Become a Spider with Jumper and Jessica Lanan

Lynn: Can you imagine ever being a spider? Many of our young readers would shout yes to that Jumper question. Author/Illustrator Jessica Lanan is right here to help with her new book, Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Jumping Spider (Roaring Brook, 2023) where readers can spend the day with Jumper, an impossibly cute Regal Jumper as she hunts in a backyard garden. A human child and her family work in the garden while Jumper also goes about her life, hunting and avoiding being hunted.

Jumper is a completely engaging little creature only the size of a bean but with some extraordinary abilities that Lanan demonstrates in brilliant and beautiful illustrations, giving young readers context and comparisons that make the little spider’s talents fully understandable. Jumper is shown, for example, making a leap after prey while in the background, the little girl also jumps. A double-page spread dramatically reveals what it is like to see with Jumper’s 8-eyed vision. Some scenes are spider-size perspectives and some are from the child’s perspective. Lanan has used ink, watercolor, and gouache and the illustrations are truly beautiful as well as being accurate, and extremely effective, helping children to comprehend a spider’s world.

Extensive back matter provides a plethora of additional information, including a 6-part guide for locating and observing spiders. Science has never been so fun! This is an ideal choice for a STEM classroom or to use as a writing prompt.

Are You Ready for Snow? Just One Flake Maybe…

Cindy: I’m not happy that it’s SNOWING here in Travis Jonker’s part of the world, where Lynn and I live too, and on HALLOWEEN, no less, but I’m chilled with delight over his latest book, Just One Flake (Abrams, 2023). This one had me at the cover as a young child sticks out his tongue to catch a snowflake. This story features Jonker’s debut as an illustrator of his work, and what a fabulous start. Knowing that Travis often highlights the covers under the picture book jackets in his popular children’s literature blog, 100 Scope Notes, the first thing I did was peek under the jacket to check—and I wasn’t disappointed. A collage of paper snowflakes is made even better when you learn that they were each created by some of the luminaries of the children’s lit world along with family members, each credited at book’s end.

Liam is eager to catch just one snowflake and gives it multiple tries but is foiled each time. A final attempt, just as he is called inside, is alllllmoooost successful, but successful enough to spark wonder and a new idea for him to explore inside with a cup of hot chocolate. The story and illustrations appear simple but the themes (perseverance, success can come in many levels, wonder at nature, and creativity is power) are subtle and important. This is a gem not to be missed.

Lynn: In Michigan, like many Midwestern states, we have a saying that if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute. Our 6-9 inches of Halloween snow has quickly melted and yesterday it was 54 degrees! But snow is always a factor in our winters and Travis’ wonderful picture book is going to delight kids everywhere—even those who seldom see a snowflake.

This is a perfect book to use with very young children. The use of simple sentences and language make it wonderfully toddler appropriate and the sound effects make for a fun read-aloud. Travis’ illustrations have black line outlines and bright primary colors that do a great job of enhancing the text for small readers.

I second Cindy’s thoughts on this charming story. Quick! Add this to your collections before the next snowflake falls!

Squash the Cat Makes a Big Mistake

Lynn: It’s fall so squash is a common topic! But this time I don’t mean the vegetable – I mean the cat! Sasha Meyer’s new and very funny picture book, Squash, the Cat (Random Studio, 2023) introduces a cat named Squash and his best friend Maggie. Squash is the perfect name for this orange and definitely squash-shaped cat.

Squash is “an early breakfast followed by a mid-morning nap kind of cat.” Maggie, however is a later riser but a “wild playdate” kind of girl. But Maggie and Squash are perfect for each other just the same. Together they take on all challenges and always have each other’s back. Until, that is, Squash, thinking he is saving Maggie, makes a BIG mistake!

This sweet and appealing story shows what happens when a best friend makes another sad. Small children will understand both Squash and Maggie’s feelings and cheer when Maggie decides that even if best friends forever aren’t perfect, that is OK. Meyer’s large bright illustrations wonderfully convey both friend’s experiences and gently underscore the idea that friends forgive each other. This is a wonderful book to use to start discussions about friends and what happens when someone makes a mistake.

I adored the illustration in this tale! Just looking at Squash makes me laugh. But I may have a slight bias here Will on couch since I share a house with a remarkably similar and squash-shaped cat.

A Walk in the Woods: a Loving Collaboration

Lynn: In 2019 old friends, Nikki Grimes and Jerry Pinkney asked each other why they hadn’t done a book together? They embarked on the work for A Walk in the Woods (Holiday/Neal Porter, 2023) choosing the rare theme of an African American child interacting with nature. Sadly, Jerry died before finishing the artwork. The collaborative work had brought them both joy and it was an even harder blow for Grimes to learn of Jerry’s death on her birthday.

Fortunately for all of us, Jerry’s son Brian decided to finish the manuscript using his father’s watercolor techniques. The result is this sensitive, beautiful, and moving book.

After the death of his father, a grief-stricken boy finds an envelope from his father, revealing a map of the woods they had walked together and a red X marking a spot. At first, the boy’s heart aches, revisiting the places he and his father explored. But the farther he walks the more his grief is soothed. “Can you smile and cry and the same time?” he wonders and the answer of course is yes. Grimes’ verses capture the sights and sounds of the woods and the inner hurt of the grieving boy. Readers walk with the boy as nature does its healing work. Deeply evocative, beautifully written and illustrated, this book is a gem! It is a celebration of a creative life and a remarkable depiction of the healing power of nature and love. Wonderful back matter includes notes from Nikki Grimes and Brian Pinkney.

It was a special treat me to read this book at the American Library Association’s recent conference in Chicago and even more of a treat to have it signed by Nikki and Brian. The book means so much to adults who have read and loved the work of these three talented people. But more importantly, this book will speak to and move the children it is intended for. This is must purchase for every collection serving children.

Tales of Motherhood – Leopard Variety in Photographs

Lynn: Most of us think of gathering information for a book as a pretty safe activity. But not if you are nature photographer and author Suzi Eszterhas! In her recent book for young readers, A Leopard Diary: My Journey into the Hidden World of a Mother and her Cubs, (Owlkids, 2022), Eszterhas shares some really hair-raising adventures! Imagine sitting frozen in an open-sided vehicle with a snarling mother leopard just inches away after her playful cubs run under the vehicle. This was a leopard comfortable around humans but who became ferocious at a potential threat to her babies. Gulp! Or walking into the camp bathroom to discover a tiny leopard cub who had been hidden there by his mom—and who could appear any moment! These are just a few of the fascinating moments in this outstanding nonfiction book by acclaimed photographer Suzi Eszterhas (who is also a personal favorite of mine).

Eszterhas has always loved leopards so when she heard that a female leopard in the Jao Reserve in Botswana’s vast Okavango Delta had given birth to two cubs, she hurried there to photograph the family. Aided by a skilled guide she located the mother and cubs and over the next 15 months took pictures and wrote about the events.

This female dubbed Mom was quite relaxed around humans and allowed them to get close although they always remained vigilant and in the jeep. Leopards move their dens frequently to protect the babies from lions, baboons and other predators so Eszterhas and Kam often had to relocate the family, which sometimes took many hours in the hot sun. But the result is a wonderful chronicle of a leopard family illustrated by rare and breathtaking photographs.

The text is clear and packed with interesting facts and the entire effort was a true adventure and makes an extremely compelling story. The photographs alone make this a worthy read as they are a beautiful look at a rarely-seen event. The entire package is a must purchase and the cover alone will attract readers. Backmatter includes an interview with the guide, Kampongo, a glossary and additional information.

The Hospital Book – Tears and Fears Explained

Lynn: Children do go to the hospital despite all we do to protect them. And that can be a truly scary experience! Lisa Brown’s new picture book, The Hospital Book (Holiday/Neal Porter, 2023) does an outstanding job of taking the mystery out of the experience. It is at once encouraging while also acknowledging the fears and reactions that are normal for a child in this situation. “I cried nine times when I went to the hospital,” says the little girl about her appendicitis attack and surgery. “The first time was when my stomach hurt.”

The story progresses step by step through the experience from the emergency room, to the testing, admissions, surgical prep, and recovery. Illustrations clearly show an IV needle being inserted, an X-Ray being done, and counting down from 10 during anesthesia being administered. These are all scary processes for any child and they are well explained. The text is straightforward and honest with explanations that are perfectly suited to a child’s understanding. As someone who has had multiple surgeries, I applaud this forthright and helpful book, having experienced these same fears and tears as an adult! This book helps take some of the mystery and scariness out of what is unavoidably a scary experience.

Lisa Brown’s busy appealing illustrations add to the interest as well as adding additional information. This is a must-purchase for libraries and a great choice for sharing with children healthy AND experiencing hospitalization. Half the fear of any experience like this is the unknown and Hospital Book takes a big step by taking away at least some of the tears.

The Joy of Curiosity – New Nature Picture Books

Lynn: One of the great traits of humanity is curiosity. It blossoms in childhood as we absorb and wonder about the world around us. Encouraging and nurturing that ability is a focus of two new and outstanding picture books that I am reviewing today.

How Birds Sleep (Astra/Mineeditionsus, 2023) by Sally Pedry and David Obuchowski.
How DO birds sleep? It’s a question I’ve often thought about myself as the night settles in and the world quiets. Obuchowski was also curious about this question, later stumbling on a book in a used book store that examined the science around the question. Like most things about birds, it varies from species to species. This is a fascinating exploration of a question that many children ask too and done in a lovely bed-time book style. Sarah Pedry’s illustrations are beautiful and soothing. Using familiar and unfamiliar birds labeled on each page, the book takes readers through the world of sleeping birds and their fascinating ways of sleeping. Some sleep in huddles, some hanging upside down and some even fly in their sleep.

Back matter includes much more information about the subject, how the book came to be and suggestions of how to help birds being affected by climate change.

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish: What Magic Lies Beneath? (Candlewick, 2023) by Chloe Savage. This charming picture book celebrates the magic of following your curiosity.

Dr. Morley has always yearned to discover the truth about the fable of the Giant Arctic Jellyfish. Is it real or just a lovely sailor’s yarn? While this scientific journey is an imaginary tale, much about such a research effort is true. As Dr. Morley and her crew search the Arctic seas they encounter Narwhals, a pod of Belugas, freezing temperatures, monotony, frustration and even a Polar Bear. And, of course, there is something under the water all the time that trails the scientists.

Chloe Savage’s intricate whimsical illustrations reveal a cutaway view of the research vessel from top to bottom. The scientists and crew, clad in matching red and white sweaters, go about their tasks in labs, engine rooms, kitchens and bathrooms or out on ice flows and scuba diving into the icy seas. Each page is a delight, filled with small touches of humor that reward careful perusing. The book is one of those delightful gems that provides more each time it is read.

Dancing in my Kitchen – a Re-issue of Need a House? Call Ms. Mouse!

Lynn: I have long been cheering for the work of the New York Review Children’s Collection, re-issuing classic children’s books that have gone out of print. But when I opened one of their latest deliveries, I was dancing around my kitchen! Yes! Inside was their publication of George Mendoza’s Need a House? Call Ms. Mouse (NYRB, 2023)! Originally published by Grosset & Dunlap in 1981 the book was one of my sons’ ALL TIME favorite books and we nearly wore out the pages reading it over and over. When my grandsons came along, of course, I hauled out the book for them and they were mesmerized. I am so delighted to see this book reach a new generation of readers!

Ms. Henrietta Mouse is world famous architect, designing the perfect house for each of her woodland clients. She know just what features each creature needs, building a house that is perfectly suited for each one’s unique needs. Doris Susan Smith’s exquisitely detailed illustrations are the true highlight of the book. After introducing Ms. Mouse, shown working in her awesome office and home, each bright 2-page spread features a Ms. Mouse-designed home of a particular creature. We see Squirrel’s space-ship style airy treehouse, Frog’s tri-level lily pad, lizard’s special beach house and many more. My boys of both generations would study each design carefully, critiquing the features and marveling at the ideas. Each time we read it we would chose a favorite design, dreaming of what living in such a house would be like! Each intricate cutaway design took time to pour over as there is so much to absorb! What was better, Rabbit’s root cellar at the top of his burrow, Owl’s eyrie at the peak of a tower, complete with telescope and library or maybe Bear’s cozy den with plenty of honey storage space?

Doris Smith’s bright and imaginative illustrations are just the same but Mendoza’s text has been updated a bit. I’m not sure it was necessary. After all Ms. Mouse was already setting an example as a brilliant professional female with a successful business of her own! The changes are slight happily and this is a gem of a book deserving a new audience of young architects, designers, nature lovers and all young readers who love masterful illustrations! Thank you New York Review for this treasure!

Who Doesn’t Love Sloths? Check Out these New Picture Books

Lynn: I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t smile upon seeing a picture of a sloth and I guarantee the two books in today’s post will spend very little time on the library shelf! There is something about these unique and fascinating creatures that we humans respond to immediately.

Happy Sloth Day (S&S/Beach Lane, 2022) by the acclaimed author April Pulley Sayre and photographer co-author Jeff Sayre. This wife and husband team spent 8 years photographing sloths in the Panamanian rain forest and learning about this truly amazing animal. The book is a terrific blend of poetry, eye-catching photographs and solid factual information. It is wonderfully child-centered in every way. The poetry is a delight to read aloud, loaded with vivid colorful language.

A tree is a sloth salad

Rip! Snip! Chew. Chew”

Jeff Sayre’s photographs are masterful and a real joy to see. Since these creatures live high in the rain forest canopy, the sheer difficulty of the photographic work is especially notable. Sidebars provide extensive factual information about the sloths and the creatures they interact with. In the back matter, two pages of additional sloth science is presented. This is an absolutely delightful book to read for pleasure and equally well suited to non-fiction reading and reports.

The Adventures of Dr. Sloth: Rebecca Cliffe and Her Quest to Protect Sloths (Millbrook, 2022) by Suzi Eszterhas.

Another outstanding wildlife photographer and author, Suzi Eszterhas also has a fascinating book with enchanting photographs and solid factual information about sloths. Her book, however, focuses on a scientist who is currently doing ground-breaking work studying this complex animal. Very little was actually known about sloths, partly because studying them is a difficult challenge. Eszterhas and Cliffe have become friends and the book presents an excellent look at what the work of a biologist is really like from examining sloth poo, to scaling giant trees to creating sloth backpacks to track and record daily activities of a wild sloth.

Cliffe, who wanted to be a scientist from a very young age, is also deeply involved in sloth conservation as these amazing creatures are threatened in their habitats.Information is provided on how young readers can help protect sloths and back matter includes a glossary, and list of additional resources.

These two outstanding books are must purchases and will have instant waiting lists!

A Grandmother’s Love – Jordan Scott’s New Picture Book

Lynn: There is a saying that goes, “If nothing is going well, call your Grandmother.” Cliches develop for a reason. There is usually real truth behind each saying and as a Grandmother myself, I am here to tell you that the love between a grandparent and grandchild is a special thing. Each relationship is unique of course but for many that bond is as fundamental as breathing and bone deep. There are countless picture books about this relationship and I am continually awed by their sheer range of creative exploration. Proving my point is the new book by poet Jordan Scott and illustrator Sydney Smith, My Baba’s Garden (Holiday/Neal Porter, 2023). This is the team that created the award-winning book I Talk Like a River (Holiday/Neal Porter, 2020).

Here, a young boy remembers being taken each morning to his Grandmother’s small house to eat breakfast and then be walked to and from school. The two talk little but much is communicated between the pair in gestures and small moments. Told in beautiful simple sentences, the boy relates his Grandmother’s habits of scooping up bits of spilled oatmeal, kissing the food, and placing it back in the boy’s bowl. Together they slowly walk to school, stopping to pick up worms they find on the sidewalk and placing them safely in a carried jar of dirt. In the garden after school, they gently release the worms into the rich soil.

Some time later, the boy’s grandmother moves into the house with them. Now the boy brings her breakfast and in a heart-melting series of panels, he kisses an apple slice and hands it back to her, returning her gift of tenderness.

Scott relates in a preface that his grandmother came from Poland where she suffered greatly and had little food. Like so many of that generation, love was expressed through cooking and sharing food and in the small gestures of caring. The text reflects these evocative glimpses of memory: a bowl of oatmeal so large he thinks he could swim in it, the cozy kitchen filled with food stored everywhere, the sights and scents of the garden in the sun. In turn, Sydney Smith’s illustrations also capture these memories in panels of varied sizes: two hands clasping, one old, one young, a slicker-clad boy waving to a figure gazing down from a window. Several of these sequences are wordless, as Smith skillfully extends the story, illuminating the bond between the two.

My Baba’s Garden is an exquisite and deeply moving book for all generations and a brilliant example of how words and pictures can work together to form something bigger than both. And—I dare you to read this without crying!