“The darkness was best for dreaming.”

William Kamkwamba was an inquisitive boy.  He questioned why his homeland of Central Malawi was without water and he wondered what he could do to help. He never lost sight of his goal to bring water and power to his village.  His inspirational picture book titled, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind explains his journey from starvation to celebration.

He overcame great odds when, “Without water, the sun rose angry each morning and scorched the fields”.  His family’s livelihood disappeared with the lack of water and William sought other ways to solve his problems.  He went to the library, which was a gift from Americans.  Books opened the way for his solution.  A giant pinwheel was a way for him to “catch magic”.  He found a way to produce electricity and pump water.  Much to the disbelief of others, he gathered junkyard pieces and other materials to assemble a machine that could harness the wind’s power.

William’s story is not yet over.  He was discovered by a group of journalists and invited to speak at a conference in Tanzania.  Many people were moved by his story and donated money for him to attend school.   He is currently an engineering student at Dartmouth College making plans to work in the field of renewable energy.

 

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is skillfully narrated in sparse verse by a great silverback gorilla who has lived in his enclosed “domain” for 27 years at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall.  He spends his time at a shabby circus-themed attraction with his fellow performers and a meager collection of humans, yet remembers what it was like to live in his natural habitat.  He befriends and protects the other animals, and amazingly becomes interested in creating artwork. His story is that of friendship, loyalty, and intelligence.  It is an adventure that hauntingly reveals the treatment of animals held in captivity.  The story was inspired by a real silverback gorilla who followed the same path in life.

“There’s no place for the likes of you in our class.”

Sasha Zaichik is a 10 year old boy living in the Soviet Union. He is devoted to Stalin and all of his ideals until his father is imprisoned and his loyalty is tested.  At a very young age, he has to try to decipher what is going on behind government promises and threats.   Newbery Honor winner, Breaking Stalin’s Nose   by Eugene Yelchin is a powerful, fast-paced, informative historical fiction volume sure to spark interest in the Stalinist Era from 1923-1953.  The author grew up in the Soviet Union and is no stranger to making difficult decisions himself.  He includes pencil drawings to help the reader visualize Sasha’s memorable journey.  Click the link and visit the website that accompanies the book http://www.eugeneyelchinbooks.com/breakingstalinsnose/index.php

“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.