Saturday Roundup: Animal Tales

I haven't done a Saturday Roundup in a long time and I thought I'd wrapping up the end of the school year (at least here in NYC) with some of the books we read and talked about during the last semester. These are our favorite animal stories and we hope you enjoy them, too.

Mine! written and illustrated by Jeff Mack

Chronicle Books, 2017, 40 pages, age 3+

When a turf war begins between two mice, things quickly escalate. When blue mouse stands atop a large rock and declares “Mine” and even plants his flag on it, orange mouse immediately wants it, too.  Tempting blue mouse away with a chunk of cheese, orange mouse is king of the rock for only as long as it takes blue mouse to get the rock back. With each victory over the other, the mice declare “Mine” but are they in for a big surprise about ownership. “Mine” is the only word used in the whole book, but Mack’s brightly colored, humorous illustrations are long on body language and facial expression even if short on words. A great book for teaching young kids, be they siblings, cousins, friends, and/or schoolmates all about sharing, this is sure to generate some good conversations and wonderful imaginings.

Big Cat, Little Cat written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper

Roaring Book Press, 2017, 40 pages, age 4+

A big white cat lives alone until one day a little black cat comes to live in the same house. Big cat shows little cat everything a house cat needs to know. As time goes by, little cat grows up and becomes bigger cat, but the two feline friends continue to do things together every day. As years go by, the cats are inseparable, until one day, big cat, now much older, had to go and didn’t return. Bigger cat, along with the whole family, felt very sad - it’s hard losing a best friend. But one day, a new little cat comes to stay and it all begins again. This is such a quiet, gentle, poignant story about friendship and the cycle of life. The story is narrated using a minimal amount of words, and with very simple illustrations with thick black inky line drawings set against softly colored backgrounds. I found myself truly moved by this tale, remembering more than a few kitties I’ve loved and lost. A nice book for teaching children that life goes on and should be enjoyed, even after the loss of a loved one.

Adrift: An Odd Couple of Polar Bears written and illustrated by Jessica Olien

Balzer & Bray, 2017, 40 pages, 4+

Polar bears Karl and Hazel couldn’t be more different. Karl thinks Hazel is mean because she’s quiet and likes to read. Hazel thinks Karl is too loud and smells like old fish. So the two bears like to stay far away from each other. But one night, a big piece of ice breaks away and it just so happen, Karl and Hazel are both sleeping on it. What a surprise they have when they wake up in the morning. As the ice floe melts, getting smaller and smaller, Karl and Hazel can’t avoid each other any more. Can they find a way to be friends and appreciate their differences? This is a nice book for showing young readers that sometimes opposites do attract and can become friends, it just takes getting to know each other. But wait, there’s more: in the Author’s Note, Olien talks about climate change and how the North Pole is melting and shrinking just like Karl and Hazel’s ice floe and some of the reasons why this is happening. There is also suggestions for ways to save polar bears and their Arctic home, and also for learning more about polar bears. Olien’s illustrations are pleasing and whimsical, but her message is serious and important.

Pug Meets Pig by Sue Lowell Gallion, illustrated by Joyce Wan

Beach Lane Books, 2016, 40 pages, age 4+

Pug is a pretty happy puppy. He has a good home, lots to eats, and places to play outside. Life is good for Pug, until…Pig arrives. Suddenly Pig is taking over, eating Pug’s food, sleeping in Pug’s doghouse, playing in Pug’s yard. Pug is ready to pack up and leave, but wait, there’s a doggy door in the big door, perfect for getting away from Pig. But when Pig tries to squeeze through the doggy door, he gets stuck. Now Pug has a big decision to make - help Pig through or not? It it possible that this unlikely pair could possibly become friends? Themes of acceptance and sharing are nicely done, and easy for younger readers to grasp. Joyce Wan’s roly-poly pug and pig are delightfully sweet and similar despite their differences. My young readers loved this book, insisting we read it over and over.

A Perfect Day written and illustrated by Lane Smith

Roaring Brook Press, 2017, 32 pages, age 4+

It’s a perfect day in Bert’s backyard, It’s a perfect day for Cat - sunny and warm with lots of flowers to hide in, thanks to Bert. It’s a perfect day for Dog - a nice full wading pool to sit in and cool off, thanks to Bert. It’s a perfect day for Chickadee - the bird feeder is chockablock full of birdseed, thanks to Bert. It’s a perfect day for Squirrel - there’s a nice tasty corncob waiting for him in the grass, thanks to Bert. Uh-oh, here’s comes Bear. Now, it’s a perfect day for Bear - ruining everyone else’s perfect day and enjoying all those treats that Bert put out for them This is a great book for teaching kindness to animals, and for introducing different perspectives and points of view to kids by looking at what makes a perfect day for each animal. I love this book, and so do my young readers. When we talked about it, it really generated lots of ideas about what makes a perfect day, not just for themselves, but for different animals, as well. I was really surprised at some of their ideas. As always, Lane Smith is just spot on with both text and illustrations. So, what makes your day perfect? This is a great book for teaching kindness to animals, and for introducing different perspectives and points of view to kids by looking at what makes a perfect day for each animal. I love this book, and so do my young readers. When we talked about it, it really generated lots of ideas about what makes a perfect day, not just for themselves, but for different animals, as well. I was really surprised at some of their ideas. As always, Lane Smith is just spot on with both text and illustrations. So, what makes your day perfect?

You can download a Teacher's Guide for this book from the publisher HERE and
you can download some fun activities to go with this book from the publisher HERE

They All Saw A Cat written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel

Chronicle Books, 2016, 44 pages, age 4+

After talking about perspective in A Perfect Day, it seemed only logical to read this book next. A cat walks through the world and as it walks, it passes different creatures - a dog, a fox, a bee, a bat, even a fish, among others. Now, a cat out walking is not terribly unusual but what takes takes out of the ordinary and makes it special is that the reader sees just how each creature perceives the cat in their own way. For example, a child may see a soft, furry animal to pet while a fist sees a gigantic blurry cat, and a mouse sees a scary predator. My kids love reading this book over and over and it didn’t take long for them to participate in each reading once they had the repetitive parts down pat. The text may be simple, but the various illustrations certainly led to vigorous discussions and speculation about the animals left out of the book - giraffes, lions, elephants, etc. This may be Wenzel’s debut picture book as author and illustrator, but it has the flawlessness of an old pro, ummm…like Lane Smith.
You can download a Discussion Guide this book from Edelweiss HERE
You can download some fun activities to go with this book from the publisher HERE

Pete With No Pants written and illustrated by Rowboat Watkins

Chronicle Books, 2017, 40 pages, age 4+

Anyone who has raised a child knows that, somewhere around 2 years old, they go through a period when they just don’t want to wear clothes. Well, neither does Pete, a young elephant who does love a good Knock! Knock! joke but is a lonely little fellow. Seeking companionship, Pete looks to other large gray things that are also pantless to find his identity- boulders, clouds, squirrels, a pigeon - only to be disappointed when they don’t respond to his Knock! Knock! jokes. Finally, Mother Elephants shows up with her son’s pants, which he discards everyday, and at last, Pete gets a response to his joke and discovers his true identity - from Mom, of course, who finally seems just barely more accepting of Pete’s desire to be pantless, though more than willing to play with him. This is a charming story for young readers, and parents who will no doubt remember their youngsters early explorations of the world, their discovery about who they are, and the relief felt when they finally gave in to wearing clothes. The smudgy grayish illustrations reflect Pete’s first existential crisis and the subtle bits of color give hope to a more colorful life now that he knows who he is.

The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! by Carmen Agra Deedy,

illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

Scholastic Press, 2017, 48 pages, age 4+

The village of La Paz is a pretty noisy place - “everyone and everything has a dong to sing” and sometimes it is hard to sleep. The village holds an election and the new peace and quiet mayor begins to issue laws against noise of any kind. For 7 years, the village of La Paz is quiet as a tomb, until one day a rooster and his family moves in. And that rooster sings and sings - to the annoyance of the peace and quiet mayor. Don Pepe doesn’t everything he can to quiet the rooster, but nothing works. Finally, when the mayor threatens to make soup with the rooster, the townspeople stage a peaceful revolution and send Don Pepe packing. There is a strong message about trying to silence people in this book and how that just can’t ever really be done, all explained brilliantly at the end by author Carmen Agra Deedy. It won’t be lost on young readers (it certainly wasn’t on mine) and in fact, they even made some interesting connections between the book and how they perceive today’s political landscape. Eugene Yelchin’s mixed media illustrations, done in bright primary colors against a yellow background somehow exude the feeling that this rooster will not be defeated in the face of the screaming, hysterical mayor. There are a few Spanish words scattered throughout the book, which is a nice way to get kids to start learning this important language.

Saturday Roundup #9: This and That

This was a good reading week and I think I've managed to include something for all age ranges.  And I have nice, new rating stars to try out that match my recently redesigned blog.  And don't forget, Children's Book Week begins on May 4, 2015.  Be sure to check their website for exciting activities for kids to do at home, at the library or in an independent bookstore near you.

                              

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner, 

illustrated by Silas Neal

Chronicle Books, 2015, 52 pages (Age 5+)

Young readers will discover that there's more to a garden than meets the eye.  While a young girl and her grandmother plant, tend, and harvest fruits and vegetables above the ground, along with bees and birds who want to enjoy their bounty, down in the dirt, there is lots of activity, too, from the insects, bugs, earthworms and burrowing creatures who want make the garden their home.  Readers can learn about all the garden creatures at the end of the book.  Messner's lyrical prose is complimented by Silas Neal's wonderful two-tiered illustrations.

           

Out and About, a First book of Poems written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes

Candlewick, 2015, 56 pages (Age 2+)

I seem to like poems about the four seasons and this lovely reissue is no exception.  Beginning with spring, a little girl, along with her younger brother, takes the reader on a journey extolling all the joys, big and small, of each season and ending at Christmas, and includes poems about the weather, mud, sand, sunshine at bedtime, even being sick in bed.  The pen and watercolor illustrations capture all the joy and beauty of each season.

           

Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

Wendy Lamb, 2015, 208 pages (Age 9+)

Living in Sidwell, Massachusetts, Twig, 12 has never really been allowed to have a close friend.  Her mother is afraid that a friend might discover the family's secret.  At the same time, there is rumor of a large, strange creature seen flying around at night.  But everything changes, when new neighbors move in next store, with a girl who wants to be friends with Twig.  But do they also hold the key to the mystery of Sidwell's night creature?

           

Dragons at Crumbling Castle and Other Tales by Terry Pratchett,

illustrated by Mark Beech

Clarion Books, 2015, 337 pages (Age 9+)

It was difficult to read this collection of stories written by a young Terry Pratchett so shortly after his untimely death.  Included in this volume are Pratchett’s early stories, written and published in the 1970s on the children’s page while he was a junior reporter for the Bucks Free Press, a weekly newspaper in Buckinghamshire, England.  Although these short stories are not quite a polished as Pratchett’s later stand alone novels, or his Discworld novels, they are certainly worth reading, especially if you are a Pratchett fan, just to experience the early workings of his brilliant mind.  They are fun, satirical, absurd, plain old silly and lighthearted, and all of the wonderful ingredients in Pratchett tale are there in their nascent form.  And he knew it.  Here’s part of his dedication to Dragons at Crumbling Castle and Other Tales:

"And to my younger self, who thought 

these stories were pretty good...

Oh, I could teach that lad a thing or two!"

Black Dove White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

Disney-Hyperion, 2015, 368 pages

Elizabeth Wein has written another wonderful historical novel, this time set in the 1930s in Ethiopia.  Delia and Rhoda are best friends and stunt pilots, calling themselves Black Dove and White Raven.  In the US, it is a time when gender and race made things difficult for the two women.  Delia, who is black, dreams of living in Ethiopia with her son Teo, who is half Ethiopian, Rhoda and Rhoda’s daughter Em, who is half Italian.  After Delia is killed by a bird striking the plane she is flying, Rhoda eventually decides to honor her dream and take the kids to live in Ethiopia as a family.  The kids, who are as inseparable as their mothers, live on a life coffee plantation, where life is pretty comfortable for them.  But in 1935, war comes to Ethiopia when Italian forces, under the direction of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini, threaten to invade the country.  Rhoda and the kids are caught in the middle, because the kids don’t have valid passports to get out of the country.  Now, the family is separated, Teo is trapped and Em is trying her best to convince Haile Selassie Emperor of Ethiopia, to grant him an Ethiopian passport, paying him for the favor with a aircraft she has stolen from the Italians.  Will her audacious act work?

Wein weaves together the story of Delia, Rhoda, Teo and Em using school essays written by the kids, flight log entries, and stories the kids make up about the themselves as “The Adventures of Black Dove (Teo) and White Raven (Em)”.  What unfolds is the story of a diverse family as Wein explores the themes of friendship, sibling attachment, family relationships, race and gender in a volatile country at a volatile time, in other words, historical fiction at its very best. Written in Wein’s inimitable style, she has once again brought multiple characters set in a particular time and place to life as only she can.  Don’t miss this exciting, excellent novel.

Saturday Roundup #8: Picture Books

Even though the first day of spring began with more snow for some of us, here are some new books that welcome spring and that I have read and liked very much.

 How Things Grow by Eric Carle

Penguin, 2015, 14 pages (Age 2+)

This is a nice soft-covered concept board book for younger readers.  What happens to an egg, an acorn, a tadpole, even to the hungry, hungry caterpillar?  Flip the flap and find out how they grow and change in this colorful book done in Eric Carle's wonderful style.  

A Nest is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long

Chronicle Books, 2014, 40 pages (Age 5+)

Here is an informative book about the different kinds of nests that animals build for welcoming their newborns.  In lovely, lyrical prose, Aston shows the wide variety of nest building techniques by different animals and insects in this well researched book, with colorful, realistic illustrations.  (Available April 14, 2015)  

 Click, Clack, Peep! by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Atheneum, 2015, 40 pages (Age 4+)

Farmer Brown is back, and now he has a newborn duckling who just can't sleep, and who just keeps peeping all night long so that none of the other farm animals can't sleep either.  Each animal tries their hand at quieting the noisy duckling, without success.  Can Farmer Brown come up with a solution?  Lewin's fun illustrations add a light note to this problem all parents know only too well.

Stormy Night by Salina Yoon

Bloomsbury, 2015, 40 pages (Age 3+)

When a nighttime thunderstorm scares Bear's floppy toy bunny, no matter what he does to try to calm and comfort bunny, nothing works - not a soft song, or even a kiss on the nose.  Luckily, Mama and Papa Bear are also scared of the storm, and come in to let Bear calm and comfort them so everyone can fall asleep, despite the noise outside.  With Yoon's bright, colorful illustrations, this is perfect for young readers who don't like storms.

When Otis Courted Mama by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Jill McElmerry

Houhgton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015, 40 pages (Age 4+)

Young coyote Cardell knows his Mama and Daddy love him, even if they are divorced and live far away from each other.  Daddy has a new wife, but so far, Mama has only dated and then sent her suitors on their way out the door.  Then Otis arrives and now Cardell must deal with a new serious rival for Mama's affections.  This is a great book for kids and parents dealing with this kind of situation.  Whimsical illustrations keep it light enough, without diminishing the important storyline.

Over the Hills and Far Away: A treasury of Nursery Rhymes

edited by Elizabeth Hammill, illustrated by over 70 of your favorite illustrators

Candlewick, 2015, 160 pages (Age 3+)

Over 70 artists have interpreted the 150 nursery rhymes included in this multicultural anthology of rhymes from around the world.  All of the rhymes are grouped in complimenting themes in two page spreads.  Readers will instantly recognize some of the rhymes, but some will not doubt be new to them. All beautifully illustrated.  

Saturday Roundup #7: 2015 Black History Month

I had picked out a lot of books for Black History Month this year, but unfortunately illness got the better of me for more than two weeks (and now you know, I'm not one of those efficient bloggers who does her posts in advance).   But I still have a few books I'd like to share with you now that I think reflect this year's theme, A Century of Black Life, History and Culture.

I, Too, Am America by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Simon & Shuster BFYR, 2012, 40 pages

Artist Bryan Collier takes the reader on a ride covering past to present, South to North, segregation to integration using as his starting point the spare words of Langston Hughes's well-known 1925 poem "I, too, sing America"about the Pullma porters who worked on the railroad trains.  The illustrations are metaphorical representations of Langston's words, for example, he shows how the porters used to toss the items left behind - newspapers, magazines, records, etc- from the caboose, and sees them as "acting as a conduit of culture, a distributor of knowledge to those who couldn't afford these items on their own." (Author's Note)  This is a beautiful book that will generate lots of discussion and, I hope, a love Langston Hughes's poetry. Collier used mixed media for creating his visually stunning illustrations.  Age 5+

Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm

By Karen Deans, illustrated by Joe Cepeda

Holiday House, 2015, 32 pages

In 1909, a school/orphanage was founded by Dr. Laurance Clifton Jones to educate black girls.  Part of the school's curriculum was learning to play a musical instrument.  In 1939, an all-female interracial group called the International Sweethearts of Rhythm was formed.  Embracing the new Jazz music of that time, the Sweethearts played around the country, traveling in a bus called Big Bertha, where they often sleep and ate when the African American members were barred from hotels and restaurants in the Jim Crow south.  The band was particularly popular during World War II, when traditional male bands lost members to the Armed Forces.  A nice addition to the world of jazz picture books.  The very colorful, very upbeat illustrations are done with acrylic and oil paint.  Age 7+

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin A. Ramsey, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Lerner Publishing, 2010, 32 pages

It's 1950 and Ruth is pretty excited when her dad brings home a nice new car and the family decides to drive from Chicago to Alabama to visit grandma.  Eager about going on a road trip, Ruth and her family keep running into signs that say "Whites Only"along the way.  Finally, a family friend they stay with for a night, tells them to go to an Esso station and ask for a copy of the Green Book.  The rest of the trip goes more smoothly as Ruth finds places to eat and places to stay that welcome African Americans listed in the Green Book.  The history of the real Green Book is included in the back matter.  This is an interesting and informative picture book for older readers about a part of African American history that most of us are not familiar with.  Cooper's realistic illustrations manage to beautifully capture the whole wide range of emotions that Ruth and her family experience on their road trip to grandma's.  Age 8+

Freedom Summer: The 1964 Struggle for Civil Rights in Mississippi 

by Susan Goldman Rubin

Holiday House, 2014, 128 pages

1964 was an important year in the Civil Rights Movement, particularly the Summer of 1964, when the eyes of the nation were focused on Mississippi and the young, mostly college student volunteers who traveled there to help educate the black citizens about their rights and help them register to vote.  Rubin chronicles the bombings of homes and churches, the creation of Freedom Schools, the jailing and beating of activists, but at the center of the book is the story of three civil rights workers from the north who disappeared and whose bodies were later found.  The book, which is written in chronological order, with copious photographs and other documents of the time, is a wonderful introduction to those difficult days for readers age 10+

 

28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World

by Charles R. Smith, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Roaring Brook Press, 2015, 56 pages

Written chronologically and beginning with an African American former slave whose shooting death with three other men was a spark that began the American Revolution, each person or event is included in this unique book is presented in a two page spread.  Smith uses a mix of poetry and prose and each entry is accompanied with a short informative piece about the person or event.  Some of Smith's choices will be familiar to young readers, like Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandala and Barack Obama, others may not be, but all contributed something in their own way that made the world a different place than it was before them.  The words are artfully matched with Evans's colorful digital collage and oil illustrations.  This picture book for older readers (age 8+) must be read and studied in order to fully appreciate every aspect of it.  

February is Black History Month

Saturday Roundup #6: Winter 2014

The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice 

by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Jesse Reisch

Penguin, 2013, 40 pages

December 21, is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.  That means that the days start getting longer, but they also start getting colder in the Northern Hemisphere.  Here is a book that explains the Winter Solstice to kids, as well as providing a very interesting and informative history of how and why this is such an important date from ancient times to the present.  There is also some nice cultural history, and how traditions that we still keep first developed.  The science behind the Winter Solstice is also explained in clear, simple terms, with lovely colorful illustrations throughout. Ages 6+

And, of course, with winter comes snow…

The Snowy Day by Erza Jack Keats

Penguin, 1962, 40 pages

After a big snowfall, Peter puts on his snowsuit and goes out to play in the snow.  First published in 1962, The Snowy Day has been a favorite classic story ever since.  It makes a wonderful read aloud and a great story to share on snowed-in days, as well as bedtime.  It is unique for being one of the first children's books to feature a child of color for the main character.  The illustrations, done by Keats, are also unique.  According to Wikipedia, they are "collage with cutouts of patterned paper fabric and oilcloth; handmade stamps and spatterings of India ink made with a toothbrush."  It is rumored that the park where Peter plays is Prospect Park, Brooklyn, which is fine with me, since that is the park where I spent my snowy days as a child.  Ages 3+

The Snowy Day is such a beloved story, that it was issued in a board book for kids younger that 3.  

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

Random House, 1978, 32 pages

In this classic wordless story, a young boy builds a snowman who comes to life and with whom the boy has lots of adventures.  But are the adventures just a product of the boy's active imagination?  Wordless books give parents and young readers the opportunity to make up the story as they look at each illustration, in a way, mirroring the boys adventure.  This is one of those books that, along with The Snowy Day, I always give as a Christmas gifts to new born family and friends for their beginning picture book libraries.   Ages 5+

The Snowman is also available as a board book for readers age 2+

And if you go to The Snowman's website, you can find all kinds of activities including simple instructions and templates for making Snowman garland, 3-D snowflakes and more.

  
And as long as we're on about snowmen,

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner, pictures by Mark Buehner

Dial Books, 2002, 32 pages

Have you ever wondered what snowmen do after the kids who built them go home and go to bed?  Well, here's your answer.  Those rascally snowman and snowwomen pretty much do the same things kids do.  They drink ice-cold cocoa, play baseball with snowballs, slide around on the ice, roll around in to the snow.  All their fun is told in simple rhyme, with beautifully depicted in oil paint over acrylic illustrations.  This is a fun book and there are even hidden shapes in the illustrations on each page.  See how many you can find.  Ages 4+

Outside by Deirdre Gill

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014, 40 pages

It's snowing outside and a little boy has nothing to do inside, but his brother won't go out and play with him in the snow.  So, the boy puts on his winter clothing, goes out and begins making snow angels.  When his brother still won't go out, the boy begins to roll some some into a ball and build and build all kinds of snowy things and when he's done building he lets his imagination run wild.  What adventures he has!  What a wonderful magical day in the snow!  Beautifully illustrations in wintry whites and blues, with touches of red.  Ages 4+

Blizzard by John Rocco

Disney Hyperion, 2014, 40 Pages

Based on the Blizzard of 1978, Rocco takes the readers day-by-day, from the first falling snowflakes to the end of a long snowy week.  With drifts so high the front door couldn't be opened, at first it was fun for a young boy to be snowed in with his family.  But after a few days, they are beginning to run out of supplies.  But then, the young boy comes up with a remarkably clever idea for getting to the store.  Follow his route and see what a hero this boy truly is.  Rocco's illustrations are wonderful in all their blizzardy glory.  Ages 4+

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman & Rick Allen

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014, 32 pages

In 12 poems, the reader is introduced to winter as it impacts various animals living in the natural world. Each lyrical poem is dedicated to a different animal and coupled with a short but informative facts about that animal.  This is a perfect book for kids who may be budding poets or budding scientists and for everyone who loves animals and nature.  The illustrations are hand painted linoleum prints and are just spectacular.  What a great Christmas present this picture book for older readers would make.  Ages 6+

Winter Eyes by Douglas Florian

Harper Collins, 1999, 48 pages

Here is a book of poetry dedicated to winter, and one that invites the reader to perhaps look and about winter.  And there is something for everyone in Florian's poems, whether you like winter or not (like me).  Some poems are written in the shape of what they are about - words ice skate a figure eight, or climb a sledding hill, then sail down it.  The watercolor and color pencil illustrations are as beautifully quiet as the poems themselves.  Age 4+

I thought this one was perfect for the Winter Solstice:

Saturday Roundup #5: Hanukkah Edition

Hanukkah begins at sundown on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 and I thought I would dedicate this week's Saturday Roundup to some lovely holiday books celebrating this eight day Festival of Lights.

Chanukah Lights by Michael J. Rosen, paper engineering by Robert Sabuda

Candlewick Press, 2011, 16 pages

Starting with the temple where the oil lamp burns for 8 nights with just enough oil for one night, Rosen and Sabuda travel through time celebrating all the places where Jews have celebrated Chanukah over time.  The only color on each page is the background and the Chanukah lights int he windows, adding to its effectiveness.  This short video will give you a good sense of this lovely book:

As you can see, the only color on each page is the background and the Chanukah lights int he windows, adding to its effectiveness.  This is a book that will be cherished year after year.  Ages 5+

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

Holiday House, 1989, 2014 Anniversary Edition), 32 pages

It's the first night of Hanukkah and Hershel of Ostropol has been walking a long time and decides to stop at the next village.  But he notices that not a single candle in a single menorah is to be seen.  When he asks the Rabbi about this, Hershel is told about the goblins who haunt the old synagogue and who hate Hanukkah.  They blow out Hanukkah candles, break dreidels and throw their potato latkes on the floor.  Not afraid of goblins, Hershel volunteers to clear the goblins out of the synagogue and break their curse.  It will take all eight nights of Hanukkah to do it.  But is Hershel the right man for the task?  Age 5+

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel  by Caryn Yacowitz, illustrated by Slonim

Scholastic, 2014, 32 pages

"I know an old lady who swallowed a dreidel,

A Chanukah dreidel she thought was a bagel…Perhaps it's fatal"

It's Hanukkah and time for the family to visit Bubbe, but then the cat drops a small dredel on her bagel and, yup, she swallowed it.  So Bubbe begins to swallow more and more traditional Chanukah items to wash down the dreidel.  The rhyme is fun and sure to make readers smile.  Each illustration sets Bubbe in a different work of art (each of which is elaborated in back matter).  Age 4+

Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

Hiliday House, 2013, 32 pages

Bubba Brayna is 97 years old and her hearing and eyesight aren't just what they used to be, but that doesn't stop her from making lots and lots of potato latkes for the Rabbi's visit on the first night of Hanukkah.  When the good smell of those latkes reaching sleeping bear, he wakes up hungry and pays Bubba Brayna a visit.  Thinking he is the Rabbi with a mighty big appetite, Bear eats all the latkes.  But after Bear leaves, imagine Bubba Brayna's surprise when the real Rabbi shows up.  Includes a latke recipe.  Ages 4+

The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin, a Toyshop Tale of Hanukkah

by Martha Seif Simpson, illustrated by Durga Yael Bernhard

Wisdom Tales, 2014, 32 pages

No sooner does a merchant buy a beautiful dreidel from a peddler, who warns him that the miracle of Hanukkah can't be bought, when a selfish girl insists on having it.  But the dreidel won't spin for her, and was returned.  Nor would it spin for the selfish boy who demanded it next and returned it.  A third child, one who can't even afford the dreidel, merely admires its beauty.  Will it spin for him?  Back matter explains Hanukkah, and what the letters on the dreidel mean, and tells how to play the dreidle game.  Age 5+

Candlelight for Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Green

American Girl Publishing, 2009, 96 pages

It's 1914 and in Rebecca's NYC public school class they are making decorations for Christmas, a national holiday according to her teacher.  But Rebecca is Jewish, so is she less American because she doesn't celebrate Christmas?   But, she loves to celebrate Hanukah with her family.  Finding herself torn between having to do the school project, and facing her mother and grandmother's disapproval of her Christmas centerpiece that she is so proud of if she brings it home, how will Rebecca reconcile her dilemma.  Ages 8+

By the Hanukkah Light by Sheldon Oberman, illustrated by Neil Waldman

Highlights Press, 1997, 32 pages

Every year, Rachel and her grandfather clean the Menorah together just before Hanukkah.  On the first night, after the candle is lit, grandpa tells the story of the Maccabbees exactly the way his grandfather told it to him.  Next, he tell the story of the Menorah that belonged to his family, but was left behind when they fled the Nazis.  Later, while grandpa was still an American soldier, he returned to the destroyed home of his family and found the Menorah buried in the ashes.  This is a true miracle that his family celebrates every year.  Age 6+

These are some of my favorite Hanukkah books.  What are your favorites?