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Madeline Finn and the Library Dog, written and illustrated by Lisa Papp, is a marvelous picture book that hits a lot of sweet spots for me. But, what first drew me to Papp's book is her illustration style, which reminds me of the wonderful Holly Hobbie. Papp's soft pencil sketches are enhanced by a muted palette and created on paper with visible fibers. She creates an inviting world right away, even in it is a prickly world for Madeline Finn, at first anyway.
Madeline Finn does not like to read. Not books or magazines of "even the menu on the ice cream truck." Decoding is hard for Madeline and she is tired of getting a "Keep Trying" heart sticker instead of a star sticker like everyone else in her class. But things change when Madeline gets a very special opportunity at her public library.
Mrs. Dimple, the librarian, leads Madeline to a room filled with dogs and kids reading to them! She picks Bonnie, a beautiful dog like a "big, snowy polar bear." Soon enough, Madeline is reading to Bonnie, not worrying about her mistakes and feeling better about reading, happy to try those hard words over and over. Just when Madeline is ready to read out loud in class, hoping to get in one more practice session with Bonnie, Bonnie and Mrs. Dimple are not at the library!
America being read to in my library
There is a happy ending for Madeline and Bonnie, one that means there will be even more dogs for kids to read to at the library. Papp tells Madeline's story with a simple sweetness and I love that she has written a book about a real thing - kids practicing reading with dogs! There are more than a few organizations that provide this service, in fact there is even a dog named America that visits my school from time to time to give the kids practice reading and it is a truly magnificent thing to witness.
Source: Review Copy
Lucy by Randy Cecil is a truly special book that is hard to categorize. Is it a really long picture book? Is it a really big chapter book? Told in three acts and illustrated in soft black and grey tones, Lucy feels almost like a silent movie that has been captured in the pages of a book. A few years ago while working for a literary agent, I learned that the industry standard for a picture book is 1,500 words. That means that greats like Bill Peet and William Steig, to name just a few, might not get published if they were submitting manuscripts today. I also often find myself missing the richness of a longer picture book and the complex stories that can be told when more than 1,500 words are used. I am SO grateful to both Randy Cecil for writing Lucy and to Candlewick Press for publishing this marvelous, genre and standard bending book. 
Told in three acts (plus a very short Act IV), there are layers of threes in this book. There are three main characters: Lucy, the stray dog, Eleanor, the girl who feeds her each morning and Eleanor's father, Sam Wische, an aspiring performer. We see Lucy perform her morning routine three times in a row, we see Eleanor perform her morning routine three times in a row and we see Sam try to perform in front of an audience three times, the third one being the charm. There are three flashbacks to Lucy's life before she became a stray.
Lucy, Eleanor and Sam's lives all intertwine and overlap, coming together for a climactic, satisfying ending in Act III. Lucy is looking for something special from her life before becoming a stray, Eleanor finds herself looking for Lucy in Act III, and Sam is looking for a way to overcome his stage fright and share his passion. Cecil's storytelling is sweet and uncomplicated and the repetition is comforting, as are warmly fuzzy illustrations that are presented in a circular composition. Lucy might feel like a simple story, but the more you read it, and the more you think about it long after having read it, the more you will realize that it's not!
Source: Review Copy
You may think of potty humor and Captain Underpants when you hear the name Dav Pilkey, but I think of the silly-sweet-goofy Dragon, which was one of the first books I reviewed here when I started in 2008! When I discovered that Dragon had his own television show, I updated the review here, adding in information about other beginning readers and picture books by Pilkey that I love. In that
Migloo's Day is yet another fantastic book from a new favorite of mine, William Bee. With Migloo's Day, Bee creates a cross between a Richard Scarry book and a Where's Waldo look-and-find extravaganza, making himself a character in the book.
Bee begins Migloo's Day with an introduction to the more than 65 culturally diverse characters who inhabit Sunnytown. On each page, the
Harry the Rescue Dog's Rainbow Street Post:
Although Harry might look as if he's dozing after an exhausting ball play, he's actually contemplating his first of a series of blog posts to celebrate rescue pets, animal shelters like the one he was adopted from, and the release of the beautiful new editions of The Rainbow Street Animal Shelter series with Square Fish.
Lost! A Dog called Bear and
Missing! A Cat Called Buster are out today. (The books are out - I hope the animals are safe at home!)
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If you'd like to share the story of your rescue pet or an animal shelter - or any amazing animal story! - you can contact Harry by commenting on the Rainbow Street Pets Facebook page (it would be great if you wanted to like the page too) or through the email link on wendyorr.com. But to start off, here's Debra Duel, the Director of Humane Education at the Washington Animal Rescue League, with the interview from June 2012, when Lost! A Dog Called Bear was first published.
Debbie has more than 25 years of experience in humane education—leading classroom programs and professional workshops. She is the author of the book, Nigel, a popular Operation Outreach-USA (www.oousa.org) title. I had never heard of a role like this until I received this email:
"I just read Lost! A dog Called Bear. Thank you for writing a book for early readers that not only paints animal shelters, and their staff and volunteers, in a positive light, but stresses the importance of micro-chipping AND is a really good story. The humane education program that I administer is literacy based. We provide classroom teachers with humane-themed books for their classroom libraries, and whenever possible, give every student In the class a book of his/her very own. I am going to add Lost! A Dog Called Bear to my list and can’t wait to get Missing! A Cat Called Buster.
I also wanted to let you know that I believe that the strongest message in your book, and there are many without preaching a single one, is when Hannah decides not to adopt the guinea pig! That is such an important, and often lost, message."
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| Debbie's childhood friend Teddy |
How would you describe your job? .
Lots of fun, but with a serious message. I actually get paid to spend every day with my wonderful dog, Nigel, and children who care about animals! My job is to share information about animal welfare with students so they can strategize ways in which to help animals and make a real difference. I tell them, you don’t need to live with an animal to help them. Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility.
What was the path - or the passion(!) - that led you to working to animals in general, or this job in particular?
I couldn’t find a job when I graduated college in 1981, so I started volunteering with the local animal welfare organization in Tallahassee, Florida. That led to a job in the adoptions department at the shelter. I didn’t feel like I was doing enough to prevent animal cruelty and make a real dent in the overpopulation crisis in that position, so I started a volunteer humane education program for children, and that eventually led to paid position. Now I visit students in D.C. area schools. The students and I explore ways to end animal suffering including spaying and neutering cats and dogs, lobbying for stricter animal protection laws, and emphasizing responsible animal care school-wide.
Did you have pets as a child?
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| Debbie's Dad with his "Black Hill Sheepdog" Ted |
We adopted our first cat when I was 9-years-old. That was a big deal because my mother was scared to death of cats. I’ve lived with cats ever since. Later, my family added a puppy to the family. The card on his cage at the shelter said shepherd mix. But Teddy, a fluffy black puppy grew into a very handsome 60 pound shaggy dog that didn’t resemble a shepherd at all. People would stop us and ask what kind of dog he was. My dad made up a name, he would say, “Ted is a Black Hill Sheepdog.” People would often reply, “Wow, he’s beautiful, I’ve never seen one of those before,” or “You don’t see many of those in south Florida, do you?” “No, you don’t, “ my dad answered.
Do you have an animal companion now?
My dog, Nigel, came to live with my family 7 ½ years ago. He is a black Labrador retriever, who neither swims nor retrieves (characteristics associated with retrievers). My son, Max, who was seven when we adopted Nigel wanted a dog more than anything in the world. Since I worked in a shelter, I saw dogs every day, but none of them were the “right” dog. Eventually, one of our humane officers brought in a very friendly, but terribly emaciated black dog. The veterinarian who examined him said that he had been nearly starved to death. Nigel, now a very handsome 75-pound dog, weighed just 48 pounds the day he was rescued. For me, it was love at first sight. Nigel comes to work with me at the Washington Animal Rescue League, and he visits students in Washington, D.C. I wrote a book about him shortly after I adopted him and we give the book to every student we meet. Nigel and I also live with three shelter cats, Micky, a Morris-the-cat look-alike, Merl a brown tabby named for a cat in one of favorite picture books, My Big Dog, by Susan Stevens Crummel and Janet Stevens, and Charlotte Tibbs, our most recent addition.
What would your pet tell us about you?
Charlotte would complain that I refuse to let her go outside. She is very curious and is always trying to escape out the front door. I explain to her that she is much safer as an indoor only cat (and so are the birds!), but she is not very accepting of this reasoning. She is young and fearless; scratching posts and toy mice are not nearly as thrilling to her as towering maple trees and real-live rodents!
Any advice for people wanting a pet?
An animal companion is a HUGE financial and time commitment, but if you are sure that you can, and want to commit to both, you will have a true BFF!
Favourite animal books?
I have so many and I love sharing them with students. Right now the first two books in the Rainbow Street Series are my absolute favorites for young chapter book readers and Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata and The Nine Lives of Travis Keating by Jill MacLeanis are my must-read picks for fifth and sixth graders. I think both of those would make great movies! I have way too many favorite animal picture books to name, but I list many of them on my blog, warlkids.blogspot.com.
Hero is the newest book from Sarah Lean. I reviewed A Hundred Horses last year and was impressed and moved by her story of a mysterious girl without a family, another girl mourning the absence of her father and a legend about wild horses. Hero didn't quite grab me right from the start, the way A Hundred Horses did, but once I was hooked I could not put the book down.
Hero begins with
Viviane Schwarz has long been a favorite of mine. Back in 2008 she introduced us to Moonpie, André and Tiny, a pack of cats in a brilliant lift-the-flap book who, when not hiding invited readers to toss them balls of wool, open boxes for them to hide in and to blow on the page to try them off after being caught up in a fishy "floodwave" to hilarious ends in There are cats in this book. In
First published 2/19/2010, SHEEP is a MUST read, even for those of you who, like me, are squeamish when it comes to animal stories. The hardships faced by most literary animals, the ones who haven't been anthropomorphized, are usually more than I can bear. But, in SHEEP, Valerie Hobbs balances the realities of the life of a homeless dog with a memorable journey and kind humans along the way.
Waiting for the Magic is now in paperback!
I have to confess that, despite the fact I have been dedicated over the last three years to searching out well written, thoughtful and entertaining books written at the second and third grade reading levels, I continue experience a sense of apprehension each time I begin to read one, even if it is by Newbery Award winning author Patricia MacLachlan
Congratulations to Levi Pinfold's BLACK DOG for winning the 2013 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal (the UK's version of the Caldecott)!!
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Levi Pinfold, who's work is new
I just learned that a story I wrote on Wisconsin dog rescuers and fostering ("Foster Families for Pets," by Christine A. Verstraete, Jan/Feb. 2012 PRIME Magazine) has been nominated for a Maxwell Medallion in the Feature in Mainstream Magazines category of the 2012 Dog Writer's Association of America awards competition.
Winners will be announced at the association's banquet on Feb. 10, 2013 in New York City.
* See images and story links at my website nonfiction page.
** See awards announcement at DWAA.org.
I have to confess that, despite the fact I have been dedicated over the last three years to searching out well written, thoughtful and entertaining books written at the second and third grade reading levels, I continue experience a sense of apprehension each time I begin to read one, even if it is by Newbery Award winning author Patricia MacLachlan with illustrations by the charming and
By:
Robin Brande,
on 4/15/2011
Blog:
Robin Brande
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Here’s a little something for your weekend–some physics, some time travel, a little fish-licking (that part is based on my own dog’s peculiar habit)–give it a try. (The story, not the fish-licking.)
Here’s the link to the story. Use coupon code JR93U to get it for free all weekend long! Enjoy!
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In this epistolary quartet of books by Harry Horse, Grandfather and his intrepid dog Roo are always off on one adventure or another, sending letters home to his grandchild, all accompanied by Horse's wonderful pen and ink illustrations that are reminiscent of Ernest H Shepherd's work. Every book includes a map of the region that Grandfather and Roo are scouring, always on a new quest. Below are
Wood carver, painter, print maker and carpenter, Stephen Huneck was a talented artist, his inspiration and passion coming from the dogs in his life. For those of you who don't have or have never had a dog to love, this review may be of little interest to you, but if you have ever been lucky enough to love a dog, keep reading. Huneck shared this love of dogs with children
Written in 1951, Eleanor Estes' Newbery winning Ginger Pye is a marvelous book that, for parents, serves as a reminder of how much children's literature and children's lives have changed in the last 60 years. Jerry and Rachel Pye live in Cranbury, CT where their father is a highly regarded, although not famous, ornithologist, who travels often and their mother, some 17 years his junior, is a
I love coincidences that happen in the world of books. A few months ago I noticed a book on the shelves that was based on a true story about a dog. Being a big sap when it comes to animal stories, I filed it under "Books I Should Read and Review Because Kids will Like It Even If They Make Me Cry," and went on with my work. Then, I was delighted to hear from author Pamela S. Turner, who, among
Ate bone. Tried to eat Sarah’s bone. A good day.
By:
Ronni A. Hall,
on 3/28/2009
Blog:
Designing Fairy
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Cool, the zine now has its own page here. Check it out.
I bought a new moleskin yesterday--a little 2008 datebook. (It was on sale!) I noticed on Craftmonkey that she illustrated her datebook as a baby journal. Loved the idea, being visually-oriented. Just another way to create a personal book, I thought. I can illustrate my datebook! Here's my Jan. 24th highlights: Our neighbor took down their fence and left the crappy old one barely supported on our side, so the girls could get easily through the cracks to the other side. Emma was sneaking through often and coming back with first, a rawhide bone, then a toy, and OMG! Is that a human bone?!! This is the second time she's come in with a treasure of unknown origin. It may just be an animal bone, but our imaginations are running wild. I bribed her with a normal doggy chew and we traded. A little confused, she tried to bury her doggy chew in the couch. Ah, good times.
Tonight writer and book writing coach, Diane Eble, will host a free teleseminar where Suzanne Lieurance, children’s author and director of the National Writing for Children Center, will answer questions about writing and publishing in today’s competitive children’s magazine and book markets.
If you have a question about children’s writing that you’d like Suzanne to answer, submit it here:
AskSuzanneNow
When you do, you’ll receive the phone number and code you’ll need to join tonight’s teleclass to find out the answer to your question - and to all the questions that were submitted.
The teleclass is as 8:00 central time tonight. We hope you’ll join us.
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I cried the entire time I read this book. It was beautifully written, but I found it gut-wrenching to see how difficult it was for the boy to allow himself to not just articulate his feelings about his parents' separation, but even to allow himself to experience his feelings fully.<br /><br />On the one hand, the book seems intended for a pretty young audience--it is a charming, funny story
Jessica - thanks for your thoughtful comment. This is definitely a book that you think about before giving to a child. Because it's short, hopefully parents and other adults will read it and talk to the kids reading it and have a discussion.