Books

STARRED REVIEW, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: Gr 1-3–Many adults may be familiar with the term “Apgar Score,” but most children will be meeting Dr. Virginia Apgar, the anesthesiologist who invented the eponymous test, for the first time. Born at the turn of the 20th century, Apgar showed little interest in traditional girls’ pursuits: she was not quiet, she preferred sports over cooking, and she wore “all sorts of outfits,” including pants. Graduating near the top of her medical school class, Apgar became the second board-certified female anesthesiologist in the United States and used her training to develop a five-step newborn evaluation. Asked about her process, she outlined on the back of a scrap of paper what would become a global medical standard. Pearson uses Apgar’s determination and interests to endear her to readers, touching on her use of her sense of humor to relax and support new medical students, her passion for world travel, and other hobbies, such as hand-making string instruments. Carpenter’s illustrations capture Apgar’s energetic and playful spirit, showing a child and later, a woman, in near-constant motion. Back matter includes an author’s note, time line, and sources. End papers display an array of baby footprints. VERDICT With a focus on Apgar as a determined woman in the medical field, and an emphasis on her as a quirky individual, this book is an excellent choice for STEM/STEAM collections.–Rosemary Kiladitis

BOOKLIST: This appealing picture book introduces the life of Virginia Apgar. Born in New Jersey at the turn of the twentieth century, Apgar grew up playing sports with the boys in her neighborhood. She decided to become a doctor, an unusual choice for women at the time, and she specialized in anesthesiology, a new field. She excelled at her job and took on more responsibility as a teacher, an administrator, and ultimately as a champion for responding to the needs of newborn babies worldwide. Her simple method for quickly evaluating infant health immediately after birth changed delivery-room practices and continues to save lives. Today it’s known as the Apgar Score. Pearson opens the book by explaining society’s expectations for girls in the early 1900s. Her straightforward text portrays Apgar as an active, intelligent, and hardworking person, a view visually supported in Carpenter’s detailed, often absorbing illustrations. The artist does a particularly fine job of making Apgar instantly recognizable, even in a crowd scene, as she grows and changes throughout her life. An engaging picture-book biography.

“Lyrical and gentle text, with a bit of understated repetition, sets the scene; this work begs to be read aloud.” —School and Library Journal review

“I think your story, Stretch to the Sun, along with Susan Swan’s illustrations will be a captivating read for young minds. In addition to the story of the survival of the tallest tree, you’ve woven the basics of ecology in a coast redwood forest, including how the dominating ancient trees become vertical layers of habitat for both plants and animals.  The illustrations convey the deepness and intricacy of the ancient redwood forest.  For a young person, the book may spark an interest they carry throughout their lives.” —James Wheeler, 30 year Park Ranger/Interpreter, Redwood National and State Parks

“A richly illustrated story of an amazing tree, this is a great addition to STEM storytimes and outdoor investigations. Children will be eager to search for the animals hidden in the leafy art and the poetic text will make a good read-aloud for strong listeners.” —​Jennifer the Librarian, Jean Little Library, Verdict

“A cozy ‘tail’ compares the adaptations animals and humans have for surviving winter’s chill. Baby animals ask grown-ups how humans keep warm in the winter. The wide variety of animals portrayed ensures that most winter adaptations are covered, though camouflage is lacking. … Wald’s lifelike illustrations incorporate speech bubbles for the babies’ questions and include humorous imaginings of how humans would look with animals’ adaptations, e.g., a child with butterfly wings.” —Kirkus

“Eleven different animals are featured in this picture book which can be read as a stand-alone or as an introduction to a variety of science topics.  School librarians and teachers will enjoy the additional information presented in ‘For Creative Minds’ (backmatter) and, especially, the additional activities offered online through the publisher’s website. The teaching activities are cross-curricular and there are interactive quizzes available.”  —Sheila Acosta, Children’s Librarian, Cody Library, San Antonio, Texas

“Highly Recommended” —Review Library Media Connection

“…Budding naturalists will come away with a sense of the variety of ways wild animals living in temperate climates stay cool.” —Kirkus Reviews

“In this story, readers can compare themselves to animals and their methods of staying cool in the summer. Students will learn about painted turtles swimming in ponds, black-capped chickadees perching in the shade, and wood frogs digging in the dirt.” —Library Media Connection