Everything (and EVERYONE) Is BEAUTIFUL, In Its Own Way!

One of the most important aspects of the current climate surrounding children's literature is the wide recognition that books for every age need to be considerably more representative of the population at large than they have been until now. The general public is becoming more aware of active efforts within all levels of the  publishing world to generate a universe of books for ALL kids and to support ALL those who create them. The best possible site to learn more about these efforts is the organization WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS. I hope you'll click through and explore it. 

As you would expect when dealing with a massive and traditional industry, change does not come overnight. What's exciting, though, is that CHANGE really IS coming. One example is a picture book release that might well have made it into print before this movement  but now should be met with genuine fanfare, for good reasons.

Running Press Kids, 2016

BEAUTIFUL is written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. Its very simple text frames long-standing expectations for girls from a fresh perspective. You know the kind I mean:
"Beautiful girls have the perfect look."

McAnulty  relies on the illustrations to display the ironic and humorous intent of her statements and illustrator Lew-Vriethoff  does not disappoint.

Interior spread, used with permission

For example:

"Beautiful girls smell like flowers."

Interior spread, used with premission

Or: 

Beautiful girls know all about make-up.

These lines and all of McAnulty's text parrot the all too familiar expectations of society, absorbed at all too young an age. In this book they take on a more inspiring interpretation with the full-speed-ahead, no holds-barred participation in life demonstrated by these beautifully diverse little girls.

I'm curious about the pitch-line McAnulty must have used to convey the clever irony of her text. This is one of the best examples of the magical symbiosis of image and text in the picture book format. Lew-Vriethoff's vibrant, dynamic young girls would leap off the pages except that these characters are so fully engaged with their own fantastic activities and with each other that they can't be bothered to worry about  those holding the book in their hands. Their energy, independence, and acceptance of themselves and others are an inspiration to anyone, any gender, and any age. 

Whether this picture book came about due to rising consciousness about diversity within the publishing community or if it had been a work-in-progress for decades that finally found its publisher match, it is long overdue and should be a welcome addition to collections in classrooms, libraries, and homes. That includes putting this one into the hands of older readers, including adults who've lost touch with the limitless nature and potential of children who happen to be girls. 

Just ask yourself how often a girl-child's image is posted on social media then generates comments focused on many of these entrenched labels: She's so... beautiful, sweet, lovely. Could we all take a moment's reflection before reverting to those responses and encourage less superficial and stereotypical labels? She's so... curious, energetic, athletic, clever, friendly?

See what others think about this concept book when you check out other stops on the blog tour welcoming these beautiful girls into the world of books:

BEAUTIFUL blog tour

8/29 Flowering Minds

8/30 Kids’ Book Review

8/31 My Word Playground

9/1 Stacking Books

9/2 Unpacking the POWER of Picture Books

9/3 MomReadIt

9/5 Enjoy Embrace Learning

9/6 Geo Librarian

9/7 A Foodie Bibliophile

9/8 MamaBelly

9/10 Diapers and Daydreams

9/11 The Late Bloomer’s Book Blog

9/12 Unconventional Librarian

More Compare and Contrast: Finding THE PERFECT TREE

Note: This title was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a free and fair review. 

Here's another 2016 release from Running Press Kids. It's a terrific choice on its own, and also offers opportunities to compare and contrast. (Check an earlier post with more COMPARE and CONTRAST suggestions HERE.)

THE PERFECT TREE, written and illustrated by Chloe Bonfield, is a luminous creation. Using a combination of two- and three-dimensional papercut images, collage, silhouettes, and drawn figures on layered, glowing backdrops, the double-page spreads  reveal themselves like scenes in a multi-act drama. Aptly named young lumberjack Jack launches the story with a search for the perfect tree, but not one to draw or climb or hug. 

The ironic use of paper cuts, newsprint collages, and other wood-by-products in the visual story opens a world of potential discussion to the question, "Why would he cut it down?" 

A progression of animals, including birds, squirrels, and a spider, combine with ethereal effects to generate a dream-like quality to the story. As if waking from a dream, Jack's encounters open his eyes to more nature-driven values and he does, in fact, begin to recognize the forest AND the trees for purposes other than his original plans.

Harcourt Brace, 1990

The publisher invites readers to compare this to THE GIVING TREE and THE LORAX, but other titles came to mind when I read this. I was instantly reminded of  the talented author/illustrator/environmentalist Lynne Cherry's THE GREAT KAPOK TREE: A TALE OF THE AMAZON RAIN FOREST, originally published in 1990. When a woodcutter is assigned to chop down the giant kapok tree tree he is visited during a siesta by the creatures who make the tree their home. Speaking persuasively and entertainingly in voices that echo their rainforest sounds, they, too, persuade the tree-harvester to see greater benefits in letting the tree live on. In both books the creatures "reveal" their connectedness to the trees rather than emphasizing debate or argument. Their simple truths, once exposed, are convincing enough on their merits. 

Tuttle Publishing, 2015

A more recent picture book that also came to mind is one narrated by the tree itself. Author Sandra Moore and illustrator Kazumi Wilds share the story of THE PEACE TREE from HIROSHIMA: The Little Bonsai with a BIG Story. Inspired by fifty bonsai trees that were presented to the United States by Japan in recognition of our bicentennial in 1976, the author imagined one tree sharing its life story. It's a story  stretching back to its earliest life in a Japanese mountain forest at the time when the Pilgrims were colonizing Plymouth. 

The life  of a bonsai begins with someone's search for a perfect little seedling, one that reveals the potential  strength, shape, and promise of centuries of survival in dwarf form.

In its miniaturized life each bonsai tree loses its function as a habitat but gains a family spanning generations, each in turn devoted to making the tree as perfect and healthy as possible.

In these three titles the art is produced through different media, in very different styles, and for intentionally different effects to suit  the stories being told. In all three books the voices are equally distinct but powerful, channeling the life-forces of nature and bridging the gap between modern demands and planet-old truths.

One thought that stayed with me through all three books relates less to searching for perfection and more to opening our minds  and hearts to HEAR other voices, to SEE other interests and needs. Tuttle Publishing has a stated mission to bridge gaps between Eastern and Western cultures, to change minds one page at a time. Our sharing of books like these is an essential step in that process.

Take part by adding other related title suggestions in the comments, or any other comments about these titles.

Facing Our Fears: Daredevil Duck and Scaredy Squirrel

When it comes to animals routinely associated with fear and timidity, my thoughts tend toward rabbits, turtle doves, or even meerkats.

Two animals that would never occur to me are ducks, (often territorial, assertive, and downright aggressive) and squirrels (curious, bold, sassy, even daring, I dare say!).

Runninng Press Kids, May 12, 2015

Author/illustrator Charlie Adler envisioned ducks quite differently. Her wryly named DAREDEVIL DUCK is entirely credible as both daredevil and "chicken". I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

I recognized DUCK's conflict between a nature fraught with anxiety (cautiousness? outright fear?) and his identity-of-choice, the confident and adventurous DAREDEVIL DUCK. Kids feel these conflicting drives, torn between adventure and safety. So do many adults, myself included. 
Adler's artistic portrayal of Duck's dilemma extends beyond body language and facial expressions to (literally) lift off the page in a series of fold-out interactive flaps. The impact of peer taunts and cheers on Duck's confidence open doors to valuable conversations, too. The humor and irony are as light and bright as the colorful images with major "read it again" appeal.

Creator Charlie Adler was gracious enough to respond to some questions:

Q: Several posts have noted the role of Duck's tricycle and its relation to real life events. Can you tell us a little more about your son’s squeaky-red-tricycle exploits and how they inspired this story?

Adler: Well, my little boy, William received his shiny red tricycle as a third birthday present. It was so lovely, just like Daredevil Duck’s, (but it didn’t squeak!). William loved it too, he loved looking at it, and sitting on it… and then getting off it again! He was a very reluctant cyclist at age three, and was always convinced that some speed-related disaster might happen if he peddled too fast! When Daredevil Duck started to become a real character in my mind, I realized he was very similar to my little boy and it seemed only natural that he should have a super speedy, (slightly squeaky) tricycle too!

Q: Have you worked with fold-outs and interactive pages in other books? How does that function change your approach to illustration/storytelling?

Adler: I’ve worked with pop-up books before, but this was my first experience with fold-outs. You do have to put your inventor cap on, because not only are you telling a story and encouraging the children to turn the page, you also have to give them an incentive to lift or open a flap. It forces you to almost think of your story in another dimension, you have to lay a little breadcrumb trail of fun images and interesting sentences on your page so the child instinctively turns the flap. A little treasure hunt of words and pictures! 

So, a huge thank you to Charlie Adler for sharing her insights.
For more opinions from others, check out these posts on the DAREDEVIL DUCK blog tour:

DAREDEVIL DUCK

By Charlie Alder  

Blog Tour Schedule 

5/4 Wife Hat, Mom Hat

5/5 Geo Librarian

5/6 In The Pages 

5/7 Stacking Books

5/9 Bea’s Book Nook

5/10 ReaderKidz

5/11 Coffee for the Brain

5/12 The Picture Book Review

5/13 Mrs. Brown Loves Bookworms

5/14 Mom Read It

5/15 Unpacking the POWER of Picture Books

5/16 Cheryl Rainfield

5/17 Unleashing Readers

Now on to another improbably over-cautious character, SCAREDY SQUIRREL, written and illustrated by Melanie Watt. Since she first introduced SCAREDY SQUIRREL in 2006, Watt has featured Scaredy Squirrel in eight titles (and counting). Scaredy Squirrel has reached international-icon status in the kid lit world- he is a plush character! 
Scaredy has developed strategies for coping with what he considers basic safety concerns. Some might suggest that Scaredy's concerns tend toward outlandish phobias. Therein lies the humor and appeal. Even Scaredy's forced smile suggests that his confident preventive measures are less than reassuring, yet he never gives up.

DUCK and SQUIRREL offer readers (of any age) role models who mirror their own fears. They also open a window to view inner strengths. Both have satisfying resolutions based on their deep-seated humanity and caring for others more than themselves. That altruistic impulse ultimately empowers both Duck and Squirrel to overcome their fears.