BOO TO YOU! (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
BOO TO YOU! by Lois Ehlert (Beach Lane)

A raccoon or a squirrel might bite a veggie,
But a cat loves meat, and that makes us edgy.

The mice are planning an autumnal celebration, but guess who they didn't invite? Their nemesis will have to crash that party, but at his peril, as these mice are prepared to scare! Busy collage illustrations camouflage the turquoise torn-paper mice, but nothing can hide the pumpkin seed teeth of the cat against a midnight black background. One part spooky and two parts seasonal, visuals are this story's strength, and the last page sports a double page spread of harvest fruits, vegetables and fauna all labeled and ready for pre-school pointing and naming. This book does a good job of bringing outdoor elements into the cozy confines of the binding; Lois Ehlert's style always makes use of the interesting, variant quality of opening an artist's drawer, or this time, maybe going out into her fall garden amidst the pods and gourds and pumpkins. (4 and up)

Also of interest:

Halloween's coming, and little ones like a good scare, but not a big one. So here's another book that gently goes bump in the night.

DARK NIGHT by Dorothée de Monfried (Random House) If it's not one thing, it's another! As Felix hides in a hollow of a tree, he sees animals of increasing potential animosity warm themselves at the campfire: a wolf, a tiger, even a crocodile! But in that hollow is a doorknob that leads to a safe burrow, where Felix finds a friend who is just tricky enough to get him safely home again. The story is told with a page-turning immediacy that begs the question "what happens next!" while bold black-line and bright color illustrations play up the wild animal sizes and accent a story that speaks perfectly to a child's imagination...the kind that can think up scary things, and can also make them disappear.

For another pick with a similar theme and eye-popping scheme, pair with Ed Emberley's classic GO AWAY, BIG GREEN MONSTER! (or try his daughter Rebecca Emberley's newer offering, THERE WAS AN OLD MONSTER). Throw in Jan Pienkowski's LITTLE MONSTERS, and wah-lah, you've got an early childhood storytime that's more treat than trick. (4 and up)

Many more PlanetEsme Halloween picture book picks here and here!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.

THE MONSTEROLOGIST: A MEMOIR IN RHYME (POETRY)

POETRY
THE MONSTEROLOGIST: A MEMOIR IN RHYME "ghostwritten" by Bobbi Katz, illustrated by Adam McCauley (Sterling)

Greasy green lizards
And raw chicken gizzards,
Spell-binding spells
cast by spell-casting wizards.
Dead mice and head lice
and flapping bat wings--
these are a few of my favorite things!

Yes, even Rogers and Hammerstein takes a Halloween hit in this erudite collection of rememberances by one who has spent his life chasing the most famous of creeps. This poem is a good representation of the work because it underscores the poet's distinct lyrical quality, with a wit, sophistication and confident meter that hearkens to the days of Tin Pan Alley, though in this context, perhaps more like Daigon Alley.

Years ago when I was young,
I found it hard to say
what I would be when I grew up
and had a job someday.
Perhaps when people ask you
what you are going to be,
You'll choose a fine degree like mine--
In monsterology!

Fifty pages of fond and funny reminiscences of the fictional escapades and chance meetings between "the monsterologist" and a bevy of beasts are played up with eclectic collage, lively layouts and frenetic fonts, a style that is sure to entice fans of Lane Smith of Stinky Cheese Man fame. This collection with a vinyl burgundy cover embossed in gold has some literary heft, hosting an interview with the Loch Ness Monster, musings on the Golem and Grendel, a wink to a cyclops and a nod to other ghastly Greek monster icons (Just one look at Medusa/Could turn you to stone./When she says, "let's talk,"/Play it safe. Use the phone). And what collection would be complete without a few words about the ghosts of Elvis Presley and Louis Armstrong? Expect the unexpected! This book about being a monsterologist made it fun to be a readiologist...and the lucky kid who gets this will have the best of both of those worlds. (9 and up)

One more "ologist" worth mentioning is R.L. La Fevers' novel, FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: NATHAN FLUDD, BEASTOLOGIST, BOOK I (illustrated by Kelly Murphy, published by Houghton Mifflin), the first in a series about a gentle boy taking care of the mythical beasts who come to depend upon him. Using some familiar devices (parents disappeared, child left to fend for self amidst unsympathetic adults a la Lemony Snicket), Nate is taken under the wing of his distant cousin, the last "beastologist." When this guardian needs rescuing amidst an expedition, Nate is left to discover his own expertise and independence. This book rises above the fray thanks to succinct, elegant writing, high adventure, likeable talking creatures and the fact that a very dear little boy rises to the occasion, even after years of admonishments ("You need a little more time to grow up," his father had said. "When you're old enough to travel well and your sense of adventure has developed, we'll send for you then"). Decorated with fetching sketchy ink illustrations and a nice size for children who enjoyed the Spiderwick series, this strong start promises many hours of enjoyable fantasy perfect for armchair curl-ups, and just in time for the chilly days of fall. (7 and up)

Also of interest:

Something old (classics below), something new (above), something borrowed (how about a library book!), and something...green? Seems we're ready for Halloween. Here is more frightfully good seasonal poetry; print up your favorites in a freaky font and toss 'em in bags along with the lollipops.

FRANKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH by Adam Rex (Harcourt)

The delightfully irreverent Rex (THE DIRTY COWBOY) has written a book so funny, it's scary. Bring your best monster face, it will crack...you will be weeping with laughter from these poems, whether it's "The Creature of the Black Lagoon Doesn't Wait an Hour Before Swimming," "An Open Letter from Wolfman's Best Friend" ("Dear Wolfman,/I wanted to make some things clear./ I know we've been roomates for nearly a year,/and I probably should have said something before,/ but could you please try/not to scratch the front door?"), "The Invisible Man Gets a Haircut" (would you look at the barber's expression?) "Count Dracula Doesn't Know He's Been Walking Around All Night With Spinach in his Teeth," "The Phantom of the Opera Can't Get 'The Girl from Ipanema' Out of His Head," shall I go on? How about listening to an oversensitive Bigfoot's lament, getting the skinny on a Witch-Watcher's Club, and of course, what collection of hoorors would complete without a visit to the dentist? Children will not like this book, they will love it, and the poems are only surpassed by the artwork, distinctive, distinguished, and utterly limber in style, ranging from painterly to comic-bookish. A mix of Shel Silverstein, Art Speigelman, Colin McNaughton, and something wholly original and inspired, this holiday book really put Rex's talent on the map, even if the map happens to be of Transylvania. It liiiiives! (7 and up)

THE ESSENTIAL WORLDWIDE MONSTER GUIDE
by Linda Ashman, illustrated by David Small (Simon and Schuster)

"Guaranteed--some day, some place--/You'll meet a monster face to face./Don't destroy a great vacation--/Arm yourself with information!/With this handy monster guide,/You can take these beasts in stride./Save yourself the stress and stife!/Save your spirit! Save your life!" So begins the voyage via hot air balloon to thirteen countries, each page luckily illustrated by a Caldecott artist in top form and unluckily plagued by lengendary creatures such as the nefarious Russian Domovik, the terrible Japanese Tengu, or the not-so-hot Hotots of Armenia. Anyone who reads this book is likely to learn something new in this international monster who's who, and the frontspiece is an attractive world map to help you locate the monsters (and steer clear of them). Let each child in a classroom make up their own monster description using the format in the book, and bind them together for your own homemade Essential Monster Guide! Also worth noting: this Caldecott-winning artist is currently in contention for the National Book Award for his illustrated memoir for adults, STITCHES, which is scary in its own grown-up way. (8 and up)

THE ROBOTS ARE COMING by Andy Rash (Scholastic)
Speaking of grown-ups getting scared, some teachers cringed at this politically incorrect collection of poetry, but one class made the teacher read this book three times in a row. Verse about voodoo, coffee-drinking robots, hypnotists, clones and the loch ness monster are just a few of the motley crew that grace the pages of this outlandish collection. My favorite is "Werewolf": The moon comes out/and the werewolf shouts,/"TIME TO BE A WOLF/AND ROAM THE FOREST!"/ The moon is gone/and the werewolf yawns,/"Time to be a man/and see the florist."/the victim lies/in the bed and sighs,/"I'll never go out/on another full moon."/ The bouquet has/a card that says,/ "Sorry I attacked you./ Get well soon." The artwork is bold and modern with plenty of artsy green-and orange. The last poem in the book, "Good Night," is reassuring in it's own creepy way. While perhaps not for the faint of heart or more parochial collections, this snazzy bit of subversive fun reaches its intended audience on the Halloween shelf. (8 and up)

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.

THE YELLOW TUTU (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
THE YELLOW TUTU by Kirsten Bramsen, illustrated by Carin Bramsen (Random House)

Too-too adorable. While that should probably be the summation line of a review, the degree of darlingness of this book dictates that adjectives go first. When Margo receives a lovely yellow tutu for her birthday, she decrees that the garment is better suited for wearing on her head, and is shocked and wounded when her circle shirks her fashion-forward thinking. Luckily, by putting her true self out there, she is able to locate an equally true friend, who appreciates a little creative couture. The illustrations are the stand-out, a dream-come-true hybrid of the hyper-stylized 1940's elegance of Golden Book illustrator Corrine Malvern meshed with the cheek-pinching whimsy of a Kewpie Doll, creating a retro feel but refreshingly without the retro homogenization; Margo's comrades are multicultural. How Bramsen so effectively manages to capture the textural frou-frou of the tulle is miraculous, as is the silvery glint of tears in the eyes of Margo when her feelings are hurt. The pastel palette is as delicious as frosting on a cupcake; the last scene of Margo and Pearl having a tea party in a rose garden with tutus on their heads (and looking quite a bit like roses themselves) has a vibrancy and verve akin to the beautiful book WHEN THE SUN ROSE by Barbara Helen Berger (Putnam). Margo's highs and lows are honest and recognizable, as is her invested enthusiasm for dress-up (as any grown-up who has ever tried to play stylist to a little girl who has insisted on donning a princess costume to school can attest). Any little girly-girl deserves this book in her library. Oh, dear. Since I started out with adorable, now what else can I say? How about this: tutu not included. (5 and up)

Also of interest:
More fodder for playtime.
THE DOLL SHOP DOWNSTAIRS by Yona Zeldis McDonough, illustrated by Heather Maione (Viking)
Anna lives with her parents and two sisters over her parents' doll hospital, where her father carefully makes repairs of valuable bisque and china poppets (while Anna and her sisters get to play with them in the meantime). When the first World War breaks out and repair parts can no longer be ordered from Germany, the family is in dire straits until little Anna comes up with a creative solution: why don't we make our own dolls and sell them? This sweet, old-fashioned story is paced like old-fashioned penny candy, very nice if you don't mind savoring slowly. McDonough gets a lot right in terms of family dynamics, as middle-child Anna works hard to find her place in the family; the pleasure of finally having her little sister look up to her or having an older sister like an idea is palpable. Anna's problem-solving throughout the story is genuinely inventive and surprising, whether she is determining what kind of doll her father should make, how to stop her sister's tantrum in the new FAO Schwartz toy store, or how to "communicate" with the doll she has come to love after her owner has retrieved her from the repair shop. The historical and cultural context of the book is atmospheric and very much in the style of Sydney Taylor's classic ALL-OF-A-KIND FAMILY, and cheery black-line spot illustrations add to the story's charm and ambiance. (7 and up) A very helpful author's note at the end of the book explains how the story is loosely based and largely inspired by the childhood of Beatrice Alexander, who went on to create the legendary and highly collectible Madame Alexander dolls, and young readers can find out more about her by enjoying Krystyna Boray Goddu's excellent collection of short biographical essays, DOLLMAKERS AND THEIR STORIES: WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD OF PLAY (Holt). Also, doll and toy lovers will want to seek out Clyde Robert Bulla's THE TOY HOUSE DOLLS, the dramatic story of a family who starts a library of toys (gosh, I wish I could read it aloud to you right now!), and M.B. Goffstein's endearing GOLDIE THE DOLLMAKER, an unassuming little picture book which embraces a love of beautiful things with both arms.

The Jane Addams Hull House doll club, 1931.
Photograph by Wallace Kirkland.

More doll books here and toy books here. What was your favorite toy growing up?

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.

REDWOODS (NONFICTION)

NONFICTION
REDWOODS by Jason Chin (Roaring Brook)

In this effective melding of picture book format and nonfiction content, a redwood forest sprouts from a book that a boy finds in a subway station. A Thanks to a fertile imagination, the facts carry him off into the world of the tallest living things on the planet, rising over three hundred feet in the air. Through the perils of a forest fire, encounters with things that creep and leap and soar (follow the little flying squirrel from page to page!) and a majestic climb into the crown of the Titan tree, the boy comes to appreciate the survival of this giant and its role in nature...just in time for another reader to find the book on the park bench. Underscored by vertically oriented book design and elegant watercolors, the visual juxtaposition of the natural world against the boy's own urban dwelling (seeing a redwood tower six stories taller than the Statue of Liberty, for instance) will inspire an interest and appreciation in readers far removed from the sensory delights of the real forest. The book's fanciful dimension is never overpowering, keeping its roots in factual information, and an afterword about "redwoods in danger" and an inspiring note from the author will have children dreaming of a real visit long after the book visit has ended. Redwoods are also often known as a sequoia trees, so you may want to pair this title with James Rumford's biography of the tree's equally majestic human namesake: SEQUOYAH: THE CHEROKEE MAN WHO GAVE HIS PEOPLE WRITING. (7 and up)

Also of interest:
Here's a couple new nature-loving books to help prepare children for their century!

CYCLE OF RICE, CYCLE OF LIFE: A STORY OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING by Jan Reynolds (Lee & Low)

A sustainable world "meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." - "Our Common Future," World Commission on Environment and Development

How did the country of Bali go from being the best rice producer in Indonesia to the worst? This title documents the country's unique temple-based system of water irrigation, linked "like beads on a necklace," and the associated rituals of gathering, sharing and ecological balance that made it work for over a thousand years. In a terrible attempt to fix what wasn't broken, a government-imposed "Green Revolution" took the farmers down a slippery slope with genetically engineered crops and environmentally dangerous pesticides, interrupting not only the routine of nature but communities as well, and inciting an uphill but partially successful battle by scientists to preserve both nature and culture. By following the affects of the agricultural decisions of a boy and girl in a village, the story becomes more pertinent to young readers . Straightforwardly told and with pockets of tension, the story is accented with largely idyllic Balinese scenes in a photojournalistic style reminscent of George Ancona. The vocabulary is challenging and specific to the topic, but words like subak, aerate, Jero Gde and weir are neatly defined in the glossary and pronunciation guide in the back. This book is wonderful literature tie-in for learning about the water cycle, and affords a chance to gain a greater sense of connection and gratitude about where both our food and our water come from. Don't forget to follow up by playing the "Free Rice Game," in which the UN donates a ten grains of rice to help end hunger for every correct quiz answer! (8 and up)

BIG BEAR HUG by Nicholas Oldland (Kids Can Press)
Talk about a tree-hugger! This bear loves to embrace every living thing he comes in contact with (look at that poor, surprised, bug-eyed beaver in the bruin's clutches!), but when the bear meets an axe-wielding tree-cutter, the claws come out. Trying to stay true to his nature, can bear think of another way to solve the problem? Plain, cheerful matte paintings with a muddy palette seem very au naturel and befit this simple but powerful tale. With the same conservationist theme as Paul Geraghty's shamefully out-of-print rainforest read-aloud STOP THAT NOISE!, this laugh-out-loud story goes to show that love will always find a way...and that's a message that always bears repeating. (4 and up)

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.

S IS FOR STORY and OTHER GREAT NEW BOOKS ABOUT BOOKS AND WRITING

PICTURE BOOK
S IS FOR STORY by Esther Hershenhorn, illustrated by Zachary Pullen (Sleeping Bear Press)

Y is for Your Story,
yours to live and grow,
of all you do,
and where you've been
and where you hope to go.

Well, I have stopped regular hours of the PlanetEsme Bookroom while I pursue my Master's in library science, but I HAD to open it up again today at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate the release of this book with a visit by the legendary author herself, famous not only for her own award-winning work but for her support of and influence upon the writing of other authors, and an open mike for kids (e-mail me for an invite, or be my Facebook friend for Bookroom updates). Opposite each short alphabet poem is a thoughtful and often inspiring description in praise of prose's process, whether its a short history of the alphabet, the value of journaling, the ride that is revision or what is it about voice that makes writing unique. The text is also peppered with writer's tips and inspiring quotes by authors such as Kate DiCamillo, Jacqueline Woodson, Lois Lowry and Richard Peck, all warranting many reference revisits. This writer's alphabet, fittingly, has dotted it's i's and crossed it's t's in terms of breadth of content. Broad, caricatured paintings are great for sharing with a group. B is for Boon to teachers. (8 and up)

In honor of the spirit of S IS FOR STORY, here are five fabulous new books about the connection between readers and the books they love.

THE PLOT CHICKENS by Mary Jane and Herm Auch (Holiday House) Even though there is a chicken on the cover of this book, it's the bravest depiction of the writing process I've ever encountered in children's literature. After several successful trips to the library, Henrietta Hen declares, "Reading books is so much fun. Writing books must be eggshilarating." Zany computer-generated illustrations give a light touch to some real and pragmatic writing hints for beginners ("Rule Three: Give your main character a problem"; "Rule Seven: Make your story come alive by using all five senses"), but what really sets this book apart is the realistic treatment of not only writing a book, but the aftermath of sharing it....or trying to share it. After receiving a blunt rejection from a publisher ("Don't quit your day job," signed "Hunter Fox, Editor"), in a forward-thinking, proactive move, she self-publishes, inspiring a lovely couple of double-page spreads showing the four-color printing process. When the enthused librarian suggests she send her book of for review at the "Corn Book,"she gets reamed by a review. "'I'm going to keep writing,' Henrietta said, but her feelings were hurt." How Henrietta finally finds her audience is rewarding without being romanticized. This book never loses sight of the real people (or chickens) behind the books we read, while giving great insight into the process of being publishedm making it a must-read for aspiring authors, young and old. I don't care what the Corn Book would say, this is one fresh egg. (7 and up)

A BOOK by Mordicai Gerstein (Roaring Brook)
Did you know that when you close a book, the characters are sleeping inside, and when you open a book, you wake them up? Crack the binding a rouse the clever little family in this book. "I know we live in a book, but what is our story?" queries the daughter. Daddy insists it's the story of a lovingfather who is a hardworking circus clown, while Mom corrects him; "actually it's the story of a devoted mother who is a fearless fire fighter." Her brother thinks it's about a boy who grows up to be an astronaut, and the pets have plot lines all their own as well. But ultimately, this is the story of a girl looking for her story, and traveling across pages through genres like fairy tales, mysteries, science fiction, historical fiction and more, before the surprise epiphany at the end, revealing what the girl's story really is about. Charming, funny, exciting and complete, this book really demonstrates what a book can be---and can do. The overhead perspective (such as the girl looking up as if observing a tall skyscraper, observing the reader with surprise) makes this book come to life, having the effect of a miniature world unfolding right in our laps. Though I usually hate when the same authors win awards over and over again, Mr. Gerstein is the exception to that rule. His book design and imagination are just too wonderful not to celebrate, at the Caldecott Awards and in the classroom. (6 and up)

LIBRARY MOUSE by Daniel Kirk (Abrams)
A mouse makes his home behind the reference books, and reads everything he can get his paws on, until he makes the natural leap: he decides he wants to write a book himself. He puts his handiwork on display and garners a following, which is lots of fun until people start requesting a chance to meet this talented author. What is he to do? He sets out a Kleenex box with a banner that says "MEET THE AUTHOR," and when the children look inside, they see a mirror. (I know you're going to set this up, aren't you?) This book celebrates the natural progression from reader to writer with a punch. Also check out the follow-up, LIBRARY MOUSE: A FRIEND'S TALE, about book collaboration. (7 and up)

THE BOOK THAT EATS PEOPLE by John Perry, illustrated by Mark Fearing (Tricycle)

One day in Little Rock, Arkansas, Sammy Ruskin forgot to wash his hands after lunch, and the book tasted peanut butter on his fingers.

a warning as much as a story, this self-referencing story explains how dangerous it is, with a subtle undercurrent of admonishment over bad book care. Angular, heavily stylized multi-media illustrations, sometimes like a comic book and other times a collage, effectively make us want to play the "Jaws" theme with every turned page. Look at those shifty eyes! Oddly convincing, here's a book with some teeth to it; be warned, it's not for sharing with children so young that they might actually believe that a book could eat someone. But if they do, counter with a tooth for a tooth: Oliver Jeffers' INCREDIBLE BOOK EATING BOY. (7 and up)

HAVE I GOT A BOOK FOR YOU by Mélanie Watt (Kids Can Press) Step right up! Tell ya what I'm gonna do! "Say GOOD-BYE to boring books! You know the ones I'm talking about...storybooks that put you to sellep! Schoolbooks that add up to ZERO fun! Cookbooks that leave a bad taste in your mouth! And the dictionary--a book so boring words can't describe it!" Sit through Al Foxword's subversive sales pitch for reading this book: satisfied customers, free bookmark (if you act now), and two, two, TWO books for the price of one (the second making a very nice hat, hassle-free door stopper or decorative coaster). Now, just imagine what you can do with 742 books? You still haven't bought it? That's what you think. Hilarious and high-energy, when you're not using the book as a door stopper, it also makes a great segueway into conversations about how books are marketed, or an introduction to "book commercial" book reports. Have I sold you on this yet? (7 and up)

Also of interest:
Howzabout a short bibliography for young lexicon lovers?
L IS FOR LOLLYGAG: QUIRKY WORDS FOR A CLEVER TONGUE by Molly Glover (Chronicle) An elegant abecedarian volume that will leave readers with a vocabulary almost ready to take on William F. Buckley, or maybe William F. Buckley when he was a kid). (9 and up)
THE WORD SNOOP by Ursula Dubosarsky, illustrated by Tohby Riddle (Dial) a tour of the English language by an enthusiast, writing letters directly to the reader and inviting them to share in anagrams, palidromes, texting tricks, and even un petit peu de Pig Latin (or should I say etit-pay eu-pay?) (8 and up)
WOE IS I JR: THE YOUNGER GRAMMARPHOBE'S GUIDE TO BETTER ENGLISH IN PLAIN ENGLISH by Patricia T. O'Conner (Putnam) Gosh, wwho needs a stodgy old grammar book? This puts language in contexts children can understand and enjoy...what child wouldn't prefer to learn plurals by comparing "tarantula" to "tarantulas?" I think I might need some new multiple copy sets. (9 and up)
CRAZY LIKE A FOX by Loreen Leedy (Holiday House) A simile story that reads like a dream. (7 and up)
PUNCTUATION TAKES A VACATION by Robin Pulver (Holiday House) An oldie but goodie, and my favorite of all of the author's many wonderful books about words and school. (7 and up)
TOO YOUNG FOR YIDDISH by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Neil Waldman (Charlesbridge) A fascinating inter-generational narrative which at its heart is about how to keep a language --- and the spirit of a people --- alive. This book reads from back to front, in honor of the way books in Yiddish are read. (8 and up)
TWENTY-ODD DUCKS: WHY, EVERY PUNCTUCATION MARK COUNTS! by Lynne Truss, illustrated by Bonnie Timmons (Putnam), companion to THE GIRL'S LIKE SPAGHETTI: WHY, YOU CAN'T MANAGE WITHOUT APOSTROPHES! Pictures speak a thousand words (or at least correct a few hundred ) in a laugh-out-loud book duo that really knows how to bring home a point. (both 8 and up)

Happy reading (and writing), everyone!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.

EXTRA CREDIT (FICTION)

Hooray, I finally have my new blog up, "Hit the Ground Running," especially for new and high-spirited pedagogues! I will have a giveaway a week there for copies of HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD TO LOVE READING for a while, so please visit and spread the word.

In celebration of the launch, let's have some more back-to school books...this time, especially for older kids. The first pick especially belongs in every intermediate classroom!

FICTION
EXTRA CREDIT by Andrew Clements, spot illustrations by Mark Elliott (Atheneum)

Rereading the letter, then looking more carefully at each picture, Abby felt ashamed of the letter she had sent to Afghanistan. As near as she could recall, she had spent about ten minutes on it. The letter she'd gotten back was so much...more...

But Abby's feeling of shame didn't last. It was replaced almost instantly by determination. Because she decided that her next letter was going to be even better.

Athletic and distracted, Abby Carson has been a flop at school, and it's a serious possibility that she'll be held have to repeat the sixth grade unless she can get B's on every single bit of her remaining schoolwork. She also must agree to complete an extra-credit project: an exchange of letters with a student in another country, and a display of the correspondence. Half a world away, hard-working Sadeed has been given a special assignment by his teacher: help his little sister answer the letter that has arrived at the school from an American girl. After all, having a boy answer her wouldn't be proper, and his little sister does not know English well enough to represent the village. But the urge to personally communicate and connect overwhelms Sadeed, and he soon abandons his role as his sister's ghost writer and enters into a secret friendship that could prove dangerous to the people he loves the most.

From the man often considered the master of the "school story" and author of the much beloved FRINDLE comes, in many ways, his most daring offer to date. While I can't attest to the cultural accuracy of the depictions of Afghanistan, there is an ambitious shift in the artist's craft here, not unlike when Beverly Cleary moved from writing her sunny RAMONA series to undertaking the more serious tone of DEAR MR. HENSHAW. Honest but never heavy-handed, this exciting and realistic read-aloud probes deeply into the decisions of the children as they drift away from the constraints of their assignments, and the story line offers so much to thoughtfully discuss. The mores of Sadeed's village conflict with modern values, but for how long? To what extent are children entitled to privacy? Abby learns to look at her Midwestern world with new, more appreciative eyes, and eyes that learn the hard way to hone in on the biases and agendas of others as she is forced to remove a part of her display that represents the faith of her faraway friend. Is this decision right or wrong? Both children are striving to find--and to articulate--their intentions of peace in a world of forces that circumvent their efforts in ways large and small, sometimes deliberately, sometimes thoughtlessly. This is a book about choosing battles, and patiently waiting for the world to change even when the change has already occurred inside of you.

Most interesting of all, though, might be the revisiting of the topic of old-school "snail mail" in an age of digital communication; besides setting gears in motion for geopolitical conversation in classrooms, it's also pretty sensational to use for starting off a unit about conventional letter writing. There was a time before IM-ing when the hard work of creating correspondence and tucking treasures in an envelope were representations not only of ourselves but of our cultures, inducing us to put our better foot forward, as the characters in this book soon discover. Even in the age of highly homogenized e-mail, letters still create connections by which empathy can come to fruition like Abby's cornfields in the sunshine, or, as Sadeed might put it, with the warmth of "the smile of God."

He stared at Abby's face, trying to connect the words he had just read with this girl he saw looking straight at him. At that very moment, gazing at her picture, Abby became a real person to him--someone who was intelligent, someone who loved being outdoors, someone who noticed the beauty of nature and the shapes of words. And her favorite color was green. And it struck Sadeed that right now he probably knew more about this Abby Carson in America than he had ever known about any other girl in his whole life, including his own sister.

Expect to well up with tears more than once from the sheer poignancy of this very good book. (10 and up)

Other penpal picks, old and new:

• The sadly out-of-print but worth-finding-used COSMIC COUSIN by Nancy Hayashi, in which a girl exchanges letters with a mysterious classmate using library books as mailboxes (7 and up);
• DEAR MAX by Sally Grindley and illustrated by Tony Ross, the refreshing boy-centered book about a fellow who pursues a long-distance friendship with an author, and in the process discovers how to deal with a bully (8 and up);
• LONGER LETTER LATER, a realistic back-and-forth between two characters separated by a move and orchestrated by two great authors: the marvelous Ann Martin and the late great Paula Danziger (9 and up);
• And! The latest installment in the trendy Mother Daughter Book Club series by Heather Vogel Frederick, DEAR PEN PAL, in which a group of eighth grade girls dive into Jean Webster's classic novel Daddy Long Legs via post.

Also of interest:

There's room on the shelf for more classroom fiction. Here are a couple of new books that are too cool for school (almost).

THE MAGICAL MS. PLUM by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Amy Portnoy (Knopf) Well, I've gotta hand out the gold star right away for most outstanding and evocative description of a teacher classroom set-up right on the first page, starting with "Ms. Plum had the best class in Springtime Elementary" before any of the kids even set foot in the room. That's the spirit! Ms. Plum isn't worried, because when she sends her students into the supply closet, they emerge with an animal "familiar" who will help guide them to a better version of themselves. A squadron of squirrels helps classmates see that awkward Darma is really someone special, a little donkey inspires Becky to unburden herself of her constant complaints, while a parrot induces Eric to let folks finish their own jokes. The author does a good job of creating tension amidst the formulaic by focusing in on Carlos, who doesn't seem destined to ever get to the supply closet at all. These magical, behavioral modifying vignettes bring to mind Betty MacDonald's 1957 classic MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE with a splash of Sachar's Wayside School. By the author of the bestselling picture book A VISITOR FOR BEAR, this book has high appeal for early chapter book readers who will wonder: what animal would follow me out of the closet? (7 and up)

THE HOMESCHOOL LIBERATION LEAGUE by Lucy Frank (Dial) Katya has come home from summer wilderness camp a changed girl. She has fallen in love, after all, though not with a boy... instead, she has a new passion for nature, which cannot be sated solely in her spare time. She runs away from school the way one might run away from home, and her parents reluctantly allow her to give homeschooling a try. The depiction of the parents is believable as they try to accommodate Katya's yearning toward learning, however, struggle with a the lack of tools to really make it work. Also a standout is the strangely effervescent tone of the writing; where the Katherine Hannigan's pensive, sensitive writing style has for a long time made IDA B the homeschooling queen bee (followed by Spinelli's shining STARGIRL for older readers), Katya will create her own buzz with a voice that has more in common with the writing of Ann Brashares' SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS. Well-intentioned, Katya has a manic, impulsive streak, still cares about her circle of friends enough to lie about the "league" that doesn't exist (yet), she has crushes on boys, and makes a marvelous, well-meaning mess of her lesson plans as she and her family learn the hard way to differentiate between homeschooling and unschooling (curious grown-ups can discover the difference by examining Dayna Martin's RADICAL UNSCHOOLING and Nanda Van Gestel's THE UNSCHOOLING UNHANDBOOK and the movie SURFWISE). This book does an outstanding job of not relying on stereotypes of children attending either traditional or alternative schools; Katya has friends happily attending public school, while her homeschooled beau is ready for another path. On a level, this might be less of a school story than a survival story; it's a chronicle of a girl who is trying to defend her own love of learning from being quelled by the shortcomings of a system that has stopped feeding her particular spirit. Many children fantasize about being homeschooled, or going to "regular" school. The grass doesn't seem greener on either side of the fence in this thoughtful book. The message is clear: either way, getting an education is hard-earned...so why not have fun while you earn it! (12 and up)

On a personal note: A love letter to letters

I have to share my own enthusiasm for the subject of "pen-pals" that Clements brings up in his new book. Before finding my passion for children's books, letter-writing was definitely my thing! Sticker collecting was also a hot hobby when I was growing up, and I combined those interests to start a national sticker and pen-pal club called "The Best Friends Sticker Club," where for $5 and six self-addressed stamped envelopes, I would send cheerful newsletters and a handful of cool stickers to add to member collections. The initiative was picked up by the uber-80's-fabulous Stickers & Stuff Magazine (yes, there was a magazine, I even wrote regularly for it as a junior columnist!). My mailman was amazed when I received literally hundreds of beautifully decorated letters a week, pouring out of my little Chicago apartment building mailbox. I was amazed, too! I received hilarious audio tapes from Texas, loving little tokens from friends in California, envelopes written in sweeping, regal calligraphy from New York City, and marveled at a newsletter created by a buddy in Minnesota. By the time I was fourteen, I had hundreds of penpals from every corner, hill and vale of the country, and my little club took up so much of my time that I found it necessary to stay home from school on some days to keep up (thanks to Mom and Dad for being so awfully flexible; I think they must have been homeschoolers at heart).

In high school, I was connected to many friends even farther across the miles through the amazing, now defunct International Youth Service (IYS) (read the comments on this blog for a small taste of what a difference this service made in the lives of so many). There is a lot of lip service given to all that we have in common as people, but nothing brought that truth to light in my childhood the way those letters did. One penpal from the Congo would send me wish-lists, often requesting barrettes; I didn't appreciate her need at the time and fell out of touch, and can only shudder when I think of what her fate might have been, given the nightmarish conditions of her geographic area. A boy from Turkey sent me amazing letters of how he and his friends would torment a teacher by letting animals loose in the classroom. I have kept those letters, and they still make me (and the children I share them with) laugh out loud. After maintaining correspondences through my teenage years, I was able to travel all through Western Europe on my own when I was twenty, staying with my distant "sisters," experiencing lifestyles from the POV of people who really lived there. Later, one of my penpals from India came to live in the United States, eventually earning a Ph.D in molecular biology and becoming my son's godmother and holding a special place in my heart for twenty-five years. What wonderful adventures and friendships I have enjoyed thanks to pen-pals!

The pace of my modern adult life has been too dizzying to write letters they way I used to (and my parents are no longer in a position to write me a note of excuse from work). But even now, as I compose convenient e-mails with a zip and a zap, I know deep down there's a difference between that and trying to say something in your best handwriting, or choosing things from your life to write about with the care of arranging flowers in a bouquet to offer a new friend (though I still do try to do some of that here on this blog). There's something incomparable about seeing that stamp in a corner from a world away, and knowing, just as Sadeed and Abby discover, that you are about to receive something very, very rare and personal. This hobby led me come to appreciate what it means to be a citizen of the world in a whole new way, and taught me that everywhere you go, you are liable to find people that are good. Though IYS is no longer, you and your children can still check out International Pen Friends to start an adventure of your own.

What's the best letter you have ever received? Did you have a penpal growing up? Please share your stories in the comments section!

Hello: Know Other People Poster by Open for ReadyMade Magazine. Rights reserved by artist.
Pictures of stamps, coins and letters from Esmé's collections.
Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.

MESSING AROUND ON THE MONKEY BARS (POETRY) and NEW BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOKS

Hey, everybody, before we launch into some fabulous new and recent back-to-school books, I have to shout out my good news! It's time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the publication of the real-life diary of my first year of teaching in the Chicago Public Schools, EDUCATING ESMÉ! My publisher has just reissued the book to include a brand new guide I wrote for first year teachers, "Hit the Ground Running," featuring 25 pieces of practical advice and a "new teacher shopping list." The reissue also includes a new foreword by Katherine Paterson, legendary author of classic books such as BRIDGE TO TEREBITHIA and THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS and the soon-to-be-released DAY OF THE PELICAN (yes, I know, I'm breathing into a paper bag this very minute about it). In honor of the reissue I will also be launching a separate blog especially for new and high-spirited k-5 teachers, where in the coming weeks there will be conversation about the teaching experience, helpful hints, giveaways, inspiring artwork, links both useful and unique, book recommendations (well, of course!) and probably some things to eat (it's still me, after all). Hope you'll check it out and tell your teacher friends. Meanwhile, what could be a more apropos celebration than a merry stack of new back-to-school recommendations?

POETRY
MESSING AROUND ON THE MONKEY BARS AND OTHER SCHOOL POEMS FOR TWO VOICES by Betsy Franco, illustrated by Jessie Hartland (Candlewick)

Where did you come from?
Far away.
Miss your friends?
Every day...
How old are you?
Just turned eight.
You like hoops?
Yeah, great.
Got any friends?
Nope, not yet.
Wanna play?
You bet!

The technique of the two-voiced poem have been visited by greats like Paul Fleischman (to award-winning effect in JOYFUL NOISE) and Mary Ann Hoberman (in her cunning choral exercise of the YOU READ TO ME, I'LL READ TO YOU series, supporting emergent readers), and here in this latest offering in that style, a deadly sight has been set against the dreary "round robin" of reading. Lines are in plain and bold type to indicate turns, and are accented by zany, folksy painted illustrations. Besides being fun, these poems are empathetic to the audience and validate the work day of children, whether being slightly behind on an animal report, being distracted by classroom noises in the poem "Whirr, Whirr, Zing, Zap," pushing to the front of the line in "Me and Joe Lining Up After Recess," and maybe empathetic to the work day of the teacher as well ("Our Tired Teacher Must Not Be Listening" might be fun to tuck in teacher's mailboxes on the last Friday of the first week of school). The author kindly offers "adventurous ways to read the poems" at the back of the book, and if I may, I'd like to add the suggestion that in a classroom setting the poems be shared on opaque projector or on overhead transparency, so everybody gets a chance to read. (7 and up)

Also of interest:
More new and relatively recent back-to-school picks that earn an A. And A is for...

THE ANACONDA ATE MY HOMEWORK! by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Aaron Renier (Hyperion) Just look at that cover. Snake guts, and we haven't even opened it yet. You know two boys are having a tug-of-war over it already. When the winner cracks it open, there is a highly graphic-style comic/picture book hybrid of a well-meaning student who experiences a series of dramatic mishaps that make the reader glad if a dog eating homework is the worst that ever happens. Don't worry, though eleven pages behind, our boy Digby eventually earns a reprieve from the President of the United States. The thing about this book is, by the end, it's almost believable. Even in the storytelling canon of cumulative catastrophe such as Remy Charlip's FORTUNATELY (Aladdin), Margery Cuyler's THAT'S GOOD! THAT'S BAD! (Holt) and Trinka Hake Nobel's THE DAY JIMMY'S BOA ATE THE WASH (Puffin), this book feels modern and fresh. Someone definitely did their homework here. (6 and up)

SPLAT THE CAT by Rob Scotton (HarperCollins) "It was early in the morning and Splat was wide awake. Today was his first day at Cat School, and his tail wiggled with worry." First day of school jitters, fie on you! As Splat traverses time, it is clear his fears are absolutely unfounded...in fact, Splat is a hero, giving his cohort a new outlook on mice. The computer-generated black-red-gray illustrations are detailed and hilarious, allowing us to see every hair of the bad hair day, the contagious Cheshire grins of Splat's classmates and the rumple of clothes when hugging mom at the end of a long, exciting day. Last year's release, it deserves a revisit for being laugh-out-loud worthy, as well as a testament to the very real feelings of first grade scaredy-cats. Preview the very funny promotional video here. (5 and up)

IT'S PICTURE DAY TODAY by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson (Atheneum) By the author of the popular Judy Moody series and with artwork that seems inspired by Hanoch Piven, this title is more of a conceptual catalog of art supplies than a story as different bric-a-brac roll in for attendance and arrange themselves nicely for a group photo. It is worth a look, though, because there is potential for extension: surely, we can break out all the leftover craft supplies and have the kids do three dimensional sculptural portraits, culminating in a very artsy "class picture" that you can photograph and use for a darling blog and stationery header. Madame MacDonald is still a great idea woman. (4 and up)

Another collection of poems for back-to-school is STAMPEDE!: POEMS TO CELEBRATE THE WILD SIDE OF SCHOOL by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Steven Salerno (Clarion), introduced with the question, "Is your school a zoo? Which creature are you?" Each poem is a brief comparison between a child and an animal ("The whisper spreads like fire or flu./"Someone has a crush on you!" My cheeks burn hot as a sun-sharp ray./I'm a blazing cardinal, winging away.") The child with a grumbling stomach is a starving bear coming out of hibernation, and someone else is a skunk...maybe you can guess why! Being lost in the halls is akin to being a mouse in a maze. The awkward girl on picture day feels like a caterpillar, but dad knows there's a butterfly inside. Salerno's slick, colorful sketches, like the children, aren't afraid of sliding outside the lines. This collection, though slightly slim, stands to remind us that while we're all different, we're in this menagerie together. Children can come up with their own similes to tame the wild feelings of self-consciousness, shyness and shortcomings that school can evoke. For more animal fun, pair with the class pet poems of Judy Sierra in THERE'S A ZOO IN ROOM 22 (Harcourt). (7 and up)

Jarrett J. Krosoczka's new "Lunch Lady" series, LUNCH LADY AND THE LEAGUE OF LIBRARIANS, LUNCH LADY AND THE CYBORG SUBSTITUTE and the promising, soon-to-be-released LUNCH LADY AND THE AUTHOR VISIT VENDETTA (Knopf) is the next big thing being served up nice and hot. Tons of comic-book frames barely contain all the action as Lunch Lady lives up to her motto: "Serving justice! And serving lunch!" Fans of the intermediate graphic novel format of Jenni Holm's BABYMOUSE series will like what's on the menu, and find its bumblebee-colored palette poses no gender-specific limits of appeal. All the cool teachers will have it ready in their classroom libraries this fall. (See? Peer pressure not so easy, is it?) And if you want to start an author food fight in your library, you'll also want to include True Kelley's SCHOOL LUNCH (Holiday House), which, like meatloaf, is an oldie but goodie. (7 and up)

Another series pick of the season is JUNIE B'S ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL by Barbara Park (Random House). If you still do not like Junie B. Jones, I can only presume you never heard the series on audio, read by Lana Quintal. Never a grammarian's delight, Junie B. books are still the masterclass of colloquial voice, and that is still the case in this non-fiction how-to parody written by the irreverent first grade expert. From "The Heaviest Stuff in Your Backpack":

A BAD NOTE from your teacher feels like you are carrying a hugie-big Hippo-pot-of-something. And a hugie big pot-of-something is a heavy load, I tell you!...BUT...A BAD REPORT CARD is the HEAVIEST LOAD OF ALL! Because A BAD REPORT CARD feels like you are carrying a whole entire ELEPHANT in your backpack! (And THAT cannot be good for your spine.)"

Informative sections like "Getting Bossed Around (Some of the bossy bosses who will boss you)," "How to Stay Out of Trouble (possibly)," "Getting Smiley (New Friends and Other Happy Stuff)" and pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about water fountains but were afraid to ask (be very afraid) will surely assist reluctant readers in getting back in the groove, or at least getting the giggles. Spiral bound silly succulence, every child deserves Junie's helpful hints as a little back-to-school present. (7 and up)

And while Junie B. is definitely written with an audience of kids in mind, there's a couple of children's books I would love to read to parents on the first day of school:
GO HOME, MRS. BEEKMAN! by Ann Redisch Stampler, illustrated by Marsha Gray Carrington (Dutton)

"Forever!" bellowed Emily. "Every day forever!"
"All right," declared Mrs. Beekman. "I'll stay."
"Do you pro-o-omise?" asked Emily...
"I promise," vowed Mrs. Beekman. "And a promise is a promise. I'll stay at school for a million gazillion years with my Emily right on my lap."

An accommodating mom stays in the classroom for a little while as her daughter gets over her first-day jitters, and then spirals marvelously out of control, hiding as an undercover coat rack, disguising herself as a show-and-tell project, and entering via helicopter in order to be there day after day. For all the zaniness of the situation, the dialogue remains completely believable, and what's more, the back-and-forth is a pleasure to read-aloud, which is no small authorial feat. Also impressive is the ability to create a sympathetic portrait of all the characters: a well-meaning mother trying to keep a promise, an embarrassed child, and a teacher who is working hard to earn the trust she knows she deserves. Mommy's maddening good intentions wear out her welcome quickly, and the little girl finally has to lay it on the line: "But mommy, school is for children. We can have a really good time together at home when school is over." This book handles a sensitive subject with great kindness, and celebrates the ability of children to adapt well to new situations, regardless of how much they hide under the covers that first morning. A sleeper gem (that would be funnier if I haven't met a few real Mrs. Beekmans). (6 and up)

You wouldn't know from the cover that BEST BABY EVER by David Milgrim (Putnam) was a back-to-school book, but it sure is! See baby laugh! See baby talk (and talk and talk and talk)! "See Baby walk! Walk, Baby, Walk! See Mommy and Daddy get the camera!" See baby make his first friend! But hold up here..."Look! Baby is getting on a bus! See baby go to school. See baby wave bye-bye. See Mommy and Daddy cry like two babies." This tender, unassuming little picture book gets everything right: simple illustrations are evocative of baby's innocence, but clearly convey that baby is confidently growing up from page to page, and there is great humor in the child recognizing this more than the adult. An abundance of exclamation points befit this extraordinary time of change and surprise and delight, as well as the shock of how fast it goes. Preschool teachers, be sure to share with the parents plastered against the window (as depicted on the last page of the book as well). (3 and up)

Back-to-school intermediate fiction coming soon, stay tuned! But if you need extra-credit pronto, there are more PlanetEsme picks at Back-to-School Read Aloud Redux I and Back to School Read-Aloud Redux II, and be sure to visit the thematic back-to-school Carnival of Children's Literature hosted by In Need of Chocolate for great books recommended from all over the blogosphere.

Happy September, everyone!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.