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Every so often a book combines gorgeous illustrations with the perfect amount of humor and charm. Such is the case with Bear Wants to Sing. After finding instruments in the woods, Bear wants to share his song with his friends. After multiple interruptions, he is not so sure that the world will actually want to hear his song. Bear must learn that despite the quality of our song, true friends will encourage us to sing our hearts out.
Anna
Tom Gauld’s art is instantly recognizable by his linework and crosshatching. His first picture book is adventurous and sweet, following the titular robot and princess as they rescue one another after a misunderstanding sends them both far from home. Gauld packs whole epics into single pages without overloading the story. Throughout, he always reminds us that we can only succeed with help from others and that family is the most important thing.
Timothy
In this endearing picture book narrated in exchanged letters between Owl and Squirrel, Owl longs only for peace and quiet. He requests books from Squirrel’s bookshop to cope with the forest’s youth who’ve made themselves at home in his space, but before Owl knows it, they’ve found a place in his heart, too. With bright, cheerful illustrations that have a timeless feel, this charming book reminds us all how beautiful friendship and community are.
Jenna
When the snowflake begins to fall she starts to worry that she won’t ever find her special place in the world. That is until Noelle creates the perfect little home for the snowflake to land. Filled with astonishing illustrations, this delightful story will be the perfect read-aloud for sitting next to the fireplace on a cold winter’s eve.
Jess
Part fable, part fairy tale, Mohammadi’s story feels both timeless and contemporary. A little girl imagines the horses of a mobile above her bed and soon enough they come alive. In her fantasy, six horses lend parts of themselves—their color, their homes, even their dreams—to a seventh horse. This book is about the ways we are created by the people, culture, and community around us. Safakhoo’s illustrations are gloriously full of expression and movement.
Timothy
An eccentric story that brilliantly celebrates the joy of expressing yourself through clothing. Getting ready for a birthday party is tough enough, especially when you don’t feel like yourself in your outfit. Frankie shows how magical and liberating it is to be who you truly are. An important lesson for young and old, as Frankie's family encourages her individuality every step of the way. What would your dream party outfit be?
Beth
Yuyi Morales does it again with this uplifting picture book. Morales creates a beautiful world and reminds readers how important it is to care and love for one another. Follow the journey of one little fawn as she trots and gallops the world around her and finds a voice within herself.
Jess
Wild Rumpus has always had a soft spot for chickens, but none of them have been magic as far as I can tell. Not like the legendary Gladys, who traveled the land in ancient times. Wishes were fulfilled wherever she went, because Gladys was magic, right? Or maybe we are all just hoping to see a little magic in the real world, even if it may come from a chicken.
Anna
When a mysterious object falls from the sky, all of the insects are baffled by its appearance and enchanted by its beauty, but “the crafty Spider” convinces everyone that it has been his all along. He creates WonderVille so he can cash in, charging an ever increasing fee to see it. The Fan Brother’s art is gorgeous and gloriously detailed (look at those hats!), using only a little bit of color to highlight the wondrously mundane object.
Timothy
This comforting collection of stories is absolutely one of a kind. Little Witch Hazel may be small, but she is a hard worker and a loving friend, whom we follow throughout each season in Mosswood Forest, as she helps creatures of all shapes and sizes. Wahl's stunning illustrations invoke a feeling of nostalgia and a tender appreciation for the natural world. A timeless gem for all ages.
Beth
“Good people of every sort, come listen to my song—” for in this tale of cat-meets-dog, you get to sing along! Rollicking rhymes and bold illustrations evoke the jovial atmosphere of an old folktale in this perfect read-aloud. The tale of four-legged friendship even invites us to yip, meow, bark, and purr along.
Claire
Time can be a ticking clock or a calendar, but what else can it be? In the time it takes to read this book, time is a tree, a web, a song, a loaf of bread, and so much more! Morstad explores a multitude of ways to understand the passage of time with bold, brightly colored, yet soothing illustrations. Inquisitive, playful, and profound, this is the perfect book to contemplate alone or share as a read-aloud!
Claire
From the Tops of the Trees pinpoints the moment in Kao Kalia Yang’s life when her father showed her how huge the world is and told her she would journey far into it. Readers of Yang’s work know she certainly has and will recognize the photograph of the author with her father from her book The Latehomecomer. Lovingly illustrated by Rachel Wada, this book shows Yang’s clear-eyed generosity toward the world and the wonder her father instilled in her.
Timothy
Sea Lions in the Parking Lot by Lenora Todaro, illustrated by Annika Seims, looks directly at what has happened in different ecosystems around the globe while humans have been in lock-down. As the usual traffic paused in the early days of the pandemic, there was a rare opening for animals to verge into cityscapes that they would normally try to avoid. Images by Annika Siems of deer on subway escalators and wild boars frolicking in city fountains provide a stunning glimpse into nearly surreal scenes. These twelve true, eye-opening stories bring to mind the delicate balance of coexistence on Earth.
Collette