Grasshopper (Monday Poem)

by Issa


grasshopper --
do not trample to pieces
the pearls of bright dew



from Origami and Haiku: inspired by Japanese artwork
translated by R. H. Blyth, 1952
Candlewick Press, 2017

Dragonfly (Monday Poem)

by Nikyu


between the moon coming out
and the sun going in --
the red dragonflies



from Origami and Haiku: inspired by Japanese artwork
translated by R. H. Blyth, 1952
Candlewick Press, 2017

Butterfly (Monday Poem)

by Chiyo-Ni


a butterfly,
what are you dreaming there,
fanning your wings?



from Origami and Haiku: inspired by Japanese artwork
translated by R. H. Blyth, 1952
Candlewick Press, 2017

Friendship and Love Defeat Bullying (FAMILY magazine reviews)

Thinking about stories that lead from the heart? Try these books to honor the holiday of love. 

The Seeds of Friendship 

 by Michael Foreman

            Adam is a small shy brown boy who loves his new home in a tall tower, in an unidentified city. He’s excited to live “in the sky.” Because he misses the “faraway place where he used to live,” he asks his parents to read stories to help him remember. He pins the pictures he draws onto the walls of his bedroom. Although he sees children playing in the cold, gray world outside his window, and when the window glass is frosted in icy patterns he draws animals on his “window-forest,” it is after the snow falls, creating a “white wonderland,” that so delights Adam that he races outside to join the children who are building a snowman.

            Adam begins on a snow elephant, and soon there are snow rhinos, lions, a camel & even a crocodile for the zookeeper snowman. The snowy world melts really fast and school starts for Adam where he sees some of his snow playmates. It’s a bit confusing to see a green garden so quickly after the snow, but his teacher gives him seeds from the garden, which he plants at home with his mom. Soon Adam and his friends are planting seeds in window boxes, tin cans, pots and pans on the rooftops, and later on the ground. 

Award-winning author-illustrator Foreman’s watercolor paintings are simple and straightforward, contrasting bright inside with gray outdoors, and then explosions of color when the action in the story changes what happens outside, as empty patches of ground sparkle with color and life. The “city of gardens” glows, and Adam recognizes that friendships have also grown. This hopeful immigrant story is a timely tale.

Candlewick Press, $16.99

Interest Level: Junior Kindergarten – Grade 3

My Friend Maggie 

by Hannah Harrison

            They have been friends forever, Paula (a beaver) and Maggie (an elephant). Despite the difference in size, they’ve had a great time together since they were babies playing with rattles, and as they’ve grown up, splashing in the mud and picking apples. But a classmate, Veronica (a dog), thinks Maggie’s too big and comes between the two friends. Paula knows she’s not being a very good friend when she goes off to eat with Veronica and her friends. But she plays with them anyway, pretending not to see Maggie, who is hard to miss.

            Harrison’s acrylic paintings feature expressive animal faces and body language, demonstrating bullying behavior, mean girl style smugness, and wistful remorse, among other emotions. Brief but nimble text matches bright, active illustrations for a convincing story of peer pressure and its impact on friendships and self-esteem.

            As time passes, Paula experiences a similar unkindness and discovers once again Maggie’s big-hearted support and defense in spite of Paula’s betrayal. This strong yet gentle story offers young children a profound example of forgiveness and friendship.

Dial, $17.99

Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 2 

Little Raccoon’s Big Question 

by Miriam Schlein

illustrated by Ian Schoenherr

            Searching for a “just-right” bedtime story? One that works for the season of love or anytime, or NOW? Try this cozy tale.

            Little Racoon wants to know, “When do you love me most of all?” he asks his mother. Is it when he washes his paws for eating? or when he’s playing with the other raccoons? or when he swims across the pond and back? or when they’re watching the snow fall from inside the den?

“No,” his mother responds, although she tells him, “You are a very good swimmer. And I am proud of you.”

Schoenherr’s ink and acrylic illustrations capture a snug den, a busy playtime, a golden afternoon, and a brilliant snowy night. The details, movements of an active youngster, and the bright eyes and expressive faces and bodies of the characters combine with the warmth of this loving story for bedtime perfection. “NOW is the time when I love you most of all…,” says his mother. “I love you all the time… It’s always right now.”

Greenwillow

Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 1

Frog (Monday Poem)

by Basho


the old pond,
a frog jumps in --
the sound of water



from Origami and Haiku: inspired by Japanese artwork
translated by R. H. Blyth, 1952
Candlewick Press, 2017