Final Draft IJWC Fall 2021 Issue 12.20.21 64 International Journal of the Whole Child 2021, VOL. 6, NO. 2 Page Turners: Books for Children Michelle J. Sobolaka, Patricia Crawfordb, Maria Genestc, Katrina Bartow Jacobsd, Carla K. Meyere aUniversity of Pittsburgh, bUniversity of Pittsburgh, cLa Roche University, dUniversity of Pittsburgh, eDuquesne University Bonaparte Plays Ball Written by Margery Cuyler Illustrated by Will Terry Crown, 2020 ISBN 9781984830470 Batter up! It’s time for the Weird Series where Bonaparte, the friendly skeleton and his fellow Little Monsters must face the daunting Mighty Aliens. Are they up to the task? Not just for baseball fans, this picture book serves up images in which kindness and good will prevail over bullying. Young readers will cheer on the amiable and hardworking Little Monsters as they step up to the plate. Ages 3-7. Facing Fear Written by Karen Lynn Williams Illustrated by Sara Palacios Eerdmans, 2021 ISBN 9780802854902 Enrique is so excited about the upcoming soccer tournament. He can’t wait to travel and play with the team. His dreams crumble when his father declares that it is too dangerous for Enrique to participate. He fears that officials may stop Enrique at an immigration checkpoint, revealing that not everyone in their family entered the country legally. Enrique, angry and deeply disappointed, contemplates going anyway. He is caught between worlds; desiring to protect his family on one hand, while not wanting to let his teammates down, on the other. This powerful picture book illuminates the ways in which immigrants who lack documentation must navigate a host of serious challenges and decisions in everyday life. The story does not offer straightforward answers to complex situations, but rather highlights the roles of courage, caution, love, and solidarity in facing them. Ages 5-10. Here We Are: Book of Numbers Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers Penguin Books, 2021 ISBN: 9780593466124 65 The Earth is a vast and wide space, filled with innumerable people, plants, and animals - but this book breaks it down. This charming board book for young children takes them through numbers 1 to 10, using the language of exploring and wondering about our natural world. It ends with a message about the infinite nature of love and how that is the greatest wonder of all. This book brings together simple numeracy and complex ideas through beautiful illustrations. Ages 2-5. If You Come to Earth Written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall Chronicle Books, 2020 ISBN 9781452137797 This whimsical book is written as a letter to a visitor from outer space explaining humans, our homes, animals, and what they might expect when they come to visit Earth. Blackall was inspired to write this book after many years traveling the world as she worked for Save the Children. The book is a call to action to care for our planet and for each other. It celebrates the differences that are present in our species and in how we live, work, and play. The pages have simple text and colorful illustrations that highlight the diversity present on Earth. The simple message of celebrating differences and the accompanying illustrations make this an engaging text to read aloud and explore. Ages 4-8. Me and My Sister Written and illustrated by Rose Robbins Eerdman Books, 2020 ISBN 9780802855442 Being a sibling isn’t always easy. It can be particularly hard when your sibling has autism and might have different strengths, challenges, and family expectations. In this loving book centered on the complexities of a relationship between a child and his sister, it looks at the small moments of joy and difficulty. Without ever using the word autism in the text itself, the book looks at the ways that neurodivergent children have unique needs but also enjoy many of the same activities and humor that all children do. This is a poignant story of an individual sibling pair that has many themes teachers can draw on to discuss more broadly the experiences of families who include children with autism. Ages 4-8. Moon Camp Written and illustrated by Barry Gott Viking, 2021 ISBN: 9780593202678 Being away from home can be really hard, and this clever book captures this universal feeling when Lucas is sent to summer camp on the Moon. He would much rather play video games and sleep in, but instead he has to experience zero gravity, go on nature hikes, and avoid tripping on craters (which seem to be everywhere!). And like many kids in summer camp, Lucas misses his family and his planet. The humorous and detailed illustrations will engage readers in Lucas’ plight, while the story includes positive themes about friendship and making the best of things, even when they are difficult. Ages 4-8. 66 No Reading Allowed: The WORST Read-Aloud Book Ever Written by Raj Haldar & Chris Carpenter Illustrated by Bryce Gladfelter Sourcebooks, 2020 ISBN: 9781728206592 This tricky text is filled with homonyms, homophones, and playful punctuation to highlight the many ways that English may sound the same but have vastly different meanings. As the authors state, “you can’t believe everything you hear.” Haldar and Carpenter provide two sentences side by side that if read aloud sound the same. The illustrator accompanies each sentence with a simple, colorful illustration that ensures that the reader understands the differences between the two sentences. Teachers and children alike, who are studying homonyms, homophones, and punctuation or who find our language interesting, will find this book both amusing and helpful as they advance their language skills. Ages 4-8. Ship in a Bottle Written and illustrated by Andrew Prahin Putnam, 2021 ISBN: 9781984815811 Mouse and Cat have problems living together, and this humorous book captures the adventures of Mouse as she escapes her life with Cat and navigates the world as captain of a ship in a bottle. The descriptive language, sophisticated vocabulary, and detailed illustrations will draw young readers into the story, as Mouse encounters creatures and situations that challenge her survival. Teachers will enjoy reading aloud and discussing this text with children, and all readers will connect with the emotions depicted by the characters through the very last page. Ages 4-8. Rules of Wolves Written by Leigh Bardugo Imprint, 2021 ISBN: 9781250142306 In the final installment of the King of Scars Duology, war comes to the Grishaverse. The Demon King, Nikolai Lantsov, and his strongest allies, Zoya Nazyalensky and Nina Zenik fight to save Ravka from its enemies. Those familiar with Bardugo’s Grishaverse will be at the edge of their seats to see if their heroes can defeat Fjerda's massive army. Told from multiple points of view that highlight the fight on multiple fronts, fans of the Grishaverse will devour this book. Ages 13+