MISS MAPLE’S SEEDS

Welcome to KidLit Gems, a coffee-style chat about favorite children’s books and the elements that make them shine.

This month’s theme: Planting Seeds

NameplateLousGemIMISS MAPLE’S SEEDS
Text and Illustrations © 2013, Eliza Wheeler

MISSMAPLESSEEDSIIPicture Book,
Fiction
Age Range:
3-5 years
Grade Level:
Preschool-Kindergarten

NANCY PAULSEN BOOKS
A division of Penguin Young Readers Group

2013 New York Times Bestseller

“Take care, my little ones,” Miss Maple says, “for the world is big and you are small.” ~ Miss Maple’s Seeds

In Miss Maple’s Seeds,  a sweet caretaker gathers lost and forgotten seeds, tenderly cares for them through the winter, and prepares them to set off on their own in the spring. Parents will certainly catch the poignancy here. Young readers will love the illustration details showing how Miss Maple treasures each and every seed, and will turn the last page dreaming of their own marvelous futures. I ‘sneak’ this book into my science class under the guise of introducing seed variety and dispersal, and my first graders adore Miss Maple’s Seeds as much as I do. Bravo, Eliza Wheeler!
~ Lou
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“. . . even the grandest of trees once had to grow up from the smallest of seeds.” ~ Miss Maple’s Seeds

Throughout Miss Maple’s Seeds, Eliza Wheeler gently guides readers into picturesque settings and seasons to experience life as a tiny seed. Like a true parent, Miss Maple brings hope to her adoptive plant embryos as they dream of rich soil and warm sunshine. She warns them to “stay clear of weedy characters,” encourages them to dance in the rain, and when the time is right, she sets her infants free to take root.

Wheeler’s quiet illustrations captivate. Soar on the back of a bluebird. Explore Miss Maple’s tree home. Let Eliza Wheeler nurture your curious mind.
~ Anna
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BLUEBIRDCOMINGBLUEBIRDGOINGKEM Diamond

Watch for my pick next!

We want to hear from you!
What children’s book make you think of planting seeds or spring?

ART & MAX

Welcome to KidLit Gems!

Join Louise Aamodt, Kristi Janikula Herro, and me for a coffee-style chat about favorite children’s books and the elements that make them shine.

This month’s theme: Illustrative Gem

NameplateAnnasGemIART & MAX
Text and Illustrations © 2014, David Wiesner

ArtNMaxPicture Book

Fiction

Age Range:
4-8 years

Level:
Preschool-3rd Grade

Clarion Books,
An Imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Well  . . .  you could paint me. ~ Art & Max

ART & MAX: Three-time Caldecott Medal winner David Wiesner blew me away with this “Art”ful treat. His entertaining, sparsely worded storyline takes readers on a creative adventure through a lizard skin canvas. Art’s opaque scales flake off to a pastel then watercolor undercoating to a line drawn outline, then back again.  Look also for Max the Chameleon’s blend-action. It’ll make you snicker.

Illustrator acquaintance, Emmeline Hall, attended a recent Wiesner keynote.  Tidbits she shared: 1.) Salvador Dali’s work inspires Wiesner’s landscape and sky, 2.) and Roadrunner cartoons, his Acme props. 3.) Wiesner is pronounced Wheeze-ner, not Wise-ner. Emmeline encourages everyone to delve into his magnificent blog, especially his interactive and creative process pages. (See this older David Wiesner Blog, too. Fascinating!)
~ Anna
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Ta-da! What do you think? ~ Art & Max

David Wiesner took the classic archetype of opposites to explore the artist’s creative process. I love the idea of starting the story with a blank slate, because for any artist, any medium, it is that very freedom, that can often times be so overwhelmingly stifling. So stifling, in fact, that you may feel the need for some reptilian armor to overcome it. Unless, of course, you allow yourself room to explore and laugh, which is what Wiesner seems to hint at, when he allows the armor to crumble into a new and exciting form of expression.
~ Kristi
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More detail, I think. ~ Art & Max

What a great example of focusing first on the story, and letting the message (explore the world in your own joyful way) come subtly through. If you like those old Sesame Street videos showing how crayons or noodles are made, you’ll love seeing Max recreate his friend.

A few years ago I visited the Dali museum in Florida. I can imagine how much inspiration a children’s book illustrator would find in there. Kids don’t see the world the same way as most adults, and there’s no doubt that Salvador Dali viewed things differently, too!
~ Lou

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Book Review: Art & Max by David Wiesner

GEMrub

Watch for Lou’s Gem next!

We want to hear from you!
What children’s book is your Illustrative Gem?

APRIL’S THEME – PLANTING SEEDS

THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE THE UNIMAGINARY FRIEND

Welcome to KidLit Gems!

Join Louise Aamodt, Kristi Janikula Herro, and me, for a coffee-style chat about favorite children’s books and the elements that make them shine.

This month’s theme: Illustrative Gem

NameplateKristisGemITHE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE THE UNIMAGINARY FRIEND
Text and Illustrations © 2014, Dan Santat

BEEKLEPicture Book, Fiction

Grade Level:
Preschool-2nd Grade
Age Range: 3-7 years

Little, Brown Books for
Young Readers

Caldecott Medal Winner
Huffington Post Best Overall Picture Book of 2014
PBS Parents Best Picture Book of the Year
NPR “Great Read”
ALSC Notable Book for Children
A Chicago Public Library Best Picture Book of the Year

But thinking about his friend gave him the courage to journey on . . . ~ The Adventures of Beekle The Unimaginary Friend

Dan Santat’s award-winning story is both a narrative and illustrative gem. Santat’s mastery is evident in his use of hues to create mood and tone. I delighted in the bursting colors of the imaginary world and felt the weight of the dark and dim “real world”. Told from the point of view of the imaginary friend, Santat wisely used varying vantage points to convey Beekle’s emotions. The breathtaking artwork has both humor and heart. The clever narrative has both wisdom and simplicity.  And, … I just bet, that you can’t read this book about friendship without asking: What would my imaginary friend look like?

~ Kristi
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Every night he stood under the stars, hoping for his turn to be picked by a child and given a special name. ~ The Adventures of Beekle The Unimaginary Friend

Who hasn’t felt a bit overlooked, nondescript, or dare I say . . . lumpy? All the more reason to root for Beekle. Santat’s dreamy, rainbow-zen artwork keeps the mood sweet and upbeat. Is it too late in life to shop around for my own special friend?

~ Lou
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Her face was friendly and familiar, and there was something about her that felt just right. ~ The Adventures of Beekle The Unimaginary Friend

For our writers  group’s holiday celebration, we each brought a favorite 2014 picture book. Mine was Beekle. The poignant story of longing and friendship proves that Dan Santat is an exemplary author as well as a Caldecott-deserving illustrator. He deserves every honor, and more. Contemplate Santat’s out-of-this-world end papers. Pure genius.

Fun story-behind-the-story facts: Beekle is a sweet tribute to Santat ‘s son. Santat is best of friends with Lisa Yee, author of the fabulous Millicent Min and Bobby series. Santat illustrated Yee’s Bobby series, which was inspired by Yee’s son. Their creative friendship inspires and motivates ours.

~ Anna
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Book Trailer: The Adventures of Beekle The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

KEM Sapphire

Watch for my Gem next!

We want to hear from you!
What children’s book is your Illustrative Gem?

IT’S AN ORANGE AARDVARK

Welcome to KidLit Gems!

Join Louise Aamodt and me for a coffee-style chat about favorite children’s books and the elements that make them shine.

This month’s theme: Illustrative Gem

NameplateLousGemIIT’S AN ORANGE AARDVARK!
Text and Illustrations © 2014, Michael Hall

ITSANORANGEAARDVARKPicture Book, Fiction

Age Range: 3-7 years

Grade Level:
Preschool-2nd Grade

Greenwillow Books,
HarperCollins Publishers

Aardvarks turn orange when they’re hungry for ants, you know! ~ It’s an Orange Aardvark!

IT’S AN ORANGE AARDVARK! by Michael Hall actually got me laughing aloud. The uncluttered illustrations and the fun hole punches piqued my interest. But what really tickled me was the good, old-fashioned page turns leading to unexpected surprises, each sillier than the previous.

It’s tricky to write a cumulative pattern that doesn’t read like a tedious list of chores, but Hall’s repetition rolls right off the tongue. Gentle tension builds smoothly right up to the final page turn, keeping readers guessing. As a reread, it’s refreshingly funny even when the reader knows what’s coming. In one word: surprising.
~ Lou
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Oh no! It’s wearing blue pajamas! ~ It’s an Orange Aardvark!

Since Michael Hall is a Minnesota talent, we might be biased, but orange aardvarks in blue pajamas are funny, I don’t care where you’re from. Hall’s New York Times bestselling creations are reminiscent of Lois Ehlert’s–flamboyant, mischievous, and colorful. This book will give you an edge when playing Eye Spy in rainbow order. Through Hall’s creative use of shapes, storyline, and mystery, readers will learn without trying. After all, who can resist discovery when it lurks behind a peephole?
~ Anna
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Michael Hall, New York Times Best-selling Picture Book Author and Illustrator by Amy Meythaler

Book Trailer: It’s An Orange Aardvark by Michael Hall

Michael Hall's lovely wife, Debra Kelley, agreed to take our picture with Michael after the 2015 Minnesota Book Award's Gala, where IT'S AN ORANGE AARDVARK, was a finalist. Their gesture of hospitality was especially thoughtful, as they were off to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to Michael and Debra!

Michael Hall’s lovely wife, Debra Kelley, agreed to take our picture with Michael after the 2015 Minnesota Book Award’s Gala, where IT’S AN ORANGE AARDVARK, was a finalist for the Award for Children’s Literature. Their gesture of patient hospitality was especially thoughtful, as they were off to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to Michael and Debra!

KEM Diamond

Watch for Kristi’s pick next!

We want to hear from you!
What children’s book is your Illustrative Gem?