Monday Reading! Books to Love and Inspire!

    

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow!    

     I hope everyone has had some spring weather. We have had a week of it in Denver, now snow is coming tomorrow! Have a great week however it "blows"! 

       Tina Cho, author, and Deb JJ Lee, graphic artist, create this graphic novel that feels almost unbelievable.  These fictional young ones, based on real lives, will take a chance to make a dangerous flight to find freedom. This is the story of quiet Yunho and brave Myunghee who bind together with others to flee North Korea, then cross several other countries where, if caught, will repatriate them back, where they'll spend their lives in prison. They are fighting through jungles, eating what can be found, fighting snakes and scaling steep rocky mountain trails, helping each other, and with those willing to risk their own lives to guide them from place to place (the Asian Underground Railroad), they survive. Dogged persistence to leave North Korea, a country that promises no hope of a good life, keeps them going. 

      There is an afterword about North Korean history, showing the lives of despair, with only two TV channels, controlled by the government, no internet, and most cannot afford technology anyway. It states that many would be surprised to know that South Koreans have electricity.  

        

         Bear and Bird always seem to have more adventures, and this time, with Jarvis' memorable stories shown in his delightful illustrations, it's about friendship, the challenges, and the celebrations. Mole has a part in some of the stories, too, bringing up some good ways to discuss how friendship works. These are loads of fun! 

        Out last fall, Carole Boston Weatherford gave us a wonderful rhyming celebration for all those young black boys, maybe girls, too, who need heroes like them in their lives. It was inspired by the photo by Pete Souza of young Jacob Philadelphia touching then-President Obama's hair! She's included sixteen heroes in their own life work, men like Lonnie Johnson (inventor of the Super Soaker), Usain "Lightning" Bolt (eight Olympic gold records), and John "Trane" Coltrane (jazz saxophonist and composer). There's a rhyme for each, then a brief paragraph with their pictures at the back, along with the picture referenced above and the full story about Jacob. Savanna Durr's illustrations seem to swirl around in color-filled illustrations of children with their heroes! "I fight for right like Kaepernick;/Black pride through and through."

          Out this January, Pat Zietlow Miller has written a must-read for all who remember this famous American and want to revisit his spectacular life of fighting for justice for his people. If you haven't read another book about the persistent John Lewis, this one will show his beginnings, when he so wanted more books, could not afford them, and could not get a library card! Miller shares this as his first protest. We should all remember there were many during his lifetime who tirelessly worked for what was right for all Black Americans. At twenty-three years old,  he was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington! Jerry Jordan's paintings give the story authenticity to Lewis' powerful story, showing the many kinds of protests along with those who hated the work to gain the rights to eat in a restaurant, sit at the front of buses, vote, and more! I loved the double-page spread of an older Lewis, surrounded by the books he loved, and reading! There's an author's note and a timeline of his life that adds to the book's text. It will inspire more learning about his life. 

Now reading: Puppet, by David Almond, and Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King, an older book about Thurgood Marshall and his early cases for the NAACP. 

Poetry Friday - Today With the Poetry Pals!

     It's Poetry Friday, and Denise Krebs is hosting HERE at her blog, Dare to Care.   She wrote last week that she's planning to join the Poetry Pals' end-of-month challenge, too. And, she has, showing us both the gratitude for rain in a drought-laden landscape and a raucous shout for LIBERTY! 

          Here's what they wrote: 

"Here’s the scoop: We’re taking advantage of the rich bounty of the Poetry Friday Universe and writing ____is A Word Poems, wordplay invented by poet Nikki Grimes and shared by Michelle Barnes. Here’s the roundup from our first foray in October 2021, which was a lot of fun. Our words will be ‘in conversation’ somehow."

 Thanks for hosting, Denise! 

  

          I imagine one may think it's trite to say I love the challenges words offer. I do crosswords and other puzzles, get my daily word from Wordsmith, and consistently wonder how anyone learning English can do it without pounding the walls while studying. Many words don't seem to follow consistent spelling rules, those homophones, like they're, their, and there. And, they constantly challenge with varied pronunciations, like "We live in a city." or "We're going to a  live concert." Those are called heteronyms. 

        For a mysterious reason, a word with two disparate meanings popped into my head, another challenge for those learning English. I found numerous ones, all termed homographs, but stuck with this one!  What a lot of fun to really concentrate on Nikki's, and the Poetry Sisters' challenge, a departure from our world today, at least for a while! Thanks all!

 

When A Word Clashes

 

Two words woke me last night, 

No single voice, though they own the same letters.

 

Stalk can be an action word,

creeping in, flaming with skullduggery.

“I’ll snatch a part of your life, following your path.

I’ll stalk a few steps behind; watch out!”

 

Stalk can be a farmer’s word,

with gentler tone, whispering, 

“Return to the corn with your grandfather,

Walk along as you both touch the leaves,

Feel the burst of life protected by this stalk.”

The tassel tickles my fingers,

and my grandfather picks me up to reach

the tiptop of the spire. He’s proud to show me

how good his stalks are growing, how good it will be

to slather their fruit with butter and bite in. 

 

Linda Baie © 

It's Monday! Find These Books!

   

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow!    

Thanks to Candlewick Press
for my copy!

    

        A novel in verse, a journey for young Theo who happens to love poetry, discovers that his journey to find the father he only met as a baby parallels another's quest, that of Theseus' own challenges, finally meeting the Minotaur in the Labyrinth. Each part shows Theo's challenges and, like life itself, gives some choices within the novel's story. Will you do this and turn to page ? or that, on page ?.  The emotional impact of a boy's poignant wish will make readers rush along with him, experiencing the hardship of a scam artist who claims he can find anyone and the journey that feels so lonely for Theo. We will all root for Theo (and for Theseus)! Kate Milner adds emotional illustrations along the journey.

           Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

      This is a story by Ji-li Jiang of how the Chinese written language developed. Through beginning to observe the world, Chinese people began to create thousands of characters derived from the image! Can you imagine the learning that had to occur in order to be a great Chinese calligrapher? 

       Young Xian wanted so much to become an accomplished calligrapher like his father. He practiced hard, then went to his father to say it was slow and boring. His father told him of the eighteen vats of water that were waiting long ago for another who was practicing. He said that is where the brushes are cleaned, that when all eighteen vats were full of inky water (years!), the person could only then say he was great! 

       There is intriguing information from both the author and illustrator at the back, showing different styles and that there are ways to judge the accomplishment of a calligrapher. For example, one looks at the beauty of the stroke, the beauty of the structure, and finally, the beauty of the spirit. Illustrator Nadia Hsieh tells of her research for her work, finding the clothing that was worn, the kind of brush, and the way of holding it. Clearly, we can begin to learn the complicated art that lies within a master's stroke. It's an interesting and illuminating book for all!

         For everyone to learn much more about our Solar System, this amazing book, through poetry, teaches about the planets. There are fifteen poems, beginning with "Our Family", a poem about the Solar System. First, the text explains why a planet is a poem. Included is a poem about Mars, "Our Sister Planet", a villanelle for Venus, each one a gem. The bonus is that with each poem comes a pullout, double-page of added explanations of that specific one. At the end, there is a call to write one's own poem, a source page, and a gorgeous double-spread of the solar system itself. Amanda West Lewis has created an accessible planetary study through poetry and text, illuminated by Oliver Averill's illustrations. It's a spectacular new book that will challenge everyone to reach for the stars! 

This year's Caldecott winner!

            With Cherokee words sprinkled throughout the book, Andrea L. Rogers tells a family story many will see as familiar. If a family with an older sibling is trying to get along with a way younger one, like Chooch, this is their story! It's a loving Cherokee family story where dear young, just-turned-two Chooch wants to do everything. See that cover! Older sister Sissy doesn't like it that no matter what he does, her parents continue to say he's simply "helping", even when he's messing something up. The last straw, after a number of other events, Chooch tries to help Sissy make a pinch pot, and she yells, "Hesdi!" (Quit it!) It isn't a happy scene, but I imagine others will see it as a familiar clash and a problem that must be solved. And they do it with love, all together. When you read, you'll see why the Caldecott win as you view the gorgeous collaged pages by Rebecca Lee Kunz. In her note, she shares the various tribal elements she has woven in her art. 

     There is both an artist's and an author's note at the back. Both are citizens of the Cherokee Nation. Also added are pages of "How to make a pinch pot." a glossary and pronunciation guide!

          Here's another example, the opening pages: 

Now reading! Puppet by David Almond and Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King, about Thurgood Marshall. 

Poetry Friday - Winter Is Here, Sometimes!

    It's Poetry Friday, and Laura Purdie Salas is hosting HERE at her blog.  Be sure to stop by to see her two new adorable board books, which are coming very soon! Thanks for hosting, Laura! 

  

         First, another thank you for the special postcards from many of you. They certainly warmed my heart during our cold, cold days!

💖There are cards from Margaret Simon, Molly Hogan, Mary Lee Hahn, Mona Voelkel, Joyce Uglow, Jone Rush Macculloch, Robyn Hood Black, Gail Aldous, Tabatha Yeatts Lonske, Tricia Stohr-Hunt, Patricia Franz, and one new poem from Carol Varsalona.

    

Yes, winter has returned. It was 14 degrees below zero Tuesday night, rose to 21 the next day. I know that for Denver, it's not unusual, but I noticed places in the south were also very cold. I hope all of you made it through okay! My Texas son and family were fine, but they've told me some in their town have no heat, using only space heaters sometimes.

       It's snowing tonight, headed for 60 on Sunday! That's February!

it's a slippery go

of cold and snow

a minuet

winter does not forget

cooldown at sundown

bring out the eiderdown

now a cup of tea

ah-h-h, 

sweetened by me

glee! 

        Linda Baie © 

          I also want to share an older book found at the used bookstore where I volunteer, a poem loved, and illustrated by Susan Jeffers, published in 1978, re-issued in 2001. It certainly seems fitting for this week's wintry days! Susan illustrated many others, winning a Caldecott Honor for Three Jovial Huntsmen, then another favorite of mine, a beautiful book of the story, Hansel and Gretel. She also illustrated Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, another gorgeous book and more! Susan passed away just a few years ago. 

 Here's a link to seeing the book read so you can love "seeing" the poem through Susan's imagination, boldly shown in her art. "Her" woodsman stopped once to play in the snow and made a snow angel! I hope you enjoy it!

Monday Reading - Lots to Share

  

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow!    

     It's a lovely story set in World War II, as Hitler conquers France and eyes Great Britain, finally, sadly, begins The Battle of Britain. But the story really begins when Emma Taylor's father saves her from the fire in their beloved bookshop. Sadly, he does not survive and Emma is left without family, an orphan in need. The bulk of the story finds Emma later, now widowed as well, with a young daughter, Olivia, and desperate to find work. There are legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her. 

     The rest of the story, filled with wartime worries, sending Olivia to the country which does work, doesn't work, and on. The tension continues as readers also hear about Emma's co-workers, and her neighbors in the apartment where she and Olivia live. There is frightening loss, frightening hours in bomb shelters, but also there is loving kindness in their midst. I began to care for all the characters, hoping they would make it, wondering why some are unkind, knowing that Madelin Martin will deepen the story as we readers learn about these lives. It's so complicated. I enjoyed the book, often asking myself, "What would I do?" 

       Knowing some of the history of Lending Libraries and reading about Martin's research in her Author's Note was fascinating, too. And, I loved reading about books discussed, both personally and at the lending library, titles readers will recognize here in the 21st Century, titles still read and loved! 

 

         In various places in our world, we see or read of another calling for people to do one thing to help. It may be for one person, for a neighbor, or a neighborhood. It might even be something considered small, offering a smile to someone or picking up something that has fallen in a grocery. Collectively, the acts make a difference! In this book, a young girl is inspired to make change. The text says, "Imagine the world you want to live in. If it’s not the world you see, will you create it?

         Ruth Spiro's story explores the idea of the Jewish philosophy Tikkun olam or "repair the world". With Victoria Tentler-Krylov's amazing and breathtaking illustrations, readers watch the girl walking to school, then seeing her small spark growing as she realizes she wants to make a change in her world. Connecting to others, they begin. 

       Every time I share another book by Allen Say, I advise to never, never miss a book by him! This time an old man starts out on a walk, looking for a paper airplane, but whenever he sees another person to ask if they've seen one, he realizes something is changing, himself! He becomes younger as his walk continues. It feels like a special story of memory, but Allen Say gives us more in his poignant paintings, page after page, one at a time, the man tells us what he's seeing, from his past! It's an amazing book! 

Thanks to Walker Books/Candlewick Press
for my copy!

       A little rhyme at the beginning as Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hair go out into their world together, to see what they could see, and they did see a few things, including a big surprise at the end. Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram again bring a book for little ones to add to their collection for young readers. It's another sweet read for those who've loved "Guess How Much I Love you, and others by this author and illustrator. 

Thanks to Candlewick Press 
for my copy!

         Readers will love this new lullaby book by Jyoti Rajan Gopal that shows a family singing to a baby about to go to sleep. Gorgeous illustrations by Nabi H. Ali show not only family members surrounding the baby but deities from Hindu beliefs arrive as guardians. From the front flap: "There is Ganasha, remover of obstacles, to joyful Krishna, prince of music, and powerful Durga, goddess of strength and protection." It's a special book showing the happiest family time. 

       I would love to read this to a group, to see if they would soon understand what was happening! Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn use brief words of poetry to start the story, taking a man and a boy into a forest for a walk. They explore, notice birds singing, come across a group of musicians, one with an accordion, are caught in a rainstorm, and more! Emily Sutton's illustrations fill the pages, colors abound in this gorgeous place. All of a sudden, it'll be delightful for readers to notice, the boy is changing, growing up! That's all you need to know, except find this book and enjoy every page!

         Henning Mankell's book are compelling, keep one reading, if you can stand the horrifying details of heinous murders, and the idea that there is no way to connect to the murderer. Kurt Wallender's life goes awry this time with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes, leaving readers to worry if he might collapse. Then who would lead? I'm sorry that I haven't discovered Mankell's books until now! 

Now Reading: The Boy Lost in the Maze, Joseph Coelho