WOODY'S WORDS: Remember WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS?

 The author of that timeless novel for young readers was Woodrow Wilson Rawls, the "Woody" in the title of this picture book. WOODY'S WORDS: Woodrow Wilson Rawls and WHERE THE RED FERN RED FERN GROWS is a biography of the author, but also a celebration of the power of reading and writing. Actually, the focus is on a boy-grown-to-man and his drive to tell stories. Reading books changed his young life, and he vowed, "I don't care how long it takes me or what I have to do. Someday I will write a book, and it will have a dog in it." That powerful quotation appears on the title page in this picture book written by Lisa Rogers and illustrated by Susan Reagan. 

CALKINS CREEK BOOKS, 2025

I can hardly imagine that anyone raised in this country has not read (or heard aloud, or watched on film) WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS. It is, indeed, a book, and it does, most certainly, center on a dog ands a boy. Woody's ancestors were Cherokee, and he grew up on family land assigned to those ancestors when they were relocated from their own territories. 

His education was at his mother's knee, and not only in simple reading and writing and arithmetic. When she first read a novel aloud to him, (The Call of the Wild) it transformed his sense of purpose. The simple and accessible narrative text  in this biography reveals Woody's deep engagement in rereading that book and then in writing and rewriting the world as he lived it, even when his available tools were limited to scratching words into soft mud with the point of a stick. For anyone who says it takes time and patience to become the kind of writer and storyteller who can win hearts, they could have been speaking about Woody.

Woody grew up in hard times and spent many young (and later) years bumming from town to town, from jail cell to jail cell, suffering from a lack of food or money but never lacking a good heart. No matter where or in what conditions he found himself, the stories moved through his mind and onto the page, even when those pages were soiled paper bags. He kept his attempts for many years, until he met and married.

He was so ashamed of what he considered his poor efforts that he burned all of the saved writings rather than show them to the woman he loved. After eventually confessing his need and desire to write a book, Sophie worked with him, correcting spelling and polishing some sentences. That finally-ready manuscript became a book, and he wanted people to read it. In his folksy, plain-spoken way, he visited schools and libraries and met readers where they were. Once he talked about his youth and his effort (over forty years) to produce a story of a boy, his dog, and life in the country, readers sought out his book and joined him in the story.

The account of Woody and Sophie and their eventual success is both heartwarming and inspiring. Back matter provides more details, as well as photographs of  moments before and after his book became an all-time success.  His next book, SUMMER OF THE MONKEYS, also featured a boy and his dog. Both books sold millions of copies.  Multiple pages of resources and research references attest to the depth of story-searching by Rogers. The illustrator's colors, sweeps of landscape, and suggestions of struggle have captured an authentic sense of rural life in the era and the yearning within a boy/man who had  something to say. It was clear with every word and image that Woody felt inadequate as a writer, but never gave up on his dream to share his stories in a way that made them last. 

Rogers wrote a dedication that hints at how moved she was by the storytelling drive of Rawls: 

"For those who have stories to tell and the librarians who celebrate them" then named several important librarians from her own life.

The structure of this narrative and account of Rawls's life holds no surprises, but the direct and simple language and sequential revelations of his persistence and outreach are best suited to this simple and plainspoken man. It mirrors the steady pace of his personal journey and the glowing satisfaction of his eventual success. 

WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS has been a part of my literary life, but now Woody brings me back to reread it and to wonder at his determination and at the satisfaction he was finally able to achieve. 

TWO DOGS: Ian Falconer's Mastery of HUMOR

 Here's a quick weekend post about a picture book with something we all need more of- HUMOR! 

Michael DiCapua Books/HARPER COLLINS
2022

TWO DOGS, created by author/Illustrator Ian Falconer, will leave you smiling and recommending it to others. That's no surprise, since Caldecott winner Falconer is acclaimed for his talent as a visual storyteller/illustrator. In this case such praise proves itself merited, and not just because of the of the appeal of these two dachshund-brother characters, surprisingly upright and outrageous. He has captured their personalities with semi-realistic situations, poses, and personalities accompanied by minimal but clever text.

This seemingly simple work, an account of a day's adventure and its consequences, is a treasury of mentor content on ways to express and convey humor. The juxtaposition of what is expected versus simple surprises begins on that cover and is an effective device throughout. The tug/hug contrast of emotions among siblings adds another rich layer, as are curiosity, teamwork success and foibles, and more. 

Wouldn't everyone love to get a laugh, to tell or write humor in memorable ways? Check out this little masterpiece! And to learn more about dachsunds, click to see more, including their characteristic description: curious, friendly, spunky. Exactly like these TWO DOGS.

DOGS! And More DOGS! An ATLAS OF DOGS For Many Ages!

 Full disclosure: I'm a "dog person", and always will, be, even though not currently having a dog in my family. (Also a fan of cats, but with allergies they are permanently off the household list.) I am also a fan of many picture books that were originally produced in other cultures/languages and brought to an American/English audience. This is happening more frequently these days, with the high quality and universality of both fiction and nonfiction themes and topics as the reason for their success.

Albatross Media Group, 2021

ATLAS OF DOGS is written by authors Ester Dobiasova, Stepanka Sekaninova, and Jana Seflackova. Colorful, comical, and informative Illustrations are the creation of Marcel Kralik. This wonderful book first hit the market in Prague, the Czech Republic, in 2021, then made its way to my English-speaking eyes via Albatross Media Group for consideration for a nonfiction CYBILS awards a few months ago. I was delighted to have a close look and knew it would merit a full review.

An ATLAS approach to nonfiction content is rarely the kind of book that one might read cover to cover. Such a structure typically is used for research, shelved in a reference section. The rare accomplishment of this title is that it fully deserves the "ATLAS" designation and could provide searching readers with the specifics they might be seeking, but invites that cover-to-cover engagement. It provides a Table of Contents that is organized along the lines of dog show categories, grouping dogs by their function or heritage, and launching the pages with an overview of the species "DOG". 

But anyone seeking deep and detailed content would do well to use more comprehensive resources. This appealing ATLAS serves to provide a fully functional view of dogs, and provides a fun first step in feeling at home with reference materials and the ways they can explore factual content. In this case both the text and the illustrations present valuable details, including scaled sizes and breed features, with a colorful, kid-friendly approach that invites reading. In large part that is a credit to the overall page designs, using clear font, comfortable line spacing and background white pages, with brief text segments and spot illustrations that draw the eye (and the heart!) to want to know more.

HUMOR literally seasons every page and aspect of the book, with the dogs themselves claiming center stage in attitude, relationships, and unwavering, irresistible direct eye contact with the reader. Crisp asides are smile-bait: 

Title page sign:  KEEP CALM AND CRUNCH THAT BONE

Dedication: THIS BOOK BELONGS TO ALL DOG LOVERS

End papers: DICTIONARY OF DOG SPEECH

The back cover provides a sample of a distinctively clever feature. Throughout the atlas there are many pages from a dog-pubilshed periodical, DOGS' DAILY POST. The various "page" inserts include dog stories (many of dog bravery or remarkable skill), letters to and from the "editor", famous people and their pets, and tongue-in-dog-cheek advertisements.

For kids who have one or more dogs, and for those who are begging to get one, this book is a perfect fit. I can even imagine that the occasional child who has a fear of dogs might find it a safe and informative way to learn more about dogs, that all are not alike, that their body language can be "heard/read" in order to respond safely, and potentially even shift  beyond their learned aversion or anxiety. 

One thing I particularly admired about the illustration is how most of the dogs were ACTIVE, in motion, and in those cases revealed even more facts about each breed. Some reflected characteristic strides, gaits, postures, tail positions, and more, all of which seemed accurate, to my amateur eye. In every case the excitement of and enjoyment of the various dogs was reflected in relationships with humans and other canines, a truth that anyone who has ever had a dog will confirm. This picture book has many benefits as a first-atlas experience, but also has the warm appeal that will make it more of a go-back-to-often book than a look-something-up choice. Ask for it in your library and decide for yourselves!

SCURRY! and WOOF! Remarkably Magical Nonfiction Appeal

I have a friend who is a gifted writer, but in recent years she has turned her available creative time to photography. Examples of her photos are increasingly breathtaking. What's more, in this past year she has taken the bold step to learn and explore painting- using various media and attempting a wide array of subjects. The works that she's shared are as lovely, thought-provoking, and powerful as her writing and photography. 

Her versatility and talents came to mind when I read these two nonfiction picture books by author/photographer Annette Whipple. The first to consider is SCURRY! The Truth About Spiders.

Reycraft Books, September, 2021

After an initial AWE response to the images, a careful examination of these two books will reveal several strategies and craft techniques to account for their excellence. Whipple has made the world of spiders utterly appealing! 

Here are just a few ways she accomplished this magical achievement.The obvious place to start is with the many spectacular photographs that inspire awe and also inform. Any viewer of any image will be ensnared in the web of color, charisma, and complex life of each of the many species of spiders Whipple's photos reveal. 

Using the often-recommended "trick" of focusing on the eyes makes a powerful beginning, (something that works with snaps of babies and even ZOOM shots!), but the creator of this magic turns those images of eyes into unforgettable factual content. Reporting eight eyes for spiders (at least for most), she follows with the surprising fact that most still have rather poor ability to see! Nevertheless, those eyes and their patterns are one of the most visible traits used by scientists and hobbyists in distinguishing one type of spider from another. This comprehensive exploration of spider with its superb blend of photos and facts becomes even more powerful with the artful use of some occasional spider-speaking cartoon questions, challenges, invitations, and incidental facts. 

Can you imagine what happens when Whipple tosses in ...language of the main expository text that's kid-friendly and focuses on the kinds of questions that curious kids will want to know? Lively details like eight legs? And what happens if one leg is eaten or breaks off? What are those two other things that look like arms? How can spiders make that silky web-stuff? And really? Spiders can control how thick or thin the web fibers are? How sticky or smooth? And web fibers are stronger than steel, when compared in weight and size? Oh, and they eat HOW? What's with so much HAIR? Seriously? 

What happens is magical.

These are only some of the fascinating aspects of spiders that will have kids (and adults) inspecting the images in the books, sharing facts with others, and even shifting their attitudes about live spiders they encounter. Just in case some readers are not converted by facts and images, the author even provides a page of suggestions for desensitizing those with engrained fears. 

Back matter serves anyone seeking to explore further, to take on some challenges, or to consider photographing and writing about other creatures would do well to use this as mentor text. I am certain there are countless kids who will be captured in the appealing web of this book.

Reycraft Books, June, 2021

If by any chance the topic of SPIDERS isn't doing it for you, who can resist DOGS? WOOF! The Truth About Dogs is an irresistible presentation of DOG information, wisdom, and surprises. It also advocates for readers of any age to volunteer at rescue shelters as companions, playmates, and general helpers for canines waiting and hoping for a fur-ever home. 

The talent and strategies that shine in SCURRY! are center-stage in this picture book, beginning with the eyes on that cover! In this case, though, Whipple builds on the fact that so many DOG parts and patterns are familiar to readers. Then she uses photos and friendly phrasing to clarify, correct, and expand on readers' awareness of this ubiquitous but diverse species. The question/answer approach, compare/contrast text patterns, and the widely varied cartoon-comic dog characters with something significant to say keeps the pages turning and the information memorable. 

Back matter is kid-directed and also irresistible, with pages showing how to make a dog toy, compare breed facts and images, consider an instructional/safety page about how to app[roach an unfamiliar dog, images and insights revealing what volunteering might involve, and an answer to that frequent question: Are dogs just tame wolves?  

What, you can't really imagine I'd offer her answer here, can you? Get the book and read for yourselves!

These two titles belong in every library, many classrooms, and family homes. Both titles offer the allure of "coffee table books" in enticing and engaging casual audiences while also providing well-selected and curated informational content in ways that entertain and invite questions, further reading, or discussion. These titles also offer mentor examples for anyone considering writing nonfiction, for developing photographic skills, or even for those interested in using photos by others to enhance your text. 

Check them both out!

THREE, A Picture Book with Countless Pleasures

 If you are a regular reader here you'll know that the soft spot in my heart for animals in general, and especially for dogs, is quite large. One reason there are so many picture books about dogs is that there are so many ways to explore the infinite hearts and natures of dogs. 

Earlier this spring I reviewed PERDU, by author/illustrator Richard Jones, including an interview. In that book, the title dog, Perdu, had a loving home but became lost. He is seeking, longing to restore his sense of belonging, something that he once knew and remembered well. (Spoiler alert: happy ending, but you already guessed that, right?)

Neal Porter Books
Holiday House, 2021

THREE happens to be a dog without a home. It just so happens  he is also a dog without a right front leg. Thus, he is THREE, a simple fact of life and number. That he is homeless appears to be a simple fact of life, unlike Perdu. 

Three conveys a gentle acceptance of everything in life, with intelligence and curiosity, including a clever capacity for making his solo journey through life with a happy heart and independent spirit. On a rainy day, he walks beside an umbrella-carrying character, he enjoys sunny days for warmth, raining days for a good wash, and keeps a wag in his tail to remain well-fed. 

"Every day was a skip and a hop for Three."

Light and direct text reveals the casual fact that Three occasionally looked for a home, but mostly spent time taking close account of the numbers of legs surrounding him. Little six-legs (ants) had a harder time surviving in the city, so made an underground home. Little eight-legs faced dangers, so had a home up high.It is not stated, but the inference is that somewhere there might be a just-right home for Three, but this was just another simple fact, not a cause for yearning or concern. Light touches like these prevent readers from feeling pity or worry, although Three invites connection and affection from the start. 

Three's joyfully rational perspective on legs notes that table and chairs have four legs, but never go far. In fact, some are often sat upon by two legs. Several colorful double spreads present urban landscapes with dashed-line trails revealing Three's various sojourns.Three follows his nose, and off he goes. 

When such a day leads him away from the city, he encounters entirely new and interesting four legs and two legs and long ears, and ... a two leg pretending to be a four leg. That new creature, named Fern, becomes a friend. Exactly the kind of friend they both needed.

This lightly told and lively-illustrated tale combines simple concepts with deep-seated truths. Perfect for even the youngest, there are  plenty of counting opportunities and loads of laughs at the clever insights offered. The rich reality of acceptance and confidence and respect also make this an ideal picture book for older readers, inviting discussion about differences and adaptability and attitudes. 

THREE is written and illustrated by Stephen Michael King. His books reveal mastery of versatile art techniques, applied with thoughtful effectiveness to the intention and spirit of the text. THREE is a winning example of using a light touch in both art and text to explore character and differences, resulting in a picture book I highly recommend. 

On a Lighter Note... THIS IS A DOG by Ross Collins

In case you missed it, I hope you'll click back to the previous post by author/illustrator Richard Jones. His April release of PERDU earned high praise from me, including this line I wrote:

 "Perdu is a very expressive pooch, but remains every inch a dog." 

In that case, little lost Perdu communicates the way dogs do- with heart and expressions and body posture. The fact that both the words and illustrations in this picture book were created by one person assured full communication of the story.

In THIS book, my words can also apply. This dog is a very expressive pooch, but remains every inch a dog. Except for one thing... mastery of a crayon and some impressive literacy skills.

The DOG, in THIS IS A DOG by Ross Collins has equal appeal to Perdu's, and will generate head nods of recognition by dog people, along with grins, chuckles, and outright guffaws. In this case, just a few words combine with remarkable lively and expressive illustrations to succeed in telling THIS DOG's story with drama and delight. The emotional engagement is quite different from PERDU, or from any lost dog story. In fact, This DOG shares some personality traits with MOOSE, in Z IS FOR MOOSE, written by Kelly Bingham and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Dog is determined to hijack what sets out to be a simple book of animals, with an intended title, MY FIRST ANIMAL BOOK. 

Perhaps Collins invited such a sassy attitude from DOG when he opened the first full spread with THIS IS A DOG, starring the pooch on the cover. Dog should be forgiven for assuming that the book would be about him, right? From that page forward, Dog intrudes on each intended animal, with each showing it is  fully aware of DOG's presence. Kids AND adults will appreciate the range of communication through eye contact and body language between the intended animal and that interloping dog. 

Don't imagine that this is a one-joke book. The action, emotion, humor and heart throughout are irresistible and make each page turn more fun than the first. That doesn't mean that a single reading will suffice, either. The illustration details, nuance of expression, and personality of DOG combine to make a hug-worthy experience that is bound to be a read-it-again favorite.

I won't reveal specifics, and that includes the satisfying final page turn. I will share the delightful dedication, though: 

For my dog, HUGO,

who taught me the meaning of irony

by destroying some of the artwork

from this book.

I leave a bit of a surprise for you on this part, too, since Hugo is granted a little photo cameo with the dedication. I would have wagered money I don't have that Collins is a dog-person, even without that dedication, based on the extent to which he brought dog-ness to this art and story. The dedication was just the kind of unexpected detail and layer of laughter that this book promises on every page. 

Line up the dog-lovers, laughter-lovers, adventure-lovers, and irony-appreciators in your lives and make a list. This is a must have for one and all.