With these books we honor the mothers
in our lives, whether they are our own, or chosen; whether living near or far,
or no longer alive; whether young or old, rich or poor. They have given us life, helped us, and
many times accompanied us during our own life journey. May they continue to hold a cherished
place in our hearts.
My
Teacher
by James Ransome
Dial, $16.99, Ages 5-8
Although
not every teacher supplies a mothering role (nor should they), this heartwarming
story is homage to dedicated teachers who give something extra for their
students, such as is written in the dedication. Teaching three generations of children, as does the teacher
in this book, is a conscious decision to make an investment in the development
and education of young people.
The
identified student, a girl with hair in cornrows, makes a series of
observations, in these pages, about why her teacher continues to teach in the
same school. When she could easily
retire or teach across town. Award
winning artist Ransome reveals multiple talents as both writer and illustrator
of this irresistible storybook with active school-centered paintings to
accompany graceful text about a teacher who encourages her students to use
their talents.
She
loves reading and she helps her students love reading too; she talks with
students about the things that are important to them; she demonstrates ways to
help others in need; she thinks outside the lines and encourages this in her
classroom; she makes it possible for her students to showcase what they know, and
helps them to make their dreams come true. Students in her classroom not only make their own
contributions in class but they also hear stories from her of previous
students, once in this same classroom, who are now a significant influence in
the local community. Including
their very own teacher!!
Princess
of Borscht
by Leda Schubert
illustrated by Bonnie Christensen
Roaring Brook, $17.99, Ages 4-9
Recovering
from pneumonia, Ruthie’s Grandma reports that she’s starving because the
hospital food is awful. Ruthie
wants to make homemade borscht, but Grandma falls asleep before Ruthie can
write down her recipe. Dad doesn’t
even like borscht, and despite Ruthie’s searching, she can’t find Grandma’s
secret recipe.
Across
the hall from Grandma’s apartment lives Mrs. Lerman who is the Empress of Borscht
-- she gets the beets started cooking while Dad’s napping. Soon Mrs. Rosen, the First Lady of
Borscht from down the hall, arrives and advises Ruthie to add onions. And then the Tsarina of Borscht, from
the apartment next door, recommends lemons. Soon the three are arguing about whether to add salt or
sugar or honey.
When
they leave, Ruthie thinks the soup is missing an important ingredient, and adds
a pinch of something that smells like pickles. She wonders if she added the right thing as she and Dad take
the soup in a thermos, meeting up with Mr. Lee at the corner store. He gives them Grandma’s favorite sour
cream topping, and Ruthie imagines he is the King of Borscht.
Arriving
back at the hospital, Ruthie’s Grandma is pleased and claims to be Queen of
Borscht, but Ruthie declares herself Princess of Borscht because she discovered
Grandma’s secret ingredient without ever finding Grandma’s recipe.
Loving
relationships are clear not only from the colorful paintings of cozy
surroundings, but also in spite of the friendly bickering and gentle teasing
demonstrated in both text and humorous multimedia illustrations in this
beguiling family story.
Meet
Me at the Moon
by Gianna Marino
Viking, $16.99, Ages 3-6
Mama
Elephant tells Little One she must climb the highest mountain to ask the skies
for rain, because the land is dry.
And like many young ones when their mamas must go away for whatever
reason, Little One objects. The
wise mother elephant is encouraging:
“You will feel my love in everything around you.”
Each
time Little One asks a question or raises an objection about her leaving,
Mama’s answer reassures with a comment about the natural world; “But Mama, I
won’t be able to see you.” “Find the brightest star . . . . it will be as if we
are seeing each other.”
Sunlit
illustrations range from morning into night, even including a double page
spread of welcome rain. Young
children will be especially drawn to the loving interactions between Mama and
Little One, sometimes resembling a dance.
And the alert giraffes and zebras from the background move protectively
into the foreground when Mama leaves.
The
artist’s use of rounded shapes enhances the power not only of the rising yellow
sun, and the brilliance of orange sunset, but especially the brightly lit moon,
as it seems to touch the earth, where mother and child meet. Kind giraffe faces, energetic zebras, curving
elephant shapes, rolling clouds, plus animal shadows and silhouettes against
the horizon, add texture and tone to lyrical text, in an African setting that
feels as universal as mother love.
No comments:
Post a Comment