Betsy Bird's Blog, page 164

Review of the Day: Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten BlocksBy Jason ReynoldsIllustrated by Alex NabaumA Caitlyn Dlouhy Book (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster)$17.99ISBN: 978-1-4814-3828-5Ages 10 and upOn shelves October 8th

This review was going to begin like all the best reviews. With a new Jason Reynolds books falling from the sky. “Falling from the sky” is probably a bit hyperbolic, but that’s what it feels like whenever a new Reynolds hits the market. Now due to the focus r...

Unexpected Jolts of Children’s Literature

As you may know, my day job is as a librarian but not, as it happens, a librarian of children’s literature specifically. A lot of days I spend my time sorting through all the new releases for adults (horrors!). But since my heart is firmly ensconced in the world of books for kids, I always note when a book has some connection to literature for the young. Today, I’d like to introduce you to six 2019 titles that may be worth noting.

Better With Books: 500 Diverse Books to Ignite Empathy and En...

Cover Reveal and Interviews: Talking with Nina Crews and Angela Johnson

Here, in no particular order, are some things that I like: Creative books for kids featuring poetry in some way. Photography. Strong girls. Here are two people I like, to go along with that list. Nina Crews. Angela Johnson. Ms. Crews you already know since she’s pretty much the only game in town when it comes to fictional picture books illustrated with photography. And just last year she blew us all away with her adaptation of Richard Wright’s haikus in the book Seeing Into Tomorrow. Angela J...

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Dinosaurs Divorce by Laurene Krasny Brown, ill. Marc Brown

This week’s challenge from Kate: Deliver unto her a “classic picture book about divorce”. So I conferred with my fellow librarians and we all agreed that there is really only one that would fit the bill: A little number from 1986. There’s a number of reasons for this selection. The book remains popular to this day. This book is still in print (have they updated the terms since its original publication? This is unclear). And, as Kate points out, this is clearly more a guide than something you...

Review of the Day: Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe

Pokko and the DrumBy Matthew ForsythePaula Wiseman Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster)$17.99ISBN: 9781481480406Ages 4-7On shelves October 1st

Matthew Forsythe did not attend art school. Ask him where he learned his stuff and he’ll recommend that you read High Focus Drawing by James McMullen. He’s worked on picture books before, lots of them, but until now he’s never written and illustrated one himself.

Matthew Forsythe has been holding out on us.

Every once in a while I encounter a pictu...

The Best So Far: 2019 Picture Book Biographies Done Exceedingly Well

How have I not done this round-up yet?!? It’s baffling that I’ve waited this long, particularly when you take into account the sheer overwhelming number of picture book bios of exceeding beauty and charm we’ve been privy to in 2019. Ye gods, readers, they boggle the mind! Here’s an indication of how many are out right now: I’m going to do a very long post of my favorites and I’ll bet you anything that I won’t mention one of the ones you’ve seen that you’ve adored. That’s how many there are. T...

Guest Post: What to Do When Disaster Destroys Your Books and How to Harness Social Media for Good

Today we welcome teacher Stacey Beam and author April Henry to the blog to discuss a topic that is a reality for too many of us. While many of us have experienced active shooter drills in both our libraries and schools, how many of us prepare for what to do if an act of nature claims our materials, our space, even our jobs? Together, Beam and Henry have penned an article on what happened when the worst hit too close to home and what you can do if it happens to you.

By Stacey Beam and April H...

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Sam and the Firefly by P.D. Eastman

I don’t mean to brag but in this episode I do this seamless transition from a discussion of polar vortexes to today’s book at the top of today’s how. I’d been meaning to do this, Eastman’s third most famous easy book, and the first one he ever did on his own, for a while. Now, for years I’ve believed that Eastman has illustrated “night” better than most artists. After this recording I feel justified in having felt this way.

Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through i...

Review of the Day: Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang, ill. Kana Urbanowicz

Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku AndoBy Andrea WangIllustrated by Kana UrbanowiczLittle Bee Books (an imprint of Bonnier Publishing USA)$17.99ISBN: 978-1-4998-0703-5Ages 4-7On shelves now.

Sometimes, to train a child to be a reader with wide tastes and a full body of knowledge, it is imperative to train their parents at the same time. New parents today are often unaware of the sheer scope of topics they can read to their children. I sympathize. When we were kids you had your picture books,...

Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang, ill. Kana Urbanowicz

Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku AndoBy Andrea WangIllustrated by Kana UrbanowiczLittle Bee Books (an imprint of Bonnier Publishing USA)$17.99ISBN: 978-1-4998-0703-5Ages 4-7On shelves now.

Sometimes, to train a child to be a reader with wide tastes and a full body of knowledge, it is imperative to train their parents at the same time. New parents today are often unaware of the sheer scope of topics they can read to their children. I sympathize. When we were kids you had your picture books,...