Duck's backyard by Ulrich Hub illustrated by Jörg Mühle

Duck has a wonky leg so he uses a crutch. He is perfectly, perfectly happy living in his safe yard until ... Yes you knew there would be a complication and of course you anticipated what this might be from the cover illustration. A chicken arrives in the yard. Not just any ordinary chicken - a blind chicken - oh no. But wait do not feel sorry for this fellow because he is a chicken with a huge attitude and enormous confidence.

The chicken tells the duck today is the day for an adventure. Yes this is your classic optimist versus pessimist story and your classic or not quite so classic story of self discovery. Duck says NO NO NO. He will not leave his yard. The outside world is completely unsafe. The problem is the chicken needs duck to guide him since there are no guide dogs in the farm yard and so he persuades duck to step out of the yard and travel to ...

"Somewhere in the world ... there's a place where all our secret wishes come true."

The journey is filled with hazards - a dark forest, a huge ravine and an enormous mountain but at the top of the mountain an amazing discovery awaits chicken. Duck makes a discovery too - perhaps one you anticipated but still I guarantee this sweet ending will warm your heart.

Reading this book almost feels like a religious experience not that you need to be religious to enjoy this story. There are very deep themes (see my post labels) so this book will appeal to young children, older children and adults. Read the first chapter here. Here is an interview with Ulrich Hub. 

I adore books from Gecko Press. They source some fabulous books from around the world and invest in translating them for children who speak English. Duck's Backyard was originally published in German with the title Lahme Ente, blindes Huhn which means Lame duck, blind chicken so I am glad Gecko changed the title. School libraries in Australia used to be sent books from Gecko Press when Scholastic Australia had the agency now it is with Walker Books Australia so you may need to hunt out their books. When Scholastic had the agency books from Gecko Press were often included with their International standing order titles and also in the Book Club brochures. 

There is a sequel to Duck's Backyard but it is only available in German. I do hope Gecko Press decide to translate it. 

You should also read (don't wait add them to your library basket today) these books:

Yours sincerely, Giraffe

Meet you at Eight

Petra

Wolf and Dog

Bogtrotter

Bear and Chook by the Sea

Up the Mountain

Skunk and Badger

I previously talked about this book illustrated by Jörg Mühle.

Two for me, One for you

Eggs by Jerry Spinelli

 

Publisher blurb “ Nine-year-old David is sad and angry - his mother has recently died in a freak accident and now he has to live with his grandmother, as his father is too busy to care for him. Then David meets thirteen-year-old Primrose, who has no dad, and a neglectful and eccentric mother. Together these two damaged children help each other to find what is missing in their lives...”

This book is a harrowing one to read. That’s why I’m saying senior primary or young adult even though the main character is only nine years old. My comment here though, is that David felt much older than nine and his unkindness and almost cruel treatment of his grandmother was hard to read.  I would  list this book for 12+ even though Kirkus (quoted below) list this book as 8-12).

Here is a quote from the Kirkus Star review:

"With strong characterisation of major and minor characters and a light, poetic touch, Spinelli deftly handles themes of friendship, family, loss and resilience in a story that will long linger in the hearts of readers. Elegant and memorable."

This book was published in 2007 so I imagine it is long out of print but the ebook version would be available.  You can read more plot details here in the Book Bag review.

The Crocodile who Didn't like Water by Gemma Merino

Do not rush into this book - turn the first pages slowly. You will see a basket of eggs. Nearly all of them are blue but wait one is white. Then on the next page the basket is picked up by a large crocodile wearing red ankle length lace up boots. 

"Once upon a time, there was a little crocodile. And this little crocodile didn't like water."

He watches his brothers and sisters swimming but he would rather climb a tree. Little crocodile saves his money from the tooth fairy and he buys a rubber swim ring but this doesn't really solve his problem. Little crocodile just does not fit in and he is growing way bigger than the others. Then one day he sneezes a huge sneeze and wow - he breathes fire. 

Now turn to the final end paper - a dragon wearing red rubber boots is reading a book "The Dragon who didn't like Fire" and she has her basket of eggs - nearly all of them are white but tucked in you will spy one blue egg. What will happen next?

There are a lot of picture books with a similar theme or focus to this book - The Crocodile who didn't like Water.  These are questions all children ask at some time:

Where do I fit in?

Why am I different from ... ?

What is special about me?

Is this really my family?

I found this list of 25 themes in Children's literature and quite a few of them apply to this book:

Family Relationships; Accepting Differences; Bravery and Courage; Self-Concept; Perseverance and Persistence; and Growing Up. 

Every element of the picture book is in play here -- endpapers that foreshadow the big reveal and cheekily suggest an epilogue; touches of red in the largely green world that mark our hero as an outsider (viz. his tiny red rubber boots); page design that makes us feel his loneliness; emotion-steeped characters whose dot eyes convey trepidation, shock, joy, tentativeness, exhilaration; just enough typographical shenanigans; a pared-down text with one perfect neologism.  Horn Book

This book is filled with humour, but it is touching as well. It is one of those books that leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling and a smile on your face. 'The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water' is a beautiful story about finding your own wings. It is perfect for children who feel like they just don't fit in. It shows them sometimes being like everyone else isn't the most important thing. Sometimes you just need to stretch your wings and be yourself. Book Bag

You can see Gemma talking about her book. Here are the three other books in this series by Gemma Merino:

The most obvious comparison book to go with The Crocodile who didn't like Water is The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen. 

Here are some other books to explore:

Happy Hippo

Little Platypus

The Ugly Duckling

Little Nelly's Big Book

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow by Kate Gordon

In the book The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn we meet Wonder's special friend - a crow named Hollowbeak. In this newest book, fans of this series can now discover more about the young boy Jackdaw Hollow - a boy who will become Hollowbeak.

This newest instalment begins with a prologue. Here we read about Jackdaw's tragic beginning. His beautiful parents are killed on a stormy night and baby Jackdaw, who is now an orphan, is taken to Direleafe Hall. He is given in the care of Mrs Beekman who runs this school for girls. Jackdaw is a boy and a baby but Mrs Beekman agrees to take him.

"But now ... Now, Mrs Beekman had a boy. And he was to be her son. Mrs Beekman looked down at this baby - her new baby boy - and finally, after all those years, she felt something inside her crack and the almond within it was sweet. She felt joy returning to her soul. It might be mad peril, sure enough, but loving this boy might be the making of her."

Jackdaw has a happy childhood. He is a keen student and he is deeply loved by Mrs Beekman but something is missing in his life. He is sure he needs a calling or a purpose. Why did he survive when his parents both perished? He meets three young girls who also live at Direleafe Hall. They are ghosts and they befriend Jack and encourage his friendship with a young local girl called Angeline. Angeline is suffering but she has a plan to run away - to run away and join the circus. Is it up to Jackdaw to rescue Angeline? Is this his true calling?

Kate Gordon creates memorable characters in this book especially Jack himself of course but also young Angeline who is both brave and vulnerable, suffering horribly and yet also optimistic. I also loved the distinct voices of the three ghosts - Nell, Lucy and Florence. As for scenery, the idea of cartwheeling through a field of tulips is so appealing. 

"The girl in the tulip field turned, heels over head, like foam-topped waves rolling to shore. Above her moonlight made the shape of her, the paleness of her, more stark, more visible. She seemed at odds with the landscape. A thing outside, separate. Above it all."

Can you see thistles on the cover? 

"Hope is a tulip in springtime. Hope is a thistle that grows through the cracks, that grows on mountainsides, where nothing else will grow. Hope is a bird that takes flight, over and again, even though flying seems an impossible thing. Even though it's dangerous. Hope is a baby who survives."

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow will be available on 29th March. Huge thanks to University of Queensland Press for this advance copy of this book. I recommend this book for readers aged 10+. even though this is officially the third book in this series I would actually recommend you could begin the series here. 

Here are the three books in this series by Kate Gordon. Look closely and you can see a seasonal reference in the background of each image - Winter (Book One The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn); Spring (Book Two The Ballard of Melody Rose); Summer (Book Three The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow).  This makes me wonder if Book four is planned. 

Kate Gordon lives in Tasmania and she won the IBBY Australia Ena Nöel award in 2016. Since then her writing seems to have gone from strength to strength.

Aster's Right Good Thing

Xavier in the Meantime

The Song of Lewis Carmichael by Sofie Laguna illustrated by Marc McBride

"Two days to fly by balloon to the North Pole. Not possible."

In the middle of the night a crow taps on Matthew's window. Matthew actually met this same crow who has a broken wing earlier in the day. Outside Matthew sees a huge hot air balloon. The crow, who introduces him self as Lewis Carmichael, tells Matthew to hurry because it is time to head off to the North Pole. 

Matthew is a lonely kid who feels as though he does not fit in. School is hard, his parents seem over protective and relationships are complicated. Books are his solace and he especially loves to read about the world of the Arctic. He has read about the freezing temperatures, amazing wild creatures and the barren landscape. Could this invitation be part of a dream? Matthew is not sure but he tentatively climbs out of his upstairs bedroom window and climbs aboard the balloon.  

There is a third, unseen character, in the story who has outfitted the balloon with everything Matthew and Lewis Carmichael will need for their journey - warm clothes, food, water, a small stove and a good supply of tea. Matthew is not used to drinking tea but Lewis Carmichael insists they enjoy this warm beverage at regular intervals and Matthew finds comfort in the warmth and companionship.

"Who was it that said tea lifts the drinker to the realms of the gods? I drink it from takeaway cups in the park. Leftovers. You know, the last drops in the cup. But if I could have my own cup - what a treat.' Matthew found tea leaves in the box. He boiled water in the second tin pot and added the leaves. Then he poured the dark brew into two cups and placed one of the cups before Lewis."

Lewis Carmichael is truly special. He takes every opportunity to praise and encourage Matthew and gradually as they journey to, and arrive in, the Arctic, Matthew grows in confidence. 

Here are some of the supplies in the balloon:

"Matthew looked in the trunk. He found brown knee-length boots, lined with fur, and gloves made from the same padded, shiny material as the coat. There were boxes marked food and water. There was a small gas stove ... in the same box as dishes and cutlery, a frying pan, and a daypack a little like his own school bag. There was a second cylinder of gas, an enormous padded silver blanket, and a small leather case (where) he found a pair of black binoculars ... "

Now onto the title - Lewis Carmichael sings a song as a way to encourage Matthew:

In all the world, beneath all the skies,

All the skies, I never did see, never did see

I never did see, in all the world,

In all the lands, just this one.

This one boy ...

I'd love to hear the tune. 

The other very special feature of this book is the wonderful art by Marc McBride. It is quite different from his work you may have seen previously in books by Emily Rodda. The text is printed in blue and illustrations in this book are made from very fine lines in the same shade. It is easy to see that the style of illustrations he has created for this book echo Marc's admiration for the work of Edward Ardizzone.

Image Source: Marc McBride

You can read the first eleven pages of The Song of Lewis Carmichael here. In this interview with Joy Lawn at Paperbark Words, Sofie Laguna and her husband Marc McBride talk about their book. And in this podcast Sofie and Marc talk to Middle Grade Mavens. 

Click these review quotes to read more praise for this wonderful adventure:

Marc McBride’s illustrations shine within Laguna’s emotive and elegant poetic prose, which like music, skips, rises and falls. Two immensely gifted creators, collaborating to produce a novel of the utmost beauty. Kids' Book Review

This is an adventure story with a difference although it has a classic feel to it particularly the elements of the boy pitted against the natural world. It will be enjoyed by middle-primary readers and will also be one of those read-alouds where the listeners always ask for ‘just one more chapter’. Margot Hillel Reading Time

I agree with Margot Hillel also says: Lewis’s broken wing, that prevents him from flying, is a metaphor for Matthew’s inability to ‘spread his wings’ and take risks. 

In her interview with Joy Lawn, Sofie mentioned this book:

When I was a child, about nine years old, I read a book called ‘Una and Grubstreet’, by Prudence Andrew. The story is about a lonely girl, Una, who finds a lost baby she believes is neglected. Una is guided by her friend, a little wooden bear that speaks to her, called Grubstreet. The novel has stayed with me all my life. I realise as I write this, it has had a direct influence on me.

Addition to this post:

Joy Lawn, in The Australian newspaper September 11-12, 2021 wrote her review of this book and I would like to give you a few quotes. The article is entitled "A song of many colours". 

"an allusive, timeless fable that will be savoured by young and older readers. It is multifaceted and thought-provoking, with the tone and style of a classic."

"The writing is lit with perfectly paced images of the land, sea, ice and the natural world; the moon, sun and stars; the Milky Way and Northern Lights; birds and feathers and the succouring balloon."

One Came Home by Amy Timberlake

 

The year is 1871. The place is Placid, Wisconsin. The event is the arrival of huge flocks of pigeons. The mystery concerns the dead body bought back into town by sheriff McCabe. The twist comes when Georgie, sister of Agatha, refuses to believe this body, which they are burying today, is actually Agatha.

Georgie is carrying huge guilt. Her sister Agatha seemed set to marry young Billy McCabe but then the older man, Mr Olmstead comes courting and it seems Agatha prefers his company perhaps because he owns a huge library of books in his hotel. Georgie sees Agatha kissing Billy and she decides to tell Mr Olmstead. Shortly after this, Agatha disappears. Then days later the sheriff arrives with that body. Georgie is determined to uncover the truth. She thinks she can do this alone but in reality she will need help but is Billy McCabe the right person to join her journey?

Here are some text quotes which show the quiet wisdom of Georgie:

"As for particular clothing, I decided to wear my split skirt. I planned on travelling by horseback, and sidesaddles seemed precarious. Doesn't a person have more chance of staying on top of a horse with one leg over each side? I didn't want to perch; I wanted to clamp. Not that I'd ridden a horse before, but some things make sense."

"If you only talk to nice people you won't find out the half of it. Nice people either keep their noses so clean they hardly know a thing, or they conveniently forget what they know and fill their heads with daisies. You've got to talk to the rude ones as well."

"Seemed like I'd lived two lifetimes already. My first thirteen years took an uneventful forever, but this second lifetime? Why, it took all of three days: Billy and I had left on a Saturday night. I'd met a cougar on Sunday. I'd been in Dog Hollow on Monday. And today was Tuesday. On Tuesday I'd been to the nowhere place and Garrow farm, made a marriage proposal, and found money in a cave. Would this Tuesday never end?"

The pace of this story seems to match the ride taken by Georgie on the back of a mule she names Long Ears but then Amy Timberlake pulls her reader up with such a jolt. Chapter sixteen contains a wonderful and dangerous twist and then we have (in my book on page 188) the most amazing shoot out scene. I forgot to mention Georgie is a crack shot. Georgie sure is one character you will never forget. As Besty Bird says in the School Library Journal "I like children’s books that sock you in the gut."

Georgie's story will capture readers' imaginations with the very first sentences and then hold them hostage until the final page is turned. Kirkus star review

The author seamlessly introduces food, clothing, transportation and societal manners from the time period, allowing readers to learn about the era without even realizing it. Book Page

The author beautifully combines sadness with humor and it is hard not to develop a fondness for Georgie, who readily admits to her failures. Through the Looking Glass

I mentioned pigeons.  The pigeons in this book are passenger pigeons which are now extinct. At the back of One came home there are details of the millions of passenger pigeons that used to take over enormous nesting areas in the US.

In 1871 their great communal nesting sites had covered 850 square miles of Wisconsin’s sandy oak barrens—136 million breeding adults, naturalist A.W. Schorger later estimated. Audobon

Several reviews suggest The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate as a companion read to go with One came home.

I loved Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake and I was keen to read other books by Amy, so I popped One came home onto my wish list. One came home won a Newbery honor in 2014 and it is a very different book from Skunk and Badger but I am thrilled to have discovered it. The winner in 2014 was Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, written by Kate DiCamillo; with honors to Doll Bones, written by Holly Black; The Year of Billy Miller, written by Kevin Henkes; Paperboy, written by Vince Vawter; and One came home.

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

Zanzibar by Catharina Valckx translated by Antony Shugaar

Zanzibar has has a happy life until now.  His special skill is making delicious mushroom omelettes but one day everything in his world is thrown into confusion when a reporter arrives looking for a story. I love the name of the reporter (he is a lizard) - Achille LeBlab. You might think about the Greek story of Achilles and the idea of vulnerability. There is also the fun LeBlab - perfect surname for a newspaper reporter.

"I'm writing a feature for my newspaper. I'm looking for exceptional characters. Do you do anything out of the ordinary?"

Zanzibar sings for the reporter but it just sounds like a crow going CAW CAW CAW which makes sense because Zanzibar is a crow.  The reporter does not think this singing is worthy of his report nor is he interested in omelettes. Zanzibar goes to bed that night feeling defeated but in the middle of the night inspiration strikes.

"I haven't done anything remarkable yet, but it's never too late! I'm going to lift a camel! That's it! I'll lift a camel in the air with just one wing."

Zanzibar was originally published in French with the title L'incroyable Zanzibar. I love the way Gecko press source and translate books like this so we can enjoy them here in Australia. Catharina Valckx has been nominated several times for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Award.

I recommend you add Zanzibar to your read aloud pile.  Here are some comments by the reviewer at Readings in Melbourne:

This quirky little gem of a book, with its delightful language, humour and simple childlike illustrations, is guaranteed to engage young readers. Accompanied by a wonderful cast of animal characters, Zanzibar discovers what it means to be extraordinary while learning to value the simple everyday things. At its core, this charming tale is also a celebration of the importance, support and encouragement of friends.

You can read more plot details in this Kirkus review.

May B by Caroline Starr Rose

Ma and Pa want me to go

and live with strangers.

I won't go.

There are so many reasons why I was attracted to this book. It is a verse novel and I adore this genre. The setting is the prairie which is a place that fascinates me. I think this fasciation goes back to my childhood reading and enjoyment of the Little House on the Prairie. Finally this is an emotional story where the main character shows enormous resilience.

May B is sent away to live with Oblingers. Her family are so desperately poor that they accept money for her services. Mr Oblinger has a new wife.  "The brides not settled ... she's missing home." The new home is a soddy or sod house with dirt floors, thick walls and often only one window.

You can read more about the construction of a sod house here.

May B packs her few clothes, her only book and her slate. May B is desperate to learn to read. May B and her father travel the fifteen miles to the isolated home. Mrs Oblinger is not welcoming. It is clear she is desperately unhappy. Her treatment of May B seems almost cruel at times.  Then one day her demeanour changes. She asks for some biscuits and says she will take a walk. Later in the day May B finds a note:

Mr Oblinger,
You've been so kind,
but I can't stay.
I'm taking the train
back to Ohio.
Please understand.
Louise.

Mr Oblinger leaves immediately to retrieve his young wife. May B waits and waits but the pair never return.  What will May B do? She is supposed to stay here until Christmas. It is late August. In every direction the prairie looks the same. If she tries to walk home she is sure to become lost. Winter is approaching and supplies are running out.

Here are a set of teaching notes. These would be useful if you wanted to read May B with a Book Discussion group. I especially appreciated finding a comprehensive list of all the vocabulary used in this book and some background reading about life on the frontier.

I would pair this book with Sarah, Plain and Tall and Black-eyed Susan by Jennifer Armstrong. If you want to explore the topic of dyslexia you might like to read The wild book by Margarita Engle.

Kirkus use the word "extraordinary" in their star review:

As unforgiving as the western Kansas prairies, this extraordinary verse novel—Rose’s debut—paints a gritty picture of late-19th-century frontier life from the perspective of a 12-year-old dyslexic girl named Mavis Elizabeth Betterly… May B. for short. Kirkus

May B. can and will succeed. If she fails, she knows that she'll get up, shake off her disappointment and move forward until she finds her own place where earth meets the sky. Clear Eyes Full Shelves

The most wonderful egg in the world by Helme Heine

When my friend from Kinderbookwitheverything and I talk about picture books we often exclaim about particular authors and illustrators. One of these is Helme Heine. A book we both love is The most wonderful egg in the world or Das schonete Ei der Welt in German.  This book is not on my Tuesday Treasure list but it is truly a treasure. I just made an exciting discovery.  If the Wikipedia is up to date the entry on Helme Heine (born in Germany) says he now lives in New Zealand.  In 1982 his book Superhare was an IBBY Honour book.

"What you can do is more important that what you look like,' 

said the King. 'Whichever one of you lays the most wonderful egg 

I will make a princess."

I love the words - what you can do is more important than what you look like!

Once upon a time three hens called Dotty, Stalky and Plumy, were quarreling about which of them was the most beautiful. They decide to ask the King to settle the matter. Dotty lays a perfect egg, shimmering and polished like marble. Stalky lays an enormous egg, one of the biggest the King has ever seen but it is Plumy who astonishes everyone. The King is unable to choose a winner and so he declares all three hens should be made princesses.

Something to notice - the chickens have walked across the front end papers and the king's foot prints walk along side the chickens on the back end papers. You can almost hear the quarrel from the way their prints are bunched together.

Here is a set of discussion questions for The Most Wonderful egg in the world.

Here are some books by Helme Heine. Nearly all are sadly out of print but you might be lucky and find one or two in a school library. The Pigs Wedding and The Pearl were part of a book series called Pocket Puffins.  You might also find the Weston Woods videos of The Pigs Wedding and of The most wonderful egg in the world. Here are the teaching notes which can be used with the animated film.

How the Queen found the perfect cup of tea by Kate Hosford illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska

It is fun to use picture books as a springboard into other topics and this book How the Queen found the perfect cup of tea raises lots of possibilities.  You could trace the Queen's journey to Japan, India and finally Turkey. Her hot air balloon is a very fine way to travel.  With the help of a new young friend she samples and participates in the making of three different versions of tea and discovers that yes indeed each is delicious but there is another ingredient needed to make the perfect cup of tea - the company of good friends.  You could research types of tea, ways of making making tea and with older children - the customs involved with drinking tea for example look for the book Listen to the Wind.

For students of visual literacy you might compare the final spread in How the Queen found the perfect cup of tea classic images of the Mad Hatters tea party from Alice in Wonderland. This one is by Helen Oxenbury.

Here is the Kirkus review. Kate Hosford has a web site where you can see some of her other titles.  In our school library we have a very special book illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska - My name is Yoon.  For older children I would pair this book with Cloud Tea Monkeys by Mal Peet and with younger children the classic The Tiger who came to Tea. My friend at Kinderbooks talks about tea books here.  You can read an interview with the author.  If you want to explore some other funny books about Queen Victoria look for Queen Victoria's Underpants by Jackie French.