GATHER GRATEFUL, a Graceful Approach to Fall and Gratitude

 Do you live where leaves fall at this time of year? Where the change of seasons is unmistakable  not only for its shifts in weather but also for the altered patterns of birds and other animals in habitats near by? If you do, this new picture book will resonate in your bones, in your heart, in your family. If you reside in one of those climates that sustains one season all year long, this is a valuable way to share the FALL/seasonal change that your young ones might not have experienced but will readily imagine as you read together.

GATHER GRATEFUL is written by Megan Litwin and illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey. 

CANDLEWICK PRESS, 2025

Written in rhymed text, the limited lines on each page launch visual storytelling of the many signals and rhythms of fall.

Colors change, temperatures drop. It's time to GATHER. Sweeping double page illustrations in shades of orange/brown and blue contrast with a crisp white background. The tones and shadows of those browns and blues, occasionally accented with black, allow readers to note birds and bears, crusty trunks and flittering leaves, all while recognizing the changes necessary with Fall's arrival.

Nesting, migrating, harvesting and hibernating unfold as "gather" expands to include huddles and cuddles and visits and vistas. Even as the latter pages reveal the various joys of gathering of humans with friends and loved ones, shifts in perspective circle back to the outdoor critters whose seasonal changes have thickened their fur coats, feathered their burrows, and beckoned them to the glow of warmth from windows and campfires. 

This could be described as a lovely lyrical list of Fall activities, and that would be true. But it is written and illustrated so that each posture and frame, each tone and tender expression invites readers to FEEL the characters and their neighbors in nature. This could also be called a Thanksgiving book, but that word is never used. Instead the word GATHER is a celebration of community, of family, of flocks, and of friends. It is anchored to a season, but not to a particular day or time or culture or era. In fact, the universally recognizable joy conveyed is something to be grateful for all year long.

IT'S PICTURE BOOK Month Celebrate with a Perfect Pair

 We're more than a week into this month, and there are many things to catch our attention. After all, it's the month for gratitude and gatherings, for baking and decorating, for travel and "nesting" at home. It's also PICTURE BOOK MONTH, and all of the above busy-ness calls to mind many titles that lend themselves to special sharing experiences. 

 I'll celebrate this picture book month by featuring TWO titles by one very special author, Cynthia Schumerth, who brings memories and everyday inspiration to her work. Each picture book she's written offers layers of beauty, entertainment, science, curiosity, and lively language. 

SLEEPING BEAR PRESS, 2023

  EVERY LITTLE SEED is illustrated by Elisa Paganelli with, as the cover shows, a wealth of natural and ever-changing natural life. That lovely script travels throughout the text, alongside more familiar font that leads readers through the story of a young girl who explores nature on every level. The rhymed text names and offers details about various plants and the seeds from which they grow, while the flowing cursive font echoes a truth:

 "The secret of a plant lives in every little seed."

That signature line is preceded by another circle-of-life reference - 

"Grandpa told Mom and Mom told me..."

Three seasons unfurl, from early spring planning and planting, through summer's care and watchful protection from threats, and into fall as flowers fade and harvest time arrives- even harvesting seeds for the following year. Back matter is kid-friendly and offers inviting activities and expansion of the topic. Some pages label garden tools, others label invasive insects and show kid-safe techniques for combatting them. Page after page brings new discoveries and prompts curiosity. 

You can listen to Cynthia talk about EVERY LITTLE SEED in this recent video. 

SLEEPING BEAR PRESS, 2025

Now Cynthia has a new picture book that investigates the marvelous outdoors during a moonlit meander WHEN NIGHT COMES CALLING. It, too, is written in read-aloud-friendly-rhyme, describing a moonlight sibling stroll to see what they can see. 

The older sister is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, captured perfectly by illustrator Sheryl Murray. Her expansive, evocative spreads incorporate "image-bubbles" as if they are sprawling speech bubbles, featuring visual inserts of the many things she points out-- planets, Northern lights, and so much more. Somehow the informative and wide-ranging observations flow seamlessly through the rhymed text without missing a beat. 

When they move from the expansive skyscape into a woodland, the perspectives and big-eyed smiles avoid any sense of worry or fear that have often been associated with going "into the woods". The creatures found there, using all the senses, are named accurately and lovingly, until the young brother begins to weary. The piggy-back ride home across luminous landscape adds "bedtime book" to the many ways in which this story appeals. It, too, has back matter to offer further facts about those insert images of critters and sky-features. 

Those who try to write picture books are offered many valuable tidbits of advice from the best of writers and editors: Avoid rhyme- it rarely works well; build tension; focus on character change; "quiet" books don't sell well. This latest work from Schumerth shows clearly that such advice needs an addendum- 

Don't try to rhyme unless you can do it perfectly!

Tension is needed unless the story itself is utterly compelling.

Quiet books need to be very special, offer extra value. 

Relationships, when revealed well, can take the place of character change.

These books do all that and more. They are winners because of the science/STEM components, lovely language, masterful and moody illustrations (one book featuring sunlight effects and the other moonlight accents, by two separate illustrators) and characters who invite readers to "come along" through text and images. 

SLEEPING BEAR PRESS

If you are intrigued about what's next, see the news below. Cynthia's next book moves into that rollicking romp category. You'll just need to wait a bit, but have no doubt, you won't be disappointed! And you can celebrate this November PICTURE BOOK MONTH with a big bowl of POPCORN while reading an earlier book from Cynthia, LET'S POP! POP! POPCORN! 

HOW THE SEA CAME TO BE... Mindblowing Nonfiction!

 

EERDMANS Books For young Readers, 2023

In many sources, "rules" are glibly stated about what does or doesn't work in writing picture books.HOW THE SEA CAME TO BE: And All the Creatures In It, written by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Amanda Hall, is a glorious example of effective exceptions to those rules.

To what "rules" do I  refer? 

Well, though not inscribed in stone tablets, it is often said that:

1) Engaging characters are required to connect with young audiences.

2) Long spans of time will lose interest-  make the action immediate, with an easy to understand beginning, middle, and end.

3) Avoid rhyme! If there is a way to write in prose, do that instead, since rhyme is so challenging, and POOR rhyme will kill your chances.

4)When it comes to early earth history, dinosaurs appeal, maybe pterodactyls, but otherwise stick to fossils. Just maybe, some VERY specific, appealing extinct creature might appeal. If you are lucky.

I could go on, but I won't. This recent nonfiction picture book, spanning billions of years of transformation and evolution on planet Earth, does so using three sections. These transport readers from the earliest eras of swirling fiery fury through to a family strolling on a beach. Part one is the making of the seas, involving heating, cooling, evaporation, rainfall, and the eventual watery surface our entire planet. Part two reveals, within a few page turns, the shifts from pairs of cells to strings to complex building blocks of life: shelled, wiggling, tubular, wormy, faceted life. Part three, "All that the sea came to be", continues on, carrying readers through the transformations and developments of diverse sea life as we know it today.

Whew! Not a single creature starred in those processes, and I can think of no longer time span to depict. In fact, that unimaginable span is fully mind-blowing for this well-read adult. It's a good thing that young minds have greater plasticity and willingness to wonder in awe. All the action is underwater until the final spread on the beach, meaning NONE of it is part of any child's natural life experience. Wow, risky. 

And then there's the rhyme... WHAT?!?! Doesn't the above present enough of a challenge without trying to tell it in rhyme? Most might have assumed that to be true, but this author knew what she was doing. With one or two four-line stanzas on each densely illustrated page, science content is presented in perfect read-aloud rhyme that enhances reporting of the dynamic action, swirling settings, and swirling colorful creatures. Last lines and repeating refrains are especially kid-friendly to retain focus on the big-picture concepts:

"And life grew, and life changed, and life grew.

and

"And that was how life began in the sea."

After several readings I also recognized the brilliance of saving tech-y content for back matter, since the "scienc-y words" do not disrupt any of the rhyming lines. Even things like amino acids or cells or other rhyme-able words were avoided in favor of big concept, big process, big picture descriptions. And it works! The colorful, oversized images and lyrical rhythms and rhymes make this a potential favorite for the very young as well as for school age kids.

If you are getting the impression that this "rule-breaking" picture book achieves a win, you're agreeing with me. But wait... there's more! The back matter is equally impressive, with a full page note from the author and another from the illustrator, both of whom contribute accuracy and appeal in this fact-packed beauty. Back matter also includes glossary, key terms and concepts, resources (online and real world), and bibliography, which wrap around double gate-fold pages that offer a clarified timeline of development, unfolding to a double-wide simulation of our planet's eleven eons from original swirling heat to current times. 

This may not adhere to  a "story book" rules, (which it not intended to be), but captures the story of our planet's history in a gorgeous and readable, glossy, appealing nonfiction picture book. That's saying a lot. I'll just add, please get a copy and see (sea) for yourselves!

 

Betsy Byrd''s Latest Book: POP! GOES THE NURSERY RHYME

 If the name of librarian Betsy Byrd doesn't ring a bell, I urge you to check out the link. I first encountered her informative and prolific reflections on books for children in her FUSE #8 Production  posts for School Library Journal.. That has been many years in the past. During that time Betsy served as librarian in New York City but is now residing in the midwest, along with her family. Beyond professional training in children's literature and a long career in the field, it was when she had young children of her own that her love of nursery rhymes was renewed. 

And nearly ruined!

Her author note is a reminder that little audiences LOVE nursery rhymes, for many reasons.  They are rhymes, predictable, bouncy, and short. They are also key cultural touchstones. Repetition is part of their appeal, but, as a parent, that can grow old sooner rather than later. 

For the sake of her own mental well-being, Byrd spontaneously began adding "POP! Goes the Weasel" into other nursery rhymes, to the delight of her littles. A brilliant idea was born! 

UNION SQUARE KIDS, 2025

POP! Goes the Nursery Rhyme, written by Betsy Byrd, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi, is now available. Take a look at that weasel on the cover, along with the undefined bird (any relation to BYRD?) who is continually appalled that tine-honored nursery rhymes are being ruined by the goofy weasel! 

This bird is a reader, and continually redirects ram rambunctious weasel, insisting that these familiar, iconic rhymes DO NOT iINCLUDE a weasel! The gleeful joy Weasel expresses is countered by distraught and disrupted lambs and other animal characters who portray familiar nursery rhymes. Meanwhile, bird resembles Mo Willems PIGEON on several pages, and takes it personally to NOT be caught off guard.  (Be sure to enjoy the opening and final end papers, too!)

Successful? Can't you guess? 

This artful and ingenious blend of familiar rhymes with wacky and wild humor has created what will likely become a modern day classic. The personalities of the central characters are unforgettable, inviting dramatic interpretive readings (my favorite kind!). I'll also predict that this will encourage seeking out more nursery rhyme modifications.

I couldn't be happier about that, since nursery rhymes (and fairy tales and folk tales) have lost their place of honor within far too many classrooms. The demands of strict curricula and test practices have nudged out time for what used to be universal cultural touchstones, as Betsy mentioned in her author note. A book like this just might undo a bit of that pattern. I can only hope. 

CRICK, CRACK, CROW! Meet a Brilliant Bird!

 So, enough with the bird books already.... Like THIS and THIS and THIS.

PEACHTREE BOOKS, 2024

Is that what you're thinking? Please stay with me while i celebrate one fabulous picture book featuring the antics (and brilliance) of a crow. CRICK, CRACK, CROW! is written by Janet Lord and illustrated by Julie Paschkis. 

From the endpapers to the cover art throughout each interior spread, crows reach readers as both familiar and extraordinary. In addition to the silhouettes of crows posing mid-act in one of their countless antics, this bright-eyed  young crow explores anything and everything it encounters. The humor is portrayed through delightful images and lively, patterned, rhyming leadlines for each episode and incident. 

Crows can be annoying to many folks, including other birds and even squirrels and pets (and you'll see why), but this fella is undoubtedly as appealing as he is entertaining. Amid the multiple scenes in which crow's clever pursuits reveal the talents and intentions of birds that have been scientifically proven to be among the most intelligent of creatures other than humans and other primates. Even that exclusion might be challenged in certain circumstances. That challenge can be addressed in any of the back-matter references provided, all of which are kid-friendly and authenticated for accuracy. 

Do yourself a favor and check out this homage to the wit and willful wiliness of this particular crow, crows as a species, and some truly impressive writing and illustrations. Enjoy!

RUMBLE and ROAR: Sound Around the World

 There's no denying that writing picture books with text that rhymes, effectively, is a challenge for most. It often is even for those with a talent for it. I've heard this advice to writers repeatedly- 

Do not use rhyme unless there is NO BETTER WAY to write it, and then do it VERY WELL. 

Sue Fliess is among those with a talent for writing in rhyme, and many of her books are favorites of little readers and their adult families and teachers. You can click on her name and check out her many titles, new and old. PLEASE wait to finish reading here first. You could spend hours at her website, and I don't want you to miss what I have to say about this latest offering. 

MILLBROOK PRESS, 2022

RUMBLE AND ROAR: Sound Around the World is delightfully written by Sue Fliess, offering a ral treat for the ear. It's illustrated with equal vim, vitality, and visual appeal by Khoa Le.

The tightly written, perfectly rhymed, onomatopoetic words reveal children and families in fully developed settings around the world, reveling in the adventure of engaging with nature using all their senses. The precise and mouth-popping word choices lend themselves to the eye-popping experiences each group encounters, in a tropical setting, on an African savannah or wooded mountainside, near a crashing waterfall or on a whispery-quiet night. 

The unfolding of an apparent single day, from rising to shining to reclining in sleep, makes it a terrific bedtime story. It will also be welcomed into classrooms for lessons on language or to consider various geographic regions and climates and biomes, and in homes for exciting and dreamy lap time stories. 

This is the second title in what I hope will be an extensive series by this talented pair of creators. I reviewed the first , FLASH AND GLEAM: LIGHT IN OUR WORLD here. In both picture books the characters and family configurations are as diverse as the global settings. Both also offer accurate and helpful information about their topics (LIGHT and SOUnd, respectively) in a few pages of accessible and clearly-explained back matter. These are books that should be made available in multiple copies, to shelve with poetry, science, and storytelling. In each case the main text is fewer than a hundred words, with the illustrations unveiling intriguing story-potentials on every spread. 

Take a look, read each out loud, share them with kids, and then tell someone about what perfect gifts they would make for classroom teachers and library story times. 

TOGETHER WE RIDE! A celebration of Learning, Dads, and Joy!

Chronicle Books, April, 2022

Short and sweet, but loaded with love. That's my approach to this post, since it is also a perfect description of a new picture book by the very talented  pair, author VALERIE BOLLING and illustrator KAYLANI JUANITA. 

The nearly universal childhood milestone of learning to ride a bike (a two-wheeler!) is at the center of this joyous, rhymed text with lively illustrations. Using fewer than thirty rhythmic words, Bolling captures the sequence of eager excitement and preparation, tentative attempts, troublesome struggles, and eventual, jubilant success in TOGETHER WE RIDE.

By featuring  the young child and her father from beginning to end, this is a relationship story, an homage to the invaluable role of dads in such life experiences. Along with the evident emotions of the little biker, Dad's reactions express the ambivalence of instilling confidence while remaining safely positioned to extend help and provide cheers. The ultimate scene with the whole family on a bike trek through the neighborhood provides a deeply satisfying conclusion.

With only a word (or two or few) per page, young audiences will be chiming in quickly, in requested repeat readings or even in the first round. Sparse text is perhaps the most challenging kind of writing, sine each word carries huge importance. Bolling accomplishes this with text that is expressive, active, and delightfully rhymed and never burdensome.

Note the release date is April, 2022. With a book that's as ideally suited for spring weather (AND FATHER'S DAY!) you'll want to preorder to guarantee availability when the time is right. Make sure to share this welcome contribution to outdoor stories, joyful Dad-kid experiences, and inviting early reading offerings. If you've heard that "BLACK JOY" is a much needed theme to expand book offerings to the publishing world, this is a superb example. For every reader, everywhere.

A Pair of Powerful Picture Books by Kurt Cyrus

 With only a few comments here, I confidently recommend that you read and share these companion counting picture books, both written and illustrated by Kurt Cyrus.

A Christy Ottaviano Book: 2016

The first of this pair, released "all the way back in 2016" is BILLIONS OF BOOKS: A Counting Book About Bricks.

Both books are oversized, with expansive, colorful illustrations that impress with their sweeping scenes and intriguing specificity and detail. Both incorporate lighthearted and lively rhymed text, patterns of progression, topic-related terminology, and splashes of humor and wry twists.

Here are a few excerpts from Indiebound.org:

A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year
A JLG Selection
An Oregon Spirit Award Honor Book

"An amazing feat of architecture and artistry that kids will pore over long after the last brick has been laid."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Rollicking rhymes and elegant artwork should delight playroom block stackers and someday builders and architects alike."-Publishers Weekly, starred review.

A Christy Ottaviano Book: 2016

Now, in 2021, Cyrus is back with TRILLIONS OF TREES: A Counting and Planting Book. This time around the story involves a slip of the tongue, in which an order for trillium is misinterpreted to be "trillions of trees". The outrageous story unfolds with Cyrus's lively text, cleverly incorporated science information, and spreads that impress with relative scale, character inclusion, and concept development.

A leafy surprise awaits on the final turn, as various facts are shared by characters who peek out from among one of those trillion trees.

Again, this satisfying effort paid off with well-deserved praise:

Praise For Trillions Of Trees: A Counting And Planting Book…

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"This rhyming story playfully melds an often ignored counting concept—a trillion—with the importance of tree planting and preservation, while also introducing a great number of tree species to a young audience. Like Billions of Bricks, the story’s catchy, upbeat vibe reflects hard but necessary work, while the quick pace and energetic rhyme scheme both fascinates and instructs its young listeners about caring for trees. Illustrated with vibrant natural vistas to amplify quick, upbeat rhymes, Cyrus beckons early elementary readers to a newfound sense of the immensity and importance of trees in the world." —School Library Journal, Starred Review

For building-block fans, tree-lovers, or anyone who appreciates the fun of a book that captivates while layering in learning, this is the pair for you.  

SPEAK UP! Out of the Mouths of Kids!

Clarion Books, 2020

When SPEAK UP first released last fall, I purchased it immediately. 

I loved it from the first reading  and have appreciated even more about it on each reread. What was evident from that initial reading (and in each return to it) was the timeliness AND timelessness of its language, message, and appeal.

SPEAK UP is written in flawless, flowing rhymed text by the talented and prolific Miranda Paul. The comparably talented Ebony Glenn illustrated a visual narrative of a "day in the life" classroom of diverse and enaged kids whose interactions demonstrate the direct and wise text with natural flair and convincing results. The scenes and text involve using their voices for friendship, gratitude, ally-ship, kindness, self-advocacy, rallying support for a project or cause, and more.The two-page back matter begins with an anecdote about the author's son who spoke up about a potentially dangerous situation, and her own practice of preparing her voice to speak strongly and clearly when addressing a group.

That is followed by six short paragraphs that depict real-life kids who used their voices to improve their lives and the lives of others. The page concludes with two brief lists of ideas about WHEN SHOULD YOU SPEAK UP and WAYS TO SPEAK UP WITHOUT SAYING A WORD. 

Ebony Glenn is a young and enormously talented illustrator who merits our attention for this and future works. Her characters in this book are comfortably age-and-grade non-specific but wonderfully expressive and individualized, allowing readers across many ages and grades to see themselves on the page. With bright colors, an effective mix of edges and lines, and universally simple shapes, her figures convey movement, relationships, and attitudes clearly, while allowing young audiences to imagine themselves capable of creating similar work of their own. 

Miranda Paul's work speaks for itself, and that includes past publications and upcoming  releases. She has a valuable guest post in a series called "nonfiction fest", for writers. If you are a writer, or caregiver, or teacher, or librarian, or KID, this is worthy reading, and fun reading, too..

As the title of this post says, out of the mouths of kids...

Last week our United States Senate spent time hearing and viewing the evidence that a former president had incited a mob to insurgency and undermined the free, fair, and repeatedly authenticated presidential election in November, 2020. I've always had more faith in the potential and authenticity of kids than in adults. Kids are open and eager to learn, grow, improve. 

Adults, not so much. 

Not  enough of them, anyway. 

That was evident last week, when the needed two-thirds majority of the Senate failed to find that former president was responsible and should be barred from future federal elected office or other civil roles. Some Senators who voted "not guilty" followed their vote with scathing remarks that condemned and confirmed the charges lodged, but used technicalities or fear to justify a Not Guilty vote. 

My hope for the future rests with kids. So many young people followed that process, and are growing up with books like these. The premise of this book is that SPEAKING UP is the right thing to do when it protects others, seeks justice, and defends identities. Kids "get it" that this is NOT the same as tattling, whining, or throwing a tantrum or a fist. Or beating someone with a flag staff. Or otherwise attacking our democracy with violence.

In case you missed my post on Valentine's Day, please check it out HERE. That's the day the CYBILS AWARDS for 2020 were announced, including the category for fiction picture books, on which I served as a Round One Panelist. You really need to check this winner out.

Warming Up for Cybils Nonfiction Decisions

I'm so excited to be knee-deep in Cybils Nonfiction Nominees for Elementary and Middle Grade readers. (Nominations are still open until October 15, 2019, so click on that link to look over this list and add your own nominee if it is not there!) My library hold list is long enough to wrap a Halloween mummy. My TBR (To Be Read) pile grows and grows. My stack of likely shortlist titles is NOT short at all! 
I had already posted reviews and comments on a few of these nominees earlier in the year when they first caught my eye. I'll share links to those posts next time. After that I'll begin posting new reviews and comments on many of the the other nominees in the coming days and weeks.

WORDSONG, An Imprint of Highlights

For now, though, I want to share one set of titles that combine the glory of informative, intriguing, and unusual nonfiction content about subjects found in nature, but do so using poetic forms. That means that they won't be evaluated in my nonfiction category. In fact, this trio of titles from talented author/illustrator teams were all published before the Cybils 2019 qualifying dates. 
But, oh, they do deserve some attention, and three are wonderful examples of the ways in which nonfiction books can sparkle and shine. 
They provide a closer look at a talented author, David L. Harrison, who writes and successfully publishes MANY books, including fanciful fiction and other appealing approaches to nonfiction content. Illustrator Julie Bayless is also prolific. Her style is hard to characterize, other than being very kid-friendly while incorporating both scientifically accurate details and playful twists on those details. 
For example, their recent pairing wins grins in lyrical nature romps: CRAWLY SCHOOL FOR BUGS: Poems to Drive You Buggy. 
The premise of this clever bug fest is a "bug school" located in a rotting log. Vaguely familiar school issues and relationships unfold, depicting the various personalities of 

"...hummers,

tweeters, 

SINGERS,

diggers,

LEAPERS, 

creepers, 

wingers."

The charming appeal of the rhymed verses  and colorful illustrations is their artful balance between scientific accuracy and anthropomorphized details in expressions and costuming. The premise is established with the school rule: NEVER EAT A FRIEND AT SCHOOL. Then various insects and other bugs each deal with species-specific coping lessons, ranging from ticks with sore bottoms (from being extracted), stink bugs who are unpopular, a wasp who zaps a nosy dog, a school nurse who tends toward drawing blood (mosquito, naturally), and a janitor who happily gathers muck and dung (Mr. D, the dung beetle) to name a few. Smiles are generated on every page, while science slips in as slick as slime.

CHARLESBRIDGE

NOW YOU SEE THEM, NOW YOU DON'T: Poems About Creatures That Hide takes the science a step hider, wider, and deeper. This light-hearted but image- and information-dense collection of verses is organized by animal classes: sea life, amphibians/reptiles, mammals, insects/spiders, and birds.

This title provides the back matter I longed for in the above book, offering common species names and latin labels, with just enough explanation to clarify references in the main text. Each  animal family page also provides a kid-friendly science resource for curious readers. 

The rhymed verses in this title are less giggly and more informative, as are the illustrations. Giles Laroche uses an artful layering of drawing, cut paper, painting, and gluing, with the resulting scenes suggesting an authentic natural world, but one that will likely inspire young artists to explore similar techniques. The verses, too, are laced with intriguing specifics and evocative moods, inviting further observation and investigation. 

CHARLESBRIDGE

A PLACE TO START A FAMILY: Poems About Creatures That Build is another creation combining the considerable talents of Harrison and Laroche. This, too, organizes the information about animal homes in categories: underground, on the land, in the water, in the air, (with a bonus surprise at the final turn). It, too, features the delightful rhymed revelations of familiar and unusual critters and their nesting patterns. Laroche's complex media and layering technique results in surprisingly natural and scientifically accurate scenes. 

The back matter is helpful in this title, too, and the "Learn More" resources noted for each category are ideal choices for curious young minds to pursue. 

When it comes to delivering information, details, and other facts- real facts that can be verified and confirmed- there are many formats to use, for any age. In these books the blend of rhymed verse, skillful art, helpful back matter, and reliable resources elevate entertaining books to learning tools. That's a winning combination for any age. 

Previews of Spring: Monarchs, Walking Sticks, and Bugs!

As I sit down to write this post a snowstorm is swirling outside my window. 

Well, it's not quite this bad, but it has been coming down nonstop since the middle of the night and shows no signs of stopping despite the weather forecasts of only a "few inches".

As a longtime Wisconsin resident it's really no surprise to have March roar in like a lion. This winter has actually been milder than the last several, and I'm both aware of and grateful for that blessing. My dismay has to do with two recent weekends that each provided fifty-degree days with loads of sunshine. At least that provided some relief from the cabin fever of other, more relentless, winters. With the calendar page turning to March, I also take comfort in knowing that the official start of spring is just 21 days away, regardless of what my eyes tell me.

Here are three titles to tide us over until the weather cooperates. 

Sleeping Bear Press, 2016

First up, take a look at this lushly-illustrated new picture book written by Wisconsin author Linda Vander Heyden and illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen. (Learn more about Linda in this great profile  from ON THE SCENE 2016 blog.) MR. McGINTY'S MONARCHS is one of those rare picture books based on an adult character, Mr. McGinty, and his lovable (but massive) dog, Sophie. 
This is my review on Goodreads:

"It goes without saying that Monarch butterflies are one of the most familiar and beloved insects in the western hemisphere. Grandpa-like Mr. McGinty is  one of their strongest and most dedicated fans. His devotion is fully supported by his almost-larger-than-life dog, Sophie. After a stand of milkweed habitat is cut down, it's up to that determined pair to find a way to rescue the unhatched monarch eggs on their damaged plants.

Author Vander Heyden succeeded in the most difficult of tasks for picture book writers- creating an "old guy" to carry the story on his shoulders while kids play a very minor role. She also blends action with nonfiction, richly enhanced by the illustrator's detail and colorfully appealing spreads, including the endpapers.

Add this one to your TBR pile and share it with kids, soon!"

Sleeping Bear Press, 2016

GOOD TRICK, WALKING STICK, written by Sheri Mabry Bestow and illustrated by Johnny Lambert, is another 2016 release.  It spotlights a different insect that seems to be universally adored. This nonfiction book about well-camouflaged walking sticks combines a seasonal-cycle narrrative with informative passages to expand the science. Smaller-print paragraphs on many pages provide accessibly-detailed  content (including specific vocabulary) to make it a resource for research. it also supports parents and other readers in answering the many questions kids can (and do) ask. Kirkus Review praises both the lyrical language and the inclusion of accurate science information in this review.
Sleeping Bear Press has produced two winning titles to welcome spring. In my opinion they are both destined to become longterm favorites.

Grosset-Dunlap (PenguinRandom House, 2016

Not to be outdone, Grosset-Dunlap (PenguinRandomHouse-Young Readers) has released THE BUG BOOK, written by flawless-rhymer Sue Fliess. I reviewed a trio of her titles in 2013, well in advance of the gender-neutral wave of titles hitting the market since then. They continue to appeal and to offer stereotype-free encouragements to young readers. (CLICK HERE to read about them.)
Her low-word-count text bounces with energy, humor, precision, and appeal while framing photographic images that will make you want to touch the little critters (well, at least some of them). Here's just one example of toe-pleasing rhythm, pitch-perfect rhyme, and sensory engagement:

Itch bugs, 

Head bugs, 

Uh-oh, bedbugs!

Shy bugs, 

bold bugs,

Catch-and-hold bugs!

Several hours have passed since I sat down to prepare this post. The snow stopped. (Hooray!) The wind, however, increased. If anyone else is dragging themselves through the waning (or howling) days of winter, I highly recommend these three titles to transport your thoughts to warmer climes and times. 

Meanwhile, to any little buggies out in the blustery cold, here's some advice from the last pages of THE BUG BOOK:

Bugs in beds of soil deep, 

Dreamy bugs fall fast asleep. 

Reader Anna shared a link in the comments below. Check out this encouraging news about the survival of MONARCHS!