LLOYD FINDS HIS WHALESONG
Books
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Alone Sometimes: Everybody Needs a Hole in the Ground
Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan
In Skylaar Amann’s gentle, beautifully illustrated picture book, two best friends learn that sometimes everyone needs a quiet, safe space to just be.
Ren and Kit are the best of friends, always doing everything together. But when Ren needs some quiet time to herself, she chooses to hide away in an unlikely place. Kit doesn’t understand, but she’s willing to listen and learn. And in the end, they both realize that sometimes, everybody needs a hole in the ground.
Alone Sometimes speaks directly to the need we all occasionally have for a safe space where we can hide away from the frustrations of the world.
ACTIVITIES!
Smile, Sophia is an ALA 2023 Rise: A Feminist Book Project honoree!
Smile, Sophia
Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan
Sophia loves finding fossils and digging up dinosaur bones. But she doesn’t love the way all the grownups just want her to smile. What does smiling have to do with the very serious business of being a scientist?!
She’ll smile when she has something to smile about! In this picture book by Skylaar Amann, a young girl shows that being strong, and smart, and really good at what she does is more than enough―and if she smiles, it’s because she wants to!
Praise for Sophia
"The book gives full respect to Sophia’s refusal to perform an emotion.... Body language and facial expressions are skillfully deployed, with Sophia’s classmates and teachers’ loose energy contrasting with her arms-crossed awkwardness at school, while power poses and wide-eyed wonder easily convey the strength and joy she feels at the dig site." —BCCB
"Boldly colored illustrations bring rich visuals to the story. Although the idea that children should be honest about their feelings is completely gender neutral, the adult topic of gender-based harassment, nodding to the “Stop Telling Women to Smile” movement, is handled with perfect age-appropriateness." —School Library Journal
"Sophia doesn’t feel the need to fake emotions for the benefit of others, and she delivers a self-assured clapback to the constant commands to put on a happy face... An empowering picture book about being true to yourself." —Booklist Digital
Praise for Lloyd
"Along with an introduction to the science of whale song and how noise pollution affects it, readers will learn that everyone can contribute in their own way. Though this lesson is familiar, it is notable and refreshing in that Lloyd does not uncover an innate special power but rather employs a tool to support him. A sweet story buoyed by beautiful illustrations."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Many young readers are sure to find a connection to Lloyd, especially those who are struggling to find their own voices. Back matter includes information about whales, how they communicate, and noise pollution, plus a ukulele composition that readers can play on their own." —Booklist
Lloyd Finds His Whalesong
Page Street Kids
Lloyd can’t sing. The rhythm of the whalesong guides the whales through danger and connects them to each other. But Lloyd is too quiet to join in. If he can’t sing, how can he be a part of the pod?
Then one day he finds a magical, mysterious object with supersonic seaweed strings! This could be his chance to be part of the song. He practices and practices, nervously preparing to show the other whales. But before he can perform for them, a disruptive, noisy boat approaches and scatters the pod. Lloyd’s powerful new instrument may be the only thing that can reunite them―if he can find the courage to share his unique song.
