Sturdy for Common Things

Review: Primates

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas

by Jim Ottaviani & Maris Wicks

Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound

Published: First Second (June 11, 2013)

Recommended reading age: 11 & up

In a nutshell: Recently I’ve been seeing more and more non-fiction graphic novels pop up on the shelves in the kids room at the library. And for the most part, they have all have been impressive and well executed. I mean really good. Extraordinarily good. I naturally flock towards fantastical graphic novels, but have been amazed by what publishers have been cranking out into this slim genre. My current favorite is Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Gladikas, the true story of the most groundbreaking primate scientists of our time.

Broken into three individual accounts of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Gladikas and a few overlapping scenes with two or all three of the characters together, Primates digs deep into the adventures, the struggles, the observations, and the triumphs of these determined women. All recruited by anthropologist Louis Leakey, not one of the women had backgrounds in their research before they set off in their studies, yet made some of the biggest advances known today of gorillas, orangutangs, and chimpanzees.  They shared a fierce dedication to their craft, were meticulous in their research, and had a whole lot of heart. A truly inspiring book, which after reading kinda makes you feel like you could do almost anything if you put your mind to it. Exactly the kind of book you want to put in the hands of young people.

Don’t take my word for it: “Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas will surely evoke an urge to learn more about these three fascinating women and the primates to whom they devoted their lives.” -review by Shelf-employed

Source of book reviewed: My local library!

image sources: LA Times, Dig Boston

Yarn Magic

Hey folks! I’m over at Library as Incubator Project today talking “yarn magic” for my latest edition of Pages to Projects. Pages to Projects is a seasonal series about how to incorporate elements of art education and appreciation into storytime.

Please be sure to check it out!

Small Press Stories: Hank Finds an Egg

Hank Finds an Egg

by Rebecca Dudley

**Small Press Stories” on Sturdy for Common Things is a new regular series featuring children’s books from small, independent publishers. They aren’t often on everyone’s radar, so this is my way of giving a shout out to the little dudes.**

Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound

Published: Peter Pauper Press (June 1, 2013)

Recommended Reading Age: 3 & up

In a nutshell: I have an affinity for the use of diorama’s in children’s books and I wish there were more of them. They tend to be infrequent gems that pop up year to year. Last year, You Are Stardust  was this gem. This summer, when Hank Finds an Egg was released, I whooped for joy as it is yet another gorgeous and whimsical picture book to add to the collection.

Artist Rebecca Dudley has been posting a story in photographs on her blog storywoods for over three years. She builds the dioramas, lights them, and takes the pictures. A one (wo)man band. Her main cast of woodland characters, who look part bear cub and part monkey, include Hank, Skipper, Li’l Smokey, and a few more to boot. She originally self-published a of couple books, Li’l Smokey’s Special Box and Hank Finds an Egg and Makes Several Friends, which are now out of print. Hank Finds an Egg and Makes Several Friends was picked up by Peter Pauper Press, given a breath of new life, and now we have this lovely book:

Entirely wordless, the story all begins when Hank finds an egg  in the forest and makes it his mission to get it back to where it belongs. The effects are truly spectacular. The lighting and construction of each frame is truly spellbinding. We’ve cherished reading this book the entire time it was granted to us from the library. It will be added it to our personal collection ASAP.

Do you have a favorite children’s book that uses diorama? Please share in the comments below!

Don’t take my word for it: “This is a story about the mystery in the everyday, the excitement that can ring through a peaceful nature walk and the sometimes unexpected interplay between living creatures and their environment. ” –  via Pamela Paul, NY Times

Trailer:

Extras: Visit Hank (and friends) on Rebecca Dudley’s blog, storywoods.

Source of book reviewed: My local library!

Quantrill’s Raid Book List for Young Readers

[Also appears on the Lawrence Public Library Children’s Room blog]

There are many things I love about living in Lawrence, Kansas, one being that it is a town rich with history; a history that is celebrated and honored. This August the city of Lawrence is all a buzz for the 150th anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid, the commemoration of a ruthless Civil War raid of the city by confederate guerrilla soldiers that ended with 200 dead Lawrencians and a town left in ashes.

Current residents of Lawrence have a passionate understanding of the border war between Kansas and Missouri, a rivalry that began during the Civil War and lingers in various forms to this very day. It all began when a massive rush of anti-slavery abolitionists from the northeast and pro-slavery settlers moved in on Kansas when the territory opened for settlement in 1854. These mad dashed were efforts to sway whether Kansas would be a free state or a slave state, and thus began the bloody conflict between pro-slavery Border Ruffians and anti-slavery Jayhawkers in the era appropriately titled “Bleeding Kansas”.

Quantrill’s Raid could have been the end of Lawrence, but the young city was determined. Lawrence rose from its ashes and eventually Kansas entered the Union as a Free State in 1861. Today Lawrence is thriving and (is in my opinion) the best college town in the country. I mean… We have the University of Kansas Jayhawks and a freaking phoenix on our city’s seal. How cool is that?

And you don’t have to be an adult to delve into the history behind Quantrill’s Raid or participate the 1863 Commemorate Lawrence activities. Here is a nifty list of books for kids, both fiction and nonfiction, that will take you back to this remarkable time in Lawrence’s history.

Quantrill’s Raid Book List for Young Readers:

John Brown: His Fight for Freedom by John Hendrix

A picture book published on the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, this biography explores the life of one of American history’s most controversial figures. John Brown died before Quantrill’s Raid, but his story gives a great insight of the Bleeding Kansas time period. (Ages 8 & up)

 

Blue Creek Farm by Carrol Thomas

With her mother dead and her brother riding for the Pony Express, Matty must face the dangers of the Civil War alone, on the family farm near Lawrence, Kansas. (Ages 9 & up)

 

Tragic Prelude: Bleeding Kansas by Karen Zeinert

Read the history of Kansas territory as the Civil War approached. Would it enter the union as a free state or a slave state? (Ages 11 & up)

Bleeding Kansas and the Violent Clash Over Slavery in the Heartland by Jeff C. Young

Learn about Kansas and the violence over slavery before and during the Civil War. Easy text and website resources.  (Ages 10 & up)

A Voice for Kanzas by Debra McArthur

Lucy’s family moves to Kansas Territory and into the conflict between proslavery Border Ruffians and anti-slavery Insiders, like her father. See my lovely staff member Miss Linda’s review. (Ages 11 & up)

Lawrence: Survivors of Quantrill’s Raid by Katie H. Armitage

An illustrated history of William Quantrill’s guerrilla raid on abolitionist Lawrence on August 21, 1863, and brief stories of the survivors. (Ages 14 & up)

Be sure to check out the 1863 Commemorate Lawrence website for more information as well as a list of events offered throughout the city. Although this is more of a grown-up event, my personal favorite is the live Twitter reenactment of Quantrill’s Raid on August 21st. If the voices of the past could tweet, what would they say? New characters join the conversation every day leading up the the event. Follow the conversation using the hashtag #QR1863.

Rumors abound that Quantrill will make a full-moon ride into Lawrence. #QR1863

— Mayor Collamore 1863 (@MayorCollamore) August 12, 2013

If you’re interested in going for a historical walk down memory lane, Kansas Travel has a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Quantrill’s Raid which includes a downloadable map and pictures of local landmarks.

 

image sources: Quantrill’s Raid, 1863 Commemorate Lawrence

Review: The Real Boy

The Real Boy

by Anne Ursu

Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound

Published: Walden Pond Press (September 24, 2013)

Recommended reading age: 8 & up

In a nutshell: I’ve been looking forward to reading The Real Boy all year. I read it back in June and now I’ve dilly-dallied writing this here review. But I’m pleased I did, because it’s provided a lot of time for the story to linger in my mind. Anne Ursu has a way of creating a story that not only sticks to your thoughts, but her innovative and fantastical storytelling grows large enough that it leaves one with the side-effects of daydreaming and wonder.

Oscar is a working boy for one of the most powerful magicians in the Barrow. Antisocial and awkward, Oscar prefers the company of his many cats. His focus is his work of grinding herbs and plants for his Master to sell in his shop to the pockets of needy customers. The Barrow is a forest filled with old and magical trees that at one time used to be living and breathing wizards from days gone. It is also where “the Shining People” of Asteri frequently visit for magical goods. Asteri is a large fortress of a city that was originally a saving grace, imbued with magic to protect the people from a plague epidemic. Now, it is a utopian community of people that are so polished in their clothing and attitude that they literally “shine”.

As we all know, paradise doesn’t last forever. Something unspeakable happens to his Master’s apprentice which launches a sequence of unfortunate events. Oscar and new friend Callie are left to discover the origin of these developments, some of which are linked back as far as the time of the great wizards centuries ago.

Perhaps I’m reading too much into the story, but I found The Real Boy to be one giant metaphor for over consumption. A major theme of the book is the magic of the Barrow and how it has sustained and protected the people of the land since the age of the wizards, the most powerful and wise keepers of the magic. But no one thing is infinite and once it is consumed and eventually mistreated, one has to cope with regrettable results. It is a good reminder that we, too, come from a place that is only able to provide so much. The earth gives us so much beyond our basic sustenance. It is our magic. We must care for it.

I have to admit the ending left me hanging. Every book doesn’t need to conclude with a bright red ribbon tied in a bow. I know this. But I did want a little more. I fear I’ll say too much and spoil it for those that haven’t read the book, but if you have/when you do, I’m interested to know if you feel this way too.

After reading Breadcrumbs and The Real Boy, I can confidently say that Anne Ursu has carved a niche of fantasy prose that is unique all to itself. Rich, transformative, and wondrous. I’ll happily stride right into future worlds her pen creates.

 Don’t take my word for it: “Pick this book up because you love to read beautiful and smart books. Or pick it up because you need a story about friendship and courage. Or truly, pick up The Real Boy because it is a book that should not be missed – this is one to treasure.” – review from Read, Write, Reflect

Extras: Behind the scenes look at the creative process behind cover art for The Real Boy by Erin McGuire via The Nerdy Book Club.

Source of book reviewed: Advanced reader’s copy provided by Walden Pond Press.