The Hello, Goodbye Window

When I saw that Norton Juster, author of the Phantom Tollbooth and Chris Raschka, a multi-award winning illustrator had collaborated on a book, I had to check it out.

Author/Illustrator: Story by Norton Juster ; pictures by Chris Raschka

Publisher: Hyperion Books, Michael di Capua books (2005)

Prices: $14.38, Paperback - $7.99, Audiobook - $7.95

Reading level: Age 2-8

Interest level: Lower Grades

Physical Characteristics: Hardcover, 32 pages, 10.5x11.4

ISBN: 9780786809141

Genre: Children's Fiction Picture Book

Subjects:

Children – Fiction and Literature

Grandparents and child – juvenile fiction

Caldecott Winner

Annotation: A little girl spends a wonderful few fun-filled days in her loving grandparents’ home.

Summary:

A little girl goes to visit her grandparents’.  She describes her visit and all the fun things there are to do in their house.  The hello goodbye window is a central part of the visit, as the family gathers around in the kitchen, where the window is.  Also, when she is outside, she can look at the house and into the window to see her grandparents.  The hello goodbye window acts as a portal from outside to inside her grandparents’ world, and from inside onto the yard and beyond.  It is also a place that inspires imaginative play on the part of the girl.

Evaluation:

I do not find the narrative of this story particularly inventive or engaging, but the illustrations are amazing.  I found myself reading the lines on the page and then dwelling on the pages to explore Mr. Ruschka’s illustrations.  I could look at his illustrations for hours.  The bright colors, squiggles and soft lines make these illustrations as welcoming as the house in the book.

Similar Titles or Authors:

How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean Reagan

How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan

Kite Flying by Grace Lin

The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman

Websites:

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/book.jsp?id=4370

http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Chris-Raschka/1786251

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/norton-juster

Awards & Recognition:

Caldecott Award Winner, 20016

Professional Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

The hello, goodbye window. (2005). Booklist, 101(14), 1286.

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale

When doing research on Pura Belpré award winners I ran across this book.  The front cover grabbed my attention, with its graphic geometric depictions of Pancho and the Coyote and the large appealing typeface used on the cover.  The font felt familiar and I liked it.  Probably because it is very reminiscent of ‘ Wanted’ posters from the old west era.  The art and font made me want to read this book.

Author/Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (May 7,2013)

Prices: Hardcover - $12.84, Audible - $9.95, Kindle $9.99

Reading level: Ages 5-9

Interest level: Medium Grades

Physical Characteristics: Hardcover,32 pages, 9x10 inches

ISBN: 9781419705830

Genre: Children's Fiction Picture Book

Subjects:

Allegories
Coyote-Juvenile Fiction
Rabbits-Juvenile Fiction
Voyages and travels – Juvenile Fiction
Immigration

Annotation: A young Rabbit crosses the border in search of his father, with the help of a nefarious coyote.

Summary:

Papa Rabbit must leave his family behind and go North to make money for his family.  After years pass and he doesn’t return his son, Pancho Rabbit, goes in search of him.  Pancho takes the aid of a treacherous Coyote who robs him of his food, and almost murders him.  In the end Papa Rabbit saves Pancho and they head home together.

Evaluation:

This book has many positives and a few negatives, in my opinion.  The positives are that this is a fable that explores real-life issues in a way that children can understand.  Also, there is a mix of English and Spanish with a glossary in the back, a nice exposure to a different language.  There is also an author’s note about the real life issues of illegal border crossings and links to more information on the subject.  The negatives for me are that the text itself is quite wordy.  I think the story could have been told with a little better and more concise prose.  I also find the codices style collages to be too cold and unemotionally unengaging.   Overall, I think this book has more good qualities than naught, but it isn’t something that I personally enjoyed immensely.

Similar Titles or Authors:

Migrants by José Manuel Mateo

A Thirst from Home: A Story of Water across the World by Christine Ieronimo

Out of Nowhere by Maria Padian

Websites:

http://www.abramsbooks.com/Books/Pancho_Rabbit_and_the_Coyote-9781419705830.html

http://www.duncantonatiuh.com/about.html

https://duncantonatiuh.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/pancho-rabbit-and-the-coyote/

Awards & Recognition:

Belpre Honor Book for narrative, 2014

Belpre Honor Book for illustration, 2014

New York Public Library’s annual Children’s Books list (2013)

Kirkus Best Books of 2013

Best Multicultural Children's Books 2013

Notable Children's Books from ALSC 2014

Notable Books for a Global Society Book Award 2014

Professional Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews

Publishers Weekly

All images (c)2013, Duncan Tonatiuh

Bones: Skeletons and How They Work

You can’t judge a book by the cover, but in this case I did.  The bright red background, skull partially off the cover and the mix of fonts caught my attention.  I bought this book for my daughter for Christmas, and while she has enjoyed it I have probably read it more.

Author/Illustrator: Steve Jenkins

Publisher: Scholastic Reference Press (August 1, 2010)

Prices: Hardback, $17.99

Reading level: Age 7-10 years

Interest level: Medium Grades

Physical Characteristics: Hardcover, 48 pages with three gatefolds, 9.5 x 11.2 inches

ISBN: 0545046513

Genre: Children's Non-Fiction Picture Book

Subjects:

Skeleton – juvenile literature

Bones – juvenile literature

Skeleton
Human Body

Annotation: A reference book detailing human and animal skeletons with illustrations, facts and comparisons.

Summary:

Steve Jenkins’ non-fiction book on human and animal skeletal systems details what bones are and what they do.  He compares and contrasts human and animal bones with detailed illustrations and minimal but informative text.

Evaluation:

This book is fascinating.  The detailed illustrations of bones set against brightly colored backgrounds are engrossing.  I have read the book cover to cover several times and also pick it up and skim through it occasionally, because it is fun to look at.  My favorite part of the book is the comparisons between species, like a human foot next to a tyrannosaurus rex foot and s series of hands next to each other. 

The book is geared towards grades 2 to 5, but it appeals to both younger child and adults.  The bold illustrations are simple and engaging enough for preschoolers.  While the text is informative enough, that I learned a few new things about the human skeleton.

Similar Titles or Authors:

Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World

Steve Jenkins

Bones: Our Skeletal Systems

Seymor Simon

The Bones Book and Skeleton

Stephen Cuumba

Websites:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/bones#cart/cleanup

http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/books/bones.html

Awards & Recognition:

A Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2010

Society of Illustrators Original Art Show

2011 SB&F Prize Finalists Children's Science Picture Book

2010 Cybils Nonfiction Picture Book Finalists

ALA Notable Books for Children 2011

Professional Reviews:

School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

All images (c)2010, Steve Jenkins

Dream Big, Little Pig

 I chose this book, because I always admired Kristi Yamaguchi as a sportswoman and television presenter.  I thought that by picking this book I could let my daughter know about Ms. Yamaguchi’s accomplishments while satisfying her need for all things pink. I was hoping for a very girly in appearance with substance underneath.

Author: Kristi Yamaguchi

Illustrator: Tim Bowers

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (March 15, 2011)

Prices: Hardback $16.99, Paperback $13.25, e-book $9.99

Reading level: Ages 4 to 8 years

Interest level: Lower Grades

Physical Characteristics: Hardback, 9.8 x 10.5 inches, 32 pages

ISBN: 1402252757

Genre: Children's Fiction Picture Book

Subjects: Swine – Juvenile fiction

Ice skating – fiction

Determination

Ambition – Juvenile fiction

Persistence – Juvenile fiction

Pigs - Fiction

Annotation: Poppy is a pig that wants to be a star and while trying to find her talent, has a few failures, but eventually she finds someplace where she shines.

Summary:

Former Olympic ice skater Kristy Yamaguchi writes a story about Poppy, a pig who wants to be a star.  Poppy tries her hand at several things, including ballet, singing and modeling.  Every time she tries one of these new things the animals in charge tell her that she isn’t good enough and shouldn’t do it.  Her family and friends are very encouraging every time, urging her to try something else.  After several failures, Poppy accepts that having a supportive and loving family and being happy is enough.  Then on a family trip she discovers an ice skating rink and a place where she can be a star.

Evaluation:

I chose this book hoping for some substance under the guise of a pink and sparkly ‘girl’ book, but I was disappointed.  The message was muddled and not empowering whatsoever.  Was the moral of the story to be persistent until you find what you are good at, or was the moral of the story being happy in your own skin and loved by your family and friends is enough?  It seemed to me that the moral was neither.  Instead the book showed that being famous, no matter what you do, is something to strive for. Poppy did not seem to be searching for something that she excelled out and could be fulfilled by, she was just chasing fame and adoration.  And honestly, her initial failures should have been failures.  You cannot just expect to be great at ballet or singing or even modeling, unless you practice and love it.  Jumping in to any activity just for notoriety will never end well. 

I did like that her family was so encouraging, telling Poppy to "Follow your Dreams!" and "Dream Big, pig!”.  But, was the encouragement deserved?  Poppy tried her hand at modeling, ballet and singing without practicing and without persistence.  I think a stronger way to go about this story would have been to have Poppy try skating several times, with the same amount of naysaying, and instead of looking for something else to do, she could have stuck to it and prevailed.  This book could have been about persistence, but instead it was about our modern fame hungry culture.

One positive about this book was the detailed and charming watercolor illustrations by Tim Powers.  

Similar Titles or Authors:

It’s a Big World, Little Pig

By Kristi Yamaguchi and Tim Bowers

A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet

By Kurt Browning

Websites

http://kristiyamaguchi.com/products

http://timbowers.com/pages/children's_books_backlist.html

Awards & Recognition:

New York Times, Bestseller

Professional Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews

School Library Journal

Constantinide , J. (2012). Review of Dream big little pig. In School Library Journal, (58, 5), p84.

All images (c)Tim Bowers 

10 times 10

My daughter is enamored with math.  I try to encourage her love of math in any way I can.  One of the ways I do this is by picking fun math related books for her to read.  When I saw that the Hervé Tullet, author of Mix It Up and Press Here, had written a numbers book, I had to grab it from the library for my daughter.

Author/ Illustrator: Hervé Tullet

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Prices: Hardback $10.95

Reading level: Aged for 2 and up, geared towards Preschool-2^nd grade

Interest level: Lower Grades

Physical Characteristics: Hardcover, 128 pages, 7.5 inches square.

ISBN: 1849762473

Genres: Children's Non-Fiction Picture Book

Subjects: Counting – Pictorial Works

Annotation: This new book by Hervé Tullet shows ten ways to count by ten.

Summary: 10 times 10 is a whimsically illustrated counting book by the celebrated author and illustrator Hervé Tullet.  The book starts with simple numbers and pictures and progressed to more complex and imaginative drawings and imaginings of counting.

Evaluation:

The review by Publishers Weekly used the word ‘springboard’ when discussing this book.  I think that is a perfect word to use in a review of 10 times 10.  Because, while it is only a simple counting book, the whimsical illustrations by Hervé Tullet incite exploration of numbers and inspire discussion of counting, and the pictures.

So many books these days pander to children, Hervé Tullet does not do that in 10 times 10.  In one section of the book he paints a hand counting to five, when the numbers get larger than five he just keeps adding fingers until the hand morphs into a piece of seaweed or coral under water.  As I read it with my daughter I watched her go from thinking counting to five was too easy, next she was grossed out by a hand with too many fingers, and then she was surprised at making the discovery that the hand had shifted to something completely different.  Reading this book was a very immersing reading experience for my child.

That being said, this book may be laid out in a bit of a confusing way for some kids, it is not intuitive. But, for kids who love to explore this is a wonderful addition to their book shelves. 

Similar Titles or Authors:

Mix it Up

By Hervé Tullet

Press Here

By Hervé Tullet

Websites:
http://www.herve-tullet.com/en/accueil.html

http://shop.tate.org.uk/new-in-books/10-times-10/invt/15122

Awards & Recognition: none... yet.

Professional Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

Book List

Note: First published in French as Dix fois dix in 2003.

All images (c) Hervé Tullet, 2014