Marilyn Singer

A little brown-and-white pup has the classic dog attitude: nearly everything makes this the BEST DAY EVER! But when their best friend shouts at them (for rolling in mud and a dead fish and then jumping on his lap...and later, after a bath, shaking water everywhere and toppling a lamp), it's not the best day after all. However, as soon as the boy apologizes and repairs, it's the best day ever again!

"Nothing's broken, you smell nice, everything's okay.
Hurry," he says. "Bring your ball. Let's show more go out and play."

Procreate illustrations are painterly; the dog is rendered realistically/cartoonishly, with a thick black outline. The boy uses a wheelchair. Rhyming text has a nice meter and reads aloud well; recommended by PLA's Early Literacy Calendar 2025. show less

This is a fun one, though I have to admit that I haven't listened to the CD. Maybe I can convince Areg to play it in the car...

Each poem is set to the beat of the type of music for a different particular dance. There's salsa and swing, but there's also hip hop (I didn't know there was just one rhythm), polka, Hora, and bhangra, among others. I wasn't expecting that diversity, and it was such a pleasure! There are a few attempts to change up gender roles: one boy likes to waltz (but only in show more his room?) and one girl isn't good at square dancing.

I also loved that the entry on swing dance is almost certainly inspired by the swing dance lessons and sessions held in Bryant Park behind the New York Public Library in the summer--the poem talks about all the things you can do at and borrow from the library before switching to swing dancing in the plaza in July!

There are notes in the back with a paragraph about each type of dance.

I totally recommend this one! show less

The passing of the year celebrated round the world through verse and collage.

While many regard Jan. 1 as the first day of the calendar year, in this magnificent collaboration, Singer and Roth show that cultural observances of that new beginning happen each month. Presenting 16 celebrations from over 14 countries, they explore 12 months’ worth of events that mark time’s passage. “From the earth’s movement, / from the moon’s phases, / these clocks and calendars / we create. / show more Together /… / we / celebrate.” Such remembrances can involve purification rituals, whether “washing the bad away” in April, by cleaning house and starting “the new year right / with a gigantic water fight” in Thailand, or setting “the bad ablaze” in Ecuador, at midnight on Dec. 31, by burning giant effigies representing the “año viejo.” Scots look ahead to the “First Footer” (or visitor); Spaniards try to eat 12 grapes in 12 seconds for good luck—“so each new month will be sweet.” Throughout the collection, which opens like a wall calendar, each of Roth’s intricate collages animates Singer’s verse, bursting with texture in a riot of color. “Happy New Year” in 15 languages precedes extensive notes, a glossary and pronunciation guide, and an impressive list of sources.

A visually and sonically stunning introduction to the importance of appreciating time and the change of seasons throughout the world: a multicultural gem. (Picture book/poetry. 4-12) show less

This book is an absolute treat! (pun intended!) The poems are delightful. I read "Recipe for a Poem" in which the author uses the extended metaphor of cooking to encourage writers to be creative and "trim the fat" and make a "delicious surprise". The poem "Recipe for Endurance" is wonderful because it helps children think about cooking without electricity and to appreciate the time and effort that goes into making food. And the use the rhyme will make this particular poem a favorite with show more children. show less