Helen Frost will have a new pollen book at the end of March-early April 2024 called The Mighty Pollinators. No, this is not a book and/or graphic novel about a new DC or Marvel movie of superheroes, but it is a book about the critters, insects, buggies, and even the wind, and how they make your garden, flowers, and more, grow. This is all done with fairly shorter poems that allow for the facts to be presented, but also in a fun and quick manner. Rick Lieder’s photographs add to the understanding of what things actually do and look like. The extras are a fun addition.
August is around the corner (or here depending on when you read this) and Too Much!: An Overwhelming Day will be out soon (or is out). This book deals with a neurodivergent child and how things just become too much for them when too many problems happen seemingly all at once/build up. They do not like crunchy foods, but bananas are good. Their shirt is too itchy and they want to scream to tell everyone the tag needs to come out. The playground is too noisy and someone touched them. They need a time out. The nature of things is a bit lyrical, and while it does not come out as a “one true wayism” Jolene Gutierrez does push their philosophy. It is the art that really drew it all together. The bold colors, business of “bad parts” and less “stressing” moments mixed together. The ideas flow out and Angel Chang comes in strong, respectfully representing them.
October 2023 will see Steve Irwin by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegar and illustrated by Sonny Ross. This book is a picture book that gives highlights of Steve Irwin. The story itself is pretty predictable (as we know the big stuff: he was born, loved animals from a young age, the zoo experiences, his wife, the children, and his death. However, the death isn’t included in the main text, but mentioned afterwards. I read this (like all the above books) as an online reader copy, so I think the timeline has a typo (it starts with a 1930s date and Irwin was not born until early 1960s), but there is a timeline included and a few paragraphs for older readers and/or teachers/adults. The art of Ross is typical of the Little People, Big Dreams series, therefore, quick and simple, but fun and detailed. And while I was thinking Terri Irwin’s hair was a bit too yellow, they captured the spirit of everyone.