Category Archives: Love that prose

Never Forgotten

Posted on April 24, 2012 by

When Dinga’s beloved son goes missing, Fire, Water and Wind are the only ones who can tell him about the African thieves, The Middle Passage and slave culture in America. While Dinga mourns the taken Musafa, his son never forgets … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with social studies links, Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Waiting for the Magic

Posted on March 29, 2012 by

Okay, here’s a book recommended to me by my nine-year-old. I admit, I didn’t expect to like it. The cover didn’t draw me in, but the first paragraph, and then the first chapter and then the next chapter filled me … Continue reading →

Posted in Chapter Books, Character-driven, Love that prose, Power of pets | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

An Annoying ABC

Posted on March 22, 2012 by

It only took Adelaide to set off a domino effect involving annoyance, fuming, irritation and upending. Barbara Bottner‘s text is tight, the words are expressive and perfect for story-time in preschool or word study in kindergarten and up. Michael Emberley‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Love that prose, Picture books | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Artist to Artist

Posted on March 21, 2012 by

“Dear young artist,” this book begins. Twenty-three illustrators complete the salutation with self-portraits and letters about their life, work and art. The process of picture book art and children’s literature illustration is discussed in each artist’s own way, and sometimes … Continue reading →

Posted in Love that art, Love that prose, Nonfiction | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Grandpa Green

Posted on March 19, 2012 by

Illustrated almost entirely in green, Lane Smith’s Grandpa Green is an ode to a man who grew up on a farm and went to war. Narrated by a great-grandkid, this lovely story is about respect, artistry and memories. Find some hidden story … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with science links, Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Mama Miti

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

A biography that reads like a legend, Mama Miti is a superb literature choice to study Kenya, wisdom and environmental renewal. Wangari Muta Maathai, a.k.a. Mama Miti, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, a first for an African woman. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Books with social studies links, Love that art, Love that prose, Nonfiction, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature

Posted on January 6, 2012 by

I suggest reading this book two times in a row. First, read through the larger text, allowing the cadence of the words to resonate. Then read again, finding all of the labelled spirals (classic funnel tornado, gardenia, hibernating bull snake) … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with science links, Love that prose, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

Resolve to be honest at all events and if you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.  Choose some other occupations. Abraham Lincoln’s own words are sprinkled throughout the text in this beautiful biography, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Books with social studies links, Love that art, Love that prose, Nonfiction, Picture books, Word choice | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

I Want My Hat Back

Posted on November 4, 2011 by

Jon Klassen tells the entire story of a missing hat in dialogue.  Reminiscent of the classic Are You My Mother?, the bear asks everyone in the animal kingdom “Have you seen my hat?”  Yet this bear doesn’t recognize his hat even when … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian author/illustrator, Love that prose, Picture books, Voice | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?

Posted on August 29, 2011 by

Let’s face it. Some things grow and others don’t. How’s a kid to know the difference? “If an owlet grows and becomes an owl, can a washcloth grow and become a towel?” Susan A. Shea’s clever rhymes get those thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with science links, Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books, Rhyme | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment