What to Bring (2023)

What to Bring by Lorna Schultz Nicholson (2023) is a story for our current times. Malia smells smoke. Far in the distance are huge white-and-gray clouds. Two pages in flames appear on the horizon. Milia's father comes home from work, "and it isn't even dinnertime." Her family must evacuate. Mommy and Daddy are kind as they repeatedly inform Malia that she can't bring so many of her toys with her when they leave. She creates a pile of stuffed animals, pillows, blankets, and books. That's too many. She can choose only three things. The moral of the story is only implied. Ellen Rooney shows us that Malia put her her plush Rabbit and Turtle in her back pack, but we never learn what it is she whispers to her mother. The final image shows the family arriving at an unidentified home and the text reads, "Malia knows she brought what is important." What, exactly?

Pamela Camel (1984)

Pamela Camel by Bill Peet (1984) is another of his stories about coping with a life changing event. Pamela is a disrespected camel in the Brinkerhoff Brothers Big Top Circus. She could never do "something clever or sensational to excite the crowds." Consequently, she's just an ordinary camel that stands beside other animals for visitors to look at. Sadly, she's ridiculed; she's called bad-tempered, stupid, and dumb. One day, she walks away from circus life. She has no idea where to go, so she walks down a railroad track. When she comes upon a break in the track, she worries. She knows that a train will wreck on such a break. Toss in a thunderstorm and nightfall to keep Pamela close by. Then Peet gives Pamela conviction and courage. Here comes a train. What will she do? Her actions cause her to become the star of the circus show. 

*Stopping by Woods on a Snowing Evening (1923, 1969)

*This publication of Stopping by Woods on a Snowing Evening by Robert Frost (1923, 1969) is illustrated by Susan Jeffers (1978, 2001) Her stunning painting of snow covered trees and wildlife in a forest are as beautiful as I've always seen her picture book illustrations. She offers meaningful context for this famous poem. She gives us a elderly gentleman bundled up in a red plaid coat, green striped scarf, and blue blanket with gold stars driving a one-horse sleigh.  This man is happy to ride through this winter wonderland. When he stops "without a farmhouse near", he plops into the snow to make a snow angel. When his curious horse "gives his harness bells a shake", this gentleman has unloaded a armful of hay from the back of his sled. He carries it and a large bag of seed into the woods that "are lovely, dark and deep. . ." Now Jeffers can call upon her skills at depicting wildlife. Deer and birds, rabbits, chipmunk, and squirrel feast upon this gift. An author's note at the back describes briefly how her mother taught her to paint. While painting the illustrations for this book, she was living on a small farm in the midst of snowy fields. 

Imagine a Night (2003)

 Imagine a Night by Sarah L. Thompson (2003) seems to have text written specifically for Rob Gonsalves' unique paintings. This is a large book so as to highlight the artwork. The book jacket compares Gonsalves' paintings to "the richness of a Chris Van Allsburg". I guess so, because I'm not sure who else paints surrealism with such precision for children. Let me try to describe the cover art: A landscape of tall evergreens and cloudy blue sky are reflected in a lake. The spaces between the reflections of the trees gradually transforms into a line of young women emerging from the water. Thompson's text is: "Imagine a night. . . when moonlight spills across the water to make a path for the lightest feet." These images depict "that delicious time between sleep and wakefulness. . ." 

I'm also reminded of the art in The Painter and the Wild Swans   and possibly the art of David Wiesner .

A Home for Little Turtle (1992)

 A Home for Little Turtle by Ariane Chottin/adapted by Deborah Kovacs (1992) is a simple story about a turtle who complains about lugging around a heavy shell. Little turtle encounters many other animals and asks them where they live. All the other creatures seem better off than little turtle--until it meets a snail. The snail points out that little turtle is luckier than all the other fellows it met because little turtle can "'travel the world, sleeping under the stars, and always have a place to call home.'" There's some information about turtles at the back of the book. This story reminds me of Franklin in the Dark  in that this turtle also travels about talking with other creatures, ultimately finding peace with himself. Pictures by Pascale Wirth are quite nice, blending realism with a childlike softness. 

Rain Forest (1988)

 Rain Forest by Helen Cowcher (1988) is a scary story without a happy ending. Her large, brightly colored paintings introduce us to wildlife in the rain forest. Then, there are several pages of impending doom. "From afar, there came a terrible tale . . . something sinister in the air." Machines are cutting down trees. The animals are fleeing to higher ground. When floods come, "There were no trees to hold the soil in place, so the river burst its banks." I won't give away the ending entirely. I can say that generalized anxiety about future disaster is very real.

*The Goat Lady (2004)

 The Goat Lady by Jane Bregoli (2004) seems to be a true story. A short biography of the main character is at the back of the book. The story is narrated by two children who move into a new housing development near an old farmhouse. It's "paint was peeling, its doors hung crookedly from their hinges, and the yard was full of white goats." The neighbors complain about the old farmhouse and its unruly animals. These children visit Noelie, the old woman who lives there. They learn about all things goats and also help with farm chores. It so happens that the children's mother is a painter. They ask if she would paint a portrait of Noelie and her goats. The result is an exhibition at the town hall. After this, the neighbors understand Noelie's situation, and many offer to help her out. What makes this remarkable story even better are the beautiful illustrations. Curious that, given the story's emphasis on goat's milk, none of the illustrations of goats include utters. 

My Picture Book Talk lesson for this story is here.