Bayberry Island (Brambleheart #2) by Henry Cole

Twig, Lily, and Basil have set sail in search of Char’s family. Their voyage takes them out to sea where a terrible storm destroys their vessel. However, a friendly sea turtle transports the bedraggled group to a small island. Soon after their landing, the friends encounter several of Char’s siblings but still no mother dragon in sight. Before Twig and Lily can go search for her, Basil betrays his friends by leading his Uncle Burdock to the group.

This sequel to Cole’s Brambleheart is a light-hearted adventure great for young readers. Cole’s graphite illustrations continue to set a lively pace for Twig’s follies and successes. In this story, Twig gains some much needed confidence because his friends are looking to him for direction and leadership. However, when Burdock arrives, Twig retreats within himself, due to his hurtful history with Burdock. It is only when Char and his siblings are kidnapped and Lily is threatened that Twig rallies his confidence to face Burdock head on. Luckily, Twig gets a huge boost with a humongous mother dragon by his side. A sweet and satisfying end to Cole’s Brambleheart duology.

Brambleheart by Henry Cole

The young chipmunk, Twig, feels like an outsider in the woodland community of the Hill. This is because Twig doesn’t feel confident in the crafts he is taught at school. In the Hill, craft mastery determines a creature’s social standing. After a disastrous day, Twig runs away to escape his problems. However, he runs across a new problem: a newborn dragon. Seeing no mother dragon, Twig adopts the baby and returns home to secretly care for it. Twig enlists his best friend, Lily, to care for the baby dragon and together they call it Char. But how long can Twig and Lily keep Char a secret from the Hill?

Cole’s Brambleheart is a Pete’s Dragon story downsized to a forest-floor adventure. Cole’s expressive graphite illustrations help readers to tag right alongside Twig as he stumbles with his choices and succeeds in protecting Char. Twig believes he is worthless in the Hill community. It seems Twig is only good at imagining life outside of the Hill. When Twig finds Char, Twig’s imagination is ignited by Char’s abilities. However, when Char’s health declines, Twig realizes he has put Char’s life in danger just to improve his social standing. Pushing aside the judgments of the Hill, Twig relies on the power of close-knit friendships to save Char’s life. A fun and fast-paced woodland adventure ideal for young readers ages 8 and up.

Spot, the Cat by Henry Cole

A boy’s cat, Spot, gets distracted by the world outside and goes on a journey to see the city for himself. When the boy realizes Spot is missing, he feverishly searches the busy metropolis for his beloved cat. But several near misses keep the two from reuniting until Spot returns home.

Cole’s intricately detailed wordless picture book is a feast for the eyes. His pen and ink illustrations bring a city to life as a boy and his cat navigate their way back to each other. Their tale begins with readers viewing an intimate, relaxing day at home. But Spot is drawn into the huge wide world and he must satisfy his curiosity. Once Spot leaves the apartment, Cole pulls his illustration perspective back so readers become pedestrians searching for Spot and helping the boy. When all hope seems lost, readers are zoomed into the boy’s perspective again to observe his loving reunion with Spot. More heartfelt and story-driven than any Where’s Waldo book, Spot, the Cat is a story readers of all ages can relish over and over again. 

The Somewhat True Adventures of Sammy Shine by Henry Cole

Jimmy has built a flight-ready, small aircraft, and he’s itching for a test pilot. So, he steals Hanks’ pet mouse, Sammy Shine. But the launch goes awry when Jimmy accidentally destroys the plane’s remote. Sammy takes over the controls, but he eventually crashes inside the wild Great Woods. Once there, Sammy meets a mouse clan and their friendly leader, Osmund. Osmund believes Sammy is magical because of his airplane, but warns that Mustela, the evil weasel, will want it to take over the woods. When Sammy’s aircraft disappears and Mustela isn’t to blame, Sammy searches for Goggles, an old and wise raccoon, for advice.

Cole’s wildly imaginative novel is a perfect mix of such classic stories as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, The Great Christmas Kidnapping Caper, and The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Sammy loves his reclusive, relaxing life as Hank’s pet. But when Jimmy launches Sammy in the plane, Jimmy also initiates Sammy’s confidence, intelligence, and courage while facing the unknown world. From that point on, Sammy tries to jumpstart the confidence of others by acknowledging their strengths and accepting them for who they are. Supporting his light-hearted read, Cole weaves in several graphite illustrations throughout the book to bring personality to his characters and life to his setting. Each chapter beginning includes a unique drawing that foreshadows Sammy’s adventures. With Cole’s well-written story and his fun illustrations, The Somewhat True Adventures of Sammy Shine has potential to become another classic in children’s literature.

Livingstone Mouse by Pamela Duncan Edwards, illustrated by Henry Cole

Livingstone is an adventurous mouse. So when he is told to seek his own nest, Livingstone wants to pick the greatest place on earth to establish his new life. He asks his mother where he should go. She tells Livingstone to go find China. With his destination in place, Livingstone sets out on an unpredictable journey seeking a place to call home.

Livingstone Mouse is a  fun, surprising read with a great twist. At it's core, the story is about what to do when dealing with a major decision or change. For Livingstone, his courageous attitude helps him complete his life's journey because he takes chances, works hard, makes mistakes, keeps positive, seeks advice, and looks in unpredictable places for answers. Supporting the story, Cole's lively illustrations transform small, ordinary spaces into a vast, earthy, and unexplored world. If readers enjoyed reading about Livingstone's adventures in this book then check out the sequel, Bravo, Livingstone Mouse!, also created by Edwards and Cole.

Introducing Henry Cole

For the past month, I have been enjoying the fruits of Henry Cole's labor! Wow, what an amazing collection that exhibits Henry's talents of writing and illustration.

I met Henry at the Warrensburg Children Literature Festival in 2011. But he's been a family friend since 2006, when he came to Iola's Young Authors' Celebration with Pamela Duncan Edwards.

Here's a little bit about Henry and his life:

Henry Cole was born in Virginia and lived on a diary farm. There were four things Henry loved when he was a child: his family, drawing, nature/wildlife, and school. His gift of drawing was nurtured by his mother, who was herself a fashion illustrator. He had many amazing misadventures on the farm, thanks to his brother, Jimmy. Somehow he survived and left home to go into Forestry at Virginia Polytechnic and State University.

His love of nature led him to become an elementary science teacher. But he kept up his artistic skills by illustrating many of his teaching aids for himself and other teachers.

When authors or illustrators would come visit his school, he thought seriously about changing careers to become an illustrator. Working together with the school librarian, Pamela Duncan Edwards, they created the book Some Smug Slug that was published in 1996.

Since this time, Henry has taken off in his career to both illustrate and write his own books like Trudy, Unspoken, and his first chapter book, Nest for Celeste.

Check out Henry's books at your local library!

The Littlest Evergreen by Henry Cole

An evergreen tree recounts its long, surprising life. This evergreen started as the smallest sprout. Its determination to live helps the evergreen's roots spread deep and flourish on a peaceful hillside. But when autumn comes, the littlest evergreen is uprooted and sent to be sold as a Christmas tree. But when a family sees the evergreen, it's up to them whether to give this little tree a second chance at life.

Even though this book is packaged like a Christmas tale, it's far from a holiday story. The Littlest Evergreen is a sentimental book about finding second chances in the most unlikely of places. Even though the littlest evergreen is taken away from its home, it doesn't mean the evergreen's life is at an end. Only through a considerate family is the littlest evergreen given a second chance at a new life in a new home. A sweet, heartfelt book great for all ages. 

I Took a Walk by Henry Cole

Leaving home, a boy goes for a long walk through the woods, into a meadow, by a stream, and near a pond. He stops at each place and quietly sits. As he silently views his surroundings, the boy lists all the wildlife and insects he sees living in each of the four habitats. Once he leaves a location, he wonders which animals are watching him.

Cole's I Took A Walk is a series of lushly detailed snap shots of the natural world. In each of his acrylic illustrations, Cole portrays the boy's world teeming with creatures and plants. In many ways, this is an "I Spy" story where readers find the animals, insects, and foliage the boy sees at each of his stops. At the end of the book, Cole provides pictorial keys to help readers identify each of the items on the boy's lists. Cole suggests readers can get their own taste of nature if they will quietly look and listen in the environments surrounding them. A great book for young readers enthusiastic about nature.

On Meadowview Street by Henry Cole

Caroline just moved into her new home on Meadowview Street. While exploring her yard, Caroline notices a lone wildflower. She tells her dad to spare the flower as he mows the grass. He agrees but then Caroline notices even more wildflowers. With string and sticks in hand, Caroline creates her own wildflower preserve. Soon the yard is overtaken by wildflowers and the mower is put up for sale.

On Meadowview Street is a thoughtful story about the power readers have on transforming their environment. When Caroline moves to Meadowview Street, she wonders where the actual meadow is located. No meadow is found, until she keenly observes the signs of one in her yard. Through her care, determination, insight, and parental support, Caroline brings the meadow back to Meadowview Street. In Cole's acrylic illustrations, he starts off the book showing the banal setting of the cookie-cutter neighborhood with plain, white houses and stark green grass. But as Caroline saves the wildflowers, more colors and details enter the illustrations. But the end of the story, Caroline’s yard is an intricately illustrated pastoral scene. A story all should read who love and appreciate nature.

Nelly May Has Her Say by Cynthia DeFelice, illustrated by Henry Cole

Nelly May is the oldest child of her large, poor family. She leaves home seeking employment from Lord Ignasius Pinkwinkle. Lord Pinkwinkle will hire Nelly May if she can remember all his special names for things around the house. After a very confusing tour of his home, Nelly May agrees to Lord Pinkwinkle’s conditions and memorizes his nonsense words.  

DeFelice based Nelly May Has Her Say on an old English folktale called “Master of All Masters”. But DeFelice has made it her own story in three distinct ways. First, she tells the story from Nelly May’s perspective by explaining why Nelly May was seeking employment. Second, DeFelice creates her own hilarious, tongue-twisting terminology used by Lord Pinkwinkle. Finally, she adds a charming, happy ending where Nelly May and Lord Pinkwinkle resolve their problems. Cole’s quirky and colorful illustrations support the humor of DeFelice’s tongue-tied tale. Cole portrays Nelly May as a small, spunky red-head whose expressions show she has the intelligence to change Lord Pinkwinkle’s odd ways. Nelly May Has Her Say is a great resource for teaching about folktales from around the world.  

Big Bug by Henry Cole

This simple book about scale starts off with a close-up of a ladybug. But as the pictures zoom out, that "big bug" isn't so large when compared to the leaf its on, the dog looking at it, or the sky overhead.

In fewer than fifty words, Cole's quaint picture book teaches about perspective and size-comparisons. With Cole's detailed illustrations, readers see life from the viewpoint of a ladybug, dog, cow, and bird. But the story is well contained because its centered around the farm where these creatures reside. A fun resource for teachers, librarians, and parents to show the different levels of life surrounding young readers.

Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Henry Cole

Tucker's Farm is a quiet place with very few visitors coming to buy produce, milk, or eggs. However, everything changes when a peacock unexpectedly arrives. At first the peacock doesn't know where to go, so he settles on strutting next to the road. His flashy feathers and screeching voice attracts new customers to Tucker's Farm. With business doing well, everyone is happy except the hens. The hens think the peacock is useless since he doesn't lay any eggs. So after hearing their complaints, the old dog suggests the peacock and hens switch jobs for the day.

Three Hens and a Peacock is a story about not judging someone because they play a different part than others. When the hens and the peacock fulfill their intended duties, the farmer has eggs to sell and a the peacock attracts customers to buy them. But when the roles switch, nothing is accomplished. This experience helps both the hens and peacock to better appreciate the other. But along with the thoughtful story, this book is richly comical thanks to Cole's watercolor, ink, and colored pencil illustrations. The exaggerated expressions Cole captures on the farm animals are hilarious. Any age group would enjoy this witty but contemplative tale.  

Trudy by Henry Cole

Esme is searching for the perfect animal to live on her grandparents' farm. After viewing several unsatisfactory candidates at the county auction, Esme spots Trudy--a brown and white goat. Immediately, a deal is struck and Trudy is taken to home with Esme. Together the two form a close, loving bond. Because of that bond, Esme notices an odd pattern in Trudy's behavior. Whenever snow is predicted, Trudy goes inside her small barn. News spreads about the weather-predicting goat and people come to see Trudy in action.

Cole's book is a sweet story showing the loving ties between humans and animals. Readers can relate to Esme's dilemma of finding just the right pet. For some its a dog, cat, or bird, but for Esme, its a sweet-mannered goat. Once Esme sees Trudy at the auction, it's friendship for life. Then when Esme gives Trudy her time and tenderness, Trudy rewards Esme with accurate weather predictions and another goat to love. Cole's illustrations, done in acrylic paint, add to the sentimentality of the story with his use of warm, bright colors. Trudy is a treat for all ages.

Prairie Chicken Little by Jackie Mims Hopkins, illustrations by Henry Cole

While out on the plains, Mary McBlicken the prairie chicken hears the sounds of what she thinks is an oncoming stampede. She immediately rushes to warn two of her friends, Cowboy Stan and Red Dog Dan. Along her way, Mary runs into several other creatures and they ask about her dilemma. She warns them of the potential stampede and they, in turn, join Mary’s warning party. But a bigger problem comes to Mary’s group when the overly eager coyote, Slim Brody, shows them his personal shortcut to Stan and Dan, by way of his den.

Hopkins story is a witty and fun re-imagining of Chicken Little. In her twist of the well-known tale, Hopkins sets the stage on the Great Plains highlighting several animals found in that region: bison, prairie chickens, meadowlarks, jack rabbits, prairie dogs, and coyotes. In Cole’s watercolor, colored pencil, and ink illustrations, Cole gives the book’s characters added spunk, personality, and quirkiness, which amps up the story’s humor. But in Cole’s backgrounds, he adds in bugs, plants, and flowers also found in the Heartland region. For these reasons, Prairie Chicken Little can be a excellent resource for introducing children to the Great Plains.

A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole

Celeste is a small mouse living under the floorboards of a Southern plantation. While making her way through the house, Celeste is both captured and saved by one of the plantation's new houseguests, Joseph. Joseph is the teenage apprentice to wildlife artist, John James Audubon. Within the safety of his room, Joseph confides to Celeste about Audubon's maltreatment of animals and his perfectionism. But with Celeste nestled in his shirt pocket, Joseph gains the confidence he needs to aid in Audubon's revolutionary work.

A Nest for Celeste is a serious and thought-provoking piece of literature. Readers are introduced to the hardworking, courageous protagonist, Celeste. Celeste's life is constantly in danger, which paints an authentic picture of a mouse's life. From her perilous perspective, readers meet the real John James Audubon. Even though the story is fictional, the details of Joseph and Audubon's life are based on true events. Cole's breath-taking, graphite illustrations bring added suspense and clarity to the novel. Fans of such books as The Tale of Despereaux or Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH would enjoy Cole's first chapter book.

Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole

Along the road home, a young girl watches several Confederate soldiers pass her by. Once back at her farmstead, the girl begins her chores, one of which is to fetch food from the larder. As she gathers food, the girl senses someone hiding behind the recently harvested corn. Frightened, the girl runs away. That night, however, the girl cannot stop thinking about the stranger’s needs. Later she returns offering both food and friendship. As the days pass, the girl continues to safeguard her secret visitor.

Unspoken is a masterpiece in children’s literature. This book without words speaks volumes thanks to Cole’s mesmerizing graphite illustrations. From the first page, readers are instantly transported into the Civil War period, walking along the road with the young girl. Life seems monotonous to the girl until she meets the stranger. Then the girl begins her own silent rebellion against slavery. If the girl reveals what she is doing, a precious life may be lost. So calmly and patiently she takes care of the person that destiny put in her way. In Cole’s author note, he talks of wanting to write a Civil War story. But unlike most Civil War books, Unspoken is a quiet tale showcasing the humble courage exhibited by many unacknowledged people.