Christmas by Annette Whipple

Only a few more days before Christmas! While the usual countdown rush is trying to blast by, I've done something a little different this year and have forced this last week to be...   ready for it?

Calmer.

The last years, the holiday has swept right on by with me feeling dazzled and dizzy on Christmas Day, and missing a little joy of the season. I'm determined to change that. Now, things aren't perfectly calm (what is that even?), but no renovations (although January will hit that end like a mighty storm). Very little running around for last minute shopping, and when I do, I'm going to be forcing joyful wonder into my head. No super cleaning or last minute tasks. (Okay, some things are unavoidable and everyone does spend the holidays at my house, so a certain amount needs to happen. But calmly. Ever so calmly). I'm going to put on more Christmas music. I'm going to gaze at our manger scene. I have a huge list of Christmas-y drinks I want to try (no not all adult ones...Facebook has been inspiring me with so many this year). 

And writing. I really would like to get a short story for a podcast out the door (but it isn't Christmas-y. Dark actually. Very dark.) 

Anyway, today's read is calling to me with seeming simplicity. So, let's take a peek and see if it's as filled with holiday spirit as I hope it is. (Plus, this author tends to put out wonderful reads.)

CHRISTMAS

Celebrations & Festivals

by Annette Whipple

Illustrated by Emma Randall

words & pictures

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 5 to 7

Discover the true meaning of Christmas and learn how children all around the world celebrate the festive period. Charlie and his sisters Emily and Lou are inviting you to celebrate with them! Join in as they light their advent wreath, play with their nativity set, make Christmas cookies and treats, attend a Christmas Eve service, and open presents and stockings on Christmas morning. 

Along the way, you’ll learn all about this bright and merry celebration, The significance of advent, the importance of the Christmas story, the fun to be had decorating the Christmas tree, the delicious food eaten and gifts exchanged on Christmas Day, and more! … The joy and excitement of this Christian observance are brought to even more life Instructions to make your own Christmas tree ornaments, a recipe to make delicious pretzel sticks, a guide to build your own nativity scene.

In this immersive exploration of Christmas, kids join a practicing family as they celebrate the true meaning of advent. Seen through the eyes of young children celebrating themselves, this is a simple and exciting way to introduce little ones to this special period.

In the Celebrations & Festivals series, you are invited into a family's celebrations as you explore the magic and excitement of religious and cultural festivals around the world.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

Christmas time is here with its wonderful multitude of activities, which many American households traditionally will recognize, often know and even love.

These pages held so much more than I expected. While many Christmas reads for this age group visit a couple of traditions, which most of us recognize, this book went into several more, which many of us do but just aren't always mentioned in Christmas reads. From the Advent wreath to manger scene to tree search, baking, going to the Christmas service, seeing if Santa eats his cookies, and even puzzling, the holiday runs from beginning to end with its swirl of excitement, surprises, and family warmth. The entire reason for the season holds the foundation and doesn't shy away from the activities surrounding this aspect either (manger scene, church, Christmas devotion, etc). It's a very well-rounded visit to the Christmas traditions and embraces the wealth of emotions and experiences the season offers.

The illustrations are bright, cheerful, and pack tons of energy as every moment holds its own fun and excitement. There are calmer moments, which radiate the more peaceful joy as well and lots of family goodness. The text creates a lovely read-aloud and is right for the audience level. It does hold several lines per page, making it one for more sure readers to pick up on their own and enjoy. 

The last pages don't slow down, offering several craft and baking ideas. These are well-laid out and also fit the age group nicely (with a little assistance from someone older). There's also a quick glimpse at the story surrounding Jesus' birth. Then, to round all of this off (as if the rest weren't enough), there's a glimpse through various traditions around the world and a few questions for young readers to revisit what was read. So, lots and lots is placed into this read...much like the holiday itself.

You can learn more about Annette and her books here!

December's Library Read: A Carpenter's Gift by David Rubel

It's been awhile since I pulled out a library read. That was my new change to this year's line-up, and I'll admit that I could have done better. So, I'll be putting an improved 'Library Read' post schedule on my New Year's resolutions list for 2025.

I ran across this one on Libby (the small town library does it's best, but inter-library borrowing definitely makes things much, much better) and thought it looked so lovely that I decided to give it a go. It's a fictive tale surrounding the Rockefeller Center Tree will, hopefully, have a tiny bit of history included and should awaken awareness for the Habitat for Humanity.

On a side note, I discovered the Habitat for Humanity just these last few months thanks to an attempt to save money on a house renovation for one of my sons. From what I've seen and experienced, it's a lovely organization.

Anyway, let's dive in and see how this story flows!

THE CARPENTER'S GIFT

A Christmas Tale About the Rockefeller Center Tree

by David Rubel

Illustrated by LaMarche

Random House

Picture Book

48 pages

This modern classic Christmas story teaches children the spirit of the season by bringing together two great New York City the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the neighbor-helping-neighbor program of Habitat for Humanity.
                                                                                           
Opening in Depression-era New York City, The Carpenter's Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and his father selling Christmas trees. They give a Christmas tree to construction workers building Rockefeller Center and celebrate together. Through the kindness of the construction workers and neighbors, Henry gets his wish for a nice, warm home to replace his family's drafty shack. He plants a pinecone from that first Rockefeller Center Tree. As an old man, Henry repays the gift by donating the enormous tree that has grown from that pinecone to become a Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. After bringing joy to thousands as the Rockefeller Center tree, its wood will be used to build a home for another family in need.

Written by children's nonfiction author David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Gorgeous illustrations crafted by Jim LaMarche.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON     /    B&N

AND AT A LIBRARY NEAR YOU!

MY TIDBITS

These pages breathe the wonder of Christmas classics with the heart of giving and a touch of historic flair.

This tale was written with the Habitat for Humanity in mind and brings across the ideas of sharing and giving to others, especially in times of need. It is very loosely based on the history behind the Rockefeller Tree and includes small facts, here and there, to give the tale a founded base. It begins with a pull at the heart-strings as a young boy, Henry, joins his father in an attempt to sell Christmas trees to earn money for their struggling family. The economic problems of the period are kept clear, but friendly, positive attitudes follow right along to keep a lovely hum. The messaging slides in as Henry's family receives a huge, unexpected helping hand and stretches all the way to the Rockefeller Tree thanks to his planted pinecone. It's realistic, yet magical.

The illustrations are beautiful and each scene not only brings the time period across vividly but also captures the atmosphere with every page. The text is on the longer side, making this a great read-aloud. Readers who are very sure of their words can tackle it on their own. The historic tidbits demonstrate known and lesser known aspects (such as the helicopters) and add a special touch. The last pages of the book reveal the true story behind the Rockefeller Tree. I was surprised that the author took such a different twist for the story and am not sure why, since there are huge differences. But the 'real' story is a nice addition, especially for historical purposes. 

There are books which can be read every Christmas season, and this is one of them. While it will impact those who know about the Rockefeller Tree differently than those who don't, it doesn't change the magic of the story. These pages hold traditional Christmas goodness, which warms the heart and reminds about the importance of giving.

Snow by Meera Trehan

Today's read doesn't come out for about another month or so, but the title and cover settled into the realm of Christmas dreams for me and my family. Mostly because our chances of seeing a flake are basically zilch until mid- or late January (or longer). My youngest sighs when she sees or hears anything about snow and reminds me that she wouldn't mind snowboarding week after week if she could. 

With these longings, I'm picking this one up and also hoping that it carries the whisper of fairy tale vibes, since it seems that might be involved as well.

SNOW

by Meera Trehan

Walker Books US

Middle Grade Fantasy

320 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

JANUARY 14th!!!

In this beautiful and haunting fantasy, an imprisoned princess needs the help of a girl from the modern world to undo a wish gone wrong and save her snowy kingdom.

Every day, a lonely princess digs through the snow in search of a way to undo the terrible wish she made—one that has left her with an empty kingdom and a heart full of guilt. But one day, a mysterious girl named Ela tumbles through the kingdom’s protective mist barrier. The princess is determined to bring Ela to her father, the harsh king, as proof that her wish can be undone, even if it means keeping Ela against her will. Meanwhile, Ela, who has grown up a regular kid in what she thought was a regular Indian American family, is shocked to discover she’s stumbled upon the very snow princess whose picture graces the cover of the locked book that Ela’s mom won’t let her read.

In this elegant fantasy, author Meera Trehan conjures a story of loneliness, family secrets, science, and remarkable snow as two girls from different worlds come together to set things right—and maybe even become friends.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Snow hits with new meaning as two worlds collide, bringing beauty, fantasy, and greed.

For years, a young princess digs and digs in the snow. From morning to night, she searches for the one object that could give her and her father hope and relieve her never-ending guilt. Just when she finally catches a glimpse at what she's been searching for, a girl stumbles through the mist barrier, which separates their lonely kingdom from the world beyond. and hope disappears. Or maybe not. The girl comes from the land beyond, and while neither the Princess or her father have ever seen it, strangers had once brought many wonders from there. While the princess isn't sure about the girl, she soon realizes that this might be the salvation her and her father have yearned for. But miracles are some of the most difficult and slippery paths to tread, especially when their foundation isn't what it appears to be.

This reads as a fairy tale and has whispers, every now and then, reminding of The Snow Queen. But it isn't a retelling and takes a very unique direction surrounding themes such as the greed for power, guilt, friendship, and courage. 

It begins with the magic of a snowy world and holds a sense of tragedy from the get go. The Princess is in a desperate place, and while it's not clear exactly what the problem is, the wrongness of the situation is obvious. The Princess' reaction to Ela, the girl entering through the mist, was a bit odd and confusing, but as the story goes on, it makes sense. But then, the entire plot is laid out so that various aspects remain unclear, at first. The adventure of the two girls unfolds as they journey to the castle and learn more about each other, while flashbacks reveal missing pieces bit by bit. Since I'm more on the hesitant side when it comes to flashbacks, this obviously wasn't my favorite story-telling style, but these flow well, aren't confusing, and add a sense of mystery and purpose as the story progresses.

The tale is told interchangeably from the two girls' perspectives, and through the flashbacks, the reader gains a better understanding of each one at the necessary moment. While the main story concentrates on the girls' forming relationship and journey, the backstory carries the meat of the plot. The kingdom has quite the complex history and richness, and this is what actually drives the tale. There's a story in itself surrounding each girl's parents and their political weavings...enough to probably create another 300+ page novel if fleshed out. The backstory hangs thickly woven around Ela's parents, and while not hitting the mother/daughter (and even father) relationship as much as I'd hope, it does a nice job in showing the tragedy behind the Princess' struggles and creates a lot of sympathy for her feelings of guilt. This makes the ending hit with that much more surprise and potency.

Summed up, it's a rich tale, which brings across a lovely realm of fantasy with the touch of magic. It's not all sunshine and demonstrates how blurred the lines between duty, love, right and wrong can become. There are action moments, but it leans heavier toward emotional/relationship tug-a-wars (all middle grade appropriate) and 'intrigue from the past' (I'm just going to call it that, although it's not really plotted, evil intrigue...more misguided decisions and consequences). Several things were left unclear (the magic, for example), but the ending opens the door to a further adventure, which has the potential to hold quite a bit more on many fronts...and it could go in many directions.

Snow Is... by Laura Gehl

We're snow-dreaming, and today's read reflects these white, crystal wishes. This book is written by an author, who has more than a few books under her name, and promises to be an inviting read. It's written in poetic form, which should be wonderful on the atmosphere side of things. So, I'm looking forward to this one.

Grab those coats and mittens and get ready to dream of a white world!

SNOW IS...

by Laura Gehl

Illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

From award-winning author Laura Gehl, a sparkling, lyrical picture book about the magic of an early snow.

It’s dawn and there is snow all around. The wonder of winter’s first snowfall brings the magic of changing seasons and sees a family sharing the perfect snow day with coziness and togetherness from dawn to dusk.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON    /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

These pages are like a child's ode to snow and open up many different wonders the white world creates.

Written in poetic form, this book follows a child's day in the snow. It begins from inside the house as the child gazes to the white world outside. From here, it's outside and into the world. All sorts of snow activities are explored, each one familiar to most readers. There's a sense of wonder, of fun and humor, and even family and a respect for natures throughout the read.

The text flows very well and is fitting as a read-aloud for the intended age group. Readers, who are fairly sure of their words, can also hit this one on their own without too many issues. It does a lovely job at combining fun situations in the words with an enjoyable atmosphere thanks to the style. Anyone who enjoys spending time in the snow will smile, at least, a couple times. 

The illustrations allow each scene to bring across the activities and lovely landscape. The family scenes offer warmth and a little, silly situation humor to keep the tone light and fun. 

It's a atmospheric read which invites to playing in the snow outdoors and enjoying the moments with family...or simply getting lost in fun in the snow.

And here they are...

Laura Gehl is the author of One Big Pair of Underwear, Cat Has a Plan, Goat Wants to Eat, Pig Makes Art, Dog Can Hide, Cat Sees Snow, Frog Can Hop, Snow Is…, You’re the Sprinkles on My Ice Cream, and You’re the Pumpkin in My Pie. She lives with her husband and their four kids in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Visit her online at LauraGehl.com

Sonia Sánchez’s picture book, Here I Am, written by Patti Kim, received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, who called her illustrations “beautiful, evocative” and raved, “Sánchez has captured a kaleidoscope of emotion and powerful sensations in a way children will grasp completely.” Her illustrations have been nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award in the category of Best Painter. Sonia lives with her husband and a cat in Barcelona, Spain.

A World Full of Christmas Crafts by Helen Mortimer

What's Christmas without crafts? Not only are the decorations to be made...it's so much fun when not all are purchased at the store. Not to mention the baking and treats. I've just finished up my 10th Weihnachtsstollen for the year and have about 6-8 more to go. Cookies are already in production as are chocolates and nibble treats. Even my daughter is currently putting together her Gingerbread house. I hear-tell that the other three kids are busy with their own projects, which I'm sure I'll learn more about come Christmas.

But even year-long-prove crafters need inspiration or long for some new ideas. This book might just be the one to pick up. I did notice that it would have worked for the 24 days of Advent, too, but I'm going to use this as an inspiration for ideas before the holidays.

Grab that glue and a pair of scissors because I have a feeling there will be more than a few ideas to grab the attention.

A WORLD FULL OF CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

24 ways to celebrate the festive season

by Helen Mortimer

Illustrated by Joy Laforme

Frances Lincoln Children Books

Children's Nonfiction  /  Craft

68 pages 

ages 5 to 9

Craft around the world this Christmas and find out how children from different cultures celebrate the festive season.

Christmas is celebrated in so many different ways around the world. This sparkling, illustrated treasury of 24 festive activities and recipes inspired by different countries keeps kids busy in the count down to Christmas, by encouraging them to create their own treats, decorations, and more!

Children and adults alike will delight in the wide range of activities to choose from. Whether it’s baking or making, there's something for everyone.
 
Paper woven hearts originating from Denmark

Mini lanterns from the Philippines

Paper pine trees from Japan

Gingerbread reindeer cookies from the US

Maracas to shake from Trinidad and Tobago.

Each craft features a little description about the tradition or celebration it’s inspired by, how it may have started, and the country it originated from. With simple step-by-step illustrated instructions, each activity is easy to follow for children and adults to do alone or together. It also includes stunning double-page illustrations that capture the widespread joy and magic of Christmas. Learn how Christmas is celebrated across the world and get excited for this time of the year!

Crafts/recipes from Denmark, Australia, Syria, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Peru, Philippines, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Finland, South Korea, Ukraine, United States, Poland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Japan, Italy, France and Ethiopia. 

GOODREADS   /   AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

With 24 craft and baking ideas from around the world, this book not only inspires young readers to create their own wonders but teaches a little about how the various cultures celebrate the season or practice their own holidays.

When I pick up a craft book, I always hope it will hold enough projects, which don't require odd items, to be able to dive in right away with the kids. And this book does just that. The projects work very well for preschoolers and kindergarteners, while also holding a few 'tougher' projects for the slightly older age group. Of course, all require a little supervision but most don't need hovering, either. The items needed to create the various projects are, for the most part, usual ones. If not in the house, they are definitely no problem to pick up. Some are super inexpensive, while others might take a little more expense but none should break the pocketbook (even in today's economy).

The illustrations follow a more childlike direction, are colorful, and help guide young creators through each process. The directions are easy to follow and suitable for readers, who know their words pretty well, to attempt to do on their own. 

Each project and craft finds its origins and inspirations in a different country. There's a little information about each one to help broaden the knowledge of other cultures, but this doesn't bog down with too much information, either. In other words, there's a nice balance, which keeps the creative process at the forefront.

It's a lovely mix of ideas, ranging from simple baking to cakes to easy paper weaving to simple lanterns and more. There's enough variety to give something for almost everyone and some ideas do offer slightly new directions.

It's a great idea book for the age group.

The Wonderful Once: A Christmas Story by John Buchta

While yesterday's read was one for snow dreamers, today's hits the theme of giving and especially in connection with the spirit of Christmas. This book hit the shelves last year and won a few prizes since then. So, my expectations are pretty high. I'm hoping there's a lovely, Christmas feel to this one and am pretty sure I'm not going to be disappointed. 

Settle down with that cup of cocoa, and let's take a look.

THE WONDERFUL ONCE

A Christmas Story

by J.R. Buchta

Illustrations by Erin O'Leary Brown

Warbucks, Inc

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

The Wonderful Once: A Christmas Story is an illustrated children’s book by JR Buchta about the power of giving. 

A special home for children without parents is in a lovely, friendly village. Well looked after, the children are happily waiting for their forever homes. At the annual Christmas Festival, all the children choose a present from a waiting stack. Lucas, the youngest, picked a small gift he would treasure with all his heart. When a young girl is brought to the home, Lucas does an act of kindness that sets him off on a magical adventure. The Spirit of Giving visits him, and together, they start a new tradition that will last a lifetime.

Brought to life by beautiful illustrations, this enchanting tale captures the spirit of Christmas and the magic of a single good deed that changed the world forever. It has all the makings of an annual read for families at Christmastime and a fresh look at some age-old traditions.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON   /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

This is one of those Christmas reads to snuggle up with and dive deep into the joy of giving with a touch of holiday magic.

Lucas is an orphan and more timid than most. When the residents of the town, where the orphanage is found, gather the yearly, Winter Festival gifts for the children, Lucas is chosen to be the first to select his gift from the large pile. Since he doesn't want to be greedy, he chooses the smallest present. The gift is more wonderful than he could have hoped, but as a new orphan suddenly is brought to the door, he realizes that there isn't a gift for her and gives her his. This launches off an entire adventure of magic and warmth.

Beginning with the gift-giving at an orphanage, this is a tale which immediately draws a touch of sympathy. Yet, it keeps a pleasant atmosphere as the villagers are caring and help out the orphanage as best they can. So, there's a kind feel the entire way through. This slides well with Lucas's generosity, which readers will understand and maybe feel a bit inspired by. The rest of the tale takes a magical turn, which opens up the imagination and heads into a story about the origin of Santa himself.

The text creates a nice read-aloud and works for a Christmas story time. Readers, who are sure of their words, can also pick it up on their own. The font is smaller, however, and the text is longer on some pages. It flows well and holds a nice pacing throughout the read. The illustrations carry a more traditional flair and fit well to the story magic. These hold many details and invite for gazing ono their own.

It's the kind of book, which can be added to the Christmas shelf to be picked up year after year and enjoyed each time.

And here they are...

John Buchta was born and raised in Philadelphia PA. As a youngster, he expressed

an interest in music and spent most of his early life in the performing arts as a singer-songwriter.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he entered the business world

 and made a career in marketing for various entrepreneurial ventures.
His interest in writing took a turn towards children's books when his grandchildren

 were born and he recognized the power of their imaginations and their enjoyment

 of reading. Memories of his childhood and the spirit of his father’s character and

penchant for a good story or poem inspire his writing. Today, he resides in Bucks

County PA with his wife.

Erin O’Leary Brown is an illustrator based in upstate NY, specializing in children’s illustration as well as botanical and nature themes.  She works traditionally in ink and watercolor, and often utilizes digital media to make adjustments and minor changes or additions to the final illustrations.  Her style combines delicate line and rich layers of 

color with careful details and a sense of whimsy with the goal of sharing engaging 

stories as well as beautiful images.

Over the years, Erin has worked in freelance illustration creating art for various books 

and children’s magazines, as well as decorative designs, for clients such as Scholastic, 

Herald Press, Perfection Learning Corp., and Cricket Media. Her most recent project 

is a Christmas-themed tarot deck, The Yuletide Tarot, written by Kristoffer Hughes, 

to be published by Llewellyn Worldwide in 2023. 

She received a BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University, and an MS in Education 

from Elmira College.  In addition to working in the field of illustration, she has also 

spent some time teaching art.  When she was in graduate school, she discovered another wonderful creative outlet in ceramic sculpture.  Still, her strongest passion is drawing 

and painting, and she finds some of her most enjoyable and rewarding time is spent 

within the pages of her sketchbook, where she finds a sense of balance and fuel for 

creative ideas.  More of her work can be seen on her website at eobrownart.com.

 

Snow Day by Margaret McNamara

I'm taking a peek at the latest addition to a popular, early-reader series. I've read a few books in this bunch and always enjoy seeing what the Robin Hill School kids are up to next. This one fits especially well with the season and slides right in with the snow-dreaming which seems to be gaining footing in our household.

So, let's put on those hats and gloves and see if this group has fun out in the snow.

SNOW DAY

Robin Hill School

Ready to Read, Level One

by Margaret McNamara

Illustrated by Mike Gordon

Simon Spotlight

ages 4 to 6

The kids in Mrs. Connor's class love the snow! And they love snow days even more! But when the snow will not stop falling, Nia realizes that staying at home is not so much fun after all.

AMAZON   /    GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

School kids will easily understand Nia's desire to have a few snow days and be rooting for some of their own.

I'd sum this one up, but the blurb already says it all. The plot is simple and direct, and one that will ring familiar with any readers living in areas, where snow days are a possibility. My own daughter has been staring out the window wishing for tons of snow since September and dreams of being stuck in the house. Of course, the sled is close at hand. So, this is one certain readers will definitely connect with. And it's understandable that Nia grows bored of always being at home after a day or two. (That's when us parents pull out all sorts of 'projects' for them to do.) In other words, it's a read which will connect with adults as well.

The writing fits the audience level very well and helps further reading skills without bogging down. The illustrations are as adorable as ever and help as the story flows along. 

I've read more than a few books in this series, but didn't find this one quite as fun on the plot end, since it sticks pretty much to Nia and her mother with only the snow aspect thrown in. But I'm being picky because I do enjoy the series quite a bit. It's a nice addition to the Robin Hill School gang and makes a lovely read for fans and anyone readers, who are practicing their skills. 

The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina M. Cho

Before diving into my Christmas read run tomorrow (so excited about the upcoming cheer!), I'm taking a more serious direction. Today's read is a graphic novel for middle graders and takes a look at two North Korean children, their lives and their escape from the country. I do wonder how harsh this one will get, but also hope it gives readers a good impression about the difficulties these people face. After reading about the author, I'm sure she'll get the reality across nicely.

Settle into a chair and lets see how this novel goes.

THE OTHER SIDE OF TOMORROW

by Tina M. Cho

Illustrated by Deb J.J. Lee

HarperAlley

Middle Grade Contemporary  /   Graphic Novel

224 pages

ages 8 to 12

Perfect for fans of Illegal and When Stars Are Scattered, this poignant and moving graphic novel in verse captures the dangers and hope that comes with fleeing North Korea and reaching for a brighter future through the lives of Yunho and Myunghee.

From never knowing where they’ll find their next meal to avoiding soldiers lurking at every corner, many North Koreans have learned that sticking around can be just as deadly as attempting to flee . . . almost.

Both shy, resourceful Yunho and fierce, vibrant Myunghee know this. So when they each resolve to run away from the bleak futures they face, it’s with the knowledge that they could be facing a fate worse than death.

While Yunho hopes to reunite with his omma, who snuck across the border years ago, Myunghee is reaching for dreams that are bigger than anything the regime would allow her to have. The two are strangers to each other until a chance encounter unwittingly intertwines their fates and Myunghee saves Yunho’s life.

Kept together by their dreams for a brighter future, they face a road plagued by poisonous jungle snakes, corrupt soldiers, and the daily fear of discovery and imprisonment. But with every step toward freedom, there is also hope. Will it be enough for both of them to make it to safety without losing each other along the way?

GOODREADS   /   B&N    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

With raw moments, which pull at the heart strings, these pages raise awareness with a glimpse of the situation North Koreans face, especially when trying to flee, and keep it pretty age appropriate.

This book is told from two points of view, Yunho's and Myunghee's. Yunho's grandmother escaped into China a couple years before, leaving him with his mother and the promise that she'd send for him as soon as possible...and he's waiting for this day. Myunghee, on the other hand, lives with her grandmother and helps however she can to make ends meet until. Both suffer a horrible moments, and both finally attempt to flee—each separately and unaware of the other. When fate finally brings them together, it appears that things might get better, but it's only the beginning of a very long and harsh journey.

Like the legs of the journey, the read is broken down into sections. The first covers their very separate lives in North Korea as both fight to help their small families keep food on the table. The next parts break according to the country they find themselves in, China being the longest by far. This helps to keep the steps clear as the adventure and landscape might get a bit blurred in the tension. The switch between the characters is always clear and handled nicely as the reader gets to see both of their developments and struggles. Even when together, their thoughts aren't always shared and show the different aspects individuals face.

The illustrations are detailed and bring across the scenes and cultures nicely. They also incorporate enough artistic symbolism to strengthen certain emotions and atmosphere at the right time. These, along with the text, are kept on the smaller side, not overly so but a little tighter than I've seen in many graphic novels for this age group. The smaller print, while totally okay, required more concentration and brings down the ease of the read. But this read is anything but 'easy' when the theme is considered.

The author does a good job and laying some of the issues facing North Koreans bare (well, as nicely as my little knowledge is aware of) and draws in plenty of sympathy as the two characters face one very dangerous situation after the next. There is an execution of a loved one, harsh jail situations, child trafficking, and loss of loved ones. While these are kept it in a range appropriate for the age group, it also will be a bit much for more sensitive readers. For this reason, I'd suggest the read first for ages 10 and over.

This is a well-done book which awakens awareness for the struggles North Koreans face and what they might face when they try to flee. I do recommend this not only for individuals wanting to learn more about the topic but also for classroom, group, and homeschoolers. The entire thing ends off with a few pages of text, which deepen the theme and give more explanations.

And here they are...

Tina Cho is the author of Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans, Korean Celebrations: Festivals, Holidays and Traditions, My Breakfast with Jesus: Worshipping God Around the World, The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story, and God’s Little Astronomer. Her lyrical middle grade graphic novel, The Other Side of Tomorrow, debuts from HarperAlley in 2024. After living in South Korea for ten years and meeting North Koreans, Tina, her husband, and her two kids reside in Iowa, where Tina also teaches kindergarten.

Deb JJ Lee (they/them) is a trans nonbinary artist based in Brooklyn, New York. They have appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, NPR, Google, Radiolab, and more. They are known for their award-winning graphic memoir, In Limbo, about mental illness and difficult relationships with trauma. Their cat, Marlie, has three teeth.