Children's Picture Books: Biblioburro, Balloons Over Broadway, and Same, Same but Different

  I'm continuing to work on completing the list of Monarch books. The Monarch books are a great way to highlight some terrific books for K-3 readers. Today I'll be reviewing Biblioburro, Balloons Over Broadway, and Same, Same but Different.

Description: Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there's barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution--a traveling library! He buys two donkeys--Alfa and Beto--and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway villages.

Review: Biblioburro is a simple and heart warming story that truly shows how one's generosity can really change one's world. The book is inspired by a true story of a man named Luis Soriana who lives in Colombia. Like many of us, he is passionate about reading and has acquired lots of books that his home can handle. His book obsession has become a problem and eventually sparks an idea to spread his love of reading to those who are not fortunate enough to have books. He buys two burros, donkeys, hitches up some shelves with books on them and calls them the "Biblioburros" (translated as library donkeys). This book would be a great way to introduce students to the concept of helping others who are less fortunate or who may have been through circumstances that requires aide. Tropical colors ignite Winter's art, which has a pleasant folk art feel and an almost felt-like texture (the pages are rich with songbirds and smiley-faced butterflies). The book ends with a brief profile of the actual Luis.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades K-2.

If you like this book try: Waiting for the Biblioburro byMonica Brown, Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile byGloria Houston


Description: Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade.

Review: Balloons Over Broadway is a tribute to the amazing Tony Sarg, the incredible puppeteer and marionette master who created the first Macy’s larger than life parade balloons in 1928. As a little boy, Tony was fascinated with how things moved and from a very young age created smart innovations to make things like chore happen only in a few minutes instead of a whole day!  As Tony grew up, he learned how to make puppets, enamored with interactive storytelling. After he mastered his skill, people were amazed to see his marionettes. After moving to New York City, he was discovered by Macy’s, and they hired him to create stage puppet parades for their holiday windows. Later, in the 1920’s, Macy’s asked him to help with a Thanksgiving parade for their immigrant workers (and everyone else), as they missed the carnivals of their home countries. Since wild animals often scared the children who enjoyed these parades, something else needed to be done. Therefore, the first parade balloons were born. Balloons Over Broadway demonstrates how one's creativity can solve problems. 
  The artwork of this picture book is truly unique. Rich in detail, the gouache, collage, and mixed-media illustrations are a stand-out, capturing the charm of the period and the awe-inspiring balloons. I really felt as if I was present at the first parade! 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K-Grades 3.

If you like this book try: Milly and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey

Description: Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar. Same, same. But different!

Review: We seem to be so fixated on our differences that we don't seem to appreciate our similarities. Same, Same But Different is a great book to help introduce young readers to the concepts of diversity and friendship. The story centers on two pen pals, Elliot from the U.S. and Kailash from India. By exchanging letters and pictures they learn that their worlds may look different, but they are actually very similar.
The straight forward yet clever text is in a large font, in several colors, making this a good choice as a story-time read-aloud. The boys learn through questions, comments and pictures that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school where they enjoy their favorite class. Though the activities may seem outdated in our technology driven world, I think the point that the author is trying to make comes through. The colorful illustrations were made using acrylics, crayon, pencil, collage and tissue paper are eye appealing and actually come across as if the characters themselves drew the pictures. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 1-2.


If you like this book try: I'm Like You, You're like Me by Cindy Gainer, The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane DeRolf

Reading, QPR relegated from EPL after draw

Reading and Queens Park Rangers became the first teams to be relegated from the English Premier League this season after they drew 0-0 on Sunday.



Both teams needed a win to keep a slim hope alive of overtaking 17th-place Aston Villa, but neither side managed to create many clear-cut chances in a game that featured little creativity or entertainment value.



QPR is leaving the top flight after two years, having stayed up on the last day of last season.



"Next year it will be very difficult to get promoted, there are some good teams," QPR manager Harry Redknapp said.



"For us to get promoted we have to come back in preseason and get super fit. The Championship is Saturday, midweek.



"It you are not fit enough you won't survive, you won't get out of that league. The players that are here have to work so hard and want to get super fit to compete next year."



QPR have spent heavily since owner Tony Fernandes' takeover in 2011, and Redknapp is hopeful the Malaysian's investment will still be rewarded.



"I will get to see him this week and we will have some meetings and talk about things going forward, with the team with the players," Redknapp told Sky Sports TV.



"I have said many times they are good people, so I would love to see them get back in the Premier league and build a team that will stay there next time."



Reading is making an instant return to the second tier.



"I have told the players to bottle up the feeling as it is never nice to get relegated, and make sure they never feel that way again," Nigel Adkins, who was hired as Reading manager last month, told the BBC.



"We must now build for the future and learn the lessons well from this season. We have to regroup and put ourselves in a position to challenge to get back into the Premier League. For any new promoted team, it is a challenge to stay up. The Premier League is a ruthless division."



Wigan currently occupies the third spot in the relegation zone, and is two points from safety.

Earth Day Celebration Tour: Picture Book Reviews + Giveaways!

  I'm very happy to be included in the Earth Day Celebration tour hosted by Candace’s Book Blog & CBB Book Promotions! Today I'll be reviewing author Stephanie Lisa Tara's picture books. Along with the reviews, there are two great giveaways associated with this tour! Check out the giveaways at the end of this post.

Description: It s a headline we all have seen: Global warming is melting the Arctic. Once the Arctic sea ice has vanished, the majestic polar bear, a magnificent creature who needs the sea ice to survive will vanish, too. The ice is home to the bears, as well as to their primary food source, the ringed seal. Polar bears feed, mate, travel, den, and give birth on the ice. Some scientists say polar bears will be extinct within fifty years if something isn t done, and soon.

Review: In this eye popping picture book, young readers are introduced to the world of polar bears. The mother polar bear is raising cubs to threats posed by global warming. The oversize format features vivid and almost life-like watercolor Arctic scenes are best when shared with a group. Unfortunately, the pages leave an overly busy impression, partly because of the illustrator's detailed style but also because they are printed on paper that features a subtle snowflake background and border. I just wished the text was a bit more clearer and simplistic of what global warming is about. I can see many young readers be confused and ask a lot of questions of why the glaciers have melted. I think this book would work best with some previous classroom preparation, discussion, and lessons about global warming.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K-2.

If you like this book try: The Magic School Bus and the climate challenge by Joanna Cole, The Glaciers are Melting! by Donna Love


Description: On a quiet, moonlit beach, a baby green sea turtle stirs from a dream of home. Slowly, slowly, with a tap, crick, crack, the baby turtle embarks upon a mysterious nighttime journey. Gentle, tender verse and enchanting illustrations carry this tranquil tale from sand to sea.

Review: Gorgeous watercolors chronicle the journey of a baby sea turtle from its hatching to its first swim in the sea. Unfortunately, the text is not quite as good, as it tries to be to tell many stories at once. First, there's the sweet, but incorrect, idea of a baby turtle seeking a reunion with its mother, reiterated on every page. Next is the actual journey of the baby sea turtle. There are scientific facts included in the story, but they are kind of hard to glean from the spare text. I think this picture book would have been better if it was wordless since the meticulously detailed illustrations provide excellent context clues. If you are reading this for scientific facts, you will be disappointed but readers reading for the sweet mother and offspring relationship will find much to enjoy.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K-1.

If you like this book try: The little sea turtle who was afraid of the ocean by Barbara Lesser, Don't worry, be happy : a sea turtle story by Seth Ofgang, Totty by Paola Opal



Description: Gwynne, Fair & Shining is a twenty-four page children's book, written in verse, about a young girl who learns she is special and can be anything she wants to be.

Review: Although I loved the energetic pictures, I had a really hard time with this book. The world of Gwynne was unclear as characters came and went, which left the important message of a child realizing that he/she is special and can be anything he/she wants to be without much of an impact. The text could have been stronger to reinforce the pictures. Still I would recommend this book to children who like eccentric characters. There is much to like about the bold and happy Gwynne.

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K-1.

If you like this book try: Our Granny by Margaret Wild, The Adventures of Granny Clearwater & Little Critter by Kimberly Willis Holt

Description: Even when you are little, you can imagine big. At closing time a key locks the library, and unlocks the dreams of a little mouse who waits in the shadows. Skipping, sliding, down the pages of books? he steps inside magical stories, inviting readers to come along for the ride. Witty verse and fantastical illustrations celebrate the joys of reading in this tale with innovative charm.

Review: This is my favorite of the pictures that I've reviewed today. The idea of finding yourself being part of the stories you come across is extremely creative. As readers, I think we picture ourselves as the protagonists in the books that we read subconsciously. The drawings and text are whimsical. Though I would have liked a bit more of a background of how the mouse found himself in the library and what happened to him at the end. Young readers will have fun connecting the text to the fun pictures.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K-1.

If you like this book try: Bats in the Library by Brian Lies, A Story for Bear by Dennis Haseley


There are TWO fabulous giveaways for this tour!

Giveaway #1:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway #2:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reading wrap up Adkins deal

Reading have appointed Nigel Adkins as their new manager, the Englishman signing a contract until summer 2016.

style="border-radius: 25px 25px 25px 25px; border: 5px solid rgb(204, 204, 204);"width="320" />

The 48-year-old was dismissed by Southampton in January after a three-year stint at St Mary's but takes over the Berkshire hotseat ahead of Saturday's crucial Premier League match at Arsenal.

Adkins said: "I've joined Reading Football Club, (and) I want to be in the Premier League. First of all, I haven't been able to do this, can I take this opportunity to thank the people of Southampton, the people, staff, players and the supporters because we were all on a fantastic journey but we've all got to move on.

"I'm really pleased and (feel) priveleged to be Reading manager and yes we have to have a belief and a desire to take one game at a time and make sure this football club remains in the Premier League. That's why I've come.

"It's a good football club first and foremost and I was impressed when I met the owner, when I met Nick (Hammond).

"There's a stability, a future, I'm looking forward and excited about the prospect of being here."

Adkins will be assisted at the Madejski Stadium by Andy Crosby, his No 2 at Saints, and Reading owner Anton Zingarevich said: "I am delighted to bring Nigel to our club because he is perfect for us.

"He has great respect within the game, his CV speaks for itself and he has many attributes as a manager, he is progressive, he develops players, his teams play attacking, passing football but most of all he knows how to win games at all levels.

"This is an appointment we have made both with the short and long term in mind and Nigel can take our club forward.

"I know our supporters have been keen to hear news over the past two weeks and I am certain they will join me in saying it was worth the wait. I wish Nigel and Andy nothing but good luck and now we focus on eight hugely important games in the Premier League.



"Our supporters will also play a vital part in the finale to the season and I am certain Nigel will get an excellent reception from our fans at the Emirates on Saturday."

Picture Books: How to Raise Mom and Dad, Mirror Mirror, and How Rocket Learned to Read

Just a quick note: I will be on vacation when this review posts. I may not or may not have internet access during vacation, but I will play catch-up with your blogs and comments when I get back. 

 I've got a bunch of picture books that I've read in the last few months that I still need to review. Today I have an ecclectic batch of books that range from tongue-in-cheek humor to incredibly creative to just plain adorable. Today I'll be reviewing How to Raise Mom and Dad by John Lerman, Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer, and How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills.  




Description: With tongue placed firmly in cheek, this book follows an older sister as she dispenses advice to her brother on how to train their parents.


Review: I stumbled across this title looking for a humorous picture book to read. The title immediately grabbed my attention as did the description. A girl offers her younger brother some advice for dealing with Mom and Dad. All the admonitions parents tell their children are subverted and used in to train the adults. While I did find the book funny, I'm not sure if younger kids would get the humor as they are just learning how to behave but I do think older kids would definitely nod their head in agreement and understand the humor in the book. Pictures are of varying sizes and shapes and occasional word balloons extend the artwork. Overall, an enjoyable read that you might want to check out from your library.


Rating: 3 stars


Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K to 2nd grade.



If you like this book try: Would I Trade My Parents? by Laura Numeroff,  What Do Parents Do? (When You're Not Home) by Jeanie Ransom

Description: What’s brewing when two favorites—poetry and fairy tales—are turned (literally) on their heads? It’s a revolutionary recipe: an infectious new genre of poetry and a lovably modern take on classic stories. First, read the poems forward (how old-fashioned!), then reverse the lines and read again to give familiar tales, from Sleeping Beauty to that Charming Prince, a delicious new spin. Witty, irreverent, and warm, this gorgeously illustrated and utterly unique offering holds a mirror up to language and fairy tales, and renews the fun and magic of both.


Review: Mirror Mirror is incredibly innovative with marrying both poetry and well known fairy tales to create something completely new. The book contains reversos, or poems which have one meaning when read down the page and perhaps an altogether different meaning when read up the page. The reversos not only make the poems come to life, but also allows the reader to read from a different character's point of view of the same story. The 14 pairs of poems easily distinguished by different fonts and background colors allow changes only in punctuation, capitalization, and line breaks, as Singer explains in an author's note about her invented poetic form. I thought the book was challenging, stimulating, and fun. It was like playing a game with people I already know. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and give it to big thumps up.


Rating: 4.5 stars


Curriculum Connection: Great for Poetry and/or fairy tale unit. 


Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 3 and up.



If you like this book try: Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett, Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candice Fleming

Description: A little yellow bird teaches Rocket the dog how to read by first introducing him to the "wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet."


Review: How Rocket Learned to Read is such a cute book! Rocket is an endearing white dog with black spots loves chasing leaves and chewing sticks. He loves napping under his favorite tree, but his sleep is interrupted one spring day by a tiny yellow bird that designates him her first student. Rocket wants no part of her lessons, but the bird is determined to teach him to read. She ensnares Rocket by telling him a story that ends in a cliffhanger and he has to return each day to find out what happens next. Slowly, Rocket becomes the reluctant student and the tiny bird teaches him the alphabet. The two characters have a great time using the "mighty, gorgeous alphabet" to spell out all the things in Rocket's world. The bird leaves as winter approaches, but Rocket continues practicing, spelling everything in sight. And when Bird returns the following spring, a tail-wagging, eager-to-read student greets her with joy.
  The illustrations, rendered in oil and colored pencil, offer full pages, spreads, and oval vignettes. They are heart warming and depict Rocket in all his various moods. I loved the bird's enthusiasm but also related to Rocket's reluctance of interrupting his routine. I definitely think kids would relate to Rocket as they themselves are beginning readers too, plus the cast of characters are adorable and irresistible.


Rating: 4 stars


Words of Caution: None. Recommended for K to 2nd grade.



If you like this book try: How to Teach a Slug to Read by Susan Pearson, Reading to Peanut by Leda Schubert, Hooray for Reading Day! by Margery Cuyler

Author Interview: Alex Flinn on Writiing Breathing Underwater and Censorship

   I'm privileged to have Alex Flinn here on the blog today. Though she's mostly known for her sweet, romantic, and popular fairy tale retellings such as Beastly, A Kiss in Time, and Bewitching. What people might not know is that Alex's first book is the gritty, realistic fiction novel, Breathing Underwater, which was challenged but ultimately retained in the Richland School in Washington this year. I actually read about the challenge off of Alex's facebook page and asked if she'd be willing to chat about her experiences of having her book challenged and the writing process of Breathing Underwater. She graciously agreed.

  Before I get to the interview, I wanted to give you a brief bio on Alex. She was born in Glen Cove, New York. Before going to law school, she received a degree in vocal performance (opera) from the University of Miami. She practiced law for ten years before becoming a full-time author. She based her first book, Breathing Underwater, on her experiences interning with the State Attorney's Office and volunteering with battered women. Breathing Underwater won the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award in 2004.

  Thank you so much for doing this interview, Alex. How did you find out that Breathing Underwater was challenged? What were your first thoughts upon hearing the news? 

  I found out from a Google alert. I've actually been surprised Breathing Underwater hasn't been challenged more, since it has a few swear words, and I know some people think that's important. I think I've had an easy time because, since Breathing Underwater is a problem novel, maybe its value is more obvious (i.e., schools can say that it teaches about dating violence) than with another type of novel. That said, I was sorry it was being challenged because I do think it has great value and the kids might not get to read it. I was also surprised there wasn't more of an uproar about it. The same district challenged Sherman Alexie's book [Rummanah's note: The book Alex is referring to is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian which is awesome and a must read] last year, and everyone was up in arms. I don't know if my book is viewed as having less value so the censorship doesn't matter or if people are just bored, but it didn't seem like anyone really said anything in its defense.


 What does censorship mean to you as an author and as a reader? 

I think it's a shame because it keeps kids from being able to read a book they would enjoy and that might benefit them. In the case of Breathing Underwater, the challenges I have had have either been based on someone not reading the whole book (I've heard comments about not liking Nick's attitude toward women which, of course, is the whole POINT of the book, which someone would understand if they read the whole thing) or a few swear words that everyone has heard anyway. I'm a parent too, and I do pick and choose what my own kids would be exposed to, but I think it should be an individual decision. Also, it sort of amazes me that parents will let their kids see all sorts of violent PG-13 movies in grade school but will recoil at a mild swear word in a book. I guess that attests to the power people give books.

 In your opinion, what is the purpose of realistic fiction? Why is this genre so easily targeted by censors?

Realistic fiction portrays the world in a realistic way. Some readers don't care for it, but a lot of kids (including kids who don't read much at all) will read nothing but realistic fiction. I think it is easily targeted by censors because they either don't want to face that their kids are aware of certain issues or language or because they wish they weren't and want to blame a book. Also, I've seen reviews indicating that a parent was upset that a character in one of my books didn't share their values. Unfortunately, books can't all be about good kids doing wonderful things or they wouldn't have much of a story. A character needs to have flaws in order to have personal growth. For example, Kyle in Beastly is a jerk. He swears. He treats women as objects. I'm not advocating those things and I think readers know that. But that is why he needs to have a book written about him, because it is about him learning that those things are wrong. If he was a great guy, there would be no story. I think the kids get that but, again, if you skim, it's not as obvious.

  Most of the challenges arise from parents. As a parent yourself, have you previewed books for your kids? What advice would you give parents who are completely new to the YA realm? 

Frankly, I'm pickier about movies, but I do notice what my kids are reading. For the most part, my daughters haven't been all that interested in reading books above their age group (The one exception was the Twilight books, and I allowed my daughter to read the first three but not the fourth at age eleven). If I have a real question about a book, I have checked the School Library Journal reviews, which any parent can see on Amazon. Common Sense Media, though sometimes maligned by authors, is not a bad site either. I think they usually place a book as being about a year older than I would. Language, for the most part doesn't bother me, but I recommended that my daughter hold off on reading The Hunger Games until she was twelve just because it was scary. If she'd really wanted to read it, I would have let her, but I suspected she wouldn't like it. She did wait but eventually read the books.

 What is your favorite challenged/censored book you've read and why?

To Kill a Mockingbird because it's a great book.

Why did you want to write about dating violence? 

I volunteered with battered women and I thought it was an important and interesting issue.

Most of the books, at least the ones that I'm familiar with, on dating violence are told from the female point of view. What made you decide to write it from Nick's point of view? 

He was the only character that knew that side of the story. I've always liked to consider why people do what they do. When I was a young teen, I became familiar with Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd, which was the first time I'd ever seen someone give voice to a character who was doing something really bad, yet sought to see his point-of-view. I also had the bizarre experience of being in three different English classes (in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades -- I switched schools) that read The Crucible and then being in a production of the opera in college, as one of the crying out girls. This is another play that really explores the roots of evil, what makes people do what they do, if they know it is wrong or not. I researched that era a lot and found that one of the girls (in real life) portrayed in that play (Actually, the girl I played) actually did apologize to the families of the women who were hanged on her evidence. So, did she know at the time? Did she not understand what it meant to accuse people who would then be killed? Was she too young and just following her parents? Or was she just so caught up in what was happening, as Mary says in the courtroom scene, that she didn't realize what was real and what wasn't? I am very fascinated by people's motivations. In my mind, and from the research I did, Nick (abusers in general) really did not realize he'd done anything wrong and was able to justify his actions to himself. The story, of course, is about him realizing that he can't continue to do so.

What character surprised you the most while writing Breathing Underwater? 

Nick. I started writing the book in the girl's viewpoint with just a scene or two in Nick's viewpoint, but I became completely obsessed with him.

I was surprised to read Nick's clarity in his journals, which made the book that much more powerful to me. Why did you decide to use the journal motif instead of the group therapy? 

I like split narrative books like this, such as The Prince of Tides or Rob Thomas's Rats Saw God. That was what I wanted to do, two stories that dovetailed. The journals seemed like the best way to do that.

It's been 11 yrs since Nick's story was written. Where do you imagine him to be today?

I always tell teens he's going to go to college and lead a blameless life, which is why I can't write a sequel to his story.

  Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, Alex. I would like to think the quietness surrounding the book to mean that the book's purpose is quite obvious. 4 out of 5 board members agreed to leave the book on the 12th grade curriculum list and I've read teachers views on the book's importance and power. As a librarian I feel obligated to let parents know of any red flags that are found in the books that I feature on my blog just as if they had asked me about the book on my library shelves, which is how I came up with the "Words of Caution" part on my blog. I want to give the parent enough information so they can make the ultimate decision. Only a parent and child can know what is right for them.