Southwest Books of the Year
Children's Picks 
Selected by Deb Bock
Dr. Bird to the Rescue: A Tale from the Desert
When Sammy, a young saguaro in Saguaro National Park, develops an illness, which desert dweller, if any, will be able to help? Clever, winsome characters created in watercolors by Kibsey add a light, lively, and humorous touch to this simple tale of a symbiotic relationship in nature. A more general lesson is implied – that despite differences, we can sometimes be of help to each other with our talents and resources. A handy guide helps the reader identify and learn more about what is pictured in this harsh and beautiful terrain.
Georgia’s Bones
This fictional account of famed artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s early life deftly incorporates some of her inspiration and sensibilities. Author Bryant achieves a pleasing, lyrical quality through her gentle rhyming and phrasing, and illustrator Andersen accompanies this with illustrations that aptly capture a few of the significant places and objects in the young artist’s life. Andersen’s soft colors and contours evoke O’Keeffe’s work without being derivative. Obviously not meant to be a biography, this book, coupled with examples of the artist’s work, could serve as a good read-aloud to generate an appreciation of art among young children, and a discussion of influences on artists.
Phoebe and Chub
Endearingly rendered animal characters that inhabit Grand Canyon terrain reveal three simple, yet thoughtful, “rules” in life. Illustrator Aldridge captures a vibrant, joyful appeal in depicting Phoebe (a tree frog), Chub (a fish), and their friends as they celebrate a birthday. Many of these animals are endangered, and an author’s note encourages the reader to learn more about them.
Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood
The author’s authentic, vivid, and often humorous recollections of life on the Navajo reservation, and at the Phoenix Indian Boarding School in the early 1900s transport the reader into experiences far different from contemporary life. Striking black-and-white photographs by Native American photographer, Richela Renkun, add a somewhat realistic feel. A saguaro and cholla studded landscape photo in a chapter set on the Navajo reservation is a slight incongruity. Adults may find these glimpses more charming than older kids, but for any age, Ednah’s honest tales are instructive, touching, and funny.
Who Pooped in the Park? Grand Canyon National Park
Don’t be put off by the title of this highly informative series! Animals aren’t always seen in the wild, but they leave telltale signs of their presence such as footprints (tracks) and poop (scat), as this story set in Grand Canyon National Park aptly instructs. Young Michael, teased by his sister about lurking mountain lions, overcomes his wild animal fears as his family hikes and attentively focuses on identifying the marks of rabbits, deer, javelinas, coyotes, bats, owls, ringtails, bobcats and yes, even mountain lions. Simply rendered, colored pencil sketches add a naturalist’s touch.
About Deb Bock