Search results for ""Tilbury House""

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Gr 1-4–This thought-provoking tale straddles American, Persian, and Islamic cultures. Shirin, nine, watches for the moon signaling the start of Ramadan. She is disappointed because she is too young to fast, but her father encourages her to do good deeds. Jalali depicts the Shia-Muslim form of prayer, which includes kissing a stone, and also touches on the issue of women covering their hair. Throughout the story, Shirin follows the waxing and waning stages of the moon and is delighted when she gets permission to do half-day fasts and even more pleased when it appears that she is able to cope with them better than her brother. To her astonishment, she discovers him secretly eating. She decides not to expose Ali and counts it as a good deed. As Ramadan ends, the family prepares for Eid-ul-Fitr. O''Brien's watercolor illustrations evoke a culturally authentic Persian-American aesthetic, depicting warm characters in a family setting. An explanation of Ramadan and Eid is given in the back matter. This is another wonderful contribution to the slowly increasing collection of fictional books on the observance of Ramadan and a great resource for librarians and teachers.Fawzia Gilani-Williams, An-Noor School, Windsor, Ontario© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted." -- School Library Journal"This moving picture book for older readers about a young Muslim girl and her family at Ramadan weaves together the traditional observance and its meaning with a lively drama of sibling rivalry. In her backyard in Maine, Shirin, 9, and her father watch for the new moon that starts the holy month. Shirin begs to be allowed to fast, like her older brother, Ali, 12, but she is furious when her family tells her she is too young. Then her parents decide to let her fast for part of the day, and she is thrilled. She also learns that Ramadan is about doing good deeds to help others. The unframed, intricately detailed, mixed-media illustrations show the siblings'' ugly standoffs (Shirin''s jealousy, Ali''s smugness), as well as the family at prayer, at the dinner table, and in warm close-ups. Along with the information about the holiday, there is a real story here: when Shirin helps Ali, it changes their relationship and reveals the meaning of the holiday. Grades 2-4. --Hazel Rochman" -- Hazel Rochman - Booklist"Shirin lives in a suburban U.S. setting where she and her father can go outside and spot the new moon as Ramadan begins. The nine-year-old wants to fast this year after all, her 12-year-old brother is doing it but her parents tell her that she is too young. Her grandmother comforts her with a story about a boy who fasts part-time, and Shirin quickly recognizes the boy as her father. She, too, begins in the same way, but it is her new willingness to help others that leads to the changes in her relationship with her sibling that create the small but important miracle. Jalali is from Iran, but his story is about universal Muslim practices, with a few specific details indicated in O Brien s intense watercolors. The grandmother regularly wears a headscarf, while the mother does not. Both adult women wear chadors during prayer, and the grown-ups also use Shi ite heart-shaped prayer stones at the tops of their prayer mats. This quiet story adds to the small collection of books about Muslim families that can counteract the often harmful messages seen in the media. (Picture book. 6-9)" -- Kirkus"Reza Jalali has crafted a culturally sensitive narrative that introduces the reader to an important aspect of Islam: Ramadan. Nuances of culture and tradition are skillfully woven into the storyline. I highly recommend this book for teachers introducing diverse cultures from around the world." -- Tami Al-Hazza, Ph.D., Old Dominion University"In this lyrical telling of a contemporary story about Ramadan, Shirin watches the moon wax and wane with her father and learns to put sibling rivalry aside. Moon Watchers is rich in detail about one Muslim family's life. The warmth of the telling and themes like family traditions and helping others will resonate with readers everywhere." -- Karen Lynn Williams, author of Galimoto; Four Feet, Two Sandal; and many other books for children

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This wordless, 80-page picture book opens with an elderly man waking up. He goes outside and we discover he lives at the seaside. After a floating bottle beaches, he opens it to find a piece of paper. He begins to draw: a picture of a boat. He places the paper back in the bottle and returns it to the sea. The action then shifts to a city, where a small boy finds an envelope at his doorstep. Inside is the drawing. And we watch as the boy draws a crude picture of himself inside the boat. The next thing we know, he is aboard it, flying to the old man. When he arrives, they embrace; the boy hands the man the envelope, and flies off. Inside the envelope is the picture the boy has drawn. Fin. This strange story is drawn in gorgeous, full bleed, sepia-toned, sharp-angled Expressionist style, like storyboards for a Tim Burton film. But what does it mean? Some readers may postulate that the boy and man are the same person, separated only by age. After all, there are many parallels between the characters. Others may interpret it is simply an evocative dream. Whatever it is, it’s a wonderful invitation to imagine. What could be better than that?" -- Michael Cart - Booklist Starred Review" Stunning stylized sepia artwork on full pages and in panels illustrates this wordless story. Verdict: Intriguing images and interpretations abound, offering readers lots to pore over and ponder. A lovely choice. " -- Daryl Grabarek - School Library Journal *Starred Review*"A nuanced physical and emotional landscape aimed to capture experienced readers but likely to snag the occasional neophyte as well." -- Kirkus"It’s a haunting story of inexplicable connections, and Coelho resists spelling out its mysteries, letting readers draw their own conclusions." -- Publishers Weekly"Rogério Coelho has the gift to transform images into messages, far into near, and near into inside. In his images the colors travel through sepia and blue combinations, the spaces house countless objects, the objects with their magical traits come alive, and the characters reveal themselves as affections. In a trip of discovery, childhood meets old age, and old age meets hope. Colors, shapes, and volumes are unwritten words that the reader’s intelligence reconstructs as the poetry of the near and far, the journey of a boat of dreams in order to tie the two ends of life." -- Marta Marais de Costa" There is an old man who lives on the beach. One day he sees a bottle with a paper in it. But the paper is blank. So he draws a really cool, steampunk-like boat. Then he puts it back in the bottle and sends it back into the ocean. Then the boy gets a letter, and it is the man's drawing. The boy draws a picture of him and his cat on the boat, then he tapes the picture over his bed and goes to sleep. When he is sleeping, he has a dream that he is going to see the man, and he is sailing to see him in the boat. The book doesn't have any words, so you have to make up the story yourself. The pictures are really beautiful and I really like them even thought they aren't very colorful. They make you think it is like a dream. You don't really know if the old man is the boy's grandfather, but they are happy to see each other. There are a lot of details in the pictures, like the old man's house is full of drawings and maybe inventions and lots of old things. 5/5 STARS " -- Liesel, Age 4 - Kids' Book Buzz"Originally published in Brazil, this book introduces U.S. readers to the magnificent artwork of Rogério Coelho. An old man who lives alone at the seaside wakes up one morning to find a bottle containing a blank piece of paper. His response is to draw a boat on the paper and set the bottle afloat again. This wordless book then shifts to a city scene where a young boy receives the picture of the boat in an envelope. How are these two connected? How did the drawing get from the bottle in the ocean to the boy’s door front? Using a limited palette of sepia tones and soft blues, and a mix of double-page spreads and panel art, Coelho gives the story a surreal feel and leaves readers wondering in the best way." -- Lesley Colabucci - International Literacy Association's Literacy Daily Blog.

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Book SynopsisMany children of divorced or separated parents live by turns with their dad in one home and their mom in another. For most such kids, things are different than they used to be, and they’re different with Dad than with Mom. As these children move between homes, they can’t help but wonder: will mom still love me? Will Dad?Trade Review"Rich in love, acceptance, and understanding, an excellent role model for children and parents." -- San Francisco Book Review"A must read for all families. Suitable for all ages." -- Goodreads"A great book for children dealing with the divorce of their parents." -- DadsDivorce.com

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Book SynopsisA funny, instructive story about making decisions

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Book SynopsisA lyrical narrative voice (the voice of the Milky Way galaxy itself) is augmented by sidebars filled with amazing facts and insights about our galaxy, and by extension, our universe.Trade Review"The Secret Galaxy features breathtaking photographs and art paired with thought-provoking narrative that demonstrates how we are all connected to the stars." -- The New Westminster Record"This book has a gravitational force all its own—capturing readers with mesmerizing starry images and captivating poems—pulling us in on page one and keeping us hooked throughout." -- Catherine Thimmesh, author of the Sibert-winning Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon"This is a charming and appealing book, presenting good scientific information in a lively and entertaining way. It will inspire even young children to appreciate the beauty and majesty of our incredible universe." -- Ellen Jackson, author, The Mysterious Universe

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Book Synopsis“Each memory is like a special gift I can unwrap again and again,” said Grandpa. “And that’s a gift I want to give you, too.”

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Book SynopsisThere's a monster under my bed who changes like a chameleon. He can be motionless, like a rock with a tail, or he can strike with blinding speed, like a lightning bolt with claws. My monster's name is Moofy. His ears are as pointy as tortilla chips and hi

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Book SynopsisThe organisms that live year-round under the ice of the Antarctic Ocean are truly amazing.

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Book SynopsisMs. Snowden introduces the THiNK Test to Tyaja’s class

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Book SynopsisCommon Critters celebrates neighborhood wildlife in verse. A familiar cast of charactersworms, slugs, caterpillars, ladybugs, robins, mourning doves, houseflies, spiders, squirrels, skunks, and otherscrawls, runs, buzzes, and flits through these lively poems, which show how exotic these seemingly ordinary creatures really are.Trade Review"Creatures receive their charming due in this bouncy collection of brief rhymes. The poems read and generally scan very well; each critter is the star of its own verse. Educators and parents will appreciate that the poems also provide interesting, easily digestible nuggets of scientific information. Delightful watercolor-and-ink cartoons add uncommon whimsy throughout and feature lush surroundings, shown additionally in lovely opening and closing spreads. An uncommon introduction to poetry. " -- Kirkus Reviews"Superlative back matter elevates this illustrated collection of jokey poems celebrating neighborhood wildlife: “There are creatures all around you,/ not exotic, but not tame./ Though most are pretty common,/ they’re intriguing just the same.” Each critter gets its own poem on a spread illustrated with Tavis’s artful landscapes and goofily goggle-eyed wildlife. Brisson’s wordplay ranges from obvious ha-has (of crows: “And could this fact be much absurder?/ A group of you is called a murder!”) to sophisticated lines (of caterpillars: “It follows metamorphic urges/ to break out, and what emerges/ is a moth or butterfly/ that dries its wings and starts to fly”). A “Facts About Common Critters” section offers more information about the featured creatures (“A squirrel will crack open a nut and rub it on its face before burying it”) alongside a brief discussion of artistic license, while “A Peek into the Poet’s Toolkit” uses the poems to explain rhyme, meter, stanza, and poetic license." -- PW"The poems are light and fun, while the entertaining illustrations will draw in readers." -- Susan Lissim, Dwight School, NYC - School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisKIRKUS STARRED REVIEW 2020 Outstanding Science Trade List A Junior Library Guild SelectionTrade Review"The evolution of iguanas in the Galápagos provides a striking example of the workings of natural selection. This entry in the How Nature Works series explains how scientists have determined that two surprisingly different species evolved from a single ancestor. Collard's smoothly written text introduces two kinds of iguanas now living on these islands: a prickly pear-eating land iguana and a marine iguana that feeds on green algae underwater. He goes on to describe the volcanic origin of the archipelago and how plants and animals arrived. Drawing on well-grounded scientific conjecture (described in one of six informative sidebars), he then imagines the arrival of the first ctenosaur from Central America 8.25 million years ago and, after 3.75 million more years, the evolution of its algae-eating descendent. He introduces the theory of natural selection and, in another sidebar, explains how genes and their alleles contribute to individual differences. Returning to the continuing evolution of these two species, he shows how each has become perfectly adapted to its habitat. Finally he touches on other unique Galápagos inhabitants and the development of the theory of natural selection. A helpful map locates the Galápagos; images of its reptiles, birds, sea lions, and scenery will help readers picture the setting today. The attractive design makes good use of these well-reproduced photographs, some taken by the author. A fresh and accessible approach to an important scientific concept. (glossary, suggestions for further research, author's note)" -- Kirkus Reviews - STARRED REVIEW

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Book SynopsisIt is December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt leads a nation in crisis.Trade Review" A study in contrasts featuring two of America's most renowned citizens...comparing the divergent career paths of its (putative) two riders may give readers food for thought. (timeline, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 10-12) " -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisTrade Review" Cassie's family moves from Mississippi to Chicago so that her father and uncle can work in the stockyards, but what they love to do most is sit and play the blues. The textured digital woodcut illustrations excellently convey the emotions of the story, while a lengthy author's note offers more information about the Great Migration and the Chicago blues scene. Ideal for sharing one-on-one or as a supplement to U.S. history lessons. " -- School Library Journal"Six-year-old Cassie squeezes into the backseat of her family’s old jalopy, holding Daddy’s precious guitar across her lap. The year is 1936, and the family is bound for a better life in Chica­go, where Daddy will work six days a week in the stockyards and fill his time off singing the blues. This fictional but histori­cally correct story is set during the Great Migration, a period when thousands of African Americans left the southern states in search of a better life away from share cropping and Jim Crow laws. It is a tribute to the rich tradition of the blues, particularly the Chicago Blues style. The story is interjected with blues lyr­ics, which are accompanied by illustrated interpretations of the songs. Garland uses a method called digital woodblock to cre­ate vibrant, luminescent pictures that resemble scratchboard technique, which fill each page. The energy and motion in the illustrations support the musical spirit described in the text. Cassie’s story is told in first-person narrative, which helps make the content accessible for young readers, as does the large, sim­ple text. An eight-page, fully illustrated author’s note adds con­text for the story and provides information about blues history and the popularization of the genre. Back matter includes song credits, a map depicting the Great Migration, and short bios and portraits for 11 pioneers of the Chicago blues style. The story would make an excellent read-aloud for younger students, while the endnotes will appeal to upper elementary students. " -- Sarah Jo Zaharako, Head Royce School - BayViews: The Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California"Packing themselves into an old jalopy along side Daddy, Uncle Vern, and Mama in the front seat and Cassie and her two brothers in the back, the family joined the Great Migration from the impoverished Deep South to Chicago, where there was work to be had in the stockyards. Across the kids' laps lay Daddy's prized possession, a six-string guitar. Daddy worked hard to put food on the table, but what he really loved was playing the blues. Deftly written and superbly illustrated by Michael Garland, "Daddy Played the Blues" is an evocative picture book tale of the African-American odyssey in search of a better life is also a homage to the uniquely American music that developed from African music and American spirituals, work songs, and folk ballads. Of special note is Garland own personal story of how he first heard and fell in love with blues music, beginning a lifelong fandom. Featuring portraits and thumbnail biographies of great blues musicians and landmark songs complete this tribute to the great American music and the yearnings that produced it, "Daddy Played the Blues" will prove to be an original and entertaining read for children ages 6 to 10, making it unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for young readers. " -- The Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisAnnie's joyful exuberance and her family's whole-hearted support leave no doubt that her dream is within her grasp. This delightful story, which includes the real-life experiences of women astronauts, encourages young readers to pursue their dreams and re

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Book SynopsisIf walls could talk, what would they say? Perhaps they would tell us who built them and why. Maybe they could even tell us about people's lives today or about how our ancestors lived thousands of years ago.Trade Review" If You Build It… Introduce readers to different cultures by exploring the stories of walls around the world and how they can separate communities or hold them together. " -- Learning Magazine"Links to social studies abound. A great read-aloud and a unique source of hard-to-find material." -- School Library Journal"An unusually attractive book that wisely allows readers to draw their own conclusions." -- Kirkus Reviews"Knight has found a powerful theme for introducing children to the world and its diverse cultures." -- Booklist starred review

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The World Never Sleeps is a children's picture book that depicts the fascinating lives of insects and other creatures, who remain busy even after the sun sets. From hardworking, web-weaving spiders to skittering cockroaches and mayflies who often live for only one day as an adult, these tiny lives form an intricate part of the environmental balance - and the world never sleeps. Beautiful color illustrations and some supplementary information about common creatures round out this wonderful and educational book, perfect for reading aloud to children right before bedtime." -- Midwest Review of Books

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Book SynopsisStarred Youth Services Book Review Paula Grey explores how creative thinkers—sometimes collaborating, sometimes competing, and always building on the work of their predecessors—have envisioned new ways to move about in the world.

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Book SynopsisFor kids encountering the pressure to fit in with peers, this picture-book story explores a concept that is key to happiness: how much is enough?

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Book SynopsisThis nonfiction picture book, by a South African writer, explores how light weaves the universe together and how much we have in common with a quivering aspen leaf and the dust of a distant nebula.

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Book SynopsisA picture-book celebration of the ordinary peopleadults and childrenwho hold our world together by going about their daily lives and work

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Book SynopsisThe true story of a girl whose mastery of a domestic art propelled her to the elite NASA sisterhood who shielded the space shuttle astronauts from heat and radiation

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Book SynopsisWith vivid illustrations by Kaylani Juanita, Samara Cole Doyon sings a carol for the plenitude that surrounds us and the self each of us is meant to inhabit.Trade Review"Absolutely lovely." -- Jacqueline Woodson, US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"If you’re looking for an introduction to Ramadan for young readers (ages 5 to 8), consider this picture book. On the first year she is able to participate in Ramadan, Lailah finds herself in a new country, far from her native Abu Dhabi. She is excited to fast, but nervous that her classmates will not understand. With the help of a teacher and a librarian, she learns how she can explain Ramadan to her fellow students and make friends who are respectful of her culture." -- Concepción de León - New York Times"A lovely classroom-friendly introduction to the Muslim month of fasting!" -- Ruhksana Khan, award-winning author and storyteller

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Book SynopsisThere is a deserted bay on a small island off Antigua where hawksbill turtles crawl ashore at night during the mating season to lay their eggs. Two months later the hatchlingseach weighing less than an ounceemerge from the sand and scramble to the sea in the moonlight. Only a lucky few survive.Trade Review"5 stars! Hawksbill Promise: A Sea Turtle’s Journey is a good story for any age of reader who enjoys the islands because chances are that they also love turtles. There is a lot to be learned from this story, and the added information included at the end of the book was a definite bonus. Read Hawksbill Promise: A Sea Turtle’s Journey, and you will learn a lot about the journey of this special sea creature." -- Ania - Age 8 - Kids' Book Buzz"" 2020 NCTE Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels List"" -- NTCE" 5 Stars! Anything you didn’t like about it? Nothing. To whom would you recommend this book? Perfect for children between the ages of four and eight. Who should buy this book? Public and school libraries, preschools, daycare centers, anyone who works with children between the ages of four and eight. Where would you shelve it? Beginner nonfiction books Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes " -- Kristin Guay, former youth librarian - Youth Services Book Review

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Book SynopsisA lyrical story of animal repopulation and hope in India.

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Book SynopsisA spring refrain! A salamander rain! This lush, lyrical story illuminates the convergence of wildlife and citizen scienceand the big impact young readers can have on vulnerable species

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Book SynopsisA lunch box filled with snails and spiders and eggs?! That is not MY lunchbox! Whose could it be?

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Book SynopsisWhat reaches everywhere and never tires? Pulling on feathers and galaxies alike? Holding the mighty Milky Way together? Gravity, of course!

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Book SynopsisWhen four friends are horrified to find their swimming hole filled with green slime, a mysterious naturalist named Riparia helps the children understand why the water became polluted—and together they figure out how they can bring clean water back to the river they all love.Trade Review"This story will resonate with everyone who splashed in a stream as a child." -- Paul T. Zeph, Former President, North American Association for Environmental Education"If a river could talk, it would sound like Riparia." -- Paper Tigers"A wonderful, empowering story for children who will inherit the rivers." -- The Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisKanzi, the immigrant girl of Aya Khalil and Anait Semirdzhyan’s bestselling picture book The Arabic Quilt, has come to feel welcome in her American school—that is, until an entire shelf of books about immigrant kids and kids of color suddenly disappears from the school library.

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Book SynopsisTakes children to the underwater world of Australia's Great Barrier Reef for a prime example of how a complex ecosystem depends on its keystone species.Trade Review"When children discover the wonders of the natural world, they become fascinated and curious, and this often sparks a life-long appreciation for the environment. This book offers young readers a glimpse into the delicate balance between corals, algae, and the reef fishes that together make up these important ecosystems. A journey of discovery that will educate and inspire a connection with our oceans and the magic of coral reefs." -- Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and UN Messenger of Peace"Keepers of the Reef invites kids to look beyond the pretty colors, revealing fascinating fish behaviors that are key to the survival of coral reefs. A delightful perspective on life in this beautiful yet fragile marine habitat." -- Dr. David Bellwood, reef fish expert and Distinguished Professor of Marine Biology at James Cook University"Coral reefs are places of wonder and excitement that stir kids’ imaginations and create curiosity that lasts a lifetime. Keepers of the Reef nurtures that curiosity. It will encourage the children of today to become the stewards of tomorrow." -- Dr. Charlie Veron, global coral expert, conservationist, and the “Godfather of Coral”

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"When a nonfiction picture book leaves its readers going ‘Wow! That was so cool! I never knew that!’ it ensures that the book is a winner in its own right! And Good Eating does that; it left all of us judges completely sated with the knowledge that this book is educating, engaging, and entertaining. We had absolutely no idea about how interesting the krill is until we read this book that is stuffed with information and fun facts about it (just like the krill stuffing itself with food!) Author Matt Lilley informs us about this little-known ‘keystone species’ of the ocean using a cool and effective second-person point of view that helps us identify with and root for our krill friend, one among a “krillion!” We join an anonymous narrator, who guides our friend, from when it is just an egg through various swim-eat-grow-molt cycles, till ‘phew’, we sigh in relief that our friend has not ended up as food, at least not within the pages of this book! Dan Tavis’s illustrator’s adorable and vibrant illustrations are the perfect accompaniment for both the entertainment and educative elements of the book. Good Eating’s balance of humor, science, and even a bit of the macabre makes it a funny, adventurous, and great nonfiction treat for all its readers (young and old)." -- Cybils Award 2022"[Good Eating] follows the ever-popular (to predators, anyway) Antarctic krill from blobby egg to shrimplike maturity, where they are surrounded by “krillions” of fellow crustaceans and not a few hungry-looking seals, penguins, whales, and fish. Lilley makes jocular observations (“You look kind of buggy, but you’re not a bug. / You look kind of shrimpy, but you’re not a shrimp.”) and comments on successive growth stages, bioluminescence, and this keystone species’ role in the Southern Ocean’s food chain." -- John Peters - Booklist"And just in case you're wondering how many millions and millions of krill there are in the world... Author Matt Lilley says there are a KRILLION!...The back matter, which includes more wonderful illustrations, explains the life cycle of krill and how these tiny creatures are the "keystone species of the Southern Ocean." The author discusses how krill move and can even "molt and bolt"--shedding their skin when a predator is near--and swim away!" -- Carol Baldwin - Carol Baldwin's Blog"My true appreciation of a work of nonfiction for younger readers never burns brighter than when I am able to take a book, look it right in the eye, and say, “GAAAAHHH! NATURE IS SO WEIRD!!!” And friends, I am delighted to say that this little book by Lilley and Tavis, gave me that warm panicked feeling in my belly I always strive to find. Yes, this is a book about krill. If you’re an adult, like me, then you may know roundabout two facts about krill: 1. They are important to the oceans from an environmental standpoint and 2. Whales eat them by the truckload but they’re small. Therein begins and ends what I knew about the little buggers. That is also why I found GOOD EATING to be so delightful. Because Matt Lilley does not begin where you might expect him to. He starts with a shot of a single, solitary egg. “Hey, egg. What are you doing? Are you sinking?” Painted a luminous golden brown against a sea of black, the egg sinks down, more than a mile. Yet when it hatches it’s still spherical. To my delight, your average krill is a far stranger story of metamorphosis than anything our butterflies can come up with. Constantly grown and shedding and grown and shedding (and not, for quite some time, eating) krill are shapeshifters. Even when they reach their final state, they’re still shedding armor. This deep dive into the microcosm of their lives is as elucidating as it is mesmerizing. You’ll never think about them the same way again." -- Elizabeth Bird - SLJ - A Fuse 8 Production"While I had a vague sense about what krill were, I hadn't really thought about what an important part they play in the ecosystem. Lilley starts from the beginning of a krill's life cycle and follows as one small egg sinks to the bottom of the ocean, starts to develop, and goes through the various stages to become a small ocean creature. Krill eats a LOT, and we see how krill turn green when they eat a lot of plant material. They continue to grow and eat even more and come into contact with a variety of ocean creatures. Of course, it soon becomes apparent that krill are going to be eaten themselves, but the particular one we are following manages to escape the whale at the end and can keep up his gobbling ways for a little while longer. There is a lot of humor to go along with the scientific language; we see what krill look like during the phases of their development, and the names are those phases appear in the corner of the pages complete with pronunciation. This makes it great for a classroom read aloud, because the text addresses one krill as "you" and makes the tiny, anonymous animals seem sympathetic. We follow our krill and root for its growth, but also hope that our krill won't end up as someone else's dinner... at least not too soon! The illustrations are very detailed and give a good sense for the changes the animals go through, and also what the environment in which it lives is like. Since a lot of the krill's life is spent underwater, many of the pages have backgrounds in dark colors, with text in white or beige. The illustrations make good use of the entire spread, with some fun borders showing sea vegetation or other details. It's good to see more informational text for young readers, especially when they have fantastic end papers-- this one has two solid pages of tiny krill that made me think that maybe one of them was wearing a striped shirt like Waldo!" -- Karen Yingling - YA Book Central

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Book SynopsisTrade Review" Young whale enthusiasts will lap this up, and primary-grade science teachers will have the crown jewel of the next marine life unit. " -- EB - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Tavis brightens his setting’s inky depths with glowing, brightly hued, and proficiently rendered images of voracious sea creatures converging on their benthic banquet. Along with notes for a select photo gallery of café customers, Sewell closes with a report on the rare discovery of one 1987 fall, plus engaging profiles of two marine biologists she tapped as consultants. A revealing glimpse of a rarely studied link in the oceanic food chain." -- John Peters - Booklist

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Book SynopsisA story to show how to keep going even when something is difficult.Trade Review"Incredible book alert! I Am Darn Tough is a beautiful new picture book that I am so excited to share with you. Picture Books have such a magical way of tackling important subjects…and I am Darn Tough does it in such a powerful way. It is the story of determination and perseverance. Of looking within when times get tough and finding the inner strength that we all have inside of us. This is so relatable because we have all experienced moments of self-doubt, moments when we weren’t sure if we could keep going. This is a must-read for girls and boys of all ages. Author Licia Morelli’s writing has such a beautiful poetic quality to it. Morelli’s words flow so lyrically across the page while still sending such an important and powerful message. The story follows a young girl as she faces a physical and mental battle during a long race. As things get difficult she has a moment of self-doubt…but she looks deep within herself and knows she has it in her to finish the race. The illustrations by artist Maine Diaz are simply breathtaking. You can feel the pain, anguish, and triumph in the images. They are so rich and warm and pair absolutely perfectly with the writing. I adored this book. This was one that I immediately read to my kids. What an important message that I think we ALL need to hear. When we are feeling overwhelmed or down on ourselves this serves as such a beautiful reminder that we CAN do hard things. We really can. Belief in ourselves is such a powerful tool to overcoming hardships. I love how this was conveyed in the story! Something that stuck with me was that she was allowed to stop and feel her feelings. It wasn’t viewed as a moment of weakness. I think this is such an important message to share with our kids. Being able to pause and think things through is such an important quality to learn…and it is a sign of strength! Just love that this was conveyed through the story!" -- Homeschool By The Beach" Morelli isn’t just writing about a cross-country race run by a young girl, perhaps 11, with brown skin and flushed cheeks. The girl prepares at the starting line with her teammates. There is the crunch of gravel, large hills, and twisting paths, captured in soft-focus watercolors. It is a true quest, right down to the moment of stumbling and scraping her knee. “I remember crying, feeling defeated. My heart hurting, stomach in knots.” Readers are there at the start of the race, and at the end, when the girl crosses the finish line, the wind at her back, a cramp receding in the rush of accomplishment. In the voice of the narrator that is both strong and true, the story has a simple, empowering message: that even to the fleet of foot there will be moments of self-doubt, injury, and pain. Diaz’s scenes carry readers along with various perspectives and styles, from the close-up of the girl’s determined face to the ghostly outlines of the moment when she falls and drags herself back up. VERDICT A necessary purchase; a surprisingly poetic glimpse of the heart of the athlete, with a welcome, winning heroine. STARRED REVIEW " -- School Library Journal" I see your strength. I see your fight. I see you running and never stopping. Falling and never stopping. Fighting and never stopping. What Lucia Morelli and Maine Diaz bring to I AM DARN TOUGH has grit and persistence and strength and universality. And it’s a brilliant and beautiful and important and unputdownable book. A picture book that doesn’t stop and delivers solid with each read. More of this always. In books and in those who read them. And in all those mighty girls who see themselves mirrored throughout. " -- Matthew Winner - The Children's Book Podcast"A runner’s high is an exhilarating mix of relief and tenacity. Running is largely a solitary and quiet activity, combining muscle memory and mental strength. A race puts this book’s protagonist, who has light-brown skin and straight, black hair in a ponytail, together with other runners; all present female. She lines up at the start, runs at her own pace, and finishes strong. Her friends and teammates, a merry band of casually diverse girls, are supportive, yet the text understands that the girl’s race is hers alone. What Morelli and Diaz do remarkably well is show what the girl thinks about and sees with each step and how that fuels her to keep going and not give up. Diaz’s illustrations prove that anyone who runs has a runner’s body; the stereotypical vision of what a runner looks like is a misconception. In the middle of the book are two illustrations that leave lasting impressions: The first abruptly ends the soft images seen heretofore when the girl falls and scrapes her knee; a stark, almost aggressive smear of blood is rendered with sharp, jagged lines. In the second, the girl breaks the fourth wall and stares out at readers. Her gaze is so straightforward and penetrating that it’s almost startling, yet it feels simultaneously compelling, daring readers to look away first. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 48.6% of actual size.) A tender introduction to the discipline and community that running provides to its athletes. (Picture book. 5-8)" -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book Synopsis A Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice of 2013 Reading Is Fundamental STEAM Collection Kunu wants to make a pack basket, just like the other men on Indian Island.Trade Review"Beautifully written and illustrated . . . I hope Lee DeCora Francis writes some more books. She’s got a knack for seamlessly presenting the story without sounding didactic. This is exquisite writing, and I’d love to see more of it." -- Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children’s Literature"Details of Kunu’s home are gracefully juxtaposed with images of baskets from eras past holding fish, berries, potatoes, ferns, and more, suggesting that longstanding cultural traditions can be readily integrated into a contemporary lifestyle." -- Publishers Weekly"Kunu’s Basket is a delightful addition to Tilbury House’s growing list of titles by Native New Englanders that depict modern American Indian lives. This simple story of a contemporary Penobscot boy being encouraged to make his first basket is told and illustrated with accuracy, clarity, and intelligence. It truly should delight not only young children, but people of all ages. It’s not just about the enduring nature of traditional crafts; it also demonstrates the values of patience, family, and perseverance." -- Joseph Bruchac, author of Our Stories Remember

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisTamen longs to see the stars, but none are visible in the light-polluted sky above the fire escape of his urban apartment building. Even in the neighbourhood park, the stars are hidden by city lights.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Starred Review "An exceptional STEAM title."" -- Angela Leeper - Booklist"Read this as a picture book, to spark discussion, or use it to expand options for biography assignments in elementary schools. There’s great potential in this story. VERDICT Beautiful, informative, and fascinating, this is a great addition to school and public library biography collections. Recommended. " -- School Library Journal"If you build it, they will marvel... This charming homage is a resounding tribute to immigrants' contributions. The text is narrated by Rafael in a proud, awestruck voice that makes both characters and their work come alive. A pictorial guide to the important architectural terms readers will encounter prefaces the book. Many of the lively, colorful, appealing illustrations prominently display tiled arches... A firm foundation for building interest in architecture and a solid STEM resource." -- Kirkus Reviews"An esoteric architectural detail—the Guastavino vault—anchors this chatty, information-dense biography. In first-person narration, the authors share the story of Rafael Guastavino Moreno through his son, Rafael Guastavino Expósito. After the pair emigrated to the U.S. from Spain in 1881, the elder Guastavino “patented tiled vaults and domes as a fireproof construction system” (at the time, “fires were common in America’s growing cities”). Engaging the same concepts used in pizza and bread ovens, the Guastavino vault proved enormously successful, and “the Guastavino Fireproof Construction Company... built curved ceilings in more than one thousand buildings.” (Though many were demolished, vaults survive in Grand Central Terminal and the main hall at Ellis Island, among other locations.) Through a fluke of fate, an architecture professor rescued the company’s drawings from a dumpster, thereby ensuring the Guastavino legacy. Lorente’s retro-mod illustrations, washed in teal, yellow, and rust, portray undulating tiled vaults, grand spaces, and dapper architects at work. Ages 8–up." -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisSeeds can be dispersed by wind, water, animals or the bursting of a pod. In Three Lost Seeds, these forces are a metaphor for the hardships faced by displaced children.

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Book SynopsisSelected for the Notable Social Studies 2022 List Named to ALA Notable Children's Books 2022 In this Own Voices Native American picture book story, a modern Wabanaki girl is excited to accompany her grandmother for the first time to harvest sweetgrass for basket making.Trade Review"PW Starred Review - Emphasizing the importance of conservation and tradition in Native culture, married authors Greenlaw (who is Maliseet) and Frey (who is Passamaquoddy) expertly craft a sweet story that centers a Wabanaki grandmother and granddaughter...Baker’s earth-toned illustrations feature soft edges, subtle colors, and braided sweetgrass borders, while lyrical text renders experience in evocative sensory prose (“the thin whine of mosquitos grew distant”). The result is a deeply personal, thoughtfully detailed account." -- PW"While hunting for summer’s sweetgrass, a young Wabanaki girl learns patience from her grandmother... Greenlaw (Houlton Band of Maliseet) and Frey (Passamaquoddy), a basket maker himself, pen a tender ode to a treasured tradition. Muted illustrations rendered in pastels on brown paper evoke the coastal Maine landscape and fit nicely with the tranquil pace of this lyrical tale. Quiet text shows how careful observation and the respect of nature can provide unexpected gifts." -- Kirkus"The First Blade of Sweetgrass is simply heartwarming. The simple tale of a young girl going out with her grandmother to learn the traditional art of harvesting sweetgrass from the marshes for basketmaking, it melds the enchantment of the natural world with deep principles such as tradition, ecological responsibility, mindfulness, and cultural legacy.Illustrated in the soft earth tones of the sweetgrass meadows of Maine’s Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, this book is grounded in the Indigenous traditions of the region. The two authors are active citizens within the Wabanaki Confederacy. Suzanne Greenlaw works to restore Wabanaki ecological stewardship practices throughout Maine, while Gabriel Frey is an award-winning Passamaquoddy basket maker, artist, and cultural knowledge keeper. Together, they taught illustrator Nancy Baker of the ecology and cultural importance of sweetgrass.Little Musquon’s grandmother teaches her two lessons to begin harvesting sweetgrass from the marshes:Do not pick the first blade, so there will never be a last blade for future generations. Sweetgrass has a shiny green tassel and blades and a purple stem, and it gives itself to you. If it does not give itself, it is not sweetgrass. But it is only when Musquon learns to slow down, pay attention, and connect with the ancestors who picked sweetgrass before her that she is able to follow in their footsteps.For Indigenous children, the book offers a deep affirmation of tradition and connection to ancestry. For non-Native children, the book offers a rare and sweet experience of the land and its gifts from a more mindful, respectful, relational perspective. It is an invaluable gift in these days of virtual reality and nature deficit disorder. Heartily recommended!" -- Phila Hoopes - Friends Journal

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Book SynopsisNamed one of the Top 10 Native American Books for Elementary Schools by American Indians in Children's Literature Little Zoo Sap and his family are moving from their summer home on the coast to their winter home in the deep woods. Unnoticed, the youngster tumbles off the end of the sled.Trade Review"This delightful story is wonderful example of both the subtle directness and the deep awareness of our relation to the natural world that characterizes the very best American Indian traditional storytelling. Allen’s voice is both gentle and strong. I can’t think of a book I could recommend more highly for anyone who wants to give a young reader a true picture of the Native way of seeing, teaching, and understanding." -- Joseph Bruchac, author of more than 100 books, many of which reflect his American Indian (Abenaki) ancestry, including the young adult novel Killer of Enemies." Sockabasin weaves a powerful story of paternal love while simultaneously expressing the mutual respect between his Passamaquoddy culture and the natural world." -- School Library Journal"…a perfect bedtime story." -- Multicultural Review"Sockabasin’s tale is richly delineated by Raye’s evocative images. A tale for the seasons!" -- Native Peoples

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Book Synopsis*Junior Library Guild Selection 2017* A unanimous selection to the 2018 Maverick Graphic Novel List! This graphic retelling of the Apollo 11 moon-landing mission follows astronaut Michael Collins, commander of the lunar orbiter, to the far side of the moon.Trade Review"While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are household names, “the only thing most people know about Michael Collins is that he didn’t get to walk on the moon.” Irvine and Bishop aim to remedy that with this graphic biography, which traces Collins’s upbringing and NASA career through his selection for the Apollo 11 mission and his life afterward. Bishop works in a rough, schematic style, and his liberal use of swaths of black, accented with violet, makes the vastness of space felt in nearly every panel." -- PW" The Far Side of the Moon is a black-and-white nonfiction graphic novel about astronaut Michael Collins and the historic Apollo 11 moon-landing mission of 1969. The stark, visually striking artwork captures the loneliness and dangers of space travel. Readers of all ages will find The Far Side of the Moon a captivating and inspirational true story not only of scientific history, but also of human fortitude and ingenuity. Highly recommended, especially for high school and public library graphic novel collections. " -- Library Bookwatch

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Book SynopsisNarrated in the poetic voice of the estuary itself, and accompanied by natural-history sidebars about estuary plants, animals, and cycles, THE SECRET BAY is another topnotch nature book from the author and illustrator of the award-winning, bestselling The Secret Pool. A stand-alone book and a stunning companion volume to Ridley and Raye's award-winning Secret Pool. Ridley deftly augments the estuary's lyrical narrative voice with sidebars about the plants, animals, and natural processes of an estuary. Raye's gorgeous watercolors reveal new features and hidden treats with each reading. Back matter includes The Estuary Food Web, Great Escapes (how estuary animals avoid predators), and an author's note about the challenges facing estuaries. A perfect book for the budding naturalist and for his or her parents and teachers. Fountas & Pinnell Level S Lexile 1180Trade Review"The Secret Bay offers young readers a charming introduction to one of earth''s most important ecosystems. Lively, kid-friendly illustrations and rhyming text draw in younger nature lovers, while well-chosen sidebars and back matter satisfy the curiosities of budding scientists." -- Sneed. B. Collard III, author of Firebirds, and A Platypus, Probably

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