I DON'T CARE... DO YOU?

On this national holiday commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. and his immeasurable contribution to a better country and world, I'll feature a new picture book that embodies everything important about his messages for young audiences. 

Neal Porter Books, 2022
Holiday House Imprint

I DON'T CARE is written by multi-award-winning Julie Fogliano, and illustrated by a pair of award-winning illustrators Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal. 

Among the best of all interviewers is Scott Simon of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday. In December, Simon hosted both illustrators, Molly and Juana, for an interview that knocked me flat. I was entertained, informed, uplifted, and... disappointed.

 WHAT?!?!?  Disappointed? Here's why. I had been offered a chance to submit interview questions for all three creators, but after hearing their conversation I realized that nothing I could offer would be more engaging and powerful than that session together with Scott Simon. Whether you read anything else here or not, (and I hope you will), do yourself a favor and listen to this remarkable interview, HERE.

Foregoing an interview allows me space to dig even more deeply into the work itself, trusting you to read/listen to the discussion linked above. It will reveal back story and details about the choices for color, style, even paper! All of these make the experience of the book itself all the more powerful. Don't let my gushing endorsement of their illustration work and of the interview content suggest I'm overlooking the brilliance of the text itself. That can't happen.

Julie Fogliano has produced some of my all time favorite picture books, including THESE. The common trait among them is the author's gift for using the "just right" words in the "just right" order to focus readers on the heart of each particular story. She often writes in rhyme, but that approach never overwhelms or even leads the way for readers. She allows the unfolding text to reveal the heart of what is happening, what is at stake, and what is resolved. Those qualities are most often "quiet" in her works, and "quiet" books are reportedly not easily sold in today's market. 

Ha!

As with rhyming, another approach writers are  frequently cautioned to avoid, the secret to success is to do it well, even perfectly. Julie does just that. Her books often, and especially this one, provide ideal mentor text for anyone attempting to write for children. 

In this case, her full text is voiced by what she had envisioned as a single child, addressed to a "you". That "you" would seemingly be another child who the speaker is evidently rebuffing, assuming the "other" likely thinks negative things about the speaker. About their hair, boots, clothes, drawing, what they have or where they live or what they eat. The speaker's guard is up from the first moment the other, the "you", appears

 The speaker's words imply suspicion, defensiveness, and (likely) a bias toward others who in any way seem different. The text continues to allow the "I" voice to see and consider a possible connection to the other, one that might actually be an opportunity for company, for play, for... friendship. 

This development allows for caring: about what matters most, and about the other as much as about themselves. The lines and language, gently rhymed and paced, provide time for growth, inner reflections, and the possibility for change. The childlike pattern used (and the use of lower case /i/ for the pronoun stating the characters feelings) remind readers of any age that  such a suspicious, tentative approach to new encounters, to change, to expectations that remain unpredictable, are common negative reactions at any age, to one degree or another. If the illustrations had developed with this single perspective, I have no doubt that I'd still love and praise this new offering. 

But, as the interview linked above reveals, handing text to an illustrator allows for an entirely expanded interpretation, and that was the impact on Molly Idle when she was asked to illustrate. The text spoke to her entirely as an interactive dialogue between TWO characters, alternating that /i/ voice and those cautious feelings, allowing both to gradually recognize themselves as being safe in the other's company and, in fact, very much caring about the newly developing friendship. 

This delightful, gentle, powerful exploration of inner and interactive emotions is a perfect reflection of the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s lifetime efforts. Neither character tried to reshape the other, but each is able to overcome cautious defensiveness and give the other a chance. 

This is no quick transition; no abracadabra moment occurs. But sustained "tolerance", close observation, and human curiosity serve as magnets to explore further. What this seemingly simple picture book captures is a human being moving through initial discomfort, sitting with those feelings long enough to explore and overcome them. None of that would happen if the initial response was to shut down and go away, or to find like-minded folks and reconfirm that anything other than the familiar presented danger.

Interior spread, I DON'T CARE, 2022

That gave the two a chance... for what? To be who they are, and to accept the other fully, finding safety and respect in the process. And, in this case, making new friends. Transformation of our historically silo-evolved society comes one encounter at a time. This new book not only provides mentor-text and mentor-illustration for creators, it is a mentor offering for life, for all ages. 

Don't miss it. then share it and actively practice. Seek out opportunities to spend time outside your usual circles, habits, locations. Be patient and fair. Change CAN come, given a chance.

More Wonderful CYBILS AWARDS Nonfiction Titles- Biographies and Profiles

One of the greatest challenges of serving as a Round One panelist for Cybils Awards is that there are SO MANY terrific titles with SO FEW slots available to list as finalists. Balancing that struggle is the blessing of being able to read quite a few wonderful titles that I somehow missed in the course of the publishing year. As public bloggers/reviewers, we panelists have the lovely bonus of using our platforms to feature and celebrate favorite titles whether they made the finalist cut or not, and without a deadline! This post is the first of several that will offer you short features about some I especially enjoyed, and believe you will, too. This post focuses on picture books that are biographies or profiles of women, ones you may or may not already THINK you know.

Little Bigfoot, 2022

First up is  LIBRARY GIRL:How Nancy Pearl Became America's Most Celebrated Librarian, written by Karen Henry Clark and illustrated by Sheryl Murray. Here's what I had to say about it on my Goodreads account.

"Adults who read (sadly, some don't) will certainly recognize the name of Nancy Pearl, perhaps the best known librarian in America. This is a genuinely touching account of how her early years were somewhat unhappy, how she came to feel at home and supported within her library. It is effective and interesting to be able to imagine her as a tentative and "out of place" child who grew to not only find a career, but find herself and her confidence within that career!"

Clarion Books, 2022

A PERFECT FIT: How Lena Bryant Changed the Shape of Fashion is next, written by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by the amazing Juana Martinez- Neal. My notes about this fantastic offering (which DID make the finalist list in the elementary category) is here:

"Crisp and  entertaining text combine with illustrator Martinez-Neal's trademark fluidity and grace to develop a portrait of a determined, creative, talented woman who never forgot her father's message- to make the world a better place for others. Her tools were her scissors, sewing machine, fabrics and ribbons, all used in service of making women of any size or shape feel wonderful in their clothing. 

Who knew that the iconic "Lane Bryant" clothing line had such an inspiring background? I certainly didn't, and I am grateful to have learned it in such an appealing format. I look forward to sharing this with readers of many ages, including older ones who envision a career in design. 

Lena's father's advice will serve them well in their careers."

Beachlane Books, 2022

And here's another title that provides an introduction to a young woman whose decisions and life choices merit our attention, It is also a story with "hooks" related to sports, fashion, gender restrictions, overcoming disabling health challenges, and more. Here are my Goodreads comments on ANNETTE FEELS FREE: The True Story of Annette Kellerman, World-Class Swimmer, Fashion Pioneer, and Real-Life Mermaid, written/illustrated by Katie Mazieka. 

"This seemingly simple picture book bio of a record-breaking female swimmer from Australia is far more than that. Australia's Annette Kellerman lived her youngest years as a lively, exuberant girl whose love of ballet and performance led to dreams of a stage life. When an unknown paralyzing infection left her with weakened legs and wearing braces that imprisoned her dreams, her spirit faded. Her father's brilliant idea to help her learn to swim restored Annette's freedom, leading eventually to a fully restored body and dreams she could never have imagined, with a watery stage on which to express herself and gain the acclaim she welcomed. 

I tagged this as a story in a story because her life was notable, too, (as the subtitle indicates) for breaking gender barriers beyond the athletic world. The fact that multiple heavy layers of clothing were demanded for women swimmers, (even in competition against MEN!), chafed at Annette's sense of justice and equity. She designed and created a modest, swimmable garment, but one that shocked society of that time. It took a ruling by the courts to allow her to wear it in competitions and later in general when swimming, but requirements were placed that she must be covered/robed on land, not dropping her coverings until stepping into the water. Her fashion pioneering led to other girls and women adopting the style and all eventually ignoring the demands for 'land" coverings.

Readers will find  joy, persistence, imagination, unbounded goal-setting, emotional arcs, and family strengths in this beautifully illustrated new picture book.

I highly recommend all three titles, and assure readers of any age that they will learn fascinating information about women with whom they may or may not have been acquainted before cracking the covers of these terrific picture books. Dive in, folks, and share them with others.

Two Picture Books Celebrating Daily Life of Native People

Roaring Book Press, 2019

FRY BREAD: A Native American Family Story is raking in well-deserved awards. It is written by Kevin Noble Mailard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, a talented pair who together created a modern miracle. There are not enough words of praise to offer, but I'll give it a try.

This remarkable book is an outstanding example of a picture book for every age. The seemingly simple premise of defining a staple food product- fry bread- is expanded and exposed, in phrase after phrase, with each page turn exploring various aspects of this unifying yet diverse food and the distinct practices and customs involved in its preparation and sharing. What seems, on first glance, to be an attempt to define a food product succeeds, in fact, in embracing the vast and intimate connections among indigenous people, their varied histories,  and their individually distinct relationships with friends and family.
Fry bread has rich symbolism and cultural significance to people who were deprived of millennia of authentic traditions only to be replaced with inadequate and alien ingredients. The adaptation of those many people is celebrated here, honoring fry bread's most significant ingredients -family, friends, love, support, survival, and resilience. 
The author's recipe and notes in back matter sparked memories of a few family heritage foods of my own- Aunt Sally's biscuits and cornbread, pots of ham hocks and beans, among others, each of which claimed superiority to any other versions. And yet even those variations are evocative of the broader landscape of time, place, and people to which I am connected. 
I had the pleasure of hearing the illustrator speak at a workshop before her first books were released, before they garnered stars and awards. Her message then (in her talk) and now (in her work) is that the heart of any story is the HEART of it- the connections within the pages and reaching beyond to the hands holding those pages. This book is an incredible experience, and one that should be shared. 
If not with fry bread, then with whatever fills your own family's hearts as fully as your bellies.

University of Minnesota Press, 2019

From this expansive story of a staple of daily life, shift gears to enjoy a very particular small moment in one day in the life of one small family. JOHNNY'S PHEASANT is written by Cheryl Mennema with pictures by Julie Flett.This, too, has won attention and awards, each of which is well-deserved. 
The text provides a superb example of the potential for writing powerful versions of "small moments". It's a story of noticing, of curiosity, of gentle caring, of reasonable doubt, of imagination, and oaf faith. This is mentor text for any and every age, with each word in the spare narrative serving its purpose perfectly. The images in the illustrations pair well, providing enough detail to feel intensely familiar but remaining lean in line and tone.
Heartwarming, hopeful, packed with with life lessons and a feather-light-touch of humor, this book should also be shared, again and again.
Both are also windows to slices of life in modern Native family culture, laying an inviting  path to connection and appreciation for the diversity of our world.