Children’s Book Corner Blog
Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait / You Can’t Say That!
by Leonard S. Marcus, Farrar Straus Giroux, 2023; Candlewick Press, 2021 .
This month’s post brings you two books by acclaimed expert on children’s books and author of numerous award-winning biographies, Leonard S. Marcus. You Can’t Say That! delves into the timely topic of censorship of books for young people. Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait, written for middle graders and up, is a fresh biography of Abraham Lincoln that examines his love of the technology of his time–especially photography–and the making of an iconic image of a beloved President and his 10-year-old son Tad.
Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards: The Making of MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS
by Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander; Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers, 2022.
Focusing on the creation of his beloved Caldecott Award-winning Make Way for Ducklings, this winning picture book biography brings to life Robert McCloskey’s perseverance, creativity, and humor.
How To Read a Rock: A Graphic Novel on Ocean Science
by Kevin Kurtz, illustrated by Nicole Kurtz; NSF, 2022.
Readers journey to the ocean floor to discover fascinating facts while being entertained by jokes and sidebar silliness in this graphic novel e-book for middle schoolers and up published by the National Science Foundation.
Squirrel on Stage
by Vivian Vande Velde, illustrated by Steve Björkman; Holiday House, 2022.
Humorous confusion and a bit of upstaging make for a thoroughly entertaining chapter book when Twitch the Squirrel, along with his friend Sweetie the Library Rat, joins the school production of Cinderella.
Maddie and Mabel Take the Lead
by Kari Allen, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss; Kind World Publishing, 2022.
Following the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, Maddie And Mabel, the second book in this early reader series continues the everyday adventures highlighting the satisfying bond between two sisters who navigate their relationship with kindness and humor.
We Belong
by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera; Carolrhoda Books, 2022.
It begins with an unoccupied park bench and the text, “Welcome! You’re here.” As the book progresses from page turn to page turn, more and more children of all shapes, sizes, colors, cultures, identities, and abilities interact with one another. Young readers and listeners are treated to joyful examples of inclusion and the power of friendship.
The Case of the Messy Message and the Missing Facts
by Judy Bradbury, illustrated by Gabriella Vagnoli; City of Light, 2022.
In Book 3 of the Cayuga Island Kids chapter book series, the five friends embark on solving mysteries involving faulty assumptions, from missing glitter pens to flour bugs and chocolate chip cookies—and come to realize the importance of getting all the facts instead of just a fraction of the truth before drawing a conclusion.
This Is the Tree We Planted
by Kate McMullan, illustrated by Alison Friend; Knopf, 2022.
From the title page onward, the children in this informational story plant, learn, and grow as they enjoy the gifts their tree offers as it matures and flourishes. Young listeners will collect facts and gain appreciation as they happily follow along in this cumulative rhyming tale.
Absurd Words
by Tara Lazar; Sourcebooks eXplore/Sourcebooks Kids, 2022.
Here’s an engaging, lively reference book that’s certain to garner interest and spark enthusiasm in building vocabulary. Colorful, humorous, at times zany, and chock-full of useful information, Tara Lazar has added a heaping spoonful of sugar to vocabulary study.
Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?
by Leslie Connor; Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins, 2022.
Eleven year-old Aurora is as boisterous, impulsive, and plucky as her best friend Frenchie is silent, measured, and introspective. Through the heartwarming and at times humorous portrayal of this unlikely friendship, readers gain insight into the broad spectrum of neurodiversity and the meaning of true friendship.