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.

A Nice Christmas Story if You Ignore Rhyme Crimes

The Night the Lights Went Out on Christmas

Written by Ellis Paul and illustrated by Scott Brundage

Albert Whitman & Co., 2015

Ages 4-8  

In “The Night the Lights Went Out on Christmas” the Johnsons inspire a neighborhood competition on who has the best Christmas lights. The decorations get brighter and gaudier until Christmas Block is famous and draws visitors every year.

Finally, one year Jimmy Johnson switches a switch and the lights go out in the entire town. The blackout spreads wider and wider until it covers the world. Everyone on Christmas Block stands heartbroken until Missy Johnson looks up in the sky and cries out about the beauty of the stars. 

Countless faces smile in awe at the night sky. They remember that one star guided three kings on the first Christmas night. They wonder if maybe Christmas can be neon free. The next year the neighbors on Christmas Block don't put up any decorations. Instead, they light a candle on a rock and gather around to sing Christmas carols. 

This is an inspiring Christmas story, but unfortunately the telling of the story falls a little short. It is told in rhyme and four-line stanzas, but the book is riddled with rhyme crimes. The rhyme scheme is inconsistent, there is no regular meter, slant rhyme or almost rhyme is used too often, and awkward word choice and inverted syntax are common.

The colorful full-page illustrations are lovely and vibrant. Expressive facial expressions amp up the emotional power of the story.

If you can ignore the book’s rhyme crimes, this would make a great Christmas gift for a young child.

About the Author and Illustrator:

Ellis Paul is an award-winning folk singer-songwriter.  He has released eighteen albums, including his most recent album for adults, "Chasing Beauty." His children’s albums are "The Dragonfly Races" and "The Hero in You," which was adapted into a children’s book. “The Night the Lights Went Out on Christmas” is based on a song he wrote for his holiday album, "City of Silver Dreams." Visit him at EllisPaulKids.com.

Scott Brundage is an award-winning illustrator whose works have appeared in major newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. This is his first picture book. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and dog. His website is ScottBrundage.com.

  

National Geographic Celebrates Nature with Poetry Collection

National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry: More than 200 Poems with Photographs that Float, Zoom, and Boom!

Edited by J. Patrick Lewis

The National Geographic Society, 2015

This collection of over 200 nature poems pairs stunning photographs with poems that vary in style and mood, but are equally striking. The poems come from a wide range of over 100 poets, including 19^th century classics like William Woodworth, John Keats and Emily Dickinson; 20^th century favorites like Robert Frost, E.E. Cummings and Langston Hughes; and contemporary children’s poets, such as Jack Prelutsky, Janet Wong and Jane Yolen.

Simpler poems may appeal to the youngest, such as “Dew” by Charles Ghigna, appearing next to a dew-covered flower: “Diamonds on the petals/Silver on the stems/Early morning sunrise/Turns dewdrops into gems.”  Dramatic narratives might pique the interest of older children. “Tornado Season” by Adrien Stoutenburg tells the story of a destructive tornado: “Wind went by with people falling out of it/ and hairpins/and a barn door swinging without its hinges.”

This book would make a wonderful introduction to poetry for children of all ages and a treasure for the family bookshelf.  

  

About the Editor:

J. Patrick Lewis is an award-winning poet and the former U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate. Before becoming a full-time writer, he was an economics professor at Otterbein College until 1998. He is the author of more than 50 books of poetry for children including “Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles” (2009, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger); “The Last Resort” (2002), a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; “The Shoe Tree of Chagrin” (2001), which won the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators' Golden Kite Award; and “A Hippopotamusn't: And Other Animal Poems” (1990). He has also collaborated with other poets on several collections. His children's poetry has been widely anthologized, and his contributions to children's literature have been recognized with the 2011 Poetry Award from the National Council of Teachers of English and the Ohioana Awards' 2004 Alice Louise Wood Memorial Prize. His poetry for adults includes the collection “Gulls Hold Up the Sky: Poems 1983-2010.”     

Little Red Riding Hood Spoof Is Fun

Little Red Gliding Hood

Written by Tara Lazar and illustrated by Troy Cummings

Random House, Oct. 2015

Ages 2-5

Little Red Riding Hood has taken up ice skating in this spoof on the traditional fairy tale. She has worn out her skates and is determined to win a pairs skating competition and the prize of new skates. But who will be her skating partner? The Dish has paired up with the Spoon. Hansel has Gretel. The Seven Dwarfs are busy at hockey. Little Red has a strange encounter with the Big Bad Wolf and gets a crazy idea that just might work.

This new spin on the traditional fairy tale is loaded with funny references to other fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Little Red knocks on the Three Little Pigs’ door saying, “Little pigs, little pigs, let me in!” The Big Bad Wolf taps on her shoulder and says, “Excuse me. I think that’s my line.” When the Big Bad Wolf takes the ice at the competition, he frightens Little Miss Muffet away. Little Miss Muffet bumps Little Jack Horner into the corner. Humpty Dumpty has a great fall and Jack and Jill come tumbling after. 

The colorful illustrations are bright and active. Children will enjoy looking for all of their favorite fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters.

The story’s surprise ending shows small children that people aren’t always what they seem. The Big Not-So-Bad Wolf is Little Red’s skating partner, and the two win the competition.

Usually, the book works, but occasionally references to fairy tales sound a bit rough and forced. When all the skaters are frightened of the Big Bad Wolf, the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe “had so many children on the ice, she didn’t know what to do.”

Recommended.  

About the Author and Illustrator:

Tara Lazar was once a champion figure skater. She writes quirky, funny picture books featuring magical places that are a joy to visit. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two young daughters. Her blog and website is taralazar.com.

Troy Cummings  flails his arms about wildly and leaves behind a trail of crooked lines until he crashes to the ground when he tries to skate. The other books he has illustrated include “The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! (Big-Time!),” “Giddy-Up, Daddy!” and “The Notebook of Doom.” He lives in Greencastle, Ind., with his family and cat. See more of his work at troycummings.net.  

    

New Monster Book Will Amuse Youngsters

I Want to Eat Your Books

Written by Karin Lefranc and illustrated by Tyler Parker.

Sky Pony Press, Sept. 2015

Ages 3-6

The new kid at school turns out to be a zombie, but he’s hungry for books instead of his classmates. He chomps through a science book, a textbook, and “Sharks at Sea,” as the narrator hurries to hide his favorite “Frankenstein.”

When the teacher announces library time, the kids have to come up with a plan fast to stop the hungry zombie from destroying all the books. The narrator offers the zombie a book about the brain. Somehow the subject interests the zombie, even though he eats books not brains. And suddenly, he is converted to reading books instead of eating them. “I WANT TO READ YOUR BOOKS!” he shouts. Then another monster, a mummy, bursts in and the zombie tames her and reads her a book.

Parker’s full-page illustrations are vibrant and colorful, and amp up the book’s energy. The book’s rhyming iambic couplets and the monster’s repeated cries of “I WANT TO EAT YOUR BOOKS!” add to the fun and excitement.

“Oh no!” cries Eric. “Take a look. / He’s chomping on your science book!” / “And now he’s got a paperback / he’s munching as a midday snack.

“He looks at us with bulgy eyes / and chews a torn-off page and cries: / I WANT TO EAT YOUR BOOKS!

On the negative side, the rhymes are sometimes a little clunky and the ending about the mummy seems a bit tacked on and rushed.

Nevertheless, this energetic, funny book will appeal to youngsters. Parents and teachers will appreciate the message about reading. And it’s coming out just in time for Halloween.

The publisher is also providing a classroom guide with language arts activities that address Common Core Standards.

Recommended.

   

About the Author and Illustrator:

Karen Lefranc grew up all over the world, living in Sweden, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, before moving to the U.S. to attend Bard College in New York. She lives in Connecticut with her three daughters and son, who love devouring books of all kinds. Karin is a certified children’s yoga instructor. This is her debut picture book.

Tyler Parker received his BFA in illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art and also has an MA in sequential design and illustration from the University of Brighton. He is the illustrator of more than seven children’s books including “Monsters Meet on Mondays” and “The Ice Cream Shuffle” and lives in Seattle.