Cheryl Rainfield's Blog, page 108

Seasons

written and illustrated by Anne Crausaz

Reading level: Baby-Preschool (and up)

Publisher: Kane/Miller

Date published: March 2011

ISBN-10: 161067006X, ISBN-13: 978-1610670067

My rating: 4.5/5 stars

Seasons will encourage children to see the joy in the natural world, to truly take in all the sensory experiences nature has to offer, and will remind adults of that joy.

Crausaz's lean text reads almost like poetry. It is evocative; in just short sentences, she reminds us of our many senses and the way that we can enjoy nature–by seeing the green of springtime, smelling the blossoms, hearing the birds sing, feeling the tickle of a ladybug, tasting a sweet cherry. Crausaz's text is very tactile. She reminds us of the simple beauty and magic of the world (fireflies, leaves to jump in), and encourages us to enjoy it. Crauzaz takes us from spring through all the seasons, and then back into spring again.

Crausaz, through beautifully spare, stylized art, shows us the beauty of nature, and the ways that we can interact with it. The leaves and flowers look almost like cut-outs, and are often repeated in patterns on the page. Only a few colors are used in each spread–red, green, some yellows and browns appearing most often–yet nothing feels like it's missing. A young girl appears in many–but not all–of the spreads; nature is big and bright in the pages, and draws the reader's attention.

Seasons can help introduce the outside world in a way that is soothing and cheering; it will encourage young and old to get out in nature and enjoy its beauty. Highly recommended.

Source: Review copy from publisher

I will be signing Scars, along authors Mahtab Narsimhan (The Deadly Conch) & Helene Boudreau (Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings) in Toronto on April 23rd at 1pm at Indigo Yorkdale. If you're in Toronto, I'd love to have you stop by.

Check out the beautiful poster Mahtab's publicist created to help us get the word out about the event!

I am always happy to personalize copies of Scars (or any of my books). If you can't get to see me, you can always request a free signed bookplate.

If you're a reader, and you like Scars–or any book by any author–one way you can help us is to write a review (even just a few sentences!) on Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing, your blog…anywhere people might see it. It really does make a difference. It helps let others know about the book. So please, if you liked Scars, consider leaving a review. I would be grateful. And don't be shy about letting an author know you liked a book! We love hearing from readers.

I love things like this–art created by a typewriter (primarily a tool for writers) AND created by someone who might struggle in other areas. This incredible art–incredible because it is rendered so beautifully, and incredible because it's created only through the use of a typewriter and an eraser–is created by Paul Smith, who has spastic paralysis. It took him 32 years to learn to walk, about half that to learn to talk–and he creates this amazing art. I find that inspiring. How about you?

Reading books that deal with the issues you're going through—and talking or journaling about it afterward—can help you get things you need. You can find out you're not alone; feel understood; discover new ways to work through a problem; or think about your situation in a new light. Books can help you understand yourself—or the people around you—more.

As you read a novel, you may find yourself identifying with a character, and as they work through a problem or express emotion, you may also be able to express or release emotion as well, or find a way to deal with your problem. When we read, we're not just reading the words—we're experiencing the story on many levels—emotionally, physically, even on sensory levels. We bring our own experiences to the story, and use them to help the novel become rich and real. And in doing that, books help us work through things.

If there's an issue that you find hard to talk about, you can give a novel on the subject to someone you care about, and ask them to read it. I've had readers tell me they've done that with Scars, to help a friend or family member understand about self-harm or sexual abuse. I did it myself many times as a teen, giving books to people on incest when there were things I couldn't say aloud. You can do it for any issue.

You can find many lists online that deal with all sorts of issues, from bullying to incest, divorce to estrangement, being queer or dealing with an illness. Try typing "bibliotherapy" plus whatever issue you're wanting to read about in Google. You can also type in the issue into Amazon or other online bookstores, or ask your librarian for suggestions. There are so many great books out there. I also have a lot of books I recommend (found on the right-hand side of my blog, labeled "Cheryl Rainfield's Recommended Books", for a lot of issues, including self-harm, sexual abuse, physical abuse, being queer, dealing with death, and many more. They're just a starting point, but they're books I recommend.

I hope you'll search out books that speak to you!

If you're near Battle Creek, MI, I will be giving a talk on the way novels can help us (and on Scars) March 23, 7pm at the Willard Library. Hope to see you there! (And also a talk at 3pm, for teens only.)

I'm so happy and excited–Scars is a finalist for the 2011 SCBWI Crystal Kite Member Choice Awards! It's such a good feeling–to have my work honored by my peers. (beaming)

If you've seen my It Gets Better video, or read some of my posts about Scars, you might know that I struggled with suicide as a teen, especially, but some other years as well. The emotional pain from the abuse and torture sometimes felt too unbearable, and when that was coupled with despair, I went past the planning stage and did try to kill myself. Being queer in a homophobic society also added to that.

I'm glad I'm here. Things have gotten so much better. But suicide is still an issue for many teens (and, I think, survivors of abuse, and queer people experiencing great homophobia). One teen killing themselves every 17 seconds is way, way too many! The video below is powerful, and, I think, ultimately hopeful. I hope you'll watch and share it.

I've posted about edible books before; I love the idea! Bringing a love for books and food, and creativity together.

Check out this video to see a yearly edible books celebration in Seattle.

My Name Is Not Alexander

written by Jennifer Fosberry, illustrated by Mike Litwin

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Publisher: Sourcebooks, March 2011

ISBN-13: 978-1402254338

My rating: 4/5 stars




In My Name Is Not Alexander, a young boy goes throughout his day, refusing to be called by his own name, Alexander, but rather choosing, each time, a new (historical) hero to be called after. Each time his father calls him the name he last used, he chooses a new name–that of a specific hero. The story has a playful feel to it, and a good rhythm, with the reader quickly expecting that the boy will try on a new hero and name. In the first few pages the text felt a bit stilted, but it quickly became a very enjoyable read. The story encourages the reader to dream big–to know that they can do anything they want to, become anything they want. I like that the heroes are not just traditional ones, but also include an inventor and a dancer.

At first I found the text "the father," and "the boy" disconcerting and distancing, but I grew to expect it. The father goes along with the boy's new name each time, being patient and encouraging, and always understanding which hero the boy means, though the boy only uses first names (which helps with the story flow). Fosberry's text is made up entirely of dialog, which helps the story move quickly, as does that Fosberry made sure we only see each new name and event they are going to, not any extraneous details.

Litwin's imaginative, vibrant illustrations add so much to this book. The life in them reaches off the page, the colors vibrant and rich, the characters with an almost 3-D quality to them. Adults will love the depth, the perspective, the way Litwin is aware of light and shadow, and the textures and subtle patterns, while young readers will like the almost cartoon-like appeal, and the things that the teddy bear is doing in every second illustration.

I love when an illustrator enriches the text, adding images that help make the story stronger, the text richer. Litwin creates a visual link from page to page; with the text alone, we would sometimes miss out on exactly where they were or what event they were coming from, but Litwin makes it clear. Litwin also visually shows us the context for each hero. For instance, from the words alone "I am Joseph, the greatest, proudest warrior who ever was!" the reader might not understand that Joseph was a Native American leader, but with Litwin's illustrations showing the chief appear through smoke (the teddy bear fanning it), and the teepees growing along into the modern world, it becomes clear.

Readers will love seeing how the boy's teddy bear, who is clearly just an inanimate, normal teddy bear in the illustrations where the boy is a boy, come alive to take part in the boy's imaginative quests into being a different person, actively helping him (pitching for Jackie, turning a crank for Thomas, and more).

Parents, teachers, and curious readers will like that there is a section at the back with brief biographies and the full names of each historical hero, as well as a list of other books to check out on those figures.

This is an enjoyable, encouraging book. Recommended!





Source: Copy from publisher