I Hear the Wind

As I write this, it is a blustery day in November.  It feels like Winter, but the calendar says it is still Fall.  That's the feeling one gets by reading this book, written and illustrated by Greg Budig.  Here the cold Fall (almost Winter) wind is seen through the eyes and imagination of a child as it whistles past the house at night, making a variety of sights and sounds.  The wind is everywhere, and you will see and feel it through the words and pictures of this story.

Big Belching Bog

Minnesota is known for its many beautiful lakes.  No so much for the peat bogs that are scattered across the northern part of the state, including the Big Bog just north of Upper Red Lake.  This is the largest peat bog in the lower 48 states.  This (appropriately large format) book, written by Phyllis Root, introduces readers to the plants and animals that live in a bog.  Woodcut illustrations by Betsy Bowen add to the atmosphere of the bog.  More information about the plants and animals is found in the end notes. This book will be a useful addition to classes studying plants, animals, and Minnesota geography and environment.  Do bogs belch?  No one knows for sure, but this book will pique your curiosity.

Grandfather's Story Cloth

Chersheng and his family live in an American city.  His family are Hmong and they emigrated to the United States after the Vietnam War.  His grandfather is showing symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.  Chersheng's mother presents him with a story cloth stitched by his grandfather, and Chersheng creates his own art project to help is grandfather remember his life and family in America.  Written by Linda Gerdner and Sarah Langford, illustrated by Minnesotan, Stuart Loughridge (his first children's book); this bilingual story can be a resource for cultural units.

Why the Owl Has Big Ears

No one is supposed to watch Rawens as he creates the plants and animals.  Yet, for the impatient lump of clay sitting in a tree; patience is running short, and it asks Rawens to "make me now".  This book tells the Iroquois story of how the rabbit and owl were created, and teaches a lesson about patience and listening.  Written and illustrated by the Minnesota team of Mike Preble and Shawn McCann, this is one to add to your folklore collection.

The Peace Bell

Although fictionalized, this picture book tells the story of the Peace Bell that is now located in Isumi City, Japan (formerly known as Ohara). 

During World War II, many Japanese temple bells were donated to the war effort, to be melted down into materials needed for the war.  This bell was discovered intact in a shipyard after the war, by crewmen from the USS Duluth. They presented the bell to Duluth, Minnesota, where it was displayed in City Hall until 1954, when it was returned to the city of Ohara, and renamed the American-Japanese Friendship Peace Bell.  In 1991, Ohara presented Duluth with a replica of the bell, and the two cities became sister cities. 

Written by Margi Preus, illustrated by Hideko Takahashi, this might be a resource for elementary social studies classes.

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night

In her latest book, Minnesota poet Joyce Sidman, features nocturnal animals and other sights and sounds of the woods at night.  Beautifully illustrated with linoleum cut designs by Duluth artist, Rick Allen, this is very comparable to Song of the Water Boatman, which won a Caldecott honor.  This will be an excellent classroom resource for elementary science classes.

Henry and the Bully

Henry loves to play soccer with his first grade classmates - at least until Sam, the second grade bully shows up and kicks the ball off the playground.  Henry tries to get help from his teacher, and mother - to no avail - and he has to find his own way to show Sam that he isn't afraid of a bully. There is a little surprise tucked in this picture book written and illustrated by Nancy Carlson.  It could be part of a discussion about school and playground rules at the start of a new school year.