FLORAL AND THE JAZZERS: Follow Your Dreams!

 Somehow this author/illustrator and her work flew under my radar until now. FLORA AND THE JAZZERS is a delightful twist/mashup of a Cinderella-style story. I'm a sucker for picture book characters who are well-rendered animals, especially rodents. In Flora's case, this ferret figure is ideal for the role and era portrayed. Flora Ferret is the creation of Astrid Sheckels. A quick click on her name will reveal her website. Allow a bit of time to explore there, since I found I was utterly enthralled with the worlds and characters she has shared in her art and books. After poking there I was ashamed to admit that not only was she new to me, her books also were. They are award-winning and utterly appealing, but ... somehow I've missed them all this time.

Waxwing Books, 2025

So, I'm grateful to FLORA for introducing me to an appealing story and an incredibly talented storyteller and artist. Spotlighting this title and its remarkable creator for anyone else who may have missed her work is a privilege I'm happy to assume.

Here's a short and quick look at this latest from Sheckels. 

Flora is a hard-working scullery maid in a swanky hotel. It serves a classic clientele of varied animals whose demeanor and style choices are evocative of the jazz era. Music is Flora's life, especially jazz.  She sings and hums and lives the melodies throughout her work day. When her favorite band, the Jazzers,  is booked at her hotel, she longs to eavesdrop and manage to see a concert for the first time in her life. But her step-mother-like boss insists music its NOT for the likes of a lowly maid. Early on we learn that nothing can keep her from the music that fills her heart, and when a robin sings or a tune reaches her she hums or sings along. This irrepressible impulse leads to a surprising opportunity. The transformation is a delight, and the illustrations could absorb hours in noting the various animal characters and their dress, expressions, and postures. 

The idea of someone going about their daily life while humming, singing, and tuning into ambient music in the world reminded me of my mother, who was born with a song in her heart. Flora's story does not have her seeking a palace in which to perform, but only to attend a concert, to give herself over to the full experience of superb musicians. Just one time in her life.  But her nature and talent lead to a surprise that is life-changing and very satisfying.

I was utterly enthralled, and if ever a book had a happy ending, this one does. Take a look!

Dreams of Flying: An Uplifting Inspiration

 

DIAL BOOKS
FOR YOUNG READERS   2025

I expected to like this recent picture book, but waspleqasantly  surprised by how fast-paced, compelling, and inspiring it is. LET'S FLY: BARRINGTON IRVING'S RECORD-BREAKING FLIGHT AROUND THE WORLD is co-written by Barrington Irving and Chana Stiefel, with illustrations by Shamar Knight-Justice.

Their collaborative authorship provides young Barrington Irving to account for his remarkable achievements and pursuits with a distinct first person voice, but Steifel skilled experience with nonfiction picture book text allows pacing, phrasing, and layered themes to shine through. 
Barrington's account begins with a direct letter to readers, then leads them into his early years in Jamaica, his interests in cars, trucks, and the skies above. A move to Miami left him feeling like an outsider, but noticing that if coconut trees could force there way through concrete, anything is possible. He imagined and worked toward a way out through high school football. When a Black pilot, Captain Gary Robinson shopped at his family's bookstore, he asked Barrington a question that would change his  life: 

"Have you ever thought of becoming a pilot?"
The story unfolds with clarity and crisp pacing, including the ensuing sequence of taking instructions, setting seemingly impossible goals, reaching out to introduce young people to careers in airplane-connected ventures, winning world records, and developing/achieving even newer goals. 

Details within the account, as well as the vibrant, action-packed illustrations, put readers right in the seat at his side, provide a view of the skies, and reveal some squirmy concerns that balance the glamour and excitement with real challenges (dangerous weather, numbing cold temperatures, needing to use a pee bottle or simply "hold it" for hour after hour). The reality is that any records broken by him were immediately available for others to break- except one. He became the first Black man to fly around the world. No one will ever take that from him, although his "youngest" record has been broken several times by others.

He takes his opportunity to affect other young lives seriously, with a  liveliness and flair that has attracted thousands of youth to discover their own interests and inner drive. What an inspiring life, well-told.

PERFECT SHAPES: A Tribute to Mr. Pei (I. M. Pei)

 Welcome back after a brief break to deal with some changes in my life. Meanwhile, I've been reading even though not sharing much here for a few weeks. Buckle up for a series of brief but exciting (I hope) recommendations for new picture books. 

QUILL TREE BOOKS, 2023

First up is MR. PEI'S PERFECT SHAPES: The Story of Ar\chitect I. M. Pei, written by Julie Leung and illustrated by Yifan Wu. This nonfiction account of the life of architect I. M. Pei is inspiring and accessible to a wide range of readers. The early years of Pei in China provided a lifelong inspiration for admiring beauty and longevity in nature and in constructions. His training and career in architecture led him to America and beyond, eventually designing iconic structures throughout the world. Each is distinctly innovative and reveals Pei's sense of space, shape, nature, and balance. No two are alike and  each is uniquely suited to its climate, landscape, purpose, and culture. 

I learned a great deal about Pei, even though I've read about him in the past and long-admired his buildings. The text is straightforward but sensitive to Pei's personality and talent, revealing his drive  to create structures beyond any one "type", structures that would not only stand the test of time, but continue to reflect and celebrate their surroundings and populations.
Back matter is helpful with a timeline of his projects and also resources for video and other further investigation. 
The illustrations are realistic enough to portray cultural locations and characteristic structural elements featured in Pei's designs, but also reflect a sort of geometric abstraction, interpretation, and vibrant color that make his creations nearly magical. 

This is a worthy account of an incredible man and his accomplishments. His success is undisputed and this book will be welcomed by many.

WHEN LANGSTON DANCES: And Invites Readers Along!

 Picture books like this one make me think that I don't feature picture book celebrations of the arts nearly enough. So, I did some key word searches and found quite a few music-performance, visual arts, and even dance-related posts. across a decade of book love shared here. I felt both pleased and challenged to seek out and share more. At the end of this post I'll link to some of those others, and encourage you to suggest titles in the comments for me to explore- from current releases to long-time favorites.

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Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2021

WHEN LANGSTON DANCES, written by Kaija Langley and illustrated by Keith Mallett, captures the exuberance and inspiration that dance, music, and other expressive arts serve in our lives. The cover introduces us to Langston in a gorgeously-executed ballet leap. The endpapers and opening pages are subtly-swirling sweeps of intense, passionate color. Then, on the first page of text and image, we learn that "Langston liked basketball, but he adored ballet."  

I urge you to take a mindful pause on that first page, whether reading it for your adult selves or with young company. Appreciate Langston's leaping dunk of the ball into the hoop. Call to mind the muscular grace of athletes. Notice the nuance of Langston's feet and hands and the arch of his neck. The illustration captures Langston's  FEELING about what his body is doing, sharing his joyful self-expression in  movements, and his satisfying results. 

Then, and only then, turn the page to find Langston seated with his mother in the dark, enthralled by an Alvin Ailey Dance Company performance, bodies soaring across the stage. Front and center on that stage is a powerful and graceful, muscular and magnificent male dancer whose skin color resembles Langston's. There, in that darkened venue, Langston's dream glows to life and lights his face. 

He will dance. 

When someone says, "Boys don't dance like that," Langston confidently responds that yes, they do, because he has witnessed the thrill of what dance can be. With a mother who supports his dreams and neighbors who admire his efforts, he arrives at a dance studio. There, he glances at but passes other classes-- tap, hip-hop, African-- until he reaches the ballet room, kicks off his sneakers, and joins the girls at the barre. 

There is so much to love in the characters of Langston, his mother, his instructor, and his neighborhood community that it makes me smile to imagine your own discovery of this book. Young people today have grown up with programming (SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE) and social media (YouTube and TikTok) in which dancing (by any gender or gender expression) is showcased and celebrated. Even so, males are most often featured in modern dance and improvisations as compared to classical ballet. This is a book that could provide a handheld experience, perhaps as powerful as the in-person experience of Langston, the character. Let's make sure that every child, everywhere, can see themselves in the arts. 

Here are some posts from the past that will support that effort:

LET'S DANCE, by Valerie Bolling, Boyds Mills Press, 2020.

BEA AT BALLET, by Rachel Isadora, Nancy Paulson Books, 2012

A DANCE LIKE STARLIGHT, by Kristi Dempsey, Philomel Books, 2014

There are plenty of other posts about dance and other arts, so feel free to use the search box on the right menu bar>>>.

I sincerely welcome suggestions in comments about other favorite picture book titles of yours, of any kind, but most especially about arts, artists, and creative expression. 

A Lifetime of Dreaming- in Thirty-Two Pages.

I'm the first to admit that I'm averse to labeling anything as "favorites". There are entirely too many wonderful things in the world to start ranking one better than the next. When it comes to books I often find something of value in a title whether it suits my personal taste or not. If I can't say something positive about a book, I refrain from saying anything at all. 
I'll admit, though, that I approach certain "types" of picture books with a wary eye and anticipate disappointment. 
A case in point: picture books in which a child character grows to adulthood (and some mature insights or convenient answers) within those few colorful pages. 
I'm popping in for this short post to recommend a recent release that takes on the challenge of aging a character without losing real story excellence and comes out a winner. 

Harcourt Brace and Company, January, 2015

And that winner is: A VIOLIN FOR ELVA, by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Tricia Tusa.
The synopsis from Indiebound says: 

"A young girl longs to play the violin in this lyrical story that shows it's never too late to pursue your dream. More than anything, Elva wants a violin--but her parents say no. So she pretends. When she should be brushing her teeth, Elva rehearses for recitals. When she should be learning subtraction or going to sleep, she imagines playing all the music in the world. The years pass, but Elva never forgets her childhood wish, and so one day she takes a deep breath and follows her heart . . ."

Here's what I had to say about it on GOODREADS:

This is the rarest of rare picture books- one that features a child growing into adulthood yet retaining appeal and eliciting empathy from even the youngest child. Elva's yearnings for music, and for learning/playing the violin in particular, are a metaphor for any unfulfilled personal passion. What might have been a maudlin or adult-centric "don't wait too late" life lesson is told with graceful prose, rhythmic repetitions, and a strong sense of seasons and time (think a kid-friendly version of "Turn-Turn-Turn"). That text combines perfectly with illustrator Tricia Tusa's childlike take on adulthood, including simple-lined identifiable facial expressions, body postures, and winning details. When Elva is finally making music on a double page spread, her feet, in white anklets, come right out of her Mary Jane shoes in an ecstasy of ageless bliss. Readers of any age will celebrate her dream-come-true moment.