Planet Monochrome was a teeny tiny planet tucked in between Saturn and Jupiter. It blended in nicely with the stars. In fact, no one noticed it at all.
Synopsis:
Pruett is from Planet Monochrome, where everything is black, white, or gray; everyone follows the rules and walks in straight lines; and they never, ever ask or answer questions. But then Soo arrives from Planet Prismatic. She’s bursting with brilliant colors! She zigs and zags all over the place! When she asks Pruett questions, he finds he wants to reply…and his whole world starts to change. (publisher)
Why I like this book:
PRUETT AND SOO is so much fun to read aloud! With its funky palette switch from grays to vibrant colors, it is a story of transformation through questioning and friendship. I love friendship stories and this one among aliens from two very different planets/worlds has so much kid-appeal. Lacera’s depiction of the evolution through the color palette development adds tons to the narrative. Little grey Pruett (don’t you love the names?) is an endearing protagonist and Soo’s encouragement to Pruett that they think outside the Planet Monochrome box of rules is understandable and appealing to all children. This is an energetic and colorful friendship story that I think will inspire lots of great artwork and, I hope, an openness to keep questioning.
Copyright @JorgeLacera
Resources/Activities:
I would definitely have children paint their own versions of two planets.
Other books by this author can be found here at nancyviau.com
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.
N.B. I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
I am thrilled to once again be participating in Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2022 (1/28/22), which I have done since its inception 9 years ago! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission & History HERE.
Title: FINISH THE STORY! Harriet Tubman’s Secret Raid. 20+ interactive challenges. 3 possible endings
Author & Illustrator: Jeffrey Benson
Publisher: Storyopolis, 2021
Ages: 8-12
Format/Genre: alternative history/speculative fiction/historical fiction
Themes: civil war, racism, Harriet Tubman, adventure, interactive challenges, secret mission, union army, American heroine
Opening:
Pop! Bang! Phisst! The lightening cracked, and the windows rattled. Danny and Kenna stared at the blackened TV screen. Sudden coolness and the smell of summer rain rushed into the living room.
Synopsis:
Danny and Kenna are watching TV at Danny’s grandma’s house when a storm knocks out the power. They’re left with nothing to do but listen to another one of his grandma’s “when-I-was-a-kid” stories. But this doesn’t turn out to be an ordinary story for the two kids-or for you!
Danny and Kenna thought that they had learned all about Harriet Tubman in school. But readers and the two kids quickly learn that there is a lot more to this amazing American heroine’s story. Students will travel with Harriet Tubman on a secret mission for the Union Army. They’ll need to help Danny and Kenna steer their way through mazes, find hidden clues, and solve puzzles. Kids can take the additional challenge of managing Danny and Kenna’s mission budget with its “Beat the Budget” decisions. Finally, they’ll need to help Danny and Kenna decide which of three paths they should take to finish this story.
Finish the Story! Harriet Tubman’s Secret Raid blends a fast-moving, colorfully-illustrated adventure with a carefully researched, true historical backstory. The book’s 20+ interactive challenges are hard to put down and great to share with friends. (publisher)
Why I like this book:
Appropriately, I am writing this review on MLK day, and continually thinking of ways we can bring this history (and its present-day importance) alive to our children. And these types of interactive stories offer just that. I think this book has a far-reaching appeal, especially maybe for readers who don’t always connect so easily to a more traditional format. A gripping historical account with appealing illustrations, coupled with reading prompts at the end of each chapter, make it really engaging reading.
I love how they can look at decisions Harriet truly had to make, see what they choose, and then look at what really happened. They learn history in a really fun way, and even other skills, like the budgeting challenge.
This is a short, super accessible, fun read/activity that I will encourage teachers in my school to use for group and individual assignments. Great for Black History month coming up, of course, as kids immerse themselves into the scenes/time period. I shall be looking out for others in this series.
Resources/Activities:
The book also included a QR code to scan for additional copies of the challenges, puzzles, and budget sheets so that they can replay the story or make it a group or class adventure.
If Harriet Tubman, stout-hearted, agressive conductor of the pre civil war Underground Railroad, could be reincarnated, her spirit would undoubtedly find comfortable lodgings in Shirley St. Hill Chisholm…
Every identity of the former finds fresh reflection in the latter–short stature, dark skin, sparkling eyes, raw courage, combativeness, and a fierce tenacity for overcoming obstacles.
— New York Lawmaker and author George R. Metcalf, 1971
Synopsis:
A biography of the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first Black woman to run for president with a major political party: Shirley Chisholm. Before there was Barack Obama, before there was Kamala Harris, there was Fighting Shirley Chisholm. A daughter of Barbadian immigrants, Chisholm developed her political chops in Brooklyn in the 1950s and went on to become the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. This “pepper pot,” as she was known, was not afraid to speak up for what she thought was right. While fighting for a better life for her constituents in New York’s 12th Congressional District, Chisholm routinely fought against sexism and racism in her own life and defied the norms of the time. As the first Black woman in the House and the first Black woman to seek the presidential nomination from a major political party, Shirley Chisholm laid the groundwork for those who would come after her. (Publisher)
Why I like this book:
Thoroughly researched, this biography traces Chisholm’s journey from her simple beginnings in a small apartment in Brooklyn where she read books with her sisters to Brooklyn College where she got her first taste of politics. Chisholm campaign trail victories are inspirational, as were the battles she fought for fair wages, equal rights, and an end to the Vietnam War. Though her presidential bid in 1972, unsurprisingly didn’t end in victory, Shirley Chisholm shows young readers that you can change a country when you speak up and speak out.
As a foreigner, my introduction to Chisolm came recently though the Hulu series, Mrs America. While not wholly historically accurate, I found the the series fascinating, and was especially inspired by Ms Chisolm, so I enjoyed reading this factual and inspirational biographical work. Chisolm’s integrity, dignity and passion permeate these pages, and I don’t think you can read this story without being challenged to speak up and speak out!
Resources/Activities:
Great text to use in class for black history month, civil rights projects, and any unit on the power of activism.
I would match this with the book I am reviewing next week for MCBD2022. Stay tuned!
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
