As the summer goes on my middle grades and young adult pile to read seems to be growing. However, this week I have two new picture books to share with you. Each was released this week, and they both are multicultural. Each is special in its own way. The first book is A Día de Muertos Story. Although the young boy in the story is preparing for the Día de Muertos, the book is not necessarily just about a Día de Muertos (a Day of the Dead) but the characters look like the traditional painted skeletons. The book is This Moment Is Special by John Parra. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
Through all moments of the day, both large and small, a boy prepares for a Day of the Dead celebration, in this “comforting” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) and “heartfelt…both gentle and profound” (School Library Journal) picture book from Pura Belpré Honor–winning author-illustrator John Parra.A single day in a boy’s life is filled with family, love, and inspiration as he prepares for the Día de Muertos celebration and remembers that all moments are special. Each moment reminds us of our family and those who have gone before us. Today holds a special promise, una promesa especial.
From Me:
What do you do when it is a special day? How do you prepare for the special part? How do you stay calm? What about your kids? How do they prepare and stay calm? This book is about a young boy who is preparing for Día de Muertos. He has breakfast with his family and goes to school. He has time with his friends and his grandmother. Throughout the book the reader learns about this boy. On every page spread there is a sentence in Spanish repeating the last line of English. The illustrations are colorful and fun. I love how he seems to enjoy school and describes his friends as people who like him for him and vice versa. He spends time with his grandmother and then his family says goodbye to her. Then it is time for the Día de Muertos celebration where they remember their family and friends and the good times they had together. The last illustration shows the young boy and his mother taking off the skeleton makeup. There is also a page of questions about special moments in the reader's life.
Although the boy and family are preparing for their Día de Muertos celebration, it is a book about special moments. Special moments happen to us all the time when we allow them to. It can be a special moment with a family member or friend or even by oneself. It can be a moment of joy. There are many special moments in our lives but sometimes we overlook them. It is important for young ones to learn to recognize them and discuss their feelings. This book opens that discussion. This book is perfect for a classroom to talk about special moments as well as Día de Muertos. It is also a fun book for any story time. I think there could be plenty of discussions with the various things the young boy does during the day.
The second book takes place in Africa. It is based on the author/illustrator's own childhood. It is Oh No, Ojó! by Àlàbá Ònájìn. It is also recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
Ojó loves to draw, but what happens when he starts to draw everywhere he shouldn’t? From an emerging Nigerian talent comes a humorous story dealing with a common preschooler issue.More than anything else, Ojó loves to draw. Mama says, “My little Ojó is making the world a more beautiful place.” But when he sneaks off with his sister’s pencil, she gets upset. Papa brings home markers, and Ojó starts drawing everywhere he shouldn’t. He ruins Papa’s newspaper and Mama’s shopping list and on every blank space he can find. How can his family encourage his love for drawing while teaching him that he can’t draw everywhere?
Then Ojó’s sister brings home a big pad of paper and Ojó immediately begins to fill it up. Mama hangs his drawings all over the house so Ojó can still make the world a more beautiful place.
This captivating picture book is a fun and funny read aloud with pictures that will make readers laugh. Based on the author-artist’s own childhood, this lush Nigerian setting introduces kids to a place that is seldom seen in picture books.
From Me:
I love that the story takes place in Nigeria, and it shows in the clothes. I love the details in the clothes and really all the illustrations. It is a simple story but one many families have similar tales. A child who wants to draw or create art but needs a place to do it without getting in trouble. I love how the family supports Ojó in his passion. This book is fun introduction to where one should and should not draw, but also to talk about the different culture and country. Readers can discuss similarities and differences between themselves and Ojó as well as the illustrations displaying Nigeria versus the United States. I can see kids enjoying the story.
