And So They Build Written and illustrated by Bert Kitchen c1993 Candlewick Press : Somerville
The first time you see Bert Kitchen’s illustrations of animals, you are completely captivated. Something about the way the Satin bowerbird depicted above eyes his display, while a female in the background appears ready to give it a thorough inspection adds a dimension beyond what a mere photograph could provide. His wide-apart feet seem to say that he is in control and his work is worthy of notice.
A tailorbird stitches living leaves together to camouflage her nest.
A harvest mouse weaves a cozy next for her soon to arrive babies.
A few facts about each creature and the reasons for their constructions, in nice large print face a full page of Kitchen’s art in this picture book, suitable for ages 4 and up. Framed copies of these illustrations would be as happy in an elementary school science room for nature study as they would be in the art room. This is an example of a natural science book of the highest order. Young readers will be encouraged to look for the animal engineers in their own neighborhoods. This book is one in a series of three nature study books by Bert Kitchen.
Want more Bert Kitchen?
Animal Alphabet by Bert Kitchen c1984 Dial Books
Oops, D for Dodo.
An excellent Alphabet Book where the animals embrace an UPPER case letter. Some not so happily.
Animal Numbers Written and illustrated by Bert Kitchen This edition published 1993 Puffin Books : New York
The numbers from 1 to 10 with realistic animal models. Bonus numbers 15,25,75, and 100.
Other titles illustrated by Bert Kitchen include Animal Lives: The Otter, Tom‘s Rabbit: A True Story fromScott’s Last Voyage, Gorilla/Chinchilla, Whoo Goes There? and others. His books are too good to be buried under the avalanche of new titles published every year and that is why I bring him to your attention. Long live high quality books!
The Hedgehog Leaves Home by Ulf Stark Illustrated by Ann-Cathrine Sigrid Stahlberg c 2011 by IKEA Family / Vandring
It is always a bit embarrassing to discover an author new to you who has written 30 or more books, but it is also good news if you find you like what they write. Ulf Stark is new to me this year. I think his voice is uniquely down-to-earth and engaging. Listen to his words as he starts off Hedgehog’s story:
“All of a sudden, fall arrived. The leaves on the trees turned yellow and red. Mushrooms pushed up and out of the ground. And it grew colder day by day.
“You are big enough to make your own way in the world now,” said the hedgehog’s mommy, giving him a kiss. “Just watch out for all the dangers in the big wide world.”
“I will,” said the hedgehog.
“And learn as much as you can.”
“I will,” said the hedgehog. And off he set into the forest to find a place to sleep for the winter.”
The story is simply launched, and young hedgehog begins to learn useful things along the way to growing up. He learns that rolling down a hill is fun. He learns which foods are safe to eat and to his taste, and that swimming is not for him. He learns to watch out for foxes, but that there are friends out there who will help you. This is a gentle and encouraging story for any young growing-up people in your household.
Going Home
The Runaways by Ulf Stark Illustrated by Kitty Crowther c2018 Gecko Press : Wellington, New Zealand
Gottfried Senior is in the hospital and he is not pleased in the least. He is difficult, spits out the pills to make him calm, and yells at the nurses. The author’s words:
“I’m shut in here like an animal!” he shouted. “What do you think I am? An ape?”
His face turned bright red and he swore, so Dad and I had to cover our ears. Dad thought I didn’t need any more swear words than the ones I already knew. I disagreed.”
All that Grandpa senior wants is to make one last trip to the house where he shared so many happy years with his wife. His grandson, Gottfried Junior, is the only one willing to help Grandpa get his wish.. He hatches an elaborate plan, which includes deceiving his parents into thinking he is attending football practice and finding an accomplice to supply an adult voice and pose as a football coach. Young Gottfried does ask the question, “Was it wrong to lie when it made everyone happy?”
This is not a story to encourage children to run away from home and use unacceptable language. The Runaways is about having grandparents who might be difficult and some reasons why, without TOO many specific details. Running away or lying to your family are usually not the best choices, since the author warns, “You have to think of everything!” This is an honest and gently humorous book that helps with understanding and being ready when it is time to say farewell to a beloved grandparent.
Flying Away
The Land of Green Ginger by Noel Langley Illustrations by Edward Ardizzone c1975 This edition published by David R. Godine : Boston c2007.
The Land of Green Ginger is a magical floating island, “sprinkled with ginger trees laden down with branch upon branch of sparkling sugar-coated green ginger; and big bright beauteous flowers grew out of the soft velvety grass, and water-lilies floated on a cheerful little hubblebubbling stream. It was all charmingly rural. No bits of paper, no empty bottles, no initials carved on the tree trunks. You cannot imagine such natural wonders, gentle reader; you must simply take my word for it.”
Abu Ali, The son and heir of Aladdin, the Emperor of China, could talk as a day-old baby and upset the Queen Mother, who thought she heard herself referred to as a Button-Nosed-Tortoise. “I understand you called the Queen Mother a Button-Nosed-Tortoise?” inquired the Emperor.
“That’s not quite true,” replied the Son and Heir politely, “I only said she had a Face Like One.”
Abu Ali does turn out to be a well-mannered young man destined to search for the Land of Green Ginger, reverse the spell on a magician who accidentally turned himself into a button-nosed-tortoise, and rescue the beautiful Silver Bud from an unhappy marriage. Of course the Genie of the Lamp appears in the story, along with a flying carpet and various helpful and a few crafty characters with bad intentions. Noel Langley’s sparkling comedic retelling makes this a wonderful story to read aloud. Mr. Langley co-wrote the screen play for The Wizard of Oz movie we all know and love. This book is really, really funny and you can hear the same tone and dialogue that helped make the movie a classic.
I have a copy of Langley’s Desbarollda the Waltzing Mouse, also illustrated by Edward Ardizzone. The writing is exquisitely witty. Edward Ardizzone seems to have done the pictures in so many beloved books. His drawings are sprinkled throughout The Land of Green Ginger and add much to the enjoyment. For anyone over age nine!
Let’s Do Nothing by Tony Fucile c2009 Candlewick Press
Friends Frankie and Sal have done it all. They have played all their board games and baked loads of cookies. They have played every sport and read all their comic books. What on earth is left to do? Maybe it is time to try doing absolutely NOTHING…
Turns out doing nothing can be quite a challenge, as the boys discover. In our house, we played a game called, “Quaker’s Meeting” which required you to sit perfectly still, no smiling or laughing or fun allowed. A judge would be appointed, who would glare at the contestants or make faces until somebody cracked. Somebody always cracked, of course, and great fun was had. What happens when Frankie and Sal attempt to sit quietly is illustrated with hilarious pictures that will have your audience laughing aloud.
Bored-Nothing To Do by Peter Spier c1978 by Doubleday
This book may be hard to find, if you see a used copy, snatch it up, because it is a treasure There are videos online of people reading it aloud, so there is free access to the story for your family available if your local library can’t find you a copy.
In the country, if one was bored during the summer vacation, your folks would tell you to go outside and stay out! There were trees to climb, maybe a brook to play in, forts to be built and defended, and plenty to do with a little imagination. Peter Spier tells the story of some bored but very imaginative children/ engineers who find a plane propeller in the barn and build themselves a flying machine. Readers will enjoy seeing all the found objects used in construction of a home made airplane. Better hide any propellers on your property.
Oh, Were They Ever Happy, by Peter Spier c1988 by Doubleday
Children left alone at home for a few hours on a slow Saturday afternoon just might decide to do some helpful chores….like painting the house. How will the neighbors, and most importantly, the parents, react when they behold the colorful new house on the block? My 6 to 9-year-old listeners enjoyed seeing this project progress in each more wildly painted page.
