The Creature of Habit is novelist Jennifer E. Smith‘s first picture book. It is illustrated by Leo Espinosa. It was pointed out to me by a very favorite bookstore owner. I was Christmas shopping on Small Business Saturday in November without any real list of what I wanted to buy or for whom. Which is always dangerous, for me in a bookstore. I leafed through it quickly, with my arms full of other books to purchase (most for me) and was smitten with the illustrations. The title also spoke to me as (full disclosure) a creature of habit myself. I said yes! I’ll take this one, too. Thinking maybe it will be a Christmas present for my granddaughter or…
I didn’t actually read it front to back till I got home. When I did, I would chuckle and kept thinking to myself, ‘this is so totally me.’ It is the story of a very large Creature with very big teeth, eyes, and feet that lives on an island called Habit. His life was consistent and constant. His day started with a breakfast of pineapples and bananas, followed up with salutations to the fishes, and a treasure hunt for the very best shells. He greeted the fauna the geology and the crustaceans along his way. And at dinner time, he dined on more pineapples and bananas. Life was good. There was a comfort in a routine.
That is…
…until a very small creature on a very small boat with very small teeth, eyes, and feet arrives on the island of Habit. The very big creature was thrilled to have a visitor and shared his daily regime with him. They enjoy the same meals and activities on the same timeline that the big creature did every day.
With a title like Creature of Habit, there is going to be some predictability. There is a built in conflict just waiting to happen. You can probably guess the Creature of Habit is going to have his regular schedule disrupted and it is going to be a shock to him. And it is. The very big Creature is naturally aghast at the very small creature’s meandering from the established routine. How it works itself out I’ll leave to your reading. I was very satisfied.
Espinosa’s art in this book is delightful! Truly! With the bookstore owner’s recommendation and briefly flipping through the book at the store, I knew I should own it. Even if the story sucked (it doesn’t!!!) the illustrations were worth the purchase. They jumped out and smacked me and said, “BUY THIS BOOK!” Big moving pictures and lots of vignettes showcase the Island of Habit, A place I would love to visit (especially in the sufferings of this winter.) I was going to call the characters ‘orbs’ but the flatness of the illustrations make them more circles than orbs. They are drawn with just enough details to be expressive, emotive, engaging, and their personalities shine through. I don’t know how to describe the palette other than bright and fun. Flat saturated colors along with interesting textures and shapes make for a wonderful, happy world. The illustrations were rendered in Photoshop.
This book is a song to friendship, to differences, the fear of change and change. And to stepping up and trying and accepting new things. I adore this book.
So adorable! I think I will enjoy this book! Thanks!
Oh, this sounds amazing!! I can think of some of our students that get rattled when the schedule is changed. This will be a good book for them (and me!). I can’t wait to add it to our library shelves!
Kevin,
This book looks fabulous! Thank you for recommending. I will definitely check it out.
I’m in the Seattle area, too, so I gotta know: what bookstore is your very favorite (that you mention above)? Sooo many great contenders! 🙂 LOL!
Ha! I can’t really choose, but it was Tina at Brick and Mortar in Redmond who recommended it to me.
I haven’t been to that one, yet! (Or Remond much.) 🙂 Adding it to my list to check out. Thanks, Kevan!
I can see why you couldn’t resist it. I can’t, either. Thanks for the rec!
This book looks and sounds amazing! Thank you so much for highlighting it for us. The title alone makes me chuckle.
Sounds worth a look for sure.
Oh my gosh this looks so lovely! Have requested for our library to purchase.
This book is so sweet! It’s so hard to break out of our comfort zones and is perfect for kids showing them how interesting trying new things can be.
What a delightful book. I have a grandson who will really relate.
Congratulations and can’t wait to read.
I haven’t read this yet, but the premise reminds me of me and my now well-established honey, a Creature of Habit confronted by a disrupter par excellence!
I searched for your book and came up blank, Ashley. (There are scores of books with the same title!)
This looks very cute, and as I read your descriptions, one of my students comes to mind.
This book looks delightful, and I look forward to reading it. Thank you for the post!
What a fun friendship story and the illustrations are adorable!
This sounds like a fun book. Thanks for featuring this.
The illustrations are great! I like the theme of the book. I know it would be a wonderful book for kids who are afraid to try something new.
I feel like this most of the time so will look forward to reading it. Thanks Kevan.
What a unique title! Sounds fun and inviting to read too. I’m sure this will sell. Congrats to the combined talents of the author and the illustrator.
I agree 100%! The illustrations carry this sweet, relatable, readable story. Espinosa’s work is nothing short of brilliant.
Such a delightful story with fun, bright illustrations.
Oh my gosh! I’m in love with the illustration of the two of them under the checkered covers!
Sounds lovely!
What a darling book! This is one we need to get.Thanks for introducing it to us.
This looks delightful! Thanks for the recommendation, Kevan. I’m looking forward to reading THE CREATURE OF HABIT!!