Ideally, Mr. Fish by Erin Bonham, illustrated by Robb Swanlund

A lonely Nanette longs for a pet that she can play with but alas, is only given a fish. After a series of wishes, the fish grows and talks, but Nanette comes to see that Mr. Fish has become a fish out of water, so to speak (sorry, couldn’t resist that one) and she wishes him small again. But all is not lost as she meets a lonely boy in the process and they become friends.

The watercolors are expressive, uncluttered, add immeasurably to the story, and are reminiscent of Harry Bliss’s young girl in Don’t Forget to Come Back. The pictures are light, and the muted colors work well. The the fish cooking is my favorite. I’m looking forward to what comes next from this debut children’s illustrator.

Yawn by Sally Symes, illustrated by Nick Sharratt, Candlewick

Baby Sean gave a yawn and started the whole chain of yawns from cats and bunnies to bees and elephants. Each board book page has a circle cut out over a black background for a yawn. What’s even more fun is the guessing game on each page as Sean hands off his yawn to a scruffy, fluffy…and so on until baby and all his stuffed animals are in bed. Bright, colorful pages with large images are perfect for babies and toddlers.

Welcome to the World by Valerie Wyatt, photographs by Lennette Newell, Kids Can Press

A small hardcover with big and close-up photos of irresistible baby faces; the text talks to baby about the sights and sounds and feelings coming ahead in exploring the world. The language is simple enough for babies, but lyrical as well which makes it a joy to read aloud and gives babies the variety of sounds that help them learn language: You will see hight chase dark, as clouds pass by. Beautiful.

The Scar by Charlotte Moundlic, illustrated by Olivier Tallec, Candlewick

A young boy tells us firsthand about the death of his mother and the range of emotions he experiences in the days that follow. He fears he will lose her altogether as his memory fades, but when he scrapes his knee he hears his mothers voice clearly. To keep from losing the sound of her voice, he tries to keep his sore from healing but by the time the scab fades into a scar, he comes to a deeper understanding. Airplanes fly over him in his dreams, which some say symbolize overcoming obstacles. Acrylic and pencil pictures are minimal, but perfectly accompany the narration. Backgrounds of white and deep red rouse conflicting feelings of anger and sadness, matching the swiftly changing emotions of the boy.  For children who have lost someone close to them, this story will put words to confusing feelings and help them realize that there are others who understand. Beautifully done from start to finish, and an important book that I hope will stay around for many years to come.

A small hardcover with big and close-up photos of irresistible baby faces; the text talks to baby about the sights and sounds and feelings coming ahead in exploring the world. The language is simple enough for babies, but lyrical as well which makes it a joy to read aloud and gives babies the variety of sounds that help them learn language: You will see hight chase dark, as clouds pass by. Perhaps the best baby book of 2011–beautiful.

Second Nature by Jacquelyn Mitchard, Random House, Sept. 2011

Cicely Coyne has done well by all standards in dealing with the fire that not only horribly disfigured her face, but killed her firefighter father. When the book opens, she has a succesful career and is about to get married.  In to her life enters Eliza Cappadora; yes, as in The Deep End of the Ocean Cappadoras. Eliza is now married to Ben, the younger Cappadora who was kidnapped, but more importantly is a resident at a university hospital that  performs reconstructive surgery on the face. Eliza thinks Cicely may be a good candidate for a face transplant. Cicely is not interested. After all, she has a great life. But learning that her fiance was involved in starting the fire and so, is marrying her out of guilt, changes everything.

With skill few fiction writers posses, once again, Mitchard takes us into an unimaginable life and makes it real with alarming expedition. As the story advances from one thing to another that would knock any normal person down for the count, Cicely gets up and gets up and gets up. All the while, her typical human frailties and faults serve to make Cicely more believable and not someone to pity. Her insight is an education for readers on how even the most well-intentioned can flinch at differences, not to mention the overtly biased:

The esteem that normal people get for nickels and dimes cost me thousands of dollars in sweat and effort, and even then sometimes it was denied me. People fled from me, psychically and in fact. Your face is your defining impression on the world. My job was to contradict that impression every day of my life.

The writing is awesome, literally, as in inspiring awe. The story never lets up, and keeps the reader intrigued even as Cicely seems to burn her candle at both ends. Deep End fans will enjoy getting to know a calm Beth Cappadora and Vincent, the older brother who was not kidnapped and suffers the guilt of it, even as an adult.

There are no easy answers in Second Nature, not for the characters and not for the readers. The stars are something you can have if you don’t expect the moon along with them; joy is what you seek, not what comes riding in on a white horse. Mitchard resists wrapping it all up neatly with a pat ending, which is only one of the many things I admire about her most. And yet, the end is real and so perfect.

5 Spiritual Solutions for Everyday Parenting Challenges

by Richard and Linda Eyre, Deseret Books, 2011

Well-respected parenting and values experts, the Eyres, have taken their collective wisdom of over 25 books and raising nine children , and present parenting approaches here based on spiritual solutions for LDS families. The Eyres say that whether you are a Mormon parent or not, the challenges to raising children are the same. As usual with the Eyres, their advice is respectful of children and takes a long view; for example, they will not advise just how to stop an undesirable behavior, but will explain how to foster desirable behavior and values. Where this book differs is in looking to God for guidance on parenting, and taking the eternal view of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. While there is much here that will appeal to many Christian parents, it will be of most value to Mormon parents. Published by Deseret Books, a for-profit subsidiary of the holding company that manages companies owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Older preschoolers and kindergarteners will enjoy the challenge of counting and finding all the things in the garden.

By Emily Hruby, illustrated by Patrick Hruby, Ammo, 2011

by Sally Anderson, Gryphon House, 2011

“Social studies” sounds so academic for young children, but really this book is help in helping kids explore what they naturally want to, which is themselves, friends, family, people like themselves and different, and the world. Ever mindful that learning doesn’t stop at school, the author has included a “Connect with Families” section within every book and activity, as well as reproducible sheets to send home to families.

The children’s books included are not generally new titles (published in the last five years) but they are classic or good books by well-respected authors and illustrators that are in print, easy to obtain, and reflect a variety of cultures. You are likely to recognize most titles, such as Swimmy by Leo Lionni and A Chair for My Mother by Vera Williams.

Yet, included are some lesser known, newer titles that are excellent choices, such as On My Way to Buy Eggs by Chih-Yuan Chen, Global Babies from the Global Fund for Children, and Yo? Yes! by Chris Raschka. And some great authors and illustrators that may not be household names yet, such as Jeanette Winter, Grace Lin, Ann Morris, and Jonathon London. Clearly, Ms. Anderson who founded the Vermont Center for the Book, knows children’s literature!

Well-organized with clearly delineated sections such as “Things to Consider” (tips on approaching the activity or book for greater success), “Step by Step” (easy to follow activity instructions), and “Extend the Learning” (ideas for another activity or revisiting the theme, exploration, or activity). Bibliography at the end lists books and brief information within each of the five topical areas, and an index of children’s book titles makes it easy to find individual books. Did I mention well-researched, using national social studies and literacy standards? It is.

Early childhood professionals of all kinds will find this a valuable resource, not only for planning social studies units, but for fostering social and emotional development, multicultural understanding, and emerging literacy.

Impressive!

Poindexter was a very shy pig, we learn from the first page. What he wants and what he is comfortable doing are sometimes two different things, until a very shy turtle comes along. In the library, where Poindexter is comfortable and where he is accepted for who he is by Mrs. Polen, the librarian, Poindexter reaches out to help a shy turtle learn to make friends by demonstrating the steps in a book. In the process of helping someone else, Poindexter helps himself and makes a new friend of a kindred spirit.

This is a great example of how a children’s book can help children learn more about themselves and how to build their own skills through storytelling and pictures. In the process of reading about how Poindexter and the turtle learn to become friends, readers learn the same steps. But make no mistake, Poindexter Makes a Friend is first and foremost a well-told story, and not a didactic teaching tool.

Watercolor and ink pictures range from up-close portraits of the adorable pig and turtle to full two-page spread detailed and lively scenes. A perfect accompaniment to a fantastic, sweet, uncluttered story.