Book Review: Gmorning, Gnight! little pep talks for me and you written by Lin Manuel Miranda, illustrated by Jonny Sun

 

Gmorning, Gnight!

little pep talks for me and you

written by Lin Manuel Miranda, illustrated by Jonny Sun

This is one of those little books you didn’t know you even wanted until you received it. I believe Miranda began writing these little pep talks to himself then sharing them with people on Twitter. They became so popular that he collected some into a book which was illustrated by Jonathan Sun.

It’s funny, how something that you know wasn’t even written for you, can be just what you needed to hear at the moment. Miranda has a knack for conveying comfort and motivation. 201 pages, with one page for morning and one for night, generally. I tried to read one pairing a day, to start the day and end it. Of course, there were times I would forget and go on my way, or feel too rushed to do so. But it was a delightful way to start and end the day.

The illustrations are done as simple line drawings that are usually quite lovely. The back cover shows a mug of coffee for morning and a cup of tea for evening. The cover has a bed that looks very cozy and an old-fashioned microphone. The spine even has a little sun and a little moon.

Unfortunately, some of the illustrations don’t really live up to the sayings, at least for me. There’s one that shows a pie of some kind but seems to have pizza toppings, like pepperoni and mushrooms. In the second drawing, it’s dripping something. Maybe it’s supposed to be cheese but it just looks gross to me. 

One of my favorite illustrations is a set of keys with a cloud for the key chain, with Miranda saying, “Gmorning. Check your pockets. Got your keys? *waits* Okay, let’s go!” On the next page, a line drawing of clouds hints at a car and Miranda says, “Gnight. Check your brain. Got your dreams ready? *waits* Okay, let’s go!”

Sun definitely has a talent for conveying something with a simple selection of thick lines, curving and/or straight, partially by combining known elements in an unusual pairing or setting. One shows someone putting socks on over their shoes and toothpaste on the wrong end of a brush.

Overall, the words and drawings are whimsical and delightful, conveying humor and motivating comfort. I loved receiving this as a gift, and I would highly recommend it as one.

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede

The Day the World Came to Town
by Jim DeFede

Most adults can tell you where they were when they saw or heard the news of the infamous day of September 11, 2001.  And the memory usually comes with a range of emotions including sadness and anger.

This book tells another story about that day, one that can bring a sense of healing and hope.

By 9:15 am on September 11, 2001, US airspace was declared closed.  All domestic airlines were required to land immediately at the nearest American airport.  All foreign airlines with US destinations were ordered to return to their countries of origin or to land in Canada.   This book is an account of how the people of Gander, Newfoundland, on the eastern coast of Canada (population: 10,000) generously opened their businesses, homes, and hearts to the 6,560 people (with a few animals, too) from around the world who descended upon the local airport during a time of great uncertainty, anger, and sadness.

The stories of the townspeople’s generosity and the response of the detoured guests are heartwarming.  My favorites include the respectful behavior of an executive of a high end clothing line who had to purchase underwear at Walmart.   And the Rabbi whose intuitive sense of purpose in this quiet place was validated by a visit with a local resident whose hidden past could now be shared.  And the man whose use of the local school’s computers to conduct a “little” business resulted in a large donation to the school. 

Soon after the last plane had left, the provincial government offered to fund a celebration for the townspeople, in honor of their service to the global community.  The townspeople declined, saying that they there was “no reason to throw a party just because they had helped a group of people who were in trouble…They did what they did for one reason only – it was the Newfie way.”

And what a wonderful way that is.

 Maryalice Little 14 October 2014