Tisha and the Blossom by Wendy Meddour illustrated by Daniel Egnéus

"I think my favourite days are full of blossom and a bit of slowing down."

Every now and then I read a book that I just want to gift to everyone. Tisha and the Blossom is one of those books. 

Tisha's day is full of rushing. Rushing to get off to school. Rushing to catch the bus. Rushing from one school class or task to the next. Finally at the end of the day Tisha has had enough. She asks her mum if they could just walk home - slowly. And they do. On the way they see things - really see things - like the birds and colours and funny things like hats and sausage dogs. Once they arrive home mum suggests they have a picnic for dinner and while they are sitting outside Tisha finally has time to catch the blossoms she saw falling from the tree earlier that morning.

There are two poignant moments in this book - one when we see Tisha trying to count the spots on a ladybird in the school playground - but before she can get past three she is interrupted because it is time to eat. And near the end of the story we see Tisha with her mum and dad dancing under the blossom tree - no words - just a page of joy!

This book was published in 2021 and it is still available in paperback for a very good price. In the US this book has a slightly different title - Tisha and the Blossoms! If you need a wonderful gift for a teacher or for a family with young children, I think this one is perfect - yes it has a 'message' but it is an important message told with a light touch and wonderful illustrations. 

You can see inside this book here. 

A sweet reminder to pause and ponder life’s everyday wonders. Kirkus

Meddour uses gentle dialogue and winsome description to dial the story, and its early frantic pages, back down into a soothing tone and cadence where this tranquil family interaction can bloom. Egnéus’s illustrations are lush, and include a variety of perspectives and points of view, including a delicious scene of Tisha nose-to-nose with a ladybug. Combine that with eye-popping spreads festooned with blossoming trees that evoke all the meandering wonder and play this little protagonist desires, and his work here is downright honor worthy.  School Library Journal

Here is the website for Wendy Meddour. And here are some books illustrated by Daniel Egnéus. Born in 1972 in Sweden, Daniel Egnéus has spent 20 years in Prague, London, Berlin, Bologna, Rome, Milano and has now made Athens his base. 

In this interview Daniel Egnéus talks about his book Lubna and Pebble

Raven Child and the Snow Witch

The Thing

Fox A Circle of life Story

Poppy's House by Karla Courtney illustrated by Madeline Kloepper

 

Our young storyteller spends time with her grandfather - her Poppy. He lives on an island and he is busy.

"He chops the wood, he picks the cloudberries, he catches the fish and he watches his world float by as he sits in front of a huge supper plate of salt beef and pease pudding."

His grand daughter helps with the daily chores.

"Every morning we have bread from the oven for breakfast. Then we make sure the house is just right. We tidy the kitchen, dig up the potatoes, and water the garden. When our chores are done, we get to explore the island together, counting our favourite things."

At this point your young reading companion is sure to join in counting fish, tracks, stones and waves. When the visit is over they are both sad but they know the little girl will return again and again. 

"And (then) we count the days until we are together again."

This story is a gentle exploration of island life and it celebrates slowing down and spending time outdoors with a loved family member.

The details may not be familiar to all readers, but the strong feelings of love and companionship will resonate. The earth-toned illustrations, rendered in colored pencil and gouache and finished digitally, are a fitting match for the flora and fauna depicted. Kirkus

Bookseller blurb: In a picture book as cosy as wool socks and as sweeping as a lighthouse beam, a little girl takes a ferry to an island to spend time with her Poppy. After fresh-baked bread for breakfast, the two tidy up, garden, and set out to explore together. They pass docks and green hills specked with puffins, counting their favourite things along the way: masts, animal tracks, silvery waves. At the end of each day, they snuggle on Poppy’s worn velvet armchair to read by lantern light. When it’s time to travel home, the little girl begins counting the days until she and Poppy will be together again. A patchwork of exquisitely patterned and textured art evokes a traditional quilt in this ode to coastal Canada and to the days spent with an attentive, caring older person.

One of our large bookshops here in Sydney - Dymocks - have set out tables full of sale books. I think their criteria might be books from 2022 and earlier which seems a little sad as a 2022 book is not old! Anyway this book - Poppy's House was published in 2022 and the retail price was $30 but my copy was discounted to $20. I also picked up a copy of Gooney Bird Green for just $5.

If you want to talk about excellence in book design with a class of older students or with aspiring authors and illustrator this book is one you could use. It has a dust jacket and when this is removed there is a different image underneath. The end papers anticipate the story as well as being a colourful and inviting invitation to read the story. 

Oh and I do need to mention there are puffins on the book cover and on the end papers and if you have read this blog previously you will know I adore puffins (and lighthouses). I also love Canadian picture books and Karla Courtney is from Toronto but spent her summers in Newfoundland so this book is based on her own childhood and Madeline Kloepper lives in British Columbia. She is the illustrator of The Keeper of Wild Words.  See more pages inside this book here. 

I need to find this book also illustrated by Madeline Kloepper.

Ask me by Bernard Waber illustrated by Suzy Lee

Ask me what I like.

What do you like?

I like dogs.

I like cats.

I like turtles.

And so begins a walk and a conversation between a small girl and her father. He is patient. He is wise and above all he gives his little girl the glorious gift of TIME. The little girl observes the world and uses her observations to list all the things she likes - lightning bugs, butterflies, flowers, merry-go-round horses, ice creams, seashells, the colour red, rain and stories. Oh and at the end:

Ask me if I want a good night kiss.

Would you like another good night kiss?

Yes I would like another good night kiss.

Good night.

Good night.

I have talked about Korean illustrator Suzy Lee in previous posts. She is especially famous for her wordless books. Bernard Waber is famous for the book series Lyle Lyle crocodile. The original book was first published in 1962. Ask me was published posthumously. Bernard Waber was born in 1921 and he died in 2013. Ask me (2015) seems to still be available but it is very expensive.  I do hope you can find a copy in a well stocked library. I don't usually give stars to picture books but I just had to put 5 stars here in the hope that catch your eye!

I am going to chat with my friend from Kinderbookswitheverything about starting a Pinterest of books like Ask me.  In her recent blog post she said:

Our students are missing out on what literature is all about - relationships, what it is like to be human, understanding how to  relate to others who've had experiences similar to their own, and different to their own. 

Here are some other books that promote conversations:

Footpath Flowers

Twenty Questions

For Love

Stella Queen of the Snow

I like Bees, I don't like Honey

Would you rather

The Big Question

Little Answer

In Every House on Every Street by Jess Hitchman illustrated by Lili La Baleine

In this home, every room has its own story and its own personality but most importantly 

each room is filled with love. Books for Topics

In this book children can take a sneaky peak inside the narrator's house travelling from room to room and watching this mixed race family enjoying every part of every day.

In the kitchen they never just bake - everyone grabs a spoon microphone and sings. In the bathroom steam on the mirror is perfect for art and in the bedroom "we never just sleep. We hide under pillows and try not to peep! We build giant castles and count fluffy sheep. We comfort each other at night before sleep."

But what about the other houses in our street? Let's peek into their windows. You will love these four pages which open out to show the scenes of daily life. One reviewer said: The end foldout section is wonderfully diverse in both living styles and people with a range of family make up both explicit and implied (inc nuclear, blended, older caregivers and suggestions of LGBTQ+ families), body positivity, disabled representation and ethnicities- it's great to celebrate the way we all make a home. 

When my friend added this book from 2019 to her library it only cost $25 which is a low price for a book like this which has a fold out page with cutouts for the windows and is made with very high quality thicker paper. Checking out other suppliers I see this book is now selling for $35 which may put it out of the reach of many school libraries. Oddly though, Hardie Grant Egmont, the Australian distributor of Little Tiger Books list this book at $24.99. I hope you can find this book at the lower price because I think it would be a good addition to your school library collection. 

Lili La Baleine is a French illustrator. 

You could pair this with:

Little Bear's Big House

If I Built a House

Who left the light on?

 And if, like me, your young reading companion enjoys books where we can peek inside and see a cross section behind the walls of a house or building try to find this book - Hello Lighthouse:

Illustration from Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall

A Page in the Wind by Jose Sanabria illustrated by Maria Laura Diaz Dominguez Translated by Audrey Hall

As this story opens a newspaper is 'born'. "There were other newborns like me, and we all kept one another warm." Our hero is the last newspaper left on the paper seller's stand. The wind picks up the paper and the journey of these pages begins. One is used to clean a mirror, another lines a bird cage. A small boy folds a page into a ship and an artist fashions a page into a hat. 

"I found love.

And I found pain."

Finally the last page is found by a man. "He read some news that he had waited many years to hear."  "I'll never know what made him so happy. But I knew then why I had come into the world."

Jose Sanabria is originally from Colombia and now lives in Argentina. Maria Laura Diaz Dominguez also lives in Argentina.

I wonder that no one has thought of this deceptively simple idea before?  A blown newspaper sheet travels across the land and is used in so many different ways. And the newspaper itself is our story narrator. This is just so delightful but also quite a profound. This is one of those books that will be enjoyed by younger readers aged 7+ and later you could also use the ideas in this book to generate a deeper discussion with older students especially about the intriguing ending and the way a simple text can reveal powerful emotional content.

The mixed-media illustrations supplement the text perfectly. On each page the Colombian illustrators invite us to consider what exactly happened before the newspaper was blown into the scene. Who are the lovers who use the paper to shield them from the rain? Why does the paper think it recognises its mother in the woman with the perambulator? Readers are invited to pause, look at the images, and wonder about the story behind each situation. My Journal of Books

A thoughtful contemplation on how our lives are affected by our interactions. Kirkus Star review

This book was originally published in Switzerland with the title Ein Blatt im Wind. 

Publisher blurb:  A whimsical and moving story about discovering your purpose by José Sanabria and María Laura Díaz Domínguez. The last little newspaper on a newsstand wonders what its life will be like until a gust of wind sends its individual pages flying. Each page travels to a different place and experiences a vastly different life—from being used to clean a mirror and line the cage of a pet to being formed into a boat by a child and sheltering a homeless person from the cold—until, at last, the final page finds it’s true calling. Sanabria’s expressive art and thoughtful story reflect many ways our lives can be touched.

I have explored other books by Jose Sanabria

As Time Went by

Refugees

How the Sun got to Coco's House by Bob Graham

"It had to start somewhere. While Coco slept faraway, the sun crept up slowly behind a hill, paused for a moment, seemed to think twice ... before it plunged down the other side and skidded giddy across the water."

Take a closer look at this wonderful sentence. The word choice is perfect with expressive words such as paused, plunged, faraway, giddy.  Now look at the length of the second sentence and the use of commas. This is a complex sentence. Bob Graham never writes down to his audience.

Here is a quote I read this week from Lauren Child - author the Charlie and Lola books.

"There’s not enough understanding of how sophisticated picture books can be,” said Child, ...“If we don’t understand that, then we don’t understand how amazingly sophisticated children are and that they think very deeply and powerfully about things. And we do them a disservice if we don’t see this.” Lauren Child (The Guardian)

The sun rises and, as a reader, Bob Graham takes us on the journey. We watch as the soft yellow of the sun's rays touch magical things and everyday things. It is caught in the eye of a whale and in the snowy footsteps of a young Jung Su. The delightfully named Lovejoy sees the sun outside the window of the plane as he flies through the skies to visit his grandmother. An old woman living in a tiny room has her shutters closed but we can see slithers of yellow where the shutters meet. Wild animals are woken by the sun and a young boy and his dad, perhaps in a middle eastern country, set off to the market at sunrise. How lovely to think of the sun glinting off the paper boy's bell until eventually the sun reaches Coco's house where, later in the morning, a group of kids can be seen making a snowman. Luckily this is the winter sun and so the snowman, on the final page, stands happily in a spot light of sunshine.

I am a huge fan of Bob Graham and I have talked about many of his books here in the blog. How the Sun got to Coco's House was published in 2015. When you read this book be sure to notice all the trade mark Bob Graham features - flocks of birds, rows of identical city houses, sky scrapers, teddy bears and at least one reference to another Bob Graham book - in this case it is Silver Buttons. 

It’s great to be able to count on something; readers can count on both the sun and (Bob) Graham. Kirkus star review

There's no drama here, no big events or extraordinary characters. Instead, we are offered a gentle, kindly look at life on our world, almost tender in its depictions of the many and varied ways life exists. The Book Bag

Even adults have difficulty understanding time differences around the world.  The very best book, in my view, on this topic is All in a Day:

Oh no, George! by Chris Haughton

Harris is going out.
"Will you be good, George?" asks Harris.
"Yes," says George.
"I'll be very good."

Your young reading companion is sure to be laughing.  It is so obvious that George will not be good! Harris leaves. George sees a cake!

What will George do?

George sees Cat! George sees some fresh soil in the flower bed. Three disasters - then Harris returns home.

"I'm sorry,"  George says. 

Harris cleans up and forgives George and the pair set off for a walk. Along the way there are so many temptations - cake, soil, and Cat. George shows amazing self restraint but then they walk past a delicious rubbish bin. George?!!

Oh no, George is available in 17 languages and it was nominated for numerous awards in 2012. Chris Haughton has some terrific activities on his web site along with a recipe for the cake! It's a Strawberry and Raspberry Cake originally made by Zoe at Playing by the Book. Here is an interview with Chris.

I have made an odd discovery.  In US editions of Oh no, George the boy's name has been changed to Harry - I wonder why?

One activity you could do with older children is to study the way Chris Haughton uses colour in his books and also the amazing power of these eyes.  Here are four sets of eyes for George:

Have you met Chris Haughton (via his books) previously? His work is the perfect combination of story, art and humour all packaged for a young child and at the same time thoroughly enjoyable for the adult reader too. Here are some of his classic books which are perfect for the preschool and Kindergarten audience. I would think all of these books would be essential purchases for ALL preschools and child care centres.

Here is the book trailer from Candlewick Press (Walker Books).

In UK there were plans for a live theatre production of Oh no, George by Can't sit Still Theatre Company but sadly the show was cancelled.

You can also read/see the whole book here.This series of books by Chris Haughton would be a perfect present for a young child aged 2-4 and all the titles are available as Board Books.

Here are some review comments for Oh no, George:

George’s crimes are ones of passion, and it’s hysterical. It resonates with anyone with blood pulsing through their veins—and especially with children, who are constantly being told what not to do. Kirkus Star review Julie Danielson

And that, I believe, is Chris Haughton’s gift. He knows how to create entertaining picture books that make light of human nature. Oh No,George! is about a dog who would really love to please his owner, Harris. If only he weren’t faced with so many temptations. My Little Book Case

Charlie and Mouse by Laurel Snyder illustrated by Emily Hughes

Have you ever heard of a bedtime banana?  

Find out more - read Charlie and Mouse today.

This is my favourite thing - discovering a very satisfying story inside a book for a beginning reader. Charlie and Mouse is a perfect book.  It balances humour with events and relationships that the youngest children will identify with.

Chapter One begins with Charlie - there is a lump in his bed.

"Are you awake?' Charlie asked.
'No,' said the lump. 'I am sleeping.'
'How can you be sleeping?' asked Charlie.
'You are talking.'
The lump stopped talking."

Charlie convinces his brother it is time to get up because today is the neighborhood party and everyone will be there. As the pair head down to the park everyone joins their parade.  The park is empty but this group of kids are ready for fun.  "It was the best party ever."

The next day Charlie decides the boys need money and he proposes selling rocks. The boys set off with their rocks but things do not quite go to plan. Instead of selling rocks they end up collecting rocks and even though they are paid $2 by their neighbors they become so engrossed in getting those rocks home they miss a perfect ice cream opportunity.

Are you still wondering about that bedtime banana? Sorry all I can say is find this book!

The other strength of Charlie and Mouse is the wonderful words such as sustain and moaned used by Laurel Snyder author of Orphan Island a book, for older students, which I adored.  Here are a very detailed set of teaching notes from the publisher.

Here are some review comments :

Yet when I read this story what I found was a quietly subversive, infinitely charming, eerily rereadable early chapter book not just worth reading but worth owning.  School Library Journal

A top-notch early reader, with words and art in perfect step. Kirkus

The adventures we share with the brothers are simple, and at the same time they are rich. Through the looking Glass


Charlie and Mouse is the winner of the (Theodore Seuss) Geisel Award.  Try to find some past winners if you are looking for utterly perfect books for your youngest readers.  I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series. 

Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina

Peppered with Spanish words Juana & Lucas is a delightful romp inside the world of Juana a young child living in Bogota, Colombia, South America.  Juana is a very forthright girl and early on we find out the things she likes including, of all things, Brussels sprouts (repollitas).

Take some time now and read this splendid review by Elizabeth Bird of Juana & Lucas in the School Library Journal.

I am always looking for simple easy to read books for our youngest students.  I have a 'box' full of criteria which include a good story, an attractive book, and a story with humour (done with a light touch) and Juana & Lucas more than meets my criteria. 

Brightly coloured illustrations are scattered throughout the book, there are words that pop out of pages either by size or font.  I especially like the pages with character diagrams - you can see one her about Juana's mother.

Juana reminds me of Clementine, Daisy Dawson and Anna Hibiscus.   She loves her city of Bogota, she loves reading and often reads late into the night and the best part of her school day is playing futbol.  Juana does not like her school uniform (boys can see her pink underpants), her hot classroom and most of all having to learn "the English."

I really appreciated the way Juana Medina weaves Spanish into her story and that she is not tempted to offer translations.  She allows her readers to use their intelligence and work out any unfamiliar words.  Of course Spanish speaking children will delight in knowing all these words.

Here are some examples :

"I can't stop pnesando about my crushed lunch box all morning."
"chances are you'll find me in bed with a book .. or dos, or tres!"
"Sitting with Juli is always good because we have mucho to talk about."

I also want to share some of the humour - and show how Juana Medina has such a light touch.

"I love my furry amigo Lucas.  He is the smartest and most amazing perro every born.  ... He is my absolutely-no-single-doubt-about-it best amigo.  Some say Lucas is neurotic. I do not think so.  He is actually quite calm, especially while sleeping."

Lucas "eats math homework like a pro.  The harder the homework, the faster he'll eat it."

"Juli is a very good friend. ... She has two brothers, one older and one younger. She's in a brother sandwich!"

Juana & Lucas is the 2017 winner of the Pura Belpre award which is  is "presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth."

Here is an audio sample to give you an idea of this story.  Here is a video of Juana Medina showing her art processes.

I believe the book is a great choice for students who are seeking a new or greater understanding of global cultures as well as students whose experiences are similar to Juana’s, such as having to learning a new language yet maintaining a strong sense of cultural identity.   Mr J The Librarian

The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc

In our busy and noisy world a quiet and poignant picture book like The Lion and the Bird is a special joy.  The story begins in Autumn and as bear is raking leaves he hears a sound and discovers a small bird lying hurt beside a felled tree.  He gently bandages the little bird and carries his new friend home using the warmth of his mane.

Lion brings bird into his cosy living room and gradually they adopt a new daily routine of shared meals, bedtime stories, personal care and sleep. As time moves on winter begins and the world outside is covered with snow. Bird joins in with tobogganing, ice fishing and pleasant evenings by their warm fire.  "... winter doesn't feel all that cold with a friend."

Spring is heralded with a beautiful image of a small crocus flower popping up through the snow. With the coming of spring bird explains (using sign language) that it is time to rejoin his flock.  Bird flies away and  you can just feel Lion's heart breaking. Lion tries to follow his daily routine but nothing feels right now Bird has gone.  "Summer passes slowly, softly. Then one day, autumn returns."

Turn the final pages of this precious book slowly. There is even one completely blank page that perfectly conveys the mood.

You can see nearly every picture from this book here.  If you discuss this book with an older group of children you might like to use this set of review comments.  Here is the web site for Marianne Dubuc.  If you are looking for a very special book to share with one child or a group I highly recommend The Lion and the Bird.

White space—sometimes whole pages—speaks its own language of loss and hope.