Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my review.  All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann

Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 3 – 5
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten
Publication Date: October 3, 2017

Synopsis
When a polar bear arrives unexpectedly in the woods, the animals fear and avoid him, suspecting him to be dangerous – and his habit of collecting leaves only adds to their distrust. Then one day, they watch as he attempts to fly over the water with wings made of colorful leaves…just trying to go home.

Maybe he needs some help?

Reflection

Creatures crave companionship and love just like people do.  No matter what you look like or where you are from, love and feelings are the same.  I think Leaf offers a beautiful visual representation of what love and kindness is and shows how even animals possess the incredible gift of giving and receiving love.

When a polar bear named Leaf arrives unexpectedly in the woods, the other animals fear and avoid him.  They automatically think he is dangerous simply because he looks and acts unlike any of the other animals in the wild wood.  With his white fur and weird leaf collecting habit, Leaf is an outsider.  After being carried upon shore due to melting ice in his natural habitat, Leaf is forced to make a home among an old, overgrown cave on the hill.

Needless to say, Leaf feels lonely and misses his family dearly.  All he wants to do is go back home to his family. Animals are not immune from experiencing complex emotions, such as sadness and loneliness.  I love the way this book tackles complex emotions in a way that makes it easy for little readers to grasp.

This book can spark so many discussions with the following themes:

• loneliness
• sadness
• acceptance
• empathy
• community
• family & love
• friendship
• kindness
• feeling and being treated like an outsider
• global warming & climate change (discuss reasons why the ice may be melting)

In addition, I like how this book comes full circle with the clever and wise crows.  I won’t spoil the ending for you, but I’ll just tell you it’s beautiful and truly brought a tear to my eye.  I love how the simple act of kindness the crows showed to Leaf had the power to dispel his feelings of loneliness.  Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how beautiful the illustrations in this book are. Every page is a work of art worthy to be framed.  The color palette used throughout is so stunning and truly pops off the page!

Not only does the story illustrate all of the themes mentioned above, but it also shows beauty in diversity and illustrates how creatures are all the same no matter how different they may be.  I think children need to be exposed to books like this with powerful and poignant overall messages.  Although this book is about animals, it’s very relevant to feelings of isolation and loneliness that humans may face too.  In today’s political climate, it seems that resisting isolation and staying open to being connected to others will be more important than ever.  I highly recommend checking out this book with your little readers when it publishes on October 3, 2017.

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this with your little readers?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions are my own.

A Night Out With Mama by Quvenzhané Wallis, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 40
Age Range: 4 – 8 years old
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Available for Sale: October 3, 2017

Synopsis
From Academy Award–nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis comes a story about glitz, glamour, and the most important thing of all—family.

A very talented little girl has a very special night ahead of her. A night where she’ll get to wear a new dress in the most beautiful shade of blue with shoes that match it perfectly. A night where she’ll get to ride in the biggest car she’s ever seen! A night that will, of course, include ice cream.

But most special of all, it will be a night out with her mama.

Reflection
A very talented little girl has the pleasure of going with her Mama to her very first fancy awards show. She’ll get to wear her blue shoes along with her matching dress and headband, ride in a limousine and of course, eat lots of ice cream.

I love picture books like this that showcase everyday kids being kids. Of course, it’s not everyday a kid gets to attend a glamorous awards show or take pictures on the red carpet, but many kids do have family interactions.  You see the family eating breakfast together, the girl getting teased by her big brother, and being given a flower by her baby brother.  That scene reminds me of myself and my son.  My son loves giving me flowers and it warms my heart every time he does it.  It’s also so cute to see the girl and her mother all dressed up having such a great time out on the town.  This book inspires me to start having regular one-on-one mommy and me dates with my kids no matter how glitzy and glamorous or laid back they may be.  The main thing is they be FUN!

At first I’m shy…but then I relax and get into it.

The book doesn’t specify whether this story is based on a real life experience, but I’m willing to bet it is.  Especially since the author is actress Quvenzhané Wallis.  At the age of 9, Wallis was the youngest ever nominee for the 2013 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the movie Beasts of the Southern Wild.  To me, this picture book appears to be a fictional (or real) account about Quvenzhané ‘s first academy award experience.  The topic is lighthearted and understandable with minimal text that is easy to read.  There are themes of: family, confidence, overcoming fears, love, mother-daughter bonding, glitz and glamour.  An absolutely adorable book with gorgeous illustrations for mothers and daughters to enjoy reading together!

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book?  Feel free to share in the comments.  What are some of your other favorite “Mommy and Me” themed books?

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I Just Kept Spinning by Destini Berry, illustrated by Ashley Foxx

Publisher: Kifani Press
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 5-8 and up

Can Black girls do ballet?  Oh yes, they can (and so can other girls too)!

Synopsis
Follow the story of 7-year-old Destini, who wants more than anything to dance but is banned from her first recital because her long locs seemingly don’t fit the mold of a prima ballerina. Little readers however, will see that Destini won’t let anyone else define her beauty or her destiny.

Reflection
One day after ballet class, little 7 year-old Destini is pulled aside and told by her dance teacher she can no longer participate in class because she has dreadlocks in her hair. Her teacher tells her ballet dancers should be “neat and clean”. She calls her braids unruly and tells her they must go. Feeling devastated and dejected, Destini tells her mother what happened. Soon the news spreads like wildfire and the local media is involved. In the end, the teacher has a change of heart and Destini gets to keep on spinning. Based on a true experience, this beautiful book inspires young girls to believe in themselves.

The “ideal” ballet standards have alienated many non-white women from the dance world for decades here in America and worldwide. Non-white girls and women have been told they have flat feet, they’ve been criticized and ridiculed about their hair, skin color or weight.  I’m so happy there are books like this to remind little girls not to accept “no” for an answer when they are faced with obstacles. It also teaches themes of self-acceptance, standing up for yourself and confidence.

The hand drawn illustrations by Ashley Foxx are so colorful and gorgeous and really make this book come alive. A great book to read with aspiring ballerinas, lovers of dance or anyone who is striving to make it with the odds against them.  Little girls with dreadlocks or braids who dance ballet are sure to be delighted to see themselves reflected in this wonderful book.

Kifani Press is committed to publishing high-quality works of fiction featuring characters of color by authors and illustrators of color. Recommended for ages 5-8. Visit http://ijustkeptspinning.com for more information or to pre-order.  You can also use discount code DYS15 to receive 15% off your entire order through September 15, 2017.

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book with your little readers?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Most People by Michael Leannah, illustrated by Jennifer E. Morris

Publisher: Tilbury House Publisher
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 4 – 7
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
Publication Date: August 15, 2017

Looking for a book to teach kids about kindness?  How about a straightforward book to help children see the good in people even when bad things happen?

Synopsis
The world can be a scary place. Anxious adults want children to be aware of dangers, but shouldn’t kids be aware of kindness too?

Michael Leannah wrote Most People as an antidote to the scary words and images kids hear and see every day. Jennifer Morris’s emotive, diverting characters provide the perfect complement to Leannah’s words, leading us through the crowded streets of an urban day in the company of two pairs of siblings (one of color). We see what they see: the hulking dude with tattoos and chains assisting an elderly lady onto the bus; the Goth teenager with piercings and purple Mohawk returning a lost wallet to its owner; and the myriad interactions of daily existence, most of them well intended. Most People is a courageous, constructive response to the dystopian world of the news media.

Reflection
When you read or watch the news, sometimes it can feel like the only things reported are terrible, depressing events. Am I right? Typically the media tends to concentrate on the negative events and bad people in life, rather than the good. Despite that, I still believe most people in this world are kind. Do you? That’s the overall message of this heartwarming book.

Little readers follow two families (one Black family and one White family) from sunrise to sunset interacting with various other people in their community. Along the way they see people doing both good and bad things until they finally arrive back home again.  The families enjoy dinner and dessert together on the rooftop of their apartment building where all the people from their community also live.

This picture book is filled with various diverse characters of different skin tones and physical abilities. There is even a blind person shown along with their guide dog.  I love the sense of community and messages of kindness. I also like how the book explains that people who do bad things can change.  Because deep down aren’t all humans good people? I like to believe so or at least hope this is true. As the book states, “there is a seed of goodness inside {each person} waiting to sprout.”

The author’s note acknowledges that while children need to be careful of strangers, they also need to know that most people are good, kind and helpful. Our children don’t deserve to be overly fearful of the world no matter how much the media communicates this.  I think this book can help spark lots of great discussions with smaller children whenever tragedies strike as it’s easy enough to understand.  A great book to add to your home or school library.

About the Author
Michael Leannah was a teacher in elementary schools for more than 30 years and is the author of a forthcoming instruction manual for teachers, We Think with Ink. His children’s fiction has been published in Highlights for Children, Ladybug, and other magazines, and he has written two other forthcoming children’s books and contributed to Midwest regional histories and biographies. He is the father of three grown children and one three-year-old granddaughter.

About the Illustrator
Jennifer E. Morris is the author and illustrator of May I Please Have a Cookie?, Please Write Back! (combined sales over 1 million copies) and other children’s books. She also illustrates children’s magazines, greeting cards, party ware, and educational materials and is the recipient of the Don Freeman Memorial Grant awarded by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Jennifer currently lives in rural Massachusetts with her husband and two children.

You Should Meet: Katherine Johnson by Thea Feldman, illustrated by Alyssa Petersen

Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Age Range: 6-8
Grade Level: 1-3
Format: Hardcover or Paperback
Pages: 48

Synopsis
Get to know the woman who made many of NASA’s early missions possible in this fascinating, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a series of biographies about people “you should meet!”

Meet Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician who worked at NASA in the early 1950s until retiring in 1986. Katherine’s unparalleled calculations (done by hand) helped plan the trajectories for NASA’s Mercury and Apollo missions (including the Apollo 11 moon landing). She is said to be one of the greatest American minds of all time.

A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus inspiring careers for math lovers. With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so much fun!

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Reflection
I couldn’t stop talking about the movie Hidden Figures when I initially saw it. If you don’t already know, the movie is based on the true story of three African-American women who were critical to NASA’s first space launch.

Hidden Figures introduced many people to Katherine Johnson for the first time. I was already familiar with her since I studied Computer Science, but several people I know had never heard of her before. This level three easy reader chapter book helps little STEM lovin’ readers become more familiar with Katherine Johnson.

Born on August 26, 1918, Katherine Johnson was born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.  She was the youngest of four children.  Her father owned a farm, and her mother was a teacher.  Katherine was always interested in learning about almost anything.  Her favorite subject and first love was math.  Katherine’s father was also a math wiz who could solve math problems like no one’s business.

I think this book is really great for teaching little readers about Katherine’s childhood and family life, her first job and her many accomplishments achieved throughout her lifetime. Did you know Katherine Johnson started high school when she was just 10 years old and became a college freshman at the age of 15?  Impressive!

Not only was Katherine Johnson a math genius, she was brave.  As a woman, I know working in a male dominated industry like computers or engineering is already tough.  So I can only imagine how much tougher it was to be working in a male dominated industry in the 1950’s in the segregated South as a Black woman.

I am so glad I have the opportunity to share this book with my children and others.  Katherine Johnson’s story is such an important piece of history that everyone should know about.  This book helps kids learn basic facts about an important female who helped change the world through her extraordinary work.  Not only is this book informative, it’s inspirational too.  I am so happy Katherine finally received the recognition she deserved by receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 by President Barack Obama.

Katherine is proof that if you stay grounded in what you love, the places you go can be out of this world!

The book is broken out into five small chapters and the back matter includes information about how sailors use stars to guide them, useful information about different creative careers and a fun quiz to see what you’ve learned.  Be sure to check this one out if you’re looking for a historical non-fiction easy reader chapter book for kids.

How Long to Read This?  Find out here.

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book with your kids or students?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from the author to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Age Range: – 4 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Publication Date: September 26, 2017

Synopsis
When the world feels chaotic, find peace within through an accessible mindfulness practice from the bestselling picture-book dream team that brought us I Am Yoga. Express emotions through direct speech. Find empathy through imagination. Connect with the earth. Wonder at the beauty of the natural world. Breathe, taste, smell, touch, and be present.

Perfect for the classroom or for bedtime, Susan Verde’s gentle, concrete narration and Peter H. Reynolds’s expressive watercolor illustrations bring the tenets of mindfulness to a kid-friendly level. Featuring an author’s note about the importance of mindfulness and a guided meditation for children, I Am Peace will help readers of all ages feel grounded and restored.

Reflection
It is astonishing the level of stress children (and adults) can experience these days. There are so many distractions surrounding us fighting for every second of our attention.

Last year my daughter practiced mindfulness in school and she seemed to really like it. At home whenever she started feeling overwhelmed she would tell me she was going to her room for 3 minutes to practice mindfulness. Why 3 minutes? I have no idea. Maybe that’s how long it lasted in her class. In any event, when she finished her mindfulness she was much more calm. So whatever they were teaching her in school seemed to work.

After reading this book it reminded me to start cultivating in my children the habit of spending a little time each day being mindful – appreciating the moment and being able to observe the world around them. No electronics, no books, just being at peace for 3-5 minutes each day.

I Am Peace helps children do just that – learn to be in the moment. In the beginning, a little brown skinned boy with dreadlocks talks about being anxious worried about what might happen next or what happened before. In the end, he learns to appreciate what he has and reflects on his feelings.  The beautiful watercolor illustrations really seem to pop off the page and immediately make you feel at peace.  Although the text is spare the messages of kindness and gratefulness come across loud and clear. Children will also learn about being aware of their bodies and see how sharing kindness with others helps them make a difference in the world.  There is also a helpful guided meditation you can do with your kids or on your own in the back of the book. An author’s note provides more information about the benefits of practicing mindfulness with children.  A great beginner book to go deeper exploring silence and meaningfulness with children.

About the Author
Susan Verde is the author of I Am Yoga, The Museum, and You and Me, all illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, as well as My Kicks, illustrated by Katie Kath.  She teaches yoga and mindfulness to children and currently lives in East Hampton, New York.

About the Illustrator
Peter H. Reynolds is the illustrator of many bestselling and award-winning picture books, including The Dot, Ish, and I Am Yoga.  He currently lives in Dedham, Massachusetts, where he operates the beloved shop Blue Bunny Books and Toys.

Your turn: Do you practice mindfulness on your own or with your children?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Grandma’s Tiny House by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Priscilla Burris

Publisher: Charlesbridge
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Age Range: 2 – 5
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten
Publication Date: August 8, 2017

Synopsis
This sweet, rhyming counting book introduces young readers to numbers one through fifteen as Grandma’s family and friends fill her tiny house on Brown Street. Neighbors, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grandkids crowd into the house and pile it high with treats for a family feast.

But when the walls begin to bulge and no-body has space enough to eat, one clever grandchild knows exactly what to do.

Where there’s a will there’s a way when families grow and come together.

Reflection

Tiny in size, at the edge of Brown Street,

sits Grandma’s old house, where we all go to meet.

That is how the book opens with an adorable illustration of Grandma and her two pets peeking out of the window of her tiny house.  Grandma’s family members are about to gather at her house to have a feast.  The book doesn’t say what the family is celebrating perhaps it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, a family reunion or just a regular Sunday dinner.  Whatever the celebration is, I wish I was there right there with them eating some yummy food: turkey, collard greens with ham hocks, biscuits, sweet potato pie and more.

Children will enjoy counting from one to fifteen as different family members and neighbors start to arrive at Grandma’s house.  The illustrations are so bright and cheery and remind me of huge family gatherings we used to have at my grandma’s house when I was younger.  There are several multi-generational aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews all sporting different hairstyles (most people have beautiful afro-textured hair).

When the house begins to overflow with too many people one clever grandchild has an idea to take the party outside to the backyard.  The party must go on!

As Grandma’s Tiny House illustrates, family gatherings are not just about eating.  They are about getting the family together in the kitchen and dividing up the tasks so that everyone is involved and contributing to the family meal, whether it’s by chopping, baking, stirring, bringing a dish to share or setting the table.  In addition to the cute illustrations and fun rhyming text, the thing I like best about this book is you can feel the passion for family gatherings.

The one addition I would have liked to see in this book is the actual numbers 1-15 shown on the pages instead of just the written number words.  I think this would have made it easier for smaller readers to make the connection to the numbers as well as the words.  Overall, a cute counting book for children ages 2 – 5 years old.

Your turn: Do you have a tradition of getting the family together on a regular basis, cooking and eating? Tell me about it!