How can something be inspirational and divisive? Before we dive into that, I’m Gonna Push Through! is not meant as a threat. It’s meant as a way for kids to become empowered. This is something that they can think or say to themselves when things get challenging. You can do it! I’m gonna push through, who doesn’t want their child-or themselves to have that can-do attitude?
Which came first, the art or the poetry? You might find yourself asking that question after you look at You Are Home by Evan Turk. An Ode to the National Parks You Are Home is an over sized, illustrated book that will immerse ages four through nine into just under half of the national parks in the United States. For those keeping score at home, there are 58 national parks in the United States and his book shows you a glimpse into 27 of them.
The magic of Anna Staniszewski’s book, The Wonder of Wildflowers is how it blends the familiar with the unknown areas that our imaginations are left to play in. It’s a novel that’s set in the present, with people who are in the same situations as you and I, yet there are elements happening in the book that make it as if it’s set in the future. Is ‘soft science-fiction’ a thing or has Staniszewski touched a niche that’s just begging for a USA Network genre series? Whatever it’s called, The Wonder of Wildflowers has enough dramatic elements in its science-fiction or science-fiction in its drama to hook most readers in grades 3-7 with ease.
Let’s assume that you don’t know who Mister Rogers is. Now that you’re in this cold, desolate, alien world, let’s look at Fred’s Big Feelings. From the moment you look at this book you’ll realize that something is different about it. It’s as tall as other illustrated books, yet it’s narrower. The cover of Fred’s Big Feelings is also irrepressibly happy. It features Rogers in his trademark red sweater and blue shirt with umpteen hearts coming from his hands and his pockets.
The title to the post, With A Little Help From My Friends-the book, might seem odd; but it’s necessary to put it that way because the song has been turned into a children’s illustrated book. This is a children’s book that’s written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, or rather, it has the song’s lyrics as the written narrative for a story. I’m not going to go all ‘back in my day’ or ‘kids these days’ because half of the genius of The Beatles was the lyrics to the melodies that they created. It’s also undeniable that With A Little Help From My Friends is an amazingly catchy song. The illustrated book is slightly more forgettable and that’s ironically due to the song.
The core of mankind’s disagreements can be summed up into those that like seaweed as a snack and those who don’t. I am firmly in the first camp and are offering it to our children every chance that we get and since there’s always some in the kitchen that’s quite often. Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee is the first in a new children’s series that kids in first through fourth grade will enjoy for a number of reasons.
One of the most remarkable things about The Presidents Portraits of History by Leah Tinari is how non-political the book is. In a time where folks can’t say the most innocuous thing without it being viewed, positively or negatively through a political lens, Tinari has created a book that respects and casts every president as human. The Presidents is a big book. On the right pages in the book readers will see large drawings of each president through 2020. In erratic sized font around each illustration are serious or obscure facts about each person.
Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao is not a book about babies. My very limited Chinese knowledge knew that bao bao means baby. Thus, this is obviously a book about Amy and her search for the perfect baby. I was wrong. Had I thought about it for a moment the very large dumpling on the cover should’ve pointed me in the correct direction. Instead, Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao is about a young girl in search of the perfect dumpling. It’s a book about family traditions, good food, not getting discouraged and learning how to do things by yourself.
Copy Protected by Chetan's WP-Copyprotect.
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
GooglePlus
Youtube