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Title: On the Wing Written by: David Elliott Illustrated by: Becca Stadtlander Published by: Candlewick Press, 2014 Themes/Topics: birds, birding, verse Suitable for ages: 6-9 Example spread: Synopsis: David Elliot and Becca Stadtlander invite the reader to wonder and smile at the variety, specificity, humor, majesty and splendor of fifteen birds—from the … Continue reading →

Henry’s Stars

By David Elliot

There’s a movie opening this weekend called “Tomorrowland” and I’m not sure if the Disney “imagineers” had anything to do with it, but the premise of looking to a better tomorrow in the future has me on board.

Dystopian films, where the future is about as unpleasant as it can possibly get, as fodder for movie magic, is hopefully on the wane. Though I ruefully must admit that “Mad Max: Fury Road” is still revealing the death of civilization, and cleaning up at the box office while it does.

The power of positivity in imagination is what we should be feeding our kids in what they take in, before they have to deal with harsh realities.

I know what you’re thinking. What about those brothers called Grimm? What about kids being readied as a tasty treat by a witch? What about all those mean step mothers and not a kind one in the bunch?

Wasn’t that a form of realism in the long ago that prepared young readers for the failings of good fortune?

Yes! But it did so with a hopefulness in its arc that said to kids, “Things may get tough, you’ll be hard pressed, but everything will work out if you try your hardest, and are true to who you are.” In other words, look at life with a positive attitude; with new eyes every day. Things can change – for the better.

Long way round the block to Henry the pig; stargazer. He literally sees himself in the configuration of the constellations he looks up at, come nightfall. He sees himself, Henry the starry pig aloft in the heavens and calls it…. the “Great Pig in the Sky.” Pretty neat!

So happy is he that he drags his friends, the beautiful ovines named Maisie, Daisy, and Clementine, a sheep trio, to gaze in wonder at Henry in the heavens.

Wrong! Instead, they see a “Great Sheep.” And what of Abigail the cow? Think she sees the same as the rest? Nope. She sees a “Great Star Cow.” Natch!

And I don’t even have to relate what Mr. Brown, the horse, perceives in the heavens. But I will. He sees a “Great Starry Horse.”

And of course, the chickens join in, with feathers pointing heavenward at the “Heavenly Hens.”

What is it our children see when they look at a cloud patch on a dreamy summer day. Chances are it’s not what you see, even if you point and say, “Look at the …..”

They are their own “imagineers” as it were. And as long as we parents feed that part of them, fully and faithfully, dystopia be darned, they will create a “Tomorrowland” of their lives that will be every bit as wonderful and lasting and creative and changeable as Walt Disney imagined. Come to think of it, we need a Walt Disney today!

I am reminded of a Cherokee legend. A grandfather says to his grandson that two wolves are in a battle inside him… as well as every other person. One wolf is evil; full of sorrow, self-pity, anger, envy and resentment. The other is good; full of peace, hope, kindness, compassion and faith.

The young boy asks, “Which one wins?” The grandfather answers, “The one you feed.”

Thank you, Henry and Mr. Elliot, for pointing young readers to the stars, and not merely to the constant drumbeat of unpleasant realities.

They may come to young readers soon enough. Please let them dream a while longer, maybe even through a lifetime, of the stars.

Feed the good wolf of Tomorrowland in your children, and of what is possible if we allow them to dream with hopeful hearts! 

Another random week of picture books from my TBR shelf. I really enjoyed each of these!

I Know an Old Teacher by Anne Bowen, illustrations by Stephen Gammell is yes, yet another book based on the old classic "I Know an Old Woman," but this one is really awesome. The same elements are there:



"I know an old teacher who swallowed a spider.
It crawled down the wall and then sat down beside her.
She swallowed the spider to gobble the flea
that fell from her hair and plopped into her tea. (4)"

And on and on it goes. The illustrations are really what make this book. Miss Bindley is a completely disheveled mess with crazy, flaming orange hair and frumpy clothes and watching her actually swallow different things on each page is pretty funny. I especially enjoyed when she swallowed the snake!

As long as your children aren't afraid of women swallowing weird things, they should be fine with this great read aloud. Get your voice going faster and faster as the verses get longer and longer with each item she swallows and the giggles will be loud!

I Know an Old Teacher
Anne Bowen
32pages
Picture Book
Carolrhoda Books
9780822579847
September 2008

Transitioning to a more mellow, though still wonderfully enjoyable title, Willoughby and the Lion, written and illustrated by Greg Foley (who should be one of Fuse #8's Hot Men of Literature Series if he isn't already. Goodness!). The illustrations and coloring are fabulous...and just a bit brilliant...and the text is written in a kid-appealing manner, easy enough to understand the "surprise" at the end.

This is the story of Willoughby, a young boy that has just moved to a new house that feels much too small. When an enchanted lion offers to grant the boy 10 wishes, the very first wish just happens to be a huge house, quickly followed by a rollercoaster, friends to ride the rollercoaster with, and so on. The lion wants Willoughby to ask for the "most wonderful thing of all," for if he fails to do so, the lion will be forever stuck on a rock in Willoughby's backyard. As the boy wastes wish after wish on frivolous items, the lion begins to wonder if it's truly his destiny to live on a rock.

With a beautiful story and illustrations done in simple black, white, and stunning gold, (not to mention a...ahem...very attractive author, Willoughby and the Lion is going to be a great addition to this year's list of picture books.

Willoughby and the Lion
Greg Foley
40pages
Picture Book
HarperCollins
9780061547508
February 2009

My sweet story of the week is David Elliott's What the Grizzly Knows, illustrated by Max Grafe. Aimed at a younger crowd than the previous two titles, this one has soft, touching pictures that accompany a text perfect for a bedtime book.

As a young boy falls asleep holding his beloved teddy bear, he begins to dream. The boy's bear turns into a real grizzly bear... and then the boy does too! Together they have the ultimate adventure; fishing for food, playing in the forest, and walking up mountains. When their adventure is over, both morph back into their original beings and continue to sleep, leaving no trace of their journey, except of course...what the grizzly knows.

What the Grizzly Knows
David Elliot
32pages
Picture Book
Candlewick
9780763627782
October 2008

To learn more or to purchase any of these titles, click on a book cover to link to Amazon.

Knitty Kitty is busy making mittens, scarves, and hats for her three little mischievous kittens, to keep them comfy, cozy, and toasty. When they decide that snowmen like to be comfy, cozy, and toasty too, guess what they do with their warm pieces Knitty Kitty made them?

A perfect read for fall, Knitty Kitty by David Elliot, illustrated by Christopher Denise is one of the books you should choose to read to your young ones, all cuddled up under the blankets! The illustrations are beautiful and the text is simple. Kids from 3-7 will probably appreciate this most.

If you want to learn more about Knitty Kitty or to actually purchase it, just click on the book cover above to link to Amazon.