Momo celebrating time to read

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Grandma's Story by Moira Butterfield illustrated by Salvatore rubbino

When my precious little grandmother (we called her little Nan) died in the 1970s I realised there were so many questions I didn't ask. Amy Elizabeth was born in 1887 so just think about all the changes she saw in her lifetime. I had the same dilemma when my dad died (1923-2001) and later when my mum died. So many unanswered questions. This book explores the idea that it is so important to ask questions and ask them often. I wonder that no book I have seen before works from this premise. Well done Walker Books UK - this book is truly special. If you know someone who is a new Grandparent I suggest this book would be a really perfect gift.

Here are some of the questions:

Where did you live when you were little?
What food did you like when you were small? Which food didn't you like at all?
Did you have a toy that you liked best?
Did you have a pet that you helped to look after?

Then the book goes on to talk about the story from photographs and the wish of the grandmother that her grandchild will grow and change and learn.

At the back of the book there are further ideas for questions to ask your grandparents. I am certain you will be able to think of lots of others. This book might also inspire you to sort and preserve some of the millions of photos we take on our phones. We have moved from an age of scarce photos to one of abundance. (No one took any photos of my mother until she was a teenager and I only have photos of my little Nan aged 60+). The issue now is finding a way to hold onto the important family moments captured in all those phone photos so you can share them with your children and grandchildren as they grow older.

In someways the diverse answers in this book really don't matter. They are interesting but the true joy that will come from sharing this book will be the conversation you (the adult) share with your young reading companion. This book will also be perfect to use in a classroom as a catalyst for conversations at home and as a part of a history topic in Grade One or Two.

Bookwagon loves this picture book. We suggest it is a magnificent choice to read aloud, to build discussion and understanding from. Grandma’s Story is a welcome addition to any school or home bookshelf.

I am a HUGE fan of art by Salvatore Rubbino. Take a look at these books:

Ride the Wind (one of my most favourite picture books)

Just Ducks

Our Very Own Dog

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Frank and Bert by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

There is a such a warm tone to this story which is narrated by fox (Frank). Frank and Bert (he is a bear) love to play hide and seek but Bear is so huge and time is so short when Frank counts to ten that Bear is always found. Just once Bear would love to win so Frank agrees to count to 100. Unfortunately a strand from Bear's scarf is snagged on a tree and so it is very easy for Frank to follow the thread and find his friend.

Now comes the most wonderful page in this book - this is the page where I suggest you could stop and ask your young reading companions to share their advice - what should fox do?

With a humorous little twist at the end that works really well, this is a good book for looking at issues around other peoples feelings and what it means to be a friend. Reading Zone

Frank and Bert is a beautiful book that shows the importance of thinking outside of ourselves and dealing with the tricky subject of winning. It really highlights the importance of good sportsmanship, and how to be a great friend. Kids' Book Review

Take a look inside this book on the Nosy Crow web page. In this post Chris Naylor-Ballesteros talks about his work on this book and the changes he made to the story and illustrations as the story was being developed.

You will already know that I adored a previous book by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros:

The Suitcase

Monday, June 20, 2022

Meet the illustrator Susan L Roth

I saw a beautiful book on display in the library I visit each week - Parrots over Puerto Rico and the Teacher-Librarian commented that Susan L Roth was one of her favourite illustrators. I can see why - the collage illustrations in Parrots over Puerto Rico are utterly amazing and this is the front cover which showcases her art. You will notice there is no title or author label just the glorious parrots.

From the commanding cover illustration to the playful image on the back,

simply spectacular. Kirkus Star review

Read this review which explains the plight of these endangered birds

Susan L Roth comes from New York. She is the illustrator of over fifty books. About her art she says:

"I don't paint. Over the years I have developed my collage technique into one which is exclusively faithful to cutting and tearing. From the most complete background papers to the tiniest dots of eyes and I's, I only cut or rip. This has become a real issue for me. I wear my "no pencils, pens nor paints" sign like a badge of honor. I feel as if even a pinpoint of India ink would be a betrayal and a sin, a misrepresentation of my chosen, truly loved, medium."

I found a video where you can see inside some books by Susan L Roth. Here are some of her titles:

Roth creates collages crowded with colour and detail, casting groups of smiling, dark-eyed villagers and their welcome guest against steep, stony mountains. Kirkus

Roth’s artwork is a treat, cut-paper and fabric collages of intense, shimmering colour

on a ground of paper that is electric with thick veins of fiber. Kirkus

I was quite surprised to discover Susan L Roth wrote an illustrated a book with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folk tale which we know as Tiddalick the frog who caused a frog.

Bibi by Jo Weaver

How wonderful to read a book an elderly character which does not end with sadness of loss.

Bibi "had been with the flock for as long as anyone could remember, and was older than anyone knew."

With age has come wisdom and it is Bibi who guides the young ones as they dance across the water; as they build nests for their young; and it is Bibi who tells the flock they need to move because the water in their lake is drying up.

The adult birds can fly but the chicks need to walk. One little chick named Toto collapses so Bibi gathers all the chicks and she tells them a story while Toto rests. Eventually they all make it safely to the lake and that much needed water. More time passes and Bibi knows soon it will be time for the whole flock to leave. The little chicks can now fly but Bibi is old and struggling. This time it is Toto who offers the wisdom that Bibi just needs time to regain her strength. Once she feels better we witness a miracle:

"One by one, the flamingos took to the sky, until it was Bibi's turn to try. She whispered one last goodbye to the lake, stretched out her wings and ran .. and she flew!"

Blurb: Wise old flamingo Bibi has been with her flock for as long as anyone can remember. Follow her journey in this beautifully illustrated celebration of old age and community from the talented creator of the award-winning picture book Little One ... when one little flamingo starts to fall behind, Bibi teaches everyone a valuable lesson about community and the importance of being there to help one another in times of need.

See illustrations by Jo Weaver here. When you pick up Bibi take time to linger over the beautiful end papers which are filled with enormous pink feathers.

I would pair Bibi with Lucy Goosey.

A couple of weeks ago my friend set up a display of flamingo books and I was quite thrilled and surprised to see she had so many titles celebrating this fabulous bird.

This is one book from a series. Hotel Flamingo

There are several book in this series

This is one book from a series

Here is a collage of photos of flamingos from the UK where they celebrate International Flamingo Day on 23rd April. In the US there is also a National Flamingo Day and on a different date a Pink Flamingo Day!

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Refugee Week June 2022

My Name is not Refugee (Stage 2 and 3)

Refugee Week 2022 Theme: Healing

Here are books from this blog to explore for Refugee Week (19th-25th June) with your students or you could explore my Pinterest or the Pinterest collection from my friend at Kinderbookswitheverything.

I have included a link to books included in this blog along with many others and an indication of the NSW stage. Early Stage One is Kindergarten or students aged 5; Stage One is grades 1 and 2; Stage Two is grades 3 and 4; Stage 3 is grades 5 and 6.