Publisher Eerdman's Book for Young Readers: Henri Rousseau wanted to be an artist. But he had no formal training. Instead, he taught himself to paint. He painted until the jungles and animals and distant lands in his head came alive on the space of his canvases.

Henri Rousseau endured the harsh critics of his day and created the brilliant paintings that now hang in museums around the world. Michelle Markel's vivid text, complemented by the vibrant illustrations of Amanda Hall, artfully introduces young readers to the beloved painter and encourages all readers to persevere despite all odds.


Nugget: In the late 1800s, a 40-year-old toll collector living in Paris decides to become an artist; with no visible talent, and no money to pay for lessons, he teaches himself to paint.

Needs Enticement: The opening lines are perfect, in my opinion. “Henri Rousseau wants to be an artist. Not a single persona ha ever told him he is talented. He’s a toll collector. He’s forty years old. But he buys some canvas, paint, and brushes, and starts painting anyway.”And I am completely hooked.

Escalation: Shows him exhibiting his work in show after show and the critics just tearing it apart. He keeps going, giving music lessons to support himself and spending the rest of his time painting. He’s too poor to actually visit some of the exotic places he paints, so he studies from books to recreate them.

Satisfying Ending: After years of being laughed at and getting terrible reviews, Rousseau is near the end of his life. His remarkable painting, “The Dream” is displayed at the exhibition. The author writes in her closing, on a stand alone line:
“A famous poet writes, “I don’t think anyone will laugh this year.””
“Few people do.”
There are a few more lines to wrap it up, but the above lines state it all.

Sources: None listed. Although the author note details more of the facts of his life.

Show Words: exhibition, jungle, critics, landscapes, art supplies, smock, portraits, dream, Jardin des Plantes, canvas, paint, experts, blossom, frolic, slithering, museum, works of art, and many more.

Why: Through hard work and determination in the face of harsh art critiques, Rousseau shows that dreams do come true. He refuses to let others’ opinions be the measure of his success. A great life lesson.
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Need & Want: An important story that will remind a reader that our big dreams are worth the effort and sacrifice.

Publisher: Clarion Books says: Robins are the most familiar and beloved of all birds, found throughout North America and celebrated as one of the first signs of spring. But there's a lot about them that most people don’t know! In this visually stunning picture book that features comic-book panels combined with painterly illustrations, Eileen Christelow tells the story of two young robins’ first year, and reveals plenty of little-known facts that are sure to captivate young naturalists. Narrated with humor and filled with kid-pleasing details, this fascinating account of how robins grow up includes an Author’s Note, Glossary, More About Robins, and Sources.


Nugget: Two young robins share their story of "growing up".
Needs Enticement: About the life of robins. A side story is told from the POV of the sibling robins and personalizes the main story and also offers the opportunity to add info that would slow down the narrative but enrich understanding. It's like a sidebar--sort of--but with two little robins speaking.
Escalation: From the parents' spring migration, building a nest, raising young, teaching them and keeping them safe, to the fall migration. Including the risks: some eggs and young birds don't survive. Challenges: growing up as a robin.
Satisfying Ending: Promise of return next year. Brings the story full circle.
Show words: Not sure this applied however the author did integrate an aspect of what inspired her to write this book into this story.
Why: Gives meaning/understanding to a commonly seen bird.
Need and Want: Growing up as a robin is exciting and not every bird survives.
Sources: 5 books, 2 websites. Author's note on what inspired the story. Also a glossary and 2 pages of "More About Robins" in a Q & A format.
This author is also the illustrator. 

From the publisher Atheneum: 
Faucet, well, raincloud, sea … from each of these comes water. 
But where does water go? To find out, honey, turn the page, dive in  with tongue or toes, with eyes and ears and nose— and wonder at the flow of this great world’s life story.

N- If all the water in the world is all the water in the world how does it move, rain, and form new lakes?

NE- An extremely simple sentence that hooks you in: All the water in the world is all the water in the world.

E: Every where that you will find water- from a hose, to clouds, running down mountains, to the ocean.

SE: Water is precious, vital, clear. You can taste it, don't waste it.

S: Not listed but common information.

SW: flow, wobble, meander, guzzle, cascade-- all the movements of water.

W: Written for a very young audience, this book in a lyrical fashion makes young humans understand the importance of water conservation.

NW: We may want long showers, find it easy to toss trash, but the bottom line is that we NEED water to survive and thrive in the world.


There are many books on the market about the cycle of water, although this one hits the strongest nail on the realization that water is not finite. But, over all the rhythm of this book did not appeal to me nor did the chaotic layout of text and imagery. For appealing to a younger audience, I found the words to be extremely young but the images to be not as engaging for an equally young child.