Marian's Big Dig by Laura Bontje

MARIAN'S BIG DIG

by Laura Bontje

Illustrated by Scot Ritchie

Groundwood Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING OCTOBER 6th!!!

When rock-loving Marian stumbles upon a perfect, pointy stone in the park, she just knows it is a dinosaur fossil! But her geologist mom and her fossil-hunting hero remain unconvinced, so there’s only one thing to do — Marian has to find the rest of the dinosaur. One by one, she excavates more fossils in her backyard (though her parents keep mistaking them for gardening tools and household objects). Piecing them together is puzzling, but Marian’s dinosaur is shaping up to be her best discovery yet.

This playful story told through the eyes of imaginative Marian is accompanied by real facts about fossils, further reading and details about real life fossil discoveries made by kids.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Huge discoveries are sometimes only a glance at the ground away, and these pages show how.

Marian loves discovering rocks just like her mother. She even has her own little collection, and there's a  space left for a very special stone. While at the playground, she notices a small fossil on a larger rock buried in the ground, but it's too big for her to move. Then, she discovers a very interesting, smaller rock poking out of the grass next to it. That one looks quite a bit like a dinosaur tooth. Her mom doubts it's a fossil, but Marian is determined and writes a letter to a fossil expert, who even had a dinosaur named after her. The expert admits that she can't identify Marian's tooth without seeing it personally, but Marian isn't about to send her tooth away. Soon, she starts finding all sorts of possible fossils in the ground and even begins her own excavation. What she discovers is something no one expected.

My own daughter is an avid rock hound, so this book already had me smiling. But then, Marian's enthusiasm brightens every page enough to give a very positive atmosphere. Her determination is inspiring as she doesn't let anything distract her from her mission of finding more fossils, and her parents take it with wonderful stride. The result of Marian's efforts isn't anything like a reader might expect, either. Instead, the book lets Marian's imagination flow right in and everything wraps up with a huge amount of creativity...which inspires, too. It's definitely not a dry rock hound or fossil finding book, although these aspects do come through, too, and will have readers looking at what's on the ground around them more often.

The illustrations bring across Marian's lively personality, and the bright colors are as sunny as the atmosphere. They bring each scene to life in a way that can also let younger listeners flip through the story on their own. The text fits the intended age group well and flows nicely to create a lovely read aloud. While it first appears that this might settle into a more informative read, reluctant listeners will be pleasantly surprised at the direction the plot takes. 

At the end of the book, there are several facts about fossils and such as well as a list of children, who made fossil discoveries. This is a nice touch and shows that even four-year-olds have run across big discoveries. So, be careful because this read might also inspires some listeners/ readers to start finding fossils of their own. But that also means that this read works well in connection with a theme surrounding rocks and fossils, too.

And here they are...

LAURA BONTJE is a children’s book author and freelance fiction editor. Raised in Calgary, Alberta, she now lives with her husband, kids and fluffy gray cat in London, Ontario. Her picture books include Marian’s Big Dig (illustrated by Scot Ritchie), When the Air Sang (illustrated by Sarah Whang), Was It a Cat I Saw? (illustrated by Emma Lidia Squillari) and more to come.

SCOT RITCHIE is an award-winning illustrator and author with more than eighty books to his credit, including Tug, P'ésk'a and the First Salmon Ceremony, Federica and Owen at the Park. His books have been translated into many languages including French, Korean, Indonesian, Polish, Finnish, Arabic and Dutch. Scot has worked with the National Film Board of Canada and has exhibited his illustrations at the National Gallery of Canada. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Day Shift, Night Shift by Ariel Vanece

The moment the colors on this cover caught my eye, I snatched this one up. The train is a super plus, too. I'm already loving the day to night contrast and have a feeling that it has something to do with this little girl and her grandfather's job. I'm hoping for some family goodness and train fun.

Let's open it up and see what it's all about!

DAY SHIFT, NIGHT SHIFT

by Ariel Vanece

Illustrated by Jade Orlando

Denene Millner Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING SEPTEMBER 22nd!!!

A young girl uses her wits, science, and a little inspiration from her train engineer grandfather to get her toy train to run in this endearing picture book.

“Well, good morning to you,” Pop Pop says.
“And good night to you!” Atticus says.

Each morning when the clock strikes six and the front door rattles, Atticus runs to greet her grandpa on his way in from work. Pop Pop’s tools go clank clank clank all through the night, so trains can chug chug chug and choo choo choo all through the day. He’s a railroad mechanic. And when Pop Pop ends his night shift, that’s when Atticus’s day shift starts.

She’s a train mechanic too. But when she can’t figure out how to get her toy train to climb a hill, can she and Pop Pop use their mechanic skills to get the problem licked and the train on its way?

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

The mix of trains and family love makes this a book to enjoy all the way through.

Every morning, Atticus meets her grandfather as he returns from working the entire night repairing trains. He to heads to bed since his night is her day. She swipes up his cap and goes to repair her own, little train. She's been building it for awhile, and it's working so well...except that it can't make it up the hill she built. She reworks the train, readjusts the track, and tries again and again, but the train simply won't make it up the hill. When her grandfather wakes up, she hopes he can help.

This is a fun and heartwarming tale. The dance between night and day adds a playful touch while also hitting a familiar scene for readers, whose own family members work night shifts. The love between grandparent and grandchild beams from every page, and although the grandfather is tired from working all night, he lets the joy of seeing his granddaughter shine. Her enthusiasm not only to see him but to fully embrace his job and play with trains on her own adds another layer of goodness. As she plays with the train, her willingness to fix and tinker inspire even when things don't work out as hoped. So, there's a message surrounding dealing with failure as well. Add the grandfather's clever way of dealing with the problem...which isn't a direct help but leads the girl to a different thought direction which helps her see the solution herself...and this read packs tons of positive aspects.

The illustrations are bright and bold, and let each moment come across clearly and with the needed emotions. The girl's enthusiasm is visible, and it's hard not to smile right along with her. The text flows with a playful, lyrical atmosphere, making it a lovely read aloud for groups or single sessions. It's a fun book which is sure to be picked up again and again.

And here they are...

Ariel Vanece (she/they) is a Black American author from Sacramento, California. They hold a BA in English from the University of Kansas and an MA/MFA in children’s literature and writing for children from Simmons University. Ariel’s stories focus on Black American culture and intergenerational friendships. Their stories are described as heartwarming and adventurous.

Jade Orlando was born on an army base in North Carolina and grew up in a tiny Michigan town. After an impassioned childhood spent drawing dragons and cat ladies, she earned a BFA in illustration from SCAD Savannah. Jade worked as a staff children’s apparel artist before switching to freelance full time. She illustrated the board books Who Takes Care of You? and International Women’s Day by Hannah Eliot and the picture books Day Shift, Night Shift by Ariel Vanece. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, a greyhound, and four cats (including two naked ones!). When she’s not drawing, she can usually be found curled up with her cats and a really good book. 

Mo Farah, the Boy Who Ran to be Free by Dr. Seema Yasmin

Today's read head into the sports realm and takes a look at a runner, who beat more the those he was running against. This is for those readers out there, who are good with their words but need a bit more practice before hitting more difficult reads. I'm not very knowledge to the who-is-who in the area of Track and Field sports. But I'm always ready to learn. I'm hoping this is an interesting read and grabs the reader with more than dates and statistics. 

So, let's open it up and give it a go!

MO FARAH, THE BOY WHO RAN TO BE FREE

by Dr. Seema Yasmin

Illustrated by Noha Habaieb

Salaam Reads

Chapter Book Sports

96 pages

ages 6 to 10

COMING SEPTEMBER 29th!!!

From the prolific Pulitzer Prize–nominated Muslim reporter Dr. Seema Yasmin comes the second book in the exciting nonfiction Muslim Mavericks chapter book series, about Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah.

From Somalia to the Olympic arena, there’s no distance Mo can’t go!

At the age of eight, Mo Farah and his family moved across the world from Somalia to London. It was difficult starting over in a new country, especially since he spoke very little English. But fortunately for Mo, running is a language everyone understands.

Once he started, he never stopped—smashing records and winning championships. Now, having won gold at four Olympics and earned six World titles, he is the most successful male track distance runner ever!

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

While these pages center on an amazing athlete, it's not his running successes which keep these pages turning but a much more serious win.

Mo Farah was one of several sons in a big, happy family in Somalia until a war broke out. Trying to keep him and his brother safe, his parents sent him to a city to live with relatives. That, however, took a different turn when that family agreed to have him (now eight years old) and his brother travel with another woman they knew to London. When Mo left with her in the middle of the night, not only was his brother not with them, but she changed his name from Hussein to Mohammad. He spent his time cleaning and cooking, never allowed to venture too far from the apartment. Finally, he convinced her to let him attend school, where he faced difficulties not only due to the culture and language but also faced challenges due to his dyslexia. His happiness was found in track, however, where no one seemed able to defeat him. But his true success didn't begin to unfold until he found the bravery to tell someone at school the one secret the woman had forbid him from divulging.

When I picked this book up, I expected to dive into tension surrounding the battle of a young man as he strives to reach his track goals. While these pages do allow Mo Farah's accomplishments to be celebrated, the main theme sits in a different battle. Mo Farah was the victim of human trafficking, but not in a violent, dusty shadows way as many people probably envision this crime to be. His first years in Somaliland give just enough background to make him relatable and his situation understandable. Just like Mo, young readers won't realize what is truly happening to him, right away. It does become clear, though, quickly. Violence or outright malicious moments aren't mentioned, keeping this just right for the intended audience age group. It's easy to sympathize with Mo and understand the bravery it took for him to step forward...as well as fever for him a little bit that everything works out. The determination and talent to reach his amazing running times slide in during the last 20 percent or so of the read to inspire and show how life can be completely turned around. So, there is a lot of depth, but the author masterfully keeps this very serious theme appropriate for the age level.

The text fits nicely with those readers, who are very sure of their words but enjoy the shorter length and need a little more time before stepping into more challenging reads. The material slides it up to the upper end of the age group and depends on the maturity of the reader, since this does open up to discussions on human trafficking. It works especially well in connection with a theme and will, no doubt, leave readers with some thoughts and desire for discussions. 

And here they are...

Seema Yasmin is an Emmy Award–winning journalist who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, medical doctor, professor, and poet. She attended medical school at Cambridge University and worked as a disease detective for the US federal government’s Epidemic Intelligence Service. She currently teaches storytelling at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a regular contributor to CNN, Self, and Scientific American, among others.

Noha Habaieb is a Tunisian French visual storyteller, working between Doha and Tunis. After studying comics in Belgium, she returned to Tunisia where she cofounded the Lab619, an award-winning comics collective. Noha took part in the evolution of Lab619’s first comics magazine for adults by participating with her original comics and organizing artistic residencies themed around migration, identity, and borders. In 2017, she cofounded Koskh, an illustration studio based in Tunisia, which aims to promote Tunisian heritage through illustrations for children and adults. She’s the illustrator of the Muslim Mavericks chapter book series written by Pulitzer Prize–nominated Dr. Seema Yasmin.

The Home We Dreamed by Anca Sandu Budisan

This book is sending off calming, country vibes with historic warmth...and I thought it'd be fun to open it up and see what's inside. (I'm keeping it short and sweet today.)

So, let's do that!

THE HOME WE DREAMED

by Anca Sandu Budisan

Quill Tree Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Part Virgina Lee Burton's The Little House, part Yuyi Morales's Dreamers, this heartfelt, lyrical, and expansive story charts the history of a house that becomes the center of one generation, then the next, and then the next, told from the point of view of a grandchild who remembers spending her summers there. 

All my grandparents had left was a small plot of land next to a river.
That’s where they built their home.

From soil to straw to bricks, readers will follow along with a couple, living in Communist Romania, who build their own home, raise a family, and watch—page by page—as the world around them changes. Narrated by the future grandchild of this couple, this story shows multiple generations raised in this home, the environmental and political changes happening around its plot of land, and the continuous love sprouting from its walls.

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Warmth mixes with the difficulties of growing up in Communist Romania to form a heartfilled read which highlights the wonder of perseverance. 

The author bases these pages on her own experiences, making it an autobiography. Still, she sets the illustrations in such a way to add distance and let the listener/reader sink into the moments of the young child's narration. Starting with the building of the house by the grandparents, each brick even formed by their own hands, the main center is formed to give a constant ground while the people in the house come and go, and face the difficulties life brings. While this takes place in historic Romania, it doesn't fall into a detailed naming of events, individuals, or the like. Rather, it presents the movements, emotions, and changes in the family's life. 

The entire book is presented from the view of a child peeking back at a type of memory album filled with photos, memorabilia and other items. This album sits in the center of each two-page spread as if open on a table. The child's arms and hands are visible as if it flips through each page. Everything is illustrated, but it holds a realistic and aged flair to bring this child's look into its relatives' past a sense of authenticity. It's easy to sink into the hard but calming life. While difficult situations arrive, the author delivers the worry and tension but never lets it outweigh the wholesomeness of the family warmth. So, the read never grows overly heavy, either. It does a lovely job at bringing across the life and culture of the past, while ending it in the present, so listeners/readers see that life there has changed like the rest of the modern world. It also brings it back to familiarity to lock in the last part of the journey. The text guides the listener/reader along and follows the child's explanation of the past. 

This works best for single reading sessions or for those readers who are very sure of their words to pick up on their own. I wouldn't recommend it for group settings simply because the details of the illustrations would be difficult from a distance to sink into and see. This would work especially well in classrooms with a fitting theme, since it dives not only into the life of Communist Romania but also presents struggles individuals in other countries have faced. I also see this as a better fit for the upper end of the intended age group. 

It's a lovely read with quite a bit of depth, cultural goodness, broadens empathy and understanding, and shows the strength of family.

And here she is...

Anca Sandu Budisan was born in eastern Romania. At age 2 she was “discovered” by her grandma as a perfect circle “drawer,” and subsequently started a career as the artist of the family. In school, her passion for drawing helped her overcome her introversion. This still works today.
Anca received her master's in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, in the UK. She is the author-illustrator of Churchill’s Tale of Tails, as well as other books about pigs, good monsters, sheep, gnus and shrews, and funny birds. She now lives in Beaverton, OR, along with her husband and their gray cat, Mango. Anca loves collecting books, perusing estate sales for the next treasure, and cooking fruit.

 

Give Me Back My Bones! by Kim Norman

GIVE ME BACK MY BONES!

by Kim Norman

Illustrated by Bob Kolar

Candlewick Press

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

A stormy night at sea has uncovered some long-buried secrets and surprises. Is that the mast of a shipwreck? A faded pirate hat? And what’s that hiding in the sand? A mandible and a clavicle, phalanges and femurs, a tibia and a fibula — could there be a set of bones scattered across the ocean floor? And who might they belong to? A jaunty rhyme takes readers on an underwater scavenger hunt as a comical skeleton tries to put itself back together piece by piece. Make no bones about it: this rollicking read-aloud will have young ones learning anatomy without even realizing it.

GOODREADS     /     AMAZON      /       PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Shiver-me-timbers takes a skeletal twist with silly rhymes and a bit of anatomy, too.

Deep under the ocean's surface is a shipwreck from long ago. There, the bones of a pirate are strewn across the ocean floor, but this pirate would love to get everything back together. With the help of all sorts of sea creatures, he starts at the top and works his way down as the fish help to find his bones and put him back together.

With a slightly eerie twist, these pages carry tons of silly rhymes as this skeleton tries to get back together again. Each page holds a four-lined rhyme, which weaves fun phrases connecting with pirate life to describe the bone he's looking for. These carry a bit of silliness and almost feel like tongue-twisters, which creates great fun when reading this one aloud. For example: 'my wavy-ahoy-to-land bones'. The last phrase in each set always carries the specific name for the bone to teach readers the terms along the way. 

The illustrations carry a dark-bluish hint to keep the deep-underwater atmosphere going the entire way through. The fish and sea creatures come to life with brighter colors and cheerful expressions. They swim around with glee to keep things exciting as they search. The skeleton's bones are recognizable while still carrying a whimsical direction so as not to let the tale get too dark. Listeners can search for the bones with the fish, although these aren't very well hidden...but it's still fun.

The text fits the age group nicely and will have listeners smiling ear to ear. Some of the phrases might go above some listeners' heads, at first, but with each read-through, it's easier to pick out the meanings. This also makes it fun to revisit, since listeners are sure to pay attention to the phrases differently each time.

It's a cute read with a touch of spooky fun, and the facts surrounding anatomy along add a very clever twist.

And here they are...

Kim Norman is an artist, actress, and singer as well as the author of children’s books such as Puddle Pug and The Bot That Scott Built. Give Me Back My Bones! is her first book with Candlewick Press. She lives in Virginia.

Bob Kolar is the author-illustrator of many books, including Big Kicks. He is also the illustrator of Nothing Like a Puffin by Sue Soltis, the AlphaOops books by Alethea Kontis, and Slickety Quick: Poems about Sharks by Skila Brown. Bob Kolar lives in Missouri.