In this time of heightened anxiety and fear over mass shootings, hate speech, virus outbreaks, political unrest, and global warming, picture books can provide a much-needed respite. A well-written picture book can spark delight, curiosity, laughter, insight.
Today I’d like to highlight two books that exemplify the power of perseverance. These books remind us that we are never too old to reach our dreams and that if we put our mind (and body) to it, we can move mountains.
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I was so excited yesterday when I saw that The Undefeated was the 2020 Caldecott Award winner. It was already on my list of favorite picture books from 2019 and now, with this award, promises to stay in print for many years to come.
As a lover of picture books, the Caldecott is the American Library Association (ALA) award that I follow most closely. It is a prestigious picture book award given for distinguished illustrations. Often the illustrations break a mold, showcasing a new and exciting way to illustrate picture books. Regardless, the illustrations are always captivating and this year’s winner The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, is no exception.
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I love board books. Their bright illustrations and well-thought-out, often lyrical text, make me smile. A good board book should be for babies and toddlers who still like to chew on books. This means, the text should be short and fun to listen to and the subject matter should appeal to a very young audience. A good board book should not just be a smaller, cardboard version of a longer picture book (although sometimes picture books are also board books and vice versa).
Baby Cakes by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Sam Williams is one of my absolute favorite board books. Filled with bouncy, interactive rhymes, baby will love reading this with a caregiver. “Baby Cakes, Baby Cakes, I love You. Baby Cakes, Baby Cakes, Yes I do!”
The holidays are winding down, giving me time to breath and dream about one of my family’s favorite winter traditions: exploring Lake Michigan’s Ice. We usually don’t make it to the ice until the weekend of Valentine’s Day, but this year I am hoping to get there earlier and more often.
Stepping onto the winter shoreline of Lake Michigan is exhilarating. The landscape, filled with sand and ice and devoid of plants, calls to mind photos of the moon or distant planets. Wind whistles over the landscape, whipping up water and sand which in turn creates craters, hills, valleys, and icebergs. The brisk air and ever-changing landscape awaken our adventurous spirit — we are explorers discovering new lands.
The photos above and the following two were taken at Muskegon State Park. If you are up for an extended outing, consider visiting The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex (which is only a couple miles from the beach). Here you will have access to one of only four luge tracks in the United States as well as ski trails, ice skating, sledding, and snowshoeing (rentals are available for each activity). They also offer a warming house, snacks, and beverages.
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