I went with a couple of my roommates tonight to see a tap dance performance. One roommate is a dancer herself, the other is a dance enthusiast. I am a fan of live performances and broadening my horizons and getting out of the house (not necessarily in that order.) I have always enjoyed dance but am not well-versed in styles or steps. My experiences with tap are largely influenced by the MGM musicals school of dance, the Fred Astaires and Gene Kelleys making huge fluid motions across a vast sound stage. Leaps, turns, jazz hands, staircases, tables, couches, city streets all being utilized to the utmost.
What Savion Glover does is nothing like that and exactly like that at the same time.
He came out on the basically empty stage (just a small raised platform and some speakers) wearing a hoodie and danced for a sold hour and a half in honor of Treyvon Martin. He paused long enough to share the stage with a couple of partners and to make some basic introductions but other than that he moved. And moved. And moved. The sweat literally pouring off of him, visible halfway back in the audience where we were seated he moved like nothing I have ever seen, or heard, before.
Where I was expecting wild arms and leg kicks he stayed practically still from the waist up, his feet making the most incredible sounds while remaining in almost the same spot on the stage for the whole first 20 minutes. Instead of gesturing and relying on movement to portray the art, he focused on the sounds to get his point across. There were sounds that reminded me of a herd of galloping horses, a rapid fire machine gun, soft shoe shuffles, and drums, drums, drums. He was loud, soft, measured and precise and wildly intricate. When he was joined by his colleagues they sometimes tapped in perfect unison, one sound made by four feet, and other times played off of each other's rhythms riffing like an improvised jazz jam session, using syncopation and counterpoint in ways I never knew possible. It was raw and almost bestial in its intensity, not at all polished but perfect and precise in an urban Stomp sort of way. And a completely enjoyable way to spend an evening.
I guess he's been around for quite some time training with the likes of Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr. and performing on Broadway and even providing the choreography for Happy Feet as well as the motion capture for Mumble's dance moves. He's quite the talented guy. Gregory Hines called him the greatest tap dancer of all time. I think that's a pretty valid statement. You can color me muy impressed. Check him out.
This is far more 'traditional' and mobile than what he did tonight but it gives you a taste of the talent this guy has. Kinda makes you wanna dance, huh?
Shout out to the roommies for broadening my horizons and introducing me to an incredible performer. (And yes, getting me out of the house!)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Happiness is...a bird in flight.
Birds have always fascinated me. (Disclaimer* Solitary birds or those in small groups. Anything larger than 5 or 6 birds and I start to have visions of myself as Tippi Hedron with no Rod Taylor to rescue me!) I think it probably comes from growing up with a mother who would point out the window at the various hawks and eagles and other 'exciting' birds as we would take family vacations and an uncle and grandfather who carried binoculars on every camping trip so they could search the skies and treetops for feathered friends. In any case, I love watching birds flit through the air or catching a glimpse of a bit of color or movement out of the corner of my eye and being rewarded with a bird song. Even better is when my brain is working enough that I can identify what it is I'm seeing.
There's a small run near my work that I like to walk along during my lunch break. There's a bit of green space and a walking path lined with trees and a small bridge over the water. It's provided many a moment of solitude, reflection and re-grouping during my workdays and gives me a chance to breathe deeply and enjoy nature a bit. Earlier this afternoon we had a small spring shower so when I took my walk the air was filled with the sounds of various birds enjoying the cooler weather and the moisture. I walked past puddles filled with splashing sparrows, a raven/crow/blackbird (one day I'll learn the difference) sitting on a post eying who-knows-what in the water below, robins tugging worms out of the damp earth, along with various ducks and a gaggle of Canadian geese swimming across the water.
I've seen cardinals and blue jays, pigeons and doves, and all manner of small nondescript brown birds in the finch families, woodpeckers and hawks and in the summer we even get herons and egrets. But today I stood in awe as the geese, alerted by some unseen and unheard signal, took flight, falling instantly into a V formation, wing tips trailing patterns across the formerly glassy surface of the water as they lifted in unison arching above the bridge where I was standing, and soaring into the sky directly over my head. They cut a dark wedge across the blue sky, reaching higher and farther until they were nothing but specks in the distance. It took just over a minute and yet I seemed to see unlimited glimpses of the possibilities of life, the future, and human potential unfold with each flap of wing. If God could create beings as majestically simple as these birds, imagine what we are capable of doing and becoming as human beings formed in His image. The possibilities are astounding and something I needed to be reminded of today...I only wish I'd had my camera!
I firmly believe that when we get to heaven we'll be able to soar and fly as free as the birds. (Please no one talk me out of this idea. Flying dreams are my favorite!) But until that day we'll have to be content to soar a little closer to the ground basking in our dreams and imaginations and future possibilities, leaving the actual flying to our winged friends.
BTW-Happiness is also allergy medication. Lots and lots of allergy medication!
There's a small run near my work that I like to walk along during my lunch break. There's a bit of green space and a walking path lined with trees and a small bridge over the water. It's provided many a moment of solitude, reflection and re-grouping during my workdays and gives me a chance to breathe deeply and enjoy nature a bit. Earlier this afternoon we had a small spring shower so when I took my walk the air was filled with the sounds of various birds enjoying the cooler weather and the moisture. I walked past puddles filled with splashing sparrows, a raven/crow/blackbird (one day I'll learn the difference) sitting on a post eying who-knows-what in the water below, robins tugging worms out of the damp earth, along with various ducks and a gaggle of Canadian geese swimming across the water.
I've seen cardinals and blue jays, pigeons and doves, and all manner of small nondescript brown birds in the finch families, woodpeckers and hawks and in the summer we even get herons and egrets. But today I stood in awe as the geese, alerted by some unseen and unheard signal, took flight, falling instantly into a V formation, wing tips trailing patterns across the formerly glassy surface of the water as they lifted in unison arching above the bridge where I was standing, and soaring into the sky directly over my head. They cut a dark wedge across the blue sky, reaching higher and farther until they were nothing but specks in the distance. It took just over a minute and yet I seemed to see unlimited glimpses of the possibilities of life, the future, and human potential unfold with each flap of wing. If God could create beings as majestically simple as these birds, imagine what we are capable of doing and becoming as human beings formed in His image. The possibilities are astounding and something I needed to be reminded of today...I only wish I'd had my camera!
I firmly believe that when we get to heaven we'll be able to soar and fly as free as the birds. (Please no one talk me out of this idea. Flying dreams are my favorite!) But until that day we'll have to be content to soar a little closer to the ground basking in our dreams and imaginations and future possibilities, leaving the actual flying to our winged friends.
BTW-Happiness is also allergy medication. Lots and lots of allergy medication!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Happiness is...a stroll amongst the cherry blossoms.
Sometimes I forget that I live here. Well, the past few weeks I haven't really 'lived' anywhere but my couch, which totally doesn't count. But I finally had a couple of nights of semi-restorative sleep and fell prey to the enticements of a friend to go out after work and enjoy the cherry blossoms. And as I wandered through the hordes of people (tourist season is already upon us), past the monuments of stone and water I was struck again by the beauty of this amazing city that I sometimes take for granted. It's only a 15 minute or so car ride from my house across the river to the heart of it all, depending on traffic, but too often that river can feel as vast as an entire continent instead of just a short bridge span long. I definitely don't venture over it often enough.
This year marks the centennial of the gift of the 3,000 cherry trees from Japan that line the tidal basin around the Jefferson Memorial. Each year there are countless predictions of peak bloom time around which a month-long festival is planned. There are parades and dances, concerts and special restaurant menus, races and tons and tons of people. It's quite the extravaganza.
In past years I've been able to see the blossoms at sunrise and in the height of the day's sun, but this year we hit it just prior to sunset and it was spectacular. The opening ceremony and official kick-off of everything isn't until Sunday but because of our unseasonably warm winter the peak bloom time has already begun. The air was heady with the scent of the millions of blooms and warm enough that I didn't even need a jacket until well after the sun had set. The sun was dipping low in the sky as we set out throwing a golden glow over everything it touched (though it did make picture taking a little difficult!) And then the night came on slow and dark but sprinkled with the lights reflecting off the white stone of all the monuments and memorials. (I love DC at night!)
At the far end of the basin is the newest addition to the memorials, one for Martin Luther King, Jr. It's had its share of controversy in its short existence which I can understand, but it's also quite striking and impressive standing 30 feet high or so. (And seeing it made one more thing I can cross off my DC bucket list!)
(BTW-If you've never been to the nation's capitol I would heartily encourage you to do so, and to visit during spring when she's dressed in her finest and bursting all over with loveliness.)
It had all the makings of a practically perfect evening and went a long way to restoring some energy and some much needed faith in the world and my place in it. Now if I can just figure out how to slow down time enough to get done all of the things I've neglected the last little while and still find time to stop and smell theroses cherry blossoms occasionally...any ideas?
This year marks the centennial of the gift of the 3,000 cherry trees from Japan that line the tidal basin around the Jefferson Memorial. Each year there are countless predictions of peak bloom time around which a month-long festival is planned. There are parades and dances, concerts and special restaurant menus, races and tons and tons of people. It's quite the extravaganza.
In past years I've been able to see the blossoms at sunrise and in the height of the day's sun, but this year we hit it just prior to sunset and it was spectacular. The opening ceremony and official kick-off of everything isn't until Sunday but because of our unseasonably warm winter the peak bloom time has already begun. The air was heady with the scent of the millions of blooms and warm enough that I didn't even need a jacket until well after the sun had set. The sun was dipping low in the sky as we set out throwing a golden glow over everything it touched (though it did make picture taking a little difficult!) And then the night came on slow and dark but sprinkled with the lights reflecting off the white stone of all the monuments and memorials. (I love DC at night!)
(BTW-If you've never been to the nation's capitol I would heartily encourage you to do so, and to visit during spring when she's dressed in her finest and bursting all over with loveliness.)
It had all the makings of a practically perfect evening and went a long way to restoring some energy and some much needed faith in the world and my place in it. Now if I can just figure out how to slow down time enough to get done all of the things I've neglected the last little while and still find time to stop and smell the
Friday, March 16, 2012
Happiness is...a good night's sleep.
Several things have worked together to lead me to this post this week.
In my overtired and overemotional state that seems to be my norm of late I was missing my grandpa something fierce the other day and wishing I could just spend some time with him. I longed to go back in time to when my cousins and I would gather in his living room listening to and discussing music and his memories. I also recently read a book about a girl who is obsessed with music and could quote songs and bands and lines of lyrics and dates and albums like nobodies business. (I took notes the entire time of bands and songs I needed to familiarize myself with.) And then this past Sunday afternoon I was able to spend some time with a friend after church trading ipods and discussing various bands, types of music, favorite pieces, and listening to snippets of songs from high school and childhood, bits of Bach and Beethoven and everything in between.
And I realized that while music plays a huge part in my life (I have a constant soundtrack going practically 24/7) it's almost always in the background, as a filler or being interrupted. Rarely do I take the time to focus on just listening to a piece. Even when I'm at a concert part of my attention is spent watching the performers or taking in the audience (or jumping around screaming and singing along if it's appropriate to do so) or being otherwise engaged and not fully concentrating on just hearing and experiencing the music itself.
And then I was reminded of a time back in college when I was forced to use music to fall asleep in order to drown out the squeaky couch downstairs and/or the slightly off-color long distance phone calls in the next room. As I've been having some trouble sleeping lately I thought maybe I'd try a little experiment. Last night I made myself a cup of hot vanilla chamomile tea, put on my fuzziest socks, turned out all the lights and snuggled under the covers before pushing play on my stereo. And then I closed my eyes and just listened. I soaked up the soulful sounds, breathed in the beats and relaxed to the rhythms, until I finally fell asleep, carried to dreamland on the dulcet tones of Mr. Davis' horn. It was the best sleep I've had in weeks (though that really isn't saying much and the sleeping pill probably played a part as well.)
So, close your eyes and take a few minutes to just relax and listen, absorb the music and then tell me which pieces or artists I should include on a nighttime playlist. (Seriously, I want suggestions. My very sleep depends on it!)
In my overtired and overemotional state that seems to be my norm of late I was missing my grandpa something fierce the other day and wishing I could just spend some time with him. I longed to go back in time to when my cousins and I would gather in his living room listening to and discussing music and his memories. I also recently read a book about a girl who is obsessed with music and could quote songs and bands and lines of lyrics and dates and albums like nobodies business. (I took notes the entire time of bands and songs I needed to familiarize myself with.) And then this past Sunday afternoon I was able to spend some time with a friend after church trading ipods and discussing various bands, types of music, favorite pieces, and listening to snippets of songs from high school and childhood, bits of Bach and Beethoven and everything in between.
And I realized that while music plays a huge part in my life (I have a constant soundtrack going practically 24/7) it's almost always in the background, as a filler or being interrupted. Rarely do I take the time to focus on just listening to a piece. Even when I'm at a concert part of my attention is spent watching the performers or taking in the audience (or jumping around screaming and singing along if it's appropriate to do so) or being otherwise engaged and not fully concentrating on just hearing and experiencing the music itself.
And then I was reminded of a time back in college when I was forced to use music to fall asleep in order to drown out the squeaky couch downstairs and/or the slightly off-color long distance phone calls in the next room. As I've been having some trouble sleeping lately I thought maybe I'd try a little experiment. Last night I made myself a cup of hot vanilla chamomile tea, put on my fuzziest socks, turned out all the lights and snuggled under the covers before pushing play on my stereo. And then I closed my eyes and just listened. I soaked up the soulful sounds, breathed in the beats and relaxed to the rhythms, until I finally fell asleep, carried to dreamland on the dulcet tones of Mr. Davis' horn. It was the best sleep I've had in weeks (though that really isn't saying much and the sleeping pill probably played a part as well.)
So, close your eyes and take a few minutes to just relax and listen, absorb the music and then tell me which pieces or artists I should include on a nighttime playlist. (Seriously, I want suggestions. My very sleep depends on it!)
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Happiness is...a bit of spring.
There's a movie quote from An Affair to Remember that's been running through my mind a lot lately:
"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories. We've already missed the spring."
Never fear, I have many warm memories, but I do feel as if I'm missing the spring.
The air has warmed considerably, the cherry blossoms are doing their thing and I'm stuck inside with just the barest glimpse of it all through my car window on the ride to and from work (though thanks to daylight savings time I do get a little better glimpse now than I did last week.)
Spring is my favorite time of year (when it isn't fall) and I usually try to spend as much time as possible wandering through gardens and parks beneath blossom- and bud-laden branches meticulously looking for hints of bright green and specks of color as one would look for Waldo.
This afternoon I forced myself to take a short walk after work and it had the effect of being both equally exhausting and refreshing.
The sun soaked into my winter bleached skin and warmed my sockless feet. The slight breeze played with the loose strands of my hair and the birds and blooms fought for my limited attention. It was heaven. (But I may have to call in sick tomorrow to make up for it!)
So, your task today is to stop what you're doing, go outside and enjoy just a moment or two of the weather around you, take in the changing seasons and the re-birth of the world and maybe find yourself feeling a bit re-born as well.
"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories. We've already missed the spring."
Never fear, I have many warm memories, but I do feel as if I'm missing the spring.
The air has warmed considerably, the cherry blossoms are doing their thing and I'm stuck inside with just the barest glimpse of it all through my car window on the ride to and from work (though thanks to daylight savings time I do get a little better glimpse now than I did last week.)
Spring is my favorite time of year (when it isn't fall) and I usually try to spend as much time as possible wandering through gardens and parks beneath blossom- and bud-laden branches meticulously looking for hints of bright green and specks of color as one would look for Waldo.
This afternoon I forced myself to take a short walk after work and it had the effect of being both equally exhausting and refreshing.
The sun soaked into my winter bleached skin and warmed my sockless feet. The slight breeze played with the loose strands of my hair and the birds and blooms fought for my limited attention. It was heaven. (But I may have to call in sick tomorrow to make up for it!)
So, your task today is to stop what you're doing, go outside and enjoy just a moment or two of the weather around you, take in the changing seasons and the re-birth of the world and maybe find yourself feeling a bit re-born as well.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Happiness is...a good book.
I apologize for the sporadic posting of late. It seems most days I have the energy levels of a tranquilized sloth and my brain is a pile of goo. But on those rare moments that I do seem to have most of my wits about me (ie I'm not vegging out in front of the tv) I have been doing a bit of reading. So here are some mini-reviews of a few of my favorites from the past couple of weeks.
Icefall
Author: Mathew J Kirby
Pages: 325
Age Range: 10+
Published: 2011
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: *****
Rating: PG
Princess Solveig and her siblings have been taken to a hidden fortress at the top of a fjord to wait out the winter while her father battles the neighboring king. When their livestock begins to die and their guards poisoned it's clear a traitor is in their midst. And it's up to Solveig to uncover the truth. As she studies to become a skald (storyteller) the Norse myths and stories she tells lead her to understand who she is and give her strength to stand up and be brave when her older sister and brother fail to do so. Full of adventure, mystery, rich culture and self-discovery, this is a beautifully written little story. I loved it!
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
Author and Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Pages: 32
Age Range: 5+
Published: 2011
Genre: Biography
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
Tony Sarg loved tinkering with and creating things. After leaving his home in London for New York City he finds a job creating puppets and animatronics for the window displays at Macy's but he wants to do more. When Macy's decides to sponsor a holiday parade Sarg is enlisted to bring his creations to life on a grand scale, eventually creating the large character balloons we know and love today. This is a great 'unsung hero' sort of biography of the creative genius who has had a lasting effect on kids today (one of his protegees worked on the puppets for The Lonely Goatherd scene in The Sound of Music and then acted as teacher for Jim Henson!) The story is smoothly told and the illustrations are perfect, using a mixture of mediums including sketches from Sarg's idea books and clips from the newspaper showing the original puppets.
Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom
Author and Illustrator: Shane Evans
Pages: 32
Age Range: 4+
Published: 2010
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: PG
A minimalist approach to the Underground railroad. The text is sparse, each page containing just a short sentence, sometime as few as 2 words and the illustrations are a perfect match. Each dark page focuses on the crudely angular faces of the slaves as they escape through the darkness. You see their fear and hope and anxiety as they crouch beneath bushes and run from the slave catchers. And finally the last spread has them all reaching freedom, their faces exultant, the sun high above illuminating everything around them. It's simple yet powerful, basic enough for the youngest of readers but with plenty of opportunity for discussion and elaboration with older readers.
For a great lesson on the evolution of civil rights, pair this with Evans' We March, published this year which uses the same approach to telling the story of the march on Washington.
Crafty Chloe
Author: Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: Heather Ross
Pages: 32
Age Range: 4+
Published: 2012
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
Chloe is crafty. She loves to make things and she's very good at it. But when she's invited to a birthday party she struggles to find the perfect gift, especially when she runs into one of the popular girls who brags about the doll she's just bought. But Chloe sticks with her talents and creates something wonderful. When the party day arrives and the mean girl's gift is ruined Chloe has a chance to return the rudeness but instead steps in to help save the doll and the day. Another cute story about being yourself and taking the high road of kindness.
Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Pages: 370
Age Range: 13+
Published: 2012
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: PG -13
Nikki makes a fateful decision to return from the underworld after having spent six months there with Cole, the immortal who is hoping to rule as its king. Back with her family, and her boyfriend Jack, Nikki is trying to forget what happened and find a way to remain in the human world, knowing full well that it's only a matter of time before the power of the immortals and the everneath force her to return. Based loosely on the Persephone myth, this was a surprisingly fun paranormal romance with well-developed characters and the bonus of being set in Park City, Utah (it's always fun when you recognize places in the story!)
Extra Yarn
Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Pages: 32
Age Range: 3+
Published: 2011
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
A young girl in a drab, frozen village finds a box full of colorful yarn and proceeds to make sweaters for all of her friends, the woodland creatures, and even the barns and buildings! Word spreads and soon people are traveling to see this miraculous girl and all she's done. When a greedy archduke arrives on the scene he offers to buy the box and when the girl refuses to sell it he sneaks in the middle of the night and steals it. But when he gets home he finds the box empty and angrily throws it out to sea...I'll let you read it to find out what happens next! Creativity, ingenuity and the power of one person to change the world are all celebrated in this softly illustrated, quirky masterpiece. Love it!
One Cool Friend
Author: Tony Buzzeo
Illustrator: David Small
Pages: 32
Age Range: 4+
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: PG
Elliot, a most-proper child who dresses in suits and ties, takes a shine to the penguins when his father takes him on a trip to the aquarium. While his father is buried in a newspaper, Elliot asks if he can bring a penguin home. The dad, assuming a stuffed toy is the topic of conversation, agrees and hilarity ensues as Elliot and the penguin have adventures together under the not-so-observant nose of dear old dad. A twist at the end of the story makes it all the better! The illustrations are smart black-and-white affairs and kids will relate to the half-permissions and misunderstandings of a parent who isn't giving 100 percent of their attention to the child. And, it has penguins! :)
Otto the Book Bear
Author and Illustrator: Katie Cleminson
Pages: 32
Age Range: 3+
Published: 2012
Genre: Fantasy
Cover Score: ***
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
Otto is a character in a book who loves it when his story is read! But when his owners move away and his book is forgotten he ventures out in search of a new home. The tiny bear is practically invisible on the busy city streets but finds his way unscathed to a building full of books and other characters just like him. The illustrations are darling and the story, simple, but one that will have kids peeking into the pages of books to see if the characters are living different lives when their books aren't being read. A literary precursor of sorts to tales like The Velveteen Rabbit and Toy Story.
Baby Bear Sees Blue
Author and Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Pages: 32
Age Range: 2+
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
When baby bear awakes from his winter's sleep to find a world full of colors just outside his cave. He wanders about asking mama bear all about the things he sees. There are green leaves and the blue sky and even a rainbow! After the busy day the two bears curl up in their cave just as the black darkness settles in. This is a simple concept and one that has been done a million times before (and will be done at least a million times after!) but this version is standout. The relationship between parent and child, the inquisitive nature of children everywhere, and the beauties of nature are all deftly addressed. And the richly colored woodcut illustrations are gorgeous. Perfect for those little ones who are ready for a bit of story with their basic concepts.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Pages: 418
Age Range: 13+
Published: 2011
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: *****
Rating: PG-13
Karou lives a strange life shuttling back and forth between her art classes in Prague and the world of the chimera, the only family she has ever known. Brimstone, a devil, has taught and protected her and given her all she needs, all but the answers to who she really is. One night the portals all across the city go up in flames and she is left in the mortal world with no way back and no answers. Soon a seraph, the chimeras enemy, makes himself known to her and the two find themselves strangely drawn to each other despite their deep-seated animosity. It seems Akiva just might hold the key to her past...and her future. Beautifully written and intriguing with fleshed out and curious characters this is an exceptional addition to the glut of paranormal romance on the market.
A little lacking in the novel department which shows you how my attention span has been working (not so well). I have several grownup books in the works but none of them are really doing it for me right now so it's really slow going. Any recommendations? What have you read lately that has captured your attention and kept you thinking about it long after you've closed the covers?
Icefall
Author: Mathew J Kirby
Pages: 325
Age Range: 10+
Published: 2011
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: *****
Rating: PG
Princess Solveig and her siblings have been taken to a hidden fortress at the top of a fjord to wait out the winter while her father battles the neighboring king. When their livestock begins to die and their guards poisoned it's clear a traitor is in their midst. And it's up to Solveig to uncover the truth. As she studies to become a skald (storyteller) the Norse myths and stories she tells lead her to understand who she is and give her strength to stand up and be brave when her older sister and brother fail to do so. Full of adventure, mystery, rich culture and self-discovery, this is a beautifully written little story. I loved it!
Author and Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Pages: 32
Age Range: 5+
Published: 2011
Genre: Biography
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
Tony Sarg loved tinkering with and creating things. After leaving his home in London for New York City he finds a job creating puppets and animatronics for the window displays at Macy's but he wants to do more. When Macy's decides to sponsor a holiday parade Sarg is enlisted to bring his creations to life on a grand scale, eventually creating the large character balloons we know and love today. This is a great 'unsung hero' sort of biography of the creative genius who has had a lasting effect on kids today (one of his protegees worked on the puppets for The Lonely Goatherd scene in The Sound of Music and then acted as teacher for Jim Henson!) The story is smoothly told and the illustrations are perfect, using a mixture of mediums including sketches from Sarg's idea books and clips from the newspaper showing the original puppets.
Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom
Author and Illustrator: Shane Evans
Pages: 32
Age Range: 4+
Published: 2010
Genre: Historical Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: PG
A minimalist approach to the Underground railroad. The text is sparse, each page containing just a short sentence, sometime as few as 2 words and the illustrations are a perfect match. Each dark page focuses on the crudely angular faces of the slaves as they escape through the darkness. You see their fear and hope and anxiety as they crouch beneath bushes and run from the slave catchers. And finally the last spread has them all reaching freedom, their faces exultant, the sun high above illuminating everything around them. It's simple yet powerful, basic enough for the youngest of readers but with plenty of opportunity for discussion and elaboration with older readers.
For a great lesson on the evolution of civil rights, pair this with Evans' We March, published this year which uses the same approach to telling the story of the march on Washington.
Author: Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator: Heather Ross
Pages: 32
Age Range: 4+
Published: 2012
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
Chloe is crafty. She loves to make things and she's very good at it. But when she's invited to a birthday party she struggles to find the perfect gift, especially when she runs into one of the popular girls who brags about the doll she's just bought. But Chloe sticks with her talents and creates something wonderful. When the party day arrives and the mean girl's gift is ruined Chloe has a chance to return the rudeness but instead steps in to help save the doll and the day. Another cute story about being yourself and taking the high road of kindness.
Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Pages: 370
Age Range: 13+
Published: 2012
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: PG -13
Nikki makes a fateful decision to return from the underworld after having spent six months there with Cole, the immortal who is hoping to rule as its king. Back with her family, and her boyfriend Jack, Nikki is trying to forget what happened and find a way to remain in the human world, knowing full well that it's only a matter of time before the power of the immortals and the everneath force her to return. Based loosely on the Persephone myth, this was a surprisingly fun paranormal romance with well-developed characters and the bonus of being set in Park City, Utah (it's always fun when you recognize places in the story!)
Extra Yarn
Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Pages: 32
Age Range: 3+
Published: 2011
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
A young girl in a drab, frozen village finds a box full of colorful yarn and proceeds to make sweaters for all of her friends, the woodland creatures, and even the barns and buildings! Word spreads and soon people are traveling to see this miraculous girl and all she's done. When a greedy archduke arrives on the scene he offers to buy the box and when the girl refuses to sell it he sneaks in the middle of the night and steals it. But when he gets home he finds the box empty and angrily throws it out to sea...I'll let you read it to find out what happens next! Creativity, ingenuity and the power of one person to change the world are all celebrated in this softly illustrated, quirky masterpiece. Love it!
One Cool Friend
Author: Tony Buzzeo
Illustrator: David Small
Pages: 32
Age Range: 4+
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: PG
Elliot, a most-proper child who dresses in suits and ties, takes a shine to the penguins when his father takes him on a trip to the aquarium. While his father is buried in a newspaper, Elliot asks if he can bring a penguin home. The dad, assuming a stuffed toy is the topic of conversation, agrees and hilarity ensues as Elliot and the penguin have adventures together under the not-so-observant nose of dear old dad. A twist at the end of the story makes it all the better! The illustrations are smart black-and-white affairs and kids will relate to the half-permissions and misunderstandings of a parent who isn't giving 100 percent of their attention to the child. And, it has penguins! :)
Otto the Book Bear
Author and Illustrator: Katie Cleminson
Pages: 32
Age Range: 3+
Published: 2012
Genre: Fantasy
Cover Score: ***
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
Otto is a character in a book who loves it when his story is read! But when his owners move away and his book is forgotten he ventures out in search of a new home. The tiny bear is practically invisible on the busy city streets but finds his way unscathed to a building full of books and other characters just like him. The illustrations are darling and the story, simple, but one that will have kids peeking into the pages of books to see if the characters are living different lives when their books aren't being read. A literary precursor of sorts to tales like The Velveteen Rabbit and Toy Story.
Baby Bear Sees Blue
Author and Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Pages: 32
Age Range: 2+
Published: 2012
Genre: Fiction
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: ****
Rating: G
When baby bear awakes from his winter's sleep to find a world full of colors just outside his cave. He wanders about asking mama bear all about the things he sees. There are green leaves and the blue sky and even a rainbow! After the busy day the two bears curl up in their cave just as the black darkness settles in. This is a simple concept and one that has been done a million times before (and will be done at least a million times after!) but this version is standout. The relationship between parent and child, the inquisitive nature of children everywhere, and the beauties of nature are all deftly addressed. And the richly colored woodcut illustrations are gorgeous. Perfect for those little ones who are ready for a bit of story with their basic concepts.
Author: Laini Taylor
Pages: 418
Age Range: 13+
Published: 2011
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Cover Score: ****
Overall Score: *****
Rating: PG-13
Karou lives a strange life shuttling back and forth between her art classes in Prague and the world of the chimera, the only family she has ever known. Brimstone, a devil, has taught and protected her and given her all she needs, all but the answers to who she really is. One night the portals all across the city go up in flames and she is left in the mortal world with no way back and no answers. Soon a seraph, the chimeras enemy, makes himself known to her and the two find themselves strangely drawn to each other despite their deep-seated animosity. It seems Akiva just might hold the key to her past...and her future. Beautifully written and intriguing with fleshed out and curious characters this is an exceptional addition to the glut of paranormal romance on the market.
A little lacking in the novel department which shows you how my attention span has been working (not so well). I have several grownup books in the works but none of them are really doing it for me right now so it's really slow going. Any recommendations? What have you read lately that has captured your attention and kept you thinking about it long after you've closed the covers?
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