Attention musicians! Well, really anyone who wants to be inspired by a woman who created "her own story," who didn't "wait for things to happen" to her, who "made her own opportunities." Text ©Shannon Stocker Illustration ©Devon Holzwarth Here is Evelyn, enjoying life on her family's farm in Aberdeen, Scotland. This image took me back … Continue reading Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion – Perfect Picture Book Friday
My introduction to Glenn Gould, the amazing pianist, came in 1993 when the film, 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould was released. Who knew that a skilled author (Sarah Ellis) and illustrator (Nancy Vo) could create such an engaging and masterful picture book biography about this man? (It is a master class for PB writers/illustrators.) … Continue reading As Glenn As Can Be – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Image from Highlights Foundation Floyd Cooper, an amazing and inspiring author/illustrator, passed away in 2021. He wrote and/or illustrated more than 100 books for children, and was known for being a kind and thoughtful mentor. In his honor, the Children's Book Council has established Floyd Cooper Day, celebrating his life, his work, and his legacy. … Continue reading Celebrate Floyd Cooper Day
I don't know why, but ever since I watched Chicken People, the documentary about people who breed and show chickens, I've found chickens to be somewhat engaging. And after reading this book, I find them fascinating, too. Did you know they can count up to four? Cats can only count up to three. (oh, the … Continue reading Chickenology – Perfect Picture Book Friday
I'm taking a step back into 2020 for this week's featured book. The mix of STEM, humor, and subversiveness was too good to pass up. Check out that florescent pink! Text/Illustration ©Anna McGregor Meet Anemone Text/Illustration ©Anna McGregor Anemone hates "being stuck here with the boring barnacles." Cue the snickers. Especially when you look closely … Continue reading Anemone is Not the Enemy – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Enchanted Lion publishes interesting and thought-provoking books, including books in translation. The title declares that this will be a story about the sky and its varied shades/colors of light. But it feels like it's about so much more: pausing, breathing, listening, taking the time to observe our glorious world. The first image fills only a … Continue reading Every Color of Light – Perfect Picture Book Friday
I'm not sure what I could say about this book other than it's brilliant! It's gorgeous! It should be added to your permanent collection immediately! Why? Well, hmmmm. The story begins with an object of interest. The reader will know what it is—a marble—but the creeping, crawling, flying creatures of this backyard world haven't a … Continue reading It Fell From the Sky – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Birthdays! A favorite topic of pretty much every person under the age of 30, and maybe for some over the age of 30 as well. But How to Have a Birthday comes at the idea of celebrating from an unusual perspective, a "how-to" voice that leaves much open to interpretation. Text ©️Mary Lyn Ray Illustration … Continue reading How to Have a Birthday – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Time for a book with a gentle, classic feeling, one that tugs at the heart strings, and leaves the reader hope-filled and ready to turn back to the beginning for another read. Daisy was named after her mama's favorite flower. "They seem plain, but when you look closer you see their beauty," her mama would … Continue reading Daisy – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Being a farmer's daughter, I am a fan of dirt and nature in all of its gritty wonderfullness. I also love how poetry helps kids understand science concepts, because they often engage with poems in a different way than if it's just straight prose. That said, the text on the first spread is written in … Continue reading The Dirt Book – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Jilanne Hoffmann 