National Geographic Publishes Kids’ Books for Easter

In time for Easter, the National Geographic Society is coming out with two educational books for youngsters: a paperback version of a children’s book about Easter traditions first published in 2007 and a board book about farm animals.

Holidays around the World: Celebrate Easter with Colored Eggs, Flowers, and Prayer

By Deborah Heiligman with the Rev. George Handzo

National Geographic Society, paperback edition, 2016

Ages: 6-9

The history and traditions of Easter are told in a first-person plural narrative with many colorful vibrant photographs. Children learn about the religious and secular celebration of the holiday throughout the world.

Photos show Sunday services letting out in Ghana; an Easter procession on Marinduque Island in the Philippines; Christians celebrating Palm Sunday in Jerusalem; and thousands gathering for Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in Rome.

More photos depict revelers in New Orleans for a Mardi Gras parade; children at the White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington, D.C.; a dog with a pink hat and pink painted toe nails in the Easter Parade in New York City; and women decorating chocolate Easter eggs in a factory in Sydney, Australia. 

           

At the back of the book, children can learn more facts about Easter, how to hide messages in Easter eggs, two popular Easter hymns, and how to make Easter cookies. Several children’s books about Easter and educational Web sites are listed. A glossary tells definitions of a handful of words. A map shows all the areas in the world where photos were taken for the book. Finally, the book’s consultant, the Rev. George Handzo, gives parents and teachers more historical and cultural background about Easter.  

    

About the Author and Consultant:

Deborah Heiligman was a religious studies major in college. Today, she specializes in writing about complex subjects for young people, tackling everything from butterflies to the Titanic. Her award-winning books for National Geographic include “Honeybees;” “Babies: All You Need to Know;” and “High Hopes: A Photobiography of John F. Kennedy." Deborah lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. Visit her at www.deborahheiligman.com and tell her how you celebrate Easter.

The Reverend George Handzo is an associate vice president of the HealthCare Chaplaincy, a center for pastoral care, education, and research around the world. It is based in New York.

National Geographic Kids Look & Learn: Farm Animals

By Catherine D. Hughes

National Geographic Society, 2016

Ages: 2-5

Young children can learn more about some of their favorite farm animals and enjoy colorful photographs in this kid-size board book. The language is simple and age appropriate. In the last pages, the children are quizzed about what they have learned. They can point to the picture of the animal that answers each question.  

About the author:

Catherine D. Hughes is the executive editor of preschool content at National Geographic. She has written several other National Geographic books for youngsters.

Funny Book Pokes Fun at 'Normal'

Normal Norman

Written by Tara Lazar and Illustrated by S. Britt

Sterling Children’s Books, March 2016

Ages: 4+

An eager young scientist, narrating her first book, is tasked with defining the word “normal.” To do this, she describes the appearance, home and family of Norman, who is “exceedingly normal.”

Unfortunately, Norman, a purple orangutan, turns out to be anything but normal. He drives a dune buggy, feels sorry for bananas and oranges when they’re peeled, and sleeps with a stuffed animal named Mr. Scruffles.

Hilarity ensues as the little scientist becomes more and more frustrated with Norman for ruining her demonstration. Finally, she throws her clipboard up in despair and begins to cry. Norman comforts her and invites her to observe him and his friends in their natural habitat. A rhinoceros paints, a lion rides a scooter, a giraffe roller skates, and a crocodile and snake play marbles. Finally, the junior scientist decides normal is different for everyone. She quits her narration and decides to do her normal hobby, riding on the back of a rhino and playing an unusual, new-fangled horn. The head scientist writes on his clipboard, “Results: ‘Normal’ is impossible to define. Assignment complete!"

“Normal Norman” is a fun story with a good message for children. The colorful, vibrant illustrations ratchet up the humor and offer many details for readers to enjoy.

About the Author and Illustrator:

Tara Lazar lives in Basking Ridge, NJ, with her husband, two daughters, and 2,749 stuffed animals including a four-foot-tall Norman.  She’s the author of “The Monstore,” “I Thought This Was a Bear Book” (both Simon & Schuster), and “Little Red Gliding Hood” (Random House). She founded Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) on her award-winning blog at taralazar.com.

    

S. Britt (a.k.a. Stephan Britt) first developed his zeal for drawing in childhood, when he drew on anything and everything that wasn’t dripping wet. He soon decided there was nothing that would make him happier than illustrating children’s books. His first picture book, “Over in the Hollow,” was a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best. He lives in Portland, OR. Visit him online at sbritt.com.

Beautiful Book Sings about Cuban Girl Drummer

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music

Written by Margarita Engle and Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015

Grade level: Preschool to 3

A Cuban girl dreams of “pounding tall conga drums, tapping small bongo drums and boom boom booming with long, loud sticks on big, round, silvery moon-bright timbales.” But at this time in Cuba, only boys can be drummers. This lyrical story is inspired by the story of  a Chinese-African-Cuban girl named Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who in 1932 at the age of 10, performed with her older sisters in Anacaona, Cuba’s first all-girl dance band. She went on to become a world-famous musician.

The story is told with beautiful, lyrical language in the style of a poem. Drum dream girl lives on the island of music in the city of drumbeats. She goes to outdoor cafes and hears drums played by men. She closes her eyes and hears her own imaginary music. As she walks around her tropical island home, she hears music in parrot wings, woodpecker beaks, and in her own footsteps and heartbeat. At carnivals, she listens to the rattling beat of dancers on stilts and the dragon clang of costumed drummers in masks. At home, she drums on tables and chairs.

Her sisters invite her to join their all-girl band. But their father says only boys should play drums. She keeps drumming and dreaming until her father finally agrees to let her take drum lessons. She practices and practices until the teacher agrees she’s ready to play her small bongo drums at a starlit café. Everyone who hears her “dream-bright music” sings and dances, and decide that girls should be allowed to play drums.

The full-page, colorful illustrations are as full of beauty and movement as the words. Lopez’s luminous acrylic paintings bring the girl’s brave story to vivid life.

This inspirational book will be enjoyed by adults as well as children. It has won many awards including the 2016 Charlotte Zolotow Award for outstanding writing in a picture book and a 2016 Pura Belpre Medal for illustration, which goes to a Latino/Latina illustrator whose work celebrates the Latino cultural experience.

The book includes a historical note at the back, giving some information about the child Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who inspired the story. 

About the Author and Illustrator:

Margarita Engle is a Cuban-American poet and novelist whose work has been published in many countries. Her award-winning books include “Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal;” “The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba’s Greatest Abolitionist;” “The Wild Book;” and “The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom,” a Newberry Honor Book. She is a several-time winner of both the Americas Award and the Pura Belpre Medal. Margarita Engle lives in Northern California.

Rafael Lopez grew up in Mexico City, where he was immersed in the rich cultural heritage and color of street life. His vibrant picture books include “Tito Puente, Mambo King,” and “My Name is Celia,” both written by Monica Brown, and “Book Fiesta!” by Pat Mora. He has received the Pura Belpre and Americas awards multiple times. An acclaimed muralist, he has designed community-based mural projects nationwide. He divides his time between San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and San Diego, Calif.  

Clever Book Is Fun for Kids

Do Not Open the Box!

Written and illustrated by Timothy Young

Schiffer Publishing, 2016

Grade level: Preschool to 1

A little boy spots a big cardboard box with a note taped to it: “Do Not Open.” The boy, who is the narrator, struggles with his conscience. He knows he isn’t supposed to open the box, but he is so curious. He thinks about all the things that might be inside the box. First he considers, a boring thing: Dad’s papers. Then he considers good things: cookies, a robot or puppies. Finally, he imagines bad things: snakes, a wolverine, a slimy monster. He even guesses this might be one of his sister Annie’s tricks. At last, he decides not to open the box and walks away. The surprise ending is when Annie pops out of the box saying, “Huh? I can’t believe Benny didn’t open the box.”

The title of the book is reminiscent of such titles as “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems, “Warning: Do Not Open this Book!” written by Adam Lehrhaupt and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe, and “Don’t Push the Button!” by Bill Cotter. It shares some of the same appeal to children’s temptations to break rules. But this book doesn’t speak directly to the reader like these other books do. It has a more traditional format.

“Do Not Open the Box!” is a fun for youngsters. They’ll be able to identify with Benny’s dilemma. They’ll also be amused at the end of the story. Perhaps they also have siblings who like to play tricks on them.

About the Author and Illustrator:

Timothy Young has had a lot of jobs; he’s been an animator; puppet maker; toy designer; sculptor; art director; illustrator; and graphic designer.  He has designed for “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” “The Muppets,” “Disney,” “The Simpsons,” and Universal Studios. Now he is the author/illustrator of six picture books including “I Hate Picture Books!” and “The Angry Little Puffin.” He lives with his family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Find out more about him and his books at www.creaturesandcharacters.com.

Youngsters Can Learn about George Washington Carver During Black History Month

George Washington Carver

Written by Kitson Jazynka

National Geographic Children’s Books, January 2016

“George Washington Carver” offers simply written text and colorful illustrations to appeal to beginning readers and younger children. The picture book is a Level 1 reader for children who are starting to read.

Carver was an African American man who was born into slavery but became a respected expert on agriculture. He helped farmers grow sustainable crops, and he found more than 300 uses for peanut plants. These include glue, medicine, gasoline and paper.

The book also tells youngsters that in Carver’s time life was hard for many black people in the United States. Among several words defined in the book is racism.

Carver became the first black student at Iowa State College. Later, he gave advice to U.S. presidents about farming and spoke to the U.S. Congress. The U.S. Navy named two ships in his honor. His face appeared on two postage stamps.

In addition to telling Carver’s story, the book uses pictures and words to teach children several ways life was different in the 1870s. These include using different modes of transportation, using barter instead of money, growing food instead of buying it in a store, learning in one-room schoolhouses, and playing outdoors or with handmade toys.

About the Author:

Kitson Jazyka is an award-winning freelance writer and children's author. Her work appears regularly in National Geographic Kids, American Girl, and Young Rider magazines, as well as the Washington Post's KidsPost. In 2011, she worked with the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Foundation to write a book called The Making of the Memorial, a history of the creation of the memorial to Dr. King on the National Mall. Kitson also contributes to national equestrian and dog magazines including, Dog Fancy, Horse Illustrated, and Dressage Today. Her picture book, “Carrot in My Pocket,” was published in 2001.

Newberry Honors a Picture Book by Latino Writer

Last Stop on Market Street

Written by Matt De La Pena and Illustrated by Christian Robinson

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2015

This year’s Newberry Medal, the highest honor in children’s literature, went to “Last Stop on Market Street,” a picture book. This was unusual because the award almost always goes to a novel. In addition, this is the first time a Latino author has won the award. The book is also a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book. 

In “Last Stop on Market Street,” CJ and his nana, who are African American, ride a bus as they do every Sunday after church, but today CJ is not happy about it. He peppers Nana with questions: “How come we have to wait for the bus in all this wet?” “How come we don’t got a car?” Nana patiently answers his questions, pointing out things for CJ to appreciate around him. She is friendly to the other bus riders and makes CJ do the same.

When CJ is jealous of older boys with IPods, she points out the man across from them with a guitar. The man begins to play and CJ closes his eyes and enjoys the music. When they get off at the last stop on Market Street, CJ again complains about the dirty neighborhood. Nana tells him, “Sometimes when you’re surrounded by dirt, CJ, you’re a better witness for what’s beautiful.” Just then, a perfect rainbow arcs over the soup kitchen, their destination.

This is a gentle twist ending, as the reader learns CJ and his grandmother are on their way to help others who have even less. CJ spots familiar faces at the soup kitchen and he says, “I’m glad we came.”

The book has good messages about volunteerism, appreciating what you have, finding beauty even in poverty, and the love between a grandmother and her grandson. It is written with lyrical prose. Nana says, “Trees get thirsty, too,” and “Don’t you see that big one drinking through a straw?”  The bus “sighed and sagged.” When CJ listens to the guitar playing, he “saw sunset colors swirling over crashing waves.” The illustrations are beautiful too, colorful, flat, blocky in style, and well composed.     

About the Author and Illustrator:

Matt De La Pena is the author of five critically acclaimed young adult novels: “Balls Don’t Lie,” “Mexican WhiteBoy,” “We Were Here,” “I Will Save You,” and “The Living.” He’s also the author of the award-winning picture book, “A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis (illustrated by Kadir Nelson). Matt teaches creative writing and visits schools and colleges throughout the country. Matt lives in Brooklyn, New York. His website is www.mattdelapena.com.

Christian Robinson grew up riding the bus with his nana – just like CJ He would often daydream during commutes through the city and make up stories as he watched people go about their busy days. Today Christian is very happy telling stories with pictures as an illustrator living and working in San Francisco. His website is www.theartoffun.com.

National Geographic Teaches Kids about Yellowstone

Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure

Written by Ilona E Holland

National Geographic Children's Books, Feb. 2016

Ages 4-8 

 

Christopher wants nothing more than to see a bison in “Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure.” On a flip of his favorite bison nickel, his twin Elena gets to decide where they’ll go on their day at Yellowstone with Aunt Rosa, a park ranger. She picks the hot springs. When their aunt investigates a report of injured birds, the twins get into a little trouble. Christopher wanders off. Buddy Bison, a plush toy clipped to Elena’s backpack, comes to life. He helps Elena search for Christopher, but he disappears as soon as they find Christopher taking photographs of a thermal spring. Before their visit to Yellowstone ends, the twins come upon bison grazing and Christopher gets his wish. 

   

National Geographic published this picture book as part of a yearlong public education campaign to mark the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service. While the book offers beautiful photographs and many interesting facts about Yellowstone National Park, National Geographic would have been better served to hire a nonfiction children’s author instead of an academic to write the book. The story is very thin and unsatisfying to the reader. Although most of the story is realistic, Elena’s plush toy animal suddenly turns into a real bison. Is this her imagination? Is it real? The reader never finds out. Instead the bison disappears as quickly as it appeared.

On the other hand, Elena’s journal page and Christopher’s photos at the back of the book are clever additions. The afterward also includes a map of Yellowstone, a short history of the park, park preservation tips, an interesting story about how hot springs are vital to bison surviving the harsh winters of Yellowstone, and a list of books and websites for further study.

About the Author:

Ilona E. Holland is on the leadership council of the National Park Trust. She holds an Ed.D. and Ed.M. from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, a M.Ed from University of Delaware and a B.A. from Swarthmore College. Dr. Holland was a Lecturer on Education at Harvard's Graduate School of Education and a Senior Advisor for Academic Affairs and Instructional Design at Children's Hospital in Boston. She has served as an evaluator of educational technology projects and she was part of the creative team for the PBS Emmy Award-winning Word Girl.