The Little Crooked Bookshelf on #ReviewsDay

BE KIND

by Pat Zietlow Miller

illustrated by Jen Hill

(This week's #ReviewsDay pick is from cottager Kara LaReau.)

What it's all about...
A girl watches her classmate, Tanisha, spill grape juice on her dress. How can she make Tanisha feel better?

Why I love it...
This pick was a no-brainer for me — a story celebrating kindness in all its forms, sensitively portrayed by the talented Pat Zietlow Miller, with lovely art from Jen Hill (otherwise known as the illustrator of The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters!).

Favorite lines...
Maybe I can only do small things.
But my small things might join small things other people do.
An together, they could grow into something big.


Sample illustration...

What's the kid-appeal?
The emotions in the story are pitch-perfect for young readers, who will be happy to learn how anyone at any age can make the world better.


What's the grownup appeal?
It's a wonderful read-aloud — and of course, we need engaging stories about kindness and empathy now more than ever.


Where to find/buy BE KIND
Indie Booksellers
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Or at a school or library near you!

Pat Zietlow Miller is the creative force behind the blog Read, Write, Repeat, where she reviews books for young readers. Her picture books include Sophie's Squash, Sophie's Squash Go To School, Wherever You Go, Sharing the Bread, and The Quickest Kid in Clarksville. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband, two daughters, and two pampered cats.

Jen Hill is the illustrator of several picture books, including Diana's White House Garden by Elisa Carbone, Spring for Sophie by Yael Werber, and Doing Her Bit by Erin Hagar; and is also the author and illustrator of Percy and Tumtum: A Tale of Two Dogs. She is a graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and her intern, Little Bee, who is very helpful for a cat.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE  
by Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrated by Frank Morrison  

This week's pick is from Cottager Jamie Michalak.

What it's all about . . .
Ata, the quickest kid in Clarksville, Tennessee, can't wait for the parade tomorrow. Her hero, Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph, will be riding on a float! But what happens when a new girl with shiny new shoes challenges Ata to a race?

Why it's on The Little Crooked Bookshelf . . .
We immediately got swept up in Pat Zietlow Miller's timeless story about how heart and determination -- not squeaky new shoes -- win races. She expertly weaves together many subtle lessons about dreams, hard work, and friendship. The story is perfectly matched by Frank Morrison's energetic, watercolor illustrations. Go, Ata!

Our favorite lines . . .
"Got me some new shoes," Charmaine says.
Boy-howdy, does she ever.
Brand-new, only-been-worn-by-her shoes with stripes down the sides and laces so white they glow.
 
Why kids will love it . . . 
The Quickest Kid in Clarksville is a rhythmic, lively read-aloud. Kids will enjoy chanting along with the sidewalk beat of Ata's worn sneakers: "Wil-ma Ru-dolph. Wil-ma Rudolph."

Why grown-ups will love it . . . 
An excellent choice for those seeking to inspire young readers. The Author's Note highlights Wilma Rudolph's victories, including her major role in the first racially integrated event in Clarksville history.

The Little Crooked Bookshelf

Sophie's Squash
by Pat Zietlow Miller 
Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

What it's all about...

When Sophie chooses a squash at the farmer's market, she brings it home, draws a face on it, and names it Bernice. Sophie and Bernice go everywhere together, despite her parents' warnings that Bernice won't last forever. As winter nears, Sophie's beloved squash begins to change and Sophie must make a difficult decision.

Why it's on the Little Crooked Bookshelf...
Sophie's Squash is picture book perfection. Yes, it's a laugh-out-loud funny story about a girl who loves a gourd with all her heart. But it's also a touching tale of the power of friendship.

Our favorite line ...
"Well, we did hope she'd love vegetables," her mother told her father.

Our favorite illustration...

Illustration copyright 2013 by Anne Wilsdorf

Why kids will love it...

Sophie's Squash strikes a just-right balance between funny and sensitive. While laughing at the many humorous interactions between Sophie and Bernice, kids might also relate to having a fierce attachment to something their parents have gently advised them to part ways with.

Why grown-ups will love it... 
Share this entertaining and comforting story with children at any time of year, but most especially the fall and winter. Follow it up with a discussion about what makes a good friend, or a little lesson about vegetables and gardening. 

Your child might be interested to know that Sophie's Squash is based on a true story--the author's daughter, Sonia, really did love a squash once!

Sonia and Bernice