nightlights

Every night, mysterious lights appear in Sandy’s room, and she uses them to create magical and otherworldly creatures that romp playfully with her until she nods off.  Her dreamy nocturnal world contrasts sharply with the tight-lipped private school she attends during the day, full of unsympathetic classmates and harsh teachers.  One day Morfie, a pale-skinned girl with luminous purple hair, appears in the schoolyard.  Morfie gushes over Sandy’s art and the two become instant friends, but eventually Sandy realizes that Morfie’s not who she seems.

Creative types will identify with the themes of this story.  Influenced by her childhood experiences, Lorena Alvarez’s art brims with incandescence and vibrant color—and they paint a world unlike any you’ve ever imagined.  Her color palettes are extremely thoughtful, engaging and part of what makes us keen to linger in the extraordinary worlds she’s crafted.  Her art feels so personal.  Lorena is one to watch—we’re looking forward to many more works from this amazing talent.

Nightlights is written and illustrated by Lorena Alvarez and published by Flying Eye Books.

john coltrane's giant steps

This is an incredible one, published a while ago, but worth seeking out: John Coltrane's Giant Steps remixed by Chris Raschka. #kidlitcaturday

"Good evening.  And thank you for coming to our book.  We have something very special for you tonight.  It's John Coltrane's marvelous and tricky composition, 'Giant Steps,' performed for you by a box, a snowflake, some raindrops, and a kitten.  Why not stay and see it?  While our performers are limbering up, let me say a few words about the composer.  John Coltrane played soprano saxophone (little) and tenor saxophone (big) and wrote music which, in his hands, became swirling, leaping, tumbling 'sheets of sound.'  That's what he called it.  But why tell you when we can show you?  Ready, my friends?"

Published by Simon & Schuster.

aldo ice cream

Did anyone ever read the Aldo series growing up?  While it’s not technically old enough to be considered “classic," I thought I’d share something I read as a kid for this week’s #classicchapterbooks.  I loved reading Beverly Cleary and when I had gone through all of her books, I scoured the racks at the library for more books about ordinary kids (although Aldo Sossi is a little on the quirky side).  I loved realistic fiction and it’s funny, that’s what my daughter is into now, too.  So I snagged a copy of this for her, hoping that she’ll take a liking to it as well.  Be sure to check out what @the.book.report is sharing this afternoon.

henry's bright idea

Meet the Walnut Animal Society.  Their mission is “to create and to always remain curious.”  Henry, the founding member, is an inventor and tinkerer who one day loses something.  He loses an idea!  After searching high and low and without any luck, he decides to go for a walk with Eleanor.  They meander through the forest and with night donning and Henry about to lose hope, he runs into some unlikely friends who play a part in helping him solve his problem.

Henry's Bright Idea was written by Lauren Bradshaw of Walnut Animal Society, illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan and published by Cameron Books.