102 by Mathew Cordell

This is the image under the dust jacket!

The endpapers in 102 are intriguing. They are filled with 102 beans but while you will recognise some as real beans such as borlotti bean, pinto bean, lima bean and fava bean. Others are quirky such as morning bean, owl bean, Frisby bean, Lobel bean, Poppy bean, Cornbread bean, Sendak bean, and Steig bean. There is even a coffee bean!

The number 102 is the title of this book but it is so much more. The boy's temperature rises to 102; at 1.02am he wakes up and follows the cricket into a different world; the ant has 102 babies; and George's destination is 102 Acorn Hollow and there is a surprise on the last page which refers to 102 again. AND you need to look closely at many pages to find more references to 102 in the illustrations on labels, on a rug pattern, on George's wall and so on.

Watch the way Matthew Cordell creates his illustrations for this book using a multicoloured, multiscented ballpoint pen. "He liked it so much, he went on to draw 102 with it, layering many lines of one colour over another. It took sixteen of these pens to draw all forty-eight pages of this book."

In this podcast Matthew talks in detail about 102 and the inspiration and creative process.

It's time again for more process talk about my new picture book, 102. One of the earliest points of origin for the story, that I can remember, happened way back in 2019. While working in my basement studio, I noticed one afternoon that a frog had gotten trapped in one of our window wells. Rather than save it myself (or, frankly, let it die in there). I waited for my then 1st grade son, Dean, to get home from school and we could figure it out together. He suggested we lower a bucket down and we'd pull it up and out. It took a bit of encouragement (I had to broom the frog into the bucket), but ultimately, we were able to save our new wee green friend that day, father and son! That little blip in our lives was all it took to spark the beginning of 102, which is, at its heart, an animal rescue story. In 102, a mouse is captured in the family kitchen, and young George hopes to keep it as a pet. Without spoiling too much, one outrageous thing happens after another where George shrinks down to the size of a mouse and begins a nighttime adventure, where he learns about the life of that mouse he's captured. This convinces him that it's only right that he release the mouse to get back to his own life and family. It took years for that beginning spark to unfold into the story that became 102, but sometimes that is how these things take shape. Matthew Cordell 

Publisher blurb: Sent home from school earlier in the day with a fever, George awakens in the middle of the night to discover a cricket beckoning him on an adventure and soon finds himself shrunken down in size. He follows the insect guide through a crack in his bedroom wall, through the moonlit yard, and into the home of a family of mice at the base of an oak tree. There, in a tiny, cozy kitchen, George discovers the meaning of his quest: he must help the Mama mouse complete her special 102-bean soup for her sick young son.

Here are some review comments:

"Utterly entrancing." —Kirkus, starred review

"Tender and imaginative." —SLJ, starred review

"Graceful, cozy." —Booklist, starred review

"A weird and wonderful story." —Horn Book, starred review

"Pulses with warmth and inventiveness."—PW, starred review

A magical adventure from a master book creator. Waking Brain Cells

The Kirkus Star reviewed likened 102 to The Borrowers. I also thought of A Cricket in Time Square.

I discovered Matthew Cordell from his Cornbread and Poppy series many years ago. I adore these little beginner chapter books. 

Cornbread and Poppy

Sadly, not many of his picture books have made it to Australia. I am keen to read these two picture books below. I have also added images of the case reveal - we don't do many picture books here in Australia with dust jackets. A different image under the dust jacket adds something a little bit magical to a picture book. US illustrator Matthew Cordell often adds this extra surprise:

Matthew Cordell is the author and illustrator of many celebrated picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal winner Wolf in the Snow, Evergreen, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Hello Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mr. Rogers, a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, and the Cornbread and Poppy series, which Booklist in a starred review has called “a rewarding choice for young readers.” Matthew lives outside of Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children.

I have also previously talked about these:

Leeva at last

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie

How many seeds in a pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara illustrated by G Brian Karas

Charlie is the smallest kid in his class. He is always put at the end of the class line because the children are sorted by size. This hurt my heart - I was the smallest kid in my class. Luckily Charlie has a very wise teacher. It is Halloween and Mr Tiffin brings three pumpkins into the classroom. Over several days he asks the class to think about how many seeds each pumpkin might contain. The children guess with all sorts of wild answers and of course they are sure the biggest pumpkin has the most seeds. Then Mr Tiffin cuts a circle in the top of each pumpkin and the kids scoop out the seeds. Overnight Mr Tiffin dries the seeds and the next day the counting begins.

Mr Tiffin is such a skilled teacher the children have no idea he has turned this into a maths lesson. How will they count all those seeds? By twos or groups of five or perhaps groups of ten! I am sure every kid is still convinced the biggest pumpkin will 'win' but of course they are in for a surprise.

That is not the end of this lesson, though. The smallest pumpkin has the most seeds and that was the one counted by Charlie's group. Mr Tiffin knows it is also time to change the way the class line up - now it can be smallest to tallest - I love the smile on Charlie's face.

"Size alone is not the most important thing." Here is the illustration from the beginning of the book.

Bookseller blurb: Mr. Tiffin and his students explore skip counting and estimation in a fun pumpkin-themed classroom experiment! This book makes a wonderful read-aloud companion to any math or science curriculum, and it's a fun way to reinforce counting skills at home. "How many seeds are in a pumpkin?" Mr. Tiffin asks his class as they gather around the big, medium, and small pumpkins on his desk. Robert, the biggest kid, guesses that the largest one has a million seeds; Elinor, sounding like she knows what she's talking about, guesses the medium one has 500 seeds; and Anna, who likes even numbers better than odd ones, guesses that the little one has 22. Charlie, the smallest boy in the class, doesn't have a guess. Counting pumpkin seeds is messy business, but once the slimy job is done, to everyone's surprise, the smallest pumpkin has the most seeds! As Charlie happily exclaims, "Small things have a lot going on inside of them."

In some ways I feel bad sharing books here on my blog that are out of print but on the other hand I do hope they might inspire you to check out your school or local public library. How many seeds in a pumpkin was published in 2007 and so I was surprised to discover it is still available to buy but it is very very, expensive here in Australia. It is a book that is worth hunting out either for Halloween when you might be thinking about pumpkins or just as a terrific book to promote a conversation about maths or more importantly acceptance of difference so check out your library.

You can see a video of the book here.

I picked up this book from a pumpkin library display because I do love art by G Brian Karas. If you also want to talk about the idea of the different ways a class might line up for class, try to find the old Australian junior novel - First at Last by Julia McClelland illustrated by Ann James. 

There are three books in the series by Margaret McNamara and G Brian Karas featuring the wonderful teacher Mr Tiffin:

The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn by Shawn Harris

Begin with this post by my friend from Kinderbookswitheverything - I confess I was one of her library customers who asked about this book not knowing it cost almost AUS$40 - which is way too high for any school library to consider.

In this video Colby Sharp talks enthusiastically about this book.

I think The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn could be fun to read aloud mainly because the words 'teeny-weeny' are such fun to say. This book does have a 'message' but the funny parts of the story and the soft-focus illustrations along with the delicious twist at the end mean the moral "we are all just the right size" does not feel too heavy handed. There is also a satisfying structure to the story when the galloping, cantering, trotting and walking page is repeated.

Teeny-Weeny is bullied by his huge siblings. I love their names and wonder in a different context if they themselves might be subject to some bullying! - Fancy Annie and Prince Butterscotch. They use him as a piece in their giant chess game and tease him about being too small to swim in the castle moat. The mother and father unicorns never intervene and so finally Teeny-Weeny runs away! He accidentally steps onto, and crushes, a car belonging to a gnome. She is not happy. Note the gnome is a girl or a lady! And suddenly Teeny-Weeny is BIG. 

"Oh,' said the teeny-weeny unicorn. 'I'm sorry.'
'Sorry doesn't feed the bullfrog,' she said, trying to catch her breath."

The gnome demands $250,000 as payment for her broken vehicle. Luckily the Unicorns live in a castle filled with gold left by the previous owner. (You could talk to your class about this reference - hint I am thinking of dragons).

I won't want to spoil the final twist, but I will say the gnome now needs transport for all this treasure and you will remember two very large unicorns live in the castle!

One more thing - the preamble to this story really sets up the fun:

"Once upon a time, in a land where horses were mythical beasts, found only in the pages of books for children, it was common to see a unicorn. But not one this size."

At last! A unicorn book as charming as the species it highlights. Kirkus Star review Facial expressions and visual gags complement the text perfectly, all thanks to Harris’ particular skill with chalk pastel.

The book’s ultimate thesis is made clear by the droll narrator’s conclusion - “We are all teenyweeny. We are all giant,”—and the relativity of both size and wealth is driven home with a particularly hilarious close-up of the gnome, sporting some cool shades and lounging among coins and dollar bills. Harris’ chalk art is smudgy and vibrant, playing, quite appropriately, with size and perspective as the teeny-weeny unicorn explores his world. Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Shawn Harris (click this link to see inside The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn and here is a video of Shawn) is an award-winning creator of books for kids. His authorial debut, Have You Ever Seen A Flower, was called a “stunning tour de force…” by The New York Times, and was the recipient of a Caldecott Honor. The National Museum of Wildlife Art awarded Shawn’s cut-paper art in A Polar Bear in the Snow (by Mac Barnett) the Bull-Bransom Award for excellence in the field of children’s book illustration with a focus on nature and wildlife. Harris has illustrated a number of other books, including Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers, and Everyone’s Awake by Colin Meloy. He also illustrated The eyes and the Impossible. 

The size and perception issue in this book reminded me of this wonderful older book which sadly is long out of print.

Anchored by Debra Tidball illustrated by Arielle Li

 

"Tug watched Ship pull out into the deep ocean. 'I'll miss you,' boomed Ship, flags waving. 'But I'll be home soon.' The gap between them widened."

After you read this book to your group go back and look at this opening sentence. Debra Tidball has carefully selected every word here. Tug has a capital letter because she is a main character and Ship also has a capital letter. Ship is heading off into the unknown - the deep ocean. Ship is large so her voice booms. And she is happy, perhaps anticipating an adventure - her flags are waving. Then we read the heart wrenching words - the gap between them widened. I have a photo of a scene like this from 1948 when my mum sailed off from Australia to the UK leaving her sister waving from the dock. It is a happy scene but also filled with emotion.

"With Ship away, the sea shone a little less brightly."

Until finally Boom Boom Boom Ship returns to the port. 

"Ship towered over Tug like a warm hug."

While Tug stayed home working on the busy harbour, Ship travelled the world but in every place Ship thought about Tug. Read these descriptions of the places Ship visits:

"I've been to the tropics, where the sea glitters like crystals and jellyfish dance in shimmering shoals."

"I've been out past the breakers where the swell pulses and grows into a wild beast that crashes over my hull."

"I was just a dot in an endless blue sea and sky. I felt lost in the inky nights speckled with twinkling stars."

When I was a CBCA judge (2021-23) I argued against listing picture books in more than one category for our annual awards so I was surprised to see we have two picture books in the Early Childhood (ages 0-6) and the Picture Book (ages 0-18) category - Anchored by Debra Tidball and The Concrete Garden by Bob Graham.  I think is this is a testament to the way a terrific picture book can work across ages - appealing to very young children and exploring deeper themes with children in Grade One or Two. I am certain this book will be selected for one of these short lists which will be announced next week. 

The Early Childhood CBCA Judges said: Depicted with sensitivity and empathy, this gentle book explores separation anxiety and associated emotions. The characters are well-defined, with Tug and Ship having a clear relationship and different roles, reflecting that of a parent and child. Tug’s insecurities and concerns are acknowledged and conveyed in a highly effective sequence of illustrations that echo the taut text. Softly blurred, circular framing of key images suggests the safety and security of a “warm hug” during difficult times. Tug’s self-talk invites discussion. Carefully selected words such as ‘pushing’, ‘pulling’, and ‘prodding’ in both the beginning and end of the story reflect the concept that life goes on. The well-realised conclusion references the title with the closing image featuring the two characters separate yet connected.

The Picture Book of the Year CBCA Judges said: This gentle, emotional story celebrates friendship which helps weather any storm and makes the world seem brighter. Small Tug learns to cope with the absence of his friend Ship who ventures on long journeys across the deep ocean, discovering that a friend’s presence remains firmly anchored in one’s heart, regardless of distance. The story’s language is evocative and rich, enlivened by literary devices such as simile, alliteration, personification and onomatopoeia. The narrative is elevated by illustrations that skillfully vary in layout and size, bound together by a softly muted colour palette transitioning from the light blue of the skies to the deeper and midnight blues of the ocean. From an appealing cover and attractive endpapers to the overall harmony between written text and illustrations, it is an example of an excellently designed and effective picture book.

Here is the webpage for Arielle Li. And for Debra Tidball. In this very brief video Debra Tidball talks about her book and her personal connections with the story. Here are some very detailed teachers notes from the publisher. The book trailer has a very appealing soundtrack and no words. It is well worth watching. Here is an interview with Debra Tidball. 

Written for our youngest readers to reassure them that even though they might be separated from a parent for a time, out of sight does not mean out of mind and that they are always anchored in the heart of the absent one regardless.  At a time when there are many reasons that separation might happen, stories like this help alleviate anxiety and confirm that the parent will return. The Bottom Shelf

Anchored may be helpful in a classroom with little ones who are missing absent parents, or in families where adults travel for work. Story Links

You can read more review extracts here. 

When I first saw this book, I thought it might be a little bit like the old series -  Thomas the Tank Engine because the ship and tug have faces and smiles, but this book is so much more. You could share Anchored in your library with students from Kindergarten up to Grade 2 but I would NOT link this book with other simple funny stories about ferries or tug boats such as Little Tug by Steven Savage; I'm Mighty! by Kate McMullan; Mighty Tug by Alyssa Satin Capucilli; Tough Tug by Margaret Read MacDonald; Fergus the Ferry series by JW Noble; or Scuffy the Tug Boat (A Little Golden Book). 

The emotional arc of this narrative reminded me of this book:

The Balloon Blow Up! by Andy Geppert

 

"A balloon as big as the moon will quickly pop. I think we need to make it smaller."

The little girl asks her friend the elephant to blow up her balloon. To make it big, bigger, biggest - as big as the moon!

After Elephant explains this might lead to a disaster she watches as he shrinks the balloon smaller and smaller until it goes pfft!

Then a new voice takes over the balloon himself speaks up. (In a way this shouldn't be a surprise if you notice the image on the title page). The balloon sets up his conditions for use and care in the form of an owner's contract. This reminded me of this book:

I am certain this new Australian Picture book will be a CBCA Notable (Early Childhood). Andy Geppert won Children’s Book Council of Australia Crichton Award ‘Best New Illustrator’ (2010).  The Balloon Blow up! is such a fun book. It is one you will want to share with many groups of readers in your school library. The limited colours of grey, yellow and mauve all done in a soft focus are perfect. Grab a balloon and your toy elephant and settle down for a terrific reading experience. The cover alone, with those 'O' balloons will surely make you want to open this book. 

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has a Pinterest collection of books about balloons. Here is a set of teachers notes written by Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright. The notes also include a list of other picture books about balloons. Here is my favourite:

The Balloon Blow Up goes to show you that even just one decision can be quite a complex thing. It can take quite a bit of thinking. Good Reading Magazine

Andy Geppert’s exquisite illustrations add an extra layer of magic to this adorable story. The mostly monochrome palette is offset with fun pops of colour. Cute and expressive characters add personality, and there are lots of little details for children to spot. Reading Time

Sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact on our little ones. Geppert captures the feeling of being overwhelmed – and how to step down from the rising sense of panic – with sincerity and generosity. This is a perfect story for parents and children who are looking for an alternative to the brash colour and noise of many kids’ picture books! It’s fun and full of energy, but it never shouts. Better Reading

Here are two other books by Andy Geppert:

Backyard Birdies

Big Bug by Henry Cole

 

When I visit a library or bookshop there are a number of things I am always interested in - very easy beginner chapter books with enjoyable well written stories, scrumptious picture books with amazing art and again, great stories, and board books like this one. I marvel that this book has only 48 words and yet it is so satisfying right down the very last words - little nap!

The copy of Big Bug that I borrowed from a school library was published in 2014 as a hardcover picture book so I had little hope that it would still be in print. I am so pleased to see that the Board Book version of this book is available [9781534416901].  I think it is a measure of the importance of this book that it has been published in nearly every format - hardcover, paperback, board book, and even as an ebook. 

Blurb: Beginning with a beautiful close-up of a “big” ladybug, this adorable board book artfully depicts the concept of scale as it zooms out from the bug, to a flower, to a cow, all the way to an expansive spread of sky. Then author Henry Cole masterfully zooms back in from that sky, to a tree, to a house, to a window, all the way to the end where an adorable dog is taking a “little” nap. Young readers will love the lush illustrations of the animals, objects, and scenery of a farm, and they’ll delight in seeing how something “big” can suddenly seem “little” with every turn of a page!

This is a very simple book that is superbly done.  Cole plays nicely with perspective and with concepts.  The book can easily be used as a way to show the differences between big and small, but I think the real treat is showing children that perspective is important and understanding size is too.  Waking Brain Cells

Visually lovely and appealing. Kirkus

You could follow this book with Shrinking Mouse and for older children try to find Zoom.

Here is another book from this blog by Henry Cole.

Nesting

A New House for Mouse by Petr Horácek

Little Mouse has a problem. She lives in a tiny hole. She sees a delicious apple on her doorstep but it is way too big to bring into her little home. 

"My house is too small ... perhaps I should look for a bigger one.' So off she set."

As she moves through the forest Little Mouse sees lots of new homes but alas all of them are occupied. 

"Looking for a new house makes you hungry,' said Little Mouse as she took a few bites of the juicy apple."

Have you worked this out?  Your preschool reader might too.  Yes, that apple is going to get smaller and smaller. Mole says no, Rabbit says no, Badger says no, and bear - well bear seems a bit too scary. Then Mouse arrives at the perfect little hole. 

"There was no one at home. Little Mouse went right in and pulled her apple behind her. It fitted perfectly ... and she climbed into her own bed and feel fast asleep."

Now for the sad news. This book was published in 2006 and so it is now out of print. The illustrations are scrumptious - I do hope you can find a copy in a library. This book is perfect to share with a group of preschool children and it would make a fabulous board book . I wonder if the publisher ever considered doing this. It has peep through holes and a very satisfying story reminiscent of books by Pat Hutchins such as Shrinking Mouse.

I haven't seen these mouse books by Petr Horácek, but I imagine they also explore different concepts and follow the adventures of this same little mouse character. 

Petr’s books have received international accolades and recognition, including Best Picture Book of the Year in Holland for A New House for Mouse. Petr Horacek is a Czech born illustrator who studied for six years at the Academy of Fine Art in Prague before become a graphic designer, painter and author-illustrator. Now living in England, he made his publishing debut with “Strawberries Are Red” and “What is Black and White?”  Puffin Peter was short-listed for the 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal.

Here are some other books illustrated by Petr Horacek. 

The Borrowers by Mary Norton illustrated by Beth and Joe Krush

 

The idea that tiny people live under your house is an appealing and intriguing one and could explain the things that seem to go missing such as socks, pins, pegs, and pencils. I remember loving a book I read as a child about a family of fairies or tiny people who lived in a doll house. The best things about that house were the electric lights and hot and cold water in the bath tub. I think my life long fascination with dolls houses dates back to that book but sadly I have no idea about the title. 

Pod, Homily and their daughter Arrietty live under a large old house. They are borrowers. Their house, under the kitchen, is made from their borrowings. 

"The bathed in a small tureen, which once held pate de foie gras."

"Homily would simmer soup ... in a silver thimble."

"She looked at the homemade dips set in upturned drawing pins which Homily had placed as candle-holders among the tea things ... Homily had put out the silver plates - the silver florin ones for herself and Arrietty and the half-crown for Pod."

The Clock family are the last family living in the house. There is a lot of speculation about the fate of the other borrower families.

"Borrowing's a skilled job, an art like. Of all the families who've been in this house, there's only us left, and do you know for why? Because your father, Arrietty, is the best borrower that's been known in these parts since - well before your grandad's time."

Arrietty joins Pod on a borrowing expedition but she is SEEN. Is this the beginning of the end for the Clock family?

"What had happened seemed too big for thought; she felt unable to believe it had really happened; not only had she been talked to but she had (talked)."

I think the most surprising aspect of this story, for me, was the change of voice. The story opens with Mrs May recounting a story from long ago that she heard from her brother about the tiny people who lived under the house where he had been sent to convalesce after falling ill in India. Then there is a shift and from Chapter two through to Chapter eighteen we enter the world of the Borrowers. Chapter nineteen then switches back to Mrs May and Kate and by the end of the book the scene is set for further adventures.

Mary Norton wrote further adventures: The sequels are titled alliteratively and alphabetically: The Borrowers Afield (1955), The Borrowers Afloat (1959), The Borrowers Aloft (1961), and The Borrowers Avenged (1982).  The Borrowers won the 1952 Carnegie Medal. 

I am always on the lookout for older classic stories that I may or may not have read as a child. I thought I had read The Borrowers but re-reading it yesterday now I am not so sure because my mind could be confusing the book with the Studio Ghibli movie Arrietty which I also loved.

The Borrowers was first published in 1953 so it is a classic story. It is still in print and I am going to stay it has stood the test of time. Here are some old and newer covers:

Above and below are bind up editions with all the stories in one volume.

There have been several screen adaptations of The Borrowers:

• The Borrowers: a 1973 American made-for-TV movie in the Hallmark Hall of Fame.
• The Borrowers: a 1992 BBC TV series and its 1993 sequel The Return of the Borrowers, both starring Ian Holm and Penelope Wilton.
• The Borrowers: a 1997 film with a British/American cast including Tom Felton, John Goodman, Jim Broadbent, Celia Imrie and Mark Williams.
• Arrietty: a 2010 Japanese animated film from Studio Ghibli, known as The Secret World of Arrietty in North America.
• The Borrowers: a 2011 BBC production starring Stephen Fry, Victoria Wood, and Christopher Eccleston.

After reading The Borrowers you might try to find these picture books:

I read about this book which was recommended for younger readers. There are three books in the series:

I have also had The Secret of the Blue Glass on my to read list for a long time after it was recommended by a friend.

Kirkus star review: Originally published in Japan in 1967, this is a powerful mix of fantasy and historical fiction depicting the impact of war on civilians—children in particular—and offering insights into the Japanese experience of the Second World War. Although filled with lovely imagery and charming descriptions, for example, of the Little People’s ingenuity with scavenged objects and their friendship with a helpful pigeon, there is ample drama and anguish as well. A child’s goodness in difficult times animates this touching story for fans of The Borrowers and the Chronicles of Narnia.