Bibliotherapy

What? A snowman that doesn't melt? My curiosity is piqued, so I sit down with this whimsical picture book geared for children aged five to eight. The story and insight: Four-year-old Ari refuses to build a snowman with his big brother because last time he did, "something terrible happened." His big brother promises the snowman won't melt, and then ... ... the story takes on a sense of urgency. All the naysayers try to help Ari see reason. And yet... He hopes... This is a story with a plot, a struggle, and surprising, out-of-the-box resolution. It's about hope and trust in oneself and others. About confidence and ingenious problem solving. How doing the impossible is possible. It is an important read for children who face the insurmountable, and for me, a meaningful insight for forging ahead with wisdom and courage. Illustrations: By Miri Darvish The illustrations are in bright colors with intricate shading and beautiful shadows. The characters are gracefully depicted. I can almost see them move on the page. I love the facial expressions on these kids - so full of emotion - I can gaze at them all day. It's intriguing how Miri darkens the colors when things get ominous, and lightens them to set the mood. Your turn: What resonated for you? How did you forge ahead when naysayers shook their head? What were the results?

What Did You Do at School Today? is a picture book in rhyme, with each page asking questions about what “you” did at school today. The questions focus on positive things that children do in school, including learning various subjects, recreational time, and hobbies. The rhymes are well done with good meter and many phrases sound like lyrics to a song. While, the book starts with a clear, positive, and engaging hook, there is potential for a stronger, more surprising ending. The questions are written in second person, which invites the child to share about their day. Questions are worded in different ways, categorized by subject and interest and is therefore engaging for parents to read with their child. However, I found that the questions became slightly repetitive towards the end of the book. It would have been nice to see a shift in the questions, such as posing a dilemma. All the questions are designed to infuse a positive outlook about school, as seen in the smiling, rosy illustrations. Even so, children can answer “no” to some questions, which can spark discussion about challenges they may be experiencing. The illustrations are vibrant, the characters show flow and movement, and facial expressions cue the reader into their emotion. In addition, they tell a story that goes beyond the text, which is an important and clever element of the book. Because the questions are closed-ended with yes-or-no answers, the elaborate illustrations invite deeper conversation about the school day. The illustrations also depict children from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. Unfortunately, children with disabilities were not included. Overall, this is a very engaging picture book for parents to curl up on the couch and read with their child. It sparks discussion about school through its questions and illustrations, making it a wonderful way to enjoy family time and open a conversation.