Title: SEA BEAR: A Journey for Survival Written & illustrated by: Lindsay Moore Harper Collins/Greenwillow Books, 2019, fiction For ages: 4-8 Themes/topics: polar bears, journeys, patience, survival, climate change First spread: Polar bears are patient beasts, as patient as glaciers. We know how to hope and how to wait. I learned to be patient long ago…
Title: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, KING BABY: A Terrible True Story Written by: Sally Lloyd-Jones Illustrated by: David Roberts Candlewick Press, 2017, fiction For ages (according to the publisher): 4-7 Themes/topics: siblings, families, babies First spread: Once upon a time, there was a Happy Family: a mom, a dad, a gerbil, and the most beautifulest, cleverest, ever-so-kindest…
Title: A BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR Written and illustrated by: Grace Lin Little, Brown and Company, 2018, fiction For ages: 3-7 Themes/topics: moon phases, family, bedtime First spread: Little Star’s mama laid the Big Mooncake onto the night sky to cool. “No, Little Star,” Mama said, “your Mooncake took us a long time to bake,…
Title: Penguinaut! Written by: Marcie Colleen Illustrated by: Emma Yarlett Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2018, fiction For ages: 3-7 Themes/topics: friendship, adventure, independence, persistence First two spreads: Orville was small. His friends were BIG. Summary (from the publisher): Orville lives at the zoo, surrounded by animal pals who go on exciting adventures. A hang gliding rhino! A…
Title: the lost words: A Spell Book Written by: Robert Macfarlane Illustrated by: Jackie Morris Hamish Hamilton (Penguin), 2017, fiction For ages: 8 and up Themes/topics: poetry, words, nature, conservation, spells First page: Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children. They disappeared so quietly that at first almost no one…
This week for Perfect Picture Book Friday I’m featuring the deceptively simple THE FRIEND SHIP. Title: The Friend Ship Written by: Kat Yeh Illustrated by: Chuck Groenink Disney Hyperion, 2016, fiction For ages: 3 and up Themes/topics: friendship, hedgehogs, ships, adventure/quest First spread: Hedgehog was curled up in a prickly little ball in the lonely nook…
This week for Perfect Picture Book Friday, I’m featuring the lovely and lyrical HELLO LIGHTHOUSE. Title: Hello Lighthouse Written and illustrated by: Sophie Blackall Little, Brown and Company, 2018, fiction For ages: 4 and up Themes/topics: lighthouses, family life, nostalgia First spread: On the highest rock of a tiny island at the edge of the world…
After a summer hiatus, I’m happy to be back to Perfect Picture Book Friday. I found this week’s story – or it found me – at Grassroots Bookstore. The title, A House That Once Was, manages to be both inviting and a little spooky. The same is true of the cover image. In the foreground,…
A few months ago, I had the good fortune of hearing Betsy Bird speak about her favorite newly-released and soon-to-be released picture books. When she described the mesmerizing illustrations in Julián Is a Mermaid, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Title: Julián Is a Mermaid Written and illustrated by: Jessica Love Candlewick…
Title: TWO SPECKLED EGGS Written and illustrated by: Jennifer K. Mann Candlewick Press, 2014, fiction For Ages: 4 and up Themes/Topics: friendship, cliques, outsiders, being different/unique First spread: Ginger’s birthday party was in two weeks, and she wanted to invite all the girls in her class... except Lyla Browning. Summary (from the publisher): “It’s Ginger’s birthday,…
