Children's Books discussion
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April 2020 (and beyond): What Picture Books Are You Reading During Shelter-in-Place?
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Loved this, but then I'm partial to books that show young people can do remarkable things. Fascinating story! I don't think I'd ever heard of Farnsworth (RCA is widely known for debuting the TV in 1939 at the World's Fair) I'm glad he is now getting recognition he deserves for inventing the television when he was a teenager. The story here is well-told and primarily positive and celebratory so it's great to share with young people and especially those interested in inventing. I would aim it for the upper-elementary set as it's definitely on the lengthier side and has some complicated concepts, but my budding engineer (7 years old) was very attentive.
The Author's Note goes into some of the less cheery aspects, such as how Farnsworth didn't want to relinquish control to RCA so he passed over their offer of payment for his idea... then later RCA claimed their own employee invented the television and took the fame. Also, Farnsworth became quite bitter about the very thing he had helped create... in his later years, he rarely watched TV and didn't let his children watch television. He had dreamed that television would be a way to unite people, communities and nations and be a medium of educationa and, perhaps, even of world peace. He felt it had been misused. "Too many cowboy movies," he said. Fortunately, he lived long enough to see the Moon Landing broadcast and felt that TV was finally becoming the worthwhile tool he had dreamed it would be. Despite his issues with the television, he never stopped getting brainstorms or trying to help people, he received 150 patents and worked on ways to control deadly viruses, safely dispose of waste, and find cheap sources of power.
The back matter also contains a list of Sources (books, websites and television) and denotes which books are most suitable for young readers.
The illustrations are wonderful and I love the inclusion of pages from antique Sears, Roebuck catalogs and Popular Science magazines into the illustrations.
Highly recommended!
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I Am Every Good Thing
Perfect Pigeons
Sun and Moon Have a Tea Party
In the City
My Rainy Day Rocket Ship
Looking for Smile
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I Am Every Good Thing
[boo..."
Thank you! So wish I had more hold spaces available at the library! ;-)
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The Camping Trip That Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks
I loved this book! It's a subject that is dear to my heart and it is told in such an engaging, entertaining and touching way. While the story feels complete, the Author's Note is excellent and helps provide greater context as well as insight into how she created the story from the historical sources available. Sources are included, and I appreciate the direct quotes from Muir and Roosevelt included, as well. Highly recommend.
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A wordless book in which the illustrations depict the story flawlessly, so that it is very easy to follow, even for young ones.
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The Barnabus Project by Eric Fan
I am a big fan of the Fan Brothers. I loved this fantasy about a secret underground lab that was creating "perfect pets." The rejects escape from their glass prisons and go on a grand adventure.
If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall
The Caldecott award winner comes through with another excellent book. This time, a young boy is writing a long letter to any extra-terrestrials who might visit earth, and he is telling them all about what to expect when they arrive.
Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry
This book was also a winner for me. Captain Swashby is a retired sailor, who wants to spend his waning years in peace and quiet. But then he gets neighbors, and the sea keeps changing the sand messages he writes to them.
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I loved this lovely, heart-warming story. The illustrations do a great job of showing the reader the desperation of the animals, the war damage of the city, and the kind-heartedness of Alaa as he feeds the many cats. Notes from the authors and illustrator at the back add even more information and context.
Packs: Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyer
I loved this book! The emphasis on togetherness in these various animal communities drives the narrative, which gives a little bit of info about the animal, and the collective noun for a group of the animals. The illustrations, rendered in cut paper, gouache, acrylics, and colored pencils, also emphasized the togetherness of the various animal groups. Terrific natural history for young ones. The author includes a list of recommended reading at the end.
Brother and kids recommendThe Little Blue Cottage
Brother is into Phoebe Wahl. She graduated with her BFA from the same school at the same time my brother graduated with his MFA. The Blue House is a new favorite.
Greta and the GiantsThis story is a light allegory in the vein more of a fairy tale. Some giants are destroying the animals' forest home and a little girl named Greta sets out to stop them. Other children and animals join in until the giants agree to stop. The writing is pretty simple. This is geared towards young children about ages 5-7 depending on the attention span of the child. It really has nothing to do with Greta Thunberg. The author's note in the back explains who Greta Thunberg is and what you can do to help. There are resources listed where kids can learn how to get involved.
I didn't like the illustrations. The kids are cute and diverse, the animals have humanish smiles on their faces but the giants are awful. The giants are large, multi-colored and have very few facial features. Their faces are simplistic and they're made to look stupid.
I've read better books with the same theme but I think young kids will enjoy the story and feel inspired.
My mom bought A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat for niece #1 (12). My mom didn't know about the controversy or what a fool was but she knew my brother's kids really like the illustrator. I explained what I read about the illustrations showing the myth of the happy slave. My mom liked the pictures and how the illustrator defends her choices in a note in the back. She planned to gift the book with the berries and cream to my niece. I think she will still do it.
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The Little Blue Cottage
Brother is into Phoebe Wahl. She graduated with her BFA from the same school at the same time my brother gradua..."
I've read both of those. I enjoyed them both very much. That's neat your brother has a connection with Wahl.
Thank you for posting these and the other recommendations.
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I loved this lovely, heart-warming story. The illustrations do a great job of showing the reader the desperation of the animal..."
Those sound wonderful! Thank you for posting!
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Many readers still really enjoyed A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat, but after reading about the controversy, I approached especially the illustrations more critically and indeed found a lot of potential issues for discussion and criticism and not just with regard to the “happy and smiling slave” scenario either.
Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating
A simple biography of pioneering Black figure skater Mabel Fairbanks. Orphaned and homeless in New York in the 1930s, a woman took Mabel in in exchange for babysitting. Mabel loved to look out at the ice skaters in the park but when she went to an indoor rink, she was told no people of color allowed. It didn't stop her and she found a coach, the groundbreaking and much more familiar Maribel Vinson Owen (*) Mabel persisted and became a show skater and coach to Tai Bablilonia and Randy Gardner, and mentored Kristi Yamagucci and others.
The information in the story is pretty basic. It left me, as an adult reader, wanting to know more. Unfortunately the bibliography is sparse and Google didn't turn up much either aside from stories about her death and the recent financial award named after her.
https://www.usfigureskating.org/suppo...
For a child, it's enough to inspire them. Perhaps Star Andrews will merit a longer biography when she's older. She's the first recipient of the Mabel Fairbanks Skating Yours Fund.
I do not like the illustrations. The illustrator works in animation and it shows. The cartoony, computer drawn style isn't my thing. The pictures are bright and colorful and I sort of recognize some skaters at the end! I guess the illustrator gets credit for looking up those skaters and what they looked like when they were skating. The book needs to be updated to add a page about the fund with an illustration of Starr Andrews.
There's an "about Mabel Fairbanks" note at the end, a glossary of figure skating terms (one of which I did not know, they don't comment on anything except jumps these days) and a selected sources section.
*she died in the 1961 plane crash that killed the entire world team. Her most famous big name skater my generation knows is Frank Carroll, coach of Michelle Kwan, Evan Lysacek and others. He was *gasp* Irish in a time when "no Irish need apply" was the rule of the country clubs and skating clubs.
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A simple biography of pioneering Black figure sk..."
Thank you for sharing! Sounds like noteworthy book if not quite as good as it could have been. Sadly, I don't think I've ever heard of Mabel Fairbanks--she was before my time, but even then I don't recall mention of her. Speaking of our generation, I do remember Surya Bonaly, a female skater from France, it was quite noteworthy as there were no other black figure skaters at the time. And, ah yes, Frank Carroll -- I remember him well, though I didn't realize he was Irish and that backstory.
Mabel Fairbanks grew up in the 20s and 30s and skated professionally in the 40s because she wasn't allowed to compete.She deserves a full-length biography, even if it's slim. They can pad it with her legacy. Some of her former skaters are working to bring her story to the small screen.
For now she's on Wikipedia and other online sources
The Undefeated: Mabel Fairbanks
and Ice Theater of New York a more thorough profile, basically the same text as the picture book but in adult language.
I remember Debi Thomas skating as a professional but she went on to become a doctor and stopped skating.
Yes I remember Surya Bonaly too. She is memorable for performing an illegal back flip at the Olympics. She was a jumper more than an artist, which these days, would earn her gold medals.
I don't know if this is the right section to post this question, but I couldn't find any place else that looked better....I am looking for a good book of children's short stories. Does anyone know of any? I'm looking for an elementary school age level....anywhere from grades 1-5 would be fine. Thanks so much.
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Hi Emily,
Actually, this folder is for discussing picture books, and this topic is about picture books. I would suggest that you move your request to the folder entitled "Books for Specific Age Groups." If you have trouble finding the folder: at the top of the page, on the right side under "Children's Books" there are several links in small letters; click on "Discussions", then scroll down until you find the appropriate folder.
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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Kate DiCamillo, such a charming book! Loved. A classic for sure.A Boy called Bat, Elana K. Arnold A sweet, tender story with a lot of heart!
A Wolf Called Wander, Roseanne Parry I love books based on true stories, and this one is no exception!
Just a few!
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A Boy called Bat, Elana K. Arnold A sweet, tender story with a lot of heart!
A Wolf Called ..."
Hi Tracy,
I've read Miraculous Journey, and it's a great book, but all three of these books are chapter books, not picture books. This thread is for sharing picture books (pbs) that you are reading. You may have thought (as others have) that pb stood for paperback. Anyway, please post about any great picture books you are reading or have read.
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Beverly wrote: "Tracy wrote: "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Kate DiCamillo, such a charming book! Loved. A classic for sure.A Boy called Bat, Elana K. Arnold A sweet, tender story with a lot of heart!
..."
Tracy wrote: "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Kate DiCamillo, such a charming book! Loved. A classic for sure.
A Boy called Bat, Elana K. Arnold A sweet, tender story with a lot of heart!
A Wolf Called ..."
Kathryn wrote: "Sorry about the confusion, Tracy! I will change the thread title to say Picture Books instead of PBs. I get used to our usual little group and I forget my abbreviations might be unclear to newcomer..."
Kathryn wrote: "Sorry about the confusion, Tracy! I will change the thread title to say Picture Books instead of PBs. I get used to our usual little group and I forget my abbreviations might be unclear to newcomer..."
Beverly wrote: "Tracy wrote: "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Kate DiCamillo, such a charming book! Loved. A classic for sure.
A Boy called Bat, Elana K. Arnold A sweet, tender story with a lot of heart!
..."
All Because You Matter, Tami Charles, Absolutely Beautiful book! A must-read for all!
Girls With Guts!: The road to breaking barriers, Debbie Gonzales Loved! Woman Power!
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, Joanna Ho, Gorgeous book!
Thank you, Kathryn, I didn't even see PB, I know what it meant. I just totally overlooked it!Thank you!
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Thank you!"
No worries :-) Thank you so for posting back, Tracy. I read Eyes That Kiss in the Corners a few months ago and agree that it is simply gorgeous. I'll have to check out the others you mentioned. We are focusing on picture books about outstanding women for March and Girls with Guts!: The Road to Breaking Barriers and Bashing Records sounds like it will fit right in! If you'd like to join our discussion there, feel welcome :-)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Thank you Kathryn for the recommendation Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots
This is a fun, easy read that will introduce pre-Kindergartners to the concept of facts and opinions and how to agree to disagree on opinions. The robots are bright, colorful and fun. I cringed a little at oil and nuts and bolts on ice cream but they're robots so why not? This is an important lesson even adults need to learn, especially now. The next step is how to evaluate sources to discover what is fact. I didn't learn that formally until library school.
First grade nephew learned fact vs. opinion this year and he enjoyed reading this book on his own. He kept it an extra few days but has returned it so I guess it didn't warrant a reread.
Made by Hand: A Crafts Sampler
The author and illustrator tell the stories of 14 objects in museum collections in the northeast (mostly here in New England). The author blends facts with historical research to create short historical fiction pieces in poetry and prose. The objects are ordinary, every day things like a butter churn, weathervane or a sampler and some are exceptional like a box for freedom papers. There's also a bandolier bag from the Oijbwe people. The illustrator painted scenes from daily life in the folk art style popular in the colonial and early republic periods.
I just loved this book! It would have been right up my alley when I was about 7 and wanting to be Laura Ingalls. In fact, my great-grandmother did pretty much the same thing with her family heirlooms! I enjoyed the stories about how and why these objects came to be. I loved the folksy illustrations with their beautiful, natural color palettes. I enjoyed the author's note explaining her writing process and best of all, the photos and attributions of the objects make me want to go look them up and see them in detail. I can think of lots more that could be included, perhaps in another volume. You can't throw a stone without hitting a pre-industrial museum around here.
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The author and illustrator tell the stories of 14 objects in museum collections in the northeast (m..."
That sounds delightful! Thanks for posting.
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When Sunday quits, the other six days of the week hold interviews for a new day to take Sunday's place.
Chock full of insane silliness; wonderful, bright, colorful illustrations. I vote for Caturday. (5 stars)
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A beautifully written ghost story with gorgeous watercolor and gouache paintings by Lynch. The story is reminiscent of those folk lore stories in which someone is stolen away by the fairies; but in this case, the main character Jacob is stolen away by a ghost.
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When Sunday quits, the other six days of the week hold interviews for a new day to take Sun..."
That sounds very entertaining!
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When Sunday quits, the other six days of the week hold interviews for a new..."
It was a hoot!
When the Cousins Came
Lila is excited to have her city cousins come visit her in the country but right away she notices they're very different from their hairstyles to their activities. This book celebrates the differences of a multi-ethnic family. The cousins seem to be Black and Asian/ multiethic/multiracial. The girl wears her hair in two puffs on top of her head and the boy in a mohawk. The cousins eat with chopsticks while Lila didn't even know her family had chopsticks.
While I appreciate what the author was trying to say with this story, I didn't like the cousins at all. They were rude, especially the boy. I didn't feel the happy ending matched the cousins' previous behavior at all.
The illustrations are very modern and not really my thing but I liked seeing the multiethnic family together.
Betty Doll
5 hankies! This story of friendship between a girl and her doll is so meaningful. I could easily relate. (Only no one else is allowed to even touch my doll). I wasn't crazy about the illustrations. I found it hard to follow what was going on. The author combines black and white sketches with color sketches and some photos. Some of the drawings copy real photos and are interspersed with the girl and her doll. What I did like about the illustrations was getting a good sense of the time period the story took place in even without references to Theda Bara, Rudolph Valentino, etc.
I had time to stop by the library and sit and read on a gorgeous afternoon. One of the best books I read is Lillian's Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Wow! Well done! The author turns the metaphorical hill of fighting for voting rights into a literal hill! In this story, Lillian, a 100 year old woman, literally climbs a hill to go vote in present day. As she climbs, she recalls those who came before her: her great-great-grandparents (and baby), enslaved and sold at auction; her great-grandfather finally free and casting his first vote and so on through the Selma-Montgomery marches, Dr. King and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This is a great way to tell history!
I loved Lillian's determination and how she honored those who fought hard, including herself.
The illustrations are great. Lillian is depicted in full color against a backdrop of sky and hill. Her ancestors and her past self are ghostly outlines. I wish there was an illustrator's note because I believe Lillian's colorful outfit may be inspired by African cloth. It's colorful anyway.
An author's note briefly explains the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and brings the reader up to to speed with what's happening today. Then it asks "Will another generation take up the challenge?"
Trigger warnings: a funeral, mention of how John Lewis got hit in the head on the bridge in Selma and a burning cross in front of Lillian's home when her parents try to vote.
This one is a MUST read for mid-elementary kids AND adults of all ages.
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Hooray! So happy you got to do some browsing and gorgeous-day reading :-) Thanks for the recent posts. This has been on my list and I'll definitely try to pick it up soon. I also look forward to [book:Betty Doll|835023] (I love doll books and Polacco books!)
Children's library staying times are still limited but they let you grab as many books as you want and check them out. I had only 10 minutes before they closed for dinner hour so I only grabbed three books. There's a nice patio with a bench outside set back from the busy city street and yesterday the weather was perfect for sitting and reading and many people stopped by the book drop to return their children's books. The downside to the library being back open is more books are checked out! They don't let the kids come in to play or do after school activities yet.
Tony from Sydney, Australia.In 2020, community libraries were closed for a few months. Covid-19 hasn’t been a major drama in Australia compared to most other countries.
I enjoy visiting libraries with my youngest grandson (11). So many amazing children’s story picture books from many countries. Hi Renee
On my GR author/ Illustrator profile, I listed some recommended books that I have reviewed.
2 special children’s books that I am currently reading are: Circle by Jeannie Baker (author / illustrator) & Drought by Jackie French (authorities ).
‘Circle’ brilliantly describes the specific migratory adventures of godwit birds. ‘Drought’ brings you into the essence of this uncomfortable climate dilemma.
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In 2020, community libraries were closed for a few months. Covid-19 hasn’t been a major drama in Australia compared to most other countries.
I enjoy visiting librarie..."
I've read books by both authors, but not the two books you mention here. I especially enjoyed French's wombat picture books.
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In 2020, community libraries were closed for a few months. Covid-19 hasn’t been a major drama in Australia compared to most other countries.
I enjoy visiting librarie..."
Thank you for posting! I loved Jeannie Baker's Home years ago and am glad you brought her name up as it reminds me to look for more. I'm glad to hear you didn't have to do without libraries as long as many of us did and how wonderful to visit them with your grandson :-)
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Same here, no play area set up and the group activities are being held outdoors at a nearby park. Even though more books are being checked out, there's no longer a quarantine for check-in so the books are at least getting back into circulation more quickly. It was really slow back when it took seven days for a book to get checked in and then people have seven days to pick up a hold so up until a months or so ago it could be up to two weeks before a book went from dropped off to checked-out again and some of the holds moved along at a snail's pace. Though, still, we were grateful for what we got!
Quarantine has been reduced to 24 hours, thankfully and not 3-4 days! Holds seem to be moving quickly unless it's something like the cancelled Seuss books or something new and popular. It looks like Thursday will be another beautiful night for sitting outside and reading.
Children's Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Home (other topics)Lillian's Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (other topics)
Lillian's Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (other topics)
Betty Doll (other topics)
When the Cousins Came (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Brad Meltzer (other topics)Brad Meltzer (other topics)
P.J. Lynch (other topics)
Brad Meltzer (other topics)
Irene Latham (other topics)
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I probably never would have picked this book up were it not for the high ratings here. The cover art didn't appeal to me at all and I didn't think a story about ramen would be particularly interesting. I'm glad I gave it a try. It's a great story and I most definitely recommend it.
So, mostly I've always thought of instant ramen as that "poor college student fare" and not particularly healthy. I never really wondered where it came from or why it was created. So, imagine my surprise when I learned that it sprang out of post-WWII Japan as a way to provide families devastated by the war with an affordable, easy and healthy meal! Momofuku Ando was deeply troubled by the long lines of hungry people shivering in ragged clothes, waiting to pay outrageous prices for a meager bowl of ramen soup (and that was the people lucky enough to be able to afford a hot meal--orphans scrounged in the garbage, the very poor ate bark and grass to survive). Ando couldn't get the images out of his mind or heart. "The world is peaceful only when everyone has enough to eat," he realized. So, he dreamed of ways to help feed people. This led to the creation of instant ramen! I loved the way he persevered in working on the recipe, pushing through setbacks, always trying to improve both flavor and nutritional value, never veering from his quest to keep it affordable to the masses.
If I have one quibble, it's that I would have liked a little more backstory about Ando -- what was his job prior to beginning to create "magic noodles"? did he have any cooking experience? did something from his past make him particularly sensitive to the needs of the poor or was it a kind of epiphany? From the Afterward, we learn that he was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Japan as a young man, but that's about all the background we get. Perhaps not much is known about his early life? No sources or suggestions for further reading are mentioned. Still, I apprecated the pronunciation guide as well as the author's note about the use of given name or surname in Japan.
The illustrations may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I actually ended up really enjoying them and think they are wonderfully suitable for the story. I've watched a lot of Studio Ghibli films ;-) and these illustrations really remind me of the why those human characters are animated. (Urbanowicz lives in Japan and works in animation.)