Picture Book Friday

The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung with illustrations by Hanna Cha is a delightfully imagined story that delves into the mysteries of dragon lore from both European and Asian cultures through the eyes of a young biracial boy. 

Inspired by his mother’s bedtime story, the child enters into a quest through an elaborate world of hobgoblins and will-o’-the wisps. His search brings him to a wise woman who feeds him sugar cookies and apple cider while she regales him with a tale of dragons—fearsome and fire-breathing, who hoard gold in caves underground. “And that would be one truth about dragons.”

 This is only half the journey, his mother says. For in another forest of towering green bamboo, the young traveler will encounter nine-tailed foxes, converse with a white rabbit and come upon a palace overlooking a waterfall. There he finds another wise woman who serves him chrysanthemum tea in delicate porcelain and tells him dragons are majestic creatures who rule in the skies and rivers and command the rain to fall. “And that would also be a truth about dragons.” 

Leung’s two narratives weave a spell of enchantment all by themselves, but the true essence of this heart-warming story is revealed in the mother’s final words.  She reminds her child that many adventurers have only one story, but he has both worlds to explore. 

This celebration of dual cultures is beautifully enhanced by the elaborate illustrations that pair rich colors with vivid detail to create a tapestry worthy of this extraordinary tale.

Here is a splendid book (Caldecott Honor winner and Asian Pacific American Award for Literature winner) that shares the joy to be found in discovering diverse cultures.

Highly recommended for home and school libraries.

Picture Book Friday

 

I'm Going to Build a Snowman, written and illustrated, by Jashar Awan is a delightful winter treat that is sure to be a favorite read aloud.

"Mom! It snowed! You know what that means…” For this little boy it is building the perfect snowman. He imagines it will be easy. He knows all the steps—roll three perfect balls of snow and decorate to create the iconic top-hat wearing snowman who can sing, dance and fly!

But, as life often teaches us, perfection can sometimes be out of reach. Despite his determination and effort, the child’s creation falls short of his expectations…until he adjusts his goal to embrace the success of building the best snowman YET!

This ALA 2023 Notable Book is a charming reminder to find joy in the journey of creation regardless of the result.

Awan’s minimalist narrative utilizes simple vocabulary and short sentences to keep the text tightly focused and accessible for young readers. An imaginative use of onomatopoeia will be sure to bring forth giggles—”ziiiip” and “fwump” as he closes his jacket and pulls on his cap is later followed by “Sssssslump” as the snowman threatens to fall. Bold colors and high contrast imagery provides powerful visual impact with every turn of the page.

A perfect picture book for the season.

Highly recommended for both home and school libraries.

Picture Book Firday

 

When You Can Swim, authored and illustrated by Jack Wong, is a wonderful exploration of the many ways swimming can appeal to children.

It is also an invitation to encounter water in its varied forms. Inspired by the first line “When you can swim, first I’ll take you to the ocean” Wong offers the reader a thoughtful look at what each moment might entail. From sandpipers at the shore’s edge and water splashing only ankle deep to a long-distance swim to an island, Wong builds the narrative to highlight an ever-growing confidence with each new experience.

He brings a feast for the senses—the quiet bliss of floating, the enchantment of standing beneath a waterfall, the clinking of waves over a pebbled beach, treading water at dusk as fish leap in a pond to catch hovering bugs.

The characters bring a multi-generational and multi-ethnic richness to the narrative that feels all encompassing.

The vividly imagined illustrations add another layer of richness to the story as scenes appear in a variety of perspectives. A dragonfly hovers overhead silhouetted in marvelous detail against the sunlit sky. Movement fills the pages as swimmers dive beneath the surface or jump from above. A double page spread highlights a daring island swim. The final scene brings the story full circle with a young child at a public pool, probably for lessons, being encouraged with, “So swim, little one!”

Inspired by his own early fear of the water and lack of swimming skill, Wong taps into his experience and emotions and offers young readers an empathetic and encouraging invitation to discover the joy to be found by cultivating this skill.

Recommended for home and school libraries.

Nonfiction Monday

 

Mi papá es un agrícola / My Father, the Farm Worker by J. Roman Perez Varela with illustrations by Jose Ramirez is an award-winning tribute to the thousands of harvesters whose labors allow us to put food on our tables.

The life of a farmworker is portrayed in a deeply personal telling as a son relates a typical day in his father’s life from sunrise to long past sunset as “He walks, leaving thousands of steps over Mother Earth.” Back bent, hands cracked, he toils on. Even when there is defeat in his eyes, there is also hope for his family’s future.

The language is simple, but this heartfelt story is rich with a depth of understanding that comes from Varela’s own experiences as a first-generation Mexican American who hand-picked crops to survive, while working hard in school to secure a better life.

Ramirez brings a sensitivity to the illustrations that enrich the narrative through the use of strong lines and bold colors.

The subject of this narrative is farm laborers; however, it speaks also to the shared dreams, and dedication of families from across a multitude of cultures who struggle to make a life for themselves.

Mi papá es un agrícola / My Father, the Farm Worker is an important reminder of what we owe to these men, women, and children whose work is often invisible. 

Highly recommended for home and school libraries.

A QUICK NOTE

I always love hearing from new folks who have discovered one of my books. And I had to share this lovely 5-star review of GRACIE JANE that was recently posted to Amazon by a reader who is a parent, teacher, and book reviewer.

She described the story as "Funny and Engaging Story, So relatable. 

You'll find the link HERE.

 Review of the Book: I would definitely recommend this book to my friends, teachers and anyone who loves a good story. Gracie Jane and Fifi La Rue's story is humorous yet interestingly engaging. This is the type of story every child would want to listen to or read to wind down before bed because it gives that feel good energy, or just to explore the relatable adventures of the dog and how its new owner felt about it. It actually feels like the reader is experiencing through Gracie Jane's eyes. The illustrations are colorful and enhances the story as it captures the expressions and actions of the characters in the story in a realistic manner. I laughed throughout the story and could not keep the smile off my face some minutes after.

I definitely will consider adding this to our library or buying as a gift for friends who have younger kids.

Picture Book Friday

 Hello everyone!

I'm delighted to announce that two of my picture books are now available as eBooks at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

GRACIE JANE has a heart as big as the Western sky, and she's always ready to lend a helping hand. So, she doesn't think twice about rescuing Fifi La Rue and taking the lost pup home.

After all, how much trouble could one little dog be on a great big ranch?

It's nonstop fun and excitement when one good deed turns this cowgirl's life upside down!​

​ WILL ROGERS MEDALLION 
AWARD 2019 

 JUST LIKE GULLIVER

The adventure of a young groundhog who is frightened of his shadow until a fun-filled
journey through the woods and farms surrounding his burrow allows him to discover his courage on Groundhog Day.

An author's note provides factual information about Groundhogs. Cross curriculum connections for: Folklore, Shadows, Groundhog Day, and Groundhogs.

    Mom’s Choice Awards® honoring   

   Excellence Gold Seal recipients 

Nonfiction Monday

 

Tumble, written and illustrated by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, tells a visual story of a tumbleweed’s journey.

The illustrations are the highlight here where the minimalist rhyming text (only about 25 words) provide a concise summary of the action. The narrative traces the tumbleweed through growing and flowering to the moment it breaks free to scatter seed as it races before the wind.

Following the story is a double page spread with names and images of plants and animals that share the habitat of tumbleweeds. An additional page provides more facts and a step-by-step illustration of the tumbleweed’s lifecycle.

The simplicity of word and picture makes this a perfect book for young readers and an excellent introduction to a study of this unique plant.

 Recommended for home and school libraries.