Martin, Reed, & Austin Tichenor. Pop-up Shakespeare.

Martin, Reed, & Austin Tichenor.  Pop-up Shakespeare.    Candlewick Press  2017  unp  $19.99 ISBN 978-0-7636-9874-4    all ages  Drama 

E-BN

    

This pop-up compendium of the complete works of William Shakespeare is sure to entice a new generation.  William Shakespeare wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and innumerable other works.  His words live on in the English language and are part of our daily lexicon.  How can all of this be condensed into one pop-up book?  The Reduced Shakespeare Company has managed it in spades (not Shakespeare.) Dividing the plays and sonnets into sections, the authors, armed with the amazing artwork of Jennie Maizels, offer a huge amount of information about the man and his works. While there are accurate summaries of the works, the wry tone is delightful and the text is spiced with dramatic anecdotes.  The historical background and political climate of the time are accurate and offer some insight into the development of the plays. Altogether, this is a perfect start to Shakespeare’s works if only for a personal collection. The pop-up format may not survive library use even though it is quite sturdily made.

Summary: A new generation will be enticed into these fabulous writings. This is a perfect start to Shakespeare’s works if only for a personal collection. The pop-up format may not survive library use even though it is quite sturdily made.    

Shakespeare, William                               --Susan Ogintz

Kenney, Sean. Building Amazing Creations.

Kenney, Sean. Building Amazing Creations. Macmillan/Henry Holt  2017  382p.  $24.99          ISBN 978-1-62779-018-5          all ages               Nonfiction  E-BN  

This is a coffee-table book that is crammed with over 800 illustrations of Sean Kenney’s LEGO creations. Kenney is known for creating miniature and large-scale LEGO animals, towns, buildings, flowers and portraits.  Kenney’s artistic efforts are on display around the world in corporate offices, public gardens, museums and art galleries. School librarians who are involved in Maker Spaces will undoubtedly know his “Cool” book series that shows how to create LEGO projects. In the short text accompanying each illustration, readers learn about his background of earning a college degree in computer science and how he became restive and pursued his passion for art by founding his own company to create LEGO sculptures. The text under illustrations encourages readers to look carefully at individual LEGO pieces that are used in creative ways, such as a helmet for the feet of robots, and how to get a mirrored effect. His step-by-step details from concept to finished creation, which include the methods by which projects are sketched, created, and shipped or installed, provide insider knowledge that can kickstart readers into creating their own unique LEGO projects. This is a great book for any fan of LEGOs, for art students, and for any person who appreciates intricacy of design. WOW, this book cannot be categorized, as everyone who opens it, regardless of age, will be captivated by something.                            

Summary: For any lover of LEGOs, Sean Kenney has chronicled his most amazing projects. This book is part biography, part an “I Spy” look at how LEGO pieces are repurposed in a creation, and an imagination kickstarter for Maker Spaces in schools. For all ages.          

Legos                                                                         --Lois McNicol

Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. What if?

Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. What if?
Roaring Brook Press see macmillan children's pub 2010 unp 15.99
978-1-59643-398-4 elem VG
What if we bounced the ball back and forth? What if we lost the ball? What if I went to look for the ball? The beginning of a story starting with What ...if? for the creative mind.
This picture book is created using vibrant colors and three seals. They are all on the beach near the ocean playing with a very colorful beach ball. The only words in this book is the “ What... If?” question. The book was create to get children thinking about the action in the book. Each picture depicts an action that might or might not have a reaction but it is up to the child to create their own story.
This book can be used in a creative writing class for any age. The reader can write up their story by observing the action in the book and each story may be so different from each other.
This can also become a story to describe the colors used, to describe the look on the faces of the seals and their feelings that seem to come through the picture.
A fun book for all ages. Diaz, Magna

Behind the museum door

Hopkins, Lee Bennett, ed. Behind the museum door.
New York: Abrams. 2007. unp. $16.95.
978-0810912045 all ages
Poetry

This would be an incredible way to introduce young readers to the joys to be found in visits to the museum. Lee Bennett Hopkins has collected fourteen perfect poems from varied poets writing for children that celebrate the wonders found in museums. Each is presented on a double page spread and is brightly illustrated by wonderful pictures that capture the essence of the words and allow the readers to relate to the magnificent treasures of history, nature, and art described. This should be a must read-aloud before a visit to a museum. SO