By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 14, 2012
March to the Beat of Your Own Drum
It’s Music in our Schools Month and these recent titles on music (and` loneliness, getting lost, Vivaldi, and being a big sister) and so much more will make you want to groove, rock n’ roll, waltz, and bang your head. So swing to the rhythms, bounce to the beat, sway to the poetic meter, and drift away with these soulful stories.
By Amy Martin
In Amy Martin’s bold debut, a little girl becomes lost in the big city and follows street musicians until she finds her way home. Her hypnotic illustrations will pull young readers into the story where “the best songs love you back.” If Martin’s Symphony City is any indication, McMullens, the new children’s imprint from McSweeney’s, promises dazzling hits that just keep on coming. (Ages 3 and up. Publisher: McSweeney’s Publishing.)
By Audrey Vernick; Illustrated by Kirstie Edmonds
Ever dream of rocking out on stage in front of a coliseum full of fans chanting your name? Then Vernick’s new book So You Want To Be A Rock Star will send your little ones into fits of laughter as you shout, “Are you ready to rock?” Tips on posturing, strutting on stage, and signing your autograph in a haughty squiggle will put stars in their eyes. My daughter’s reading inspired her to create a rock video with a friend. For more on Audrey Vernick, check out my interview with her. (Ages 4-8. Publisher: Walker & Company.)
By Stephen Costanza
As with his previous book Mozart Finds a Melody, Stephen Costanza celebrates another great composer and creates a compelling backstory to bring his tale to life. Candida is Antonio Vivaldi’s young assistant who copies his musical notations for the Invisible Orchestra- a group of orphan musicians who mysteriously perform behind the curtain. When Vival
By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: October 24, 2011
Jeanne Walker Harvey
Jeanne Walker Harvey is the author of a fascinating new children’s book My Hands Sing the Blues which traces the childhood migration of young Romare Bearden as he leaves his grandparents in Charlotte, North Carolina and then moves to New York City to eventually become a great painter during the Harlem Renaissance. Her remarkable book is filled with striking collages and poetic, jazz-inspired lines that mimic perhaps what influenced Bearden most as an artist: his childhood home and music. Harvey is also the author of Astro the Steller Sea Lion and she blogs about children’s narrative nonfiction books at True Tales & A Cherry on Top. She lives in Marin County, California with her husband and an adorable black Lab who sleeps at her feet while she writes.
Nicki Richesin: Congratulations on your exquisite children’s book My Hands Sing the Blues. I fell in love with the dreamy artwork and your rhythmic poetic telling of Romare Bearden’s childhood story. I read that you were first inspired by Bearden’s paintings while working as a docent at the San Francisco Museum of Art. What about his artwork captivated you and moved you to create your book?
Jeanne Walker Havery: Thank you so much, Nicki, for your kind words. It’s truly been an amazing experience to be part of this creative journey. And I really appreciate the opportunity to be interviewed by you as I think The Children’s Book Review is a terrific site and resource for families, teachers, librarians AND writers!
Yes, my docenting work at SFMOMA is exactly what inspired me to write this book. I was giving tours to school groups of the comprehensive Romare Bearden’s exhibit organized by The National Gallery when I fell in love with his art. As a teller of stories, I loved that his paintings told stories, especially the stories of his childhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. I found that I could hardly get the students to move on to the next painting in my tour because they were so engaged and drawn to his art, especially the huge vibrant collages. That’s when I decided that I would love to write a picture book about Bearden and the “people and the places” of his Charlotte childhood which he said was such an inspiration for his art.
Although Romare Bearden worked in different media, how important was it to you that the illustrator
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 25, 2011
Astro: The Steller Sea Lion
By Jeanne Walker Harvey (Author), Shennen Bersani (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-9
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: SylvanDellPublishing (August 10, 2010)
Source: Author
What to expect: Sea lions, Marine mammals, Fictionalized non-fiction
Astro is an orphaned sea lion pup who is rescued and taken to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA—a nonprofit veterinary research hospital and educational center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of ill and injured marine mammals. Harvey adeptly tells the true story of Astro’s nurtured recovery and the many attempts and struggles to reconnect him with living in the wild. Being such a young pup at the time of his rescue, Astro’s bond with people has him continually returning to the shores and resisting the ocean. Left with no other choice, the wonderful team at the Marine Mammal Center found Astro a new home at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT, whose mission is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration. The mixed-media illustrations by Bersani, at first glance, are of photographic quality and match the tone of the story well, adding depth and sentiment to Harvey’s words. The text is well placed and large, making it easy to read.
The publisher, Sylvan Dell Publishing, only publishes picture books that have a strong educational purpose and this shows in the support materials included at the back of the book. The “For Creative Minds” section boasts sea lion facts (including comparisons between sea lions and seals), maps, and other fun and educational information. Visit the publisher’s website and you’ll discover many links to further explore the world of Astro. Children will be fascinated by Astro’s touching story and the back matter makes it a great choice for homeschoolers or the classroom.
It is also a treasure to know that the author donates a percentage of her royalties to the Marine Mammal Center and the Mystic Aquarium.Thank you, Jeanne Walker Harvey, for bringing young readers attention to the care and needs of our local wildlife!
Add this book to your collection: Astro: The Steller Sea Lion
If you like this book, you may also like: Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again by Juliana Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff
Visit: http://www.jeanneharvey.com/
Symphony City
So You Want To Be A Rock Star
Vivaldi and the Invisible Orchestra