children’s literature

Myths Across the Map by Yours Truly

We know what happens when entire nations cannot stymie their collective fears. We know what happens when whole civilizations select a scapegoat for inexplicable suffering. History maps these trends. Throughout the Myths Across the Map series (now available through Gareth Stevens Publishing), I chronicled 4 of the 6 major global myths. I tracked down the… Continue reading Myths Across the Map by Yours Truly

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

Warning: this book may induce wild dancing and self-acceptance! Andreae, Giles. Giraffes Can’t Dance. Illus. Guy Parker-Rees. New York: Orchard Books, 1999. Print. Genre: picture book Summary: Gerald the giraffe wants to be like all the other animals and join the jungle dance, but his long legs make him too clumsy. Critique: The illustrations are… Continue reading Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

Happy With Me by Leo Timmers

A comic strip artist employs a clever visual tactic to establish the perfect bedtime reading pace. Timmers, Leo. Happy with Me. Los Angeles, CA: Smallfellow Press, 2002. Print. Genre: picture book Summary: A wistful boy spends his bedtime fantasizing about being other animals. Elephants, penguins, octopi—each creature leads readers off on whimsical and silly adventures… Continue reading Happy With Me by Leo Timmers

Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore

Can too much curiosity spur accidental bullying? Moore, Julianne. Freckleface Strawberry. Illustrations by LeUyen Pham. New York: Bloomsbury, 2007. Print. Genre: picture book Summary: An exuberant little girl tries everything to hide her red hair and freckles. She quickly uncovers a difficult choice: either go through life alone and uncomfortable or accept her own oddities. Critique:… Continue reading Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore

A Hungry Lion, Or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Look out, creative writers! Using a list format to tell a compelling story just fell into the capable hands of a children’s author. Cue sinister guffaw: MUHUHUHU-WHA-HAHAHA! Cummins, Lucy Ruth. A Hungry Lion, Or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2016. Print. Genre: children’s picture book Summary: An unassuming… Continue reading A Hungry Lion, Or A Dwindling Assortment of Animals by Lucy Ruth Cummins