THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK: 14 AMAZING AUTHORS TELL THE TALES by Chris Van Allsburg is based on the popular book published by Van Allsburg in 1984 entitled THE MYSTERIES OF HARRIS BURDICK.

 The original book consisted of mesmerizing pictures each with a title and caption but no written story. It was a favorite book of teachers who wanted to encourage creative writing projects. Now, THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK is here featuring stories inspired by the original pictures and captions and written by the stars of children's literature and short story including Kate DiCamillo, Walter Dean Myers, Lois Lowry, Jules Feiffer, Jon Scieszka and Stephen King among others.

 The book is a superb introduction to the art of the short story and includes great tales-----some sad, some happy, some scary and some enchanting.  The caption underneath each original picture is embedded in each new story like an old treasure waiting to be found.

"Under the Rug" by Jon Scieszka is the story of a boy who attempts to conquer whatever horror is making a lump under the living room rug. Armed with a broom he goes on the attack. The story is a lot of fun---- especially Grandmother's advice.

"The Third Floor Bedroom" by Kate DiCamillo is told through the eyes of Pearlie as she writes four letters to her brother Martin. When they were orphaned Martin joined the army and Pearlie was forced to live with her Aunt Hazel. Pearlie is writing from her sick bed in her Aunt's third floor bedroom where the wallpaper is covered with white birds, wings spread, but they cannot get free.  The wallpaper mirrors Pearlie's feelings. This is a touching story of great beauty.

"Archie Smith, Boy Wonder" by Tabitha King is a beautifully descriptive story of a young boy who dreams about being "the one" selected for future baseball greatness. "The House on Maple Street" by Stephen King is a thrilling story about children who manage to lose one bad stepfather and one possessed house all in one evening! The countdown to lift off is SUSPENSEFUL!

THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIS BURDICK: 14 Amazing Authors Tell the Tales by Chris Van Allsburg with a great introduction written by Lemony Snicket is ideal for children 10-14 years of age (Houghton-Mifflin, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for The Chronicles of Harris Burdick

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS written by Clement C. Moore, performed by Peter, Paul and Mary and illustrated by Eric Puybaret is a visual and auditory delight.

The poem was first published anonymously in the Troy (New York) Sentinel on December 23, 1823 under the title  "A Visit from St. Nicholas". There have been numerous illustrated publications of this poem over the years but this book is a gorgeous example of visual storytelling.

French illustrator Eric Puybaret has imagined a most unique setting for this poem. St. Nicholas, the eight reindeer, the children with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, the decorative furniture, the Christmas tree and the toys are all presented in an enchanting style full of soft curves, the grace of folk art and luminous, magical light. St. Nick has a long red hat that stretches out dramatically catching the wind in the night sky.  And the reindeer are dressed elegantly in blankets and top hats or bowlers as they dash away, dash away, dash away all.

The details found in the paintings, done in acrylic on linen, are brushed with an endearing whimsy. Don't miss the end papers that depict Santa's workshop. In the front of the book before the poem starts there are busy and fanciful elves putting the last touches on the toys while tiny and delicate fairies load the sleigh. In the back of the book after the poem ends there are sleepy and exhausted elves heading home while Mrs. Claus stands outside with a watch in hand searching the sky for Santa and the returning sleigh.  And, just like clockwork, he's coming in on time.

The CD by Peter, Paul and Mary nestled all snug at the back of the book contains three tracks including music by Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey and a reading of the holiday poem by Mary Travers recorded shortly before her death in 2009.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, written by Clement C. Moore, performed by Peter, Paul and Mary and illustrated by Eric Puybaret, is appropriate for children ages 4-7 (Imagine Books/ Charlesbridge, 2010).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The Runaway Wok, written by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by Sebastia Serra  is the tale of a magical Wok who takes from the rich and gives to the poor.

The folktale begins when Ming’s mother gives him the last of their eggs and sends him off to the market to trade for rice to share with their neighbors in celebration of the Chinese New Year.  Ming is sad though when he leaves for the market for he knows that while his parents are hard-working, they remain poor because they have been cheated by a villager, Mr. Li.  As Ming enters the market area, he is met by an old man who offers to trade a rusty old wok for his eggs.  Ming resists the offer until he hears the wok sing, “Boy, boy, trade for me, I am more than what you see.” 

Ming quickly realizes that if the wok can sing, it might also be able to do other wonderful things as well and with that, Ming makes the trade and heads back home. His mother is surprised and disappointed until the wok sings to her, saying, “Mother make me shine so bright, and you shall have food to share tonight.”  Deciding to do as the wok says, Ming’s mother polishes the wok  and when she is finished, it rolls off with a promise to go off to the rich man’s wife.

The wok arrives at Mrs. Li’s house and impressed with the shiny wok, demands that the servants fill it with food.  As soon as it is filled, the wok jumps off the table and out the window and travels back to Ming’s home where his family happily removes the food and sets up for a big neighborhood feast. 
 Again, once it is emptied, the wok scurries away—first to collect the toys from the greedy Li son and later to Mr. Li himself to collect the money he had cheated from the villagers.  Each time the wok returns to Ming’s home, Ming and his parents share the riches of food, toys, and money with their neighbors.
 
When the wok returns to the home of the greedy Li family a final time, they try to capture it, but instead are scooped up by the wok and taken far away so they can never harm the villagers again.
This folktale is a delightful of Jack and the Beanstalk that captures the playfulness of the Chinese New Year celebration. The illustrations are filled with colorful imagery that extends the text beautifully and will amuse young readers.

The Runaway Wok, written by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by Sebastia Serra  is appropriate for ages 4 to 8.

This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.
Compestine, Ying Change. The Runaway Wok. Illustrated by Sebastia Serra.  New York, NY: Dutton’s Children’s Books, 2011.

Discussion Questions for The Runaway Wok

EVERY THING ON IT, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein, comes joyfully into the children's literary canon some twelve years after Silverstein's death. The collection is not a group of left over poems of lesser quality but rather gems of fun, philosophy and word play. There are over 140 poems most of which are full of the poet's signature exuberance, audacity and humor. It belongs on the bookshelf next to WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS, THE GIVING TREE and A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC.

Shel Silverstein's ability to entertain young readers while at the same time leading them to a process of reflection is alive and well in this new collection. "Yesees and Noees" makes a strong statement for independent thinking. "Growing Down", the longest poem with 80 wonderful lines, celebrates the beauty of recapturing childhood.

 "The Kid-Eating Land Shark", written in Silverstein's characteristically "edgy style", tells the story of a hungry shark that wonders why he has always remained in the water when there are fresh kids on land. So the determined shark works everyday on techniques for swimming on shore until he can go where no shark has gone before in search of kids to eat: Quoting a few lines from the poem:

Now he's prob'ly neath the sidewalk
While you run and jump and skate,
But you'll never ever see him-
Until it's much too late.
So let this be a lesson
To every shark and kid:
Just 'cause somethin' ain't been done
Don't mean it can't be did."

Memorable pen and ink drawings accompany such poems as "Trampoline", "Whoosh", "The Scientist and the Hippopotamus", "Housebroken", " Three Flamingoes" and "Nasty School".

There is also a stunning four-line poem at the very end of the book written in Silverstein's voice with a drawing of a gentle creature  waving goodbye. It's poignant and hopeful. Quoting from that poem:
When I am gone what will you do?
Who will write and draw for you?
Someone smarter---someone new?
Someone better---maybe YOU!

EVERY THING ON IT, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein is ideal for all ages (Harper and Collins, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Everything On It

THE HUGO MOVIE COMPANION, written and illustrated by Brian Selznick with additional materials by Martin Scorsese and David Serlin magically illuminates the making of a 3D movie of the wildly popular Caldecott winning graphic novel THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET. Throughout this gorgeous book drawings from the original book are intermingled with photographs from some of the most spectacular movie scenes.

In Chapter One, Selznick reveals that the name Hugo was actually taken from his childhood toy named Hugo the Man of a Thousand Faces because he thought it sounded French." The only other French word I knew", says Selznick, "was cabaret. Voilà...Hugo Cabret was born."

Nine to fourteen year-old readers will enjoy the brief essays contained in this volume. Director Martin Scorsese writes on "The Birth of Cinema" and talks about the work of early film makers including Georges Méliès, a primary character in the graphic novel. Another essay," A Brief History of Automatons" by David Serlin is also filled with engaging facts. There were 15 automatons built for the movie.

The toyshop, the train station, Paris in 1931, the clocks and the automatons are all recreated in grand detail by the huge creative team of artists, researchers, designers and technicians featured in this book. This journey from history to graphic novel to movie is fascinating.

 Director Scorsese is shown closely mentoring Asa Butterfield who plays Hugo through many difficult scenes including the recreation of Harold Lloyd's famous scene from SAFETY LAST. Here Hugo hangs from the hands of the tower clock. He must also emotionally face that he is an orphan living alone in the walls of a train station, learn how to manipulate intricate tools in order to keep the clocks on time and learn how to painstakingly and lovingly fix the broken automaton.

THE HUGO MOVIE COMPANION written by Brian Selznick   celebrates the creative process across a broad range of performing, literary, design and technical arts. It is an education in itself and  ideal for 9-14 year olds and everyone who fell in love with the magic of Selznick's THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET (Scholastic Press, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for The Hugo Movie Companion

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is a beautiful tribute to one of favorite lullabies.  This song put to story was presented and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.   The lyrical narrative is told through the eyes of an inquisitive chipmunk whose imaginative journey will delight readers young and old.
Jerry Pinkney uses the images of nature to propel both his chipmunk and us, as readers, through a colorful adventure with a dream-like quality.  With each new illustration, the wonder and curiosity is captured on the faces of the animal characters.  Each representation illustrates the star-like qualities of flower petals, spider webs, lightening bugs, and water droplets and encourages readers to see the magical traits within the beauty of our surroundings.

Pinkney uses pencils and watercolors to create the illustrations used in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  They depict breathtaking visual representations of a magical wildlife world from dawn to dusk and beyond.  The limited verse allows readers to  explore the nuances of this visual wonderland.  An epilogue shares Jerry Pinkney’s reasons for creating this lyrical and visual delight for his readers. 
Jerry Pinkney has written and illustrated dozens of books and has received the Caldecott Honors and the Coretta Scott King awards multiple times.  While this book is intended for readers ages two and up, it will be enjoyed by all who appreciate Jerry Pinkney’s continued commitment to the creation of art and story for young people.

This is Pamela Gates for The Children’s Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

MOUSE AND LION by Rand Burkert and illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert is a beautiful retelling of the ancient fable by Aesop known as LION AND MOUSE. Here Rand Burkert has changed the title around to give deference to the courageous, tiny mouse rather than the powerful, great lion. Quoting from the author's notes, "In most productions of this fable Lion's name appears first on the marquee. It is not clear why this should be, when Mouse clearly performs the lion's share of the work."

Mouse accidently walks over Lion as he is sleeping and wakes him up.  Lion is prepared to eat the Mouse until Mouse persuades him to spare him because he is courageous and will be loyal to him in the future. After Mouse shows Lion his courageous climbing tricks, Lion lets him go more out of amusement than anything else. As the fable proceeds Lion gets caught in a horrible trap planted by hunters to capture him. And, indeed, Mouse comes to Lion's rescue, as he said he would, by eating through the tight roping one piece at a time to free this king of the beasts.

After his release, Lion realizes the true meaning of their friendship and how a somewhat small creature could very well be of assistance to a much bigger creature. Nancy Burkert's watercolor that accompanies this realization is outstanding. It is a gentle and inspirational presentation of the direct communication between both animals. The images, soft colors and details are full of understanding and love---this is especially-evident in the gaze of the eyes. The artist has set the story in a region between Namibia and Botswana where the lion and the baobab tree exist together. The double page spread of Lion headed for the comfort of the baobab tree is exquisite as is the final illustration of the small creatures of the world now revered by Lion.

MOUSE AND LION by Rand Burkert and illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert with its lively text, gorgeous pictures and clean design makes this an ideal gift book for children ages 4-8 (MDC books, Scholastic, 2011).This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for The Mouse and Lion

THE ART COLLECTOR, written by Jan Wahl and illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet tells the delightful story of how Great Granny influenced little Oscar's life by introducing him to art.

One day, Great Granny invited Oscar to watch her draw a picture with a red crayon on a blank piece of white paper. Soon it was not a blank piece of paper but rather a picture of a red chicken. Oscar thought it was magic! He wanted to try to draw a red chicken, also. Although he tried very hard his lines went all over the paper and his drawing did not look anything like a chicken. He rolled it into a little ball and threw it on the floor. But, Great Granny encouraged him to try something else with a black piece of paper and a white piece of chalk. It was hard to tell what it was but Great Granny knew just what to do upon looking at his white and black drawing. Quoting from the book, "You have made a very fine picture of a snowstorm on a very dark night."

Mom and Dad had both pictures framed and hung on the wall. Oscar liked looking at the chicken. One weekend the family went to a flea market and Oscar found another picture he liked. It was an etching of a cottage with a waterwheel next to a stream. He could hear the water churning when he looked at it and with his parent's help he bought it-----this was Oscar's first picture, but not his last. The wonderfully-detailed two page center illustration by Bonnet tells it all----ten or eleven year old Oscar is in bed reading a book entitled Art News surrounded by pictures on the walls and stacked up on the floor. He is on his way to becoming a professional art collector and when he is an adult he will have a museum named in his honor to house his collection for everyone to enjoy.

The first moral of this fine story seems to be: you don't have to be able to make art to enjoy art.  The second moral is: supportive Great Grannies always know best. And the third moral is:  children need to be introduced to beauty if they are to know beauty.

THE ART COLLECTOR written by Jan Wahl and illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet is appropriate for children 5-8 years of age (Charlesbridge, 2011).  This is Sue Ann Martin for The Children's Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for The Art Collector

As Seth and Sara later join the family for dinner, they are once again surprised—this time by the unusual cuisine of “New Zealand land vipers”, “lampfish fins with bees’ knees and guppy filets” and other such delicacies that seemed to move on their plates.  When Mrs. Graves becomes upset because Seth and Sara are not eating, they do their best to calm her down by extending their mother’s invitation to come to the “Union City Ladies Garden Club Tea.”

Needless to say, the cuisine of the Graves’ family is not the only odd and unusual thing about them.  Readers will delight in the scandal that occurs at the Ladies Tea and the absurdities that follow when a Hollywood home decorating star arrives to judge the best decorated house in the village. Crazy and creepy are good descriptors and while things do work out in the end, the journey itself is full of humor and good lessons about human nature.

Polacco uses pencils and markers to create the bold illustrations used in The Graves Family which produce wonderful visual depictions of this loveable but unusual family.

Patricia Polacco calls Union City, Michigan home and has written and illustrated over four dozen books for young people.  While this book is intended for readers ages 4 to 8, it will delight all who appreciate Polacco’s haunting sense of humor.

This is Pamela Gates for The Children’s Bookshelf.

Patricia Polacco.  The Graves Family. Philomel Books: New York, 2003.

Discussion Questions for The Graves Family

ME...JANE by Patrick McDonnell is a charming look at the childhood days of the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, British primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall. The unique characteristic of this biographical picture book is the layered visual component of the storytelling. This includes McDonnell's soft watercolors, interesting graphic engravings from the 19th and 20th Centuries, photos of Jane as a baby and as a small girl and Jane's own journal pages from her childhood.

The double page spread from her journal done in a 10 year old child's hand reveals the specialness of her curiosity and her intense ability to focus her thinking at a very young age.  Written to keep track of her Alligator Society Club activities, the journal shows lists of things Jane knew from reading about animals and from observing nature, a bird puzzle and comparative drawings of the profiles of an alligator, parrot, elephant, chimpanzee, dog and man!

McDonnell's watercolors are wholly endearing. We see young Jane with her stuffed toy chimpanzee named Jubilee frolicking out of doors while watching birds, squirrels and spiders. Jubilee, a gift from her father when she was just a baby, can be seen in nearly every watercolor. The artist depicts the toy chimp with much individual personality---of course, treating chimps as individuals would become the future cornerstone of Goodall's research. Jane and Jubilee climb trees, read books, swing from vines in the playful jungle of imagination and Jane dreams about one day going to Africa and working with animals. A dream that incredibly comes true in 1960 when Jane begins working for anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey at the Gombe Stream Reserve in Tanzania.

There is a page devoted to Jane Goodall's career as a primatologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace and a page containing a message from her at the back of the book. Quoting from that message, "The life of each one of us matters in the scheme of things, and I encourage everyone, especially young people, to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment."

ME...JANE by Patrick McDonnell, is an enchanting picture book in celebration of nature, life and the endless possibilities of dreams and is designed for children ages 4-8 (Little Brown and Company, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Me...Jane

The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep written by Ari Berk and illustrated by Wayne Anderson, Gary Chalk, Matt Dangler, and Virginia Lee is an enchanting collection of tales filled with curious and delightful imagery that will charm any reader. Ari Berk creates his collection by weaving bits of fantasy, folklore, and legend about mermaids and other creatures of the sea world into a narrative that promotes itself as something of a historical knowledge base for this fascinating topic. From their origins, to their anatomy, to their languages, to their communities, to their interactions with land folk, Ari Berk provides vivid details of this underwater world and its curious sea creatures.

Readers are able to read short explanations of the enchantments that mermaids and others weave upon those of us who spend our lives on land, while the supporting illustrations visually delight with each turn of the page. For instance, did you know that many merfolk live in villages and towns beneath the sea and that “shallow-water villages …are lit naturally by the sun, moon, and stars whose light filters down from above the surface of the sea[?]” Readers will be mesmerized by the lore and legend that is skillfully woven into a credible, albeit, unusual set of tales and I found myself returning again and again to particular vignettes I found intriguing. Ari Berk is Professor of English at Central Michigan University and is the author of seven books—all of which will challenge and delight readers with their glimpse into the worlds of giants, goblins, fairies, Vikings, and elves. Dr. Berk received the 2008 Parent’s Choice Award and the 2009 Notable Book Award for his work on The Secret History of Giants. The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep is appropriate for readers 9-12 and all who enjoy a good collection of interesting tales. Berk, Ari. The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2009. This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep

SMALL ACTS OF AMAZING COURAGE, written by National Book Award winning-author Gloria Whelan, is a well-knit story threaded with vibrant strands of realism, suspense, kindness and courage over a background of social prejudice and colonialism in 1918 India.

Whelan's storytelling acumen beckons the reader inside both the head and the heart of her fifteen year-old heroine----Rosalind James. Rosalind has always lived in India with her mother and her father, a major in the British Indian Army and a deputy commissioner. She is a bright girl with interests outside those of the other English girls who spend endless hours dressing up and gossiping down while talking of fashion and teas. Her intellectual curiosity and her dawning awareness of social issues leads her to become interested in social justice and Gandhi much to her father's strong displeasure.

During the course of this story Rosalind commits many acts of courage that leave the world a better place. She defies warnings and goes into the bowels of the crowded bazaar to rescue a baby of a sweeper who as been sold into the hands of a cruel man who intends to twist the child's legs and use him as a beggar on the streets of India.  Her father accuses her of becoming involved in a sordid affair that does not concern her.  After a while, he decides to send her to England to go to school where she can no longer continue her interest in the social issues of India. On board the England-bound ship Rosalind again has the opportunity to place herself second. She helps save the life of a passenger and student by the name of Ravi when he becomes deathly ill from an outbreak of contagious cholera.

These small acts of courage come forth very naturally in this beautifully written novel.  The deft literary hand of Whelan also introduces many Hindi words during the course of the story that give the text a vivid sense of place.  Whelan describes the local river that flows into the sacred Ganges and the colorful and menacing bazaar with exceptionally vivid imagery.
SMALL ACTS OF AMAZING COURAGE is also available in e book and audio book formats. British actress and reader Mandy Williams is a perfect Rosalind. Her diction and lovely vocal flexibility effortlessly shape all of Whelan's interesting characters.

SMALL ACTS OF AMAZING COURAGE written by Gloria Whelan is an engaging book for young readers ages 9-12 (Simon and Schuster, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Small Acts of Amazing Courage

The Wonderful Book, written and illustrated by Leonid Gore, is an amusing tale of a book that is found by a variety of animals who try to decide just what it is.  Readers are introduced first to rabbit, who thinks this unusual thing will provide him with a wonderful little tent-like house when it is opened. 

Rabbit snuggles inside until a big old grumpy bear comes along and snatches it away because he thinks it will make a lovely hat for him to wear.  Soon after, however, bear drops his “hat” and it is found by a group of mice who suddenly see that it will make a perfect table for them.  After their meal, the mice hurry away and the book is then found by a fox who decides that it will make a cozy bed for him.  The next morning, a tiny worm sees it off in a distance and he begins to inch along imagining that it will make a nice meal for him. But, before the little worm can make his way over to the book, a little boy comes along and is excited to find it and immediately sits down to read it.  As he begins to read, all the forest animals gather round to hear the story that is contained within its covers and  all agree that it is indeed “a wonderful book!”
Leonid Gore creates a playful narrative that provides readers with an interesting and creative scenario about what a book might mean to our non human friends.
The illustrations afford readers with delightful details that are bold and colorful and complement this imaginary tale. 
The Wonderful Book, written illustrated by Leonid Gore, is appropriate for ages 4 to 8.
This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Gore, Leonid. The Wonderful Book. New York, NY: Scholastic, 2010.

Discussion Questions for The Wonderful Book

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME written by Jack Norworth, illustrated by Amiko Hirao with a CD performed by Carly Simon is a playful, peppy picture book in celebration of the national sport.

The text is taken from the original song written by Norworth in 1908. It includes not only the familiar chorus we sing today but also the   original verses starring Katie Casey who in this book is a baseball-loving cat. There is no doubt that the home team she is rooting for is the Sluggers.

The colorful illustrations are brimming over in free wheeling fun as the Sluggers take on the Diamonds. Each roster is made up of baseball-batty animals. It's Giraffe, Zebra, Elephant, Frog, Monkey, Walrus and other loveable types for the Sluggers versus Bear, Croc, Tiger, Hippo, Rhino, Lion and other powerful types for the Diamonds. Their faces, poses and stances on the field are a visual delight. Giraffe, the Sluggers' pitching ace, has an upside down and inside out curve ball that will tickle the heart of any reader.

The action is fast-paced amid peanuts, cheering fans, banners, and spectacular strikeouts. It is the top of the ninth and the score is 2 to 2. Katie Casey knows exactly what to do to support the home team. She urges the fans in the stadium to sing " Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd." Giraffe pitches a good inning and retires the Diamonds. Then the Sluggers are up to bat. The score is tied in the bottom of the ninth as the crowd keeps singing. Elephant gets on base, Monkey connects with the ball, Elephant rounds third and makes a dramatic slide into home plate. Safe!  He scores the winning run. The Sluggers take the championship. The crowd goes wild.

All of this detail is told in Hirao's animated, eye-popping illustrations.

Carly Simon's CD has three songs on it including TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME which was originally recorded for Ken Burns' award winning documentary, BASEBALL.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME, written by Jack Norworth, illustrated so well by Amiko Hirao with a CD by Carly Simon is rollicking fun for children ages 4-8 (Imagine! a Peter Yarrow book, Charlesbridge, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for The Children's Bookshelf

Discussion Questions for Take Me out to the Ball Game

Meow said the Cow,  written and illustrated by Emma Dodd  is a silly tale of of a farm cat who decides to play a trick his barnyard friends—a trick that backfires.  Readers are introduced to Cat when he is rudely awakened from his dream-filled sleep by the noisy  cock-a-doodle-doo of Rooster. 

Filled with a bit of mischief, Cat casts a magic spell and the next morning when Rooster throws back his head and opens his beak, all that comes out is a tiny mouse squeak sound.  Not long after that, Pig awakens and begins to grunt for his food, but instead of an “oink,”  a “clucking” is heard which in turn,  startles the hens who can utter only a series of “oinks” in return.  The chaos in the barnyard continues with the sheep barking ,  the sheepdog “baas,”  and the cow “meows.” The bedlam grows even louder with the horse quacking, the ducks neighing, and the barnyard mice mooing! 
The barnyard animals figure out quickly that Cat has been the culprit and they demand that he give them back their own voices immediately.  Cat realizes that the fun is over and with a flick of his tail, he is able to stop the magic spell and return all but one of the voices to normal and the tale ends humorously with a “cat cock-a-doodle-doo.”
Emma Dodd creates a playful narrative that provides readers with an interesting insight into an important life lesson that there are indeed consequences for bad behaviors. The illustrations provide readers with delightful details that are bold and colorful and complement this fanciful tale. 
Meow said the Cow,  written illustrated by Emma Dodd, is appropriate for ages 4 to 8.

This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Dodd, Emma. Meow said the Cow. New York, NY: Scholastic, 2011.

Discussion Questions for Moew, Said the Cow

LIPMAN PIKE: America's First Home Run King, written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by Zachery Pullen, is based on the true story of the youngest son of a Jewish Dutch immigrant who grew up in Brooklyn in the mid 1800s.  The text follows the coming of age of Lipman Pike and the coming of age of organized baseball in the United States--- the story is full of vigor, tradition and courage.

Lipman and his brother Boaz work in their father's store.  They study hard, work hard and long to play Base, a stick and ball game played in each local neighborhood. Their mother thinks it is a silly game but their father thinks it is a good way to be part of the community.

As Michelson states in his Author's Notes, the National Association of Base Ball Players was formed in 1858, the same year that Lip celebrated his bar mitzvah. Lipman Pike was a left- handed power hitter for Brooklyn and later earned the nickname "the Iron Batter".  While playing local ball he continued to work at the family's haberdashery.  People came not only to buy goods but also to talk about baseball with their hero.

 When he was twenty-one he took an offer to play for the Philadelphia Athletics.  Although the game was still amateur he was offered $20.00 a week to play. This caused a controversy. Also, teammates manufactured a fear by saying since Lipman was a Jew he could not be trusted to be loyal to the Athletics when they played his old team. They abruptly voted him off the team! This was the first but not the last act of discrimination he would suffer. But his talent and determination sustained him. He went on to play for many teams including the Troy Haymakers and the Baltimore Yellow Stockings.

Zachary Pullen's beautiful oil paintings are fascinating and will hold the reader's gaze with the sheer magic of their humanity. The faces depicted are extraordinarily alive with emotion and are seen from unique, close up perspectives. You can almost hear the two young brothers talking as they sit on the grass at the local ball field. You can almost hear what Lip is thinking to himself as he stands in the batter's box before he clobbers the first of his six hits in the Troy Haymakers versus The New York Mutuals game on May 25, 1871.

LIPMAN PIKE: America's First Home Run King written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by Zachary Pullen is a must have book for children ages 6-10 who love the national sport (Sleeping Bear Press, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Lipman Pike

The tables are turned, however, when Roberto asks his mother to read a story to him and she quickly responds that she cannot read to him because the monstruo del trabajo  or  work monster might grab her and take her away if she does!  The challenges are finally resolved when Roberto agrees to help his mother since he knows that the work monster is afraid of him.  And, of course, once the chores are done, Roberto crawls onto his mother’s lap to share a favorite book surrounded by a host of imaginary monsters.
This story is one that will remind us all of those special moments between parent and child when the limits are pushed and the favorite word for both seems to be “no.”  Valeria Cervantes has created illustrations that are filled with playful monsters and colorful details that provide a sense of humor to an all too common scenario for young families.
No Time for Monsters or No hay tiempo para monstruos, written by Spelile Rivas and illustrated by Valeria Cervantes is appropriate for ages 4 to 8 and is the first picture book creation for both author and illustrator.

This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Rivas, Spelile. No Time for Monsters or No hay tiempo para monstrous.  Illustrated by Valeria Cervantes. Houston, Texas: Pinata Books, 2010.

Discussion Questions for No Time for Monsters

The book is divided into five sections:  South America with its howler monkey, poison dart frog, piranha and agouti to The Arctic and Antarctic with its polar bear, guillemot and auk to the Sahara and Savanna of Africa with its hyena, camels, lions and cheetahs to Malaysia and the Himalayas with its yaks, snow leopards, mouse deer and orangutan to Australia's Down Under and out Back with its Joey, sugar glider, and emu.

The book's light verse and pleasing cartoon drawings feature both commonly known animals and rarely heard of animals. The child will meet such strange citizens of the animal world as the agouti, pangolin, basilisk, dingo, tapir, krill, smelly hoatzin and thorny devil!
The rhythmic poems and appealing pictures are well integrated with fun and fact. The picture of the anaconda snake, for instance, shows a yellow snake with green markings wound tightly around a sign that says, "Free Hugs". Quoting from the book:" Although the Anaconda is fond of a hug, to my liking, his hug is a little too snug----and a little too strong, and a little too long, and that's why when I see him , I hurry along."

All sixty pictures, done in watercolor, gouache and colored pencil are full of humorous details.  The piranha sits at a table gobbling everything in sight while the elephant dunks a cookie in a glass of milk with the aid of his long trunk. The artist has also drawn the animals with engaging facial expressions from the angry eyed camel to the silly satisfied sloth sleeping upside down to the baby-faced Joey peeking out of his mother's pouch.

Especially interesting is a listing of all the animals from A for agouti to Z for zebra located at the back of the book. It features selective facts about each of the animals in this menagerie.

AROUND THE WORLD ON EIGHTY LEGS, written by Amy Gibson and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri, is ideal for children 4-8 years of age (Scholastic Press, 2011).
This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Around the World on Eighty Legs

On the first day of school, however, Tricia is bitterly disappointed to learn that she has been placed in Mrs. Peterson’s class—a class that Mrs. Peterson and other children refer to as the “junkyard.”  Mrs. Peterson though quickly addresses what some believe is a derogatory term and helps the children of her class see that a junkyard is actually a place full of wonderful possibilities. Mrs. Peterson divides the children into groups that she refers to as “tribes” and gives each group and assignment to create something wonderful and new from what they find during their own visit to a local junkyard.
Trisha’s tribe finds a battered model plane and under the guidance of the father of one student, they are able to create a new plane that is actually launched from the roof of their school later in the spring.
Polacco’s descriptions of the children in Trisha’s tribe—the challenges and heartache that they face throughout the year and the triumph they share on the day of the launch will touch the hearts of readers everywhere. Patricia Polacco carries the readers through various events and experiences—clearly depicting the joys and the pain that are a reality for many young people who have physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges in their lives.
Polacco uses pencils and markers to create the illustrations used in Junkyard Wonders.  They depict wonderful visual representations of friends and a very special teacher who made a significant difference in the lives of children.   She also provides an epilogue for this very special group of children who not only succeed in Mrs. Peterson’s class, but become incredibly successful adults. 
Patricia Polacco calls Union City, Michigan home and has written and illustrated 60 books for young people.  While this book is intended for readers grades 2-5, it will be enjoyed by all who appreciate Patricia Polacco’s continued commitment to children and their unique life stories.
This is Pamela Gates for The Children’s Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for Junkyard Wonders

QUEEN OF THE FALLS, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, is a brilliant character study of Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Van Allsburg's illustrations bring the true story of this sixty two year old retired charm school teacher forth with a revealing richness as to her motivation and courage. This rich characterization is based on Van Allsburg's special ability to become absolutely fascinated with the unusual.

Annie Edson Taylor is a determined lady. She plans each step, designs the oak barrel and enlists workmen to help her build it. The illustration of Annie and the builders is full of sideway glances as they roll their eyes behind her back while she carries forth seriously with the building. Facial expressions also carry the tale when Annie hires a front man, shown with a huckster's smirk on his face, to go to Niagara Falls and drum up excitement for her big day.
 The reader sees Annie on October 24, 1901 wave goodbye to the  crowd, row to a shoreline, climb backwards into the barrel, and signal the boatman to hammer the lid shut. Then, Van Allsburg brilliantly takes the reader inside the barrel with Annie as she rolls toward the edge of the river, feels the barrel being cut loose from its roping and starts the seventeen floor plunge to the bottom of the Falls! 

The soft pencil drawings are full of emotion from Annie's happy twinkle when she first gets the idea for this feat while reading a Bay City, Michigan newspaper to the crowd's awe and disbelief as the barrel disappears in the roaring water.

 Annie did survive but she never became famous and never realized any income from the "talking circuit" as she had planned. This rather plump, retired charm school teacher just did not look like a daredevil. People were apathetic to her and her story.  Nonetheless, she was proud of her accomplishment and spoke about it to anyone who would listen until her death twenty years later.

QUEEN OF THE FALLS, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, author of many acclaimed children's books and three major film adaptations of them, is a good story for 6-9 year olds (Houghton Mifflin, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Queen of the Falls

LOST AND FOUND is a compelling collection of three stories, 'The Red Tree" and  "The Lost Thing" both written by Shaun Tan and "The Rabbits" written by John Marsden. The book is illustrated in Tan's brilliant and imaginative visual signature. In fact, Tan won an Oscar at the 2011 Academy Awards for the film version of "The Lost Thing" in the category of best short animated film. All three stories in this beautifully designed picture book for older readers explore the theme of loss including loss of one's direction, of one's hope, of one's home and  of one's identity.

"The Red Tree" is a fable in thirty-six pages from title page to closing illustrations.  It is a story of the "feeling" of being discouraged, isolated and without hope. The 126 words and the pictures are intimately involved in creating the scenario in which a girl finds herself unable to recognize the positive things in her life. Tan uses a red leaf to stand for hope throughout the story. This leaf can be seen in every illustration even though the girl does not see it. She gets up and the day grows worse.  She walks around with a sorrow over her head. She searches, she waits, she draws and she counts. She tries to figure out who she is. It is a difficult day until she returns home at night, opens the door and sees a red leaf growing by her bed. Tan's single red leaf then blossoms into a joyous tree of insight and hope that envelops her room.

Readers will enjoy locating the red leaf embedded in each picture. Tan's imagery of isolation as the girl sits inside a bottle with deep-sea diving gear on her head and his imagery of the heaviness of her sorrow as she walks along with a gigantic, sad and weeping fish overhead are particularly powerful.

"The Lost Thing" is an equally compelling story told in satiric style full of humor and pathos. A boy finds a curious lost thing, a huge metal pot- bellied structure with wriggling arms, trunks and feet, on the beach. He takes it home where it is first ignored by his parents and then ordered out of the house by his parents. He hides it in the shed, discovers it likes to eat Christmas tree ornaments and tries to locate where it belongs.

By the end of the story he finds a perfect community for the lost thing where mechanical contraptions are happily reading books, riding bikes, drawing, floating, playing chess, making music and doing calculations. Although Tan does not offer a moral, a possible moral could be that the boy's caring made a difference.

LOST AND FOUND by Shaun Tan is a challenging and attractive book for readers ages 10 and up (Arthur A. Levine Books an imprint of Scholastic, 2011). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF 6

Discussion Questions for Lost and Found

Brontorina,  written by James Howe and illustrated by Randy Cecil  is a charming tale of Brontorina Apatosaurus—a dinosaur who dreams of becoming a dancer.  Readers are introduced to Brontorina when she shows up at Madam Lucille’s Dance Academy.  Surprised by her presence and size, Madam Lucille quickly points out that she is a dinosaur; however, Brontorina responds that while that may be true, in her heart, she is a ballerina. Brontorina knows, of course, that to be a ballerina means that she must take dance lessons, but Madam Lucille has taught only girls and boys—not dinosaurs.  However, after looking into Brontorina’s eyes, Madam Lucille agrees and welcomes her to class with a quick warning not to “squash” the other dancers.

Brontorina works hard practicing a plie’, a releve’, an arabesue’, and a jete’ and while Brontorina is far too big for the room, some children do recognize her talent and are quick to compliment and praise her.  Others, however,  make mean comments about her size and her lack of ballet shoes.  At one point, even Madam Lucille tells Brontorina that she is too big to be a ballerina and that makes Brontorina turn to leave with tears falling from her big dinosaur eyes.
One dancer though, pleads with her not to leave because her mother is planning to bring a special gift to Brontorina.  When Clara’s mother arrives, readers are surprised to see a giant pair of ballet slippers that are a perfect fit for Brontorina.  It quickly becomes evident to all that the problem is not that Brontorina is too big to be a ballerina; the problem is that Madam Lucille’s studio is too small!  And with that, they all go in search for and find the perfect place for a new studio—one that welcomes all dancers—big and small.  The story ends with a reminder that anything can happen when we dare to dream.
James Howe creates a playful narrative that provides readers with an interesting insight into two important lessons in life—to follow one’s dream and to treat one another with respect.  The illustrations were done in oil and provide readers with delightful details that are bold and complement the fanciful tale. 
Brontorina,  written by James Howe and illustrated by Randy Cecil, is appropriate for ages 4-8.
This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for Brontorina

A SICK DAY FOR AMOS McGEE, written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead, is a cozy little story about friendship starring long and lanky zookeeper, Amos McGee. He knows just the right things to do and say in order to give support to each of his animal friends including elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros and owl.

When Amos McGee visits forgetful elephant he gives him all the time he needs to make a move in their chess game. When Amos McGee runs a race with slow tortoise he always lets him win. He always has an extra handkerchief for rhinoceros and he always has time to read books to  owl and sit quietly with very shy penguin. One morning, however, Amos McGee gets up with a very bad case of the sniffles. Quoting from the book: "He swung his achy legs out of bed, curled them back again and said, 'Ugh. I don't think I'll be going to work today.'"

When the animals realize Amos McGee is not coming they decide to  leave the zoo and catch a bus to Amos McGee's house. The picture of the animals waiting patiently at the bus stop and the picture of the animals aboard the bus all crowded with trunks and rumps are charming. No need for words on these two pages. The young child will instinctively know these are animal friends on a mission to their sick friend's house. Erin Stead's soft illustrations are hand done in block print style and colored pencil. They are so perfectly integrated with Philip Stead's words that A SICK DAY FOR AMOS McGEE was awarded the Caldecott Medal for 2011.

Once they arrive elephant sets up the chess game, tortoise pulls his head inside his shell and Amos puts his head under the covers in a game of peek a boo, owl reads Amos a story, penguin sits on Amos's feet to keep them warm and rhinoceros gives Amos a handkerchief for his runny nose.

The artist has also included two stories within the story. They play out visually from beginning to end but are not referred to in the text. One centers on a balloon that first appears in a window of an apartment and then drifts into the zoo. In fact, the balloon appears eleven times within the pages of the book. The picture of penguin taking the balloon on the bus to Amos is delightful. The other story within the story traces the adventures of a little bird from page to page. The bird mostly rides on things such as the top of the bus and on the back of the tortoise. The adventures of the balloon and the bird add wonderful humor, depth and detail to this perfect picture book.

A SICK DAY FOR AMOS McGEE written by Philip Stead and illustrated by Erin Stead is a cozy story twice told for children 2-6 years of age.  It is endearing in every way (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, 2010).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF

Discussion Questions for A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Mama and Me, written by Arthur Dorros and Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez is a simple, but beautifully detailed story of a mother and daughter who simply enjoy spending time together.   Readers are able to see the loving interactions between mother and daughter through their daily activities of working in the garden, of baking cookies, and of riding their bikes to find new paint with which to decorate their home.  Throughout the narrative, Dorros provides bilingual phrases spoken between mother and daughter which will help readers to understand the cultural representations of language and art.

The delicate balance between spending time together and a young girl’s need to express her independence is playful and real for the reader.  It also becomes clear early  in the story that the young daughter is working on something that she is trying to keep secret from her mother and readers learn in the end, that the work was meant for a  very special gift in celebration of a very special day—dias de las madres—or Mother’s day.
This story is one that will remind us all of those special days of childhood. The contrast of the simple narrative content against the stunning backdrop of artwork created by Rudy Gutierez will cause readers to linger over each drawing.  Winner of the Pura Belpre award for his earlier book, Papa and Me,  Rudy Gutierez has continued to create illustrations that are remarkable and provide a sense of expressive  cultural detail  that is unique and beautiful.
Mama and Me, written by Arthur Dorros and Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez is a beautiful companion piece to the award-winning book, Papa and Me and is appropriate for ages 4 to 8.
This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.
Dorros, Arthur.  Mama and Me. Illustrated by Rudy Gutierez.  New York: HarperCollins, 2011.

Discussion Questions for Mama and Me

THE BOY AND THE MOON, written and illustrated by James Christopher Carroll, is a captivating bedtime story about a little boy, his animal friends, a flower and their practice of dancing and howling at the moon come every midnight. Effortlessly there is a gathering each night of owl, rabbit, flower, toad, chicken, dog and the little boy. Their howling is joyous and akin to some magical pre singing state of being. Their dancing is full of luminous energy and the moon is part of the rhythm. Carroll has created a mystical revelry unlike Maurice Sendak's more earthy "wild rumpus".  Quoting from Carroll's lyrical text:
"They howled at the moon, they howled at life, and they howled with all things in the night."

On this night, however, something unexpected happens---the moon gets caught in an apple tree and the celebration must cease. How to rescue the moon becomes the focus. One by one, each of the group tells why they cannot do the rescuing for a variety of reasons from being frightened of heights to being physically unsuited for climbing. So, the little boy takes up the task, climbs up the apple tree and reaches the moon. He pulls and pushes and tugs and jumps in a physical effort to free the moon from her entanglement but nothing works.  Then, the little boy has a creative "aha moment" which the author so aptly calls "a delicious thought, a bright, ripe, red thought."  He gently begins feeding all the apples to the moon until she is so full, so heavy and so round that she rolls free of the branches and the celebration continues.

Carroll's watercolors and computerized assisted collages, all wrapped up in a blanket of silvery blue colors, are enchanting. The midnight sky is an active and moving backdrop for the story. Swirls of stars and  circular lines of star tracks pattern and play across the busy sky. The artist laid in this collage image on computer by using beautiful pieces of worm- marked bark from the real world. Light falls softly on everything in this picture book from tree branches and apples and rooftops to grass, the animals and the picture perfect face of the little boy. The expression on the boy's face as he climbs the tree toward the moon and then again as he gently offers her the first apple are full of love and wonder.

This is Mr. Carroll's first book for children. He is quoted as saying in an article on troyrecord.com that he "wanted to create a book that celebrated a child's kinship with the natural world, the animals and the elements."  He has accomplished that exquisitely.

THE BOY AND THE MOON, written and illustrated by James Christopher Carroll, is a dreamy story about a gathering of small beings who know something grown-ups have forgotten. The book will be appreciated by children 3-6 years of age (Sleeping Bear Press, 2010).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF

Discussion Questions for The Boy and the Moon

OLIVIA GOES TO VENICE, written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, is the most recent in the popular Olivia picture book series. Falconer's pen and ink drawings done in his signature style are cradled and informed by Rick Guidotti's additional photographs of splendid Venice. The graphics are an important element to Olivia's travelogue and to the overall texture of the visual component of the book. The magnificent Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal and the Piazza San Marco are shown in all of their collective beauty.Olivia is excited about her trip to this city that she has heard is under water part of the year. Olivia, dressed in a red and white stripe suit, is determined to pack snorkel, water skis and flippers until otherwise persuaded by her mother. As usual this strong-headed little pig sees the whole trip as primarily just for her.  This self-absorbed attitude is part of Olivia's charm and part of the humor found in the Olivia books but it also provides a platform from which to point out the importance of being aware of others.

Moving through the city, Olivia is dramatically overwhelmed with the beauty of Venice and often is in need of not just one gelato to revive her but rather three or four. She goes shopping for souvenirs, singlehandedly negotiates the price of a gondola ride and nosily pleads to live in a palazzo on the Grand Canal. She is her active, "take charge self" loved by so many children since the first book, OLIVIA, came out in 2000 and won the Caldecott Award in 2001.

Falconer has created a beautifully designed book with crisp red, white and blue illustrations that stand forward against the golden beauty of the photographs. The end papers are dressed in red and white stripes and the striking cover with its bold red title is very inviting.             Again, his attention to facial expression tells the tale.

 The author's humor finds an international setting this time as Olivia decides to feed the pigeons in Piazza San Marco and ends up attracting not just a few gentle pigeons but rather a few hundred hungry birds. After unknowingly causing a major catastrophe to the Bell Tower by slipping a souvenir stone out of place at the bottom of this major tourist attraction she goes off to the airport for her flight home unaware of the fact that the Bell Tower has fallen down! She is most pleased with herself and her trip and imagines her visit will be looked upon most positively by the city. She even has visions of a monument being erected in her honor.  Quoting from the book:
 " I'll always remember Venice, Mommy. Do you think Venice will remember me?"
"Probably" [concedes her mother who knows the real story all too well]

OLIVIA GOES TO VENICE, written and illustrated by Ian Falconer, is a romp through Venice with Olivia as tour guide. It will delight Olivia fans 3-7 years of age on one level and parents on another (Simon and Schuster, an imprint of Atheneum, 2010).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF

Discussion Questions for Olivia Goes to Venice

Ant and Grasshopper, written by Luli Gray and illustrated by Giuliano Ferri, is a playful adaptation of the Aesop’s fable, by the same name.  This tale begins on a summer day as young readers are introduced to Ant, who is busy gathering food in preparation for winter.  Day in and day out,  Ant gathers food—beans, and raisons, and even a wedge of cheese, which he carefully counts and records before placing it in his storeroom.  One day, however, as he is counting his collection of food, he is interrupted by a noise that goes on and on.  Frustrated, Ant opens his door to find Grasshopper playing a fiddle and enjoying the warm sunshine.  When Grasshopper invites Ant to come out to play and dance, Ant scolds him and tells him that he should be storing up food for winter instead of wasting time and “fiddling around.”That encounter is the first of many during the summer—Ant continues to work hard by assessing and counting his stored food items, while Grasshopper plays his fiddle and sings.  
As we all know, however, summer does come to an end and when the weather begins to turn cold, Grasshopper begs Ant to let him in because he is cold and hungry, but Ant firmly says no.  Ant chastises Grasshopper, telling him that it serves him right since he had played all summer instead of working hard to prepare for winter.   Then, he closes the door on Grasshopper and returms to counting his stash of food.

The original Aesop’s tale often ends at that point with the warning to readers that it is best to prepare for the future.  Gray, however, has chosen to write a different ending to the tale—one in which Ant discovers Grasshopper collapsed in the snow--cold and hungry.  This becomes a turning point for Ant and he makes the choice to save Grasshopper’s life by bringing him into his home to care for him and in doing so, they both discover role of friendship and a deeper understanding of the values of  balancing work and play.
Giuliano Ferri uses watercolor and colored pencil to create delightfully expressive illustrations that extend the familiar tale in a new and animated version for young readers.
Ant and Grasshopper, written by Luli Gray  and illustrated by Giuliano Ferri  is appropriate for ages 4-8.
This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for Ant and Grasshopper

THE LITTLE PRINCE, a new adaptation by acclaimed cartoon artist Joann Sfar of the Antoine de Saint-Exupery classic, is a bold and engaging graphic novel for young adult readers.

The storyteller pilot in this version is Saint-Exupery himself. In real life the author was indeed a pilot but Sfar actually depicts his storyteller visually with Saint-Exupery's facial characteristics.  Sfar also shows the pilot in his 1940's setting---he has a cigarette in his mouth and sips a bit of wine in a number of drawings. This setting is perfect as Saint -Exupery actually wrote the book in 1943. This realism, however, needs to be considered when giving the book to a specific teen reader. That said, this graphic novel is exciting, accessible and touching.

The illustrations are not the delicate and charming drawings of the original book. No pastels here. Eye-popping blues, green, yellows and oranges predominate. The little prince wears an electric green two-piece knit top and pants with matching scarf. His oversized blue eyes are deep pools of limitless emotionality. He is attractive, a bit demanding, inquisitive and other worldly.

Saint-Exupery's story is alive and well but it is told through a different lens. What is missing in word is found in picture and what is found in word is made deeper and wiser by virtue of the pictures. It is the drawings that give the story a new depth to the relationship between the pilot and the little prince. When the little prince is worried about a sheep eating his flower the pilot sees the tears that are coming down the little fellow's cheeks. The pilot assures him that he will draw a muzzle for the sheep and a fence around the flower. Then he picks the little prince up, holds him close and cries with him.

This enrichment of the story by picture happens throughout the book.  When the little prince tells the pilot he must return to his planet and the process might look as if he were dying the colors of the pictures drain away and yield to various shades of gray. This visual treatment creates a powerful yet quiet statement about death, loss and grief as the pilot and his little prince face their parting.

All of the wisdoms, the metaphors and the enchantments of the original version of the story are enriched by Sfar's imaginative visual interpretations. The reader sees the characters in a bold new light from the king to the businessman. There is also a brilliant visual interpretation of the flower. Most of all, however, this new lens captures the friendship and love between the pilot and the little prince as it has never before been defined.

THE LITTLE PRINCE, adapted and illustrated by Joann Sfar with English translation by Sarah Ardizzone and color by Brigitte Findakly, is a wonderfully-accessible version of the Saint-Exupery classic for young adult readers ages 14 and up (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for The Little Prince

Auntie Tiger, written by Laurence Yep and illustrated by Insu Lee, is an adaptation of a Chinese version of “Little Red Riding Hood.”  This tale begins long ago in China with an illustration of two young sisters arguing because the younger sister does not like the bossy attitude of her older sister and the older sister argues that the younger sister does not listen.  Their frustrated mother pleads with them to care for and listen to one another rather than fight, but to no avail.

One day, the mother must go into town and reluctantly leaves her young daughters alone with a warning to not to open the door to anyone while she is gone.  As one might expect, however, a nasty tiger, disguised as an old woman, is lurking in the woods and when he sees the mother leave, he promptly goes to the house and says, “my little dumplings, it’s me you Auntie.”  Big sister, however, is suspicious and questions that her Auntie’s voice is high and this voice is “deep and gruff.”  So the tiger goes away and then returns stating in a high voice this time that it’s their auntie at the door.  Big sister, however, sees that his hands are orange and black and that their auntie’s hands are pale.  Once again, the tiger leaves to cover his paws with flour and returns to the house only to hear big sister tell him that their mother told them not to open the door to anyone.
When Auntie Tiger states that it is a shame that Big Sister will not open the door since she has special treats for them, Little Sister steps in and flings open the  door, intending to take the treats promised to them.  Auntie Tiger hurries in and as with other Red Riding tales, the big bad wolf—or tiger, in this case—eventually swallows the little sister whole just as she tries to warn her big sister that she was right, after all.  Much to the dismay, big sister realizes her sister’s fate and runs out of the house and climbs the highest tree to weep for her lost sister.
Auntie Tiger’s hunger is not satisfied, however, and soon goes in search of the rest of his meal—big sister.  Finding her high in a tree, he tries to coax her down, but Big Sister is smarter and crafts a plan to trick Auntie Tiger.  With a little luck and a great deal of courage, Big Sister is able to trick Auntie Tiger and rescue her little sister from the tiger’s stomach—for a happily ever after ending. 
Insu Lee creates colorful, expressive and colorful illustrations that extend the familiar narrative in an animated way for young readers.

Discussion Questions for Auntie Tiger

HERE COMES THE GARBAGE BARGE! was written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Red Nose Studio and is a fictionalized tale of a series of real life events which began on March 23, 1987. It all started in Long Island where a tugboat captain was hired to carry 3,168 tons of garbage down the East Coast to North Carolina and dump it. The community of Islip produced far too much garbage and landfills there were overflowing.

McDuffy St. Pierre gladly hired on to pull the smelly cargo down to its destination.  When he got to North Carolina, however, he met real trouble-----two elderly beach-loving sisters. Quoting from the book:
"Look!' said Miss Alma McTiver. "It's garbage!"
"In our beautiful harbor?" said Miss Ida McTiver. "What the hairy heck? That ain't right! Call the law!"
The captain and the unwanted garbage were promptly turned away. Next, the captain received orders to take the foul smelling cargo to New Orleans.  No luck there either. The Mayor who had already heard about this floating mess of garbage coming his way called out the coast guard. McDuffy was then told to try Mexico. However, he and the barge of rancid garbage were met by the Mexican Navy's loud command to get moving fast! The same reaction came from Belaise, Texas and Florida. No place would take this infamous and seriously decomposing garbage. Finally the weary captain was told to bring the barge back to Long Island. After six long and very smelly weeks the garbage was burned by court order in Brooklyn and buried by court order in Islip.

Jonah Winter's retelling of this fictionalized story about a real event is written in a lively and entertaining style. He creates colorful fictional characters from composites of many real life characters. An effective Author's Note is also provided.

 The story is greatly amplified by the vivid illustrations by Red Nose Studio. After sketching out the story, the artist made the characters out of clay, sculpting the heads and the various facial expressions needed and then painted the figures. He even made clothes for them! The three dimensional sets were constructed out of trash and garbage and treated with a coating of rotten banana peels and plastic bags to visually produce a slimy look. He then photographed the scenes. Precise details about the building of the scenes are explained on the inside of the book jacket. It gives the reader a unique look at how imaginative and resourceful the process was.

The humor found in the illustrations underscores the bad smell of the whole enterprise. As the garbage gets older, the captain is seen wearing a gas mask and plugging his nose with a clothespin. When the garbage barge returns to the New York harbor even the Statue of Liberty is shown holding her nose!

HERE COMES THE GARBAGE BARGE! is written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Red Nose Studio. It is on the list of the New York Times' Best Illustrated Children's Books for 2010. It is an important story for children ages 5-9 with a morale for us all-----don't make so much garbage (Schwartz and Wade Books, Random House, 2010).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF

Discussion Questions for Here Comes the Garbage Barge

Mirror, is a wordless picture book created and illustrated by Jeannie Baker.  This unique creation is a story about two young boys who live in very different areas of the world with very different traditions.  Through the exploration of the cultural differences, readers are given an opportunity to discover the similarities that bind families and communities together.

The uniqueness of this picture book begins immediately when one opens the cover.  The book falls open directly to the middle and readers see two different languages which go on to explain that this is a story of two boys--one from a city in Australia and another from Morocco, North Africa. As the pages are turned--left to right and right to left, one discovers that the narratives are meant to be read side by side and that the pictures easily tell the stories without the aid of words.

The stories begin with the dawn of a new day in each home, with the mothers rising, working, and preparing the first meal of the day.  Once breakfast is shared with each family around a table, the boys and their fathers journey to a city--one by car in bumper to bumper traffic and the other on the back of a burro through the desert.  Arriving at the mall or market, readers quickly see the difference in how the goods are displayed either on shelves in a superstore or on the grounds of an open air market.  And, while the goods are different, readers can quickly spot that goods from the other parts of the world are indeed present in both worlds.   Purchase of a Moroccan rug by the family in Australia is paired against the purchase of a computer system by the family in Morocco. 

The story ends with an illustration of each family enjoying the new purchases and a subtle recognition of the world beyond their own community. 

Jeannie Baker uses detailed collage construction to create colorful and believable images that inform and educate young readers about the global society in which we live.  While the differences are evident, the sense of connection across the cultures is stunning.

Mirror, by Jeannie Baker, is appropriate for ages 4 and up.

This is Pamela Gates for the Children's Bookshelf.

Baker, Jeannie. Mirror.  Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2010

Discussion Questions for Mirror

SEE WHAT I SEE, written by National Book Award winning author Gloria Whelan, is a gripping novel for teen readers about looking, seeing, trusting and risking and how these states of being impact the life of eighteen year old Kate Tapert.

When this finely crafted story begins the reader finds out that Kate's dad, who has not been part of her life since she was six years old, is a world-class artist and a recluse now living in Detroit. The reader also learns that Kate, who lives with her mom in a trailer in Northern Michigan, has been awarded a scholarship to a fine art school in Detroit but cannot afford a place to live while attending classes. Herein is the question: Will Kate's famous dad allow her to live with him while she is studying? It is not an easy situation. Kate's mother is completely and vehemently opposed to this idea and Kate has not had any response from letters she has sent to her dad on this topic.

Kate' strong desire to go to art school to develop her natural abilities convinces her to travel to Detroit, present herself on her father's doorstep unannounced and uninvited and negotiate her way into his life. She comes to learn many things about him both the wonderful and the heart breaking. The characterization of Kate's artist father, Dalton Quinn, is devastatingly real.  And Kate's art school friend, the energetic and full-throttled Lila, is a perfect balance to the quietly courageous and ever determined Kate.

The story's structure is tight, the style is graceful and the message is both difficult and hopeful. Author Gloria Whelan has managed to elevate the story's "place" to near character status. Detroit is revealed by Whelan through the beauty of the genuine signature of its cultural melting pot, its world class architecture, its geography and the city's gutsy ability to mentor artists. The narrative portrayal of the culture inside an art school is particularly vivid and authentic.

Kate's voice, intentions, feelings and courage throughout SEE WHAT I SEE will keep the reader totally engaged and in a constant state of discovery about a father lost and a father found and a second generation artist freed to blossom. Quoting Kate from the book," When I finish school, I'll go back home and I won't stop painting until everyone sees what I see, until they can look at my paintings and know the woods in the way I know them, with the different times of day and the different seasons. That's what paintings do---they add something to other people's lives."

SEE WHAT I SEE, another tour de force for author Gloria Whelan, is an engaging novel for readers 12 years of age and up  (Harper Collins, 2011).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for See What I See

Lift Every Voice and Sing, illustrated by Bryan Collier, is a beautiful tribute to the song written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900 in celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.  This extraordinary adaptation provides a pictorial representation as a reminder of the struggles faced by African Americans throughout history.

Collier creates a series of powerful images carefully balanced between the words of faith expressed in the song and the backdrop of the African American experiences past and present.  He repeatedly uses the faces of children, the images of water, and the song lyrics to express the sense of hope that is so much a part of this human experience.  Each set of illustrations emphasizes a song phrase that in turn, becomes an inspirational image for the reader.
“Lift every voice and sing…..Let our rejoicing rise….Sing a song of faith…..Sing a song of hope….”  are just a few of  the lyrics that Collier chooses to use to inspire readers young and old. 
Collier stated that he was moved to create this book after Hurricane Katrina and its  flooding devastated so many lives in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. In response, he created the expressions of hope on the faces of the children, the images of water, and used the powerful lyrics of this song to provide a stunning tribute that both embraces and honors those impacted by Hurricane Katrina.  Though more than 100 years have passed since James Weldon Johnson wrote this song to honor Lincoln’s birthday, the power of its message remains clear for all.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, written by James Weldon Johnson and  illustrated by Bryan Collier is appropriate for all ages.
This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.
Johnson, James Weldon.  Lift Every Voice and Sing.   Illustrated by Bryan Collier.  New York:  Harper Collins, 2007.

Discussion Questions for Lift Every Voice and Sing

SHOE-LA-LA, written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, is a play on the  French interjection "ooh la la" and sets the tone for this attractive picture book about four girlfriends and their collective appetite for beautiful shoes. Emily, Ashley, Kaitlyn and Claire have just received an invitation to a party as the story begins and their biggest worry is what they will wear on their feet! So off they go to an ultra fancy shoe shop named Shoe-la-la, which, by the way, is on the corner of Hightop and Oxford.

The four friends span out in the store and begin trying on hundreds of pairs of shoes from sandals, flip flops, toe shoes, platforms, wedgies and Mary Jane styles to tennis shoes, pumps, cowboy boots and bunny slippers! The girls are having a great time trying on shoes and playing out corresponding parts. Quoting from the book, "Cowgirl...Rock star...Princess...Bride... This pair? That pair? Can't decide. Fancy ribbons, Frilly lace. Shoe-la-la! We love this place!"

 The gracious salesman with the handlebar moustache assists them with many styles, colors and patterns of footwear but to no avail and no sale. The girls say they can't decide because they have tried on too many shoes and exit the store leaving the exhausted salesman propped up unceremoniously on the floor against a mountain of shoes.

Author Karen Beaumont displays her considerable talent for moving a story along in jaunty rhyme reminiscent of her award winning text for I AIN'T GONNA PAINT NO MORE! It captures the ear with catchy sounds and fresh rhythms. Illustrator LeUyen Pham has created each page with and eye to fun and design. Her four girls are dressed beautifully on the sparkling cover which depicts their "let's pretend state" as glamour girls. Facial expressions throughout the book and the pictured antics of their playful tag-a-log dog add to the depth of the storyline.

The story comes to a satisfying and creative conclusion when the disappointed girls have an "aha" moment and decide to decorate their own shoes to match their party dresses. Here their imaginations take hold aided by a sewing kit, scissors, thread, paint and glamorous materials gathered from dresses and hats and decorated spots in the room such as feathers, bows, lace, stars, beads and ribbons. In the end they each transform their everyday shoes into fancy party shoes----the Mary Janes are adorned with pink feathers and beads, the green high top tennis shoes acquire salmon-colored bows, the lavender ballet skimmers take on beads and rick rack and the blue running shoes end up with blue lace and crisscrossed ribbons. They all match the party dresses perfectly.

SHOE-LA-LA, written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by LeUyen Pham is a cute story with delightful illustrations that even promotes creativity for ages 4-8 (Scholastic Press, 2011).

This Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOK SHELF

Discussion Questions for Shoe-la-la

Robinson reflects fondly about a rainy Saturday when her childhood friends questioned her father about his “historic entry into Major League Baseball.” She remembers how he told them stories about how it happened and how difficult it was that first year—crossing the color barrier. As the story continued to unfold, readers learn that while the children thoroughly enjoyed their swimming and water play, their father always stood on the banks of the pond watching and cheering—but never entering the water himself. When winter arrived and the pond became a frozen mass of ice and snow, the children pressed their father to let them skate on it. Reluctantly, he agreed and with shovel and broom in hand, Jackie Robinson, stepped onto the ice—tapping it first with the broom handle to test the thickness and safety of the ice before the children were allowed to venture onto it. When a loud noise is heard, the children feared that their father would be swallowed up, but were quickly assured that the ice was, in fact, safe for skating. Sharon Robinson noted that it wasn’t until years later that she realized just how much courage it took for her father to break the color barrier in baseball and drew a parallel to the day he stepped out on the ice—not knowing whether or not he would fall through. Kadir Nelson used family photographs as inspiration for his beautiful illustrations which were created with a mixed media of pencil, watercolor, and oil. Testing the Ice: A True Story about Jackie Robinson, written by Sharon Robinson and illustrated by Kadir Nelson is a wonderful tribute Jackie Robinson—the father and the baseball hero. This story is appropriate for ages 4 to 8, but will be appreciated by all. Robinson, Sharon. Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Scholastic: New York, 2009.

Discussion Questions for Testing The Ice

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: His Life and Times, written and complied by Kristen McDermott and Ari Berk, is a captivating and  fictionalized account of Shakespeare's life. Part of the story is told in first person by the elderly playwright as he looks back over his life and career. The story is cradled in the format of a scrapbook meant for his daughter Judith. The book is a fascinating collection of musings, facts and narratives----part historical, part magical and part fanciful.

Throughout the book Shakespeare tells his story in first person. Informational sidebars written in third person are also located in each section. The book is filled with unique vehicles for storytelling including facsimiles of letters, prints, paintings, maps, models, playbills, coats of arms, charts, recipes, portraits, renderings of costumes, quotations, a family tree and delightful summaries of ten of Shakespeare's plays offered in tiny, three page books two and one half inches high. The collective narrative is arranged in the background and foreground with many fold over pieces and pullouts.
The historical images, photographs and artwork, have been expertly compiled by these fine collaborators from great museums, gallery archives and graphic design centers and studios. The fanciful comes straight from the abundance of their creativity.
The London Life and Roguish Strife section provides a snapshot of London's earthy environment where Shakespeare first joined a troupe of players known as the Queen's Men. The authors give a vivid look at the narrow streets, the London Bridge and the rough characters that inhabited these streets. There is a chart with pictures and descriptions of such ruffians and con men as The Ruffler, The Jackman, The Dimber Damber and The Dishclout. This crowded, crawling London was full of smells, sellers and street cries. McDermott and Berk , once again, do not disappoint with a fold out of street cries, hawking everything from mussels and cockles to hot apple pies, waistcoats, lace and ink, in the original vibrant wording of the oral tradition now committed to print.
The section entitled "A Place for Plays" features an open door to the Globe Theatre, fascinating facts about the groundlings and a Guide for Young Playgoers. Quoting from the Guide, " Shout not at the actor, nay, even if you know the next line and think he pauses too long. You are not paid to speak and are the more likely to be cudgeled for marring the poetry."
The remaining sections of this marvelous publication give a sweeping look at science and superstition, ghosts and fairies, love and war, banquets and fests and the royal court.
William Shakespeare: His Life and Times, written and complied by Kristen McDermott and Ari Berk is full of potential discoveries for ages 10 and up (Templar-Candlewick Press, 2010).  Page samples and a video of the book are available on the author’s web site @ www.ariberk.com.

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for William Shakespeare: His Life and Times

Tony Baloney, written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham,  is a playfully detailed story of Tony Baloney who is the middle child of his penguin family. Readers are introduced to young Tony Baloney who loves his family, fish tacos, and best of all, his stuffed animal friend, Dandelion.  We soon learn, though, that sometimes Tony gets frustrated with his bossy big sister and his crying baby siblings, and unfortunately, when that happens, sometimes Tony misbehaves by knocking things down and running away to his hiding space in the corner.  When his parents finally come to discuss his misbehavior, Tony begins to think about his actions and the importance of saying, “I’m sorry.”

   Apologies, however, do not happen easily for Tony Baloney, and it takes a long time—maybe a full twenty minutes or more before Tony begins to feel lonely enough to think about apologizing to his siblings.  Then, as one might guesss,  the smell of fish tacos helps him to feel even more strongly about apologizing to his big sister and the babies.  Much to Tony’s surprise, his big sister actually lets him be “boss of the world” for a full five minutes when he tells her that his buddy Dandelion is sorry and that he has brought her a present.
Tony Baloney is a playful, but poignant way for young readers to think about their behavior, taking responsibility for their actions, and the importance of saying, “I’m sorry.”
Pam Munoz Ryan provides a delightful tale about an important message, while Edwin Fotheringham uses digital media to create expressive illustrations that extend the narrative.
Tony Baloney, written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, is a wonderful read aloud and is appropriate for ages 2-5.
This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf

Discussion Questions for Tony Baloney

ODETTA: The Queen of Folk is a beautiful work of art due to the caliber of Stephen Alcorn's magical illustrations and the power of Samantha Thornhill's narrative poem. The book chronicles the life and times of master folk singer Odetta Holmes and her career that took root in the 50's and 60's.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1930 Odetta was exposed to the rhythm and passion of spirituals and work songs emanating from the churches, cotton fields and chain gangs of the South. The little girls with a "birdcage in her throat" came up against Jim Crow laws leaving her confused and sad.  When she was six years old her family left Alabama by train to escape Jim Crow and moved to Los Angeles. One of Alcorn's brilliant illustrations done in casein paint on paper depicts the family, having climbed into a train car for their trip to California, being confronted by the long steel fist of Jim Crow pointing at them.  Quoting from the book," Seemed he came all the way from White House Land just to tell Odetta's folk they had gone too far. They were sitting in the WRONG TRAIN CAR!"

Alcorn gives praise to the depth and feeling of Odetta's story with his strong colors and intricate patterns. His imaginative images such as a water fountain that spurts letters saying "whites only", the human face in the smoke rising from the train's smoke stack and the angel floating over Los Angeles bringing milk to the thirsty family when they arrive speak eloquently. His work is awash in the glory of swallows, sunbursts, song and soul.

Thornhill's poem is constructed in a free style with surprising rhythms and unexpected rhymes popping up to delight the ear when spoken aloud. The poet is a fine storyteller. She brings Odetta's signature style from her Afro to her  "strum" as well as her long list of effective work in support of justice and equality to the foreground.  The reader learns about the singer's marvelous career with sweet bits of information embedded in the poem such as her habit of calling her guitar Baby.

Alcorn includes two pages of biographical information at the back of the book that focuses on the great influence Odetta had on a generation of folk singers from Joan Baez and Janice Joplin to Bob Dylan. Alcorn has designed a beautiful tribute to this lovely lady on every page of this book including the stunning book cover that visualizes an African spiritual she made so popular-----This Little Light of Mine.

ODETTA: The Queen of Folk, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn with a poem by Samantha Thornhill, is a wonderful book for children ages 7-10 (Scholastic Press, 2010).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSHELF

Discussion Questions for Odetta

Eight Days: A Story of Haiti, written by Edwidge Danticat and illustrated by Alix Delinois, is a stunning narrative of a young child trapped beneath the debris of his house following the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
The story begins with the rescue of Junior, a young boy, who was trapped beneath the rubble of his home for eight days.  After the rescue, the media asked him many questions: was he afraid; was he sad; and did he cry?  He told them that he was brave until the second time the earth shook, but then he was afraid and that sometimes he cried. 
This poignant story is about a child’s ability to survive by imagining times of play with his sister, Justine, and his best friend, Oscar. On the first day he was trapped, he imagined that he was flying a kite with Oscar, who was trapped in the rubble beside him.  On the second day, he imagined that they were playing hide and seek in the dark.  On the third day, he imagined that he was teasing his sister and listening to stories told to him by his dad.

Each day is filled with descriptive imagery of play that helped Junior to survive this devastating experience.  Readers are moved by his resilience, and saddened when he tells of the fifth day when Oscar went to sleep and didn’t wake up and how on that day, he cried.
Edwidge Danticat weaves an unforgettable tale that is a poignant reminder of the devastation faced by millions of people when an earthquake rocked the small country of Haiti—a country that remains home to her grandmother. By telling the story through the eyes of a child, it becomes accessible to children, but sends a strong message to the adults as well. 
 The vibrant artwork of Alix Delinois are renderings of collage, acrylic paint, and pastel crayons that create stunning representations that readers will return to again and again to examine the fine details of each illustration and provide readers with the picturesque beauty of Haiti before the earthquake.

Eight Days: A Story of Haiti,  written by Edwidge Danticat and illustrated by Alix Delinois is an exceptional story of survival  and is appropriate for ages 4 to 8.

Danticat, Edwidge.  Eight Days: A Story of Haiti. Illustrated by Alix Delinois.  Orchard Books: New York, 2010

Discussion Questions for Eight Days: A Story of Haiti