Sea this book!

POSEIDON:EARTH SHAKER by George O'Connor. First Second,2013.

O'Connor's Olympians series of GNs about the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus moves on to the god of the sea, Poseidon. Odysseus, the Minotaur, Theseus: the actions of an angry Poseidon are beautifully rendered in shades of green and blue with wild strokes of black. Poseidon himself is the narrator, giving readers deeper insights into the tormented mind of a brother jealous of what he thinks is the short straw in terms of kingdoms.

eating it all up

RELISH: MY LIFE IN THE KITCHEN by Rita Knisley. First Second, 2013.


This nonfiction GN will make your mouth water with its praise of food and cooking not to mention all the recipes. Graphic novelist and food lover combine in this autobiography combined with commentary. This is s celebration of food, family, and much, much more. Pair with A TANGLE OF KNOTS, HOPE WAS HERE, PEELED, and other YA that celebrates the community created by a good meal and a good story.

Digital footprints

WHO IS AC? by Hope Larson with illustrations by Tintin Pantoja. Atheneum, 2013.



Lin is lonely after moving to a new town. She turns to her one comfort: writing. She creates her own books to sell at the bookstore. When she witnesses a robbery at the copy center, she somehow returns a call she had missed some time ago, a call from someone she does not know. She is suddenly transformed into a superhero and is able to stop the crime. But what exactly has happened? And why? Can she help a girl possessed by an evil troll? Larson once again explores familiar topics with a fresh approach. Illustrations in black and white with a few splashes if color are perfect.

Again!

AGAIN! by Emily Gravett. Simon and Schuster, 2013.

It is bedtime for Cedric the Dragon. That means it is time for a story. But once Mother Dragon has finished a story, Cedric demands she read the book AGAIN! The story changes with each reading. Will Cedric ever get to bed? The double page spreads alternate between the book being read to Cedric and spreads simply featuring our young dragon demanding an encore until the very end. Kids will love the surprise in store. Team with MORE! MORE! MORE! SAID THE BABY for an interesting text set.

Yes, Let's...

YES, LET'S by Galen Goodwin Longstreth and Maris Wicks. Tanglewood Press, 2013.

In a series of sentences beginning with "Yes, let's'" a family prepares for a day outdoors. Hiking, swimming, eating, and exploring are all part of a fun day that brings the family even closer together. Follow Mom and Dad and the 4 kids and a dog as they caper through the woods and back out again to a gently rhyming text. Illustrations tell even more of the story, so look carefully.

Won't you be my neighbor?

THE PATCHWORK GARDEN (PEDACITOS DE HUERTO) by Diane de Anda with illustrations by Oksana Kemarskaya. Pinata Books, 2013.

A girl and her grandmother decide to take a small patch of dirt behind the local church and plant a small garden. As the vegetables grow and attract the attention of other residents of the neighborhood, the idea of patches of gardens in empty places catches on. Soon, a patchwork garden thrives in the neighborhood. Text is in Spanish and in English. Great book to share with kids for Earth Day or to talk about communities.

Ribbit!

SING, FROGGIE, SING (CANTA, RANA, CANTA) by Carolyn Dee Flores, Pinata Books, 2013.

Pinata, a division of Arte Publico, gives readers a cumulative story/song reminiscent of "there's a hole in the bottom of the sea." There is a frog in the pond. When he croaks, a fly comes by to hush his mouth. When the fly buzzes, then, there is a spider to hush it, and so on. Eventually, a baby, mother, father, and grandmother round out the hushing. Music and lyrics are provided in the back mater of the book.