All the Colors of the Earth

Sheila Hamanaka (1994), 32 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Children come in all the colors of the earth – such as roaring browns, whispering golds, tinkling pinks just to name a few!

Inspired by her own children’s multi-ethnic heritage, Hamanaka has created a lasting and beautiful view of diversity. Descriptive and expressive, Hamanaka does double duty as both author and illustrator showcasing she can captivate equally a young audience’s eyes and ears … making this book a delightful story-time read! Her sweeping, painterly illustrations filled with warm sun-kissed yellows, rich browns, and crisp blues energize the story; the author’s language and images work in unison to share a life affirming quality.

The narrative is inclusive all of different of skin tones “cinnamon, walnut, and wheat” to “amber and ivory” and hair types too from bouncy curls to flowing locks. While celebrating individuality, Hamanaka reveals there is sameness; noting that while all children are different they are similar – the common denominator being love.

This book truly honors all children of color and is a great story-time read especially during January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches – children can be proud of their differences and appreciate their unique attributes; a gentle and very approachable book on race/ethnicity for preschoolers.

Reviewed by: Katharine Conn, MLIS

If you liked this book, you may like: Whoever You Are by Mem Fox, The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler, Shades of People by Shelley Rotner or A Rainbow of Friends by P. K. Hallinan

Other books by this author: Bebop-a-do-walk, I Look Like a Girl, Grandparents Song, Peace Crane, and Screen of Frogs: An Old Tale

A Very Special House

Ruth Krauss (1953), 32 pages

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

This a story of a very special house,

“I know a house –

it’s not a squirrel house

it’s not a donkey house

– it’s not a house you’d see –

and it’s not in any street

and it’s not in any road –

oh it’s just a house for me Me ME.”

Step inside a little boy’s day dreamy world … and what will you find? A turtle, a rabbit, a lion eating chairs, some monkeys, some snunkeys, and more! Children’s books are unique; they are sometime silly, strange, even absurd – a total departure from ordinary adult literature. Here in lies the beauty, literature written for children is imaginative and fantastical. These books give readers a chance to get into character, act out, create noise, stay creative, and be ridiculous. A Very Special House takes full advantage of all those aforementioned aspects of storytelling resulting in a charismatic story from start to finish. Krauss’s text begs to be read a-loud with its funky poetic cadence, nonsensical words, run-on sentences, and rhymes. Exuding charm throughout, both author and illustrator produced a story full of whimsical details. Sendak’s illustrations are captivating and sweet; almost as through drawn straight from one’s own imagination ... delicate black line drawings dance around the page while only the little boy is blocked in color. Using his limited palette and creative genius Sendak captures a child’s jubilant and imaginative nature. Reissued in 2001 by HarperCollins, this 1954 Caldecott honoree is now readily available making it possible for more children to curl up with this classic storybook!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson or I Want to Paint My Bathroom Blue by Ruth Krauss and Maurice Sendak

Other books by this author: Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead, The Happy Egg, And I Love You, Big & Little, and Open House for Butterflies

Whose Toes are Those?

Jabari Asim (2006), 12 pages

Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: board book

“Who do you suppose has such fine toes?” I wonder … who could it be? Without ruining the surprise you’ll know for sure at the book’s end! Poet, playwright, and author Jabari Asim creates a wonderfully joyous book filled with fun-loving rhymes. He explores feet in a whole new way by taking a creative spin on the traditional rhyme “This Little Piggy Went to Market” where children are encouraged to explore and discover their toes – a popular subject for babies. As babies grow they explore the world around them; some of the first few things they discover are hands and feet. Pham’s original illustrations were drawn graphite sketches digitally painted with computer tools, resulting in vibrant and bubbly pictures. Her images are bright and cheerful complimenting Asim’s poetry perfectly. Author and illustrator pair up again in Asim’s Whose Knees are These? For more reading fun combine these storybooks with a rowdy song of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” Babies and toddlers will love this combination!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes by Annie Kubler, Where is Baby’s Belly Button? by Karen Katz or Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Other books by this author: Boy of Mine, Girl of Mine, and Whose Knees are These?

Rhymes Round the World

Kay Chorao (2009), 40 pages

Audience: All ages

Format: picture book

From celebrated illustrator Chorao comes Rhymes Round the World, a global compilation of traditional rhymes and songs both familiar and obscure. Translations include rhymes from several cultures and countries such as France’s Are you Sleeping?, Italy’s Cincirenella, Korea’s Wind Last Night, Poland’s Lizzie, Iran’s Morning Song, Greece’s The Girl Wants to Dance, and many more. Chorao’s signature cheerful watercolors bring simple poems, songs, and rhymes alive in her detailed full-page designs. For instance, the traditional Australian song “Kookaburra” illustrates playful laughter as an indigenous eucalyptus tree grows heavy with climbing children and an array of native wildlife (koalas, kangaroos, and the kookaburra bird) ….

“Kookaburra sits in an old gum tree,

Merry, merry king of the bush is he.

Laugh Kookaburra! Laugh, Kookaburra!

Gay your life must be.”

Without a doubt this book is as fun to read as it is to look at! Filled with fun, diverse rhymes, and beautiful images this is a book young audiences will enjoy. Parents and educators can read these rhymes as a way to introduce culture and diversity to children.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: This Same Sky: A Collection of Poems from Around the World by Naomi Shihab Nye

Other books by this author: The Baby’s Good Morning Book, The Baby’s Bedtime Book, Knock at the Door and Other Baby Action Rhymes

Ten, Nine, Eight

Molly Bang (1983), 24 pages

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: picture book

Need a calming countdown to nighttime? Well, look no further! Bang's Caldecott honored book Ten, Nine, Eight is the answer. Follow a loving daughter and father in their cozy nighttime routine as they get ready for a good night’s sleep ... “ten … small toes all washed and warm; nine … soft friends in a quiet room; eight … square windowpanes with falling snow.” Molly Bang has created a classic bedtime book and a family favorite. Add this story to your nightly repertoire as you prepare your little one for bedtime; also available in Spanish.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, or Counting Kisses by Karen Katz

Other books by this author: When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry (Caldecott Honor Book), The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher (Caldecott Honor Book), and All of me!

Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary

Julie Larios (2006), 32 pages

Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Larios brings a colorful menagerie to life in her book of poems, Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary. Using clever and imaginative language, the author wonderfully pairs an animal with a specific hue (examples include Green Frog, Gray Goose, Black Fish, and Red Donkey, etc) elevating color from everyday to extraordinary. This book reads like a dream (perfect read-aloud) as it is not only visually but lyrically stunning, a sure way to introduce poetry to young children while learning about animals and colors.

-Black Fish-

Now all silver quiver

Now all dark flash

She’s all water and wonder,

this black fish.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors (Caldecott honor) by Joyce Sidman or Poetrees by Douglas Florian

Other books by this author: Imaginary Menagerie: A Book of Curious Creature, and Have You Ever Done That?

Black is Brown is Tan

Arnold Adoff (1973), 32 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Black is Brown is Tan was the first children’s book to depict an interracial family. Mommy is “milk chocolate cheeks and hands that darken in the summer sun” and daddy is “light with pinks and tiny tans.” Adoff’s book is pure poetry and a great read-aloud book. Even though this was written back in the 1970s the author's lyrically words are still just as relevant and moving today...

black is brown is tan
is girl is boy
is nose is
face
is all
the
colors
of the race …

this is the way it is for us

this is they way we are

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Tan to Tamarind: Poems About the Color Brown by Malathi Michelle Iyengar and Black, White, Just Right! By Marguerite W. Davol

Other books by this author: Love Letters and Touch the Poem

All The World

Liz Garton Scanlon (2009), 40 pages

Illustrated by Marla Frazee

Audience: All ages

Format: picture book

A recent 2009 release and Caldecott honoree, Scanlon’s All the World reflects multiculturalism in a subtle, but effective way. Scanlon's repetitive prose “all the world ...has got its sky ... all the world ... goes round this way ... all the world ... is you and me" and Frazee’s watercolors echo the book’s universal message of family with charm and personality. Children will enjoy the detailed illustrations and the juxtaposition of simple portraits against sweeping, panoramic landscapes. A feel-good book that will appeal to children and families of all backgrounds! The traditional folksong "We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands" works well as a precursor or addendum to storytime:

We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got our mamas and our papas in our hands.
We've got our mamas and our papas in our hands.
We've got our mamas and our papas in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got our brothers and our sisters in our hands.
We've got our brothers and our sisters in our hands.
We've got our brothers and our sisters in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got the little bitty baby in our hands
We've got the little bitty baby in our hands
We've got the little bitty baby in our hands
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got our aunts and our uncles in our hands.
We've got our aunts and our uncles in our hands.
We've got our aunts and our uncles in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got our grandmas and our grandpas in our hands.
We've got our grandmas and our grandpas in our hands.
We've got our grandmas and our grandpas in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got the earth and the water in our hands.
We've got the mountains and the valleys in our hands.
We've got the oceans and the rivers in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Whoever You Are by Mem Fox

Other books by this author: A Sock is a Pocket for Your Toes and Noodle & Lou

Red Sled

Patricia Thomas (2008), 32 pages

Illustrated by Chris L. Demarest

Audience: toddlers

Format: picture book

“Red sled. Sad lad. Sad dad. Fat hat. Knit mitt.“… So begins the story of a family going sledding. Short staccato sentences form the basis of this book allowing children and parent an opportunity to sound out syllables and gain phonemic-awareness. The author used “rhyming pairs –one single, two doubles, and three triples pivoting on one single rhymed word pair before descending in reserve order” (Thomas, 2008). Take a cue from this book and build your own poetry ... choose a favorite activity (swimming) or subject (baseball) and create your own storyline using two worded rhymes. For example, commemorating a day at the ballpark might include ... May day. Glad lad. Glad dad. Fat bat. Hit mitt. Won done. Or perhaps, a summer's day of swimming might produce, the following ...Cool pool. Calm mom. Daughter water. Sun fun.

These activities will help children learn new words, rhymes, practice sounding out syllables, and explore seasons. Red Sled is a celebration of winter days, so double up on your winter fun and read Winter is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer to further engage in a lively discussion of seasons.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: A Winter Day by Douglas Florian or Snow Day! by Barbara Joosse

Other books by this author: “Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” and “There are Rocks in My Socks!” Said the Ox to the Fox