Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker illustrated by Matthew Cordell

What are people for?

Okay, before I tell you about Leeva at Last, I want you to locate your own book wish list or library shopping list and add this book NOW! Readers aged 9+ will LOVE meeting Leeva and her friends and teachers are also sure to thoroughly enjoy reading this book as a class serial story - not with work sheets - just for the joy of a terrific story with that all important very happy ending. There are 54 short chapters in this book which has 300 pages set in a good size font with a sprinkling of illustrations by Matthew Cordell. Fans of Matilda will love meeting brave Leeva as will readers who enjoyed Flora and Ulysses -The illuminated adventures by Kate DiCamillo.

Leeva Thornblossom has the most despicable parents you will ever meet in a story unless you have met Matilda's parents from the famous book by Roald Dahl and also the parents from The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry but to me these parents seem even worse than all of those. Mayor Thornblossom and her husband Dolton only care about fame (that's the Mayor) and money (that's her dad). Now that Leeva is old enough she has become their slave. She cooks, cleans, mows the lawn and completes money problems for her father who is the town treasurer. These parents are so completely dreadful I can hardly begin to describe them. Here is an example showing how Leeva got her name:

Nurse Blackberry needs Mayor Thornblossom to fill in the birth certificate forms for her new baby. The Mayor has been so demanding.

"She was fed up, ready to snap. And now here she was, holding the birth certificate, asking what the new baby' name was and hearing in reply, 'Don't you know who I am? You do it, nurse!'. Well, Nurse Blackberry snapped. 'Look! The last name is filled in already: Thornblossom! All that's left is ... "first name. Middle name ... leave a space."

"Each time her parents related the story, they cackled in glee. But Leeva knew it wasn't funny. In fact, it was a pitiful thing to have been named so carelessly."

And here is how Leeva makes her own shoes from the packets which contain her father's daily food called Cheezaroni:

"Cheezaroni bore a glancing resemblance to macaroni and cheese, except that the macaroni and the cheese were indistinguishable from each other and they were both indistinguishable from the box, so even when you followed the instructions perfectly, what you ended up with was a flavourless cardboardy mash that smelt powerfully of feet."

"They were her sandals - a fairly new pair. She was proud of these shoes, which she fashioned by molding tinfoil Cheezaroini trays around her feet, then strapping them on with masking tape. In winter, she molded a second Cheezaroni tray over the top of each foot to keep the heat in. The shoes were never comfortable, and the tape left itchy bands around her ankles, but the silvery flash they made when they caught the light was lovely."

More about those parents:

"Now, Reader, Leeva had known her mother and father were liars, of course. According to the stories they told each other at night, lying was pretty much all they did in their jobs ... But it had never occurred to her that they would lie to her, their own daughter."

Her father is greedy and obsessed with making and saving money and her mother is vain, greedy and obsessed with becoming famous.

Luckily, yes there is always a luckily, next door to her house Leeva discovers a library. Harry, nephew of the librarian Mrs Pauline Flowers (yes she is just like Miss Honey) gives Leeva a precious library card and the courage to step away from her parents and all their tortuous rules. Mrs Flowers also gives Leeva perfect books, delicious cookies every day, yummy lunches and later a flask of extra cold milk. Leeva also discovers toast for the first time thanks to the kind librarian.

Things that brighten Leeva's day:

• The daily newspaper - the Nutsmore Weekly and their word of the day. 
• The television soap opera - The Winds of our Tides - this is where Leeva has learnt about 'real life'.
• The program Vim and Vigor at any Age - a television exercise program
• Cookies made by Mrs Flower - chocolate chunk with toasted hazelnuts; Champurradas from Guatemala; and many more from every country in the world
• Wonderful library books such as Charlotte's Web; New Kid; Where the mountain meets the Moon; Bud, not Buddy; Other words for Home; One Crazy Summer; and Because of Winn Dixie.  By the end of her first week she has read 70 books!
• Her new "pet" Bob the badger
• Special friends - Osmund, Fern, Harry and his aunt.

There is a lot of slap-stick humour in this book BUT there are also some precious and tender moments. Leeva has never had a hug. She has never eaten hot toast with butter. She has no idea about gingersnaps. And she can only braid her her into two plaits. No mother or father have ever touched her or her hair, but she longs for a braid like her new friend Fern - a single perfect braid, with every hair in place. 

When her parents finally ban her from leaving the house ever again, Osmund arrives to find out what has happened. One lovely day some weeks ago he gave Leeva a comb - one of the first presents she had ever received.

"He pointed at the comb in Leeva's hand. 'Give it to me.' Leeva hesitated. It would hurt her to return the first thing she'd every owned all to herself. But as last she held it out. Osmund took the comb. He stood up. 'Turn around.' Although Leeva suspected Osmund would run away now, she turned around. She held her breath, waiting to hear his boots clomp out of the park. ... And then she felt him tug the rubber bands from her braids. She felt him unweave her braids and comb out her hair. She felt him divide it into three sections and lay the sections, right-over-centre, left-over-center, .... into a single braid down the middle of her back."

Read these reviews:

Splendid fun. Kirkus

Nobody’s parents are perfect, but Leeva’s are the worst. Even worse than those you might have met in Roald Dahl’s story of that long-suffering girl, Matilda.  Books for Keeps

I marvel at the variety of books written by Sara Pennypacker from the serious survival book Pax, the fun of Clementine and the powerful environmental message of Sparrow Girl.

Pax and Pax: Journey Home

Clementine

Waylon

Sparrow Girl

Badger is Bored by Moritz Petz illustrated by Amélie Jackowski translated by Marshall Yarbrough

Lucky, lucky, lucky - that's my song today. I am SO lucky to be able to visit one of the very best school libraries in Australia! YES it truly is THAT good/wonderful/magical/special!!

Last week I spied the third book in the badger series by Moritz Pelz published by North South and I screamed yippee!! This morning I sat down to read this newest instalment and it did not disappoint - in fact I think every Primary school library should add all three of these books to their collection. 

Badger is Bored celebrates the power of imagination, the importance of play and the wonderful things that can happen when a group of friends come together. It also celebrates problem solving and perseverance. Badger is indeed bored but he does try to distract himself. He attempts some painting but it is not much fun. Then his friend Fox arrives. Badger suggests they could build a den. But again that doesn't really excite them. All through the day various friends arrive and each time Badger suggests different projects but everyone is just in such a slump today. You can see their attempts at a card game in the illustration below. 

Finally Mouse arrives. He is wearing a eye patch. Mouse looks like a pirate! 

"That's it!,' cried Badger. 'Mouse will be a pirate princess!' 

'And we'll need a pirate ship!' cried Fox"

And so the fun begins. They build a splendid ship, create a treasure map and Deer helps Mouse to bake some delicious cookies. 

"the animals sang a grisly pirate song, and the storm decided he'd better go off and do his storming somewhere else."

At the end of the glorious day all the friends share ideas about what they will play tomorrow and these are listed on the final end paper:

• Mouse is going to make some pretty bracelets.
• Fox is going to play hide-and-seek.
• Rabbit is going to write Bear a letter.
• Squirrel is going to play dress-up.
• Raccoon is going to play with play dough.
• Blackbird is going to paint stones.
• Deer is going to make a collage.

Badger is Bored! was originally published in Switzerland in 2022 with the title Der Dachs hat heute Langeweile! (Badger is Bored Today!).  Well he might be bored today but I am certain he, and his gang of friends, will NOT be bored tomorrow. I also love the way Badger keep taking the lead with his friends - making suggestions for appealing activities. He reminds me of Elmer (David McKee), Frog (Max Velhuijs) and even in a slightly crazy way - Tacky (Helen Lester). 

Blue Badger by Huw Lewis Jones illustrated by Ben Sanders

 

When you open this book it is essential to stop and carefully look at the title page because this is where you will discover how a black and white (or white and black) badger can also be blue.

Badger has an urgent question - Who am I?  He sets off to ask an assortment of animals all of whom are also black and white (or white and black). He asks a bird who has no answer but the bird needs help with to untangle some cords from his leg. He asks a black and white dog who also has no answer but the dog would love a friend who can play ball. 

Then he asks a black and white cow, a skunk, a zebra, and a panda. Then he heads off to the ocean and meets an orca whale and a penguin. When badger emerges from his swim with the penguin his blue bottom is gone. Now turn the page and enjoy the surprise.

Here is another book to add to your "who am I" and "where do I fit in" collection. 

Companion read:

Hello my name is Ruby

Here is the second book about Blue Badger:

Here are three apple books also by Huw Lewis Jones and Ben Sanders:

You can see Bad Apple on Storybox library if your school has a subscription

Badger books by Moritz Petz illustrated by Amélie Jackowski

I will begin with The Bad Mood! Badger wakes up in a bad mood and he decides everyone needs to know he is feeling miserable. Along the way he meets many of his forest friends. His bad mood means he treats each of them with awful and angry words, bad manners and unkindness. Eventually his bad mood lifts but when he sets off to talk to his friends again he discovers they are all now in a bad mood. What can Badger do? 

Blackbird has the perfect solution. He flies off and tells everyone - "Party tonight! ... Everyone who is in a bad mood is invited. Come to the clearing at moonrise for a bad mood party."

At the party Badger is able to ask his friends to forgive him and then everyone has a happy evening.

In the second book poor Badger is having a dreadful day. Everything seems to be going wrong. His favourite cup is smashed, his pencils are missing, then he trips over his wheelbarrow.  Badger decides to visit his friends only to discover each of them is having a bad day too. Badger repairs Racoon's clothes line, he finds a lost ball for Stag, and he puts a bandage on a scratch for Squirrel. When Badger returns home he is in for a terrific surprise. Squirrel has repaired his broken cup, Stag has found the missing pencils and little Mouse has baked a fresh cake.

These books would be perfect to share with preschoolers aged 3+. 

Amélie Jackowski was born in Toulon, France. Her best-known picture book, The Bad Mood has been translated into over ten languages.

Moritz Petz is the pen name of Udo Weigelt. He was born in Germany and today lives in Switzerland. The Bad Mood! was originally published under the title Der Dachs hat heute schlechte Laune! in 2004. The Day everything went Wrong was originally titled Der Dachs hat heute einfach Pech in 2015.

I am also keen to see these two books by Udo Weigelt:

The third book in this series featuring Badger will be published early next year:

A Friendship Yarn by Lisa Moser illustrated by Olga Demidova

Badger and Porcupine are the best of friends. They live near each other and they both like knitting. As they are out collecting firewood one day a peddler drops a ball of wool. It unrolls all over the forest. Badger has a kind thought. She plans to knit a backpack for picnics with her friend Porcupine. In turn, Porcupine has a kind thought. She decides to knit a tablecloth for when the pair of friends share their tea time.

The pair each pick up an end of the wool and they begin to knit but this is one long thread and eventually, as each pull the yarn onto the knitting needles, their projects begin to unravel. Sadly things now take an ugly turn. Porcupine thinks she should have the yarn. Badger things she should have it.

"Well, flatten my cake! You're wrong,' said Porcupine."

The pair begin to knit again but this time the projects are utterly selfish - a net to catch walnuts which will not be shared; a hammock for one; a sail for a boat so "I can sail far, far away." Things become more and more heated until finally Porcupine cuts the yarn in half. The pair return to their homes but it's not too long before kindness triumphs. Porcupine begins her knitting and Badger begins her knitting. The pair meet outside in the cold dark night. Their new sweaters, gifts to one another, look brilliant and the reunited friends head home for toast with apple butter and a warm cup of tea. I did smile thinking about the porcupine putting on that cute red sweater.  You could compare this with The Bush Jumper by Jean Chapman and the scene where the echidna tries the sweater which was meant for the little koala.

There are many great books about knitting and friendship; kindness and giving; and disputes and their resolution. Here is a Pinterest collection from my friend at Kinderbookboard - Yarn Yarns.

I would pair A Friendship Yarn with a knitting book and  these two books about disputes and their resolution:

Mr Nick's Knitting

Iris and Isaac

Two for me, One for you

Here are the web sites for Lisa Moser and Olga Demidova.

Image source: Olga Demidova

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake illustrated by Jon Klassen

Exceptionally sweet. Kirkus star review

Badger has his life under control. He enjoys his routines and he has his passion for rocks and minerals. He is lucky to be able to live alone, rent free, in Aunt Lula's brownstone row house. Aunt Lula is a pine marten. She never visits. She writes letters.  Badger does not always open these letters. Today there is a knock on his front door. Looking outside, Badger sees Skunk. He tries to ignore the knocking but Skunk is persistent.

When Skunk comes into the house (Aunt Lula had informed Badger he was coming! It's in an unread letter) life for Badger is turned upside down. This pair are truly an odd couple and it does seem almost impossible that they could ever be friends but I so wanted that to happen.

This book is due for publication on 15th September, 2020.  I suggest you add it to your 'to buy' list RIGHT NOW.  You will want to add this book to your school library and to your home library collection. This book will be perfect to read aloud to your child or to a Grade 2 or 3 class.

The food in this book is especially delicious:

"A few minutes later, Skunk laid a plate of scrambled eggs with fire-roasted peppers in front of Badger. ... Thereafter followed the promised breakfast hot chocolate - yes! - and a basket of strawberry cinnamon muffins. (A basket!) After everything else came roasted fingerling potatoes."

An exploration of friendship, tolerance of difference, individuality and forgiveness are themes in this book but so is the power of words and they way they can hurt others. Spoiler alert but the words used are nuisance and  vermin.

You can read a story extract and see some illustrations by Jon Klassen here. This is the first book in a series and I am excited to keep reading these terrific books by Amy Timberlake.  Here is a special interview by Elizabeth Bird where she talks to Amy about her book. I also found some teachers notes which look very useful if you were sharing this book with a class. I'd recommend Grade 4 or 5.

Summing up this relationship:

Badger is Curmudgeonly but also able to see his own faults

Skunk is Impetuous but has a heart of gold

Oh and you might learn the names of some chicken varieties too.

Ko Shamos; Orpington; Dominicker; Jersey Giant; Orloff.  The Orpingon is the purple chicken that Badger mentions when he is marveling at all the different chickens in his kitchen.

There are some terrific books about odd couples.  I have been collecting picture books on this theme. Here are a few favourites.

Wolf and Dog

Rabbit and Bear

Books by Jory John

A home full of Friends by Peter Bently illustrated by Charles Fuge

A storm strikes Bramble's neighbourhood and the homes of his friends are destroyed. His own sett is okay but it is a mess. As he walks back through the woods Bramble meets three of his friends in dire circumstances.  Bramble is kind and so he agrees that Snuffle the dormouse, Tipper the toad and Boo the hedgehog, can come to stay.

"Bramble was kind. He would never say no to three little creatures with nowhere to go." 

He rushes home and tries to find enough food, he organizes some seating, sets the table and then starts to worry about how they will all sleep.

"The toad's bound to snore. The hedgehog's all prickly. And the dormouse whiskers are sure to be tickly!"

Just when it seems there is no solution to this problem there is a loud knock on the door. What a surprise for Bramble. He does not have three visitors - his friends have bought along their families too.

"I hate to sound rude. You're welcome to stay, but I haven't much food, and there's only one bed. It's just not enough. 'Don't worry,' grinned Snuffle. 'We've bought loads of stuff."

Of course there is a solution. All his guests have bought along things to share such as a huge blackberry pie, a basket of fruit and nuts, wood for the fire and extra blankets and pillows. The final pages are warm and filled with sweet dreams.

A Home full of Friends is a book will read aloud well because it is told in rhyme. The full page illustrations by Charles Fuge with close-ups of Bramble and his friends are very appealing. I especially love Bramble's expressive face, his wonderful slippers and his 'teddy'. It is also fun to see the book he is reading which is called Brock. The word Brock can mean badger.

There is a second book featuring Bramble called A Home on the River due for publication later this year. We have a number of books by Peter Bently in our school library. I would link this book with No Place like Home and Too Tight Benito.

The disgusting sandwich by Gareth Edwards and Hannah Shaw

I called into school this week to pick up a set of books for holiday reading and among them was The Disgusting Sandwich.  Such a funny book.  I will definitely add this to my Kindergarten read-a-loud collection.

"One day a boy came to the park.
He had a sandwich with him.
It had fresh white bread and peanut butter.
It was a beautiful sandwich."

But not for long.  In a cumulative tale badger watches this delectable treat as it is covered in sand, goop, squish marks, ants, feathers, slime and worse.  Finally, though, badger has the sandwich in his paws. Yum!

The back cover says :

A gloriously yucky story, 

with a wicked twist in the tale.

Teachers might be able to use this detailed analysis of the illustrations, text and list of related books.
Celebrate Sandwich Day with great ideas from my friend at Kinderbooks.

Take a look at the beautiful web page by the illustrator.  I certainly need to add more of her titles to our library collection.

Here is a page from The Disgusting Sandwich.