Monday Reading - Books for Summer

 

        

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! After all our cooler-than-usual May and June, we had our first real summer day yesterday, 82! Welcome to summer on Wednesday! And, Happy Juneteenth today!

        From those who brought you Illegal, a graphic novel that shows two children, Yuki from far Northern Canada and Sami, from a village along the Indian Ocean. Yuki goes out to capture a photo in order to help the bears, whose habitat is melting. Sami, with his grandfather, has lost his home to rising waters. They rebuild but another storm is threatening again. They fish for a living but bring back fewer fish. It's an adventure for both kids that through harrowing scenes show both in peril, both trying so hard to do their best. The story focuses on these two, among millions, who are affected by climate change. It's an adventure like no other with an added graphic explanation of "climate change", a few pages of character sketches, and short bios of the two authors and the illustrator. It's a terrific and terrifying read. 

        Elaine Dimopoulos gives readers this wonder of a tale of a young rabbit, Butternut, and her siblings who are protected by Grandmother Sage's experiences from her own life when she made her escape from being caged. It's Butternut's strong voice that tells this heartfelt story of her own "brambles" of worry. She knows that the family's power, termed "milkweed" like butterflies eat, is their brainpower. They must follow certain rules to stay safe. But when the bully Bluejay eats one of the robin's eggs, Butternut becomes a true friend to Piper, a later baby that hatched, and they find ways to overcome fear and the old rules to both help a baby fawn who broke its leg and eventually realize that all the forest animals working together makes their world a better place to live. Butternut is one who tells stories to her family and her voice telling of this specific adventure is strong and delightful, especially with energetic Piper adding in her own opinion of how the world could (should) be. Other characters enter into the plot, too, which deepens the story of a rescue that Butternut would previously never imagined possible, including a human girl. It's a book that will be special to read aloud, to talk of connections to our own human experiences. A map and a few other illustrations by Doug Salati enhance the story!

         Thanks to Charlesbridge for this copy! 

 

           More from the happy people from Cubby Hill. It's the day of the "Great Giving Festival' and everyone brings something to share, to play, generously giving all they can. There's a Bounce House and pumpkins to paint, hairstyling (called 'Fairstyles') and face painting, for example. Cooper Cub is old enough to help hand out the last of the honey for Grammy Bea. Though Cooper is helpful to everyone, mishaps occur and he is left feeling he can't do anything right. He does find that he's not correct, and everyone in town lets him know it. He's "Super Cooper"! Cori Doerrfel again fills the illustrations with a crowd full of happy animals having a grand time "giving". Sweet story and illustrations!

       This book by Aliah L. Agostini was out last year but somehow I missed it and it's a bit more comprehensive about the meaning and story of Juneteenth than others I've read. That doesn't mean they aren't available, I just haven't read them. Agostini, with bright and happy illustrations by Sawyer Cloud, begins with the background from long ago when well-known that group of men wrote the Constitution and ends with current years, celebrating the special time when slaves in Texas, though late, heard they, at last, were free. Freedom had some to others across the nation but the slaveowners in Texas just hadn't told their slaves the news. The celebrations, first called 'jubilees', began and have become larger and more important as years have passed. There is a timeline and a note from Agostini marking her own connections to this holiday. President Biden declared it a federal holiday, finally, in 2021. 

     Juneteenth is today, Monday, June 19th! 

    

         Published in 1972 and donated to the bookstore where I volunteer, it's another wonderful story by Eric Carle, words and pictures. Walter, whose rolls are usually cherished by all, including a duke and duchess, makes a mistake and the royal couple threatens to throw him out of the kingdom unless he can create "a good-tasting roll that the rising sun can shine through three times". The shenanigans to keep his job AND home and to find a way to solve the problem are both quite challenging and funny. But he succeeds with what turns out to be a terrific surprise! Walter saves the day (or really Eric Carle does)!

  This is a fantastic book all about a young girl who loves the color blue, especially indigo blue. It's the author, Rosa Chang's, story, telling of her own discovery and the history of indigo dyeing, going back to Korean history from 57 B.C. It has its sorrows and triumphs, two 'how-to-pages, and a sharing of various species of indigo plants. It's all new information to me and I wonder how many readers will find it unique to them, too? For everyone, especially those who love the arts and discovering new ideas for creating, and for those who love the color blue!

        Rosa Sung Ji Chang is a Korean-born visual artist and storyteller based in New York City and Baltimore. 

           I enjoyed this story about a successful African-American who grew up loving the fresh food from the farm and helping her mother in the kitchen. This was the beginning of Edna becoming an accomplished chef, working in New York City restaurants and opening her own restaurants there, too. Along the way, she also created clothes that were praised and coveted. Illustrations are lovely and it's another little-known story that's wonderful to read. Melvina Noel tells just enough to make us want to know more of the life surrounding Edna while Cozbi A. Cabreera's illustrations add more beauty to the story. The end covers from front to back are both gorgeous and show Edna's life's journey, delightful! I loved learning about this woman in our history. There is added information in an author's note and a recipe for Edna's biscuits! 

          Be ready to laugh out loud, from every page, filled with the most imaginative 'animals in pants'. What Suzy Levinson, in brief, and hilarious poems, does in her book made me want to share and then find other animals that could also be dressed in such appropriate attire - ha! Want to see who wears yoga pants (during downward dog) or overalls (but they get eaten) and also that crazy attire worn in Florida (see those pedal pushers)? If you want a laugh, with illuminating collages by Kristen and Kevin Howdesshell, find this wonderful poetry book so you can "wear" a big smile! (If you want a longer look, see this review by Jama Rattigan!)

       When I read this, I wanted to read it so slowly, taking in what Diana Sudyka shares about her 'little land', really a part that is for all of us, from millions of years ago, this land has kept on. One could say it has re-invented itself, through small and large changes, sometimes water-related, sometimes ice-laden, this is our earth. She takes us with brief words and beautiful illustrations of the life we love but then asks, 'Has it turned upside down?' Is there a problem? It is a celebration of the little land that keeps giving back. Added at the back is an author's note and extra information about the creatures and the times shown plus added resources. It is a great book that can help start the conversation about our mother earth, our "little land", its history, and what is happening today.

What's Next!  Still reading Goodnight, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea, an adult novel set in WWII, starting Big Tree by Brian Selznick.