@roberta3

January 6, 2020January 5, 2020

Hello, Crochet Friends!: Making Art, Being Mindful, Giving Back: Do What Makes You Happy

Today at Wrapped in Foil blog we are featuring the picture book autobiography Hello, Crochet Friends!: Making Art, Being Mindful, Giving Back: Do What Makes You Happy by Jonah Larson and Jennifer Larson, with photographs by Erin Harris..

Jonah Larson is a phenomenon. Born in Ethiopia, a family from Wisconsin adopted him when he was an infant. Later he struggled at school until one day — at five years old — he picked up a crochet hook. Soon crocheting became his passion and it has changed his life. Now he says he wants to share the joy of crocheting with everyone.

Although this is an autobiography, Jonah tells one part of his story and his adoptive mother Jennifer Larson tells another part. The duel points of view are poignant. Jonah also shares one crochet pattern (this is NOT a how-to book).

I was so impressed with the map that shows the location of all his crochet friends from around the world. He really is spreading the joy.

Hello Crochet Friends! is a one-of-a-kind book about a one-of-a-kind boy. It might just inspire readers to find their own passions.

November 4, 2019November 3, 2019

Not a Bean

Charlesbridge has two awesome picture books coming out tomorrow (November 5, 2019) that celebrate moths. Today let’s take a sneak peak at Not a Bean by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez and illustrated by Laura Gonzalez.

What does a book called Not a Bean have to do with moths? It might be clearer when you find out the bean in question is a Mexican jumping bean. Still not clear? The Mexican jumping bean moves around because there is a tiny larva (caterpillar) inside that eventually emerges as a moth.

Along with gently guiding readers through the life cycle of the moth, Martínez introduces young readers to a smattering a Spanish words including the numbers from one to ten. There is a glossary of Spanish words in the back matter, as well as an author’s note with more details about the caterpillar’s biology.

Laura Gonzalez’s digital illustrations are lush and inviting, with exactly the right amount of playfulness.

Because Not a Bean is multifaceted, it could be used either for a lesson on Spanish language and Mexican culture, or for a science unit on insects (or both!) Plus, who isn’t intrigued by a “bean” that jumps? Investigate a copy today!

For the rest of the review and insect science activity suggestions, visit Growing with Science blog.

October 14, 2019October 13, 2019

The Big Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer

At Wrapped in Foil blog today we are highlighting The Big Book of Birds by Yuval Zommer.

This book has many of the same features as other books in the series. The big size and the complex, engaging illustrations are the same. The playfulness is the same. There’s also a challenge to search for and find a object, this time an egg, throughout the illustrations. Those sort of games can bring a young reader back to a book again and again.

The text is interesting and informative. The overviews, such as a spread about bird migration, mix well with zoomed-in discussions of specific types of birds, such as parrots or owls.

Even the back matter is oversized. It includes the answers to the search-and-find, a fun glossary, and a huge index.

The Big Book of Birds is the type of book that begs to be shared. Grab a copy, find a quiet corner, and spend time with a young reader delving into each and every page. They will be glad you did.

October 7, 2019October 4, 2019

I’m Trying to Love Math

It’s about fear, it’s about math, it’s incredibly funny, it’s I’m Trying to Love Math by Bethany Barton.

For those who feel that math must have been developed by aliens, it seems appropriate that a space alien comes to Earth to help young readers figure out how math might be useful. It is soon apparent there’s math in cooking, in nature, in navigation, and even in music. Math shows up in a lot of things people love.

Bethany Barton combines pen and ink with digital software to create lighthearted illustrations. Some of the illustrations are even interactive, involving book shaking or holding an ice cream spoon (you have to get the book to figure that one out).

I’m Trying to Love Math is for young people who aren’t sure why they need to study math. The book will help them discover how useful math is for everyday life. Realizing why something is important is often the first step to learning.

Pick up and shake a copy today!

First posted at Wrapped in Foil Blog.

September 30, 2019September 29, 2019

Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World

Looking for a picture book biography that will blow you away? Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World by Kim Tomsic and illustrated by Brett Helquist is the book for you.

Kim Tomsic is a master at landing young readers. She immediately draws them in by introducing Les Paul as a child. She makes him relatable by revealing he struggled at music lessons early on. Then she hooks the readers by showing Paul make a homemade radio. There’s no putting the book down at that point.

It helps that Les Paul is a fascinating figure who spots problems and works persistently to solve them. Plus, Tomsic’s upbeat tone captures his energy perfectly.

Brett Helquist’s oil paint on watercolor paper illustrations both reflect the time period and modern expectations. For example, he shows music as brightly-colored shapes in motion. It makes sound tangible.

Guitar Genius is will appeal to those interested in music, those thrilled by inventing and building, and those who love to learn history by reading biographies. Get caught up in a copy today!

Drop by Wrapped in Foil blog for more information and activity suggestions.

August 26, 2019August 25, 2019

#Kidlit About Seed Dispersal: Seeds Move

At Wrapped in Foil Blog today we have the lovely picture book Seeds Move! by Robin Page.

Written in the increasingly popular two-level text, Seeds Move! explores many of the ways seeds move or disperse.

The simpler, “story” text repeats rhythmically from page to page:

A seed hitchhikes.
A seed shoots.
A seed catapults…

A paragraph of denser, detailed text explains the specific examples shown in each illustration.

And what beautiful illustrations they are. It is easy to see why Robin Page received a Caldecott Honor in 2004 for What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

If you are looking for a nonfiction picture book about seed dispersal, look no further than Seeds Move! Young readers will plant themselves in their chairs when they open this book.

Check the blog for a longer review and activity suggestions.

May 20, 2019May 19, 2019

Bloom Boom!

At Wrapped in Foil today, we have have the beautiful picture book by April Pulley Sayre, Bloom Boom!

As with some of her earlier books, April Pulley Sayre combines her gorgeous nature photographs with sparse, lyrical text.

On the cover is a photograph of brilliantly-colored poppies, which sets the tone for what is to come inside. Every spread is filled with vibrant color, either in sprawling landscapes or detailed close ups of flowers and growing plants.

With only a few words on each page, Sayre manages to introduce children to botanical terms and concepts. She also uses alliteration and repetition to keep young readers interested. Besides learning about plants, the book is also a great way for little ones to learn about color (see activity suggestion on the blog).

After you’ve gasped at the final spread, don’t forget to check out the back matter. In “The Bloom Boom” section, Sayre explains how to find areas where masses of flowers bloom all at once. In “A Bit More About Blooms” you can find thumbnails of each spread with accompanying details about the flowers in each.

Bloom Boom! is a visual feast, sure to enthrall young nature lovers. Explore a copy today!

April 8, 2019

Dreaming Big and Small Poetry Collection

Just in time for National Poetry Month we have the poetry collection Dreaming Big and Small by Sara Holbrook, Michael Salinger, and illustrations by Scott Pickering, great for middle grades on up.

As the authors explain up front, this is a collection of ekphrastic poems. Instead of writing poems and hiring an artist to illustrate them, the authors used Scott Pickering’s creative and playful illustrations to inspire their poetry.

Topics ranges from Kangaroos

…They wear a front facing backpack
as they bounce across the outback …

to socks:

Socks on the table
Socks in my drawer
Socks in my pocket
Socks on the floor…

As with any poetry collection, it can be read in pieces or all at once. Readers will likely want to return to their favorites again and again.

What I love the most is the message in the front encouraging readers use art to spark their own poetry.

Dreaming Big and Small is a delightful little book that packs a big wallop. Get inspired by a copy today!

Originally reviewed at Wrapped in Foil blog.

March 11, 2019

National Geographic Kids Guide to Genealogy

Kids are often asked to complete a family tree for a school or club project. Now there’s a great resource to get them started: National Geographic Kids Guide to Genealogy: Tips and Tricks on How to Uncover Your Roots and Build Your Family Tree! by T.J. Resler.

The main section in each chapter explains how to do a particular aspects of the search, from getting started, to places to find clues, to how DNA has changed genealogy. In addition each chapter also includes expert tips, suggestions for hands-on activities (like putting together a time capsule or a family cookbook!), case files, and best of all, how to solve problems. Researching genealogy can be difficult at times and the book gives kids a realistic view of what the stumbling blocks might be and how to avoid getting discouraged.

Although this book is geared for kids, adults who are interested in exploring their roots might also find it to be a useful place to start. I took notes when I read it and found myself saying, “That’s a really good idea” on almost every page. I also liked that the author emphasized how to preserve and organize information, and also how to keep accurate citations so others can follow their trail.

National Geographic Kids Guide to Genealogy is a wonderful choice for young history buffs and budding genealogists, or anyone embarking on an investigation into their ancestry. It is the kind of resource that readers will want to return to again and again. Dig up a copy today!

For the full review and activity suggestion, check Wrapped in Foil blog.

March 4, 2019March 4, 2019

Pancakes to Parathas

Hungry? If not, you will be if you read the new children’s picture book Pancakes to Parathas: Breakfast Around the World by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by Tomoko Suzuki.

What better way to learn about new places than to explore their regional cuisine? McGinty takes the reader to breakfast from Australia to Nigeria in a series of two-page spreads. As she says,

It’s breakfast time around the world
in countries near and far.
Wake up world! It’s time to eat,
no matter where you are!

Each has dual level text, with short, bouncy rhymes for the youngest reader and a denser, detailed paragraph or two for the older reader. Suzuki’s bright illustrations bring the places and food to life.

Pancakes to Parathas will take young readers on a delicious trip around the world. Consume a copy today!

Check Wrapped in Foil for instructions to make Jamaican Cornmeal porridge and more.