By Kelly Carey Never before has vacuuming led to the adventure that Kate DiCamillo creates in Flora & Ulysses. She uses hilarious antics and crazy props, like a lamp shaped like a shepherdess, and a flying superhero typing squirrel named Ulysses to deliver Flora from a lonely life where she feels ignored and misunderstood. Flora’s parents are divorced, and she lives with her romance novel writing mother. Flora’s mother is kooky and totally obsessed with writing her novels. Like so many kids, Flora cannot forge a connection with her mother. Her father used to read her the comic book adventures of the Amazing Incandesto, but he doesn’t live at home anymore and Flora is struggling to make sense of how their new relationship works. DiCamillo now adds a superhero squirrel, a quirky boy with trauma induced blindness , mayhem at a Donut Diner and a bag and shovel! As Flora likens Ulysses to the comic book hero Incandesto, her mother becomes Ulysses’ arch-nemesis and the tension builds so high the reader will scream “Holy bagumba!”, a favorite Flora phrase. As sweet as it is funny, readers will be both charmed and moved by Flora & Ulysses. Writing DiCamillo finds a way to make the absurd and ridiculous blend seamlessly into a story of vanquishing loneliness and finding friendship. She mixes the unreal with the real and creates a page turner that is both silly and serious. Despite the many adults populating the story, DiCamillo keeps her child protagonist in charge and her reader fully engaged.
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Picture Book Written by Kobi Yamada Illustrated by Mae Besom What do you do with an idea? When a young boy asks himself this question, he finds himself facing situations even adults find intimidating. Kobi Yamada’s lovely, thought-provoking reflection on WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA? (Compendium, Inc., 2014) depicts this young boy as he embraces his creativity and nurtures his dreams. The story is magically illustrated by Mae Besom, whose initial illustrations have a muted palette which bursts into vibrant color as the idea erupts into reality. Yamada and Besom take the reader on a touching realization that childhood innocence can be wiser and braver than most will admit. The text and illustrations integrate flawlessly to illuminate the wonder of holding tight to your ideas no matter how far-flung they may seem. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA? is picture book for children ages 4-8. Get your hands on this treasure. It’s a timeless inspiration for children and adults alike. On Writing Yamada’s text is clever and encouraging. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA? is a solid example of teaching a life lesson without being preachy or heavy handed. ~Annie Cronin Romano Picture Book by Annie Cronin Romano Mia wants to play with her big brother, but he is always busy. Does Mia pout? Beg? Whine? No. Instead, Lola Schaefer’s delightful ONE BUSY DAY (Disney/Hyperion Books, 2014) depicts Mia’s ability to pass a gleeful day using her own creativity and imagination. Magically illustrated by Jessica Meserve, Mia has one adventure after another, eventually catching the attention of a particular sibling who realizes that playing with his little sister may be more exciting than he first thought. Schaefer and Meserve take the reader on a delightful journey into the magic of a child’s imagination. The text and illustrations blend seamlessly to convey an enchanting tale of the changing dynamics between siblings. ONE BUSY DAY is picture book for children ages 3-5. Get your hands on ONE BUSY DAY and enjoy a story to inspire the imagination. On Writing Schaefer’s use of text is crisp, fresh and rich in imagery. She uses alliteration subtly and effectively. ONE BUSY DAY is a solid example of using minimal text with maximum impact in a picture book format. For more information about Lola Schaefer’s work, visit her website at www.lolaschaefer.com. To learn more about Jessica Meserve, visit her website at www.jessicameserve.com. Young Adult Fiction by Francine Puckly Padma Venkatraman’s “A Time to Dance” is a young adult novel-in-verse which carries your heart to emotional highs and lows as you journey with a young Bharatanatyam dancer, Veda, through the joys and triumphs of her dance competition to the despair of a heart-wrenching physical setback and into the recovery of her dreams. Because the book is written as novel-in-verse, the author is able to impart the story through flashes of emotion, action and character, giving the reader a deep emotional link to each scene in very few words and lines. It is with these well-chosen words and sparse but conscious writing that Venkatraman carries the reader through the tale of holding and developing new goals and aspirations, as well as growing into a more conscious human being. Each chapter reads as its own beautiful poem, and these poems are threaded together into a captivating story of hope and renewal. I was eager to turn the pages, entranced by the characters and plot, but I also look forward to revisiting the book to savor each poem for its simplicity, beauty and poignancy. On Writing: For those of us who have little experience reading or writing novels-in-verse or who might be exploring different formats to express the stories we’re bringing to the page, Venkatraman’s novel is a wonderful study in how to use sparse, well-chosen words and create individual poems that lift and carry the reader through their very own emotional arcs, while at the same time pulling the reader poem-by-poem through a greater story arc of character, plot and emotion. For more information on Venkatraman’s process in writing this bold cultural and spiritual book for teens, visit http://nancytandon.com/2014/11/11/a-time-to-dance-interview-with-author-padma-venkatraman/. And for three additional writers’ perspectives writing-in-verse, check out http://www.axonjournal.com.au/issue-4/writing-young-adult-verse-novel. - Francine Picture Book by Kelly Carey Few trees in New England put on a better fall foliage show than the maple tree, and few authors have put together a better picture book debut than Lori Nichols with Maple. In our increasingly eco-conscious world, here is a loving picture book that creates a natural but powerful link between a little girl and a maple tree. Maple’s tree is planted “when she is still a whisper”. Can you guess what kind of tree Maple’s parents plant? While Shel Silverstein’s boy and the tree in The Giving Tree had a relationship that was sadly thought provoking, Nichols creates a connection between Maple and her tree that is mutually giving and totally joyous. Along with three adorably expressive little stuffed animals, Maple and her tree grow and play together through the wonderfully illustrated changing seasons. When a new baby arrives, Maple depends on her tree to be the perfect big sister. The relationship between Maple, her tree and her new baby sister is as sweet and charming as the bond Nichols creates between her story and her reader. If Nichol’s illustrations were music they would be smooth jazz, and her text creates huggable moments for her adult reader and child listener. I would like very much to introduce Maple to Kevin Henke’s Chrysanthemum – two free spirited little ladies, with nature inspired names, who will make you giggle. On Writing In just under 300 words, Nichols creates a character, weaves a complete story arc, builds tension and zings us with an adorable wink at the end. Picture book word counts are shrinking, but Nichols proves that her story can still offer every element needed for success. She has a bit of an advantage because she uses her phenomenal illustrations to convey character, meaning and message. Any author would be fortunate to have Nichols’ drawings to expand on their text. One can always dream, perhaps under the dancing leaves of a maple tree? Note Nichols released a follow up book titled Maple & Willow Together on November 4! by Annie Cronin Romano How will the boy get his kite out of the tree? This is the problem facing young Floyd in Olivier Jeffers’ STUCK (Philomel Books, 2011). Jeffers takes the reader on a hilarious romp as Floyd attempts to knock his kite from the branches by throwing a most outlandish array of items…from sneakers to steamships! Using witty illustrations and clever text, Jeffers turns predictability and problem solving on its head and engages readers in a comical tale of common sense gone awry. Jeffers, who is the illustrator of the bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit (Philomel, 2013), shows off his writing talents in this delightful picture book geared for children ages 3-7. Check out STUCK if you’re looking for a book to delight your young reader (and yourself). Chances are you won’t mind getting stuck wearing out the pages of this charming story. On Writing Jeffers’ whimsical illustrations and handwritten text caught my eye from page one. STUCK is a strong example of well laid out page turns and momentum in a picture book format. For more information of Oliver Jeffers’ work, visit his website at www.oliverjeffers.com. Early Chapter Book by Kelly Carey Friendship works best when two friends each bring something unique to the relationship and are willing to compromise. Bink brings her home at the base of a tree and a zany love of colorful socks, while Gollie brings her home atop the tree and an aversion to colorful socks. With the same uncomplicated stroll through friendship that is experienced when reading the beloved Frog and Toad, Bink & Gollie have a wonderful, frustrating and loving relationship.
In three short chapters, each its own complete story, Bink brings mayhem and Gollie brings understanding. The charming compromises involve socks and pancakes, a mountain adventure and a sandwich, and a goldfish and a pond. Through it all, Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee use heart and humor to capture the essence of friendship. The combination of illustrations and minimal text on every page in a chapter book format makes this an excellent bridge book for the child reader ready to move beyond picture books. The illustrations have a no nonsense feel and the dialogue rich text gives this book a nod of maturity that elementary school readers will appreciate. On Writing For writers, here is a textbook lesson on how to create memorable complete characters and tell a full story with an arc, tension and a heart-string tug in very few words. Any time you think it can’t be done, just pick up Bink & Gollie for inspiration. Bink & Gollie will make you smile, giggle and sigh and before you know it you’ll be ringing up your own best friend to ask if they want to go roller-skating. |
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