Sponsored by Holiday House.
This is the ONLY authorized picture book about Mister Rogers, written and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell. Hello, Neighbor! features the full beloved cast of characters of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, both human and puppet. The gentle and inviting illustrations that accompany the remarkably humble story reflect the kindness Fred Rogers promoted day in and day out. Matthew Cordell takes us on a tour of Fred’s life, career, and studio, and shares the impact the show had on children all over the world. This beautiful book inspires values that are especially important right now: love, respect, kindness, and helping our neighbors.
Hi Kid Lit Friends,
Young readers always seem to love origin stories as you can see from the popularity of books like the Percy Jackson and Aru Shah series. I’ve seen some really lovely new picture books featuring origin stories cross my desk, so I thought I would chat about those plus some oldies but goodies.
How the Stars Came to Be by Poonam Mistry is a gorgeous book filled with stunning illustrations and a beautiful story. The Fisherman’s Daughter loved to dance in the sunlight, and bathe in the glow of the moon. But when the moon disappeared for a few nights each month, she worried about her father and how he would find his way home from the sea in the deep darkness. When the sun finds her sobbing one night, he takes one of his rays and shatters it onto the ground, creating the stars and giving the girl the task of putting them into the dark night sky.
The Very Short, Entirely True, History of Mermaids by Sarah Laskow is a fun book that dives deep into the origins of mermaids. Many myths say these creatures are half human and half fish, while others claim they are simply manatees mistaken for something more magical. Some grant wishes and fall in love, yet others have lured sailors to their doom.
Author Sarah Laskow separates the fact from the fiction with this full-color, fully illustrated book that discusses the myths, science, and history that surround mermaids.
Pattan’s Pumpkin by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Frane Lessac, is a variation on the traditional flood myth from the Irular tribe in Southern India. When Pattan finds a yellow-flower vine wilting in his valley, he replants and cares for it, watching as a pumpkin appears and grows taller than the goats, taller than the elephants, as tall as the very mountains. When a terrible storm rages across the valley, Pattan wonders if perhaps his pumpkin can save the seeds and grains and saplings, the goats and birds and bison, and protect them all as the storm clouds burst and the waters rise.
One of my favorite origin story books is D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire. It is beautifully illustrated with captivating stories of Greek heroes. The audiobook is also wonderful and a great way to introduce young readers to the fascinating world of Green mythology. As R. J. Palacio, author of Wonder, has said, “I doubt I would have grown up to be the writer and artist I became had I not fallen in love with D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths at the age of seven.”
The First Strawberries by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Anna Vojtech is a re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. Long ago, the first man and woman quarreled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife’s retreat and bring he back.
What are you reading these days? Let me know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.
Until next time!
Karina
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