Non-fiction book review - Myths of China

 

Myths of China by Xiaobing Wang

A collection of myths is always a compelling thing. These stories tell us a great deal about how a culture viewed the world. We see power structures, interactions, and values. This particular collection is told in clear, easily understood language. And as far as myths are concerned, these are not especially violent or agressive. They are stories that would be okay for a younger child to read without becoming overly upsetting. With pleasant, stylized illustrations this is an excellent addition to any collection of mythology books.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight - Jackson's Wilder Adventures

 

Jackson's Wilder Adventures by Sarah Davidson

Blend the dynamic of Calvin and Hobbes with the vibe of the Science Comics series and you'll get something like this book. Comprised of three shorter stories, each one follows the same pattern: Jackson encounters some difficulty and thinks it would be easier to be an animal. His thylacine pal then takes him on a magical journey to the wild to see animals in their natural habitat and learn how they live, a lesson that generally relates directly to his problem. Fun, accessible, and educational.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Pocket chickens

 A while back I started collecting ends of yarn too small for use in regular projects, tying them together into a wild mish-mash of colors. I had the vague notion of using them to make ... something. Apparently something means chickens. These simple little chickens are knitted in a tube and are small enough to fit in a pocket.

WWW Wednesday

 What are you currently reading?

Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution by Sherri Winston - Lotus is thrilled to have the chance to attend the new arts focused school in her area. But protest is growing that the funding should have been sent to the local public school instead. Then Lotus's beloved afro begins to attract negative attention as well.

What did you recently finish reading?

So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky - A group of girls are excited for a school vacation at an isolated island cabin. Then one girl's boyfriend arrives along with a mysterious fog. Something on the island is very wrong and it doesn't want them to leave.

What do you think you'll read next?

Fowl Play by Kristin O'Donnell

Graphic novel spotlight - SCRAM

 

SCRAM by Rory Lucey

Most kids have dreamed of discovering something rare or new: Bigfoot, dinosaurs, treasure, or ghosts. That's the idea at the heart of this book. A trio of friends set out in search of magical beings. They do their research and armed with a collection of facts they search for clues. Therein lies one of the benefits of this book. THey learn how to research and fact-check. There's an underpinning of media literacy throughout the story. Overall, though, it's a fun story focused more on humor than anything else. It's somewhat reminiscent of the Bad Machinery series, though aimed at a slightly younger audience.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Picture books for everyone - Every Here Has a There

 

Every Here Has a There by Margo Linn

For a non-fiction picture book to be appreciated by multiple age groups it has to serve a couple of functions. This book achieves that aim well. For small kids it functions as an opposite book. Up and Down. Empty and Full. Here and There. These concepts are stated plainly and well supported by simple illustrations. At the same time, the main body of the text walks us through the production and shipping of products internationally. It's a solid way to help kids question and understand where products in a store come from. A great way to help young readers understand a concept that we don't think much about.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic novel spotlight - Woe

 

Woe by Lucy Knisley

Having followed Knisley on social media for a while, I've long enjoyed her comics about cats, especially the early ones about the aging cat Linney. If this book had only been a collection of Linney comics that would have been okay with me. But she's taken it beyond that simple construct. She's woven a narrative and reflection about the nature of owning cats into the collection. With the last section a more melancholy reflection on aging and loss, this is a charming and heart-felt story of cats and family.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley