Here are some of the picture books I've been reading this past month as I recuperate from an illness that I've had since January (not Covid-19). I can't wait to get back to a normal routine and share these with my young readers.
Big Dreams, Small Fish
written and illustrated by Paula Cohen
Levine Querido, 2022, 40 pages
Taking place sometime in the 1930s, Shirley's family has moved to a new country where they have high hopes for their new store. So does their young daughter Shirley. But everyone thinks she's too young to help, let alone have ideas about selling groceries, let alone their specialty gefilte fish. Everyone loves Mama's noodle kugel, but no one is even willing to try her gefilte fish. When Aunt Ida's baby decides it time to be born, everyone head to the hospital, leaving Shirley and Mrs. Gottlieb in charge of the store. That's when Shirley gets a brilliant beyond brilliant idea about how to get their non-Jewish customers to try Mama's gefilte fish. But will it work? Or will Shirley just get into trouble? I had just read this book for the first time when I heard that the author of this debut picture book had suddenly passed away less than a week before its publication. What a shame that she didn't live to see its reception. Cohen has left us a charming story about Jewish culture, family, clever ideas and taking a chance. I found Shirley to be a spunky girl, with a fair amount of the best kind of chutzpah. The story is sprinkled with Yiddish words, and given the timeframe, I wondered if the story is based on Cohen's own family and if they might have left eastern Europe as fascism moved closer.
John's Turn by Mac Barnett,
illustrated by Kate Berube
Candlewick Press, 2022, 32 pages
Every Friday, an unknown student narrator explains, at assembly after announcements are read, it is a student's turn to do something for the whole school to enjoy. It's called Sharing Gifts and some kids sing, play instruments, or just tell jokes. Today, it is John's turn and he seems quite nervous as he changes his clothes backstage. When the curtain opens, John is standing there in his leotard, dance pants and ballet slippers. The kids looks somewhat bored when the music starts to play, and John begins to dance. And as he dances, his nervous apprehension begins to dissolve, replaced by happiness and getting lost in his dance. John's happiness is infectious and when he finishes, everyone is smiling and clapping for him. I love seeing books about boys who dance, there are so few of them, and this one is done to perfection, in part because of the text which is supported and extended by the soft ink and watercolor illustrations that really capture all of John's emotions.
Where Butterflies Fill the Sky:
A Story of Immigration, Family, and Finding Home
written and illustrated by Zahra Marwan
Bloomsbury, 2022, 48 pages
Available March 29, 2022
This fictionalized autobiographical story tells the author's experience of forced immigration. Living in Kuwait, "where one hundred butterflies are always in the sky" and through no fault of his own, her father and his children are considered stateless and are forced to leave the only home they have ever known. Leaving their life and family behind, they emigrate to the United States, living in New Mexico. Recounting all the things that she will miss - the sea, her aunties, the culture she loves, even the pigeons - the narrator doesn't understand why people say her family doesn't belong in Kuwait. But the family eventually finds acceptance and a sense of belonging in New Mexico "where one hundred [hot air] balloons fill the sky. The stylized illustrations really carry this story along, with so many small details for kids to explore. The author explains what happened to her family in more detail in the back matter and also gives details about the art, including why certain things were included in the illustrations. I can't wait to share this with my young readers, most of whom are immigrants, too.
This is a School by John Schu,
illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison
Candlewick Press, 2022, 40 pages
Available March 29, 2022
I never thought about school as a community when I was a student. Consequently, I never really felt that I was part of a community bigger than myself. However, as a teacher, I realized just what a large, important community school really is. And I think it is important for kids to understand that and that they, too, are a vital part of it. And that is just what this book tells young readers. Using the simplest of sentences, it begins with a kid. Each following page places the kid in different school situations - the school building, the class, the hall and describes what happens in each place. But school isn't just those things, it's also a diverse growing community where kids can find support, can learn, play, work, succeed and even make mistakes at times. This is an ideal book for children just getting ready to go to school, but also a good reminder for current students that they in a thriving community with many supportive adult helpers. The illustrations, done in watercolor, acrylic paint, and digital collage, are colorful and reinforce the message of the text. I am really looking forward to sharing this book with my young readers who will all be starting school next fall.
Powwow Day by Traci Sorell,
illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight
Charlesbridge Publishing, 2022, 32 pages
Eight-year-old River has been dancing at Powwows for a few years, but this year is different. This year, River is unable to compete in the jingle dance because of a serious illness, that has left her weak and with short hair. And even though she's is already tired by the time that get to the Powwow, River wants to dance Grand Entry. Unable to feel the drum beat, River is helped back to her chair. Finally, it's time for the jingle dancers, and as River's friends and cousins dance around the arena, watched by the judges, she knows that they are dancing "for the Creator, the ancestor, their families and everyone's health...." including hers. Finally feeling the drum beat, River knows that she will be well enough to dance at next year's Powwow. Even though this story is focused on River, it introduces young readers to what happens during a Powwow. One of the things celebrated at a Powwow is a strong sense of community and that is what River experiences and realizes how much a part of that she is as she watches everyone dancing. The digital illustrations are colorful and have lovely details to explore and talk about. Back matter includes detailed Information About Powwows, and an Author's Note as well a Sources.
Other books I read last week: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, Worser by Jennifer Ziegler, and Wave by Diana Farid
