Reading List by Jayne for October
Late Today by Jungyoon Huh
A resonant reminder to make the time to be kind, set in the bustling city of Seoul.
One rainy morning, the Seogang Bridge hums with traffic—and in between the cars is a tiny kitten. People mutter to themselves, but no one wants to stop or slow down. The raindrops pelt the road; the cars screech and honk; the kitten mews. Finally one car pulls over…
With atmospheric art by acclaimed illustrator Myungae Lee, Late Today asks readers to choose compassion in the midst of busyness. This stirring story is perfect for cat lovers, city dwellers, and anyone who’s ever lost themselves in the rush of life.
Review
The illustrations for this story are gripping and convey the frenetic action of the stop and go rush-hour traffic with a small cat dodging through the cars. The text is staccato and, at first, a bit hard to figure out how to read correctly – across? Top to bottom? But the message is heartfelt. There are those in trouble and danger who just need someone to step up and help out even if it makes you a little late. One thing I’ll mention is that no two week old kitten would be able to do what this kitten does as kittens that young can’t see much or move well yet. B-
AmazonBNKoboAREGoogle Play Store
Emmie Builds Something New by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall
Join Emmie, a clever inventor living in her attic kingdom, as she battles a mischievous interloper with her ingenious creations, discovering that true friendship can emerge from even the most unexpected challenges. The Rube Goldberg-meets-David Macaulay art style brings a lively energy to this comic cat-and-mouse caper
In the enchanting world of Emmie, the attic is more than just a storage space—it’s her kingdom! Surrounded by dusty forgotten treasures, Emmie is a clever inventor who transforms ordinary objects into extraordinary machines, each one a testament to her creativity and engineering prowess. But when a mischievous black-and-white cat intrudes upon her realm, Emmie must put her skills to the test. Determined to reclaim her domain, she devises increasingly inventive contraptions to outsmart her furry foe.
As she navigates this playful battle, Emmie discovers that sometimes the best solutions come from unexpected friendships. With stunning illustrations reminiscent of Rube Goldberg and David Macaulay, Emmie Builds Something New is a captivating tale that celebrates innovation, resilience, and the power of kindness.
This delightful story not only entertains but also inspires young readers, especially girls with a passion for STEM. Join Emmie on her roller-coaster journey of discovery, where every challenge is an opportunity to create, learn, and ultimately build a bridge of understanding with her newfound companion. Ultimately Emmie finds a way to coexist with the cat and discovers that empathy is the pathway to peace and friendship.
Review
The mention of Goldberg and Macaulay in the blurb nails it. Emmie is a pint sized inventor with big dreams and the know-how to make them come true. She tinkers around making her life better UNTIL — the cat arrives. She sketches, she scrounges, she scribbles, and then she builds increasingly amazing contraptions but — the cat is still there. What to do? Well, Emmie thinks, she ponders, and then she makes something new and then makes a friend.
This is a delightfully illustrated book with tons for readers to look at on every page. Emmie doesn’t just throw things together, no she does drafts, and uses her brain to figure out how to turn her creativity into an actual thing. When things don’t work out quite as she planned, she rethinks and tries again. She also stops to notice what’s in front of her face and reaches out. Emmie and her friend are best pals now. B+
AmazonBNKoboAREGoogle Play Store
A Gallery of Cats by Ruth Brown
When Tom visits an art gallery with his grandma, he wanders into a side room and discovers a very special exhibition indeed.One by one, the cats in the paintings come to life and follow him as he views all the pictures, until a large and scary cat makes them all rush back to the safety of their own frames.Ruth Brown has brilliantly imagined her own masterpieces in this playful exploration of the artistic styles of famous painters through the years. Tom discovers 13 painters from Mondrian to Munch and Kahlo to Klimt, learning along the way about the artists themselves, art styles, and even breeds of cat! This is an intriguing introduction to art for the young that will be pored over by children and adults alike.
Review
The illustrations are the draw for this one. Okay, yes that’s a bad pun. Still Ruth Brown skillfully works different cats into the paintings and styles of various artists. As Tom moves through this wing of the museum, he learns about the various artists as well as different breeds of cats. There’s lots of whimsy in this one. B
AmazonBNKoboAREGoogle Play Store
Flora and the Jazzers by Astrid Sheckels
What will become of the music in Flora’s heart?
Flora the ferret longs to attend a concert someday, but she is only a lowly scullery maid. She must save every penny.
When she discovers that the Jazzers, her favorite band, are performing at the hotel where she works, Flora is determined to hear them. But her manager forbids her from going. “Music is not for someone like you,” he tells her.
It turns out, however, that the Jazzers have a problem, and Flora might be just the one to help…
A Cinderella-like animal story set in the 1920s for readers with a song in their heart, written and illustrated by Astrid Sheckels.
Review
Flora is a ferret with music in her heart. As she scrubs and polishes, she hums. Then her big chance arrives and Flora closes her eyes and lets the music inside her flow out. A 1920s ferret star is born. I could spend a long time gazing at the lovely illustrations, picking out the different animals and details. Be sure to check out Flora after she gets gussied up in her new gown and opera length white gloves! Flora dreams big and doesn’t let circumstances keep her down. B
AmazonBNKoboAREGoogle Play Store
The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake by Devin Elle Kurtz
Running a bakery is no cakewalk for a tiny dragon with a big sweet tooth! Tummy rumbles turn to belly laughs in this feel-good picture book from the bestselling author and illustrator of The Bakery Dragon.
Batter up!
Ember is in charge while the baker takes a trip and he’s excited to show what he can do! When an opinionated fairy princess swoops in demanding a cake, he eagerly agrees. So what if he’s only baked bread before? How hard can it be?
The sugar hits the fan when Ember’s first attempt is a complete disaster. He tries again and again, but the royal customer is not happy. Everyone told Ember he was such a good baker, so why can’t he get this right? If he doesn’t figure it out soon, the only thing on the menu will be humble pie.
Magic shimmers on every page of this whimsical story about how to bake a cake, make new friends and learn from your mistakes.
Review
Last year I met Ember, a little dragon who discovers he’s a natural baker with an eye for enterprise. Ember kneading each loaf with gusto and flair while wearing his chef’s toque is so adorable. He’s lucky that his core customers don’t mind charcoal undertones should Ember forget to set the timer. Then he gets a customer who wants something different. Can Ember pivot to a new product?
Wonderful illustrations show us the magnificent Princess Turnip asking Ember for a cake but as Ember’s never seen a cake, it takes a while for him to work out exactly what is being requested. Thankfully, Princess Turnip knows where to look in the library – (the recipe book is right by ‘Sixty Soups for the Vegan Centaur’ in case you need to know). I enjoyed this book just as much as the first one. B+
AmazonBNKoboAREGoogle Play Store
These all sound charming, Jayne. Thanks for sharing!
@Kareni: You’re welcome. I’ve got to get my children’s books in.
These are lovely. I feel better just reading your reviews of each. Thank you.
@Darlynne: You’re welcome. The way I feel better after reading them is why I keep reading and reviewing children’s books.