No excuses for the radio silence, just a fact. Life intervenes. Between my day job (which, as a teacher, means day-night-weekend…) and family stuff (Sandwich generation! Yeehaw!), I haven’t been able to get my typical book reviews done and boy have I missed it! But I’m back! While waiting for the dog to get groomed today, I took time for myself and read some of the scads of amazing new books that have been coming out — there are SO MANY!). I loved every one and so will you! Let’s go!
This month, I am entering a kidlit writing contest called “Fall Writing Frenzy” (Hence the blog post title)! As part of the contest, I am sharing my entry here on my blog. Writers are asked to take inspiration from one of 14 fall-themed images. Entries must be less than 200 words, can be any form (board book, picture book text, poem, short story, etc.) as long as they are appropriate for a young audience. If you’d like to read more about the contest and see the other images or read other entries, please check out the blog post from hosts Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Sanchez!
“Fall” Photo credit by John Mccann for Unsplash
Awaiting the Procession Entry for “Fall Writing Frenzy” 2022
When I was a tree, I stood so tall– Straight at attention, standing guard Along the path where you would tread. My sisters and I proudly threw our leaves to line your path, Their colors a kaleidoscope of welcome. Even the stones, who shrug the seasons with indifference year after year, Appeared to glisten with expectancy. The moss and lichens glowed along our flanks Like shimmer on a princess’ cheek. My limbs not quite as limber as in seasons past, But still I waved them, ready to salute. Would you pass by today, dear mother, to inspect your work? Would we be blessed to catch a glimpse of you in your autumnal dress? Your name is in the whispers of the wind, Who rumors in hushed tones: it’s Time. She comes. -Melanie M. Kyer , October 2022
Did everyone else’s summer go by as quickly as mine? I thoroughly enjoyed spending time reading on our new screened porch, researching potential agents, binging TV shows. We spent a great week traveling as a family, visiting friends and relatives on the Eastern Seaboard. Unfortunately, I just didn’t get to blogging, but with school starting this week, it’s time to have fun and play with some great picture books before I dive back into teaching.
The new boookstore, “Booktenders,” on Route 1 in York, Maine, is a tiny gem — I’m thrilled to call it my home store!
My apologies for letting the ball drop on my April book reviews, but I’m back and so excited to share five new picture book reviews for May. I’m even more excited to share a wonderful new bookstore with you that JUST opened this weekend! Booktenders is owned by Rick and Michelle Clarke, and it’s going to make my book shopping a LOT easier! Although I’ll admit I’m guilty of abusing my Amazon Prime subscription, or stopping in at my local Barnes & Noble for a latte and a bestseller, I would much rather support an independent bookseller, where my money will not only go back into the local community, but where the owners know me and can give me recommendations — and vice versa! The owners let me know that they could definitely use a little help keeping up with the current picture book scene since their kids have mostly outgrown picture books (In my opinion, there’s no such thing as outgrowing picture books, but you know teenagers…). I’m happy to oblige, but for this month, let’s take a look at five current picture books these folks already have on the shelves!
Five fabulous food-based picture books: “Milk and Juice,” “Smart Cookie,” “Tea Time,” “The Rice in the Pot Goes Round and Round,” and “Lunch Every Day.”
Did you know that today is “Very Hungry Caterpillar Day”? I didn’t! I’m a huge fan of Eric Carle– his completely unique and bright art style, his simple but brilliant stories..and of course the fact that he was born in Germany makes him perfect for me, a German teacher. I read my German students “Die kleine Raupe nimmersatt” every year during our “Storytelling” unit. They analyze whether or not it has the elements of a fairy tale. (It does have some– including exaggeration and transformation, but it lacks the magic and moral-teachings that would put it into fairy tale world). In honor of Eric Carle and this wonderful story, I am reviewing picture books this month that somehow have food in their theme. Enjoy and…guten Appetit!
Maine has a week long vacation in February, so I’m up in Canada visiting my husband’s relatives and exploring one of our favorite cities, Toronto. We stopped in at a bookstore yesterday so I could do some exploring and read some of the newest picture books — including these five fabulous Canadian finds!
I’m getting in just under the wire with my reviews this month. I had every intent of writing them while we were in Canada on vacation last week, but exploring the local bookstores had to fall by the wayside for time with relatives we have not seen since well before Covid. So, I made a trip to the nearby Barnes & Noble yesterday and found a big picture book sale– 50% off many titles, even new ones! Don’t let that fool you that they are cast off titles, however! These are all amazing books you should definitely check out! My “theme” once again didn’t surface until I was writing the reviews, and it still doesn’t fit for one of the books (which one of these is not like the others?), but the rest fall into place fairly well even though I had no idea what that theme would be when I grabbed the books. I’m convinced fate is at work when I gather them up each month…
July has been a busy month. School may be out, but even though I have been “on vacation,” my days have been filled. We have been building an addition on our house and it’s finally progressed far enough to move furniture (And books! So many books!) which also involves lots of sorting and de-cluttering. Combine that with some family issues, houseguests and plans for a week-long teacher workshop next week and I’ve had my hands full. Fortunately, I was finally able to get another bookstore visit in and explore some more wonderful new picture book releases– many of which are by authors I already know and love. I rarely go into this with a theme in mind, but yet again they seem to have coalesced into some commonalities. Each of them is about being in a new place and all the nervousness/change that can bring. Enjoy!
It’s pretty amazing how my book review excursions work out sometimes. I was a little limited by time tonight, because my dog was at the groomer, so I wandered around picking out random books to read, putting a few back that weren’t quite right (I won’t post a review unless I can be completely honest about loving the book) and settled on these five lovelies. I did not start off with any kind of theme like I sometimes do. I just chose books that were new releases (all in 2021!) and that happened to catch my eye. And yet, in the end, they all seemed to coalesce around a theme: be who you are.
We love this scultpure in the main entrance of the library!
Miss Kathleen and her farewell wall of favorite books!
My son Max located MY book on the shelves!
Ever since moving back to Maine in 2011, I have been bringing my kids to our wonderful local public library. Today was the first time in over a year we had been able to visit and was bittersweet, because it was also a farewell for the beloved and long-serving children’s librarian, Miss Kathleen, who retires this week. She has not only been a great resource for book recommendations over the years, but also a cheerleader for my writing career. The first thing she said when I walked into the Children’s Room this morning, despite being surrounded by well-wishers for her retirement, was “And there is our author!” As part of her goodbye, the library asked her to compile a wall of her favorites– you can see them in the photo above, although there are lots of gaps because they have been checked out by her fans! So, in honor of Miss Kathleen and her years of dedication to young readers, my book reviews today come from “her” shelves. They are not all completely recent (my blog readers know I try to keep the reviews within the last couple years), but they are all winners!
Title: I walk with Vanessa Author/Illustrator: Karascoët Publisher/Date: Schwartz & Wade (April 24, 2018) The “gist”: A new girl in class is shunned and bullied, but one girl steps up and befriends her, then everything changes. My favorite part: Since this was a library book, it just happened to have a post-it inside which said “Fiona- try to imagine what the characters are feeling!” I have no idea who put it there, but it made me smile! My response as a reader: This is a wordless book, so I love being able to just dive into each picture as the story is told. My “take-away” as a writer: In a wordless book like this, I sometimes get frustrated that my “job” as a writer isn’t even necessary. But every book is different and you have to find the right way to tell each story– sometimes with a lot of pictures, sometimes with barely any.
Title: The Other Side Author: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrator: E.B. Lewis Publisher/Date: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (January 15, 2001) The “gist”: A sturdy fence segregates the black and white parts of town, but the children manage to strike up a friendship across it anyway. My favorite part: The final line of the book has a great message about tearing down fences! My response as a reader: This book was released in 2001 and feels like it is set in the 1960s, and yet it is still completely relatable today– it hits you and stays with you! My “take-away” as a writer: Wow, does this story have “voice”! The little girl is characterized perfectly in lines like “She never sat on that fence with anybody, that girl didn’t.” The whole poignant story is just steeped in her youth and perspective– something writers need to feel when they create their characters.
Title: Imagine Author: Juan Filipe Herrera Illustrator: Lauren Castillo Publisher/Date: Candlewick; Illustrated edition (September 25, 2018) The “gist”: If the author can experience joy and accomplishment in small things like tadpoles and big things like learning English, what more can we do? My favorite part: The book (or really, poem) starts slowly, with simple pleasures through the perspective of a child until you realize it is an autobiographical journey through the author’s immigrant story until he becomes poet laureate of the US. That took the book from sweet and sappy to truly inspiring. My response as a reader: The illustrations are wonderfully classic and pair beautifully with the poem text. It is both a picture into another world and an invitation to dream. My “take-away” as a writer: I have always loved writing and bounce back and forth from poetry to children’s books (and some other genres, too), so it’s great to see a work that bridges two worlds by creating an inspiring picture book from such lovely lyrics.
Title: Twenty-one Steps Author: Jeff Gottesfeld Illustrator: Matt Tavares Publisher/Date: Candlewick; Illustrated edition (February 12, 2021) The “gist”: Quiet and reflective (but not boring!) this non fiction picture book describes both the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the traditions surrounding the guards who watch over it. My favorite part: I never knew that the tomb was originally set up without much adornment or a guard and people had just picnicked around it until they set up the amphitheater and instituted the 24 hr. guard. My response as a reader: I enjoy non-fiction, but didn’t expect to be as captivated and moved by this story as I was — would be a wonderful reading for Memorial Day or Veterans Day. My “take-away” as a writer: Mad Props to all those who write non-fiction, a genre I have never really attempted (except for the backmatter in many of my manuscripts). The advantage? You often have a few more words to play with, as they tend to be a bit longer than fiction picture books. The disadvantage? Those words STILL have to count, because non-fiction has a reputation for being, well, dry. Not so in this example, however!
Title: Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship Authors: Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes Illustrator: Scott Magoon Publisher/Date: Candlewick; Illustrated edition (April 3, 2018) The “gist”: Rescue is trained to be a service dog, unsure if he will be able to help when needed, but after Jessica’s leg amputations, he proves to be just the right fit. My favorite part: I love how the story is told through both Rescue and Jessica’s perspectives: Rescue is worried he won’t be able to help his person, and Jessica is worried she won’t be able to do things on her own. My response as a reader: Who doesn’t love a good story about a dog, particularly a service dog? My own dog is amazing, but not nearly as well trained as Rescue– it’s wonderful to read about their partnership, particularly knowing it is based on a true story. My “take-away” as a writer: What is that I say almost every month? Oh yeah, say it with me: Tell YOUR story! I bet Jessica had no idea she would become a picture book author. Sure, I write lots of stories that are not strictly autobiographical (like one of my latest about a pegasus with a fear of heights), but there is always something in there that is MINE, otherwise the story will not feel authentic. At the same time, realize that just because it happened to you, does not mean it is the perfect picture book story– Jessica Kensky changed her main character to a young girl to make it more relatable to a young audience. I think that was a brilliant shift.
Schreibenfreude 