They Hold the Line: Wildfires, Wildlands, and the Firefighters Who Brave Them. Written by Dan Paley and illustrated by Molly Mendoza. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. $26.99 ages 8 and up

 

"... It is an elite hotshot handcrew. It
plans and prepares for fire. Crew
members are called hotshots because
they work on the hottest part of a fire. 

They do not slide down poles or ride 
in shiny red trucks. They are hikers
and campers - part lumberjack, part 
mountain goat. They are stewards of 
the land." 

They are in the news already this spring. Wildfires are happening because of the lack of winter snow cover and the drought-like conditions in fall 2023. Firefighters are at work to do their best to protect people, their homes and the vast acres of land that are in the path of the raging fires. 

It seems a very appropriate time to remind readers about the training given and incredible bravery that those who 'hold the line' display as they work for the safety of all threatened by these wildfires. Dan Paley does an impressive job of talking about the many facets of watching for, and fighting fires. A lookout stands in a tall tower, spending the day keeping watch for threatening storms and the wisps of smoke that might signal a fire. 

With each turn of the page, readers learn more about the important work done to discover, fight and control all fires. The teams support each other as they do their best to ensure rapid response and stop the advance of the destruction. It is dangerous and exhausting work. He describes the firefighters themselves, their equipment, their methods, and the support they receive as they get the rest they need to begin their next shift. 

"Wildland firefighters work 16-hour days, 14 days in a row, with 1-hour rest periods for every two hours of work. This is called a roll. In peak season, they might work 18 to 24 hours a day, often straight through the night." 

Molly Mendoza does an incredible job of creating intense scenes that show the action and emotion of firefighting, as well as the special equipment used for the work these brave women and men do. Digitally created details hold attention and pinpoint many distinct features for the breadth of the work undertaken. Most are double-page spreads that are overlaid with text boxes referring to specific additional information, or labeled points of interest. 

Back matter is extensive, describing fire ecology, the history of fire management, and a new approach that teaches how to live with the threat of fire and help develop fire-resilient communities. Further to that, there is a description of the people who choose firefighting as a career, a clear and labeled look at the protective equipment used, lists of 10 standard firefighting orders and 18 watch out situations, and finally, personal fire-related notes from both author and illustrator. 

Extensive and informative, this excellent book is worthy of attention and sharing as another fire season has begun.                                                                            

                                                                                 

The Fastest Drummer: Clap Your Hands for Viola Smith, written by Dean Robbins and illustrated by Susanna Chapman. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $23.99 ages 7 and up

"Thirteen-year-old Viola loved watching 
other bands on stage, especially the drummers. 

After each show, she introduced herself and 
asked for musical advice. 

"How do you make your hands and 
feet work well togethter?""

There were six sisters in the Smith Family Orchestra when Viola was growing up; five already had an instrument to play. Would Viola choose to play the drums? It wasn't easy in the beginning. She made a lot of noise, and had great difficulty keeping the beat as her sisters played. With help from her father and practice, Viola was soon joining in as the family entertained audiences with jazzy sounds in their own hometown ballroom. 

Each girl was given a chance to shine. Viola was always keen to entertain with music that was bold, flashy and fast! By the 1920s eight sisters were part of the group that travelled throughout the Midwest for growing audiences. Viola learned as she went, seeking advice from drummers she admired and persisting with practice to get better and better. When her sisters lost interest, Viola did not. Her love for music never waned. 

It was not a good time for women who wanted to live life as a musician. They were discriminated against in favor of men. So, Viola organized her own women's band: The Coquettes! One sister joined them. In doing so, Viola changed the way drums were played while the Coquettes gained fame and fortune. Viola was a hit, and used her fame to help other women find a life in music. Viola led the way! 

"In 2000, America celebrated Viola 
as a musical legend. 

But she wasn't done yet. 

At the age of 100 [in 2012], she was 
still slamming her snare and socking 
her cymbals." 

Using watercolor, gouache, cut paper and a digital zhuzh, Susanna Chapman created artwork that is as jazzy as the music Viola so loved.  Her spreads are filled with wild movement, endless sound and the expressive emotion that Viola brought to her playing. There is such joy on every page! 

Back matter includes an informative author's note, and lists of musical terms and resources.                                                                                

Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborouogh. Written by Hayley Rocco and illustrated by John Rocco. G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. 2024. $26.99 ages 6 and up

 

"When he grew older, David went to a 
university to learn more about the wild 
places and the things that lived there. 
Understanding how the natural world 
worked was more important to him 
than studying politics, languages, or 
the history of queens and kings.

And the more he discovered, the 
more David wanted to share what 
he had learned with others."

Readers are told in the first line of this book that David is one of one type of animal (human) from the 8.7 million types that inhabit our planet. That's a pretty awesome opening statement and certainly focuses attention on a man who has spent most of his life making a difference. At the time of his birth, 'more than two-thirds of our planet was covered in wild places'.  

While still young, Sir David fell in love with these wild places. Throughout his life, he has worked to share that love with many and to teach us what must be done to protect what has not already been destroyed. While telling Sir David's amazing story, Ms. Rocco also expands on the story of our planet and how our actions have had a detrimental impact. 

As a broadcaster, he worked on a television program about nature and introduced viewers to all types of animals, explaining what was so special about them and knowing that the more people knew, the more they would care. If people were excited about what he could share in the studio, imagine what might happen if the programming acturally happened from the wild places! 

"So David started travelling all over the planet,
filming animals in wild places people had never
seen before. He became our connection to the natural world."

This homage to his work invites young readers to see the impact one person can have, and encourages all to look carefully at what has happened to the wild things and wild places whose numbers are shrinking day by day. His worry has led him to work with scientists to discover methods for 'rewilding' Earth. His suggestions make perfect sense. 

"David has spent his lifetime 
showing us how every living thing 
on this planet is connected." 

His hope is that everyone will do their part to make our world a better place for all. 

John Rocco's detailed and compelling artwork, using pencil, watercolor and digital paint, holds attention from the book's cover forward. Readers are able to watch Sir David grow from childhood until today. His visual messages are clear as he places urban landscapes alongside the wild places to show just how much the world has changed. Back matter includes an author's note, a selected bibliography, a section on rewilding with ideas for helping, and a list of the main problems and their solutions. 

If we take care of nature, 
nature will take care of us.

              - David Attenborough
                                                                                 

Listen to the Earth, written and illustrated by Carme Lemniscates. Tilbury House Publishers, Firefly. 2022. $11.95 ages 6 and up

 

"We can find a balance. 
The Earth whispers the way
to hearts that listen. 

To move the date, we need to 
reduce our global footprint.
We need to use fewer resources,
leaving more for future life, 
and generate less waste so that 
the Earth can absorb what we 
produce. And the good news is 
that we already know how."

This is another call to action, not meant to frighten but to encourage using what we already know to make the changes we need to make for a better future. Using the work done and published by the Global Footprint Network, Ms. Lemniscates presents for her readers the concept of Earth Overshoot Day. 

"the date when human demand since the beginning of the year exceeds what the Earth can produce and absorb in an entire year." In 2022, the date was July 28. I think it's a good guess that the date has changed since then. In fact, last year it was August 2. Would you guess that is has changed again for 2024? 

She explains to her readers that what we are doing right now is sure to affect the future of the planet. We, as a global community, already know many of the ways we can help to move the date. As we have been reminded many times, it begins on a personal level. What we do makes a difference, and may encourage others to follow our lead.  Or, if we see others making changes that we see as possible, we can follow theirs. It has to start somewhere. These are valid and doable actions. To expect the whole world to follow some of the suggestions is more unlikely. But ... 

Artwork is created using watercolor, acrylic, and collage. They help encourage interested listeners to consider how children can help. There are plenty of ideas presented; the planet offers warnings. Will we listen? Worthwhile discussions can surely be the result of sharing this book on Earth Day in hopes that some solutions are within reach for all of us. 

Sidebars are created in relation to Earth Overshoot Day. Back matter offers internet connections to the Global Footprint Network and Project Drawdown, which both make suggestions for change. There is also a compiled list of how making these changes can move the date day by day to a much better future. Very informative and comprehensible. 

Check out https://www.earthday.org/ for further ideas and information. 
                                                                             

Go and Get with Rex, written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House, 2024. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"Great! When I count to three, 

GO and GET 

something that begins with the letter 

                      F!

One ... two ... three! 

ZIP! ZAP! ZOOM!

Back already? That was fast!
Let's see what you found."

That is the premise for this terrific new book by a veteran pair of collaborators. Jack, Jill and Rex (a dog) are taxed with finding something that starts with a given letter of the alphabet. Jack and Jill follow the rules to the 'letter'; Rex, who has a grand love for ducks, is always able to explain why a duck is his go-to answer for each letter provided.

The game continues. Kids will absolutely love the search results. With each new letter, the resulting text becomes wordier and more descriptive. 

"a MOUSE! 
And the way she's making a meal of
that Muenster, she must be hungry!
Mouse does indeed begin with the 
letter M!"

The surprise ending is perfect. Asked to find something that begins with D is certain to lead readers to expect that Rex is sure to return with a duck. Rex, as with every other search, has a perfect explanation (WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!) for the choice he makes. The final spread is a culmination for this apt lesson in the sounds that letters make. 

Mike Wohnoutka's artwork is familiar and exactly right for bringing meaning to the text and providing all that young readers need to make this experience the best it can be. 

When you are looking for books that insert phonics into learning to read in a meaningful way, this is exactly what your kids need. It holds their attention, it is full of energy and enjoyment, it is creative, and it will definitely encourage them to take what they have learned here and try it for themselves.  
                                                                             

Being Home, written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Michaela Goade. Kokila, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Etsi says we're on a new path. 
One that leads us to
our ancestors' land
and to our people. 
I'm ready." 

The young Indigenous narrator is quick to share her feelings about living in the city. She doesn't like the noise, the rush, the chaos of too many people in one place. It's getting busier with more people, and has less of the natural landscape that she loves. She misses her family who live too far from where she is. 

Not to worry much longer. Moving day is here, and she and her mother are leaving. She says goodbye to house, tree and swing. The time has come to change their tempo. (I love that image!) Mama (Etsi) is as happy as her daughter to be moving back home to family. 

As they go, the child makes a drawing of their route in her notebook and asks the inevitable question: Are we there yet? Very soon, they are! They are met by family members who welcome them with open arms and a willingness to get their belongings inside before settling in for a family picnic, time to explore, a visit with familiar animals, and added time to play together. What joy for all! 

"No more faraway family. 
Close enough to gather, eat, 
laugh, dance, and share."

Being home is something very special for everyone involved. So lovely! 

Michaela Goade used 'watercolor, colored pencils, pencil, gouache and digital techniques' for the brilliant artwork that gives further meaning to Ms. Sorell's meaningful text. She makes the transition from the urban landscape to the friendly happiness of a more natural environment in colors that glow with life. The pages from the child's notebook are a perfect representation of all she anticipates as they travel nearer and nearer to their new home.   

I Want 100 Dogs, written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Claire Keane. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2023. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Maybe 50 dogs. 

How would you train 
50 dogs? 

SIT! 

STAY! 

COME!"

The story starts with a huge ask: "I want 100 dogs." Her parents grimace while asking to see where all those dogs might sleep. The little one has an answer, as improbable as it might be.The child reduces the number by 10 each time she makes a new request. Each time the parents offer am answer that is cause for further thought. Her parents admit it might be interesting, but they do have a question about the enormity of the numbers presented ... 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10.

"Okay then, I just want 10 dogs. 

How would you clean up after 10 dogs
when they go number 2? 

You mean I'd have to ...

YEP."

Finally, she resorts to realism, asking for just 1 dog. Her parents are delighted they have avoided catastrophe. Who is smarter in this battle for a much-desired companion? I wonder.   

Digital, detailed illustrations evoke the humor found in the requests and responses. The parents are attentive to the child's wishes and carefully consider the scenarios that would fill their house, pool, yard and life should they fall prey to the demands for an exorbitant number of puppies. The accompanying artwork is filled with humorous expression as each number is considered and dismissed. 

So much fun to read. I read it yesterday to a group of kindergarten and grade two children. They were both attentive and entertained by the idea of such a request and had lots of comments to share. Their many smiles said it all!