unadulterated.us

Imaginary pal cage match: Beekle vs. Julia

This is what's wrong with me. This is what's very very WROOONNG with me - and that was Bill Murray in Stripes in case you missed the reference ("We're ten and one!") (Not anymore, brother).

I have been neglecting the crap out of Pink Me for MONTHS because I've started reviewing for Booklist Online and those guys send me I swear 5 books a month. And not five 32-page picture books, although sometimes yeah I get picture books. No. I get five NOVELS. Five middle-grade books about burping and zombie pets. Five YA sci-fi barnburners. Shit involving fairies.

And some decent stuff, for sure.

 

 

 

Plus I've been neglecting Pink Me because I am churning through as much YA horror as I can stomach. Funny horror, ghostie horror, horror that turns out to not be terribly scary after all. Lotsa horror. I'm doing this because my colleague Paula and I are giving a talk, called "Something Wicked This Way Comes of Age" (Paula's title and is that good or what?!), at the YA Lit Symposium in Austin next fall.

YOU SHOULD TOTALLY COME. Austin is so great. Last time I was there I drank milk punch and bought 3-D printed earrings. And didn't buy a pair of $600 cowboy boots that fit SO GOOD.

I didn't need those boots. Nobody needs $600 boots.

Piggy Bunny by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Jeremy Tankard - review

Liam is a little pig who insists that he is a bunny. His family assures him they love him just the way he is; his sister tells him to get over it. He is still insistent: "Hello, my name is Liam and I'll be your Easter Bunny." The neighbors are skeptical but his parents continue to love and support him.

And I say, "Love it."

Dave & Violet by Sarah Adams - review

Unexpected.

When I was a kid, we had a big fat book called Golden Treasury of Children's Literature. It was full of excerpts from longer books - a chapter from Mary Poppins, a chapter from The Wizard of Oz. Some poetry, some obscure stuff. A really scary Rapunzel. I ate that book up and then forgot it, although I think it is the reason that I have an unexplained but vehement dislike of excerpts. I felt terribly cheated, not getting the whole story.

I forgot the book, but the images from it nonetheless live strongly in my head. Kind of like a K-Tel record, the book excerpts it contained were not illustrated with the canonical illustrations one associates with these works. They were very good - I think Charley Harper illustrated the Bambi story - but they were different, and they imprinted strongly on my mind. For example, despite multiple readings of an edition of The Hobbit with the Tolkein illustrations, and despite the towering charisma of Ian McKellen, I still envision the Gandalf in that book when I see Gandalf in my head.

Leaving it all on the field

Hothead by Cal Ripken, Jr. and Kevin Cowherd

Football Champ by Tim Green

 

 

 

My cousin is a groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles, and Cal Ripken, Jr. is his hero:

 

In fact, it wouldn't be too far off the mark to say that here in Baltimore, Cal Ripken, Jr. is everyone's hero. He's my hero just for being a worthwhile hero. So many sports stars aren't. But even if he's not your hero, it is at least impossible to say anything not nice about the guy. Gentlemanly demeanor. Sterling work ethic. Humility. Compassion. Intelligence. Humor. Blue eyes like lasers. And his sense of responsibility toward the kids who look up to him verges on the ecclesiastical. Every sports star should be setting an example like this.

Little Chicken's Big Day by Katie and Jerry Davis - SPECIAL GUEST REVIEW

My guest reviewer today - my very first guest reviewer, by the way, but I have a couple more lined up - is my colleague Christina, aka Dances With Chickens.

I give most of the real people in my life blogonyms when I mention them on the interpoops, partly because I love giving people nicknames and I'll use any excuse to do it, and partly because if they get pissed off at me I can say, "Er... whaddaya talking about? When I referred to 'my colleague Token Boy Librarian' I was talking about... uh... the other... boy librarian."

Nonfiction Monday - You Just Can't Help It! Your Guide to the Wild and Wacky World of Human Behavior by Jeff Szpirglas - review

 

Ok Jeff Szpirglas is one of my people, I can tell. Is it the pinstripe suit (below)? No. Ironic deployment of business wear is, at best, a heavily qualified predictor. Is it because, in a set of factoids about acceptable public behavior, he advises young people about proper comportment at a rock show ("Stand up, punch the air with your fist")? Not that either, although I will take this as evidence that he is one FUN classroom teacher.

Forsythia & Me by Vincent X. Kirsch - review

 

Speaking of rabbits. I was admiring this new book from Vincent X. Kirsch (The Two Little Boys from Toolittle Toys) with my friend and colleague Mrs. Rabbit the other day.

"Look!" I said. And also "Awww!"

"This guy has the most delicate etchy line, but his shapes are bold and strong."

"I like the little details. Look at her with her heart-shaped glasses!"

 

Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld - review

 

Cloudette. Cloudette is a little bitty soft white cloud. A friendly little cumulus cream puff whose name, as I say, is Cloudette. I could say that all day: isn't it satisfying when you come upon something that is that just-right and self-evident? "Yes," you think. "Of course her name is Cloudette." It's so clever - not show-offy clever, just cute clever. Clever like putting bacon in a chocolate bar. Anyone could have thought of it. But you know what? Tom Lichtenheld thought of it.

And since Tom Lichtenheld thought of it, he got to write a story for Cloudette, too. It's not a very complicated story. It's got a status quo, a note of dissatisfaction, crisis, venue change, and resolution. That's a nice arc, and in Lichtenheld's hands it has balance and excellent pace. It's a story that's built like a brick... rainbow.

Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers - review

 

I have this friend who really loves film. He's all Day for Night this and Satyajit Ray that, and he thinks I'm the same way, probably because I used to live in New York and I've read some Thomas Pynchon. But it's a lie, what he thinks about me. Just because I can use the word 'Satyricon' in a sentence does not mean I want to go see Synecdoche New York. "I thought Philip Seymour Hoffman was really great in Twister," is how I try to explain things to him, but he never seems to entirely believe me.*

Which brings us to Oliver Jeffers's newest picture book. Yes, it does.

I'm Not. Not drawn by Pam Smallcomb, not written by Robert Weinstock - not reviewed by me!

I think I need to be friends with Robert Weinstock and Pam Smallcomb. First of all, they're pals of James Proimos, who lives around here somewheres and is a lot of fun to run into at book festivals and the like. (And whose own books are great, not to mention the animation - NICE animation.)

Secondly, Pam Smallcomb and Robert Weinstock appear to know how to be good friends - if this book is any indication.

But I'm not reviewing this book, so I'm not going to explain that statement.

Violence 101 by Denis Wright - review

Whew. I am not usually a summarizer, but I think in this case, the only way to introduce this book is to introduce you to its main character, Hamish Graham.

Hamish is a smart, middle-class New Zealand boy of European descent, and, at the age of fourteen, he's already killed a man. And a poodle. And those are just the incidents that made the papers. There's more.

He is, quite naturally, boarding at a facility for troubled youths - boys with violent tendencies and/or brushes with the criminal justice system. The trouble with Hamish's brand of 'troubled' is that nobody can figure it out. He's not a product of an emotionally damaging environment. He doesn't have autism, nor any other disorder that he's been tested for. He has baffled the teachers and counselors charged with his care for years, developing a hearty contempt for them along the way, a contempt that occasionally bursts into violence.

Sleepover at Gramma's House by Barbara Joosse, illustrated by Jan Jutte - review

Ok my kids may be only 7 and 9, but after reading this book I want them to get right on having some grandchildren! Barbara Joosse scripts a syncopated, swingy, stop-start love song for a granddaughter and her grandma. They have a tea party, they paint, they listen to a thunderstorm snuggled on the front porch. They know, "the very best way to fall asleep is inside a hug."

HOW long til my boys start dating, settle down, and give me a granddaughter?

Toothy, bold ink lines give the illustrations an almost woodcut quality, while the color palette, done up in watercolors, is jaunty and varied. It's the composition and details that I like best, though - penguins and other birds, many wearing hats, observe the action... the little girl's apartment is littered with some very suave midcentury modern, and Gramma's comfy little house is cheerfully eclectic. Dutch illustrator Jan Jutte also illustrated Barbara's Roawr! (see image below), and I am looking forward to see more from him on this side of the ocean. And of course, I am always happy to see anything from Barbara Joosse. Her sense of rhythm and her insight into what's fun about childhood make her books small daily treasures to share with little kids.

 

A flapjack stack of picture books

Here's what can happen when a family gets inspired by picture books, in this case Arthur Geisert's Lights Out (with just a touch of Wayne White I think). Just hit the play button:

Since returning from our vacation (long, excellent, TROPICAL PARADISE did I mention?) (and if you accuse me of gloating, please allow me to mention that my last two vacations were to Lake Erie and DETROIT - we deserved this), I have been feverishly reading picture books, trying to catch up. I consider it a responsibility to try to clap eyes on just about every picture book we get at the library. They're short, you can get through a big stack in half an hour, and the difference between a truly extraordinary picture book and an average everyday picture book is immense.

Click through for my short stack of recent favorites...

You and me could write a bad metaphor

Ever since the Christ-like Aslan, he of the foaming blonde mane and the deep wise sorrowful Christ-like insights about forgiveness and sacrifice, pulled a Christ-like resurrection, rising Christ-like from the dead in order to help the Pevensey children... win a war (cue needle-scratch sound effect), I have had a special smirking place in my heart for metaphors that just don't quite go the distance.

If I have just pissed you off beyond imagining by saying something critical about The Chronicles of Narnia, please have a nice weekend with my blessings and enjoy the weather. But if you are in an ornery Friday mood, by all means, click through to read the rest of this post.

Kindergarten Diary: as told to Antoinette Portis by me, Annalina - review

Check out this quote from Kindergarten Diary:

We are Room 2K.
We are fine!

Assertive. Clear-eyed. Defiant-like. Almost... anthemic. And, written as it is beneath a drawing of three little kids hanging upside-down, big smiles on their faces and their belly-buttons showing, "fine" begins to assume a whole bunch of meaning:

• First kid (subtext): "Not only are we 'fine,' we are happy and fine!"
• Second kid (subtext): "And we're just going to get fine-r!"
• Third kid (subtext): "Not only did we have nothing to worry about, you parents can quit your hand-wringin' too!"

Stars Above Us by Geoffrey Norman, illustrated by E.B. Lewis - review

Amanda is afraid of the dark. I would be too, if my Daddy were going off to war. But Daddy pastes glow-in-the-dark stars to her ceiling and brings home a black lab puppy before he goes, and, while Amanda and her mom miss Daddy and fear for his safety, he does after all come home safely.

 

Any adult who can make it through Stars Above Us without choking up, please call me. I'd love to read it aloud to the second grade class, but you'd have to mop me up with a sponge afterward. E.B. Lewis, as always, much respect. Gorgeous work.

Mirror by Suzy Lee - review

Okay. Suzy Lee, creator of the hypnotically joyful Wave and the quiet-but-noisy The Zoo, has a new book. It's called Mirror, and it is wordless, and it involves a little girl who meets her reflection in a mirror. Shy at first, she warms up to it, until she is dancing with herself. The mirror is the right-hand page of every spread. Interesting. Clever. Such a good idea, I'm surprised I haven't seen it before.

But wait. About twelve pages in, it starts to go - oh, what's the word? - ukulelepants nutsteak coco-for-cuckoo-poops CRAYZAY. First, the girl's dancing prompts a Rorschach of exploding orange paint and spattering black ink. A little conceptual for many children and some adults, who may be concerned that something behind that kid is spurting flammable liquids, but I get the idea. Dreams made flesh.

And then the girl's dancing takes her behind the mirror, thus, in this book, into the fold. We get a couple pages of freaky symmetrical partial girls, which everyone (that I've shown the book to so far) finds disturbing, and for one frightening white two-page spread, she disappears entirely, before re-emerging from the fold. Whew. Except - now the reflection is no longer a reflection. Like Stevie Nicks in the Fleetwood Mac song, she can go her own way. Which irritates the original girl to no end - so much so that she spitefully gives the mirror a shove. The mirror falls, and breaks, and she is alone again, and huddles on the floor in sorrow.

Suzy Lee isn't your usual cranker-outer of picture books. From my short descriptions of her previous books above, you can see that there is always something contradictory and meditative about her work. It's like white noise that is also music. That's it: Suzy Lee is the Thom Yorke of picture books. And not everybody gets Radiohead, but you can't deny that it's art.

This artist's command of her media - which are, looks like... graphite, sticky black oil pastel, watercolor and inks - is nothing short of masterful. Her line is confident and expressive, shading is smudgy and minimal. Her every figure, every gesture, is a pleasure to look upon.

If you wanted to use this book as a discussion starter on resentment, competitiveness, impulse control, or remorse, you could. But I wouldn't, in kind of the same way that I wouldn't take a group to see Martha Graham's Appalachian Spring to start a discussion about the seasons. Or mountains, for that matter. Rather, I'd present this as the performance of a little story, told in drawings. It starts and finishes with the girl in the same huddled position on the floor, it ramps up slowly, there's a happy passage, a crisis... oh my god it's a book about dance! Hm. I should pretend that I knew that all along, shouldn't I.

Well there's a review that didn't go where I expected it to go. How often does that happen? 

Me and You by Geneviève Côté - review

Me and You by Geneviève Côté

When I was in college, my roommate and I had a brief hobby we called "____ Appreciation Day". It started when one day, by accident, we both wore a lot of earth tones to a class taught by an esteemed art historian who wore so much brown that we called her Mudwoman. We decreed that day "Mudwoman Appreciation Day," and from time to time would honor a friend or professor similarly. We'd wear a hat, or a lot of color, or an athletic shirt. Or we'd try to be real short, for "Melfo Appreciation Day." That didn't work - we were both 5'11". Of course, what we were really doing was appreciating each other - dressing alike, cracking each other up.

The pig and bunny in Me and You have much the same impulse. They are such good friends that each wants to be just like the other. The pig puts a pair of tights on her head to mimic bunny's long ears, and bunny makes herself a curly tail out of a lemon twist. The crunchy, sketchy graphite lines and delicate watercolors are are as light and fun as the story is. For the littlest kids.

The Scariest Monster in the World by Lee Weatherly & Algy Craig Hall - review

The Scariest Monster in the World by Lee Weatherly & Algy Craig Hall

The scariest monster in the world? Not that scary, when he gets the hiccups! After a lifetime intimidating all the little critters in the forest, those same critters take pity on the monster when his hiccups make him cry. Eventually his own reflection serves to cure his hiccups, and he is so appalled by it that he cleans up his act and decides to act nice.

It's dear, it really is, with nice clear writing, but it's certainly not an unfamiliar story, and I don't know if I'd have reviewed it if it weren't for Algy Craig Hall's extraordinarily fluid, expressive graphite stick and watercolor art. Guy's got a nice line, renders motion beautifully, and captures a wide variety of goofy monster expressions. His work makes me think he's got a future in animation, and not so much as a financial journalist, which is apparently what he does in his off time.

The Duchess of Whimsy by Randall de Sève and Peter de Sève - review

The Duchess of Whimsy by Randall de Sève and Peter de Sève

Oh, I like this. I like the lavishly insouciant colored pencil and watercolor illustrations. I like the fun, fancy Duchess, with her penchant for "elaborate attire" and "uncommon conversation." I like the Earl of Norm, who, although he is an intrinsically rather quiet guy, really enjoys the Duchess's spirit, and tries to spice himself up with fancy clothes and a giraffe. And I like that, in the end, he wins her over with a grilled cheese sandwich, and they find that they have more in common than they knew. I love that Randall and Peter de Sève are married and live in Brooklyn with their two daughters. Sigh. Love!

Aaaand... now I'm hungry.

Feeling Sad by Sarah Verroken - review

Feeling Sad by Sarah Verroken
Add this to your arsenal of 'feelings' books. Do it right away.

Duck is sad, and it's a gloomy day. Why? Doesn't really matter. It happens, right? Nothing to be alarmed about or belabor - best to just find a way past it and see if we can brighten things up a bit. Which is exactly what Duck does, inspired by a friendly frog who suggests merely, "Cheer up. Look ahead!"

Duck looks around and finds one small bright spot. Then she takes action, calling to the clouds to help her find the sun. This is good stuff. This is the kid participating in and taking control of her mood. This is also not demonizing sadness. By the way, this is also not about grief, which is a different sadness, and is addressed in other books.

I want to draw special attention to the art. Big and textured, starting out scratchy and dark and then, as Duck's mood lightens, getting brighter and more colorful. I want to say these are monoprints, but there is certainly some digital alteration in there, and maybe a little collage. Sarah Verroken's blog showcases more of her work. Looking forward to seeing more from her.

The Cybils nominees: Picture books

Abe Lincoln Crosses A Creek: A Tall Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend). written by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by John Hendrix. Schwartz and Wade Books Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Amadi's Snowman. written by Katia Novet Saint-lot, illustrated by Dimitria Tokunbo. Tilbury House

Pink Me quick opinion: I have reviewed this book twice, and twice managed to lose the review. Grr! It's quite a nice book. Set in Africa, it addresses pride and literacy and traditional gender roles. Interesting and worthwhile, even though I had to give up on posting the review.

Amandina. written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. Roaring Brook

Pink Me quick opinion: I found this a little surreal for most little kids, although lovely, and maybe good for a little kid who tends to do a lot of solitary play.

An A to Z Walk in the Park. written and illustrated by R. M. Smith. Clarence-Henry Books

Andy and the Albino Horse. written by Mary Jean Kelso, illustrated by Karen Snider. Guardian Angel Publishing

Angel Girl. written by Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Ofra Amit. Carolrhoda Books

Bats at the Library. written and illustrated by Brian Lies. Houghton Mifflin

Pink Me quick opinion: Like Bats at the Beach - wait, even better than Bats at the Beach - this book is loaded with clever visual jokes, and the text is fun, rhythmic, and snappy. The bats enjoy every aspect of the library, and travel into some familiar children's books. Beautiful paintings.

Belinda Begins Ballet. written and illustrated by Amy Young. Viking

Berkeley's Barn Owl Dance. written by Tera Johnson, illustrated by Tanita Howells. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Big Bad Bunny, The. written by Franny Billingsley, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Atheneum

Pink Me quick opinion: Loved it when I reviewed it. A loud little book with an unexpected twist.

Big Chickens Fly the Coop. written by Leslie Helakoski, illustrated by Henry Cole. Dutton Juvenile

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Big Words for Little People. written by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell. Joanna Cotler

Pink Me quick opinion: I don't usually care for Jamie Lee Curtis's books. They often feel kind of condescending to me, as if Jamie Lee is the first person to have ever noticed that kids have feelings too. This I like better than the others, although I still must kvetch about the klutzy rhymes.

Bird. written by Zetta Elliott. illustrated by Shadra Strickland. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Birthday for Cow!, A. written and illustrated by Jan Thomas. Harcourt

Blackberry Banquet. written by Terry Pierce, illustrated by Lisa Downey. Sylvan Dell Publishing

Boy Who Wouldn't Share, The. written by Mike Reiss, illustrated by David Catrow. HarperCollins

Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation. written by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Amistad

Buffalo Song. written by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Cat Nights. written and illustrated by Jane Manning. Greenwillow Books

Cesar Takes a Break. written by Susan Collins Thoms, illustrated by Roge. Sterling Publishing

Reviewed by: Scope Notes
Pink Me quick opinion: I cannot wait to read this cute, clever, and soulful book aloud. I will use my Ricardo Montalban voice.

Chester's Back. written and illustrated by Melanie Watts. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield

Chipper Kids: Counting in the Crazy Garden. written by Margarette Burnette, illustrated by Brooke Henson. Jenprint Publications

Colors! Colores! written by Jorge Lujan, illustrated by Piet Grobler. Groundwood Books

Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, A. written and illustrated by Marla Frazee. Harcourt

Pink Me quick opinion: I have so far bought three copies of this book to give as gifts (and one to keep). Reviewed earlier.

Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story. written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy. Holiday House

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. written by Sue Whiting, illustrated by Sarah Davis. New Frontier Publishing

Daniel Boone's Great Escape. written by Michael Spradling, illustrated by Ard Hoyt. Walker Books for Young Readers

Day Leo Said "I Hate You!", The. written by Robie Harris, illustrated by Molly Bang. Little, Brown

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield

Dinosaur vs. Bedtime. written and illustrated by Bob Shea. Hyperion

Reviewed by: childlitbookclub Pink Me quick opinion: Yes yes a thousand times yes!

Doctor Ted. written by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre. Margaret K. McElderry

Dog and Bear: Two's Company. written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Roaring Brook

Dog Who Belonged to No One, The. written by Amy Hest, illustrated by Amy Bates. Abrams for Young Readers

Dogs on the Bed. written by Elizabeth Bluemie, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. Candlewick Press

Duck Soup. written and illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic. HarperCollins

Ducks Don't Wear Socks. written by John Nedwidek, illustrated by Lee White. Viking Reviewed by: childlitbookclub

Fanny. written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie. Little, Brown.

Pink Me review

Far Away Rainy Day Land, The. written and illustrated by Lyndie Chiou. CreateSpace

Fartiste. written by Paul Brewer and Kathleen Krull. illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Simon & Schuster
Pink Me quick opinion: Funny and informative. Reviewed earlier.

Fly, Monarch, Fly! written and illustrated by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

Forever Young. written by Bob Dylan, illustrated by Paul Rogers. Simon & Schuster

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Gift of Love, The. written by Elisabeth Ann Matulewicz, Llumina Kids.

Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum, The. written by Kate Bernheimer, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli. Schwartz and Wade Books
Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield
Pink Me quick opinion: Token Boy Librarian and I were both intensely creeped out by this mysterious, slightly paranoid book. For older readers... or for very strange, imaginative little kids.

Give a Goat. written by Jan West Schrock, illustrated by Aileen Darragh. Tilbury House.

Pink Me quick opinion: This is about the Heifer Project, but it's also about teamwork, math, problem solving, and economics. Maybe a little talky, but I'd say excellent for 2nd grade and up. I know I'll be giving it as an xmas present.

Go Home, Mrs. Beekman. written by Anne Stampler, illustrated by Marsha Carrington. Dutton Juvenile

Goodnight Goon. written and illustrated by Michael Rex. Putnam.

Pink Me quick opinion: Faithful to the rhythm and pattern of the original, but better. The illustrations are in proper proportion, the ending is nowhere near as creepy ("Goodnight air?" WTF? Does that kid sleep in a coffin?), with the monsters sent under the bed for the night.

Grace for President. written by Kelly Dipucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Hyperion

Reviewed by: melissawiley
Pink Me quick opinion: The electoral college explained for elementary school kids, but not as dull as that sounds. Reviewed earlier.

Gracie's Gallery: A Magic Mirror Book. written and illustrated by Kelly Houle. Piggy Toes Press

Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac, The. written by Dawn Casey, illustrated by Anne Wilson. Barefoot Books

Hansel and Gretel. illustrated by Jen Corace. Hyperion

Happiness Tree, The. written by Andrea Alban Gosline, illustrated by Lisa Burnett Bossi. Feiwel & Friends

Hold on to Your Horses. written by Sandra Tayler, illustrated by Angela Call. Tayler Corporation

Honda: The Boy Who Dreamed of Cars. written by Mark Weston, illustrated by Katie Yamasaki. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

How I Learned Geography. written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

Pink Me quick opinion: I don't know why I never reviewed this. It is a wonderful book - true and beautiful, full of love and nostalgia. Very likely to win awards this year.

How Mama Brought the Spring. written by Fran Manushkin, illustrated by Holly Berry. Dutton Juvenile

How to Heal a Broken Wing. written and illustrated by Bob Graham. Candlewick Press

How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird. written by Jacques Prevert, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Roaring Brook

Howard Thurman's Great Hope. written by Kai Jackson Issa, illustrated by Arthur L. Dawson. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Hush, Little Dragon. written by Boni Ashburn, illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Abrams for Young Readers

I Feel a Foot! written by Maranke Rinck, illustrated by Martin Van Der Linden. Lemniscaat

Pink Me quick opinion: Oh, this is GOOOD. The tale of the blind men and the elephant, except the blind men are nice little animals with personalities, and they're not blind (it's just night time). It's the art here, the art - beautiful patterns and glowing colors done in what looks like oil pastels, dry brush, heavy inks. Mmmm. Plus, the little striped bat is wearing pink socks - I love that.

I Get So Hungry. written by Bebe Moore Campbell, illustrated by Amy Bates. Putnam

Pink Me review

I Know an Old Teacher written by Anne Bowen, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Carolrhoda Books

I'm Bad! written by Kate McMullan, illustrated by Jim McMullan. Joanna Cotler

I'm Looking for a Monster. written and illustrated by Timothy Young. Random House Children's Books

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

If Animals Kissed Goodnight. written by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by David Walker. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux.

Pink Me quick opinion: For kids that loved Jez Alborough's Hug.

Imagine a Dragon. written by Laurence Pringle, illustrated by Eujin Kim Neilan. Boyds Mills Press

In a Blue Room. written by Jim Averbeck, illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Harcourt

Pink Me quick opinion: Loved this quiet book when I reviewed it.

Inside the Slidy Diner. written by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Jaime Zollars. Tricycle Press

It's Not Fair! written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. HarperCollins

Jake Starts School. written and illustrated by Michael Wright. Feiwel & Friends

Josh's Halloween Pumpkin. written by Kathryn Lay, illustrated by Katy Bratun. Pelican Publishing Company

Jumpy Jack & Googily. written by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Henry Holt

Pink Me quick opinion: Oh, I read this! I thought it was fun and weird, but when I got it home my kids were unimpressed.

Karate Cat. written and illustrated by Marcello Miteer. CreateSpace

Katie Loves the Kitttens. written and illustrated by John Himmelman. Henry Holt

Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! written by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by John O'Reilly and Ali Teo. Peachtree

Kitten Tale, A. written and illustrated by Eric Rohman. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Knuckleheads. written by Joan Holub, illustrated by Michael Slack. Chronicle Books

Ladybug Girl. written by Jacky Davis, illustrated by David Soman. Dial

Pink Me review

Extremely good present for the independent little lady on your list.

Last Leaf, The. written by Uncle Tee. CreateSpace

Late for School! written by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa. Carolrhoda Books

Lemon the Duck. written by Laura Backman, illustrated by Laurence Cleyet-Merle. Lobster Press

Lester Fizz, Bubble Gum Artist. written by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Dutton Juvenile.

Pink Me quick opinion: Really neat. Explains the urge of art ("What do you see?" "What don't you see?" "What do you want to see?") and provides dozens and dozens of famous (and diverse) examples, all within a cute story.

Little Boy. written by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Peter Reynolds. Atheneum

Pink Me review

Little Hoot. written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Jen Corace. Chronicle Books.

Pink Me review

Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears. written and illustrated by Emily Gravett. Simon & Schuster

Lucky Star, The. written by Judy Young, illustrated by Chris Ellison. Sleeping Bear Press

Lucy's Cave. written and illustrated by Karen Winnick. Calkins Creek Books

Madam President. written and illustrated by Lane Smith. Hyperion

Reviewed by: Scope Notes
Pink Me review

Mail Harry to the Moon. written by Robie Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley. Little, Brown

Marco Flamenco/Marco Flamingo. written and illustrated by Sheila Jarkins. Raven Tree Press

Mattland. written by Gail Herbert and Hazel Hutchins, illustrated by Dusan Petricic. Annick Press

Pink Me review

Maybe a Bear Ate It! written by Robie Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley. Orchard Books

McFig and McFly. written and illustrated by Henrik Drescher. Candlewick Press

Me Hungry. written and illustrated by Jeremy Tankard. Candlewick Press

Pink Me quick opinion: Me like.

Metal Man. written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Paul Hoppe. Charlesbridge

Pink Me quick opinion: Three things I like about this: 1) Art-positive 2) African-American artist and little boy 3) Making art out of cast-off stuff. Will buy this for the school library.

Mimi

written and illustrated by Carolyn Baicker-McKee. Bloomsbury USA

Monkey and Me. written and illustrated by Emily Gravett. Simon & Schuster

Pink Me review

Monkey With a Tool Belt. written and illustrated by Chris Monroe. Carolrhoda Books

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield

Pink Me quick opinion: I didn't review this book, but it is funny and bright-colored and it was a big hit with the kids I know.

Monsoon Afternoon. written by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi. Peachtree

Monsters on Machines

written by Deb Lund, illustrated by Robert Neubecker. Harcourt

Mozart Question, The. written by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman. Candlewick Press

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers: Another Love Story

written and illustrated by Sam Lloyd. Atheneum

My Champion

written and illustrated by Sue Carnes. Castaways

My Name is Not Isabella. written by Jennifer Fosberry, illustrated by Mike Litwin. Monkey Barrel Press

New Branches on the Family Tree. written by Cecil Witherspoon, illustrated by Marci Mongelli. CreateSpace

Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog. written by Elisa Carbone, illustrated by Earl Lewis. Knopf Trade Paperbacks

No Mush Today. written by Sally Derby, illustrated by Nicoletta Tadgell. Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Pink Me quick opinion: Sweet. Little girl is sick of her baby brother getting all the attention, so she hangs out with Grandma. Lovely, Pinkney-esque illustrations. There is church, there is fried chicken, there are shiny shoes.

No! That's Wrong! written and illustrated by Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu. Kane/Miller Book Pub

Not a Stick. written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis. HarperCollins

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Pink Me quick opinion: Just like Not a Box. And I mean... just like Not a Box.

Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep. written by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Raul Allen. Tricycle Press

Odd Egg, The. written and illustrated by Emily Gravett. Macmillan

One Hen:: How One Small Loan Made a Difference. written and illustrated by Katie Smith Milway. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Pink Me review

Origami Master, The. written by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer, illustrated by Aki Sogabe. Albert Whitman & Company

Paco and the Giant Chile Plant/Paco y la planta de chile gigante. written by Keith Polette, illustrated by Elizabeth Dulemba. Raven Tree Press

Patrick the Somnambulist. written and illustrated by Sarah Ackerley. Blooming Tree Press

Reviewed by: childlitbookclub

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley. written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey. Front Street

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield

Peg Leg Peke. written and illustrated by Brie Spangler. Knopf Trade Paperbacks

Pink Me review

Pencil, The. written by Alan Ahlberg, illustrated by Bruce Ingman. Candlewick Press

Penny and the Punctuation Bee. written by Moria Rose Dohohue, illustrated by Jenny Law. Albert Whitman & Company

Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum. written and illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. Schwartz and Wade Books

Pilot Pups

written by Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Dan Andreasen. Simon & Schuster

Pout-Pout Fish, The

written by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

Princess Peepers. written by Pam Calvert, illustrated by Tuesday Mourning. Marshall Cavendish Children's Books

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks. written by Anne Broyles, illustrated by Anna Alter. Charlesbridge

Quinito, Day and Night / Quinito, dia y noche. written by Ina Cumpiano, illustrated by Jose Ramirez. Children's Book Press

Rag Picker's Christmas, The. written and illustrated by Susan Welch Bates. PublishAmerica

Rain Play

written by Cynthia Cotten, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. Henry Holt

Rembrandt and the Boy Who Drew Dogs: A Story about Rembrandt van Rijn. written by Molly Blaisdell, illustrated by Nancy Lane. Barron's Education

Remember When

written and illustrated by Patz Fowle. Book Surge

Round Like a Ball. written and illustrated by Lisa Campbell Ernst. Blue Apple Books

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Running Shoes. written by Frederick Lipp, illustrated by Jason Gaillard. Charlesbridge

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach

written and illustrated by Melanie Watt. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Scrambled States of America Talent Show, The. written and illustrated by Laurie Keller. Henry Holt

Reviewed by: Scope Notes

Sea Serpent and Me, The

written by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Catia Chien. Houghton Mifflin

Pink Me quick opinion: This was so nice, I wonder why I didn't review it. Little girl's sea serpent quickly outgrows the bathtub, and she is torn when it is time to release it into the sea. Nice little independent girl, not too gooey.

Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes

written and illustrated by L.T. Peters. PublishAmerica

Snoring Beauty. written by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Howard Fine. Harcourt.

Pink Me review

Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie

written by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka. Michael di Capua Books

South. written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell. Little, Brown.

Pink Me review

Splash! A Little Book About Boucing Back. written and illustrated by Maria van Lieshout. Feiwel & Friends

Pink Me review

Splat the Cat. written and illustrated by Rob Scotton. HarperCollins

Reviewed by: Cheryl Rainfield Scope Notes

Spuds. written by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Wendy Watson. Scholastic

Pink Me quick opinion: I kind of loved this Dust Bowl story, even though I was pretty worried it was going to turn into a big downer toward the end. But luckily, everyone behaves kindly and the ending is refreshingly... well, it's less bleak, anyway. The art is beautiful: delicate and rich at the same time, with a little McCloskey to the people.

Sputter, Sputter, Sput!. written by Babs Bell, illustrated by Bob Staake. HarperCollins.

Pink Me quick opinion: This is the kind of deceptively slight book that parents will find themselves reading at bedtime over and over and over. The colors and shapes are so delightful, and the text trips right off the tongue, pausing for a few ups and downs and bits of onomatopoeia.

Stanley at Sea

written and illustrated by Linda Bailey. Kids Can Press, Ltd

Storyteller's Candle, The/La velita de los cuentos. written by Lucia Gonzalez, illustrated by Lulu Delacre. Children's Book Press

Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat. written by Jill Ammon Vanderwood, illustrated by Yvonne Ford. CreateSpace

Streets are Free, The

written by Kurusa, illustrated by Monika Doppert. Annick Press

Tale of Kooshla and Saboo: Promises of the Forest Berry Fairies, A

written and illustrated by Angelique La Fon-Cox. Authorhouse

Tea for Ruby. written by Sarah Ferguson, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. Simon & Schuster

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. written by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Harcourt

Termites on a Stick. written and illustrated by Michele Coxon. Star Bright Books

Terrible, Horrible, Smelly Pirate, The. written by Jacqueline Halsey and Carrie Muller, illustrated by Eric Orchard. Nimbus

That Book Woman. written by Heather Henson, illustrated by David Small. Atheneum

Pink Me quick opinion: Sniffle. Inspired by the "pack horse librarians" who carried books around the Appalachian Mountains, told in skillful first-person vernacular, and illustrated without undue sentimentality, this is one to keep in mind for year-end teacher gifts.

There Was a Wee Woman

written by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

This is Your Life Cycle:. written by Heather Lynn Miller, illustrated by Michael Chesworth. Clarion Books

Three Bears and Goldilocks, The. written by Margaret Willey, illustrated by Heather Soloman. Atheneum

Tim and Sally's Beach Adventure. written by Grady Thrasher, illustrated by Elaine Hearn Rabon. Hill Street Press

Time-for-Bed Angel, The. written by Ronica Stromberg, illustrated by Kristina Stephenson. Lion Hudson

Titanicat. written by Mary Jean Crisp, illustrated by Robert Papp. Sleeping Bear Press

To the Big Top

written by Jill Esbaum. illustrated by David Gordon. Farrar, Strauss & Giroux

Too Many Toys. written and illustrated by David Shannon. Blue Sky Press

Pink Me review

Traction Man Meets Turbodog. written and illustrated by Mini Grey. Knopf Trade Paperbacks

Trainstop. written and illustrated by Barbara Lehman . Houghton Mifflin

Pink Me review

Trockle. written by Holly Jahangiri, illustrated by Jordan Vinyard. 4RV Publishing

Twas the Day Before Christmas

written by Brenda Seabrooke, illustrated by Delana Bettoli. Dutton Juvenile

Twin Giants, The. written by Dick King-Smith, illustrated by Mini Grey. Candlewick Press

Uncle Bobby's Wedding. written and illustrated by Sarah Brannen. Putnam

Pink Me review

United Tweets of America. written and illustrated by Hudson Talbott. Putnam

Reviewed by: MissRumphius

Pink Me review

Very Improbable Story: A Math Adventure, A. written by Edward Einhorn, illustrated by Adam Gustavson. Charlesbridge

Visitor for Bear, A. written by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady Denton. Candlewick Press

Pink Me quick opinion: Why do I resist this book? I read it, it's nice. Bear and Mouse both have discernable personalities that are not all goo and fluff. I think it's just that the title is so blah. Well anyway, it's a nice book, sure to pick up an award or three this year.

Wabi Sabi. written by Mark Reibstein, illustrated by Ed Young. Little, Brown

Pink Me quick opinion: More medal-bait. Don't miss it.

Wakame Gatherers, The. written by Holly Thompson, illustrated by Kazumi Wilds. Shen's Books

Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland. written by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Mary Blair. Disney Press

Pink Me review

Wave. written and illustrated by Suzy Lee. Chronicle Books

Pink Me review

Way Back Home, The. written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. HarperCollins

Pink Me quick opinion: I love everything Oliver Jeffers has ever breathed near, including this lovely, sweet book.

We're Off to Look for Aliens. written and illustrated by Colin McNaughton. Candlewick Press.

Pink Me review

Welcome to Pirate Boot Camp. written and illustrated by Symone LaDeane. Tate Publishing & Enterprises

Wheat Doll, The. written by Alison Randall, illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Peachtree

Darkness Slipped In. written and illustrated by Ella Burfoot. Kingfisher

Pink Me quick opinion: I've read this book twice now, and I still can't say whether or not I recommend it. Darkness is a character in this book, and it tries to scare a little girl, but she only dances with it, and then they have tea and cake, and then it's time for bed. Is it good for calming nighttime fears? Well, the text is, but... Darkness is very very black and printed with a shiny coating - kind of scary. I am ambivalent.

Where You Came From. written by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Julie Morstad. Simply Read Books

Where's My Mummy?. written by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by John Meadows. Candlewick Press

Whistling Wings. written by Laura Goering, illustrated by Laura Jacques. Sylvan Dell Publishing

Wild Boars Cook. written by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Henry Holt

Willow. written by Denise Brannan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan, illustrated by Cyd Moore. Sleeping Bear Press

Woollyhoodwinks vs. the Dark Patch, The. witten by Phil Dumesnil and Asa Sanchez, illustrated by Jeff Root and Scott Runcorn. Immedium

Year of the Rat, The. written by Oliver Chin, illustrated by Miah Alcorn. Immedium

Z is for Zeus: A Greek Mythology Alphabet. written by Helen L. Wilbur, illustrated by Victor Juhasz. Sleeping Bear Press

Zen Ties. written and illustrated by Jon Muth. Scholastic

Pink Me quick opinion: I've never met a kid who thought much of these books. They're beautifully illustrated, and have a few faux-pithy stop-and-think-about-it messages, but I think they're lost on kids.

Labels: age: Grade1 and up, age: PreK - Grade3, cybils, picture books

No English, by Jacqueline Jules - review

No English, by Jacqueline Jules, illustrations by Amy Huntington Blanca speaks no English when she arrives in Diane's 2nd-grade class. But instead of hammering on the old "it's ok to be different" nail, this book makes a number of small, good points - about intention, about sensitivity, and about the importance of bilingual books in a library's collection. Unfortunately, this particular book is not bilingual at all - might have been nice to have presented it in both English and Spanish.

Labels: age: Grade1 and up, age: PreK - Grade3, diverse cultures, diversity, picture books, problem solving