Tag Kate Berube

John’s Turn

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John’s Turn
Mac Barnett and Kate Berube
Walker Books

As the story opens we’re party to an event in the school canteen; here every Friday a school assembly takes place and one pupil presents something in what’s called the ‘Sharing Gifts’ performance. On this Friday it’s John’s turn and it’s pretty clear that he’s feeling nervous as he eats breakfast and dons his attire. Singing over, Mr Ross introduces John and out the boy steps as the curtain is pulled aside.

There’s some sniggering at the music that starts playing (‘strings, violins and things, and then maybe flutes’)

and the dance begins.

We’re treated to a sequence of double-page spreads – three wordless, two almost so – showcasing John’s moves: how stunning they are as we see his facial expressions and body language change as his fears dissipate and seemingly effortless, graceful capability takes over making him joyful.

Joyful too are the members of the audience as their doubts turn to real appreciation.

Kate Berube’s paint and ink illustrations communicate John’s feelings and showcase his accomplished athletic performance superbly, perfectly complementing Mac Barnett’s text, which takes the form of a simple pertinent narration that one assumes is by one of John’s fellow pupils.


Wonderfully empowering, this is a gorgeous book about finding the courage to be your true self that will speak to any child.

Mae’s First Day of School / No Frogs in School

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Mae’s First Day of School
Kate Berube
Abrams Books for Young Readers

I loved the author’s Hannah and Sugar book and this one is equally charming.

It’s Mae’s first day at school and she definitely does not want to go.
En route while her mum enthuses about all the fun things school has in store, Mae worries about all the possible bad things that might happen: the other children won’t like her, she’s she only one unable to write; she’ll miss her mum.

Once at school she hides in a large tree, refusing to come down; but then somebody else joins her; it’s Rosie another reluctant new pupil.

After a while, some of the other children go inside; not so the tree climbers. Suddenly up the tree comes a tall lady, Ms Pearl.

It’s also her first day and she too is worried. Suppose the children don’t like her, supposing she forgets vital spellings; suppose she misses her cat …

As well as her list of worries though, Ms Pearl has some reassuring words for Mae and Rosie. Perhaps rather than becoming tree dwellers they should venture down and go in together for their first day …

A reassuring, first day story that’s perfect for those just starting in a reception class. It’s full of charm and gentle humour; Kate Berube’s expressive illustrations portray those first day nerves wonderfully well.

No Frogs in School
A LaFaye and Eglantine Ceulemans
Sterling

Pet loving Bartholomew insists on taking one of his animals to school every day. On Monday it’s Ferdinand frog but the creature causes havoc in the art lesson so teacher Mr Patanoose bans frogs.

On Tuesday Sigfried salamander needs company so off he goes with Bartholomew (after all he’s not one of the banned animals). However he too causes classroom chaos and is put on the banned list along with all other amphibians.

Wednesday sees a hamster in the classroom via the pocket on Bartholomew’s bag but the creature gets out and the consequence is a ‘no rodents in school’ rule.

A snake is Thursday’s school visitor and the outcome is a ban on reptiles.

Friday is show and tell day but ‘no pets’ is what Mr Patanoose firmly insists. Now surely it wouldn’t hurt to take Rivka rabbit along would it, thinks Bartholomew.
But can he get away with taking a soft furry mammal for the event? After all he’s something of a rule subverter …

Fun and also informative is this story of classroom chaos and a pet-loving boy who tries to keep one step ahead of his teacher. The energetic illustrations are zany and full of things to enjoy.

RESCUED! Hello Little Egg!/Hannah and Sugar

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Hello Little Egg!
Puffin Books
Come with me to Puffin Rock and meet some of its residents, in particular, Oona, her small brother, Baba and Mossy (he’s Oona’s best friend). One day while having a game of chase they come upon an unusual-looking rock …

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They speculate but it’s not a berry; an egg of some kind? Yes, but not one they recognise and thus begins their quest to find its parents. Could it perhaps belong to some seagulls – there are certainly a lot of them around? Off go the three to return the egg to the seagulls’ nest on the cliff edge, which proves to be quite an exciting undertaking.

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On arriving at their destination however, a discovery is made – it’s the wrong nest: seagull eggs are brown. As the friends ponder their next move, the egg itself moves, …
hatches and immediately adopts Oona as its mother. Time to get going; but what’s that Karr! Karr! sound?

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Seemingly the new chick is eager to find out … Hurray! It’s the chick’s parents way down below and there’s only one way to travel that large distance – here goes …

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Then, mission accomplished, it’s smiles all round, a thank you fish from two happy parents, goodbye hugs from the little chick and off go Oona, Baba and Mossy all the way back home.
Satisfying and fun, this story has its origins in an animated TV series and the transition to book form works well. There’s plenty to discuss and a fair sprinkling of natural history information embedded within the delightful narrative.

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Hannah and Sugar
Kate Berube
Abrams Books for Young Readers
Hannah, the chief protagonist of this story has my sympathies; she’s afraid of dogs, even well behaved ones like Sugar who belongs to her pal, Violet P. This is somewhat unsettling as every day, come rain or shine, Sugar waits for Violet P. after school at the same bus stop Hannah’s dad waits for her. Her other school friends eagerly pet Sugar but Hannah is steadfast in her refusals as she clutches her dad’s hand proffering her polite “No, thank you,” each time.

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One day, Violet P. announces that Sugar’s gone missing and a neighbourhood search ensues but come nightfall there’s still no sign of Sugar. After dinner as Hannah sits outside pondering what it might feel like to be lost and alone,

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she hears a strange whimpering sound in the dark and on investigation, she discovers …

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Hannah’s instinct is to retreat but then she closes her eyes, she draws on her inner strength and courage, reaches out her hand and …
Needless to say everyone involved is delighted, as will readers be at the happy ending.
Illustrated in ink and paints, this debut picture book is a delight. Kate Berube’s scenes have an almost child-like quality about them, making the story all the more authentic and her use of empty space –

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is particularly effective in moving the concise narrative forward.

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