Review by Kelly Carey
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The beautiful possibilities that can grow from a planted seed are lyrically told in Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter, illustrated by Daniel Miyares (Balzer & Bray, January 2023). Children at a country house enjoy climbing branches, discovering hatching birds, and racing to tag the tree’s trunk. Interspersed through the playfulness are single line reminders that for the tree to exist, Nell needed to plant and nurture its growth. Gorgeous illustrations swathed in warm color move the reader from heartwarming interactions with the full-grown tree to Nell planting, watering, and caring for the tiny seed.  Nell’s devotion to the tree and her family make this book a celebration of love and traditions shared across generations. Nell Plants a Tree shares the satisfying and peaceful recollections of a family experiencing the simple pleasures of life together. 

On Writing
Flashbacks in a picture book. How could that possibly work? And yet Wynter masterfully proves that using a repetitive structure and two distinct writing styles can open the opportunity to tell a story that travels happily and effectively from present to past and back again. Wynter uses the word before as a marker to separate the present and past. When she takes readers to the past, the longer lyrical structure of the present voice gives way to single, sparse and straightforward sentences. For example, in the past, “Nell picks up a seed”, is set against the present, “Before a hush and a point at a nest filled with eggs”.  The result is a beautiful delineation of time. If your picture book requires a long span of time, it may be helpful to explore Wynter’s flashback method.

In addition to flashbacks, Wynter also employs cadence and rhythm. She does this so successfully that you’ll want to tap your foot along to the lyrical passages. You’ll have to read some pages twice, sure that there must be a rhyme. But instead, you’ll find an artistry in Wynter’s choice and placement of words. Each accented syllable hits at exactly the right place. That in and of itself is impressive, but Wynter not only picks the right sounding word for your ear, but she also finds the words that conjure memories that will tug at your heart. The combination is brilliant. If you are thinking rhyme but unsure, perhaps lean into rhythm instead and use Wynter’s writing as a seed to sprout your own creative masterpiece.

To learn more about author Ann Wynter visit her here. 
To learn more about illustrator Daniel Miyares visit him here. 
To purchase a copy of  Nell Plants a Tree visit here. 

Review by Kristi Mahoney

​The Loud Librarian (Atheneum 2023), written and illustrated by two debut creatives, Jenna Beatrice and Erika Lynne Jones, is an uproariously funny and sweet story. It features Penelope, a LOUD and boisterous girl, who is thrilled when she’s picked as class librarian. But unfortunately, LOUD does not mix well with libraries. When Penelope’s booming voice brings disaster to the library, Penelope must find a way to keep her dream job while still staying true to herself. The Loud Librarian is a delightful read with an extremely endearing main character, lots of giggle-worthy moments, and a unique ending filled with both heart and humor. Add to that the incredible and vibrant illustrations of Erika Lynne Jones and you may just feel like shouting from the rooftops about this book — the LOUDER the better. Penelope would approve. 

On Writing:
This book is an interesting mentor text for its truly unique ending. As is the case in many picture books, author Jenna Beatrice has made sure the main character has a clear goal – Penelope wants to be the student librarian. Jenna also has made the problem clear upfront – Penelope is LOUD and libraries are for quiet voices. In addition to these important elements, Jenna effectively uses the rule of three several times and sets up Penelope for a deep dark moment. But, when the time comes for Penelope to change in the end, Jenna makes the bold and admirable choice to keep that from happening.

Sometimes with stories featuring flat arc characters (characters that don’t change and remain true to their original convictions), the writer will opt for someone else changing, such as the attitudes of those around the main character in order to produce a satisfying ending. Yet, in The Loud Librarian, this also doesn’t happen and it works anyway.

Does Penelope still want to be a librarian in the end? Yes, very much so.

Is Penelope still LOUD in the end? Yes, absolutely.

Do others still think it’s a bad idea to be super LOUD in the library in the end? Yes, indeed they do.

With all this being true, how then, does Penelope get to keep her job as student librarian and also remain true to herself?  
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Without spoiling the ending, Jenna ultimately finds the perfect solution to this quandary and it’s this lesson that makes The Loud Librarian an excellent mentor text. Picasso is attributed with saying, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Perhaps as writers we need a reminder that it’s not only okay to listen to this advice, but sometimes it’s exactly what our story needs. 

To learn more about author Jenna Beatrice visit her website or find her @jbeatricebooks. 
To learn more about illustrator Erika Lynne Jones visit her website or find her @ErikaLynneJones. 
To purchase a copy of The Loud Librarian click here.