- Apr 25
The Art and Life of Yoko Ono
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(Simon & Schuster)
(pub. 2.11.2025)
48 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Lisa Tollin
Illustrator: Yas Imamura
Character: Yoko Ono
Overview:
" Yoko Ono has been called many things: Bold. Confrontational. Controversial. Artist. Musician. Witch.
But she has always been, first and foremost, Yoko: a girl who used her imagination to escape the horrors of World War II, and then a woman who used that same gift to find peace after an act of unfathomable violence."
Tantalizing taste:
"Yoko turns her dreams into art.
She creates a chessboard all in
white and invites people to play.
How might a game work if you and
your opponent are the same?
She asked people to glue
together shards of broken pottery
to show that even broken things
deserve healing.
Yoko has strangers write wishes on paper and tie them
to a tree until the branches are covered. The dreams of
all humanity, joined together."
And something more: Lisa Tollin in the Author's Note in Can You Imagine? explains: "Almost fifty years after iImagine' was recorded, Yoko was given songwriting credit on the song. Although her name was nor originally listed on the recording, John [Lennon] had said it should be been.... It was one of the most performed songs of the twentieth century... She worked on a campaign to end childhood hunger, called 'Imagine There's No Hunger.'"
- Apr 25
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Amistad Books for Young Reader
(Harper Collins)
pub. 11.5.2024
48 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Renée Watson
Illustrator: Sherry Shine
Character: Cicely Tyson
Overview:
" Cicely Tyson was born in New York City to parents originally from the Islands. No matter where she was, Cicely always carried light within her, a light that she let shine.
After many years of discovering herself, Cicely finally found where her light could shine the brightest and touch others: in film."
Tantalizing taste:
"Cicely made a statement
every time she entered a room.
She became a fashion icon,
known for wearing unique,
bold clothes...
one -of-a-kind creations
for a one-of-a kind soul...
Cicely played more than one hundred roles
in her lifetime.
Beyond the characters she played on stages and sets
in real life she impacted many lives."
And something more: "In 2016 President Barack Obama awarded Cicely the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, he said. She has shaped the course of history."
- Apr 21
The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Knopf Books for Young Readers
(pub. 3.18.2025)
48 pages
Ages 7 - 10
Author: Jess Keating
Illustrator: Devon Holzwarth
Character: Florence Merriam Bailey
Overview:
" Before Florence, there was no such thing as "bird-watching". Bright plumes on lady's hats were all the rage, but no one was climbing trees or wading through marsh-grass to spot the birds they came from. Even scientists studied birds in labs instead of outside in their natural habitat.
But Florence changed all that. A bird-lover since childhood, she wanted to show the world what made these creatures special. She wanted everyone to care as much as she did, and so she taught classes, printed pamphlets, and eventually began leading bird walks so people could see it with their own eyes. Over time, they did see! With hard work and perseverence, Florence changed the way we look at birds, inspiring millions to follow in her footsteps on bird walks of their own."
Tantalizing taste:
"Kingfishers didn't belong on ladies' hats! They belonged at the water's edge, showing off their iridescent feathers as they hunted for fish.
Florence's heart thumped, and she bit back a cry.
Florence knew she must protect the birds from such horrors. But how? If only she could share her love of birds with the world. Then nobody would ever wear them as decoration on their silly hats again."
And something more: Jess Keating, shared in the Author's Note in Birdlore: "At that fateful dinner party in 1886, Florence was upset to learn of the thirteen dead kingfishers hat had been spotted on a hat, and the reality was much worse than she feared. At the time, 'plume hunters' were killing five million birds every year for ladies' hats...
To me, Florence embodies what it means to love nature. We mustn't just enjoy the wild places and creatures that have our hearts. We must stand up, share what we know, and act to protect them."
