Two Irresistible Cybils Fiction Picture Book Nominees: Stories of Separation

Image alert:  My cover images are not uploading as of publication for the post, but I'll continue t work at adding them back in when the glitch is resolved. Meanwhile, click on each of the titles  in the text to view them at the Indiebound.org web page. 

Covid 19 note: 

Regardless of where in the world we find ourselves, the coming months will encompass many holidays. "Where in the world" may mean physically (in the USA or elsewhere), culturally (by ethnicity or religious identities), or simply finding ourselves connected to multi-generational traditions. One thing that will be true across these identities (and far beyond) is that 2020 holidays will NOT repeat all traditional celebrations and past practices. Finding ways to preserve the spirit and joy despite separations and limitations could be challenging, but IS possible, and merits our attention and effort. 

So, yet again, I'll  risk sounding like a broken record. I wonder how many readers know that phrase or recognize the reference to a "record" skipping, repeatedly producing the same phrase? At any rate, my repetitive claim, the one that launched this blog, is: 

"Picture books are for every age!"

Two titles among the many outstanding picture books I've been reading as a Cybils panelist for fiction picture books are ideal examples of this thesis. Both have much to offer in the way of wisdom and comfort during times of separation and change, especially when longing could overwhelm us. 

 EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY is written by Newbery Award-winning  Meg Medina and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez. It's no surprise when Meg Medina's books channel the truths and hearts of young characters. In this case, her format is an expansive and vibrantly colored picture book about the parting of numero uno best friends, the narrator Daniela and her moving-away mejor amiga, Evelyn Del Rey. 

Readers quickly absorb the unlimited connection and affection of these friends who are "almost twins", revealed during the final hours while they are still neighbors. Their 'almost twin" bedrooms are connected by a rigged clothesline pulley between their windows). In those limited hours while the moving truck "gobbles up" Evelyn's family's boxes and furniture, they share lovely and lively experiences. Snippets of interactions include multi-cultural neighbors, understanding parents, and the deeply felt sadness despite understanding.

This story, these characters, and the powerful illustrations merit many re-readings. 
The dedication and the final spread underscore the reality that friendships span distance AND time, whether that means moving away or adjusting to new ways to celebrate a holiday. 

 

TWO BICYCLES IN BEIJING is witten by Teresa Robeson and is illustrated by Junyi Wu. Two brightly-colored bikes are the central characters in this charming tale set in Beijing, China. The sunny yellow bone and the robust red one leave the factory together, lean together in a shop window, and feel deeply connected. Third person narration is interrupted by the thoughts of the red bike, Lunzi, during alert travels as transportation of the buyer, a delivery boy. That launches the Lunzi's watchful attention in busy Beijing streets, alleys, and pathways, ever alert for a flash of yellow, the other bike, Huangche. In the course of a day, those flashes of yellow introduce readers to iconic locations and activities from the city, interspersed with a few Mandarin Chinese words and named landmarks. 
It is not easy to embue a couple of bicycles with personalities and emotions. That is especially so when it's achieved almost entirely with voice and subtle hints in the illustrations, not obvious facial features or other anthropomorphic details. The resolution arrives naturally, with an added sense of joyful discovery. It is an enormous challenge to create a picture book with kid-appeal featuring adult (or near adult) characters.Centering the focus on the bikes and their emotional motivations will hold natural appeal for little readers, inviting attention and curiosity about the visual and cultural hallmarks of Beijing. 

In both cases, these recent picture books are lovely stories featuring diverse populations (in both settings) and the centered characters are in densely populated communities. In both, the feeling that only one particular person (or bike) truly matters resonates from the ages and touch readers' hearts. 

In each case these characters are spending time out and about, in the "real world". Let this be a a reminder that Covid-induced isolation will eventually pass. Even then, we will regularly confront emotional losses. Separations and missing loved ones will continue to cause sadness and worry. 

Let's make sure we all get there, safely and well. It's worth the current sense of loss in missing traditional gatherings and travel to reduce the impact of this pandemic and preserve the health of those we love and care about so deeply. 

Ta-Da! November is the Second Annual PICTURE BOOK MONTH!

To celebrate ALA sponsored Picture Book Month, I'll reserve two short reviews for the end of this post and devote the bulk of my comments to sharing/linking to other posts featuring the celebration of PICTURE BOOKS! 

(Let's all hum along to the Oliver tune: FOOD, Glorious FOOD! Substitute the words PICTURE BOOKS, Glorious PICTURE BOOKS!  It's a stretch, but you can do it! All together now, 1...2...3... HUM!)

For starters, try this post with comments from leading picture book creators about WHY picture books are so important (and always will be). Who better to comment than Rosemary Wells, Tomi DePaola, and other award-winning stars of the kid-lit world?

Then there's Mr. Schu's remarkable homage to Picture Book Month on his blog, Watch. Connect. Read.  You won't want to miss this one: video book trailers, outstanding titles, and the announcement of his Mock Caldecott list for 2013 picture books.
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An impressive variety of outstanding titles is featured in the @YourLibrary blog, too. A quick glance at the book covers and brief reviews offers a sampling of the wide-ranging topics, targets, and tones within the world of picture books.

Wrap up your tour with BookLovingGrandma'sBlog post. She reminds us that picture books from the past are worth celebrating, too. In fact, the timeless quality of picture books is one of their most amazing qualities. For example:

Chronicle Books, 2002

RUBY'S WISH, written by Shirin Yim Bridges and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, offers a glimpse into the life of an exuberant young girl growing up in China. This takes place at a time when boys were favored with education, privilege, and the best of everything, while girls were educated in domestic skills and expected to marry and tend to a family. Ruby's wise grandfather heard the truth in her poem, listened to her wishes, and helped them to come true. Based on a the real life of the author's grandmother, Ruby, whose grandfather supported her with finances and his love to attend university and shape a life for herself outside the expectations and conventions of her time.

Capstone: Picture Window Books, 2014

With a story created by Patti Kim and pictures by Sonia Sanchez, HERE I AM is a 2014 release set in modern day New York City. When a young Korean boy's family relocates there he finds himself overwhelmed and confused, unable to read his new environment, literally and socially. Self-imposed isolation is his solution. When his special seed, his familiar source of comfort, drops out a window he braves the unknown and gradually discovers a welcoming array of people, places, aromas and activities in his new city. This is a wordless book blending picture book illustration patterns with graphic panels to reveal a story that is both specific and universal. The author note indicates it, too, is based on a true story, the author's own. 

In both cases there are fascinating visual details, emotions, and cultural references. The story lines are location referenced and anchored in specific times, separated by an ocean and more than a century. Yet both address the question of a young person feeling alienated from his or her home life and society's expectations. 

The power of picture books lies in this remarkable versatility and universality. What are you doing to celebrate and share picture books this month? (Or ANY month!)

Popped back in to add a post from the incredible Debbie Ohi on this topic just posted on her InkyGirl blog.