Culture 1 Reviews
Title: The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree
Bibliography:
Peretti, P. (2019). The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree (D. Muir, Trans.). Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 978-1534439627
Summary:
In The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree, nine-year-old Mafalda has a degenerative eye condition, Stargardt disease. Every day, she climbs a cherry tree that she loves, which also becomes a means of measuring just how quickly her sight is worsening, as she sees it less and less clearly. Mafalda keeps a list of things that she will miss, and that she can do before she loses her eyesight, but which also reminds her of the things that are truly important and that will stay with her forever.
Critical Analysis:
The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree is a short but satisfying read. It is based on author Paola Peretti’s experience of being diagnosed with Stargardt disease when she was a teenager and this makes the story particularly realistic and captivating. Not only do we get to experience the pain and the challenges of losing her vision, but also the sources of hope that help her overcome.
This story is heartwarming. There is something special in it that makes the story much deeper. The book is full of hope, optimism, and love. Even though it is directed toward children ages 9 -11, it should be read by audiences of all ages. It has a powerful and unforced message that is tender and thought-provoking.
Review Excerpts:
"A quiet, philosophical story for thoughtful readers." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Peretti provides a tunnel of light for readers to reach for." -- Booklist
"A great opportunity to teach empathy and understanding." ― School Library Connection
Connections:
Other books by Paola Peretti:
Peretti:La brigata delle cinque sorelle (Italian Edition)
Related books:
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Title: Hello, Baby!
Bibliography:
Fox, M. (2012). Hello Baby! Little Simon.
ISBN: 978-1442434325
Summary:
Hello Baby! is a picture book exploring babies of a variety of wild animals as the narrator playfully asks what kind of baby he/she is. The book opens with an illustration of a child’s hand and closes with the hands of a parent and child reaching for one another. The story concludes with the affirmation that the child is the parent’s treasure.
Critical Analysis:
In Hello Baby!, Mem Fox uses simple rhymes that can be easily understood by young children. This book can serve as a great interactive experience when reading to a young audience. It is also a great tool that can be used to help children develop early literacy skills such as phonemic awareness and vocabulary. In addition, the repetition of phrases helps build anticipation for what follows. The story’s ending is quite unexpected yet it gives the story a nice, warm tone.
Throughout the story, the pages feature close-up illustrations of the animals and then a full-body silhouette. The style is simple, yet quite unique. The bright colors and textures offer a distinctive touch to each of the animals.
The story does not show any specific cultural markers, yet the animals presented in the story are mainly animals found in Africa. The text does not clearly indicate any gender, country of origin, or other characteristics of the parent and baby.
Hello Baby! is simply a great book for the little ones. It is simple to understand, yet it offers great learning opportunities. In the text, the generic term "baby" allows any child to connect with the book and put themselves in the position of being the "treasure”.
Review Excerpts:
Like her Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Fox's newest has all the marks of a lap-sit classic. —Publishers Weekly
This picture book brims with fascinating animals, brilliant words and engaging artwork;
it begs for cozy nightly readings. —Kirkus Reviews
Connections:
Other books by Mem Fox:
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes Padded Board Book
Where Is the Green Sheep?/Donde esta la oveja verde? Board Book: Bilingual English-Spanish
Baby Bedtime
Related books:
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Title: One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller
Bibliography:
Read, K. (2019). One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller. Holiday House.
ISBN: 978-1682631317
Summary:
One Fox: A Counting Thriller, tells the tale of a famished fox with sly and beady eyes, padding paws, and sharp teeth which comes across three plump hens and eventually an entire chicken house. The fox then encounters 100 angry hens which make him run out frightened.
Critical Analysis:
This marvelous counting story lives up to its name as a true thriller. This picture book contains impressive illustrations that make it an engaging read. One Fox: A Counting Thriller is a suspenseful, creative counting book that dazzles with beautiful artwork and brilliant storytelling. It does not show any cultural markers of any kind.
With each thrilling page, children will enjoy counting along with the story, and they will be delighted by the story's climax, which is filled with color and which subtly conveys the power of bravery and teamwork. This is an amazing book which is sure to be a storytime and classroom favorite.
Review Excerpts:
"Debut author Read writes with pleasing alliteration. . . As the book's subtitle indicates, counting was never so thrilling." —The Horn Book Magazine
"Clever. . . amusing. . . dynamic. . . This one wins for its subtle message of power in numbers." —Publishers Weekly
★ "Lovely, potent, brightly colored illustrations in a combination of textured collage and paint against white space transition to a dark, moonlit backdrop. Little ones will eagerly count in subsequent readings as they also learn new descriptive vocabulary and cheer for the brave hens. A classic scenario flips the script in this engrossing adventure."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ "Stunning. . . brilliantly colored. . . striking. . . Just the right amount of tension, delicious vocabulary. . . and alliterative phrases make this a first purchase for group and one-on-one sharing. Count on requests for many readings."—School Library Journal, Starred Review
Connections:
Other books by Kate Read:
Hey! A Colorful Mystery
The Littlest Elephant
Big Bad Bug
Related books:
Me Counting Time by Joan Sweeney
Four Furious Flamingos: A 1-10 Counting Book of Big Feelings by Kelly Bourne
Title: Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet
Bibliography:
Mian, Z. (2022). Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet. Penguin Young Readers Group.
ISBN: 978-0593109236
Summary:
In Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet, Omar has just moved into a new house with his family and has to attend a new school. This new school turns out to be okay, except for the class bully Daniel. He threatens to kick him out of the country. This worries Omar greatly, but he doesn’t tell his parents. The family’s next door neighbor, an old lady named Mrs. Rogers, isn’t too nice to them either. She refuses to even speak to the family and refers to them as “The Muslims”. Fortunately, Omar has a very good imagination, which he uses to keep himself calm when trouble comes around. Additionally, both Mrs. Rogers and Daniel finally overcome their feelings towards Omar and his family and change their attitude towards them.
Critical Analysis:
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet is a book that is written in a fun, playful manner, yet simultaneously shares a heartfelt message. This book shares the story of a joyful main character and his family. They all face discrimination, yet they do not turn bitter and are always there to extend a helping hand to the people who don't like them because of their ethnicity. This is a great story that allows us to comprehend how people feel when not understood and accepted and how we should be kind and accepting of everyone regardless of differences.
It was very interesting to see how their faith as Muslims was incorporated into the story. Omar explains different things to the reader in a way that’s very natural and engaging, yet it is not the focal point of the story.
Omar has a unique perspective on life and the humor he finds in the everyday will keep you smiling throughout the story. What makes the book even more engaging are the amazing illustrations by Nasaya Mafaridik. This book is an easy, enjoyable read. It leaves a good feeling in your heart. It helps to keep an open mind that there are good people out in the world and that we should all start treating each other with kindness and respect.
Overall, I thought this book was very enjoyable and I would definitely be interested in checking out the next book to see what else Omar and his friends and family get up to.
Review Excerpts:
"A very kid-friendly and appealingly honest story about being different, being labeled 'other.'" —The New York Times Book Review
“Wildly imaginative Omar’s free-association narrative, laced with expressive hand lettering and Mafaridik’s playfully exaggerated line art, remains chipper and uplifting.” –Publishers Weekly
“Mian seamlessly weaves Islamic values and teachings through Omar's chatty narration . . . Readers will be excited to see where Omar’s imagination will take him next.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The playful text is bolstered with illustrations throughout that show off [Omar’s] creativity and imagination. A great #OwnVoices story for children to learn more about connection and empathy.” —School Library Journal
Connections:
Other books by Zanib Mian:
Planet Omar: Operation KindPlanet Omar: Operation Kind
30 Hadith for Kids30 Hadith for Kids
My Friend the Alien: A Bloomsbury Reader
Meet the Maliks 01 Twin Detectives: The Cookie Culprit
Related books:
Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop by Joshua S. Levy
Luna Muna by Kellie Gerardi
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