Book Review by Lorna McGrath
Babies Build Toddlers
Written by Mariana Bissonnette
Illustrated by Alishs Nicole Brumfield, Brenda Brambila, Esma Bošnjaković, Samantha Morales-Johnson, Sophia Marie Pappas, Tracy Nishimura Bishop, and Chie Ushio
During the years that I have been studying the Montessori Method and philosophy, I have read, literally, hundreds of books written by Montessorians, as well as many experts from others in the field of child and adolescent development. Most recently, my focus has been on supporting families, and many good books are out now for parents. This one gets a gold star from me!
Babies Build Toddlers is written to support families of infants through 18 months old. Mariana Bissonnette brilliantly gives readers enough information about child development so that, when they are done, they actually feel secure in their knowledge of infant development and their capability to do the right things for their baby instead of being overwhelmed by too much and, frankly, too technical information.
The author uses a plant analogy to describe how the baby builds the toddler. It’s beautifully simple and sensible! And she has a wonderful sense of humor. You may notice that there is quite a list of illustrators for Bissonnette’s book. Nicely done! The illustrations are fun, colorful, multicultural, multiracial, and multigender. There is no one kind of family.
There are five parts:
- The Plant (the toddler) This part explains who the toddler is.
- The Roots (infant development) Here, the reader learns the critical areas of development for infants.
- The Conditions (the physical and emotional environment) Now the reader learns what infants need to do in their home to develop to their full potential.
- The Gardener (the adult’s role) Finally, the reader discovers how to best support their baby during these most important months of life.
- The Full Chart (a timeline for your baby’s growth) The reader gets here, and they know they’re ready!
The author is a Montessorian. The values that we hold dear are all in here: respect; dignity; practice informed by observation; empathy; recognition of potential; independence; order; peaceful interactions; and more.
You can purchase this book (new or used) at most book distributors.
Just Ask … Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
Written by Sonia Sotomayor, US Supreme Court Justice
Illustrated by Rafael López
In this book, a group of children go together to a garden. They decide where to plant flowers, water trees, and enjoy the day together. As each child in the book introduces themselves, we learn that each child is “differently abled.” Some of them take medicine to keep healthy, and some use special tools to get around and learn or act differently than most children do.
The author suggests that, like only having one kind of plant, the world would be quite uninteresting, if all humans were the same. She also lets the readers know that it’s okay to ask about differences so we can better understand each other’s unique qualities and circumstances. The illustrations are done in lovely colors and give quite a realistic view of each of the children in the book.
Children 4-8 years old would enjoy this book.
Nell Plants A Tree
Written by Anne Wynter
Illustrated by Daniel Miyares
Wow! This one is a powerful, well-written, and beautifully illustrated book about a young girl named Nell who plants a seed. The steps from finding a seed to every step along the way to a fully grown tree producing its own pecans are laid out in a lovely and rhythmic story of then and now. It swings gently back and forth through time as the tree and the humans grow and change together over the years.
There is so much to explore about the growth and development of a tree in this story, especially the love, care, and attention it takes for it to thrive. How humans interact with this gift from nature becomes a truly heartwarming story. The memories that everyone makes in and around this tree will never be forgotten. Then, at the end, we come full circle as a new child finds a seed and asks Gramma Nell what to do with it. And, so, it starts again — the wonderful circle of life!
You Hold Me Up
Written by Monique Gray Smith and Danielle Daniel
This book demonstrates what it means to honor and support families, friends, and cultures using both text and illustrations. It is quite beautifully written as well as pictured. Though we cannot change horrific events that occurred in the past, we can change how we treat each other now. We can better understand each other, empathize with each other, and respectfully embrace each other.
Human history is not always a pretty sight; we need to study and learn from it honestly. Depending on the age and maturity of the child or children in your care, the material in this book can be simply read as a story of friends and family with a young audience. With a more mature audience, it could include the history that the author referred to in the back of the book. It can be presented in different ways to children from 3-10 years old.
The Colors of Us
Written by Karen Katz
This is a story about a mom helping her daughter, Lena, to develop an awareness of the many shades of colors that people have. Mom wants her daughter to recognize that skin color varies greatly. Then, when she paints people’s pictures, the colors will be uniquely theirs. They describe the colors by likening them to yummy things to eat, like honey or chocolate cupcakes, and to things found in nature, like autumn leaves or precious metals. At the end of the day, Lena realized that she needed to mix several colors together to create just the right one for each of her friends. The illustrations are bright and full of color, as you expect! Children from 4-8 years old would enjoy this book.
The Mighty Solar Panel — Because Nothing’s More Powerful than a Sunny Day!
Written by Daniel Jarrett
This is an interesting book published by an Australian solar company. The author tells the story of what solar panels are, how they collect energy, how excess energy is sent to storage plants, and the value of using solar power rather than fossil fuels.
The illustrations are colorful and lively. The Sun is the narrator and tells the boy the story. It would be interesting for children ages 5-9 years old.
The Shortest Day: Celebrating The Winter Solstice
Written by Wendy Pfeffer
Illustrated by Jesse Reisch
Gorgeous, realistic illustrations! This paperback book beautifully shows the changes that the planet and living creatures go through as they prepare for the change in season. It is based in the northern hemisphere. The author explains in a clear and uncomplicated way what happens as the Earth revolves around the Sun.
You can also show your child how this works with a flashlight and a globe. See the back of the book for details.
Then, the author tells the story of how people felt when the seasons changed and what they learned about the Earth, the Sun, and the seasons. She tells what humans began to do to celebrate these changes in the year. The celebrations became yearly traditions, differing from place to place and according to human beliefs.
There are several pages of information and activities at the end of the book: an illustration of the Earth’s rotation; a sunrise/sunset chart; measuring shadows; northern and southernmost points during the year; the tilt of the Earth activity; a cupcake recipe; and a guide for creating a pinecone feeder for the birds.
This book is done quite well for children 5-8 years old. It is beautiful, encourages wonder and awe, and provides activities for families to do together.
Calling all teachers, parents, & children! We would love to publish reviews of your favorite books. Send book reviews to Lorna at: lornamcgraph@montessori.org
