Junia by Kim Michele Richardson illustrated by David C. Gardner

 The Book Mule of Troublesome Creek

Junia, a pack horse mule, relates the adventures, the difficulties, and the joys of carrying her Book Woman as they deliver books to various people in the mountains of Kentucky. Younger readers will love Junia and retain an interesting and vital knowledge about this endeavor.

Pair with Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky By Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer, Books Up the Mountain : A Packhorse Librarian Story by Caroline Starr Rose, and That Book Woman by Heather Henson illustrated by David Small.

-Borrowed from the library.

Night of the Moonjellies by Mark Shasha*

 Another book recommended by Abigail Dodds on the Home Fires podcast

Mark recounts a summer day helping his grandmother and extended family at their seaside food stand. After they close the stand for the day, his grandmother takes him on night boat ride for an encounter with moonjellies.

Based on a true event from the author's childhood

I love the depiction of a family working hard together. The word choice & incorporation of the senses immerse the reader into this seaside, summer day. 

I would have loved more pages/words spent on the moonjelly encounter. When I started reading the book, I thought I would be experiencing an extended interaction with Mark and the moonjellies. Instead it was one page.

The pastel illustrations are not my preference.

*Highly recommend for the robust depiction of family working together and celebration of the ordinary.

-Borrowed via ILL. However, initially no libraries in my state were fulfilling my request. So I pre-ordered it (Purple House Press is republishing it). The day I pre-ordered it, I found out a library had shipped it to my library. So I read a library copy. After June 1st I will own it.

Island Storm by Brian Floca illustrated Sydney Smith**

 Two siblings leave their home to experience the precursor of the sights and sounds to a thunderstorm on an island. Holding hands, the two roam the island despite the impending danger. The word choice is superb. The figurative language enhances the book's "atmosphere".  Mr. Smith's illustration depict the mood of the different phases of the storm.

A perfect book to read aloud in the spring and summer before a thunderstorm. 

The page layouts are purposeful. I like the repeating refrain too.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Family Feast! by Carole Boston Weatherford illustrated by Frank Morrison*

 Rollicking with rhythm and rhyme, this festive picture book will cause readers to smile as they connect their family feasting gatherings to the book. I love the rhyme, the humor, and the rhythm. I also love how this book celebrates families and their desire to congregate. The refrain will appeal to younger readers who like patterns and repetition.

*Highly recommend.  Perfect for Thanksgiving!

-Borrowed from the library.

Viking Adventure by Clyde Robert Bulla illustrated by Douglas Gorsline*

 Sigurd sometimes wonders why he must train hard each day, all day. His father, Olaf the Strong, designs challenging activities for Sigurd. Eventually, Sigurd utilizes the training when he sails to view the mysterious Wineland. When he and the ship's owner begin to argue on a routine basis, Sigurd realizes he must escape. Fleeing the ship actually saves his life, giving him the opportunity to return home, to share his story, and to learn to read & write so he can record his adventures for future generations.

Very exciting story that kids in first through fourth grade will find enthralling. This book would be great for reluctant readers and also for  children building stamina in reading chapter books.

I found the illustrations not very crisp nor appealing. 

Considerations: violence, some cruel characters

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book (republished recently by Purple House Press).

Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson illustrated by Dan Santat*

When readers first begin reading this book, they believe they are learning about the five main classes of vertebrates. The narrator then relays important information-the reader should not trust fish. At this point, the narrator leaps off onto a long bunny trail, listing all the reasons why the reader should not trust fish. Humorous and fun!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

How Elegant the Elephant Poems About Animals & Insects by Mary Ann Hoberman Art by Marla Frazee**

 I loved this anthology of animal poems! In her introduction, Mary Ann Hoberman discusses how she creates and writes her poems. Her poems all began with word play. This technique is apparent when reading her poems. They are fun and clever.

Ms. Frazee's illustrations reflect the poems but also connect them to tell a story of all of these animals staying at a hotel. Sometimes you can spy the subject of the next poem in the background of the current poem. I liked the illustrations as much as the poems.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Rags Hero Dog of WWI A True Story by Margot Theis Raven illustrated by Petra Brown

 Many WW II books exist. WWI ones for kids are challenging to discover. This WWI picture book relates how Rags, a stray dog, becomes an invaluable asset for the First Division U.S. Army. Private James Donovan finds him in an empty doorway in Paris. Donovan brings him back to the base, where Rags quickly learns how to perform a myriad of tasks on behalf of Donovan.

A sweet story about loyalty.

Discuss: Donovan lies to a French policeman. Donovan dies at the end of the story.

-Borrowed from the library.

Lucy's Christmas by Donald Hall illustrated by Michael McCurdy*

 Donald Hall has based this story off of his mom, Lucy and her Christmas in a New Hampshire farmhouse. Readers will be immersed in 1909 New England---how this generation prepared for and celebrated Christmas and how impressive it was owning a cast-iron Glenwood Kitchen Range. This delightful book is a must-add to the Christmas reading list. 

At the time of this book's publication, Donald Hall & his wife were living in the farmhouse depicted.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Mama Seeton's Whistle by Jerry Spinelli illustrated by LeUyen Pham**

 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)

The Most Boring Book Ever by Brandon Sanderson illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi

 When I saw Brandon Sanderson had written a picture book, I had to check it out since he is my oldest son's favorite author. 

The words are certainly not very exciting or amazing, BUT, it is intentional (alas, the title!). The illustrations contradict the words. The author and illustrator had to work closely together to create this fun and clever book. 

-Borrowed from the libray.

Sam, Bangs, & Moonshine written & illustrated by Evaline Ness

 -A 1967 Caldecott winner

Sam, a fisherman's daughter, utilizes her vivid imagination to create stories. Only Thomas, her neighbor, believes her stories and asks her each day to see her baby kangaroo. Each day she sends him a wild goose-chase to search for the baby kangaroo. When one day she sends Thomas to the rocks near the lighthouse to find her baby kangaroo and a storm arrives, she realizes how detrimental her lying is.

Considerations/points to discuss: lying, Sam's mother is dead, Sam sends Thomas into a perilous situation, the reader thinks Sam's cat, Bangs, is dead for a short bit

-Borrowed from the library.

 

Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd illustrated by Abigail Halpin*

 A beautifully illustrated book

Children who live in the city discover nature and the wild even in the asphalt world. A call for children (& adults) to spend time outside!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

How to Find a Bird by Jennifer Ward illustrated by Diana Sudyka**

 With humor and practical advice, Ms. Ward offers young readers and beginning birders tips on how to find birds. Once again I would love to frame some of the pages' illustrations. Ms. Sudyka's art is charming (I especially love the endpages).  Her illustrations greatly enhance the story and the text.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Angela's Glacier by Jordan Scott illustrated by Diana Sudyka

 From her infancy, Angela climbs (in a baby carrier attached to her father!) Snaeffellsjokull in Iceland. He teaches how to speak the glacier's name in the rhythm of his steps.  Ms. Sudyka depicts Angela growing bigger and bigger in the carrier. As she matures, she walks the glacier herself, listening to the unique sounds it emits. Then her preteen/teen years arrive. She doesn't have as much time to walk the glacier. Feeling unsatisfied, she returns to walking her glacier and vows to continue to hike it, no matter how busy life becomes.

I loved the blues, greens, and grays in the illustrations. How the author explains how to pronounce Snaeffellsjokull was helpful.

Global warming mentioned in the illustrator's note.

-Borrowed from the library.

Sometimes Rain by Meg Fleming illustrated by Diana Sudyka**

 I loved the expressive illustrations in this picture book. This picture book demonstrates how vital illustrations are to telling the story.  Without the illustrations, the memorable story would not exist!

Two sets of siblings explore the outdoors through the different seasons. 

Some of the illustrations I would love to frame and hang on my walls!

*Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Golem's Latkes retold by Eric A. Kimmel illustrated by Aaron Jasinski

 Rabbi Judah creates a golem who will do any task when told. One problem-he will keep doing the task until someone says, "Golem, enough!". When Rabbi Judah visits Emperor Rudolf in Prague, he leaves his new housemaid, Basha,  in charge. Against his better judgment, he permits her to use the Golem. 

Pair with Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola & Sweep: The Story of a Girl & Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier (for older kids-grades 4 & older) to make T-T connections.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Year of Everyday Wonders by Cheryl B. Klein illustrated by Qin Leng*

 The first page begins with the first day of the year and proceeds throughout months celebrating "firsts" for that year. The author inserts different numbers besides "first" sometimes (like-"second lost umbrella" or "second crush" or "two hundred twenty-sixth fight with your brother"). A fun, whimsical picture book. The words/story depend on the illustrations for meaning and humor.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Mercy Watson Is Missing! by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Chris Van Dusen**

 One of favorite author-illustrator teams!! I was so excited to read this book!

One morning when Mrs. Watson calls for Mercy, she cannot find her. Mr. and Mrs. Watson worry; Eugenia plays a jig on her accordian. Characters from previous books search for her plus a floundering new detective and his girlfriend. Humor abounds. Even though this a book for transitional readers, Ms. DiCamillo inserts a couple of challenging, interesting words.

**Highly, highly recommend (especially for transitional readers or reluctant readers).

-Borrowed from the library.

The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore illustrated by Kitty Moss*

 I first heard of Jolabokaflod on RAR. My sons and I have held this tradition for a couple of years and look forward to it each Christmas Eve.

 This whimsical picture book celebrates the season of book giving in Iceland with a lyrical text and imaginative, mixed media illustrations. The history of the tradition is shared at the end.

*Highly recommend for historical interests.

-Borrowed from the library.