Diana's White House Garden by Elisa Carbone Book Review

Diana's White House Garden by Elisa Carbone
Illustrations by Jen Hill
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 3, 2016

World War II is in full force across the seas. It's 1943, President Roosevelt is in office, and Diana's father, Harry Hopkins, is his chief advisor. And Diana wants to be part of the war effort. After some well-intentioned missteps (her quarantine sign on her father's office door was not well-received), the President requests her help with his newest plan for the country's survival: Victory Gardens!

I don't know why it never occurred to me that the White House had a victory garden, in fact it makes perfect sense, but it is just a nugget of information that I either learned and forgot or never learned at all. This book is a lovely example of fictionalized informational books for a younger audience. It carefully explains the realities of war in a way that young children will be able to understand and possibly even identify with. The author includes some interesting info in the backmatter as well, for readers who are intrigued. Jen Hill's illustrations are beautiful and engaging, pulling in design elements from the 1940s, while also satisfying a modern audience. 

Whoosh! by Chris Barton Book Review

Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton
Illustrations by Don Tate
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Release Date: May 3, 2016

Everyone knows the Super Soaker. A few pumps of air and you spray down your opponent in a fun epic water battle for the ages. What most people don't know if why created this amazing toy. Lonnie Johnson  had a love for rockets, robots, and inventions. He worked for NASA. But it was the Super Soaker that ended being his most memorable contribution to society, bringing joy to millions of kids and adults.

This is exactly what I want a picture book biography to be. Informative, engaging, fascinating, and new. I love all these stories about the inventions of things and the wonderful engineers behind them. Lonnie Johnson's story will inspire young readers to invent and learn. The text is perfect for the age of its intended audience and the illustrations are perfect. I think this book has a great deal of practical application for teachers and parents, and the diversity element in the story is also incredibly important. I am so incredibly excited to see what the next generation of young people manages to invent and I hope these kinds of stories are what inspire them to keep trying.

For the Right to Learn by Rebecca Langston-George Book Review

For the Right to Learn by Rebecca Langston-George
Illustrations by Janna Bock
Publisher: Capstone Press
Release Date: September 1, 2015

She grew up in a world where women were supposed to be quiet. But Malala Yousafzai refused to be silent. She defied the Taliban's rules, spoke out for education for every girl, and was almost killed for her beliefs. This powerful true story of how one brave girl named Malala changed the world proves that one person really can make a difference.

You have to have been living under a rock not to know who Malala Yousafzai is. Her story is inspirational and powerful and will hopefully have ramifications for many girls throughout the world. The beginnings of her story are hard, but important. The problem with this particular version of her story is that, despite some lovely illustrations, this picture book is extremely text heavy. Picture book biographies are strange in that their audience pushes out from the normal 3-6 year old age range and can go all the way up to middle school. Yet, the illustrations almost always speak to a much younger audience and so the text and pictures become incongruous. Not to mention that the content of this story about a child being shot is way too intense for younger children. And so we are left with a picture book that is intended for older children and one can't help but wonder if there was a better format to present this story? And there is. A quick search shows numerous other formats of biographies and even an autobiography that will work far better for bringing Malala's story to its intended audience.

Ada's Violin by Susan Hood Book Review

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood
Illustrations by Sally Wern Comport
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 3, 2016

Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. When a new music teacher arrives, the students begin to dream of a wonderful orchestra. The problem is that musical instruments are hard to find and very expensive. Even if the students do get some of the few coveted instruments, they would probably be stolen. Still wanting the children to have something special, the teacher decides to make instruments out of materials found in the trash. The recycled instruments change the lives of the children and the town forever, playing in venues around the world.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. For sure, the subject material is quite interesting with numerous news stories having been made about the Recycled Orchestra. There is a great deal of pathos within the story and one that would help young children to understand things like extreme poverty, ingenuity, and the importance of music in a society. Yet, it is hard to capture any of those, let alone all three, in a single 32-page picture book. When one writes about music, a very specific form of art, I don't think that there is a way to fully capture the essence of the musicality. With this book in particular, I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. Despite the title, I never felt a connection to Ada and found myself being pulled out of the story with each page turn. The illustrations are vibrant and paralleled the text with mixed media, but it wasn't enough to carry the story. Despite my love for the picture book biography and picture book non-fiction books, I think that this is one that would have been better served with a bit more length, more details, and a stronger main character or characters for the reader to feel real empathy towards. 

The Stone Thrower by Jael Earley Richardson Book Review

The Stone Thrower by Jael Earley Richardson
Illustrations by Matt James
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Release Date: May 1, 2016

Chuck Ealey grew up in a segregated neighborhood of Portsmouth, Ohio. The chances of him being able to play football beyond the schoolyard, were slim. Yet, with dedication and perseverance he earns a reputation as a great quarterback, with unbeaten records in high school and university. Using a football scholarship, Chuck is able to get an education.

An inspirational story by Chuck Ealey's daughter, this is the story of rising above circumstances and one young man's dedication in the face of many obstacles. I absolutely love picture book biographies (and biographies in general) because they give us stories of people who don't show up in the normal school curriculum. For an aspiring football player, the sports-obsessed kid, and the African-American child, Chuck Ealey can serve as an important role model, Matt James' illustrations were beautiful as always, with an almost Snowy Day vibe to them. The only criticism I have for the book is how much time is spent on Chuck's childhood and doesn't really get to his high school and college accomplishments. Those details are in a short paragraph at the end of the book. I would have liked a little bit of that in the actual book. Another great addition to the world of children's biographies.

The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller Book Review

The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller
Illustrations by Vincent X. Kirsch
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 3, 2016

In 1843, fourteen-year-old Hanson Gregory left home to work as a cabin on on the schooner Achorn. While on board, he made snacks for the sailors, round cakes that never cooked fully in the middle. Then, one day he had an idea, why not simply remove the middle? This way the entire cake would be cooked all the way through. And so began the humble doughnut that has became a breakfast staple.

A well-told story that gets to the truth behind the doughnuts' origins and even addresses some of the myths that have also formed. Over the years I have heard many stories about the doughnuts origins that honestly, people must have made up, so it was nice to finally get to the truth. The illustrations are cute and what I appreciate most about this picture book biography is that it can stand on its own as just a fun picture book. Every kid loves doughnuts and I think, much like the Balloons Over Broadway book, it will draw in young readers. It also one of those books like, The Old Black Witch, in which parents can (if they are so inclined) make donuts from scratch and make some lasting memories as well.

mmm...now I want a doughnut

The Wildest Race Ever by Meghan McCarthy Book Review

The Wildest Race Ever: The Story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon by Meghan McCarthy
Publisher: Paula Wiseman Books
Release Date: March 1, 2016

It was 1904 and St. Louis was hosting the World's Fair and America's First Olympics. People traveled from all over the country and the world to watch and participate. One of the strangest things to happen at that years Olympics was the marathon. Forty-two racers registered, thirty-two showed up, and most managed to make it to the finish line one way or another. Unpleasantly warm weather conditions contributed to heat exhaustion in the runners since there weren't enough food and water stations. Cars drove by on the dirt road kicking up dirt and dust that made it hard to see or breathe. One runner from Cuba, showed up in street clothes and seemed more interested in chatting with people along the way than he did with running. One runner was run off the road by stray dogs. Another jumped in a car and drove some of the way before crossing the finish line looking rather refreshed. (He was later disqualified for cheating) And lets not forget the craziest bit, the notion that strychnine would give you strength and so the runners were being given doses of the poison...and still managed to finish the race.

This race was like a series of unfortunate events. It's a wonder anyone managed to finish at all. Make no mistake, most of these people weren't amateurs either. They had qualified to be in the Olympics. The race was simply ill-prepared. The road wasn't closed off to traffic, there weren't enough water stations, and some bad sports medicine added to this bizarre story. It's a wonder any of them managed to finish in such conditions. The cartoony illustrations worked will with this book, capturing the manic bizarre nature of this 1904 race. A lot of great information in the backmatter and will certainly spark the imagination of young Olympic hopefuls.

The William Hoy Story by Nancy Churnin Book Review

The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game by Nancy Churnin
Illustrations by Jez Tuya
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Release Date: March 1, 2016

All William Ellsworth Hoy wanted to do was play baseball. After losing out on a spot on the local deaf team, William practiced even harder eventually earning a position on a professional team. But his struggle was far from over. In addition to the prejudice Hoy faced, he could not hear the umpires' calls. One day he asked the umpire to use hand signals: strike, ball, out. That day he not only got on base but also changed the way the game was played forever. William "Dummy" Hoy became one of the greatest and most beloved players of his time!"

Sometimes I read a book and I feel rather stupid for not ever wondering why something was a particular way. I always assumed that the hand gestures used in baseball where a part of the game from the beginning. I am so happy to hear that there is such a rich an interesting story behind something that has become an integral part of a beloved sport. William Hoy didn't overcome his disability, but rather used it to enhance a sport that he worked so hard to be a part of. Churnin doesn't shy away from tough subjects, like rejection and prejudice, which makes the story feel so much bigger than its picture book format.

Another great picture book biography that will easily earn a place in school libraries and home bookshelves.  Perfect for students who are baseball enthusiasts and not.  

Jazz Day by Roxane Orgill Book Review

Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph by Roxane Orgill
Illustrations by Francis Vallejo
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Release Date: March 8, 2016

In 1958, a photo was planned with Esquire magazine to pay tribute to the American jazz scene that was all over Harlem. They were all there, beloved jazz musicians and the kids who looked up to them. Art Kane, the photographer, had sent out word but had no idea if anyone would show up for the photo shoot. Told with poetry, this is the story of how one famous photograph came together.

I thought this book was beautiful and inspired, with some wonderful perspectives that allow the reader to learn about jazz and the people behind the music. Who showed up? Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk to name a few. Fifty-seven in total. Vallejo illustrates all of this so deftly too, making the various jazz greats come to life in a way that never felt like a caricature.

My biggest question is who the audience is for this book though. Poetic non-fiction already has a very narrow audience, but make it a wordy picture book and it gets narrower. Sadly, I think that this book really isn't for kids. It is for the gatekeepers, librarians and teachers who will love it and put it on their shelves for learning purposes, but I don't see kids picking this up on their own.

Green City by Allan Drummon Book Review

Green City: How One Community Survived a Tornado and Rebuilt for a Sustainable Future by Allan Drummond
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux
Release Date: March 15, 2016

In 2007, an EF5 tornado ripped through Greensburg, Kansas, destroying the 95% of the town. The residents wanted to rebuild, but they decided that they didn't want to make the town exactly how it used to be, they wanted it to be better. This new town would be able to withstand another tornado, but it would also be built in an environmentally sustainable way. Greensburg is now often described as the "greenest" town in America.

Told from the perspective of a child, this was a good nonfiction tale of one town standing up to adversity and not just making the best of it, but making it better. The illustrations were cute, but I am not entirely sure if an illustrated picture was the best format for this type of a story. Firstly, because I really wanted to see real pictures of real people. The cartoon illustrations took away from the immediacy of the tragedy. I was disappointed that there wasn't even a picture of the rebuilt town in the back matter. Never mind that I really wanted a lot more information. There was some basic information throughout the text and in the back matter, but I don't feel like I got the full picture of what a completely sustainable community actually looks like. On the one hand, this limited information did lead me on a fact finding mission on the Internet, but since not every reader is going to do this, it would be nice if all the needed information was already in place. Again, I thought the book was good, but for the age of children that would be reading it, there needed to be more information befitting a book for upper elementary students.

Two Friends by Dean Robbins Book Review

Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by Dean Robbins
Illustrations by Sean Qualls & Selina Alko
Publisher: Orchard Books
Release Date: January 5, 2016

Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, often get together for tea and conversations. They talk about friends and family and their fight to win rights for women and African Americans. Although their struggles seem different, the two build a friendship based on a mutual fight for rights.

I am always a bit iffy on biographies that take liberties with what a character said if there is no actual record that they said it. We know that Anthony and Douglass were in fact friends, a plaque portraying them having tea together in Rochester, NY being the inspiration of this book. However, we don't know what those conversations entailed. One would assume they discussed civil rights and their own personal struggles against a system that seemed against them. The two met while Douglass was on a speaking tour and became friends before either was particularly famous. And their friendship wasn't without its drama, since Douglass did not necessarily agree with Anthony concerning women's suffrage. There are definitely plenty of sources, letters and quotes concerning their friendship and ideals and it isn't hard to imagine what the two would have talked about. So I understand why the author decided to fictionalize their conversation and I think in this instance it works, but by being a children's picture book biography it also simplifies the friendship a great deal and the truth is, none of us will ever know what it is they talked about when they were alone.

How Kate Warne Saved President Lincoln by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk Book Review

How Kate Warne Saved President Lincoln: The Story Behind the Nation's First Female Detective by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk
Illustrations by Valentina Belloni
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Release Date: March 1, 2016

In 1856, when Kate Warne went to see Allan Pinkerton, only men were detectives. But Kate convinced Allan to hire her for his detective agency. She explained that she could worm out secrets where men could not go--in disguise as a society lady! Join Kate on her most important mission--to thwart a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln on the way to his inauguration.

Kate Warne's accomplishments as a female detective were well ahead of her time since women weren't even allowed to join the police force until 1891 and didn't work officially as detectives until 1903. Yet there must have been something about her that made Pinkerton take her on despite knowing very little about her. She claimed to be a young widow  yet there is very little evidence for this. Whoever she was, Kate proved herself over and over to her employer, although rumor has it she was the mistress to Pinkerton so one does wonder what role that played in their professional relationship. 

Although her life was rather interesting if a bit mysterious, I did feel like this book fell a bit flat for me. The illustrations, while colorful were confusing at times. Presidential hopeful Abraham Lincoln is not recognizable and I found it hard to pick him out of a group of men on a spread. Also, even though this book is a picture book and written in language that the average 4-7 year old would understand, one must have some previous information concerning Lincoln as well as some basic geography knowledge, things that the average picture book audience is still developing. This story really should have been geared towards upper elementary school students, but  there simply wasn't enough included information for that age group. In fact, I felt so confused by the story as it seemed like Kate Warner was nothing more than an advisor in this assassination plot, that I ended up looking up more information about her. Now, this could be viewed as a good thing as this book led me to learn more, but writers cannot assume that everyone will do this and so it is important that all the relevant data is presented as succinctly as possible while maintaining the integrity of the story.

The Secret Subway by Shana Corey Book Review

The Secret Subway by Shana Corey
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Release Date: March 8, 2016

1860 New York City was a mess of crowds, garbage, and sewage. The streets were crowded and Alfred Ely Beach had an idea. Using an idea that was being used for banks, Beach had an idea to create a pneumatic (fan-powered) underground subway. With a lot of conniving and a few lies, Beach's construction crew began to dig. It opened on February 26, 1870, but the world wasn't quite ready for underground trains.

It's weird, but I have actually read four books that have mentioned or featured Beach's pneumatic subway. I find it fascinating how some people seem to be born in the wrong era, for surely if Beach had been inventing things just twenty years later, enabled by some of the other inventions of the era, he would have had a very successful year. As it stands, he is one of those inventors who have nearly been lost to the annals of time. Which is why I love this book so much. Not only is the story interesting, but the way it is told and illustrated draw in readers both young and old. I am continually amazed by the picture book biographies that have come out in the past year or two.

Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell Book Review

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell
Illustrations by Rafael López
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 16, 2016 

Sometimes all you need to make your community a little better is to add a splash of color. For Mira, her neighborhood is drab and gray and so she begins to hand out colorful pictures she has drawn. A flower to the grocer, a butterfly, and a flower taped to a wall. Then she meets a man who is a muralist. He hands Mira a paintbrush and together they turn the East Village of San Diego into something beautiful.

Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, this delightfully bright book is awash with color and emotion. Reminding me of A Curious Garden, this is the story of transformation and what people can do within their own community. I love these kinds of stories, because it is important that children not only see themselves in stories, but can also see a place for themselves in the world. Mira seems to be a fictional character herself, but she is a good foil for children to see themselves in the story. As with any book about art though, it is the illustrations that are integral to the story. Rafael López was integral to the making of the Urban Art Trail, transforming San Diego's East Village where he lived. López's Mexican influences are on every page, having a vague fairy tale mythic quality to them. I simply can't state enough how lovely this book is.

Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford Book Review

Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrations by R. Gregory Christie
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Release Date: January 5, 2016

As slaves relentlessly toiled in an unjust system in 19th century Louisiana, they all counted down the days until Sunday, when at least for half a day they were briefly able to congregate in Congo Square in New Orleans. Here they were free to set up an open market, sing, dance, and play music. They were free to forget their cares, their struggles, and their oppression. This story chronicles slaves' duties each day, from chopping logs on Mondays to baking bread on Wednesdays to plucking hens on Saturday, and builds to the freedom of Sundays and the special experience of an afternoon spent in Congo Square. 

A beautifully illustrated book that made me realize, yet again, that I really need to visit New Orleans. There is so much history there that I just know so little about and this is yet another glaring display of my ignorance. Congo Square, a place that still exists today, was a place where slaves could gather on their onw day off from work, as was required by law. Because such a law and a place existed, the slaves of New Orleans were uniquely able to pass on their music, language, and traditions from their African homes. It is perhaps one of the many reasons why New Orleans is so unique not only as a place, but because of the rich cultural heritage that was able to be passed down, unlike many other places where enslaved people lived. 

I think this book has finally inspired me (as any good book should) to read a book on New Orleans history and then perhaps start planning a vacation there. 

Do I Have to Say Hello? by Delia Ephron Book Review

Do I Have to Say Hello? Aunt Delia's Manners Quiz for Kids and Their Grownups by Delia Ephron
Illustrations by Edward Koren
Publisher: Blue Rider Press
Release Date: November 3, 2015

Do I Have to Say Hello? is a light-hearted series of quizzes to help children understand manners. To an adult the answers to the questions seem like to brainers, but I imagine this will not be the case for a six-year-old. From table manners to car, playground to school, there is a quiz for every scenario. This is not a book to be read cover to cover though, but rather in pieces. I can see pulling this book out while eating a meal and asking some of the questions or pulling it out at bedtime perhaps. Although it appears that Aunt Delia has been writing such manners books for a long time, seeing as this is a reprint for the 25th Anniversary, but I was not at all familiar with her material. Of course, my manners book of choice was the Goops and I can still recite many of the poems today. However, I see the appeal of this format as well. Perfect for parents who are training to raise children who know how to behave in any situation.

Sitting Bull by S.D. Nelson Book Review

Sitting Bull:Lakota Warrior and Defender of his People by S.D. Nelson
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Release Date: November 3, 2015

From the viewpoint of Sitting Bull's spirit, he tells of his experiences with the white man and how his tribe was treated by the US Government. Starting with his childhood and leading up to him being named war chief, he details what life was like for his people before and after the wasichus arrive, finally culminating in the battles of Killdeer Mountain and Little Bighorn.

Telling the history of Native Americans to children, without glossing over the dark details of that narrative is tricky. Many non-fiction books seem to handle this simply by focusing on what the tribe was like. What they ate, drank, lived in, etc. Not that this isn't important within an anthropological sense, but it also glosses over the ugly truth. This book did a good job of finding the balance between cultural information and dark facts, making it appropriate for an elementary school reader while still addressing pressing issues.

Nelson has once again written a fabulous Native American story that mixes the rich cultural heritage of the Lakota peoples and the dark history that surrounds them.

Swan by Laurel Snyder Book Review

Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder
Illustrations by Julie Morstad
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Release Date: August 18, 2015

The world is big.
Anna is small.
The snow is everywhere
and all around.
But one night...
One night, her mother takes her to the ballet, and everything is changed. Anna finds a beauty inside herself that she cannot contain.

So begins the journey of a young girl who will one day grow up to become the world's most famous prima ballerina.

A beautifully illustrated story that is also one of the most melancholy picture books I have ever read. I think it is a very special audience that will fall in love with this book. Considering there is very little biographical information included due to the sparse poetry throughout, I would honestly have not understood everything that happened to Anna if there hadn't been some backmatter explaining more. For example, Anna went to a special school for ballerinas, but the way it was worded and portrayed, I honestly thought she hadn't made it into the school and definitely did not understand that she was separated from her parents. Reading through some of the other reviews, it seems that adults are absolutely enamoured by this book, which leads me to believe that this is a book for adults, cleverly disguised as a work for children. For me, a book that ends with the main character dying in her bed is just a little too sad to be read aloud to the age group that picture books are geared towards.

It should not be overlooked that this story is absolutely beautiful and the sparse language does fit the way the story is put together. And for a child who may dream of becoming a dancer, this story of a great artist may set their imaginations on fire.

Big Top Burning by Laura A. Woollett Book Review

Big Top Burning: The True Story of an Arsonist, a Missing Girl, and the Greatest Show on Earth by Laura A. Woollett
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Release Date: June 1, 2015

On July 6, 1944, thousands of men, women, and children made their way to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford, Connecticut. It was a hot day. The tiger show had just finished when someone noticed a fire on one side of the big top tent. Due to a series of mistakes from the water proofing being made of pitch to no fire extinguishers in the tent, the big top was soon ablaze. People rushed to escape, but the crush of people and a blocked exit caused even more chaos and confusion. Within 10 minutes the entire big top had burned to the ground and 167 people never went home.

This is the true story about the events surrounding that day as well as the decades worth of questions. Was the fire really the result of a carelessly tossed away cigarette or was it the act of an arsonist? And what happened to little Eleanor Cook? Was she the unidentified body that was nicknamed 'Little Miss 1565'?

Having not grown up in New England and since it happened so long ago, this is one particular historical account that I had never heard of. Carefully crafted, Woollett weaves together a historical narrative that is both mysterious and compelling. There were a number of times throughout the book that I found myself getting choked up, probably more than I would had this been fiction, because I knew these were not just some characters in a story. The first-hands accounts and careful scrutiny of the various mysteries made the story read more like fiction than non-fiction. Despite the heavy topic, Woollett makes the subject matter and corresponding photographs age appropriate and accessible.

Interesting side note: One of my co-workers is from Connecticut so I showed the book to her. She immediately knew of the incident as her father was in the National Guard at the time and was called to the scene to help with the clean up. That clean up including the sorting of bodies. According to her, people still talk about it.

Jake Makes a World by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts Book Review

Jake Makes a World: Jacob Lawrence, A Young Artist in Harlem by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts
Illustrations by Christopher Myers
Publisher: MoMA
Release Date: June 30, 2015

Jacob Lawrence found his artistic inspiration in the people and streets of Harlem. Intricate patterns, bright colors, sounds, smells, and people all played integral roles as he developed into a renowned artist.

Whenever I read these artist biographies, I am instantly reminded how woeful my art history education is. Although I am sometimes vaguely familiar with these artists because I do actually love visiting art museums, but I rarely know their stories.

Perhaps it is this gap of understanding that loves these types of books so much. There is a lot of Lawrence's actual artwork included in the book, but Myers was also able to capture Lawrence's style while making the illustrations his own. There is a great flow in the text although I wanted a bit more in the end. This is a typical feeling I have when reading children's book biographies though as it is nearly impossible to distill an entire person's life into a 32-page picture book.