early reader – The Spine View

This picture book, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, honors the Cherokee way of being grateful for the many blessings received. In a sense, it is a celebration of all things Cherokee. The author, being Cherokee herself, has brought her special brand of insight to the views of her people and how they celebrate throughout the year.

It is beautifully illustrated by Frane` Lessac in the folk art tradition. The colors are vivid, imaginative and want to jump off the page. You can see that special care was given to each scene depicted in order to make this book special.

I liked that the text is in both English and in Cherokee and how the author explained the Cherokee celebrations in such a way that all can understand. There is really not a plot here. It read more like a commentary, which I am not faulting, because it is a picture book after all.

This is a lovely picture book for ages 3 to 8 years that is thoughtfully done. My granddaughter and I have already read it several times and I think this will be one of her favorites. I highly recommend this to all young readers. I received a free copy from the author at BEA in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lumber Jills by Alexandra Davis (illustrated by Katie Hickey) is an early/beginning reader book about the British women that filled the lumberjacks’ place during WWII. The prose is lyrical in nature and simple enough for a very early reader. Each page is beautifully illustrated and my favorite part of this book.

While I wished the story contained more history, I am not the intended audience. This book is meant to show young girls (target age of 5-7) that they can do anything a boy can do. This is a valuable lesson and one young girls do not hear often enough.

I loved that the book also referenced numbers in several of the passages. When my granddaughter and I read it together, we counted along with the story. I also liked that this book invites the child to ask questions. Because the back page gave a little more history about Lumber Jills, I was able to answer questions that came up. Kudos to the author for giving the adult reader that information.

I recommend this book for an early reader because it shows women in a role other than a princess. I think we have plenty of those kinds of books already. I for one want all young girls to realize they can do anything and their gender should not stop them from fulfilling their dreams. By the way, my granddaughter enjoyed this book!

I received a free copy from the author at BEA in exchange for my honest opinion.