WILLOW AND BUNNY: A Story of Caring

TWO LIONS PUBLICATIONS, 2023

 WILLOW AND BUNNY is written by Anitra Rowe Schulte and illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Christopher Denise. In a post earlier this year I wrote about a book with a similar title, Bunny and Tree, a wordless book illustrated by Balint Zsako. (Click the title to read about the reflections on HOME that it inspired in me.)

WILLOW AND BUNNY presents a more scrutable story, since picture books with text are, by definition, a bit more literal than wordless books might be. That certainly is the case when compared to BUNNY AND TREE. 

The two titles could serve well as material for a VENN diagram lesson/discussion. (Remember those VENN diagrams, now sometimes referred to insectionality?). 

Both involve a chance encounter between a bunny and a tree, both involve dangers and adventures, and both develop a powerful relationship between the animal and the tree. Both also are illustrated with rich detail and color. Even so, they are distinctly different, including in illustration style and media. WILLOW AND BUNNY uses a glowing balance of light and dark, striking a sort of impressionistic revelation of familiar natural scenes. I'd say luminous, but I tend to overuse that descriptor, although it suits these pages perfectly. The story, too, relies on near-realistic events and reactions, much more so than is the case in the previous book. While WILLOW, in this case, is deemed to have emotions and the implied ability to convey those emotions, most of the story feels close-to-real and is portrayed within limits of potential animal behaviors. 

That's a clear contrast with  BUNNY AND TREE, both of whom  achieve magical actions, communications, and experiences. 

The story line for BUNNY AND WILLOW conveys childlike emotional arcs (love of nature, sudden caution/fear, feeling lost, seeking safe harbor, longing for friendship, enjoying companionship, and friends sharing the reciprocity of support in hard times.) Its rich and satisfying resolution invites many reading repetitions, and welcomes even the youngest audiences to identify with and find comfort in the story. Spreads call on rich earth tones and green-gold glows to anchor a slightly magical story in familiar circumstances. Many spreads have the depth and appeal of framable art. Even if you don't get copies of both titles to do some compare/contrast of your own, I urge you to read this new offering. Its warmth and comfort will be worth the effort. 

MUD ANGELS: History Restored

Albert Whitman, 2024

With weather extremes occurring around the globe, sometimes without warning, this historical fiction account of a flash flood in Florence, Italy resonates with modern times and concerns. MUD ANGELS: How Students Saved the City of Florence is written by Karen M. Greenwald and illustrated by Olga Lee. Despite modern scientific developments in forecasting and remarkable global scientific tools, sudden weather events continue to assault communities, too often without  warning. 

In this account of a surprise weather event in the 1960s, Florence, Italy, was badly damaged by storm-generated rogue waves. Magnified by their containment within urban canals, the waters rose several stories high, rushing and crushing everything in their wake. Although that weather event itself lasted only eighteen hours before the waters suddenly receded back to the sea, the damage to everything in its path would take massive efforts for weeks, months, to salvage and rescue the city and its cultural treasures from utter destruction. (Learn more about that storm HERE.)

Author Greenwald creates personal connection for young readers to this story featuring older kids. The young narrator indicates that a four-generations-old hand-printed book authored by her ancestor resides in the Central Library of Florence, an even-older institution that was directly in the path of those rising, ravaging waters. The narrator's family lived nearby and operated the hotel at which many young Florida State University students resided during their time in Florence.

The well-researched story begins in modern times, revealing that the institution still serves its community. A page-turn takes readers back in time more than fifty years to what could also be considered "modern times" and yet clearly qualifies as history. Unheralded from that era and that horrific episode are the young people who led the rescue and restoration of the flood-damaged books in the Central Library of Florence. The author's notes (in back acknowledgements) share her information sources and interests, with reference to the young story narrator's likely perspective  through interactions with the students staying in her parents' hotel. The author was able to incorporate primary source materials to assure that this rarely-told story would honestly and thoroughly depict the brave young "mud angels" from many countries whose efforts are celebrated in the book. 

Illustrations suggest a page-turn time shift, depicting visiting students who wear period clothing (girls in skirts, not slacks) and the obvious thrill it must have been for international youth to be able to study and learn in such an exciting location. The subsequent and remarkable efforts of visiting students in attempting to rescue and restore priceless and timeless volumes from the flooded, muddied lower levels of the library are revealed in efficient text and compelling visuals. The residue "mud" and waters of the flood (as anyone who has dealt with such events will attest) included dangerous detritus, unknown chemical contaminants , and other matter that exposed those young people to serious harm to their skin, lungs, eyes, and more. 

Internal illustration from ARC, MUD ANGELS
Albert Whitman, April, 2024

And yet they left their safe hotel rooms, those young folks who were not even residents of Florence. They could have remained comfortably above the waters, or returned to their homes, but instead they plunged into the deepest levels of the muddied institution, determined to rescue and revive as many of the ancient volumes as they could. The author compares the eventual influx of even more students arriving from around the world to waves of human, international good will, volunteering to participate in a rescue effort that spanned not months, but years. That theme, of serving, caring, and borderless commitment is clearly and effectively conveyed. Volunteering relies on such efforts, and a story like this is overdue in giving credit where it is so well-deserved.

This important, inspiring, informative new picture book will release in April, 2024. You can preorder a copy from the publisher, your favorite book store, or online sources. By the way, National Library Week (ALA) is in April, so consider purchasing a copy to give to your own favorite library! At the very least, share this review with your favorite youth librarian and encourage them to add it to the public collection! May no library ever need such a cadre of MUD ANGELS, but if and when it happens, consider stepping up. Serving our communities can be inspired by this story, and it deserves everyone's appreciation.

Storm Season: Thunderstorms and Protest Marches

Covid 19 note:

Government officials at various local and state levels have "opened up" completely, some are relying on data to do so gradually, and most are recommending  physical/social distancing and urging use of scientifically-justified masks. Some "open" places are requiring masks, with skirmishes occasionally ensuing when an attempt is made to enforce rules. Sadly, some with fewer restrictions are already reporting hot-spot increases in cases.

We are also in the midst of an extensive  BLACK LIVES MATTER protest movement. It began in Minneapolis, spread throughout the US, and has grown to global public demands for change. 

At first, a spontaneous reaction to the horrific murder of GEORGE FLOYD erupted. Floyd suffocated under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer who was immediately fired and is now charged, along with the three other officers who aided/allowed that to happen. The gut-wrenching horror generated by a nine minute video of Floyd's murder is undeniable. It awakened and mobilized (finally) those of us in the dominant culture who have not stepped forward sooner or stronger in the past. 

I use the expression dominant culture intentionally. The phrase "white privilege" raises defensive hackles among far too many, including those who counter BLACK LIVES MATTER with ALL LIVES MATTER. 

No, ALL LIVES CANNOT MATTER until and unless BLACK LIVES MATTER. 

Evidence is painfully clear that we live in a society in which that is not yet true. 

There is NO way to deny that our centuries-old social system was created/sustained by, and unfairly benefits, those with WHITE skin. 

I do not say RACE. Race is an artificial construct developed to sustain the dominant culture.

One's skin tone and ancestry do not change that fact of their humanity. 

We are ALL the HUMAN RACE. 

However, those among us with darker skin ARE NOT treated as equals, let alone human.

That is especially true of African Americans or anyone considered "BLACK".

Please DO NOT ask Black people to tell you what to do to help. 

It is OUR (Whites') responsibility to admit the truth and work to undo the trauma resulting from this system. That begins with learning-- reading, listening, becoming active allies. That requires work, on ourselves as individuals and on society at large. 

In the midst of a serious journey ahead, and amidst the horror of the video of George Floyd's murder, (and so many other clips of violence against Blacks, especially Back men and boys) it is crucial for all of us to also see and appreciate the joyful and natural and HUMAN aspect of BLACK LIVES. They DO MATTER. 

As summer arrives, severe weather will make today's recommendations especially timely. There are some humans who revel in storms streaked with lightning and shuddering with thunder. Other humans have instincts that rival any in nature when ominous storms approach. Many children require constant support to weather the terror they feel during storms. Wildlife lacks the option to snuggle safely under a quilt on a couch, but they do seek shelter and hunker down for the duration.

I'm happy to say that there is an expanding array of outstanding books portraying Black children in a wide range of ways, doing things that any/every child might be doing. Not as many as there should be (and will be), but the publishing industry is slowly improving. Resources for some recommended lists are also becoming more abundant, and I suggest starting with THE BROWN BOOKSHELF, United in Story.

As for these featured picture books, let's begin with WHEN THE STORM COMES, written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Taeeun Yoo. Click Ashman's name, above, to find links she provides for creative home activities for kids, and some helpful links for adults toying with the idea of writing picture books, too.

Nancy Paulsen Books, 2020

WHEN THE STORM COMES is a rhymed narration of how various living beings respond to an impending storm. The story begins and ends with humans, but along the way a range of Earth's air, land and water creatures react to their awareness of threatening weather in a variety of ways. 
In the process, storms of varying degrees are revealed and safety is sought. The reality is that storms cause damage, too, which is treated in a realistic but kid-friendly way. 
There is reassurance amid the informative sequence, with the final spreads bringing together human and some of the non-human characters to recover, repair, and reunite in a neighborhood that has weathered the storm.


Pair this book with another rhymed storm story that explores human and nature's response to storms, WAITING OUT THE STORM by JoAnn Early Macken (2010)

A Denene Millner Books,
Simon & Schuster 2020

The illustrations for WHEN THE STORM COMES are suited to the down-to-earth tones and tempo of the story, setting the events in familiar scenes with movement and familiar relationships. MY RAINY DAY ROCKET SHIP is written by Markette Sheppard and illustrated by Charly Palmer. Palmer's illustrations involve deeply saturated colors in wide and loose strokes that call to mind some of Chris Raschka's works. The sweep of the pages and density of tones provide a perfect opportunity for Palmer to showcase expressions, emotions, and details with masterful use of white and yellow highlights that lift the characters and action off the page. 

MY RAINY DAY ROCKET SHIP also uses simple rhymed/near rhyme text and features a young Black boy with a dog. In this case, as the rain arrives he imagines new ways to use  familiar indoor toys and materials to explore OUTER SPACE! 
This little boy greets the dawn through rain-drenched windows with a "been there and done that" eye on his toy box. His dreary prospects are lifted into worlds as yet undiscovered by a flash of imagination and clever engineering. The creativity is all his, but Dad and Mom play warmly supportive roles. The closing spread finds the boy and his dog tuckered out and tucked into bed. Basking in moonlight from a window with a bright urban skyscape, they are lulled to sleep under a solar system mobile.

Both books are warmly welcoming to all readers, both offer STEAM and MAKER connections, and both invite sharing of personal and family rain and storm stories. The next time you're looking for way to pass a rainy day, I hope you'll keep these titles in mind. 

Afterward: 
Whether you choose to act from home or join protestors on the streets, please protect yourselves by washing hands, wearing masks, and maintaining physical distance as much as possible. If staying home is your best choice, I respect that.
But please make the effort to grow and learn. (Click here for adult book titles, click here to find links for books for kids representing diversity, and take a few minutes to watch/listen to this reflection by Trevor Noah about social contracts.) 
When it comes to social contracts, by the way, I struggle to understand why anyone would resort to physical violence when told to wear a mask, a simple accommodation that increases the health of the community. Let's stay peaceful out there, folks, and if you don't like the rules in one store or restaurant, exercise your white privilege to take your business somewhere else.