Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge #NFPB2018- May 16, 2018

The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs: The Story of Ken Nedimyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation by Kate Messner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The cover art (and the illustrations throughout) is eye-catching and will have anyone picking up the book. The story is an inspiring account of how one person saw a problem affecting something he loved and worked about to find a solution even if he wasn’t quite sure it would work.

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My Reading Week #IMWAYR- May 14, 2018

I changed the name for my “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” posts to “My Reading Week.”

This week, I posted:
–Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge Wednesday
–May’s Picture Book of the Month- Part 2

A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aaron Becker works his wordless wonder once again this time tackling loss and history in a tale that will stay with readers even after the last page.

Night Out by Daniel Miyares
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A lonely boy gets a mysterious invitation that has him going on a nocturnal adventure. Sparse text but wonderful illustrations.

Tilly and Tank by Jay Fleck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn’t find this preachy at all. A sweet story about an unexpected encounter between an elephant and a tank and a misunderstanding between the two that can make them friends or enemies.

One of a Kind by Chris Gorman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A celebration of being oneself and how finding a tribe of your own kind can lead into something special.

Today I’ll Be a Unicorn by Dana Simpson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Answers the question, “Wouldn’t it be cool to be a unicorn?” Funny, quick read like the graphic novels but in a cute board book version.

Pearl by Molly Idle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Keep an eye out on this gorgeously illustrated book about how responsibility- no matter how small- can be rewarding and lead to something beautiful.

Review Notes
***= Recommended
****= Highly Recommended
*****= Favorite

You can view all the books I’ve read at my Goodreads page.

Thanks to Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers for their focus on Children’s Literature of this meme!

If you’re on Twitter, don’t forget to use the hashtag #IMWAYR when sharing your link!

Please like The Chronicles Of A Children’s Book Writer Facebook page!

— — — — — — — THANK YOU FOR READING! — — — — — — —

 

May’s Picture Book of the Month- Part 2

As part of my Commitment to Literacy: Picture Book It challenge, I wanted to spotlight one book that I’m completely in love with. Throughout the month, I’ll do multiple posts based on the book. I hope you will end up picking up the book and joining in on the conversation.

Previous posts:
All posts pertaining to January, February, March, and April’s Picture Book of the Month picks have been archived over at Picture Book It.
–May’s Picture Book of the Month Announcement

May’s Picture Book of the Month is Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love.

This week I wanted to share Jessica Love’s interview for Matthew Winner’s The Children’s Book Podcast.

She goes into her background, how the story came about, and shares some pretty cool process information about the artwork for her book. It definitely made me take a second look at the illustrations again and was amazed by the details.

I was really impressed by Matthew’s interviewing skills as well. His passion about books and everything kidlit is evident and contagious. His reaction to Julián Is a Mermaid is how I imagine everyone else who has read it feels about it also. I know it was mine.

Discussion
Have you listened to Jessica Love’s episode? What are some of your favorite episodes from The Children’s Book Podcast? What are some other kidlit podcasts that you enjoy listening to?

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— — — — — — — THANK YOU FOR READING! — — — — — — —

 

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge #NFPB2018- May 9, 2018

Library on Wheels: Mary Lemist Titcomb and America’s First Bookmobile by Sharlee Glenn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved reading about the female librarian who persisted in starting the first bookmobile to make sure everyone had the opportunity to get books. The whole early days of libraries and librarianship had always fascinated me. Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted all the services libraries offer. With a fascinating well-researched story and photographs, this was a great read. Bibliophiles and library lovers will want this on their shelves.

I Am Gandhi: A Graphic Biography of a Hero by Brad Meltzer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was interested when I saw there was a graphic biography version of this title in the Ordinary People Change the World series. This time around, twenty-four graphic novel illustrators lend a hand in telling Gandhi’s story. I’m interested to see if the text is similar to the picture book version. Plus, I would have appreciated it more if the artist’s names were included with their illustrations rather than just included by their bio. (What was cool though was they gave their royalties to benefit Seeds of Peace, a non-profit organization.)

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My Reading Week #IMWAYR- May 7, 2018

I changed the name for my “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” posts to “My Reading Week.”

This week, I posted:
–Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge Wednesday
–May’s Picture Book of the Month– Read my review of Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love.

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes by Hena Khan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fantastic companion to Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns but this time focusing on shapes as well as a glimpse into the Muslim/Islam life. Beautifully illustrated. Includes a glossary.

The Funeral by Matt James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

At first I thought this was going to be kind of morbid but I felt this was actually a nice way to capture what a child may experience who hasn’t been to a funeral before and isn’t quite sure what it whole entails.

Square by Mac Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another surefire hit from this duo. Square is mistaken for a genius by his friend Circle. She asks him if he can make a sculpture of her- and is instantly plagued with self-doubt once he accepts. A surprisingly deep book about letting go of perfection to open up to surprising possibilities.

Anne’s Numbers by Kelly Hill
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I’m always wary when anything Anne-related is released in the world because I’m worried they’ll tarnish the character and the magic everything-ness of the books and the stories. But these board books are cute enough. I do prefer Anne’s Colors more though.

Anne’s Colors by Kelly Hill
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m always wary when anything Anne-related is released in the world because I’m worried they’ll tarnish the character and the magic everything-ness of the books and the stories. But these board books are cute enough. I do prefer Anne’s Colors more though.

Smash 2: Fearless by Chris A. Bolton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fans of the first book in this series will gobble up this long-awaited sequel about a boy who ends up absorbing his superhero idol’s powers. But after the incidents with the bad guy last time, he finds himself occasionally losing his power and is constantly afraid of getting beaten. Now there are more villains to battle- and school work to tackle. Very fun for comic book fans.

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kate DiCamillo returns with another winning middle grade novel and brings back characters from Raymie Nightingale but this time focusing on Louisiana Elefante and her grandmother.

They end up leaving Florida- and everything and everyone Louisiana has grown attached to- in the middle of the night to escape a family curse and find themselves in a small Georgia town. There, Louisiana learns that sometimes it takes losing almost everything to find where one truly belongs.

Review Notes
***= Recommended
****= Highly Recommended
*****= Favorite

You can view all the books I’ve read at my Goodreads page.

Thanks to Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers for their focus on Children’s Literature of this meme!

If you’re on Twitter, don’t forget to use the hashtag #IMWAYR when sharing your link!

Please like The Chronicles Of A Children’s Book Writer Facebook page!

— — — — — — — THANK YOU FOR READING! — — — — — — —

 

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge #NFPB2018- May 2, 2018

Books! Books! Books! Explore the Amazing Collection of the British Library by Mick Manning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Readers get a glimpse of some of the most unique books that can be found in the British Library. Bibliophiles will definitely enjoy this title!

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— — — — — — — THANK YOU FOR READING! — — — — — — —

 

May’s Picture Book of the Month Pick

As part of my Commitment to Literacy: Picture Book It challenge, I wanted to spotlight one book that I’m completely in love with. Throughout the month, I’ll do multiple posts based on the book. I hope you will end up picking up the book and joining in on the conversation.

Previous posts:
All posts pertaining to January, February, March, and April’s Picture Book of the Month picks have been archived over at Picture Book It.

May’s Picture Book of the Month is…

Julián Is a Mermaid
Text and art by Jessica Love
[Hardcover]
Published by Candlewick
April 23, 2018

Summary
In an exuberant picture book, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world.

While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.

Review
Beautiful and stunning.

A young boy becomes enchanted by a trio of mermaids on his subway ride home with his grandmother. So much so, that as soon as he’s alone, he transforms into one, infusing himself with the same kind of magic he was witness to. But what will his grandmother think- and do- when she sees him?

Simply told with minimal text and gorgeous artwork, this picture book celebrates individuality and acceptance.

Discussion
What did you think of Julián Is a Mermaid? Did you have a favorite spread?

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— — — — — — — THANK YOU FOR READING! — — — — — — —