Night Job
By Karen Hesse, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
“On Friday nights when the sun goes down, I snap the clips shut on Dad’s lunch box and climb onto the back of his bike.” Together they go to Dad’s work as a school janitor. As they work, they carry the radio from room to room so they can listen to the baseball game. Dad reads to the boy in the library before he falls asleep on the green vinyl couch. The book is full of sensory detail. It conveys the magic of being awake when everyone else is sleeping. The book ends with a sweet scene of them asleep on a recliner together. (Ages 3-7)
The Boo-Boos That Changed the World
By Barry Wittenstein, illustrated by Chris Hsu
This fun read explores the history of the Band-Aid. At various points in the story, the author prematurely announces The End. And after each semi-stop we learn about a complication in the invention process. Simple retro illustrations take us back to 1917, with newlyweds Earle and Josephine Dickson. We learn that Josephine was clumsy with knives and often cut herself. The author shows how Earle responded with creativity to invent a bandage and then needed ingenuity to refine and market it. Boo-Boos is fun and offers an inspiring story of real people doing interesting things. (Ages 4-8)
A House That Once Was
By Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Lane Smith
Two children come across an old house in the woods: “a house just a house that once was but now isn’t a home.” With poetic language Fogliano explores the mystery of the old house, which draws in the children just as it draws in the reader. We wonder about the people who left it so suddenly and imagine the lives they had in this house that once was a home. The impressionistic illustrations add to the mystery (though some children may find them confusing). A nesting bluebird flits from page to page. Children may enjoy finding it. (Ages 3-6)
Drawn Together
By Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
A young boy dreads visiting his grandfather because they don’t speak the same language. When the grandfather sees his grandson doodling with markers, he brings out his ink and pen. Suddenly the two have a lot to say with their art. Vibrant superhero illustrations in dueling styles depict the cultural divide and also highlight the bridge that art provides. The comic-book-style art powers the story, making the book accessible even to those without much English. It’s a sweet story of going beyond words to connect and love one another. (Ages 4-7)
Committee members: Pamela Palmer, Sandy Barwick, Megan Saben, Kristin Chapman, Mary Jackson, Courtney Russell, and Susan Olasky