MG Pick: Music For Tigers

 

Music For Tigers

by Michelle Kadarusman

Pajama Press Inc.

2020

192 pages

ISBN: 9781772780543

Governor General's Award Finalist

Kirkus Starred Review

Music For Tigers is a life-changing book bound to stick with you long after you finish it. Kadarusman takes readers on a journey to the other side of the world into the thick growth of the Tarkine forest of gum trees, lush vines, giant spiders, weird creatures and the elusive (and thought to be extinct) Tasmanian tiger. This unique setting introduces stunning wildlife: bandicoots, devils and the special tiger will capture the interest of even the most reluctant reader. 

Louisa is sent to stay with her strange and silent Uncle Ruff, an uncle she doesn't know and barely understands. Ruff is ROUGH--a man of few words and not one to coddle a child. Besides playing her beloved violin, Louisa begins exploring her surroundings deep in her family's wilderness sanctuary and reading her grandmother's notebooks. She meets Colin who is on the spectrum and they become fast friends. Learning about the land and its "extinct" tigers fills Louisa with hope and love. When she realizes there is one tiger in danger because its home will soon be destroyed, Louisa (with Colin and Uncle Ruff) has to locate, capture and relocate the cat. Using her music, Louisa draws the beautiful cat to her. 

This coming of age story with the elements of conservation, an appreciation and acceptance of the neurodiverse, a celebration of aboriginal peoples, the importance of saving the planet, practicing love and hope will pull on your heartstrings. Pages that follow the story give us hope as a planet--the Tasmanian tiger might still exist! 

Highly, highly recommended for ages 8 and up! An excellent whole class read which could be taught across several subject areas: geography, history, science, reading, ecology, and perfect for discussions about empathy. A MUST READ and a MUST HAVE for every library and every middle grade reader. 

Board Book Pick: Tomorrow I'll Be Kind

 Tomorrow I'll Be Kind

by Jessica Hische

Illustrations by the author

Penguin Workshop

2020

40 pages

ISBN: 9781524787059

A gentle board book for little hands that will inspire tenderness and kindness. Some words and behaviors for children to practice each day are: gentle, grateful, patient, honest and kind. Different animals illustrate each behavior in lovely rhyming verse by Hische. 

A MUST HAVE for every child. If we all practiced this book, the world would be a much better place. 

Highly recommended pre-school ages 2-7 and up. 

Picture Book Pick: I Am the Storm

 

I Am the Storm 

by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple

Art by Kristen & Keven Howdeshell

Rise X Penguin Workshop

Penguin Random House, LLC

2020

32 pages

ISBN: 9780593222751

Beautiful artwork that mirrors four forces of nature: tornados, hurricanes, wildfires and blizzards is paired with gentle family bonding moments like playing cards in the basement, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, picking wildflowers and visiting cousins quiet the storms. The weather is powerful, dangerous and unpredictable. Mother/daughter authors Yolen and Stemple remind parents and young readers the storms will pass and skies will clear. The constant throughout the story is the family unit staying together and comforting the children. 

"It's okay to be scared..." the book teaches because YOU are powerful like the weather. YOU are strong, wild and fierce and like the storm,  you are the calm. 

Well-done! I Am the Storm will be a favorite read aloud book for any family who lives in areas that experience fierce weather. 

Highly recommended! Fans of Yolen's work will love this book! 

Ready To Read Pick: Cat Has a Plan

 

Cat Has a Plan

Ready-To-Read series

written by Laura Gehl

Illustrations by Fred Blunt

Simon Spotlight

2020

32 pages

ISBN: 9781534454118

Cat Has a Plan is a hilarious romp with three comic characters: Cat, Dog and Mouse. Beginning readers meet the three on page one and learn about words and word families that will appear in the story; for example "ad" which appears in the words: glad, sad and mad. Sight words like a, an, can and has are also on the page before the story. Questions at the end of the story help readers discuss. the story and new words. With a story this fun, young readers will thrive and learn to read while being entertained! 

Cat has a plan to scare dog. Dog gets mad and formulates his own plan which makes cat mad. Mouse is glad when both of them are mad. When the two realize they can make a plan together and "play" together everyone is happy. Illustrations of the "evil" (smart) cat and adorable, but unsuspecting, dog will captivate beginning readers. This book is on a number BEST lists for 2020. Don't miss this book!

Highly, highly recommended. The format of sight words, word families, new words, cute story, and questions at the end motivate readers to try the next book. Happy learning and happy readers! 

Picture Book Pick: Prairie Days

Prairie Days

by Patricia MacLachlan 

Illustrated by Micha Archer

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

2020

40 pages 

ISBN: 9781442441910

Newbery winner MacLachlan depicts days gone by and harkens readers back to much simpler times (Wyoming, 1940s)  when the sky was big, life was slow, families were close, dogs slept on front porches and horses grazed in nearby fields. Farm life as the author remembers it is tranquil and lovely. 

Mixed media illustrations done in ink, acrylic, tissue paper and origami create a unique texture in the art by Micha Archer. This little picture book could win it all! 

Heartfelt, lyrical prose capture moments in time and childhood bliss. Every childhood should have memories of complete happiness! 

Highly, highly recommended. Prairie Days is the most beautiful picture book of 2020! 

Board Book Pick: Love Counts

Love Counts 

by Jo Parker

Illustrated by Matt Kaufenberg

Grosset & Dunlap

2020

20 pages, board book

ISBN: 9780593382615

Available December 29, 2020 

What a fun and unique counting book! Instead of counting up, this book counts down from 10 to 1. Captivating rhymes will keep kids entertained and lively illustrations are colorful and HAPPY! The characters are full of life and love. The message is to remember thank all the people who work hard for us every day: the farmers who grow our food, doctors and nurses who help us stay well, truck drivers who deliver products for our use, teachers who impart wisdom, and neighbors who need a smile.

Sure to become a favorite in every child's reading time. This is one board book that toddlers will will memorize. 

Highly, highly recommended for little hands and learning brains! 

 

Middle Grade Pick: Echo Mountain

 

Echo Mountain

by Lauren Wolk

Dutton Books For Young Readers

2020

368 pages

ISBN: 9780525555568

The Great Depression impacts twelve-year old Ellie and her family. Losing everything forces them to move from town to the wilds of Echo Mountain. Her father, a tailor by trade, must now learn a new life and  become a rugged “mountain man.” Her mother tries her best to make things work and hold the family together.

Feeling free, Ellie explores the vast richness of her surroundings reveling in nature and finding joy by discovering this new world and its secrets, but when a terrible accident injures her father, Ellie takes unfair and silent blame from her family. She feels she must make it up to them, so she seeks out the help of a healer far up the mountain known only as “the hag.” Whispered about by the locals, the “hag” has become a mysterious (and feared) legend. Ellie believes her father’s only hope lies in a natural treatment the healer is sure to provide. In her quest to find the hag, Ellie finds her own inner strength.

Prose as beautifully resplendent as the mountain setting, Wolk delivers in this brilliant tale of resilience, determination and finding yourself. Echo Mountain is the rare coming of age story that will resonate with readers of all ages. Recommended for any classroom reading group or book club, and Echo Mountain would be a fine read for background history of The Great Depression.

HIghly, highly recommended grades 4 and up. Don't miss this book!