The Story Behind We're Better Together with Eileen Spinelli

May 13, 2024 Stefanie Hohl

We are so excited to have Eileen Spinelli join us today to share the story behind, We're Better Together.

Eileen Spinelli has been writing since she was six years old. Her very first poem was about a sailboat. When she is not writing (or reading) you might find her walking the lake path with her husband and fellow author, Jerry Spinelli; playing MahJongg with friends, knitting scarves for the grandkids, hanging out with the family or baking cookies for community movie night.

When Marlo Scrimizzi, editor at Highlights Press, invited me to write a book--title to be We’re Better Together--I was delighted to say yes.

Marlo and I had worked together before. We make a good team.

Plus the theme touched a responsive chord in me. We ARE better together aren’t we? How dreary life would be without family and friends, neighbors and colleagues. It would be an easy topic to write about.

There was one issue, however. Since my first love has always been poetry, I lean toward a lyrical style. For this book, Marlo wanted the text to be simpler and more straight-forward. That was my challenge.

Several times Marlo had to “rein me in.” And she did it with kindness and grace.

The book offers many examples--from a child’s point of view-- of how we might be better together.

Some examples come from my own childhood: huddling under the kitchen table with my cousins during a summer storm...playing circle games with my friends in the park...using my toy mop to clean up spills.

I also used experiences from the lives of our kids and grandkids: searching everywhere for a beloved blanket that has gone missing...working together on crafts... delivering soup to a neighbor.

Marlo added her ideas as well. She suggested that a young mother carrying groceries while pushing a stroller might need some help.

We came up with many more “better together” scenarios than we could use. So some had to be cut.

One scenario that we cut was an airport scene. Marlo liked the idea at first but then commented that it was feeling a little out of place compared to the rest of the scenes.

While the main message of the book is to speak to the happy aspects of doing things together there is a secondary one: the fact that life can be fun without hours of screen time. I don’t say so directly in the book but it’s included in every page.

Considering that the book is not a long one, it did take a fair amount of revising. My least favorite part of the process. Ha!

And what picture book journey is complete without celebrating the art? We’re Better Together was endearingly illustrated by Ekaterina Trukham.

The first time I saw her illustrations I couldn’t stop smiling.

I love her bold, crayon-box colors, the expressions on the sweet faces, the playful spirit on each spread.

My personal favorite is the bath-time spread--complete with yellow rubber ducky.

On the last page real kids tell about how they are making the world a better place. Tucker, age five, helped clear the table without being asked. Walter, age six shoveled snow off his neighbor’s sidewalk. Anastasia, age six let someone use her coat because they were cold.

There are more ways to be part of a community than you might imagine. The question is posed: How do YOU work together? Something to think about.

Thanks so much for joining us, Eileen!

You can find Eileen on her website at www.eileenspinelli.com.

Ten Favorite Community Picture Books

May 7, 2024 Stefanie Hohl

If there’s one thing we all crave, it’s connection! No matter what age, connection to family, to friends, and to community can help people find joy and strength, even in the most difficult circumstances. We’ve listed some of our favorite picture books about community below—including many true stories about people whose ideas and efforts made a huge difference to the world around them. If that’s not the kind of courage we want to instill in our kids, we don’t know what is! Enjoy!

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell, illustrated by Rafael López

Even though her neighborhood is plain and gray, Mira loves adding color by giving hand-drawn notes to friends and drawing pictures. Then she meets the muralist, a seemingly magical man with paintbrushes, big ideas, and an invitation to join in the fun. Before she knows it, her entire community is painting the walls, sidewalks, and even the utility boxes in her neighborhood! Based on the true story of San Diego’s Urban Art Trail, this story is infused with a sense of community and love of the arts—and tells the true story in the end pages!

We’re Better Together: A Book About Community by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan

This sweet story reminds us that we’re better together in most aspects of our lives: when we help our neighbors, clean up a park, play on the playground, and even when we stay safe during a storm! With colorful illustrations and simple text, this book gives great examples of the power of community in our everyday lives.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

CJ’s not particularly happy as he and his Nana ride the Sunday bus to the last stop on Market Street. Why don’t they have a car? He asks. Why can’t he have earphones? Why can’t a blind man see? Why do they have to go at all? But the more questions he asks, the more CJ’s Nana and fellow passengers show him that the most beautiful things are often found in places CJ never thought to look. Winner of the Newbery medal, this book inspires readers to find goodness and beauty all around them!

Hey, Wall: A Story of Art and Community by Susan Verde, illustrated by John Parra

“Hey Wall!” says the narrator to the big blank wall in the community. Although neighborhood children cheer for spring flowers in sidewalk cracks, eat treats from the ice cream truck, and listen to family stories, no one notices, cares for, or appreciates the empty wall. Not until the narrator, along with his friends and family, transform it into a memory-filled community art piece that can’t be overlooked. With its bright and engaging illustrations, this book will draw you in and inspire you to bring joy to your community!

Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora

After Omu makes thick red stew in her big fat pot for a nice evening meal, she is surprised by a knock at her door. First a little boy, then a police officer, a hot dog vendor, and many others stop to ask about the delicious smell! With every knock, Omu shares her stew, but when it’s time for Omu to eat, the thick red stew is all gone! Just as she worries she has nothing left to share, her grateful community arrives with a wonderful surprise! Grab this heart-warming story with Oge Mora’s wonderful text and colorful collage illustrations.

111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl by Rina Singh, illustrated by Marianne Ferrer

When his mother dies, young Sundar wraps his arms around a tree in his grief. Later, when his oldest daughter also dies, he honors her memory by planting trees. As he does so, he realizes that planting trees is the key to saving his small village from destruction by a nearby mine, hunger, and lack of education. He proposes a plan to plant 111 trees for every baby girl—even though girls are not valued among his community members. Will the villagers agree to his crazy plan? Based on the true story of Sundar Paliwal, this book reminds readers that one voice can make a huge difference.

Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

When Ada’s grandmother sees a flyer for Mr. Chavez’s music lessons, she signs her granddaughters up right away. But in a city built on trash, there aren’t enough instruments to go around. In this true story, Mr. Chavez searches the trash heap for scraps to make into instruments. Thanks to his ingenuity and a lot of hard work, Ada and over thirty children in her neighborhood become the Recycled Orchestra, creating beautiful music despite difficult circumstances. Their story celebrates the power of music as it transforms communities and people.

Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood by Tony Hillery, illustrated by Jessie Hartland

Across from Neveah’s school is “the haunted garden,” a vacant lot filled with all kinds of trash. But when Mr. Tony comes to P.S. 175, all that changes. With the help of Neveah and her classmates, Mr. Tony clears the lot, dumps soil, and plants all kinds of seeds! Thanks to Mr. Tony’s big idea, Neveah’s haunted garden becomes an actual garden, growing healthy food to feed her community. Written by Mr. Tony himself, this is another true story of building community in small but mighty ways.

Blackout by John Rocco

In this almost-wordless picture book, a boy wants to play a board game, but his family members are all too busy—until the power goes out! During the blackout, he and his family head up to the roof, where stars shine, music plays, and neighbors gather for an unexpected block party. Then they head down to the street, where even more neighbors are relax, eat ice cream, and play in the water from the fire hydrant. But when the lights go back on, the boy still wants to play! Can he convince his family to share even more family time? Gorgeous illustrations tell this story of family, community, and the importance of quality time.

Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen, illustrated by Sandie Sonke

In this sweet book, we’re reminded that family can be more than the people related to us. Even a school class can be a family! With simple, rhyming text and colorful illustrations, this story reminds us of all the ways that the members of a classroom can also be like family.

I hope you enjoyed these Ten Favorite Community Picture Books!

For more great ideas, feel free to check out 10 Favorite Environmental Picture Books or 10 Favorite Mindfulness Picture Books!

And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss more great ideas and future blog posts!

Picture Books That Expand a Child Reader’s Concept of Community with Christy Chase

May 1, 2024 Stefanie Hohl

We are so excited to have Christy Chase join us today to share information about Community Picture Books!

Christy earned her MFA from the Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts in July, 2023. Before that, she taught grades 4-8 in a variety of elementary and middle schools. She has a lifelong love of children’s literature, particularly picture books. She is currently writing picture books, chapter books, a middle grade novel-in-verse, and poetry. She lives in Pawtucket, RI, where she stares out the window thinking really hard, and where she teaches Iyengar yoga.

There are many types of picture books for kids on the theme of community. And rightly so; feeling connected to the people and places around you is an essential part of being a healthy human.

Sometimes this theme is interpreted as looking at the different roles people have, such as police officer, firefighter, baker, nurse, etc. In kidlit, these might be nonfiction, and can be part of a series.

We can also look at geographic communities, such as a suburban neighborhood, city block, or rural town, to see what makes them tick. Or, some books compare geographic traits with similar communities around the world.

Another interpretation of a community-themed book is to tell a story about groups of people; for example, within extended families, faith congregations, or school settings. Some look at groups that share similar physical traits, identities, or culturally-connected customs.

Finally, some picture books highlight individual characters who help their community, discover their ability to create positive change, and bring people together.

I’m sharing a handful out of the giant pile of books you can find about communities. Hopefully, you’ll find at least one that makes you laugh, tugs at your heart-strings, or inspires you.

In the Neighborhood by Rocio Bonilla

I fell in love with this humorous, animal-filled tale about neighbors who are strangers. Each makes an incorrect assumption about the neighbor next door, until one day, the owl’s internet goes out and Matilda, the very handy robot designer, is able to help her. A domino effect occurs, and in the end, you can guess, a happy community is created. The roles held by – and the personalities of – the animals are ones often seen within a child reader’s own community. Very clever, detailed, beautiful watercolor illustrations.

Hey, Wall: A Story of Art and Community by Susan Verde, illustrated by John Parra

Told through the voice of a boy, this book features diverse characters in an urban setting. Colorful community members share food, dancing, memories, laughter, but the wall is just a plain concrete nothing. The boy has a dream of how to change it, and gathers folks to design the transformation. “Hey, Wall! Look at you now. You are beautiful. Now you tell the real story of us. And together we are somethin’ to see!”

Hey, Wall honors a child’s dream to create beauty out of drab concrete with the help of his community. Vibrantly illustrated by John Parra.

Everybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter, illustrated by Oge Mora

This book is a visual and aural feast. Wynter uses onomatopoeia and repetition in a circular format to show how a diverse community of families who share an apartment building are awakened in the night, and then go back to sleep. This is a great read aloud if you’re into making fun sounds, and there is the opportunity for a wide variety of kids to see themselves in the cutout illustrations done by the fabulous Oge Mora.

Dear Street by Lindsay Zier-Vogel, illustrated Caroline Bonne-Müller

I think you will be inspired to go out and write love letters to your community after reading this heartwarming picture book. As the text cycles through the seasons, Alice hears neighbors grumbling about the usual things: the weather, chores, construction, etc. She spreads positivity by leaving love letters around the neighborhood for those who might need an attitude adjustment.

In real life, the author created the Love Lettering Project, which then inspired her to write this book for children.

Steve the Dung Beetle: On a Roll by Susan R. Stolz, illustrated by Melissa Bailey

Don’t be thrown off by the very funny title: this book is about how an individual can positively impact the flora and fauna of their community. In this case, the helpful individual is a dung beetle who bumps into other animals of the savannah as he rolls poo around. Readers will learn how not gross this is. Plenty of backmatter about all the animals and beautiful illustrations make this an interesting, laugh-out-loud choice for kids!

The Walk by Winsome Bingham, illustrated by E.B. Lewis

A Black girl and her grandmother take a long walk through their neighborhood, gathering friends along the way. The reader isn’t told their destination, but a few hints are given in the dialogue and illustrations as their group builds in number. The walk brings together a community which finally arrives at the girl’s school to vote. When the girl asks, “Why do people vote?” the grandmother responds, “For HOPE, baby.”

Bingham’s lyrical text uses rhythm and slant rhyme masterfully, making this a great read-aloud with lots of heart. It can prompt meaningful conversations with kids about subjects like history, intergenerational relationships, and how important voting is for a community.

One of my favorite illustrators is E.B. Lewis, who captures setting and characters’ emotions so well. He depicts characters of a variety of abilities, colors, ages, and shapes. Personally, I’m a little burnt out on the overly-digital artwork that prevails these days, so his watercolor paintings here are a feast for my eyes. This story deserves his artwork.