Picture Books

A young artiste shares a glimpse of how he got his start, but not without valuable critique from his dog, Louie. The eight year old voice is pitch-perfect, while Barroux's palette and compositions stay right outside the box, highlighting the energy of this creative process. I turned to my genius mutt for her expert opinion. Her response, an enthusiastic arrouah ouah! Surely that can only mean that this surprising tail is not to be missed. Kids and pups, have your blank canvas and those paints within reach because the time to make art is now! 

-Jesse

A brand-new classic about a couple brand-old themes: sibling-rivalry and "be careful what you wish for." Kling's story begins: "I wanted a little brother," and first-born gets his wish. But his early power-and-control expectations are dashed when, at two-years, "little" brother is bigger and taller than older brother is at four. Then the younger- who has become the bigger-brother wins the respect of his sibling when he intervenes, chases off a bully and demonstrates great bodyguard potential...Notice too, how Big Little Brother's story and illustrations blend together and enrich each other--just like brothers. To me, first brother's square-framed glasses "tell" the whole story.  Or better, don’t even bother to think about it and just enjoy the free-association journey.

-Tom

But what does a mirror do? Does it just stand there against the wall and reflect me back to me? Seems a bit dull. Here's a deceptively simple, wordless picture book about what could be our complicated relationships with mirrors and more, with others.One page reflects the next, for awhile, until the "mirror" page, for whatever reason, declares its I-wanna-be-me independence, quits the tedium of just plain reflecting and now suddenly there are two separate beings in one far more interesting relationship that leads us--I hope just temporarily--to a sad but promising conclusion. Or better, don’t even bother to think about it and just enjoy the free-association journey.

-Tom

Perhaps one of the wonders of youth is having the imagination and determination to go to any lengths to have a wish come true. Follow a young boy whose love for stars takes him on a journey to find one of his very own celestial bodies. A magical narrative with beautiful pictures and a heart-warming plot, this picture book will inspire readers to look at their world in a unique way. And who knows? Perhaps it will motivate little ones to make their own wishes come true.

-Emily

Everything was just right for Mister Bud. He had his nap time. His shift-position-and-nap-some-more time. TV time. WALK TIME! Then, one unfortuitous day, his whole world turns upside down. Enter Zorro, the eponymous pug, whose presence shatters Mister Bud's idyllic routine. More than anything here, both in the wonderful, playful words and in the warm illustrations, Goodrich perfectly captures the character of a dog. Bo is our Zorro—also a pug—to Muggs Z., our Mister Bud--also a terrier (a Jackapoo to be specific)! You’ll see your own pups here, as well. But unlike Mister Bud (or Muggs, for that matter), you’ll have no trouble saying hello to Zorro.

-Chad

I think Kevin Kling has said it best:" the wiener dog is the most can-do dog in the most can't-do body". Meet this domestic wiener who longs for a life in the wild. He escapes his daily humdrum pampered life and sets out to find new friends. Meeting up with a pack of wolves, he removes his domestic sweater and becomes Weiner Wolf! After enjoying the life of a rover, he is finally confronted with the reality of life in the wild (involving a deer---remember, he's with a wolf pack).Suddenly domesticity sounds pretty darn good.A fabulous romp.

Stop, and listen to the symphony composed in this exquisitely illustrated book. Its unique tall and slim size lends an ease of page turning, and reads as a flip book you'll prefer to linger on. Movement is felt as sound and cadence translate to form. Birds of a different feather flutter amongst canopies of trees and across the pages as the ensemble is introduced. Words aren't necessary as stunning, intricate line drawings reveal a conductor who has ventured into the woods to orchestrate a masterpiece. Music, art, and book lovers of all ages will flock to this stirring tale.

-Jesse

King Duncan is terribly handsome, but a terrible king. His kingdom is in ruins, and when his subjects appeal for help, he only builds more tributes to his handsome face. His subjects are finally ready to stand up for themselves, and they have just the plan to get out of this hairy situation.

A mustache....because sometimes good looks alone just aren't enough.

 

-Ida B.