Nell Plants a Seed

Nell Plants a Tree

Anne Wynter

illustrated by Daniel Miyares 2023

 A sweet reflection of family and time passing and the nurturing of each other through nature and a hope for the future.  As a group of kids (cousins perhaps?) climb and explore a big pecan tree, we are reminded that it all started when "Nell picks up a seed" and "waters the soil" and "plants a tree".  I've always loved books like this, that center on a place and the generations that pass through it.  Both the author and illustrator share their own family remembrances at the end.

The Midnight Panther

 Gorgeous illustrations accompany this story about a panther who wishes he was like the other big cats- fearless like tiger, blazing like lion, dazzling like leopard.  His attempts to adorn himself like the other cats fail.  But one night he climbs high in the trees and the moon helps him to see his own sparkling beauty.  A nice celebration of recognizing what makes you special and uniquely wonderful.  Each page is a stunning work of art!

The Midnight Panther

Poonam Mistry 2022

Baby, Come Out!

Baby, Come Out!
Fran Manushkin
illustrated by Ronald Himler 1972

 This book was in the waiting room at the Birth Center where I had my babies.  It might look odd but it's ultimately a sweet depiction of a pregnant woman and her family eagerly awaiting the birth of her baby.  The baby is content to stay right where she is while her mother goes about her day taking walks and painting.  Her older siblings and grandparents try to entice her out but it's not until her father shows her all the love that is awaiting her that she decides to arrive.  

From Morn to Midnight

 We are in love with Satomi Ichikawa's pretty illustrations that accompany the poetry in this book.  She depicts a cozy and sweet world that makes you feel all warm when you look at the pictures.

From Morn to Midnight

Children's Verses Chosen by Elaine Moss

illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa 1977

The Vase with the Golden Cracks

When we were in Tokyo Madeleine and I found a charming little cafe/tearoom that had a collection of pottery and kintsugi pieces.  I bought a couple to bring home for friends (who host a podcast called "The Kintsugi Chronicles" about the beauty and stories in brokenness and resilience).  And Madeleine bought a little piece for me for my birthday.  

Kintsugi is a beautiful Japanese craft and concept of repairing broken pottery with gold, not hiding the cracks but rather making the brokenness something more beautiful.  It's a thoughtful lesson explored in this book about a child whose father is collecting and teaching his beloved Japanese words.  

"Curiously, they were all words with meanings that didn't exist in any other language."

The illustrations by Zuzanna Celej, part drawing, part paper collage, are soft and beautiful.

  

 

The Vase with the Golden Cracks

Fran Nuno

illustrated by Zuzanna Celej 2024

New Japanese Picturebooks

 While in Japan we found some wonderful bookstores.  (I always seek those out wherever I travel!).  Of course I bee-lined to the children's sections!  It was neat seeing familiar picture books but in Japanese.  And I loved seeing Japanese authors and illustrators that I was unfamiliar with.  Some things are cross-cultural in children's books, like bright engaging drawings and cute characters.  I ended up bringing these two books home because even though I couldn't read any of the Japanese text, I could still tell and enjoy what the story was.  Isn't that a sign of a good picture book?

There are so many things that are cute in Japanese culture.  "Kawaii" is absolutely everywhere, even in the food!  This first book I believe features a naughty watermelon who refuses to be cut.  And the second book follows adorable bugs on their journey home (google translate revealed a father and son bug who take a snail taxi to the grandmother's house.)

Watermelon-kun

Kazuhiko Toyota 2010

and

A Snail Taxi

Tamura Shigeru 1998

This is my favorite picture with the stag beetle!