Welcome to the monthly children’s book review feature with a focus on diverse books here at Bird Meets Worm! My team of reviewers—Joan Charles, Laurie Young & Sarah Orgill—and I are so excited to be championing books celebrating everything from gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community to ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, people with disabilities and developmental challenges to controversial topics, unique family situations and anything and everything I did not include. It is to say we take a rightfully broad view of diversity! We aim to shine a light on books that bring both familiar experiences to those who do not often see themselves represented in books and new experiences to those looking to expand their worldview. Here at Bird Meets Worm we believe in the power of story to build empathy and thus a better world for you and me and everyone. Look for a new review on the second Wednesday of every month.
And this month my pleased to introduce our first new reviewer of the new year, Laurie Young! Laurie has written six books for the preschool novelty market, including I SEE A MONSTER. She is a member of SCBWI and writes picture books and middle grade novels. She also works as an art director and graphic designer, part-time karaoke warbler, and book hoarder. This is her first book review!
ISLANDBORN
Written By Junot Diaz • Illustrated by Leo Espinosa
Picture Book (ages 5-8) • 48 pages
Published by Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Young Readers Group • 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7352-2986-0
Every one of Lola’s classmates comes from somewhere else. When her teacher asks the class to draw a picture of their country of origin, their first home, Lola is at a loss. She left the Island when she was just a baby and as hard as she tries, she is unable to remember anything about it.
She turns to her family and the people in her neighborhood to tell their stories of the Island. With each one, beautiful pictures fill her head with music and delicious fruits and poetic beaches and Lola wonders why anyone would leave such a place. But Mr. Mir has a different story. His story is of a monster and the heroes who defeated it, and the courage to persevere.
The lively, brilliant, mixed media illustrations jump off the page and the reader experiences the wonder and magic of the Island along with Lola. Lola learns that even though she doesn’t remember it, the Island is in her and through her community, she feels the connection to her culture and her first home.
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Laurie L Young
Written By Junot Diaz • Illustrated by Leo Espinosa
Picture Book (ages 5-8) • 48 pages
Published by Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Young Readers Group • 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7352-2986-0
Every one of Lola’s classmates comes from somewhere else. When her teacher asks the class to draw a picture of their country of origin, their first home, Lola is at a loss. She left the Island when she was just a baby and as hard as she tries, she is unable to remember anything about it.
She turns to her family and the people in her neighborhood to tell their stories of the Island. With each one, beautiful pictures fill her head with music and delicious fruits and poetic beaches and Lola wonders why anyone would leave such a place. But Mr. Mir has a different story. His story is of a monster and the heroes who defeated it, and the courage to persevere.
The lively, brilliant, mixed media illustrations jump off the page and the reader experiences the wonder and magic of the Island along with Lola. Lola learns that even though she doesn’t remember it, the Island is in her and through her community, she feels the connection to her culture and her first home.
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Laurie L Young