Absolutely Aggie

 Use what talents you possess;

the woods would be very silent

if no birds sang there

except those that sang best.

 

~Henry Van Dyke

When reading picture books, some are pure fun, some are touching, and some are educational. And they all have an important role in boosting an early love of reading. Add in a positive and affirming message of self-worth, and the picture book takes on another level of meaning.

Dust Fairy Tales: Absolutely Aggie (2015) is the second book from author-illustrator team Michelle Eastman and Kevin Richter. It tells the story of Aggie -- a loud, brassy, disheveled dust fairy who loves to play the bagpipes. But she doesn't fit in with the other fairies. They are graceful; she is not. Their wings shine; hers -- well, perhaps they manage to hide her slouching socks. No matter how Aggie tries, she just can't change, and it is defeating.

She takes to hiding away at night, sad and alone. But, she still plays her bagpipes -- she loves her music, even if it isn't perfect.

One night, her music catches the ear of another fairy (and his companion snail -- so cute!), who invites her to join his band. They love her. And even though they don't hit every note, Aggie absolutely gets to be herself. It's a perfect fit.

This book has such an important message to share with children. Aggie wasn't happy when she was trying to be anything other than herself -- and I want my kids to know that their true happiness and meaning will come when they are being who they are meant to be. People will come into our lives who complement our true selves, and that is true friendship.

In addition to this big message of self-worth, Eastman has created a mythical fairy world that is enchanting. She urges young listeners to pay attention at night to see if they can hear Aggie and her band, which adds to the magical ambience of the book. Her rhyming, lyrical meter paired with Richter's vibrant and detailed illustrations create a world that children will want to visit again and again.

I hope you will read this one with your kiddos soon!

For more on Michelle and Kevin, click the links below:

Michelle's website

Kevin's website

Picture Book Pass It On

All the Wonders (Let's Get Busy) podcast interview with Michelle

Happy Friday!

~Jen

5 New Picture Books to Honor Black History Month

With February being Black History Month, I wanted to check out some of the newer picture books (all released in 2015) that feature diverse characters and life circumstances. Today's selections aren't historical stories, but stories set in our modern age. They are all wonderfully engaging, well-designed, and highly acclaimed.

1. Last Stop on Market Street

I was so excited to finally get my hands on this book. The buzz surrounding it has been incredible, so to finally bring it home was such a thrill. Winner of the Newbery Medal, a Caldecott Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, Last Stop on Market Street tells the story of CJ and his grandma on a weekly routine after church. They ride the bus to serve at a soup kitchen, and CJ wonders why they have to wait in the rain, why they don't have a car, and why they always have to go to the soup kitchen. Grandma answers each question reassuringly (you will LOVE Nana!), and she teaches CJ what an honor it is to mix with the people that they do. Matt de la Pena's text is rich and moving ("The outside air smelled like freedom, but it also smelled like rain, which freckled CJ's shirt and dripped down his nose.") And Christian Robinson's illustrations show an urban landscape that is vibrant, varied, and beautiful. This book is truly a gem!

2. Lizard from the Park

Leonard decides to cut through the park on his way home from school one day, and he discovers a very unusual egg. He takes it home, and the next day a baby lizard pokes through. In time, as the lizard grows and grows, Leonard cannot make enough room for him, and the lizard seems sad. So Leonard devises a plan to return the lizard to its real home...and the reader is left wondering what exactly was real. Mark Pett's text is simple but engaging, and combined with his sweet and silly illustrations, make a book a young child will smile about.

3. Monster Trouble

This delightful story, written in verse, tells of Winifred Schnitzel and her trouble with monsters. She's not afraid of them -- quite the opposite: she finds them amusing! -- but they are really interrupting her sleep. She's rendered too tired for math, ballet....so she studies up on how to make monsters go away. She sets traps....and nothing works. Until, quite by accident, she discovers what it is monsters hate most of all!

This is another great story with a strong, smart, female lead. I could see Winifred being made into a TV show. :)

4. One Word From Sophia

Oh I adore this book! I read this book before I read it to my kids, and I wondered if the language would be too "over their heads." But...it wasn't! They loved it, too.

Sophia has one true desire: a pet giraffe. As her birthday approaches, she argues her case with each member of her family: her mother, a judge; her father, a businessman; her uncle, a politician; and her grandma, who was very strict. :) Each argument is very wordy and well-thought-out, with support for her cause. But each person tells her to be less wordy, until she is left with the most moving argument of all.

Yasmeen Ismail's illustrations in this book are soft and playful, and they depict a family of mixed races. Author Jim Averbeck said, "I was surprised by the multi-racial cast, because it wasn’t evident in the line sketches. But I was also completely delighted, since I actually believe that #WeNeedDiverseBooks. Plus, the multi-racial family in the book reflects my own family, to whom I’ve dedicated One Word from Sophia. I wondered how Yasmeen knew that." (Full interview here.)

 

Sophia is one smart little girl.

5. The Red Bicycle

The final book on today's list tells "the extraordinary story of one ordinary bicycle." Leo has saved and saved to buy a bicycle, and he names his bike Big Red. He rides it everywhere, until he outgrows it. He wants someone who will love his bike as much as he does to have it, and learns about an organization that sends used bikes to a faraway country to those who need transportation. Big Red lands in Africa, where it serves Alisetta and her family, and then serves as a bicycle ambulance. The final pages of the book outline "what you can do to help" and contain ideas for parents and teachers. This is a meaty book with a lot of heart that will hopefully inspire acts of service in those who read it. 

Have any of these books been meaningful to you? I'd love to hear about it!