Yikes! Soooo far behind in my posts!!!
Holy moly, where has the time gone???
Wow. The last time I posted, it was around fall. Now we are past Thanksgiving and hurling towards Christmas and New Year’s at lightning speed.
I have a good deal to catch up on.
First off, my house has now been on the market since about mid-October. I don’t recall the precise day. Pretty much everything that needed purged, cleaned or rearranged has been done. The house looks so different. Really, really mixed feelings on this. As time goes on, it is all I can do to keep myself from contacting the realtor and pulling my house from the market. This old place means far more to me than I thought possible, given how I’ve often bellyached about it in the past. Unfortunately, the status quo simply will not work in the long run. Barring a drastic change in my financial outlook, I have no choice. That realization has made for a sucky fall and holiday season. Hate the fact that I may have to part with a cherished piece of family history. Hate the fact that I’ve had to put my life on hold. Hate the idea of moving. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.
My roommates have moved out. It’s too quiet without them (not that they were noisy.) Quiet and empty. They have a lovely little home not far from me, and I went to their open house and visited on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. My lil sis and I went to the Holiday Tree Fest, and we took Anna. We joined up with several other friends. Can’t believe how PACKED it was! Especially for that day and that time of day! We got there at 6 and were back at the car by about 8. Wow! The trees were lovely, and most of them had sold, which is good to see.
At any rate, I tagged along when my lil sis went to drop Anna back home, which leads me to a couple of cute Anna stories. One, Kevin and Hien treated us to dinner, which was unexpected but very nice. Because I’m not very good with chop sticks, they gave me a fork. Anna saw me using the fork, got down from her seat, went to a kitchen drawer and pulled out a small three-tonged fork! Too cute! Then at one point I speared a carrot and was about to eat it. Anna said something in Vietnamese, and I just held up the carrot and said “carrot,” which she repeated- then she blew on it! I chuckled and said it was cool enough, ate the carrot and say “yum!” Anna turned to Kelly and said something in Vietnamese. I asked if Anna was asking about the carrot and fork. Kelly said that Anna had asked “why didn’t she blow on it?” I guess the little cutie was afraid I would burn my mouth.
My current status: I have a nasty upper respiratory infection. I had a stuffy nose and scratchy throat the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving, but thought it was just allergies due to it being fall and the up and down weather. By early Monday morning I was quickly disabused of that, and by Monday evening I was in full honk and hack mode. I went to the clinic this past Saturday and was given a course of antibiotics, which has taken the edge off. Also, thankfully this is a slow time of year for me workwise, and I’ve taken some vacation days so hopefully I won’t be coughing through Christmas and New Year’s.
Still haven’t done cards or Christmas shopping; not sure what to do with either. Ugh. Need to decide soon. Just hard to get into the holidays. Harder than usual.
On a lighter note, I went to a Paint Nite with a good friend about a month ago. That was a blast! I plan to hang my painting somewhere in my living room. Really want to go again.
On my new experiences list, I tried a pumpkin martini about a month and a half ago- that was delicious! So that is 29 new experiences. Seems like there was something else, but I don’t recall what. Ah well.
The weather has been rather mild for this time of year, mostly mid-40s and 50s so far. It is supposed to hit the 60s this weekend before dropping back down to the 40s (is it any wonder that the office sounds like a plague ward? :P) We’ve had some snow; I remember waking up sometime this past week and we had about a half inch of large, fluffy flakes that provided a cosmetic coating. But by morning, it was all gone. Christmas, according to long-term forecasts, is looking to be green and mild, which is fine with me. I’m beyond wanting and wishing for a white Christmas. I’m hoping the current strong El Nino will keep the snow and cold at bay. So far, so good!
Also finished off several books, including one I’ve been reading over the summer. I fell a bit behind, true, but most of these books were read within the past 3 weeks or so, and the bulk are illustrated children’s books.
The Book Mouse’s Book Report
37. Taking on Diversity, by Rupert W. Nacoste. This should be required reading by anyone who wants to hold public office, anyone who teaches and… really anyone who wants to interact with the public on any level. I’ve purged a lot of read books from my shelves, but I plan to keep this one. It not only brings up several issues regarding our diverse nation that I never considered before, but offers solutions on bridging the gaps that exist. Boy, do we need that right now! Nacoste, who teaches at North Carolina State University, would be a cool teacher to have. His writing style is conversational and easy to follow, but he pulls no punches. One thing he emphasizes is that there are no innocents. Or, to quote a song from Avenue Q, Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist. The book goes into more than just issues of race, and Nacoste includes numerous examples of his students’ writings (withholding names). One thing I hear a good deal is that discrimination is in the past, and discrimination doesn’t happen today. This book is a wakeup call- the very real examples of discrimination along issues of race, ethnicity, disability, sex, and religion are all too current. Prejudice is still very much alive and well, and all the more rabid from some sectors as we head on a (hopefully) steady course towards an increasingly diverse future. I say “hopefully” because Nacoste’s view is that there is no turning back time, no going back to segregation and government-sanctioned discrimination. I, personally, hope he is right. But events of this past year make me wonder if we can take progress so much for granted. Still, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to help the people in our society work through our differences.
38. Ida B. Wells-Barnett: The Light of Truth, edited by Mia Bay and Henry Louis Gates Jr. It took me all summer to read this dense book, but it is worth the effort. This is a collection of work by famed journalist and writer Ida B. Wells-Barnett. Most of the writing deals with her essays, columns and pamphlets protesting the lynch laws prevalent during her time, and her writing was an eye-opener for me. I know I’m not the only one but my “knowledge” (if it could be called that) of lynching was somewhat limited. I thought, and always had the impression, that lynching meant a spur-of-the moment enraged mob hanging someone. Oh no. That is the sanitized version of what lynching meant. Wells-Barnett, through her writings which could wax poetic one moment and hurl barbs the next, provides facts, numbers, figures and many interviews to counter the common opinions of the time- that lynchings were necessary, and were always done against someone who was guilty and deserved such treatment. Wells-Barnett details several cases where, when the culprit (who may or may not have been guilty of a crime) could not be found, lynch mobs attacked the family. Wives, children, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers could be targeted. And forget the idea that a lynch mob was a spur of the moment group. There were more than a few cases where trains made special excursions to cities where a lynching was anticipated, and whole families - including small children- came out by the hundreds. And while hanging someone without the full benefit of trial would be horrible enough, it was “just” a hanging if the mob decided to be lenient. Removal of fingers, toes and ears for souvenirs was all too common, as was burning, shooting and stabbing. The victim would often be alive as these atrocities happened. What’s more appalling is the lack of action by the government (at least one governor is quoted as saying that he would have lead a lynch mob if circumstances warranted it). The number of people killed by lynchings run into the thousands. Wells-Barnett early on states that the Civil War really did not end in 1865; civil war continued for decades. I think she had a point. This is not an easy book to read, but it does contain an unvarnished look at our history. A history we need to acknowledge fully if we do not wish to repeat it.
39. El Deafo, by Cece Bell. This charming graphic novel is a sort of autobiography. Bell became deaf after contracting meningitis as a young child. She draws her characters as rabbit-like creatures - it is hard to miss the irony. Bell is unflinchingly honest in telling her story about adapting to a new world where, no matter what, she would stand out as being different. But eventually, she discovers that the hearing aid system she uses for school gives her an ability the other students don’t have, so she becomes El Deafo, someone who has super powers. The drawings are simple and clean, and there is a great mix of humor and sadness. This is good for older grade school and preteens, especially for those who may know someone with a disability.
40. The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander. This story centers on Josh, the narrator, and his twin brother Jordan. The entire book is told in free verse; The Crossover would be an excellent, modern-day book for teachers working on the various forms of poetry with their students. The poetry and feelings conveyed aren’t limited to the sentences themselves, but often how the words are placed. Josh and Jordan are both in middle school. They are incredibly talented basketball players, more than living up to the image of their basketball star father. But this year, the brotherly ties that have always held the twins together starts to fray, particularly after Jordan develops feelings for the new girl in school. The story is a quick read, good for the reluctant reader and sports fan, as well as those looking for something just a bit different. If I have a nit, I did find it hard to believe that the two brothers were only 12, going on 13. The writing and vocabulary feel older, more like high school. That was my only issue. All in all, I highly recommend this book.
41. A Boy and a Jaguar, by Alan Rabinowitz, with illustrations by Catia Chien. This lovely picture book is based on the real story of zoologist and conservationist Alan Rabinowitz. The illustrations have an organic feel, with its greens, golds and browns. Rabinowitz overcame many difficulties to help establish a jaguar sanctuary, fulfilling a promise he made as a child. This would be a good book for younger grade school, either for self-reading or for a teacher or librarian to read.
42. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet. This picture book is a feast - both in information and in its illustrations. Most people, of course, have heard of Roget’s Thesaurus- but how many know about the man behind this ubiquitous book? Here, the reader can find a brief biography of Peter Roget, which includes timelines, family information and his thought processes which lead him to compile and publish the first thesaurus. The book is richly illustrated with charts, artfully arranged words and lovely illustrations. The Right Word is a book which you can flip through multiple times and see something new each time. This would be a good read for older grade schoolers (I do wonder if children younger than first grade might be a bit overwhelmed by all the detail), and a good way to learn new words (not to mention introducing a valuable writing tool).
43. Waiting is Not Easy, by Mo Willems. Those looking for a good, fun book for kindergarten age and younger cannot go wrong with any of Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie books. Once again, Willems publishes a book that has become a hit. Here, Piggie tells Gerald, an elephant, that she has a surprise for him. Gerald finds it very hard to wait so long for this surprise - something any young child can relate to! But Gerald finds in the end that Piggie’s surprise is well worth the wait.
44. The Noisy Paint Box, by Barb Rosenstock and Mary GrandPre. Artist Vasily Kandinsky always saw the world in a different way. But when he tried to convey what he heard through the colors of his paint box, he only served to confuse and infuriate his parents, family and teachers. As an adult, though, he would connect with other artists who wanted to paint what they heard and felt, and move away from the typical painting subjects such as portraits, still lifes and landscapes. This picture book does a wonderful job not just telling Kandinsky’s story, but showing through color and word placement how a sound might look. I’d recommend The Noisy Paint Box for older grade school; it is a good introduction to teaching abstract art and expanding color vocabulary. What I love about the illustrations is the contrast between Kandinsky’s everyday existence - especially with his strict, straight-laced family - done in muted, almost sepia tones, and the bright, vivid splashes of color when he is painting.
45. Viva Frida, by Yuri Morales. There are several recent books aimed at children and teens about famous artist Frida Kahlo. This book is perfect for younger children. It’s large, colorful illustrations are complimented by bold font types and few words per page. It is a good way to introduce young children (preschool to first grade) to Frida, but a good way to introduce the Spanish language (the book is written in both English and Spanish). What is fascinating about the illustrations is how the pictures use many 3D items, including a doll, as Frida thinks about her art. But when she gets to creating a piece, the illustrations take on the feel of one of her works. The book also includes a brief biography of the artist.
46. Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend, by Dan Santat. What a charming and original story! This picture book would be great for younger grade school. An imaginary friend becomes lonely as other imaginary creatures are adopted by children. Finally, he decides to do the unimaginable and go search for a child himself. The illustrations are bold and imaginative, with great use of color and space.
47. Firebird, by Misty Copeland, with Christopher Myers. This picture book has famous ballet dancer Misty Copeland encouraging a young, nameless teen (who can be any teen) to aim high and reach for her dance dreams. This is a powerful message coming from Copeland, who overcame many obstacles to become a renowned soloist with the American Ballet Theatre. Her words are lushly illustrated by Myers’ work; his vibrant drawings seem to come alive on the page. I would recommend this for kindergarten (a teacher reading it) and grade school age.
48. Nana in the City, by Lauren Castillo. A wonderful picture book for younger grade school, especially for children who may find themselves, or have found themselves, in a different and overwhelming situation. Here, a young boy visits his nana in the city, but he finds himself overwhelmed by the crowds, the noise, the busy streets and the unfamiliar. Nana makes him a cape, which she says will protect him. Feeling safer, the young boy sees the beauty and excitement of the big city. I love the bright, simple illustrations, which capture the vast feeling of the city.
49. You Are (Not) Small, by Anna Kang, with illustrations by Christopher Weyant. A perfect book for preschool and kindergarten age. It wonderfully illustrates not only the differences in sizes (big and small) but the differences in perceptions. The illustrations are simple and clean, and the text large and easy for developing eyes to read and follow. This would be great either as a solo read or for a classroom/library.
50. Separate is Not Equal, by Duncan Tonatiuh. Most adults have heard of the groundbreaking Brown v. The Board of Education, which overturned “separate but equal” across the United States. But seven years before this landmark case, another court battle, Mendez v. The Westminster School District, would provide the legal precedent in abolishing segregation. The story is told through the eyes of Sylvia Mendez, who, along with her brothers, were forced to attend a segregated school. Their father fought to desegregate the school system so his children could be afforded the same opportunity for a quality education. The illustrations are highly stylized, with sharp colors. The author’s notes at the end give a more detailed description of the court case, the Mendez family and current issues with segregation.
Currently reading: I’ll Give You The Sun, by Jandy Nelson, and Let’s Have Another, by Dan Coughlin.
Wow. The last time I posted, it was around fall. Now we are past Thanksgiving and hurling towards Christmas and New Year’s at lightning speed.
I have a good deal to catch up on.
First off, my house has now been on the market since about mid-October. I don’t recall the precise day. Pretty much everything that needed purged, cleaned or rearranged has been done. The house looks so different. Really, really mixed feelings on this. As time goes on, it is all I can do to keep myself from contacting the realtor and pulling my house from the market. This old place means far more to me than I thought possible, given how I’ve often bellyached about it in the past. Unfortunately, the status quo simply will not work in the long run. Barring a drastic change in my financial outlook, I have no choice. That realization has made for a sucky fall and holiday season. Hate the fact that I may have to part with a cherished piece of family history. Hate the fact that I’ve had to put my life on hold. Hate the idea of moving. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.
My roommates have moved out. It’s too quiet without them (not that they were noisy.) Quiet and empty. They have a lovely little home not far from me, and I went to their open house and visited on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. My lil sis and I went to the Holiday Tree Fest, and we took Anna. We joined up with several other friends. Can’t believe how PACKED it was! Especially for that day and that time of day! We got there at 6 and were back at the car by about 8. Wow! The trees were lovely, and most of them had sold, which is good to see.
At any rate, I tagged along when my lil sis went to drop Anna back home, which leads me to a couple of cute Anna stories. One, Kevin and Hien treated us to dinner, which was unexpected but very nice. Because I’m not very good with chop sticks, they gave me a fork. Anna saw me using the fork, got down from her seat, went to a kitchen drawer and pulled out a small three-tonged fork! Too cute! Then at one point I speared a carrot and was about to eat it. Anna said something in Vietnamese, and I just held up the carrot and said “carrot,” which she repeated- then she blew on it! I chuckled and said it was cool enough, ate the carrot and say “yum!” Anna turned to Kelly and said something in Vietnamese. I asked if Anna was asking about the carrot and fork. Kelly said that Anna had asked “why didn’t she blow on it?” I guess the little cutie was afraid I would burn my mouth.
My current status: I have a nasty upper respiratory infection. I had a stuffy nose and scratchy throat the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving, but thought it was just allergies due to it being fall and the up and down weather. By early Monday morning I was quickly disabused of that, and by Monday evening I was in full honk and hack mode. I went to the clinic this past Saturday and was given a course of antibiotics, which has taken the edge off. Also, thankfully this is a slow time of year for me workwise, and I’ve taken some vacation days so hopefully I won’t be coughing through Christmas and New Year’s.
Still haven’t done cards or Christmas shopping; not sure what to do with either. Ugh. Need to decide soon. Just hard to get into the holidays. Harder than usual.
On a lighter note, I went to a Paint Nite with a good friend about a month ago. That was a blast! I plan to hang my painting somewhere in my living room. Really want to go again.
On my new experiences list, I tried a pumpkin martini about a month and a half ago- that was delicious! So that is 29 new experiences. Seems like there was something else, but I don’t recall what. Ah well.
The weather has been rather mild for this time of year, mostly mid-40s and 50s so far. It is supposed to hit the 60s this weekend before dropping back down to the 40s (is it any wonder that the office sounds like a plague ward? :P) We’ve had some snow; I remember waking up sometime this past week and we had about a half inch of large, fluffy flakes that provided a cosmetic coating. But by morning, it was all gone. Christmas, according to long-term forecasts, is looking to be green and mild, which is fine with me. I’m beyond wanting and wishing for a white Christmas. I’m hoping the current strong El Nino will keep the snow and cold at bay. So far, so good!
Also finished off several books, including one I’ve been reading over the summer. I fell a bit behind, true, but most of these books were read within the past 3 weeks or so, and the bulk are illustrated children’s books.
The Book Mouse’s Book Report
37. Taking on Diversity, by Rupert W. Nacoste. This should be required reading by anyone who wants to hold public office, anyone who teaches and… really anyone who wants to interact with the public on any level. I’ve purged a lot of read books from my shelves, but I plan to keep this one. It not only brings up several issues regarding our diverse nation that I never considered before, but offers solutions on bridging the gaps that exist. Boy, do we need that right now! Nacoste, who teaches at North Carolina State University, would be a cool teacher to have. His writing style is conversational and easy to follow, but he pulls no punches. One thing he emphasizes is that there are no innocents. Or, to quote a song from Avenue Q, Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist. The book goes into more than just issues of race, and Nacoste includes numerous examples of his students’ writings (withholding names). One thing I hear a good deal is that discrimination is in the past, and discrimination doesn’t happen today. This book is a wakeup call- the very real examples of discrimination along issues of race, ethnicity, disability, sex, and religion are all too current. Prejudice is still very much alive and well, and all the more rabid from some sectors as we head on a (hopefully) steady course towards an increasingly diverse future. I say “hopefully” because Nacoste’s view is that there is no turning back time, no going back to segregation and government-sanctioned discrimination. I, personally, hope he is right. But events of this past year make me wonder if we can take progress so much for granted. Still, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to help the people in our society work through our differences.
38. Ida B. Wells-Barnett: The Light of Truth, edited by Mia Bay and Henry Louis Gates Jr. It took me all summer to read this dense book, but it is worth the effort. This is a collection of work by famed journalist and writer Ida B. Wells-Barnett. Most of the writing deals with her essays, columns and pamphlets protesting the lynch laws prevalent during her time, and her writing was an eye-opener for me. I know I’m not the only one but my “knowledge” (if it could be called that) of lynching was somewhat limited. I thought, and always had the impression, that lynching meant a spur-of-the moment enraged mob hanging someone. Oh no. That is the sanitized version of what lynching meant. Wells-Barnett, through her writings which could wax poetic one moment and hurl barbs the next, provides facts, numbers, figures and many interviews to counter the common opinions of the time- that lynchings were necessary, and were always done against someone who was guilty and deserved such treatment. Wells-Barnett details several cases where, when the culprit (who may or may not have been guilty of a crime) could not be found, lynch mobs attacked the family. Wives, children, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers could be targeted. And forget the idea that a lynch mob was a spur of the moment group. There were more than a few cases where trains made special excursions to cities where a lynching was anticipated, and whole families - including small children- came out by the hundreds. And while hanging someone without the full benefit of trial would be horrible enough, it was “just” a hanging if the mob decided to be lenient. Removal of fingers, toes and ears for souvenirs was all too common, as was burning, shooting and stabbing. The victim would often be alive as these atrocities happened. What’s more appalling is the lack of action by the government (at least one governor is quoted as saying that he would have lead a lynch mob if circumstances warranted it). The number of people killed by lynchings run into the thousands. Wells-Barnett early on states that the Civil War really did not end in 1865; civil war continued for decades. I think she had a point. This is not an easy book to read, but it does contain an unvarnished look at our history. A history we need to acknowledge fully if we do not wish to repeat it.
39. El Deafo, by Cece Bell. This charming graphic novel is a sort of autobiography. Bell became deaf after contracting meningitis as a young child. She draws her characters as rabbit-like creatures - it is hard to miss the irony. Bell is unflinchingly honest in telling her story about adapting to a new world where, no matter what, she would stand out as being different. But eventually, she discovers that the hearing aid system she uses for school gives her an ability the other students don’t have, so she becomes El Deafo, someone who has super powers. The drawings are simple and clean, and there is a great mix of humor and sadness. This is good for older grade school and preteens, especially for those who may know someone with a disability.
40. The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander. This story centers on Josh, the narrator, and his twin brother Jordan. The entire book is told in free verse; The Crossover would be an excellent, modern-day book for teachers working on the various forms of poetry with their students. The poetry and feelings conveyed aren’t limited to the sentences themselves, but often how the words are placed. Josh and Jordan are both in middle school. They are incredibly talented basketball players, more than living up to the image of their basketball star father. But this year, the brotherly ties that have always held the twins together starts to fray, particularly after Jordan develops feelings for the new girl in school. The story is a quick read, good for the reluctant reader and sports fan, as well as those looking for something just a bit different. If I have a nit, I did find it hard to believe that the two brothers were only 12, going on 13. The writing and vocabulary feel older, more like high school. That was my only issue. All in all, I highly recommend this book.
41. A Boy and a Jaguar, by Alan Rabinowitz, with illustrations by Catia Chien. This lovely picture book is based on the real story of zoologist and conservationist Alan Rabinowitz. The illustrations have an organic feel, with its greens, golds and browns. Rabinowitz overcame many difficulties to help establish a jaguar sanctuary, fulfilling a promise he made as a child. This would be a good book for younger grade school, either for self-reading or for a teacher or librarian to read.
42. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet. This picture book is a feast - both in information and in its illustrations. Most people, of course, have heard of Roget’s Thesaurus- but how many know about the man behind this ubiquitous book? Here, the reader can find a brief biography of Peter Roget, which includes timelines, family information and his thought processes which lead him to compile and publish the first thesaurus. The book is richly illustrated with charts, artfully arranged words and lovely illustrations. The Right Word is a book which you can flip through multiple times and see something new each time. This would be a good read for older grade schoolers (I do wonder if children younger than first grade might be a bit overwhelmed by all the detail), and a good way to learn new words (not to mention introducing a valuable writing tool).
43. Waiting is Not Easy, by Mo Willems. Those looking for a good, fun book for kindergarten age and younger cannot go wrong with any of Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie books. Once again, Willems publishes a book that has become a hit. Here, Piggie tells Gerald, an elephant, that she has a surprise for him. Gerald finds it very hard to wait so long for this surprise - something any young child can relate to! But Gerald finds in the end that Piggie’s surprise is well worth the wait.
44. The Noisy Paint Box, by Barb Rosenstock and Mary GrandPre. Artist Vasily Kandinsky always saw the world in a different way. But when he tried to convey what he heard through the colors of his paint box, he only served to confuse and infuriate his parents, family and teachers. As an adult, though, he would connect with other artists who wanted to paint what they heard and felt, and move away from the typical painting subjects such as portraits, still lifes and landscapes. This picture book does a wonderful job not just telling Kandinsky’s story, but showing through color and word placement how a sound might look. I’d recommend The Noisy Paint Box for older grade school; it is a good introduction to teaching abstract art and expanding color vocabulary. What I love about the illustrations is the contrast between Kandinsky’s everyday existence - especially with his strict, straight-laced family - done in muted, almost sepia tones, and the bright, vivid splashes of color when he is painting.
45. Viva Frida, by Yuri Morales. There are several recent books aimed at children and teens about famous artist Frida Kahlo. This book is perfect for younger children. It’s large, colorful illustrations are complimented by bold font types and few words per page. It is a good way to introduce young children (preschool to first grade) to Frida, but a good way to introduce the Spanish language (the book is written in both English and Spanish). What is fascinating about the illustrations is how the pictures use many 3D items, including a doll, as Frida thinks about her art. But when she gets to creating a piece, the illustrations take on the feel of one of her works. The book also includes a brief biography of the artist.
46. Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend, by Dan Santat. What a charming and original story! This picture book would be great for younger grade school. An imaginary friend becomes lonely as other imaginary creatures are adopted by children. Finally, he decides to do the unimaginable and go search for a child himself. The illustrations are bold and imaginative, with great use of color and space.
47. Firebird, by Misty Copeland, with Christopher Myers. This picture book has famous ballet dancer Misty Copeland encouraging a young, nameless teen (who can be any teen) to aim high and reach for her dance dreams. This is a powerful message coming from Copeland, who overcame many obstacles to become a renowned soloist with the American Ballet Theatre. Her words are lushly illustrated by Myers’ work; his vibrant drawings seem to come alive on the page. I would recommend this for kindergarten (a teacher reading it) and grade school age.
48. Nana in the City, by Lauren Castillo. A wonderful picture book for younger grade school, especially for children who may find themselves, or have found themselves, in a different and overwhelming situation. Here, a young boy visits his nana in the city, but he finds himself overwhelmed by the crowds, the noise, the busy streets and the unfamiliar. Nana makes him a cape, which she says will protect him. Feeling safer, the young boy sees the beauty and excitement of the big city. I love the bright, simple illustrations, which capture the vast feeling of the city.
49. You Are (Not) Small, by Anna Kang, with illustrations by Christopher Weyant. A perfect book for preschool and kindergarten age. It wonderfully illustrates not only the differences in sizes (big and small) but the differences in perceptions. The illustrations are simple and clean, and the text large and easy for developing eyes to read and follow. This would be great either as a solo read or for a classroom/library.
50. Separate is Not Equal, by Duncan Tonatiuh. Most adults have heard of the groundbreaking Brown v. The Board of Education, which overturned “separate but equal” across the United States. But seven years before this landmark case, another court battle, Mendez v. The Westminster School District, would provide the legal precedent in abolishing segregation. The story is told through the eyes of Sylvia Mendez, who, along with her brothers, were forced to attend a segregated school. Their father fought to desegregate the school system so his children could be afforded the same opportunity for a quality education. The illustrations are highly stylized, with sharp colors. The author’s notes at the end give a more detailed description of the court case, the Mendez family and current issues with segregation.
Currently reading: I’ll Give You The Sun, by Jandy Nelson, and Let’s Have Another, by Dan Coughlin.