Not going it alone
Real Friends By Shannon Hale; artwork by LeUyen Pham (First Second; 220 pages; $12.99 PB; ages 8-12)
The roller coaster of elementary school friendship propels this candid graphic memoir, destined for instant popularity. Amplified are the queen bees and “wannabees,” the in-groups and out, the teasing and bullying. Is there bandwidth left for the three R’s? Revisiting Utah some 40 years ago, the acclaimed Hale recalls the challenges of grades one through five. A “bestie” moves away, loyalties shift, boys figure in, and mean girls rule, until they don’t. Lively cartoons and smart speech bubbles seamlessly blend action and emotion in real and imagined worlds. (Hale’s childhood storytelling accommodates Wonder Woman and royal courts.) An affecting afterword alludes to faulty memories, adult perspective, new support for kids with anxiety and OCD (like Hale herself ) or turbulent temper (like her sister). And the raison d’etre for this book, so kids realize, is “I’m not the only one.”
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors By Drew Daywalt; illustrated by Adam Rex (Balzer + Bray; 48 pages; $17.99; ages 4-8)
This modern creation tale postulates how “roshambo” came to be. (A reminder: It’s a no-fuss way for kids to choose who goes first in a game.) The outlandish plot unfolds in the Kingdom of Backyard, Mom’s Home Office, the Kitchen Realm and a Two Car Garage where three “warriors” seek their equals. Uproarious skirmishes ensue. Rock bests Clothespin and Apricot. Paper bests Computer Printer and Trail Mix. Scissors bests Roll of Tape and “Dinosaur-Shaped Chicken Nuggets.” Still standing, Rock, Paper and Scissors do epic battle to establish the pecking order that still stands today. (Rock beats Scissors, Paper beats Rock, and Scissors beats Paper.) Tongue-in-cheek humor propels this raucous romp. What’s so funny? Everything including underwear on a clothesline and the “fuzzy little butt” belonging to Apricot. What’s so endearing? How the warriors themselves have ironically come to ensure playground peace.
The Hawk of the Castle: A Story of Medieval Falconry By Danna Smith; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick; 40 pages; $16.99; ages 4-8)
Hounds and hawks are partners in the European medieval hunt. That’s what kids will learn from this elegant “one day in the life of a falconer.” Grand pastoral paintings establish time and place and incorporate detail about preparation, equipment and training for bird and man alike. Especially dramatic is the image of a hawk swooping in on a grouse. Poor grouse! Meanwhile, on each page, in fourline verse, a girl eagerly describes her father’s work. A tidy box offers more facts about raptors, perches, gloves, hoods, hunting strategy and the catch. Here a Northern California author writes with special affection for falconry, her father having been expert himself. Both enthusiastic and knowledgeable about this ancient sport, Smith concludes with a caveat: “Birds of prey must always be treated with care and respect.” And the prey too, I would add.
Hooray for Birds! By Lucy Cousins (Candlewick; 40 pages; $15.99; ages 2-5)
My grandson, age 2, points in wonderment at flying birds. This sprightly picture book provides him and his cohorts with delightful introduction to the diversity and activity of these feathered friends. For basic ornithology, the creator of the “Maisy” series uses her trademark art style — flat, childlike paintings with bold colors and thick black outlines. And jaunty four-line stanzas offer explanation and invitation: Act like a bird! It is hard not to mimic their sounds from “tra-la-la” to “tweet, tweet, tweet.” (The real kind.) Likewise, it is hard not to waddle like a penguin and puff out like a peacock. With brilliant economy, much is covered: how birds perch, fly, hop, peck, swim, swoop, feed, lay eggs, vocalize and move. And it all ends with perfect peace in a cozy nest for a good cuddle and a good night.
She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World By Chelsea Clinton; illustrated by Alexandra Boiger (Philomel; 32 pages; $17.99; ages 4-8)
Most celebrity books for kids fall flat. After all, writing is a honed skill. Still, sometimes, a good one comes along, like this almost bittersweet collection of 13 mini-bios by the daughter of a president and near-president. Read them aloud, perhaps one per day, for a panorama of persistence, the kind pejoratively ascribed to Elizabeth Warren by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and now trumpeted in Clinton’s timely title. Included are Clara Lemlich (labor activist), Virginia Apgar (doctor), Maria Tallchief (prima ballerina) and Sally Ride (astronaut). Helen Keller gets her usual due, but, better yet is the inclusion of Claudette Colvin for inspiring a bus boycott even before Rosa Parks. In a red pantsuit, Hillary merits but a cameo in pleasing watercolors that further unite us with these women in common cause: not to keep quiet.
Be a Star, Wonder Woman! By Michael Dahl; illustrated by Omar Lozano (Capstone; 32 pages; $15.95; ages 3-5)
Wonder Woman is crushing the competition at the box office. But what of her power in print form? This bold comics-style picture book shows how inspirational the statuesque powerhouse can be for a small girl, just starting school. Accompanied by her dad (quite a hunk himself ), she is a pint-size version of her superhero idol. To restore peace in her multicultural class, “she must be kind.” To overcome tests on the play structure, “she must be brave.” And when extra help is needed, “she must be honest.” Also modeled are traits of strength, preparedness and bravery, and there’s even a checklist. OK, it’s didactic, but charmingly so, especially with a stirring last line: “A hero ... no matter how big ... no matter how small ... isn’t born. A hero is made.” At home, after the action-packed movie, this book can reinforce that empowering message.