Feburary 2020: Celebrating Phyllis Root (Discuss Here)

[QNPoohBear]

aww my brother's kids would have liked those cute Bonnie Bumble books when they were younger. Niece was ONLY into "pink" books and now claims "I won't read anything but graphic novels". Nephew is moving on to longer stories but perhaps I'll pick them up next time they sleep over and he can practice reading on his own.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Cheryl wrote: "Hmm. Other reviewers say both "age 4-9" and "7-10." I can only get Bothersome Visitors myself w/out a special request... if I love it, I'll order the other two."

So, Aunt Nancy and the Bothersome Visitors is indeed a compilation that includes two previously published stories. And yes, it can be enjoyed by any ages 4-10 or even older. I bet my mom, who in some ways resembles Aunt Nancy, would like it. Of course I read it in one sitting, but little ones would appreciate it one story at a time, so they can process and understanding of the 'trick' and remember it.

Often Root relies on her illustrators to make the book special, but in this one the words are wonderful, too. Very highly recommended to anyone who likes trickster tales, stories of outwitting Death*, and folk-and tall-tales.

*Let me just give shout out to my favorite stories for this age group on that theme, The Devil's Storybook and sequel.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Flip, Flap, Fly!: A Book for Babies Everywhere is in many ways perfect for rugrats. I love the pattern, and the subtle prediction lesson, and the cute illustrations. I can forgive the weak science (pretty sure pond fish don't teach their babies how to swim). But somehow it just didn't work perfectly for me. Maybe it's just that I tend to read & prefer 'all ages' stories and am out of the habit of letting my inner infant come out to play. Won't rate.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Oliver Finds His Way is another book that has illustrations stronger than the story. Christopher Denise does a great job of making the woods just a little bit darker, just a tiny bit scary. I think even sensitive tots will like this.

The main theme, though, is to not panic when you're lost. If your talent is having a very loud roar, don't be too scared to use it! I sort of wish Oliver had done something clever, but he really is too little. And I think the audience for this is little, too.

I just wish the momma bear wasn't wearing a long skirt... we have enough of that trope.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Looking for a Moose has strong word-play & rhythm, and silly but apt illustrations. Some families will love to read it aloud over and over, getting all dramatic. I got a kick out of it, but not quite enough to give it four stars.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Paula Bunyan is a little too preachy for my taste. Not enough whoppers imo. But I do still recommend it to anyone who likes tall tales, folk tales, or the North Woods.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Saved one of the best for last. Kiss the Cow! is a delight. And if vegans could love a cow the way this family does, they might just be willing to eat cheese after all. (Am I right, that it's factory farming practices that are most objectionable to many vegans?)

I love Mama May's slightly diverse family, but I do wish that there was a Papa Pan (or whatever) around, because May has too many foster children for one adult caregiver. The pictures are wonderfully full of detail. And I love Annalisa and would like to read a whole book about her.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Cheryl wrote: "Apparently Snowy Sunday is part of a seven-book set about an unconventional farmer named Bonnie Bumble and seven days of adventures in caring for her animals and garden. Many childr..."

Oh, cool! I didn't realize that. I don't think our library had any of the other "days" but I will have to double-check. I agree that the illustrations really do add a lot to the story.

[SamZ]

Big Momma Makes the World
I'm just not a fan. I don't understand why this book was written. As a retelling of the Genesis creation story, it seems a bit on the sacrilegious side. As a funny tale, it falls flat, and if you're looking for a scientific introduction to the beginning of the Earth (as the book does, briefly mention the big bang), it is completely inaccurate.

I agree with both QNPoohBear and Manybooks that this book just doesn't work.

[SamZ]

Snowy Sunday
This was a cute, simple story of animals, knitting, and winter. I think if I had a little around (unfortunately my little one is 10, so this doesn't work for us), and definitely if we had the whole series, this would be a fun tale.

[SamZ]

Scrawny Cat
I agree with the above sentiments that this is a cute book. Nothing amazing or unique, but a fun, feel-good story.

[SamZ]

Kathryn wrote: "Plant a Pocket of Prairie On the one hand, I think this is a lovely book with an important message. We may not be able to bring back the entirety of a certain ecosystem that has bee..."

Plant a Pocket of Prairie
A good way to introduce the prairie biome to kids and discuss the reasons for preservation and the interdependence of all species in a food chain. I liked the encouragement for children to plant lots of different plants in order to provide homes and food for many different species. Also, the end gave some great information about prairies in the US (and Minnesota, specifically) as well as encouraging kids to be "prairie detectives." To learn about what grows best where they are and to observe nature all around them.
I do agree, Kathryn, that a caveat should have been included that if the prairie isn't indigenous to your area, find what plants and animals are and plant/encourage those!

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

SamZ wrote: "Scrawny Cat
I agree with the above sentiments that this is a cute book. Nothing amazing or unique, but a fun, feel-good story."

Yeah. I think I just still had Stormy: A Story About Finding a Forever Home in my heart (I read it a few months ago) and it is a similar lost-and-found type story -- I loved that one SO much and it just rang so true to me that I guess "Scrawny Cat" didn't have that same impact for me, though it is cute and certainly a sweet book.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

SamZ wrote: "Big Momma Makes the World
I'm just not a fan. I agree with both QNPoohBear and Manybooks that this book just doesn't work.

I really hope this one comes via ILL because you all have me so curious about it. I have a feeling I will agree with all of you although it has surprisingly high ratings on GR and even a starred review from The Horn Book!

[Beverly, former Miscellaneous Club host]

Kathryn wrote: "With regard to the selections for our group to read together:

Grandmother Winter -- I read this one several years ago and thought it was wonderful. Reading it again with my youngest..."

This book finally came in at our library for me. I agree with Kathryn's review and comments. The illustrations were gorgeous, and the story/info very interesting.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Beverly wrote: "This book finally came in at our library for me. I agree with Kathryn's review and comments. The illustrations were gorgeous, and the story/info very interesting.."

I'm so glad you were able to read it and that you loved it, too! :-)

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

I am still waiting for Anywhere Farm.

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

SamZ wrote: "Big Momma Makes the World
I'm just not a fan. I don't understand why this book was written. As a retelling of the Genesis creation story, it seems a bit on the sacrilegious side. As a..."

And in retrospect, even the illustrations are a bit overdone.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

The Lost Forest This book really touched me. I had tears in my eyes by the end, so grateful that Josiah R. King and his survey crew had failed to map the forest -- and wishing that many more survey crews had made a similar "mistake" so that we had more of these precious spots of unspoiled land to enjoy and preserve today. The story is told in a captivating and almost lyrical way, including plenty of facts without losing the beauty and heart. The back matter is extensive and excellent: What Makes an Old Growth Forest?; Who Found the Lost Forty?; Where to See Old Growth Forest in Minnesota; What Lives in an Old Growth Forest? [many plants and birds listed here]; Measuring the Land [about the work of survey crews]; How to Talk Like a Surveyor; How to Dress Like a Surveyor; and, finally, some actual photographs of survey crews from the early 1900s, including the one of King and his crew (which was drawn as part of an illustration in the book). My son (almost 7) was also captivated by the book and asked for rereads. Highly recommended to anyone who loves nature!

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

I finally got Big Momma Makes the World via ILL. Going into it knowing the negative reactions you all had, I was prepared not to love it. I also tried to keep an open mind as it does have a very high average rating here on GR and some critical acclaim.

I must say, I agree with all of you. It's a very odd story and I'm really not sure what the purpose here is. At first, I wondered if maybe it was an allegory for motherhood -- you have your first baby and suddenly it is up to you to "create their world" and gradually expose them to more and more of the world, beyond just the light and darkness of waking or sleeping, the immediacy of eating and bonding, to eventually expose them to nature and animals and the vastness of human society. But, I'm really not sure that works with how the story here is ultimately told. It's also problematic in other ways. It is far too close to the Genesis story and I think that many people would find it rather blasphemous. Even if we remove that criticism, it's still told in rather an odd way. One moment we are talking about the bothers of laundry and the next about creating all of humanity? I agree that Big Momma's style of speech, while perhaps meant only to be folksy, doesn't match the overall tone of the story or the illustrations and, again, some might find it offensive. Sure there are some cute parts, like how the baby was perfectly happy just having mud and dirt to play in -- but Big Momma wanted to create more than that. But, overall, it was just too much of a jumble for me. I also had a problem with the visual portrayal of Big Momma. In the illustration of the humans being created from mud, we have people of all races (I'm sure some parents will be horrified that some naked bottoms are shown but I personally didn't mind that) but Big Momma and her baby are clearly Caucasian. I really feel uncomfortable with this. If we are going to have such a fanciful and "new" creation story, why not make Big Momma and her baby more fanciful in rendering? Less humanoid? Or at least give her some sort of neutral skin tone -- why not make her a lovely light shades of green or blue to match the earth and oceans? -- so that we are not assigning a skin tone to the creator that matches the skin tone of some of her human creations but not all of them? While I am generally a fan of Phyllis Root and Helen Oxenbury, I just can't be enthusiastic about this book.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Kathryn wrote: "I finally got Big Momma Makes the World via ILL. Going into it knowing the negative reactions you all had, I was prepared not to love it. I also tried to keep an open mind ...One moment we are talking about the bothers of laundry and the next about creating all of humanity? "

Indeed.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Kathryn wrote: "The Lost Forest This book really touched me. I had tears in my eyes by the end, so grateful that Josiah R. King and his survey crew had failed to map the forest -- and wishing that ..."

Thank you. Re-prioritizing. :)

[Manybooks, Fiction Club host]

Cheryl wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "The Lost Forest This book really touched me. I had tears in my eyes by the end, so grateful that Josiah R. King and his survey crew had failed to map the forest -- a..."

I want to read this as well.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

I hope you will both be able to read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

I don't have much else to add to the praise already given here to Aunt Nancy and the Bothersome Visitors. I really enjoyed it, too. Everyone should have an Aunt Nancy in their life! Each story is very well done but I think the one where she bests Old Man Trouble was my favorite. I loved how clever she is at seeing the bright side in every "bad" situation and that she (view spoiler)[eventually drives Old Man Trouble away because he just can't get her down (hide spoiler)]. The cat Ezekiel a crack-up and added bonus to the stories. This is more storytelling than "picture book" as I would typically think of PBs for children -- I could see these stories doing just as well told around a campfire or at family gatherings, handed down over generations. That said, the illustrations are a nice compliment. I think the older PB crowd would benefit from these stories the most because they will be able to better understand how Aunt Nancy tricks all these troublesome visitors and how that relates to their own everyday life. (Also, some younger or more sensitive readers might be a little afraid of, for example, Mister Death or some of the illustrations.) That said, I think this is a book that many adults would enjoy and it is full of good reminders for when the Bothersome Visitors show up in our lives.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

Kathryn, did you share Aunt Nancy with your children? I suppose they're not quite old enough?

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Cheryl wrote: "Kathryn, did you share Aunt Nancy with your children? I suppose they're not quite old enough?"

I didn't as I wanted to preview it first. Might do with my oldest as he would probably be able to catch on to some of the humor and trickster elements but I think it would definitely go over my four-year-old's head and he would probably be disturbed by the illustrations.

[Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs]

I agree, it's not really for the preschool set.