The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert & Illus by Per Breiehagen

This book combines a few of my favorite things--northern animals, girls in pigtales, Scandi clothes, and pops of red. 

It is even way cuter than my pictures. Find a copy and read it for yourself.

Anja lived way up north where mothers never pack away hats and mittens. 

And one year, she decided she would find Santa so she could be an elf. 

She had a few things to knock off her to-do list before setting off--namely, helping the kind old woman down the road get ready for Christmas.

Even carrying in the tree, all by herself.

Then she planned her route and informed her friend and family. 

She seems to have those conveniently distant parents that always allow young children to do absurdly independent things in stories. 

As she set off, a friendly red bird came down to help her find her way.

Skiing so fast the bird could hardly keep up.

Then the bird handed her off to her friend the horse

Watching Northern Lights from on top the horse

Then a friendly polar bear enters the picture and she reads him a story.

Before snuggling in for a nap. 

Aren't these photographs cool? Clearly they are digitally collaged together, but so perfectly! 

Apparently this whole story started with a picture of Lori Evert's daughter feeding a caribou. She liked the picture so much she built a story around it. Not sure if this is the specific picture, but if it is, I can see what she meant. 

Adorable! 

Finally, Anja finds Santa.

And Santa tells Anja that what she does at home for the little old woman down the road already makes her one of Santa's important helpers.

He brings her back to the little cabin in the woods, leaving a bell as a momento. 

The next thing Anja knows, she wakes up in bed. 

Was it a dream? But there is a bell....

And the book ends on the open ended question---"What do you think?"

I LOVE THIS PICTURE. It has no bearing on the story, but oh my. All that red and snow and wood and fur. 

Patina by Jason Reynolds

I have a giant reading crush on Jason Reynolds. Actually, I don't even know that much about him. I just love his books. 

Last year, I read his Brave Like You and adored it. 

Last week I read Patina and loved it as well. Reynolds writes in an honest, authentic way about African-American childhood. I think we sometimes associate serious, somber themes with African-American narratives. Maybe because books with those narratives have been very important in changing how we talk about race to young people. They deserve to be important, but at the same time, I think we stereotype again, stripping African-American characters of their nuances and variation, if we always assume they have the same life story. 

Reynolds in no way ignores the struggles that African-American children face, but he makes it clear that their race is only one aspect of their personality. And while it is always there, in the background, race isn't the main event in his books. 

I really hope I don't sound like I am diminishing those serious, necessary books about racial experiences, because there are some seriously amazing books out there about that. However, I love books that also give students from diverse backgrounds, common ground. Rather than always seeing other, they can make connections to these characters that might help them to understand those serious, important books a little more. 

I hope that makes sense. 

Anyway, back to Patina. Patina is a middle schooler, at a prestigious, predominantly white, prep school. She had a difficult childhood, but is now living with her uncle and aunt in a stable environment. She has also just joined an elite running team (the same one Ghost is on). Navigating through middle school, as well as trying to survive being the "new" teammate, Patina also struggles with making sure her younger sister is taken care of and her aunt and uncle have all the help they need in the house. See, just because you are a kid, doesn't mean you aren't aware of all the responsibilities around you. Even though she has lived with her aunt and uncle for years, Patina still feels that she needs to do everything she can to make it easier on them, despite efforts by her aunt and uncle to help her relax and be a kid. It takes a serious event to help Patina see that she has a good support network on her side. She doesn't actually have to hold it all together herself. 

That actually sounds serious and hardship filled. But it didn't feel like that. It felt funny, smart, and hopeful. I couldn't help loving Patina and identifying with her sense of responsibility. And ultimately, her incredible, loving support system! 

You will love it. You just will. 

Singing Away the Dark by Caroline Woodward & Julie Morstad

This book? I adore it. My reasonings:

1. Julie Morstad--she could illustrate practically anything and I would love it

2. Peace River Valley of British Columbia--the author is from here, so theoretically, this little girl is too. My dad drove the Alaskan Highway a lot in the 1970's, so I grew up here phrases like, "When we were passing through the Peace River Valley..." and things like that. Nothing major, just part of the collected, random things of childhood that leave an impression. 

2. b. Canada in general--my mom is a Canadian. So I tend to like Canadian things. 

3. I had to wait and wait and WAIT for this book. I pre-ordered it for May, but for whatever reason, didn't get it until late summer. Deferred pleasure is always sweeter, right?

4. Singing. Singing makes EVERYTHING better. 

The thing about Julie Morstad is that everything she illustrates just looks instantly precious. The book hasn't even BEGUN here and already, I am smitten. Mittens! 

A young momma in a flannel shirt. Yes!

The basic story is of a young girl, having to walk across lots (or farms) to get to the bus stop. 

It was a long way to the bus stop, and in Northern BC, it doesn't get light until later in the day

This picture brought to mind that part of Anne of Green Gables where Anne and Diana let their imagination get away with them, making it practically impossible for them to walk through the woods alone without fearing greatly for their lives. 

But, she has to get through the woods. 

So she sings. Which lightens the darkness.

Once the dark is vanquished, there is a new worry--cattle. But she is not to be daunted. 

This neighbor looks like an interesting person to have a cup of tea with.

Finally! 

And school! 

I seriously, seriously love this story and art!!

A Small Thing...but Big by Tony Johnston & Illus by Hadley Hooper

This is an incredibly sweet little book about a little girl overcoming her fear of dogs. 

This book has been castigated in public opinion because this little girl walks around the park with an old man with a dog. Creeper, much? Yet when I reread this book through that lens, I think the mother knew exactly who the old man was and was keeping an eye on both of them the whole time. See her cheery wave to the old man? Perhaps they ran in the same social circle. 

I refuse to think that this book is about a creeper old man and a neglectful mother.

There is Lizzie, running around the edge of the fountain. And there is her mother, reading a book on the bench. 

And there, is the dog! 

Aren't they both adorable??

Cecile the dog was very kind to little children.

Lizzie patted her. 

It is a small thing to pat a dog, but a big thing if you are scared. 

The old man invited Lizzie to go for a stroll around the park with them. 

Lizzie was nervous. But a reassuring wave from her mother gave her the confidence to try it out. 

Promenading.

And then, wonder of wonder!! Lizzie is walking Cecile all by herself!!

She who was nervous around dogs was doing it by herself. 

It is a small thing to walk a dog, but big if  you happen to be a teensy bit scared of dogs. 

Note the mother following along at a distance--keeping an eye on what is going on, but not crowding Lizzie's bright moment of bravery either. 

Lizzie and Cecile walked around the park.

Hesitantly at first, then springingly, oh springingly. 

Oh the delight of suddenly finding yourself to be brave! And at the end of the book, we find that the old man came over a fear of his own. 

I guess I am just not that worried about the old man. I see plenty of evidence that the mother had her eye on Lizzie the whole time. That wave on the first page seems to indicate that the mother knew the old man in some social sense. And really truly, I love that the mother kept her distance and let Lizzie have this moment of independence and bravery all to herself. This pretty much encapsulates my parenting style.

So here is to all quasi-free range kids and parents.

One Amazon review begins with "Maybe there is a more dangerous book to read to a four year old, but I can't think of one off the top of my head..." 

And here is to parents, like me, who read their kids dangerous books.

Have a happy Monday! 

Little Big Girl by Claire Keane

Claire Keane is Bil Keane's (creator of Family Circus) granddaughter. It isn't too hard to believe, since their illustration style is very similar. Claire Keane is also a big wig in Walt Disney Animation Studios, working as an artist for Tangled, Frozen, and Enchanted. 

This book is based on her daughter Matisse. 

This book is very similar to The Very Little Girl , except this one was written some 60 years later. 

Matisse is own chill chick though. She owns her littleness like nobody's business! 

Shoes are so much smaller when you are little.

#Reallifeshoppingwithtoddlers

Toddlers are their own kind of superhero. 

For all their littleness, toddlers have a large presence in life.

Do you see all this foreshadowing? In the baby aisle at the store, the big sister book? 

Baby brother!

I love her adoration!

Gahhh!! So sweet!

And suddenly, she doesn't seem so small! 

Someone told me that the easiest way for your toddler to seem like a giant is to have a newborn. So true! 

Being a big sister is important work!

Another #reallifewithtoddlers picture. 

Diaper changes with a groggy, sleepy looking Daddy.

This one...... oh my heart! I love this!