Book Notes

Jerome By Heart

Scotto, Thomas. Jerome by Heart. New York, Enchanted Lion Books, 2019. Note: The book, Jérôme par coeur, was originally published in French in 2015. It was translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick and Karin Snelson.

Jerome by Heart is written by Thomas Scotto and illustrated by Olivier Tallec. It is a Mildred L. Batchelder Award Honor winning book (2019). It is a story designed for children ages 4 to 8, but could work well for children through age 10.

Raphael is a young boy about 7 years of age; this story is told from his point of view. He starts by sharing that Jerome holds his hand tightly while they bike and he chooses Raphael as his partner on trips. Raphael shares that he loves Jerome. Raphael’s mother likes Jerome but doesn’t understand the connection the two share. Neither does his father, who wishes Jerome were an athlete. But Raphael loves Jerome. Jerome always calls to him, shares his snacks, sticks up for him, and makes up amazing stories. Raphael shares that he is going to devote himself to Jerome. His parents are tired of hearing about the connection Raphael feels for Jerome. His father stops his words with a voice “…like sharp fish bones in my hot chocolate.” Unhappy, Raphael goes to his room. He continues his reverie… he and Jerome on vacation; he and Jerome building and driving race cars. Raphael circles around his room, thinking and questioning. He decides, regardless of his Mom and Dad, Raphael loves Jerome. It’s easy.

The artist uses color particularly well. Jerome By Heart is told over 12 spreads. The illustrations are realistic and add depth to the story. Right from the beginning, we see an image of Jerome and Raphael holding hands happily biking along while a trail of irate drivers are stuck behind them. We see the non-attentive mother fussing over flowers; the disappointed father hunched over a soccer ball at two athletic girls playing with a ball while Jerome and Raphael chase butterflies. The images of boys with huge grins and doubled over clearly depict the fun they are having. When Raphael’s parents dismiss him, the colors change from bright oranges to inky blues. The lines in the artwork move the reader to the mountain and around the bed, desk, and rug. The readers clearly get the sense of Raphael’s mind circling. In the last spread, the two boys are running, hand in hand, from the dark side to the light side of the page.

The print book is very effective. It has an encapsulating effect for the adult and child. This simple, yet powerful, story would make a wonderful one on one read aloud with a child so they can feel comfortable asking any questions that might arise from it.

Jerome By Heart is a beautifully illustrated story about friendship and love.

Let’s Go ABC! Things That Go, from A to Z

Greene, Rhonda Gowler. Let’s Go ABC! Things That Go, from A to Z. New York, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2018.

Let’s Go ABC! Things That Go, from A to Z is written by Rhonda Gowler Greene and illustrated by Daniel Kirk. It is an alphabet book designed for children ages 2 to 5. This is an appropriate age range for readers.

The story begins straight away. When the reader opens the cover, they are greeted with an image of the alphabet stacked on a truck. There is a beginning spread introducing the readers to the topic in a rhyming pattern… “On land or track, in air or sea, we’re transportation – A to Z.” Each letter is followed by a rhyme with a transportation object beginning with that letter. For example, readers learn ”Inside the sea, I whisper-sneak. I’m sly. By periscope, I peek. Shhhhh… I’m a…. Submarine!” It then moves through the alphabet in order. The format is similar with rhyming lines with a clue to the word, followed by the repeated phrase, “I’m a/n…” Greene is able to pair up almost all the letters with an object, eXcept one.

If I had to characterize the illustrations in one word, it would be fun! The story is told over 16 spreads. The illustrations are realistic and match the movement described in the text. The artist, Kirk, uses 3-D techniques to give dimension to the images. He shows movement via altering the size so the object appears in motion. For example, the jeep appears to be driving toward the reader; the ambulance and firetruck look like they are speeding towards an emergency. The images and text locations are altered, which adds interest. For example, the helicopter is higher up on the page with the text below. It’s reverse for the Iceboat. The artist includes additional images throughout the book to complement the highlighted letter e.g., puffs of smoke in the shape of the letter “O” coming out of the ocean liner and the tiger driving the Taxi.

Let’s Go ABC! is an alphabet book that is entertaining and fun. It’s a perfect book to read out loud at story time to introduce the alphabet. The rhyming pattern is perfect for singing and the repeated phrase, “I’m a…” invites the listeners to shout out the object. It works very well as a print book. It’s easy to hold and the images are big enough to see.

Flora and the Flamingo

Idle, Molly. Flora and the Flamingo. San Francisco, Chronicle Books, LLC, 2013.

Flora and the Flamingo is written and illustrated by Molly Idle. It is a 2014 Caldecott Honor award winner. It tells the story of friendship between a girl and a flamingo. It is designed for children ages 3 and up, which is suitable. The print edition is reviewed.

The story begins with a tall flamingo striking a pose. A young girl enters the scene and mimics the flamingo’s poses. The flamingo turns to look at her; she turns away. The girl continues to copy the poses. The flamingo again looks at the girl. This time, she makes a face at the flamingo. They each bend over forward and see each other upside down. The flamingo makes a face at the girl, who falls down. The girl remains on the floor, despondent. The flamingo coaxes the girl off of the floor and they begin to dance and leap and laugh. The story ends with the flamingo and the girl curtsying to one another.

The story is conveyed solely through illustrations and is told over 16 spreads. The artist communicates the characters’ feelings through their facial expressions (e.g., smiling) and body position extremely well. The artist is skilled at making the story come alive via realistic illustrations in a primarily soft pink pallet.

The book includes peek a boo flaps to show the flamingo noticing the girl and the girl coyly turning her head away, which will appeal to young children. The flaps are also used to show the flamingo and girl moving from pliés to tippy toes. Imagery is also used to convey movement. For example, in the beginning of the story, there is a flower on the floor on the left side of the spread. The flower appears further to the right side of the spread as the reader progresses through the pages. In addition, the artist includes trees flowering with pink blossoms at the top of each spread; changes in the trees and blossoms show movement. The illustrator uses white space to show dance progression. The image is on the right side of the page; the left is primarily white space. A turn of the page reveals the dance sequence with images increasing in size as the reader moves from left to right. Readers are also moved through the story via the images. For example, both characters leap across the page from left to right. On the second to last spread, the book includes a large flag on each page. When opened, a larger image of the flamingo (left) and girl (right) appear as though they’re coming through the pages.

Flora and the Flamingo tells the story of friendship and the importance of kindness and encouragement. Flora and the Flamingo is a beautiful book, particularly for one on one reading. Young children will enjoy the beautiful artwork, fun story, and opening the story flaps and adults will enjoy creating the story.

The Fox on the Swing

Daciūtė, Evelina. The Fox on the Swing. London, Thames & Hudson, 2018. Note: The book, Laime Yra Lape, was originally published in Lithuanian in 2016. It was translated by The Translation Bureau.

The Fox on the Swing is written by Evelina Daciūtė and illustrated by Aušra Kiudulaitė. It is the 2019 Mildred L. Batchelder Award winner. It is a story about finding friendship, thinking it’s lost, and learning it’s not. It is targeted for children ages 4-8. This seems appropriate and could extend to 10 year olds. The print version published in English is reviewed.

The story is set in a big city with a park with a very tall, old tree. The tree is home to the main character, Paul; his dad, a helicopter pilot; and mom, an artist who makes clay pots. The family routine includes a daily dining of delicious fresh bakery rolls with a cup of tea. Every day, Paul picks up the rolls from the bakery. He takes the shortest route to the bakery, letting the delicious smell guide him, and the long way home, where he likes to explore a bit. His favorite thing to do en route home is play on the swing. He notices a fox is sometimes curled up on the seat of the swing. One day, Fox starts talking to Paul. She would tell Paul stories she heard from her grandparents; he gave her his roll. A friendship evolves between the two. Paul starts to worry about Fox leaving; she confirms she may not always be there, “When I need to be somewhere else, that’s where I’ll go.” Paul learns his family is moving to a bigger city, taller tree, bigger park… according to his father, everything will be better! Paul sadly shares the news with Fox, who thinks things often get better with time. His parents shared the same advice. At the new city, Paul continues his routine of going to the bakery to pick up 3 rolls. One day, on his way home, he began to explore a new path where he found… Fox on a swing! He swang with the fox and they yelled things that made them happy.

The story is told over 22 spreads and includes very colorful images to add depth and breadth to the story. For example, when Paul walks to the bakery, there are 4 inset images on the spread showing different activities going on around him such as people jogging, walking babies and dogs, and skateboarding. They also help the reader envision unusual aspects of the story, such as a house inside of a tree.

The artist uses a myriad of tools to enrich the text. She includes color to show moods, such as vibrant oranges conveying happiness and varying blues conveying sadness. The text varies in size and font. For example, tall is written with taller letters than other text when describing the tree and the phrase “Very Good News!” is bigger than other text. The illustrator’s use of lines such as the roadway, birds and plane flying towards the right side of the spread, and helicopter movements, move the reader ahead. Vertical lines, such as the tall trees, allow the reader to pause and take in the details. In addition, she uses a mass of black, firmly drawn squiggle lines to show Paul is upset. There are plenty of funny images as well. There is a cat thinking it’s going to rain, birds protesting, and Paul reading “The Bushy Tale of a Furry Friend” to name a few. Also, readers will get some words of wisdom throughout the story: “caring means sharing,” “things can always get better,” and “good things come to those who wait.”

The Fox on the Swing takes the readers on an emotional journey of finding friendship, losing friendship, then finding it again. It is a great book for an adult to read with a child one on one, particularly if there is an impending or recent change in the child’s life. There are so many things to explore.

la Princesa and the Pea

Elya, Susan Middleton. La Princesa and the Pea. New York, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2017.

La Princesa and the Pea is a story based on the traditional fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. It is written by Susan Elya Middleton and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. The book is a Pura Belpré Award 2018 recipient. The print version is reviewed.

The book begins with a glossary as spanish words are sowed throughout the rhyme. The prince’s madre, la reina, is very particular about which maiden is good enough to marry her son. One day, a lovely girl who is traveling home stops by the castillo. The prince is lovestruck. The mamá tests the girl by sneaking a tiny gruisante underneath 20 mattresses. Only a princesa will be able to feel it! In the morning, the girl notes she slept poorly because her bed was lumpy. In the end, she and the príncipe were married. Did she have any help detecting the pea?

The story is told over 14 spreads. The text is written as a rhyming poem and combines predictability with a bit of a surprise. The pictures have a realistic but playful feel. They are painted in colorful hues with soft value. The artist depicts the characters’ emotions really well, particularly la reina. The clothes and textiles are beautifully detailed. This book is ideal for story time. It is a fun book to read out loud and is well complemented by the art. The book is targeted to children in preschool through second grade.

Trombone Shorty

Andrews, Troy. Trombone Shorty. New York, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015

Trombone Shorty is an autobiography written by Troy Andrews and illustrated by Bryan Collier. It is the winner of two awards: the 2016 Caldecott Award honors and 2016 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Illustrator Award. It is an autobiography of grammy nominated musician, Troy Andrews.

The book starts off with a fun introduction, “Where y’at?,” which exemplifies the New Orleans flavor peppered throughout the story. The author describes the importance of music in his hometown of Tremé, a neighborhood in New Orleans, and the positive influence of his family, particularly his older brother, James. He takes the reader through his experiences of mimicking his older brother and watching the brass instruments at parades such as Mardi Gras. He shares how he and his friends made their own instruments and taught themselves how to play by constantly playing and playing and playing. Inspired by music, he grabbed the trombone and joined a musical parade, earning him his nickname, Trombone Shorty, because the instrument dwarfed his body. He writes, “I was so small that sometimes I fell right over to the ground because it was so heavy.” He shares he was not dissuaded and kept listening and playing, teaching himself song after song. At age 4, he went to New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) and was called on stage and played “Follow Me” with Bo Diddley. Soon after, he formed his own band, “The 5 O’Clock Band.” He continued to practice, play, and learn. He is currently a professional, Grammy nominated musician and philanthropist. His present band is “Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.” He plays music around the world, but revisits his New Orleans roots and regularly plays at Jazz Fest.

The story is told over 17 spreads and includes an author’s note with supplementary, autobiographical information and photographs of him as a child. The realistic illustrations are painted with rich, deep hues. The New Orleans flair is present via illustrations such as a Mardi Gras parade, gumbo, and the fleur di lis. The phrase, “Where y’at?” is introduced as a friendly greeting. It’s repeated in a distinctive font throughout the book, which help the readers become active participants. The artist uses lines to enhance the story. For example, a line flows from the tuba across the gumbo and into the trumpet as the text as the author compares cooking to music making by combining many things to make one creation. He also has lines beaming behind musicians heads as their playing. The concept of constant practice discussed in the text is also reinforced by images; he is almost always shown either holding, playing or pretending to play an instrument throughout the book.

Trombone Shorty is a motivational story and could be used as curriculum support for character education reinforcing the importance of hard work and practice. The author has accomplished much in his young career; he was age 34 at the time this was published. This can be quite inspirational.

Wolf in the Snow

Cordell, Matthew. Wolf in the Snow. New York, Feiwel and Friends, 2017.

Wolf in the Snow is written and illustrated by Matthew Cordell. It is a 2018 Caldecott Award winning book. It is a story about helping someone who is lost. It is designed for children ages 2 – 6 years.

The book has a prequel showing a girl with her family, including a dog. We also see a pack of wolves. The story begins with the girl walking home from school. We then see the wolf pack walking together. A winter storm kicks in; the girl continues to walk into the wind and snow as do the wolf pack. The wolf pup falls behind the pack and soon is alone. The girl and the wolf pup run into each other. The girl comforts the distraught pup. She hears the pack calling and carries the pup towards that direction. She braves the dangers of the woods to get pup back to his family. She finally meets up with them and delivers their youngest. She starts towards her home and family, but she is lost and tired. She hears her dog calling, “Bark! Bark!” but is unable to make it there. The wolf pack finds her, comforts her, then howls to the girl’s family so they can find her. She gets home safe and sound.

The illustrations in Wolf in the Snow tell the story. The artist communicates the characters’ feelings through their facial expressions (e.g., wide eyes) and body position (e.g., slumped) quite well. He uses different techniques to move the readers through the story. He shows the family through a picture window at the beginning, then moves to full spreads so the readers feel like they’re in the story. The artist uses direction to let us know the two stories will converge. The girl, who is easily detectable in bright red, is moving towards the verso pages; the wolves are heading towards the recto pages. In addition, he uses lines to direct our eyes as in the footprint tracks showing where the girl and pup have been and where they are going. The text is written in different sizes to give a sense of location. The wolves’ howls start off small and increase in size as we move through the book so we know they are getting near. The author includes one word statements to supplement the pictures. The girl trudges through the snow, “huff huff.” The wolf pup whines when he is scared and howls to call for his family. The words “lick-lick” indicate the pup is comforting the girl. The story is told over 46 pages; 22 spreads. The author includes an acknowledgement to Kira Cassidy of the Yellowstone Wolf Project for providing information on wolves and their behavior.

Wolf in the Snow is a good book for a parent or guardian to read with a child one on one or small group. It takes the readers on an emotional journey of kindness and helping.

Hello Lighthouse

Blackall, Sophie. Hello Lighthouse. New York, Little Brown & Company, 2018.

Hello Lighthouse is written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. It is a 2019 Caldecott Medal winner. It is a story about lighthouses from a lightkeeper’s point of view. It is designed for children ages range 4-8, preschool through third grade.

We are introduced to the lighthouse, with it saying “hello” to its new keeper. We learn the various ways in which a keeper tends to the lighthouse, such as polishing the lens, refilling oil, and trimming the wick. In addition, he fishes, drinks tea, and writes letters. In time, a boat called a tender comes to bring fresh supplies… and the keeper’s wife. She meets the lighthouse and falls into their routine of guiding ships in the sea. The keeper helps the lighthouse by clanging a bell when its light cannot penetrate the fog. They care for shipwreck survivors. The keeper’s wife works with the lighthouse when he is ill and unable. We see the family grow with the birth of a new baby. In time, the tender comes again with fresh supplies and news. A new light, which does not require the care of a keeper, will be installed in the lighthouse. The lighthouse will be able to guide the ships on its own. The keeper, wife, and child move from the lighthouse to a home on the shore where they can continue to say hello.

The book size mimics the features of a lighthouse in that it is taller and thinner than other children’s books. The author uses repeated patterns of “hello!” and writing in the log book to guide the reader. The layout is varied to add interest with some pages including port window pictures of activities, such as tending for the shipwreck survivors, and others covering a full spread, such as the aurora borealis lights. This makes it easy to follow, yet interesting to read. The illustrations are beautifully realistic. They portray the story with crisp lines and sharp detail. There are a wide range of hues and values including soft seafoam green, bright pink, deep black, and foggy gray. The illustrator also uses lines with her work to guide the eye as in the art depicting the storm. The book is 44 pages, each one includes text and/or illustrations to enhance the story.

Hello Lighthouse combines fiction and non-fiction and could work well as a summer reading assignment, particularly for those who live near a lighthouse. The art in this book will likely get the readers’ attention; the story will keep it.

The Adventures of Beekle: the Unimaginary Friend

Santat, Dan. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. New York, Little Brown & Company, 2014.

The Adventures of Beekle: the Unimaginary Friend is written and illustrated by Dan Santat. It is a 2015 Caldecott Award winner. It is a story about searching for and finding a place to belong. It is designed for children ages range 2-7, preschool through second grade.

The story begins with the creation of our imaginary friend who was born on a distant island. The island is home to other whimsical friends until a real child beams them up to their world via their imagination. Our protagonist grows impatient and ventures on his own into the real world. He explores this new, strange land until he spots something familiar. He follows it to a park where he at first he feels sure he will find his real child match. Time passes and our hero’s confidences wanes. Finally, he meets his friend, Alice. They form a friendship and continue to explore the world, together.

The text is placed in various locations on the pages throughout book. This makes it easy to follow, yet interesting to read. The illustrations display a wide range of hues and values. The art guides the pace of the story, from moving our friend to the real world to giving him time to explore the park. It is told over 19 spreads. The artist includes some primarily monochromatic spreads which add interest.

The story is inspiring and heart-warming. This book would be well suited for children who are going to begin preschool or kindergarten. It could also be good for an adoptive family.

Flotsam

Wiesner, David. (2006). Flostam. New York, Clarion Books, 2006.

The book is well-bound and has handled use very well. The leaves are 11″ x 9″ matching the wide expanse of the Jersey Shore. In addition, they are study yet soft to the touch, which is ideal for a wordless picture book.

This is a perfect book for children to use to create their own story. The book could be paired with a field trip to an aquarium or museum.

The illustrations are created with beautiful colors and are full of details.A boy is at the beach with family exploring the sand and surf. He finds an underwater camera, which reveal hidden treasures throughout the ocean and through time. **Had to look up the definition of flotsam (Merriam-Webster).

Ages 5 to 8 (maybe include 3 or 4 year olds)