Lithuania

What do you know about Lithuania? I certainly didn’t know much before reading Ruta Sepetys’ books. I knew it was one of the Baltic states, taken over by the Soviet Union in the early years of World War II and kept as one of the buffer states during the Cold War. Lithuania became independent in early 1991 — with only short lived interference  from the crumbling Soviet Union.

Before reading Sepetys Between Shades of Gray, I knew little about Lithuania. I didn’t give much thought to what Soviet occupation meant. How much brutality lies underneath those few sentences on the subject in a textbook. That anyone seen as part of the intelligentsia, that is, anyone with an education, — teachers, doctors, lawyers, and yes, librarians — all were rounded up and deported. Homes, belongings, possessions lost, families divided. Sepetys draws upon her own family history in her writing, as she is of Lithuanian descent.  Fifteen year old Lina narrates the harrowing tale of her families removal, the long journey on the train, work in a labor camp, and final journey to Siberia.

Salt to the Sea reveals another story often hidden from history — the story of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, the worst maritime disaster in history. As World War II draws to a close, refugees are fleeing the Baltic States through Poland and Prussia from the advancing Russian army, who pillage everything — that is, everything that the Germans have not destroyed as they are retreating. Refugees, children, soldiers alike seek an escape, a way out. Told from four different narrators whose stories intersect, this is another powerful and eye-opening story from
Sepetys.

The links above will take you to Sepetys own site, and I highly recommend listening to her talk about her research and tell the story in her own voice. It also includes more history of the Wilhelm Gustloff, more about displaced persons of the Baltics during the war, and about refugees.

I’ve been thinking about these books quite a lot recently. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, joined NATO in 2004. With all the talk of NATO in the recent election cycle, what are the people of the Baltics concerned about these days? It is more important than ever to learn and remember history. In the Author’s Note section of Salt to the Sea, Sepetys writes: “If historical novels stir your interest, pursue the facts, history, memoirs, and personal testimonies, available. These are the shoulders that historical fiction sits upon. When the survivors are gone we must not let the truth disappear with them. Please, give them a voice.”

Review: Applesauce

Applesauce by Klaas Verplancke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

translated by Helen Mixter.
Originally published in Belgium, 2010.

Wonderful depiction of a loving relationship between a father and son — with all it’s ups and downs. There are times dad’s “breath smells like cauliflower” and there are times when dad “blows away the hurt on my knee and catches my dreams when I’m sleeping.” There’s much humor in the illustrations, which remind me a bit of Tedd Arnold (it’s the eyes, I think). The illustrations are exaggerated to convey emotion . . . especially when dad is a Thunder Daddy and the boy decides he needs a new one. Fortunately, thunder daddies don’t last, and all is well in the end.

Illustrations in color pencil and acrylic.

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Review: The Last Dragon

The Last Dragon by Silvana De Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Translated from the Italian. The prose is beautifully done; I’d love to be able to read the original Italian. A story in two parts. Yorsh (short for Yorshkrunsquarkljolnerstrink) is a little elf – “one born lately”- alone in a world where elves are persecuted. Indeed, he is the last elf. A young woman and a hunter gradually befriend him, helping him follow his father’s last instructions and make his way to the last dragon. They find him in a cave filled with books — the accumulation of the world’s knowledge. Turns out it was the “great library of the Second Runic Dynasty. It was a time of knowledge, and people treated this place as though it were a temple: in silence, and no spitting, with clean hands, and the dust wiped from their shoes. And to be quite certain that nobody misbehaved, dragons have always been here, and that’s why there are signs that say ‘Here Be Dragons.’ This was the biggest collection of knowledge that had ever existed. Then men lost writing. They forgot how to read. Barbarism flooded the world. the very memory of this place faded away. Many people never believed in its existence, but with my wings, I finally found it. And when I reached this place, great was my joy. All the books in the world were for me.” (103)

The second part of the story begins about thirteen years later. Yorsh has read all the books and kept the last dragon company all these years, though the dragon grows more irascible and grumpy. Turns out he/she was brooding. When the young dragon hatches, Yorsh cares for it, even teaching it to fly. But he also longs for companionship and needs new clothes, so he sets out to find Sajra and Moser, the humans who had helped him before. In their village he finds desolation, but evidence they had a child. Robi’s story is told in parallel, and eventually they come together. There is a fair amount of adventure and danger set in both tales, but the overall mood is more introspective. The varying perspectives of the elf, humans and dragon are convincingly portrayed. Elves do have some magic, but they are capable of great empathy — they literally feel other’s pain, so they don’t make great warriors. The writing is beautiful, often infused with humor as characters misunderstand then get to know one another. It’s lovely to watch characters that grow and change — even when they were already perfect, as in the case of the dragon.

For readers who enjoy fantasy and stories about dragons. Fans of Cornelia Funke (Thief Lord, Dragon Rider), Anne McCaffrey’s Pern books, will enjoy this book.

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A trip down the Amazon

The Great Snake: Stories from the Amazon (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2008) is a fascinating collection of nine stories interwoven with factual details of  author Sean Taylor’s travels through the Amazon rainforest. The inclusion of these elements sets the stories in context and makes the book work as nonfiction as well. Taylor’s descriptions  convey an intense sense of place, detailing the flora, fauna, smells, and the environment of the rain forest and the people he meets and swaps stories with. Taylor’s source notes are a joy, listing the individual from whom he heard the story, the place, and often other versions. An endnote from the author explains the current destruction of the rain forest and the risks this environment is facing. The only additional thing I would have liked was a map of the locations mentioned.

Taylor has visited the rainforest multiple times and is married to a Brazilian. Illustrator Fernando Vilela lives in Brazil and his work has won awards from the Brazilian branch of IBBY. Villela’s woodcut and print illustrations wonderfully complement the text, often weaving around it, enclosing the text, or becoming part of the story. You can get a sense of their intricacy and vibrancy by viewing the Google preview of the book: http://books.google.com/books?id=hDodnFV7LjcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=great+snake+stories+vilela&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ozPeT-OjLYbq8wSTosH0Cg&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Here is an excerpt of one of the factual notes, to give you a feel of the sensory descriptive language Taylor uses:

The river is a great brown mirror. In it I can see the blue of the sky, the white of the clouds, and, far off,  the green of the forest. Perhaps a quarter of all living species in the world live here in the Amazon. There are spiders as big as baseball caps. There are monkeys which weigh little more than chickens’ eggs. There are frogs which moo like cows. There are fish which jump two metres out of the water to snatch beetles off branches.  There are butterflies so bright that you can see them a mile away.

     Sometimes I think people here tell so many extraordinary stories because they are surrounded by so many extraordinary creatures. Sometimes I think it is because so much mystery lies in the water and the rainforest. (p. 12)

I especially appreciate the combination of factual information with stories from the people of the rain forest. A book which will help cultivate a sense of wonder.

For more great non-fiction recommendations, check out Nonfiction Monday.

The Children of Crow Cove

I’ve recently read Danish author Bodil Bredsdorff’s series, the Children of Crow Cove, which begins with The Crow-Girl (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2004), translated by Faith Ingwersen.

Eidi was translated by Kathryn Mahaffyin 2009, and Tink was translated by Elisabeth Kallick Dyssgaard in 2011.  The first two books were recognized as Batchelder honor books.

The series is set in an unstated historical period, a pre-industrial age, as the characters eek out a subsistance living, travel to market town to sell goods, walk or travel on horseback. The setting of ocean, cove, fields of Denmark are beautifully described. All three include themes of identity and self-discovery, finding family, finding a place to call home.

Each book focuses on a  different character, beginning with Myna, who is called “Crow-Girl” and not given a name until the end. She lives in a cove with her aging grandmother. After her grandmother dies, the Crow Girl sets off into the world. She meets people who take advantage of her, then others who desparately need her help. And eventually she finds a place and the beginning of a new family. And a name.

Eidi is the story of a young girl, a minor character in the first book, who feels displaced upon the birth of a new sibling. She, like Myna before her, sets out to seek her own place in the world, and eventually finds her way home. Along the way she rescues an orphan, Tink, who is featured in the third story. Emotions are deeply felt, but understated in the text. Serious issues, including alcoholism, are dealt with. The overriding themes of finding home and family are powerful in all three.

For fans of historical fiction, especially works like A Midwife’s Apprentice and Avi’s Crispin books.

November is Picture Book Month

I kindof think every month is picture book month, but I’m happy to see picture books honored in November. I do believe in the picture book as an art form and in picture books for older readers. I just made a booklist of picture books biographies. Recently a group of children’s authors published a wonderful manifesto in defense of the picture book: Proclamation! Long live picture books!

There has also been a call from IBBY and IFLA to participate in a picture book survey:

We ask you to take a few minutes to jot down the top five (5) children’s picture book titles that you enjoy sharing with children and that have been created and published in the United States.

After all titles have been submitted, we will rank order the nominations and submit the United States’ top ten list to the IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults Committee.  Act soon! The survey closes in about two weeks.

Aim of the Project:  To create a list of picture books from around the world that have been selected and recommended by librarians. These can then be used:

• As a way of celebrating and promoting the language, culture and quality of children’s book publishing from each country
• By countries wishing to purchase books from other countries and are looking for ‘favorite’ titles to help build and develop their collections
• By “Sister Libraries” as a way of exploring the children’s literature of their ”Sister Library” countryhttp://www.ifla.org/en/news/videos-by-sister-libraries
• As an opportunity to encourage interaction and growth within IFLA
• To develop the list into an exhibition with supporting catalogue that can be exhibited at the IBBY and IFLA conferences in 2012

CRITERIA:  THE BOOKS SHOULD

• have been published first in the United States
• have been written originally in English
• be in print (and therefore available for purchase)
• be excellent for reading aloud to and with children
• be suitable for any age between 0 – 11 years
• have or will last the test of time
• represent the best in picture books of the United States
• be of good quality and a high standard of publishing
• have text and illustrations that work well together
• reflect a positive message

 

START THE SURVEY HERE:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RRF23LP

Many thanks!

Linda M. Pavonetti, IBBY Vice President and ALSC Representation to the IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults Committee

Barbara Genco, ALA Representation to the IFLA Libraries for Children and Young Adults Committee

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Since I’m currently deep into a research project on international books, this survey is definitely of interest to me. It will more valuable if more people participate, so I hope you will take the time to share your thoughts. I look forward to seeing the results and hopefully learning about new books from other countries.

Biblioburro: Book and Screen

A few months ago I read Jeanette Winter’s Biblioburro (Beach Lane, 2010), a small, bright picture book with a subject impossible for a librarian to dislike! The story is based on the life of Luis Soriana, who delivers books to children in remote parts of Columbia — via burro. My favorite part was the nearly wordless two-page spread where Luis tells the children — who he has given pig masks — the story of the three little pigs. The story is depicted in thought bubbles above the children’s heads. Illustrated with really bright, folk art style illustrations by Winter.

And tonight, July 19, on Point of View on PBS premieres Biblioburro. Hurrah! You can see Luis, the burros, the library, and the children he helps in this documentary. I love when a book comes alive like this, seeing the person, hearing his voice (in Spanish) and seeing the actual setting, the terrain that requires burros to navigate, and the excited faces and voices of the children. And I’ve only seen the trailer so far:

Central Ohio viewers note: This is not on WOSU’s schedule; it will air on WOUB-Athens at 10 p.m.

Thinking about revolution

China’s Cultural Revolution is a period of history I know little about.  Probably because it was happening in my childhood and in school we didn’t get much past World War II. In college I majored in International Studies, and concentrated mostly on contemporary political issues. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of books that explore this period. Recently I’ve come across two books detailing personal histories during the Cultural Revolution.

Mao and Me written and illustrated by Chen Jiang Hong (Enchanted Lion, 2008) tells the story of the author’s childhood growing up during the Cultural Revolution in a city in northern China where his parents still live. It is powerful. The story is told from the viewpoint of a child, with no judgment, and the relating of facts is powerful partly because of this simplicity. The narrative stays true to the boys’ point of view, so there is not much explanation of the political upheaval.  The boy and his sisters don’t have much food, and their mouths water as they stand gazing at the candy shop windows. The change is shown in the decor of the house; where once was a hanging of a tiger, there is now a huge portrait of Mao. Changes happen in how lessons are taught at school as well, with his sisters joining the Red Guard. The boy has a close relationship with his grandparents and especially his grandfather, who takes care of him while his parents work. His father is sent to be re-educated, and though the boy doesn’t understand what is going on, his sadness is palpable. A beautiful memoir and fascinating piece of history.

The Red Piano by Andre Leblanc (Wilkins Farago Pty Ltd, 2010)  is the story of a young pianist (based on the childhood experiences of pianist Zhu Xiao Mei), who was sent to a re-education camp during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. It is an amazing story of how her family was separated, the harsh conditions she endured, how she managed to play piano despite them . . . until she was caught. There is a short historical note, but I wanted to know MORE! Fortunately there is more information available on the publisher’s website: http://www.wilkinsfarago.com.au/red_piano.html and an interview with the author here: http://wilkinsfarago.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/meet-andre-leblanc-author-of-the-red-piano/. The interview is a must read for those who seek the truth and those interested in the craft of writing, for the author explains what parts of the story are true and what parts he has changed or adapted. Though based on a true story, this is historical fiction. Barroux’s illustrations are very striking, dominated by black and white, shades of gray, and flashes of red. The use of red is dramatic and effective, and collage newspaper elements and Chinese characters add to quality of design. You hear Zhu Xiao Mei playing the piano for the book trailer:

Haiti

There are many worthy organizations working to aid the people of Haiti right now, and for book lovers, here is information I just received from USBBY (The US Board on Books for Young People):

This week’s earthquake in Haiti has left us all shaken and shocked; our friends are there. Yet another tragic disaster has hit the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Thousands have been killed and the destruction has been devastating. Those that were spared are in critical need. We have already seen the nations of the world pledging help with basic medical and food aid. But Haiti needs more than that.

For the past year our colleagues at IBBY Haiti have been running a Children in Crisis project to train teachers, librarians and care-givers how to use the healing power of storytelling and books after natural environmental disasters, such as the series of enormous storms that hit Haiti in recent years and the collapse of a school that killed many children in 2008. The earthquake on January 12th has wreaked so much more havoc and brought death to thousands, and a very uncertain future to millions more.

As you may be aware, the USBBY has a very special twinning partnership with IBBY Haiti through its President Jocelyne Trouillot. Some of you may have met her when she recently spoke at the 8th IBBY Regional Conference in St. Charles about the projects in Haiti schools and libraries funded by the Children in Crisis Fund and USBBY support.

After trying to reach Ms. Trouillot for several days, we are happy to report that we received a message from her early this morning. She reports that: “The University Caraibe and most universities in Port au Prince are completely destroyed. Most schools too. Thousands of school children and university students are under those buildings.Thousands of houses have collapsed. Rich and poor and middle class have lost families and houses. I cannot describe the horrors. I have seen so many corpses today, many of my own students dead or injured. I don’t want to describe it. My house is partially destroyed but we hope to make it. I hope to coordinate some help next week. For now, we have to bury the dead. The children of Haiti will need psychological help and bibliotherapy will certainly bring some healing. Schools will not reopen until September or October. The buildings and the teachers are not there. We will have to find other places. Many churches have been destroyed too. We stay positive but for most of us, we will need some strong will. Thank you for your support.” Jocelyne

During the tsunami disaster in Asia, USBBY members contributed many thousands of dollars in just a few short weeks to the relief efforts coordinated by IBBY. We are appealing to you today for similar support for the Haiti earthquake disaster. It is believed that the best way to do this is through donations to the Children in Crisis Fund. Therefore, USBBY will accept donations in trust for IBBY Haiti to help the surviving children and their families through the healing power of books and storytelling, bibliotherapy, and the reconstruction of libraries.

Won’t you help today? Donations to the Children in Crisis Fund for Haiti Relief are desperately needed! The process is simple!

Your choices are:

1. Go to the USBBY web site at http://www.usbby.org; click on Opportunities to Help
2. Use your credit card or
3. Download and print the PDF membership application, then mail it and your check to: USBBY Donations c/o V. Ellis Vance 5503 N. El Adobe Drive Fresno, CA 93711-2363

(If you are already an USBBY member and it is not yet time for you to renew your membership, just fill out the Donation Section of the membership form and check Children in Crisis Fund. All donations coming into the Children in Crisis Fund will be used for Haiti relief during the coming months.)

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Our family doctor visits Haiti on a regular basis and was scheduled to go this week. She is still trying to get there. They do amazing work and I feel so fortunate to know her. You can find out more and donate to Healing Art Missions as well.

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For those interested in learning and reading more about Haiti, I suggest reading Frances Temple’s A Taste of Salt and Tonight by Sea.

For adults, there are the books of Edwidge Danticat, especially Brother, I’m Dying, which tells much about her life growing up in Haiti. She also writes for young people: Behind the Mountains tells the story of a young girl immigrating from Haiti to Brooklyn.  These stories will give the reader a more personal glimpse into the people of Haiti, and a bit of understanding of how hard it can be to leave the land land you love.

Karlson on the Roof

I stumbled across an article in the Wall Street Journal today, “In Search of Banned Children’s Books” by Cynthia Crosson, written in response to a letter about Astrid Lindgren’s Karlson books being little known in the U.S. Indeed, the Karlson books are not very well known at all, quite in contrast to Lindgren’s  Pippi Longstocking books. Even though I am a children’s librarian and studied children’s literature, I don’t remember learning about/reading Karlson before a six month stay in Sweden in 2003. My oldest son was four, and the library in Goteborg had quite a large English language section. It was one of our favorite places to visit. And it was there we discovered Karlson and his delightfully outlandish adventures in Karlson on the Roof provided a wonderful night time read aloud.

The letter notes that Wikipedia mentions Karlson being challenged or banned in the US, and the article notes that it was published in 1955 and was an instant bestseller in the USSR. Did the Red Scare of the 1950s scare people away from Karlson? Does anyone know?

Karlson is a little fat man who flies around with a propeller on his back, and lives on the roof.  The boy who lives in the house below befriends him, and they have all sorts of mild misadventures. Okay, yes it does sound a bit strange. It does have a different sensibility than an American book I think. But it is also charming. Karlson reminds me a bit of The Cat in the Hat, another outsider who comes in and incites boisterous behavior in children who would have “behaved” if left to their own devices. Yet Karlson is not quite so callous as the Cat — his intentions are usually quite good, yet somehow go off course. And though some might think Karlson is like an imaginary friend, or a figment of a child’s imagination, in Lindgren’s stories Karlson is seen by others and even becomes part of the family (if I am remembering all this correctly! It has been a few years.)

The Karlson books are available in the US, they are in print, in paperback, so that’s a good sign. I’m ordering them now to share with my younger children. I’m curious about the idea they have been challenged and may do more investigating. One thing that makes me wonder is that Lindgren’s books about Emil are probably equally not widely known and equally, if not more, delightful.

It is too bad that Karlson and Emil aren’t better known in the US — for they are just as much fun as Pippi and Ramona and Clementine and Horrible Harry  and Stink . . . those charming, irrepressible spirits of six – seven year old children.  On a happier note, I’ll close with a photo from from Astrid Lindgren World in Vimmerby.