The library and bookstore shelves have been looking very festive for quite a while now.  Many are filled with classics we still adore… A Christmas Carol, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and T’was the Night Before Christmas, to name a few. But right up front you’ll find the pick of the season… the brand-new releases. Browse the titles. Drink in the artwork. Taste the flavor of the text. I bet you’ll go home with one or two new favorites this year.
Happy Reading!
Below are six new picture books I summarized for you, along with a few fun activities you can do with your little readers for each story. Be sure you click on the title of each one for the link to that page.
Five minutes. Not a lot of time. But when someone shares their expertise with you, five minutes is invaluable. And when you’re lucky enough to get more than five minutes of someone’s time… well, that’s just phenomenal.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Will Hillenbrand, author and illustrator, for taking time to talk with me personally about writing, children, books, education, schools, publishing, and so much more! I watched while he set up for a presentation at The Blue Manatee, a local bookstore and he invited me to sit on the step with him and chat. What an wonderful gift of his time and know-how. He is the consummate gentleman and educator. I learned so much from him before he even began his formal presentation.
Just a reminder for myself, and anyone out there who has even five minutes of time to spend with someone who is just starting out… spend it thoughtfully and completely with that person… it will mean the world to them. Thank you, Will Hillenbrand!
Quote of the Day
Things are not untrue just because they never happened. -Will Hillenbrand
Photo Gallery
This beautiful framed artwork is the cover from Bear and Bunny written by Daniel Pinkwater and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. You can read more about the story HERE.
Will signed his new book for my granddaughter and posed for a picture with me.Â
Sometimes a writer just needs to act like a kid!
Read more about Snowman’s Story by Will Hillenbrand HERE.
America’s White Table written by Margot Theis Raven and illustrated by Mike Benny (2005)
A beautifully told story of the white table which is set for one person, one who will not be attending dinner. This table is set in many home across the country and in every mess hall in the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corp since the Vietnam War ended. It is set for those men and women who are Missing in Action or Prisoners of War. Each item on the table is symbolic, a lemon slice and grains of sand for a soldier’s bitter fate and the tears of their families, a white candle for peace and a red rose for our hope in their return. This is the story of a little girl who learns the meaning of the table from her mother and her Uncle John who served in Vietnam.
Margot Theis Raven’s words are powerful. In just a few short pages, she delivers the message of ‘a little white table’ and what it means to thousands of Americans. Look carefully at each page, on several spreads are the lines to the first verse of ‘America – My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ written in ghost-like print across the text and illustrations.
Mike Benny leaves images in our minds just as powerful as the words. You can see the love and pride, sorrow and pain in the faces of the characters. The images of Vietnam are done in sepia color and transport the reader to another day and age.
This is one of my favorite books celebrating Veterans’ Day. I like to read it for just about any patriotic holiday. But if you’re like me, you won’t be able to read it with dry eyes.
I write reviews and recommendations of picture books. I post my thoughts on my blog, Goodreads, and Pinterest. I sometime get asked why I do this, and sometimes when I’m overwhelmed I ask myself why I do this. I do this for one very simple reason… I LOVE PICTURE BOOKS!
When I was teaching, I had my favorites, my reliable go-to books for every occasion. I had my favorite back-to-school books, my favorite Johnny Appleseed books, my favorite after-recess-read-alouds, my favorite book on every topic in my curriculum… and then I realized my shelf of books was worn and tattered. Worn and tattered in a good way, because they were loved to pieces, but worn and tattered nonetheless. I ordered new books from the PTA Book Fairs. I ordered new books from the classroom book club order forms. I tried to keep abreast of the new market. But it seemed like every time I stepped into a bookstore there were hundreds of new titles. I just couldn’t keep up. I depended on the advice of other picture book lovers to steer me in the direction of the books which would suit my purposes.
Well, guess what? Now I’m the one who has the time to read and read and read. And I do. I have worn out my library card. Literally had a new one issued! Last year I made a commitment to find books to celebrate every day of the year. Wow! I’m glad that’s done! This year I’m reading books that have been recommended but focusing on the newest titles available. You can find the titles I’ve recommended so far this year under the tab BOOKS ALIVE! As a bonus, I pair some fun activities to extend the life of the book with each recommendation.
Because I know how many parents, teachers, and gift-givers don’t have time to search for just the right book, I’m leaving my two cents worth wherever I can.
I only leave positive comments. If there is something that is just not up my alley, I leave it for someone who absolutely loves it to do it justice. Every book deserves to be respected for it’s merits just as every child deserves books that they will truly enjoy reading and rereading.
I hope that this small service is worthwhile to someone in the market for just the right picture book for their young readers.
PS If you know someone who would like to find out more about the newest books on the market, please send them my way. I’m already doing the work, they might as well benefit from it! Remember, sharing is caring!
True to its reputation, March is coming in like a lion. But right around the corner, spring is ready to pounce. This weekend we will move forward one hour. Next week we are looking forward to warmer temperatures and melting snow. The following week we will look for four leaf clovers, leprechauns, and pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. And before you know it, we’ll celebrate the official first day of spring with singing, dancing, and frolicking in the streets. Let’s look back just a few short months. What good has come out of this past winter? Has being homebound brought you closer to loved ones? Helped you organize your closet or deep clean at least one room? Given you the time to focus on your craft? Forced you to eat home-cooked meals? Provided solitude for meaningful meditation? Inspired you to learn something new? Offered a creative outlet? For myself, I’ve polished two manuscripts and sent them out to five industry professionals. I organized another critique group. I’ve started a number of new writing projects, one which is very promising. I’ve been invited to be one of the administrators on the Debut Picture Book Study group on Facebook. I completed last year’s picture book review challenge, Celebrate Every Day with a Picture Book. And I embarked on this year’s challenge to keep up with new picture book publications, which includes reviewing picture books and offering some fun kid-friendly activities for each one on my new page, 2015 Books Alive!
Goodnight Already! written by Jory John and illustrated by Benji Davies (2014)
Bear is ready for bed. Duck is not. Just as Bear closes his eyes, his neighbor, Duck knocks on the door. Duck has all kinds of ideas… play cards, watch a movie, make smoothies. No. No. No. Bear shows him to the door and goes back to bed. Â Through the bedroom window, Duck shows up wanting to borrow ingredients to make cookies… sugar, butter, eggs. No. No. No. Finally, Bear gets to sleep when who should show up, right on top of his chest? Duck! He used his emergency spare key. A stubbed beak is not an emergency! Duck goes home complaining about Bear’s grouchy attitude. He picks up a book and… zzzzz. Duck falls asleep in his reading chair while Bear is wide awake making cookies!
Jory John tells a familiar tale in just about any toddler household, with outrageous requests and outcomes. The humorous plot and twist will have little ones roaring with laughter.
Benji Davies accentuates the differences of these two personalities expertly. Poor bear looks like he desperately needs to sleep (i.e. hibernate) for a good long time, while the lively Duck badgers him mercilessly to stay awake. The facial expressions, body language, and attention to detail are masterfully illustrated in bold shapes and bright colors.
Love this book! I believe it will become a bedtime classic. See for yourself.
I have been having a blast reading and writing about picture books this year. I’ve been blown away by the talented authors and illustrators published in the last twelve months. Like so many other sites, I wanted to create my own Top 10 list, but honestly there are so many superb picture books, I can’t limit my 2014 favorites to only 10 so I’ve chosen 25 instead. And even that was difficult!
Let me say right up front that there are many books on other ‘best books’ lists that I have not read, but these are my picks based on the ones I have read and featured on my blog this year. You can go back and look at what I thought about each one individually by following the title link back to my recommendations.
I seriously couldn’t put these in a hierarchy of ‘bestedness’, so I put them in alphabetical order by author’s last name like you would find on the shelves of your favorite bookstore or library.
Little Elliot, Big City written and illustrated by Mike Curato (2014)
Little Elliot was an elephant who was different from everybody else. He lived in a big city, where he had to be careful because he was so little. The one thing Elliot wanted more than anything, was a cupcake. But he was too small to reach over the top of the counter and so he was never even noticed. Then one day, Elliot found someone who was even smaller than he was, a mouse. And the mouse had even bigger problems than Elliot because of his size. Elliot was able to help the mouse by lifting him up. And the mouse was able to help Elliot when he was lifted up over the top of the counter at the bakery. Now Elliot finally got a cupcake… and something even better, a friend.
Mike Curato first picture book is treat for the eye and ear. His artwork has the perfect balance between vintage and modern. And his story has mass appeal for children and adults alike.
Little Elliot’s sweet innocence and sweet tooth will capture your heart. It has mine!
Pig and Small written and illustrated by Alex Latimer (2014)
Pig and Bug want to be friends but they don’t seem to hit if off. When they rode a bike, Pig did all the work. When Bug made a cake for Pig, he ate it in one bite without even noticing all the beautiful decorations. When they played chess, But couldn’t move the pieces. When Bug knit a sweater for Pig, he couldn’t get it over his head. It just wasn’t working, so they decided to part ways. Just then, Pig noticed an ad for an upcoming movie he thought Bug would enjoy. They bought one ticket, shared one box of popcorn, and talked about the great movie all the way home. As they were talking they thought of a few other things they could do together. So Pig and Bug went to an art gallery, aquarium, theater, restaurant, zoo, and beach. As a matter of fact they forgot that one of them was big and the other was small.
Alex Latimer wrote a great little story about friendship despite differences. The art work is friendly and engaging. And the story is universal.
I love that just as the characters are learning to appreciate each other for who they are and find common ground, a third character enters the scene… Elephant. Yes, size is relevant.
The Adventures of Beekle the Unimaginary Friend written and illustrated by Dan Santat (2014)
Beekle waited and waited for his friend to imagine him. One day he takes it upon himself to journey into the real world far away. It was a strange place, but he finally found his way to a familiar place. Just as he was about to give up, he heard a voice calling him. Her name was Alice, his was Beekle, and they were perfect for each other. ‘Together they did the unimaginable.’
Dan Santat has created the most lovable imaginary friend ever! Beekle tugs at your heartstrings as he does the unimaginable… he goes out in search of his real friend. In a world that can be scary at times, Beekle finds the one friend who is perfect. She is the one who was waiting for him all along, the one who needs him as much as he needs her.
I love this concept. It’s a boy meets girl set-up on the imaginary friend level.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer written by Robert L. May and illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo (2014)
Take another look at Rudolph. His story remains the same, written in 1939 by Robert L. May. Each generation has its own favorite edition. This is the newest, and one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. Illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo, this book immediately draws in the reader with its paintings. The richness of the scenery and the child-like qualities of the characters play opposite each other to create a beautiful and yet whimsical place in time.
As the story goes, Rudolph is excluded from the rest of the herd because of his shiny red nose. But he was always good and kind, and went to bed on Christmas Eve hopeful that Santa would visit and leave him candy and toys.
While up at the North Pole, Santa is worried about the foggy night ahead.
The illustration of Santa leaving the North Pole, flying over the polar bears, seals, and norwhal, is gorgeous.
The fog is so bad, Santa barely missed a speeding plane. And when he lands, he can hardly see the street signs and house numbers. Santa finally makes his way to Rudolph’s house and climbs down his chimney.
And, as they say the rest is history! Santa sees the glow from Rudolph’s red nose and asks Rudolph to guide his sleigh. All the presents got delivered in time and the next morning, Rudolph returns home, the envy of all the other reindeer. He proudly lands Santa sleigh in the field and everyone watches on as Santa appoints Rudolph Commander-in-chief. From that year on, whenever the weather is bad, it’s Rudolph Santa calls to guide his sleigh.
A Cookie for Santa written by Stephanie Shaw and illustrated by Bruno Robert (2014)
A gingerbread cookie worried all evening about his fate as Santa’s midnight snack. While he worried about whether or not he would be brave when the time came, two puppies entered the room romping and destroying the decorations. The Gingerbread cookie knew he had to do something, so he made himself a puppy distraction. The puppies stopped what they were doing to watch the gingerbread cookie. Just then, they heard the sound of jingle bells and the puppies hid under the table. Santa saw the huge mess and asked the gingerbread cookie for help cleaning it up. When they were finished, the gingerbread cookie made one last wish. Santa looked down at him and instead of eating him, Santa asked him to be a special helper at the North Pole. For the puppies, Santa left a gift certificate for obedience school.
Stephanie Shaw’s story is written in rhyme. Little ones will enjoy the rhythm and the  story of the brave gingerbread cookie who helped Santa on Christmas Eve.
Bruno Robert’s illustrations are clean and fresh. The faces of the puppies are adorable, and the gingerbread cookie is so childlike I’m sure kids will identify with him right away.
I like this new twist to the ordinary gingerbread cookie. And I like that the gingerbread cookie earns a reward from Santa for his help. It makes a good read aloud and easy reader for young children.
Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale written by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Matthew Trueman (2014)
Simon set off on to America leaving his family behind. His mother packed a knapsack with food and something a little extra, because Hanukkah was coming. Simon left promising to work hard and send tickets for all of them to join him in America as soon as he could. On his journey, the ship Simon was on, hit a giant iceberg and began to sink. Simon helped the sailors load the lifeboats and jumped into the last boat himself. Suddenly another man appears crying for help, but there wasn’t any more room on the lifeboat, so the man threw Simon a heavy pocket watch to give to his son in New York when he lands. Simon knew what it’s like to grow up without a father, so he traded places with the man and the last lifeboat rowed away. Just before the ship sank, Simon jumped onto the iceberg thinking only a miracle could save him. Remembering what his mother told him, Simon opened his knapsack and lit the first candle on the menorah, said the blessing, and played with his dreidel until he spun ‘Nun’ which stands for the word ‘Nes – Miracle’. Then Simon heard a splash in the water and was face to face with a polar bear. Simon fed the bear the latkes, black bread, and herring that his mother had packed for him. Simon ate the hard boiled eggs and soon the bear fell asleep with Simon snuggled up next to her. The next morning the bear was gone and Simon wondered if he would ever see her again. Soon, the bear returned with a fish in her mouth. She skinned it with her teeth and bit it in half. Simon cut his piece with a pocketknife and ate it. That night when he lit the second Hanukkah candle, Simon’s belly was full and he slept with the polar bear again. This continued until the last night of Hanukkah. Simon counted his miracles, but he was out of food and out of candles, he needed one more miracle or he would die of cold and hunger. Just then the polar bear jumped back into the water leaving Simon alone and cold on the iceberg. Immediately, he heard voices. Another ship had seen the lights of his menorah and had sent a boat to pick him up. Simon had his eighth miracle, he was rescued and taken to New York. His story was in all the papers. And, the mayor of the city was none other than the man Simon had traded places with on the lifeboat. The mayor was so thankful, he sent tickets to Simon’s family so they could all be together again and he gave Simon the perfect job, Polar Bear Keeper at the Central Park Zoo!
Eric Kimmel, author of my favorite Hanukkah story, The Chanukkah Guest later published as Hanukkah Bear, and many other books gives the old-world flavor to his modern picture books. This is an example of his unique and authentic storytelling which will delight readers everywhere.
Matthew Trueman lit the pages of this book with the warmth and peace of the menorah and the beautiful details of the story.
I am in awe of another masterpiece. The text and the art blend superbly together to create this story of hope, prayer, and miracles, in a fun and fanciful way.
Santa Claus and the Three Bears written by Maria Modugno and illustrated by Jane and Brooke Dyer (2013)
The three Polar Bears were getting their home ready for Christmas. They decorated the tree, hung the stockings, and cooked a huge Christmas pudding. But when they sat down to eat, they found the pudding was too hot, so the three bears decided to go for a walk while it cooled down. While they were gone, Santa had just landed on the roof the the three bears’ house. Santa saw the beautiful decorations and smelled the wonderful pudding on the table. Thinking the pudding had been left for him, he began to eat… Papa Bear’s pudding was too hot, Mama Bear’s pudding was too cold, but Baby Bear’s pudding was just right, so he ate it all up. Then Santa proceeded to sit in the bears’ chairs… one too hard, one too soft, one just right. But like the story goes, Santa bounced a little too much in Baby Bear’s chair and it broke, landing Santa on the floor. So of course, Santa moves into the Bears’ bedroom and tries out all the beds… too high, too low, just right. And Santa falls asleep in Baby Bear’s bed. When the bears returned home, they grumbled and growled, ‘Somebody has been eating my pudding!’ ‘Somebody has been sitting in my chair!’ and finally ‘Somebody has been sleeping in my bed!’. Â All the commotion woke Santa up. He made the bears promise that they wouldn’t tell anyone they had seen him and gave them each a bright red present to open in the morning, and he jumped in his sleigh and took off.
Maria Modugno did a nice job of retelling a favorite fairy tale with a little Christmas twist. And the illustrations are splendid. Jane and Brooke Dyer gave just enough detail in their artwork to resemble the traditional three bears story with a fun little twist at the end, when Papa Bear gets the little wee present, Mama Bear gets the medium sized present, and Baby Bear gets the great big present.
This was a fun story to read. And, whether or not children are familiar with the traditional tale, this is one I’m sure they will enjoy reading and hearing over and over.
Papa Jethro written by Deborah Bodin Cohen and illustrated by Jane Dippold (2007)
Rachel is always so happy to see her Grandpa Nick when he comes to visit. Grandpa Nick keeps candy in his pockets for Rachel, they play games together, and Grandpa Nick tells her bedtime stories. One day Rachel asks Grandpa Nick why he goes to church and she goes to synagogue. Grandpa Nick tells Rachel the story of Moses’ father-in-law, Papa Jethro. Papa Jethro was a leader of a people called the Midianites, but Moses and his son, Gershom, were Jewish. Grandpa Nick explains that Gershom’s father and mother (Moses and Zipporah) fell in love and started a family even though they came from different backgrounds. And when Moses was called to return to Egypt and lead his people to freedom, Gershom and his mother and baby brother stayed behind in Midian with Papa Jethro until he returned. Gershom played games with Papa Jethro and Papa Jethro told him stories too. But when Moses crossed the Red Sea with the Israelites, Papa Jethro took Gershom, his mother, and baby brother back to the desert to be with Moses and returned to Midian alone. Sometimes Papa Jethro would travel back to the desert to visit his grandsons. He would give them delicious Midianite candies, play games, and tell stories. Papa Jethro taught Gershom a few Midianite words, they called it their secret code. And Gershom told Papa Jethro all about being Jewish. Even though they came from different backgrounds they still loved each other. Papa Jethro didn’t want to change something that was very important to him, and he didn’t want Gershom to change something that was very important to him either. Just as Rachel is about to fall asleep she asks Grandpa Nick if it matters to him that she is Jewish and he is Christian. Grandpa Nick replies, “You are my granddaughter. Nothing else matters. I love you just like Papa Jethro loved Gershom.”
Deborah Bodin Cohen writes a beautiful story within a story about interfaith families. She treats both stories and all the differences between the families with dignity and respect. Her words help children understand that it is love that holds families together, not their differences.
Jane Dippold’s illustrations have an ‘ancient feel’ about them. The reader is transported from a modern day bedroom with a Grandpa in a shirt and tie to biblical period in history with a Papa in robes and sandals. And in both settings, she depicts love and happiness.
I really love this story. It’s not the traditional quirky picture book. It takes a serious look at family differences and helps the reader understand that interfaith relationships have been around for thousands of years, and that the love that keeps a family together that is more important than what differences they may have.
Five minutes. Not a lot of time. But when someone shares their expertise with you, five minutes is invaluable. And when you’re lucky enough to get more than five minutes of someone’s time… well, that’s just phenomenal.
Juliana Lee 