MY PICKS FOR THIS WEEK

       

     

 

Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail by Lesléa Newman; illustrated by Susan Gal (published January 28, 2020). 

This is the Sidney Taylor Book Award for Picture Book winner for this year. It is easy to see why - it has lovely illustrations and it presents a very accessible introduction to the Passover Seder celebration. I am not Jewish but I have attended Seders as an adult. I had forgotten about opening the door to welcome the prophet Elijah! Passover begins at sunset on March 27th this year. This is the perfect book to introduce your kids - or yourself - to this meaningful holiday.

 

Building Zaha: The Story of Architect Zaha Hadid by Victoria Tentler-Krylov (published December 1, 2020).

As soon as I can start traveling again, I am going to Cincinnati to see the Contemporary Arts Center Zaha designed and built! And maybe to Glasgow for the Riverside Museum, too. Learn more about her by reading this picture book biography!

Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin by Tracy Newman; illustrated by Abigail Halpin (published May 12, 2020)

This book was an Honor title for the Schneider Family Book Award for this year. This award is presented to an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for children audiences. Did you know that Itzhak Perlman had polio when he was four years old? His whole body was weakened by the disease - especially his legs. He was unable to walk without braces and crutches. But that did not stop him from becoming the world's greatest violinist! Before you read the book, turn to the back and read Abigail Halpin's note.  Then find a few recordings of Itzhak's music and listen to them while you read! 

 

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Floyd Cooper (published February 2, 2021).

This is an important book. If your local library does not own this, please request that they purchase a copy. Or if you can, buy it and donate it. 

Loretta Little Looks Back: Three Voices Go Tell It by Andrea Davis Pinkney; visual art by Brian Pinkney (published September 29, 2020). 

Another important book written in a unique storytelling style all about sharecropping, Jim Crow, the fight for voting rights and growing up African-American in Mississippi Delta cotton country. The three voices mentioned are Loretta Little; her adopted younger brother, Roly; and Roly's daughter - Aggie B. The setting is Ruleville, Mississippi from the 1920s through the 1960s. Each character tells about their life in their own unique voice. There is storytelling, folklore, poetry... this book was written to be read out loud; performed if possible. Trigger Warning - Aggie B. is violently beaten by the police for teaching her neighbors how to vote. 

What I am reading this week - 

   

The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington - 

so far, nothing at all like what I thought it would be!  

There are ghosts - I mean, misplaced spirits -- and lost treasure!