“The square waited to see what was next.”

Perfect Square by Michael Hall is a book about transformation.  The story begins with four matching corners and four equal sides.  The square ingeniously emits emotion with each new alteration. The deceptively simple concept book takes you far beyond the perimeter of a simple square.

“A star is how you know it’s almost night.”

Stars, by Mary Lyn Ray is simply charming.  It is the quintessential bedtime story complete with innocent and comforting coziness, succinctly phrased images, and delicate illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Marla Frazee.

The volume begins with great ponderings about how to capture the first star of the evening.  The question is posed, “What if you could have a star?” Since that is impossible, the next best thing is to make a star or find a star-shaped entity. Thereupon, the possibilities are seemingly endless.

Stars is filled with hope, joy, and optimism.  It is a delightful way to open a meaningful discussion and share some quality time.

“The day his life was turned completely upside down, he was caught unaware.”

 

The story began with a camping trip to Acadia National Park in Maine; it ended with a police chase several towns away.  Eleven year old Jack Martel is the primary character in Jennifer Richard Jacobson’s, Small as an Elephant.

Jack and his mother were set to enjoy the last weekend of the summer together.  He awoke to discover his mother was missing.  He tried to be clever and resourceful.  He needed to find ways to eat, sleep, and locate his mom.  He took a tour bus to nearby Bar Harbor and picked up some clues, along with food, a broken finger, and a small elephant.  The elephant would become his good luck object on the remainder of his complicated, yet intriguing journey.

Readers will ascertain the reason for his mother’s disappearance and grow to marvel at Jack’s survival skills.  It is an adventure that you will not soon forget, filled with determination, hope, and actions that convey a unique protective spirit.

“…his wish was to study horticulture.”

How are your family memories handed down to the next generation?  Follow Grandpa Green’s life’s story with a journey through his garden led by his great-grandson.  Lane Smith has created a poetic celebration of memories along with homage to aging and a life well-lived in his newest picture book titled, Grandpa Green.

 

“This is what happens on journeys…”

Each year Hindley’s fourth graders participate in an author study of Hans Christian Andersen during their visits to the school library.  They are struck by his poignant storytelling.  His tales have lived for hundreds of years.  Breadcrumbs, by Anne Ursu is a modern day fantasy filled with references to Andersen’s works.

The story takes place during a cold Minneapolis winter.  Hazel and Jack are the truest of friends, until one day all of that changes.  Hazel chooses to travel to the depths of the forest to save Jack from a woman who is dressed all in white and lives in an ice palace.  The situations she leaves behind cannot compare to the unpredictable hurdles she has to overcome, all for the sake of friendship.

“On top of a steep, craggy mountain lived a bear of a man…”

Olivier Dunrea has a special way of creating works that perfectly convey both stark coldness and the warmth of home in his most recent release titled, A Christmas Tree for Pyn.  His former works, Bear Noel and Old Bear and His Cub have a similar feel.

 Pyn is a sweet and determined little girl.  She is set on gathering a Christmas tree for her home, even though it is not part of her father’s plan.  She ventures out on her own amid a storm and other obvious obstacles, only to be swept up in the arms of her seemingly gruff father.  A perfect tree is procured; nature’s bounty provides the decorations, and a sentimental gift is revealed. 

 This is a gentle story told with carefully chosen words and soft pencil and gouache illustrations.  It is sure to become a holiday tradition read and enjoyed each year.

 

“Every little moment has a meaning of its own.”

Thanksgiving customs are plentiful.  The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has become a part of our tradition.  Author and Caldecott Honor illustrator, Melissa Sweet, introduces us to the man who created the giant balloons that have become the signature of the event in Balloons Over Broadway .

Tony Sarg was intrigued by movement.  As a young child he invented a way to manipulate ropes and pulleys to avoid chores. He went on to become a master of puppetry and expert performing with marionettes.  R.H. Macy himself asked Sarg to create a holiday window display in New York City.  The first Macy’s Parade marched down Broadway in 1924 as a way to help immigrants feel more comfortable in their new homeland.  That original event included real animals from the Central Park Zoo that frightened the small children.  Sarg was once again called upon by Macy to find a way to include animals in the festivities.  He used his imaginative genius to find a way to bring joy to many spectators along the parade route, and the rest as they say, is history. 

Sweet’s illustrative details (collage and gouache) create an aura of playfulness while still conveying a unique true story.  Visit her website for more facts, photos, and extension activities.  It can be found by clicking the Author Links tab at the top of this screen.

“Never underestimate the power of great art.”

What is the best school to attend if you are an extremely talented individual? New York’s Blatt School can provide you with opportunities you never deemed possible.  The facility only accepts the most exceptional musicians, inventors, scientists, researchers, and innovators.

The School for the Insanely Gifted by Dan Elish is the story of Daphna Whispers, an eleven year old student at the highly revered institution. She is surrounded by brilliance, from those who invent hat-top and gum-top computers and cars that fly to those who create one act plays and musical scores.  Daphna and her friends encounter challenges that take them to the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro and to the depths of a contest’s deception.

“A cat, a key, a clink, a clue…”

Everyone has a special talent, Polly Portman’s talent was pie making.  She was known as the Pie Queen of Ipswitch. The thing that made her pies so exceptional was the crust, and only Polly had the secret recipe. She knew who liked which pies the best, as well as every birthday and anniversary in her quaint little town. She won the prestigious National Blueberry Award 13 years in a row and never, ever charged money for her pies.  She lived with Lardo, a cat of great proportions and a questionable demeanor. Polly was revered by all, and had one especially keen apprentice, her niece, Alice. 

 Alice spent hours watching, learning, and absorbing the pie baking techniques.  More than anything, she cherished the conversations and laughter she shared with her aunt.  Find out if the secret recipe is ever revealed and which townsfolk can really be trusted. PIE by Sarah Weeks leaves you with a happy, warm, wholesome feeling.  Pie-baking, small town antics, and fourteen actual pie recipes fill the pages. The possibilities are quite delicious

“Hitting a baseball is the single most difficult thing to do in sports.”

Seventy years ago a baseball milestone was reached.  Fred Bowen narrates the exciting episode of the last professional baseball player to achieve a batting average over .400 for the season in No Easy Way.  It was 1941, and the batter was Ted Williams. 

Ted grew up in San Diego,California when times were hard, but his dreams were clear.  He had a good eye and a strong smooth swing.  He strived to be the best batter, and believed that practice and hard work would help him achieve his goal. He played his entire career with the Boston Red Sox.  The fast-paced text is accompanied by classic drawings reflective of the times that combine to skillfully highlight an unforgettable season.