AUGUSTINE (PICTURE BOOK) and PENGUIN (PICTURE BOOK)

Baby, it's COLD outside! Chicago is only fit for penguins this time of year, so button up your overcoat, here we go!

PICTURE BOOK
AUGUSTINE by Mélanie Watt (Kids Can Press)
It's hard to be the new kid at school...or the new penguin! Augustine, named for the artist Renoir, struggles under the strain of moving from the South Pole to the North Pole. With the help of her stuffed penguin, Picasso, and some colored pencils, the best of Augustine's personality is eventually drawn out. Illustrations and text on the right side of the book tell the story, but the left side of each page is separated into nine frames, eight surrounding squares capturing the nuances of what Augustine is thinking or feeling with Augustine's own art in the middle: eight different types of houses for sale, with the one the family chose in the middle, nine staring animal classmate faces with a portrait of the teacher in the middle, and especially poignant is the picture of a ball in the middle with eight empty frames around it, when Augustine is not invited to play. The grand finale is an art exhibition, with Augustine's masterpeice very much included. With unusual tenderness and subtlety (and more than a few arctic puns), this smart and sensitive book captures the challenges of fitting into a new place. Artists who have influenced Augustine throughout the book are named on the back page. But take note, Augustine is not the only artist with a rising star worth watching; Melanie Watt, with her charming SCAREDY SQUIRREL and CHESTER, she is emerging as an illustrator with a uniquely droll sense of humor and special gift for bringing children's book characters to life. Read an interview with Mélanie Watts and MotherReader at the Cybils Blog. (4 and up)

PENGUIN by Polly Dunbar (Candlewick) Toddler Ben is up for fun and games, but his toy penguin remains stoic. "'What shall we play?' said Ben. Penguin said nothing. 'Can't you talk?' said Ben. Penguin said nothing. Ben tickled penguin.Penguin didn't laugh...'Will you talk to me if I stand on my head?' said Ben. Penguin didn't say a word." Ben's frustration increases, as does the hostility of the attempts towards making the penguin talk...but when a big blue lion eats Ben for being to noisy, Penguin has plenty to say about that. This tale of two very different friends finding the power of story together manages with a perfect economy of words. As someone who enjoys quiet time with friends as much as I enjoy time spent talking, this book was especially delightful to me, but toddlers tune in to the stylistic art against the sparse white background, and the temperature rise that occurs when it's hard to find the right words. (3 and up)
P.S. Please excuse the following blogger-to-author billet doux. Dear Polly Dunbar. I love you and everything you do! You draw the cutest children in the world, and your penguins aren't bad, either. Please come over, we can make dolls together and I will serve you cookies. XOXOXO from your fan, Esme. P.S. Your home page is adorable, too.

Also of interest:
Some oldies but goodies (things stay fresh in the deep-freeze, you know)!
WHITEBLACK THE PENGUIN SEES THE WORLD by Margret and H.A. Rey (Houghton Mifflin)
Yes, it's the creators of Curious George, and this time the hero is a the Chief Storyteller on station W-O-N-S, the radio station for all of Penguinland. When he ran out of stories, he did what any good journalist would do; he traveled the world in search of more! Join Whiteblack as a traverses desert and sea, then break out the old tape recorder and produce your own "radio show" with the family! After all, as this entertaining book goes to show, adventure is where you make it. (4 and up)

365 PENGUINS by Jean-Luc Fromental, illustrated by Joelle Jolivet (Abrams) A mysterious package arrives on New Year's Day, containing one penguin. The next day, a second penguin is delivered. The third day brings yet another black-and-white buddy, but this trend can't continue, can it? With the accumulation of Antarctic animals comes a series of problems to be solved, some mathematical (three digit addition, the budgeting of fish and the determination of proper amounts...if each penguin eats 2.5 pounds of fish a day, how many pounds will we need after the first three months of the year?) some logistical (how shall the penguins be organized? How shall they be cared for in the summer months? What to do about that penguin smell?) and some emotional (how does one share a shower with hundreds of penguins? "Once you reach the point of no return, one penguin more or more penguin less each day doesn't make much of a difference anymore. You live penguin. You think penguin. You dream penguin. You become penguin.") By the time we are truly and wholly feeling this family's penguin pain, though, the sender is revealed, along with his surprising and provocative plan to help wildlife through global warming. All's well, it seems, until the next New Year's Day when another package is left at the family doorstep. What could be inside this time? A PlanetEsme pick from last January...defrost it now! (6 and up)

AND TANGO MAKES THREE by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell (Simon and Schuster) Roy and Silo walked together. And sang to each other. And built a nest together. And wound their necks around each other. But there was one thing Roy and Silo couldn't do together. With the help of a sympathetic zookeeper, these penguin partners were able to become a family, hatching Tango (because, after all, it takes two to tango!). Based on the true story of the first penguin in the Central Park Zoo to have two daddies, this refreshing celebration of the diversity of families in nature is a perfect blend of storytelling, science and sentimentality. Expressive, understated illustrations clearly done from real-life sketches capture the penguins' frustrations and joys. An outstanding read-aloud which every teacher can feel comfortable in sharing to cultivate tolerance, and through which alternative families will feel affirmed. Nice in combination with Todd Parr's THE FAMILY BOOK.(5 and up)

On a personal note
I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome back to the blogosphere! I very much appreciated all of your kind notes, and I am so gratified that the recommendations you find here might be helping to get these great books into the hands of great kids (and book lovers of all ages).

I have received several queries if I will be posting a list of the PlanetEsme best books of 2007 here, and the answer is yes, as soon as I am done reviewing them! I will continue to review the brand new stuff, but since I still have a big leaning tower of 2007 reading power to share with you, I'd rather not rush. The complete list will be posted by early March, before the next publishing season is fully under way. In fact, if I may put on my author hat for a moment, this makes me happy, since after the big ALA awards are announced in January, publicity for books published the prior year can get a bit sleepy. In children's books, there should be no "flavor of the month." A truly good book stays delicious! So please keep checking in, as all books posted here will be included in that round-up.

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

PRINCESS GRACE (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
PRINCESS GRACE by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying Hwa-Hu (Dial)

"There's more than one way to be pretty," said Nana.
"I suppose it depends what she does," said Aimee.
"I don't know," said Grace. "What does a princess do, Nana?"
"You tell me, darling," said Nana.
But nobody could, except for wearing beautiful clothes and looking pretty.
"That doesn't sound so interesting," said Grace. She liked having things to do.

Yes, the liberated young lady who nailed the lead role of Peter Pan in AMAZING GRACE is back, this time inspiring her class to rethink what makes someone really royal. When the school gears up to make a float for the parade at the annual community festival, the girls start vying for who gets to wear the crown. Uninspired by the standard fairy tale fare, Grace again rises to the occasion with the helps of books and her lively imagination. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Grace's worthy teacher shares more stories of real princesses, some warriors like Amina of Nigeria and Pin-Yang of China, and other brave and brilliant princesses who didn't just sit on their thrones; they were artists and scientists and athletes and spies! If there were so many different kinds of men and women who wore crowns, might there be a little more room of the float? This story gains momentum with every page, and is marvelously true-to-life in representing a classroom that is inclusive, energetic, diverse and full of ideas that are always evolving. The author is refreshingly modern in her depiction of realistic situations and feelings such as Grace's loving single-parent home, and boys who want to get in on the dress-up action. Realistic watercolors capture the dreamy faces of the girls in the midst of their pretend. Grace's stories are always joyful, but this latest is a special treat because it has so many classroom applications: a great springboard for Cinderella stories from around the world, or research into real royalty through history. A succinct note from the author at the end of the book helps us on that path, but you will be glad to have P IS FOR PRINCESS: A ROYAL ALPHABET by Stephen and Deborah Layne, illustrated by Robert and Lisa Papp (Sleeping Bear, 7 and up) close at hand when you finish, as it is an attractive and fabulously informative A to Z resource for learning about princesses in both fact and fiction, and also contains a fun quiz at the end. By royal decree, these are two titles that give 80's feminist backlash some 21st century whiplash.


Also of interest:
In honor of the new children's book royalty, Newbery award-winning Laura Amy Schlitz (pictured above, being very surprised about her prize, thanks, Educating Alice!), how about a little princesspalooza?

RED BUTTERFLY: HOW A PRINCESS SMUGGLED THE SECRET OF SILK OUT OF CHINA by Deborah Noyes, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Candlewick) Based on the true story of the Chinese princess who was married off to the King of Khotan, north of Tibet, and smuggled precious silkworm cocoons and the seeds of the mulberry tree on which they feed. This poetic picture book from the princess's POV uses language that flows with emotion and period detail, and is accented by illustrations that fairly glow. The robes of the ladies in the court spread like beautiful wings, and you've got to love the hairdos that look like butterflies...complete with antennae! A graceful and unusual read. (7 and up)

THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA by Rachel Isadora (Putnam) All of the original language of Hans Christian Anderson's classic fairy tale is preserved, but dressed in the vibrant patterns of Africa. With three ways to say "hello" on the continent at the end, this is a stunningly beautiful addition to any multicultural collection, as well as a great storytime read-aloud. Oh, that pile of mattresses, each one so different and so colorful! Eyes and smiles grow wide with this one. (4 and up) Also see Isadora's recent rendering of THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES, though my favorite versions of that one will always be the heady, classical one by Marianna Mayer and Kinuko Y. Craft and the one illustrated by Jane Ray, in which several of the princesses wear glasses. Read them all and compare with your own royal court of children!

This theme means I can't miss the chance to remind you about one of my very favorite children's books in the whole wide world, KING MATT THE FIRST by Janusz Korczak (Algonquin), with cover art by this year's Calecott winning artist Brian Selznick, about a boy king who attempts to run a country of children. Whether Matt is attempting a new reform involving the distribution of chocolate to all of his citizens, running to do battle on a war-torn front under a false name while a lifelike doll reigns in his stead, arranging for his population to attend summer camp or on a diplomatic mission to the land of the cannibals, every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. And why wouldn't it? Its author was a renowned pediatrician who ran orphanages in Poland and wrote this adventure with read-aloud in mind. When the Nazis cleared the Warsaw ghetto, Korczak suffered the same tragic fate as his charges, but his masterpiece lives on. A sensitive and stirring entrez into the wild world of grown-up politics...just in time for the election! (9 and up)

A PRINCESS PRIMER: A FAIRY GODMOTHER'S GUIDE TO BEING A PRINCESS by Stephanie True Peters (Dutton) The "Princesses of Many Lands" page aside, I'd be lying if I didn't say that this book wasn't a little heavy-handed when it comes to the blonde, blue-eyed princess stereotype. I'd also be lying if I didn't say I would have been absolutely ga-ga over this book as a little girl, and that I have watched people who are little girls poring over its pink pages with unbridled delight. Princess hairstyles! Gown styles! How-to's! Types of enchantment (the lenticular image of a frog being turned into a prince and back again is hilarious)! A glittering, gala guide, the contents takes an authoritative, mannered and almost magazine-y tone that will lend anyone claiming Divine Right an air of confidence and enough know-how to run the kingdom. You decide if you can tolerate that in your favorite princess. (7 and up).

Which princess book on your shelf would you take to the ball?

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

MY DOG IS AS SMELLY AS DIRTY SOCKS (PICTURE BOOK) and NEWBERY/CALDECOTT ANNOUNCEMENTS

PICTURE BOOK
MY DOG IS AS SMELLY AS DIRTY SOCKS AND OTHER FUNNY FAMILY PORTRAITS by Hanoch Piven, illustrated by Guy Francis (Schwartz and Wade)

A baby brother can be sweet as candy, but he never stops crying, and when he does, he's as loud as a whistle...or maybe a horn...or even an alarm clock! Turn the page, and you'll see all of these items used to describe the baby are included in the illustrations. The same goes for mom (soft as a fluffy marabou feather), dad (fun as a party favor), and even big brother (who eats like an...oink!) And what does the narrator think about herself? She stands at the top of the family pyramid, in this zany collage style.Though the writing at times seems a wee bit forced by the objects at hand, the concept is charismatic. The author used this unique illustration technique of "drawing with objects" with the children in the cancer ward of the Schneider Children's Medical Center, and their family and self-portraits grace the endpapers of this book. All children will enjoy trying their hand at this technique, also used in Piven's wildly popular WHAT ARE ATHLETES MADE OF? and the timely WHAT ARE PRESIDENTS MADE OF?, but the reason I loved MY DOG IS AS SMELLY AS DIRTY SOCKS is because it made teaching fifth graders figurative language like similes as easy as pie! (6 and up)

Also of interest:
Here are some more great books useful for informing the authors and illustrators of tomorrow about the formalistic tricks of the trade!:
THE END by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Richard Egielski (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine) "The soggy knight fell in love with the princess. The knight fell in love with the princess because...she poured a big bowl of lemonade on top of on his head. She poured a bowl of lemonade on top of his head because..." Keep reading to find out why she poured the lemonade, why an enormous tomato was rolling down a hill, why a giant was throwing a temper tantrum and why a dragon would not stop crying. The fairy tale story begins at the end and works backwards, cunningly showing kids cause and effect...or is it the effects from the cause? In any event, as a read-aloud, they won't want it to end, even if they know from the first page that they live happily ever after. (5 and up) Folks who walk in through the out door will also enjoy poetic and philosophical PREVIOUSLY by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Bruce Ingman (Candlewick) which also uses a nursery tale theme but can be used with older kids to introduce the idea of "backstory." (5 and up)
HEAVE HO! by Heinz Janisch, illustrated by Carola Holland (North-South) While some unlikely animal allies have an adventure told in a mere twelve sentences, we can examine the ordinal sequence of ideas in a story: beginning, middle and end. (6 and up)
IF YOU'RE TRYING TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO WRITE, YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE THIS BOOK by Marjorie Frank (Incentive Publications) Ahhh, now this is what I look for in a teaching book: page after page of ideas ricocheting all over the place! The double-page list of things you can write besides a "story" has been invaluable, as is the list of things to include in a classroom writing center. Dreams and love stories, a huge section on process, maintaining the young writer's integrity and ego, steps to creating a comfortable "home" for writing growth and the answer to the age old question "would a lapidary play leapfrog in a lyceum?" are all included. You can basically open this book to any random page and have a jumping-off point for teaching or a new way to look at how to skin the proverbial cat. Inspirational and informational to the point of being trippy, this one of my most dog-eared, recommended teaching titles, and a boon to anyone with writer's block. (Adult)

THE NEWBERY AND CALDECOTT AWARDS ARE ANNOUNCED!
The big awards given by the American Library Association were announced today! And whaddaya know, if you have been following the PlanetEsme Plan, you'll find you have been on the cutting edge for the gold medal winners all along.

The 2008 Caldecott Award Winners for best children's book illustration
Gold:
THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick (Scholastic) (a PlanetEsme pick!)
Silver honors:
HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX: A TRUE STORY FROM THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson(Scholastic) (a PlanetEsme pick!)
FIRST THE EGG by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook)(a PlanetEsme pick!)
THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN by Peter Sis Farrar, Straus and Giroux
KNUFFLE BUNNY TOO: A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY by Mo Willems(Hyperion)
For more information on the Caldecott, visit here!

The 2008 Newbery Award winners for best children's book writing
Gold:
GOOD MASTERS! SWEET LADIES! VOICES FROM MEDIEVAL TIMES by Laura Amy Schlitz, illustrated by Robert Byrd (Candlewick) (a PlanetEsme pick!)
Silver honors:
THE WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion)
ELIJAH OF BUXTON by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic)
FEATHERS by Jacqueline Woodson (Putnam)
For more information on the Newbery,visit here!

You may also be interested in the Geisel Awards for emergent (early) readers, and the Sibert Award for informational books. And when it comes to prizes, there is still other game in town: booklovers should definitely check out the Cybils, the children's and young adult bloggers' literary award, which I adore because of the shortlists representing a gamut of outstanding choices for readers of a variety of interests and abilities, selected by some very thoughtful and proficient reviewers.

The author and writing coach Esther Heshenhorn (who was rooting for another winner, Christopher Paul Curtis's ELIJAH OF BUXTON recently posted on our SCBWI listserv, "I love this time in January - just before the Newbery/ALA announcements. I go to sleep the Sunday night before the announcement smiling, knowing some writer's life is about to be changed forever. Lives, really, when you think of the readers too." I greatly appreciated Esther's enthusiasm for the awards and their meaning in the lives of the winners, since for a long time I have considered them the Oscar's of children's and I'd be lying if I didn't admit to having made a wishful acceptance speech in front of the mirror in my time. But this year, having stepped back from publishing a little bit and not having anything at stake, I find myself thinking of a little girl named Corrina I knew when I taught fifth grade, who was very overt in her hatred of contests. Having a competitive spirit, I couldn’t really understand it, and so I hosted occasional little competitions with prizes which got the rest of the class’s adrenalin going but seemed to almost drive Corrina out of her mind; whenever I announced winners, she pulled a face that I will never forget! I figured this bad case of “sour grapes” was nothing that a taste of victory couldn’t cure, so I created a situation in which she was sure to succeed. When she won, she ran into the coat room and started to cry. Now it was my turn to go out of my mind, and I started to talk to her about the importance of celebrating achievement, but she just looked at me, exasperated, and asked, “don’t you see the faces of the kids who don’t win? What’s the point of winning over people who are already trying their best?” I have spent years trying to rationalize an answer to that question, but I have to be honest and say I guess I’m still not sure. I do still gush over people's achievements, and cry when figure skaters land their perfect-double-triple whatevers and when performers take a curtain call, but as our culture seems to have more and more opportunities for winners and losers and a tendency, at least on television, for “eliminations,” my enthusiasm is tempered by Corrina's query. Luckily, Corrina recently became a certified grade school teacher so she can pass on her wisdom and perspective.

The point is, the big awards represent the excellence of children's literature at large, and more than a popularity contest, the announcements are an occasion to remind us of the excellent body of work that exists and the efforts we should make in the year ahead to connect great kids with great books, whether these books have won a prize in professional organizations or are destined win a place in the heart of a single, special reader. Congratulations to everyone whose books I have reviewed, and to everyone who published a book this year. You dreamed it, and you did it. You win!!!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

GOOD MASTERS! SWEET LADIES! (FICTION)

FICTION
GOOD MASTERS! SWEET LADIES! VOICES FROM A MEDIEVAL VILLAGE by Laura Amy Schlitz, illustrated by Robert Byrd (Candlewick)
Nowadays, with YouTube and My Space and television and media and thousands of books published every year, Andy Warhol's expectation of everyone getting "fifteen minutes of fame" has far surpassed itself. But what about people before Gutenberg, before the advent of television and computers? How is life documented, how is life remembered, how are lives celebrated? Where go the stories of the everyman? Perhaps all that's left of centuries ago has dissipated into the ethers and imaginations of the new generation, and certainly into the imagination of author Laura Amy Schlitz.

Schlitz, a gifted teacher as well as an author, wrote the pieces in this book for a group of her students. "They were studying the Middle Ages and were going at it hammer and tongs. I wanted them to have something to perform, but no one wanted a small part. So I decided to write monologues instead of one long play, so that for three minutes at least, every child could be a star." In short poems and soliloquies, we meet the members of a Medieval village. Right out of the gate we are speeding along on a dangerous boar's hunt with the Lord's nephew Hugo. We share in the romantic exchanges of the self-conscious blacksmith's daughter Taggot, and hear the fretting over an arranged marriage done in two voices by the glass blower's daughters. We meet outspoken Nelly the sniggler (eel-catcher), who was too willful to drown in a bucket of water as a baby. We hear the laments of Lowdy, the Varlet's child, about the infestation of fleas. Edgar, the falconer's son, faces dastardly punishment for freeing a bird, while young Thomas, the doctor's son, learns the tricks of his imperfect trade. We feel pangs of Jack the Half-Wit, as he endures the slings and arrows of callous neighbors. My favorite of all is the poem of Otho, the Miller's son,"Oh, God makes the water, and the water makes the river,/ And the the wheel goes on forever. Every man's a cheater, and so every man is fed,/For we feed upon each other,/when we seek our daily bread." The author perfectly captures the rough edges of Medieval times, the dour struggle for survival, but most of all the beating hearts of the characters, channeled from across the span of time, with desires and delights and disappointments that, like the miller's son suggests, go on forever.

Byrd based his illustrations on a manuscript from 1255, opening with a map that can be used by young readers to hunt-and-find favorite characters and see where they live in relation to one another. The decorative style is extremely authentic and as delightful as looking through a kaleidoscope. With unobtrusive sidelines explaining unfamiliar vocabulary and thoughtfully dispersed compositions offering background knowledge about subjects such as "The Crusades," "Medieval pilgrimage," "Jews in Medieval society," "The Three-Field System," "Towns and Freedom," there is so much a child can learn within these pages, and oh so painlessly. This is a beautiful book, a poignant book and an engaging one; when is the last time you have looked forward to the next moment you will have to return to a book of poetry they way you have with an exciting novel? Proving that she can write outstanding books in many genres for children, Schlitz in short order has joined the ranks of Laurie Halse Anderson and Sue Stauffacher. A hybrid of many literary forms, this book is deserving the high honor of a Newbery, but barring that, it certainly wins the Time Machine award of the year. (11 and up)

Also of interest:
The Middle Ages: why read it when you can live it? Try the attractive activity guide DAYS OF KNIGHTS AND DAMSELS by Laurie Carlson (Chicago review Press) and KNIGHTS AND CASTLES: 50 HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES TO EXPERIENCE THE MIDDLE AGES by Avery Hart, illustrated by Michael Kline (Kaleidoscope Kids).
Kids can glean a little more historical inspiration and background knowledge from these oldies but goodies:
A MEDIEVAL FEAST by Aliki (HarperTrophy)
HOW WOULD YOU SURVIVE IN THE MIDDLE AGES? by Fiona McDonald and David Salariya, illustrated by Mark Peppe (Franklin Watts)
MERLIN AND THE MAKING OF THE KING by Margaret Hodges, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (Holiday House)
BEOWULF is some scary stuff retold by Michael Morpugo, illustrated by Michael Foreman (Candlewick)
CASTLE DIARY: THE JOURNAL OF TOBIAS BURGESS by Richard Platt, illustrated by Chris Riddell (Candlewick)
CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY by Karen Cushman (HarperTrophy) Yes, a novel, but I can't resist reminding you to read Cushman's work for a unique and worthwhile Medieval female's point of view! Another good author along these lines is Carolyn Meyer; older children can check out MARY, BLOODY MARY, full of more intrigue than a middle school!
CHAUCER'S CANTERBURY TALES by Marcia Williams (Walker) All the earthy humor and goodwill of the merry classic is captured in colorful comic strip form. Where oh where was this when I was in high school? Check out all of Marcia William's colorful takes on classics, from The Iliad to Shakespeare to Dickens.

Fare thee well, gentle readers!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

ANDREW HENRY'S MEADOW (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
ANDREW HENRY'S MEADOW by Doris Burn (San Juan Publishing)

Andrew Henry's inventive genius goes underappreciated in his home, especially when he takes apart other household items to supply his creative vision. Toolbox in hand, he disappears into a clearing in the woods, where he builds his dream home and settles in to his life of tranquility. But lo! Who comes through the trees but a neighbor girl, whose leanings towards ornithology have no outlet in her father's feather-free home, so up goes a tree house, complete with birdbaths and feeding stations. Enterprising Andrew Henry build a custom casa for each child who follows. Children will love looking at the double-page spread of the makeshift village, and deciding which abode would suit them best: a tipi? Tower? Castle? Luckily, with the help of a lonesome hound dog, worried parents are reunited with the runaways, and Andrew Henry's dreamy nature is granted a newfound respect upon his return. Happily ever after! This book's sketchy black and white art matches the story's homespun, gentle feel, and the tale plays into children's deep desires for freedom and acceptance. Kudos to the publisher on a brilliant reissue; I can't tell you how thrilled I was to discover this classic was back on the shelves, since it was one of my own favorites when I was about seven years old. While it is not brand new, I would be remiss if you and your child missed the chance to shack up with Andrew Henry! (6 and up)

Also of interest:
More utopian visions in the hizzouse! Teachers, share them all and prepare children to reinvent the world.
THE BIG ORANGE SPLOT by D. Manus Pinkwater (Scholastic) "My house is me and I am it. My house is where I want to be, and it looks like all my dreams." Who cares if that includes a palm tree and a live alligator and paintings of a steam shovel and pretty girls? Mr. Plumbean manages to enlighten and inspire his neighbors. Vive la difference! (5 and up)
ROXABOXEN by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Barbara Cooney (HarperTrophy) An old-fashioned tale set in the desert, where children use what they find to create a world of their own. (5 and up)
WESLANDIA by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Candlewick) A brilliant and beautiful story (or prediction?) of a nonconformist who designs a civilization around a hybrid crop and bests the neighborhood bullies. Do it yourself, kids! A great classroom discussion and project springboard. (7 and up)

Big news!
The 2008 Sydney Taylor Book Awards have been announced from the Association of Jewish Libraries! I love this award because they have impeccable taste! ;-) This year's gold medals?
Younger Readers category: THE BEDTIME SH'MA: A GOODNIGHT BOOK by Sarah Gershman,illustrated by Kristina Swarner (EKS Publishing)
Older Readers category: THE ENTERTAINER AND THE DYBBUK by Sid Fleischman (Greenwillow)
Teen Readers category: STRANGE RELATIONS by Sonia Levitin (Knopf)
Check out the video announcement on YouTube, and visit the AJL page for more information about the award, including a PDF of all of the current honor books. Mazel Tov to all of the winners! Your excellence gives booklovers such naches (translation from Yiddish: you make us very proud)!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

HOW TO PAINT THE PORTRAIT OF A BIRD (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
HOW TO PAINT THE PORTRAIT OF A BIRD by Jacques Prévert, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein (Roaring Brook Press)

"First paint a cage/with an open door...Then take the picture to a garden...or a park...or a forest./...If the bird doesn't come right away, don't be discouraged. Wait./...Wait till the bird enters the cage. Then gently close the door with your brush." Sketchy art follows a boy from sun's rising to sundown, in his serious and ultimately successful pursuit of capturing a bird using color and canvas. Paired with the brilliant and celebrated Prévert (whose work inspired the song "Autumn Leaves" and who influenced the surrealist movement), this little gem at once captures what is best about imagination and then sets it free in the hearts of readers. This book sings with the process and power of an artist's inspiration: the patience, the disappointment, the joy, the renewal. Even in the last pages as the bird takes flight from the painting the little boy has created, we are assured, "tomorrow you can paint another one."

This bird of artistic inspiration is in spirit a Phoenix, and like the bird that comes alive again and again, so does illustrator Gerstein, one of the bravest artists in the world of children's books. From his Caldecott winning THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS to his contemplative look at the cycle of life in THE MOUNTAINS OF TIBET, to his love story for children CAROLINDA CLATTER to his parable of war THE OLD COUNTRY, to his many thoughtful and unusual picture book biographies or his major contribution to picture book Judaica, he always creates books from a very genuine place of interest and caring and enthusiasm, and this translates loud and clear in every one of his works. I have so often asked the children I have taught, "What is the artist trying to say? What is he trying to share?" More than any other of his books, I believe this most recent title reflects the true essence of Gerstein; he is sharing how much he values creation. Every child will recognize the process of making art in this book, and will be emboldened to create more after hearing the song of the bird. One of the loveliest books of the past year, and deserving of classic status. (4 and up)

Also of interest:
Another great picture book has hatched!
FIRST THE EGG by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook Press) "First the EGG/then the CHICKEN/First the TADPOLE/Then the FROG/First the SEED/Then the FLOWER.../First the WORD/Then the STORY..." Yaccarino's style of mixed media with thick painterly strokes is striking and deceptively simple. Turn each clever die-cut page to reveal what comes next. This book is full of surprises! Fans of Edward Emberley's GO AWAY, BIG GREEN MONSTER and Lois Ehlert's work in general (HANDS is my favorite, COLOR ZOO more popular) will recognize the technique of cutting pages to reveal clues to what follows , and to maintain and heighten interest. Yaccarino's lastest is a straightforward, perfect concept book for the very young or otherwise very thoughtful. And in case you are wondering which came first, the chicken or the egg, just remove the slipcover and decide for yourself. (3 and up)

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

THE JEWEL BOX BALLERINAS (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
THE JEWEL BOX BALLERINAS by Monique De Varennes, illustrated by Ana Juan (Schwartz & Wade)

When the wealthy Bibi Branchflower encounters a jewel box with two frowning ballerinas inside, she is so enthralled, a perfect addition to her collection of things in pairs! She buys it, ignoring the merchant's warnings: a sorcerer from long ago planted a curse upon the box after having the valuable gift shunned by his two spoiled nieces. "Piffle!" Ms. Branchflower exclaims, but soon finds herself affected by the sorrowful stares of the dancers. What could be a better cure than a little trip around the world? With Auntie Mame-like fortitude and a few hard knocks, Branchflower manages to add a precious pair of friends to her collection of twos. Ana Juan has done some pretty marvelous illustrations in the past (see her treatment of Kelly Cunnane's FOR YOU ARE A KENYAN CHILD), and finally she has a solid narrative storyline that really capitalizes on her broad-faced characterizations, super-saturated, bold palette and double-paged spreads full of clever detail. Children will adore Bibi Branchflower's smiling pair of pugs (gotta love them dressed in parkas and tucked under a heavy blanket as their mistress flies across the tundra on a sled), and listeners will gasp as the two ballerinas are accidentally misplaced amidst the hustle and bustle of an African marketplace. The endpapers of Bibi's collection of dynamic duos already has more eye candy than the whole of an average picture book, and the moral that people who are dear to us are worth more than money is earned through the adventures our eccentric heroine. A perfect example of an author and an illustrator each adding their own strengths to the whole, this is an exciting, original and well-told modern fairy tale illustrated with humor and beauty, and if prizes went to books that kids really enjoy, this title would assuredly be an award-winner. Buy two: one for you and one for a friend. (5 and up)

Also of interest:
Bibi Branchflower isn't the only one who likes things in pairs!
ONE OF EACH by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman (Little, Brown) Told in perfectly metered couplets, a clever cat teaches a stubborn canine that everything is twice as nice when shared with a friend. Jaunty, colorful illustrations make this a jubilant choice for early childhood storytimes. (4 and up)

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

A GOLDEN LEGACY (NONFICTION)

NONFICTION

A GOLDEN LEGACY: HOW GOLDEN BOOKS WON CHILDREN'S HEARTS, CHANGED PUBLISHING FOREVER AND BECAME AN AMERICAN ICON ALONG THE WAY by Leonard S. Marcus (Golden Books)

In 1916, Western Printing and Lithography's bindery found itself in a bind. What to do with a cartload of overstock books? From this serendipitous beginning, the company grew to become one of the most profitable publishing endeavors in American history, and one whose recognizable golden spine has a nostalgic stronghold in the hearts of most of our country. Using a talent pool of new immigrants, soured Disney employees and ambitious women, capitalizing on the skyrocketing interest in science propelled by Sputnik and lasso-ing licenses that would impress the biggest of big-wigs, Golden created a brand that, while for a long time snubbed by library services, was still able to make great strides in encouraging a national reading fever and making books for families with an accessible bottom line.

In time for the 65th anniversary of the company, this book by hard-core children's book historian Leonard Marcus is a worthy tribute to the publishing Titan, and a juicy read to boot. The text is as much of a business book as a look back, describing in detail the decisions that were made throughout the company's time line, naming names that will be of interest to anyone in the industry. It is inspiring to read how many problems were turned into opportunities, and how many reputations that are still recognizable got started in this house: Richard Scarry, the Provensens, Margaret Wise Brown, with lots of insider anecdotes. It's interesting to see difference in the finished product as a result of people coming together who really knew something about art and editing and children. But even if you don't earn your bread and butter in the book biz, this beefy, beautifully-produced volume has plenty to recommend it: enchanting full-color blow-ups of breathtaking illustrations, candid shots of authors and illustrators in their homes and at their work tables (oh, look at the head shot of illustrator Corrine Malvern, as glamorous as the women she illustrated; as Marcus deftly described, "Malvern gave their soignée mothers the look of women with places to go and things to do quite apart from raising their children, " or the homey photo of "tartly witty Texan" author Janet Sebring Lowrey,who penned the publisher's most popular POKY LITTLE PUPPY, stirring what looks like cookie dough in her kitchen), reflections by modern authors and illustrators about the influences of Golden's list, and book covers that will have grown-ups sighing and rushing to Ebay to secure a familiar and well-loved read-aloud for the next generation. Full of the warmth of a family scrapbook, this title is both beautiful and readable, a treat for any adult children's book lover, and sure to encourage a revisit with some favorite Golden Book titles with a little listener on the lap.

Also of interest:
I think everyone has a favorite Golden Book. What's yours? I was sad to discover many that topped my list were out of print: THE BLUE BOOK OF FAIRY TALES (Gordon Laite), ANIMAL DADDIES AND MY DADDY (by Barbara Shook Hazen and Ilse-Margret Vogel), CHARLIE (Diane Fox Downs,illustrated by Lilian Obligado), THE THREE BEARS (Feodor Rojankovsky, and may I say I am jealous of the bear's lovely piece of real estate in the woods). I do like to find used Golden Books at garage sales and sometimes use the illustrations to decoupage my crumbling kitchen cabinets (I very much like the pictures of a girl serving cookies to a pig, and children romping through idyllic and voluptuous gardens, thank you, Peggy Parish and Richard Scarry's LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK OF MANNERS and Corrine Malvern's illustrated HEIDI). Still in print are a couple of my favorites: Kathryn Jackson and Corrine Malvern's NURSE NANCY (though alas, you have to supply your own band-aids), Margaret Wise Brown's THE WONDERFUL HOUSE reissued in oversized edition, all the better to see J.P. Miller's jaunty illustrations, and THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK FEATURING GROVER by Jon Stone and Michael Smollin, a shameless Sesame Street vehicle and an absolutely brilliant read-aloud, the kind that gets kids to actually scream and hold their sides (also, see James Stevenson's DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH and Mo Willems' DON'T LET A PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS for a similar storytelling technique).

If you want some Golden Books nowadays (and you will, definitely, after reading Marcus's book, so stock up so you won't be scrambling like me), your best bet is to go with the collection compilations that contain many of the classics: ANIMAL TALES, FARM TALES, and SLEEPYTIME TALES, which all together will contain your Tootle train and Poky Puppy and Color Kittens and Scrawny Tawny Lion and Saggy Baggy Elephant and all of your faves (granted, not quite the same as owning the individual titles and undermines the house's original intent of little books for little hands, but still a good value). Another option is to focus on your favorite artists, like the inspirational, Christian-leaning stories by Eloise Wilkin featuring pudgy-faced cherub children that induce an almost hypnotic cloud of cuteness; the flat, retro stylings of Mary Blair gracing Ruth Krauss's I CAN FLY or the artist's own retrospective, THE ART AND FLAIR OF MARY BLAIR; or check out the subversive, freewheeling work in RICHARD SCARRY'S BEST STORYBOOK EVER, which contains the gorgeous, naturalistic art done for Ole Risom's I AM A BUNNY to his more insane, fill-the-page mania exhibited in BUSY, BUSY WORLD.

Solid Golden!



On a personal note:
Happy New Year! As of the end of December, I have left my full-time teacher-librarian position at a local demonstration school, and my role as Associate Coordinator, which entailed offering professional support and programming for approximately thirty student teachers. It was a wonderful experience all around and I very much look forward to continuing relationships with the families and professionals I have come to know and love at the school. All the same, I am very excited to get cracking on other exciting literacy and literary endeavors I am cooking up, plus doing more school visits and workshops to continue to disseminate the very important work of heroes Jim Trelease and Caroline Feller Bauer. I also expect to get back in a groove of regular postings here at The PlanetEsme Plan. Thanks again for sticking with me and checking back in!

What are your Reading Resolutions? Please share! Check these out and get inspired:
Family Reading Partnership Read-Aloud Resolutions (Thanks, Brigid! And illustrator Aliki does the artwork for Family Reading Partnership! Isn't that cool?)
10 Resolutions for Parents Raising a Reader
Baby Steps to a Better You: Making Your Resolutions Stick This Year by Carol Grannick, a professional and perennial optimist!

Special thanks to Starr LaTronica of the Four County Library System and Sue Bartle of the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES. I had a marvelous time meeting with so many fantastic librarians and booklovers from upstate New York throughout the month of November, it was a truly inspiring professional opportunity for me. Although I was a presenter, I learned so much! I look forward to the next time our paths cross!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.