Almond

by Allen Say

Everything changes for Almond Biggs when a new girl comes to school. The New Girl can play "The Flight of the Bumblebee" fast fast fast on her violin. And every day Almond sits and listens. Lost in the music, Almond wonders if she has her own unique gift. One special day, as Almond is watching the crows, circling and twirling in the wind, she realizes that she too can spread her wings and discovers the magic to being happy inside and out.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Self Esteem, Fiction, Cultural, Juvenile, Music

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2020

About the author

Allen Say is one of the most beloved artists working today. He is the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for GRANDFATHER'S JOURNEY, and also won a Caldecott Honor and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for THE BOY OF THE THREE-YEAR NAP (written by Dianne Snyder). Many of Allen’s stories are derived from his own experiences as a child. His other books include THE BICYCLE MAN, TEA WITH MILK, and TREE OF CRANES, hailed by The Horn Book in a starred review as “the achievement of a master in his prime.” Allen’s recent book, ERIKA-SAN, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almond by Allen Say PICTURE BOOK Scholastic Press, 2020, $19. 9781338300390

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Almond wishes she had talent like the new girl at school. The new girl can play the violin beautifully! Almond's mother tells her she will find her talent. Her teacher wants her to play Rapunzel in the class play - Almond thinks it's just because she has beautiful hair - how can hair be your talent? But when the new girl complements Almond and wishes they could be friends, Almond thinks she knows her talent!

Allen Say's illustrations are stunning - a mix of photographs, charcoal and paint, but I didn't like the story. It didn't flow well, I get that it's a story about discovering who you are, but the text doesn't deliver.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doubt is something that plagues most people, especially when they’re young. Almond hears this gifted classmate play brilliantly on the violin and wonders what her talent is for all she has ever been told is that she has beautiful hair. Before she is even asked to be in a school play about Rapunzel, and to star in that role, this story seems to echo it. The idea that all Almond seems to hear about herself is outward acknowledgement of how she looks. “You hair is beautiful” - as if she is a princess in a fairy tale with nothing else needed.

There is a sweet moment between Almond and her mother when she asks what her talent is. Her mother says she wanted to make pottery, but had Almond instead so Almond questions: am I your talent, then? Her mother says, “yes.”

Almond finds her talent - her ability to pretend (acting) and use creativity and imagination to assume new roles. It is a delightful tale of acknowledgement to young children that doubt is okay and that they will eventually find their way.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who's followed my picture book reviews for awhile will know that Allen Say is one of my favorite author-illustrators. I have read all of his books that I can find, and we've loved most of them, and liked (loved less) just a few, didn't like maybe one. He mostly writes about the Japanese (or Asian) American experience, usually through the eyes of a child. His memoirs are fascinating.

Almond is a beautiful story about a girl learning to find her talent, what makes her special and unique, what makes her stand out on her own, besides her hair. She learns not to compare herself with another girl who has a different talent. The pictures are still beautiful (most of them at least, some we didn't care for as much). Once again, Allen Say delivers a book with a powerful message that children need to hear. It's not our favorite, but it's still very good.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Almond is a beautiful conceptual children’s picture book geared toward 4-7 year olds. The illustrations are gorgeous, utilizing charcoal pencil, pastel paints, and imposition of photographs into these drawings making the illustrations look extremely realistic. There is also a very distinct color story used to depict mood—when Almond is unsure of herself or thinks she is talentless her illustration is a minimalistic charcoal black and white drawing; Almond is completely in pastel paints when she acting like Rapunzel; The New Girl at Almond’s school is painted in multi-colored pastels with imposed photographs but with a blurry face since Almond knows nothing about her other than that she is talented; Almond when she is happy to be pretending or being who she really is utilizes all 3 mediums. This story addresses the issue of feeling at home with who you are and being happy for others who are talented in other ways than we are. The storyline completes hinges on the illustrations for its depth, and its meaning could be lost on younger children or those who do not look at the illustrations closely.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is always the case with Allen Say's books, the illustrations are evocative and engaging. The story is one seldom addressed in such a gentle, direct way. Almond's view of the world, especially the very talented new girl, is that she is lesser, lacking somehow.
As her mother tells her she IS her talent, her teacher casts her in an acting role becasue she is so expressive, she continues to dismiss and diminish her own talent in contrast to the new girls' violin virtuosity. Even when the new friend assures her that she is wonderful at pretending, Almod doubts herself. As she finally releases her imagination while watching the sky-dance of crows, Almond begins to accept that talents are different and she begins to accept herself.
It's a lovely story and one that will be welcome by many insecure young people.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almond wishes she had talent like the new girl at school. The new girl can play the violin beautifully! Almond's mother tells her she will find her talent. Her teacher wants her to play Rapunzel in the class play - Almond thinks it's just because she has beautiful hair - how can hair be your talent? But when the new girl complements Almond and wishes they could be friends, Almond thinks she knows her talent!

Allen Say's illustrations are stunning - a mix of photographs, charcoal and paint, but I didn't like the story. It didn't flow well, I get that it's a story about discovering who you are, but the text doesn't deliver.

For this and more of my reviews visit http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, but the story is short on substance and resolves too quickly. I think that this could have made a great chapter book, because the girl's search for a talent is a relatable theme, but the peer violin player that she admires comes and goes too quickly, without any direct role in the story, and there was no room for character development or true growth over time. The story simply isn't suited to a picture book format, and thus seems abrupt and strange.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soft illustrations and gentle text tell the story of a young girl figuring out who she is and what her special talents are. Empowerment and belief in yourself as well as others believing in you.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the more unique stories I have read. I find this story is difficult to even explain.

The whole thing is a mood that moves through you. The artwork, the story, all work toward this goal. It's a melon collie mood.

There is a new girl in school who has a great talent playing the violin. It makes Almond despair that she has no talent. She only has beautiful hair.

There is a beautiful line the mother gives. Almond asks her mother was her talent was. Her mother says, I used to love pottery, but then I had you . Almond says, then I'm your talent. I thought that was a great thought.

It's not a story you love, but the emotion that runs through you reading this is amazing. What a work of art. Allen Say comes through again. A beautiful book. I'm not sure most kids can appreciate this, but I'm glad it's here anyway.

[Ana Fogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely feel that many individuals misinterpret the meaning of Almond by Allen Say. At first glance, the story can seem choppy and like it has no flow, but you really have to pay attention to each individual piece of the story to put them together and make sense of it. The story is meant to make you think and learn. The illustrations are beautifully done and go well with the story. I don't think that many young children would be engaged with the illustrations, but they could potentially find themselves within the story - trying to figure out who they are and what they're good at. I encourage readers to take another chance on the story and read it again if they didn't like it the first time!

[Cheryl A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almond discovers that she is more than her beautiful hair, the only thing people seem to notice about her. We all need someone like the New Girl to help us find that out, and to help us figure out our talent.

(Interesting name for a child. An homage to David Almond? Or is it just that Say wanted an interesting name and this is what came up?)

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. The story is of a child who is insecure about her abilities, especially in comparison with a talented new girl in her school.
Despite the art work and the important theme, the book will need to be sold to elementary readers by adults who promote its qualities and explain its message.

[Bright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this book 3 stars because the artistry is magnificent! I know a girl who looks a lot like Almond. The drawings are so real!
On one page there are three pictures/ charcoal drawings of Almond, each with a different expression as she thinks through the idea of being in a play.

Worth a look-see for the drawings.

[Deb]

Beautiful portraits. Nice idea about finding/appreciating/developing your talent. I'm not sure message is as strong when someone else is telling it to the main character instead of her deciding it herself.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet book to read and discuss. Almond is so impressed by the new girl at school who can play the Bumblebee on her violin so fast, but doubts that she herself has any talent. Her teacher and mother help her to find her own talent. It is beautifully illustrated.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almond is the story of a young girl who feels overshadowed by a new girl at school who is a violin prodigy. This is the story of how Almond overcame her discomfort and discovered her own super power. Illustrations appear to be chalk-like, some super-imposed over photographs.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. While the story was good it lacked flow. I was left with questions.

This however could be a wonderful book to read to one or many children, and then ask them questions about the unanswered parts of the story.

[Kaitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - a little too disjointed, and the way the illustrations were paired with the text doesn't help the flow of the story at all

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find yourself - good SEL title

I received this galley at ALA Midwinter.

[Brenda Kahn]

Though absolutely beautifully illustrated, this was a bit of a miss for me. Too many gaps in the story.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say tackles doubt and anxiety in a striking study of one girl's reaction to a talented new classmate. The expressions are amazing.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received an ARC of this book at ALA Midwinter 2020.

[Melanie Borski-Howard]

GREAT illustrations. Seems to be a blend of mixed media: photos, drawings and portrait sketches.
A nice story about finding your talent.
No CLEL-

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Allen Say's work, but this is not my favorite of his picture books. Still, nice enough story.

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a great story about figuring out who you are

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations and mix of photos. Story was a little hard to grasp and understand. It could be interpreted in various ways based on the reader.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almond discovers who she wants to be

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quiet and nice and I love the illustrations.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary and up picture book about two girls in a school exploring their talents and one worrying she has no talent.