Review of Make More S'mores by Cathy Ballou Mealey and Ariel Landry

 Writing in rhyme is hard to do. So when it's done well, it's a standout joy to read.

Make More S'mores is one of those fantastic rhyming books!

Author: Cathy Ballou Mealey

Illustrator: Ariel Landry

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press, 2023

Themes: Friendship, Sharing, Food

Opening Line(s):

     "Glowing coals are finally ready.

     Roscoe holds his sharp stick steady."

What I like about this book: I'm a fan of books that do rhyme well. It's hard!! 

We also have a "Roscoe" that's been visiting our backyard, and stole a box of chocolate truffles that was sent to my husband and delivered to the side steps while we were away. On the security camera, I thought  Roscoe was knocking at the door! Turns out he probably needed more chocolate for s'mores, LOL.

The illustrations capture Roscoe's emotions well and use blue/pink and orange/blue contrasting tones to make the images pop off the page. Roscoe is the host I wish I could be. He's patient and sweet and a great role model for readers.

Activities:

• Make s'mores!
• Invite friends to share a treat with you and ask your reader/listener to help you calculate how much food/other treats you're going to need
• Discuss what you would do if there is only one cookie and two people want it. What if it's something you can't cut in half (like a stuffed animal or hair barrette)?
• Read another of the author's books and discuss which you prefer and why
• Make up a two-line rhyme about a food you like (keep going if you feel inspired!)

For more Perfect Picture Book Friday suggestions - visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog!

Election-Focused Books for Young Readers: Ballots for Belva, Sofia Valdez, Future Prez AND The Walk

 

Happy back to school and back to picture book reviews!

With the upcoming elections, I’m recommending three Abrams Books for Young Readers titles to whet young readers’ interest. They each address a different angle related to our electoral process and work terrifically together!

1. The first is an affordable paperback reprint of a picture book biography that debuted in 2015.

Title: Ballots for Belva – The True Story of a Woman’s Race for the Presidency

Author: Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Illustrator: Courtney A. Martin

Themes: Voting, Politics, Persistence, Equality

Intended Ages: Publisher says K-2d grade. The text is dense (as many biographies are!) so I’d say 1^st-4th grade.

First line: “When Belva Lockwood was ten years old, she read that, with a little bit of faith, anyone could move a mountain.”

What I like about it: As a lawyer myself, I had heard about Belva, but I’m betting a lot of kids haven’t. In 1884, women didn’t have the right to vote—but Belva realized they could RUN for President. Talk about thinking outside the box! The way others around her interpreted her gumption and goal is a fascinating read. I’m also a fan of the unspoken message that you don’t necessarily have to succeed as you intended to be a success. The chicanery of the "political machine" is eerily reminiscent of present day. The illustrations capture the historical flavor and Belva's earnestness despite what others said.

Activities: The author has a nine page activity pack on her website!

• Host an "election" and make slogans, posters- suggestions - best meal, favorite book, best singer etc.

 

2. The second recommendation with another problem-solving angle will appeal to the younger readers. This is also an "older" title, published in 2019, still in hardcover.

Title: Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Author: Andrea Beaty

Illustrator: David Roberts

Themes: Activism, Community, Problem-Solving

Intended Ages: K-2

First line: "Sofia was a baby who got things done, 

                   helping her family before she turned one."

What I like about it: Kids are little, but they do have power, and I like how this book reinforces that idea. Standing up for what we believe in can be hard. Scary! But that's the only way new voices get heard. I had to suspend disbelief a little bit in the scenes where everyone jumps on Sofia's bandwagon. If only life were so simple! But the overall message of empowerment is an important one. Bright illustrations accompany the couplets drawing the eye left to right with action. I especially like skewed orientation of the spread where Abuelo slips.

Activities:

The title from a NYT best-selling author attracts a lot of resource generation. You have to pay for some of these.

Picture Book Brain has a list of resources for Sofia. 

Teachers pay Teachers resources for Sofia.

Jodi Durgin's resources for Sofia

The author as FREE downloadables on her web page.

My suggestions? 

Ask young readers if they can think of a "community problem" (school or home) that they'd like to solve. Brainstorm possible steps! Then try one (or more)!

Ask young readers to ask the adults at home what they think a problem is in their community. Is it different than the problem the kids came up with? What do kids think about the problems adults see?

Ask young readers if Abuelo's injury was a good thing, or a bad thing.

Ask young readers to pick a favorite spread, and describe why they picked it.

Although the book is serious, there is humor. Can young readers tell you why Sofia visited the assortment of "offices" at City Hall?

3. The third book is another title for younger readers published 2023. 

            Author: Winsome Bingham

Illustrator: E. B. Lewis

Themes: Democracy, Voting, Community

Intended ages: preK-2

First Line: "My granny is taking me on THE WALK. 

'Because leaders are not born,' she says. 'They're made through molding and modeling.'"

What I like about it: The first lines are the most "telling" in the text. The rest of the story shows how a community feels the importance of adding their voice at the polls. Our country is based on the idea that each person has a voice (don't get me started on the electoral college!) and the text reinforces the weight of the simple act of showing up to vote. The text is spare and lyrical. E. B Lewis' masterful hand is evident in the illustrations and the art is breathtaking. The story focuses on girl joining her granny to walk in a Black community, but the messages of neighborliness and civic participation apply to everyone everywhere. Voting is important!

Activities: 

• The Teaching Books website includes a host of resources for The Walk including author interviews and lesson plans.
• The author's first book, Soul Food Sunday, was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book for illustrations, and a New York Times Best Book of the Year. Read both stories aloud and ask young readers to compare and contrast.
• E. B. Lewis has illustrated many picture books. Read another and compare and contrast his art style and the subject matter of the test. (The Other Side and Each Kindness are favorites of mine!)
• Share the "undie" (the cover under the dust jacket) and ask which cover the readers prefer and why.

I hope you enjoy reading up before the coming election. Every voice is important!

For more Perfect Picture Book Friday suggestions - visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog!

A review of Cook Like Your Ancestors by Mariah-Rose Marie

 

I recently read an e-galley provided by the publisher and I’m excited to get my own copy and try the recipes in Cook Like Your Ancestors (published Nov. 2023).

This vibrantly illustrated cookbook written by Mariah-Rose Marie from Silver Sprocket focuses on plant-based recipes using the laid back historical measuring system of spoonfuls, handfuls and pinches rather than tsp, tblsp, ounce etc. My science brain may take a moment to adjust to this, but the recipes from around the world look flavorful. Fingers crossed! My family tried a broccoli French bread pizza recipe (from another source) last night and it tasted healthy, but fairly bland. We’re not a bland bunch and it's nice to get another plant-based recipe in our rotation.

If you're someone who cooks a lot, the information on basic utensils and ingredients may be basic, but it's nice for those who who are newer cooks.

I am chuckling a bit at the title because my ancestors were definitely not plant-based eaters. When my husband and I made this choice, my mom was convinced it was a passing fad, and an unhealthy one at that! Perhaps Cook Like My Ancestors for the author's enlightened family.

My gripe with the approach in the cookbook is that there is no nutrition information accompanying the recipes. I know it’s hard, since people’s “handfuls” may be different, but an expected range would be helpful.  I usually look for salt content first before I try a new recipe to see if it’s in the healthy salt range, or something that would be more of a “treat.” 

I'm not familiar with the author's other work (she's prolific in print and television media) so my reaction is based solely on the provided book. FYI - the book is fairly short as cookbooks go at approx 100 pages. You can go to a bricks and mortar store and quickly browse to see if this book is for you!

Operation Sisterhood - Middle Grade novel review

 From time to time I receive advance copies of new picture books and middle grade novels to review. I appreciate the publishers' trust in me! I read them all, but sometimes I don't post a review here. Why?

Well, my mom taught me that if you can't say something nice, don't say anything. And as a writer, I know how hard it is to put your work out into the world. So everyone who publishes a book deserves kudos! But sometimes I'm not the right cheerleader. Maybe I don't connect with the character(s) but other people would. Maybe I've read similar books I liked better, and I can't get that out of my head.

Sometimes, it's something specific I just can't get past. Earlier this year I received an early chapter book I was excited about. But the opening scene contained behavior that I couldn't condone. Maybe in an upper middle grade or YA, but not for the age reader I pictured. And I read the whole book, and really liked the rest. I returned to the book a few times, but decided there are plenty of other people who might be able to recommend the book without my reservations, so I moved on.

An early middle grade novel that I will recommend  (purchased myself) is Operation Sisterhood by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (Crown Books, 2022).

Like the characters in the story, I grew up in a blended family. The fears and necessary adjustments that arise from moving into someone else's house that is now supposed to be your home were totally relatable.  Even the menagerie of animals was something I encountered too! The girls in the story are adventurous and fun to spend time with. The story takes place in Harlem, and I was a suburban/country girl so I enjoyed seeing this locale through the character's eyes. In the end I felt like I'd love to live on their block! The publisher's description is apt: a book "about the difficulties of change, the loyalty of sisters, and the love of family."

I have several great picture books that arrived while we were on vacation that I'll be reviewing soon!

Until then--happy reading, everyone!

Bird Rehearsal by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Stacy Innerst

 

A quick take on a new release!

The prolific award-winning author Jonah Winter Jonah Winter is back with a look at the birds in his Pittsburgh neighborhood. BIRD REHEARSAL is a nod to the variety of birdsongs. Some of the words used to mimic the featured bird’s song didn’t ring true for me—but I know that bird species have multiple songs and the Philadelphia flock may tweet in a different accent! Structured over the course of a day, the illustrations by Stacy Innerst are what I found most compelling. The vivid colors and chaotic composition mirrored the noisy cacophony I hear in our yard. I was a bit surprised to see the barnyard chicken included in the grouping – until I recently visited Kauai and the chickens were everywhere! I wish I hadn't seen the bred in the illustration by the duck pond that might encourage families to continue feeding inappropriate foods.

Summary: Kids will flock outside to practice their bird calls!

Bird Rehearsal, published by Cameron Kids, released May 14, 2024.

This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.

Themes: Birds, musicality

For more Perfect Picture Book Friday suggestions - visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blognull!

The Day Fin Flooded the World by Adam Stower

We lived in the UK for four years and I spent a lot of time hauling books back from the local library to read to our kids. I don't know if it's because of that, but I find I have a particular affinity for books by British and other European authors. Today is one of them.

Title: The Day Fin Flooded the World

Author/Illustrator: Adam Stower

Publisher: Andersen Press USA, 2023

Themes: Humor, Forgetfulness, Point of View

Ages: Suitable for 2+

Opening Lines:

"In a house beside the sea lived a forgetful boy called Fin. Every morning he forgot to make his bed, brush his hair, and switch off his lamp."

Why I like this book: 

I'm a big fan of absurdity and I like to laugh. Honestly, a lot of real life is absurd! Fin's expressions and dialogue--his regretful truthfulness--resonated with my experiences with the young ones in my life. The colorful illustrations bring a make-believe world to life.

Activities:

• Talk about Fin's character. What do you like about him? What do you dislike? 
• Pick one of the fish in the illustrations and write their story. Where were they going? What were they going to do?
• Try to remember a time you forgot something. Did something good or bad happen as a result?
• Compare the Bird Queen to Mo Willem's pigeon. How is it similar and different in appearance and personality?
• Read about scuba diving and compare it to Fin's experience.
• Make a Paper mobile with fish on it with Teacher Sheila!

I enjoy hearing if you enjoyed this book recommendation. My review is part of Perfect Picture Book Friday created and hosted by author Susanna Leonard Hill. The opinion in the review is wholly my own.

The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung (art by Hanna Cha)

Sometimes I don't agree with the books that are chosen as award winners. This is NOT one of those times! This School Library Journal Best Book of 2023 and Caldecott Award Honor winner has gorgeous illustrations, and it an equally gorgeous read. I'm a little late for a link to the lunar New Year celebrations that would be a great time to share this, but it's so good you'll want to bookmark it for next year!

Title: The Truth About Dragons

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, 2023

Author: Julie Leung

Illustrator: Hanna Cha

Themes/Topics: Identity, Heritage, Dragons

Suitable for age: 4+

Opening Lines:

"Lean in close, my darling bao bei, 

and I will whisper a most precious secret about a powerful magic that lives inside you."

Brief Synopsis:

A mother tells her son a bedtime story about two different types of dragons in two different forests that meet inside her son. A celebration of mixed cultural identity.

Resources:

• Talk with listeners about their racial and cultural identities. Older readers may want to write a bedtime story about something from their heritage.
• Ask listeners if their parents cheer for different sports teams - why or why not
• Have listeners describe their favorite outfit for exploring a forest. What would they take with them?
• Make a dragon craft - then make a second one! (Google 'dragon crafts for kids' for ideas)
• Read other books about dragons. How are the dragons similar and different?
• Read other books about being biracial. Mommy Evolution and Goodreads have lists with books depicting multiracial families.

What I like about this book:

This book reads like a love letter to a child's multiracial heritage--without being preachy. It's now my go-to book for this topic. It's a great story chock full of bold interesting illustrations to study. Kids can go back and spot the two grandmas and other forest creatures. I have to admit that I'm partial to the shiny green lettering on the cover too!

I'm always interested to know if you've read this book and what you think!

This review is being shared as part of Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Book Friday. For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.