Inspiring characters and intriguing tales

The House on the Canal

Thomas Harding
Candlewick Studio, 56 pages

Much has been written about the story of Anne Frank, but Thomas Harding presents a new perspective with his carefully crafted story about the Amsterdam house that hid Anne and her family during World War II. Before the Annex became a hidden haven, however, the nearly 400-year-old home also served as a warehouse, stable, and ironmonger’s shop. It witnessed plague, fire, war, and cycles of disrepair, and yet the old house on the canal survived. Britta Teckentrup’s lovely mixed media illustrations reflect the mood of the text and offer lots for children to pore over. While the book gives a gentle introduction to the Holocaust, the story’s premise will likely appeal more to adults than children who may grow restless with the lack of action. It can still serve, though, as a helpful resource for the classroom or home learning. Ages 7-10

Pippa and the Singing Tree

Kristyn Getty
Crossway, 40 pages

This lyrical picture book is an ode to the joy of worship and how all of creation praises its Creator. Soft watercolor illustrations follow Pippa as she “swings high, beneath an old tree and a peppermint sky,” and listens to the songs of nature brimming around her. The book concludes with Pippa adding her own voice to the song of praise, because “God calls all to sing with his singing tree.” Keen observers will notice that illustrator P.J. Lynch begins with muted grays and blues, tingeing each subsequent spread with splashes of color that culminate in warm greens, pinks, and yellows. The closing pages and accompanying Scripture verses review with families four reasons for singing together to the Lord. Getty points to the Psalms as a songbook all families can use, noting that Psalm 1:3 describes one who worships and listens to the Lord as a well-watered tree that yields fruit in season and never withers. Ages 4-8

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice

Amy Alznauer
Candlewick, 48 pages

While many of us might not give much thought to shapes and the way they fit together, Marjorie Rice was fascinated by them. Although she had never attended college and was a busy mother of five, Marjorie in the 1970s puzzled over the lingering question of how many kinds of pentagons existed. She scribbled her ideas on kitchen tiles and on scraps of paper she hid in her Bible, until one day she formed a new five-sided, crooked little house shape that could tessellate (i.e., fit together with identical shapes without gaps or overlaps). Marjorie pondered some more and ultimately discovered three more tessellating types. The book’s end pages include resources that allow readers to play with shapes or download templates for creating their own tessellating patterns. Note: One page discussing shapes in ancient art and writing assumes an old-earth viewpoint by stating the relics are tens of thousands of years old. Ages 7-9

Painting Wonder

Katie Wray Schon
Waxwing Books, 48 pages

This picture book biography introduces children to artist Pauline Baynes, best known for illustrating C.S. Lewis’ Narnia book series and some of J.R.R. Tolkien’s minor works and book covers. Katie Wray Schon melds the text with her delightful illustrations to trace the arc of Baynes’ life, from her early childhood in India where she had a pet monkey that drank tea, to her young adult years in England where she weathered World War II by drawing maps and charts for the navy. After the war she begins building her illustration portfolio, which eventually catches Tolkien’s attention. Later Lewis chooses her to illustrate his fledgling The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and the book’s wild success gives her the opportunity to illustrate the six other Narnia books. The end notes provide more details about Baynes’ work and personal life alongside a few photographs. Don’t overlook the book’s endpapers, which present a timeline of Baynes’ life through whimsical art. Ages 5-8

Trailblazers of America: Davy Crockett

PragerU
PragerU, 36 pages

This short biography is part of a new series PragerU has developed to highlight individuals who helped build America. The format blends narrative text with sketches, maps, field guide pages, and other interesting sidebars. Each section serves to spotlight aspects of Crockett’s character, including his courageous sense of duty and conviction. While serving as a scout during the War of 1812, Crockett grew frustrated when his input was disregarded because he was not an officer. This would eventually spur him to enter politics, where he focused on representing the common man. Due to the book’s abbreviated format, parents may want to supplement it with additional reading. For example, a section discussing the Indian Removal Act offers a somewhat unbalanced and simplified perspective that doesn’t adequately address the grave injustices Native Americans suffered. Still, the book presents history in an engaging manner that is likely to appeal especially to boys. Ages 8-12

The King’s Cadets and Little Joe

Joe Sutphin & Kevan Chandler
Moody, 64 pages

Families who together enjoyed Little Pilgrim’s Progress can return to the Land of Delight where Matthew, James, and Little Joe are serving as the King’s Cadets and dreaming of becoming soldiers for the King. Each of the five short stories in this extended picture book begins with a Bible verse that corresponds with the subsequent tale. The first story opens with the brothers seeking the perfect birthday gift for their sister Innocence. Although their efforts are initially thwarted, their sister’s loving and encouraging response turns dejection into joy. The other stories deal with finding a hidden treasure, helping someone who is afraid, and sharing the good news with the lost. In the final chapter, the brothers learn about the armor of God and how they can use it daily in their training to become more like Great Heart, one of the King’s faithful soldiers. The nuggets of wisdom shared throughout the pages will offer discussion opportunities for families. Ages 4-8