7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #668: Featuring Lucy Ruth Cummins
December 8th, 2019 by jules
Jean Reidy’s Truman (Atheneum), illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, was released back in July. I reviewed this one for the Horn Book, and I see that the author has posted the review here online. So, if you’re curious to read more about this picture book (which I recommend, as it’s such a good book), you can head there to read that.
This is a book that has been met with a whole host of (well-deserved) glowing reviews. Many people, myself included, seem to have fallen in love with Truman and Sarah this year. It’s a book that respects the courage necessary for children on the first day of school. And tortoises too.
I’ve some of Lucy’s spreads from the book to share here at 7-Imp today. Enjoy!
He was peaceful and pensive, just like his Sarah.”
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‘Be brave.’ Then she left.”
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number 11 bus going south. The bus roared away.”
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TRUMAN. Text copyright © 2019 by Jean Reidy. Illustrations copyright © 2019 by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Illustrations reproduced by permission of the publisher, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, New York.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
1) Gathering with friends.
2) Trying out new Christmas cookie recipes.
3) Watchmen continues to blow my mind.
4) After I heard the news this week about the death of author Andrew Clements, I watched this video interview with him and love when he says: “Reading aloud is a wonderful way to express love to kids.” Yes yes yessity yes.
5) Re-watching Pete Holmes’s Dirty Clean. So funny.
6) Serafina Pekkala (my favorite) made an appearance in last week’s episode of His Dark Materials!
7) Sam Phillips’s new Christmas album consists of songs mostly in the minor key. This album gets me. She even makes ‘Jingle Bells’ (with her additional lyrics) the cool side of satin.
What are YOUR kicks this week?
I love this book, Jules. I am so happy you feature it here today. I have been doing a Mock Caldecott activity for almost 20 years but for the last eight with another educator, Katherine Sokolowski. Truman is on our list.
I cried when I learned about Andrew Clements. And the interview is priceless. I still don’t have my tree up yet, but Christmas cookie recipes sound delicious. I found a couple of my Mom’s old recipes recently. I am going to do at least one of them.
My kicks:
1. I never watched Downton Abbey until this week. I binged season one and two in two days. On Monday I started at noon and kept watching until 4am Tuesday. I have now watched seasons 3 and 4 with 5 and 6 up next.
2. Walking through shops looking at all the holiday gifts and decorations.
3. Visiting my favorite indie book shop, McLean and Eakin.
4. Snow
5. Sunshine
6. New wind chimes singing in the wind
7. Walks with my Mulan
Have a wonderful week, everyone.
Hooray for Sarah and Truman. I will look for it at Powells this morning.
Jules, Christmas decorations, a tree, cookies and friends are terrific kicks!
Margery, snow, favorite indie bookstore and Mulan, the best.
My kicks:
1. Going to Powell’s Books this morning.
2. Followed by the Holiday Cheer at the Oregon Historical Society to shop for more books.
3. Coffee with a friend.
4. Getting the Christmas decorations out.
5. The love and support for my niece has been overwhelming. She reached her GFM goal.
6. A Downy woodpecker at the suet.
7. Poetry teaching with third graders.
Good morning, Imps! Hello, Lucy Ruth Cummins and Truman and Sarah!
Jules: Say hello to Serafina for me.
Margie and Jules: Enjoy the cookies.
Margie: Enjoy the walks and the sunshine, too!
Jone: Yay for books! Hello to the poets and the birds and the relatives.
My kicks:
1) Input
2) Improvising
3) Laughter
4) Instantly comfortable
5) Food
6) Music
7) Friends
Truman looks delightful!
Jules – thanks for sharing the Christmas music, I’ll have to add it to the Christmas playlist. Serafina Pekkala is one of my faves too! (Iorek is on that list as well – who doesn’t want an armored bear as a friend?) Watchmen is incredible.
Margie – envious of your snow. Happy bingeing! Hi to Mulan!
Jone – have fun at Powell’s! So happy your niece met her fundraising goal.
Little Willow – love all your kicks, but 2-7 in order sounds like a perfect day/night. Laughter with friends, food, music where you feel instantly comfortable is simply the best.
My kicks this week;
1) Bittersweet ending to 20 months working with 1 young client. Not a total loss at trial, and ultimately great outcome overall with minimal negative impact, but was hoping for no further negative impact on client’s life.
2) Issues for appeal! (Always balm to a trial lawyers soul after any loss.)
3) Daisy being adorable once I was home again after intense work week.
4) Shopping local, and while doing so, getting to meet one of client’s parents and being able to tell them they have a great kid.
5) Having a cozy evening in with takeout and movies.
6) Christmas shopping!
7) Getting ready for Christmas cookie baking!
7.5) Making plans for a Christmas with family visiting – very much looking forward to having a full house.
Have a great week Imps!
Margie, happy cookie-baking! Also, if you’re so inclined to share your mock results over at Calling Caldecott, we’d LOVE to hear them (but no pressure): https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=we-want-to-hear-your-mock-caldecott-results. … I love all those kicks.
Jone, my best to Hannah. I just left a donation. Not much, but I hope every little bit helps. … I love your kicks. You all always have the best nature’y and bookstore’y kicks, all of you.
Little Willow: Instantly comfortable! I love it. Daily life goals!
Rachel: Hell yes to Iorek. I love your first and fourth kicks. I always like to hear about your work. So cool that you’ll have family over and be the happy hostess.
Have a good week, you all!
Rachel: Sending good vibes to your client, and to you. Hi Daisy!
Jules and Rachel: Feeling comfortable is awesome.