Love is Love – PPBF and #Pride Month

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Joanna

Title: Love is Love

Author: Michael Genhart

Illustrator: Ken Min

 Publisher: Little Pickle Press, June 2018

Ages: 4-7

Themes: pride, alternative family, two dads, bullying, lgbtqia+

 

Opening:

I’ve got a problem.
Today some kids were laughing at my shirt. 

They were teasing me for wearing it.
One of the kids said my shirt was gay.

Synopsis:

A boy confides in a friend that he doesn’t know what to say when he’s teased for having two dads, and when kids say that they’re not a real family. In their conversation, his friend helps him see how her family (with a mom and a dad) isn’t all that different from his: they both have parents who love them, and they both love their parents. And it’s love that makes a family.

Why I like this book:

This talks about bullying kids of gay parents have endured and reaches the conclusion that “Love is the same. Wherever you live. Whoever you are. And whomever you love.” The illustrations are very inclusive, and I like the rainbow-kite development, staring with kites in the distance, first red, then orange, then yellow, etc. These kites end up forming a heart in rainbow colors in the sky when the various children and their families come together at the end of the book.

I would have liked more of a storyline, but the clear message is reinforced by extensive backmatter with conversation prompts and further affirmation of queer families and identity. “Gay” is used as a default or umbrella term, and I would love to see picture books include expressions of “trans,” “nonbinary,” “bisexual,” identities too. This is more an educational text than a story time text, but for that it is very valuable and a resource I would add to an elementary classroom library.

Activities/resources:

Excellent back matter to use in a classroom discussion. And a note to teachers/parents/caregivers about bullying and terminology. Plus an extensive list of further resources.

Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

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Monster & Mouse Go Camping – Perfect Picture Book Friday

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Joanna

Title: Monster & Mouse Go Camping

Written  by: Deborah Underwood

Illustrated by: Jared Champman

Publisher: HMH, June 2018

Ages: 4-8

Themes: camping, friendship, adventure, monsters, mice, acceptance, resourcefulness. 

Opening:

Monster was having a snack when Mouse burst through the front door.
“Let’s go camping,” she said.
What’s camping?” Monster asked.
“Camping is great!” Mouse said. “You walk in the woods. You sleep in a tent. You tell spooky stories.”

Synopsis:

It takes a little convincing, but with the promise of food, Monster decides to join Mouse on a camping trip. Things quickly go awry when Mouse takes off to explore, because, well, Monster gets hungry. He starts with just a little snack—the lantern. And the sleeping bags are hard to resist. Then the tent . . .

Stranded in the wild with no supplies, what are a monster and a mouse to do?
 
Why I like this book:

Mouse, she is bold, and Monster is a somewhat less adventurous guy but willing to try anything pretty much as long as food is involved. This is a laugh-out-loud story with a sweet “aw” moment of reciprocity in the middle and a completely satisfying fun ending that will make you want to pack your bags for your next camping trip in the woods. 

It’s a great story about friendship, adventure, acceptance and resourcefulness with lovely bold illustrations, especially of nighttime in the woods. This is a great read-aloud to kick off summer.

Activities/resources:

Have students recount any camping adventures they have had, and maybe combine a list together of camping essentials for a trip!

Check out this interview I did with the author a couple of years ago.

The National Park Service has some great camping tips here.

Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

 

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The Battle of Junk Mountain – Book Recommendation

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Joanna

Title: The Battle of Junk Mountain

Author: Lauren Abbey Greenberg

 Publisher: Running Press kids, 2018

Ages: 8-12

Themes: ageing, grandparents, hoarding, Maine, island life, summer friendships, loss & grief, growing up, coming-of-age

 

Opening:

 I didn’t expect my summer sister to ditch me the first minute of vacation. She could’ve at least waited until I emptied my suitcase.

Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Shayne Whittaker has always spent summers on the Maine coast, visiting her grandmother Bea and playing with her BFF Poppy. Both Shayne and Bea are collectors, in their own ways: Shayne revels in golden memories of searching for sea glass and weaving friendship bracelets with Poppy, while Bea scours flea markets for valuable finds, much of which she adds to a growing pile in her house that Shayne jokingly calls Junk Mountain. 

This summer, though, everything has changed. Poppy would rather talk about boys than bracelets, and Bea’s collecting mania has morphed into hoarding. Only Linc, the weird Civil War-obsessed kid next door, pays attention to her. Turns out Linc’s collected a secret of his own, one that could enrage the meanest lobster-man on the planet, his grandpa. What begins as the worst summer of Shayne’s life becomes the most meaningful, as she wages an all-out battle to save her friendships, rescue her grandmother, and protect the memories she loves the most. (GR)

Why I like this book:

This book has a sharp well-paced plot, well fleshed out characters with character and charm, and a terrific setting, which makes for a very satisfying middle grade read. This coming of age story feels fresh and original and has characters that readers will connect with especially those who have navigated changing friendships as they transition toward adulthood. While it has some lighthearted moments, it is a story that won’t leave you indifferent.

With its Maine setting and warmth of personalities, it reminded me of some Cynthia Lord’s middle grade novels in the best possible way. Having visited Maine islands myself, I could smell the sea air and taste the lobster rolls! 

The changing relationships among family and friends is beautifully handled, especially the frustrations and concerns of Shayne’s aging, hoarder-granny. It is a serious topic I haven’t seen addressed in other MG books and Greenberg approaches it with superb sensitivity and realism. Common adolescent concerns are matched with wonderful unusual character traits/interests bringing a vivid now feel to each scene. It is a great tween read and inpsiring debut novel.

Resources:

The Battle of Junk Mountain now has a study guide, perfect for classroom or book club use! You can find it on the author’s website: laurenabbeygreenberg.com.

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