The Three Lucys by Hayan Charara, illustrated by Sara Kahn

Publisher: Lee and Low Books
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Grade Level: 3 – 7

Synopsis
Luli likes to sit in the shade of an olive tree with his beloved cats: Lucy the Fat, Lucy the Skinny, and Lucy Lucy. But when Luli and his parents go to the city to see his aunt and uncle one weekend, the cats must stay behind at home.

After a fun visit with family, Luli is looking forward to going home and seeing the Lucys. But then Luli’s hometown comes under attack and the family must seek refuge at his aunt and uncle s house. Luli doesn t understand what is happening and worries about his pets. Who will keep the three Lucys safe? And when will he and his family be able to return home?

Reflection
This is such a well-written and beautiful book! It’s based on true events that took place in the summer of 2006 when a war broke out on the border between Lebanon and Israel. It’s referred to as the July War by the Lebanese. This book explores the reality of war in the Middle East and what it means to be displaced, as told through the eyes of a child, a little boy named Luli.

Luli and his family take a weekend trip to visit his aunt and uncle in Beirut, Lebanon. The family leaves their three pet cats all named Lucy at home.  There’s Lucy the Fat, Lucy the Skinny and Lucy Lucy who likes to eat hummus. When Luli and his family arrive back home, they are terrified to see bombs flying in the air.  They decide to head back to Beirut to hide in the aunt and uncle’s basement since there is destruction all around their house.

Meanwhile, all little Luli can think about is his cats – the three Lucys.  Are they safe? Who will pet them and tell them everything will be okay?  A grueling thirty-four days pass before a cease-fire is declared and the family decides to go back home.  They return to a neighborhood they don’t recognize. Everything is in shambles and has been completely destroyed. The family and everyone around them must rebuild and start anew. And what about the three Lucys? You’ll have to read it to find out how the story ends.

Due to the young age of my children, I didn’t read this one aloud with them.  Instead I read it on my own and absolutely loved the realness of it.  Be warned: this book is a bit sad and it’s tough to read at times, but it’s real life.  By the end of the book I think little readers will be filled with a renewed sense of hope.

The illustrations are done in a dreamy watercolor palette using different shades of orange, blue and green.  I think the color choices used by the illustrator give this book a nice sense of warmth, calm and comfort despite the main topic of war.

I also think this book does a great job showing how quickly you can go from living a carefree life to losing virtually everything in a matter of minutes.  I love that despite everything Luli and his family lost, they still managed to hold on to the things that mattered most: each other, their memories, their hopes and their dreams.  They could still see the snow-peaked mountain, the salty sea, the valley and the city in the distance so all was not lost.  Little by little by working together their town started to come back to life.

This is a good quality book with themes of: war, history, loss, rebuilding, hope, healing, family and the power of the human spirit. Recommended for kids ages 8 and up.

Good Morning, City by Pat Kiernan, illustrated by Pascal Campion

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Age Range: 2 – 6 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
Available for Sale: November 15, 2016  Pre-Order Now!

Synopsis
It’s dark and quiet.
The moon still glimmers in the sky.

While the baker, the ferry boat captain, and the TV anchorman are busy at work, most people are cozily snuggled in bed. Then dawn’s first light peeks through the tree branches. Wake up, city! There is much to be done in neighborhoods all across the metropolis. As the morning gets brighter, the city streets bustle with people ready to start the day.

Reflection
I love waking up early in the morning before the rest of the world does. I think it’s so interesting to see towns and cities in the early morning light. The only other people you see are walking dogs with sleep still in their eyes, or the garbage people bustling about to beat the traffic that will soon impede upon them. And joggers. There are always joggers, right?

This beautifully illustrated book captures the essence of a busy city (which appears to be New York City) while it’s still dark and quiet and the moon is glimmering in the sky. You see bakers kneading and baking bread, a newspaper carrier rushing to make her last deliveries, and a ferry boat starting its morning rounds. Wake up, city! A series of different events happen with people of all different skin tones bustling all about the city before the dawn’s first light starts to peek through the tree branches. With each turn of the page, it gets progressively brighter and brighter outside until the sun fully rises at the end.

The illustrations in this book are stellar.  Pascal Campion’s artwork creates a magical world of captivating colors and bright detailed textures.  This gently told story may help little readers get a different perspective of the streets they call home before the hustle and bustle begins each day.  Also great for teaching children about community helpers, following morning routines, different types of transportation and the differences between living in the city vs. the country.  This book is certain to become a story time favorite for children and their parents.

About the Author
Pat Kiernan has been waking up before dawn since 1997 and is a fixture on New York City television as the morning news anchor for NY1.  He has hosted nationally televised game shows and has appeared as himself in dozens of movies and TV shows.  He lives with his wife and daughters in Brooklyn, New York.

About the Illustrator
Pascal Campion wakes up in Los Angeles, California, where he lives with his wife and children.  He works in the animation industry and loves to tell stories through his art.  Learn more about him at pascalcampion.com.

How to Find a Fox by Nilah Magruder

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 40
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 4 – 8
Grade Level: Preschool – 3rd Grade
Available for Sale: November 15, 2016 pre-order now!

Synopsis
Equipped with a camera and determination, a little girl sets out to track down an elusive red fox. But foxes are sneaky, and it proves more difficult than she thought.

Nilah Magruder’s debut picture book charmingly tells the story of what it means to not give up and how sometimes what you’re looking for is closer than you think.

Reflection
When it comes to children’s literature, folk tales and songs, foxes are usually portrayed as ‘the bad guys’.  Their sly nature often results in illegal activities, so it’s not uncommon to see a fox portrayed as a thief or con-artist in children’s books or movies.  Sometimes though, foxes are heroes of certain stories like in Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox.  Being a member of the dog family and having a reputation of being sneaky and mean, the fox is actually and animal of intelligence and fortitude.  That’s exactly how the fox in this adorable book is portrayed.

Equipped with her camera and yellow backpack, the little girl in this book is determined to find a fox – any fox will do.  She provides little readers with a list of simple instructions like: find a fox hole, place your fox bait somewhere easy to spot, then hide and wait very quietly.  When her plan doesn’t go quite as expected, she decides to climb a tree to get a change of perspective.  That’s when she finally sees the fox, but he gets away – again!  Just when she’s on the verge of giving up is when she realizes what she’s looking for is a lot closer than she thinks.  Does she finally find the fox in the end?  You’ll have to read it to find out.

The kids and I really enjoyed reading this book and pouring over the charming illustrations.  They especially liked all of the funny and clever things the fox did when the girl was searching for him.  The fox is shown blending in taking a photograph with a family of raccoons and hiding in a tree with an owl (hilarious!).  All the while, the animals in the forest (the mouse and the birds) see the fox, but the little girl doesn’t.  At the turn of each page, the kids kept laughing, pointing and shouting, “There he is!” as if the little girl can hear them.  This is such a fun book to read aloud with them for that reason.

Overall, I think this is a fun book with excellent messages of patience, determination and perseverance for little readers.  Add this one to your list of books to read with your children when it publishes in November!

Connect with Nilah Magruder!
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Your turn: Are you excited to read this book when it comes out?  Feel free to share in the comments.

The Water Princess by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Age Range: 5 – 8 and up
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3 and up
Available for Sale: September 13, 2016

Synopsis
Based on supermodel Georgie Badiel’s childhood, a young girl dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African village.

With its wide sky and warm earth, Princess Gie Gie’s kingdom is a beautiful land. But clean drinking water is scarce in her small African village. And try as she might, Gie Gie cannot bring the water closer; she cannot make it run clearer. Every morning, she rises before the sun to make the long journey to the well. Instead of a crown, she wears a heavy pot on her head to collect the water. After the voyage home, after boiling the water to drink and clean with, Gie Gie thinks of the trip that tomorrow will bring. And she dreams. She dreams of a day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own.

Inspired by the childhood of African–born model Georgie Badiel, acclaimed author Susan Verde and award-winning author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds have come together to tell this moving story. As a child in Burkina Faso, Georgie and the other girls in her village had to walk for miles each day to collect water. This vibrant, engaging picture book sheds light on this struggle that continues all over the world today, instilling hope for a future when all children will have access to clean drinking water.

Reflection
Try to imagine what your life would be like without clean water. It’s hard isn’t it? I don’t even think twice about going to the kitchen and putting my glass up to the refrigerator to get water when I’m thirsty. I know when I’m ready to shower or brush my teeth all I have to do is turn on the faucet and out comes the water.

Now try to imagine having to walk on average four miles each day (which is the equivalent of about 70 football fields) just to collect water. Yes, I said 70 football fields! That’s what life is like for nearly one billion people around the world. That’s 1 out of every 6 people who don’t have access to clean water…yikes! It’s heartbreaking for me to hear statistics like this because it’s unbelievable that in 2016 this is STILL an issue.

This beautifully written and illustrated book is inspired by Georgie Badiel’s childhood and her wish that water would come to her and those in her community. Georgie is a model, activist and author from Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in West Africa. As a young girl, she and her mom used to walk miles just to get dusty earth-colored water carrying bowls on their heads. It’s a very touching and moving story that not only educates children about a serious and ongoing issue, but also shows them how they can make a difference.

Although I read this book with the kids, I think they may still be a bit too young to truly grasp the fact that water isn’t readily available for everyone around the world.  I plan to read this with them again when they’re a bit older so it really hits home.  I think the illustrations are absolutely stunning and the overall story is well written.  The author’s note explains a little more about the ongoing water crisis and let’s you know how you can get involved if you want to help.  There are also pictures of the girls and women from Georgie Badiel’s grandmother’s village in Burkina Faso collecting water and pictures from a celebration where a new well was built in partnership with Ryan’s Well.

After reading this book I immediately inquired about how I can give a donation to the people of Burkina Faso and the Georgie Badiel Foundation. I don’t say that to boast and brag, I’m saying it because it’s true. I hope this book inspires you and your little readers to do the same.  Well done to an amazing project team: Susan Verde, Peter H. Reynolods and Georgie Badiel…I am truly inspired to do my part and help make a change!

For more information about what we can all do to make a difference visit Ryan’s Well or The Georgie Badiel Foundation.  You can order the book here!

Your turn:  Are you looking forward to checking this book out?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Princess Cupcake Jones and the Dance Recital by Ylleya Fields, illustrated by Michael LaDuca

Publisher: Belle Publishing LLC
Format: Hardcover
Available for Sale: September 12, 2016
Pages: 32
Age Range: 5 – 7
Grade Level: K – 2

Synopsis
Follow Princess Cupcake Jones as she learns that determination and practice bring positive results and surprises. Taking dance classes with her friends is the highlight of her week. But when Cupcake struggles to do everything ‘just right’ before the recital, she isn’t sure if she’ll be able to master it all in time. The gentle rhyming cadence, vibrant illustrations, and captivating pages deliver valuable life lessons and family values.

Reflection
I’m always thrilled when I come across good quality diverse books that my children can identify with.  Through diverse picture books, children have an opportunity to learn on an unconscious level to feel empathy and identify with others from a different ethnic background to their own.

It makes me so happy that Princess Cupcake Jones transcends race.  We’ve all heard that children need both mirrors and windows.  This couldn’t be more true when it comes to princesses as little girls are often bombarded with images of princesses who only come in one color.  I’m glad that with the help of characters like Princess Cupcake Jones, my daughter can see the world through mirrors.  It shows her and other little Black and Brown girls that they can be princesses too!

I love reading this adorable book with my daughter!  She seems to enjoy the rhyming text and all of the cute dance costumes the girls are shown wearing.  Cupcake Jones is so cute sporting her kinky curly hair, tutu and tiara!  My daughter and I also enjoy searching for the word “love” that’s hidden throughout the book on each page.  After reading this book we decided to enroll my daughter in dance lessons at a local ballet dance center because she loved it so much.

Overall, I think this is a great book to help teach little girls about patience, determination and perseverance.   I love how little Cupcake keeps practicing until she perfects her arabesque dance move.  Check this one out with your little readers.  Perfect for little girls who love dancing, princesses, tutus and tiaras!

Connect with Princess Cupcake Jones!
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Your Turn:  What’s your daughter’s favorite Princess Cupcake Jones book in this series?  Feel free to share in the comments.

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