In The Palm of My Hand written by Jennifer Raudenbush, illustrated by Isabella Conti

 Today I'm pleased to share a beautiful book by a fellow Pennsylvania writer!

Title: In The Palm of My Hand

Publisher: Running Press, 2023

Author: Jennifer Raudenbush

Illustrator: Isabella Conti    

Opening Line: "In the palm of my hand, I hold an acorn, small and round."

What I like about this book: Keeping with the theme of this book, its simple text contains big emotions. Kids can recognize the possibilities in nature, and in themselves. It is a short "quiet" read suitable for bedtime or for generating conversation.

The Editorial staff description of this book is apt. "By exploring nature’s tiniest details, they (a child)  learn even small things, including them, contain infinite potential."

Activities:

•  Take a walk in nature and look for some of the "characters" in the book
• Ask a child what they want to be as they grow up. How do they think they will change? Will they grow tall like a tree? Metamorphoses like a caterpillar?
• Have a child collect their favorite items that fit in the palm of their hand and tell you why they they chose them.

Counting to Bananas by Carrie Tillotson and Estrela Lourenco

 

Need a picture book that will have you grinning ear to ear? Did you enjoy Z is for Moose written by by Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky?

Then you want to read Counting to Bananas written by Carrie Tillotson and illustrated by Estrela Lourenco (Flamingo Books, 2022)! Stuffed with fruit and rhyme, this book’s twist ending (no spoiler!) reminds us all why it isn’t always the best idea to be the center of attention.

Two thumbs up for this fun read aloud and counting book.

A DAY FOR REMEMBERIN'

 My family observes Memorial Day each year by hanging our flag. My heart is full thinking of the people who risk their lives to ensure the safety of our nation and its people. But--

I never thought about the origin of Memorial Day. My picture book book recommendation is for all of you who are like me. I missed a ton of books published during the pandemic when I was lying low.

A DAY FOR REMEMBERIN'

Author: Leah Henderson

Illustrator: Floyd Cooper

Publisher: Abrams books for Young Readers, 2021

The book opens with a  spread that includes a quote from Frederick Douglass, from his 1871 Decoration Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery and two paragraphs of historical context about the Civil War and Memorial Day. 

The story that drew me in begins on the next page.

"Nine days in a row.

Papa up early and gone again.

I still can't go with him, though. He said, "Eli, school's where you need to be--reading and counting." But I am counting. Right here. Day nine."

This work of historical fiction, imagining what it might have been like to experience the first Memorial Day, took my breath away. The inhumanity and humanity of man displayed in equal measures and unflinching honesty. I was spurred to learn about the historical place referenced, and what I learned stunned me again. I hope everyone enjoys learning this history as much as I did.

Activities:

• Brainstorm how you might remember those who lost their lives in service of our country. Some cemeteries use volunteers to place flags on veterans graves.
• Brainstorm how you might help those currently in service of our country. Have an adult check for legitimate organizations on websites like Military Pen Pals
• Research how other countries honor their veterans (we lived in the UK and were touched by the importance of Veterans Day there)
• Research the origin story for another holiday
• Read other patriotic picture books (Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus (Author), Kadir Nelson (Illustrator) and The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans by Barbara E Walsh, Layne Johnson (illus) are two to start you off.) Do you have a favorite?

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.

Updated News for Lola Shapes the Sky

 Every now and then I stumble on news I SHOULD have seen. 

Thanks to Ishta Mercurio for sharing  and writing a delightful review of Paolo Domeniconi's beautiful cover of my debut  picture book --two years ago!! 

And thanks to the publisher for negotiating international rights with China! 

Deadly Quiet City by Murong Xuecun - Review

I found the stories in this book (each chapter tells a different person's story) compelling and thought-provoking. Without access to the people involved or videotapes on the ground, it's never possible to know how much of a nonfiction book is really nonfiction, but this feels authentic and is backed up with information from the editor in a note at the end of the book. I had to pause at points to regain emotional footing to continue reading.

 The author, Murong Xuecun (pen name of Hao Qun) fled into exile from China after completing the book. 

The chaos, struggles and frame of mind of the people in China during the pandemic is an emotional journey that everyone should read. Our governments and citizens have very different points of view--or sometimes similar points of view but extremely different outcomes. Everyone should read this.

I received an advance copy with no requirement for a review. The review contains my personal opinion.

#bookreview #bookrecommendation #authorlife

The Portfolio Life: Future Proof your Career and Craft a Life Worthy of You

February Book Review:

I was fortunate to read an advance copy of The Portfolio Life: Future-Proof your Career and Craft a Life Worthy of You by serial entrepreneur and Harvard lecturer Christina Wallace (Grand Central Publishing, Hachette) that releases April 18, 2023. 

The book encompasses common sense encouragement to shed the fear of self-promotion as well as broadening our circles of influence and looking more critically at our hobbies and talents for sources of employment. I share the author's view about what would/should be optimum work-life balance and the joy that arises from pursuing passions with time for rest and relationships. As someone who has transitioned between different careers, the author's view of modern careers as non-linear paths felt authentic. At different points, it struck me that not everyone will have the "safety nets" or networks in place to implement the author's glass-always-half-full suggestions in order to utilize elements of flexibility into their jobs and job searches. Those elements don't arise organically in difficult situations and the advice in this book could be frustrating to some who are already stretched to their max in terms of time and efforts. The author notes this in passing, but I wonder if the struggles are more prevalent than she acknowledges.

I recognized some of the suggestions about tangible, actionable goals from other books, but the reminder is always good and being a visual person I appreciated the use of Venn diagrams and examples in charts, and wish more of that had been incorporated. I found it to be an uplifting and aspirational if not always realistic read.