This picture book focuses on how the cart that carried Martin Luther King Jr.'s body on his funeral day was acquired, used, and returned. I liked how Ms. Bunting correlated the cart's traits with MLK Jr.'s character traits.
Very interesting piece of history with a unique perspective.
-Borrowed from the library.
Award winner-Caldecott Honor-2020
I loved the illustrations in Mama Seeton's Whistle so much that I looked for other books LeUyen Pham illustrated. Ms. Pham is an amazing illustrator. I loved how she created perspective throughout her illustrations. One page I felt like I was in the water, eye level with the on-coming log. On another page, I felt like I was going to fall off the waterfall. Her use of black/white and then color as the story progress was fun to observe. The end pages foretell the story if one looks closely.
Bear leaves his cave. His curiosity causes him to snap off a log and float down the river. Other animals join him on the journey. Friendships form because "bear came along" and "the river".
After the story the author and illustrator each summarize how this story is a metaphor for life.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
My niece shared this book with me today. What a humorous and well-written story! I loved the word choice, the delightful characters, and the clever plot.
Beatrice, a ewe, and Vanessa, a nanny goat, decide to leave their boring field and experience an adventure. After all, they are not getting any younger. When they enter the dark woods, they encounter wolves. Clever Vanessa abounds with ideas to escape the predators that pursue them.
*Highly recommend.
-My niece owns this book.
My oldest son is learning to play Winter by Vivaldi on piano and would like to learn the rest of The Four Seasons. I was curious about this composer.
This picture book's captivating narrative and its sweeping illustrations enthralled me. Little is known about Vivaldi. Mrs. Shefelman utilizes the few facts known about him to create an excellent story. She explains after the story which incidents were true.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
RAR recently added this book to their "books featuring large families" booklist.
I absolutely loved this book and am hoping to purchase it soon.
When Mama Seeton wants her children to come home for dinner, she whistles a short, two-note whistle. Wherever they are in the neighborhood, they run home. Chocolate cake is always on the table.
When her children move away and pursue their dreams, Mama Seeton is sad. Letters are nice, but Mama Seeton wants to touch her children's faces. Papa Seeton encourages her to whistle after dinner even though the children are in other states or countries. After that whistle, all she feels is disappointment. But the unimaginable occurs!
Mr. Spinelli based this story on his next door neighbor, Thelma, who made the world's best chocolate cake. Thelma whistled for her kids to come home each night for dinner.
Ms. Pham is an amazing illustrator. She researched the family and the time period. She created clothing, hairstyles, cars, and bike/scooters to reflect the specific era. I liked the illustrations almost more than the story!
Although I think kids will enjoy this book, I know mothers will love it!
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL. (but hopefully will buy it soon)
Science fiction is one of my least favorite genres. I, therefore, was a bit resistant to reading this picture book featuring a robot who cares for animals.
After a world flood, NOA, a robot, feeds and oversees zoo animals. Humans are gone. The rains continue. More disasters occur. Is he alone in this watery world?
Many allusions to biblical Noah are scattered throughout the narrative.
A wordless book that promotes discussion and inferring.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention
Unfortunately, I only read through chapter five of this book before I needed to return it (I was trying to read it slowly and only in the mornings after my Bible reading when my mind was freshest). I plan to either buy it or borrow it again.
Sarah delves into our need to be quiet and to be focused in our highly distracted world. She divides her writing into three parts-The Nature of Quiet, The Shape of Quiet, and The Gifts of Quiet. Her word choice is precise yet her writing is beautiful and poetic. I think readers would benefit if they would discuss this book with a friend. Questions "to ponder" are included at the end of each chapter.
One of the chapters compelled me to finally buy The Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall!!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
