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

A Mother for Choco

Today's book is a sweet, heart-warming story of a bird on an adventure. It is also a story of adoption.

Choco is a bird who lives all alone, and he goes in search of his mother. He asks a variety of animals who share some of his features if they are his mother. Disappointingly, they all point out that they have many features that are different, and so they can't possibly be his mother. Until he meets Mrs. Bear. She shows Choco that even though she looks nothing like him, she can still do all of the things a mother would do. Choco finds a home filled with the features that matter most of all -- love and laughter...and apple pie. :)

Originally published in 1982 and in this format in 1992 (G.P. Putnam's Sons), the themes in this story will hold up through the ages. Keiko Kasza gently and beautifully approaches the idea of adoption without hitting the reader over the head with a lesson. She doesn't vilify the animals who say no to Choco -- in fact, most of them are concerned. But she shows that the warmth and tenderness -- not appearance -- that Mrs. Bear displays are all that Choco needs.

Any family should read this story of inclusion. And if you have friends or loved ones who are adoptive parents or in the adoption process, this would make a meaningful addition to their library.

~Jen

The Day the Crayons Came Home

Have you read the latest book by author/illustrator team Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers? In a follow-up to their wildly popular The Day the Crayons Quit, this second book (published in 2015 by Philomel Books) details the adventures of displeased crayons who find their way back to Duncan's crayon box.

The crayons send Duncan a series of postcards from their various locations. My favorites are from Neon Red Crayon, who reminds Duncan how much fun they had coloring his dad's sunburn on vacation, and Brown Crayon, who is miffed because of the "item" Duncan used him to color.

The book is relatable to kids and is so fun to read aloud together. The author's voice can be sarcastic and scornful, depending on the crayon's predicament (which adds to the hilarity), though other "characters" take a softer approach. And the illustrations (in crayon, of course) are playful and delightful. In the end, Duncan comes up with a way to make everyone happy (and feel included).

I think this book is even better than the first! Check it out if you haven't already.

Happy reading!