Spring brings a new crop of picture books for young children, many by Minnesota writers and artists. From the swirling dances of the powwow to a little boy's favorite purple tights to a child's nervousness about a wedding dance, these stories are steeped in love, community and diversity — with a great dollop of humor.
"Josie Dances," by Denise Lajimodiere, illustrated by Angela Erdrich. (Minnesota Historical Society Press, $17.95, ages 3-7.)
Josie wants to dance in her first powwow. But will her new beaded moccasins, shawl and cape be ready in time? More important, will tribal elder Grandma Greatwalker's dreams finally reveal Josie's spirit name? Lajimodiere and Erdrich, both members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, tell a warm story of family, community and tradition, sprinkled with Ojibwe words (easily understood in context, but there's also a glossary in back) and inspired by Lajimodiere's own daughter. Erdrich's watercolors are alive with details — beadwork, flowers, birds, berries and the swirling, pulsating northern lights. A vibrant, glorious book.
Virtual book launch: 7 p.m. May 20, via the Minnesota Historical Society Facebook page and YouTube channel.
"Hello, Mandarin Duck!" by Bao Phi, illustrated by Dion MBD. (Capstone, $17.99, ages 4-7.)
On their way to the May Day parade, children come across a strange and colorful duck. What is it? Where did it come from? Hoa and Hue enlist the help of friends as they try to get the duck to the pond, its new home. But suddenly they are surrounded by people — they're in the middle of the parade! In his third children's book, Minneapolis poet Bao Phi writes about teamwork, collaboration and acceptance as neighbors welcome and protect the new and strange duck. Illustrations by MBD (an abbreviation for a name, the artist notes, that "does not even fit on the first page of his passport") show joy, diversity and — as a police car rolls through — apprehension. A glossary translates the many languages quoted in this wise book.
"How to Apologize," by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. (Candlewick, $16.99, ages 3-7.)
The prizewinning Minnesota duo of LaRochelle and Wohnoutka is back, this time tackling the topic of repentance with their trademark wit and humor. If you sky-dive into someone's bathroom — if you play "pin the tail on the rhinoceros" using an actual pin stuck into an actual rhinoceros — if your kite plummets toward the ground and knocks over someone's lemonade — what do you say? This book is never preachy, even as it offers sample apologies (both sincere and otherwise). It's good-natured and funny and probably something all of us should heed.
