Fauja Singh Keeps Going

The True Story of the Oldest Person To Ever Run A Marathon

Kokila

(Penguin Random House)

(pub. 8.25.2020) 

48 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: Simran Jeet Singh
       and illustrator:  Baljinder Kaur

C haracter:  Fauja Singh

O verview:

       

    "Fauja Singh was born determined. He was also born with legs that wouldn’t allow him to play cricket with his friends or carry him to school miles from his village in Punjab. But that didn’t stop him. Working on his family’s farm, Fauja grew stronger to meet his own full potential.

He never stopped striving. At the age of 81, after a lifetime of making his body, mind, and heart stronger, Fauja decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records all around the world and became the first person over 100 to complete the grueling long-distance race.

With exuberant text by Simran Jeet Singh and exhilarating illustrations by Baljinder Kaur, the true story of Fauja Singh reminds us that it’s both where we start and how we finish that make our journeys unforgettable."

T antalizing taste: 

     "He wished he felt as strong as his name, which meant 'warrior lion.'

     When he was very little, his parents thought that he might never walk.

    Month after month and year after year went by, but Fauja did not take a single step.

    Aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas shook their heads  gravely and said: 'It's too hard. He's too weak.'

    But Fauja did not listen and Fauja did not stop.

    Instead, every morning he would listen to  his mother, who said, 'You know yourself, Fauja, and you know what you're capable of. Today is a chance to do your best.' 

    Fauja practiced walking outside his family's hut each day, staying in the mud to soften every fall."

 
And something more:  The foreward by Fauja Singh says: "I'm now 108 years old, which means I'm probably more than 100 years older that you. Can you believe that?

My  secret to a long and healthy life has been taking care of my mind, body, and soul. Every day, I challenge myself to think, exercise, eat healthy, and pray... I have really enjoyed my long life and hope you have a long and happy life too. I'd love for you to take care of  yourself, try your  hardest, and always choose yes when you meet a challenge."

Dark Was the Night

Blind Willie Johnson's Journey to the Stars

Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House)

(pub. 8.25.2020) 

32 pages 

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: Gary Golio
       and illustrator:  E.B. Lewis

 
C haracter:  Willie Johnson

O verview:

       

    "Willie Johnson loved to sing and play guitar. He went blind when he was young, but that didn't stop him from traveling all over Texas to perform on street corners and in small  churches. The unique way he  played slide guitar - with a penknife - gave  the instrument a voice of its own, and paired with his own raspy singing, he created an unforgettable sound...

     This powerful story introduces young readers to an influential musician who helped people find light and hope in their lives. Along with pieces by Bach, Beethoven, and the sound of a human heart, Willie Johnson's evocative 'Dark Was the Night' was chosen to represent humanity on the historic Golden Record, carried into space by the Voyager I."

T antalizing taste: 

     "In a dark quiet room, your voice poured into a microphone, slid down some wires, and scratched itself onto a wax disc. The record caught you breathing, singing, and moving your knife along those steel strings.

     It was the sound of one human being reaching out to all the others, telling them not to be afraid of the dark.

     After all, if a blind man could see the light ..."

And something more:  The back matter of Dark Was the Night discusses the background of The Golden Record time capsule sent out into space in 1977: "On August 25, 2012, Voyager I  - traveling through space at 38,000 miles per hour - became the first human-made object to leave our  solar system and journey so far from Earth.  On it is the song of a blind man, someone who knew both light and darkness, bearing a message of hope to the stars themselves."

The Cat Man of Aleppo

 

Penguin Random House

(pub. 4.14.2020) 
40 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top  

A uthor: 

Karim Shamsi-Basha and Irene Latham
       and illustrator:  Yuko Shimizu

 
C haracter: Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel

O verview:        

 

"The  courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats...

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe."

ABOUT THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO

The courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats.

Aleppo’s city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty–except for the many cats left behind.

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

ABOUT THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO

The courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats.

Aleppo’s city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty–except for the many cats left behind.

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

ABOUT THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO

The courageous and true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats.

Aleppo’s city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty–except for the many cats left behind.

Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his neighbors flee to safety, leaving their many pets behind. Alaa decides to stay–he can make a difference by driving an ambulance, carrying the sick and wounded to safety. One day he hears hungry cats calling out to him on his way home. They are lonely and scared, just like him. He feeds and pets them to let them know they are loved. The next day more cats come, and then even more! There are too many for Alaa to take care of on his own. Alaa has a big heart, but he will need help from others if he wants to keep all of his new friends safe.

T antalizing taste:

     "Alaa loves his city of Aleppo. He loves its narrow alleys and covered bazaars selling  pistachios, jasmine soap and green za'atar. He loves the boiled corn and dried figs offered on the street. Most of all, he loves the people of Aleppo. They are gentle, polite, and loving - like him.

     Even when war comes to Aleppo, Alaa doesn't flee like so many others. 

    He continues his work as an ambulance driver. He swerves through rubbled streets and carries the wounded to safety. He comforts and holds them. Alaa has a big heart."

And something more: In A Note from Karim at the back of  the book, the co-author explains "My heart breaks for my country. I grew up in  Damascus and remember going to college in Aleppo in 1983, one of the most beautiful cities I had ever seen. Rich in history and culture, Aleppo harkens back to the early days of humanity, competing with Damascus for the title of Oldest Continuously Inhabited City on Earth. Unfortunately, the current war has destroyed many of Aleppo's historic treasures. It has also caused millions of people to become refugees, and thousands of animals to become homeless... It has been my honor to speak numerous times with Alaa ... over the course of writing this book. His work now includes an orphanage for  children left parentless from the war... His story is a tale we can all learn from, to hopefully become more compassionate human beings."

Girl on a Motorcycle

Viking (Penguin Random House)

(pub. 9.8.2020)  

48 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor

       Amy Novesky
       and illustrator:

       Julie Morstad  

 

C haracter: Anne-France Dautheville

O verview: 

      

"One day, a girl gets on her motorcycle and rides away. She wants to wander the world.  

To go ...

Elsewhere.

This is the true story of the first woman to ride a motorcycle around the world alone. Each place has something to teach her. Each place is beautiful. And despite many flat tires and falls, she learns to always get back up and keep riding."

T antalizing taste: 

     "A pink sunset is a gift to the lone girl on a motorcycle, on the way to Istanbul.

      Here, a bridge connects the east to the west. The girl and her motorcycle cross from one continent to another. The sea sparkles below her.

     One day she will write a book. She will tell the world: It is hard. It is hot. I learned a lot. 

     Children run after her bike, shout. Hello! Hello! Mister! Mister!

     Some are curious, others shy. Yes, I am a girl.

      Children run after her bike, shout. Goodbye! Goodbye!"

And something more: The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books' starred review touches on the poignancy of this beautifully written and illustrated book reaching us at this time (or any time):  “This eminently sharable title arrives as soothing balm, stirring reminders of the world beyond household walls and offering images onto which each can attach a personal dream: Where is my ‘Elsewhere’? Whom would I meet? What would I see?” 

    I asked my talented author friend, Amy Novesky, if she would share a few thoughts about writing this book, and she kindly wrote:  

    "I love to travel, but I am a very nervous traveler. That’s one of the reasons I was drawn to this story; Anne-France was strong, but she wasn’t fearless. Before she left on her very first trip, she was nervous, couldn’t sleep. What’s that saying about being brave? If you’re not afraid, you can’t be brave.

Speaking of being brave, I felt I couldn't write this story without experiencing what it's like to ride on a motorcycle, and it had been years since I'd been on one. So, I bid on and won at my son's school auction a motorcycle ride with one of the teachers, beating out all of the adventurous dads. It was terrifying and exhilarating, and I discovered how much I love my spine."

Amy's last note in the book is powerful: "What I  wish for all young citizens of the world, for every human being on this incredible planet, is the ability and freedom to travel, to wander, and to lust for elsewhere, to meet people, to experience through their own eyes and hearts that the world is beautiful and good. Because I believe, dear reader, that it is."

16 Words

William Carlos Williams
& "The Red Wheelbarrow"

Schwartz & Wade
(pub. 9.24.2019) 
 40 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: Lisa Roger
      and illustrator:  Chuck Groenink

 
C haracter: William Carlos Williams

O verview: 
     "A wheelbarrow.
      A drizzle of rain.
      Chickens scratching in the damp earth.

Open this oh-so-simple picture book and discover how William Carlos Williams turned the everyday things he saw outside a window into his greatest poem."

T antalizing taste: 
     "Dr. Williams depends on his doctor's bag to carry the tools he needs.
     Along with his stethoscope and syringes, he carries a pen. A pen for writing prescriptions. A pen for crafting poems.
     Writing poems brings Dr. Williams joy, and he fits in his writing around his doctoring...
     He writes about trees, a fire engine, cats, and plums.
     He chooses the words for his poetry as carefully as he examines his patients."

And something more: The Author's Note explains that "as a young man, Williams had wanted to be an athlete, but he collapsed after a high school race  and was found to have a heart condition. He was despondent. 'Like a bolt out of the blue,' his first poem came to him:

     A black, black cloud
     flew over the sun
     driven by fierce flying
     rain.

He felt such happiness that 'from that moment I was a poet.'"