Media Matters

 Picture book by Gloria Whelan. This darling picture book is based on the true story of the machine Prince Albert designed so that his wife could swim in the ocean. I appreciated the loving way their marriage and family life was depicted. The illustrations with all of their children were particularly fun, and the rhyming prose was hilarious. Activity idea: Swim in the ocean together.

 Picture book by Ed Vere. Leonard the lion is a gentle poet. His lion friends think the only right way to be a lion is to be fierce. Can his poetry convince them otherwise? Activity idea: Write a poem.

 Picture book by Mo Willems. It takes courage to question societal norms (Why not?) Wilbur the naked mole rat likes to wear clothes, so he does, much to the consternation of the other mole rats. My favorite thing about this story is that in the end, some of the mole rats wear clothes, and some of the mole rats don’t, yet they get along and have fun together despite their differences of opinion. Activity idea: Play with some dress up clothes.

 Picture book by Taro Yashima. This story of a boy who doesn’t fit in because he is an outsider and learns differently than others, is a bit melancholy. The ending, in which the villagers learn to appreciate the boy’s strengths and recognize their own faulty assumptions, is sweet. I don’t love the style of the illustrations, but it’s definitely worth a read and discussion.

 Book by Eileen Spinelli. This was a very quick read, written in short free verse poems with a wonderful pencil sketch to illustrate each poem. The poems are written by Diana, a young poet and astronomy enthusiast, who talks about her life and family and having to move to a new city. The tone is both wistful and hopeful. Simple and lovely.

 Memoir by Jacqueline Woodson. This is such a beautifully written memoir of the author’s growing up years. Told entirely in free verse, it touches on divorce, moving, civil rights protests, extended family, life as a Jehovah’s Witness, lead paint poisoning, an uncle in jail, sibling rivalries, friends and neighbors, and most of all, her desire to become a writer. And although my growing up years were different from hers, there are things we have in common. Our humanity, our dreams, our love for our families... these are the things that bind us all together as people, that give me hope for unity rather than racial divisions. Ages 10-adult.

 Picture book by Dan Bar-El. A dragon who doesn’t breathe fire ends up saving the day in his own quirky way. A darling reminder to be yourself.