HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYONE!

"When's my birthday? 
Where's my birthday? 
How many days until my birthday?"* 

So begins the jubilantly poetic picture-book salute to all things to all things birthday, When's My Birthday? written by Julie Fogliano (the poet behind the lovely When Green Becomes Tomatoes) and illustrated by Christian Robinson (the artist of the Newbery winner and Caldecott Honoree Last Stop on Market Street). The verse, related to us by an omniscient child narrator, espouses pure, unadulterated joy. All the whos, whats, whens, and hows are all covered here (no need for whys of course)--the prospective presents and party and cake are imagined and anticipated down to the last detail. The infectiously questioning refrain above is almost certain to be familiar to parents and caregivers everywhere, and this charming celebration of celebrations will inspire bliss and excitement when shared with toddlers through kindergartners looking forward to observing their own birthdays.  

*Just in case anyone is wondering, this reviewer's birthday is coming up at the end of this month. You know, for the record.   

ALL WE KNOW

All We Know by Linda Ashman is a beautiful book about a mother who shares information about the world with her child. It's a lovely poem in rhyme, exploring feelings, nature and discovery. The text is accompanied by simple, soft and realistic watercolor illustrations by Jane Dyer.

This is a great read-aloud for preschoolers.

A TREAT FOR ANY SEASON

When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons, by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Julie Morstad, is nothing but a pure delight. The poems, grouped by season from spring to winter, focus on small moments of the day in perfectly childlike yet lyrically evocative language. Be it getting rain boots soggy, eating peanut butter sandwiches at the beach, watching the last leaf fall from a tree, or sitting by the fire on a cozy snow day, Fogliano finds innovative new ways to relate these universal experiences through the lens of childhood wonder with a striking economy of language. 

Meanwhile, Morstad's lovely goache-and-pencil-crayon illustrations perfectly compliment the simple yet charming words, showcasing a diverse cast of children experiencing all the earthly pleasures each season has to offer. 

This makes a perfect book to share with preschoolers through second graders, no matter the date on the calendar. 

FIBONACCI TO FIBS

Everyone in Greg's family loves math and lives for math.  The only math thing he gets is pie not pi and he has to deal with daily grilling and teasing from his family for his lack of mathematical apptitude.  Greg loves writing but he has to hide this from his family because they just don't get why his world doesn't involve math, too.  

All is coming to a head now that Gregory wants to go to a writing camp with his best Friend, Kelly, because she is moving away but in order to go, he has to pass his math class and enter the City Math, a long family tradition.  The camp, the contest; all lies as part of his plan but the lies keep piling up and he will have to come up with something fast or else.  
For readers in 4th-8th grade.  

CANDY HEARTS & SECRET CRUSHES

It is close to Valentine's Day, and the students in class 4-O are in for a surprise. Someone has left candy hearts in each of their desks.  But what makes these hearts particularly sweet are the special messages on each of them.  Why, though, do the messages seem directly related to the student?  This is the mystery that Jessie Treski, the school's editor for the 4-O Forum, is trying to uncover.

Jessie's discovery of candy hearts,  poems of love, and the idea of crushes have piqued her interest, so she must find out if other students currently have a crush, had a crush, or never had a crush on someone before.   A class survey is soon published, but what kind of results will Jessie get?  Is Jessie, herself, able to truly understand what the survey results mean?

Jacqueline Davies skillfully captures the voice of young and energetic Jessie, a fun-loving girl  who finds herself in the middle of a classroom where boys and girls are starting to think about each other in different ways.  Ms. Davies' addition of poetry is the perfect touch to this sweet coming-of-age story.  It has the power to make readers of all ages reflect upon their first crush. 

Read Candy Smash and other books from the Lemonade Wars series, available in three formats- print, eBook, and audio CD.  Reserve one or all today!  

For 4th grade and up.

ANOTHER CALDECOTT CONTENDER?

Stardines Swim High Across the Sky and Other Poems written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Carin Berger is an illustrated poetry collection.  In this imaginative work each page features a different exotic (and bogus) creature that was supposedly discovered by the author during his travels to remote places. The creatures, a blend of real and inanimate objects, are given names such as JollyFish (cheerful jellyfish creatures) and Fountain Lions (large cats with fountains atop their heads) and are accompanied by several verses of Prelutsky’s signature style humorous poems.

Illustrator Carin Berger uses a mixed media collage style to represent the 16 creatures found in the book. The creatures are playfully displayed as if they are part of a crazy museum exhibit, with specimen boxes and figure numbers lending an air of authenticity to the images. These creatures would be right at home in the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Berger cleverly incorporates the creatures' characteristics in each illustration using a mix of vintage engraved images, specimen tags, and 3-dimensional objects like buttons and ribbon. The BrainDeer have oversized craniums and are placed in front of a chalkboard of mathematical equations. The Slobster displays his slovenliness by being surrounded with a mess and clutching dinnerware in his claws (the lobster wearing a lobster bib is a nice touch).

The illustrations are definitely unique and charming in their own weird way, and the Caldecott has been awarded to collage style illustrations in the past (1995’s Smoky Night illustrated by David Diaz). So, there is a very real possibility that the Caldecott committee will be smitten with this title, too!  

For readers in 1st grade and up.  

YOU NEED YOUR LUNGS TO BREATHE...

...You need your brain to think, you need your heart to love. A long, long, time ago, well okay, 1940, it wasn't always easy to breathe. A terrible outbreak of the disease tuberculosis has taken over the bodies of many United States citizens. Men, women and children were dying if they didn't get help quick. This is what happens to Evvy, only her family thinks it is best if she goes to Loon Lake - a place just for people who have tuberculosis! Evvy is put into a room with four other sick girls, and the story talks all about what it's like living and dying with this disease. BREATHING ROOM  by Marsha Hayles is not a horror story, even though bad things happen. It IS a good historical fiction with interesting pictures and posters from that era. Evvy becomes good friends with many that come and go, and learns a lot about the importance of breathing. For 5th through 8th grades.

February 2013

THIS IS JUST TO SAY...

In life, we all have probably apologized to our loved once after hurting them with words or actions. However, how cool would it be if next time, we apologize with poems? I know this might sound too boring or too weird. But you know, after reading this great book about forgiveness and apology. I am starting to think that since evidently we all find ourselves asking for forgiveness, than why not do it in a unique way which will hopefully increase the chances of you being forgiven. The book is divided into two parts, one part is the apologetic poems, and the second part is the responses to these poems. It also has has tons of cute and hilarious illustrations. THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS is by JOYCE SIDMAN and the illustrations are by PAMELA ZAGARENSKI.

For grades 3rd and up.

A FAMILY REUNION THEY DIDN'T WANT

Cecile is her mother's name, but she calls herself Nzila now that she is an artist/poet in Oakland, California. Her father insisted that Delphine and her sisters will have to spend a month of their summer with their mother. All Delphine wants is to know the truth behind why her mother abandoned the family.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is a beautiful historical novel of a non- typical family reunion. Set in the 1960s during the Black Panther movement, three girls set off for what they think will be a sunny, Disneyland, movie star filled summer of fun, but what they get is something else.

For readers in 6th-8th grade.

TAKE ME OUT OF THE BATHTUB...

It’s that time of the year where people are supposed to be all jolly and merry, full of holiday songs and such. However, if you want to rebel and sing songs that are not holiday related than this book is for you. Alan Kats has written a very cool book of poems that rhyme with very familiar songs such as Take Me Out to the Ballgame and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. These are simple, cute and charming poems that have the perfect complimentary illustrations to go with each poem. Additionally, you will also find yourself laughing when reading some of the poems. TAKE ME OUT OF THE BATHTUB AND OTHER SILLY DILLY SONGS is by ALAN KATS.

For grades 3 and up.

FOLD ME A POEM!

The colorful pictures in this book are so beautiful that even if the reader doesn't want to read the poems which consist of few lines that are clever ans smart, they will just enjoy the pictures. The protagonist in the story is a boy, which adds so much more to the story since poems are usually not as popular with boys. Throughout the pages of the book, he makes different origami animals. The pages are really amazing in that they illustrate the essence of what the poet is expressing and these illustrations are in origami format. It's an engaging book that not only is pleasant to read, but you can also make the origami's that are in the book as well. FOLD ME A POEM by KRISTINE O'CONNELL GEORGE and illustrations by LAUREN STRINGER.

Grades 3rd and older.

LOVE THAT CAT?

FEBRUARY 2009

Jack's Journal

Pondering on poetry and purrs
Dog done died
Mother mum and mine
Hisssss! Black cat
Meow... Meow...
Love little linus?


Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech is a wonderful sequel to Love That Dog.
For readers in 4th -6th.

NAKED BUNYIP DANCING

Yes, that is the title. NAKED BUNYIP DANCING by Steven Herrick with pictures by Beth Norling is a new twist on the novel in poetry format. The teacher is a blissed-out hippy teaching math to the students while singing and playing guitar. There's girls who like boys, boys who think girls are gross, kids with family problems, kids with behavior problems. It's all here. Only it's written as a series of poems. Sometimes the poem is the student. Sometimes the poem is about a student. Here is a sample from the book:

"Sophie and poetry ~

I waited until the end of class
and I went to Mr. Carey's desk

and asked him

in a really quiet voice,

in case anyone was outside listening,

if I could read a poem

in the school concert

instead of singing.

A poem of my own

on any topic I like.
He smiled so wide

I thought his face would split!

Simple.

And I've got months to write it!"

This book would probably be best for kids 6th grade and up.

SEE THE RHYTHM OF A PEOPLE

Spirituals, ragtime, blues. Jazz roots, soul expressions, gospel prayers. A wide history of music brought from Africa to the United States makes up an entire culture of life and music. Poetry intertwines with visual art to create the most vibrant, lyrical portrayal of African American music history. Literally without missing a beat, the poems rhythmic flow sound like music in your head, while at the same time describe the different musical genres that are rooted in this diverse history. i see the rhythm, written by Toyomi Igus includes vivid, colorful paintings by Michelle Wood illustrating the text. Reading this book means more than looking at words on a page - it means experiencing history, hearing the paintings, and seeing the music. For grades 4 and up.

TO OUR MOTHERS!

Mother's Day just was celebrated last weekend but don't you think that we should tell our moms just how special they are every day. Why not make a just because card for her. It woudl be super cute if you were to include a poem in your card since it might be unexpected. And... if you are having hard time writing your own poem than you can always check out the poetry selection at the library for inspiration. DEAR MOTHER, DEAR DAUGHTER by JANE YOLEN and the illustrations by GIL ASHBY is one of the books that is just perfect for this. The poetry is simple and easy to read with the simple message that mothers will always try to discipline no matter what. the poems are very insightful and the message is clear and simple. We love our mothers and so do they :-)

For grades four and older.

BASHO AND THE RIVER STONES

The fox is a very tricky character indeed, and one can only expect certain tomfoolery and hijinks from the fox in this picture book for older readers. A poor poet lives near some delicious cherry trees that he shares with the foxes in the woods. It isn't long before one fox gets greedy and is surprised by the poet's reaction to his greed. BASHO AND THE RIVER STONES by Tim Myers was nominated for the 2007-2008 California Young Reader Award, and is bound to be a great rendition of a classic story. For 3rd grade and up.

BRONZEVILLE!

The very first thing that grabbed my attention with this book was it's beautiful illustrations. They are lively, colorful, happy and full of colors, lots of colors. This book of poems is simple, sweet and plain. But yet you will want to keep on reading because I bet that you all have felt the many different things that these boys and girls are feeling, the only difference is that they have expressed with poems. It is interesting to read about something as simple as holding your mother's hand expressed in poetry. The poems are very inventive and the language is simple with a universal theme and appeal. A very cool book. BRONZEVILLE: BOYS AND GIRLS by GWENDOLYN BROOKS and the illustrations by FAITH RINGGOLD.

For grades K through four.

IT'S A BLOG...about LOVE THAT DOG...

Not everyone understands poetry. It can make sense some of the time, but quite often, poems are just confusing. This is what one young boy things as he's learning about poetry in school. It isn't long until he sees things happening in poems that sound a lot like his life. In fact, there are a lot of poems that he really likes! What's really cool about this book is that it's written like a book of poems, and it still tells the story of this boy. The poems makes sense and you'll end up liking poetry a little bit yourself if you give it a try. The boy did. He even wrote a poem that will show you what poetry is all about. Love That Dog by Sharon Creech is more than just poetry - it's life. For 5th grades and up.

TOUGH BOY SONATAS

Tough Boy Sonatas by Curtis L. Crisler with illustrations by Floyd Cooper is a very serious book that deals with the struggles of inner city boys that have almost no hope for the future. Without a proper education and decent living conditions, they have to learn to fight for their lives with dignity and honor. These seemingly tough boys want so much more in their lives than the usual violence and crimes. They long for safer streets, good education, love and justice. These sonatas will break your heart but at the same time your spirits will be filled with passion and hope for them. The boys on the streets are not just living a careless life without worries and problems. Their lives are full of range and anger and they observe way more than we think they do. The sadness and the realism in this book is overwhelming but at the same time very touching and satisfying.

For grades 7 and up.