| The Hoot: News from the Butler Children’s Literature Center, September 2019
The library is bustling, it’s impossible to find a parking spot on campus, and the smell of freshly sharpened pencils is in the air—it’s fall! My favorite season has arrived with pumpkin spice-flavored everything and I couldn’t be happier to start pulling out my sweaters and adding new titles to my TBR list for the chilly days ahead. But first, an update on all things exciting in the Butler Children’s Literature Center.
What We’ve Been Doing–Collections Guest Reviewers Butler Youth Services Scholarship What’s Up Next–Ellin Greene Storytelling Tea Illinois Library Association Annual Conference Butler Center Book Sale Fall Open HoursThe Butler Center welcomes teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents, grandparents, caregivers and anyone interested in literature for young people. Fall 2019 open hours are Mondays 10-6, Tuesdays 3-6, Wednesdays 12-6, and Thursdays 9-noon and 1-6. Or contact us at butler@dom.edu to schedule an appointment. The Center is a non-lending library, but our staff is here to assist you in locating books that address specific themes, age groups, or reading levels. The Butler Center is located in the Rebecca Crown Library, room 214, on Dominican’s main campus at 7900 W. Division Street in River Forest, Illinois. Directions and a campus map are available here. The Butler Center is administered by Dominican’s School of Information Studies and is generously supported by the Butler Family Foundation. We hope you’ll visit us, or join us for an event, and stay tuned for our news and upcoming events. Please contact me with any questions you have. I look forward to seeing you soon! Jen Clemons Curator, Butler Children’s Literature Center |
Author Archives: bclyp
Summer can be quiet in a university library, which makes it the perfect time for big, messy projects. Over the past few months, we’ve been evaluating our permanent collections to get a good look at what we have, what we need, and how we can put the information to use for our community. The Butler graduate assistants spent most of the summer at work on the Ellin Greene Folk and Fairytale Collection—sorting, labeling, cataloging new books, and reorganizing (oh my!). Want to see what’s new? The collection is now searchable through the Rebecca Crown Library 
We’ve been hard at work on a new scholarship initiative this year and are thrilled to announce the first recipient—Nora Sanchez. Ms. Sanchez is a Dominican alumna, local library assistant, and newly-minted student in the School of Information Studies. Make sure to say hello if you run into her at a Butler event. The Butler Youth Services Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student from a background underrepresented in library science and, in addition to receiving financial assistance, Butler Scholars will work closely with their advisor, the Butler Center, and a librarian-mentor as a support structure for their graduate school career and beyond. You can find out more about the scholarship 
In January, we gathered for an afternoon of stories in memory of Dr. Ellin Greene. After that lovely afternoon of stories and memories shared, we were inspired to make it an annual event, but with less chance for a blizzard. Please join us on Sunday, October 13th at 3 p.m. for stories by Janice Del Negro, Marie Ringenberg, and Janet Thompson in celebration of Ellin Greene and her contributions to the Butler Center and the storytelling community. Please RSVP to Butler Bookshelf
Here’s a few titles that we got this week that we are excited to read:
Carmen Sandiego: Endangered Operation published by HMH Books for Young Readers. Comes out October 1st, 2019.
Mario y el agujero en el cielo: Cómo un químico salvó nuestro planeta by Elizabeth Rusch, illustrated by Teresa Martinez, translated by Carlos E. Calvo. Published by Charlesbridge.
Comes out November 5th, 2019.
Whose Footprint is THAT? by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Kelsey Oseid, published by Charlesbridge.
Comes Out October 22nd, 2019.
Milton & Odie and the Bigger-than-Bigmouth Bass by Mary Ann Fraser, published by Charlesbridge.
Comes out October 1st, 2019.
Dog and Rabbit by Barney Saltzberg, published by Charlesbridge.
Comes out October 8th, 2019.
Baby Loves the Five Senses: Sight! (Baby Loves Science) by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chen, published by Charlesbridge.
Comes out September 24th, 2019.
The Oregon Trail: Gold Rush! Choose Your Own Trail by Jesse Wiley, published by HMH Books for Young Readers. September 2019.
Beware! by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Larry Day, published by Charlesbridge.
Comes out October 8th, 2019.
If Elephants Disappeared by Lily Williams, published by Roaring Brook Press.
Out now, September 2019.
Alice and Greta: A Tale of Two Witches by Steven J. Simmons, illustrated by Cyd Moore, published by Charlesbridge.
Out as of August 2019.
Ellin Greene Memorial Storytelling Tea
Join storytellers Janice Del Negro, Marie Ringenberg, and Janet Thompson for tea and tales in celebration of the contributions of Dr. Ellin Greene.
Please RSVP to butler@dom.edu by October 6, 2019.
Butler Bookshelf
Here are some books that we got in this week that we’re really excited about:
Paper World: Planet Earth illustrated by Bomoboland, published by Big Picture Press
Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
The Other Side: Stories of Central American Teen Refuges Who Dream of Crossing the Border by Juan Pablo Villalobos, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
King of the Mole People by Paul Gilligan, published by Henry Holt and Co.
If Animals Celebrated Christmas by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by David Walker, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Color Me In by Natasha Diaz, published by Delacorte Press
Best Friends by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, published by First Second
Life is Short and Then You Die: Mystery Writers of America Present First Encounters with Murder edited by Kelley Armstrong, published by Macmillan
Stargazing written and illustrated by Jen Wang, published by First Second
Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Sara Palacios, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Arriverderci Crocodile or See You Later Alligator begun by Fred Marcellino and completed by Eric Puybaret, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Remarkables by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by David Litchfield, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Save the Date
Mark your calendar for the eighth annual Butler Lecture featuring award winning illustrator Bryan Collier.
When: March 4, 2020 6 p.m.
Reception and book signing to follow
Where: Eloise Martin Recital Hall
Dominican University, Fine Arts Building
7900 West Division Street
River Forest, IL 60305
The lecture is free and open to the public with registration required. Registration will open January 2020.
Bryan Collier is a beloved illustrator known for his unique style combining watercolor and detailed collage. He is a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient for Trombone Shorty, Dave the Potter, Martin’s Big Words, and Rosa. His books have won many other awards as well, including six Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards. His recent books include By and By, Thurgood, The Five O’Clock Band, and Between the Lines. He lives in New York with his family.
To find out more about Bryan Collier’s art and illustration, visit him at bryancollier.com
Who’s Ready for School to Start?
Back-to-school butterflies? First day jitters? The newest academics among us will appreciate these sweet, silly, and giggle-worthy introductions to just who and what awaits them in the classroom. This brand new class of back-to-school picture books to will ease the way for the little humans in your library, classroom, or living room as all get ready for the first day of school.
Bunny’s Book Club Goes to School
By Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Penguin Random House, June 2019
Josie is worried about making friends at school, but her book-club buddy Bunny can help—he’ll just be her school friend too. As the book club animals search the school for Josie, they’ll introduce kids to all the fun places waiting for them at school. Sweet illustrations complement this gentle story of friendship, empathy, and support.
Clothesline Clues to the First Day of School
By Katheryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook, illustrated by Andy Robert Davies
Charlesbridge, June 2019
It’s a laundry basket inspired guessing game in this guide to all the new people excited to meet you at school. A silly rhyme will help set expectations and turn anxiety to anticipation about the first day of school.
I Will Be Fierce
By Bea Birdsong, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
MacMillan, April 2019
While not strictly a back-to-school-themed book, it follows this fierce little girl to school and back and through all the adventures in between. Brightly colored and boldly written, this is a great illustration of how a little confidence can go a long way on a big (first) day at school.
If Animals Went to School
By Ann Whitford Paul, Illustrated by David Walker
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, May 2019
Beaver might not want to go to school, but after a day of music, learning, and his fun with his friends, he doesn’t want to go home. A perfectly inspirational story for the tiny human determined NOT to go to school!
The King of Kindergarten
By Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
Penguin Random House, July 2019
An exuberant and imaginative walkthrough of the first day of school! Barnes’ pacing is just right for introducing a new routine and finding the fun in what could be a scary first day.
The smell of freshly sharpened pencils is in the air—Happy Back-to-School season, friends!
New Butler Fall Hours!
Starting Today Butler will have new open hours, which are as follows:
Monday 10am-6pm
Tuesday 3pm-6pm
Wednesday 12pm-6pm
Thursday 9am-6pm
We hope to see you all soon!
Woman on the Mountain: A Review of At the Mountain’s Base
At the Mountain’s Base
By Traci Sorell
Illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre
Kokila September 17, 2019
Ages Pre K-8
In At the Mountain’s Base, Traci Sorell shares the story of a Cherokee family tucked in a cozy cabin, preparing a daily meal as grandmother weaves nearby. As the family works, they sing, focusing their thoughts on a loved one, a US Air Force pilot “protecting and defending” far away. The family’s love and worries unfold in this simple, lyrical poem. Every sentence in the poem starts with a prepositional phrase, “On that stove,” “Around that grandmother,” “Within their song.” This consistent, cohesive pattern draws the reader in and pulls them gently through the family’s actions, those centered around a warm stove and those performed far off in the sky. Weshoyot Alvitre’s realistic illustrations clearly capture the different family members’ emotions, showing their love, worry, and pride. The Cherokee family highlighted in the poem is fictional. However, Sorell’s author’s note provides factual notes on the role of women from American Indian and Alaska Native Nations within the US Armed Forces. She specifically details the role of Ola Mildred “Millie” Rexroat, the only Native woman to serve as a Women Airforce Service Pilot during World War II. As a registered citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Traci Sorell reveals the American Indian experience in a voice as authentic and respectful as in her previous picture book, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga (Charlesbridge, 2018). At the Mountain’s Base is a wonderful homage to Native veterans everywhere.
Many thanks to local author, SCBWI-IL member, and guest reviewer, Michelle Schaub. Schaub is a children’s poet and teacher from Downers Grove, Illinois. Her second poetry collection, FINDING TREASURE: A COLLECTION OF COLLECTIONS (Charlesbridge, 2019), shares a release date with AT THE MOUNTAIN’S BASE on September 17th. Learn more about Michelle and her books at http://www.michelleschaub.com
A Cool and Sweet Summer Treat: A Review of My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich
Ibi Zoboi
Penguin Random House, August 2019
Grades 5 and up
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich, by National Book Award Finalist Ibi Zoboi, explores the imaginative world of Ebony-Grace Norfleet. While Ebony goes to Harlem to live with her father during the summer of 1984, her mother helps Ebony’s beloved grandfather back home. Her grandfather was a former NASA engineer, one of the first to be integrated into the NASA program in the 1960s. Ebony has followed in his footsteps with her fascination with space, spaceships, and science fiction. As the summer progresses, Ebony tries to adjust to big city life, a totally different world for her, coming from Huntsville, Alabama. From the start, readers will feel pulled into Ebony’s world, the sounds and excitement of New York City, and the 1980s.
Ebony battles the struggles in her life by seeing and experiencing everything as science fiction (Star Trek, Star Wars, and Wonder Woman). She then relates these challenges to the adventures she had with her grandfather (Sonic Boom, Captain Fleet, and many more) back home. It’s a summer of change for Ebony as she learns to make new friends and tries to fit in. She finds a new love and respect for her father and her roots, and she gains more self-awareness. Ebony discovers she can trust others, and most importantly of all, she learns to believe in herself. By summer’s end, Ebony realizes that she has other special people in her life besides her grandfather and that no matter what, his love will always be with her.
Zoboi’s use of space as a metaphor is effective and expertly crafted, drawing the reader more deeply into Ebony’s story. Her voice is exceptional, heartfelt, and stunning. Zoboi paints a setting that is real, palpable, and rich with imagery. She captures what it means to be at crossroads – the time when childhood and young adulthood eclipse, where dreams and reality clash, and when learning to let go is often the hardest thing of all, but a necessary part of growing up. My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich is a beautifully rendered story of identity, family, friendship, loss, and acceptance.
Many thanks to local author, SCBWI-IL member, and guest reviewer, Elizabeth Brown. Brown is the author of Dancing Through Fields of Color: The Story of Helen Frankenthaler, illustrated by Aimee Sicuro, (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2019) – a Junior Library Guild Selection. She has additional forthcoming picture books to release soon. Ms. Brown holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College, and she is represented by Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.
Frankly Smart: A review of Frankly in Love
Frankly in Love
David Yoon
Putnam, September 2019
Grades 9-12
Frank Li is in love (see what they did there?)… with Brit, then with Joy. But it’s complicated by Wu (Joy’s ex), Q (his BFF), his immigrant parents, the Apeys (A.P./smart friends), and the Limbos (Korean friends)—the list is long. Love triangle or love nonagon? Frank would know, he’s studying for the SAT. Everything else is complicated by life as a teenager and his angst over who he is as a Korean, Korean-American, or just American; because people are complex and labels are limiting.
Under the thin veneer of a love story (do teenagers even fall in and out of love that fast?), David Yoon explores the much deeper and more interesting themes of racism, code-switching, and community. Frank is thoughtful, introspective, and nerdy-in-a-good-way, while still authentically awkward and impulsive. His well-rounded character is a much-needed counterpoint to the common teen stereotypes in YA lit. His internal monologue is both funny and perceptive and keeps the book from veering too far light or dark. With the exception of a slightly rushed resolution, the 400+ pages are an easy read that “manages to be a love story, treatise on racism, and welcome to Korean-American culture all at once.” And, yes, that is a quote from the author endorsement on the ARC cover, but Jodi Picoult has it right.
Butler's Pantry 