, PICTURE BOOK BUILDERS. Her March 1 post (here) introduces her TEENY TINY TOADY along with an interview with her illustrator on this project, Keika Yamaguchi.

Next up is a New York Times piece by none other than Paul O. Zelinsky. His reviews always offer insights. When he selects titles to recommend and praise, no deadlines or distractions delay my heads-up attention. His March 11 review, 'THE NIGHT GARDENER', "TOKYO DIGS A GARDEN', and 'STORIES FROM BUG GARDEN' is no exception. 

I'll end with that, confident that I'm doing my own small part to celebrate spring, nature, and picture book writing and illustrating by linking to these reviews. Do yourself a favor and check them out. If you've read others to recommend, pop into comments and share them with us, please. 

Meanwhile, my shopping and library hold lists have grown, and I'll return to revisions on other work with a jolt of renewed energy of the season. 

Thank you to JILL ESBAUM, LESLIE COLIN TRIBBLE, and PAUL O. ZELINSKY for your wise words and wonderful recommendations.

More PICTURE BOOK MONTH Stars: TOYS MEET SNOW!

In case you missed the post that launched this series, here's a quick reminder. I'm attempting to feature some outstanding fiction picture books from among the many nominated in that category for this year's Cybils award. 
Keep in mind that these are my own opinions and DO NOT reflect discussions among the  Round One Panel Members.
If you care to follow any of the other ratings or reviews I've been listing on Goodreads during this process, check out my posts here.

And so, kind readers, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to tonight's nominee, certainly the book with the longest title:

TOYS MEET SNOW: Being the Wintertime Adventures of a Curious Stuffed Buffalo, A Sensitive Plush Stingray, and a Book-loving Rubber Ball, written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.

Schwartz and Wade Books, September, 2015

Here's what I had to say on Goodreads:

"Full disclosure: I am such a fan of the TOYS chapter book series that I opened this, their first picture book,  convinced that I'd love it. Sometimes that happens and I have to admit disappointment, even if slight. 
In this case, TOYS MEET SNOW  met and exceeded my expectations. 
I love these characters, and seeing them in color, in their delightfully determined, cooperative adventure to explore the snow, made a sheer fantasy surprisingly believable. Their distinct personalities radiate across horizontal double-spread illustrations that amplify their distinctive points of view regarding the natural/magical world. 
What a wonderful experience this will be for even the youngest readers, but equally for anyone of any age who knows (or even suspected) that those toys filling our lives have secret lives as rich as our own. Pair this with the three short chapter books featuring Lumphy, Starfish, and Plastic, as well as Kevin Henkes's recent picture book, WAITING.
That's what I call an outstanding adventure for anyone."

Now, not to brag or anything, but I wrote that more than a month before the Publishers' Weekly lists of Best Books for 2015 came out. Wouldn't you know they included TOYS MEET SNOW among their best picture books? Congratulations, Emily and Paul.

If you aren't aware of the series that introduced and developed these three remarkable characters (and others), be sure to check them out here: TOYS GO OUT, TOY DANCE PARTY, and TOYS COME HOME (each with equally long subtitles). 

Dutton Children's Books, September, 2015

While you're at it, click on Paul's name above. (Or here: PAUL O. ZELINSKY) It will take you right to his website homepage where you can join in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of his closest-thing-to-perfect interactive picture book, WHEELS ON THE BUS! He's offering fun and easy opportunities to win a 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition! Even if you have an original copy (and every family should), this one is worth having. 

Holidays are ahead, and if these don't make it onto your shopping list some young readers will be missing out on the best of the best in children's books.

Quick Updates on Picture Books

As I mentioned in the last post, I've shifted this particular blog to the back burner for a few months while I attend to details related to the release of ODIN'S PROMISE this spring. 

And yet… with the ALA Midwinter Conference just a week away, I have to spend a little time here, sharing some love for picture books. Not that I'll be able to attend, but I'll at least view the live presentations for the Youth Media Awards via social media on Monday, January 27. As I explained in a recent post, it's not so much because I'm a fangirl of award-winners and lists. I am, however, a huge fan of anything and everything that shines a spotlight on quality literature for young readers. 

Having one of those shiny silver or gold award seals on the cover assures that these titles will stay in print, and will continually be referenced in recommended lists. This year I again happen to know the creators of several picture books that are undoubtedly under consideration. (They shall remain nameless in order to avoid any possible "jinx" effect.)

But… there are only so many awards to go around. 

Last year is a good example of that, especially in the Caldecott category. Despite awarding a veritable bouquet of honors titles, the amazing Z IS FOR MOOSE, by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, was not among those honored. In fact, Horn Book gave Moose their own award, the WTF,ALA? award, in recognition of their surprise at this oversight.

Eligibility for Caldecott consideration is limited to illustrators from the USA, so no jinx-factor can come into play by sharing this Nerdy Book Club blog post by Carrie Gelson. In her post, 

she brings to the front of the stage her ten favorite Canadian illustrators and sample titles. Each and every one appeals to me, and the ones I haven't yet read are now on my library hold list.   Check them out. 

Greenwillow Books, 2012

In the meantime, I'll continue to read picture books, add my reviews on Goodreads, and return here to share titles as often as I can. The beautiful nature of picture books is that they are complete, compact, and compelling, able to communicate stories, emotions, and inspiration in relatively little time. They are bite-sized experiences with literature, often of the highest possible calibre. 

Stay tuned for my intermittent posts here over the next several months. When it comes to picture books sometimes I just can't contain myself! 

Another Not-So-Easy List

In the last post I lamented the challenge of naming favorite anythings, but especially favorite picture book titles. My mental qualifiers regarding the intent, audience, and situations in which books are read or shared make it nearly impossible for me to zero in on a single title or even short list of favorites. That why I declined participating in the Picture Book 10 for 10 blog challenge, instead relying on others more decisive than I am to share their choices. 
I did feature two examples of favorites titles for specific purposes.

This post takes on another challenge, one that was issued by blogger Colby Sharp on the Nerdy Book Club Blog last August. He put out a call for classroom teachers to consider a book they planned to read aloud within the first two weeks of school, the one they felt the most excited about sharing with their students. If you think that's another challenge I declined, you're right.

In workshops for teachers I share the advice of Pat Cunningham that an elementary teacher for any grade level should, ideally, have at least five read-alouds each and every day. YIKES! FIVE?
Yep. 

1. An excellent picture book (Demonstrates that little books have big ideas, validity, for readers of all ages.)
2. A poetry selection (Provides wide experiences with language, forms, authors, sources, and topics of poetry in only a few minutes a day.)
3. A chapter of a longer selection (Provides shared experiences with text of high quality, builds a common frame of reference, and allows modeling discussions and sustaining meaning over time.)
4. Two or more non-fiction passages related to content area topics (Introduces quality authors and titles for research and exploration of current studies.)

With that in mind, the first two weeks in my classroom often involve 40-50 or more titles, all of the highest quality, and each of which I'm excited to share.

HARPER (Harper Collins Imprint), 2013

And yet, despite my reluctance to name favorites among them, I feel compelled to feature a marvelous back-to-school title here that might be especially suited to your child or classroom situation. Mike Boldt wrote and illustrated 123 VERSUS ABC. On the title page "1" and "A" introduce themselves and their conflicting intents for this book- to create a book about numbers/a book about letters.

Using lively expressive features and stick figure body language along with speech bubbles and loads of personality, each  claims the turf of this book with reason, volume, and increasing assertiveness. 

When the rest of the cast gradually appears the arguments continue:

1-Alligator

2-Bears

3-Cars... and so on.

As the numbers and creatures and their various activities continue, near hysteria develops before "1" and "A" agree that it is a book about both, letters AND numbers. 

Until, on the  last page turn, a blob of red appears asking for the book about colors.

This recent release is a fine example of the POWER of picture books- 

Compact, Complete, Compelling.

It is appealing, invites close scrutiny, resolves a problem, begs for retelling, and entertains.

It also reveals subtexts in the visuals, and offers various approaches to conflict resolution- an important topic in the early weeks of school.

Greenwillow Books, 2012

This would be a perfect pairing with  Z IS FOR MOOSE, the 2012 alphabet picture book written by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. In a previous post I examined that title closely and interviewed Paul and Kelly about its creation.

In both cases older students can explore similarities and distinctions between the two titles: the tongue-in-cheek nod to ubiquitous alphabet (and number) books with iconic visual symbols, characters in conflict, the "all about me" attitudes displayed, and the story arcs created in each. 

One step further would include comparisons of art styles and design, facial expressions, and ways that action and movement are portrayed. (See what I meant about little books having big ideas for older readers, too, even alphabet books?)

Here's hoping that as plans are made for the start of another school year both of these titles will find their way into classrooms of every age, generating thoughtful discussion, mindful comparison, and, above all else, a love of books.

As always, your comments about favorites (back-to-school titles, alphabet and number books, or any other topic) are welcome.

Z IS FOR ZELINSKY, AND BINGHAM, TOO!

Alert- this post is longer than usual. Rather than split it into two posts, just decide for yourself if you want to read it in two sittings. Betcha you'll want to read it straight through!

In last week's post I reviewed Z Is For Moose (Greenwillow Books 2012). Yes, Moose, with a considerable amount of help from you. This week I'm excited to have author Kelly Bingham and illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky join us with some thoughts about an alphabet book that deserves every positive adjective from awesome to zany.

Kelly and Paul, it’s wonderful to have you share your thoughts about the creation of Z IS FOR MOOSE. Its remarkable combination of humor, tension, and personalities will undoubtedly make it a classic. Kelly, your YA novel, Shark Girl, has won many awards and was on the Oprah booklist for kids. Paul, your titles are consistently award winners and included on all-time-best lists. I feel confident Z Is For Moose will be as long-lived and well-loved as your previous titles.

Paul: I hope so. 85% of the credit would go to Kelly Bingham. I’ll accept the other 15.

Kelly, dedications are often selected near the end of the process, but Moose insisted I begin by asking about yours:

“For Sam, who asked for a funny book, and for Benny, because I love you, too.”

So who are these people, and why isn’t Moose included? He insists there would be no story without him!

Kelly: Well, Moose has a point. Which I'm sure he knows. However, there would be no Moose if there were no Sam. Sam is my son, and when he was four, he began to learn the alphabet. I would go to the library and get a few ABC books out for him each week, and we'd read them over and over at night. One or two were funny, but most were pretty straightforward. Like--they'd be all names of flowers, or all names of animals or something. After we had exhausted every last book in the library, Sam asked me if I could please find more funny ones. "I want a funny book," he told me. Sam loved funny books. I looked and looked but to my surprise, there were hardly any funny ABC books to be found. (Keep in mind this was way back when, nine years ago.)

So what does a mom do? I thought, if there are no funny ABC books, then I will write him one. And I did. And I drew the pictures to go with it, and made a little book, and we looked at it together. And Sam liked it!

So, the book is dedicated to Sam, because without him asking for the book, it absolutely would have never been written. I was not a "picture book writer" at the time-- I was working on a novel. It never occurred to me to even try to write a picture book. But I tried for Sam.

As for Benny, well, he is my son, too. Therefore, as any parent knows, I could not leave him out. I mean, really. It would be like leaving Moose out. You just don't do it. And though he was a baby at the time Moose was written, he contributed in his own way by going to sleep early enough at night so that Sam and I could read our ABC books and get tired of them and decide to create our own. So--way to go, Benny! And Sam! I love both of you! EQUALLY.

Paul, Moose wants to thank you for catching his pre-show curtain peek before the title page. It’s clear he can hardly contain himself and he was happy to make an early appearance. In fact, the other alphabet players seemed quite composed. How did you make decisions about so many individual personalities?

Paul: Yes, Moose has to get a quick look at you, the audience, even from behind the endpapers (or sort-of endpapers—I had to put in an extra, simulated, endpaper to make this happen). As to all those characters, there are reasons for the way some appear, and not for others. Basically my attitude is “if you draw them they will come.” But I can be specific about a few. Queen, as some people have noticed, is an homage to Maurice Sendak’s Queen (Victoria) from Hector Protector. Ring has a ruby because it begins with R. The truck, I realized just recently, is based on a toy of my cousins’, which I painted very realistically in watercolor while staying in their house during the summer of 1975. The purplish Ball is a close relative of “Plastic” in Emily Jenkins’ Toys trilogy. It’s not Plastic herself, who is bright red, because Plastic belongs to a different publisher.

Kelly, were Moose and Zebra and their struggle for attention and control inspired by anyone you know?

Well, anyone with a child--particularly more than one child---knows all too well the "what about ME?" syndrome. Maybe even the "Is it MY turn yet?" syndrome. I would say the need for attention and the not-so-subtle undermining of Zebra was inspired by the interaction between my two sons, Sam and Benny. I WOULD say that. But I can't. I would never be forgiven for dragging them into this. They are currently very non-Moose-like and hate to be mentioned. So I guess I'll shrug innocently, and say: "No, I really don't know anyone at all who behaves like Moose. Except Moose, of course. He is one of a kind."
And to even hint that I can relate to Zebra? I would never do that.

Paul, many of the characters were seen in their “everyday” wear, or with personal items, but they assumed more traditional appearance and poses when their turns arrived. How did you decide on their “other lives” when they’re not “working” as alphabet actors?

It’s kind of funny, isn’t it, that they’re wearing clothes until they get onstage? But that’s how it has to be. You wear warm-up clothes in rehearsal. As to the things they’re holding in those lineup scenes, I have to admit to a failure. My plan was to give each character an attribute beginning with its letter. Some letters offered wonderful possibilities, like Ball holding a toy Bear. But others drove me crazy. Queen: Query? Quinine water? Holding a quince wouldn’t do it. I made lists, I searched through a dictionary (much easier with a real, paper dictionary!) and I finally gave up. In the end some of the cast have letter-appropriate items on or with them, some don’t have anything, and some just have whatever came to mind.

Kelly, how close is the final story to the one you started writing? For example, when you wrote your text originally did you include the dialogue bubbles and descriptions of the characters and action, or did that develop later in the process?

Yes, I did!

Actually, the story is pretty much word for word exactly what I wrote on my very first draft. The idea came to me almost fully formed and I could see it plainly in my head. I knew right away what the story would be about, and who the characters were--I knew what Sam would respond to, what he would enjoy reading and looking for. I knew he'd like the idea of a character who broke the boundaries and messed up the entire page and wrecked the text and drew on pictures and spoke freely. Also, I was working in the movie business at the time and had seen more than one scenario where someone got cut from a scene at the last minute because they'd been replaced by someone else. So the Moose and Mouse situation sprang to mind. The rest practically wrote itself!

I wrote the story in one sitting, in dummy form--drawing the pictures, the speech bubbles, etc. And made a small book of it. Later, I decided it might actually make a good "real" book. (When I say "I decided," I mean, my author friends insisted I submit it to a publisher, boosted my confidence in the piece, and basically pushed me into taking that step.) So I transcribed the text, dialogue, and necessary illustration notes into a manuscript, and with the help of my agent, sent it off.

I would like to add that I did not include any drawings when I submitted the story, and though some notes were necessary in order for the editor and artist to visualize what I had in mind, (for example, I had to describe the text being stomped on, and words being crossed out), I did not in any way contribute to the art or design of the book. All the credit for that goes to the extremely talented Paul O. Zelinsky.

It really was a remarkable experience to write this book- it came to me so complete all at once, it sold right away, and there were almost no revisions. I did have to wait a long time for it to be made....my four year-old Sam is now 13. (And sadly, has no memory of this all happening way back when.) But it sure was worth the wait!

Paul, I’ve often heard you speak about using models for your pictures. Did Moose have a hard time posing or did you use stand-ins?

My studio is not tiny, but it’s really not big enough to invite a moose in for portrait studies. So I had to go in other directions. Like a certain amount of moose picture research online, a very nice CD of moose videos shot by friends on a nature trip somewhere in the Northeast, and lots of moose doodling. The moose is such a crazy-looking animal! I especially like male’s furry wattle (I learned it’s called a bell) and the large hump on the shoulder. The essence of moose, though, is its wide, weird, down-curving snout. Trying to extract these bizarre qualities and make a character who’s not off-putting wouldn’t have been as hard if it hadn’t been done so many times already. I went to great lengths not to look at any pictures of Bullwinkle, but images percolate through the culture so much that I don’t think it mattered. I finally stopped worrying whether my Moose would look any different from all the other moose in cartoons, books or movies. He came out how he came out.

Moose also noticed that the dust jack of the book is different from the hard cover in several important ways. Moose doesn’t manage to make an appearance on the front of the hard cover. (He mentioned he likes the dust jacket much better.) What’s behind that difference?

Well, this project was Zebra’s brainchild: a nice, gimmick-free alphabet book. His plans didn’t turn out that well, so I thought the least I could do was to give Zebra the cover (it’s called the “case” in bookmaker jargon) he had in mind. We considered having the title there read “Z is for Zebra” but decided to leave it at “Z is for” and let the picture of Zebra speak for itself. That this image gets covered up by a dust jacket featuring Moose’s shenanigans is in keeping with the rest of the book, don’t you think?

Absolutely! Kelly, Moose also noticed that the back cover finally credits Z is for Zebra, but also for zipper, zero, zoo and zombie. Is another book in Moose’s future?

Hmm...I'm not sure. It wouldn’t take any hoof-twisting to get Moose to agree. He would love to do another one-he's made that painfully clear. Zebra is not sure. We may need to let him recover a bit before we can talk to him more seriously about the idea. Until then, I hope everyone enjoys MOOSE. He loves his readers, so thank you to everyone who has read the book!

Paul, Moose wants me to ask about a book trailer. He feels his performance more than deserves to be immortalized on the web.

You’ll be able to see the actual event in which Moose burst in and messed up Zebra’s plans for the book cover if you wait until my Z is for Moose trailer comes out. Normally a trailer is finished before the book is published, but in this case the trailer was my idea, and my handiwork, and I am not an animator. So it was taking a very long time, and may never have happened at all if Greenwillow had not taken pity on me and hooked me up with a real animator to make things work correctly. The finished trailer should be out in a couple of weeks. It’s a behind-the-scenes interview with director and cast members, and it features quite a stellar cast list of voices. Look on my website , on the Greenwillow blog, I suppose on YouTube, and I hope in a lot of other places.

I'll have to wait, but it won't be easy! Moose, calm down or you'll break something!

Kelly and Paul, I really appreciate having you both join me (Sorry, MOOSE, join US). And MOOSE, thank you for your help in preparing questions and in allowing Kelly and Paul to have their moment in the spotlight uninterrupted. (Yes, I will remind readers to add their thoughts about the book AND YOU in the comments.

Disclaimer: I met Paul many years ago, worked with him in school visits, and consider him a friend. None of that influenced me in any way. I purchased this book myself and am utterly infatuated by both the writing and the art.

I've never met Kelly (except through this cyber-interview) but hope to some day. I am in awe of the creativity and execution of her thoroughly original ideas.

Aw-w-w, MOOSE, what have you done?

Sorry, Kelly and Paul, but it's my guess this has happened to you before.










If you missed it, last week's post has a detailed review and links about Z IS FOR MOOSE.