The GIFT of TIME: Two Picture Books

Before the busy back-to-school season becomes a blur of sports, recitals, dioramas, homework and assorted holidays, pause for a moment to think about the power of quietly, peacefully being present. 

Marvin (Armstrong)

A recent post celebrated the power of nighttime reading, especially with picture books (HERE). This Marvin cartoon (Armstrong) turns my attention to the power of daytime hours. (Look closely at his dad's tablet tucked into the back of Marvin's pants.) Routines and obligations (or self-absorbed distractibility) can take over, but the books in this post offer wise advice, reminders of something Marvin already knows: time spent together is the greatest gift of all. 

little bee books 2018

Pat Zietlow Miller, New York Times Bestselling author of BE KIND, reviewed HERE, Is back with LORETTA'S GIFT. illustrated by Alea Marley. In this charmer, MIller's characteristic love and lyricism shine through a tale of growing families. When young Loretta hears the news that she'll have a new baby cousin, she's on board and eager to give a gift. She's even willing to give away her own belongings, but realizes that they won't be the best choices.

It's a remarkable accomplishment when any picture book that's NOT focused on the changing seasons can manage to span more than a day or two, let alone reach beyond the span of a full year. These two books do just that, and both do it well. In both books I believe the span of time serves the topic well, revealing how quickly time passes, whether dealing with newborns or school years. 
From the days of diaper changes right through to Gabe's first birthday, Loretta calms her baby cousin's tears, organizes and tugs his tiny clothes into place, and otherwise showers him with her greatest gifts: time and attention. The story circles back to remind Loretta and her family that sharing laughter and tears, hugs and cheers is the best gift of all.

Although a day may come when it doesn't merit comment, it's worth noting that the text makes absolutely no references to the race of the these characters. The story explores universal truths, ones that apply across continents, ages, races, and circumstances. Until recently, the illustrations would most likely have been Caucasian. Marley's lovely depictions of characters of color, including little Gabe's mixed identity, might not have been considered in the past. Now, they are a welcome indicator of the publishing industry's slowly bending curve toward justice, representing ALL people in all kinds of books and stories.

Candlewick Press 2018

Next up is A GIFT FROM ABUELA, which is written and illustrated by Cecilia Ruiz. These two new titles pair perfectly, offering rich content in their own spaces and providing countless discussion starters to compare and contrast their text, the settings, the characters, the art, and the gently-conveyed messages.

In this tender but intense story, Niña grows with Abuela from a welcomed infant (like Gabe) through to later childhood. 

Those years pass quickly in page turns showing laughter and habits that establish their loving relationship. It reaches into the age when Niña grows beyond her days spent with Abuela. That time period also spans economic downturns in their hometown, Mexico City, presented through direct text and also through subtly changing details in their surroundings and expenses. 

During the process, Abuela's demeanor gradually saddens, while Niña's awareness of those changes increases. Near the book's end, the child's effort to give Abuela the gifts of time and attention feels like a satisfying conclusion, an interesting flip side to Loretta's gifts to her tiny cousin. 
But Ruiz has imbued this story with rich resources for finding another layer. That plummeting economy, the change in the currency and in life's circumstances open discussions to bigger issues. And those circumstances allow Niña to offer an even bigger gift to Abuela-- returning the love and comfort they shared so many years before. 

The pair in A GIFT FROM ABUELA are more secure in the early pages, struggling more over passing time. The title itself suggests that it was Abuela's efforts to give her grandchild treats and even something special, like a vacation, that demonstrated her love.The title works well in those earlier pages, and yet it fits even better with Niña's inspired resolution shows, in a warm and meaningful way, that Abuela's REAL gift has been received and welcomed. 

Unlike the first story, which could occur anywhere in the world, the plot of Abuela's story depends on a very particular time and place. And yet it, too, is universal. The families in LORETTA'S GIFT are blessed with economic security, but that doesn't prevent them from recognizing the value of attention, time, and talents as gifts. 

Only a fool would say that no one enjoys physical gifts, that money doesn't matter. 
These books don't say that. 

I'm so enthused about the extent to which these two books work well together to foster empathy, to convey the value of spending meaningful time together, and to raise awareness that relationships are treasures to be nurtured.

Please, check them both out. Read them carefully.

Please, share them widely.

Please, encourage kids to discuss openly and explore deeply. 

And please, spend time with kids you love. 

Really, spend that time.
It's priceless.

Interview with Baptiste Paul, Author of THE FIELD

I've been working hard to resist depression imposed by the seemingly endless, record-breaking April snow in our part of the country. In my prior post, here, I escaped the relentless cold and wind by traveling, virtually, to the tropics with two delightful new picture books, THE FIELD and ISLANDBORN. If you missed that post, I urge you to check out my reviews and get your hands on both books, sooner rather than later.

NorthSouth Books, 2018

In this post, the author of THE FIELD, Baptiste Paul, found time in his jam-packed life to join me for this interview about his debut picture book. Read on to get some peeks at his other books coming soon! 

I've known Baptiste for several years now, and his current success is exciting to experience. Some of his previous interviews can be read here, and here, in which he shares "the story behind the story". That includes a book trailer you won't want to miss.

Congratulations on the success of your debut picture book, Baptiste. You’ve described your excitement about sharing your vibrant memories of daylong play on St. Lucia. I thoroughly enjoyed THE FIELD and I look forward to sharing it directly with kids and as gifts. You're a busy man, so let's get this interview started. (Questions in black, Baptiste's responses in BOLD/blue)

Baptiste Paul, author

Q: One look at the cover of THE FIELD will have kids clamoring for it in libraries, classrooms, and bookstores. Since you’ve been on the road and meeting kids you’ve been able to see their reactions to your book in person. Can you tell us a bit about that experience? What kids have said? What someone said that surprised you?  If it was all that you hoped it would be?

BP: I enjoy sharing this book with kids. I usually start every presentation with the question, “Do you like to play?” Most times, all the kids’ hands shoot up, eager to tell me about their favorite things to do. Early on in this process, I realized my goal is to take kids on a journey. So I decided that at school visits I would meet the kids at their level literally— which usually means the floor. The kids form a circle around me while I read the book, pass a ball, and and make one-on-one connections. In the last few months, I have received more high fives and fist bumps than ever before. In fact, in my most recent tour of school visits, some kids were so well prepared for me by reading the book and bombarding me with questions that I forgot to even read my book during the presentation! (They kindly reminded me.) This is all to say, yes—the experience so far has been all I hoped for and more.

Since you asked, it surprises me sometimes when adults seek me out after the presentation to thank me for taking them to a special place and time in their lives where ‘play’ made them happy, too.

Q: How has “becoming a published author” changed your life- and feel free to be as concrete or as spiritual about it as you’d like! 

BP: The ride, the journey had been super duper fun but busy at the same time. I juggle many schedules. With children, school visits, a full-time job and an author-wife, there are always so many things going on. To be honest, writing books has never been about me — it’s all about the kids, the story, and what I can share or give. I want each child to take my story and make it their own, create memories, and just play.

Q: You have co-authored with your author-wife, Miranda Paul, a nonfiction picture book that will be available soon, ADVENTURES TO SCHOOL.  How did writing non-fiction change your approach to writing?

BP: We both enjoy writing non-fiction. Writing a book like Adventures To School required a lot of assistance from a number of people. Writing non-fiction is not only about the facts but making sure each person and culture is represented with dignity and care. Small details matter. Little parts are not insignificant and we’re grateful for people who helped us look over things, since there were multiple sources and each had different experiences.

Farmer Tantoh Nforba, 2005

Miranda and I also recently finished up the text for a book called I AM FARMER (Millbrook/Lerner, February 2019), which is a nonfiction picture book biography of Tantoh Nforba, an environmentalist from Cameroon. Tantoh is cultivating an organic farming movement in addition to bringing clean, sustainable water to villages in need. The book will shine a spotlight on his good work and tour proceeds will benefit the Save Your Future Association. These are both books I feel very proud to have worked on, and they shed light on important global topics.

(Cover image is not yet available for I AM FARMER, but you can learn more about it here.) 

Thank you, Baptiste, for sharing your time with us here, and doing all the work necessary to produce these amazing books and others still to come. Your hard work made me reflect on this:

little bee books, May 1, 2018

Any stubborn season of lingering snow is a bit of an analogy for a writer's life. Even when things take longer than expected, that sense of a never-changing, lifeless landscape will eventually reveal new life. The delay can even result in a more robust and vigorous abundance of colorful sprouts and blossoms than a milder season might produce. At least our eyes and hearts will view it in that way. 
When a debut author has  three picture books coming on the scene in less than a full year it may seem like an overnight success. Instead, like the passage of seasons, Baptiste's inspirations, research, memories, drafts, revisions, and submissions (with inevitable rejections) were all unseen by the public. Now, sprouting before our very eyes, we witness the first blossoms of a long and successful career. 
I'll take encouragement from that analogy to value those daily efforts, knowing they are setting the stage for even better times ahead. And, while working away, we should all remind ourselves of Baptiste's tagline: MAKE PLAY PART OF EVERY DAY!