Picture Book Pick: Plántanos Are Love

 

Platanos Are Love 

by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris

Illustrations by Mariyah Rahman

Antheneum Books for Young Readers

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2023

40 pages

ISBN: 9781665902731

What a beautiful book about love, food, culture, tradition and family! 

Plántanos Are Love is is love letter to Puerto Rico and ancestors who passed down family recipes that not only feed the stomach but feed the soul. 

A young girl learns to cook at her abuela's side and listens to stories about how the plantanos were harvested by her ancestors. She tells the girl that the recipes had to be memorized and passed down in secret since their ancestors were not allowed to write, read or draw.

At the mercado, Abuela explains, "Plantanos are love." The granddaughter sees this love in their family and friends. Sharing a meal brings them together and there is love. Abuela writes down the recipes in their family cookbook, so the recipes will go on in the future. 

Many Spanish words in the text that add depth to the story. Those kids who don't know Spanish will learn new words. A glossary of terms as well as three family recipes from the author's family are included. 

While not a bi-lingual book, it does contain almost fifty Spanish words. By using illustrations and context clues, even the youngest reader should be able to understand the word without using the glossary. 

Illustrations by Mariyah Rahman capture the colors and food of the island.  Author Alyssa Reynoso-Morris captures sounds of the kitchen as Abuela cooks: cracks, mashes, chops, fries, peels and sauté are words that must be read aloud. This picture book MUST be read aloud. 

Highly recommended for every child's bookshelf. 

Ages 3 and up. 

Non-fiction Picture Book Pick: Welcome to the Opera

 

Welcome To the Opera 

by Carolyn Sloan

Illustrated by Kaly Quarles

Workman Publishing Company, Inc. 

Subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

2023

32 pages

ISBN: 9781523516964

On Sale Date: October  10, 2023

What a fabulous book! Young readers (and those adults reading to them) will be transported to the world of the opera. Join some very cultured dogs and cats who attend Mozart's "The Magic Flute." 

This gorgeous, glorious book has interactive buttons of opera sounds for readers to listen to and learn opera singing voices and singing groups. Each button activates the overture, the flute, the trio, bass, soprano, baritone, tenor, and other parts of the opera. 

As kids read, each voice is described in the story as well as the plot of Mozart's The Magic Flute. Pages follow the story about Mozart, singing, definitions of opera terms, the cast of characters and the singers who played them and a list of the musicians who performed. 

Simply ethereal, Welcome To the Opera is the best non-fiction picture book of the year! A must have for every library, music class and child's book shelf. 

Highly, highly recommended. This little gem will win major awards this year. The publication date is perfect for most awards contests.  The October publication date insures readers and judges will remember this book just in time to award it. 

Picture Book Pick: Does a Bear Poo in the Woods?

 

Does a Bear Poo in the Woods?

by Jonny Leighton

Illustrated by Mike Byrne

Aladdin

an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2023 (In the USA)

originally published in Great Britain in 2021

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665903479

Does a Bear Poo in the Woods? is a funny rhyming romp featuring  a very shy bear, winsome illustrations by Mike Byrbe and deft storytelling!

 Barry the Bear wakes up after a long sleep and searches for a place to go to the bathroom. He's shy, so he wants privacy. Looking for the perfect hidden spot, Barry runs into a moose, woodpeckers (who will poo anywhere!), smelly skunks and an old friend Brenda Bigpaw.

Brenda tells Barry there's the perfect place just up the stream where he can poo happily. Barry finally spots a cozy cabin. It's a true poo paradise. No sooner than Barry gets comfortable, the homeowner returns. Both Barry and the woodsman are surprised. Barry tells the woodsman he'll have to wait. The woodsman runs off, and Barry thinks he's not the only one who is shy to poo in public. 

Toddlers will delight in a story about poo. 

Young readers will love the antics of Barry and what kid doesn't like a book about poop and skunks farting? New words for young readers are: clambered, peering, lurking, desperate, familiar, reeds, paradise, and .trekking

Novel in Verse Pick: Enter the Body

 

Enter the Body

by Joy McCullough

Dutton Books

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

2023

320 pages

ISBN: 9780593406755

Told in a series of stage directions and lines from the script as well as sections in verse, Enter the Body is unlike any YA book out there. If you like plays and poetry, this is the read for you. 

Based on several of Shakespeare's most famous plays, the leading ladies take the stage in this well-imagined tale of woe, greed, hate, love, violence and jealousy. Each tragic death (and life) is told by the girls. This is their story after all. Shakespeare merely told it from his point of view.

The girls take control telling the reader what actually happened to each of them: Juliet, Cordelia, Ophelia and Lavinia who cannot tell her story as her tongue and hands have been cut off in her story. She represents perhaps those who have been so hurt, physically and mentally, that they cannot tell their own stories. 

There is a content warning of possible triggers for some readers before page one that although none of the violence, death or suicide happens in these pages, they are a part of Shakespeare's works. McCullough does a good job of reimagining what truly happened to each character and gives the women their voices. They step to center stage and take their power. 

Readers who are familiar with Shakespeare and especially theater and drama will love this book. Without any background knowledge of the women of Shakespeare, it may be tough for the less seasoned reader to enjoy. This is not to say, don't try it. Try it and learn something new. Then go and read the bard's works referred to in the book. 

Grades 8 and up and especially for drama and poetry fans. 

Summer Camp Pick: Camp QUILTBAG

 

Camp QUILTBAG

by Nicole Mellaby and A.J. Sass 

Algonquin Young Readers

2023

352 pages 

ISBN: 978164752662

From a reviewer on Amazon: 

As a queer person, I wish I had a book like "Camp QUILTBAG" when I was growing up. 

My review: 

Camp QUILTBAG is an inclusive summer camp for queer and trans kids and their friends. When Abigail hears about the camp she is excited. Kai is not as excited. When the two of them meet, they decide to share a friendship and teach each other what it means to have someone's back. 

This amazing book should be in all collections as it would help so many middle grade readers learn about the community and maybe even themselves. A summer camp for kids to feel at home should be available to every child, no matter their gender, and importantly, should be available no matter their family income. So many low income and middle class kids miss the opportunity to be away from home and learn to get along with others their age. 

When readers (adult, parents, guardians) first read about this book, they may assume it contains sexual acts, but Camp QUILTBAG is a wholesome, heartfelt  story about diverse kids who learn about themselves, identity, inclusiveness and friendship through teamwork. Nicole Melleby and A.J. Sass have a true winner: Camp QUILTBAG!

LGBTQIA+, fluid, trans, pansexual, homophobia, deadnaming, bullying, body dysphoria, pronouns.

ages 12 and up.