Picture Books

Review: Owly & Wormy, Bright Lights and Starry Nights by Andy Runton

| Tasha

bright lights starry nights

Owly & Wormy, Bright Lights and Starry Nights by Andy Runton

When the first Owly book came out years ago, I made sure to get it into the hands of my own reluctant reader.  Unburdened by the need to read words, he immediately took to both Owly and Wormy.  I’m happy to say that the series has continued to be just as good as that first book.  Runton has started to do more picture book versions as well and this is one of those.  In this book, Owly and Wormy go on a trek out of the woods and up to a hill where they will be able to view the stars better.  Along the way, they get caught in a rainstorm and take refuge in a cave.  There are strange and frightening noises and their telescope has disappeared!  It will take real bravery and no fear of the dark to figure out what happened.

This wordless picture book relies on its illustrations to succeed.  Happily, Owly and Wormy have a warm friendship that is evident from the very first page.  Add the dash of darkness, the storm and a really dark cave and you have a real adventure.  All of the content is ideal for the youngest independent pre-readers who will enjoy having a graphic novel of their very own. 

Runton takes fear of the dark and the unknown and turns it into a chance to make new friends and see new things in this strong addition to a great series.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Review: The Herd Boy by Niki Daly

| Tasha

herd boy

The Herd Boy by Niki Daly

Malusi looks after his grandfather’s sheep during the day, taking them grazing and also protecting them from predators.  Malusi has to be able to work in the heat of the sun, keep the sheep away from the ravine, and keep close watch for snakes and baboons.  His friend Lungisa is also a shepherd but he has his own dog, something Malusi wishes for.  He also dreams of becoming something more than a herd boy, maybe even president! 

Daly weaves in African details to create a setting and society in this picture book.  The details are small but vibrant such as the food, the animals out in the wild, the landscape, and language.  She uses a few words and phrases of throughout the book, just enough to add some African spices to the tale.  Using poetic language, she draws the strong character and large dreams of Malusi clearly.  He is a young hero with large responsibilities and a willingness to lead.

Daly’s art embraces the landscape of Africa with ravines and hills framing the page, eagles soaring in the sky, and distinctive plants in the foreground.  There are full color images but also sepia toned ones that show small touches of the story as well.  The large format of the full-color images make this book good for sharing with a group.

Thanks to the beauty and depth of Daly’s writing, this picture book trends a little older than many.  It will also lead to interesting discussions with slightly older children.  Appropriate for ages 6-8.

Reviewed from copy received from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

Review: H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination by Christopher Myers

| Tasha

horse

H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination by Christopher Myers

A basketball court + a ball + two kids = the perfect sum to play horse!  When two boys meet at the basketball court, they immediately invite one another to play horse or ghost.  It’s the game where one person takes a shot and then the other person has to try to match the shot exactly.  It starts out simply enough with a layup with your eyes closed, but watch where this game goes!  Filled with a banter that challenges one another to seek an even wilder idea, the two boys quickly start to talk about shooting a basket from the roof of a neighboring building when standing on one toe.  The Magellan shot takes it even further, with a jump across the ocean and around the world and a dunk with a tongue!  That’s not the end of the game though, you will just have to read it to see the final play.

I love the playfulness of this book and the friendly tone of the banter between the two boys.  The fact that not a single shot is actually thrown makes it very funny too.  This is not a challenge about sports but about imagination and thinking outside the court.  Myers writes with a feel for modern dialogue between teens that doesn’t resort to modern vernacular but instead has the perfect rhythm and posturing.  Myers’ art is equally modern with lanky boys against bright colored backgrounds.  He also mixes in photographs and builds collages that add texture and pattern. 

Great fun to read, it will have you challenged to a game of horse as soon as you can find a court and a ball.  My favorite shots were always with my eyes closed and backwards.  How about you?  Appropriate for ages 5-7. 

Reviewed from copy received from Egmont.

Review: Red Car, Red Bus by Susan Steggall

| Tasha

red car red bus

Red Car, Red Bus by Susan Steggall

Turn to the first page of this picture book and you will see people waiting at a bus stop.  Another page turn has them aboard the bus and only two words: “Red bus.” The next page has a red car join the red bus and readers will see two people dashing for the bus stop.  By the time the bus reaches its next stop, the page is filled not only with a yellow van, yellow car, the red car and the red bus, but the people running for the bus have dropped their teddy bear.  As the pages turn, the road gets more crowded with vehicles and it becomes all the more fun to figure out what the story is on the side of the road.  The only words in the book describe the colors of the vehicles and name the vehicles themselves, otherwise it is more of a wordless book as the complicated action takes place in pictures only. 

Steggall has created a picture book that really plays with the reader.  At first, I thought it was going to be a very simple color and vehicle book for toddlers, but it is something much more.  The intricate cut paper illustrations tell the story along the roadside, as each page turn moves the reader further down the road.  There is a wonderful sense of motion to the entire book.  The vehicles appear in patterns with colors and sorts of vehicles. 

This is a delight of a read, surprising in its depth and yet fully appropriate for the youngest reader who enjoys cars and trucks.  This is one to linger over and discuss, talking about the story that is told wordlessly, perfect for curling up with your special little one.  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from library copy.

Review: Oliver by Birgitta Sif

| Tasha

oliver

Oliver by Birgitta Sif

Oliver was different than everyone else.  He spent time in his own little world, visited only by his friends who were his toys and puppets.  They played endlessly together, having adventures across the living room.  When his family got together, Oliver played by himself under the table, wishing that he didn’t have to be there at all.  Then there was the day when he played the piano for his friends, but no one bothered to listen.  Oliver felt different all over again.  The next day though, when playing tennis alone, his ball bounced and bounced away.  It landed near a girl, who was herself playing tennis alone.  Yes, Oliver was different but it turns out that Olivia was too.

This debut picture book speaks directly to those of us who are introverted and who feel a bit different too.  Oliver lives in a world that may seem lonely to some, but is also obviously rich with imagination and creativity.  Sif takes care to make sure that it is evident that Oliver is not unhappy, he prefers to be alone.  I also particularly enjoyed that the book does not have parents worried about making Oliver less different.  Instead it is all about Oliver’s own point of view.

Sif’s illustrations have a great softness to them.  The colors are muted, the backgrounds on the pages are softly colored too.  Children looking closely will be able to find mice on each page as they watch Oliver’s life.  They visit the library with him, listen to him play the piano and only disappear when Oliver is feeling lonely.  They are a wonderful whimsical touch.

This strong picture book looks at introverted and solitary people with a warm fondness that will make even the most introverted reader want to visit Oliver and become his friend too.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from copy received from Candlewick Press.

Review: The Man from the Land of Fandango by Margaret Mahy

| Tasha

man from the land of fandango

The Man from the Land of Fandango by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Polly Dunbar

My son and I had just stopped in the middle of a rather painful rhyming picture book and then we picked up this one.  The contrast was profound.  Here we found a fanciful and playful picture book with rhymes that swept us merrily up.  It is the story of a man from an imaginary land who leaps off of the page where he is created by two small children.  They dance with a bear and a bison, bound with kangaroos.  There is juggling, jingling, and even cake!  Then the man returns to the picture, not to return for another 500 years.  It’s a silly and very fun book that is filled with nonsense and plenty of jam. 

Mahy’s words really dance here, carrying the story forward on a rhyming flow.  This is not a book that is a straight-forward story, rather it’s a dazzlingly silly wander.  Children will quickly understand that this is pure nonsense and go with it.  Dunbar’s illustrations have a wonderfully light touch.  They are filled with bubbles and speckles.  Whimsical creatures and plants populate the page, often dancing with glee. 

This is a merry read that has a great lightness and silliness at its heart.  A wonderful posthumous release from the amazing Mahy.  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from library copy.

Top 2012 Picture Books to Wake Your Brain Cells

| Tasha

Picture books are some of my favorite reads in any year.  This year I’ve picked my favorite fifteen that I think are simply amazing.  Here are my favorites with links to my full reviews:

and then its spring baby bear sees blue bear has a story to tell

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead – Enchanting and memorable, this is a timeless and effortlessly lovely look at spring and gardens. 

Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff – Lush and rich, this picture book has amazing illustrations that celebrate the colors of nature.

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead – OK, I admit that my passion for the work of both of the Steads is definitely showing in this list.  You will see another further down on the list as well.  This is a hauntingly lovely look at seasons, friendships and the power of story.  Gorgeous!

chloe and the lion each kindness extra-yarn-cover

Chloe and the Lion by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Adam Rex – Pure silly fun, this book is a delight to share with children or to read giggling all on your own.

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, E. B. Lewis – Pair the power of Woodson’s writing with the realistic and amazing art of Lewis and you can’t help but have a winning read.  Add the timely subject of bullying with a fantastic ending and you have one of my best of the year.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen – Another personal bias is for Mac Barnett’s writing.  He manages to be riotously funny at times and then magical at others.  This is his magical form in a story about unending yarn.  Combined with the art of Klassen and his beautiful take on yarn, makes it one amazingly fresh read.

green home for bird house held up by trees

Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger – As I said on my review, this one can just be reviewed as WOW.  Simply WOW.  Surprises, colors, new perspectives, and amazing illustrations, this is a real contender for the Caldecott.

A Home for Bird by Philip C. Stead – Finding ones home, friendship and a grand quest fill this picture book to the brim and combine wonderfully with the charm of the illustrations.   The last of the Steads on the list.

House Held Up by Trees by Ted Kooser, illustrated by Jon Klassen – Klassen’s art is so amazingly diverse from one picture book to the next.  Here he uses a real delicacy that works beautifully with Kooser’s poem.  This is a deep, courageous read about nature and families.

jimmy the greatest lesters dreadful sweaters oh no

Jimmy the Greatest by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael Yockteng – A warm beautiful book about the hero who stays to make a difference. 

Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters by K. G. Campbell – The horror of truly awful knitting is unraveled in this book that is unwaveringly silly and funny. 

Oh No! by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann – Bravo!  A virtuoso performance by two masters of the picture book craft. 

step gently out town mouse and country mouse

Step Gently Out by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder – Frost’s poem celebrates slowing down and looking closely and is perfectly accompanied by amazing photographs by Lieder.  Worth lingering over.

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse by Helen Ward – Sumptuous illustrations combined with simple writing make this a version of the fable that is worthy of celebration.

unspoken

Unspoken by Henry Cole – This is a profound book that speaks to the importance of personal courage and the difference a person can make.  Wordless, the illustrations soar.

Review: Too Tall Houses by Gianna Marino

| Tasha

too tall houses

Too Tall Houses by Gianna Marino

Rabbit and Owl live right next door to one another at the top of a hill in separate small houses.  Rabbit likes growing vegetables and Owl likes the view of the forest.  They were good friends.  Until one day, Rabbit’s vegetables got so tall that they blocked Owl’s view of the forest.  Rabbit refused to cut his vegetables down, so Owl built his house taller.  Then Owl’s house was blocking the sun from reaching Rabbit’s garden, so Rabbit built a taller house and put his garden on the roof.   So started the competition to have the tallest house.  And my, do the houses ever get taller and taller! 

Marino does a great job of telling a story that has the heart and soul of a classic folktale.  The friendship and competition between the two animals carries a subtle lesson that is masked effectively in humor.  She doesn’t back away from carrying the tale to its very funny extreme ending.  The story is kept simple, allowing the illustrations to carry much of the story forward.

Marino’s illustrations have the colors of fall and warmth.  From the orange branches Owl uses to create his home to the terra cotta bricks of Rabbit’s, the colors are bright and autumnal.  As the houses grow into the sky, the colors are cooler, emphasizing that they are leaving the comfort of their warm homes and creating homes simply to beat someone else. 

This is a funny, warm and memorable read that will get your audience laughing.  Perfect for reading aloud any time of year.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Viking.

Review: Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show by Michael Buckley

| Tasha

kel gilligan

Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show by Michael Buckley, illustrated by Dan Santat

Kel is a daredevil, willing to take on enormous challenges and risk his own safety!  He took on the challenge of eating broccoli and survived without a scratch.  He had the courage to face down “The Potty of Doom” though it did take longer than he expected.  He even managed to get dressed by himself without a net.  He has tested his underwater skills by taking a bath with only one assistant.  And has even survived his mother being on the phone without interrupting, though it was close.  When Kel faces his final challenge of the day, you may have to avert your eyes, because he will be trying to go to bed without checking for monsters first!  This is one picture book only for the bravest of readers.

Buckley’s language is over the top in the best possible way.  Kel speaks as if he is announcing his challenges to a large crowd, all rooting for him.  Buckley even gives that crowd a voice, interjecting amazement at this brave young man and what he is trying to do.  The language alone is enough to get you laughing.

Combined with Santat’s illustrations, this book will actually make you laugh out loud.  The incredulous faces of those in the crowd, the bare buttocks that you glimpse occasionally, and the pride of Kel as he defeats another obstacle, all add to the humor here. 

Give this one to kids a little older, since they will appreciate looking back on their own accomplishments in a humorous way.  Expect a cacophony of laughter when the The Potty of Doom appears.  Appropriate for ages 5-7.

Reviewed from copy received from Abrams.