Throughout the year, I seemed to have purchased few picture books, for one reason or another. As the holidays approached and I needed to buy some gift for nieces and nephews and as the end of the year ‘best of lists’ appeared and the Caldecott Award winners approach (January 2017), I bought ten new picture books, some funny, some serious, and yes, some worthy of awards for best illustrations. I’ve included the New York Times list of best illustrated books of the past year.

THE DEAD BIRD BY Margaret Wise Brown: Illus. Christian Robinson

The book was written in 1938 by beloved author (Goodnight Moon), Margaret Wise Brown. The story has been published with colourful, yet simple, illustrations. The story about children who come upon a bird lying in a park with its eyes closed and no heartbeat inspires heartfelt emotional response and likely connections to children who have dealt with loss of pets – and others in their lives.

DU IZ TAK? by Carson Ellis

At first, this book seems to be written in a foreign language (Swedish?) but in fact Carson Ellis has invented the language of insects as they stare in wonder at the growth of a plant.  Once young readers (and adults) grasp the inventiveness of the conversation and give careful attention to the natural environment created by the author, they are sure to delight – and visit and revisit Du Iz Tak?  (perhaps: ‘What is that?’)

SNAPPSY THE ALLIGATOR by Julie Falatko; Illus. Tim Miller

Snappsy, is quite the assertive, and somewhat grouchy,  alligator. Snappsy likes to talk back (and contradict) the narrator of the book. He  likes to say whatever is on his mind, and does so in graphic speech bubbles to inform the narrator (and the reader) of what a clever and opinionated and snappy alligator he is.

WHAT COLOR IS THE WIND? by Anne Herbauts

How might you answer the question posed in the title of this book? How might you explain your answer to a little giant who is blind.  This book by the Brussels artist Anne Herbauts is distinct and rich in it’s design  format which includes cut out shapes and textures which are often tactile. As the boy embarks to find an answer from animals and nature he encounters, the story (“No, says the wolf, the wind is the dark smell of the forest.”), the book too that awakens our senses and helps readers consider the ways in which we sense, see and feel the world around us. The book is reminiscent of the story The Blind Man and the Elephant and the picture book, Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young.

THE TREE IN THE COURTYARD: Looking through Anne Frank’s Window by Jeff Gottesfeld; Illus. Peter McCarty

As Anne Frank writes in her diary, a horse chestnut tree outside the window of the attic in which her family is hiding, serves as a witness and innocent bystander to the history of the Frank family. The tree died the summer Anne Frank would have turned eight one (2010). In the Afterword to the book, we learn that saplings and seedpods from the tree have been planted around the world. The simple narration, the succinct overview of historical events and the sepia-like tones of McCarty’s illustrations add to the strength of this picture book.

BE WHO YOU ARE by Todd Parr

In single words and short sentences,  Todd Parr celebrates identity and diversity in this instructional book that tells readers to “Learn in your own way. / Be proud of where you’re from / Be your own family/ JUST BE WHO YOU ARE!” Hooray for Todd Parr for being who he is!

THE BEAR WHO WASN’T THERE by LeUyen Pham

This one’s funny! I bought four copies as gifts. The narrative is told with simple text, but the animation-like illustrations and the conversation in graphic format adds to the humour. Here’s an example, sure to delight those wee folks: “HEY! What are you doing?! Didn’t you read the sign? There’s no bear in here!” exclaims a giraffe sitting on a toilet. A duck serves as the interlocutor, and he’s a funny duck indeed. Spoiler alert: the bear never shows up which is the adventure and suspense and fun of the book.

CRY, HEART, BUT NEVER BREAK by Glenn Ringtved; Illus. by Charlotte Pardi

Death appears as a character in this book, helping the children in this book saying good bye to their beloved dying grandmother, and giving readers compassionate insights and some comfort when dealing with the sadness of loss.

THE CAT FROM HUNGER MOUNTAIN by Ed Young

Caldecott winner Ed Young (The Emperor and the Kite, 1967; Lon Po Po, 1989; Seven Blind Mice, 1992) is a master at mixed media collage. Lord Cat delights in all the riches that life has afforded him, but when drought plagues the land, he is confronted with the world of loss. The book is dedicated to ‘the strange virtue in deprivation, an unwanted and the least understood gateway to humanity and life’s riches’.

SHOUT OUT

THE SINGING BONES by Shaun Tan

Australian author Shaun Tan, (The Rabbits, The Arrival) is genius in his surrealistic, hyper-realistic style. His newest publication is not technically a picture book, but a stunning collection of 75  sculptures created by Tan, each a representation of a  fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm. Each sculpture, whether it is fanciful, strange, poetic or stark, is paired with a paragraph from the Grimm stories. Summaries of these stories appear at the end of the book. I examined the plates with awe, would love to have seen the art exhibit of the creations, and was inspired to purchase and carefully read the Grimm’s tales (The Original Folk & Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, translated and edited by Jack Zipes; Illus. Andrea Dezso). Wouldn’t it be grand to own one of these sculptures? Isn’t it great to be able to own this collection?

New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books, 2016 (Sunday November 13, 2016)

Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis by Jabari Asim; Illus. E.B. Lewis

The White Cat and the Monk by Jo Ellen Bogart; Illus. Sydney Smith

The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown; Illus. Christian Robinson

The Polar Bear by Jenni Desmond

The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking through Anne Frank’s Window by Jeff Gottesfeld: Illus. P.McCarty

A Voyage in the Clouds by Matthew Olshan; Illus. Sophie Blackall

The Princess and the Warrior: A tale of two volcanoes by Duncan Tonatiuh

Freedom in Congo Square by Carol Boston Weatherford; Illus. R. Gregory Christie

Little Red by Bethan Woolvin

The Cat from Hunger Mountain by Ed Young

Below is a list of my noteworthy readings, viewings and listenings of 2016. Some titles  may not have been released in 2016 but purchased by me in the past 12 months. I tried to stick to five items for each category, but sometimes have more, sometimes less, and that’s the way it is. Hope you enjoy reading Larry’s List of Favourites, 2016 ? What’s on your list?

Picture Books

The Bear Who Wasn’t There by LeUyen Pham

Penguin Problems by  Jory John and Lane Smith

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton (2012)

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel

Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie

Novels: Ages 8 – 14

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Lesley Cannon

Lucky Strike by Louis Bayard

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo

As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Novels: Adult

Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

The Nutshell by Ian McEwan

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Stroud

Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Nonfiction / Autobiography

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Then and Now by Barbara Cook

Life, Animated by Ron Suskind

Lit Up by David Denby

Walk Through Walls by Marina Abramovic

Movies

It’s a Wonderful Life (finally went to see this at the local Cineplex, without commercials)

La La Land

Life, Animated

Manchester by the Sea

Maudie

Moonlight

Theatre: Local

And So It Goes (YPT)

Come From Away (Mirvish)

Counting Sheep (Lemon Bucket Orkestra)

Death of a Salesman (Yiddish)

Mr. Shi and His Lover (Summerworks)

Nest (Wee Festival)

One Kid, Two Kittens and Me (Christopher Wilson)

A Winter’s Tale (A Groundling Theatre Production)

Theatre: Shaw/ Stratford

The Adventures of The Black Girl in Her Search of God

All My Sons (Stratford)

Master Harold and the Boys

Our Town

Theatre: New York/ London

A Life

Amadeus (National Theatre)

A View From the Bridge

The Crucible

Dear Evan Hansen

Natasha Pierre and the Comet of 1812

Peter Pan (National Theatre)

Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed

Music

December by Chris Botti (2006)

Encore by Barbra Streisand

The Essential Leonard Cohen (2002)

Liasons: Re-imaging Sondheim from the Piano by Anthony De Mare

New York Rhapsody by Lang Lang

Songbird by Eva Cassidy (1977)

ETC.

concert: Rufus Wainwright: Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall (Luminato)

concert: Tony Bennett (St. Petersburg, Florida)

cabaret /concert: Brent Carver: Walk Me To the Corner (Harold Green Theatre)

TV: Gypsy with Imelda Staunton (PBS)

TV: The Night Of…(HBO series)

dance: Carmen by Flamenco Antonia Gades (Barcelona)

professional read: Literacy 101 by David Booth

short stories: The World’s Worst Children by David Walliams

National Theatre Live: Jane Eyre

A special  book: The Singing Bones by Shaun Tan

Below are ten 2016 titles of novels (+ one autobiography) that I read and enjoyed (mostly). One list is for readers, ages 10-14. One list is for ‘grown-ups’.

AGES 10 – 14

A BOY NAMED QUEEN Sara Cassidy

Queen, a young boy in grade 5 is proud of his name and brushes off any taunting he receives because of his name, his flamboyant clothes and his carefree attitude. At only 75 pages, this short Canadian novel tackles bullying, boy/girl friendship and gender issues. I didn’t love this book. Too many holes and non-fluid narrative.

THE OTHER BOY by M.G Hennessey

As expected, the children’s literature world has paid attention to the reality and complexity of transgender issues. In this novel the central character Shane Woods provides a strong case study  of young people who recognize that they do not want to live the gendered life of that they were born with. It is a story of the journey  and struggle into acceptance, of self and by others.

EITHER WAY: The story of a gay kid by Sandra Levins; Illus. Evan Cook

A short, graphic novel exploring the complexities of coming out. In less than 100 pages, the author presents 3 different narratives and Either Way is more than a story of a gay kid who is trying to find out who he really is. It is also provides background information about civil rights and marriage equality as well as a story about one gay man who served in the military.

WHEN THE SEA TURNED TO SILVER by Grace Lin

This title is the third in a trilogy (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky).  The novel is a self-contained fantasy adventure of a Chinese girl who embarks on a journey to rescue her grandmother  who has been kidnapped by the emperor’s soldier’s.  The book features  a number of Chinese folktales. When the Sea Turned to Silver is a strong testimony to the power of stories and the gift of storytelling. Applause also goes to the  detailed drawings and rich illustrations that appear throughout – all created by the author.

THE MIDNIGHT GANG by David Walliams

WOW! Two new books from Mr. Walliams in one year. (see also: The World’s Worst Children) Oh what fun! The Midnight Gang is the story of five children being treated in a London hospital ward and each seeking a dream and a daring adventure as the midnight hour approaches.  Always funny you are Mr. W.  Always with a little bit of naughty. And dare I say a bit of heart with this one!

SAVE ME A SEAT by Sarah Weeks and Git Varadarjan

Fifth graders Joe and Ravi each have to contend with fitting in and acceptance. The novel is presented in alternating chapters that describes each boy’s story: Joe, a Special Needs student and Ravi (Rah-VEE, not RAH-vee) Suryanarayanan a recent immigrant from India. Joe and Ravi’s must separately learn to cope with the turmoil of the class bully, Dillon. Though the two boys have much in common, the don’t seem to ‘connect’ during the first week of school, and then not until the final Friday (Pizza Day) when they realize that they can confront their problems – and sit – together.

FOR THE GROWN-UPS

WALK THROUGH WALLS by Marina Abramovic (this one’s an autobiography)

Abramovic’s claim to fame is being one of the most recognized performance artist’s in the world.  The biography provides a detailed journey of her art and life her life as the child of Communist parents in postwar Yugoslavia to a life of fame in Amsterdam, New York, Beijing and beyond. A fascinating read of a fascinating, driven, complex artist.  I was intrigued more with the artist’s bizarre visions and ‘wild’ love life and extensive travels and spiritual devotion than the art itself which often seemed disturbing and esoteric that included cutting, walking The Wall of China, lying down on blocks of ice, partner-slapping, eating a dead hare, and lots of nudity. I became especially drawn to  Abramovic when I saw her live at the MOMA  for the performance of The Artist is Present where she sat on a chair each day over a three month period staring face to face with strangers who sat directly across from her. Fascinating. Provacative. Mmmm?

THE WONDER by Emma Donoghue

Donoghue’s claim to fame seems to be the remarkable novel Room, the story of a boy and his mother trapped in a room for several years. In The Wonder, we enter a different room along with the main character Lib, a nurse who has been hired to watch over Anne O’Donnell, a ‘miracle’ girl who has survived without eating for many months. The setting is an Irish Village in the 1850’s. Questions loom (for Lib and for the reader): How is it possible for Anne to survive without eating? Is this all a hoax? Is someone secretly feeding Anne? How could Anne’s family not intervene and force feed their daughter? Why do the clergy think that this is a religious miracle? Why is Anne doing this? Will Anne die by starvation? How can Lib take responsibility and take control of the situation despite protests from the family, the clergy and Anne herself?

HERE I AM Jonathan Safran Foer

A failing marriage and a family falling apart: i.e. A Jewish family falling apart. And there’s an earthquake in Israel. Mr Foer is certainly inventive and funny and wise and verbose (too often). ( Get me the scissors!).  Still, this is an author that fascinates me (I loved Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) and even though I didn’t always ‘get; what was written on each page, I was often pensive and frequently entertained.

ALL THAT MAN IS by David Szalay

This novel, a contender for the Brooker Prize, is the story of nine men – nine European men – each at a different stage of life.  Taken as a whole the book presents different stages of  manhood from young adulthood to senior years. Really, the book is presented as short stories and I found myself (of course) intrigued by some characters more than others. Upon reflection, All That Man Is invited me to think about the connections of the nine stories and in the end I realized that my enjoyment of the book was the intrigue of travel, the spontaneous building relationships (sexual and otherwise), the excitement of confronting fate, and the issue of appreciating the material things you have, and the desire of wanting more. Is this all that man is? Mmm?

DO NOT SAY WE HAVE NOTHING by Madeline Thien

Winner of The Governor General’s Award as well as The Giller Prize, 2016, this novel has great pedigree. Thien does a masterful job of intertwining generations of Chinese family and pays a heartfelt tribute to the significance of playing an instrument,  of composing and of performing. The details of Mao’s Cultural Revolution is encyclopedic. Fine writing indeed, but I found it to be a very dense read moving back and forth in time with a rather complex narrative of the character’s lives.

The books listed here (in no particular order) are all Canadian, all published in 2016 each celebrating some aspect of diversity and culture. A shout out also goes to the Canadian Children’s Book Centre and their list of TD award winning titles.

WHEN THE RAIN COMES by Alma Fullerton; Illus. Kim La Fave

This book encourages young North American readers to consider the plight of children across the world who are dependendt on agriculture for their livelihood. Set in Sri Lanka, this story can help readers understand the challenges of growing rice crops, the struggles of overcoming monsoon rains, and the dependence on animals (e.g, the ox) to help with farming.

I AM NOT A NUMBER by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer; Illus. Gillian Newland

This picture book is an important contribution to stories that help students gain further understanding of the plight of Residential Schools. A useful resource that explore FNMI curriculum initiatives.

THE WAY TO SCHOOL by Rosemary McCarney with Plan International (2015)

This book feature vivid photographs showing children who must combat natural disasters, river-crossings and mountain passes all for the sake of getting an education.

AS A BOY Plan International

Simple statements and powerful photographs on each page highlight the roles and rights of boys – and girls. It is an ideal source to help students understand gender equity and the choices many boys have made for them on the day they were born and the choices they will make for themselves as sons, brothers and future fathers.

FRENCH TOAST by Kari-Lynn Winters; Illus. Francoise Thisdale

This is an important resource to help young readers consider, the importance of their name, differences in skin colour, the lives of bi-racial children, the warm relationship between grandparent and child, and compassion for those with disabilities.

A FAMILY IS A FAMILY IS A FAMILY by Sara O’Leary; Illus. QinLeng

This book highlights the diversity of families and can prompt understanding of divorced parents, foster parents, same-sex parents. Young readers can make connections to the families they belong to as well as others they may be familiar with.

MAYA by Mahak Jain: Illus. Elly MacKay

Picture books like Maya can take readers on a journey to other parts of the world and provide a geography lesson into countries that are challenged with monsoons. It is also a story of overcoming grief and recognizing the significance of familial love.

ADRIFT AT SEA: A Vietnamese Boy’s Story of Survival by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch with Tuan Ho; Ilus. Brian Deines

To understand the history of a refugee expereince and its connection to contemporary world refugee issues, Tuan Ho’s story as a ‘Boat People’ survivor is an important book for sharing. The first person narrative, in particular, helps readers to identify with the challenges of survival.

ELLIOT by Julie Pearson; Illus Manon Gauthier

This is a sensitive story about parenting, about foster care and about adoption.

SAYF AND FROGGY by@studentasim

A story of a dedicated friendship between two Canadian boys and the challenges of continuing that friendship when one boy moves away to Dubai.

SHOUT OUT: Winners Announced for the
2016 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards

The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is thrilled to announce the winners of its seven English-language children’s book awards. The TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award was given to author Melanie Florence and illustrator François Thisdale, who will share the $30,000 prize. This is a story of love and loss and acceptance told in alternating voices between a Cree daughter and her Nimama (mother). This title inspires respect, recognition and further inquiry of the over one thousand Indigenous women and girls who have been murdered or went missing between 1980 and 2012.

heir picture book Missing Nimâmâ (Clockwise Press)

Missing Nimâmâ, written by Melanie Florence and illustrated by François Thisdale, won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award ($30,000)
Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel won the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award ($20,000)
Sex Is a Funny Word: A Book About Bodies, Feelings, and You written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth, won the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction ($10,000)
Uncertain Soldier by Karen Bass won the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction For Young People ($5,000)
The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands won the John Spray Mystery Award ($5,000)
The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow won the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy ($5,000)
The Truth Commission by Susan Juby won the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award ($5,000)

The winners were announced on Thursday November 17th at a gala event, hosted by the CBC’s Shelagh Rogers, at The Carlu in Toronto.

Below are ten novels I’ve read this autumn that I rather enjoyed.  However, in considering award contenders, none of these would be on my top five list. Surprisingly, there were many text to text connections for me in these novels whether the connections were because  the books were by first-time authors,  authors of renowned, about siblings with troubled parents, about putting characters in unfamiliar settings,  feature dogs as central characters and presented in free verse formats. Each of these novels was published in 2016.

GERTIE’S LEAP INTO GREATNESS by Kate Beasley

Gertie belongs to the sisterhood of Ramona Quimby.  She is clever and feisty and full of comedic pranks. First time novelist, Kate Beasley breezily describes Gertie’s plans to become ‘the greatest fifth grade student in the world.  This novel should appeal to eight to ten year old girls who enjoy watching after school sitcoms. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about ‘never give up’ characters.

MOO by Sharon Creech

I bought this book without reading a description. Knowing the author’s work, admiring free verse novels, and a simple inviting cover, prompted me to own this book. A family moves to Maine and life is certainly different for them from the big city they once lived in. Twelve-year-old Reena, the main character, of this novel slowly adjusts to the life of beaches and blueberries and an ornery cow named Zora. Once again, Sharon Creech (author of Love That Dog) tells her story in free verse style, in short chapters. Note: Imagine reading two great novels about cows in a couple of years. Moo reminded me of a the fine and funny Canadian novel, Audrey (cow) by Dan Bar-el

ROOT BEER CANDY AND OTHER MIRACLES by Shari Green

Bailey and Kevin’s parents are having relationship problems and so the brother and sister are sent to the West Coast Island town of Felicity Bay to live with their grandmother.  I do like novels that are free verse style which works for this novel.  I enjoyed the book because it seemed  to take me on a vacation to a seaside CANADIAN community.  Bailey’s quest to  come to an understanding of conflicts in a community, in a family and to believe in ‘miracles’ holds this novel together. Disclaimer: Not fond of the title, which seems to eliminate many boys from picking up this book.

THE POET’s DOG by Patricia MacLachlan

Like Moo, I bought this novel because of the title as well asmy familiarity with the author, Patricai MacLachlan (Sarah Plain and Tall). This short novel (83 pages) interweaves the story of two young children, a dog that finds them in a winter storm and a cabin that belonged to a poet. This book is suitable for reading aloud and/ or can be given to young readers who might enjoy reading about dogs and poets.

THE BEST MAN by Richard Peck

I have been reading novels by Richard Peck for more than three decades and was delighted to meet Archer Magill, who, like many young adolescents is confronted with the challenges of Middle School. Archer connects to his father, grandfather and his uncle who serve as important role models, but when he meets Mr. McLeod who is doing a practicum placement in Archer’s class, he finds a new role model. I find myself smiling when I read Peck’s books and also connecting emotionally to the relationships and problems he presents so clearly – in this case, that of same sex marriage.

MAXI’s SECRETS by Lynn Plourde.

Spoiler alert: Maxi, the title hero of this novel, dies.  We learn this piece of information in the opening two sentences of the novel (“Let’s get this over with – it’s no secret. / My dog, Maxi dies”). Stories about dogs appeal to many young readers. And if you have a book with a dog who dies, it seems to be a ‘winner’. (Thank you Gordon Korman, for No More Dead Dogs).  When Timminy is forced to confront the meanness of bullies, Maxi, a deaf dog and a blind neighbour named Abby give the boy strength and enrich his compassionate capabilities.

AS BRAVE AS YOU by Jason Reynolds

Genie and Ernie’s parents are having relationship problems and so the two brothers are sent to Virginia to live with their grandparents. Spending a lot of time out of doors, doing chores, Genie and Ernie have a strong brotherly relationship. Grandpop is a central character in this novel, and Genie who  develops a strong bond and curiosity about life when he spends time with his quirky but wise grandfather who is blind. Apparently, the two boys are Afro-American and for me this just seems to be a casual piece of information that is not significant to the boys’ identities.  Filtered throughout the novel are Genie’s wonderings about life, (e.g., Why are swallows called swallows? How many stars are in the sky? And whose job is it to count them?) thus inspiring a sense of wonder and inquiry that readers can connect to.

GHOST by Jason Reynolds

Reynolds is a storyteller indeed (see As Brave as You). The hero of this story, named Ghost, is a runner (and a wannabe champion athlete, the Junior Olympics, in fact). When an opportunity arises for him to be part of a ‘team’, Ghost needs to shed his anger and bad habits (e.g., the theft of running shoes) and learn how to better cope with his family circumstances and relationships with his peers. This fast-paced book is the first in a series by the author.

ADULT READS

SHELTER: A novel by Jung Yun

The story of an unhappy family – an unhappy Korean family. Shelter is also a novel centred on family obligations, class, domestic abuse, fidelity, and class.  Yun’s narrative seemed to flow quickly and built empathetic understanding for the troubled Korean protagonist.

THE NUTSHELL by Ian McEwan

How many novels have you read told from the point of view of a fetus? McEwan brilliantly presents an intelligent, curious narrator who ‘observes’  and comments on the behaviours of his parents, on infidelity, on sex, and on his mother and uncle’s plan to murder his father. (Hamlet anyone?) Unique storytelling is an understatement.

TRIBUTE

Anne Poretta 1944 – 2016

To know Anne Poretta was to love her.  I connected with Anne a few years ago and I quickly recognized that I had a good colleague, a great friend. I once bumped into her in a grocery story and she told me she was buying ingredients to bake biscotti.  I casually suggested that I love lemon biscotti. Each time we met afterwards and PD events or otherwise, Anne had a package of carefully wrapped biscotti for me.  Anne was the kindest of souls. I so admired Anne for  her passion for teaching, her love of children’s literature, her love of children and her optimistic view of life. Artist, cook, educator, Anne was at all times a level four.  What a terrific, joyful person!!! Ciao, bella!

see: Globe and Mail, October 28, lives lived …http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/lives-lived-anne-porretta-71/article32543812/

There was a time that I’d buy about ten picture books a month, but now that I’m in a retirement mode, I find that I am more careful/selective about what I choose to purchase. This list provides an overview of some recent picture book purchases, some with 2016 publication dates.

THE UNCORKER OF OCEAN BOTTLES by Michelle Cuevas; Illustrated by Erin E. Stead 2016

The title of this picture book is the name and job description of the lonely central character whose task is to open any bottles found at sea and make sure they are delivered. “Truth be told, each time he opened a bootle, a part of him hoped to see his own name winking from the top of the page.” One day, the Uncorker of Ocean Bottle receives an invitation to a party and in an attempt to discover who wrote this message, the hero eventually comes to find a place of belonging. I expect this book to be on top ten lists (Caldecott anyone?)  at year’s end.

FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith 2010

This was recommended as a picture book for older readers. The art work is well-deserved of the adjective ‘exquisite’. It is a story of  fathers and sons and dreams of ‘taking flight on the feathers of a thousand hopeful wings’. Wow!

OH NO, GEORGE by Chris Haughton 2012

Loved Shh We Have a Plan so I bought this one sight unseen. I think I have a very favourite new author for wee readers. What will the mischievous long-earred dog named George do next?  He is inquisitive and adventurous and funny and young readers will delight in the trouble George gets into (and out of).

I WONDER Written by Annika Harris; Illustrated by John Rowe, 2013

Accompanied by her mother, a little girl named Eva is awed by the mysteries of the world that she encounters while going for a walk.  Together, mother and daughter embark on a journey of lifelong learning – and wonder.

THE GRUMPS: A love story by Paula Hillick 2015

Hooray for Paula (a former OISE student of mine) for creating this book intended to help young readers consider their feelings, their relationships and the possibility of growing a loving heart. For more information contact ThinkCareShare.com.

A CHILD OF BOOKS by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston 2016

This title already appears on the New York Time best picture book list. Purchased this one automatically when reading the title and seeing Oliver Jeffers’ name. Any book that promotes a love of words and adventures and imagination and stories (‘we’re made from stories’) is worth sharing. The end pages themselves provide a remarkable inventory of literary classics. How many have you read? Which titles would you include?

PENGUIN PROBLEMS Written by Jory John; Illustrated by Lane Smith 2016.

The text on the book flap asks: ‘Why would you want to learn about some penguin’s problems when you have plenty of problems of your own?\  I rose to the bait and dipped into this charming, informative book, with only one or two sentences on each page (except for one). I really like Penguin Problems and would use it to activate prior knowledge about penguins as well as ignite an inquiry into the life of penguins.

CROW CALL Written by Lois Lowry; Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline 2009

This is the first picture book by Newbery Award author, Lois Lowry. In this memoir, Lowry  tells the story of a young girl’s connection with her father who has just returned from the World War II. The relationship is deepened by when father and daughter set out in the Pennsylvania farmlands where they beckon crows from the sky.

I AM A STORY Written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino 2016

Bought this book because of the title. The history of story from cave paintings to printing press to Shakespeare is presented in very simple text. This book inspires further inquiry to the significant events in writing and telling stories, and provides a foundation for young readers to consider the stories in their own lives.

THEY ALL SAW A CAT by Brendan Wenzel 2016

Online praise (‘layered’ ‘funny’ ‘sophisticated’ ‘smart’ ‘thought-provoking’ entertaining lured me into buying this gem of a picture book, already considered with recognition for Caldecott 2017.

SHOUT OUT!

InvisiBILL Written by Maureen Fergus ; Illustrated by Dušan Petričić /Tundra Books

SIDEWALK FLOWERS Storyline by JonArno Lawson; Illustrated by Sydney Smith / Groundwood Books

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A FOX Written and illustrated by Danielle Daniel /Groundwood Books

Summertime and the reading was fine and  breezy and uplifting and weepy and, at times, gut-wrenching. The titles below offer something for all ages from picture books, to novels, to YA fiction to a great adult read.

PICTURE BOOKS, ages 2- 5 (sure to be ‘Read it again!, Read it!’ again favourites)

Apples and Robins by Lucie Felix

This book is both simple and sophisticated in design. As each page is turned, one thing transforms inot another (eg. an oval becomes a bird). This book will appeal to classroom teachers who want literature to help teach about shapes and/ or seasons. More important, however, Apples and Robins is an artful specimen that ignites the imagination and strengthens visual literacy.

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton

This picture book is a great read aloud for pre-school students, a great side by side read for adult and child and a book taht will quickly have young reader reading to you. Appeal: catchy title, rhythmic refrain, suspenseful story, nocturnal setting, great (simple) illustrations make this book a winner. Thanks to William (age 2) and Peter (age 3) for recommending this title.

NOVELS: ages 9 – 13

Sticks and Stones by Abby Cooper

Whenver Elyse is called a name (good or bad) the words suddenly appear on her skin.  I can accept this intriguing premise (‘and words can hurt forever’), but I found much of this novel to be unengaging (The big event is the quest to be Explorer Event for the school trip or credible (the love story of 11 year olds, the expensive and extravagant birthday party in a Chicago apartment, and the school trip (Why didn’t mother make an effort to find her lost daughter?). But I’m not a grade six girl.

Nine, Ten: A September 11 story by Nora Raleigh Baskin

This novel tells the story of four young people, each living outside of Manhattan, and their connections to the Twin Tower disaster. Like Towers Falling, this novel helps readers who were not living in 2001 to come to an understanding of this significant event in American history.

Lucky Strikes by Louis Bayard

This title is my favourite of all  this month’s listings. A young teenage girl takes charge of her brother when their mother dies. The family struggles to keep the local gas station afloat.  When a vagabond suddenly arrives, a plan is hatched to ‘hire’ him as their father to prevent the trio from being send from an orphanage. This is Bayard’s first novel for young people. I loved it and expect/hope it will be a Newbery contender. Great writing. Great humour. Great heart.

Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Deja’s family has moved into a shelter with her family. A school project sets Deja on a journey to learn about the falling of the Twin Towers as well as uncover the trauma her father seems to face. This is a novel layered with compassion and provide information and questions about the 9/11 tragedy.

The Misadvntures of Max Crumbly by Rachel Renee Russell

Russell is the author of blockbuster sereis Dork Diaries and Max Crumbly is the hero of this new series.  I chose this book because I am always intrigued with school bully stories. The font, the graphic-style illustrations and the breezy storytelling will lead to another success for the author. Spoiler Alert: Max’s adventures are not wrapped up in this book. Final page, “I bet you can’t believe I’m leaving you hanging, just like they do in my favourite comic books! Sorry, but all i can say at this point is.. TO BE CONTINUED…I, for one, am not going to get the book(s) so I guess I’ll be left hanging.

NOVELS: Young Adult

Draw the Line by Laurent Linn

Adrian Piper is a sci-fi geek, a talented artist and an out-of-the closet gay student. A gay bashing incident ignites Adrian and his two pals to take action and fight for justice using his own powers and ‘draw the line’ through the fictitious superheroes he presents. This novel is interspersed throughout with black and white drawings from Adrian’s graphic creation.

Freak Boy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (see below)

FREE VERSE

Gone Fishing by Tamera Will Wissinger; Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Sam loves going fishing with his father, but this year, Sam’s pesky Big Fishy younger sister accompanies them. The special appeal of the book is that each brief chapter is told in an idenitfied poetic format (e.g., ‘All Aboard’ / List Poem; ‘My Big Fish’/ Quatrain

Little Dog, Lost by Marion Dane Bauer

More than anything Mark wants a dog, must have a dog, needs a dog. Dog owners and certainly wannabe dog owners will enjoy reading about Mark’s quest to own a dog of his own and the quest for Buddy (a girl dog) who wants to belong to someone who can love and care for him. A heartwarming tale enriched  by the free verse format.

Red Butterfly by A.L. Sonnichsen; Illus. Amy June Bates

Kara, an eleven year old girl born with a deformed hand, was abandoned  as an infant and was secretly mothered by an elderly American woman living in China. Kara longs to be with her father who lives in Montana but is challenged with a strict adoption system that is preventing her from finding true happiness and a family. Kudo’s to Bates’s spot illustrations that appear throughout.

Freak Boy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (Young Adult)

More than wanting to be with the perfect girlfriend, Vanessa, seventeen year old Brendan Chase wants to BE like her. A star athlete, a star student, Brendan struggles with sexual identity issues. This free verse novel is told from three viewpoints and offers significant insights with adolescents who strive to come to terms with their place on the transgender spectrum and the friends and family who support them.

ADULT

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

Not just because  its a 2016 Oprah Book Club selection, but  this remarkable novel should continue getting to get the buzz – and possibly the awards – it deserves. We have read many novels about the plights of slavery, but the premise of this story, is that there was, in fact, an Underground Railroad that brought African American slaves to freedom. Colson centres his narrative on the life of  Cora as she takes flight from a cotton plantation and journeys through several Southern Southern states, attempting to escape the horrors of bondage. For better or worse, a book that will probably be in Book Club settings and beyond.

Comment: I loved the first half of the The Underground Railroad. Found the second half plodding.

Comment: The Gospel Truth. the free verse YA novel by Canadian Caroline Pignat was a book about slavery that, for me, had more ‘punch’ than Whitehead’s book.

SHOUT OUT!

Literacy 101 by David Booth, Pembroke Publishers

In preparation to teach two literacy courses this fall, I just finished reading Literacy 101 by David Booth. Booth outlines 101+ questions about literacy programming and provides answers to these questions, turning theory into effective best practice. Throughout the book, David Booth shares dozens of anecdotes  informed his own remarkable life as an educator and serve as data to support his answers. As I read through the book, page by page, new questions formulated in my head and seeking answers to these questions is the stuff of being a reflective practitioner. Literacy 101  offers me the opportunity to work alongside the teacher candidates I work with to formulate their own questions, to gain understanding of effective language arts programming as they begin and continue their careers.  For experienced teachers, Booth serves as a guide and mentor as his words challenge and stretch their assumptions.

KEY QUESTIONS: Chapter Headings

• Chapter One: Why is ‘literacy’ such a popular term in teaching today
• Chapter Two: How do I actually teach students to read?
  Chapter Three: Should students always respond to a text?
• Chapter Four: How can I organize an effective reading program?
• Chapter Five: Is writing a period in the school day or part of every subject?
  Chapter Six: How do I develop a literacy community?
  Chapter Seven: How can I use tests to teach?

Traditionally, we consider novels to be arranged in chapter by chapter format. In recent years, many authors have expanded the novel form by presenting the novel as verse novels, where the text is written as poems. Over the past several months, I have included several recommendations of novels that appear in book free verse format, and here I am providing additional lists for further consideration:

A TOP TEN LIST

Alexander, Kwame. The Crossover (also: Booked)

Applegate, Katherine. Home of the Brave

Creech, Sharon. Love That Dog (Sequel: Hate that Cat)

Frost, Helen. Spinning through the Universe

Herrick, Steven. Naked Bunyip Dancing

Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust

Lai, Thanha. Inside Out and Back Again

Pignat, Caroline. The Gospel Truth

Porter, Pamela. The Crazy Man

Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion (also: Peace, Locomotion)

PUBLISHED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR

Alexander, Kwame. Booked

Creech, Sharon. Moo

Crossen, Sarah. One

Davis, Andrea Pinkney. The Red Pencil

Donwerth-Chikamatsu, Annie. Somewhere Along

Hilton, Marilyn. Full Cicada Moon

Shovan, Laura. The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary. Laura Shovan

Sonnichsen A. L. Red Butterfly

Wissinger, Tamera Will. Gone Fishing

Woodson, Jacqueline.  Brown Girl Dreaming.

TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE REFUGEE EXPERIENCE: Four Remarkable Novels

The following titles invite readers to consider the plights of refugees The are heartwarming and promote compassion for characters who are resilient and optimistic in their determination to  find a place of safety and a thing called family in a world that considers their past, present and future lives. I highly recommend these titles be used in grade five to seven classrooms to help young people consider issues of immigration

Applegate, Katherine. Home of the Brave

Burg, Ann E. All the Broken Pieces

Lai, Thanhha. Inside Out and Back Again

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. The Red Pencil

YA FREE VERSE TITLES

Clark, Kristen Elizabeth. Freakboy

Herrick, Steven. The Wolf (also: By the River)

Hopkins, Ellen. Tricks

Koertge, Ron. The Brimstone Journals

Leavitt, Martine. My Book of Life by Angel

Major, Kevin. Ann and Seamus

Phillips, Wendy. Fishtailing

Pignat, Caroline. The Gospel Truth

Wild, Margaret. Jinx

Woodson, Jacqueline. After Tupac and D. Foster

SHOUT OUT: A GRADE SEVEN CLASS EXPLORES FREE VERSE

This past spring I had the privilege of working with ERNEST AGBUYA and his Grade Seven Students at Queen Victoria Public School in downtown Toronto. Ernest and I worked together to develop a month long investigation of Free Verse Novels.

Ten Events that Explore Free Verse Poetry

1. INDEPENDENT READING: Twenty five free verse novels were offered on display. After a  brief talk, eeach student chose to read a novel independently.
2. RESPONSE: CREATING A FICTIONAL JOURNAL As a response to the novel, students wrote a diary entry from one of the character’s point    of view.    Students could choose to write the entry in free verse format or not.
3. SNIPPETS: Prose into Free Verse: A Demonstration LessonA sentence written as prose was displayed on the smart board. As a class we explored ways to transform this sentence into free verse style.
4. TRANSFORMING STUDENT WRITING INTO POETRY: Students then were challenged to transform a sentence from their own writing into a short free verse poem.
5. EXPLORING A THEME OF FREE VERSE POEMS: Free Verse poems centred on the theme of bullying were distributed to each student. Students met in groups to discuss themes, issues and questions inspired by the poem
6. BLACKOUT POETRY: Teacher demonstrated how to create a blackout poem by striking out passage on a photocopied page, leaving words scattered throughout the page, thus creating a free verse poem. Students independently created a free verse poem using a photocopied passage from a novel
7. THE GOSPEL TRUTH by Caroline Pignat. As a class, we read and responded to one passage from the novel The Gospel Truth by discussing 1. What we know 2. How we felt 3. What we wondered about. Students were each given a different passage from the novel. Student worked in groups to summarize and synthesize information.
8. CHORAL DRAMATIZATION: Students worked in groups of four or five to present a free verse poem chorally by dividing lines amongst group members, exploring voices and    movement to present the poem.
9. REFLECTIONS: Students responded in writing to the following prompts:    1. Here’s what I learned about free verse poems… ii. Here is something I enjoyed / didn’t enjoy about reading a free verse novel…iii. Reading a free verse novel is similar/ different to reading other fiction because…
10. CULMINATING PROJECT: TRANSFORMING PROSE TO POETRY: A culminating project invited the 17 students create a Free Verse Novel version of the novel, WONDER by R. J Palacio.  Each student was given a short passage from the novel, each passage representing a different character voice.  Students transformed the narrative into a free verse poem and the 17 poems were assembled into package, photocopied for each student. The following excerpted poem serves as a sample of the students’ work:

    NAMES

    According to Auggie

    Freak

    Gross-out.

    Mutant.

    The names fly past like wind,

    stinging my teary eyes as I head

    to the washroom.

    The wrenching pain in my gut

    isn’t from a stomach bug.

    It’s the laughing voices swirling around my brain until

         I

             get

                    sick.

    Lizard face.

    Rat boy.

    Monster.

    These names don’t define me.

    I am August.

    SHOUT OUT: Movie Recommendation

LIFE, ANIMATED

This documentary tells the story of Owen Suskind, who was diagnosed with autism in the 1990’s and who made sense of the world from watching animated Disney films. The director follows Owen in recent years when he graduates from high school, sets up a new home to live independently, and also discovers the tribulations of falling in love. I so admired Owen’s parents, his brother, and this resilient – wise – character.  See this film. (NOTE: I ordered the book written by Owen’s father Ron Suskind.

What’s on your bookshelf?  I have a batch of non-fiction reads that I hope to get to this summer, many of them are related to the world of theatre, of course.  Hope to tackle the following ten titles over July, August (and September)

THEN & NOW: A memoir by Barbara Cook with Tom Santopietro

Why this one? I’m a fan.

LIT UP: One Reporter. Three schools. Twenty0four books that can change lives by David Denby

Why this one? This reporter inspects  urban high school classrooms to consider the power that teaching with passion and commitment can have inspire every(!) student to ‘enjoy’ great literature, new and old.

ON SONDHEIM: An opinionated guide by Ethan Mordden

Why this one? I’m a fan.

MY PROMISED LAND: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel by Ari Shavit

Why this one? This book is a detailed heartfelt account of the history of Israel. I began reading      this earlier in the year and only got to 1967.  The history continues.

THEATRE OF  THE UNIMPRESSED: In search of Vital Drama by Jordan Tannahill

Why this one? Wunderkind Jordan Tannahill, offers sharp views of what makes theatre boring – for some/ for many. I consider myself an avid theatregoer, but Tannahill certainly has a sharper eye on the world of theatre, particularly of the ‘alternative’ kind.

RAZZLE DAZZLE: The battle for Broadway by Michael Redel

Why this one? I see a lot of Broadway musicals. Hope to gain insights into the world behind the razzle dazzle.

THE VIOLET HOUR: Great writers at the end by Katie Roiphe

Why this one? Read an article by the author in The New York Times about ‘saying last words (or not) to loved one’s.  This book is an account of the last days of Susan Sontag, Sigmund Freud, Maurice Sendak and others.  Final days and mortality:  Something to think about.

AMERICAN GIRLS: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers by Nancy Jo Sales

Why this one? Insights into the mean girl culture. Please help me understand.

HUMANS OF NEW YORK: STORIES by Brandon Stanton

Why this one? I love New York. Everyone is a story.  This will be a second read. It’s a fantastic book.

THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN MUSICAL: How Broadway shows are built by Jack Vertel.

Why this one? I see a lot of Broadway musicals. Hope to gain insights into how they are built.

Dr. Larry recommends a smorgasbord of highlights that includes an adult book, children’s novels, theatre, a movie and other ‘this’ n that’ tidbits, including a few deserved ‘shout outs!’

What to see in NY: Recently saw  9 plays in 5 days.  The Crucible by the marvel director Ivo Von Hove was an exhilarating experience.. Shuffle Along: the making of the musical of 1921 and all that followed (full title required) was grand entertainment with knock-em-dead tap dancing, a great cast and the stupendous Audra MacDonald. (was luck to catch Ms M since she will be leaving the show in July (materinity leave).  The Father was a thoughtful and heartfelt examination of Alzeheimer victims and those who care for them. Frank Langella was sublime.  Dear Evan Hansen, currently playing off broadway, examines the loner, the outcast teenager. Again, a fantastic performances. 9Wow to Ben Platt!) This musical has a future and will certainly resonate with adolescents. Also saw Bright Star (great music by Steve Martin), Eclipsed (harrowing performances including Lupita N‘Yong0), Tuck Everlasting (charming)  American Psycho (!!!) and an uninspired marionette production of The Pied Piper at the New Victory Theatre.

What’s playing in Toronto?  The Tony Award Winning Musical A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER is at the Princess of Wales Theatre.  Terrific! Terrific! Terrific!  A play that  deserves to be called a musical comedy.  Hilarious!

Did you catch Season #5, Episode #4 of VEEP? on HBO. Brilliant.  Darkly comedic. Fell out of my bed laughing. (Note: lots of F-bombs)

Canada Reads THE  ILLEGAL by Lawrence Hill and so did Larry.  I enjoyed this one. Flowing narrative with timely insights into the refugee, illegal immigrant story.

Speaking of immigrants, DHEEPAN was the winner of the Palme D’Or Prize at Cannes last year. This is a harrowing film centred on three Tamil refugees surviving in a rural community in France. I found it gut-wrenching.

Registration is now open for CODE Conference (Council of Drama and Dance in Education) taking place OCTOBER 21-23, 2016 in St. Catherines Ontario.

Shout out to…Ron Dodson and his hard-working team for the International Children’s Theatre Festival next month in Stratford Ontario followed PLAY SYMPOSIUM (June 9-12) bringing together educators to experience and consider the significance of play (pun intended).

Shout out to… Martha Burns and Susan Coyne for their fine documentary celebrating the work of acclaimed theatre director Robin Phillips. Try and catch Robin and Mark and Richard III at Bloor Hot docs Cinema to witness a master class with a master director.

Shout out to…Lynda Hill, artistic director of Theatre Direct, for her mammoth work with THE WEE FESTIVAL, performances targeted for ages 0 to 5 years old. Praise goes to HUP from Scotland and TRACES and WOODBEAT  from Germany. (I was only able to see six of the nine shows).  Speaking of standing ovation, Lynda you are a marvel.  Congrats to you and all the volunteers that helped make this festival a success. Toronto is lucky to have you, Lynda, and wish this could be an annual venture. (currently every other year).

What about book recommendations? Yes, purchased some NEW NOVELS for young people. Reviews of Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu, Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk and The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle will be forthcoming.