Where do new picture book authors come from? The answers vary. Lynne Cox is an award-winner swimmer and author of several books for adults. Katy Beebe teaches history at the University of Texas at Arlington. Alan Rabinowitz has dedicated his life to wildlife conservation and has published many books for adults. Katherine Roy has written and illustrated books for children on separate occasions, but this year she’s taking on both roles. Thelma Godin was a social worker and a school librarian before she devoted herself to her dream of being an author. The following new titles selected by the editors at Junior Library Guild are the fruit of their labors.
GODIN, Thelma Lynne. The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen. illus. by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. 40p. Lee & Low. 2014. ISBN 9781600608469. JLG Level: CE : City Elementary (Grades 2–6).
Itching to win the contest as Queen of 139th Street, Kameeka can’t resist stopping on her way home from the store to hula-hoop. “I was born ready,” she tells her friend Jamara. Before she knows it the girls have drawn a crowd. As Mr. John passes by with doughnuts for Miz Adeline’s party, Kameeka remembers―the cake! The sugar she bought will arrive too late to make the birthday cake. And it’s all her fault. How can she make it up to her?
Read about the author’s journey to publication on her website and follow her on Facebook. Brantley-Newton is a featured illustrator on We Need Diverse Books. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter. The book is highlighted in Books for the Multi-Culti Reader at the Smithsonian. Since 1991, Lee & Low has been publishing stories that emphasize the richness of today’s diverse cultures. Check out the resources on their website and follow them on Twitter. Pair the book with the Wonderopolis Wonder of the Day, Who Invented the Hula-Hoop? According to the Guinness World Records, the longest hula-hooping by an individual is 74 hours and 54 minutes by Aaron Hibbs in Columbus, Ohio in October 2009.
ROY, Katherine. Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands. illus. by author. 48p. Roaring Brook. 2014. ISBN 9781596438743. JLG Level: SCE : Science Nonfiction Elementary (Grades 2–6).
The Farallon Islands, 30 miles off the coast of San Francisco, harbor the perfect dining spot for great white sharks. Thousands of seals and sea lions arrive each fall to breed and give birth. The smell attracts the hungry sharks, but it’s their eyes that help them to target their prey. How do we know that? With the help of a seal-shaped piece of carpet, scientists turn the ocean into an underwater laboratory. Spend a day with them in the Roy’s fascinating story.
In an SLJ interview the author reveals that accompanying scientists to do her research was invaluable. “It helped me make the book a lot more accurate,” Roy said, “being there, having that hands-on experience, seeing the colors of the water, asking a million questions about the sharks, as [the scientists] tagged them, and [about] the water clarity, seasons, birds, all these different things that contributed to the atmosphere of the book.” Her website includes photos, blog posts, and “10 Things to Know About Your Neighborhood Sharks.” You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook. A gorgeous slide show of the illustrations is posted on the book detail page at Macmillan.
RABINOWITZ, Alan. A Boy and a Jaguar. illus. by Catia Chien. 32p. Houghton Harcourt. 2014. ISBN 9780547875071. JLG Level: E : Easy Reading (Grades 1–3).
The teachers at school put him in a class for disturbed children. “Whenever he tries to speak, he disturbs the class.” The teachers thought he was broken. He wondered if he was too. But at home, he could sing without stuttering. And he could talk to animals―no trouble at all! He made a promise to his pets that if he ever found his voice he would use it to protect them from harm. This is the story of how he kept that promise.
Alan Rabinowitz reveals his personal journey in his first book for young readers. Whether you have kids that stutter or not, children will be able to identify with feeling different. The Stuttering Foundation has resources for kids, parents and teachers. If your readers want to know more about Rabinowitz’s work and conservation efforts, send them to Panthera.org. Perhaps your community would like to sponsor one of his projects. You can follow him on Twitter. Visit Catia Chen’s (the illustrator) website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
BEEBE, Katy. Brother Hugo and the Bear. illus. by S.D. Schindler. 34p. Eerdmans. 2014. ISBN 9780802854070. JLG Level: E : Easy Reading (Grades 1–3).
Brother Hugo did not return his library book. Alas, he could not, for a bear ate it. Paying a fine was not enough. Brother Hugo must write out a new book to atone for his sin. Word for word. Line for line. All the while, the bear watched over the creation of the new tome. Would the monk be able to return the copy without being caught by the bear once again?
While studying medieval manuscripts, Beebe learned about Peter the Venerable who had a problem with a manuscript and a bear. Share the author and illustrator’s notes with children. Visit the author’s website where you’ll find a book trailer featuring Beebe herself. You’ll also find an educator’s guide which includes Common Core State Standards. Check out Fun Things for a medieval ink recipe, coloring sheet, and the secret behind the storyline. Schindler includes his blog on his website where you’ll find a video about the art he made for the book. Like him on Facebook. Are your readers interested in learning more about how books are made? Pair a reading with the Wonderopolis lesson, “How Are Books Made?”
COX, Lynne. Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas. illus. by Brian Floca. 48p. Random/Schwartz & Wade. 2014. JLG Level: P+ : Primary (Grades K–1).
“There once was a lovely elephant seal who lived in the city.” Elizabeth swam in the Avon River and pulled herself onshore to sun on the riverbanks. Most days she lay in the sun or rolled in the mud. Early one morning, she changed her routine. Stretching across a two-lane road, she was nearly hit. Something must be done. Perhaps it was too dangerous for Elizabeth to live in the city. Volunteers towed her out to sea and let her go near other elephant seals. She came right back and sunned herself in the road. How could they protect her if she kept finding her way back to Avon?
Cox’s story is based on a real elephant seal. If you weren’t sure what the author did before her children’s book, one look at the Cox’s homepage will reveal her world-renowned past. Don’t miss Mr. Schu’s interview with Cox on his blog, “Watch. Connect. Read.” Readers will learn about Cox’s inspiration and find links to other stories about Elizabeth. Award-winning illustrator Brian Floca’s website abounds with accolades. Check out the extras he posts for other titles. Friend him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter. Readers can learn more about elephant seals at National Geographic.
Additional Resources
The resources for the above titles have been organized in a new JLG Booktalks to Go: Fall 2014 LiveBinder. Titles are sorted by interest level, PreK-3, 3-6, 5-8, and YA. Check out our award-winning Spring 2014 LiveBinder which organizes resources for spring releases. All websites are posted within each LiveBinder, along with the accompanying booktalk. As I write more columns, more books and their resources are added. Everything you need to teach or share brand new, hot-off-the-press books is now all in one place. Booktalks and resources are also included on JLG’s BTG Pinterest board.
For library resources, tips, and ideas, please visit JLG’s Shelf Life Blog.
Junior Library Guild (JLG) is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com. (NOTE: JLG is owned by Media Source, Inc., SLJ’s parent company.)