I have some new books for you to take a look at. I hope you will find a few that tickle your fancy and you’ll stop everything to go purchase them. These books are picture books, but please don’t think that just because a book has pictures, it is for young children only.
This first one is about the origins of Juneteenth. In fact, it is a story about the first Juneteenth and freedom. If you aren’t familiar with this event, it is commemorated on June 19 and is recognized in at least 40 states according to the book. I like books that take real events and bring them to life. Check out All Different Now by Angela Johnson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis.
I had the wonderful opportunity to see Michelangelo’s David in person a few years ago, and when I saw Stone Giant by Jane Sutcliffe, I had to get it. I know that there will be some giggling at the one illustration showing the whole statue, but the story is wonderful. It helps us visualize what Michelangelo wanted when he started and finally completed forty years later.
Lois Ehlert has written a picture book biography of her life and her art process. She uses collage as her art and uses whatever she finds in her collages hence the title Scraps. Her descriptions of what she does as she works is very interesting and students will see yet another successful person working, self correcting and fixing until things are just right. Most children hate to ‘fix’ or edit their work, so it’s nice to let them see that this is part of the process.
Many years ago Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a story titled The Great Stone Face about a boy who spent his life gazing at the magnificent mountain hoping he would live to see the fulfillment of a local prophecy that “one day someone would be born who will look just like the Great Stone Face and will be the noblest person of his time”. Gary Schmidt has retold this great story of the young boy who by gazing at the mountain, became the noble person of the prophecy. It is yet another reminder that by beholding we become changed.
Pharoah’s Boat by David Weitzman is the story of the ancient boat built for Cheops, a Pharoah who died over 4,600 years ago. It is the story of the building of the boat, and the archaelogist who guessed that this boat was in the pit under another boat in 1954, but was unable to actually prove it until 1988 when tiny cameras wereinserted and the rotten timbers were first seen. Finally in 2008, they began to actually excavate the boat. Excavation will be complete in about another three or four years. This can be used in a study of Egypt, or a Bible lesson.
Mary was an ordinary girl, but she was able to make a change in her world. In this story of Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson, we meet Mary and her act of kindness that multiplied and continued on. Mary picked some blueberries and left them on a neighbor’s porch. The neighbor was so pleased that she made blueberry muffins and secretly gave them to five friends. The paperboy was one of those who got muffins and he threw the papers on the porch instead of in the bushes. The story continues on as people are made happy by an act of kindness continued. If you like this book, you might also like When Brian Hugged His Mother, which is a similar story.
The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers is about a rabbit who sees a large black rabbit and tries to hide from him. Students will enjoy the story as they are able to see that the black rabbit is actually the rabbit’s own shadow.
We have all heard stories about animals that have been lost and have found their way home. Lost Cat by C. Roger Mader is just that kind of story. Slipper, the cat, loves to sleep by fluffy slippers and calls her owner Mrs. Fluffy Slippers. One day Mrs. Fluffy Slippers moves to live with her daughter and in the mayhem of moving, Slippers was forgotten. Slippers chases the van but eventually is lost. She decides to adopt a new person. Slippers identifies the people she meets by the shoes they wear, so Mrs. Muddy Boots, Mr. Cowboy Boots, Mr. Big Boots and others are just not what Slippers wants. Finally, she sees Miss Shiny Shoes and follows her home. Miss Shiny Shoes led Slippers down the hall and opened the door. Who is there but Mrs. Fluffy Slippers! The illustrations are from a cat’s perspective and people are shown only by their shoes.
I am so happy to be able to share new books with you. Next week, I will have some chapter books to share.
Have a great week,
Audrey
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