The Banana-Leaf Ball: How Play Can Change the World by Katie Smith Milway, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Publisher: Kids Can Press (CitizenKid Series)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Age Range: 4-8 years and up
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Lexile Measure: 780
Available for Sale: April 4, 2017

Synopsis
Separated from his family when they were forced to flee their home, a young East African boy named Deo lives alone in the Lukole refugee camp in Tanzania. With scarce resources at the camp, bullies have formed gangs to steal what they can, and a leader named Remy has begun targeting Deo. Then one day a coach gathers all the children to play soccer. Though Deo loves soccer and has even made his own ball out of banana leaves, he’s unsure at first about joining in when he sees Remy on the field. But as Deo and the other boys get drawn into the game, everything begins to change. Their shared joy in playing provides the children — including Remy — with a sense of belonging.  Ball by ball, practice by practice, children who were once afraid of each other laugh together, the book explains, and no one feels so alone anymore.

Based on a true story, Katie Smith Milway’s inspiring tale shows how a desperate situation can be improved by finding common ground through play. It provides a perfect starting point for discussing the social justice issues surrounding the growing number of refugees worldwide. Award-winning Shane W. Evans’s artwork powerfully and poignantly personalizes for children the experience of refugees. Furthermore, the book examines the value of using sports to build pro-social behavior, particularly as it relates to bullying. By depicting characters who change and evolve over the course of the story, kids of all backgrounds and experiences will find something positive to relate to. The back matter contains information about the real Deo, instructions for games that build trust and inclusion through play, and suggestions for how to support play-based nonprofit organizations.

Reflection
Just like representation, play matters! Based on a true story, The Banana-Leaf Ball is the perfect example to showcase the importance of play for children of all ages.

Little Deo and his family must flee their home in Burundi after a war breaks out. Leaving with just the essentials (pots, blankets and food), Deo is saddened there is no room for his beloved his soccer ball made from banana leaves. His father promises him he can make one when he gets to the Lukole refugee camp in Tanzania.

Source: Twitter @Kids Can Press

Separated by his family, Deo feels alone at the camp and he is bullied by a gang leader. He misses his family and longs for the days of playing soccer with his friends. Before long, Deo shows all of his new friends how to make banana-leaf balls so they can practice and play soccer together. Although there are still problems in the refugee camp, the boys all feel like a team. They formed a special bond all because of banana leaves and their love of playing soccer.

I think this book is great!  Apart from the illustrations, the thing I like the best is the amazing organizations listed in the back all centered around the importance of play! The organizations all use soccer and other forms of play to build compassion and confidence in boys and girls. Each organization also lists different games (including directions) you can play with your kids.  I also enjoyed the wide variety of themes featured throughout including: sports (soccer), teamwork, bullying, refugees, community, war, confidence, social change, overcoming differences, and friendship.

In the back little readers can learn more about the real Deo and see pictures of what real banana leaf balls look like. Recommended for soccer lovers, little agents of change and children interested in social justice.

Breaking the Sickle: A Snippet of the Life of Dr. Yvette Fay Francis-McBarnette by Louie McClain II

Publisher: Melanin Origins LLC
Pages: 34
Format: Paperback
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

Synopsis
Have you ever wondered what your passion was? What you were put on this Earth to do? Dr. Yvette Fay Francis-McBarnette, a trail blazing woman of medicine, understood exactly what her purpose was in life. Her interest and area of expertise was researching ways to identify those with sickle cell early on, and providing therapeutic solutions to induce an improved quality of life for those who suffered from the disease. Dr. Francis-McBarnette led an extraordinary life that tells such an amazing story of hope and encouragement. Read along as Melanin Origins presents a childlike perspective of her formula for breaking the cycle of Sickle Cell Disease.

Reflection
In this third book in the Melanin Origins series, little readers learn about Dr. Yvette Fay Francis-McBarnette, a Jamaican-born medical pioneer in treating children with sickle cell anemia.  Dr. McBarnette was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on May 10, 1926.  She died on March 28, 2016 in Alexandria, Virginia. She was 89 years old.

In true Melanin Origins fashion, Breaking the Sickle exposes children to another important and prominent historical figure with a modern twist.  The graphic illustrations are vivid and include a variety of diverse childlike and adult characters throughout.  Not only does this book teach children about Dr. McBarnette’s life, it also explains what sickle cell disease is along with listing a few of the symptoms and statistics.  So there is a little STEM involved in this book too!  Through easy to understand text and illustrations, children can see the difference between normal red blood cells and sickle cells.

I think Breaking the Sickle does a wonderful job educating children about a strong woman who broke down barriers of both race and gender throughout her lifetime.  I’m also impressed that 25% of all proceeds from this book will be donated to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of North Texas.  Those proceeds will be used to help fund research to cure Sickle Cell Disease and enhance the quality of life for people suffering from this disease around the world.

Since sickle cell disease mostly affects people of African ancestry, I think this is an important book to expose to African-American children (or any children) who may be suffering from the disease.  Children (or adults) born with sickle cell will be able to relate to this book in a positive way seeing themselves being represented.  Check out this great story of determination, hope and encouragement with your little readers.

Connect with Melanin Origins!
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Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Your turn: What is your favorite book in the Melanin Origins series?  Feel free to share in the comments.

My Kicks: A Sneaker Story by Susan Verde, illustrated by Katie Kath

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Age Range: 5 – 7 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 2
Available for Sale: April 11, 2017

Synopsis
Boys love sneakers. But when a child finds that his toes have outgrown his favorite shoes, and they’ve gotten too dirty and smelly, his mom says it’s time for a new pair. Resistant to let go, the boy reminisces about all the good times he’s had with his favorite kicks on the city streets. There’s the paint splatter from his masterpiece and the drip from a Popsicle. There’s the scuff from when he fell off his skateboard. And there are those frayed laces that he learned to tie in bows and doubles. A new pair just won’t be the same. But, with bigger shoes to fill, the boy realizes new adventures await him. Maybe he could paint a little better? Or skate a little faster? This picture book explores the love and pride that kids have for their sneakers and the joy that can be found in growing up, growing out, and moving on.

Reflection
Let’s face it, many kids are rough on shoes after they’ve worn them a few times.  I’ve witnessed my kids kick off their shoes when they get home, drag them across the floor and jump in puddles or snow.  Shoes take a beating everyday and many bear the scars and signs of wear and tear.  But as we learn in the book My Kicks: A Sneaker Story, there’s nothing like an old pair of kicks (sneakers).  They have so many stories to tell.

My Kicks is a charming story about a little boy who has outgrown his favorite pair of red sneakers during his summer vacation. When the boys’ mom tells him it’s time to to get a new pair, he starts reminiscing about all the fun he’s had with his favorite pair of kicks.  It’s through the boys’ flashbacks that little readers learn a little more about him like: he knows how to tie his shoes, he likes to run and jump in puddles, he rides a skateboard, he likes to climb trees, he enjoys painting and playing soccer. When he finally picks out a new pair of yellow sneakers and tries them on he can’t wait to start making new memories.

The kids and I really enjoy this story because we can relate to it.  While the kids enjoy getting new shoes, there have been times when they’ve wanted to keep their old ones because they were so attached to them.  Much like the boy in this story, they are excited when they finally try on their new shoes for the first time.  Once that happens they don’t want to take them off!

The watercolor illustrations are cute and whimsical showing a diverse set of characters throughout.  I like the ending where they boy is shown placing his old shoes on the dresser in his bedroom instead of throwing them away.  It shows just how much he really likes them.  In addition, it shows children they can still hold on to their beloved possessions a little while longer until it’s truly time to let them go.  I also like the overall messages and themes of this story.  It touches upon topics like: letting go and moving on, growing up, making decisions, friendship and the joys of playing and being a kid.

There is also a fun surprise for kids if you remove the dust jacket of this book: a handy step-by-step shoe tying guide. I personally think this should have been placed in the endpapers or at the beginning of this book instead of on the cover as it can easily be missed if you don’t know it’s there.  If you don’t want to take off the dust jacket you can visit the author’s website to find the shoe tying guide there.

I think parents will enjoy reading this story and start reminiscing about their favorite pair of kicks growing up. Thinking back to my own childhood, name brand sneakers like Nike, Reebox, L.A. Gear and Adidas were popular.  I remember getting my first pair of Reebox sneakers.  I thought I was so hot!  Prior to that all of my other sneakers ubiquitous, unbranded, ugly and cheap.  I loved my cheap shoes though because they were so easy to run around in, and my mom loved them because they saved wear and tear on my “real” shoes.  It’s fascinating to see how much sneakers have morphed into designer athletic shoes over the years.

Overall, this is a fun read for kids (boys and girls) ages 5- 7 and up.  Check it out in April 2017 when it publishes!

Connect with Susan Verde!
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Connect with Katie Kath!
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Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book with your little readers?  What was your favorite pair of kicks growing up? Feel free to share in the comments.

Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Pages: 48
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 4- 8 years old
Grade Level: Preschool – 3

Synopsis
In this gorgeous companion to the acclaimed Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal bring to life a secret underwater world. In this book, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the pond is a hidden world of minnows darting, beavers diving, tadpoles growing. These and many other secrets are waiting to be discovered…over and under the pond.

Reflection
I think Kate Messner’s series of non-fiction picture books are wonderful.  Each one is chock full of interesting tidbits of factual information.  This latest book in the series features a little brown boy and his mother exploring the pond together in a canoe.  Together the boy and his mother narrate the story as they learn about some animals that call the pond their home. There are herbivores like: fish, beavers and moose. You’ll also find carnivores like: otters and raccoons.

Under the pond is a whole hidden world of minnows and crayfish, turtles and bullfrogs.  Over the pond, we skim past tall rushes.  Whirligig beetles loop and twirl – skaters on a warm summer surface.

I love the whole “over and under” concept as it gives little readers a glimpse of what happens both above and below the surface.  Above the pond you see various birds, plants and trees and below you see animals that live in the pond. We even discovered a few new animals like: whirligig beetles, caddisfly larvae and pileated woodpeckers.  The back matter includes a paragraph of information about each featured animal, an author’s note and a list for further reading.  Most of the information you’ll learn from reading the paragraphs in the back of the book.  The rest of the book reads more like a story.  The author’s note explains this story was inspired by a canoe trip on Barnum Pond at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center in the Adirondack Mountains.

Overall, I think this is a beautifully illustrated and informative book that illustrates by working together all animals and organisms play an equal role in keeping their pond clean and healthy.

About the Author
Kate Messner is the award-winning author of Over and Under the Snow, Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt and more than a dozen other books for young readers.  She lives on Lake Champlain with her family.

About the Illustrator
Christopher Silas Neal is an award-winning illustrator whose work is published regularly in the New York Times and shown in galleries.  He teaches illustration at Pratt Institute and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Steppin’ Out: Jaunty Rhymes for Playful Times by Lin Oliver, illustrated by Tomie DePaola

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 3 – 5 years
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

Synopsis
Being a preschooler means days full of discovery every time you step out of your door. It’s a time filled with wonder, at all the sights and sounds of the outdoors and at the huge variety of people there are to meet. This collection of nineteen original poems features little ones eager to explore, whether it’s splashing in puddles, riding in an elevator or through a car wash, or visiting the library. They go full-steam ahead to the park, the beach, and dance class, somewhat begrudgingly learn to share and get their first haircut, and enjoy lots of time with their families. Full of contagious rhythm and rhyme, this inviting picture book introduces young children to the sounds of poetry through familiar childhood activities.

Reflection
This poetry book is great for preschool and kindergarten little readers!  It starts off with a poem called “Steppin’ Out” which invites children to step outside and explore the world around them.  From leafy trees to buzzing bees there’s so much to see and learn every day.  The introductory poem also includes a clever gatefold page which opens up and makes it seem as though the children are really stepping out into the book.

Some of my kids’ favorite poems are: “The Library”, “My First Haircut”, “The Elevator” and “Super Market”.  I find all 19 of the poems in this book to be relatable to little readers as the characters are seen doing everyday things that will likely be familiar to most toddlers and kindergartners – going to to the library or grocery store, splashing in puddles, getting their first hair cut, riding on the elevator, playing in the sandbox, spending the day at day care/school, and going to the beach.

The cast of characters featured is very diverse.  The playful illustrations are colorful and include lots of everyday objects that can be pointed out to children for further discussion.  For example, you could ask them what each of the objects is, what color they are, how many of a particular item they see – i.e. “How many blocks do you see?”  “What color is the book?”  “What are they doing?”

Overall, I think this is a playful and inviting book good for introducing young readers to poetry, rhythm, rhyming and the world around them.

When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner, illustrated by David Catrow

Publisher: WaterBrook
Page: 48
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 3 – 7 years and up
Grade Level: Preschool – 2 and up
Available for Sale: February 28, 2017

Synopsis
From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly.

Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.

Reflection
Our family believes in the Christian faith so this book couldn’t be any more perfect for us…it’s so, so sweet! Told in rhyming and playful text with beautiful illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.

Written by Matthew Paul Turner, husband of author Jessica Turner who wrote The Fringe Hours and illustrated by David Catrow, this is a book you’ll definitely want to add to your bedtime story lineup. It’s great for reading at the start of each day or just before bed to remind children just how special, unique, and loved they are.

An exclusive design, one God refined, you’re a perfectly crafted one of a kind. ‘Cause when God made you, somehow God knew that the world needed someone exactly like you.

Isn’t that a great message to send to children (and adults)? Because let’s be honest, sometimes we all need a reminder like this.  Am I right?

I think children will love listening to the rhyming text and the way the words flow together.  I like that this book uses a variety of advanced vocabulary words and phrases for the preschool crowd like: exclusive, debut, self displaying, portraying, conceived and peacemaker.  These words may force some curious children (like my daughter) to probe and ask what they mean, which is a good thing.

The vivid illustrations throughout this book add a bit more to this book.  Little readers will see the adorable brown-skinned protagonist, a pet cat and dog sitting in an over sized green and white polka dotted chair reading a book. The protagonist’s baby sister is off to the side on the floor playing with her toys.  The older girl and her dog then go on a mini adventure after leaving her baby sister and their cat behind at home.  She ends up in a local park after going for a bike ride.  There she encounters a distressed artist who is mourning the loss of a dead flower.

The girl picks up the artist’s paintbrush and starts to paint an elaborate picture of colorful flowers and birds on the ground and in the air.  Next thing you know, the girl, her dog and the artist are flying in the sky on one of the birds the girl drew.  In the end, you see the girl back at home with her baby sister and their dog sitting in the same chair reading a book. Although this time the chair is different.  It’s decorated with the same beautiful paintings the girl drew on the ground in the park with the artist.  This leads you to believe perhaps the girl started daydreaming while she was reading.  Was it just her imagination?  Was it part of the story she was reading to her sister?  Or did it really happen? I love when the ending of a book leads to further discussion and lets you ponder or create your own interpretation.

I appreciate the author chose to write this book that celebrates each person’s own special and unique gifts and talents.  The fact that there is a religious component to it referencing God is an added bonus for me as it’s not something you normally come across in mainstream children’s picture books.

I can honestly say When God Made You fills my heart with so much gratitude and joy.  It even makes me a bit teary eyed, but it doesn’t make me feel sad.  I get a bit emotional because it’s so beautifully written.  The words pierce my heart and make me immediately think about how grateful I am for my children and our perfectly imperfect little family.

This book also makes me reflect on how grateful I am for where God has brought me throughout my life thus far.  It challenges me to want to continue to use my talents, passions and gifts and share them with others.  It makes me want to think up even more new ideas and put them into action.  It makes me want to show kindness, dream, discover, explore, have faith and love more.  Did I mention how much I love this book?  If this book has that type of effect on an adult, imagine how powerful it would be for children to receive these messages from an early age.

With overall themes of: God, love, individuality, self-love, empathy, kindness, creativity and imagination you really can’t go wrong with this book.  I think it would make a great addition to an Easter basket or makes a great gift for a christening or baby shower.

About the Author
MATTHEW PAUL TURNER is the author of sixteen books. He lives with his wife Jessica (TheMomCreative.com, The Fringe Hours) and their three children in Nashville, TN.

About the Illustrator
DAVID CATROW is an editorial cartoonist whose vibrant illustrations have appeared in more than seventy children’s books, including several New York Times bestsellers, such as I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More and I Like Myself. He makes his home in Ohio with his wife, Deborah.

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

Princess and the Peas by Rachel Himes

Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 5 – 8 years old and up
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3 and up
Available for Sale: April 11, 2017 Pre-Order Now!

Synopsis
In this adaptation of The Princess and the Pea, Ma Sally cooks the best black-eyed peas in Charleston County, South Carolina. Her son, John, is a highly eligible bachelor, and three local women vie for his hand in marriage by attempting to cook as well as Ma. At the last minute, a surprise contestant named Princess arrives at the door. Princess and John are well-matched, but Princess has her own ideas. When told she has won John’s hand, she asks him to scrub the pots and pans before she’ll give him an answer. Her answer, it turns out, is that she wants to spend some time getting to know John first.

Reflection
We love this retelling of The Princess and the Pea fairy tale!  In the author’s note of this book Rachel Himes explains she was always confused by the classic fairy tale so she vowed to someday write her own version.  She always wondered why the princess needed to be sensitive enough to feel a single pea through all those mattresses.  That’s why she decided to write this story about the things she thinks are truly important – love, family, and community.

Set in the mid-1950’s in Charleston County, South Carolina this book features a vibrant African-American community with themes of love, family and of course – food and cooking. John’s mother, Ma Sally, cooks the best black-eyed peas in town. When her son John tells her he wants to get married, three women vie for his hand in marriage. The caveat? The lucky woman chosen must be able to cook black-eyed peas as well as John’s mother.  A woman named Princess ends up winning the cooking contest hands down.  Princess and John are two peas in a pod.

I adore the vintage feel to this book.  The hand drawn watercolor and acrylic illustrations are so well done and really seem to bring you back in time to the 1950’s in the South.  Women are dressed in over the knee length dresses and hats while the men are dressed in denim overalls.

I also like the mother/son bond that John and his mother Ma Sally share.  It’s clear John is a true and proud mama’s boy.  When he tells his mother he’s ready to get married she becomes troubled by the thought of her son potentially sitting down to an “ill-cooked meal”.  That’s why she comes up with the idea to have a cooking contest to find the perfect wife for John.

I also like the sense of community and how the food that Ma Sally cooks brings everyone together.  You see tables piled high with collard greens, sweet potatoes, hot rolls, ham, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and black-eyed peas. Yum!  I’ve always believed that food has the ability to break all language barriers.  It doesn’t matter where in the world I am.  If there’s good food or music, there’s a kind of connection and understanding to the others around.

I truly enjoyed this heartwarming and charming love story.  I love how the table was the common ground and seemed to served as a bridge for bringing everyone together, forging bonds and creating conversation.  Everyone brought something unique to the table – especially Princess.  I’m looking forward to trying out the tasty recipe for Princess’s black-eyed peas that’s included in the back of the book!  Check this one out when it publishes in April 2017!

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book?  What other adaptations of Princess and the Pea do you and your children enjoy reading?  Feel free to share in the comments.