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…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: A BIG MOONCAKE FOR LITTLE STAR
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,…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: PENGUINAUT!
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…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: the lost words
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…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: THE FRIEND SHIP
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…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: HELLO LIGHTHOUSE
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…
Perfect Picture Book Fridays: A HOUSE THAT ONCE WAS
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,…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: Julián Is a Mermaid
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…
PPBF: Two Speckled Eggs
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,…
Perfect Picture Book Friday: LOVE
Today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday selection is from one of my favorite authors, Newbery Medal winner, Matt de La Peña. And what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than a celebration of love in its many forms. Title: LOVE Written by: Matt de La Peña Illustrated by: Loren Long G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2018, fiction For Ages:…
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