Imogene's Antlers by David Small

Imogene's Antlers is my all time favorite picture book! I love love loved this book as a kid. I can remember checking it out of the Helen Keller Public Library over and over and over. It never got old and still doesn't!

Imogene wakes up on a Thursday morning to find she has grown antlers overnight. Her family, and even the school principal, don't know what to make of it! They bring in a doctor, who finds nothing wrong. They bring in a milliner to try to hide the antlers, but nothing helps. But while her family tries to change the situation, Imogene embraces her new look. With the help of a few friends, she even learns to put her antlers to good use. 

You can read into this story and find messages of being yourself and embracing the things that make you different, but as a kid I just loved the silliness of it all. I think maybe that's what makes this story so brilliant and makes it stand the test of time. 

David Small is the author and illustrator of this amazing little book. He has many collaborations with his wife, Sarah Stewart, such as The Library and The Gardener, for which he earned his first Caldecott Honor in 1997. He is also the winner of the 2001 Caldecott Medal for So You Want To Be President?, written by Judith St. George, and a 2013 Caldecott Honor for One Cool Friend, written by Toni Buzzeo.

In 2013, I had the honor of meeting David Small at ALA in Chicago. Not only did I get a copy of One Cool Friend signed by him and Toni Buzzeo, but I also took with me a copy of Imogene's Antlers. But not just any copy of Imogene's Antlers. I had recently dropped in on the Helen Keller Public Library and purchased the same old copy that I had checked out so many times as a kid. As soon as I handed it to him, he started flipping through it and quietly said "Where did you get this?" It was pretty obvious that this was an old book. At this point, the people around us had all turned to see what was happening. I explained that it was my favorite as a kid and that I'd bought this copy off my hometown library. He told me this was a first edition and even pointed out a few differences from the way they print them now. He drew an antler with a sign hanging from it. In the sign, he wrote "For Callie Ann" and then signed it. I got a picture taken with him and as I left I said thank you and he put his hand on my shoulder and said "No. Thank you."

I can't say for certain, but I like to believe that moment was just as meaningful for David Small as it was for me. I will definitely never forget it. I will cherish this book and this memory forever. 

So thank you, David Small. For making little Callie Ann love stories. And for making grown-up Callie Ann love passing that love on to kids today. 

New Year by Rich Lo

A young boy is anxious as he begins a new school, having just moved with his family from Hong Kong to Los Angeles. He doesn't understand his new teacher or classmates, and the only other Chinese student is embarrassed to talk to him in Chinese. When his teacher gives the class a new assignment, our young friend is able to use his artwork to show his classmates a piece of his family and his heritage.

New Year is a sweet tale of a young boy learning to love his heritage while embracing a new culture. With brilliant illustrations portraying the boy's family, memories, and new life, this book is a great way to help kids adjust to a big move, or just give children an excellent glimpse into a new culture. 

Journey by Aaron Becker

Journey by Aaron Becker, Candlewick Press, 2013

photo from parnassusbooks.net

The Review…

One small girl. One red crayon. One giant adventure. A magic door drawn on her bedroom wall leads this lonely girl to a world of castles, moats, flying machines and captured birds. With her magic red crayon, she draws all she needs to waterfalls, soldiers and, most importantly, boredom. With his beautiful illustrations, Becker uses splashes of bold red, purple and gold to lead the eye through every page turn. This book is bold, daring, and most excitingly, wordless. Journey is adventure, magic, imagination recommended for ages 2-6.

The Opinion…

I love this book! Love.

Friends. Wordless picture books, when done right, are amazing. Just look at Flotsam by David Wiesner or A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka or, one of my favorites, Shadow by Suzy Lee. Imma just go ahead and add Journey to that list too.

Fantastic.

Also, it reminded me a Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson. And I love Harold and the Purple Crayon. Its such a classic, that it would be really hard to take Johnson’s concept and insert it into a new story. You’d have to do it very carefully. And that’s just what Aaron Becker has done. Its just enough Harold to make you love it and you’re not appalled like when Vanilla Ice ripped off Queen and Bowie and claimed it was totally original. You actually really like it like the first time you heard Jason Derulo’s “Whatcha Say” and you weren’t even mad because you love Imogen Heap so much… or was that just me? 

Tea Rex by Molly Idle

Tea Rex by Molly Idle, Viking, 2013

The Review…

photo from parnassusbooks.net

Cordelia decides to have a tea party, inviting her brother, her teddy and, of course, T-Rex. Idle’s text gives the proper ways to host afternoon tea for special guest. Meanwhile, her humorous illustrations contrast the text by showing the difficulties that come along with hosting such a special guest. Complete with too-small chairs, tiny teacups and wild dinosaur dancing, Cordelia struggles to make sure her afternoon is not a disaster. But not to worry, with these instructions “you can be sure that your guest will want to return the favor.” Sure enough, who hosts the next tea party? Tea Rex, of course. Idle’s use of the end papers for added illustrations completes this imaginative story. She creates beautiful images with just the right mix of dainty and elegant with chaos and disaster. Recommended for ages 2-6.

The Opinion…

Just lovely! Who’d have thought a T-rex and a tea party would be such a great mix! Also, please take a look at Molly Idle’s Flora and the Flamingo. Beautiful and just perfect! 

How To by Julie Morstad

How To, by Julie Morstad. Simply Read Books, 2013.

photo from parnassusbooks.net

The Review...

In this beautifully crafted how-to book, Morstad’s illustrations give vibrant expressions of childlike thought. The text alone is simple, with no capital lettering and limited punctuation: “how to go fast” or “how to watch where you’re going.” But the illustrations allow the text to take on completely new meanings. A page that reads “how to wash your face” shows a little girl standing face up in the rain. The illustrations seem simple, leaving vast amounts of negative space, yet the artwork is lovely, creative, and humorous. How To is recommended for ages 2-6, or anyone who wants to reconnect with their inner child.

The Opinion…

Loved it. Loved. It. 

I may end up buying this as a coffee table book. Because I want everyone I know to take a moment, relax, and flip through. 

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

Navigating Early, by Clare Vanderpool,

photo from parnassusbooks.net

Delacorte Books, 2013.

The Review…

Shortly after his mother’s death, Jack Baker is sent to an all-boys boarding in Maine. Faced with unfamiliar people, climate, sports, and terrain, Jack finds himself in a sudden friendship with Early Auden. Early, “that strangest of boys,” who has rules about which records can play on which day of the week and counts jelly beans to calm himself, is obsessed with the number pi and a certain black bear that has been stalking the Appalachian Mountains. When Early sets off on his own journey into the Appalachian wilderness to find pi, Jack has no choice but to follow. Vanderpool successfully weaves mystery, suspense, grief and fantasy into a poignant tale of two boys desperately searching for something to hold on to. The wistful journey leaves both the boys and the reader with a sense of friendship and hope. Recommended for ages 10-13, Navigating Early is an excellent piece of storytelling.

The Opinion…

I really enjoyed this book. Clare Vanderpool is a deep and detailed storyteller. Her debut novel, Moon Over Manifest, won the Newbery Medal in 2011. Any time a debut novel wins such an award, I get nervous that it was just a one-time thing, a one hit wonder. But Vanderpool has proved herself here with another great novel. Definitely worth checking it out of the pub and giving it a try.

I audio’ed it (because I love.love.love audiobooks) and I’d recommend picking up the audio if you have a roadtrip coming up soon. Or, if you’re like me and you’ve found that you also like listening to audiobooks while making dinner or doing laundry or cleaning your room.

Who am I kidding, I don’t clean my room…

Super Hair-O and the Barber of Doom by John Rocco

Super Hair-O and the Barber of Doom, by John Rocco. Disney-Hyperion, 2013.

photo from parnassusbooks.net

The Review…

“Every super hero gets his powers from somewhere.” The hero of our story gets his from, where else? His hair. That is, until he is captured (by his parents) and taken to the “villain’s lair” (barber shop). Back at headquarters (the playground), our hero discovers that his superfriends’ powers have also been stolen. They are all sure their powers will never return until an onlooker devises a plan of her own to help the superfriends become heroes once more. Hair-O is a humorous story of children playing superheroes, from tearing down towers of blocks to saving stuffed animals on the playground. With illustrations reminiscent of classic comic books and his use of both black and white and color illustrations, Rocco brilliantly uses the art to bring out another layer of the story. Recommended for ages 3-6.

The Opinion…

Well done, Rocco. Very funny. The use of a child’s voice over the illustrations really was perfect. Anyone reading this blog should definitely swing by your pub and check this book out. If not for the story, for the picture of John Rocco in the back… #hair 

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell. Disney-Hyperion, 2013.

The Review...

photo from parnassusbooks.net

All right, kids! Are you ready to count the monkeys? Or… at least, count? In this hilarious counting adventure, Barnett introduces us to quite an array of characters. With the reader’s help, you may be able to get rid of all those pesky creatures and actually count the monkeys… or you may run out of pages! Reminiscent of his sneaky work in Guess Again!, Barnett leaves you thinking you know what’s next, only to be surprised by the another zany twist. Inviting the audience to “cover your eyes while you turn the page” or “tell these guys to ‘scram’” in order to move the story along is sure to excite any story time. Cornell’s detailed illustrations add just the right touch to this rowdy counting quest. Count the Monkeys is recommended for ages 3-6, or anyone with a sense of humor.

The Opinion...

Mac Barnett can do no wrong.

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein. By Jennifer Berne. Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky. Chronicle Books, 2013

photo from parnassusbooks.net

The Review

On a Beam of Light chronicles the life of Albert Einstein, beginning with his birth, his curious childhood and his even curiouser adulthood. Berne includes interesting details about this historical figure’s life, from his fascination with a compass as a child to his love of “saggy-baggy sweaters and pants” as an adult. Radunsky’s abstract, whimsical illustrations provide another layer to this simple telling of the eccentric Albert Einstein. An excellent picture book to introduce young, curious minds to one of the most famous curious minds of all time, On a Beam of Light is an asset to any children’s collection. This book is recommended for ages 3-7.

The Opinion

Let’s face it: Chronicle Books are just pretty. It’s almost guaranteed that if Chronicle creates a new journal, it will be purchased and added to my shelf of journals waiting to be filled. Chronicle just doesn’t aesthetically disappoint.

I really loved this book. The art is fantastic and the telling of Einstein’s life is just as lovely. I’d hoped that some of the illustrations were based on actual photos, so I did a little librarian research… Alas, google image came up short. I found no photos of three-year-old Einstein in a sailor suit. I did, however, find some of him riding a bicycle, playing violin, studying in a plaid suit, in his sailboat and, of course, smoking a pipe.

On the page describing his “saggy-baggy” fashion, a quote bubble over Einstein’s head reads, “My feet are happier without socks!” I don’t know if Einstein ever actually said this, but I certainly hope so. It’s a philosophy I, too, subscribe to.