Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué rico! Americas’ Sproutings,

Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué rico! Americas’ Sproutings, Haiku by Pat Mora, picures by Rafael López, Lee&Low, 2007

This collection of haiku poetry bursts with color and flavor on every page. Each poem focuses on a particular nut, berry or edible that is native to the Americas. The words sing and the illustrations glow with the essence of blueberry-ness or peanut-itude or what it means to taste and eat prickly pear.

Mora has included some history and interesting facts about the "sproutings" of the Americas.

"Papayas...are believed to have originated in southern Mexico and Central America"

"Once considered poisonous, tomatoes are now one of the world's most prized foods."

"In 1995, potatoes became the first vegetable grown in outer space."

The poetry is delicious. Reading "Vanilla" sent me into the freezer for some Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream.

Quick! Lick white river
running down the cone cooling
your warm summer laugh.

Rafael López has created spectacular art work to accompany the verses. His colors are vibrant and beautiful. The book touches so many curriculum areas, poetry, science, nutrition, history, art and more.

I would consider this a must-have purchase for the core collection of any school library.
Put it on your next order now.
Bound to Stay Bound : Follett : Mackin :

Our Seasons

Our Seasons by Grace Lin and Ranida T. McKneally, illustrated by Grace Lin, 2006

In this part of Texas we do have four seasons. They are Hot & Humid, Downpour, Open-Window-Day (usually a day in the traditional Fall and Spring where we all open our windows to let in the beautiful fresh air and then slam them shut,) and Cool. I am not complaining, that is just the way it is. The friendliest folks in the world live here and if the weather was different, we couldn't afford our homes.

This year however, we have also managed to squeeze in winter. January 2007 (and now February) has been so gray and cold and rainy that people are starting to suffer the kind of cabin fever and semi-depression that is usually reserved for snow bound folks up north. We are just not used to so many days in a row of gloom, chill and rain. This seems like a good time to bring a terrific book to the attentions of school librarians who are looking for new resources for the first grade "Seasons" unit or haiku poetry.

Lin and McKneally have crafted a different kind of "seasons" book. Autumn, winter, spring and summer are described with haiku verse and illustrated with scenes of children enjoying the time of year. There are also questions and scientific explanations for aspects of the seasons, like "Why do my cheeks turn red in the cold?" or "Why do bees like flowers?" Kids in this part of the world would probably like to know the answer to "Why is the air sticky?" The book would pair with Chris Van Allsburg's The Stranger as Lin beautifully illustrates frost on the window and the book answers the question, "Why is there frost on the window?" Alas, the concept of Jack Frost is hard to relate to here on the coastal plain.

Grace Lin's signature use of texture and pattern evokes childhood with every brush stroke and the clear beautiful colors will engage readers.

This is a Gotta-have-it for school libraries.

Grace Lins blogs at Pacyforest