Esmé Raji Codell's Blog, page 4

Journey by Aaron Becker. Wordless adventure with a magical red marker. Harold and the Purple Crayon, all-growed-up. (Picture updated:  a Caldecott honor book!) Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information; please support your local independent bookseller.  

 
Deep in the Sahara by Kelly Cunnane and Hoda Hadadi. Beautiful story about a Muslim girl in Mauritania who will be allowed to wear the malafa (head covering) once she understands what it truly means. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information; please support your local independent bookseller.

Laika: Astronaut Dog by Owen Davey. Striking, spot-on illustration inspired by vintage Russian poster art about the first dog sent into space. Ending is bittersweet, albeit fictional...I cried and cried and cried. A picture book tour de force. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information; please support your local independent bookseller.

Caterina and the Perfect Party by Erin Eitter Kono . A little bird is getting ready to host her first party, how exciting! But when best laid plans go awry, it's the guest list that makes all the difference. Love how this story plots out the real steps it takes to plan a fête...perfect for future Pinterest pinners. Fetching, cheerful illustrations will make this a favorite! You're invited to read! Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKweiOL0uRk..." /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.25in;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." target="_blank"><i>Once Upon a Northern Night</i> by Jean E. Pendziwol and Isabelle Arsenault</a></b>. A wintry lullaby, framed in frost. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.</div>

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style><br />--><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbsN5y38gEI..." height="320" width="249" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.25in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.25in;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." target="_blank"><i>King for a Day</i> by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Christiane Kromer</a></b>. A boy in a wheelchair bests a bully during Basant, the spring kite-flying festival in Pakistan. Unique multimedia collage illustrations add color and interest to a realistic story with many facets. An excellent addition both to multicultural and general collections, and always fun to learn about another celebration in the world! Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Link for information, please support your local independent bookseller.</span></div>

Owl Know How by Cat Rabbit and Isobel Knowles . The cloud town is sinking! Through some ingenious problem-solving of a DIY-minded rabbit and some owls with very strong wings, the town will be saved. Charming illustrations are photographs of handmade dolls, a la Etsy. The book even comes with a pattern for making your own owl! Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.

My Neighbor Is a Dog by Isabel Minhos Martins, illustrated by Madalena Matoso . So many interesting neighbors are moving in! A dog, an elephant couple, a crocodile...but the boy's parents are miffed (never mind that they are giraffes) and pack their bags. In his heart, the narrator knows he will return...someday. This Portuguese import is a subtle story about acceptance that uses a mod style to be peachy instead of preachy. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.  Link for information, please support your local independent bookseller.

<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} </style><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWBfXX9nW6g..." /></a></div><br /><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI..." target="_blank"><i>Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise</i> by Susan Blackaby and Carmen Segovia</a></b>. Nothing could be worth rousing Brownie from his winter rest...or could it? Lovely washy watercolors, and a solid secular pick for the season that still has the air of festivity. Recommended by The PlanetEsme Plan.</span></div>

Snowflakes Fall by Patricia Maclachlan and Steven Kellogg . A poetic romp in the snow by two children's lit talents as our guides.  Written in honor of the children and families at Sandy Hook. Recommended by the PlanetEsme Plan.