Saturday, August 28, 2021

THE WHOLE HOLE STORY by Vivian McInerny. Illus. by Ken Lamug.  New York:  Versify, 2021.  32p.  ISBN 978-0358129486 hc. $17.99     Gr. K-2     E FIC

Zia, who liked to collect things in her pocket, found a hole in it one day.  It grew bigger and bigger until she fell through it, only to fill the hole with water for fishing and swimming.  Zia's imagination also grew bigger, turning clouds into animals, including an elephant with a story of its own.  After several adventures, she set the hole down and looked at it from faraway.  As she viewed from different angles, the hole grew smaller and returned to its original pocket size.  Zia's adventure is enhanced by Lamug's animated illustrations that include a worm with personality, a cloud lion with an attitude, and an optimistic elephant to round out the story.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

HENRY AT HOME by Megan Maynor.  Illus. by Alea Marley.  New York: Clarion Books, 2021.  40p. ISBN 978-132891675-4 hb. $17.99     PreS-Gr. 1     E PIC

Henry and Liza were the best of siblings and playmates.  They did everything together and had their own special place at the base of an old twisty tree.  However, everything changed when it was time for Liza to attend kindergarten - by herself.  Henry had to say home, and was quite upset on the first day of school.  When Liza returned with stories of her new routine, Henry shared his adventures with her also.  Life would be different for both of them, except for the time they spent together in their Best Place in the twisty tree.  This is a thoughtful story of transition for youngsters.  The digitally drawn illustrations move the story along in beautiful hues of color.  
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

HOW TO WEAR A SARI by Darshana Khiani. Illus. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, 2021. 32p.  ISBN 978-1328635204 hc. $17.99     Gr. K-2    E PIC

Tired of bring told she was too young to do many activities, the protagonist decides to impress her family by mastering the complicated technique of wearing a sari.  There’s a reason that folding a sari is considered to be an adult skill.  Readers will learn the procedure for wearing a sari, beginning with the undergarments, followed by tucking folding and pleating the long fabric into a shirt and shawl wrapped around the body.  Readers of all ages will enjoy this fanciful peek info Indian culture and reminder of how families of all cultures share the same values.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI