Review of Every Child a Song, by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Marc Martin

Contemporary, Picture Book Review 0

Every Child a Song

A Celebration of Children’s Rights

by Nicola Davies
illustrated by Marc Martin

Crocodile Books (Interlink), 2020. 36 pages.
Review written December 29, 2021, from a library book

This beautiful picture book honors the thirtieth anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it does that by celebrating the beauty of each child who is born.

In pulling out clips, I find myself wanting to quote the whole book. Here are the first two spreads:

When you were born, a song began.

Sometimes it didn’t sound much like a song.
Sometimes no one could hear it.

But it was there in every heartbeat,
every breath; tiny, fragile, and unique.

A melody the world had never heard before.

The book goes on to talk about the love and safety the song needs to grow and about how as you learned and grew, your song soared.

All around you, everywhere,
other songs are singing.

Some are loud,
and some are quiet,

some sing a single note
and some a symphony.

And then we have some pages about what each song should be protected from.

Even among storm and change and danger,
every song must be heard above the noise
and chaos of the world.

And the book ends by celebrating each child’s song.

For together, we raise our voices
for the right of every song to sing out loud, bold and unafraid.

This is a simple picture book with lilting language. The pictures mainly use soaring birds as a metaphor for the songs. There are some hints of danger in the pages about what children should be protected from, enough that an adult reading the book could skip over it or simply explain a little more. There are notes about the UNCRC at the front and the back.

nicola-davies.com
interlinkbooks.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Little Witch Hazel, by Phoebe Wahl

Fantasy, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Little Witch Hazel

A Year in the Forest

by Phoebe Wahl

Tundra Books, 2021. 92 pages.
Review written December 4, 2021, from a library book
Starred Review

Little Witch Hazel is a lavishly illustrated picture book for young elementary school readers, telling four stories about a tiny witch who lives in the forest along with fairies and gnomes and animal friends.

There’s a story for each season. In Spring, Hazel finds an orphaned egg and cares for what hatches. In Summer, Hazel has a lot of things she needs to do and all her friends are enjoying the wonderful weather, being lazy. In Autumn, Hazel helps the small animals of the forest investigate the frightening sound coming from a hollow stump. And in Winter, Hazel is tending to animal friends and doesn’t notice that a blizzard is coming. There ends up being a nice connection at the end that ties back to the beginning.

That simple description doesn’t communicate how charming this book is. Hazel is not a sweet or delicate little fairy. She’s a little chubby and matter-of-fact, wearing practical clothes instead of gauzy dresses. She gets grumpy when all her friends are taking the day off. But she’s also friendly and helpful and kind.

Here’s the start of the Summer story, “The Lazy Day”:

It was the most beautiful day of the summer, and Little Witch Hazel was busy. She had a million things to do, and it didn’t help that everyone else in the forest seemed to be out enjoying the day.

“Some of us have errands to run!” she muttered as she went to return her library books.

And here’s the beginning of “The Haunted Stump”:

Little Witch Hazel was working in her garden when she first heard the noise.

It was the kind of noise that sent prickles through your whiskers and chilled you right down to your boots.

Towering toadstools! thought Little Witch Hazel, a shiver running down her spine. Whatever could that be?

Little Witch Hazel is someone I would love to have for a friend.

phoebewahl.com

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Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates, by Cheryl B. Klein, illustrated by Abhi Alwar

Animal Characters, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates

by Cheryl B. Klein
illustrated by Abhi Alwar

Dial Books for Young Readers, 2021. 36 pages.
Review written December 11, 2021, from a library book
Starred Review

Here’s a funny picture book that teaches great things about conflict resolution and seeing another perspective.

We begin with a picture of two hamsters, one running in a wheel. The dark brown hamster introduces himself:

I’m Henry.

That’s Marvin.

We’re roommates. We’ve been roommates for two hundred and five days.

Henry is not happy about being Marvin’s roommate. Marvin talks all the time, and always wants attention. When Henry tries to hide in the bedding, Marvin finds him.

Henry’s perspective:

He’s ALWAYS TALKING,
while I’m NICE.

I don’t bother HIM.

Why won’t he do the same for ME?

Hamsters make TERRIBLE roommates.

On the two hundred and sixth day, Henry has had enough. He blows his top. He pours out his anger and tells Marvin to leave him alone.

Henry thinks it’s wonderful. Then Marvin very sadly apologizes:

I’m sorry.
I wish I knew you wanted quiet.
I talked to you because I like talking and I wanted you to talk to me.

Henry has a lot to think about. He realizes that different hamsters like different things. The two roommates are able to work out when it’s good to talk and when they should have quiet.

And they actually have fun together! I like when Henry tells Marvin he really is fast on that wheel.

It’s a child-size story on an important topic, infused with lots of humor. It’s a good story, but it will also give kids plenty to discuss.

cherylklein.com
abhialwar.com
penguin.com/kids

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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*Note* To try to catch up on posting reviews, I’m posting the oldest reviews I’ve written on my blog without making a page on my main website. They’re still good books.

Review of Change Sings, by Amanda Gorman

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Poetry, Starred Review 0

Change Sings

A Children’s Anthem

by Amanda Gorman
pictures by Loren Long

Viking, 2021. 32 pages.
Review written November 16, 2021, from a library book
Starred Review

I’m not usually a fan of picture books that simply try to present an uplifting idea, but this book is something special, and I can’t resist Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman’s words.

We begin with a girl who looks like a young Amanda Gorman sitting and strumming a guitar.

I can hear change humming
In its loudest, proudest song.

I don’t fear change coming,
And so I sing along.

The pictures show the girl enlisting other kids to help make a difference — both playing instruments and cleaning up city streets and playgrounds.

They end up with a diverse cast doing good things and forming a joyful parade.

And I can’t really do it justice in a description. Check out this book and see if you aren’t uplifted, empowered, and filled with hope.

It’s about coming together, doing good, and making music together where everyone is welcome.

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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*Note* To try to catch up on posting reviews, I’m posting the oldest reviews I’ve written on my blog without making a page on my main website. They’re still good books.

Review of This Story Is Not About a Kitten, by Randall de Sève, illustrated by Carson Ellis

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

This Story Is Not About a Kitten

written by Randall de Sève
illustrated by Carson Ellis

Random House Studio, 2022. 36 pages.
Review written January 25, 2023, from a library book
Starred Review
A 2022 Capitol Choices selection

Here’s a heart-warming picture book about a community coming together to rescue a little kitten that’s lost and alone.

Oops! I told you what it’s about. The picture book itself does that with more artistic flair, in a cumulative refrain that tells us what the story is not about. Here’s an example, several pages in:

This story is not about the twins
who brought a box,
or the woman who held the dog
for the dog’s people who listened,
or the dog who stopped when it
heard the kitten,
hungry and dirty,
scared and alone,
meowing sadly,
needing a home.

As more and more people get involved, we see an entire neighborhood interacting to help. And when they figure out who can take the little lost kitten, they all come together with refreshments. And you see new friendships formed because they all worked together to help.

A beautifully simple book with a lyrical refrain, all about the connections built when people work together.

randalldeseve.com
carsonellis.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of The Fox and the Forest Fire, by Danny Popovici

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

The Fox and the Forest Fire

by Danny Popovici

Chronicle Books, 2021. 40 pages.
Review written October 2, 2021, from a book sent to me by the publisher
Starred Review

This is a quiet book about a kid who moves to a house deep in the forest with his mother. He’s not happy about it at first, but he learns to love the forest.

Then a fire comes through, and they have to evacuate. When they come back:

Our house is gone,
but we are safe.

While things don’t look like they did before,
the forest knows what to do after a fire.

Most of this story is told in the detailed and beautiful illustrations. First, we see the boy learning to enjoy the forest and feeling at home there. Then the people and animals fleeing the fire, first spotted off in the distance. And finally, the forest coming back to life after the fire.

And how does the fox come into it? On almost every spread set in the forest, you’ll find a bright fox. Usually the fox watches the boy and even enjoys the same pool of water with the boy. After the fire, we know the forest is going to be all right when we see the fox.

A note at the back explains how forests are often strengthened by fire, but how we need to protect them from human-set fires and climate change.

This is a lovely and quiet story about the joy and wonder of a forest.

chroniclekids.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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*Note* To try to catch up on posting reviews, I’m posting the oldest reviews I’ve written on my blog without making a page on my main website. They’re still good books.

Review of The Bread Pet, by Kate DePalma, illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

The Bread Pet

A Sourdough Story

by Kate DePalma
illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff

Barefoot Books, 2020. 36 pages.
Review written October 2, 2021, from my own copy, purchased via amazon.com
Starred Review

Here’s a fun story about a girl who’s given sourdough starter and told to feed it. They explain that the “bread pet” is alive and gets hungry twice a day. The friend forgot to tell her she could slow down the growth by putting it in the refrigerator.

So the bread pet grows and grows. She has to measure carefully to give it the right amount of flour and water. But soon there are more bread pets all over the kitchen. Time to bake some bread.

When even that doesn’t reduce the bread pet enough, the family thinks of a clever way to let the community center help spread the love.

The interracial family featured in this book has two moms and the illustrations are fun and whimsical with smiling bread pets taking over the kitchen. There’s a recipe for sourdough starter and sourdough bread at the back. There’s lots of math behind the scenes in this story and a graphic illustration of how doubling can quickly get out of hand.

barefootbooks.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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*Note* To try to catch up on posting reviews, I’m posting the oldest reviews I’ve written on my blog without making a page on my main website. They’re still good books.

Review of Paradise Sands, by Levi Pinfold

Fantasy, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Paradise Sands

A Story of Enchantment

by Levi Pinfold

Candlewick Studio, 2022. 40 pages.
Review written January 31, 2023, from a library book
Starred Review

This picture book beautifully continues in the tradition of Chris Van Allsburg, eerie and beautiful and full of magic. It’s not a book for preschoolers, but elementary school students will love the creepy innuendos.

A girl and her three brothers drive off into a desert, singing a nonsense rhyme their mother used to sing for them. Or is it nonsense? The girl notices that they’re doing the things mentioned in the song.

When they find a grand palace, she doesn’t “sip from the chalice” like her brothers do.

And it ends up being up to her to save her brothers.

The art in this book is magnificent and eerie and is perfect for this unsettling adventure.

candlewickstudio.com

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Review of The Only Woman in the Photo, by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Alexandra Bye

Biography, Children's Nonfiction Review, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

The Only Woman in the Photo

Frances Perkins & Her New Deal for America

by Kathleen Krull
illustrated by Alexandra Bye

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2020. 44 pages.
Starred Review
Review written February 3, 2020, from a library book

Did you know that a woman named Frances Perkins was instrumental in designing the New Deal? I didn’t. She was also the first female cabinet member, and it was twenty more years before there was another. This picture book biography tells her story and how she was in the right place at the right time to make a big impact on people’s lives.

The author tells us that young Frances was too shy to speak when she was a child, even to ask for a library book. But she was encouraged by her grandmother, and when she saw injustices around her, she joined the new field of social work and spoke up to help people.

She spoke up for people in poverty and for worker safety. She witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire where 146 people died. That made her all the more determined to be a voice for women being exploited.

Frances first worked in New York State, helping pass laws there to make workplaces safer. And that was where Franklin D. Roosevelt, the governor, appointed Frances the state’s industrial commissioner shortly before the stock market crash and the start of the Great Depression.

So when FDR was elected president, he asked Frances to be his secretary of labor. I like the double-page spread about her decision:

So Frances decided she’d accept the job – if FDR allowed her to do it her way. She had been thinking up ideas for years. Now she wrote all her requests on slips of paper, a to-do list for helping the most vulnerable.

At their meeting, she held them up, and she watched the president’s eyes to make sure he understood what she was planning. The scope of her list was breathtaking. It was nothing less than a restructuring of American society.

Their talk lasted one hour – until he finally said, “I’ll back you.”

The next spread shows Frances cleaning out the desk in her new office in the Department of Labor – the drawers were crawling with cockroaches!

The book goes on to explain – in picture book terms that are easy to understand – how hard Frances worked to help American workers. Her dream come true happened in 1935 when FDR signed the Social Security Act into law.

One interesting thing about the book that I find rather refreshing: It doesn’t talk about her marriage at all, except the note at the back where we learn that she was the sole support of her husband and daughter, both of whom had significant health problems. Since books about great men don’t always mention their families, there’s something I like about this picture book glossing over that. Though I did assume she was single and that’s how she accomplished so much, so part of me which that had gotten some attention in the main part of the book. But it’s a picture book biography of a woman who was far ahead of her time, and it does succeed in presenting the significant details of her life and making the reader want to know more.

KathleenKrull.com
AlexandraBye.com

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Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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*Note* To try to catch up on posting reviews, I’m posting the oldest reviews I’ve written on my blog without making a page on my main website. They’re still good books.

Review of You’re SO Amazing! by James & Lucy Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

You’re SO Amazing!

Being Singled Out Doesn’t Always Feel Amazing.

by James & Lucy Catchpole
illustrated by Karen George

Little, Brown and Company, 2024. Originally published in 2023 in the United Kingdom. 36 pages.
Review written April 19, 2024, from a library book.
Starred Review

Yes, it’s a message book. But like the message delivered in the author’s earlier book, What Happened to You?, this message comes wrapped in an engaging story about a sweet kid who just wants to play pirates.

In What Happened to You?, Joe made friends with the other kids on the playground. We can see from the pictures that Joe has only one leg. That doesn’t have anything to do with his enjoyment of playing on the playground.

But while Joe is playing pirates with his friend Simone, we can see that some grown-ups and bigger kids are watching him. After a kid calls him “Amazing!” Joe reflects that he knows he’s amazing because people keep calling him that. When he slides on the slide or swings on the monkey bars…

Joe was even amazing when he was doing ordinary things,
like waiting in line for ice cream . . .
or eating ice cream . . .
or just scratching his bottom.

“People need to relax,” said Simone.
“I know!” said Joe.

Next, Joe tries to be invisible, so people can see how amazing his friends’ running and jumping can be. Instead, a grown-up finds him hiding while they are running and jumping, feels sorry for him, and encourages him to try it, too.

But the book winds up with the big brother of one of his friends helping Joe practice shooting a soccer ball at the goal. And most of Joe’s shots aren’t great, but some are amazing.

And the book winds up by reflecting that he likes playing with his friends who know him.

With them, Joe wasn’t Amazing Joe,
and he wasn’t Poor Joe.

He was just Joe.

There’s a note at the back for adults, accompanied by a picture of the authors with their happy family. You can see in the photo that they’re disabled. So I hope it’s okay to say I love this amazing book. It effectively and simply shows a kid what it feels like to be singled out over and over again. Nicely done!

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Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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