THE SEA SERPENT AND ME (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
THE SEA SERPENT AND ME by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Catia Chien (Houghton Mifflin)
Every now and then there comes a book so delightful, so lyrical, that we are reminded why children's books are art and not just product. This is one of those books. When a little girl takes a bath, a friendly little sea serpent emerges from a drop of water from the faucet. He tells her exciting and beautiful stories of the deep blue sea, "where manta rays swim like dancing blankets and there are crabs with antlers and fish shaped like guitars." She promises to return him to the sea when it stops raining, but meanwhile, he is growing at a rate a la Helen Palmer's A FISH OUT OF WATER. Still, the girl frets over the day she will have to release him, but when they reach the shore, it is the sea serpent who is reticent. Can she find the words encouraging enough to help him become brave enough to enjoy his own freedom?

Oh my goodness, this book is a bit of a miracle, awash in lovely watercolor scenes with the jubilance of Jean Jacques Sempé but with broader strokes and the abandon that more closely mirrors the imaginative world of children. Every single page is different and interesting, bravely traversing double-page spreads of the deepest fathoms and intimate frames that make both the girl (wearing a ducky buoy as she leans over a fish tank) and the serpent the reader's friends. Though the serpent is a monster of sorts, he is always wide-eyed, smiling and never fearsome. Best of all, the visual beauty of this book is matched by its subtle and meaningful content about growing pains, packing an emotional punch along the lines of Munsch's LOVE YOU FOREVER but without the ambiguous adult skeeviness. This would be a brilliant book to share with a child starting school or any other great adventure, and will fortify the adult reader as well to be brave as the ones we love embark on something new. Darling, deep and dear, this is the sort of book that children will remember for years, with images that wend their way into the landscape of dreams. (4 and up)

Also of interest:
While we have our wet suits on, how about another underwater book that's bound to make a splash:
MANFISH: A STORY OF JACQUES COUSTEAU by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Éric Puybaret (Chronicle) As a boy, Jacques Cousteau fantasized what it would be like to breathe beneath water. Later in life, all things converge as he combined his love of film and his amazing invention of the aqualung to show the world
the undersea worth exploring...and worth saving. Smooth, flat art style against glossy paper goes far to capture the silky quiet of the sea, and the brilliant vertical fold-out that allows the reader to virtually and visually dive down into the depths of the ocean is a surprise. An inspiring life story clearly told for young readers across the grade levels, this beautiful book is a real catch. It appears that picture book biography remains the big fish in the sea of children's literature!

Also all new, tried-and-true and all wet:
ALISTAIR AND KIP'S GREAT ADVENTURE! by John Segal (McElderberry Books), a very simple story of two buddies who brave the waves and get a whale of a ride (nicely paired with William Steig's classic AMOS AND BORIS, and THE CASTAWAY PIRATES: A POP-UP TALE OF BAD LUCK, SHARP TEETH AND STINKY TOES by Ray Marshall and Wilson Swain (Chronicle), a wild, whirling rhyme for kids who just can't get enough of that pirate stuff. And also, don't forget the older, undersung little read-aloud treasure, SEA-CAT AND DRAGON KING by Angela Carter, illustrated by Eva Tatcheva (Bloomsbury), the whimsical tale of a cat who has to create a sweater for a kind but homely ruler beneath the waves; beautiful language, cunning line drawings and a creative conflict make this story sparkle. There, now you have plenty of material for a beach-blanket read-aloud in your library...or in your lap!

Shop with Esme
Oooo boy, this is dangerous shopping news, an auction of children's literature treasures from one of my favorite independent booksellers in the whole world. Visit the Debt Depletion Store within the next few days to bid on treasures like an original Max-the-bunny painting by Rosemary Wells, a Lily drawing from Kevin Henkes, a signed assemblage and art piece by Brian Selznick (who won the Caldecott for THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET), Arthur Geisert's complete hand-printed dummy for OINK OINK (heart be still! Out of my league, but my favorite of the bunch!), and a myriad of autographed and original collectibles from folks like Chris Raschka, Daniel Pinkwater, Jules Feiffer, Molly Bang, Jon Scieszka, David Small, Ed Emberley, Jack Gantos, and best of all, yours truly! ;-) Please check out my fairy godmother set which includes an audio and autographed print version of DIARY OF A FAIRY GODMOTHER, a magic wand and three bona fide wishes plus an autographed book and an unabridged CD; also available is the complete autographed set oof SAHARA SPECIAL and companion novel VIVE LA PARIS, ahem, a perfect end-of-year gift for a middle-grade teacher, if I do say so myself.

Friends! Librarians! SCBWI members! Booklovers all! Please spread the word about this unique auction being hosted by my friends at Reading Reptile in honor of their efforts to stay in business and continue serving children and families for coming up on twenty years! I have a bit of a girl-crush on owner Deb, who is one of the best artists in the universe in her own rite...check out my visit to see what I'm talking about! Truly this is an extraordinary and exceptional place in the universe, and Deb and Pete are truly good people who are beautiful parents and generous spirits. They support all of us through their good work and now they deserve our support, so bid early and bid often!


Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

JUMPY JACK & GOOGILY (PICTURE BOOK) AND FIVE MORE READING REASONS TO LAUGH

It's May, it's May, hooray, hooray! To tell you the truth, though I'm not one to wish away time, I'm happy to see April in the rear-view mirror. I was plagued with some sort of respiratory/allergy/asthma nonsense that had me canceling dates and moving deadlines, kvetching like a 98-year-old, and so high on Codine that one friend accused me of sounding like "Towelie" from South Park. But they say that laughter is the best medicine, so in the interest of spring fever I offer you this healthy dose of the funniest new picture books I could find:

PICTURE BOOK
JUMPY JACK & GOOGILY by Meg Rosoff and Sophie Blackall (Holt)
In the spirit of Monsters, Inc. without the corporate touch, we have a snail with a deep-seated fear of monsters, without realizing that his best friend is of that ilk. Googily, with sharp teeth but a disarming smile and eyes that are, indeed, googly, very endearingly checks wading pools, closets, under tables and beds for any culprits, and children will enjoy the inside joke of a monster inserting himself into every place that Jumpy Jacks fears one might be. After Googily has done a thorough job of easing Jumpy Jack's fears, can Jumpy Jack return the favor? Smooth, stylized illustrations in an unusually attractive palette are permeated with silliness, and besides being genuinely funny, it's a solid and sensitive little storytime stroll through themes of patience, empathy and cooperation. This author and illustrator duo has already has earned many fans with their naughty friends rooting around in MEET WILD BOARS; this story is kindler and gentler, but every bit as comical. I'm scared of how monstrously popular this book could become. (5 and up)

Also recommended:
STARRING MISS DARLENE written, produced and directed by Amy Schwartz (Roaring Brook) Darlene tries very hard to take direction in her acting class, but manages to botch things up most dramatically. She takes a little snooze during her big scene in Sleeping Beauty, find herself all wet in the flood of Noah's Ark, and does a little ad-libbing when she can't remember the lines. Thankfully, the theater reviewer who comes to three performances tends to appreciate the avant-garde. This book will go far to alleviate any stage fright, proving that there are no small parts, only small actors...and this hippopotamus is definitely not one of them. This book is full of inspired, unexpected twists and face-hurting laugh-out-loud moments. The treatment has murmurings of James Marshall's FOX ON STAGE, though clearly, Schwartz enjoys a genius all her own. Applause, applause! (5 and up)

DEAR MISS PERFECT: A BEAST'S GUIDE TO PROPER BEHAVIOR by Sandra Dutton (Houghton Mifflin) Perhaps you are a porcupine looking for a dance partner. An elephant unsure of where to lay your trunk during meals. A raccoon questioning the proper protocol when rooting through a garbage can. Or a shy turtle with an oral book report looming. When I first picked up this book, I was anticipating something more along the lines of Sesyle Johnson and Maurice Sendak's WHAT DO YOU SAY, DEAR? assuming that the beasts to whom the author was referring were actually (ahem) children, but she did, in fact, mean other members of the animal kingdom. Even though the characters are wild things, the eloquent letters and lessons of compromise and consideration easily transfer to other genus. Loose cartoon illustrations are from the school of James Stevenson and Betsy Lewin, and the hilarity of this book exceeded all expectations and bears repeated readings. Perhaps if we say please very nicely, there will be more Miss Perfect books to look forward to, hopefully a quest for the perfect companion as alluded to on the last page. For now, we'll just have to frequent Miss Perfect's lovely website, and make our best efforts to make good behavioral choices. A spoof on the advice columns that the author enjoyed as a child, I must say thank you for a truly outstanding and original book that I personally consider a "must-have." (5 and up)

BIG BAD BUNNY by Franny Billingsley, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Atheneum) Baby Boo-Boo is clearly misunderstood. This is not a little mousie baby. Oh nooooo. She is a scratchity-clawed, pointy-toothed, growling, stomping, chomping roaring bunny! GRRRR! STOMP! ROAR! But when this Big Bad Bunny takes a wrong turn and gets lost, will she appreciate the coddling efforts of a well-meaning mommy? With the culminating intensity of Jez Alborough's WATCH OUT! BIG BRO'S COMING!, this book mounts to a satisfying conclusion. Children will certainly identify with Big Bad Bunny's desire to get her "props," and having a little girl be so loud and grouchy was refreshing (in a book, anyway). Super cute illustrations are perfect for spring storytimes; share by alternating your little sweetie squeaky voice with your growly-howly monster voice for best effect, and you'll find that your meekest mice will hop right on the bunny bandwagon. (4 and up)

DOCTOR TED by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre (McElderberry Books) When Ted Bear skins his knee and can't find a doctor, he becomes the change he wishes to see in the world. Unfortunately, his diagnosis generously offered at home and school might put him at risk for malpractice. ("His mother was in the kitchen. "You have measles," said Doctor Ted. "We should operate." "Those are my freckles," said his mother. "Eat your breakfast.") When he manages to do more harm than good with his teacher and principal, it looks like Ted is going to have to hang up his stethoscope, until a real emergency on the playground gives him the chance to exercise his skill as a caretaker. Bold, black-line and color illustrations against hospital white background are particularly pleasing to the early childhood eye. Andrea Beaty recently penned everyone's favorite book about the inventive builder, IGGY PECK, ARCHITECT, and it seems the craft of this talented storyteller just gets better and better; she is definitely an author to watch. With a daring and hilarious wit that aligns your funny bone page after page, this book is truly a perfect storytime prescription, and it was so nice to get it while still on an HMO. A must in every pediatrician's office, and every children's library; read one and call me in the morning. (5 and up)

DUCKS DON'T WEAR SOCKS by John Nedwidek, illustrated by Lee White (Viking) One day, while Emily was "in a serious mood, taking a serious walk, she met Duck." Duck is definitely not serious, riding a unicycle. In socks. Why is he wearing socks? Or a tie? Or a hat, for that matter? And certainly, there can be no excuse for a duck in...underwear...or can there?! Children who area bit more tightly sewn will find their stitches coming loose after some time well spent with this unconventional friend. Zhaohua Ji and Cui Xu's NO! THAT'S WRONG! (Kane/Miller) is also a story about some animal wardrobe malfunctions, in which a little rabbit is insistent that a frilly pair of red underpants makes for a fetching hat; the endpaper with various animals creatively sporting articles of clothing is worth the cost of the book alone, and should provide endless inspiration for anyone considering trying out for Project Runway. Both of these books provide the young reader with the delicious opportunity to correct someone else, and both these books allow you to use the word "underwear," and, as we learned from Jonathan London's classic FROGGY GETS DRESSED, that's always a good investment. (both 4 and up)

Too many titles, you say? I'm afraid it's tough noogies...if you have ticklish 4 to7 year-olds on your hands, you kind of need every single one. And to add insult to your funny bone injury, if you visit a couple of my favorite kidlit blogs, Three Silly Chicks and Bottom Shelf Books, you'll find more good humor than an ice cream truck. Go ahead! She who laughs, lasts!

Feel free to share your faves...what books get your young reader chuckling?

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

KEEPERS: TREASURE-HUNT POEMS (POETRY)

POETRY

KEEPERS: TREASURE HUNT POEMS by John Frank, illustrated by Ken Robbins (Roaring Brook)
Prizes abound in these pages that celebrate the thrill of the hunt: The joys of flea market finds, flotsam and jetsam, rainy-day attic discoveries, and the rare treasures hiding in camouflage in woods, deserts, and under the ground. Beauty and discovery are the rewards reaped by readers who meet the challenge of keeping their eyes wide, experiencing everyday objects in new and thoughtful ways through a contemplative combination of words and pictures. Fans of the increasingly popular SPOT 7 series and the work of Walter Wick will appreciate the brilliantly saturated close-up photographs that feature most of the subjects of the verse (Abalone Shell: "Rocking/in the current's swirl.../a melted rainbow/cupped in pearl"). The reader feels like they are also discovering a new treasure with every turn of the page. The best find of all is the concept; children will be inspired to use a digital camera and thoughtful words to transform everyday bric-a-brac into something special. Literary garage sale, anyone? (7 and up)

Also of interest:
More fun for hoarders!
CORK AND FUZZ: THE COLLECTORS by Dori Chaconas, illustrated by Lisa McCue (Viking) "Cork was a short muskrat. He collected shiny stones. Fuzz was a tall possum. He collected shiny stones, empty lunch bags, bottle caps, pinecones, long sticks, gum wrappers, food, and more food. Two collectors. Two best friends." When Fuzz adds a feather to his horde, a Mama duck decides to add him to to her bevy of babies. It will take some pretty savvy problem solving to get Fuzz out of this fix! This droll and cozy story is separated into short "chapters" to build confidence. A solid pick for early readers that feature friends we can visit again and again is always worth adding to a collection. (5 and up)

And speaking of treasured finds, I came across this 70's throwback featuring Rita Moreno trying to keep up with Morgan Freeman's unadulterated grooviness on PBS's Electric Company (one of my favorite show as a kid, big surprise!). "Easy reader, that's my name, unh, unh, unh!" Heavens to Betsy, that's catchy! See if you can listen in and not find yourself humming it later. "Gus got gas and the guy got gum. We saw a big gymnasium." Outasight!

On a personal note:
A big thank you to Kari and friends at North Central College for arranging an exceptionally lovely evening with future teachers. I was truly impressed by the spirit and excellence of the school and the program! Apples all around!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

WINGS (NONFICTION)

NONFICTION
WINGS by Sneed B. Collard III, illustrated by Robin Brickman (Charlesbridge)

The diversity of our fine feathered (and furry and insect) friends is celebrated in this excellent exploration of these mysterious and dreamlike appendages. Excellent informational prose from points of inquiry take us on a first-class non-fiction flight. How fast can wings fly? How slow? How far, and how many? Why? To catch, to flee, to chase, to find mates, to travel, each answer is explained in the context of a particular winged creature. Helpful resources at the back of the book will lead children to continue to take flight on-line, and a glossary of all boldfaced vocabulary throughout the book is provided; this book is never dumbed down. I am so excited to just be learning about this prolific author, with a contagious passion for nature along the lines of children's literature's naturalist legends Jim Arnosky and Steve Jenkins, but I must confess that for all of this book's fine content, I was at first drawn by the stunning papercut illustrations. Readers will be sent into a veritable state of slack-jawed shock at the otherworldly textures this illustrator is able to accomplish with cut paper, from a blowing feather to the curve of a flower petal. This book is a delight for any booklover with an interest in animals, nature or science, and is a solid non-fiction read-aloud for primary grades, always a rare bird. (6 and up)

Also of interest:
In honor of the first robin of spring, which I saw yesterday, here are a few other fine feathered titles to add to your flock:
UNITED TWEETS OF AMERICA: 50 STATE BIRDS, THEIR STORIES, THEIR GLORIES by Hudson Talbott (Putnam) Fans of Laurie Keller's zany SCRAMBLED STATES OF AMERICA will enjoy this collection of true tales of every state bird, beak firmly planted in cheek. Lovely artwork and lots of laughs combined with solid research material make this a perfect spring pick for classroom libraries. (7 and up)
TODAY AT THE BLUEBIRD CAFÉ by Deborah Ruddell, illustrated by Joan Rankin (McElderberry) "Blue Jay Blues," "Mockingbird Warning," "Mrs. Crow Gets Dressed," "There's a Robin in My Bathroom," don't you just want to read them all? Well, you can! Hooray hooray hooray, this beautiful and engaging verse is matched with creamy pastel watercolors, making it a perfect collection to celebrate both the return of spring and National Poetry Month! (5 and up)
BIRDSONGS by Betsy Franco, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (McElderberry) Why should finches have all the fun? Join in the cacophony with this onomatopoetic counting book, with bold cut-paper illustration. (4 and up)
And there are two tributes to the red-tailed hawk of Fifth Avenue:
CITY HAWK: THE STORY OF PALE MALE by Megan McCarthy (Simon & Schuster), straightforwardly told for primary audiences, and who can resist those big googly-eyes that are a signature of McCarthy's illustration? (4 and up) And then there is the more detailed PALE MALE: CITIZEN HAWK OF NEW YORK CITY by Janet Schulman, illustrated in how-does-she-do-it gorgeous watercolor and colored pencil by the inimitable Meilo So. (6 and up) Teachers, Read them both and compare the treatment of the same subject by different authors and illustrators!

Shop with Esmé:

Hmmm, I don't know if I could afford to spend more on a bird's house than I spend on my own, but doesn't this prime real estate (above) from Uncommon Goods inspire the crafter in you? As does the "Fairy Tale Dreamcatcher" from OneGoodBumblebee (this would make a fun classroom activity, or Mother's Day gift for kids to make!) and the obscenely priced Songbird Chandelier from Anthropologie? They sell those little felt birdies and flowers at Michael's, people. Sorry to derail the consumer love train, there, but after all, DIY is the new Nordstrom's, dahhhling!

On that note, I love my soaring bird bracelet I got at Erm Originals on Etsy, it goes with everything. She's always got lots of lovely wing-themed jewelry, and in the spirit of the birds, her pieces are are cheep, cheep!

Also on the subject of crafting and birds, take cyber-wing to The Crafty Crow, an egg-ceptional blog featuring kid-friendly art-and-craft inspirations and plenty of pix! I know you will want to bookmark this fabulous resource to visit again and again!


Happy Earth Day, and happy robin-sightings, everyone!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

THE BOOK OF TIME OUTS (NONFICTION)

NONFICTION

THE BOOK OF TIME OUTS: A MOSTLY TRUE HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST TROUBLEMAKERS by Deb Lucke (Simon & Schuster)

When Queen Isabella wasn't impressed by the gift of a sweet potato, Columbus told a teeny weeny little white lie about the new world being littered with gold and gems. This caused a rebellion and landed big C. in leg irons. But perhaps Isabella shouldn't have been so quick to judge the shortcomings of others, seeing that she boasted only two baths a year. Grace O'Malley marauded English ships for sixty years...who would suspect such a sweet little old grandma of being a pirate? Bad, bad Babe Ruth hung his baseball manager out of the window of a moving train. Bach hit a bassoonist with a stick after names could never hurt him, and Daumier painted the king of France as a pear, a leap of comedic faith that went highly unappreciated by the noblesse oblige. From Cleopatra to Rosa Parks, over a dozen famous figures who crossed the line in their time are given tongue-in-cheek due, accented by extra-pouty double-page cartoon portraits. This very light bite of history and will appeal to the irreverent tastes of those who enjoy Lane Smith (JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE AND BEN) and Jon Sciezka (TIME WARP TRIO). For older children, this is a great springboard into deeper exploration, and older kids can make reports of troublemakers of the 21st Century (there have been a few). Teachers, read it in combination with books like Mordicai Gerstein's THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS and Don Brown's KID BLINK BEATS THE WORLD to discuss the difference between civil disobedience and good ol' fashioned bad behavior.

Almost everyone thought they didn't deserve a time-out. A few were right.

It's possible that one or two of our time-outers looked deep into their hearts and thought, "Maybe, just maybe, I did need to cool down a bit." We can't know for sure.

The one thing we can know for sure is that someday, somewhere, someone will once again be badly behaved, out of order,ill-mannered, inappropriate, or just plain unwilling to follow the rules. And they'll need a time out.

Let's just hope that someone isn't you or me.

I have long said there is a book for every occasion, and I thank this author for providing a perfect pick for the chill-out chair. (6 and up)

Also of interest:
THE DOGGY DUNG DISASTER & OTHER TRUE STORIES: REGULAR KIDS DOING HEROIC THINGS AROUND THE WORLD by Garth Sundem (Free Spirit) Several teachers have asked me if I know of a good group reading book for the end of the school year. Wow, is this one a gem for reluctant readers, read-aloud or read-alone! Thirty articles about kids who have made a difference are ordered under headings such as "Kids Saving the Environment," Kids Standing Up for Themselves," "Kids Helping Others," "Kids Overcoming Challenges," and "Kids Using Talents and Creativity". The author gathered truly amazing achievements from around the world that will inspire any reader: from Santosh Yadav, in India, who had been told "girls can't climb mountains" but decided to climb Mount Everest twice, to the brave Farliz Calle in Columbia, a Nobel Prize nominee who used organizing skills garnered in student council to create the Columbian Children For Peace, or Alexandra Scott, who raised over a million dollars for cancer research by selling lemonade. The writing throughout the book is surprisingly solid and in tune with its intended audience, giving unusually clear explanations of circumstances and cultural differences. In fact, the author created this book after visiting a sixth-grade classroom and seeing that the kids needed heroes with whom they could really connect. This book is an achievement in itself, with can-do content that every child in grades 5-8 deserves to know. I'm saving up for a classroom set. (10 and up)

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

THUMBELINA OF TOULABA (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
THUMBELINA OF TOULABA by Daniel Picouly, illustrated by Olivier Tallec (Enchanted Lion Press)

At these words, whoever was lucky enough to be wearing scales jumped, gulped, and carried off Thumbelina, saving her from the lovesick animals, a true peril. For if one love is worth a hundred dangers, the worst of dangers is to accumulate one thousand loves.

This re-invention inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale set against the backdrop of Martinique is startling in beauty and mystery. Little Thumbelina is carried through a wild and tangled backdrop awash with gruesome animal suitors, to whom she learns to say "no," sticking with her more flyaway lifestyle. The writing of the story is, in fact, a little all-over-the-place, but no great matter, because so is Thumbelina, floating from scene to harrowing scene like a pollinating seed. A "glossary of the exotic" is included, though it would have been helpful for children to know upon which page each item appears; it's rather tricky to search for an "ocelot" or "calabash" without knowing quite where to look. For all of the shortcomings, this book is fun to compare with the original during this month of Andersen's birth. It also speaks to adventurous children who want a truly unpredictable and dramatic reading experience, and who are prepared to lose themselves in the oversized illustrations. There is a fierce bravery in every brushstroke, and an explosive, expressive abandon of the conventions of the color wheel. The garden has taken over, and all we can say is: wow. (7 and up)

Also of interest:
Just in time for National Poetry Month we have this new offering by the same illustrator, who is one to watch; at this rate, I think he is worthy of Hans Christian Andersen Award consideration down the pike.

THIS IS A POEM THAT HEALS FISH by Jeanne-Pierre Siméon, illustrated by Olivier Tallec (Enchanted Lion Books)

"Mommy, my fish is going to die!
Come quickly! Leon is going to die of boredom!"

Arthur's mommy looks at him.
She closes her eyes,
she opens her eyes...
Then she smiles:
"Hurry, give him a poem!"
And she leaves for her tuba lesson.

But what is a poem? Is it the heartbeat in a stone, or when words beat their wings against the bars of a cage, or words turned, like an old sweater, backwards and inside out? Arthur rummages under the bed and in cupboards, interviews neighbors and grandparents, and by and by connects the cryptic quips and voices to create (what else?) a lovely poem out of the small and merry and honest things in his world. With illustrated flights of the imagination such as cresent moons hanging like fruit from the sky and palm trees growing upside-down, oh-la-la, that fish won't be bored for long. Funny and provocative, every teacher (and author!) needs to share this book to springboard into the conversation of what makes a poem...and where do we find our own?

Shop with Esmé
In honor of the trippy horticulture in Thumbelina of Toulaba, plant something besides the seed to read! Every season I plant these Renee's Garden "Magic Beanstalk" beans (scarlet runner beans) in my city-girl community garden. Their winding vines grow long and have pretty red blooms, but best of all, the seed pods contain beans that are the craziest un-bean-like fuchsia color. Open them up in front of children to hear them go "ooooo!" and believe that there just must still just possibly be some magic left in the world. I understand you can cook and eat them, but I never have; I just dry them until they turn their curious purple, and then they are just right for sharing with other storybook gardeners. Who says a seed is sleepy (besides author Dianna Aston)?

Also hope to meet up with these Velveteen Rabbits from the Victorian Trading Company, finally on sale aprés Easter but still spring-y. I'm afraid these will be the only bunnies welcome in my garden!

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.

MY LITTLE GRANDMOTHER OFTEN FORGETS (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK
MY LITTLE GRANDMOTHER OFTEN FORGETS by Reeve Lindbergh, illustrated by Kathryn Brown (Candlewick)

My little grandmother
often forgets
about glasses and teacups
and clothing and pets.
She doesn't know why,
and she doesn't know how;
when she thinks about THEN,
she forgets about NOW.

...My little grandmother
says, "Hello, Roy!"
But Roy was my dad's name
when he was a boy.
So I say, "I'm not Roy,"
and she answers, "You're not?"
Then I tell her, "I'm Tom.
That's okay. You forgot."

It is sometimes worrisome for children and their families when grandparents call them by the wrong name, but here is a book that deals with issues of impending senility and Alzheimer's in a way that readers will recognize. Rather than heavy-handed bibliotherapy, My Little Grandmother reads like a friendship story between a patient little boy and and older family member. Behaviors like repetitions in conversation, periods of quiet, and issues of safety all receive a blessedly light and age-appropriate touch through well-paced verse and cheerful watercolor and ink illustrations. The dearness of the aging person is never undermined, nor is the helpful role of the child.

Reeve Lindbergh (yes, the youngest daughter of aviator Charles Lindbergh) is a consistently excellent author for children, and this is her second original foray into the world of aging and grandparents (baby boomer's delight, MY HIPPIE GRANDMOTHER with illustrations by Abby Carter, being the first). This latest title crosses generations to acknowledge that even when the memory goes, the heart remains, and may be an even more direct and loving treatment for kids than Mem Fox's similarly-themed and popular WILFRED GORDON McDONALD PATRIDGE. The relationship of a child and a grandparent is something so precious, so don't forget to add these and other intergenerational gems celebrating that rare connection to your collection. (5 and up)

Also of interest:
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE OLD? by Norma Farber, illustrated by the inimitable Trina Schart Hyman (Puffin) A grandma gives the straight dope, in free verse. High spirited, honest and graced with beautifully evocative drawings, the reader can appreciate how the spirit of the grandparent is carried on in the grandchild. Absolutely the best book on the subject of aging for kids, it is scandalously out-of-print (but available used at Amazon Z-shops and at your public library). This book answers a lot of questions young children may have, and serves as a great classroom discussion springboard for middle-school students as well. (7 and up)

MAKEOVERS BY MARCIA by Claudia Mills (Farrar, Straus & Giroux) Marcia is less than thrilled when she discovers her eighth grade community service project will entail visits to the local nursing home. Distracted by pre-teen concerns like her perceived weight gain, difficulties in art class and the upcoming dance, working with a bunch of old people is last on her list. When her savvy sister suggests she combine her talent and interest in makeup with her requisite visits, it sets off a series of connections that, in the end, help Marcia get her priorities straight. Marcia's magazine-inspired machinations backfire hilariously, and her relationships with the elderly blossom in a way that is both believable and uncontrived. Emotional depth, laugh-out-loud humor and a rhythm that matches the heartbeat of its intended audience mark this well-written story that will inspire community service, self-esteem and an appetite for more books by this author. (10 and up)

On a personal note:
Congratulations to SHEILA, who posted her favorite picks of 2007, for winning the drawing for a copy of the VIVE LA PARIS audiobook! Sheila, your post didn't include your address or contact 4-1-1, so shoot me a comment with that info (won't be posted publicly) and I'll get it in the mail to you this weekend! Thanks to all who participated and shared.
Happy Poetry Month! Check out the PlanetEsme Poetry Power page, and check back through the month for the latest picks.
This post is dedicated with love to Rosalie Codell, my sparkly and glamorous grandmother who sometimes forgot, but who won't be soon forgotten. August 6, 1921 - March 27, 2008.

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.