Books all around us
Can we read? No. 103
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All Around Us by Xelena González, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia (2017)
As the grandfather and young granddaughter in this story walk together, work side by side in the garden, save seeds, draw on their bodies with their hands, they spot circles everywhere — in the rainbow in the sky, in the rings in each other’s eyes, in the sun, clocks, and bicycle wheels — a gorgeous, meditative metaphor that serves as a way to understand both the world around us as well as our connections to one another.
Garcia’s unique, dreamy digital illustrations — which won the distinguished Pura Belpré Honor for Illustration in 2018, and with good reason — multiply the sheer beauty of this book exponentially, magnifying the intimacy and interconnectedness of our relationships, our stories, and our lives for both readers young and old.
(I recommend this one for anyone introducing circles to pre-K or kindergarten-aged kiddos, or elementary-aged children.)
My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (1996)
My little sister ate 1 hare.
We thought she’d throw up then and there.
But she didn’t.
So begins this super goofy cumulative story, based loosely on the classic rhyming tale, “The Woman Who Swallowed a Fly,” about a little girl who consumes a bunch of whole animals — snakes, shrews, ants, polliwogs — and their accessories — underpants, smelly socks — all of which should give you an idea of how appealing and hilarious this is to the preschool set, who, let’s be honest, Grossman captured at the words “throw up.”
Add Hawkes’ bright, expressive oil paintings to this silly story and you’ve got a surefire winner that will please kiddos just learning to count to 10.
Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley and Tara Walker, illustrated by Janice Nadeau (2011)
This lovely, charming story is that of Miriam, a talented woman who runs a bakery and meets and falls in love with Sebastian, a man that deeply appreciates her art. Before long, they have a baby, and on the fourth day the baby starts crying and will. not. stop.
Anyone who has ever had a colicky baby themselves will recognize the lengths to which these loving parents go to comfort their child — they do everything they possibly can until the problem essentially takes over their lives. Eventually, one evening, “the baby reminded Miriam of a little, wrinkled raisin, and she leaned close and breathed in the baby’s sweet milky smell.” This one moment reminds Miriam — who has spent all this time focused understandably on her unhappy child — of who she is and what she does best.
Full of rich sensory language and details, complemented by Nadeau’s creative and active line drawings with watercolor (which also stand out for depicting a biracial couple), Winstanley has written a delectable story that’s both a testament to new parenthood and abiding familial love.
The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin, illustrated by Marc Simont (1982)
To be perfectly honest, when I grabbed this one at the thrift store, I did so because I adore Karla Kuskin’s poetry and feel one can never go wrong with anything touched by Marc Simont, but I wasn’t expecting my children to enjoy it. I figured we’d read it once, but then it would be mine 😂
I can always tell when my kids are into a book when they become totally motionless while we’re reading it — which is exactly what happened when I read Kuskin’s engaging story about various members of the orchestra getting themselves ready for their evening performance. (Just goes to show how much I know: NOT MUCH.)
They were equally mesmerized by Simont’s classic pen-and-pencil illustrations, and it’s easy to understand why — his images, which show people’s bodies of all different shapes, sizes, and shades, placed all over the blank white pages, offer a captivating peek into these individual lives behind the scenes, and are just perfectly charming in every way.
Who knew a book about getting dressed could grab anyone so hard? Read it yourself and see.
That’s all from me today! Happy reading to you and yours.
Sarah
My Little Sister Ate One Hare sounds like such a fun, silly story. This one is a must for us! I think my 5 and 3 year old would both love it.
We'll go for Grossman and Hawkes My Little Sister Ate One Hare. For both parents and kids, there's a serious need for coffee. And humour.