SATA
ENTRY TYPE:
WORK TITLE: FEATHERS TOGETHER
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.caronlevis.com/
CITY: New York
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 361
https://us.macmillan.com/author/caronlevis/ * http://www.caronlevis.com/full-bio
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in New York, NY.
EDUCATION:Tufts University, B.A.; Hunter College, L.M.S.W.; New School University, M.F.A. Studied acting at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, the Moscow Art Theatre, and the Michael Chekhov Acting Studio.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Children’s book author, novelist, short-story writer, playwright, educator, and administrator. New School, MFA Creative Writing for Children program, adjunct professor and coordinator. Has also served as an adjunct lecturer at New York University’s School of Professional Studies; BMCC/Tribeca Performing Arts Theatre, Writers-in-Performance lab, former writing coach. Leader of writing workshops at colleges, writers’ conferences, and meetings. Arts educator working with children, adults, and teachers and as a teaching artist with nonprofit organizations.
MEMBER:Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
AWARDS:Christopher Award, 2017, for Ida, Always; recipient of fellowships from the Jentel Artist Residency, New York Foundation of the Arts, Saltonstall Foundation, and the SLS Literary Seminars.
WRITINGS
Also author of the screenplay Attendant. Contributor to books, including Fakes, edited by David Shields and Matthew Vollmer, W.W. Norton (New York, NY), 2012. Contributor to periodicals, including Fence and the New Guard Review.
SIDELIGHTS
Caron Levis is a writer and educator who writes fiction and plays for audiences ranging from children to adults. Her numerous books for children include Stuck with the Blooz, Stop That Yawn!, This Way, Charlie, and Feathers Together. She has worked as an adjunct professor and coordinator in the M.F.A. Creative Writing for Children Program at the New School and as an adjunct instructor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies. She spent five years as the writing coach at the Writers-in-Performance laboratory at the BMCC/Tribeca Performing Arts Theatre. She frequently conducts workshops and seminars for writers and writing teachers in topics that include creative writing, public speaking, and interactive storytelling techniques, noted a writer on the Caron Levis website. She also visits schools, from pre-kindergarten to grade twelve, and engages students with drama, writing, and interactive storytelling. She holds a B.A. degree from Tufts University, an L.M.S.W. (Licensed Master of Social Work) from Hunter College, and an M.F.A. in creative writing from the New School University. As recorded on the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators website, Levis claimed that her “aim is to encourage. I want students to have the courage to be curious, creative, passionate, decisive, flexible, and open to the world.”
In her debut book for children, Stuck with the Blooz, Levis features a little girl facing a day of unexplained sadness and the blues. In her case, however, the blues is an actual creature called the Blooz, a large, bulbous, blue being that drips and oozes. She tells the Blooz that he wasn’t invited, but that has no effect. She tries to ignore the Blooz, but it sticks around. She yells at it, asks it questions, even offers it treats, but the Blooz seems determined to stay no matter what she does. Finally, she thinks that the Blooz might be something she just has to accept. When she and the Blooz start doing some fun and imaginative activities, the blue creature starts to enjoy himself and finally goes away, leaving the girl in a much better mood.
Blooz and his book make a “nonthreatening tool for discussing negative emotions with young children,” commented Ann Kelley in a Booklist review. Levis “writes with a particularly refreshing innocence that affirms readers’ feelings but also shows them that sadness does not have to be scary,” and that sometimes, it’s not even a bad thing, observed a Kirkus Reviews writer.
Ida, Always, illustrated by Charles Santoso, presents a realistic but sad story about two polar bear friends, Ida and Gus, and what happens when Ida gets so sick that she cannot be cured. Both Gus and Ida are inseparable friends at the zoo, playing ball, running around chasing each other, and enjoying their lives. When Ida doesn’t come outside one day, Gus is confused and wonders what is wrong. Zookeeper Sonya explains to Gus that Ida is very ill, and tells him that while the zoo staff can keep her comfortable, they won’t be able to cure what’s wrong with her. Levis then chronicles Ida’s final days and her interactions with Gus and her other friends, noting the emotional highs and lows that are normal for a time of such stress. Gus and his friends grieve when Ida dies, but they realize that as long as they remember her, Ida will still be with them. Throughout the book, “Levis writes about death and the bears’ mutual devotion with surprising beauty,” commented a Kirkus Reviews writer. Maggie Reagan, writing in Booklist, called the book a “heartfelt and powerful depiction of loss and recovery.”
The main characters in May I Have a Word? are a collection of alphabet magnets on a refrigerator. They usually live in harmony, but a dispute between the letters C and K causes low-intensity chaos. K believes that C has stolen his personal sound, represented by words such as Castle and Clouds. The other letters wonder how they will be able to create words such as Stick, or Pockets, or Blocks. Eventually, K is show how he can be of use in other words such as Knight and Knitting. The story ends with all of the letters feeling better about themselves and each other. A Kirkus Reviews contributor called the book “Keen and clever with a knack for clear instruction.” Jasmine L. Precopio, writing in School Library Journal, commented: “This unique, hilarious selection will have readers of all ages laughing out loud.”
Stop That Yawn!, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, features a young girl and her grandmother. The girl convinces her grandmother that they should attempt to stay up all night long. The duo journey to a fantastical world called Never Sleeping City, but yawns—and sleep—threaten their adventure. With an ode to the surrealist work of famed children’s book author Maurice Sendak, Levis and Pham treat young readers to unusual creatures and bright pops of color. A Kirkus Reviews critic called the book a “lively portrayal,” while a Children’s Bookwatch contributor termed the book “an entertaining delight.”
In This Way, Charlie, again illustrated by Santoso, Levis tells the story through animals rather than humans. Set at a sanctuary for injured animals, the book focuses on the unlikely friendship between a grouchy goat named Jack and a newly arrived horse named Charlie who is blind in one eye. Jack quickly takes Charlie under his wing and helps him adjust to life at the sanctuary. The pair face danger when a storm blows in and Charlie—now completely blind—gets lost. However, Jack calls on the other animals for help, and they rescue their friend. The story was inspired by a true-life story of animal friendship at a sanctuary in Oklahoma. Amy Nolan, reviewing the book in School Library Journal, remarked that “Levis … excels at crafting emotional, but never saccharine, tales of friendship.” Similarly, a Kirkus Reviews critic praised the “gentle story’s positive messages about patience, kindness, and friendship.”
(open new)In the picture book Feathers Together, Levis teams up with illustrator Charles Santoso to feature a pair of storks that do everything together. Klepetan and Malena are inseparable and thrive off of the curiosity of the other. When one goes exploring, the other will join; when one tells a joke, the other with respond with one of their own. After Malena is injured, she is nurtured by a man who builds the pair a nest on his roof with a ramp that lets her get in and out of it easily. By the time fall arrives, Klepetan and Malena have come to accept that they will go their separate ways. In order to always remember the other, though, they exchange feathers. While it is difficult learning to live alone, each one remembers their time together and frequently sends jokes into the clouds for the other to enjoy. When the time is right, Klepetan and Malena happily reunite.
A contributor to Publishers Weekly called it “a moving, affirming story of commitment that withstands change.” The same reviewer pointed out that “Levis imbues Klepetan and Malena with believably conflicting emotions.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor reasoned that Levis “draws out the tension in the most delicious way” in this “touching true-life tale with much wisdom for people who face similar situations.”(close new)
In an interview with Maria Marshall on the Picture Book Buzz blog, Levis commented on the centrality of emotion in her books for children while also admitting how much she enjoys injecting elements of humor that can make young readers laugh: “Generally, I am attracted to all different kinds of stories and ideas, but certainly I am always interested in exploring emotions. … I really like to go wherever an idea takes me and, while the emotional stories are probably my most usual jam, I super enjoy word play and being silly.” She added: “Everything I write is challenging for me in different ways—ideas come easily and often, but I am tortoise paced and super nit-picky at making them work.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, November 1, 2012, Ann Kelley, review of Stuck with the Blooz, p. 78; January 1, 2016, Maggie Reagan, review of Ida, Always, p. 97; August 1, 2019, Lucinda Whitehurst, review of Mama’s Work Shoes, p. 70.
Children’s Bookwatch, December 1, 2018, review of Stop That Yawn!
Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2012, review of Stuck with the Blooz; December 1, 2015, review of Ida, Always; April 15, 2017, review of May I Have a Word?; September 1, 2018, review of Stop That Yawn!; July 1, 2019, review of Mama’s Work Shoes; February 15, 2020, review of This Way, Charlie; August 15, 2022, review of Feathers Together.
Publishers Weekly, September 24, 2012, review of Stuck with the Blooz, p. 75; November 30, 2015, review of Ida, Always, p. 60; December 2, 2016, review of Ida, Always, p. 32; March 6, 2017, review of May I Have a Word?, p. 61; September 19, 2022, review of Feathers Together, p. 56.
School Library Journal, November 1, 2012, Kathleen Finn, review of Stuck with the Blooz, p. 78; January 1, 2016, Mahnaz Dar, review of Ida, Always, p. 74; May 1, 2017, Jasmine L. Precopio, review of May I Have a Word?, p. 63; February 1, 2020, Amy Nolan, review of This Way, Charlie, p. 54.
ONLINE
Authors Unbound, https://authorsunbound.com/ (January 30, 2023), author profile.
Caron Levis website, https://www.caronlevis.com (January 30, 2023).
New School website, https://www.newschool.edu/ (January 30, 2023), author profile.
Picture Book Buzz, https://www.mariacmarshall.com/blog/ (May 22, 20178), Maria Marshall, author interview; (April 20, 2020), Maria Marshall, author interview.
Reading for Research, http://www.reforemo.com/ (November 14, 2017), “Think Quick with Author Caron Levis.”
School of Professional Studies, New York University website, https://www.sps.nyu.edu/ (January 30, 2023), author profile.
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators website, https://www.scbwi.org/ (January 30, 2023), author profile.
Wernick & Pratt Agency website, https://wernickpratt.com/ (January 30, 2023), author profile.
This Way, Readers...
As a kid, I had this "cozy corner" where I charged 25 cents for "invited guests" (aka my sister) to come hang out. I served lemonade that I'd stolen from the fridge and offered activities such as reading, writing, make-believing, and blowing bubbles, since that's what I liked to do. Still do.
I got hooked on books at age two when mom kept reading Good Night Moon and The Very Hungry Caterpillar in her terrific Brooklyn accent. I fell in love with theatre when dad took me to see the Fantasticks and one of the actors 'fell' right into my lap. I realized teachers were super cool by hanging out with my grandma, a life-long kindergarten teacher.
If you poke around these pages you'll find out about picture books, author visits, workshops for writers, plays/film, and more. I have an LMSW, MFA in creative writing, and am trained in acting, zen meditation, and eavesdropping. (I've also had the power vested in me by the state of New York so I can write and officiate wedding ceremonies. For real.) Unfortunately, I can't serve you lemonade here, but you also get to keep your quarter. Thanks for visiting.
A Kit & Ca(ron)boodle Bio
Use all or parts of this for your event/review/blog/ etc:
Caron Levis (MFA; LMSW) is the author of the award winning children's picture book, Ida, Always (Atheneum) illustrated by Charles Santosos, which the New York Times Book Review calls, "an example of children's books at their best." Caron's other picture book titles include: This Way, Charlie (Abrams 2020, Stop That Yawn! (Atheneum); May I Have A Word? (FSG), and Mama's Work Shoes (Abrams.) Her stories for teens and adults have been published in magazines and anthologies; plays have been selected for the Estrogenius Festival and the Samuel French OOB Festival's Final Forty; the film adaptation of Attendant won Best Short in Sunscreen Film Festival West (2018) and selected for the Garden State Film Festival. Caron is a professor at NYU and The New School's Creative Writing MFA program where she is the advisor for the Children/YA concentration. Caron has an LMSW from Hunter College and has facilitated young people's loss and bereavement groups for The Jewish Board. After many years as an arts educator, Caron now loves using acting and writing to teach social, emotional, and literacy skills to students of all ages through her author workshops. Having trained in acting and dabbled in playwriting, Caron also enjoys turning theatre techniques into writing tools for groan-ups through her workshop Act-Like-A-Writer and helping shy writers unearth their public speaking voices through Page-to-Stage. Visit her at www.caronlevis.com
Name Pronunciation:
Caron = Karen (care-in)
Levis = Leh-Viss
I am never insulted if you ask me how to pronounce it, and we all make mistakes. Please do try to note it is Levis in writing so folks can find me;)
Caron Levis was born, raised, and currently lives in New York City.
writing....
Caron enjoys writing fiction and plays for children, teens, and adults. She is the author of several picture books including the award winning picture book Ida, Always (Atheneum) which The New York Times Book Review called, "an example of children's books at their best." Her other titles include: Stuck with the Blooz (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) May I Have A Word? (FSG/Macmillan, 2017) Stop That Yawn! (Athenuem 2018) Mama's Work Shoes (Abrams 2019); This Way, Charlie (Atheneum 2020.) Her short story Permission Slip was re-published in FAKES, a new anthology by W.W. Norton, edited by David Shields and Matthew Vollmer. Permission Slip and other short stories for teens and adults have been published by Fence Magazine, the New Guard Review, Persea Books; have been listed in the Best American Non-required Reading, nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and won her fellowships from the Jentel Artist Residency, New York Foundation of the Arts, Saltonstall Foundation, and SLS Literary Seminars. Her plays have won Audience favorite at the Estrogenius Festival, been selected for the Samuel French OOB Festival's Final Forty; the film adaptation of Attendant won Best Short in Sunscreen Film Festival West and selected for the upcoming Garden State Film Festival.
educating...
adult:
Caron teaches children's/ya literature at NYU School of Professional Studies and in The New School's MFA Creative Writing program where she is the Children's/YA coordinator, She greatly enjoys teaching her original workshop Act Like A Writer, at colleges, writers conferences, in living rooms, and anywhere! She served for five years as the writing coach for the Writers-in-Performance lab at the BMCC/Tribeca Performing Arts Theatre, has conducted workshops for writers at the Summer Literary Seminars conference, and professional development workshops for english teachers throughout NYC. She teaches workshops and coaches adults in creative writing, public apeaking, interactive storytelling techniques, and more.
pre-K--12:
Caron's author visits immerse kids in social, emotional, and literacy skills through interactive storytelling, drama, and writing. She has been an arts educator for over ten years, working with students of all ages, teachers, and parents. A trained actor with an MFA in Creative Writing, her workshops are designed to enhance artistic, academic, and SEL skills such as self awareness, communication, and courage. Caron has worked in private and public schools, special education classrooms, detention centers, and gifted & talented programs. She tailors her classes to suit the needs of each school and class. She has worked as a Teaching Artist with non-profit organizations such as Teachers & Writers Collaborative, Enact Inc, Early Stages, and Creative Arts Team. Caron is familiar with the emerging national core standards; has created and taught programs on topics such as: bullying, gangs, peer pressure, dating, drop out prevention, nutrition, justice and more. She has developed an interactive storytelling method to teach early childhood literacy. She has taught solo, with a partner, and in collaboration with classroom teachers. Students have performed culminating projects at schools, and off site at John Jay College, The Apollo Theatre, and with John Tartaglia's award winning show, Imaginocean. Currently, Caron works as a facilitator of loss & bereavement groups for children with the Jewish Board in NYC.
Degrees & Always Learning...
Caron earned an LMSW from Hunter College, MFA in Creative Writing from The New School University, and has a BA from Tufts University. She studied acting at the Eugene O'Neill theatre center, the Moscow Art Theatre, and with Lenard Petit at the Michael Chekhov Acting Studio. Caron has been selected for and completed Arts Educator professional development programs with ATA & NYSAAE, Community Word Project, and Marquis Studio.
Professional Affiliations: Long time member of SCBWI.org
Recognitions:
Books: Ida Always is the recipient of a Christopher Award, Frostburg Univeristy Children's Literature Centre Award, the Sakura Medal (by students in international schools of Japan); Goodreads Choice Award Finalist; Cybils Award FInalist; Florida Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award nominee. Artwork for Ida, Always by Charles Santoso and Stop That Yawn! by LeUyen Pham were selected for the Society of Illustrator's Original Art Show. Stop That Yawn! is a Junior LIbrary Guild selection. Ida, Always, Stuck with the Blooz, and May I Have A Word? were BankStreet Books Best of the year selections.
Residencies: Jentel Arts Foundation, Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts.
Caron Levis
Part-time Lecturer
Email
levisc@newschool.edu
Office Location
A - 66 West 12th Street
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Caron Levis
Profile
Caron Levis is the author of the picture books Stop That Yawn! (Atheneum), May I Have A Word? (FSG), Stuck with the Blooz (HMH), and Ida, Always (Atheneum) which the New York Times Book Review calls, "an example of children's books at their best." Forthcoming titles include and Mama's Work Shoes (Abrams 2019). Short stories for teens and adults have been published by Fence Magazine, the New Guard Review, Persea Books; have been listed in the Best American Non-required Reading, nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and won her fellowships from the Jentel Artist Residency, New York Foundation of the Arts, and the Saltonstall Foundation. Short plays have been selected for the Estrogenius Festival, Samuel French OOB Festival, and adapted for film.
Caron is an adjunct professor and the coordinator for The New School's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program, where she earned her degree. She has an LMSW from Hunter College; after many years as an arts educator, Caron now loves using acting and writing to teach social, emotional, and literacy skills to students of all ages through her author workshops. Having trained in acting and dabbled in playwriting, Caron enjoys turning theatre techniques into writing tools through her workshop Act-Like-A-Writer.
Portfolio
Caron Levis Author Website
Current Courses
Childrens Literature Seminar
NWRG 5700, Fall 2022
Creative Thesis & Lit. Project
NWRG 5920, Fall 2022
Future Courses
Creative Thesis & Lit. Project
NWRG 5920, Spring 2023
Past Courses
Creative Thesis & Lit. Project
NWRG 5920, Spring 2022
TAKE THE NEXT
Caron A Levis
Adjunct Instructor
DIVISION OF APPLIED UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
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cl281@nyu.edu
ABOUT
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Caron Levis (MFA; LMSW) is the author of the picture books, Stop That Yawn! (Atheneum, 2018); May I Have A Word? (FSG), Stuck with the Blooz (HMH), and Ida, Always (Atheneum) which the New York Times Book Review calls, "an example of children's books at their best." Forthcoming titles include Mama's Shoes (Abrams 2019); This Way, Charlie (Abrams 2020.) Her stories for teens and adults have been published in magazines and anthologies; plays have been produced in her hometown of NYC and adapted for film. Caron teaches and is the coordinator for The New School's Writing for Children/YA MFA program, where she earned her degree; she has an LMSW from Hunter College. After many years as an arts educator, Caron now loves using acting and writing to teach social, emotional, and literacy skills to students of all ages through her author workshops. Having trained in acting and dabbled in playwriting, Caron also enjoys turning theatre techniques into writing tools for groan-ups through her workshop Act-Like-A-Writer and helping shy writers unearth their public speaking voices through Page-to-Stage.
Writing for Children & Adolescents
CWRG1-UC5280
Caron Levis
Other and Writer
English
New York: Metropolitan
PAL Member
Member Since: 2012
Caron Levis (MFA; LMSW) is the author of
several picture books including Mama’s Work Shoes (Abrams) illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton; Stop That
Yawn! (Atheneum) illustrated by LeUyen Pham; May I Have A Word? (FSG) illustrated by Andy Rash,
and the award winning Ida, Always (Atheneum) illustrated by Charles Santoso, which the New York Times called, “an example of children’s books at their
best.” A companion to Caron and Charles’ bear friendship book, This Way, Charlie (Abrams) arrives in Spring 2020. Caron currently teaches and
advises in The New School’s Writing for Children/YA MFA program, works as a
grief counselor, and sometimes officiates weddings. As a long time arts/SEL educator, Caron loves using drama and writing to explore social, emotional,
and literacy skills through her author workshops for kids and groan-ups. Visit her at www.caronlevis.com
Books create great conversations—
that’s why I love school visits!
Whether I’m working with kids, adults, or those of us who are somewhere in between, my aim is to encourage. I want students to have the courage to be curious, creative, passionate, decisive, flexible, and open to the world; the courage to claim ones body, voice, imagination, language, ideas, and emotions; the courage to speak out and to listen up; the courage to be vulnerable and to stand up for oneself, ones beliefs, and for others; the courage to pursue education, happiness, to find purpose, and be an active citizen. And on top of all that…learning stuff oughta be fun. I love exploring with new readers and writers, so be in touch.
Caron Levis felt like she was writing her first book at age two as she called out, “one pickle . . . cherry pie! . . . still hungry!” whenever her mom read Eric Carle’s THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR. At Tufts University she studied creative writing and acting and spent much of her time dressed up as pigs, blowfish, soup-cans, and Wild Things as part of a children’s theatre troupe. And so, when she declared that she wanted to write books for kiddos, everybody said, “duh!” Caron’s first picture book, STUCK WITH THE BLOOZ, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Fall 2012) was selected as one of Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. Her story “Permission Slip,” inspired by her work with teens, was listed in the Best American Non-required Reading 2010; published in Fence Magazine and FAKES, an anthology by W.W. Norton. Other stories have been published by the New Guard Review, Persea Books, nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and earned fellowships from the Saltonstall Foundation and the New York Foundation of the Arts. For over ten years, Caron has been using drama and creative writing to teach social/emotional, communication, and literacy skills to kids of all ages. Her upcoming picture books include IDA, ALWAYS, illustrated by Charles Santoso, (Atheneum, 2016), MAY I HAVE A WORD?, illustrated by Andy Rash (FSG, 2017), and STOP THAT YAWN!, illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Atheneum, 2018). She is the student advisor and an adjunct professor in the New School University’s Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults MFA program where she earned her degree. She lives in her hometown of New York City.
www.caronlevis.com
“This picture book has much to offer for young readers about life’s challenges and how we handle them.” — School Library Journal
Caron Levis is the author of the picture books, Stop That Yawn!, May I Have A Word?, Stuck with the Blooz, and Ida, Always, which the New York Times Book Review calls, “an example of children’s books at their best.” Her newest titles include Mama’s Work Shoes, and This Way, Charlie. Her stories for teens and adults have been published in magazines and anthologies and have been selected for the Estrogenius Festival and the Samuel French OOB Festival’s Final Forty. The film adaptation of Attendant won Best Short in Sunscreen Film Festival West (2018) and selected for the Garden State Film Festival. Caron is a professor at NYU and The New School’s Creative Writing MFA program where she is the advisor for the Children/YA concentration. Caron has an LMSW from Hunter College and faciliates young people’s loss and bereavement groups for The Jewish Board. After many years as an arts educator, Caron now loves using acting and writing to teach social, emotional, and literacy skills to students of all ages through her author workshops. Having trained in acting and dabbled in playwriting, Caron also enjoys turning theatre techniques into writing tools for groan-ups through her workshop Act-Like-A-Writer and helping shy writers unearth their public speaking voices through Page-to-Stage.
Feathers Together
Caron Levis, illus. by Charles Santoso. Abrams, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-4197-5458-6
The creators of Ida, Always center a fictional stork pair based on a devoted real-life avian duo. "Rain or shine, Klepetan and Malena explored every season together." Klepetan is cautious, while Malena exuberantly "jumped into it all with wings wide open." Preparing to undertake their long annual journey from Croatia to South Africa, Klepetan says, "Whatever the weather, we'll weather it," and the two vow, "Feathers together!" When Malena suffers a wing injury and can no longer fly, "a kind featherheaded man" constructs a ramp to the storks' nest. But it soon becomes clear that she can't migrate with Klepetan. How to bear the separation? Though they decide that "being apart will be a new part of our together," Klepetan isn't sure whether or how to enjoy life without her, and Malena feels anger about not being able to join him. But the two learn and change, and the whole village celebrates their annual reunion. Levis imbues Klepetan and Malena with believably conflicting emotions, while Santoso's graceful, naturalistic illustrations give the stork pair readable facial expressions that convey hurt, loss, confusion, and resolve. It's a moving, affirming story of commitment that withstands change. Ages 4-8.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Feathers Together." Publishers Weekly, vol. 269, no. 49, 23 Nov. 2022, p. 15. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A728493707/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=bd2b5c91. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
Levis, Caron FEATHERS TOGETHER Abrams (Children's None) $18.99 10, 4 ISBN: 978-1-4197-5458-6
Best friends must learn to enjoy life apart until they can be reunited.
Bonded stork pair Klepetan and Malena do everything together, Klepetan inspecting the world around him, and Malena enthusiastically jumping in, each taking turns to tell jokes and a bedtime story. But then Malena is injured. A "kind featherheaded man" cares for her, building the pair a nest on his roof and a ramp so Malena can access it. But when fall--and migration time--arrives, the pair decide that "Being apart will be a new part of our together." They exchange feathers (the title is their catchphrase), and the man helps them through their final awful day: "Friendship survives all kinds of goodbyes." Slowly, the two learn how to be apart and eventually start sending jokes and stories to the clouds and stars as they'd promised. The author draws out the tension in the most delicious way, readers rushing to the end so that the birds can be reunited, and likely there will be no dry eyes in the house when the duo are finally once again nestled next to one another, feathers together. The digital illustrations give marvelous personality to each stork, their every emotion evident and so relatable for readers. The man is light-skinned; the village he lives in is a diverse one. The author's note gives more info about the real-life birds who inspired the story and about other influences: families separated by immigration, military deployments, and the pandemic. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A touching true-life tale with much wisdom for people who face similar situations. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Levis, Caron: FEATHERS TOGETHER." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Aug. 2022, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A713722798/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=676695ca. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.
Caron Levis, illus. by Charles Santoso. Abrams, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-4197-5458-6
The creators of Ida. Always center a fictional stork pair based on a devoted real-life avian duo. "Rain or shine, Klepetan and Malena explored every season together." Klepetan is cautious, while Malena exuberantly "jumped into it all with wings wide open." Preparing to undertake their long annual journey from Croatia to South Africa, Klepetan says, "Whatever the weather, we'll weather it," and the two vow, "Feathers together!" When Malena suffers a wing injury and can no longer fly, "a kind featherheaded man" constructs a ramp to the storks' nest. But it soon becomes clear that she can't migrate with Klepetan. How to bear the separation? Though they decide that "being apart will be a new part of our together," Klepetan isn't sure whether or how to enjoy life without her, and Malena feels anger about not being able to join him. But the two learn and change, and the whole village celebrates their annual reunion. Levis imbues Klepetan and Malena with believably conflicting emotions, while Santoso's graceful, naturalistic illustrations give the stork pair readable facial expressions that convey hurt, loss, confusion, and resolve. It's a moving, affirming story of commitment that withstands change. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Emily Mitchell, Wernick & Pratt. Illustrator's agent: Justin Rucker. Shannon Assoc. (Oct.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Feathers Together." Publishers Weekly, vol. 269, no. 39, 19 Sept. 2022, p. 56. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A720470605/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7ade0d0a. Accessed 18 Dec. 2022.