Halfmann, Janet. Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story. Illus. Duane Smith. New York: Lee & Low, 2008. (9-12)
In this detailed, informative non-fiction picture book, Halfmann tells the story of Robert Smalls, as he matures from a young African American bound by slavery into a national hero whose actions impacted American history. From childhood, Robert always knew that slavery was wrong and wanted to find a way to defeat it. Intelligent and a swift learner, Robert became a deckhand of a southern ship called the Planter. The Civil War had erupted, and Robert wanted to live in freedom by escaping to the North with his wife and children. Because Robert was skilled and knowledgeable, he was promoted to wheelman, where he was trusted with responsibility. In late 1861, the Union Navy captured Port Royal, just down the coast from Charleston; for Robert, freedom was only seven miles away. On May 12, while the Confederates of the Planter went ashore for the evening, Robert gathered his friends who planned to escape with their families. After many close calls and dangerous passages, Robert led the Planter to Union waters, hoisting a white “surrender” flag on the ship’s mast. Families ran to the deck of the ship, and Robert raised the captain’s hat high, turning over the Confederate ship and its weapons to the Union Navy. Finally Robert and his family were free.
The detailed text is accompanied by rich, elaborate, and intricate oil paintings. Smith uses thick, muddled brushstrokes of oil to create figures and images that abstractly bleed into each other and create artistic, beautiful stylization and warmth. Smith’s use of whites and golds give texture and detailing to character’s faces, and the descriptive, cloudy, intimate style of the paintings beautifully accompanies the eloquent, hopeful message of the text.
Fourth through sixth graders not only learned history while reading this book, they were also captivated by its message. Many children asked questions about the book and grew more and more interested as Robert’s story became more and more moving. Children were interested in the unique illustrative style, and teachers noted how the book would be a wonderful accompaniment to a unit on slavery and/or the Civil War. One teacher noted that the book elicited empathy for slaves, as children were imagining themselves as slaves during that time period. One teacher noted, “I would purchase this book for my class in a heartbeat!” The book’s back matter provides more details about Robert Small, as well as a bibliography of the author’s sources.
Janet Halfmann was inspired to write about Robert Smalls after doing research on African American achievements during the Civil War. She has four grown children and lives with her husband in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Duane Smith works with children in after-school programs, inspiring them with art. He splits his time between Brooklyn and Albany, New York. KATIE CLAUSEN
Harley, Bill. Dirty Joe the Pirate: A True Story. Illus. Jack E. Davis. New York: HarperCollins, 2008. (6-8; 9-12)
In this riveting, repetitive, rhyming story, a pirate named Dirty Joe sails the sea searching for dirty socks as decorations for his ship! As the crew of men meets a ship, they notice that it also has flags hanging from it—flags and underwear! Dirty Joe is determined to attack the ship and steal all of the pirates’ socks, but the captain of the ship is also unwavering. She and her crew of women want underwear! In a chaotic battle, Dirty Joe sees something familiar about the captain. She peers at him and yells, “‘You’re Joe—my little brother.’” After a silly reunion where Annie sheds a single tear, she demands that her brother give her his underwear. The story ends with a comical moral: “If you’ve got an older sister, then I feel bad for you,/Cause just as long as she’s alive, she’ll tell you what to do.” This text with rich assonance and alliteration is a perfect read aloud.
Davis’s cartoon-like, whimsical illustrations perfectly capture the humorous, ludicrous tone of the story. Using exaggerated lines, stylized facial expressions, and bright colors, Davis creates characters that are ridiculous and memorable. The careful detailing and zany vignettes add elements of surprise and wit.
This book had children laughing out loud. They asked questions about the book, bounced in anticipation, helped turn the pages, pointed out details in the illustrations, asked for the story to be read again, and some even counted the swords that the pirates had! Teachers appreciated the poetical form of the text and loved the exaggerated faces and details in the illustrations.
Bill Harley, a singer, songwriter and storyteller, lives in Massachusetts. Jack E. Davis lives in Port Townsend, Washington. KATIE CLAUSEN
Harrington, Janice N. The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County. Illus. Shelley Jackson. New York: Melanie Kroupa Books-Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. (6-8; 9-12)
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County has a very particular schedule for her day. Each morning she eats her breakfast, tells stories to Big Mama, and—“when Big Mama isn’t looking—CHASE CHICKENS!” Even though the young African American girl has had numerous warnings about chasing chickens from her grey-haired grandmother, she sets about the adventure anyway. The Chicken-Chasing Queen does have success out on the farm, but she has yet to find a way of catching Miss Hen who is “as plump as a Sunday purse.” After thinking hard and devising a plan, the young girl quietly follows Miss Hen to the point that they are nose to beak in the long grass. But rather than pounce on Miss Hen and create a mess of feathers and a loud SQUAWK, the young girl smiles as she sees Miss Hen protecting her babies. “Now, every day, Miss Hen goes strutting by like a Fourth of July parade with twelve chicks right behind her!”
Adult readers and children alike enjoyed this adventurous story and the creative illustrations. The pictures are unique with the collage technique of incorporating real objects into the watercolor illustrations. For example, various pieces of cloth and lace are used alongside watercolor to create a realistic texture to the feathers on the chickens. Children liked how the word “squawking” was emphasized with large cut out letters. One reader noted that the author had an excellent “way with words . . . . She makes great comparisons, analogies, etc.” The story inspired numerous students to share their own experiences with chickens. Over all, this story had a wonderful message about patience and kindness.
Janice N. Harrington lives in Champaign, Illinois and illustrator Shelley Jackson resides in Brooklyn, New York. ASHELY ROEMER
Hatkoff, Isabella, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu. Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship. Illus. Peter Greste. New York: Scholastic, 2007. (6-8; 9-12)
Following the first book, Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship, this sequel shares more about the unique friendship between two very different animals. Close-up photographs capture the many encounters between Owen and Mzee as they live side-by-side. Readers find this true story to be just as astounding and unexpected as the wildlife experts do. The text and numerous photographs describe the mannerisms, habits, and “language” of the two animals.
Elementary age students enjoyed the pictures of Owen and Mzee and thought the book was a great friendship story. After hearing the story read aloud, lots of peer dialogue followed as students discussed the parts of the story they enjoyed the most. Teachers thought this was a great educational story with “good food for thought.” The book’s back matter provides information on Kenya and Malindi, as well as more details about the two animals.
Inspired by a photograph of Own and Mzee, six-year-old Isabella Hatkoff asked her father Craig Hatkoff to help her write a book about the two animals. They live in New York City. Dr. Paula Kahumbu, ecologist and conservationist, oversees the care of Owen and Mzee. She lives with her son, Joshua, in Mombasa, Kenya. Photographer Peter Greste lives in Mombasa, Kenya. ASHLEY ROEMER
Helakoski, Leslie. Big Chickens Fly the Coop. Illus. Henry Cole. New York: Dutton, 2008. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
Four chicken friends who are stuck in their coop have one goal—to see the farmhouse. However, after deciding to accomplish their goal, they realize they have no idea what the farmhouse looks like. The straightforward text repeatedly brings them to other farm objects—a doghouse, a tractor, and a barn. Almost ready to give up, the four chickens get caught in a chaotic fiasco that lands them right in front of a house. When they deduce that it is the farmhouse, they look over and realize that it is right next to their coop. They had simply not noticed it before!
Helakoski’s repetitive text, which often contains rhyme, alliteration, and assonance, is charming and lighthearted, giving children funny phrases to listen to when read aloud. The vibrant, animated illustrations encompass the boisterous characters and dynamic quality of the story. Cole exaggerates facial expressions to portray a wide range of humorous emotions that children are sure to find appealing.
Because of the repetitive phrases, many children read along with the story in anticipation of what was to come. A teacher commented on the wonderful variation of words used, and that the rhyming words and predictable sequence of events helped children understand and be involved in the book. Teachers appreciated the humorous tone of the story, which existed alongside the important concept that we all need to find out what is beyond home, even when danger lurks.
Leslie Helakoski, a formal middle-school librarian, lives with her husband and three children in Lawton, Michigan. Henry Cole is from Virginia, and was an elementary science teacher for fifteen years before becoming a children’s book illustrator. KATIE CLAUSEN
Henkes, Kevin. Kitten’s First Full Moon. New York: Greenwillow Books-HarperCollins, 2004. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
On a full moon night, Kitten mistakes the moon for a giant saucer of milk. After many attempts to reach that saucer of milk, Kitten’s failures just keep adding up. “Poor Kitten!” After getting wet and giving up, Kitten decides to head back home. What does she find on the porch waiting just for her—“a great big bowl of milk.”
Henkes uses gouache and colored pencil to create black and white illustrations with touches of pink. The varied layout on each page helps keep the interest of children and the bold print makes it easy for children to follow along with the text. One reader commented: “The black and white illustrations were perfect to represent the kitten and the dark night. It didn’t need color at all.” Another shared this response: “The two-year-old kept touching the book as if he were petting the kitten.”
Children enjoyed this book and wanted it read over and over. Readers noticed many emotional responses to the book: excitement at the beginning of the story, empathy for the poor kitten, laughter at the silly kitty, happiness at the bowl of milk left for the kitten, and much more. Children liked the different facial expressions of the kitten throughout the story and after the read aloud session were inspired to tell stories about their own kittens or other pets at home. One child identified with Kitten so much that she asked for a glass of milk after every page!
Kevin Henkes lives in Madison, Wisconsin. SEAN LEWIS/BRITTANY LAZUR
Henkes, Kevin. Lilly’s Big Day. New York: Greenwillow Books-HarperCollins, 2006. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
At school one day, Lilly’s teacher, Mr. Slinger, announces that he will be getting married to the school nurse, Ms. Shotwell. “‘It will be the biggest day of my life,’ said Mr. Slinger. ‘Mine, too,’ whispered Lilly.” Lilly naturally thinks that she will be the flower girl in Mr. Slinger’s wedding. When she gets home from school, Lilly practices being a flower girl, walking back and forth very slowly through her bedroom. That night Lilly’s parents tell her that Mr. Slinger probably has a niece or other relative who will be the flower girl in the wedding. The next day at school, Mr. Slinger informs Lilly that his niece Ginger will be the flower girl. Seeing her sadness, Mr. Slinger allows Lilly to be Ginger’s assistant. In her bold and determined fashion, Lilly does her job to the best of her ability—adding a great deal of humor to the story.
Using watercolor paints and a black pen, Kevin Henkes creates wonderful details and facial expressions in his illustrations. Children thought this story was humorous and made lots of comments throughout the reading. Young children were able to make connections to being a flower girl or ring bearer.
Author and illustrator Kevin Henkes, who earned the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon, lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin. ASHLEY ROEMER
Hermsen, Ronald. The Story of Giraffe. Illus. Guido Pigni. Asheville: Front Street, 2006. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
Delicate, textured illustrations coincide well with this heart-felt tale of an animal who longs to board Noah’s Ark. “‘Giraffe, you must find another giraffe before the flood comes—a girl giraffe with a long neck and spots like yours. We need a pair. That’s how it must be.”” After searching the earth and asking various creatures if they’ve seen an animal that looks like him, Giraffe starts to get lonely and worried about not finding a partner to join him on the ark. As the rain continues to pour down, Giraffe runs to catch the ark. Using the advice of an underwater friend, Giraffe finally swims to Noah and the other animals. Giraffe is greatly relieved as he discovers his female companion already aboard.
Children responded positively to hearing this book read aloud and connected to the story of Noah and the ark. As Giraffe searched for his female friend, many young listeners felt sorry for the lonely animal. Adult readers enjoyed the dialogue throughout the story as it provided them with the opportunity to read with expression. The suspense of Giraffe’s journey, along with the simple, well executed illustrations, held the attention of the children.
Author Ronald Hermsen is a freelance journalist and publicist. He lives in Hilversum, the Netherlands, with his wife and three daughters. Illustrator Guido Pigni lives in Milan, Italy with his wife, daughter, and son. ASHLEY ROEMER
Himmelman, John. Katie Loves the Kittens. New York: Henry Holt, 2008. (Toddlers-5; 6-8)
Katie is an excited dog who absolutely adores the kittens that Sara Ann just brought home. However, Katie gets so animated that whenever she howls “AROOOOOO!” the cats scamper away, frightened. Katie tries to control herself, but she can’t help it. She howls in excitement every time they wander by. One night the kittens are sleeping in Sara Ann’s bedroom, and Katie crawls out the kitchen door and jumps through the open window onto the bed. The kittens are more scared than ever. Katie is so sad that she stays in bed all day. When she wakes up, however, the kittens have fallen asleep on top of her! Katie is so happy that she wants to howl, but then she remembers, and she doesn’t. Katie is finally happy.
Using black Prismacolor pencils and watercolors, Himmelman creates cartoon-like illustrations that come to life at every page turn. Sketchy, broken, descriptive lines and artistic vignettes give each illustration detail and character, and Katie’s facial expressions beautifully capture both her sadness and her joy. The warm colors mirror the intimate, tender tone of the text, and bring forth the poignant message of friendship.
This book was an adventure for preschoolers through first-graders. Children related their own lives to the book, telling stories about their own animals. They laughed spontaneously, nudged closer to the book, pointed to details in the illustrations, helped turn the pages, asked questions, showed excited facial expressions, and howled along with Katie during the read aloud. Teachers appreciated the detailed illustrations, specifically Katie’s intricate facial expressions and emotions. Children wanted the book read over and over!
John Himmelman lives in Connecticut with his family. KATIE CLAUSEN
Ho, Minfong. Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek. Illus. Holly Meade. Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 2004. (Toddlers 5; 6-8)
In a vast jungle in Thailand, a father and his little girl are playing “Jut-Ay” (Peek-a-Boo) as he follows his daughter’s tracks in his best attempt to find her. He runs into many animals on the way, each making their own special noise. He questions each of them as to his daughter’s whereabouts. She’s found hidden somewhere on every spread of the book, but her father just misses her every time. Meade’s watercolor paintings with cut-paper collaged images give the illustrations a special glow.
The illustrations were a key point to this book in read-aloud sessions. Many readers commented on the pictures. One reader reported that there was “absolute silence as they [the children] looked at the illustration on the last page.” In addition, the children especially enjoyed searching for the little girl on each double page spread, as well as repeating the animal sounds. Readers commented that the children kept nudging closer and closer to the book in order to see. Children also learned some new animals, and readers were happy that the children learned about a new culture. A first grade teacher also noted that the book had beautiful vocabulary and rhyming.
Minfong Ho lives in Ithaca, New York, but often visits Thailand, her childhood home. Holly Meade resides on the Maine coast. SEAN LEWIS/BRITTANY LAZUR
Hopkinson, Deborah. Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend). Illus. John Hendrix. New York: Schwartz & Wade Book-Random House, 2008. 2009 Comstock Book Award (9-12)
Imagine you are sitting on a Kentucky front porch hearing an experienced storyteller. The year is 1816 and the setting is the Kentucky Valley near Knob Creek. Abraham Lincoln and his first best friend, Benjamin Austin Gollaher, better known as Austin, are about to get into a heap of trouble. Abe dares Austin to cross the high, raging waters of the creek to find some partridges. Since history doesn’t tell us exactly how the boys crossed the creek, the author/illustrator team adds tension by offering a couple of possibilities. The crux of the story though is that Austin makes it across, while Abe falls in, only to be saved by his steadfast friend. Abraham Lincoln never forgets his friend and years later as President during the Civil War, “Abe will be heard to say he’d rather see Austin Gollaher again than any other living man.”
The illustrations in watercolor and pen-and-ink and the book’s large horizontal trim size invite children into the story. The artistic process is even displayed on the endpapers where we see the illustrator doodling as he works to create just the right set of pictures.
Fourth through sixth graders listened intently to readers. They liked how the author talked and interacted with them and enjoyed how the illustrator drew the pictures as the story unfolded. Some of the students commented that Abe and his friend were just normal kids, and others were surprised that Abe disobeyed his mother (who had told him not to go near the creek). One fifth grader stated the author’s moral in his own words: “What we do matters; someday it may be history.”
Author Deborah Hopkinson lives with her family near Portland, Oregon, while illustrator John Hendrix lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife and son. CAROL HANSON SIBLEY
Hopkinson, Deborah. Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains. Illus. Nancy Carpenter. New York: Anne Schwartz Book-Atheneum, 2004. (9-12)
A young girl named Delicious narrates an unforgettable journey to Oregon in which her parents and siblings gather and transport apple trees and various other fruit trees across rivers and up and down mountains. Their only goal is to arrive at their destination so they can live a prosperous life with an abundance of fruit trees grown from good seeds and excellent soil. The family faces numerous hardships along the way, but Delicious and her father manage to protect their goods all the way to their so-called promise land. Full-page, expressionistic oil paintings add humor to the tall tale quality of the text.
Children enjoyed this book and teachers really liked that it tied into the westward expansion curriculum the students were already studying in school. One teacher thought the story was a great teaching tool for discussing alliteration, metaphors, and analogies. An author’s note provides details about the historical context of the story. A map on the end papers helps students follow the family on their long journey west.
Deborah Hopkinson lives with her family in Walla Walla, Washington, while Nancy Carpenter resides in Brooklyn, New York. SEAN LEWIS/BRITTANY LAZUR