When . . . (Monday Poem)

by Anna Grossnickle Hines

I treat you

as I want you

to treat me

even when 

you are upset

even when

I am upset 

then

we

can have

peace.

From Peaceful Pieces: Poems and Quilts About Peace by Anna Grossnickle Hines

2011, Henry Holt

A Word (Monday Poem)

by Emily Dickinson

A word is dead

When it is said,

       Some say.

I say it just

Begins to live

        That day.

From Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson, 

edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin

1994, Sterling Publishing

Doors (Monday Poem)

by Carl Sandburg

An open door says, “Come in.”

A shut door says, “Who are you?”

Shadows and ghosts go through shut doors.

If a door is shut and you want it shut,

    why open it?

If a door is open and you want it open,

    why shut it?

Doors forget but only doors know what it is 

    doors forget.

From Poetry for Young People: Carl Sandburg, 

edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin

1995, Sterling Publishing

Happy Happy to Dads! (FAMILY magazine reviews)

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Here are several books that honor dads this month. Set aside some time to share these super stories with someone(s) you love.

Thunder Boy Jr.  

by Sherman Alexie

illustrated by Yuyi Morales           

     Thunder Boy’s name might sound unusual, but it is not. His name and his dad’s are the same. They are called Big Thunder and Little Thunder. Little Thunder loves his dad, but he has a secret: “I hate my name!” he says and “I want my own name.” He wants a name that expresses who he is. All through the pages of this book, Thunder Boy describes names that might fit him. Some of the names he mentions announce what he’s done; other names he considers value his Native American ancestry.

      However, Little Thunder wants more than a name; he wants to be identified as himself. In this digitally colored picture book, Morales uses earthy shading by scanning clay brick colors and wood textures from parts of an antique house. This technique produces sensory illustrations that weave energetically through Alexie’s story.

     An ingenious method of text use intersperses a conventional font with comic book type bubbles. Little Thunder’s sister and dog are his companions on each double page spread. These additions add humor and movement to expand the emotional depth of this tale. The seamless blend of Alexie’s and Morales’s work creates an accessible story book for young readers and listeners that addresses acceptance and identity issues.

Little Brown, $17.99

Interest Level: Junior Kindergarten – Grade 2

Dad and the Dinosaur 

by Gennifer Choldenko

illustrated by Dan Santat

      There are many things Nick is afraid of: the dark, giant bugs, manhole covers and what might be underneath them. "His dad was not afraid of anything." Nick wants to be brave like his dad, but he thinks he needs a dinosaur mascot to make it true. With the dinosaur tucked in his pocket or hidden inside his soccer sock, Nick can climb rock walls and score astonishing soccer goals.

      But when the dinosaur is lost, everything seems creepy to Nick: "The night was black as octopus ink, giant bugs were everywhere." When Nick tells his father that the dinosaur is the brave one, his Dad takes him searching again. When they find the dinosaur, Nick is reassured, especially after hearing dad say, "It's okay to be afraid. All guys are now and then."

      The mixed-media artwork by Caldecott winner Santat makes effective use of dark and light. Particularly expressive are the nighttime scenes, as Nick's imaginary fears suggestively sneak along the bottom of the page and at the edges of his vision. The spooky, fanciful illustrations keep this tale from becoming too frightening. This whimsical story invites young readers to safely explore what it takes to be brave and what is hidden within.

Putnam, $17.99

Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3

 

and Tango Makes Three 

by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

illustrated by Henry Cole

      In this tale -- based on a true story about a penguin family living in New York City's Central Park Zoo -- Roy and Silo, two boy penguins, are "a little bit different." They are always together, even sharing a nest like the other penguin couples. When other penguin pairs start hatching eggs, Roy brings an egg-shaped rock to their nest, and Silo carefully sits on it.

       Silo and Roy are eager and hopeful in their care. “But nothing happened.” A watchful zookeeper notices an egg in need of fostering, and places it in their nest. The devoted dads become experts, not only as the egg hatches, but caring for the hatchling as she grows.

      The watercolor illustrations for this outstanding story feature irresistible penguins with expressive faces and attention-grabbing body language. Text and pictures are well matched, allowing readers the chance to simultaneously watch and hear the story unfold.

       An author's note at the end supplies additional information about Roy, Silo, Tango, and other chinstrap penguins.

Simon & Schuster, $9.99 (paperback) $17.99 (hardcover)

Interest Level: Pre-School – Kindergarten

Polliwogs (Monday Poem)

by Kristine O’Connell George

Come see

What I found!

Chubby commas,

Mouths round,

Plump babies,

Stubby as toes.

Polliwogs!

Tadpoles!

Come see

What I found!

Frogs-in-waiting—

Huddled in puddles,

Snuggled in mud.

From The Great Frog Race and Other Poems 

by Kristine O’Connell George

1997, Clarion Books