I Am the Storm
Written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell
This beautifully illustrated picture book provides children with a great introduction to all types of severe weather. The material is presented in a non-frightening manner portraying children from different parts of the country experiencing everything from ice storms to hurricanes.
The book begins by describing a tornado, “When the wind howled and blew, loud as a train, we had a party in the basement with Grandma, reading books and playing games with the flashlight.”
The authors explain that storms always end and that it is okay to be scared. Children are reassured that, although nature might be strong and powerful at times, they are powerful too.
Endnotes provide detailed information about each of the storms described in the book.
Illustrators Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell hail from Kansas City, MO!
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read
Written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard
Illustrated by Oge Mora
This inspiring picture book follows the life of Mary Walker, who was born a slave in 1848.
Author Rita Lorraine Hubbard explains in the endnotes that she combined facts about Mary with details she imagined in telling Mary’s life story.
Mary was emancipated at the age of 15. Her life is a powerful example of fortitude and forgiveness. She wanted to learn to read her whole life. She finally accomplished this goal through the Chattanooga Area Literacy Movement (CALM) when she was 116 years old!
Mary could still bake cakes, write her name legibly and sew before passing away at the age of 121!
The book combines Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Oge Mora’s beautiful collage illustrations with actual photos of Mary.
This is an inspiring story for all ages.
Saturday
Written and illustrated by Oge Mora
Saturdays are very special to Ava and her mother. Ava’s mother works every day except Saturday, so that’s the one day they get to do all the fun things—things like going to story time and getting their hair done. But what happens one Saturday when everything goes wrong?
Story time is canceled. Their new dos get ruined. The quiet picnic they had waited all week to enjoy turned out to be loud and chaotic. And the puppet show across town that was to be the highlight of the week was also ruined.
What can a mom and daughter do to make their day special?
Follow along as Ava and her mother experience one disappointment after another on this particular Saturday and find out how they salvage the day . . . together.
Publisher’s Weekly calls Mora “a major new talent.” Her collages are created with old book clippings, patterned paper, acrylics and markers.
Sandy Foster is a writer and blogger (NadinesBakery.com) who lives in the Kansas City area.