Ava's Poppy by Marcus Pfister

Ava's Poppy was published in 2012 but it is a new discovery for me - that is why I LOVE libraries. This is a simple story about a little girl who finds and loves a beautiful red poppy flower. She cares for it tenderly and carefully. Sadly, the flower does eventually die. But do not despair because the power of nature means that spring comes again and a new flower emerges. Make sure you take time to compare the front and back end papers. 

Bookseller blurb: Ava is delighted when she discovers a brilliant red poppy in the middle of her yard.

She sits with the little flower in the sunny days of summer and shields it from the rain, until one day the petals start to drop and the tiny flower fades away. But when spring comes again... Ava is surprised anew.

Though this could be a sad story, the author finds a way to end the tale on a high note that is full of hope. Through the Looking Glass

The art in this book really stands out. It is quite different from other books by the well-known illustrator Marcus Pfister (Rainbow Fish). The original title is Lisas Mohnblume.

Here is part of the Publisher's Weekly book review of Ava's Poppy:

"Employing a gentle tone, Pfister encapsulates the circle of life in this sweetly simple story about a girl’s fondness for a flower. When ginger-haired Ava spies a bright red poppy in the field near her home one summer day, she recognizes it as both a thing of beauty and a new friend. Weeks pass, and faithful Ava “looked after her friend with tender loving care,” protecting it from the wind, shielding it from rain, and watering it. The flower eventually turns brown and withers, and Ava marks the sad occasion by burying the plant and arranging a ring of memorial stones in the poppy’s special spot. The subsequent spring brings with it a welcome new friend where the old one used to be, as readers will likely guess."

If you want to read a different perspective on this book take a look at the Kirkus review.

Marcus Pfister was born in Bern, Switzerland. After studying at the Art School of Bern, he apprenticed as a graphic designer and worked in an advertising agency before becoming self-employed in 1984. His debut picture book, The Sleepy Owl, was published by North South in 1986, but his big breakthrough came 6 years later with The Rainbow Fish. Marcus illustrated over 50 books, which have been translated into more than 50 languages and received countless international awards.

A Stone is a Story by Leslie Barnard Booth illustrated by Marc Martin

Stop and talk about the cover with your young reading companion then find a river or lake and skip a few stones! Next read this book and go back and look closely at your stone - it holds a wonderful story.

"A stone is not just a stone. A stone is a story."

“Where do rocks come from?” The answer may be more incredible than you think! After all, a stone is not just a stone: a stone is a story. Embark on a journey across time to see how one stone can change and transform, from magma under Earth’s crust, to the sand swept up by a rushing river, to the very heart of the tallest mountain. Watch what happens when rain, ice, and wind mold this rock into something new, something you might even hold in your hand—something full of endless possibility. 

From the teachers notes. 

This is a perfect nonfiction book. It contains a lyrical text, scrumptious illustrations that are almost tactile, a double fact page at the back, a glossary and a source list. Bonus - here in Australia this large format book is not too expensive. 

Publisher blurb: “Where do rocks come from?” The answer may be more incredible than you think! After all, a stone is not just a stone: a stone is a story. Embark on a journey across time to see how one stone can change and transform, from magma under Earth’s crust to the sand swept up by a rushing river to the very heart of the tallest mountain. Watch what happens when rain, ice, and wind mold this rock into something new, something you might even hold in your hand—something full of endless possibility. Complete with additional information about geology and the rock cycle, this lyrical and captivating story invites readers to experience the wonder of the natural world around us, and to see—in every cliff, pebble, and stone—a window into Earth’s deep past.

Resources: Storytime Guide; detailed Lesson Guide for grades 3 and 4. (Links from publisher page). Here is an interview with the author - Leslie Barnard Booth. Take a look here to see more art by Marc Martin. Follow his work on Instagram. In this interview he talks about his book Masters of Disguise. 

Companion books:

Old Rock (is not boring)

What can you do with a rock?

Petra

Here are some additional and fabulous resources from my friend at Kinderbookswitheverything. She is a big fan of rocks and pebbles:

• Pet Rock Day
• Old Rock Day
• Geologists Day
• International Rock Day

And I am a huge fan of art by Marc Martin. I even own a limited edition print of an illustration from one of his books (Max). I am now very keen to see his latest book We are Starlings BUT here in Australia it is listed at AUS$40-AUS$60 so I don't imagine it will be purchased by any libraries here which is crazy because Marc Martin lives in Melbourne!

A River

Max

The Stone Girl's Story by Sarah Beth Durst

"A stone girl, composed of gray mountain granite, with bare feet and a dress carved to look as if the fabric were ruffled by the wind. Mica freckled her cheeks and arms, and a streak of white quartz striped her hair. Hints of black stone clustered on the skirt of her dress, like black stars in a gray sky. 

She'd been polished smooth, except for her hair, which curled into braids 

with the natural ripple of the rock."

Father was a master stonemason. In his secluded mountain home he carved animals from stone and a girl called Mayka. Many years have passed and Father has died. The stone animals and Makya tend their home carefully and care for wild animals, goats and chickens. They don't need food or water because they are made from stone but over time their surfaces are becoming worn down. This matters because each of the stone creatures - two birds named Jacklo and Dersy; a cat called Kalgrey; an owl called Nianna; and a rabbit named Harlisona - have markings that tell their stories. The markings give each of the creatures and Makya herself magical abilities. They can talk, the birds can fly and Makya, herself can read the marks and tell their stories.

As the marks are now fading, Mayka decides she needs to travel down into the valley to find a new stonemason. She hopes he will agree to visit their remote home to restore each of her friends especially turtle who has now stopped moving and talking.

Mayka and her two bird friends travel over many days to reach the city of Skye. The small group arrive four days before the Stone Festival. The city is full of humans and stone creatures but some thing is badly wrong. Mayka discovers a stonemason called Master Siron has developed a mark that gives him control over his stone creations. This is power that he intends to use for his own evil purposes. So now the race is on. Makya needs to stop this madness and she does not have much time.

I adored the world building by Sarah Beth Durst and the hints of politics and a stratified society in Skye. I am not a huge fan of the cover but this is a book that I would love to put into the hands of a young reader aged 9+. Here are a few text quotes to give you a flavour of the story:

"Turtle had realised on his own that the marks Father had carved on his stone shell to awaken him were fading - rubbed away by wind, water and time."

"Equally precious, her father's tools hung on the wall by the hearth, in a place of honor. ... One by one she returned them to the wall, exactly the way Father had left them when he'd told her he'd carved her last."

"She occupied herself with imagining what it would be like: ... living side by side, in houses as close to one another as trees in a forest. She wondered if being so close together caused them to like one another, or hate one another."

We have a winner! Charlotte's Library

Some of the best world building I’ve seen this year. Betsy Bird SLJ

Thoughtful, colorful, strengthening, and understatedly tender. Kirkus Star Review

Mayka is a strong heroine, as one might expect from a girl made of stone. She is far more capable and clever than she realizes, though others around her know that about her and trust her completely. She not only identifies problems but figures out solutions to them quickly, moving her story forward at a brisk pace. Waking Brain Cells

Ella May and the Wishing Stone by Cary Fagan illustrated by Genevieve Cote

Ella May comes home from the beach with a stone. It seems special because it has a line going all the way around.  She sings a little song:

Wish, wish, I'm making a wish

On my wishing stone.

And it will come true, oh yes it will,

Because I bought you home.

While Ella May is sitting on her porch her best friend Manuel comes past. He invites Ella May to play a game of hopscotch but she says no. Other friends arrive but Ella May will not share her stone so the children go looking for their own. Ella May declares their stone are no good.

"Nope and double nope ... none of your stones has a line going all-all-all the way around it."

Manuel is not defeated. He goes home and returns with a cart and for just one penny he offers to make wishing stones for everyone. The children are so pleased to have their own wishing stones. They make their wishes for a pony and a walk on the moon. Ella May is very put out. She wants her stone to be the only wishing stone. Then it starts to rain and something happens to those stones.

"Once again Ella May was the only one with a wishing stone, but she didn't feel as happy as she thought she would."

Now we have a beautiful plot twist.  Ella May is not defeated. She goes inside her house and comes out with a crate of assorted objects such as a broom which can be transformed into a pony and empty egg cartons which feel just like the lunar surface. Can you guess how the children might now use their stones?

This book is such a discovery for me.  I want to rush out and share Ella May and the Wishing Stone with a group of young children and buy some copies to pop into the library collections of my friends. You can see a video of the whole book here.

One more thing -  as I sat down now to talk about Ella May and the Wishing stone, the cover of Little Blue Chair also by Cary Fagan appeared on the Canadian Children's Book Centre Facebook page. Cary Fagan has written a number of picture books and novels. I previously talked about Wolfie and Fly. I now need to hunt out some more books by Cary Fagan there are sure to be some others just as splendid as Ella May and the Wishing Stone.

Refreshingly, these lessons are not delivered in a didactic or moralistic tone but emerge serendipitously, rather like appearance of the stone, itself. University of Manitoba

The net result is an original and imaginative treatment of one of the hardest lessons of early childhood – sharing – in a colourful package that’s likely to charm kids and adults alike. Quill and Quire

Fagan believably captures the delicate balance of friendship in the very young and lets the story pay out with welcome complexity. Kirkus