How to Make a Bird by Meg McKinlay illustrated by Matt Ottley

"To make a bird ... "

Birds are such wonderful and wondrous creatures. The act of flying seems so impossible, almost miraculous. How do birds make fight look so effortless and natural when we humans cannot jump into the sky without the assistance of huge contraptions such as aeroplanes?

Meg McKinlay explains how birds have hollow bones "so light ... you will hardly feel them." Matt Ottely shows what happens if you gather the bones and some feathers to build a bird. Meg explains you bird will need a heart "that beats faster than any human heart ... a sure, steady heart to carry it across oceans ... " Your bird will also need eyes, a beak, strong claws and one more thing:

"a song to sing."

Now your bird needs to fly so "gather it into your hands and cast it gently upon the air."

Just look at that word placement - gather, cast, gently, upon.

Setting your beautiful, newly created bird free is both a moment of sadness and yet also happiness. Looking in to the wide blue sky painted by Matt Ottley I felt both of those emotions and also an exhilaration as the bird disappears setting off to explore the world.

This book is thrilling on so many levels. I love the care Meg McKinlay has taken with each and every word. The expert craft of artist Matt Ottley shines through every page. This book has been designed beautifully. The cover is tactile, the end papers somehow manage to show the lightness of a feather and the title page looks like it came from the notebook of Leonardo da Vinci. How to Make a Bird also shows how powerful stories can be conveyed through images. We are not told anything about the little girl who is making her bird but careful readers will see there is a whole back story to be discovered from the shadowy room where she sleeps with its makeshift bed, to the precarious solitary tower where she lives.

I hope Walker Books have plans to send this book, like the little bird, out into the world. How to Make a Bird should be seen around the world as a shining example of the best picture books crafted here in Australia.

Here is the publisher blurb:

From award-winning author Meg McKinlay and celebrated artist Matt Ottley comes a moving and visually stunning picture book that celebrates the transformative power of the creative process from inception through recognition to celebration and releasing into the world. We shadow the protagonist as she contemplates the blue print of an idea, collects the things that inspire from the natural world to shape a bird. And breathes life into it before letting it fly free. It shows how small things, combined with a little imagination and a steady heart, can transform into works of magic. A must-have book for collectors of exceptional picture books. Walker Books

Here are a set of very comprehensive and extremely useful teachers notes. These show how this book could easily be read to younger children and then explored with a older group as a discussion starter for deeper meanings.

Polar Bear's Underwear by Tupera Tupera

Polar Bear has lost is underwear. His friend Mouse offers to help. The search begins. The pair do find some amazing underwear but none of it seems quite right for Bear. Each owner is revealed via different die-cut pages where we see sneak peaks of colourful, large, frilly and even teeny tiny underwear.

I am currently searching for and reading books translated into English from around the world. I won't feature this book in my presentation because it was published in 2015 and may be difficult to obtain and also this book is for the youngest child which is slightly outside the scope of my presentation but I wanted to share this book with you here because it is just a delight. I would love to put this book into the hands of a young child aged 2 or 3 and sit back and enjoy their laughter. My library copy of this book was covered in plastic but I think those red undies on the cover might actually come off! When first published in 2012 this book had the title Shirokuma no pants. Preschools might like to investigate this cute flannel board resource which you could use with this book.

Tatsuya Kameyama and Atsuko Nakagawa have been working together as Tupera Tupera since 2002, and are known for their original, humorous, and colourful picture books and illustrations.

Here are two of their new quirky and distinctive books which are due for publication in 2021:

Hans Christian Andersen The Journey of his Life by Heinz Janisch illustrated by Maja Kastelic Translated by David Henry Wilson

"The most wonderful fairy tale is life itself"  Hans Christian Andersen

A young girl and her mother board a coach which is heading to Copenhagen. A older man joins them on their journey and he introduces himself as the writer Hans Christian Andersen. 

Elsa is seven and she has lots of questions. Over the course of their journey Hans tells the story of his childhood, describing his father who was a cobbler, and his happy memories of the wonderful stories and plays his father shared in the evenings along with the sadness of losing his father after the war. 

Elsa asks:

"Did Hans have any nice things in his life?"

At this point the story takes a wonderful turn. Hans tells Elsa about his early years. Young Hans sets out for Copenhagen aged only thirteen. He has plans to perform on the stage. For a while this dream does come true and some important people are especially kind to young Hans. The theatre is a joy but Hans discovers his true passion is writing stories, poems, fairy tales and plays. 

As Hans begins to talk to Elsa about his fairy tales Maja Kastelic changes her palette of colours from memory (sepia) to full colour. Hans explains the way some of his fairy tales link to his own life and emotions such as Thumbelina, The Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling, and Clumsy Hans. Then he talks about other fairy tales such as The Emperor's new Clothes and The Snow Queen.

Elsa really enjoys listening to Hans and hearing about his stories. When he talks about magic she asks him to use his magic.

"The journey is taking far too long. I don't want to keep sitting in the coach. ... Can you magic the coach into flying? Like the flying trunk in your fairy tale?"

Hans tells Elsa and her mother to close their eyes, and think of a magic word. Say it in your mind not out loud.  Now turn the page and see the magic!

This resource is in German but you can see nearly all of the illustrations from this book.

Dates of significance

1805 HCA is born 2nd April

1835 First fairy tale appears

1855 HCA writes a memoir of his childhood

1875 HCA dies aged 70

IBBY celebrate the life of Hans Christian Andersen through International Children's Book Day which is held each year around the world on 2nd April. IBBY also present the Hans Christian Andersen award every two years. This award is known as the "Nobel Prize for Children's Literature."

Statue of HCA in Central Park New York

I am preparing a talk for IBBY Australia - a virtual presentation, the first of a series - where we will talk about some recent picture books from around the world which have been translated into English. My copy of Hans Christian Andersen - The Journey of his Life has arrived just in time. This book was originally published in Switzerland with the title Hans Christian Andersen: Die Reise seines Lebens.

My favourite HCA fairy tale, The Wild Swans, is not directly mentioned in the story but there are swans flying across the title page and in the final scene they are wearing crowns just as they do in the fairy tale.

The illustrations in this book are by Maja Kastelic from Slovenia. Here are two other recent titles she has illustrated:

I have mentioned the Austrian author Heinz Janisch in a previous post. You can see more of his books here.

Hans Christian Andersen The Journey of his Life would be an excellent addition to a school library and a perfect simple biography to loan to teachers and students when they borrow any of the myriad of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales from your library. 

“A very special fairy story,” indeed. Kirkus Star review

In terms of the illustrations, this is probably one of the most cinematic picture books I’ve ever read. Picture Book Makers

Catch me if I fall by Barry Jonsberg

I do enjoy dystopian stories and books that explore the idea of a stratified society and stories with twins have always fascinated me.  One of my favourite books that fits these criteria is Forbidden Memories by Jamila Gavin which is sadly long out of print. This book also made me think again about the book series The Shadow Children by Margaret Peterson Haddix which begins with Among the Hidden. In these books families are limited to two children and it is the third child who must remain hidden.

In the world of Catch me if I fall, families can only have one child unless there are twins:

"Then, about fifty years ago a law was passed that stopped any woman having more than one child."

Barry Jonsberg subtlety presents the reader with clues that we have entered the world of the future - a dystopian future damaged by climate change.

• Electricity blackouts are common as are cyclones
• Other kids in the class are fascinated by the idea of twins
• No one in the class has older brother or sisters
• Permission to play outside at school is determined by the temperature and there is a huge emphasis on applying sunscreen, wearing hats and clothing with long sleeves.
• Cars do not need human drivers
• Ashleigh and Aiden's family are incredibly rich but they grow their own food. In their house there is a library with over 12,000 books; a media room; and a huge temperature controlled swimming pool
• Books by Shaun Tan are considered "old"
• Flights across the country are regularly cancelled due to extreme weather conditions
• Only their school takes the kids to camp and the camp has armed guards and a high security fence

There are strange things going on here. Why are mum and dad so protective of the twins? What does Aiden learn from the wild girl he meets in the park? Why does Aiden need to go to a hospital clinic every few months? 

Here is the publisher blurb:

Ash and Aiden Delatour are identical twins, living a privileged lifestyle with loving parents. In a world that has fallen apart at the seams, they want for nothing. All they have to do is be there for each other, no matter what.  But after Aiden suffers a terrible injury, he isn't the same brother Ash always relied on. Something has changed, and it will lead to a discovery that will turn their whole world upside down. Allen and Unwin

I am listing this book as Young Adult. I do need to give a strong language warning. The publisher lists it as 10-14 but I am going to recommend this book for very mature readers aged 11+. The final scenes of this book are especially powerful and surprising.

Oliver Sundew Tooth Fairy by Sam McBratney illustrated by Dom Mansell

Easy Fiction Treasure

Mr Nimble Jay, Mayor of the town, makes an important announcement. He needs a team of tooth fairies to retrieve a tooth from a faraway city.  This is not just any tooth - it is top tooth, a front tooth. Oliver is so excited. 

Early the next morning he joins the queue of hopeful candidates. Joining him are his friends Cornpepper Rose and Henry B. Standing beside the group they hear Martin Goosegrass.

"What are you doing here, Oliver Sundew? Nimble Jay will never pick you to be one of his tooth fairies."

During his interview with Nimble Jay, Oliver truthfully answers the questions. Afraid of spiders - no; afraid of scorpions - no; afraid of leaping trout - no. Able to fly fast?

"Oliver Sundew paused. As a matter of fact, flying gave him problems. 'You see, sir,' he explained, 'I flew into a candle when I was small and I've only got one good wing."

Oliver has failed. He tries to explain that while flying might be hard for him, he is a very good swimmer but there is no way be can be selected. Oliver is so disappointed. Nimble Jay does give him one job, however. Oliver has to go to the bank to collect the coin. Then Oliver watches his friends Cornpepper Rose, Henry B and the horrid Martin Goosegrass lift the coin, which is suspended in a large net, and fly away. 

Everyone gathers in the tooth-cobbled square for news of the tooth when all of a sudden Martin Goosegrass returns. There is a huge problem. The tooth is in water. The fairies cannot retrieve it. Fire, oil and water are the three things which fairies fear the most. Oliver speaks up. He can swim and he can fly, if he takes lots of rests. He sets off with Martin Goosegrass.  When they arrive Oliver sees the tooth down deep in a huge glass of water. He dives in and retrieves the tooth. Hooray!! 

Morning is coming. The humans will be waking. The coin is dropped into the glass and the tooth fairies fly out through the door letter box flap which Nimble Jay had cleverly propped open with a lollipop stick. Only five minutes later the postman arrives. He wonders why the letter box has been propped open.

This book has a perfect emotional arc. The sadness when Oliver has to show is burnt wing to Nimble Jay. His funny interaction at the bank with the grumpy manager. The wonderful moment when Oliver saves the day. Three cheers for our hero - Oliver Sundew.  I especially love the way Oliver exclaims "toads alive" when he is shocked about something. I have added this expression to my own vocabulary. The tooth fairies do use toads as a form of transport as you can see on the front cover. All the characters also have perfect names. Cornpepper Rose and Henry B are the right names for Oliver's friends. The name Martin Goosegrass sounds just as nasty as the character himself.  The small line drawings by Dom Mansell add so much to the story. I also laugh every time when I think about that lolly pop stick and the puzzled postman. 

Quite recently I talked about Sam McBratney and also tooth fairy books and I realised I had not specifically discussed Oliver Sundew Tooth Fairy even though it is one of my all time favourite easy chapter books and a book I have read aloud for over 25 years. I was able to source a used copy. It is not in very good shape but it feels good to have my own copy of this treasure. Perhaps you will be lucky and find one in your library too.

Teddy & Co. by Cynthia Voigt illustrated by Paola Zakimi

 

These toys are not saccharine or perfect. Each of them have endearing qualities and foibles. 

Image source: Paola Zakimi

Characters:

Teddy "He was a brown ball of a bear. He had a furry round brown head with bright buttons eyes, a short brown snout and little brown ears. He had no neck and stubby arms, a round brown belly, and he had lost his legs a long time ago."  Qualities - optimist; thinker; explorer; leader; needs to help of others to push his red wagon.

Umpah "a soft grey elephant". Qualities - baker; kind and thoughtful of others; wise.

Sid has a "long striped body ... long thin shape, good for wrapping around branches." Qualities - always hungry; loves to eat muffins made by Umpah; loves picnics.

Peng lives alone in a remote cave."Peng was made all of wood, so it was awkward for him to turn from one side to the other. Also, it was hard for his wooden brain to change the way it thought about something." Qualities: loner; introvert; can be a pessimist; capable of heroism.

Prinny (small pig) "was young and blue and silly ... She had white and gold flowers printed all over her, so everybody wanted to be nice to her." Qualities: happy disposition; kind; gaining confidence.

Zia (large pig) "was as round and as bright a pink as a scoop of raspberry sherbet. Her ears were a deep, dark fuchsia, as were her little hands and her tiny feet. Two black eyes sparkled in her bright pink face, as if she was about to go dancing, and four black stitches ran in a row down her soft pink belly, where long ago someone had sewn up a tear in her shining pink satin."  Qualities: Carries an icecream cone; happy to share icecreams with her friends; loves to clean her cosy pink house; mother figure to Prinny.

There are nineteen chapters in this book which can be grouped into four short stories. 

Teddy's Idea

Teddy is a thinker. He asks questions. He is sure there must be a world beyond the apple trees so after some discussion he convinces the other toys to set off with him exploring. They make the most amazing discovery about their home because by keeping the sea on their left they somehow eventually find their way back home. Yes they have walked in a circle because their home is on an island!

The arrival of the first stranger and learning to swim

Prinny finds a new toy on the beach. He calls himself Mr B and he is a rabbit with long floppy ears and a ruffled collar around his neck.  Mr B is quite rude to the other toys except for Peng but Peng has no interest in making friends with Mr B.  Meanwhile, Teddy has been thinking about water and raindrops. He decides Prinny should learn how to swim. Peng can swim, he is a pengiun; Sid can swim; Mr B can swim that's how he arrived on the island; and Umpah can swim. Zia does not support this idea but the friends go down to the water and very carefully and patiently Umph teaches Prinny to swim. 

Clara arrives - she is the second stranger

What they saw "was a very large doll seated on a big white wicker chair with a high curved back and wide curved arm rests."  Clara declares she is their queen and this gives her the right to set the rules (in the end there are seventeen of them). Clara also wants a palace and she awards titles to each of her subjects such as Royal Thinker (Teddy); Royal Advisor (Peng); Royal Announcer (Sid); and Royal Housekeeper (Zia).  Prinny is to be the Royal Princess.  After all this nonsense good sense does eventually prevail especially when no one can remember all the rules and Teddy makes a great plan to build the palace.

The rainy days

Teddy wakes up to a rainy day. The friends gather at the pink house to play games but some of the toys are not very good at this and squabbles ensue. The next day it rains again. This time the friends gather at Teddy's house where they invent a play with costumes and Teddy enjoys being the writer and director. By the third day of rain everyone is getting a bit fed up. Prinny notices that Teddy is sad and so she thinks of the most wonderful surprise - a party, a surprise party for Teddy. "Not a birthday party, because it wasn't his birthday, and not a party Teddy gave, because the party was to cheer Teddy up."

Junior classes from the school I visit each week (where I borrow books from their wonderful library) have a theme or focus for one term each year on the topic of toys.  There are so many wonderful books about toys but one that caught the eye of the Teacher-Librarian was this one - Teddy and Co. by Cynthia Voigt. Oddly this book seems to be impossible to purchase in Australia even though it is fairly recent (2016). I did a little research and we found a way to contact Cynthia directly to enquire about her book.  You may already know I am a huge fan of Cynthia Voigt (Mister Max) (Tillerman books) so we were thrilled when she offered to send a copy of Teddy and Co. to Australia!  

Although the tone is decidedly different from her earlier work, Voigt’s writing remains masterful, and her attention continues to be on what makes a family, how we can live together in harmony, and how individuals overcome their difficulties. Kirkus

It’s an affirming celebration of friendship, kindness, and embracing new experiences and relationships. Publisher’s weekly

Teddy and Co. is a chapter book so it is similar to Winnie the Pooh; The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and books by Rumer Godden. This book also reminded me of these picture books:

School Rules are Optional by Alison Hart

Jesse is in Year Six and things are not off to a good start. He has Mrs Leeman as his teacher (she was his prep teacher and she even taught his dad!); he has lost his Year Six jumper (sweater) and it is only the first day of the year; and the heat of Summer is unbearable when your teacher will not turn on the air conditioning.  This story also contains snails, nits, two floods, the Year Six Camp and goats! Alison Hart covers so many recognisable aspects of school life here in Australia especially for kids navigating their final year in Primary school. 

When I was given the advance copy of School Rules are Optional I did not think this was a book for me! This was confirmed when the sales notes said "for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid". So it was a big surprise when I found myself really enjoying this Australian school story and feeling happy that was nothing like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I especially laughed all through chapter seven which could be titled - Let the snail racing begin! 

School Rules are Optional will be published in early November. I would add it to your shopping list for a school library and as a Christmas present for any 10+ kids in your life.

After reading School Rules are Optional you might look for the Paul Jennings short story Wunderpants from his story collection Unreal and these novels:

Story Boat by Kyo Maclear illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

A timely and uplifting book about and for refugees. KirkusStar

Elegantly composed and beautifully depicted, Story Boat is the perfect vehicle to spark sensitive discussions and foster compassion for newcomers. Quill and Quire

Here is the blurb:

"Every morning things keep changing for a little girl and her brother forced to flee the home they've always known. In an uncertain time, where can they turn for hope?"

The key word here is flee.  Yes this is a book about the refugee journey but it is designed for a young child - I would say 6+.  Each day the journey of a group of adults and two children continues and each day feels the same but these beautiful children have a wonderful imagination. Their cup becomes a boat, the blanket is now their sail. In the distance they can see the lamp on a lighthouse. The children do have paper and pens and so they write and write until eventually their story boat delivers them all to a safe place.

"Here is our journey

That holds the warmth of a cup.

The softness of a blanket.

The brightness of a lamp.

The strength of a flower

And the openness of a story."

This is an important book but it is also a book filled with hope. I think this book should be added to all school library collections and it should be shared alongside:

Kyo Maclear is a Canadian author. Rashin Kheiriyeh was born in Iran and she now lives in Washington DC. Here is my Pinterest collection of books that explore the experiences of refugees.

The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat and Mo Willems

Hold on! There are THREE cookies ... but FOUR of us. 

And so a discussion ensues - how can the friends resolve this problem? While the friends are talking hippo picks up a cookie. He breaks all the cookies in half. Now there are six pieces of cookies - but this doesn't solve anything. 

"This is not fair. THIS IS NOT EQUAL."

Hippo keeps nervously snapping. The pieces are getting smaller. Wait a minute 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Is the problem solved? Well yes but now there is a new dilemma - three glasses of milk and possibly five friends? 

This is an Elephant and Piggie book. If you have not discovered these I highly recommend you hunt them out - there are sure to be lots in your local public and school library. There are twenty-five books in the original series.

Take another look at the title of this book from the Elephant and Piggie Love Reading series.  How wonderful to hear and later use the word 'fiasco'. I am sure after reading this book in a family fiasco will be adopted into your vocabulary. Take a look at this video to see how the speech bubbles work and how Dan Santat uses facial expressions to great effect. In this review by Betsy Bird she explains in great detail why this book is so much more than a book about fractions and maths.

It’s the fact that all these elements are combined together to make what I can honestly say is one of the best books of the year. Clever,funny, beautiful to look at, and an easy book that is actually easy (not a given), don’t pooh-pooh this one for its popularity. Take a moment instead to savor what Santat’s accomplished here. Elizabeth Bird School Library Journal

Here are some of the other titles from the Elephant and Piggie Like Reading series:

Little Mouse gets ready by Jeff Smith

It is time to go. Little Mouse is not quite ready. Every toddler and young child will recognise the struggles of Little Mouse. First thing, on go the underpants. "Check for the tag. That's at the back." Next it's socks, pants, shoes and those pesky jacket buttons. "I did it. I'm READY!"

Spoiler alert - here are the next lines of the conversation between Little Mouse and his mum:

'Little Mouse? Are you ready to go?'

'YES, Mama!'

'Why, Little Mouse! WHAT are you doing?'

'What do you mean, Mama?'

'Well ... mice don't wear clothes!'

Little Mouse gets ready is a beginning chapter book and it is a Toon book. It won an honour in the 2010 Theodore Geisel Awards. I am so lucky to visit an amazing school library each week where the Teacher-Librarian has collected a very large number of Toon titles. These are perfect for the youngest readers who are just gaining confidence with print. You can see some pages from Little Mouse gets ready here.

I know that every time I review one I say, "This one’s the best!" but I think Little Mouse Gets Ready actually is. If you haven’t seen a TOON Book before, this is a good place to start. Cute and surreal all at once; my favorite combination. Elizabeth Bird School Library Journal

All of this effort by the Little Mouse to put on his clothes reminded me of the scenes from Sunshine by Jan Ormerod.

Just in case You want to Fly by Julie Fogliano illustrated by Christian Robinson

Just in case you want to fly

here's some wind and here's the sky

There is some lovely advice for a young child in this book. My favourite page is the honey for your tea.

Image Source: Book Read Aloud for Kids!

In this book we have the wonderful pairing of poetic language by Julie Fogliano matched with bold illustrations by Christian Robinson all presented on a large white background. I was so lucky to hear Christian Robinson speak at the USBBY Conference in Austin, Texas in 2019. He has such an impressive body of work. Students of book design should begin with this book. The text is placed so carefully on each page, there are pages with multiple images, pages which spread across the whole double spread and some that are placed on one side of the double spread with the text placed opposite and two pages are designed with a different background. The quilt on the last page works as a memory of all that has gone before.

I would gift this book to a young child starting school; a Grade Six student about to head to High School; or even a University graduate.

In this video Julie and Christian talk about Just in case You want to Fly.

It’s a book full of delights and wonders. Waking Brain Cells

A tender, contemplative picture book about growing up and parents giving their children the gifts – no matter how quiet or small – to succeed and navigate the world on their own. Skylight books

A house that once was by Julie Fogliano illustrated by Lane Smith

"Inside the house it is silent but creaking. We're whispering mostly but not really speaking. 

We whisper though no one would mind it we didn't. 

The someone who once was is someone who isn't. The someone who once was is gone."

This is an intriguing book with the most amazing illustrations. Near my home there is an abandoned house. I keep expecting to see someone either renovating it or knocking it down but it just seems to slump further each week into the tall grasses which grow around the perimeter. This house is in a prime location near a beautiful quiet lake. I am sure the land alone would be worth a huge amount of money. It is all just a mystery.

In A house that once was two children find an abandoned house. As they wander through they try to imagine why the people left; who the perhaps lived there; and what they might be doing now.

The text is a series of poems:

"Tiptoe creep

up the path

up the path that is hiding.

A path that once welcomed.

A path that is winding.

A path that's now covered in weeds."

"Or maybe it loves to just sit and remember stories of someone who we'll never know.

And maybe it likes it out there in the forest with the trees coming in where the roof used to go."

I highly recommend you read this review in the School Library Journal by Elizabeth Bird.

Turn off the sound on your computer and just look at this video and enjoy the exquisite illustrations in this book. There is a wonderful visual literacy lesson waiting to be developed around the three cover designs I have included above.  The end papers in this book are also luminous. Half way through this book the illustration style completely changes. This reminded me of the way John Burningham shows the dreams of Shirley in his classic books - Come away from the Water, Shirley and Time to get out of the Bath, Shirley. If you read A house that once was with a group of children (I suggest Grade 3 or 4) it would also be the perfect time to introduce these two books as comparison texts:

Take a look at my recent post about If you want to see a Whale also by Julie Fogliano.