Nonsense!

The Curious Story of Edward Gorey

Versify 

(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

(pub. 3.24.2020) 

 40 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: Lori Mortensen
       and illustrator: Chloe Bristol

C haracter:  Edward Gorey

O verview:

 

"Known for, among other things, wearing a large fur coat wherever he went, storyteller Edward Gorey was respected for both his brilliance and his eccentricity. As a child, he taught himself to read and skipped several grades before landing at Harvard (after a brief stint in the army). Then he built a name for himself as a popular book illustrator. After that, he went on to publish well over one hundred of his own books, stories that mingled sweetness and innocence, danger and darkness, all mixed with his own brand of silliness"

T antalizing taste:

"When publishers turned him down, Edward launched his own company, Fantod Press.

No one had ever seen books like Edward's before.

He wrote strange stories with curious titles like 

    The Unstrung  Harp,

    The Abandoned Sock,

    The Wuggly Ump,

    The Galoshes of Remorse,

    and The Gashlycrumb Tinies ...

Instead of drawing colorful, happy-go-lucky pictures, Edward used pen and ink to draw seas of sketchy black lines, as if the stories were set in a time and place long ago."

And something more:  The Author's Note explains that as a  child prodigy, Edward "began drawing by the age of one and a half and taught himself to read by the age of three. Since his books have a dark side, people think he must have had a tragic childhood too. But Gorey admitted his was as happy as anyone's and included playing neighborhood games of kick the can and Monopoly, going to the movies, and reading all kinds of books from comics to horror. His favorites included The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, books by A.A. Milne, and Agatha Christie mysteries."

The Crayon Man

The True Story
of the Invention
of Crayola Crayons

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(pub. 3.19.2019) 
48 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top   

A uthor:  Natascha Biebow

 and illustrator: Steven Salerno
 
C haracter: Edwin Binney

O verview: 
     "What child doesn't love to hold a crayon in their hands? But children didn't always have such magical boxes of crayons. Before Edwin Binney set out to change things, most children couldn't afford colored crayons.
     Here's the true story of an inventor who so loved nature's vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children - in a bright green box for only a nickel! With experimentation, and a special knack for listening, Edwin Binney and his dynamic team created one of the world's most enduring, best -loved childhood toys - Crayola crayons - empowering children around the world to imagine and draw ANYTHING!

T antalizing taste: 
     "In a large tub at the mill, Edwin's team measured out the ingredients:
                melted wax,
                       clay to thicken,
                                 something for texture, 
                                        colored powders,
each in just the right amount every time to make ... a top-secret formula.

... Finally, one summer evening in June 1903, Edwin came home covered in color, and announced that he'd invented a new kind of colored crayon.
     But what should he call it?
     Alice [his wife] had an idea.
     She said let's mix the French word craie for stick of chalk, and the word ola from the word oleaginous, meaning oily like the oily texture of the crayon wax, to invent a new word - Crayola."

And something more: The back matter of THE CRAYON MAN explains that the "successful Crayola business meant that Edwin and [his cousin] Harold could give back to the community. Edwin created a big park with flowers, trees, a pond, and playing fields in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.  And when times were tough during the Great Depression, Crayola factory workers kept their jobs and local farmers got work labeling and packing crayons."

The Funniest Man in Baseball

The True Story of

Max Patkin

Clarion Books
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
(pub. 4.3.2018)
40 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top   

A uthor:  Audrey Vernick
    and illustrator: Jennifer Bower

C haracters: Max Patkin

O verview from the jacket flap: 
     "Max Patkin was in the minor leagues when an injury sidelined him. He left his dreams behind and joined the navy, where eventually he was able to play ball again. And this time he got to pitch against superstar Joe DiMaggio! When Joe hit one out of the park, Max threw down his glove, left the pitcher's mound, and chased Joe around the bases, making faces and imitating his every move. The crowd loved it! A baseball clown was born.
     This inspiring and comical biography about a professional ballplayer turned legendary funnyman carries an important message: Dreams don't usually turn out exactly as you'd hoped... but moving in a new direction can sometimes bring happy surprises."

T antalizing taste: 
      "Did you hear the one about the pitcher who walked into a ballpark? He turned into a clown!

     No, seriously!
     TRUE STORY!
     The pitcher's name was Max Patkin and when he was growing up in Philadelphia, he slept with his baseball glove and cap under his pillow every night.
     He worked to become a high-kicking fastball pitcher, playing in sandlot games and then straight through high school and into the minor leagues.
     He was a funny guy, a goofy guy, always looking for a laugh, but serious about becoming a major-league player."

    

and something more:  Audrey Vernick's Author's Note explains: "He loved talking about the long afternoons and evenings at ballparks all over the country, the players he met, the publicity stunts he'd witnessed, the amazing firsts and lasts and never-agains. Some of the stories sounded unbelievable, even to Max, and he was there when they happened. That's why he'd often add 'true story' at the end. It was Max's version of 'happily ever after.'"

One Fun Day with Lewis Carroll

A Celebration of Wordplay
and a Girl Named Alice

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

(pub.1.9.2018)
32 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top   

A uthor:  Kathleen Krull
    and illustrator: Julia Sarda

C haracter: Lewis Carroll

O verview from the jacket flap: 

     "Japperwocky

      Frabjous

      Bandersnatch

     What might those words mean? Lewis Carroll could tell you; he thought them up! He also dreamed up some of the most playful, beloved and enduring stories and poems in literary history. The most famous of those was for his young friend Alice, in a tale about tumbling into Wonderland.

     Interwoven with words and phrase of Carroll's own invention, One Fun Day with Lewis Carroll is a freewheeling celebration of language, wordplay, and imagination. Callooh! Callay!"

T antalizing taste: 
      

     "Lewis's friends in the boat were glued to their seats, not daring to gyre or gimble. Not even a Bandersnatch could have distracted them. Lewis added details that kep the real Alice and her sisters beamish, and also peppered the tale with things that would tickle grownups. He threw in breathless escapes, witty arguments about nothing, and one slithy surprise after another."

 
and something more: The Back Matter of One Fun Day with Lewis Carroll states that "Charles Lutwidge Dodgson ... lived in England during the Victorian era. It was a stuffy time, when even children's books weren't intended to be fun: instead, they were to offer lectures about good behavior ... In his twenties, always playing with words, he translated 'Charles Lutwidge' into Latin and then back into English, reversing the words to become 'Lewis Carroll' the name by which we know him today."
     I was fascinated to learn that "nearly two hundred words invented or adapted by Carroll appear in the Oxford English Dictionary...", many of which are included in a delightful glossary in the book.

Big Machines

The Story of

Virginia Lee Burton

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(HMH Books for Young Readers)

(pub. 9.5.2017)
48 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: Sherri Duskey Rinker
      and illustrator: John Rocco

C haracter: Virginia Lee Burton

O verview from the jacket flap: 

     "In this book, you will find ... a train that goes 'choo, choo!'... a steam shovel named Mary Anne... Katy, the brave tractor ... and even a little pink house (surprise!)
     Big Machines were the stars of Virginia Lee Burton's classic picture books. But in this loving tribute to her life and legacy by the New York Times best-selling creators Sherri Duskey Rinker and John Rocco, Burton and her big imagination take center stage. So come along to seaside Folly Cove to catch up with old friends, make new friends, and celebrate Jinnee's magic."

T antalizing taste: 
      

     "First there is just paper: white, white, white,
      Jinnee touches it and .... POP!
      With a whoosh of black and
      some strokes of red and green,
      Aris and Michael meet ... Katy!

      Katy is a beautiful, bright crawler tractor,
      She can roll on her thick black reads.
      She can push with a bulldozer blade attached.

      But best of all, Katy can plow!"

 

and something more: The back matter of Big Machines talks about Virginia Lee Burton's California and San Francisco connections (which I appreciated): "Jinnee spent most of her childhood in California, and there fell in love with dancing, music, and later, art.  Jinnee was intelligent, hardworking, talented, and - to all who knew her - lively and beautiful.   
     After graduating high school Jinnee won a scholarship to attend the California School of Fine arts in San Francisco. She studied art, and, with equal passion, also continued to study dance. During the long travel to school by train ferryboat, and cable car, she began drawing from her memory and from what she saw, often making quick sketches of other passengers (they never knew!)"

When Jackie Saved Grand Central

The True Story
of Jacqueline Kennedy's
Fight for an American Icon

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

(pub. 3.7.2017)
48 pages

A True Tale with
A Cherry On Top  

A uthor: Natasha Wing
      and illustrator: Alexandra Boiger

C haracter: Jacqueline Kennedy

O verview from the jacket flap: 

     "Jacqueline Kennedy loved everything about her home city, from the beauty of the parks to the grandeur of the buildings. Grand Central Terminal was one of the grandest buildings of all - but in 1968, it was in danger of destruction. Jackie couldn't imagine changing New York City's famous train station! So the former First Lady of the United States and other passionate Americans came together to save the iconic landmark, embarking on a journey that went all the way to the Supreme Court. And as they fought to preserve the past, those who loved Grand Central made history."

T antalizing taste: 
      

     "When Jackie had renovated the White House, she realized how much Americans cared about their history. New Yorkers didn't want to lose this link to their city's past either. So Jackie wasn't going to let that happen.
      Like a powerful locomotive, Jackie led the charge to preserve the landmark she and New York city loved. She joined city leaders and founded the Committee to Save Grand Central. She spoke at press conferences and made headlines." 

 

and something more: I enjoyed reading about the author's and illustrator's connections to Grand Central:

"Natasha Wing and Alexandra Boiger both say that a visit to Grand Central is not complete without walking into the Main Concourse and looking up - where the stars shine fro the cerulean ceiling.

     Natasha grew up in Connecticut, not far from New York City. Traveling by train, she was awed by Grand Central as it welcomed her to the bustling city... Alexandra spent her childhood in Germany, but after she grew up, she moved to New York City for several years and came to love Grand Central."

Drum Dream Girl

How One Girl's Courage
Changed Music

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

(published 3.31.2015) 48 pages

A True Tale
with A Cherry On Top

A uthor: Margarita Engle
      and Illustrator: Rafael Lopez

C haracter: Milo Castro Zaldarriaga

O verview from the jacket flap:

    "'Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music and rhythm, no one questioned that rule until the drum dream girl. She longed to play tall congas and small bongos and silvery, moon-bright timbales. She had to keep her dream quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that boys and girls should be free to drum and dream.
     Inspired by a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers. Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere."

T antalizing taste:

"When she walked under
wind-wavy palm trees
in a flower-bright park
she heard the whir of parrot wings
the clack of woodpecker beaks
the dancing tap of her own footsteps
and the comforting pat
of her own
heartbeat."

and something more: The Historical Note at the back of the book explains the background for this inspiring poem: "In 1932 at the age of ten, Millo Castro Zaldarriaga performed with her older sisters as Anacaona, Cuba's first 'all-girl dance band.' Millo became a world-famous musician, playing alongside all the American jazz greats of the era. At age fifteen, she played her bongo drums at a New York birthday celebration for U.S president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, where she was enthusiastically cheered by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. There are now many female drummers in Cuba."  This wonderfully lyrical book certainly makes me hope I will someday hear female drummers, in person in Cuba!

Mister and Lady Day

Billie Holiday
and the Dog Who Loved Her

This post joins other
kidlit bloggers on the
Nonfiction Monday Roundup

and also joins It's Monday!

What are you reading?

at Teacher Mentor Texts

Harcourt Children's Books
(Houghton Miffllin Harcourt)

(pub. 6.18.2013) 32 pages

A True Tale with 
A Cherry On Top

A uthor: Amy Novesky
           and Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley Newton

    

C haracter: BILLIE HOLIDAY - jazz singer

O verview from the jacket flap: 

    "The great jazz singer Billie Holiday, known as Lady Day, had fame, style, a distinctive singing voice - and lots of dogs! But a boxer named Mister was the dog she loved most.
     She took good care of Mister, and Mister took good care of her. When the spotlight lit her up like star, Mister was there. When the stage - and her life - went dark, Mister was there. No matter what, Mister gave Lady Day courage.
     But would she have enough courage to sing at the grandest venue of her career? The audience at New York City's Carnegie Hall was expecting great things."

T antalizing taste: 

     "Then, just when her career was at the top, Lady got into trouble. She had to leave home for a year and a day. And Mister couldn't come. Lady knew what it was like to be left, and it made her heartsick. She promised Mister she'd be home soon.

     But when she looked into his sad eyes, she wasn't sure she'd ever see him again.

     While Lady was gone, she wrote letters and knit sweaters. But she did not sing. Singing was about feeling, and she didn't feel a thing."

and something more: The back matter of Mister and Lady Day explains that "Despite achieving fame, Billie's life was not always a happy one.  When she was a girl, her father abandoned her, and her mother worked away from home, leaving Billie behind.  As an adult, she suffered from a drug addiction and, at the peak of her career, was sentenced to one year in prison for drug possession.  While she was gone she refused to sing, because, she said, 'I didn't feel a thing.'  
        But on March 2, 1948, just days after her homecoming, she performed a sold-out show at New York City's prestigious Carnegie Hall before a crowd of thousands ... In spite of her troubles - troubles that would follow her until the day she died at age forty-four - the great Lady Day shone like a star that memorable night." 

      I'm thrilled to share this wonderful book by my friend and amazing writer, Amy Novesky.  As I'm always curious as to why an author chose to write a book a certain way, I asked Amy about her inspiration for Mister and Lady Day. 
        Amy explained, "I wanted to write a picture book about Billie Holiday, but just didn't know how to do it, given that she had a life that involved elements that are not particularly appropriate for kids (prostitution, drug addiction, prison). But when I learned that Billie loved dogs and had many in her life, I knew that I had my story. (I have a beloved pug dog named George). And when I learned that her favorite was a dog named Mister, I had my title, Mister & Lady Day."  (And, by the way, Amy's dog, George, is a sweet funny one...maybe there will be a future book titled George and Amy!) 

The Extraordinary Music of Mr. Ives

The True Story of a
Famous American Composer

This post joins Nonfiction Monday

hosted today at Perogies & Gyoza

and also joins It's Monday!

What are you reading?

at Teacher Mentor Texts

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

(pub. 10.9.2012) 32 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top

A uthor and illustrator: Joanne Stanbridge 

    

C haracter: Charles Ives

O verview from the publisher: 

   "The honk of a car horn. The busy clatter of footsteps. The blast of a ship's whistle. To some, these everyday sounds are noise, but to Charles Ives, a businessman by day and a composer at night, they are a symphony.

       After the attack and sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, all of New York falls silent, including Mr. Ives. But the sounds of hope wind their way into his heart, and he begins to shape them into music - extraordinary music inspired by a song overheard in the street on that dark day.

       With that spare text and tender illustrations, Joanne Stanbridge brings to life a shocking event in world history and reveals the beauty and power of artistic conviction." 

T antalizing taste: 

"All week long, Mr. Ives sits at his desk, adding and
subtracting numbers.

Now and then he has to stop working and let his
music come out. he lets it fly around the room, and
when it lands, he writes it down.

People don't listen to his music. They don't like it.
They don't understand it. They want familiar tunes
and beautiful harmonies - not songs that are as bold
as a city or as noisy as a traffic jam.

Mr. Ives writes his music down anyway. It lives inside
him like a friend, and he carries it with him wherever
he goes."

                       

and something more: Joanne Stanbridge explains, in the Author's Note, that the evening after Charles Ives learned of the torpedoing of the Lusitania, he "watched his fellow [train] commuters respond to the tragedy by [joining in the singing of his father's favorite hymn 'In the sweet bye and bye/ we shall meet on that beautiful shore']. He was deeply moved, and he shaped the experience into a musical piece that became the final movement of his Second Orchestral Set... finished in the autumn of 1915, and [performed for the first time] in 1967, thirteen years after Ives' death."
      Joanne Stanbridge shows the Lusitania tragedy with ten pages of powerful wordless illustrations. The next spread shows the "faces of the people on the train station... grim and sad, but the music [that they collectively sing] is like a promise."  The book ends with a quote from Aldous Huxley: "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."