Author Archives: Anne Peters

Dancing through Space: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights

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Dancing through Space is the biography of Dr. Mae Jemison, who on September 12, 1992, blasted into space on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Even as a child, Jemison was drawn to science and dance. As she grew, Jemison faced serious setbacks: a teacher who thought she should be a nurse rather than a scientist, a fear of the elevated train that took her to dance lessons, professors who belittled her, and classmates who scoffed at her ambitions.

Jemison could be deterred from her passions, however. She worked hard and graduated with honors from high school, studied chemical engineering at Stanford, and became a medical doctor, all while continuing with dance. Eventually, she was accepted into the NASA space program and made her dream of going to space a reality.

Lydia Lukidis has written a beautiful biography of this awe-inspiring woman. By emphasizing Jemison’s love of both art and science, Lukidis sends a subtle message that anything a child dreams is possible. We can only hope this book inspires a new generation to follow in Jemison’s footsteps.

(Review originally published on Manhattan Book Review and book donated to Maltby Food Bank.)

Forest

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Forest opens by looking at a lush forest from afar, then slowly draws the reader in closer and closer to discover all the life inside of it: the trees and their component branches, trunks, leaves and needles, the sounds of tiny birds, food for squirrels and deer, holes and tunnels in which numerous woodland creatures take cover, glistening spiderwebs, places to nest and rest, and shelter from storms. In other words, a forest is far more than just a bunch of trees. It is a home.

Christine Matheson’s text is rhythmic, simple, and sparse, just perfect for an early reader. The watercolor and collage illustrations, primarily in warm green and brown tones, lend a calm quiet to the text and provide ample details for little readers to discover. Matheson has also thoughtfully provided some helpful ways we can help protect our forests and those who live there and a list of websites to learn more. Possibly the only thing that could improve this book is to take it along on your next hike and read it among the trees.

(Review originally published on the Portland Book Review and book donated to the Maltby Food Bank.)

Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Learns to Ride a Bike

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Frank, a fox, and Bert, a bear, are best friends who like to ride bikes together, but Bert wobbles terribly. Frank wants to help Bert, so Frank promises to hold on to Bert’s bike and stay right behind him. Off they go… until Frank lets go and Bert crashes. Bert refuses to ride his bike again because Frank didn’t keep his word. To apologize, Frank puts a seat on the back of his bike for Bert.

Off they go again… until Frank must carry the much heavier Bert up a steep hill. When Frank collapses at the top, Bert refuses to leave him. Bert puts Frank in the passenger seat and sets off down the hill. Frank is sure Bert will crash, but Bert rides safely, all because his best friend was right behind him.

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros has written a charming tale about friendship and never giving up. The illustrations compliment the text well, by filling in unwritten details of Bert’s zany rides and provide one final visual joke that creates the perfect, ironic ending. Fortunately, this is the fourth Frank and Bert book for those little readers may want to know more about these two best friends.

(Review originally published on Manhattan Book Review and book donated to Maltby Food Bank.)

This is NOT a Dinosaur!

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One of the beautiful features of children’s picture books is that they can be delightfully nonsensical and simply relish in the pure joy of language. This Is NOT A Dinosaur! is just such a book. Here, a young boy journeys along with a giant, green character you might very easily mistake for a dinosaur but instead is any number of other things: a “shine-osaur” when brushing teeth, a “supersonic-kick-osaur” when playing soccer, a “leap-osaur” when raking leaves, a “sleep-osaur” when napping, and a “helpful-with your-hair-osaur” when getting a very cool haircut, among many other iterations. Last and possibly best of all, this creature is “’You’re mine-osaur’” when giving a huge hug.

Barry Timms has written a wonderful, silly book that takes children on a funny, imaginative journey that will keep them wanting to turn pages to see what craziness comes next. Ged Adamson’s illustrations provide the perfect complement with their bright colors and humorous interpretation of the text. Best of all, this book provides the perfect excuse for giving all the little kid-osaurs enormous hugs.

(Review originally posted on the Los Angeles Book Review and book donated to the Maltby Food Bank.)

The Thingamajig

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In The Thingamajig, a baby elephant offers to help find his mother’s thingamajig. In doing so, he encounters a whole host of creatures all looking for their own missing items: a “hoo-zee-wots-it,” a “hoo-pull-pewp,” a “shis-moo”, and a “na-nee na-nee,” to name but a few. When a frog jumps to the conclusion that there is a thief among them, each critter begins to describe what they’ve lost and, surprisingly, the descriptions all fit the same item! Quite the kerfuffle ensues until the baby elephant discovers the bottle cap his mother was missing.

Rilla Alexander has written a playful celebration of nonsense words used across the globe to describe that word we just can’t remember. Children will laugh at these hilarious words (with pronunciation keys included), used in languages such as Norwegian, Bengali, English, Zulu, Arabic, Irish English, Dutch, Australian and Japanese. Combined with Alexander’s bold illustrations in primary color, this book will not doubt keep little listeners entertained. And who knows? You just might hear some new and interesting words the next time something goes missing!

(Review originally published on Manhattan Book Review and book donated to Maltby Food Bank.)

Gather Round

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In Gather Round an unseen narrator describes the steps of building a campfire and the wonderful possibilities that come from that fire. First, stones are gathered into a circle, and tinder is placed inside in the shape of a nest. When the fire is lit, you can hear the fire talk, see its beautiful colors, and maybe even see shapes in the flames. That is just the start, though. The fire will cook a stew, which may attract hungry travelers. Those travelers may stay to play a song or two, while sparks dance up into the huge night sky. The vastness of the sky makes those around the campfire appreciate that they are not alone, but part of a wonderful community.|| David Covell has written and illustrated a cozy book showing the value of simple pleasures and community. The text is simple enough for early readers to read on their own. Covell has also wisely included a short text at the back that describes basic campfire safety. The illustrations, drawn completely in warm earth tones beautifully complement the text. Gather Round will make the perfect read before young readers’ next camping trips or backyard fire pit visits.

(Review originally published on the Portland Book Review and book donated to the Maltby Food Bank.)


I Want a Lion!

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In I Want a Lion!, a young boy wakes up one day to propose a crazy variety of animals as pets to his mother: a lion, a hippopotamus, an orangutan, a goat, and a parrot. The boy’s mother points out the drawbacks of each animal. The lion is dangerous. A hippo will get mud everywhere. An orangutan will break all glasses. A goat will eat his father’s underwear, both clean and dirty. A parrot is too noisy.

The boy rejects all of his mother’s suggestions: a stick insect, a goldfish, a hamster, a tortoise, a rabbit and a cat. Finally, they agree on a dog and go to the shelter to find a small dog that smells like flowery soap. Instead, the boy, triumphant in his real quest, finds a vibrant, furry bundle of joy.

I Want a Lion! is a hilarious tale of a boy’s machinations to get his mother to agree to a pet. Here, however, the illustrations almost steal the show in their vivid celebration of color. Together the words and illustrations make an irresistible combination. Beware, however: this book may to lead to interesting conversations about pets.

(Review originally posted on the Los Angeles Book Review and book donated to the Maltby Food Bank.)

Party Rex (A Rex Book)

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How does one behave when invited to a birthday party for a dinosaur named Rex? Surprisingly, much the same way one should behave at anyone’s birthday party. Begin by wishing the guest of honor a happy birthday! When offered hats and party favors, only take one so there is enough for everyone. When party games begin, include everyone. And the point is not to win or lose, but to have fun. With games over, it’s time to sing happy birthday and enjoy one slice of cake. Try to choose a present you love in the hope that Rex will love it, too. Finally, when it is time to go home, be sure to thank Rex.

Caldecott Honor Winner Molly Idle has written the ideal book to help little ones prepare for what will happen and how to be good guests at a birthday party. Illustrated in fanciful, soft pastel drawings, this book teaches gentle lessons about being considerate to others. What a lovely book to help ensure everyone has a good time on these fun occasions!

(Review originally published on the Chicago Book Review and book donated to the Maltby Food Bank.)

A Voice Like Yours

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A Voice Like Yours is a celebration of the value of every voice in whatever form it might take. Some express themselves through art or voting or inspiring others or helping others be heard. Voices can be loud or soft and may use many different languages, including sign language. Some voices use technology to be heard, and some use their voices to help those who are shy or go unheard. And, as important as it is to use your voice, it is equally important to listen. Each voice is a superpower that the world needs.

Authors Frank Murphy and April Groman have created a wonderfully inclusive exploration of voice. Readers hear that no matter how they choose to speak and through whichever medium they choose, their voice matters and has something to contribute to the world. Kayla Harren’s illustration perfectly complement the text, showing children and adults in all different situations speaking up in positive ways. In a world where children are often told to be quiet, this books reminds them of the power of their voices.

(Review originally posted on the Los Angeles Book Review and book donated to the Maltby Food Bank.)

My Thoughts Have Wings

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In My Thoughts Have Wings, a child describes how it feels to go to bed at night and find scary thoughts flapping about in her mind: spiders in the house, scary dreams, or bigger kids being mean at school. The child’s mother explains that thoughts are like birds. Some fly away quickly and some stay and nest. While everyone worries, the child needs to make space for happy thoughts to nest. So the child imagine happy moments like eating ice cream at the beach or visiting grandparents. Pretty soon, the happy thoughts roost, and the child falls asleep, smiling.

It can break a caregiver’s heart to see troubled thoughts make sleep difficult for a child. Here, New York Times best-selling poet and author Maggie Smith gives caregivers a wholesome, gentle way to approach to the fears and gives children a method to ease their anxieties. Leanne Hatch’s illustrations perfectly capture both the scary thoughts and joyful ones. In a world that is often scary for both children and adults, My Thoughts Have Wings provides a reassuring antidote.

(Review originally posted on the Los Angeles Book Review and book donated to the Maltby Food Bank.)