Recent Read: The Thickety: A Path Begins

The Thickety: A Path Begins by J. A. White

As the children of an executed witch, Kara and her little brother Taff are shunned by their small, secluded island community, for there is nothing more evil than witchcraft. Kara knows and believes this too, until a mysterious bird guides (or lures?) her to a grimoire, full of magic, power and, perhaps, ties to her mother.

The title refers to the black forest that rules a significant portion of their little island. The Thickety is home to nightmarish creatures, black trees, dark magic, and the evil Sordyr. The Children of the Fold, as the island people call themselves, follow the teachings of Timoth Clen, a man who eradicated magic from their world many years before. By strictly adhering to the cardinal rules of his cult-like religion, the villagers can protect themselves from evil (and each other). The rules are: 1. Never use magic. 2. Never enter the Thickety.

In one fell swoop, Kara violates both of these rules and opens a sort of Pandora’s box in the form of an insidious and magical grimoire.

Sinister. That’s the word to describe this gripping children’s novel. Despite the size, format and illustrations, this is a dark story, not for the feint of heart. White does not shy away from pure, unadulterated evil in this tale of power, addiction, and truth. But this is one of the reasons it’s so good. It’s a unique and complex story, full of excitement. The language is both evocative and concise. As the title suggests, the path begins here, and I was left both shocked and eager to see what happens next. One of my favorites of 2014.


Book 2, The Thickety: The Whispering Trees, comes out March 10, 2015.

Picture This: Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

As the title suggests, Sam and Dave decide to dig a hole in the yard in the hopes of finding something spectacular. What they cannot see (though the dog seems to know) is how close they are to finding gigantic diamonds. They continue to dig, but will they ever find anything spectacular?

I would love to see an audience of children react to this one. I can imagine the shouts and cries as Sam and Dave miss yet another giant diamond.  The only problem I see is that the ending doesn't quite makes sense (they dig themselves through the bottom of the earth?), but I don't know that kids will really care.

Picture This: Viva Frida

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales

Viva Frida is a lovely tribute to Frida Kahlo. Morales has made beautiful handmade dolls, setting them in brightly colored scenes, which were then expertly photographed by Tim O'Meara. I can't think of another book quite like this. Each page contains no more than 3 words (usually 2): simple phrases like "I see," "I search," "I dream," with Spanish translation in lighter, italic type in the background. Motifs and symbolism from Frida Kahlo's paintings (and life) are featured throughout (her monkey, parrots and dog, a wounded deer, the earrings she wears are in one of her self portraits). Her husband, Diego Rivera is present, as is her famous blue house.

But I'm not sure how well it succeeds as a book for children. It's hard to follow. There's no story at all. At one point the ideas are dragged over so many spreads that I forgot what it was saying (and I'm not sure how much literal/logical sense it made anyway). The whole thing could be summarized with one trite phrase like "live, laugh, love" (I create therefore I live

The dream sequence, the abstract concepts, the surreal art--is it all lost on the audience? Can it mean much to someone totally unfamiliar with Frida's work--child or adult? But it is beautiful to look at, and children, I'm sure, will appreciate the art. As I saw someone say, it seems a bit more like an art installation in tribute to Frida than a book for children.

Picture This: Pom and Pim

Pom and Pim by Lena Landstrom, illustrated by Olof Landstrom

Pom and her stuffed...creature have a lot of ups and downs, but what seems like bad luck often turns to good.

Personally, I love Pom and Pim for the face plant alone.

Much like Jeff Mack's Good News Bad News except this time, it's good luck and back luck.

Picture This: Neighborhood Sharks

Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands by Katherine Roy

The cover alone should give you a clue to how awesome this nonfiction picture book is. First time writer (she's previously illustrated three other books) Katherine Roy starts off in the water with an unsuspecting sea lion:

"While their 800,000 human neighbors dine on steak, salad, and sandwiches, the white sharks hunt for their favorite meal." 

Building suspense through a number of perfectly framed spreads, Katherine Roy introduces us to the infamous predators with a dramatic punch as the great white finally catches his dinner, leaving a cloud of red in his wake.

"But how do they do it?"

"But how do they do it?" she asks. What follows is series of spreads focusing on specific traits of great whites (and their prey) that make them the formidable predators they are. She shows the reader how things like a warmer body temperature and a streamlined body work, with diagrams depicting blood vessels as pipes or comparing sharks to airplanes. The illustrations that accompany the clearly explained facts are consistently fantastic (and often contain a bloodied meal somewhere).

About halfway through Roy shifts gears (and what a well done transition it is) to describe the research performed in the Farallon Islands. Every September, great whites converge on these small islands, located just 30 miles from San Francisco. She describes how the scientists study the sharks (identifying them by their unique, dorsal fins, attaching tags to collect more information, etc) and what we have learned as a result of this research.

In the author's note, Roy describes being able to spent time with the Farallon scientists, learning from them, and even venturing out into the bay with them. Her interest in the subject is apparent not just from the note, but in the excellence of her work. She seamlessly combines exciting narrative with interesting information. The prose is interesting and clear. The illustrations dynamic and beautiful. Superb. I hope to see her win an award come the ALA Youth Media Awards.

Recent Read: El Deafo

El Deafo by Cece Bell

At the age of four, Cece loses her hearing after a bad bout of meningitis. She must now navigate the world with the help of powerful hearing aids that allow her to hear, but not always understand, the sounds around her.

As she enters a new school where everyone but her can hear, she becomes the deaf girl, trapped in a bubble that no one dares approach. Her very visible Phonic Ear seems to ward off her classmates, but she discovers that it gives her superpowers! Not only can she hear her teacher in the classroom, but anywhere in the building—scolding a student in the hallway, complaining to other teachers in the lounge, and even the “zzzip” “tinkle” sound of her teacher going to the bathroom! Thus her superhero alter ego, El Deafo, is born.

This is author-illustrator Cece Bell’s own story. Her deafness may set her apart, but the emotions she feels and challenges she faces are universal. What Cece desires most is to find the elusive true friend. It’s a journey that’s painful at times, but always told with a strong dose of humor.

Bell deftly communicates the experience of being deaf. First we see empty speech bubbles, then the unclear dialogue that she compares to listening to someone underwater (“I thig you loo goo”). She depicts what Cece thinks she hears next to what someone is actually saying (“doo yoo wan sumding do dring? We haff Jerry’s mop…shoes…or a goat” cherry pop, juice, coke). She goes to a special school to learn how to lip read and decipher visual, contextual, and gestural clues.

But Bell’s expressive skill does not end there. Her depictions of day to day life (which includes everything from TV to crushes) are relatable and funny. Cece’s struggle to find a good friend, though she’s at times trapped in a “bubble of loneliness,” while at others trapped with friends that don’t treat her very well, rings true.

In the author’s note Cece Bell talks about deafness and how this is a depiction of her unique experience and emotions. As a child, she believed for a time that her deafness made her different, disabled, and ashamed. But she came to appreciate it. “And being different?” she says, “That turned out to be the best part of all. I found that with a little creativity, and a lot of dedication, any difference can be turned into something amazing. Our differences are our superpowers."

I highly recommend this funny, heartwarming graphic novel. It’s the best children’s book I’ve read all year.

Recent Read: Through the Woods

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

In one story from Emily Carroll’s Gothic collection of graphic short stories, a new bride arrives at a manor house that is now hers. At night she hears a sad song:

"I married my love in the springtime, but by summer he'd locked me away. He'd murdered me dead by the autumn, and by winter I was naught but decay. It's so cold where I am and so lonely but in loneliness I will remain, unloved, unavenged, and forgotten, until I am whole once again." 

She goes searching through the house--in the walls, under the floor. And this is what she finds:

It gets creepier, as do all of Emily Carroll’s stories in this haunting collection. The beautiful illustrations, as you can see, contribute to the eerie tone. I half expected some ghostly hand to reach out and pull me into its depths. A must for fans of horror and another great read for Halloween.