WIND IS A DANCE: Poetry Meets Meteorology

 I've been a fan of WATER IS WATER (by the talented creators, Miranda Paul and Jason Chin) since it released more than a decade ago. Its lightly lyrical (and brightly rhymed) text dances across gorgeously illustrated pages while revealing the stages of the water cycle as the emotional and essential role of water on this planet and in our lives. This offering did not include side bar expository text, but it did provide informative back matter. It has been a consistently popular book, and it should be.

Kids Can Press, 2024

To compare this new picture book to WATER IS WATER is high praise indeed, and I don't do so lightly. WIND IS A DANCE is written by Debra Kempf Shumaker and illustrated by Josée Bisaillon. This extended poem (unrhymed, but liltingly lyrical) moves from page to page through metaphorical comparisons of wind to familiar experiences and encounters. 

Wind is a dance...

Wind is a supportive teammate or ornery opponent...

... a whisk    ...a top    ...a feather  

and more. In each case a few comparative or descriptive phrases follow. On most pages, a brief inset box or bubble is included to name the types of winds (tornado, hurricane, etc.) with a bit of scientifically accessible details. 

The back matter includes a chart that clearly reveals that accelerating and sustained wind speed is a crucial factor in the escalating ways wind can be named and can affect the physical world. The chart also has a column to  describe/name each level, and to note impacts on land, and on sea. On the facing page is a brief description of wind-measuring instruments and sources (both websites and books). The author's "more about" section provides great explainers about various wind phenomena and where they generally occur.

The above are all well and good. I'm a fan of gorgeous writing and also of authentic, accessible science to explain our world experiences. But these are elevated further in several ways through well-suited illustration. The colors used are eye-catching but natural, feeling familiar and safe. The impacts of various winds, though sometimes dramatic or even scary, are mitigated by elements that anchor the metaphors in images- and excited puppy (which we all know can cause havoc!), a spinning top, a whirling whisk, or a delicate feather. Each wind expression allows for reasonable resolve, as is always true in our lived experiences. 

Within those images are effective movement elements: flowing hair, dancing children, swirling leaves, and snow-drifting blizzard. Within each spread, individuals shown are delightfully diverse in skin tone, body size and shape, gender. As a full experience (the way in which EVERY picture book should be read in a first round, and in many successive readings) this offers a beautiful and satisfying experience. The fact that this book also provides information and resources to return to for science and nature investigations is a bonus that should not be ignored. 

Overall, I genuinely encourage you to read this book and share it with young readers across man ages. It will blow you away. 

HOW TO KNOW A CROW: The Biography of a Brainy Bird

Whether you already know what a fan I am of birds and bird books, or not, I'm telling you to READ THIS BOOK! 

Whether you already know, or not, that I support picture books for any age, but especially for use with older readers, I'm telling you to READ THIS BOOK!

Whether you think crows are pests or varmints or troublemakers of some kind, or not, I'm telling you to READ THIS BOOK!

Now let's get started...

HOW TO KNOW A CROW: The BIOGRAPHY OF A BRAINY BIRD is written by Candace Savage and illustrated by Rachel Hudson. 

Before I comment on the complex and compelling content of this remarkable book for upper elementary and middle grades, I want to say I was not surprised at its excellence. It was produced by a true dream team of creators. GREYSTONE BOOKS for KIDS is a Canadian small press with an intentional approach to producing books celebrating nature, indigenous people, and environmental themes for young readers. By inviting author Candace Savage to take on this project, they called on board an established nonfiction nature writer (and CROW expert in her own right), then enhanced the project by using an illustrator whose sole focus is nature, Rachel Hudson. The result is a picture book for older readers, one whose illustrations DO support and clarify the text, but also include science-based charts, insets, and other visual materials that enrich the content without disrupting the flow of thoroughly appealing narration. 

Savage's voice, language, and engaging style invite readers to be co-discoverers of the astonishing workings of a single, particular crow whose very nature will never have a  "single" mode. The familial and larger flocking patterns of crows, especially American Crows, are attributed to instinct but also to generational learning and innate intelligence. Those socialization processes are intriguing and sometimes even jaw-dropping. None are antropopmorprized or assigned human thinking or intentions. Trust me, crows are fabulous enough that they don't need us to pretend they are human.

Finally, enter the book with me. 

At 106 pages it is far from a typical early picture book. Text per page is usually several paragraphs, written in third person but as if able to closely accompany a first-to-hatch crow from a clutch of five. Oki is the designation for this seemingly fragile, utterly dependent crow. Its development and growth eventually lead readers to understanding AND appreciation of the inner and observable workings of American crows. We also meet and learn about Oki's immediate family, extended family, and broader crow society.

Each step along Oki's three year journey reveals further scientifically verifiable aspects of crows' lives and aspects of the science behind them. Examples of insets are identifiers of various crow subspecies, science diagrams, behavioral patterns, and much more. These have small icon tags called "CROW LAB" and encourage readers to actively engage with nature/science activities suggested. In most cases a short  "pro tip" is included to suggest direct connections to readers' lives. This text design and formatting allows readers of many levels and interests to read from front to back or dip in and out to follow trails of observation in the real world or simple curiosity.

Throughout these revelations, Oki's observed behaviors range from sound/song production, communication, intelligence, and brain structures to crow intelligence compared to other animals. And so much more. If you are imagining that this is dry or dull, think again. The familiar tone (as if spoken aloud to a nearby kid)  and related illustrations in each case pulls readers closer and closer to crows, providing tantalizing tidbits and facts but also developing a solid foundation of information about the high level functioning of crows. 

If you thought chimpanzees and other primates are the only species (other than human) capable of constructing and using tools, think again. If you have trouble remembering faces, get a crow tutor. Crows easily tell each other apart. Rarely can humans identify individual crows without tags or odd physical variants. Crows recall identified human faces and REMEMBER, as well as holding grudges when needed. 

Stop me now. I could (and would) go on and on about the many ways I admire crows and am more curious about them now than when I began. I'd put money down that readers will feel the same and enthusiastically tell others about what they learned. Back matter includes the usual nonfiction materials (glossary, index, etc.) but also bibliography and resources. The author's note clarifies something (includes a SPOILER about Oki), and allows readers to recognize the variety of ways in which animal science can serve us- in science laboratories as well as in the field. 

I also enjoyed a recent adult memoir by Amy Tan is THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES and it came to mind while I read this. In it, Tan recounts how she became a careful observer of birds, sketching and recording and learning along the way. The many Crow Lab insets and Pro Tips in HOW TO KNOW A CROW may yield a cadre of long-term bird-observers, sketchers, and journal-writers.

I hope you can feel how much I like this. Without scrolling back the top of page, READ THIS BOOK!

JOSE FEEDS THE WORLD: A Story Worth Reading

 Some picture book biographies focus on well-known folks, as I wrote about years ago, HERE. Entire rows of library shelves are devoted to a few such historic figures. In many cases, though, biographies reveal to us those spectacular lives we had not previously heard about, as does the picture book I recently reviewed HERE.

Then there are individuals whose lives are contemporary and compelling, who continue to make history and change lives as I type these words and as you read them. JOSE ANDRES is one such individual, whose name might ring a bell. If not, this might:

WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN

Yes, THAT Jose Andres. Increasingly destructive natural disasters, global wars, and other desperate situations have kept this remarkable organization and the man who launched the WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN in the news. And WCK has kept people alive during the most devastating conditions. Such an altruist, such an innovator, such a generous man deserves at least one picture book. In this year alone there are TWO. A Plate of Hope is a fantastic account of this remarkable man and his work, which I reviewed HERE.

DUOPRESS: Imprint of SOURCE BOOKS, 2024

I'm impressed but not surprised that such a giant of a man, with such an expansive personality, would merit more than one biography for young readers. A second picture book on this man and his mission is titled JOSE FEEDS THE WORLD: How a Famous Chef Feeds Millions of People In Need Around the World. Written by David Unger and illustrated by Maria Alvarez Miguens, this account shares the origins of Jose's love of cooking and sharing food with those who need it. 

The illustrations are colorful and inviting, like the best foods. The book case front and back reveal a reverse of this circle story theme in Jose's life and choices. On the front we see a world famous chef, his initiatives and innovations providing shared-food experiences where they are most needed. The back cover reveals his beginnings, with his farther helping Jose tend the fire for the massive preparations of paella to serve at large home gatherings. It was at home, when his parents (both nurses) brought their caring ways into the home and kitchen, that Jose learned to cook. Jose soon decided his favorite place to be was his cocina- kitchen-- foreshadowing the title for his eventual global efforts. 

His earliest goals, to share delicious Spanish food with the world, earned success and awards as a master chef, changing appreciation for his food across backgrounds. This version of his life story emphasizes the globalization of his mission to share food: a local food pantry/soup kitchen, an impromptu effort with chef/friends to feed the hungry during the 2010 Haiti earthquake. There he learned that adapting available foods to local cultures made their efforts more successful as nourishment and as reassurance and comfort. 

That effort led to forming the non-profit WCK, organizing support to mobilize in emergencies, and exploring ways to combine warmth and comfort food with local survival resources, from apples to MRIs (meals-ready-to-eat  from the military). In each case, from flood to war zones, reservations to covid care, he and his team learned and innovated and adapted to become more effective, to reach more people, to lead others to help others. 

As it happens, his success in feeding stomachs also fed spirits, inspired resilience, and sparked innovation. Not unlike tending the fires under his papa's paella pan. This version of Jose's story underscores the global expansion of WCK and also serves to inspire readers to imagine  themselves in a serving future. He is a large physical presence at this stage of life, but the account of his personality and accomplishments let readers recognize in him the child in the kitchen who launched this journey to greatness

Whichever version you read, and I hope you'll read both, you'll feel the heartwarming truth of this man's life. Despite losing teams in war zones and the ever-increasing needs throughout the world, Jose Andres is living a life that models the real meaning of a successful life. May the bookshelves fill with more of his stories.

A Glorious Story: MOTORCYCLE QUEEN: The Life of Bessie Stringfield

 I've been eyeball deep among stacks of nonfiction for elementary and middle grade readers to help choose finalists for those categories for this year's CYBILS AWARDS. The crop of nominees is outstanding. I've been  reading, reflecting, and sharing. In the case of this picture book, the facts are phenomenal, and back matter clarifies even more about this remarkable girl/woman who stayed true to who she knew she was and how she could make her life meaningful. I'm happy to pause from "judging"  to share this.

When it comes to nonfiction picture books, especially biography, conveying a sense of the spirit and drive of the central character is the engine of the story, right? No matter what their accomplishments, at the heart of any biography (but especially ones for young readers) is the importance of connection. In this case, readers of any age will connect with and be inspired by the life of Bessie Stringfield.

CREATIVE EDITIONS: 2024

Bessie's achievements  (even her NAME!) were new to me, but I'm so happy to have met her in MOTORCYCLE QUEEN: The Life of Bessie Stringfield, written by Janie Havemeyer and illustrated by Jean Claverie. Bessie's spirit and drive are captured in the first line of text:

"IF BESSIE DIDN'T RIDE, 

SHE DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE."

In this case, the earliest years of Bessie's life are skipped, in part because the author indicates that Bessie's accounts of those years varied, and  sources to verify were sketchy at best. 

That opening line, though, launches sixteen-year-old Bessie Stringfield onto her first and ever-faithful motorcycle, Scout. But Bessie rode as if she was born to, and she set out in search of dreams. Her adventure began in the south, in the early years of the twentieth century, when it wasn't safe for a girl on her own to be crossing the country, sleeping deep in the woods, scavenging for berries and such. That wasn't ladylike in the least. Girls were certainly not suited to this habit or passion, especially Black girls. But her choices suited Bessie just fine, and she sang the words to favorite  hymns to bolster her faith and confidence.

Very quickly this single-minded young woman developed stunts and tricks, she survived intentional accidents with larger vehicles, and earned her way through the world traveling with performing troupes. When Bessie rode she was FIERCE and FREE.

But she also needed to do something with value. When the Second World War broke out, she volunteered to serve as a motorcycle messenger between battle camps. Can you guess the response she got? "NO!" A girl can't do this kind of work. 

Just as Bessie had proven herself to a highway officer who tried to ticket her, she demonstrated her mastery of the motorbike to her military trainers and was issued a uniform and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Examples of her daring and essential deliveries during the war are breathtaking. After the war she retired to Florida and never stopped riding, right up until her death at 81 year old. 

Throughout every spread, illustrations capture that irrepressible spirit and energy at each challenge and stage of life, as seen on the cover.

It's clear that local folks knew of Bessie, and those who were entertained by her stunts and escapades loved her daring and skill. She is honored in the American Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Even so, Bessie Stringfield is relatively unknown but deserves a wider audience and admiration. This exuberant account of her determined, remarkable life is a wonderful way to celebrate someone who entertained, served, and never lost her love of life on the fly!