The word "parent" is not just a noun. It's also a verb.
Tatuajes takes on the stereotypes, demonstrating in a non-preachy fashion how reductive such assumptions can be; and, it does so in language that is easily accessible and relatable to the target ages. Based in part on events that occured to López during his first year teaching in the D.C. School System, the interactions between our teacher, Sr. Mendoza, and his students are true-to-life, funny and fun!
Of course, in picturebook fashion, the story involves a duck, a mouse and an adventure. But, everything is intricately woven in a carefully, thoughtfully, written piece, lovingly translated by Mustelier. I can hear the Cuban accent ringing throughout.
Each double page spread, lusciously covered in Loring-Fisher’s dreamlike artwork, gently caresses Nainy’s simple and elegant verse reflecting the young boy’s mood and a chosen color. With each turn of the page, we learn a bit more about our protagonist and the world he inhabits. Is he accepted? Is he an outcast?
Written in simple rhyming verse, Black Boy, Black Boy serves the dual purpose of providing not only a wonderfully inspirational message of empowerment, but also adds many examples of of the rich contributions Black men have contributed to our society.
Obvious to adults reading the book, the learned lesson is that we all have strengths and weaknesses making up our own, unique, individuality–an important lesson to be learned at any age.
Always with a glossary of indigenous words at the end, Inhabit Media brings us a wonderful story about living in the Arctic and learning some of the skills necessary for survival there. In Ukpik Learns to Sew, we get a particularly detailed view on how to prepare, dry, use and sew Caribou skin, but in easily accessible dialogue paired with rich illustrations.
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner, The Talk deftly and warmly addresses a subject that is common for millions of families throughout the world. For those families where The Talk is not common, this window provides a peek into a subject that needs to be addressed early on.
When the Prince decides to have, you guessed it, a Bake-Off Ball (okay, really a Royal Baking Competition–I think bake-off ball would have been funnier!), Cinderelliot dreams of participating; but, alas, he cannot because his siblings want them to bake treats for their participation. And, somebody has to clean the kitchen!
Catterill’s illustrations, an incredible collection of hand-molded/painted, photographed dioramas (that have to be seen to be fully believed), endow this book with life. The details are exceptional; bringing a warm, vibrant family into full realization.