Archive for April 26, 2019

Mr. Posey’s New Glasses

Written by Ted Kooser
Illustrated by Daniel Duncan

This enchanting new story combines the ideas of seeing through someone else’s eyes, walking in their shoes, and their grass is greener. One morning, Mr. Posey is feeling the sameness and dullness of his existence. Same kitchen, same newspaper, same neighbor playing with his dog. He walks to the local thrift store and digs through a barrel of glasses, looking for a new outlook. Whether it’s imagination or magic, Mr. Posey gets more than he bargained for. Each set of glasses brings him to a new and exciting view. He’s in the nighttime, observing bright and beautiful stars. He’s underwater with many sea creatures surrounding him. The room is swirling about him. Finally, his young friend points out the filth on his current glasses. Sometimes, all it takes is a small adjustment.

In the beginning, all the illustrations are the same dull color. Even the flowers look tired. Each new Posey experience is shown in shining detail. The colors are definitely brighter on Mr. Posey’s way home.

Recommended for learning about empathy, but also just for the fun of it.

  • Mr. PoseyTitle: Mr. Posey’s New Glasses
  • Author: Ted Kooser
  • Illustrator: Daniel Duncan
  • Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2019
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 40 pages
  • Grade Level: 1 to 4
  • Genre: Picture book, Perspective
  • ISBN: 978-0-7636-9609-2

Going Down Home with Daddy

Written by Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrated by Daniel Minter

Touching and enlightening, this is the story of one family in particular and every family, at the same time. Lil Alan and his immediate family make their annual trek to the farm where his great grandmother lives. They start out early in the morning and arrive just as Granny is feeding her chickens. They spend the weekend playing with cousins and attending services at Granny’s church. On Sunday evening, the children each makes a presentation based on what the family means to them. Lil Alan worries that he won’t have anything to present, but he discovers that whatever he feels is legitimate.

Throughout the story, the author and the illustrator show images of growth and branching, relating Lil Alan’s experience to the family tree and how that tree has been cultivated by each family member. Granny is both the root and the branches of that tree. Even her chickens are part of the cultivation. The story and the illustrations are both gorgeous.

The story shows the strength and importance of family and family history, especially among those of African descent.

  • Going Down HomeTitle: Going Down Home with Daddy
  • Author: Kelly Starling Lyons
  • Illustrator: Daniel Minter
  • Publisher: Peachtree Publishers, 2019
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
  • Grade Level: PreK to 3
  • Genre: Picture book, Family
  • ISBN: 978-1-56145-938-4