March Reads - 2016

[Kristen]

A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat by Emily Jenkins

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman

Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff

We are starting off the year with some great titles. What do you think of them?

[Jennifer]

I loved Gingerbread for Liberty! Thought the paintings were amazing - loved how he made them look like gingerbread cookies. And I learned about a new Revolutionary War hero I had never heard of!

[Beverly]

Ditto what Jennifer said about Gingerbread for Liberty. An amazing story about an unsung hero. And the illustrations were definitely unique-looking.

I also had a chance to read A Fine Dessert today. What a fascinating book comparing people, costume, and gadgets over the course of 4 centuries, all making the same dessert. I am going to want to try out blackberry fool for myself!

[Jennifer]

Just finished A Fine Dessert. I also loved the comparison across centuries, but I don't think this book is a Caldecott contender.

[Pam]

Thus far, Gingerbread for Liberty has my vote. I loved it and so the the 5th and 8th graders with whom I've shared it.

[Laura]

Kristen wrote: " A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat by [author:Emily Jenkins|1..."

Every one of these picture books is of great caliber. A Fine Dessert is absolutely stunning. Wolfie the Bunny is unique and laugh out loud funny. I believe the children would prefer this title the best.

[Jen]

I too really enjoyed A Fine Dessert. I liked the progression through the centuries and how the story came full circle with sharing a meal with a group of diverse friends and family.

[Jen]

Gingerbread for Liberty has wonderful illustrations, but I felt the story lacked what it could have been. Since it is a NF title I wish more of the end note would have been incorporated into the story. An interesting bit of history, but I don't think it's destinguished.

[Jen]

Last Stop on Market Street is a quiet story about family and community. It would pair well with DiSalvo-Ryan's titles in looking at ourselves and helping others around us.

[Beverly]

Our library's copy of Last Stop on Market Street finally came in. Besides being a story of family and community, C. J. and his Nana help out at a soup kitchen after church every Sunday. The simple, stylized illustrations in acrylics and collage fit the simple story well. However, all the people and landscapes look flat--two dimensional. Not my favorite style of illustration.

[June]

I found A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat to be well researched and enjoyed the walk through the centuries, but the illustrations in Last Stop on Market Street blew me away. I found the pictures to be beautiful and emotionally evocative. The story about CJ's and his grandmother's trip on the bus to a soup kitchen after church resonated with me. The idea that "Some people watch the world with their ears." or "their noses, too". Then there is, Nana's pooh-poohing wanting an ipod when a real musician is sitting across from you. Also, her words of wisdom, "Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt. DJ, you're a better witness for what's beautiful." I think Matt de la Pena is completely successful in his goal "to kind of show the grace and dignity on the 'wrong side of the tracks.'"

[Jenni]

It's funny, I was able to get my hands on A Fine Dessert easily, and just connected with it. The other three had more holds on them and as they trickled in, just couldn't stand up to A Fine Dessert. I have been a fan of Sophie Blackall for a long time and would like to see her get some recognition for this.

[Jen]

Jenni wrote: "It's funny, I was able to get my hands on A Fine Dessert easily, and just connected with it. The other three had more holds on them and as they trickled in, just couldn't stand up to A Fine Desser..."

Agreed, A Fine Dessert, was at the top of my list for the month. But, Wolfie the Bunny will be a favorite with the kids. Additionally, after seeing Matt de la Pena at the end of February at WWU Last Stop on Market Street has a special place in my heart as well.

[Helen]

Our library just received 'Last Stop on Market Square'. I really enjoyed the illustrations & liked the underlying 'message', but I wasn't taken in by the narrative as much as some other reviewers. As I'm an Aussie, perhaps it's a cultural difference...

[Julie]

Helen wrote: "Our library just received 'Last Stop on Market Square'. I really enjoyed the illustrations & liked the underlying 'message', but I wasn't taken in by the narrative as much as some other reviewers. ..."
I'm an American & I agree with you. I enjoyed the illustrations much more than the text. I read this book aloud to 5 through 7 - year-olds and they were far from captivated, as well. Personally, I found the text forced.

[Beverly]

Wolfie the Bunny
Our library system's copies of this book finally arrived. I loved this story! This is the review I wrote:
Adorable story in which Dot the bunny is convinced that her adopted wolf brother is going to eat up their entire family. The turn-around at the end is sweet. The cartoon style illustrations in acrylic paint are cute as a button. As a librarian, I considered that this book would work wonderfully well in a story time about families or bunnies. I also think it would make a great Caldecott Award or Honor book.
Of the four books on this month's read list, I liked Wolfie and Fine Dessert the best.

[Briony]

I loved looking at "A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat." There were so many little details. I also thought it was neat that she incorporated blueberries into the paint to make her pictures!

[Rosie]

A Fine Dessert:
Wonderful, original book with beautiful pictures, as always expected when they come from Sophie Blackall. It has a rhythm that effortlessly carries the reader through four centuries. The text is excellent, but what makes this book work so well is the visual storytelling.