Pet Show

Title: Pet Show
Author: Ezra Jack Keats
Genre: Children's Classics

Loved it. Ezra Jack Keats has all of our votes. His images are kidlike- in that they make sense to the kids, and they are high quality and cleaver as well. The writing of this book is cool, calm and perfect. It is easy to sit back and enjoy Keats and his beautiful characters Archie and Peter in this classic.

Pet Show is about a place where there will be a judging of all the neighborhood pets, however Archie's pet Cat (the star from HI, Cat!) is missing. His mom tries to help him understand that Cat is not that reliable and cannot be asked to know when to appear for the show. Archie ends up staying home while Peter and the rest of his friends gather up their pets and head off to win some prizes. You'll have to read the rest on your own, as I wouldn't want to spoil the clever ending for anyone! It is pretty cute, the boys and I sat and enjoyed the story just as much as the artwork in this book.

I tremble at admitting this, but this is my first Ezra Jack Keats book! Yes, I know this isn't even the one that I see everywhere, The Snowy Day is THAT book. What do you think? Have you read Keats? Which is your favourite book?

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Visiting Langston

Title: Visiting Langston
Author: Willie Perdomo
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Genre: Children's, African American
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award

These days it seems that quality in the writing is good, but many times it is not ready for kids. This book is an example, it is filled with poetry like writing, but yet because of that it hardly says what is most important for kids to learn- it just describes this girls visit to Langston Huges house with her father. The only information given about Langston is that he lived in this house, and enjoyed writing poetry. Seriously, that could be any number of people. I found the content of this book dumbed down for kids, but not challenging them in any way- and I have little kids! There is nothing about this book that will make me even want to read it again, nothing happens and nothing is explained.

However, because this is a kids book it has to be also reviewed based on the images worked onto the pages. As far as illustrations go, amazing. Collier uses different fabrics and mixed media to convey texture and life in this children's book. The illustrations are true art, very beautiful and classy-yet modern in appeal. They are worth looking at.

The words, skip them.

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Ben's Trumpet

Title: Ben's Trumpet
Author: Rachel Isadora
Awards: Caldecott Honor Book
Genre: Urban, Children
Published: 1979

I decided to pick up some books at the library this month in honour of Black History Month. I have read some others, but I fell in love with this one, Ben's Trumpet. It is the story of a boy who dreams in music form, the pictures are stunning and all done in black and white. My two little guys (3 and 5 years old) were entranced by the details of the art and loved the story as well.

Ben visits the Zig Zag Jazz Club every day. He goes there to watch the musicians work their magic, as music streams effortlessly through their drums, trombones, and saxophones however the one he most admires is the trumpeter. He has his own trumpet that he plays from the fire escape of his house, he is made aware by some other kids that it is just imaginary, not real, pretend stuff.

This is a story of sticking with something, following your own beat and having musical heroes. It is a book where kids are kids, a classic with its thick paper and high quality take-your-time feel. What can I say, my boys and I- well, we loved everything about this Caldecott Honor Book. It has earned its keep as it has a library card holder and is all ragged and loved. It was around 30 years ago, before all the library books were scanned. It is perfect. I know that when we bring it back I'll be itching to head to Powell's and get our own.

Which are your favourite kid books that you remember reading and re-reading?

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