It is a picture book reviewing round up time! My theme is that of cultures. Of course we know the concept of “country and culture” but sometimes a culture can be something you do not immediately think of. Yelena and Papa take care of their nipa hut and it takes care of them in Rachell Abalos’s picture book, Our Nipa Hut: A Story in the Philippines. Due in February 2024, I was lucky enough to have my book dealer send me a finished copy, as this is a book that needs “all the physical” to enjoy. You need to see how the colors of the Philippines pop, the details that Gabriela Larios gives us with their illustrations. How the art is both its own character and a supporting member of the cast. This book opens a world to us that many might not know. We see how a family lives not just together, or in a house, but how that house lives with them. And when a tropical storm comes, we see how they all work together. This look at a culture I feel is underrepresented, is not just an eye opener to something different, but also how we are similar. We might not have to deal with a tropical storm, but we do need to prepare for weather situations. And the extras give the facts whereas the story itself is the more emotional, feeling aspects. 
Another culture I feel can be underrepresented is shown in I Am Both : A Vietnamese Refugee Story by Kerisa Greene. The artwork is what really grabbed me as, while it is simple, it is not simplistic. It allows us to see the world of our narrator, her excitement and the tiny detail that sets the time: the day’s date on the school chalkboard. Due in April 2024, I read this book via an online reader copy, however, I want a finished copy because this book needs to be “held in hand” to feel everything going on. This book shows the last flight out of Saigon, and the excitement the narrator has about leaving her home, for a “better home.” Or at least until the reality of how different everything is. And yet, things are never dark or bleak, as there is a positive attitude that comes from the art. This is based on a true story of how refugees from Vietnam found a way to leave their war torn home is a great way to show history, but also to tie into current events. 
A different toned book and one not about a different culture or country is Two Homes, One Heart by Jessica Young and illustrated by Chelsea O’Byrne, but it is about change. The narrator of the story talks about how she lives between two homes and the feelings, thoughts, questions and situations they deal with. We have seen the parent separation/divorced story before, but the very simplistic voice allows this to feel fresh. The artwork, in its childlike style, might not be for everyone, but it is the perfect touch to things. The colors are representative of the feelings, events and overall tone of things. The details, such as the mother celebrating Christmas and the father Hanukkah, add a nice touch to how different the child’s life is, and yet, how it is filled with love. Also read as an online reader copy, in March 2024 I will be locating a finished copy as I was not sure how large (or small) the format would be. 
One day I was cleaning up my emails and magically (or so it seemed as if it was not there the second before) there was an email saying “Here are your free reader copies. just put in this password.” I was, of course, suspicious, but looking into it more, yes, it was legit. And the first title that grabbed my eye was All About Color by Elizabeth Rusch and Elizabeth Goss. Of course, the two Elisabeth’s gave me a chuckle, but the story itself is not funny at all. In fact, while it is light in tone, it is serious in the subject. This is not your parents’ color book! In fact, it’s not your color book, either. This book talks about how we see color, how colors affect things, how light affects color and more facts. This is the culture of color or the publisher’s description says, it is the “art, science, and emotion” of color. It is not easy, therefore, we should read a few times before we give it to a child, but it seems like it will be interesting for many ages. It is the artwork that makes the book feel young. The illustrations are colorful, simple, and do not feel “fully fleshed out” at times. However, they are lovely and do set a tone. I do need to find a final copy as the online reader made things a bit awkward as the setup feels nontraditional. Due in late March 2024, I will be giving this book at least a second go around. 
And last but not least, a culture that we see almost everyday, but need reminding of is shown in Of Words and Water: The Story of Wilma Dykeman—Writer, Historian, Environmentalist by Shannon Hitchcock and illustrations by Sophie Page. Another book that I read via an online reader copy (due mid-April 2024) that will find me finding a finished copy mostly because of the illustrations. But first the story. The culture of nature, and the culture of one girl, and the culture of the area she grew up in unfolds. We follow a highlighted biography of Wilma Dykeman, an only child who had nature as her playmate. She was not just looking at the items around her, or just playing in the river, she was taking it all to heart. And as an adult, she realized her beloved home wilderness was not being taken care of. The rivers were black, but she also was up against people who feared change, or cleaning things up, meant the loss of their jobs. Between her writings and her determination, Dykeman would help make her section of the world better and it would become a symbol that you can have factories, nature and jobs if you work together. It is the illustrations that usually make or break a story, but these do both. Mixed media creates a world that we have seen in other books, just presented in a way that people will love or not. There are details and colors and things flow, but sometimes they “didn’t work” for me. They are a unique addition to things, and I appreciate them, and know that their look gives things a classic feeling, but they are a personal taste.
