Time for some changes

i just happened to have a picture of flamingos

 As you may have noticed, things look a little different. I'm revamping and consolidating my blogs going forward. I'll be doing less reviewing and more library-related resources and posts as well as clearing older reviews out to my Flying Off My Bookshelf blog if they're no longer in print or relevant. 

The tiny woman’s coat by Joy Cowley and Giselle Clarkson

New Zealand author Cowley, best known for her Mrs. Wishy-Washy picture books, originally published this gently repetitive story in 1996 with illustrations by Elizabeth Fuller. Gecko Press has brought a new edition, illustrated by Giselle Clarkson, to a new audience and it is as fresh and charming as when it was originally published.

The tiny woman, shown with white skin and a wild brush of tangled red curls, is looking for a winter coat. One by one, animals and plants share their bounty with her, sandwiched between the repeated refrain, “The tiny woman wanted a coat.” and her questions as to where she will find buttons, lining, and the other parts. As each piece is donated, a comforting rhythm is established, with the leaves going “rustle, rustle, rustle” the porcupines quills, “sharp, sharp, sharp” and so on.

Finally, her coat complete and sheltered by a mushroom umbrella, the tiny woman joins a parade of animals dashing to shelter through a storm and smiles cheerfully at the readers on the last page, her arms full of blackberries, as she stays warm all autumn.

Verdict: This is the best kind of cozy, old-fashioned story with a rhythm and refrain to draw young children in and charming pictures to take them to the satisfying conclusion. Sure to be a storytime favorite.

ISBN: 9781776573424; This edition published October 2021; Purchased personally and donated to the library

The barn by Leah H. Rogers, illustrated by Barry Root

Root’s lush watercolors accompany debut author Roger’s peaceful story of an old-fashioned barn. Each spread is features a litany of poetic text, starting with the refrain “I am a barn” and going on to describe the animals, inside and out, who call the barn and its environs home. All the familiar aspects of classic Americana are here, from the black and white cows in straw-filled wooden stalls to the swallows overhead and the coyotes lurking in the brush.

There’s nothing ground-breaking about this story, and the somewhat lengthy text makes it less than ideal for a storytime, but for patient listeners it would be a lovely bedtime story. Its main appeal is to those who are nostalgic about the agricultural past, so audiences in farming communities or those that prefer lengthier picture books with a “classic” feel to them are most likely to enjoy this.

Verdict: While this is an additional purchase for most libraries, communities like mine that include a large audience for farm nostalgia will delight in this gentle, sleepy story and the slow cadence of the text will send some little ones off to dreamland.

ISBN: 9781536209068; Published November 2021 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by published; Donated to the library

Off-Limits by Helen Yoon

This hilarious picture book follows the adventures of a mischievous little child who starts out just by looking… but can’t resist temptation.

The story begins with Daddy, leaving an “off-limits” sign on his office as he wanders off with the dog for a coffee refill. A wide-eyed little girl pokes her head in and the fun begins. Naturally, she’s just looking. Just looking! But then she borrows one teensy piece of tape and… things… escalate. Soon she’s spinning in patterned circles of sticky notes, bedecked with paperclip jewelry, and dancing in a sea of cut paper. A sudden realization sends her sneaking back to her own room, where a surprise awaits… she’s not the only person who’s been getting into something that doesn’t belong to her!

The story ends with a cozy tea party with the little girl in a paper crown and daddy and the dog in matching glittery tutus. While parents who are desperately trying to keep kids out of their cobbled-together home offices may not appreciate this, it’s a light-hearted look at getting carried away by one’s imagination and the guilty pleasure of playing with office supplies with a tip of the hat to grown-ups having fun pretending too.

Verdict: A fun addition to storytime or one-on-one reading, this would also make a hilarious writing or STEM prompt to get kids thinking about repurposing office supplies or other materials or to show them that everyone enjoys a good bout of imaginative play.

ISBN: 9781536207316; Published November 2021 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

This week at the library

Programs

• Paws to Read
• Pokemon Club
• Family Storytime
• Art workshop (after school outreach)
• Lapsit
• Art workshop (after school outreach)
• Holiday cookie party

We also had a Friends meeting, where we showed a thank-you video and end of year report, management meeting (first with our tech services librarian back from leave), and the city holiday lunch. No more programs for a few weeks now!

Klawde: Evil alien warlord cat and Enemies by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

[Originally published April 2019]

The story opens with the redoubtable tyrant, General Wyss-Kuzz, betrayed and sentenced to exile in a terrifying alien world... otherwise known as earth, specifically Elba, Oregon. He's not the only exile, although he's certainly the most outraged; Raj has been forced to move from his cool apartment in New York, his best friends, and handy pizza and comics. To add insult to injury, his parents sign him up for wilderness survival camp! On the bright side, he's just found a stray cat. That... can talk?

The chapters alternate between Wyss-Kuzz (or Klawde, as he is now known) and Raj. Klawde has many outraged pronouncements on the indignities visited upon him by the strange troll-creatures of earth, details his attempts to raise an army, and reluctantly admits his growing admiration for Raj. Ok, maybe "tolerance" is a better word. Raj, meanwhile, is exuberantly fond of his first-ever pet, and hopeful about the possibilities of making friends, although the weirder the camp counselor and other kids he meets get, the more nervous he is about survival night - especially since he's not sure he will survive!

The second title, Enemies, increases the parallels between Klawde and Raj. Klawde, betrayed by, well, he doesn't have friends so let's say a general previously thought to be loyal, and Raj, already unbalanced by attending a new school and now forced to meet an old "friend" who he had a huge fight with before leaving New York, are both off their game. Klawde works hard to battle an old enemy, recruit new soldiers and maintain their loyalty, and uphold the great traditions of his planet. Raj, on the other hand, alternates between anger and humiliation at his erstwhile friend's behavior and finally, just when he's decided to take the high ground and resist showing up his friend, Klawde plays an unexpected role. Both Raj and Klawde have unexpected, if not entirely happy, endings and the stage is set for another wacky adventure.

Spot illustrations in shades of blue and black show a scruffy, decidedly un-fluffy cat, the hapless Raj, and his motley crew of friends and enemies and they scramble their way through their adventures. It's not a beginning chapter book per say, more of a lower middle grade title. It will appeal to fluent readers in 2nd grade up to about 5th or 6th grade. Yes, the kids are in middle school but it's really written for a younger audience.

Verdict: This will appeal to readers who like Captain Underpants and Wimpy Kid-style humor, although Raj is a much nicer character and shows moral growth despite his somewhat difficult situations. Readers will need a fairly high tolerance for goofiness of the "Planet Lyttyrboks" style of humor. Hand this to readers who like Binky the space cat and Dragonbreath.

Revisited: The sixth book in the series came out in August 2021. It's not as popular as, say, Captain Underpants or Max Brallier's Last kids on earth, but every kid I've given it to has liked it.

Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat
ISBN: 9781524787202
Klawde: Enemies
ISBN: 9781524787226

Published February 2019 by Penguin Workshop; Review copies provided by publisher; Donated to the library

Hamster Holmes: A Mystery Comes Knocking by Albin Sadar, illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti

[Originally published December 2015]

I bought this series for myself. I admit it. I mean, a hamster! Dressed as Sherlock Holmes! I had to have it. Ahem.

Hamster Holmes and his friend, firefly Dr. Watt (he communicates in Morse code) are settled cozily down one evening when their friend Corny O'Squirrel shows up with a mystery. Someone keeps knocking on his door...but there's nobody there! Hamster Holmes and Dr. Watt think over the problem and then try several methods until they have enough clues to come up with a solution to the mystery. Soon there's warm milk and new friends all around and Hamster Holmes is ready for his next mystery.

The pictures are cute and cozy, showing a plump-cheeked and smiling hamster zipping about his investigation with lots of furry animals and several amusing details; a hamster water bottle and hamster wheel in the park, There is a weird pink streak on two pages, which I think must be a printing error (my kids have been known to destroy books quite rapidly, but not that soon).

Ready-to-Read's level two is quite advanced and will need a fairly experienced beginning reader - one not quite ready for chapters, but getting close. The story contains short chapters, longer sentences, and some more complex vocabulary.

Verdict: Most kids are unlikely to get the Holmes references, but they will appreciate the funny details and enjoy the simple mystery. This is the age when kids start getting into mysteries and this is a good beginning mystery for them to start on.

[This series has seen a comeback this year when I am struggling to find enough low-level reading materials for older readers - especially mysteries at all levels.]

ISBN: 9781481420372; Published 2015 by Simon Spotlight/Simon & Schuster; Purchased for the library

Maybe… By Chris Haughton

Haughton’s splashy, hot colors and jagged, cut-paper style show up in another quirky story. This title features a trio of mischievous, dark blue monkeys, who have been warned not to climb down to the mango tree because there are tigers below.

But maybe… they could reach that little one? Or just go a little way? Or run quickly and grab a few mangoes…

Naturally, disaster ensues as the shadowy tigers lurking in the background suddenly pounce and the monkeys barely make it back to their tree. The big monkey returns, congratulating them on staying safe from all the tigers. There are so many tigers they can’t even go to the banana tree! Hmmm, bananas? Maybe….

Haughton’s style has never been a personal favorite of mine, but his quirky and intriguing stories usually grab me anyways, some of my favorites being Oh No, George! and Don’t Worry Little Crab. This latest one didn’t click with me the first time I read it, but the more I pored over it, and once I put it into context of my storytime audience which is slightly older (kindergarten – 1st grade) I can definitely see the appeal. The subtleties of the art and story will fly over the head of most younger listeners, but I can easily see a delighted chorus of noooooo, don’t climb down the tree! Echoing back as the unobservant monkeys get closer and closer to the lurking tigers.

Verdict: A strong purchase where there are already fans of Haughton’s work or older audiences for storytime.

ISBN: 9781536220247; Published September 2021 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

This week at the library

My paperwhites have bloomed

Programs

• Paws to Read
• Family Storytime
• Teen DIY maker workshop
• Lapsit

I'm finishing the last bits of budget etc. from this year and planning next year. I need to have the Jan-May newsletter out soon.

Partly Cloudy by Tanita S. Davis

I picked this up because I had seen an interview with Davis talking about adultification bias and how she wanted to publish a book that had a more innocent character, while still being realistic.

She definitely met that goal and I ended up becoming immersed in the book and I can see it being a popular choice at my library and schools.

Madalyn has had a rough transition to middle school. Her dog died, her best friend moved, her father lost his job, her mom works long hours, and finally a kid brought a gun to school. But her mom has a plan for 7th grade - have Madalyn transferred to a smaller, better school where she’ll feel safe.

There’s just one problem: That school doesn’t exist in their district. Madalyn will have to spend most of the week with her great-uncle, Papa Lobo, and go to a school where she’s the only Black girl in her class.

Madalyn deals with loneliness and microaggressions, struggling to navigate new friendships with other girls. She watches how Papa Lobo interacts with his racist elderly neighbor and makes some tough decisions about her own choices and friendships.

The events of the story, culminating in evacuation due to wildfires and a confrontation with the girl Madalyn had hoped would be her friend, are realistic and readers will feel Madalyn’s fear and discomfort at having hard conversations. However, the book keeps its innocent, middle grade feel. Madalyn isn’t really interested in romance, she’s more concerned with friendship worries, navigating a new school, and what will happen with her dad’s job. I have a lot of readers who can handle the length of a longer chapter book, but are more sensitive and not ready for more mature content.

Verdict: This would make a great classroom read and is just the book I want to hand to my middle grade readers whose parents don’t want more intense content. The setting of Southern CA and the crossover of New Orleans culture will be an added interest for my Midwest audience.

ISBN: 9780062937001; Published September 2021 by Katherine Tegen Books; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Bea Garcia: Tale of a Scaredy Dog by Deborah Zemke

[Originally published October 2018]

Bea Garcia is back in her third book. By now, readers will know that she is in second grade, loves to draw, is sort-of friends with super-smart Judith Einstein and definite enemies with next-door-neighbor Bert.

In her latest run-in with Bert, Bea and Bert are supposed to interview each other for class. Bea just writes "GRRRR" for all his answers and Bert scribbles untrue things about her, so she crumples up the paper. This gets the two of them in trouble - they have to interview each other's families over the weekend. Bert's mom isn't bad, but it turns out that Bert does have a pet... Big Kitty! And Bea's pet dog Sophie, is so scared that she runs away, chased by that mean cat!

Bea is miserable, especially when they find Bert's pet but not hers. But with some help from her friends and family, maybe Sophie will come home after all.

This is a notebook novel for younger readers; 1st-2nd graders are the ideal audience. Zemke's scratchy black and white pictures decorate each page, sometimes taking over a whole spread, sometimes confined in individual panels. Bea is a relatable character; she loves to draw, Spanish phrases and words are sprinkled into the text, she finds her little brother Pablo annoying but still loves him anyways.

As an adult, I find Bert's mean behavior bordering on bullying and the clueless adults, who keep trying to push them together, a little annoying. Yes, sometimes Bea is not as nice as she might be to Bert, but he is really nasty to her! Her parents aren't particularly sympathetic either, trying to make her be "nice" to a kid who's basically pretty nasty. I'd separate them completely instead of trying to make them work together, but I'm not a teacher or a parent.

Verdict: This is a popular series in my library, especially for kids who would like to read popular notebook novels but aren't quite old enough yet. I also appreciate the inclusion of a Latina character.

Revisited: This has seen a renaissance this year as I am scrambling to find a lot of lower-level books for older readers and several kids in 3rd grade have gotten into this one.

ISBN: 9780735229389; Published July 2018 by Dial; Review copy provided by the publisher; Purchased for the library

Small Readers: Please, no more nuts! By Jonathan Fenske

[Originally published February 2018]

The sequel to the hilarious and manic We need more nuts! does not disappoint. The nut fanatic has changed. In her first book, she was going nuts for nuts! She stuffed them in her friend's cheeks! She counted them exuberantly! But no more. Now they are sick of nuts. Sick, sick, sick! But how can they get rid of them? They’ve already eaten so many that they’re looking a bit green! Maybe...you would like some nuts? PLEASE TAKE THE NUTS!

The manic tone continues, but this time flips the plot on its head as the squirrels illustrate just what happens when you have too much of a good thing. Readers will giggle hysterically as they bounce through the rhymes of the sick-of-nuts narrator and her companion and their pleas for someone, anyone, to take those nuts away!

This book is a guided reading level H, which is an intermediate level for readers who have grasped the basics and can tackle more complex sentences and words. The sentences are still short and easy, but include words like “queasy”, “chubby”, and “storage.” Readers who have reached this point will be able to divide their attention between the words and pictures, and follow along on the visual jokes as well.

The wacky cartoons vary from full-page art to comic panels. The backgrounds and speech bubbles have contrasting colors, mint green, pale yellow and blue, and white. Fenske employs speech bubbles, thought bubbles, flash backs, and of course lots of exaggeration and hyperbole.

Verdict: Fenske’s early readers have been hits both for my patrons and in book club and this is a worthy sequel to Cybils finalist We need more nuts! Highly recommended.

Revisited: Fenske has created many more funny and popular books for the beginning reader set but this is still a classic I love to recommend.

ISBN: 9780515159660; Published 2018 by Penguin; Review copy provided by publisher and donated to the library; Purchased for the library

I want ice cream! by Elisabetta Pica, illustrated by Silvia Borando

 The simple title sentence, presented in a number of different ways, and combined with Borando's scribbled figure, takes the reader through all the emotions of childhood.

Colorful scoops of ice cream in triangular black and white cones decorate the end pages, while the title page shows an ice cream cart with a delicious sampling of green, yellow, and pink ice cream cones. Cue the unnamed child on the cover, shown wearing a white square with a scribble of curls. "Ice cream!!!" they say. The adult, shown only as a pair of black pants and the outline of shirt, shoes, and hand, replies "No." As the child goes through a gamut of emotions, the right page flares into hopeful yellows, jealous greens, sad blues, and raging reds, each reflected on the child's shirt/dress. Finally, after shifting through a rainbow of emotions, the child walks off with the adult, reflecting "Maybe we'll have ice cream tomorrow."

When I think of Silvia Borando, I always think of Minibombo books, a quirky, unique series of books that combine simple illustrations with thought-provoking ideas for young children. This team-up is no exception and Pica and Borando have created a deceptively simple book that takes readers through a gamut of emotions, with a somewhat ambiguous ending, and encourages them to think as well as giggle.

Verdict: An excellent choice for storytime and most library collections.

ISBN: 9780593382653; Published June 2021 by Rise X Penguin Workshop; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

This week at the library

one of the lilies i planted for Sara

Programs

• Paws to Read
• Aquanauts
• Family Storytime
• Lapsit
• Bookaneers
• Annual Christmas parade

Projects etc.

• Manager's meeting

My dear friend and a beloved community librarian, Ms. Sara, died this week.

Other Boys by Damian Alexander

We’re starting to see a few graphic memoirs for middle grade that are similar to Raina Telgemeier’s popular titles but feature a more diverse range of characters. In this autobiographical story, Damian Alexander talks about the struggles of his 7th grade year. Unlike the other boys, and other kids, in his new school, he’s living with his grandparents and brother and they struggle financially. He’s not interested in the things the other boys like, and is bullied and harassed relentlessly, leading him to determine to stay silent in 7th grade.

Flashbacks gradually reveal to readers the tragic death of his mom, break-up of his family, and his struggles throughout his childhood with other kids and family who harass him for liking dolls and other “girly” things.

Although there’s no happy ending, Damian ends the story by opening up to his therapist, realizing he’s gay and accepting the support of a small circle of people, and starting to make friends.

An author’s note follows the story, noting that the physical and emotional abuse he suffered was downplayed for the story and talking about how people remember things differently, and how authors create a graphic memoir and might compress or change events for the flow of the story.

Verdict: While I am sure some people will complain about the honest depiction of bullying and harassment Damian experiences, as well as the inclusion of queer and non-gender-conforming characters, this is well done and an important choice for kids to see themselves as well as think about what their classmates might be experiencing. A must-have for middle school libraries and most public library collections.

ISBN: 9781250222817; Published September 2021 by First Second; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: A cub story by Kristen Tracy, illustrated by Alison Farrell

This sweet board book follows the story of a bear cub through the seasons. The story opens with the little cub peering over a green branch in a forest of red tree trunks. The furry bear sprawls out, letting readers count their wet nose, big claws, and all-over fur.

The cub eats a lot “compared to a hedgehog” and a little compared to a moose. They are slower than an elk and faster than a snail. They sniff, explore blackberry bushes, play with the wolves and foxes, climb trees, dig for food, and fish. The seasons change from the bright greens and blues of spring to the reds and yellows of autumn, to the snowy white and blue of winter as the cub settles into their den and curls up with their mama.

The book is a slightly taller rectangle with sturdy pages and the simple, declarative text is charming. The illustrations are cozy and this would make an adorable read-aloud, bedtime story, or a story to share with kids learning about seasons, bears, or concepts like size and comparison.

Verdict: A must-have purchase for most public library board book collections and it would also make a sweet gift for toddlers and babies.

ISBN: 9781452174587; Published September 2021 by Chronicle; Borrowed from another library in my consortium