The artist has also populated the book with all manner of townspeople including shopkeepers, children, policemen and moms---all quite helpless when it comes to the collective cats’ intentions. It is the physical and psychological interactions between people and these clever cats that lend so much fun to the poetic narratives. Gus, the Theatre Cat, recounts all of his great rhetorical moments on the stage, Mr. Mistoffelees, the Conjuring Cat, performs tricks of unbelievable magic and sleepy Old Deuteronomy causes traffic jams in the streets!

OLD POSSUM’S BOOK OF PRACTICAL CATS written by T. S. Eliot and Illustrated by Alex Scheffler , is an attractive volume of enduring and whimsical poetry for children with colorful illustrations full of humor. It is ideal for children 5-9 and up.( Harcourt Children’s Books, 2009).
This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF

Discussion Questions for Old Possum

Fans of Robert Sabuda will enjoy this book for its winter detail and its elaborate sense of design.  The paper technology and engineering that he uses in his creations brings pop-up books to a new level of appreciation for lovers of this art form. 

Sabuda has created over two dozen pop-up books with seven that address aspects of winter and the holiday season.  Each is intricately designed and detailed to amaze even the most discriminating reader.  Whether it’s the squirrels in the trees or the fish leaping from the stream, Robert Sabuda creates a world that fascinates everyone.

Readers of all ages will appreciate this exquisite production and will return to it again and again to explore the detailed imagery it evokes.  Winter’s Tale, written and illustrated by Robert Sabuda is appropriate for readers ages 4 to 8.

Sabuda, Robert.  Winter’s Tale. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2005.

Discussion Questions for Winter's Tale

THE SNOW DAY written and illustrated by Komako Sakai is a small, gentle story about the beauty of nature, family and belonging. It was first published in Japan in 2005.

Little Bunny does not know that it has snowed all night and into the morning. He does not know that his Daddy’s flight home has been cancelled due to the snow. He also does not know that his school, where he attends Kindergarten, is closed . He learns all of this from his Mommy in the morning.

Little Bunny tells his own story of this unexpected day. First, he takes a serious look at the snow from a window of their third floor apartment. The artist gives us a charming picture of Little Bunny  perched on a chair that has been pushed up close against the window for a good look.  Next, we see him out on the balcony studying the snow white silence -----there is no traffic, no people and no movement  except
for the gentle falling of the snow. “Mommy, we are all alone in the world,” he concludes. The illustrations cradle each page in assurance that all will be well.

Bunny wants to go outside and play but is told he must wait until the snow stops. The day moves on quietly. He has lunch, plays cards with his Mommy, watches TV, reads books, draws pictures and has dinner. Then, at bedtime, it happens: the snow stops and Little Bunny and  Mommy go out into the pristine landscape to make the first footprints! They even make some snow dumplings, snow balls and snow  monsters before heading back inside for bed.

This story is simple, understated and totally genuine. The illustrations are painted in dreamy hues of black and white with hints of color for the pale yellow boots and light red mittens. There are many charming details in the pictures including Daddy’s waiting airplane on the title page and the three snow monsters on the final page representing  Daddy, Mommy and , of course, Little Bunny. This is a perfect picture book to share with young children.

THE SNOW DAY written and illustrated by Komaki Sakai is ideal for children 3-6 years of age.( Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for The Snow Day

He assumes that his good deeds are not seen by the family, but in fact, each one is aware of the Goblin’s kindness.  In response, the family reaches out to the Goblin by placing a plate of food at the table setting that had been empty all winter.   When the Goblin enters the home and takes his seat with the family, readers sense clearly that an important change has occurred and that healing for all has begun.

This tale is a sensitive portrayal of grief and loss and how individuals deal with it and may grow through it.  While there is a certain vagueness in the narrative detail of what has happened within the family, the exquisite ink and water color illustrations of Leo and Diane Dillon expand and enrich our understandings.
 
Readers of all ages will appreciate this new fairytale and will return to it again and again to explore the detailed imagery and the compassion it evokes.  The Goblin and the Empty Chair, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, is appropriate for readers ages 4 to 8.

Fox, Mem.  The Goblin and the Empty Chair. Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.  Beach Lane Books.  New York: 2009.

Discussion Questions for The Goblin and the Empty Chair

LISTEN TO THE WIND: The Story of Dr. Greg and THREE CUPS OF TEA is a picture book version of the bestselling book, THREE CUPS OF TEA: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace… One School at a Time. The picture book tells the story of how American nurse Greg Mortenson first came upon a small isolated village in the mountains of Pakistan.

Lost and sick after mountain climbing in the region Dr. Greg literally stumbled into the small village of Korphe. The villagers took him in and nursed him back to health. Wanting to give something back to this small community Dr. Greg asked wise man Haji Ali what he could do. The reply was, “Listen to the wind”. In doing so Dr. Greg heard the chanting of  school children as they attempted to learn their lessons outdoors while writing in the dirt with sticks.

Nicholson’s illustrations of acrylic on canvas reflect the beauty and intimacy of the experience punctuated only by the action statements provided first in Cree and then in English.   The artistic splendor of Nicholson’s illustrations is breathtaking and the fall pallet of colors creates a visual delight for readers.

Niwechihaw or I Help, written and illustrated by Caitlin Dale Nicholson and translated by Leona Mornin-Neilson, is appropriate for ages 4-8 and offers an opportunity to share the importance of generational and cultural bonds.

This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Nicholson, Caitlin Dale.  Niwechihaw.  Translated by Leona Mornin-Neilson. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwoods Books, 2008.

Discussion Questions for Niwechihaw or I Help

THE LION AND THE MOUSE illustrated by Jerry Pinkney is a touching retelling of the enduring Aesop fable. The brilliant approach here is that Pinkney not only tells the story but enriches it without the aid of a literary narrative. The only tools he uses are his incredible pictures and a few onomatopoetic words.

The great golden lion that graces the cover of this striking picture book cannot be ignored. He is without doubt the king of the African Serengeti of Tanzania and Kenya where the artist has placed the story. However, Pinkney’s watercolors endow the beast with a certain gentleness and wisdom. This lion not only reigns but, as revealed in the final illustrations, has a family with household members to attend to ----cubs and all.

Throughout the story the Lion balances his awesome power with elegance, restraint and kindness.  He catches a strange little creature in his paw, studies it, and then lets the mouse go free. The reader can almost feel the Lion thinking through this decision.

The other half of this powerful fable concerns the recently freed mouse. Later in the day, the mouse hears a distressed roar by the Lion and runs toward him.  Sizing up the problem the mouse begins to eat through the ropes that are holding the Lion fast in a cruel trap placed by poachers. The mouse makes progress little by little, does not give up and eventually frees the Lion paying back on the Lion’s kindness directed to him earlier in the day.

Here again Pinkney’s details enrich the characters. The little mouse, too, has a family waiting for him. In fact, the artist shows the little mouse dragging a piece of the now broken rope back to his little mice so they can practice scratching through a rope.

The watercolors are done in warm, golden shades just perfect for the setting. The end papers show a tableau of the lush, animal- full savanna. In the middle stands an attractive Acacia tree. All of the pictures in this book evoke a poetic response.

THE LION AND THE MOUSE illustrated by Jerry Pinkney is ideal for ages 3-7 and, indeed, the whole family (Little and Brown, 2009).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF

Discussion Questions for The Lion and the Mouse

Many illustrations have a rich and intensely blue background. The movement of the sun’s rays is depicted by thousands of tiny and pulsating gold dots. The effect is vividly compelling. The watercolors are full of lush details as the reader sees how plants breathe and use the sun’s rays to produce sugar and go on to release oxygen. A particularly gorgeous picture in green and yellow celebrates the fact that this cycle of life includes the eating of plants. The picture is aglow with animals and people eating leaves, juices, stems, seeds, fruits and flowers!

The text is from the sun’s point of view. In fact, the sun speaks directly to youngsters. Quoting from the book, “ Listen to me. Do this one thing: Lay your hand over your heart and feel. Feel your heart pump, pump, and pump. Feel how warm you are. That is my light, alive inside of you.”

 At the back of the book the authors clarify any oversimplifications that were necessary to keep the story moving forward for young children. In addition there is also a more scientific description of the entire chemical process at the end of the book.

LIVING SUNLIGHT: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life written by Molly Bang and Peggy Chisholm and illustrated by Molly Bang is ideal for children ages 4-8 (Blue sky Press, Scholastic, 2009).

This is Sue Ann Martin for The Children’s Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for Living Sunlight

As Seth and Sara later join the family for dinner, they are once again surprised—this time by the unusual cuisine of “New Zealand land vipers”, “lampfish fins with bees’ knees and guppy filets” and other such delicacies that seemed to move on their plates.  When Mrs. Graves becomes upset because Seth and Sara are not eating, they do their best to calm her down by extending their mother’s invitation to come to the “Union City Ladies Garden Club Tea.”

Needless to say, the cuisine of the Graves’ family is not the only odd and unusual thing about them.  Readers will delight in the scandal that occurs at the Ladies Tea and the absurdities that follow when a Hollywood home decorating star arrives to judge the best decorated house in the village. Crazy and creepy are good descriptors and while things do work out in the end, the journey itself is full of humor and good lessons about human nature.

Polacco uses pencils and markers to create the bold illustrations used in The Graves Family which produce wonderful visual depictions of this loveable but unusual family.

Patricia Polacco calls Union City, Michigan home and has written and illustrated over four dozen books for young people.  While this book is intended for readers ages 4 to 8, it will delight all who appreciate Polacco’s haunting sense of humor.

This is Pamela Gates for The Children’s Bookshelf.

Patricia Polacco.  The Graves Family. Philomel Books: New York, 2003.

Discussion Questions for The Graves Family

The illustrations capture the fun that characterizes the upside down world of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Drawn with India ink pen and vivid watercolors, the figures are colorful, comic and allow the child to enjoy the essence of this world without really knowing the story (which is above this age level) or the music. Especially attractive is the double page spread of a tableau from THE MIKADO, the facial expressions of all the exaggerated characters are engaging.

The author’s notes at the back of the picture book gives a brief biographical overview of these two unlikely partners.

THE FABULOUS FEUD OF GILBERT AND SULLIVAN written by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Richard Egielski is ideal for ages 5-8 (Arthur A. Levine Books/ Scholastic, 2009).

This is Sue Ann Martin for the Children’s Bookshelf.

Discussion Questions for The Fabulous Feud

The darling illustrations are done in ink, colored pencils, and watercolor. They are drawn with many humorous details. I really like the six ghastly ghouls. One looks very much like the figure in Edvard Munch’s The Scream but far cuter. Particularly funny is the picture of the seven mean monsters jumping out from behind closed doors, rattling noise- makers and trying to distract the ghastly ghouls as they carve faces on Halloween pumpkins.  Another fun-filled illustration shows the wretched witches on brooms making flight patterns near the ceiling as the nine morbid mummies try to carry on with the party by continuing a game of pin the tail on the rat.

 The final pages hold the answer to a very interesting question---who of all the monsters is scared the most?  “ BOO! Not the ghost!” says the text.

Haunted Party written and illustrated by Iza Trapani is ideal for children 2-5 years of age (Charlesbridge, 2009).

This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Haunted Party