You Look Yummy by Tatsuya Miyanishi

Tyrannosaurus Rex gets more than he bargained for when he picks a little Ankylosaurus for a snack.  

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Tatsuya Miyanishi's little book is wonderful.  I can think of so many situations that it would be perfect for, not to mention it would definitely spark conversations between kids and their parents.  The illustrations remind me of a combination of my own child-like dinosaur drawings and Godzilla, big rounded bodies with triangle spikes. (All dinosaurs had triangle spikes; everyone knows that.)  Most kids like dinosaurs (I would say all but I can think of a few people off the top of my head who have confessed to me their lifelong fear and hatred of dinosaurs) so what better way to talk about parents and children and their relationships.  (Those of you who have been traumatized by dinosaurs, I'll give you a book about bears or something.) Two thumbs up.

My copy courtesy of Netgalley and Museyon.

Girls: Let's Sew by DK Publishing

Let's Sew is a beginner sewing book aimed at young girls. The projects are all very simple, appearing to be around the same level of difficulty. DK has done a great job designing this book. There are ample examples and diagrams showing how to do each step of the process, and the pictures are very eye-catching and colorful. I think this is great text FOR GIRLS to learn how to sew. And this is my beef. Everyone should learn how to sew, especially the basic stitches. Knowledge of sewing can engender creativity, save money, and overall be generally helpful. There's no reason why this book couldn't have included projects that would appeal to both boys and girls. Since we're encouraging girls to pursue STEM projects, we should also be encouraging boys to pursue creative pursuits as well.

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Spectacular Children's Biographies

I just spent some quality time with two new-to-us children's biographies: The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet and Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Bryant explores the life of Peter Mark Roget, the man behind everyone's favorite reference text, the thesaurus.  We see Roget grow from a boy who made lists to learn his Latin vocabulary, into a young man inspired by Linnaeus, into a teacher, a doctor, an inventor, and finally an author.  Bryant's text is easily readable and interesting.  She highlights important facets of Roget's life and ties them into Roget's obsession: lists.  For example, when Roget tells his mother not to worry about him, Bryant writes: "Perhaps worry wasn't quite the right word.  What was the right word?  Peter began a new list: worry, fret, grieve, despair, intrude, badger, annoy, plague, provoke, harass.  Enough to drive one mad."  The real treasure of this book is the layout and illustrations.  Sweet's illustrations are a combination of pencil and watercolor illustrations and photographed mixed media collages.  There is so much on each page to peer at and look through, at times it does feel a little overwhelming, but for me, it made the book one I wanted to spend more time with, savoring each illustration.   The author and the illustrator's notes at the end really helped to illuminate the reason behind the book and how the book was put together.  I was overjoyed with the bibliography, further reading, and sources at the end.

Melba Doretta Liston, self-taught trombone prodigy, had a whirlwind of a life, making music with big bands during the 30s, 40s, and 50s.  What Russell-Brown portrays of Melba's life is inspiring.  She teaches herself to play the trombone, graduates early, is invited to tour the country several big bands and composes music for nearly all of the jazz greats.  The details of her life as detailed in the afterword are a little more somber.  She was frequently the only woman on tour with these big bands.  Her tour with Billie Holiday was cut short due to both racism in the South and a lack of appreciation for the new be-bop sound.  She only released one solo album, and she suffered a debilitating stroke only five years after forming her own band.  Russell-Brown's prose really soars when she's writing about music and Melba's connection to it.  The illustrations though steal the show.  Morrison's oil paintings are full of color and look like they're going to burst from the page.  Melba is larger than life in them, she and her horn stretched across the whole page.  Russell-Brown compiled an extensive discography and bibliography to go along with this book, enabling the reader to both learn more about Melba AND hear the best of the jazz virtuoso. 

The Little Gardener Book Review

The little gardener loved his little garden. It was his home and his food and his life. But he’s very very little and isn’t sure that he can keep up with everything all by himself. So he makes a wish…

The Little Gardener is a beautiful book (like most Flying Eye and NoBrow titles). Emily Hughes’ illustrations are lush and rich and remind me of the Secret Garden coloring book by Johanna Basford, wild and tangled vegetation. Every part of the picture is a feast for the eyes. Hughes’ attention to detail is awesome and I couldn’t help but search each page for the little gardener’s earthworm friend and other little treasures. The text is simple but powerful, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown’s books. Possibly my favorite part of the physical book itself is the little flower that runs along the edge of the cloth spine. Possibly my favorite part of the text is Hughes’ dedication: “For my Pappy, Petunias still bloom for you, as do I.” Beautiful.

My copy courtesy of Flying Eye Books. Much thanks.