Written by Ann Hobbie and illustrated by Olga Baumert, Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World is a large-format children’s non-fiction title that takes readers on a fascinating, informational and gorgeously illustrated deep dive into the life and world of monarch butterflies. Opening with a look at the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, which “begins with a tiny white egg hidden on the underside of a leaf”, Monarch Butterflies takes readers on a step-by-step, highly visual, and clearly marked journey through everything monarch butterfly. Readers see up-close details regarding the anatomy of a caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly (and the stages of metamorphosis); as well as a short study of their diet of milkweed. The book also denotes the difference between summer butterflies (which have a much shorter lifespan) and monarchs born in late summer, who “live for up to nine months” and “migrate south for winter”. Hobbie, accompanied by Baumert’s truly incredible naturalistic illustrations, then details the migration journey of the eastern late summer butterflies to “Mexico’s transvolcanic mountain range”; types of flower nectar consumed; roosting locations; and their final journey back to the north. Readers also learn about the different target migration spots of western versus eastern butterflies, as well as the severe threats- including predators, human-borne destruction of habitat, and pesticides- facing monarch butterflies. Ending on a realistic yet encouraging note regarding the interconnectedness of species, Monarch Butterflies also provides readers with a number of extra materials. Interested readers can: learn about building monarch habitats; how to become a ‘citizen scientist’; how to support organizations that help monarch butterflies (list and links included); as well as steps on “how to rear a monarch butterfly”. Outstanding illustrations by Olga Baumert coupled with Ann Hobbie’s clear, accessible and engaging delivery makes this title a real standout. Wonderfully presented, thorough and readable, Monarch Butterflies is excellent children’s non-fiction that can be enjoyed, reread and appreciated by all ages. Notes: More back matter includes “Fun Facts”, a glossary, and more research links for further investigation

“When David heard this star chatter, his entire body would vibrate with far-out energy. His eyes would FLASH. His legs would SHIMMY-SHAKE, and all ten toes would TIP-TAP. As David danced, he felt connected to the universe and the rhythm of the stars. If only he could share this feeling with someone else.” Jami Gigot, the Vancouver-based author and illustrator of titles such as Seb and the Sun, and Mae and the Moon, brings readers Starboy: Inspired by the Life and Lyrics of David Bowie. A glimpse inside an imagined part of young David Bowie’s life, Starboy tells readers about the intrinsically rhythmic, musical, unique, and ethereal David Bowie. Readers are also shown that, due to his singular musical affinity and connection to the universe humming around him, a young David could also feel quite lonely: while David liked to add “a FLASH of color wherever he went and let his imagination run wild”… “some of the kids didn’t feel the same rhythm. They thought David was strange” and would laugh at him, asking what planet he was from. As Starboy tells us, however, although it was not easy, David does indeed keep listening to “the star chatter” and “rhythm of the stars”. When he feels brave enough to share “his discoveries” again with those around him, it ends up that those around him now share and feel the same joyful, inescapable “star energy” that he does. As a longtime listener and fan of the incomparable David Bowie- who as Gigot writes, “was an otherworldly talent [we were] lucky to have had…on planet Earth…”- I felt so much of the essence and exhilaration of Bowie’s music- Space Oddity and Aladdin Sane in particular- coursing through Starboy. Gigot’s illustrations, depicting a young David in school uniform and pajamas, to snapshots of David as “a pirate, a duke, an astronaut, a goblin king” (what would later become his well-known personas) are beautiful and fluid, culminating in a vibrant, rich spread (also featured on the cover!) featuring young David with Aladdin Sane’s signature bolt. A loving ode to arguably one of the greatest artists of all time, Starboy is a stirring and hopeful story about listening to ourselves and being courageous enough to follow and share the passions of our heart. Bonus: Back matter includes a beautifully warm and informative Note from the Author-Illustrator; Facts About David Bowie; and a Sources list. A special visual treat can also be found under the dusk jacket!

I received a copy of Monarch Butterlies courtesy of Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for an honest review. I received a copy of Starboy courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. Titles have been published and are currently available.

“…Osnat spent many hours alone with books. She stared and sniffed. She peeked and poked. What secrets were they hiding?”. Written by Sigal Samuel with artwork by Vali Mintzi, Osnat and Her Dove: The True Story of the World’s First Female Rabbi is a fantastically illustrated, compelling and fascinating look at the life of Osnat (Asenath) Barzani who lived from 1590 to 1670 in Mosul. Weaving elements of centuries-old legends and folktales about Osnat and her father, Samuel and MintzI’s book takes readers through Osnat’s incredible life story. As a young child, Osnat begs her father, Rabbi Barzani, to teach her how to read- unconventional at the time, as girls and women had distinctly non-educational, house-bond duties to focus upon. Rabbi Barzani, however, is encouraging of his daughter and gives Osnat an education in “Hebrew, Torah, Talmud, Midrash, and Kabbalah”. As Osnat grows up, so too does her deep knowledge of Hebrew and the Torah, as well as her honed gift of teaching. While historically unthinkable for a woman to lead a yeshiva, even for a woman as erudite and compassionate as Osnat, Osnat does indeed end up leading her father’s (and later, her husband’s) yeshiva. Osnat and Her Dove also takes time to explore Osnat’s “miraculous power[s]” of healing, her kinship with doves, and how deeply respected Osnat came to be through her later life and long after. With its lyrical storytelling and rich artwork, Osnat and Her Dove combines the best of biographical picture books/children’s non-fiction, and offers readers of all ages a spotlight on an incredible part of religious history and women’s history. Notes: Back matter includes a not-to-be-missed Author’s Note with more information on the life of Osnat Barzani. You can also read this wonderfully detailed review of Osnat and Her Dove: The True Story of the World’s First Female Rabbi written by Dr. Emily Schneider on the Jewish Book Council website.

“…it wasn’t ordinary sadness. It was something I’d always felt. It was old, dried-out sadness. It covered the walls of our house like wallpaper. Sometimes you found it in Mom’s soup, in the jobs Dad did around the house, or in a woolly hat for when it’s cold.”. Bigger Than a Dream by Jef Aerts, illustrated by Marit Törnqvist, and translated by David Colmer, is a profoundly meditative picture book, told in first-person narrative, that explores one young child’s experience with sibling loss, sadness, and questions about death. Sitting down for breakfast one day, a boy somehow hears his sister calling to meet for a bike ride that evening- a sister whose “ photo is on the wall above the table…not color like mine…gray with yellow sheen”. The young boy tells us that he knows “you can do a lot when you’re dead. You can make conversations falter and you make people cry…But going for a bike ride?”. As the boy asks his mom that evening about dying, she tells him that “everything goes quiet…dying is like dreaming, but bigger”. When “Sis” appears by the young boy’s bed later that, he wants so badly to ask her questions about death and dying, but instead, they go for a bicycle ride. It is a bicycle ride that seems to span dreamy worlds, but then Sis asks her brother to take a turn around in the sky and go back to visit a gravesite, a hospital where Sis once stayed, a park where Sis once played, and finally, their home. Bigger Than a Dream is exceptionally thoughtful in its exploration of the deep ache of sadness, in missing someone, and in how honestly it talks about death and dying (all the more so due to its first-person narrative from a child’s clear voice). For readers looking for something tender and singularly honest around the subject of death or about the sadness in missing a loved one- along the lines of Duck, Death, and the Tulip or something more contemporary like The Boy and the Gorilla– Bigger Than a Dream is definitely one to explore. Note: Originally published in the Netherlands by Querido.

“Ollie looked at his sister. His sister who always knew better. He shook his head in disbelief. You might be older, he thought. And bigger. But you don’t see clearly”. What Ollie Saw written by Joukje Akveld, with illustrations by the late Sieb Posthuma, and translation by Bill Nagelkerke, is a delightful and unique children’s reader. As readers meet Ollie, we learn a few things: Ollie “has a father and a mother. And a sister he sometimes wishes he didn’t have”. Why? Well, Ollie’s sister is “bigger [and] older”, thinks she knows best, and likes to “grizzle”: she often complains and accuses Ollie of not seeing things properly. For example, when on a train going “through the countryside”, Ollie’s sister complains about the cows in the field being “dull”. Ollie cannot believe his sister: “COWS?! Those were water buffalo with sharp horns. And hooves…/…hooves that could squash any sister, no matter how big she was.”. Ollie has a few similar instances of seeing things differently; and a rather public incident in front of his class leads to an unhappy Ollie ending up with glasses. But are glasses really what Ollie needs to see better, or are his sister, teacher, and others around him simply not seeing what fun possibilities Ollie sees in the world? That I will leave for interested readers to discover and discuss on their own! Those who enjoy their early readers (or picture books!) with little bit of sideways humour, or are searching for something terrifically unusual and smart (with wonderfully cool, retro/classic-feeling artwork!), What Ollie Saw is a great pick. Note: Originally published in the Netherlands by Querido.

I received copies of these titles courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions and comments are my own. Titles have been published and are currently available.

“There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature.” Written by Susan Hughes and illustrated by Marianne Ferrer, Carmen and the House That Gaudí Built is a gorgeous picture book that blends facts from the life of iconic architect Antoni Gaudí with a story about change and the wonders of nature. A young girl named Carmen Battló’s mother and father have just “bought a house on the fanciest street in Barcelona”- to be designed by “famous architect Senor Antoni Gaudí”!- but Carmen does not care to move to the city. She loves spending her time outside in nature with her “invisible salamander Dragon”, and not only worries that the “gray, straight, stiff city” will not be a friend to Dragon, but also that she will miss “the wild beauty of the woods”. As Carmen carefully listens in on plans for their new house in the city, however, she recognizes that Señor Gaudí is somehow, incredibly, of similar mind! His approach to their new house is to bring as much of the magic of nature into its construction, with features such as sparkling mosaics that mimic “lilies floating on a rippling pond”, as well as “curving walls…swirls, whirls, and starbursts”. The finished house brings Carmen and her family yet another astonishing surprise, ending Carmen and the House That Gaudí Built on a wondrous, happy note. Watercolour illustrations by Marianne Ferrer, capturing the jewel-like feel of Gaudí’s work, are fantastically lush and exuberant here- a perfect match to Susan Hughes’ lovely, expressive storytelling. Readers who have loved biographical picture books that fabulously mix fiction and pieces of personal history, such as The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse or When Emily Was Small, may especially adore this read. Extras: Be sure to read the detailed Author’s Note at the book’s end, for a look at the magnificent Casa Batlló in Barcelona. Back matter also includes a Selected Sources list.

“What a windy day!” “You‘ll get used to it, little one.” Written and illustrated by artist and printmaker Todd Stewart, The Wind and the Trees shares the story of an old pine tree, a little seedling, and what happens over the passage of time. In short and often sage moments of conversations between the two trees, the young tree relies on the wisdom and reassurance from the elder pine tree- especially as great, great winds cause surprise and damage. As the young tree grows, they realize how reckless and genuinely unforgiving the wind can truly be over time. While big tree warns that the wind “stretches my roots, dries me out, and will break me apart”, they also insist that the wind is helpful in how it “scatters…seeds so new trees can grow where others have fallen”. Through many seasons and skies and clouds of all kinds, with a variety of wildlife making home and rest in their branches, readers follow the two trees; watching as one seems to grow stronger and larger, and one seems to lose more and more parts of themselves to the wind- all the while embracing the storms to come. Striking in presentation- the artwork! the colours!- and in its paired-back but impactful storytelling, The Wind and the Trees is a a standout picture book. Softly informative while telling a story that highlights the inexorable sadness and sparks of promise inherent in the cycle of life and death, The Wind and the Trees is wonderful, visually arresting storytelling. Note: Originally published under the title Quand les vents souffle.

I received copies of these titles courtesy of Owlkids Books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions and comments are my own. Titles have been published and are currently available.

In no particular order, here are the titles: Bringing Back the Wolves: How A Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella, illustrated by Kim Smith, is an exemplary, compelling and enlightening read that delves into the extraordinary ecological impact that the reintroduction of gray wolves had to Yellowstone National Park. This is one of my top environmental/animal non-fiction reads of the last year or so- not only one I have reread a few times, but also one that afforded me a newfound wonder of wolves. How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi and illustrated by Yao Xiao is a unique non-fiction sports title. Part biography of young champion rock climber Ashima Shiraishi and part sports psychology, it details how Ashima takes on a boulder (called a ‘problem’ in rock climbing): with smart planning and visualization, climbing, falling (safely) and trying again and again, Ashima strives to rise to the top. While some of the details and illustrations of tactics are quite intricate, the metaphor and Ashima’s narrative voice are winning. Fungus Is Among Us! by Joy Keller, illustrated by Erica Salcedo, is a zippy, accessible and educational look at the kinds of fungi that exist around us- and why we shouldn’t be afraid of it! While the main narrative of the book is told in bouncy rhymes, there are blocks of informational details on each page, as well as a cool short interview with mycologist Dr. Sara Branco at the book’s end. Perfect for fans of Elise Gravel’s The Mushroom Club! Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simon Biles by Michelle Meadows and vibrantly illustrated by Ebony Glenn, brings readers a rhyming, whirling introduction to the incredible, record-breaking athlete. The crisp rhyming text is bright and offers a positive, can-do message (all while noting hardships and struggles). More information and details are provided at the book’s end about Biles’ family, her journey to the 2016 Olympics, signature moves, and wins. Last but not least, Elise Gravel’s Puppy in My Head: A Book About Mindfulness talks to readers about overwhelming emotions, feelings of anxiety, and steps to take to help center oneself. With its straightforward layout, approachable metaphor, and Gravel’s signature buoyant and sweetly fun artwork, Puppy in My Head is a welcome, helpful introduction to the related subject matter. Happy reading to you all!

An outstanding illustrated short novel-in-verse, The Bird in Me Flies by Sara Lundberg, translated by B.J. Epstein, is a captivating, deeply affecting story, inspired by the life of Swedish artist Berta Hansson. It is the 1920s in a northern farming village in Sweden and young Berta dreams of flying away to another life. As a young girl who sees the world with questioning eyes and is inclined towards art and artistic pursuits, thinking of a pre-determined life ahead as on the farm or as a housewife seems…fundamentally wrong. Incongruous. While encouraged by her beloved mother (who has been seriously ill for many years with tuberculosis) to draw and explore, Berta’s father sees no place for art. Or perhaps rather, he sees no place for young Berta to plan for a future in anything beyond the practical and domestic expectations for women. The Bird in Me Flies follows the ebb and flow of the innermost, hidden thoughts, wonders, and dreams that Berta holds dear, as she: endures the limitations of her school, teachers and classmates; catches glimpses of real artwork in her reality; prepares for her eldest sister to leave home; and copes with the deepest familial tragedy. A pensive, thoughtful and thought-provoking read, with an incredible moment of climax, and an ending that proffers rays of change and hope. The Bird in Me Flies is gorgeous, with Lundberg’s absolutely stunning and varied illustrations (inspired by Hansson’s own artwork) adding even more atmosphere, weight, and astonishment to this story. For readers who enjoy novels-in-verse and/or biographical non-fiction or biographical picture books (e.g. Planting Stories; Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker; Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein; Dinosaur Lady), The Bird in Me Flies is highly recommended reading. Extras: Back Matter includes a detailed and not-to-be-missed Afterwords by journalist Alexandra Sundqvist, complete with photographs of Berta Hansson and her family, looks at Hansson‘s artwork, notes from personal journals, and details on Hansson’s later life; Further Reading and a list of sources. Notes: For readers wishing to read more about Sara Lundberg’s creative process for The Bird in Me Flies, there is a fantastically detailed post from the author-artist over on Picturebook Makers. I also did my own further reading and exploration into Berta Hansson’s artwork and life, reading a few different online sources- you can take a look here, here, and here if you are interested.

A watchful red chair sits at the centre of Dasha Tolstikova’s (A Year Without Mom) latest picture book, The Bad Chair. Night after night, Chair watches longingly as a young girl named Vivi and her friend Monkey play a game of hide-and-investigate. Monkey hides under a blanket as per usual, Vivi pretends to look and then asks her witnesses if they’ve seen Monkey. Chair, a witness, would like nothing more than to be part of their game- to actually get to hide and be found! The other house crew/witnesses don’t seem to mind not being part of the excitement- Kettle’s attention is on making tea, Cat doesn’t seem to care, and Plant is focused on Cat. Chair devises a slightly dastardly plan to temporarily take over duties from Monkey; as you might imagine, though, plans go awry as Monkey’s absence causes a kerfuffle and guilty admission from Chair. The Bad Chair is a somewhat difficult to define story (even with a core message about friendship): it is once oddball (which I quite love) and quiet; subversive and visually atypical, with unexpected moments of humour and shows of kindness. It is also a story that in my estimation, grows increasingly appealing upon each reading. Dasha Tolstikova’s illustrations here are clean and bright, crafting so much (kind of like Jon Klassen!) with short lines of a smile, eyebrows, and shifting eyes. Readers familiar with Tolstikova’s wonderful roster of picture books and illustrative work, or those who enjoy sideways stories like The Obstinate Pen and stories by Daisy Hirst, Olivier Tallec, or Polly Dunbar might especially love meeting The Bad Chair.

I received digital copies of these titles courtesy of Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions and comments are my own. Titles have been published and are currently available.

In no particular order here are the standouts: let’s start with Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom by Teresa Robeson and illustrated by Rebecca Huang, a superbly presented biography of Wu Chien Shiung, a deeply respected and celebrated physicist who made incredible advancements, ground-breaking discoveries, and contributions in nuclear physics (among other areas of physics!; a must-read and addition to STEM children’s lit). Up next we have It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by acclaimed Bloom duo Kyo Maclear and artist Julie Morstad, a gorgeously rendered study of the life of prolific artist, author, and activist Gyo Fujikawa, the Japanese-American creator behind esteemed classics such as Babies and Let’s Play, who fought for the right for inclusive representation within the pages of her books. Be sure not to miss the detailed note’s at the book’s end, which touch further upon the Fujikawa family’s internment during World World II. What Miss Mitchell Saw by Babymoon author Hayley Barrett and illustrated by Diana Sudyka (When Sue Found Sue, written by Toni Buzzeo) is not only a compelling and educative biography of Maria Mitchell- a pioneering 19th century woman in American astronomy- but also a beautifully illustrated one to boot (this is another must-read to add to STEM lit!); Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor by Laurie Wallmark and illustrated by Katy Wu (the team behind Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code!) is a fascinating study of iconic actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr, that enlightens the reader with a look at Lamarr’s study of frequency-hopping and contributions to military technology (among other inventions); Borrowing Bunnies: A Surprising True Tale of Fostering Rabbits by A Handful of Stars author Cynthia Lord, photographs by John Bald, and illustrations by Hazel Mitchell, is a tender and lovingly put-together account of the author’s touching- and sometimes heartbreaking- experiences in fostering bunnies; and last but not least, Skulls! by Blair Thornburgh and illustrated by Scott Campbell, is a wonderfully accessible, read-aloud-ready and deftly presented non-fiction story all about, yes, skulls; this a winning book with a positive outlook that is sure to engage and hopefully ease readers who might be hesitant to look at ‘skeleton’ books. Enjoy!

About Ho’onani: Hula Warrior, written by Heather Gale and illustrated by Mika Song:

Ho’onani feels in-between. She doesn’t see herself as wahine (girl) OR kane (boy). She’s happy to be in the middle. But not everyone sees it that way.
When Ho’onani finds out that there will be a school performance of a traditional kane hula chant, she wants to be part of it. But can a girl really lead the all-male troupe? Ho’onani has to try . . .
Based on a true story, Ho’onani: Hula Warrior is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and an empowering story of a girl who learns to lead and learns to accept who she really is–and in doing so, gains the respect of all those around her.
Ho’onani’s story first appeared in the documentary A Place in the Middle by filmmakers Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson.

From the introduction:

“In ancient Hawaiian culture, every person had a role in society. Māhū, people who embraced both feminine and masculine traits, were valued as healers and as caretakers and teachers of ancient traditions.”

Ho’onani Kamai did not see herself as a wahine, “girl”.
Or think she was a kāne, “boy”.
She preferred just Ho’onani.

Author Heather Gale and illustrator Mika Song (Picnic with Oliver) bring readers the children’s picture book Ho’onani: Hula Warrior, which is based on a true story and a real person named Ho’onani Kamai. When readers meet young Ho’onani, they learn that she doesn’t see herself as boy or girl: she is simply “just Ho’onani”. Her mother and her father support Ho’onani’s love of singing, playing the ukelele and being her own person, but her sister Kana “wished Ho’onani did not sing songs so loud or play ukulele faster and better than every kāne at school”. When it is announced that “a traditional hula chant” will be performed by the “high-school kāne”, Ho’onani closes her eyes and immediately imagines herself “stomp-stomp-stomping” and “tap-tap-tapping” and “pitter-pat-patting”. Ho’onani, however, is neither kāne nor old enough for high school! But when she hears that there will be auditions to perform (and lead) the hula chant, Ho’onani, with the support of her teacher Kumu Hina, prepares for the audition. During the tests, Ho’onani sees skepticism in the faces of the boys auditioning; she also cannot help but hear and see Kana’s confusion and disregard for her choices. Nonetheless, Ho’onani practices and practices; she practices “until Hawai’i’s history was part of her…hands dragging across her face, arms reaching for the sky…strong, sure, and steady”. During the final test, when the leader of the hula chant group is to be chosen, Ho’onani faces the group of boys leads “her warriors into a tidal wave of voices”. Prior to the night of the performance, Kumu Hina makes sure Ho’onani is aware of the push back or hesitation she may face from audience members not expecting (or supporting) a wahine to lead their kāne on stage. While Ho’onani considers Kumu Hina’s honesty, as well as her sister’s frustrations with Ho’onani being “in the middle”, she knows she must perform.

An affecting and sincere story that swells to a gorgeous finale, Ho’onani: Hula Warrior is a memorable and wonderfully assured read. Gale’s storytelling is kept incisive and clear, punctuated by powerful moments and the repetition of alliterative and rhythmic phrasing. With an opening ‘Author’s Note‘ as well as introduction, the background of Ho’onani’s story is laid out for the reader: this beautifully allows for Gale’s picture book adaptation to focus on Ho’onani, her strength in knowing who she is, her dreams of performance, and the happy restoration of Kana’s support and their bond. Mika Song’s watercolour and ink illustrations are lush, tonal, and vivid here: the spare and crisp dialogue and storytelling work perfectly in tandem with the sweeps of colour. Song’s illustrative spreads capture the larger scale landscape and setting, as well as Ho’onani’s expressive and determined face, her moments of uncertainty and her moments of power and joy. Honouring Hawaiian culture and traditions, and celebrating the power of (self) acceptance and bravely following one’s heart, Ho’onani: Hula Warrior is a picture book for reading aloud, sharing, and discussing.

Interview with Heather:

Ho’onani: Hula Warrior is based on a true story and on real people! Ho’onani Kamai’s story appeared in a 2015 documentary called Kumu Hina made by Hawaii-based filmmakers Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson. The response from educators who watched Kumu Hina inspired the filmmakers to adapt the documentary into a shorter, more child-friendly film from the point of view of Ho’onani! This adaptation lead to the film A Place in the Middle which appeared at the Toronto Film Festival for Kids, and had its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival K+ Competition (resource links can be found below). 

How and when did you first come across the story of Ho’onani Kamai?
I’m a bit of a geek, enjoy learning, and love to surprise my two grown sons and husband with a ‘did you know’ over dinner. Four years ago, after a day dedicated to research on the next possible story, I couldn’t quite switch off and decided, instead of a movie, I’d watch a documentary. A Place in the Middle intrigued me from the beginning. The title, the Hawaiian setting, and then a story about an eleven-year old girl all got my full attention!

What was it about the story that made you personally want to adapt it into a picture book?
Ho’onani has such a strength of character while remaining true to herself, no matter what. This makes it easy to root for her. You want her to succeed. If you get a chance to watch the documentary, the biggest reason I wanted to write this story is around the 20.50 mark. At that moment Ho’onani waits in thick silence for her community’s response. This scene is what we’ve all been waiting for and it evokes such intense emotions. Every single time I read this book out loud, two pages before this scene I start getting the goosebump-tingles. And the silly thing is, I know its part of the story!

What kinds of research goes into the adaptation of a true story into a picture book?
With a film beside you there is much greater opportunity to add emotions to the story yet research needs to still be done for authenticity. I wanted to know a lot more about Ho’onani’s teacher, Kumu Hina and the history behind Māhū, in Hawai’i. Many other cultures around the world have a third gender or two-spirited people who merge masculine and feminine roles. 
And then I looked at nature where genders also blend or change for survival in the animal kingdom.

In your process of writing and adapting Ho’onani’s story, did you have any early readers/sensitivity readers/educators read over drafts?

I did! The producers, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson were my allies, supporting each draft with important and very necessary suggestions and explanations needed for authenticity. Kumu Hina was very much involved as well as Ho’onani and her family. Everyone wanted the story as accurate as possible.

What was the process like of finding an artist/illustrator for this picture book? Did you have a specific artist in mind for the project?
From the very beginning I had complete trust with my editor, Samantha Swenson. 
From the beginning she had an illustrator in mind and the moment I saw Mika Song’s previous artwork I agreed they’d found the right person for Ho’onani’s story.

Were you ever in touch with the filmmakers during your research of the book?
From the beginning, Dean and Joe took time out from their busy schedules to make this story the best it could be and with any questions I had for Ho’onani, they either knew the answer or got back to me. This worked extremely well.

How do you hope that educators, librarians or caregivers use Ho’onani’s story in and out of classrooms?
Tundra Books has an educational guide to help children explore the story’s illustrative layers with and without the words. Even though the story behind Ho’onani’s story is about Māhū, and Hawai’i’s history, it also has a common thread. Ho’onani: Hula Warrior touches on family and community, respecting, accepting, and including each other no matter how different we are.

Do you have any other information you would like to share about the book-making process or creating picture books?
I got into writing picture books to learn the art of structure. I already had two very rough novels drafted out because of the annual National November Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is an 20-year old internet based writing project designed to help authors push past their 50,000 words mark and is a lot of fun. I decided the best way to figure out how to revise these complete messes was through picture books. What’s interesting is, picture books are incredibly harder to write!

To cap off, I would love to hear about a favourite of 2019- whether a book, film, or podcast- and in any genre!
While out walking the dogs, I’ve become a huge audiobook fan and my latest favourite read was (David) Benioff’s City of Thieves. The accents were perfect, the humor balanced the atrocities while the plot was amazing. Set in Russia during WWII, two imprisoned men are released to find a dozen fresh eggs for the colonel’s daughter’s wedding cake in order to have their lives spared – an impossible quest.


Thank you so much Heather!

Links for Educators:

A Place in the Middle documentary produced by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson:
aplaceinthmiddle.org

Educator’s Guide (PDF) from Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada, created by school librarian and former Newbery Award Committee Chair Kathleen Odean, with Heather Gale and Mika Song:
https://tundrabooks.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/ho-onani_educators-guide.pdf

Telling the Story of Kumu Hina by Craig Phillips via PBS.
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/telling-the-story-of-kumu-hina/

Giveaway Information:

One (1) winner will receive: one (1) copy of Ho’onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Gale and Mika Song

Giveaway open to Canada and US. The giveaway will be open from November 11, 2019 to November 25, 2019. The winning entry will be randomly drawn via Rafflecopter, and the winner will have 48 hours to get in touch with me via email, Twitter, or Facebook confirming their CAN or US mailing address or another entry will be drawn.

Click here to enter the giveaway!

Good luck!

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. Title has been published and is currently available. Thank you to author Heather Gale for her generosity and time. Giveaway prizing fulfilled by Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada.

Let’s begin with Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters by Michael James Mahin, illustrated Evan Turk, a remarkable, deeply affecting and memorable biography of legendary musician Muddy Waters; equally outstanding for its content, prose, structure, and artwork, this biography should not be missed. Canadian author/illustrator/book designer Sara Gillingham’s Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations, a marvelous and incredibly easy-to-follow layout of constellations (everything from myths, animals, the Zodiac, etc.), with ‘Location’, ‘How to Find It‘, ‘Stories and Myths’ and pictorial representation given to every constellation as well as a wealth of resources included (i.e. sky maps, tools for stargazing, notes about magnitude of stars, etc.). Up next we have: Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge by Rachel Dougherty, a fascinating study and spotlight on the (often historically ignored) instrumental contributions made by Emily Roebling to the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge after her husband, a civil engineer leading the project, fell ill with caisson disease; Jane Goodall by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara, with illustrations by Beatrice Cerocchi, another strong entry in the popular Little People, Big Dreams series that serves as a good starting off point for readers just getting introduced to the incredible life and work of Goodall; The Origin of Day and Night by Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt, with illustrations by Lenny Lishchenko (published by independent, Inuit-owned Inhabit Media), a beautifully told and illustrated Inuit tale about the words spoken by a fox and a hare that determine the creation of day and night; and last but not least, the poignant and rousing A Poem for Peter by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, a lyrical telling of how Ezra Jack Keats came to write and illustrate his groundbreaking picture book The Snowy Day, and its significance in/to children’s literature and to generations of readers. Happy reading!

Let’s begin with the fantastically beautiful and mesmerizing The Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs by Fiona Robinson– I was  captivated by this not-to-be-missed biography about the life and work of botanist and photographer Anna Atkins; Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise, gorgeously illustrated by Paola Escobar, is an essential introduction into the life and work of the pioneering librarian, puppeteer, and storyteller who the Pura Belpré Award in named in honour of; Jenni Desmond’s marvelous non-fiction work has featured here before, and the author-illustraor’s name makes a return with The Elephant, the excellent third entry in the well-received series featuring endangered animals; Lights! Camera! Alice!: The Thrilling True Adventures of the First Woman Filmmaker by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Simona Ciraolo, turns the spotlight on the life and incredibly lengthy and ingenious contributions of filmmaker and storyteller Alice Guy-Blaché (unfortunately mostly unrecognized until recent history and documentary efforts); and, last but not least is the riveting and lyrical Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood, highlighting the lives of fourteen “revolutionary” women (e.g. Mary Anning, Ruby Bridges, Nellie Bly, Mae Jemison, and more!), pairing a poem about each icon with an original illustration by acclaimed illustrators such as Oge Mora, Julie Morstad, Emily Winfield Martin, and LeUyen Pham. Happy reading!

On the more traditional side of non-fiction we have: The Mushroom Fan Club by Canadian favourite Elise Gravel, a totally fun and informative look at kinds of mushrooms; Canadian Jan Thornill, who authored and illustrated the award-winning The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk (which is superb!) returns with fascinating and eye-opening The Triumphant Tale of the House Sparrow; the very cool and captivating What Makes a Monster?: Discovering the World’s Scariest Creatures by author and zoologist Jess Keating, with illustrations by David DeGrand; the delightful Other-Wordly: Words Both Strange and Lovely from Around the World by Yee-Lum Mak, with fantastic art by Kelsey Garrity-Riley*; a fun look at animal feet called I’ve Got Feet!: Fantastical Feet of the Animal World by Julie Murphy, with art by Hannah Tolson; and How Tall Was a T.rex?, a simple, bold, visually striking and awesome look at tyrannosaurus by Alison Limentani.

Happy reading!

*I received a copy of Other-Wordly: Words Both Lovely and Strange from Around the World courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.