HOW ROCKET LEARNED TO READ written and illustrated by Tad Hills is a perky little story about the power of words. Rocket is a playful puppy character who chases leaves, carries sticks and naps all day long. He is quite content with his life. Quoting from the book: “But one day…a little yellow bird startled Rocket.” Aha! My first student Wonderful!” she sang. Rocket was confused. “Student? I’m not a---“ “But if I am the teacher,” the bird interrupted, “you must be my student.” The optimistic little bird, on a mission to teach Rocket how to read, puts up a sign that says “ class starts today’’. Rocket clearly does not want to have anything to do with reading and hides under a lilac bush. Meanwhile, little bird strings up a banner containing all 26 letters of the alphabet in upper and lower case. Then little bird starts singing the song of a story about Buster the dog and his lost bone.

Rocket doesn’t really want to hear the words, but he does. Rocket doesn’t really plan on getting interested in the story, but he does. So when little bird stops reading just before the climax and leaves the outdoor classroom until the next day, Rocket is very disappointed. The next morning he comes early, stands under the tree and waits for little bird to arrive and read the conclusion of the story. She arrives, gives Rocket his very own nametag and finishes the narrative. Rocket is hooked on books. They spend the rest of the spring and summer learning the alphabet, spelling out the sound of the wind and sounding out words. When little bird leaves for the winter, Rocket continues practicing words. He sounds out such words as “wind”, “cold”, “sun” and “melt”. Then, one day it gets all muddy and spring-like outside and little bird returns. The teacher and her star pupil take up reading books not only about Buster but also about picnics and birds and seasons. By the end of this picture book Rocket can not only read but he reads the books over and over again. Tad Hills’ soft illustrations are done in oil paints and colored pencils much like the illustrations in his popular books, DUCK AND GOOSE and DUCK DUCK, GOOSE. Children can almost feel Rocket’s soft coat with their eyes. Engaging details can be found throughout the pictures. One charming detail shows little bird trying to introduce the letter “W” to Rocket as she stands in front of the letter while holding a worm in her mouth. The final illustration on the back “end paper” shows Rocket curled up asleep with a pile of books for a pillow. HOW ROCKET LEARNED TO READ written and illustrated by Tad Hills is ideal for children ages 3-5 (Schwartz and Wade/Random House, 2010). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for How Rocket Learned to Read

Grandma’s Chocolate or El Chocolate de Abuelita, written by Mara Price and Illustrated by Lisa Fields is a bi-lingual picture book that pays tribute to the relationship shared between a grandmother (abuelita) and her granddaughter. This lovely book shares with its readers the importance of the sharing of time, stories, and in this case—chocolate. The story introduces us to Sabrina and her Abuelita who has come from Mexico for a visit. Sabrina is excited to see her grandmother and just as excited to see all of the gifts she has brought with her. To Sabrina, the suitcase was like opening a treasure chest, filled with beautiful ribbons, a whistle, a drum, and the wonderful smell of chocolate. Sabrina and her Abuelita first spend time playing the drum and the clay whistle that is shaped like a dove. Then, when her grandmother is finished weaving the ribbons into Sabrina’s braids, she tells her that she looks like a Mayan princess. Sabrina is fascinated by the stories about Mayan and Aztec princesses who lived long ago and had plantations of cacao and how the Olmecs and Mayas were the first to make chocolate.

She learns too about how the cacao seeds were used for money to exchange for other goods needed. When Abuelita walks Sabrina to school, she tells her about the children of Mayan rulers who learned to read and write and later she shares more stories about the importance of chocolate in the culture—from melted toppings to hot chocolate served in “jarros” or clay cups. That evening, Sabrina, her mother, and her grandmother work together to break up the pieces of Mexican chocolate and stir it into the hot milk and watch it melt into a dark aromatic mixture. As Abuelita pours the chocolate back and forth between cups to create a delicious foamy treat, she tells Sabrina that this is how the Mayas and Aztec made their delicious drink long ago. As the visit draws to an end and Abuelita prepares for her return to Mexico, Sabrina expresses her sadness at her grandmother’s departure, but both promise to think of one another often--especially when they drink their hot chocolate. The story line is a simple one and the colorful illustrations blend images of the past and present in way that entertains and informs young readers. Grandma’s Chocolate or El Chocolate de Abuelita, written by Mara Price and illustrated by Lisa Fields is appropriate for ages 4-8. This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf. Price, Mara. Grandma’s Chocolate or El Chocolate de Abuelita. Illustrated by Lisa Fields. Houston, Texas: Arte Publica Press, 2010.

Discussion Questions for Grandma's Chocolate

THE 3 LITTLE DASSIES, written and illustrated by Jan Brett, is scheduled to air on November 17/19 THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF THE 3 LITTLE DASSIES, written and illustrated by Jan Brett, is a delightful and beautifully textured retelling of the nursery story of the three little pigs. Much acclaimed author Jan Brett travelled to Southern Africa to find these adorable animals related to the guinea pig. She uses the textiles, patterns and colors of the area with which to visually relate the story. The three little dassies themselves are dressed in the clothing of the Herero women with their traditional long skirts, colorful patterns, plentiful beads, and matching hats with flowers and jewels. The cultural authenticity of these folk patterns anchors the book in charm.

The story does not have a wolf but it does have an eagle dressed in red suspenders, checkered trousers and a straw hat. The author includes an interesting witness to all of the action called Agama Man. He gives advice and watches the tale unfold until it is time for him to rescue two of the dassies. This long lean lizard with plenty of street smarts is also brilliantly attired in yellow pants, a green coat, a tie and a jaunty fedora hat. The story begins as the three grown up dassies leave their family to find a place of their own---a cooler, less crowed place safe from eagles. The picture of their family farewell is full of sweet waves and fond goodbyes. Once the dassies find the perfect spot and meet the local lizard, Agama Man, they start to gather materials to build their homes. Mimbi gathers grass, Pimbi gathers sticks and Timbi gathers stones. On the right hand side of each of these pages of illustration the child can view the natural predator, the eagle, as it watches from its nest high in the mountains and prepares to swoop down on each of the dassies. There is also a visual side story around Agama Man that gives the whole tale extra depth. As each house is finished the eagle approaches from on high and calls out the threat. Quoting from the book: “ ‘I’ll flap and I’ll clap and I’ll blow your house in!’ he squawked, beating the air with his wings until the grass roof sailed off. The eagle grabbed Mimbi and lifted her up, up, up to his nest. But the eagle was greedy. No sooner had he dropped Mimbi into the nest than he spotted Pimbi in front of her stick house. Two dassies would be double delicious, he thought, and down he went, feathers flying.” Agama Man rescues the two captured dassies and they all huddle inside Timbi’s stone house where they prepare a fire in the fireplace. Sure enough the eagle swoops down the chimney and flies right into something most unexpected. The eagle gives up and quickly withdraws when his white wings turn black with soot. The story ends with a grand family reunion. THE 3 LITTLE DASSIES, written and illustrated by Jan Brett, is full of engaging visual details for children ages 3-5 (Putnam and Sons, 2010). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for The 3 Little Dassies

The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark, written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna is a fun-filled follow-up to the best seller, The Pout-Pout Fish. Filled with rhyming verse that will help children deal with their fears of the dark, Mr. Fish once again engages young readers through playful language and imagery. The story line is a simple one that begins as Ms. Clam loses her pearl when a big current washes it away during a tired yawn. Observing her dismay at the loss, Mr. Fish promises to find the pearl and begins by searching the sandy bottom. When he only finds a marble, he hears a voice that says, “it’s further out to sea!” However, as Mr. Fish begins to swim a little deeper, the light dims and his heart flutters a bit, but he thinks to himself, “I’m fast as a sailfish, I’m strong as a shark, I’m smart as a dolphin…but I’m scared of the dark.”

Mr. Fish continues his search along the ocean floor, but when he again finds nothing, the mystery voice encourages him to swim deeper into even darker waters, and he once again thinks, “I’m fast as a sailfish, I’m strong as a shark, I’m smart as a dolphin…but I’m scared of the dark.” As he swims into darkness though, his courage begins to vanish and then, just when he is about to turn around and go back, the now familiar voice of Miss Shimmer persuades him to continue. With the help of his friend, the two of them are able to face his fears of the dark and complete his promise to Ms. Clam. Deborah Diesen provides young readers with a playful narrative that addresses a real fear that some children face. The colorfully created illustrations by Dan Hanna provide readers with amusing details and complement the delightful tale. Deborah Diesen is a Michigan author who currently lives in Grand Ledge, Michigan. The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark, written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna is appropriate for ages 2-5. This is Pamela Gates for The Children’s Bookshelf Diesen, Deborah. The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark. Illustrated by Dan Hanna. New York; Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2010.

Discussion Questions for The Pout Pout Fish in the Big Big Dark

CAPTAIN SKY BLUE, written and illustrated by Richard Egielski, is a fantasy adventure story about a holiday toy that comes alive. Jack is delighted when he opens a present and out pops Captain Sky Blue! He is a nifty little pilot figure dressed in a blue flying jacket, pants and boots with gold buttons and matching helmet. His yellow turtle neck sweater and scarf and red goggles and earphones are functional, attractive and picture perfect. Jack’s second present is an airplane kit that Jack and Sky Blue immediately assemble. Their first trial run is A-ok until Jack’s hat is taken by the wind and Sky Blue takes off in the plane to retrieve it. Thus starts the whole fantastic journey. The text is jaunty and full of pilot talk----the only language Sky Blue speaks. When the small airplane runs into a thunderstorm and is struck by lightening Sky Blue says, “ Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Time for a nylon letdown.”

This is pilot talk for I need help and I must “escape by ejection and parachute.” As the adventure proceeds, Sky Blue lands in the ocean, rides in a blowhole of a whale and is catapulted under water where he discovers a sunken structure and an elevator that leads him to a room that he knows well---Santa’s workshop. Here he quickly figures out that the best way home would be to get into a present, put Jack’s name on it and ride home with Santa. But the adventure is not over yet. Come Christmas Eve, Santa’s sleigh runs into a blinding snowstorm and Captain Sky Blue must save the day by navigating through, what he calls, the “Goo”. Quoting from the text, ”Santa’s sleigh was pitching to and fro, rocking and spinning and shaking terribly.’ WE’VE HIT THE GOO! ALLOW ME TO PILOT THIS BIRD! I AM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER.’ “ The pictures are full of movement and eye-popping color done in deep blue, bright yellow and red accents. We can feel the liftoff, the storms and the safe landings. The double page picture of Santa’s workshop is intriguing. The front cover shows the ever capable Sky Blue giving a thumbs up sign as he passes over a Christmas tree. The back cover humorously shows the little pilot testing a paper airplane. The colorful end papers contain a banner of 24 words and or phrases used in pilot lore and found in the story from ”roger” and “bat turn” to “ throttle back” and “bravo Zulu”. Jack and Sky Blue are reunited in the end as the small pilot jumps out of Jack’s present with Jack’s hat in hand. CAPTAIN SKY BLUE, written and illustrated by Richard Egielski, who won the Caldecott Medal in 1986 and is an acclaimed illustrator, is ideal for youngsters 3-7 years of age (Michael Di Capua Books/Scholastic, 2010). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Captain Sky Blue

The Graves Family is a delightfully “creepy” story written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco.   Polacco’s descriptions of the unusual family who moves into the village of Union City, Michigan will amuse anyone who enjoys a good tale of haunted houses, and disturbing details.

Readers are introduced to the Graves family—Doug Grave, Shalleaux Grave, and their five children—when they move into an old house on the hill which they immediately paint blood red.   While the grown-ups in town find the new family and home a bit frightening, the neighbor children, Seth and Sara, are eager to make friends with “Ronnie,” the oldest and only son in the family. Although he initially avoids inviting Seth and Sara into his home, they do finally get the invitation to visit and are shocked by the spiders, the unusual fly-eating plants, and the secret laboratory in the basement.

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

THE ODIOUS OGRE, written by Norton Jester and illustrated by Jules Feiffer is a tall-tale about a big, bad bully of an ogre who stomps around the countryside terrorizing the village folk all the while proclaiming that he is invincible, invulnerable and insurmountable. The Ogre’s terrible reputation is known throughout the land. He has frightened the citizens into a state of inaction. The people cannot even bear to hear him or see him. Quoting from the book: “Every time there was even a hint that he was in the neighborhood, people stuffed their ears with stale cake, blindfolded themselves, clutched their knees, and rolled in a ball under the kitchen table.” The text goes on to say,” Since this is not the most defensive posture, the Ogre would wander through the town making a leisurely buffet of the local population.” The situation is too funny to be really scary and just perfect to be entertaining and informative.

The team of Jester and Feiffer produced the children’s classic novel, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH, in 1961. Their creative collaboration here, almost fifty years later, is still rich, alive and full of fun. Jester’s narration sprinkles the story with lighthearted asides and Feiffer’s pictures, done in pen and ink, watercolor and colored pencil enrich and exaggerate that lightheartedness. The artist’s design of each page brilliantly makes the ogre larger than anything else in the landscape. Sometimes we can only see his giant legs and boots and other times we see him lean from one page into the next page in an effort to intimate. When the Odious Ogre meets a maid tending her garden he is in for a big surprise---she is not afraid of him, she does not cower and run. When he yells and stomps she offers him tea and muffins and compliments him on his strong voice. This is too much for him to bear, after all, he sees himself as “ the scourge of the countryside”. He pulls out all of his bully tricks and threatens and claws and shouts and drools, but to no avail. The maid applauds his physical antics as one would applaud a jig and even asks him if he will perform them next week at the orphan’s picnic. Feiffer captures this temper tantrum vigorously on a double page spread much to the delight of the eye of the reader. In the end the maid refuses to be intimidated and this breaks the ogre’s ability to be a bully. In fact, in tall tale style, he is so humiliate he expires on the spot. THE ODIUS OGRE is a charming tale of how to handle a bully written by master storyteller Norton Jester and illustrated by master cartoonist Jules Feiffer. It is an entertaining and instructive story for children ages 5-8 (MDC Books/Scholastic, 2010). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for THE ODIOUS OGRE

Rosa’s Bus: The Ride to Civil Rights, written by Jo S. Kittinger and illustrated by Steven Walker is a fascinating tribute to Bus #2857-the bus that carried Rosa Parks and was at the center of the Montgomery, Alabama boycott in 1955. This extraordinary story details what is known of the bus that was the focal point of a major incident that is considered a key event in the history of the Civil Rights movement. Kittinger creates a series of powerful images carefully balanced between the story of Rosa Parks, the bus, and the event that was the catalyst for the boycott that lasted 382 days. Readers learn that in 1948, Bus #2857 rolled off the General Motors assembly line in Pontiac Michigan. It spent its first six years carrying riders in Terre Haute, Indiana before moving to Montgomery, Alabama in 1954.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks sat on the bus—tired after a long day of work. When she refused to give up her seat, she was arrested and the famous boycott led by Martin Luther King Jr. began. It lasted more than a year until the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. decided that the bus rules in Montgomery, Alabama would have to change and that Black people would no longer have to give up their seats for white people. It was a major victory for the civil rights movement and Bus #2857 would carry passengers for another fifteen years until it was sold as scrap to Mr. Roy Summerford who left it in his field for the next 30 years. In 2001, Bus # 2857 was purchased at auction and brought back to Michigan by the Henry Ford Museum. It took another five months to restore the bus, but on February 1, 2003, Bus #2857 was placed on permanent display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan—just a few miles from where it was built over a half century earlier. Jo S. Kittinger provides readers with a glimpse of the confrontations faced during the early years of the civil rights movement and role Bus# 2857 played in the life of Rosa Parks and those who dared to challenge the injustices of the time, while the illustrations of Steven Walker expand the narrative imagery across the decades. Rosa’s Bus: The Ride to Civil Rights, written by Jo S. Kittinger and illustrated by Steven Walker is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Illustrated by Steven Walker. Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Calkins Creek, 2010. This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf and I am dedicating this review to Greg’s school bus in Boyne Falls, Michigan.

Discussion Questions for Rosa's Bus (not available)

ONE DROWSEY DRAGON written and illustrated by Ethan Long is a noisy little counting book packed with charm, rhyme and a lot of onomatopoetic words scattered about the story. Ten little energetic dragons fill the air with the sounds of full-throttled play to such an extent that one older, drowsy dragon cannot sleep. It all begins with one small dragon marching around clanking on a tin cup, this proceeds to two small dragons staging a zap gun fight and then on to three dancing dragons with taps on their shoes. As the number of dragons accumulates so does the noise. There are clicks and clanks, whirs and grunts and toots and strums. The drowsy dragon doesn’t have a chance for peace and quiet.

Quoting from the book: Four feisty dragons wrestle on the ground. One tired dragon asks, ”Please keep it down?” Five laughing dragons dump their games and toys. One grumpy dragon hollers, “ Too much noise!” The older dragon pleads for silence but it never happens until all the young dragons, exhausted from play, make their way to their beds. Finally the older dragon falls into a deep sleep and snores and snores and snores -----leaving the ten small dragons unable to sleep! This is a nice turn of events in the story. Long’s engaging cartoon style is perfect for this book. He is able to communicate a great variety of expressions on the tiny dragon faces. There are some big smiles, happy eyes, cranky cheeks and self satisfied grins on the faces of the laughing, fighting, playing, singing, dancing dragons. The young child will be able to read the pictures very well. Great details and vivid colors can be seen throughout the book. The illustration of the older dragon in a nightcap with his teddy bear and security blanket in hand confronting the seven screaming dragons, all watching a spooky television show, is full of fun. In this picture there is one little dragon up to mischief as he tries to add to the big scare by dangling a spider on a string. The end papers are populated with delightful dragons tooting horns, singing in microphone, running trucks across the floor and hitting croquet balls with a mallet. Long’s visual creativity is also a hallmark of his other books including Tickle The Duck! and Stop Kissing Me! ONE DROWSY DRAGON, a wonderful book for reading out loud, is written and illustrated by Ethan Long and is an ideal counting book in rhyme for ages 2-4 (Orchard Books/Scholastic, 2010).
This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for One Drowsy Dragon

Three Little Kittens, retold and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney is a playful adaptation of a favorite Mother Goose rhyme. The richly detailed illustrations provide young readers with an abundance of autumn images that provide an engaging backdrop for a lively trio of kittens. The well-known story line is a simple one of the three little kittens who have new mittens and are eager to get outside to play.

Readers will delight in the level of mischief the kittens get into by playing and pouncing in the yard and may well recognize the frustrated look they receive from their mother when they must admit that they have lost their mittens and face the threat of losing a piece of their favorite blueberry pie. The mother cat scolds her kittens fiercely by saying, “What! Lost your mittens? You careless kittens. Then you shall have no pie! Meow, meow, the kittens cried, for they would have no pie.” As we know, however, when threatened with the loss of their favorite pie, the kittens go in search of their mislaid mittens and readers are once again treated to the beautiful images of the kittens in a playful search. The rhyme continues through the discovery of the mittens, the reward of the blueberry pie, the admission of the mess they make of the mittens, and the praise of their mother when the “good little kittens” wash their mittens. Throughout the retelling of this famous rhyme, Jerry Pinkney enchants readers with images so finely detailed that one is tempted to reach out and touch the kittens at play. Beautifully crafted illustrations of calico, tabby, and orange kittens will amuse and delight young readers and certainly appeal to the hearts of all who love kittens. Three Little Kittens, written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney is appropriate for ages 3-5. Pinkney, Jerry. Three Little Kittens. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2010.

Discussion Questions for Three Little Kittens

WALDEN THEN & NOW is described as an alphabetical tour of Thoreau’s Walden Pond. It is an elegant journey for older readers by master printmaker Michael McCurdy. This is not an ordinary alphabet book. In fact, the letters of the alphabet are used as a narrative tool to move through a series of observations originally made by Thoreau (then) and commented on by McCurdy (now). This approach to a classic piece of writing is unusual and built on integrity as McCurdy spent much time in and around Walden Pond observing its simplicities and environmental gifts. He makes charming comparisons between Thoreau’s 1854 publication and his own experiences.

Each page contains a letter of the alphabet, a statement in tandem with the letter, McCurdy’s embellishment of the topic and a wood engraving by McCurdy in celebration of the topic. For instance, the letter A is for ants and the letter B is for beans. Quoting from the book: “A is for the angry ants that Henry once saw battling. B is for the bean field in which noisy crows were prattling.” Following each line of these rhymed couplets McCurdy explains how Henry David Thoreau, in his instance, did see black and red ants fight and did plow seven miles of beans at Walden Pond. The real bonus here is that McCurdy has written Source Notes from A-Z at the end of the book that include Thoreau’s original quotations and gives the reader the exact chapter and paragraph in Thoreau’s WALDEN where each detail can be found. This provides a very nice stretch for older readers -----one that could easily entice them to pick up WALDEN by Henry David Thoreau and make it their own. McCurdy has selected the alphabet and topic pairs very well. For instance, “C” is for cabin, “E” is for eagle, “K” is for kindling, “L” is for loons, “Q” is for quiet and “Z” is for zephyr. Each accompanying black and white wood engraving is powerful----especially those showing Henry David Thoreau reading a book, chopping wood, walking through wintery forest, playing the flute, fishing and contemplating the stars. Nighthawks, geese, owls, a squirrel, a hare and other creatures of Nature dot the landscape. This volume is handsomely bound using heavy weight ivory paper and a dark green fabric cover with gold letters. And there on the front cover stands the naturalist himself----one of the most beautiful wood engravings of all. WALDEN THEN & NOW by Michael McCurdy is a special volume for older children ages 10-14 and up (Charlesbridge, 2010). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Walden Then and Now

Dave the Potter is a beautiful tribute to a remarkable artist, poet, and potter who lived and created his work as a slave in South Carolina during the 1800s. This extraordinary story was written by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier and details what little is known of the artist who is considered a key figure in the history of pottery made in the region of the Carolinas. Hill creates a series of poetic images balanced between the present and the past to help readers understand the fragile , yet harsh realities of Dave’s life as a potter and a slave. “To us it is just dirt…but to Dave, it was clay…”

“To us it is just a pot round and tall…but to Dave it was a pot large enough to store a season’s grain harvest…” The narrative images of Dave mixing the clay with water, throwing as much as sixty pounds, kicking his potter’s wheel until it spun, and pulling the shape of a jar out of a mound of mud challenges the imagination while readers are visually mesmerized by the watercolor and collage details of the illustrations. We learn that Dave made his own glaze that has withstood the test of time, and that before the jar hardened, he wrote bits of wisdom and poetry to let us know that he existed. Laban Carrick Hill provides insight into the life of a man and his craft that remains shrouded within the painful memories of slavery, while the illustrations of Bryan Collier express the beauty of the human dignity that not only survived, but has thrived though time. Dave the Potter, written by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier is appropriate for ages 7 and up. This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for Dave The Potter

BONES: Skeletons and How They Work is another piece of fine non -fiction for children by author-illustrator Steve Jenkins. In 32 pages Jenkins makes a stunning comparison between the structural components of a variety of mammals from elephants, owls and humans to bats, dogs and dinosaurs. The clarity of his illustrations serves the goal of the book very well with luminous paper cut outs placed over densely- colored backgrounds of navy blue, brick red, royal purple, hot orange and black. Some of the bones are shown in actual size and some are shown in one fourth or one fifth or one seventh actual size but always well marked.

Jenkins looks at everything. The overriding questions are why these boney structures are necessary and what they protect and allow for in each instance. The rib cage protects the heart and lungs, the skull protects the brain, femurs are basic to supporting the weight of the mammal, and so forth. The text even points out that sharks and stingrays do not have a skeleton but rely on cartilage for support. One double page illustration visually lays out all of the 206 bones in the human adult body------disassembled and ready for the child to discover. There is an awesome four-page fold out of a complete human skeleton to assist the visual assembly process. Not the least bit scary the skeleton seems to be waving to us. An actual human skeleton would be two and a half times bigger than this picture. Both the format and subject matter throughout the book are full of fun, educational opportunities and artistic impact. Who would expect that the long neck of a giraffe and the relatively shorter neck of a human being are each made up of seven bones! Jenkins’ sub topics such as “making connections” for a discussion of joints and “arm yourself” for a look at the forelimbs of humans, moles, spider monkeys, the gray whale, turtles and the fruit bat are very clever. Bone trivia is also scattered about the book including such facts as the largest bone ever found was a 10’ femur from a dinosaur, human babies are born with 300 bones but the count goes down as some of their bones fuse and snakes hold the animal world rib record. The four-page fold out of a small python brings this fact to life. Shown in its actual size on a bright orange background this snake is six feet long and sports 200 ribs. BONES: Skeletons And How They Work, written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins, is both vividly interesting and richly educational for children 7-10 years of age (Scholastic Press, 2010). This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Bones

Joha Makes A Wish: A Middle Eastern Tale, adapted by Eric Kimmel and illustrated by Omar Rayyan, is an original folktale that was inspired by a Yemen tale of Joha--the “wise fool.” As the tale begins, Joha is walking to Bagdad. “The day was hot and the road was long” and when he stopped to rest, he leaned again an old wall that would provide him some shade. Suddenly, the bricks crumbled and he fell against a jar that had been hidden in the wall. Inside the jar, he found a stick wrapped up in a parchment scroll which said,” Stranger, you have found a wishing stick. Use it wisely. It can make your wishes come true.” Joha was very excited and wondered what he should wish for first. Looking down, he saw his worn out sandals and holding the stick in his hand, he closed his eyes and wished for a new pair of red leather slippers.

When he opened his eyes, he saw that not only did he not have any red leather slippers, but his old sandals were gone as well. Frustrated and angry because he would now have to walk with nothing on his feet, he yelled at the stick, wishing it would disappear! However, instead of disappearing, the stick stuck tight to his hand—making Joha even angrier. Soon, a troop of the sultan’s guards rode up on horses and ordered him to get out of their way. Joha grumbled and wished that he had a donkey to carry him the rest of the way to Bagdad. However, the next thing he knew, Joha was carrying a donkey on his back. When he finally reached the city’s gate, he was able to put the donkey down and realized that everything he had wished for had gotten him into trouble and he vowed not to say another word to anyone. As one might expect, Joha’s troubles increase as the Sultan himself appears and insists that Joha use his wishing stick to rid him of the tiny wart on the end of his nose. The result of the multiplying warts on the Sultan’s nose sends Joha running for his life and as real luck would have it, a shopkeeper hides him and explains to Joha that his problems and bad luck are all due to the fact that the wishing stick is upside down—causing all of the wishes to have the opposite effect. With a turn of his wrist, Joha sets things right—regaining his worn out sandals and curing the wart nightmare for the Sultan. But, when the Sultan takes the wishing stick from the Joha and gloats that he will now be able to add to his own treasures, Joha leaves…without bothering to tell him that he was holding the stick upside down. Eric Kimmel shares an insightful tale about greed and misplaced wishes, while Omar Rayyan creates beautiful, expressive water color illustrations that extend the narrative in a playful animated way for young readers. Joha Makes A Wish: A Middle Eastern Tale, adapted by Eric Kimmel and illustrated by Omar Rayyan is appropriate for ages 5 -8. Kimmel, Eric. Joha Makes a Wish: A Middle Eastern Tale. Illustrated by Omar Rayyan. Tarrytown, New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2010.
This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf .

Discussion Questions for Joha Makes a Wish

THE SANDWICH SWAP by Queen Rania Al Abdullah with Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Tricia Tusa is scheduled to be aired August 25/27. THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF The first line of THE SANDWICH SWAP, written by Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan with Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Tricia Tusa, declares, ”It all began with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich…and ended with a hummus sandwich.”

This is the story of two friends, Salma and Lily, who play, study and eat together everyday. They are unaware they each are having difficulty with the other’s food, Lily’s peanut butter sandwich on the one hand and Salma’s hummus and pita on the other, until one day they each proclaim that the other’s sandwich is yucky, gross and smells bad! This threatens their friendship, causes all of the other children to take sides and results in a messy food fight in the lunchroom followed by a command appearance in the principal’s office. This story of friendship, difference and tolerance is told in an engaging way both in the text and in the illustrations. Tricia Tusa’s pictures of Salma with her dark hair pulled back in a long braid and Lily with her blond hair caught by a headband are very attractive. The drawings show Salma eating a hummus and pita sandwich with almonds and a piece of fruit and Lily eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with grapes and a chocolate chip cookie. The double page illustration of the food fight that develops when the children in the lunchroom all take sides in the controversy is a visual delight with cupcakes, carrots, peas, cold cuts, celery sticks, drumsticks, cheese and grapes all taking to the air. Author Queen Rania, a well known international figure due to her UNESCO work in support of children, and Kelly DiPucchio fashion a well told story and a metaphor for incidents of intolerance that lead to acts of aggression. The story also shows that when two arguing sides talk, in this case Salma and Lily, creative ways to solve problems come forth. We see by the end of the book that the girls decide to try each other’s sandwich, on a count of three, and find they actually like the taste of these differences. In pursuit of a lasting peace they organize a school wide picnic where all the children can bring food from their cultural traditions. The accompanying illustration is an expansion fold out in celebration of difference with Salma at one end of the picnic table waving at Lily who is at the other end waving at Salma. All the children in between, with flags of origin on their contributions to the menu, are having a good time while sharing their dishes of difference. THE SANDWICH SWAP written by Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Tricia Tusa is a perfect picture book for ages 4-7 (Disney Hyperion, 2010).

Discussion Questions for The Sandwich Swap

The Umbrella Queen, written by Shirin Yim Bridges and illustrated by Taeeum Yoo, is a beautiful tale of a village in Thailand where everyone does the same thing that they have done for hundreds of years—they make umbrellas. The villagers make big umbrellas and small umbrellas, paper umbrellas and silk umbrellas in many colors—all painted with flowers and butterflies by the women and girls of the village.

Every New Year’s day, there is a parade of umbrellas lead by the “Umbrella Queen”-- a woman chosen because she had painted the most beautiful umbrella of the previous year. In this tale, a young girl by the name of Noot who repeatedly asks her mother about when she can begin painting umbrellas. She had watched her father fit together bamboo to make the frames and helped her grandmother make paper to cover the umbrella frames, but she is eager to learn to paint the umbrellas just as her mother does. One day Noot’s mother shows her how to paint flowers and butterflies and Noot carefully follows her mother’s directions and surprises both her father and grandmother with her fine skills. The following day, Noot is given four umbrellas to paint and while she begins by painting flowers and butterflies just as she was told to do, her mind soon wanders and she decides to add pictures of elephants chasing the butterflies and on another umbrella she paints elephants doing silly things such as handstands. As she finishes, her parents express their dismay and firmly tell her that she must paint only flowers and butterflies since that was what the village shop expects and they must sell their umbrellas to make a living. From that point on, Noot spends her days painting flowers and butterflies, but when evening arrives, she creates tiny umbrellas from the scraps and on those, she paints pictures of elephants.

One year, just two weeks before the end of the year, the people learn that the King plans to visit their village and choose the Umbrella Queen. On the day of the king’s visit, each family displays their best umbrellas by their gates so that the beautiful flowers and butterflies can be seen from the road. One by one, the king inspected the umbrellas, and when he came to Noot’s house, he praised the beauty of those done by her mother. However, as he made a final look over all the umbrellas displayed, his attention was diverted by the tiny doll-size umbrellas on Noot’s windowsill. Fascinated, he asked who had painted the strange little umbrellas and noticing the embarrassed young Noot, he asked why she painted such tiny umbrellas with elephants. When Noot explained that she just really liked elephants, the King laughed and stated that since she obviously painted from her heart, she would be named the Umbrella Queen for that year.

This is a lovely tale of one child’s desire to balance between the needs of her family and her own creative spirit. It articulates how one can attend to the duties expected by family and society and still find an appropriate way to be playful. The text is extended through the detailed linoleum prints with pencil artwork of Taeeun Yoo.

The Umbrella Queen, written by Shirin Yim Bridges and illustrated by Taeeum Yoo is appropriate for ages 4-8. Bridges, Shirin Yim . The Umbrella Queen. Illustrated by Taeeum Yoo. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2008.

Discussion Questions for The Umbrella Queen

THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT: A celebration of nature, science and imagination is a most unusual collection of poetry for children. All the poems, selected by United States Children’s Poet Laureate, Mary Ann Hoberman and teacher Linda Winston, find a connection between science and beauty through the presence of nature and the process of the imagination. In fact, the very title of the volume, THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT, is a reference to Charles Darwin’s tree of life.

Hoberman and Winston expand on the theme of this collection in the introduction. “ Scientists, like poets, depend on imagination for many of their core insights. And poets, like scientists, observe and explore connections within the natural world.”

The book, divided into nine sections, cradles over 100 poems from such children’s poets as Eve Merriam, Jack Prelutsky, Aileen Fisher, Elizabeth Coatsworth and Mary Ann Hoberman to poets for older readers such as Langston Hughes, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickenson, W. S. Merwin, Robert Frost, and Dylan Thomas. Where else would children find D. H. Lawrence’s “Humming-Bird” as well as Rumi’s “Little by little”, David McCord’s “Cocoon”, Ogden Nash’s “The Termite” and “Hurt No Living Thing” by Christina Rossetti in one volume? The integration of science and nature can be experienced at many levels in this wonderful collection. Hoberman’s haiku says it all: Metamorphosis: Caterpillar, chrysalis, Butterfly is born.

This handsome volume also appeals to multiple senses. Barbara Fortin’s drawing of the tree of life is bountiful, beautiful and pen and ink artistry at its best. Beetles, birds and things of nature gently decorate some of the pages. The accompanying CD of the voices of 20 of the poets appeals greatly to the ear. And the quality of the paper used for the cover and throughout the 209 pages is magic to the sense of touch.

A glossary identifying the 78 contributing poets is also included as are informative footnotes. For instance, the footnote beneath Tony Johnston’s “The Iguanas of Santiago” reveals Darwin’s unique experience with these creatures during his visit to the Galapagos Island of Santiago. Other footnotes tell stories of geology, cross-pollination, locust swarms, giant turtles, classifications and discoveries. The footnotes play an important role in keeping the unique science and nature and art connection so vital in this book of poetry.

THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT: A celebration of nature, science, and imagination compiled and selected by Mary Ann Hoberman and Linda Winston is ideal for children 9-12 (Jabberwocky, imprint of Sourcebooks, 2009).

Discussion Questions for The Tree That Time Built

Too Many Fairies; A Celtic Tale, retold by Margaret Read MacDonald and illustrated by Susan Mitchell, is a delightful tale of an old woman who hated household chores. The tale begins with an illustration of a frowning old woman who is grumbling about how she hates to wash the dishes, sweep the floor, make the bed, and knit.

The old woman begins to complain, “Work! Work! Work! How I hate it! Hate it! Hate it!” Suddenly, she hears someone knocking at her door and when she goes to answer the door, she hears a voice say, “Your luck has come! Open the door! Let me in and you’ll work no more!” As she opens the door, in rushes a little fairy who heads straight to the sink and begins to wash the dishes.

Not satisfied that she has help with the dishes, the old woman continues to complain about how much she hates work as she sweeps the floor. Just as before, she hears the knocking and when she opens the door, in rushes another fairy who grabs the broom and begins to sweep the floors. Still not satisfied, the old woman continues to complain about making the bed. Once again, the knocking begins and in rushes another fairy who gets right to work making up the bed. Still complaining as she picks up her knitting, the old woman opens the door to a fourth fairy who snatches away her needles and yarn. As one would expect, the old woman finds herself surrounded by fairies creating all kinds of noise cleaning everywhere and driving her crazy!

“Fairies STOP!” yells the old woman and as they do, the house falls quiet. Everything was done, but before the old woman is able to thank them, the fairies tear everything apart and begin their tasks all over again—to the dismay of the old woman who now realizes that they will never leave her home. Rushing out of her house, she seeks the advice of the wise woman in the village who tells her what she must do to rid herself of the over helpful fairies. Following her directions, the old woman is able to regain her home and a new appreciation for her own day to day chores.

Susan Mitchell creates colorful, expressive water color illustrations that extend the narrative in a playful animated way for young readers.

Too Many Fairies; ACeltic Tale, retold by Margaret Read MacDonald and illustrated by Susan Mitchell is appropriate for ages 4-8. MacDonald, Margaret Read.

Too Many Fairies; ACeltic Tale. Illustrated by Susan Mitchell. Tarrytown, New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2010.

Discussion Questions for Waiting for Too Many Fairies

There Was an Old Man Who Painted the Sky, written by Teri Sloat and illustrated by Stefano Vitale is a creation story inspired by the prehistoric cave drawings located on the ceilings of a cave situated in northern Spain. The Altimira Cave drawings, between 25,00O and 35,000 years old, feature images of bison, wild horses, red deer, goats and the outlines of human hands.

Artist Stefano Vitale and author Teri Sloat take their inspiration from these cave drawings and fashion their own beautiful creation story told to the rhythm of “There Was An Old Women Who Swallowed A Fly”. Quoting from the book: “There was an old man who painted the night. He splattered the stars and made the moon white. He painted the night across the great sky, but I don’t know how he painted the sky----It’s up so high!” Children will quite naturally enjoy singing the text to the tune of this favorite cumulative nursery song.

The old man paints the universe, the stars and the sun high in the sky and then draws pictures of the animals and people who live on earth. Artist Vitale, using mixed media on board, is true to the colors that adorn the real cave ceilings, namely, ochre, red and black, until the creation is complete and woman and man take over the endeavor. Particularly interesting is the artist’s conception of how the old man handed down the gift of vibrant colors to the people from his hand to their hands. Polka dots, stripes, wavy lines, circles and other geometric designs explode as creativity blossoms. Human images begin to dance, leap and celebrate around a fire.

This creation story is cradled around the specific story of the little girl, Maria Marcelino, who discovered the cave drawings in 1879 when on an exploration of the cave with her father. They were looking for bones on the ground when she looked up and saw the awesome images on the ceiling. Today the cave, A World Heritage Site, is open to just 30 people per day to preserve the quality of the drawings. However, many of the images have been duplicated and can be seen in a special museum located very nearby.

THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO PAINTED THE SKY by Teri Sloat and illustrated by Stafano Vitale and inspired by prehistoric cave drawings is ideal for children ages 4-8 (Henry Holt, 2009).

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

Discussion Questions for There Was an Old Man Who Painted the Sky

Big Night for Salamanders , written by Sarah Marwil Lamstein and Illustrated by Carol Benioff is a beautifully detailed story of the life cycle of the spotted salamander. Readers are introduced to Evan and his family as they watch the temperature rise signaling the time when the spotted salamanders leave the thawing earth to begin their journey back to the pool where they were born.

One spring evening following dinner, Evan and his father don their rain gear, cover a flashlight beam with pink plastic to reduce the glare of light and hurry to the busy road near their home. Looking carefully, they begin to spy the spotted salamanders as they make their way to the blacktop road. Carefully, they reach down and let the salamanders crawl into their hands where they then gently carry them across the road to the vernal pool where the salamanders will lay their eggs before they return to the forest. For the next few hours, Evan and his parents help several dozen salamanders make their way across the busy road—sometimes carrying them, sometimes waving their flashlights to slow down the cars that speed down the road.

As the evening draws late, Evan leaves his hand-made sign of “GO SLOW….SALAMANDER CROSSING”—by the edge of the road to alert cars of the important journey his spotted salamander friends are making to the pool on the other side of the road. This fascinating story is one that will teach readers of the life cycle of the spotted salamander and of the role one family chooses to play to support their “Big Night.” The illustrations are done in gouache and provide a colorful complement to the story details and informational discussion which follows this delightful narrative.

Big Night for Salamanders , written by Sarah Marwil Lamstein and Illustrated by Carol Benioff is considered a nonfiction picture book appropriate for ages 7-9. Lamstein, Sarah Marwil. Big Night for Salamanders. Illustrated by Carol Benioff. Honesdale, PA: Boyd Mills Press, 2010.

Discussion Questions for Waiting for Big Night for Salamanders

WAITING FOR THE OWL’S CALL, written by Gloria Whelan and illustrated by Pascal Milelli takes place in Afghanistan and is a vivid snap shop of one day as lived by the storyteller, eight –year-old Zulviya.

She rises in the morning, eats a breakfast of bread and honey and goes directly to the loom. The women in her family have been rug makers for many generations----they have all been married to the loom for most of their lives. Young Zulviya along with her sister and cousin intently weave patterns all day long as they sit in a row along the loom. Quoting from the book,” I try to tie a knot for every beat of my heart. A beat. A knot. Before the day is over I will tie thousands of knots”.

Zulviya learns a lot about rug making but does not have the opportunity to go to school, to play, to read books and to plan for the future. She is living her future. As author Whelan states in the Author’s Notes at the back of the book, when we buy a hand made rug we are probably not aware of the fact that in “many countries children are prisoners of their looms…”

Through Zulviya’s voice we learn about the components that go into rug making from shearing the sheep, washing the wool, straightening the wool, spinning the wool into thread, dying the thread and then weaving the rug. The author also compellingly invites us to feel the young girl’s bondage to the loom. It is a place where she makes two patterns---one, the traditional pattern of her mother and grandmother found on the loom and the other, the pattern she makes from the beauty of nature found only in her head. The work is painstaking and the day is long until Zulviya and her sister and cousin are released from the loom by the call of the owl.

Pascal Milelli’s paintings are beautifully colored and as orderly and attentive to the task at hand as is the day. His palette features deep reds, dark golden hues and rich brown tones. The picture of Zulviya and her ten-year-old sister Aqbika sitting under a mulberry tree after eating a lunch of figs, grapes and sugared almonds is particularly pensive. They are thinking about the word school. Milelli has captured this bittersweet moment that characterizes Whelan’s skillful text.

WAITING FOR THE OWL’S CALL written by Gloria Whelan and illustrated by Pascal Milelli is appropriate for children 7-10 years of age (Sleeping Bear Press, 2009).

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

Discussion Questions for Waiting for the Owl's Call

Pictures from our Vacation, written and illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins is a fun-filled story of a summer vacation documentary told through the camera lens of a brother and sister. Just as the family is loading up the car, their mother gives each of the children a Polaroid camera and a notebook to create their own special memories of the trip. The vacation documentary begins with the first picture of the ground—a camera mistake, but it does signify the start of the vacation.

The family is traveling by car to visit their grandparents and to see the old family farmhouse where no one lives any longer. While the children knew it would take a long time to get there and even brought a bag of things to keep them busy, the reader is allowed to catch glimpses of the thoughts of the older sister. By nightfall, the family stops at a motel called the “Shangri-la” and the second vacation picture is of the swimming pool empty of water. When the family arrives the next day, the reader learns that the dad sees lots of happy memories, while the children see only old furniture and dust. When their mother suggests they play badminton, they find that the rackets have warped into shapes that remind them of potato chips. And then, when it begins to rain, it rains for days—and the children must stay inside with a TV that has only three channels. Once it stopped raining, their father offers to take them swimming at a special lake which they never find.

Boredom and disappointment is evident from the children’s point of view through their pictures and accompanying narrative. The ultimate disappointment is presented when the children learn that they must get dressed up to go to church for a memorial service for their dad’s great aunt. Strangely enough, though, disappointment quickly turns into an unexpected time to remember when the children meet many new relatives and distant cousins with whom they can play with for the next few days. When their vacation ends, they discover that the only pictures they have are of the boring days and that the best times of their vacation are memories.

Lynne Rae Perkins creates a wonderful reflection on the expectations and memories of childhood vacations with special insight on the difference between documentaries and memories. Her illustrations provide a wonderful extension to the text and readers will find themselves slowing down to look at the details she provide.

Lynne Rae Perkins is a Michigan author who writes and illustrates books for young people and was awarded a Newbery Medal for one of her novels or teens.

Pictures from our Vacation, written and illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins s appropriate for children ages 4-9. Perkins, Lynne Rae. New York: Greenwillow Books, HarperCollins Publishers, 2007.

Discussion Questions for Pictures from our Vacation