Digital Commons @ ACU (Abilene Christian University)

Isbell, Melinda

Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: BRAVE VOLODYMYR: THE STORY OF VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY AND THE FIGHT FOR UKRAINE
Author
Marshall, Linda Elovitz
Illustrator
Illustrated by Grasya Oliyko
Reviewer
Isbell, Melinda
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$19.99
ISBN
978-0-06-329414-1
Publisher & Date
Quill Tree Books, 2023
Classification
Nonfiction (947.7 or biography)
Grade Level
PreK-3
**
Book Review:
BRAVE VOLODYMYR:
THE STORY OF
VOLODYMYR
ZELENSKY AND THE
FIGHT FOR UKRAINE
This book chronicles the life of Volodymyr Zelensky, the actor/comedian who
became President of Ukraine. President Zelensky was born into a Jewish
family that lived in Kryvyi Rih, an industrial city in Ukraine. Throughout the
book, the storyline openly discusses what life was like in Ukraine when it was
under the control of the Soviet Union followed by Russia’s continued control
after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.
The author does a fantastic job communicating the struggle of the Ukrainian
people, including the impact of the current war with Russia. The illustrations
bring amazing context to the narrative. The only issue with the book is that
it states that it is for children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old. The
content is very advanced for a child as young as 4. The author mentions the
European Union, how governments and countries interact with each other,
and how power transitions in government. While too advanced for younger
readers, this book would be an amazing supplemental read for an
upper-elementary social studies class. I highly recommend this book for any
public, school, or home library.


English

Brave Volodymyr: The Story of Volodymyr Zelensky and the Fight for Ukraine

Author
Lam, Maple
Illustrator
Illustrated by the author
Reviewer
Isbell, Melinda
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$18.99
ISBN
978-0-06-239698-3
Publisher & Date
Harper, 2023
Classification
Fiction
Grade Level
PreK-3
Book Review:
DIM SUM, HERE WE
COME!
This story is about sharing and expressing love and respect for family. Every
Sunday, the family featured in the book gathers at the local Chinese
restaurant for dim sum. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are all
there. Dim sum is served family style on a large turntable in the center of
the table so all present get to pick what they want. That means that
everyone has to share.
This story is told from the perspective of one of the young children in the
family. She is worried that she is not going to get one of the char sui buns,
her favorite thing on the table. When the turntable finally gets to the
daughter, there is only one bun left! If she takes the bun, her little sister will
not get any. No one should be left out, so she splits the bun in half and
shares it with her sister, because “sharing dim sum means, I love you.”
The illustrations in this book complement the story and add to the overall
feel of the book. The text is written in shorter sentences, making it easy for
beginning readers. I recommend this book for any public, school, or home
library.


Dim Sum, Here We Come!

Carruth, Leah D.

Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: LITTLE DAYMOND LEARNS TO EARN
Author
John, Daymond
Illustrator
Illustrated by Nicole Miles
Reviewer
Carruth, Leah D
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$19.99
ISBN
978-0-593-56727-2
Publisher & Date
Random House, 2023
Classification
Nonfiction (650.1)
Grade Level
2-6
Book Review:
LITTLE DAYMOND
LEARNS TO EARN
Have you ever been to a sale of some sort and wished you had more money
to purchase that item you just have to have? Desmond finds so many things
he wants but does not have enough money to buy. He works for his mom
and receives $5 to spend as he wants. His mom tells him to think about
what he is good at and brainstorm a way to earn money. Desmond has to
spend money to earn money and makes t-shirts to sell, using his artistic
ability. His friends all come together with talents and skills to help start a
booth selling shirts. He earns enough to buy the poster he wants and a book
about starting his own business.
This book provides a realistic version of what earning, saving, and spending
are by using a scenario kids will understand. The illustrations are engaging
and keep the story moving. At times the illustrations are very large with a
small amount of text to engage the reader in the visual portion of the story.
The back of the book includes a wonderful resource for “Starting your own
Business” and “What is Money?” The second page includes more
information on spending, saving, donating, and investing plus a website for
educational games and activities.


Little Daymond Learns to Earn

Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: MEXICAN DREIDEL, THE
Author
Marshall, Linda Elovitz and Ilan
Stavans
Illustrator
Illustrated by Maria Mola
Reviewer
Isbell, Melinda
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$19.99
ISBN
978-1-7284-4928-9
Publisher & Date
Kar-Ben, 2023
Classification
Fiction
Grade Level
PreK-3
Book Review:
MEXICAN DREIDEL,
THE
Danielito loves Janucá (Hanukkah). This year, he is by himself visiting his
Bobe (the Spanish transliteration of the Yiddish word Bubbe, which means
grandmother). One day, he sees some of the neighborhood kids playing with
trompos (Mexican tops). His Bobe doesn’t have a trompos, but she has a
dreidel. Danielito joins the kids in their game and spins his dreidel. The
dreidel dances among the trompos and eventually leaves the circle. The
trompos follow the dreidel on an adventure throughout the town with
Danielito and the kids following behind. When they eventually catch up with
the dreidel, his new friends invite Danielito to play again tomorrow.
However, Danielito has a better idea; “Come to my Bobe’s house with me
and light the Janucá candles!” His friends join him at his grandmother’s
house and participate in their celebration.
This is a well-written story that celebrates the diversity of the Jewish people
and their presence in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
Throughout the book, the storyline introduces the reader to both Spanish
phrases and elements of the Hanukkah celebration. There is an author’s
note at the end of the book that explains the importance of Hanukkah as
well as how Jews came to settle in Mexico and other Latin American
countries.


The Mexican Dreidel

O\u27Quin, Ashley

Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: NOISE INSIDE BOYS: A STORY ABOUT BIG FEELINGS, THE
Author
Oswald, Pete
Illustrator
Illustrated by the author
Reviewer
O'Quin, Ashley
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$18.99
ISBN
978-0-593-48322-0
Publisher & Date
Random House Studio, 2023
Classification
Fiction
Grade Level
1-5
**
Book Review:
NOISE INSIDE BOYS: A
STORY ABOUT BIG
FEELINGS, THE
THE NOISE INSIDE BOYS deals with big emotions in little people. Feelings
and emotions are OK, but everyone needs to learn how to handle them. This
book is excellent for encouraging little ones to open up and talk about their
feelings. The book includes colorful artwork filled with emotions of all kinds,
allowing identification based on internal feelings and outward physical
displays.


The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings

Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: PROMISE, THE
Author
Hodder, Bridget and Fawzia
Gilani-Williams
Illustrator
Illustrated by Cinzia Battistel
Reviewer
Isbell, Melinda
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$19.99
ISBN
978-1-7284-6024-6
Publisher & Date
Kar-Ben, 2023
Classification
Fiction
Grade Level
PreK-3
**
Book Review:
PROMISE, THE
This story celebrates the many years that Jews and Muslims lived peacefully
side by side in Morocco, as explained in the historical note found in the back
of the book.
Jacob, a Jewish boy, and Hassan, a Muslim boy, live next door to each other
in Al-Azan, Morocco. Jacob’s family came to Morocco from Spain to escape
persecution. When they first arrived in Morocco, they planted a garden that
would remind them of their beloved homeland. Hassan’s family often joins
Jacob’s family in the garden for afternoon tea where the two fathers often
say to each other that “a garden is a prayer,” and “a garden is a promise.”
When Jacob’s father learns of terrible things that are happening to Jews in
Europe and that the Jews in Morocco are in danger, Jacob’s family knows
they have to leave. Just before Jacob’s family leaves, Hassan promises Jacob
that he will take care of the garden. The storyline picks up many years later,
with Hassan as an old man still taking care of Jacob’s family’s garden. One
day, he hears footsteps behind him. It is Jacob with his two grandchildren.
Based on the true story of Lahcen and Moshe who lived in Arazan, Morocco,
during World War II, this unexpected narrative of peace and friendship
between two people of often opposing religions is heartwarming. The
beautiful illustrations make the story come to life, and the historical note
sets the context. I highly recommend this book for any public, school, or
home library.


The Promise

Atkinson, Melissa D

Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: TIGER DAUGHTER
Author
Lim, Rebecca
Illustrator
Reviewer
Atkinson, Melissa D
Pages
181p
Price
$17.99
ISBN
978-0-593-64897-1
Publisher & Date
Delacorte, 2023
Classification
Fiction
Grade Level
6 and up
**
Book Review:
TIGER DAUGHTER
Wen is a teenage first-generation Chinese immigrant living in Australia with
her mother and father. She and her best friend, Henry, also a child of
immigrants, are preparing to take an entrance exam to a selective school
that will ultimately bring them freedom from their current undesirable
family situations. Wen’s father is demanding, controlling, demeaning, and
temperamental. Henry’s father works too much, and his mother feels
isolated due to the language barrier. Wen and Henry help each other in the
subjects where they are weakest--Wen needs to practice math and Henry’s
English needs some work. When a tragedy occurs in Henry’s life, Wen is left
to study on her own. Due to the circumstances, her relationship with her
mother drastically changes. Her confidence in her abilities, her new
perception of her mother, and her strength to stand up to her father allow
her to follow her dreams and continue on the path she wants. However,
Henry needs her help to recover from his circumstances, so she finds a way
to help him even though she knows her father wouldn’t approve. Wen finds
that empathy and compassion can go a long way to mend fences at home
Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: TIGER DAUGHTER
and propel her into future endeavors.
TIGER DAUGHTER’S appeal comes from the perspective of a first-generation
thirteen-year-old girl living in Australia who struggles to fit in with her peers
and has feelings of inadequacy at home. Lim combines her personal
experience of being a child of immigrants in Australia with a story of tragedy
and perseverance through difficult circumstances. Lim’s descriptions of
everyday actions such as walking to school, cooking dinner, and long division
homework, portray Wen’s life realistically and with a touch of sadness. This
book also includes a section at the end about the author and a section
specifically for teachers and librarians. This book is highly recommended for
all collections.


Tiger Daughter

Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: WORLD'S BEST CLASS PLANT, THE
Author
Scanlon, Liz Garton and Audrey
Vernick
Illustrator
Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
Reviewer
Carruth, Leah D
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$18.99
ISBN
978-0-525-51635-4
Publisher & Date
Putnam, 2023
Classification
Fiction
Grade Level
PreK-2
Book Review:
WORLD'S BEST CLASS
PLANT, THE
Did you have a class pet when you were in school? Did you have the
pleasure of taking it home, cleaning out the cage, or engaging with it? What
if you had had a class plant instead? Would that have been as exciting? Arlo
wishes they had anything but a plant until one day he asks if they can name
it. Once Jerry becomes an accepted part of the classroom, the attitude
towards a class plant changes for the better. Jerry begins to grow and have
babies (spiderettes), and other classes begin asking to trade their pets for
Jerry. The school even creates a Jerry Appreciation Day so everyone can
show appreciation for this class plant and celebrate all they have learned
about plants. Each child receives a part of Jerry to take home when the
school year ends. Next year, the teacher offers up a rock for the students.
What will happen now?
Expressive illustrations follow along with the story and add much to what is
happening. When Jerry is named and placed back in the window, you see
the sun sparkling more and shining brightly around Jerry. The facing page
has students creating a job chart for taking care of Jerry. Each page provides
a different rendition and balance of illustration and text. The back of the
book includes a section on different plants and how to grow them with some
Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: WORLD'S BEST CLASS PLANT, THE
helpful tips included.


The World\u27s Best Class Plant

Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: UPS AND DOWNS: A BOOK OF EMOTIONS
Author
Wohnoutka, Mike
Illustrator
Illustrated by the author
Reviewer
Carruth, Leah D
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$17.99
ISBN
978-1-5362-2737-6
Publisher & Date
Candlewick, 2023
Classification
Fiction
Grade Level
PreK-2
**
Book Review:
UPS AND DOWNS: A
BOOK OF EMOTIONS
Four core emotions. That is all there are. That makes it amazing to realize
how many emotions stem from the four main emotions. This book explains
the other emotions with simple scenarios. One example is a two-page
spread that shows a girl in the house with a soccer ball. She is surprised the
ball goes backwards, regretful it breaks the vase, and apologetic when her
mom comes to see what the noise is. It is difficult for young children to put a
name to the emotions they are feeling. This book will help them do just
that.
The illustrations are soft and gentle. Each emotion has its own area of the
page without filling up the entire space, emphasizing the simplicity of some
emotions. For example, a young boy builds a basic structure with plain
wooden blocks, and he has a smile on his face to show he is pleased. He
sees the boy next to him, who has built a large castle with multicolored
blocks, and he is jealous. His face shows surprise with an exclamation mark
above his head. Towards the end of the book, several emotions of different
children are featured, drawing out the picture over two pages. No emotion
is made to be more important, showing readers that all emotions are fine. It
is what we do with the emotions that is important.
Lorgnette v.36 no.4
Book Review: UPS AND DOWNS: A BOOK OF EMOTIONS


Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions

Lorgnette v.36 no.1
Book Review: ALL'S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD
Author
Adams, Jennifer
Illustrator
Illustrated by Christopher Silas
Neal
Reviewer
Carruth, Leah
Pages
Unpaged
Price
$17.99
ISBN
978-0-06-296248-5
Publisher & Date
Balzer+Bray, 2023
Classification
Fiction
Grade level
PreK-2
**
Book Review:
ALL'S RIGHT WITH
THE WORLD
How wonderful it would be to view the day through a child’s eyes! This book
takes us through a day in the life of a city-dwelling child and all the joys
encountered. A spring morning brings waffles with berries, umbrellas, red
tulips, and school, making all things right in the world. Playing outdoors,
watching animals, and playing with friends after school make the day
wonderful. Time to settle in for the night with a clean body, a good dinner,
and a story before bed. Good night to the world.
The pages are filled with city views in full-page spreads, bringing the words
to life. The language is intriguing, with few lines of text on a page to avoid
taking away from the masterful artwork. The illustrations are clear yet not
fully rendered to real life, much more like what a child would create. For
example, everything is on a floating plane, without a shadow or ground line
to anchor them. The child’s delight in his day is reflected within the pictures
all the way to the end of the book, where the night sky is full of clouds, stars,
and a crescent moon.


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