As I continue to work toward my career as a school librarian, I value the thoughts, opinions, and reviews of those who have come before me. Narrowing my picks to only a few professional librarian or journal blogs has been difficult, but I thought I would share some of my favorites with you. While my blog has a limited scope of one person’s responses to a limited list of children’s and YA books, these blogs often share so much more from the children’s library and publishing worlds. Click away, peruse their professional suggestions, and enjoy the new goodies!
A Fuse #8 Production
A Fuse #8 Production is an SLJ children’s literature blog written by Elizabeth Bird, who works for the NYPL system, served on the Newberry Award Committee, and has written for Horn Book. Her blog shares her reviews of new books, predictions of future award winners, literary events, and fun video finds. Her in-the-know writing style shares a lot of great information in quick posts and helps me stay on top of the children’s literature buzz.
Out of the Box
Horn Book has some amazing writers. It was hard to choose from Roger Sutton’s Read Roger, HB’s newest blog Calling Caldecott, or Out of the Box. However, I am drawn to almost every post in Out of the Box by the staff sharing “an exclusive look at what comes into the Horn Book offices.” The blog covers new reads, interesting finds (such as the cool app Shake & Make), and comical musings. After reading Sutton’s A Family of Readers, I grew to understand Horn Book’s impressive collective knowledge and experience, and I cherish this peek behind the HB office doors.
The Hub: Your Connection to Teen Reads
Finally, I have really enjoyed reading YALSA’s The Hub: Your Connection to Teen Reads. I have a special place in my heart for YA lit and am always reminded of the small readers services I performed as an English teacher. As ALA’s official Young Adult Library Services Association, the blog provides pertinent information and books shared by its staff. I found many exciting and interesting books reading the blog’s themed book list posts and know I will use their suggestions in future co-teaching instances.
A Blogger’s Blogs September 20, 2011
Otto’s Orange Day April 13, 2011
Otto’s Orange Day by Jay Lynch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Otto’s Orange Day by Jay Lynch and illustrated by Frank Cammuso (2008)
Beginning Reader, 40 pages
An orange tabby cat named Otto loves the color orange. He even has an orange song he wrote, singing the praises of the color. When Aunt Sally Lee sends Otto a magical orange lamp as a gift, it is no surprise that Otto asks Genie to make everything orange in his only wish. At first, Otto thinks this is the best decision he’s ever made, but shortly after he realizes his mistake. With everything orange, people cannot distinguish between traffic light signals, find criminals (all who are orange and wearing orange), and find their homes. Otto and Aunt Sally Lee must come up with a great plan to get Genie to revert Otto’s wish and turn everything back to the way it used to be. In a co-authored Toon Book, Jay Lynch and Frank Cammuso bring Otto’s adventure to life in a graphic novel for beginning readers. Jay Lynch’s use of rhyme adds a playfulness to the text and Otto’s behavior. Cammuso’s orange illustrations give a deeper connotation to color with their appeal to the senses: as a flavor, a mood, or an environment. With a format that is likely to attract reluctant readers and comic lovers alike, Otto’s Orange Day will introduce new readers to the graphic novel format while encouraging reading and comprehension. A definite must to include in a booktalk that covers multiple formats for ages 4-8.
Born to be a Butterfly
Born To Be A Butterfly by Karen Wallace
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Born to be a Butterfly by Karen Wallace (2000 or 2010)
Beginning Reader, 32 pages
The perfect book for curious little explorers, Born to be a Butterfly gives readers an in-depth look at the developmental stages of butterfly life from egg to full-fledged winged beauty. As a level one DK Reader, the book is a great beginning read for children using high frequency words. Karen Wallace also includes some vocabulary that is neatly boxed with an image and the vocabulary word, all of which are reviewed on the last page of the book. With ample white or sky blue space, the layout provides large print and clear photography, allowing the reader’s eye to focus on main points. With very detailed close-ups of caterpillars and butterflies, some children may not enjoy the not-so-cute images. However, to those favoring nature, science, and nonfiction, Born to be a Butterfly will be a delightful introduction into the butterfly world. Parents will also enjoy its sturdy cover, allowing for easy packing and the opportunity to take the text with on a butterfly walk. I would definitely booktalk the book to ages 4-8.
Here’s A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry February 14, 2011
Here’s A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry by Polly Dunbar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters and illustrated by Polly Dunbar (2007)
Poetry, 105 pages
Full of sunshine and rhyme, Here’s a Little Poem captures the whimsicality of youth and the essence of day to day life. Through a multitude of poetic voices, Yolen and Peters have created a flowing narrative on growing and learning through the eyes of a child. Dunbar aptly creates a unique and fanciful visual experience for each poem that carries itself into the tone of each section of the collection, producing a colorful mosaic of childhood moments in tongue-tickling verse. As an extensive collection of over sixty short poems, the book could work as a bedtime ritual or independent practice for a beginning reader. While the piece would be too lengthy to read aloud completely at story time, sharing a couple of favorite poems during a booktalk may spark an interest in young poets.
Are You Ready to Play Outside?
Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems (2008)
Beginning Reader, 60 pages
Gerald and Piggie have a day full of outdoor fun planned when their hopes are washed out by a rainstorm. Piggie is devastated, but inspiration comes from two small dirt dwellers that show the importance of friends and fun in any weather. The cover of Are You Ready to Play Outside? is reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss work, and with its large text, along with its simple yet effective illustrations, the book is sure to produce just as many laughs. Willems’ uncomplicated style creates a book that is great for a beginner to explore independently or to read to parents.
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer (2010)
Beginning Reader, 32 pages
Marilyn Singer turns traditional fairytales upside down in Mirror Mirror by using her reverso, two way paired poems that tell both sides of each story using the same words. A reader will need background knowledge of the original tales to appreciate and understand the juxtaposition of the poems, as in “Bears in the News” where the first poem finds a startled Goldie Locks a victim, and the other shows the innocent bear family coming home to an intruder. Kudos to Singer for working with limited language to produce both points of view for each tale and to Masse for her colorfully contrasted illustrations that change perspective to capture both poems perfectly. As a creative collection of opposing poems, Mirror Mirror is a new twist on some classics to share with beginning readers during a book talk or story time.
Bink and Gollie
Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile (2010)
Beginning Reader, 81 pages
As opposites in almost every way, friends Bink and Gollie share their comical adventures involving outrageously bright socks, imaginary mountainous journeys, and homeless fish in their tales of compromise, understanding, and “marvelous companion[ship].” Kids of all ages will laugh at Fucile’s well planned artistic composition that utilizes sparse black and white backgrounds, playful font, and brightly colored and quirky characters in action. As a small chapter book for beginning readers, Bink and Gollie will make little ones feel like big kids tackling the three vignettes with their sometimes more advanced language, yet the illustrations and textual repetitions will help contextualize any new vocabulary. DiCamillo and McGhee’s creative writing style is sure to be a success at story time at home, school, and the library!
The Neighborhood Mother Goose
The Neighborhood Mother Goose (Ala Notable Children’s Books. Younger Readers by Nina Crews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews (2003)
Beginning Reader, 63 pages
With her colorful photos and representation of children from diverse backgrounds, Nina Crews brings a fresh look to Mother Goose. Crews upholds the integrity of the Mother Goose rhymes by keeping most of the traditional language, but adds her own comical twist to each verse with her artistic interpretation through photos. Beginning readers will like the rhyming structure and will be tickled by the collaged whimsical artwork. Unlike illustrations which have been traditionally used to represent a Mother Goose rhyme exactly, Crews’ pictures can only loosely depict the rhymes’ happenings. However, with its newer style and more inclusive representation, The Neighborhood Mother Goose would be a great recommendation to kindergarteners from all backgrounds.
Tupelo Rides the Rails February 13, 2011
Tupelo Rides the Rails by Melissa Sweet
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tupelo Rides the Rails by Melissa Sweet (2008)
Picture Book, 34 pages with 3 foldout pages
Tupelo has something for dog lovers and astronomers alike. Sweet does an outstanding job weaving literary elements of allusion, alliteration and other wordplay into a dog’s tale full of stars and stinky stuff. With very detailed mixed-media illustrations and longer text on each page, it may be a difficult read for a large group at story time. Then again, there is so much to look at on every page, little eyes will be able to absorb the images as little ears listen to Tupelo’s quest to find her place in the world. 4 or 5-year-olds will love following Tupelo’s tail on this journey full of hopes and dreams.
Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready
Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (2009)
Picture Book, 32 pages
As adorable best pals, Dog and Bear share domestic adventures of friendship and folly in three comic-like vignettes. Only an adult would notice that Dog’s sock monkey is just a chew toy, and Bear, an obvious descendent of the teddy clan, is a walking talking animal full of stuffing, color, and character. Throughout the book, the pair revels in the mischief of tight situations, grand imaginations, and most importantly, friendship. Vaccaro Seeger’s writing style, text, and illustrations all work fluidly to create a unique and whimsical friendship. With its clear text and comical illustrations, Dog and Bear: Three to Get Ready would be an excellent read for story time with pre-readers or beginning readers.
akibird 