Friday, February 28, 2020

Nine Months -- Perfect Picture Book Friday

Cover art for Nine Months

Title: Nine Months Before a Baby is Born
Author: Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Jason Chin
Publisher: Neal Porter Books, 2019

I chose this book because I have a friend who is having a baby. I am so excited for the whole family. She announced to the world that her life is changing and they are preparing for another boy to join the family. As scientists and parents, I believe this book will be a great addition to their family discussions about the new baby.

The story is written in simple poetry describing in simple terms what is happening inside mommies belly.

On the left-hand spreads, we see illustrations of the baby from fertilized egg to the moment it's time for mom and dad to head to the hospital. Each illustration of the baby's formation and growth is actual size.

two page spread of book. "line. Spine. Dine tiny hair. Tasting a thumb. Tasting what's there."

On the right-hand spread, the illustrations take you through the life of a family of three as they prepare for the arrival of the new baby.

The illustrations are created with watercolor and gauche. The family images are bright and show the changes of the seasons to help set up time passing. The illustrations of the baby in the belly are set on a deep blue background and the number of weeks that have past are included.

The book back-matter adds more in depth information about babies and how they grow. There are little snippets about things babies can do before they're born, comparisons of the gestation periods of humans vs. animals, and a section called what if? This section talks about multiple births, premature births, and miscarriage.

Why I like this book:

So often children grow up knowing that babies happen, but they are not shown a more in-depth look.  I feel like this book opens the door to conversations about how babies grow and what to expect about a new baby coming into the family.

I really like the side-by-side between the growth of the baby and the family preparing for that a new life to come home.

The simple text and beautiful illustrations can be read as a family or the child can spend time looking and discovering on his/her own.

Activities and Resources

There is an excellent exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Check out the link for an online experience.

Check out the bibliography at the back of the book for more reading.

How to answer questions as they arise.


Friday, February 21, 2020

Explorers -- A Perfect Picture Book for Friday

Book Cover Art for Explorers

I love museums. They are filled with so many wonders. I am also very nervous about museums. They are huge with lots of rooms and loads of people. It can get overwhelming. But everything is so impressive and awe inspiring.

In comes Explorers by Matthew Cordell. This wordless picture book is a whole new way to explore. Each image provides so much to see and think about. You are in the Museum, some iconic views of Chicago museums, and then rooms from . . . Wait. let's start at the beginning. The opening scene is an ode to the cover of The Beatles album Abbey Road
Opening spread of family walking to the museum. View point of street like cover of Abbey Road Album

The Beatles Abbey Road Album Cover image


Then there's the iconic Chicago hot dog stands, and the people who set up shop selling trinkets and magic.

illustration of hot dog stand and magic origami trinket stand

The story is about visiting a museum and discovering friendship along the way. The boy purchases a magic origami bird and plays with it through the museum. When it is caught by another child, the boy grabs it back and gets into trouble, but as stories go, that is not the end and the boy takes an unexpected tour in the museum.

This story begins before the title page with the scenes from above. Then the family and readers enter the museum.

Photo of the Field Museum in Chicago

While it seems that the story is set in the Field Museum, if you have spent time in the museums in Chicago, I believe that Matthew is testing us to see if we know where all these scenes really are located. I believe he added scenes from The Peggy Notebaeret Museum, and The Art Institute.

Take a close up look at the entrance in the Field museum photo above. The pattern of the blocks above the doorway and the blocks on the upper right and left of the building, are mimicked on the benches in the book. I can't remember if the benches really look like that, but you will see this pattern repeated a lot throughout the Field Museum.

This book is about museums, family, magic, Chicago, and friendship. The more you look, the more magic will appear.

What will you discover on your explorations?

Resources and Activities:

Whether you live in Illinois or another state, there are many museums you can visit and become and explorer.

Did you know that Museums and National Parks offer free days? If you live in or around Chicago, here's a list of free days.
https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/museums-art/free-museum-days-in-chicago/
If you don't live in the Chicago area, be sure to check out your community. 

The University in my town has a small museum that is free and open to the public. There are many places you can visit at little or no cost, take some time to see what's in your neighborhood.

You will also find hidden in the images, the Mold-O-Rama machines that are fixtures at several locations in Illinois. You can learn more about them here.

You can make your own flying origami bird.

Learn more about Matthew and follow him on Instagram.

A bit about wordless picture books.

You can also check out his wife, Julie Halpern's books too.


Thursday, February 13, 2020

Valentiny Writing Contest -- Meet Al



It's contest time! Valentiny style. (Follow the link for more Valentiny Stories) This year's contest theme is a valentine story where someone who feels curious. The other rules are the story must be 214 words or less. 
I am all about curiosity. One of my favorite quotes comes from Albert Einstein says, “I am enough of the artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

That was my inspiration for this story. 
As I have been working on my drawing skills, I decided to create a character named Al.  I called him Little Al the Curious Boy. My first idea started with Al who's first word was Why?
pencil sketches of Al the Curious boy
Somehow it went in a different direction than I expected. But it's fun to follow the story and see where it will take you.  My first typed draft was 338 words. In three days I revised the story about 7 times, clarifying and cutting. 

Here's the final version:

Al Asks Why
By Sarah Tobias
211 words

In a moment of quiet at breakfast Al asked, “Why?”
He had no chance to say anything more.
Though they didn’t know what Al wanted to know, they explained, and answered and talked. They googled and futzed, answered questions unasked without stopping to take a breath.
Al wandered outside with a box. He played house, drove a car, then flew a plane.
When mom noticed Al, she droned on about how boxes are made. Al listened a bit then snuck away. He hunted for bugs and cool stuff.
At dinner Al’s parents explained entomology. Did you know worms have five hearts?
Al ate, washed his dish, and went to his room. He painted and cut out rainbow hearts.
His parents came in and described the ins and outs of human hearts.
Al took a bath, got ready for bed, turned off the light, and slept.
At breakfast, Al’s parents continued. They described, clarified, and expounded.
Finally stopping for a breath.
“WHY?!” Al interjected.
His parents froze and for once remained quiet.
“Why do you always talk and explain? I’d rather play and adventure.” He took their hands and walked out to the garden.
They climbed into his heart covered box. This Valentine’s Day they sailed and floated across a rainbow sea.