RIP Maurice Sendak

I was reading through my Google Reader this morning, and came across the news that Maurice Sendak had died. I made one of those little noises, that "Oh!" of combined horror, sadness, and disbelief. Here's his obit at the New York Times.

Now, the NYT doesn't exactly have a shining track record as far as children's and YA book coverage goes, but I have to give them props for this lovely obit, which acknowledges Sendak as a picture-book creator that both defined and stood outside the genre.

Even now, Sendak's books have teeth that you don't often find in the picture-book shelves. They're a little sharp, a little hard-edged, a little dangerous, and the kids love them, because their world is not the soft and fuzzy baby-ducks-and-mama-bunnies that we often get in 32 pages with illustrations. Their world is full of uncertainties, new people, desperately dangerous situations. (You try being two feet tall and encountering a 180-lb dog, even a nice one. That's some George-and-the-Dragon stuff right there.) And the kids themselves aren't docile cherubs.

He wrote a small-form picture book called Alligators All Around. A child's world is full of alligators. Sendak knew that. And he sent his heroes out into the alligators, and they beat them. They even romped with them.

We'll miss you.

Reading Roundup: April 2012

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 7
Early Readers: 1

Sources
Library: all

Standouts
Writing: Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff
Okay, we've all seen it before: the "Mama what's that?" structure. But I like the way that Ashley Wolff does it, folding in color concepts and seasons with an affectionate-but-not-adorable mother-child relationship.
Illustration: Extra Yarn, illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett
It could be my yarn-lovin' ways that ensured a place in my affections, but I think there's more. Klassen's spare lines and taciturn faces are livened only by the wild and lovely colors of the knitted creations Annabelle gifts upon all and sundry.
Overall: Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Allison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile
Teeming with imagination, quirky wit, and a friendship of opposites, this 2010 award winner feels like a classic that I've already loved for years.

Because I Want To Awards
Sorry, guys, not this month. Too small of a pool. I will say this: all my standouts battled each other fiercely for their respective spots. It was very nearly a three-way tie for overall.

Reading Roundup: March 2012

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 15
Early Readers: 2

Sources
Library: all

Standouts
Writing: Another Brother by Matthew Cordell
Ugh, siblings! The most annoying things ever . . . especially when they ignore you. The first-born in a very large family hates being imitated constantly, until his brothers suddenly stop and he realizes that he kind of likes being idolized. Luckily, there's always somebody else coming along to toddle in his footsteps.
Illustration: Randy Riley's Really Big Hit by Chris Van Dusen
I do love Van Dusen's mid-century stylized illustrations, especially paired with his always-quirky storylines. Besides, how can you lose with giant robots? Answer: you can't. Really.
Overall: And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
You know that early-spring feeling? When it feels like you'll never see anything but mud again? That brown, brown, brown, wait-what's-that feeling? The pairing of Fogliano and Stead capture it beautifully.

Because I Want To Awards
A Twist in the Tail: Dogs by Emily Gravett
See what I did there? Hee.
I Had the Worst Time Tagging This: Time to Say Bye-Bye by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
This book follows a toddler through his day, saying bye-bye to one delightful activity in order to greet a new one. So instantly recognizable it's actually sort of hard to describe.
Let's Hear It for More Creativity!: Crafty Chloe by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Heather Ross

Reading Roundup: February 2012

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 20

Sources
Library: 20

Standouts
Writing: Let's Go See Papa! by Lawrence Shimel, illustrated by Alba Marina Rivera
A little girl learns that no matter where she is, she's going to be separated from someone she loves, but there's always a way to keep close to them in her heart.
Illustration: Moonlight, illustrated by Laura Dronzek, written by Helen V. Griffith
The lovely acrylics in this peaceful book celebrate the full moon, and the animals bathed in moonlight. Very much in the gently curving style of Kevin Henkes, if he's a favorite.
Overall: TIED
I Don't Want to be a Pea! by Ann Bonwill, illustrated by Simon Rickerty
This story of two friends who both want to be the most important element in their dual costume will strike a chord with kids just learning how to navigate friendship.
Mitchell's License by Hallie Durand, illustrated by Tony Fucile
Given a license to drive his car (really his dad) to bed, Mitchell makes the most of it. Car-obsessed kids will probably get the most giggles out of this, but really it's buckets of fun for everybody.

Because I Want To Awards
Universal Experience: Omer's Favorite Place by Ifeoma Onyefulu,
Even though this takes place in Ethiopia, kids everywhere will recognize themselves and their families in Omer's tour of his home.
Aww-Worthy: Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter Reynolds
When a little girl plants a kiss, she finds that the harvest is more wonderful even than she expected.
Diff'rent Strokes: Rosie Sprout's Time to Shine by Allison Wortche, illustrated by Patrice Barton
As someone who's been both the quiet kid in the corner and the one grabbing center stage, I appreciated the nonjudgmental attitude of this book. Just right for your quiet kids, and maybe something to think about for your little divas as well.

Book Review: Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers

Book: Up and Down
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Published: 2010
Source: Local Library

There were once two friends, a penguin and a boy. The penguin wanted to fly. Like a true friend, the boy did his best to help his friend. When the penguin discovers a way to achieve his dream, he’s so excited that he rushes off without telling the boy where he’s going. As the penguin gets closer to flight, the boy gets more and more worried about his missing friend. Will he ever find him? And will the penguin succeed in his quest for flight?

What is it about Oliver Jeffers' books? Dreamy, sweet, a little kooky, they captivate me every time. The soft-edged watercolors act as a perfect complement to the just slightly off-center stories. Penguins wanting to fly is not new, but by means of a living cannonball? Genius. And the tender ending, with the penguin realizing his dream wasn’t exactly what it was cracked up to be, but the boy is there for him always. Awww.

Book Review: Art and Max by David Wiesner

Book: Art and Max
Author: David Wiesner
Illustrator: David Wiesner
Published: 2010
Source: Local Library

Art is a very serious painter, and when pesky Max wants to paint too, his agreement is reluctant in the extreme. His doubts prove well-founded when Max doesn’t paint exactly the way Art thinks he should. But the little lizard's exuberance sets off an artistic free-for-all that will change more than Art’s mind.

Oh, like you haven’t heard about this one. It is David Wiesner, after all. But besides the brain-bending storyline that falls in line with his other reality-optional classics, there’s a real sibling vibe about Art and Max. Any kid reading is gong to identify with either the serious and rather pompous older brother or with the bright and curious and not-a-little copy-cat younger brother, or maybe both.

I tried this out in a storytime with school-age kids, and they were fascinated with the storyline and the bickering characters. This is a group that demonstrates their enjoyment of a book by reading it themselves afterwards, and I practically had to peel them off of Art and Max.

Reading Roundup: January 2012

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 32
Early Readers: 1

Sources
Library: all

Standouts
Writing: The Scar by Charlotte Moundlic, illustrated by Oliver Tallec
Don't ever, ever read this in storytime. You'll be sobbing too hard. But if you're a believer in bibliotherapy, keep it on hand. This book follows a little boy after the death of his mother. Realistic in its portrayal of grief and acceptance, it'll be the right book for the kid who needs it.
Illustration: My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
Just looking at these animals, all created out of various sized hearts, is enough to make you want to cut out a stack of hearts and see what kind of wildlife you can create.
Overall: One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by David Small
When the extraordinarily dignified main character adopts a penguin from the zoo, he's faced with the problem of how to care for him, and rises to the occasion. Includes the funniest illustration of a gobsmacked librarian I've ever seen.

Because I Want To Awards
Because Names Are Important!: My Name is Elizabeth by Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Matthew Forsythe
Elizabeth prefers to be called just that. But she has to put up with various incarnations of her name, until the day she puts her foot down and declares that she is to be called Elizabeth! With an exception made in one special case.
The Most Incredible Little-Boy Book: Dinosaur Dig! by Penny Dale
There are dinosaurs and construction vehicles. How can you lose? Tailor made for the vast majority of little boys, and quite a few little girls too.