Bear and Bird, by Jarvis

     Another new author-illustrator for me, Jarvis is the creator of characters Bear and Bird - perhaps you know them already, but I did not, and I enjoyed this first look at their adventures! I usually try to review the first book in a series, but Bear and Bird: The Stick and Other Stories appears to be the fourth book for these two main characters. This particular book has four very short stories in it, all involving Bear and Bird, of course, but my favorite story was the first one - The Leaf. Bear arrives at Bird's house with a leaf stuck to his face - but he doesn't know it! Bird cannot decide whether to tell him, which Bird thinks might embarrass him, or to try to get the leaf to drop off, without telling Bear what she knows. I won't give away the solution -  you'll have to find out for yourself! But I think you'll be happy with how things work out.

    I am new to Jarvis's work, both writing and illustrating, and perhaps he is already better known in children's books than he is known to me. But I can see Bear and Bird becoming - or being - classic characters that kids look for again and again, much like Mo Willem's characters, for example (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus). Written for younger readers, early to mid-elementary, but a book I think readers of all ages could appreciate and enjoy! 4 paws!

Silence Sounds Simple, by Gary Golio & Andrea D'Aquino

     The full title of this picture book is Silence Sounds Simple: A Day in the Life of John Cage. Before reading this wonderful book I didn't know who John Cage was, and if you are in that same category, before you read this book for yourself, check out this video of John creating a symphony of "music" using many different objects (google "John Cage: Water Walk").

    In essence, John Cage was fascinated by noise - and also by silence. On the opening page of the book, he is quoted saying, "There is no such thing as an empty space or an empty time. There is always something to see, something to hear." Cage spent his life being curious - about sound (including what most of us would call music) and silence...as well as mushrooms! He was a very curious, quirky character, indeed!

    I'm not sure if someone like John Cage will appeal to all of you, readers, but this book is full of color, and shapes, and words that try to describe John and his life. Author Gary Golio writes in a way that I think John Cage tried to make people think - in unique ways. Andrea D'Aquino's added artwork really brings the book to life in boldly and colorfully. As a book I found this to be very artistic, just like I think John Cage was an artist - creating and imagining and thinking about everyday things in different ways. If you have ever thought of something in a new or different way, I think you'd appreciate learning about John and reading this book very much! 4 paws!