Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Super Star Children's Book Reviews: Shirley Chisholm Is A Verb
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 L. 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.
SHIRLEY CHISHOLM IS A VERB!
By Veronica Chambers • Illustrated by Rachelle Baker • Design by Jennifer Kelly
Non-Fiction Picture Book (ages 4-8) • 40 pages
Published by Dial BFYR • 2020
ISBN 978-0-8037-3089-2
Verbs are action words. And a perfect device to describe the life of Shirley Chisholm.
CONNECT. SPEAK. ORGANIZE. LISTEN. CHALLENGE. Shirley Chisholm knew that words have power. She chose her verbs carefully and used them to create change. The author’s decision to call out certain verbs heightens the accomplishments of her subject, and the warmth in which she relates them to key moments, draws the reader in, enhancing this energetic biography.
Shirley called herself “Fighting Shirley Chisholm.” Those words propelled her from an early career as a nursery school teacher to her days in Congress to eventually becoming the first Black person, and the first woman, to run for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Her campaign paved the way for Geraldine Ferraro, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Kamala Harris to run for the highest offices in the country.
The text is sprinkled with actual quotes from Ms. Chisholm including the often repeated, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” The book ends with a call-out to the reader to choose the verbs that will INSPIRE their own actions and move the world forward.
Rachelle Baker’s flat, graphic-style art brings each scenario to life, aptly showing the real woman who was a real-world superhero.
Buy this book:
SHIRLEY CHISHOLM IS A VERB!
By Veronica Chambers • Illustrated by Rachelle Baker • Design by Jennifer Kelly
Non-Fiction Picture Book (ages 4-8) • 40 pages
Published by Dial BFYR • 2020
ISBN 978-0-8037-3089-2
Verbs are action words. And a perfect device to describe the life of Shirley Chisholm.
CONNECT. SPEAK. ORGANIZE. LISTEN. CHALLENGE. Shirley Chisholm knew that words have power. She chose her verbs carefully and used them to create change. The author’s decision to call out certain verbs heightens the accomplishments of her subject, and the warmth in which she relates them to key moments, draws the reader in, enhancing this energetic biography.
Shirley called herself “Fighting Shirley Chisholm.” Those words propelled her from an early career as a nursery school teacher to her days in Congress to eventually becoming the first Black person, and the first woman, to run for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Her campaign paved the way for Geraldine Ferraro, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Kamala Harris to run for the highest offices in the country.
The text is sprinkled with actual quotes from Ms. Chisholm including the often repeated, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” The book ends with a call-out to the reader to choose the verbs that will INSPIRE their own actions and move the world forward.
Rachelle Baker’s flat, graphic-style art brings each scenario to life, aptly showing the real woman who was a real-world superhero.
Buy this book:
Reviewed by: Laurie L. Young
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Super Star Interviews: Benson Shum
Welcome to my monthly interview feature! I’m so excited to be interviewing all the fabulous artists, illustrators and designers I’ve meet over the years (both personally and virtually!) and sharing their artwork and experiences here on Bird Meets Worm. Look for a new interview on the first Tuesday of every month.
This month I'm delighted to be catching up with the incredibly talented author-illustrator Benson Shum! I absolutely adore Benson's sweet and lively characters! He uses watercolor, ink and digital tools to create his illustrations. Trained in animation, his stories and paintings are expressive and full of movement. Benson is also an Animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he was a part of such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Frozen 2 and Raya & the Last Dragon. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Benson now lives in Los Angeles, California. You can view more of his fabulous artwork here.
Q: Your NEW picture book, Alex’s Good Fortune, released with Penguin Random House, in December! (Congratulations! SO exciting!) Give us the full scoop on your bright & cheery Chinese New Year story: your approach for writing & illustrating it, your working relationship with your publisher & what you love best about it all!
A: Thank you so much for having me! I'm super excited about Alex's Good Fortune. I feel very fortunate to have an editor, designer and agent that believed in this story. When researching for the story, I asked my sister and parents what Chinese New Year meant to them and what we did to celebrate. Remembering my experience as a kid and what that felt like. I also learned a lot of new well wishes in Chinese while researching. For the illustration, I thought about what my nieces and nephews wore during the holiday, and that inspired Alex and Ethan's clothings. I tried to incorporate lots of reds and yellow. Red is a lucky color for Chinese New Year.
I loved working with my editor, Renee, on this project, as well as the designer, Julia. There's always so much to learn, whether it's positioning the characters in a certain way to make it read better with the text or adjusting that one word that makes all the difference. I'm so happy that I'm able to share the little things we did as a family growing up with the New Year's traditions.
Q: In what ways is Alex’s Good Fortune inspired by your own experiences and heritage? And what advice would you give fellow author-illustrators also writing from their own familial experiences and heritages?
A: Alex's Good Fortune was inspired by my family. We always had large gatherings for dinners on Sunday with my grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. It was loud with lots of laughter and lots of food. For Chinese New Year, my parents taught us to greet and wish well wishes to everyone we see, especially our elders. And some things we shouldn't do. For example, we shouldn't wash our hair on New Years day, as that will wash away luck for the New Year. Or sweep the floor, as you will sweep your fortunes out the front door! So we had to clean our rooms and wash our hair before the big day.
For advice on writing from our own experience, I would say don't be afraid to write or draw something that is personal and resonates with you. I feel if it's authentic to you, others will feel the same in one way or another. Plus, we'll all learn something new and that's always great.
Q: You are an animator for Walt Disney Animation Studios and have worked on many of the most celebrated animated films of the last decade. How has your background in animation influenced your storytelling as a children’s book author-illustrator?
A: Yes, I am an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. I've been fortunate to be there for 9 years now. It's a dream. Animation has definitely influenced how I make books. We learn about posing and acting when we are animating, and I apply those same techniques when I sketch and paint. To bring life and expression to our characters.
Q: You have 5 picture books to your credit and 3 more releases upcoming, all while working a day job as an animator. Dish with us a bit about how you balance your freelance book work with your day job.
A: Yes, it can be a bit tricker. Sometimes I'm lucky when my book deadline happens when my work at Disney is a little slower, but if it's stacked, then I have to plan little goals of what I want to accomplish during the week. I plan a lot, so I don't stress myself out. I make little, tiny goals so I know I can hit them and avoid overwhelming myself. I feel that helps.
Q: One of those upcoming releases is a new picture book, Anzu the Great Kaiju, which debuts in fall 2021. (Hooray!) What can you tell us about this title?
A: Thank you! Yes, I'm super excited for Anzu the Great Kaiju. It's about a tiny kaiju named Anzu who is gentle, with a big heart, and wants to make his family proud. But all great Kaiju are ferocious. Can Anzu make them proud and stay true to himself?
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My most perfect Sunday is to not do a whole lot. Go for a walk with our dogs. If there's an idea that's nudging me, I'll do a quick sketch. But I try to give a day to just hang out.
This month I'm delighted to be catching up with the incredibly talented author-illustrator Benson Shum! I absolutely adore Benson's sweet and lively characters! He uses watercolor, ink and digital tools to create his illustrations. Trained in animation, his stories and paintings are expressive and full of movement. Benson is also an Animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he was a part of such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Frozen 2 and Raya & the Last Dragon. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Benson now lives in Los Angeles, California. You can view more of his fabulous artwork here.
 |
| Celebrate Chinese New Year with Alex & Ethan! |
Q: Your NEW picture book, Alex’s Good Fortune, released with Penguin Random House, in December! (Congratulations! SO exciting!) Give us the full scoop on your bright & cheery Chinese New Year story: your approach for writing & illustrating it, your working relationship with your publisher & what you love best about it all!
A: Thank you so much for having me! I'm super excited about Alex's Good Fortune. I feel very fortunate to have an editor, designer and agent that believed in this story. When researching for the story, I asked my sister and parents what Chinese New Year meant to them and what we did to celebrate. Remembering my experience as a kid and what that felt like. I also learned a lot of new well wishes in Chinese while researching. For the illustration, I thought about what my nieces and nephews wore during the holiday, and that inspired Alex and Ethan's clothings. I tried to incorporate lots of reds and yellow. Red is a lucky color for Chinese New Year.
I loved working with my editor, Renee, on this project, as well as the designer, Julia. There's always so much to learn, whether it's positioning the characters in a certain way to make it read better with the text or adjusting that one word that makes all the difference. I'm so happy that I'm able to share the little things we did as a family growing up with the New Year's traditions.
(Psst! You can order your copy of Alex's Good Fortune here today:)
 |
| The dragon at the parade is so magical! |
Q: In what ways is Alex’s Good Fortune inspired by your own experiences and heritage? And what advice would you give fellow author-illustrators also writing from their own familial experiences and heritages?
A: Alex's Good Fortune was inspired by my family. We always had large gatherings for dinners on Sunday with my grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. It was loud with lots of laughter and lots of food. For Chinese New Year, my parents taught us to greet and wish well wishes to everyone we see, especially our elders. And some things we shouldn't do. For example, we shouldn't wash our hair on New Years day, as that will wash away luck for the New Year. Or sweep the floor, as you will sweep your fortunes out the front door! So we had to clean our rooms and wash our hair before the big day.
For advice on writing from our own experience, I would say don't be afraid to write or draw something that is personal and resonates with you. I feel if it's authentic to you, others will feel the same in one way or another. Plus, we'll all learn something new and that's always great.
 |
| Do I want to draw a snowman?! Yes! Yes, I do! |
Q: You are an animator for Walt Disney Animation Studios and have worked on many of the most celebrated animated films of the last decade. How has your background in animation influenced your storytelling as a children’s book author-illustrator?
A: Yes, I am an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. I've been fortunate to be there for 9 years now. It's a dream. Animation has definitely influenced how I make books. We learn about posing and acting when we are animating, and I apply those same techniques when I sketch and paint. To bring life and expression to our characters.
 |
| What a fabulous collection!!! #letsreadtogether |
Q: You have 5 picture books to your credit and 3 more releases upcoming, all while working a day job as an animator. Dish with us a bit about how you balance your freelance book work with your day job.
A: Yes, it can be a bit tricker. Sometimes I'm lucky when my book deadline happens when my work at Disney is a little slower, but if it's stacked, then I have to plan little goals of what I want to accomplish during the week. I plan a lot, so I don't stress myself out. I make little, tiny goals so I know I can hit them and avoid overwhelming myself. I feel that helps.
 |
| Ooo!! This is going to be a good one! |
Q: One of those upcoming releases is a new picture book, Anzu the Great Kaiju, which debuts in fall 2021. (Hooray!) What can you tell us about this title?
A: Thank you! Yes, I'm super excited for Anzu the Great Kaiju. It's about a tiny kaiju named Anzu who is gentle, with a big heart, and wants to make his family proud. But all great Kaiju are ferocious. Can Anzu make them proud and stay true to himself?
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My most perfect Sunday is to not do a whole lot. Go for a walk with our dogs. If there's an idea that's nudging me, I'll do a quick sketch. But I try to give a day to just hang out.
Thank you SO much for chatting with us here at Bird Meets Worm, Benson! Congratulations on Alex's Good Fortune!!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Super Star Children's Book Reviews: Little Libraries, Big Heroes
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 L. 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.
LITTLE LIBRARIES, BIG HEROES
By Miranda Paul • Illustrated by John Parra
Picture Book (ages 4-7) • 40 pages
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • 2019
ISBN: 978-0-5448-0027-4
Little Libraries, Big Heroes is the extraordinary story of an ordinary man who started a movement in his own front yard that eventually spread throughout the world.
Author Miranda Paul and illustrator John Parra have concocted a colorful, inspiring biography of Todd Bol, the creator of the Little Free Library movement. More than anything, Todd’s story is a celebration of books, reading, community, and the power of one person to create change.
Starting small (with the first little library built by Todd), and growing slowly, the movement spread from Todd’s home state of Minnesota, across the Midwest, then to other nations outside the U.S., until finally, Little Free Libraries can be found in countries across the globe.
The stories behind the several of these libraries will delight and inspire kids to learn that, even through small acts, they can become everyday heroes in their own lives.
John Parra’s exuberant art brings to life the joy and diversity behind the Little Free Libraries—and the not-so-ordinary people who are spreading book love all over the world.
LITTLE LIBRARIES, BIG HEROES
By Miranda Paul • Illustrated by John Parra
Picture Book (ages 4-7) • 40 pages
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • 2019
ISBN: 978-0-5448-0027-4
Little Libraries, Big Heroes is the extraordinary story of an ordinary man who started a movement in his own front yard that eventually spread throughout the world.
Author Miranda Paul and illustrator John Parra have concocted a colorful, inspiring biography of Todd Bol, the creator of the Little Free Library movement. More than anything, Todd’s story is a celebration of books, reading, community, and the power of one person to create change.
Starting small (with the first little library built by Todd), and growing slowly, the movement spread from Todd’s home state of Minnesota, across the Midwest, then to other nations outside the U.S., until finally, Little Free Libraries can be found in countries across the globe.
The stories behind the several of these libraries will delight and inspire kids to learn that, even through small acts, they can become everyday heroes in their own lives.
John Parra’s exuberant art brings to life the joy and diversity behind the Little Free Libraries—and the not-so-ordinary people who are spreading book love all over the world.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Family Portrait
A fun little portfolio piece I meant to share back in the fall! I thought its cheery vibes were just right seeing as how in my neck of the woods it is still more crisp breezes & falling leaves than ice & snow. Cheers! XO
 |
| Family Portrait • © Jane Smith |
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Super Star Interviews: Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Welcome to my monthly interview feature! I’m so excited to be interviewing all the fabulous artists, illustrators and designers I’ve meet over the years (both personally and virtually!) and sharing their artwork and experiences here on Bird Meets Worm. Look for a new interview on the first Tuesday of every month.
This month I'm thrilled to peppermint pieces to be chatting it up with fellow SCBWI Carolinas illustrator & designer Tatjana Mai-Wyss! I'm a huge fan of Tatjana's sweet characters and delightful style! Tatjana is known for her engaging and diverse characters, loving attention to detail, and joyful color palettes. She illustrates children's books as well as creates images for art licensing products. Her clients include Tundra Books, Random House, Sterling Publishing, G.P. Putnam's Sons and more. You can view more of her gorgeous artwork here.
Q: Your artwork is full of luminous color, soft shapes and friendly characters! Dish with us a bit about your creative process—concept to sketches to finished art—and how it all comes together.
Q: Your fresh, bright illustrations have found a crossover between slow-moving children’s book publishing and fast-paced art licensing. Chat with us a bit about how you balance servicing these two different markets while staying true to yourself.
A: I discovered art licensing fairly recently through the greeting card world, although I’d love to expand to toys and other children’s products. It’s great for experimenting with new ideas and materials, and fun to find your art in a store. The community has been really kind and supportive, and I love meeting new people, even if it’s only virtually. I approach art licensing similarly to book Illustration, my favorite projects are about creating a character and telling a story, even if sometimes that's just a back story for myself. I'm learning to choose projects that feel like a good fit or a healthy stretch for me, and to avoid things that are just not in my range (nothing too opulent, edgy or scary for me, although I do appreciate those things).
Q: You’ve illustrated numerous books for children, including the Bunny’s Book Club series! Give us the full scoop on your MOST favorite children’s book you’ve illustrated!
A: I will always have a soft spot for the first book I got to illustrate The Yawn Heard Round the World. There was a lot of room for imagination, and some brainteasing calculations about how much time the yawn would take to go around the world and whether it would be daylight or evening in the various places. In truth, I actually think Bunny’s Book Club is my favorite so far. I really got attached to the characters with their specific quirks (and their love of books!) Animals are really my favorite thing to draw. I love the collaborative angle of children’s picture books, where two creatives' ideas combine to make something bigger. I would say my favorite book is always the next one.
Q: You grew up in Switzerland and now reside in South Carolina—two very different locales! How have each of these places influenced and inspired you as an artist?
A: I have lived in quite a few places in my life, and can’t wait to travel again. I think when people spend time in a different culture it helps them notice things more, really examine them, and often question some things others may take for granted. Growing up in Switzerland I got to live in a small town and explore my world on foot and by bicycle and train. Some of my best memories are of class hiking trips to the mountains and school wide ski camp. I’m also connected to old fashioned stories and legends and fairy tales and rustic folk art.
Q: What do you know now that when you first began your illustration career you wish you’d known about: illustration? self-promotion? the book publishing business?
A: The school I attended took a very realistic approach to illustration, with an emphasis on photo references and tight rendering. Since that’s something that felt very safe to me, it’s taken a long time to unlearn and be more adventurous. I would tell my younger self to draw more and worry less. I feel like the publishing industry is changing very quickly, and as I try to pivot and keep up, I learn new things about it every day. To answer your question, I wish I had known that I should really consider being an author illustrator from the start, so I would feel more at home with that idea, especially since my world has always revolved around books.
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My perfect Sunday could be a composite of places I’ve lived: a morning run through the city with friends that finishes with coffee on a cafe terrace. Or a long walk in the mountains with a picnic. I love the ocean, so a walk on the beach would be perfect. A family stroll through the farmers market for vegetables and lunch ingredients. A visit to a museum or a flea market, cake and coffee with a friend. Drawing in my sketchbook and dinner with my family.
This month I'm thrilled to peppermint pieces to be chatting it up with fellow SCBWI Carolinas illustrator & designer Tatjana Mai-Wyss! I'm a huge fan of Tatjana's sweet characters and delightful style! Tatjana is known for her engaging and diverse characters, loving attention to detail, and joyful color palettes. She illustrates children's books as well as creates images for art licensing products. Her clients include Tundra Books, Random House, Sterling Publishing, G.P. Putnam's Sons and more. You can view more of her gorgeous artwork here.
 |
| Ooo! This book looks perfect to cuddle up with! |
Q: Your artwork is full of luminous color, soft shapes and friendly characters! Dish with us a bit about your creative process—concept to sketches to finished art—and how it all comes together.
A: Thank you! I love working on picture books. From reading the manuscript to visualizing the characters; where they live, how they dress, and imagining every little detail, it’s a pretty magical job. Overall, I think it's really important to have clear drawings as a sound foundation for an illustration. To capture the liveliness and spontaneity of a character, I work out their gestures first really loosely with a wash and a square brush. In the course of these early drawings, I really get to know the characters, how they move and exist in space. can refine those sketches afterwards and add as many details as I like. The rabbit from Bunny’s Book Club, for example, got his 3-dimensionality from my daughter's stuffed animal, and for porcupine I couldn’t stop thinking about one of those retro fiber optic lamps whose “quills” move slowly like a lava lamp.
I try to budget extra time in the early phase to allow for a lot of drawing and sketching to give an illustration "good bones”. To plan the whole layout of a book I start with thumbnail layout and gradually move to larger and larger sketches. There are of course many conversations with the editor/art director until the whole book arrives at the final drawing stage. Often this collaboration adds new ideas to the story and help me think of new ways to the sketches are later transferred onto watercolor paper for a clean start. Once I’m painting final artwork, I always do connected scenes at the same time to make sure the colors and “hand” match up in the end.
 |
| How darling! Love this crew of readers! |
Q: Your fresh, bright illustrations have found a crossover between slow-moving children’s book publishing and fast-paced art licensing. Chat with us a bit about how you balance servicing these two different markets while staying true to yourself.
A: I discovered art licensing fairly recently through the greeting card world, although I’d love to expand to toys and other children’s products. It’s great for experimenting with new ideas and materials, and fun to find your art in a store. The community has been really kind and supportive, and I love meeting new people, even if it’s only virtually. I approach art licensing similarly to book Illustration, my favorite projects are about creating a character and telling a story, even if sometimes that's just a back story for myself. I'm learning to choose projects that feel like a good fit or a healthy stretch for me, and to avoid things that are just not in my range (nothing too opulent, edgy or scary for me, although I do appreciate those things).
Q: You’ve illustrated numerous books for children, including the Bunny’s Book Club series! Give us the full scoop on your MOST favorite children’s book you’ve illustrated!
A: I will always have a soft spot for the first book I got to illustrate The Yawn Heard Round the World. There was a lot of room for imagination, and some brainteasing calculations about how much time the yawn would take to go around the world and whether it would be daylight or evening in the various places. In truth, I actually think Bunny’s Book Club is my favorite so far. I really got attached to the characters with their specific quirks (and their love of books!) Animals are really my favorite thing to draw. I love the collaborative angle of children’s picture books, where two creatives' ideas combine to make something bigger. I would say my favorite book is always the next one.
 |
| "Meow" is cat for "hello"! |
Q: You grew up in Switzerland and now reside in South Carolina—two very different locales! How have each of these places influenced and inspired you as an artist?
A: I have lived in quite a few places in my life, and can’t wait to travel again. I think when people spend time in a different culture it helps them notice things more, really examine them, and often question some things others may take for granted. Growing up in Switzerland I got to live in a small town and explore my world on foot and by bicycle and train. Some of my best memories are of class hiking trips to the mountains and school wide ski camp. I’m also connected to old fashioned stories and legends and fairy tales and rustic folk art.
As an adult here in South Carolina, I walk my dog Coco and notice the changes in the seasons and all the small plant and wildlife. We have a botanical garden that has a collection of carnivorous plants I’m very fond of. All together I’m pretty detail-oriented.
 |
| Under-the-sea adventure together! Yay! |
Q: What do you know now that when you first began your illustration career you wish you’d known about: illustration? self-promotion? the book publishing business?
A: The school I attended took a very realistic approach to illustration, with an emphasis on photo references and tight rendering. Since that’s something that felt very safe to me, it’s taken a long time to unlearn and be more adventurous. I would tell my younger self to draw more and worry less. I feel like the publishing industry is changing very quickly, and as I try to pivot and keep up, I learn new things about it every day. To answer your question, I wish I had known that I should really consider being an author illustrator from the start, so I would feel more at home with that idea, especially since my world has always revolved around books.
Q: Describe your most perfect Sunday.
A: My perfect Sunday could be a composite of places I’ve lived: a morning run through the city with friends that finishes with coffee on a cafe terrace. Or a long walk in the mountains with a picnic. I love the ocean, so a walk on the beach would be perfect. A family stroll through the farmers market for vegetables and lunch ingredients. A visit to a museum or a flea market, cake and coffee with a friend. Drawing in my sketchbook and dinner with my family.
Thank you so much, Tatjana, for visiting with us here at Bird Meets Worm! It was such a pleasure!!
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Super Star Children's Book Reviews: Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice
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 L. 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.
KAMALA HARRIS: ROOTED IN JUSTICE
By Nikki Grimes • Illustrated by Laura Freeman
Non-Fiction Picture Book (ages 4-8) • 40 pages
Published by Atheneum BFYR • 2020
ISBN 978-1-5344-6267-0
Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice is a biography of US Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris told in narration by a mother to her young daughter, who has just been told by a classmate that “girls can’t be President.”
Grimes’s light and bright text is full of momentum as it traces Harris’s life from her early childhood in California and her middle school years in Canada to her college years in Washington D.C and California thru to the present. Along the way, Harris’s diverse experiences are highlighted and celebrated, shining a light on her social activism, public service and open mind. The narration comes to a close at the moment Harris suspended her bid for the US Presidency and poses the question of whether or not she will ever reach the White House.
With rich, graphic artwork, that echoes that of Ezra Jack Keats, Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice is an inspirational introduction to our country’s newest, ground-breaking Vice President, who we, as the audience, know does indeed reach the White House after all.
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Bookshop
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Jane Smith
By Nikki Grimes • Illustrated by Laura Freeman
Non-Fiction Picture Book (ages 4-8) • 40 pages
Published by Atheneum BFYR • 2020
ISBN 978-1-5344-6267-0
Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice is a biography of US Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris told in narration by a mother to her young daughter, who has just been told by a classmate that “girls can’t be President.”
Grimes’s light and bright text is full of momentum as it traces Harris’s life from her early childhood in California and her middle school years in Canada to her college years in Washington D.C and California thru to the present. Along the way, Harris’s diverse experiences are highlighted and celebrated, shining a light on her social activism, public service and open mind. The narration comes to a close at the moment Harris suspended her bid for the US Presidency and poses the question of whether or not she will ever reach the White House.
With rich, graphic artwork, that echoes that of Ezra Jack Keats, Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice is an inspirational introduction to our country’s newest, ground-breaking Vice President, who we, as the audience, know does indeed reach the White House after all.
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Bookshop
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Jane Smith
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