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Ms. Karen

Seeds of Change

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Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace Written by Jean Cullerton Johnson, illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler
Format: Book
Who It’s For: Kids

Wangari Maathai was born in Kenya, to the Kikuyu people who loved and respected nature and taught little Wangari to do the same. Girls weren’t educated in her culture but she learned from nature and from her brother who went to school. When her parents saw how smart and curious she was, they finally sent Wangari to school too! A hard worker, she did well in her studies, even when she had to go away from home for school. At college in far-away America, she learned about science, and also learned that women could do anything! But her home and her people were always in her heart, so Wangari went back to Kenya, taking this freedom and knowledge to all Kenyan women. When she returned, she discovered the government was selling Kenya’s land to big companies who cut down many trees for lumber or coffee plantations. This destroyed the land, and dried out the rivers so crops wouldn’t grow. Her people were hungry.  What could she do? “Harambee (all pull together)!” she said to the women of Kenya. ” Together, let’s plant new trees, and make a change here!” And they did plant trees, millions of them! Throughout her life the unstoppable Wangari worked hard despite those who disagreed with her and traveled all over the world planting her “seeds of change”, showing people everywhere how to work together in caring for the Earth and all who live there. I also loved the colorful illustrations by Sonya Sadler!

Wangari Maathai is one of my heroes of the environmental movement. After reading Seeds of Change, you may just feel the same!

Find Seeds of Change in the catalog

An Island Grows

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An Island Grows by Lola Schaefer, illustrated by Cathie Felstead
Format: Book
who Its For: Kids

In this beautifully illustrated story we are given a glimpse into the birth of an island!  Hot magma beneath the sea glows and flows and the baby island grows, lifting sharp rocks up into the air which are then battered and ground to sand by wind and waves. Time passes and the wind and sea bring seeds, birds and insects. More time passes and people and animals visit and then come to stay, bringing more life, trade and vibrant culture to the all-grown-up island.

This is an unusual and fascinating book, with illustrations done in bright, rich colors. It is perfect for those who love volcanoes, oceans and faraway places, or anyone who has asked “how did THAT happen?”

Find it in the catalog!

Paper Kingdom

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Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Pascal Campion
Format: Book
Who Its For: Kids

When the babysitter cannot come, young Daniel must go to work with his parents, who clean a large office building at night. Exhausted, grumpy and unable to lie down to sleep in the big office building, he watches as mom and dad clean. “Why are all your cleaning things so dirty?” he asks .  “Because we use these things to keep the kingdom clean.” they reply.  “The kingdom? What kingdom?” “The Paper Kingdom. This is the land of the Paper King, didn’t you know!” And throughout the night as they clean, Daniel’s parents tell him stories of the Paper Kingdom, complete with a King in his throne room, a Queen who is the busiest of all and sends paper everywhere and friendly dragons who work for the King (who don’t mean to be naughty but are very messy indeed.) When Daniel complains about why his parents have to clean up such a big mess, they encourage him to become a good and understanding king himself one day so he can teach his own dragons how to clean up after themselves.

Based on experiences from the author’s own life, Paper Kingdom is a delightful and heart warming story full of love and imagination that turns a difficult night into wonder. Pascal Campion’s illustrations are magical as well.

Find it in the catalog

 

Desert Girl, Monsoon boy

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Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy by Tara Dairman, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
Format: Book
Who Its For: Kids

At first glance their lives couldn’t be more different. The nomad girl in the blistering dry desert fetches water and tends the camels, taking shelter from the howling sandstorms in her tent. The village boy in the green fields goes to school and tends the goats. He runs home as the monsoon rains begin, helping his family to seal the door and lift their belongings out of rising floodwaters. But as severe weather takes hold, as one family and their animals need water and the other needs dry safe ground, both families journey to the mountains, where they meet and celebrate their safety.
An eye-opening story of two branches of the Rabari people in India; the traditional nomadic herders of the desert and those settled in permanent villages who raise goats. Both groups struggle with weather extremes and climate change which threaten their livelihoods and lives . Author Archana Sreenivasan took special care to accurately portray the cultural distinctions between these two clans and her renderings are just beautiful. I love the illustrations in this story, especially the faces!

Find it in the catalog!

It Is (Not) Perfect

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It is (Not) Perfect by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weygand
Format: Book
Who It’s for: Kids


Another wonderful adventure from the husband-and-wife team behind You Are (Not) Small, I Am (Not) Scared and others! On a sunny day at the beach, two friends build a little sand castle. It’s just right, except…wait, it needs flags. And towers. There, now it’s perfect! Or is it? As others stop by offering their suggestions for sandcastle-perfection, the friends wonder if their creation is as perfect as they thought. So they make change after change, until the castle is massive, beautiful – and completely different than it was! But sand castles are never permanent, the sea always comes in, and at the end of the day, the friends find a new “perfection” that is theirs alone.
A sweet story of perfection and perspective by the talented Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant.

Find it in the catalog!

Rain before Rainbows

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Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by David Litchfield
Format: Book
Who it’s For: Kids

 

This book is so hopeful and uplifting! Life has its share of good days and bad, and there is a time for everything. Sorrow and joy, dark and light, loss and abundance, planting and harvest. This simple rhyming tale of a Girl and her friend Fox chronicles their journey from troubled times to a new and meaningful life. They must pass through darkness, storms and worry, but with help and inspiration from friends, hopeful dreams and wise words to live by, Girl and Fox finally find their bright new morning.

In challenging and uncertain times, Rain before Rainbows is a perfect story for helping little ones to learn that “this too shall pass” and that better days lie ahead. You will love the gorgeous illustrations too!

Find it in the catalog!