Author Archives: Annette McQueen

One Little Bag, by Henry Cole (author & illustrator)

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An absolutely charming wordless picture book describing that long life of our main character – a paper bag! Henry Cole, at his best, delights us with the very beginning of a life of a bag, as a tree. The picture shows the tree looking vibrant and content in a forest, and then through the logging process, milling, manufacturing, and into a grocery story.From there, it really becomes loved in a family home and used as a lunch bag for a young boy to carry his sandwiches to school.His father draws a small red heart on the bag, which is later used with the boy’s flashlight at night, goes camping and holds the marshmellows, follows him as he ages and holds a ring he gives to his love, ect. By the end of our story the bag is appropriately used to hold a small seedling which is planted back into the earth by our main character and his son.

A lovely story for earthday, recycle/reuse, over consumption, generational stories, lifecycle and more. Recommended book for your library!

Here is Henry Cole’s website: https://www.henrycole.net/main.php

Addy’s Cup of Sugar, Based on a Buddhist Story of Healing By, Jon J. Muth

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A beautifully written and illustrated story designed to assist a grieving child. The plot centers around a girl who experiences the death of her cat and wishes that the effects could be reversed. She was instructed by Stillwater, her wise friend, to assemble the right ingredients needed to assist her. She then walked around her neighborhood and asked for a cup of sugar from any house whose occupants have been immune from grieving a death. Further and further into the day, she realizes that there wasn’t one house that hadn’t experienced the loss of someone they love.

This is a compassionate story intended to explain and soften the feeling of loss and grief. It is based upon the Buddhist legend called “The Mustard Seed”, from a collection of sayings called the Dhammapada (first century BCE). A woman who loses her infant to death is instructed by Buddha to search for a household and receive a mustardseed from anyone not touched by death. This leads to her acceptance of death and the normalcy of this aspect of life.

Beautiful illustrations and lovely emotional expression. Recommended book.

Wherever I Go, by Mary Wagley Copp and illustrated by Munir D. Mohammed

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Beautifully illustrated picture book of a refugee family from who has been at the Shimelba Refugee Camp the longest — seven years! In spite of having to flee their humble home and community, the main character Abia (elementary aged) has been told by her father as she plays imaginary games, that she is a queen. He makes her a crown of the Acacia tree crowns and she feels like she has super powers while helping her mother with chores, or simply walking the perimeter of the camp with other kids. Eventually this family makes their way to the United States, where Abai can still howl to the hills.

This picture book concludes with resources and additional information in the back of the book. Such as informing the reader that there are 68 million displaced people in the world right now. About 25 million are classified as refugee status. Relevant books to further your reading are suggesting in a list in the back as well as middle grade and young adult list. Recommended+ for your library!

Little Goddess Girls, Artemis & the Awesome Animals. By, Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams, Illustrated by Yuyi Chen.

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This is an easy to read, larger sized print, chapter book for younger readers. Very appealing with a colorful jacket and black and white illustrations on the inside. This series was modeled after the version of Goddess Girls for intermediate readers, and makes a great introduction to the series for it’s reader base. Artemis is the main character and is joined by Athena, Medusa, Zeus and others. I appreciate how the authors retain the integrity of the character traits of each mythical goddess or creature introduced into the story. It’s a great way for children to learn about Greek Mythology through the adventures of the relatable characters in our story. Recommended for readers in the primary grades and even intermediate struggling readers will very likely enjoy this series!

Extraordinary Warren’s World

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This darling beginning reader chapter, picture, graphic novel book was written by Sarah Dillard. She masterfully blends a picture book with beginning reading book, and a graphic novel which will appeal to all readers and ability levels. The pictures are charming and will be appealing to younger readers who need the visual cueing and enjoy the illustrations of “Everybody” books. The organization of a beginning reader chapter book with features such as chapters, should appeal to the reader who wish to identify with the format of older students. But, just as appealing is the graphic novel fusion, where reluctant readers usually choose to reside. This book has it all, almost creating a new genre’ which I suspect will appeal to a wide range of readers.

The story is light hearted adventure featuring our main character, Warren, who is a young chicken hoping to learn to fly so he can go to the moon. Supporting characters include the coach, who helps Warren practice flying utilizing activities such as yoga. Once he learns and acquires a “side kick” who was an egg and then a chick. Warren becomes both a role model to the young chick and also a hero as he realizes that rat and fox have nefarious plans for the chicken barn. Very cute book in a boutique series collection! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Extraordinary-Warrens-World/Sarah-Dillard/PIX/9781534463462

Curious George and the Summer Games, by Margret and H.A. Rey

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Another classic adventure by our favorite friend, Curious George. This book has him participating in the summer games hosted by his local town. His enthusiasm assists him in persisting in his attempts at various sports, and failing at most, until he finds the one which suits him the best. Then it takes much practice and even an opportunity to offer some confidence needed by a friend to complete her competition even though she felt some stage fright.

Our lovable hero earned a ribbon for making new friends and learning a new sport. Reading or sharing this story, before a school field day or sports day event, would likely create anticipation and discussion. This likable story combined with classic illustrations, make for a great addition to your library or personal collection.

The Little Mouse the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear, by Don and Audrey Wood

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Readers will appreciate the classic illustrative style of Don Wood with his large, engaging pictures which truly highlight this classic story. Our main character the mouse, wants to pick a strawberry but is warned by the reader, throughout the book, that the bear will want it. Out of fear, he tries many scenarios to hide the strawberry from the perceived bear, but in the end, there is only one way to really hide it. Watch our friend bring this book to a satisfying ending. The pictures help to carry the meaning and intention of this story. A Recommended classic addition to your library.

If You Were Night, by Muon Thi Van and illustrator Kelly Pousett.

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Kelly Pousette, illustrator of “If You Were Night”, creates layered scenes with a technique of cut and folded paper.  The illustrations add to the “magic” feel of the book as the author weaves this simple and profound thought of what is would be like to “become the night”.  A child’s imagination and connection to nature will be inspired as each set of pages create a scenario for children to contemplate.  What would they do?

This book includes fantasy, imagination and the creation of moments of magic as a child gets lost in the possibility of what happens in the night in our natural world.  The combination of art, nature and imagination make this an irresistible book. Timely book for nighttime or peaceful setting. Recommended for families, teachers, and librarians as antidote to the stressful time we are currently living in.   Don’t let this story disappear into the night! Recommended.

The Boy, His Stories and How they Came to be, by author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers

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This coffee table sized book contains four stories PLUS additional bonus pages full of author sketches, notes, pictures personalized by Oliver Jeffers. This is a fascinating book to muse through, as an adult, or child. The oversized book seems to emphasize the interesting, simplistic pictures which add to the intrigue of the adventures had by “the boy”, who is the main character in each story.

Although this isn’t a convenient book for student checkout in a school library, it would certainly be appreciated by teacher or parents to share with a child or group. The book boasts “Never Before Seen Notes Sketches” which make you feel as if you’ve had a private tour of the Oliver Jeffers’ ideas behind his stories. This book is a great experience to have by yourself or with a child. A wonderful addition to your child’s shelf or living room coffee table. A must have for devout Oliver Jeffers fans!

This Way, Charlie, Inspired by a real animal friendship. By Carol Levis and Charles Santoso

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Truly, a beautiful story about loyalty and friendship. The willingness to accept another with a disability and do your part to help with respect, dignity, and seamless care. “This Way Charlie” are the words used by the Goat named Jack, as he guides his blind friend, Charlie the horse. They come together at an animal sanctuary, where all the animals have a physical and/or behavior disabilities due to abuse or birth, accident, or birth defects. They learn to accept each other as is and many have created beautiful relationships with one another and humans. This beautiful story is based on a true life experience at the Wild Heart Ranch, found online at wildheartrescue.org.

The large sized picture book and bold but soft illustrations create a lovely experience as a read aloud in a group setting or reading alone to a lucky child. Highly recommended for those who love animals and actively participate in their friendships! You will want this sweet story in your library.

Mad About Plaid, author and illustrator: Jill McElmurry

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This absolutely darling, fun spirited book will capture the imagination of an elementary audience with it’s bold plaid, colorful pictures and crazy antics of the main character, a young girl. She happens to find a plaid, cursed purse in the park. She realized the magic behind the purse as everything around her turned plaid! The occasional repetition of “Piddly-Diddly-Doo” will have some reading or singing along with the refrain. When she turns the purse inside out, the plaid ends, and something new begins. You will have to wait and see the inside of the purse to get your ending to this colorful tale! Wonderful pictures and truly a fun experience reading this book about this plucky girl with the plaid purse. Recommended!

Nothing in Common, by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Corinna Luyken

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Beautiful pastel chalk pictures, by celebrated illustrator Corinna Luyken, create a beautiful picture storybook. It tells the story of this unlikely friendship between a boy wearing red and a girl wearing blue. Without using verbiage indicating the divide in the United States, it was an inference on the part of this reader as both people felt they had “nothing in common”. That is, until they realized they did both love the same thing and it was missing. An old man who walked his dog every day, is a part of both people’s day and they work together to solve the mystery of finding the dog. On this journey, they discover, in a subtle sense, that their emotions have more in common than they realized before the journey.

As the dog is reunited with his loving master, they all realize that you can love and respect each other even if you have “Nothing in Common”. A great modern day tale that easily fits into our contemporary lives. Recommended for you.

Curious George Votes, by Margaret and H.A. Rey

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In keeping with the Curious George spirit created decades ago, this mischievous and curious monkey entertains us and also helps us to learn a bit about the voting process through his experience at an elementary school which happens to be voting on their favorite mascot. As expected, this monkey wishes to “write in” his choice for mascot to be a monkey instead of the “owl” or “tiger” being offered on the ballot. His hijinks throughout the school, includes “stuffing the ballot box” with his many of his votes over and over again. After finding the humor in his antics, the teacher allows the students to write in their favorite choice–which of course, is a monkey!

This may be an effective book for preschool and primary grades to explore the basic rules surrounding the voting process. A nice read and discussion platform for a school which is voting on a mascot. Classic pictures and lovable, innocent, choices made by our favorite monkey, make this Margret & H.A. Rey’s book, another nice addition to a classroom or home library series.

Our Subway Baby, by Peter Mercurio

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A poignant story, based upon a true event, in the City of New York. This beautifully illustrated books begins with a man in the subway system underground in New York, spotting a bundle on the ground. As he approached, he realized that it was a baby! He reported to the authorities and immediately began caring for this babe until he was taken away to the local hospital. The man, named Danny, kept asking about him, and waiting for the foster system to locate his parents. As this did not happen, he was invited to apply for adoption! His partner at home, a man named Kevin, who had not thought of adopting or having a child, was open and enthusiastic to the idea of allowing love in where it had presented itself.

Both men went through the court system and earned the right to adopt this baby who was found on the subway! Their happiness was contagious and earned much respect and attention nationwide. They are still a family, to this day. Although the baby is now a student in college studying mathematics and computer science!

A contemporary book speaking truth to a contemporary topic: gay couple adoption. With the added twist of finding the baby on the subway! This is a beautifully written and illustrated book which teaches the underlying message of: “Love wins.”A must in your library.