A few months ago, two fiction picture books with same title, Are We There Yet?, released in the spring. Since we’re in the middle of the summer vacation season, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at these two books about a long car ride. And to get into …
Hannah E. Harrison, author and illustrator of Extraordinary Jane and Bernice Gets Carried Away, offers readers another heartfelt book later this summer. It’s called My Friend Maggie (Dial, August 9). Paula and Maggie have been friends forever. Paula thinks Maggie is the best—until mean girl Veronica says otherwise. Suddenly, Paula …
This book just looks magical. The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield looks and reads like a classic fairy tale and I find that really refreshing and appealing. I want to dive into David Litchfield’s gorgeous, light emitting paintings. This beautiful book reminds me of many of the classic picture books of yore ( …
Take note, picture book lovers: There’s a new book in town. And you could win a copy. It’s PENNY & JELLY: SLUMBER UNDER THE STARS by the wonderful Maria Gianferrari who is so busy writing books she hasn’t had much time to slumber under the stars or anywhere else. We’ll …
Sometimes I get so focused on analyzing a picture book’s story and art – what I love about each, what doesn’t work for me, etc. – that I forget the ultimate readers. Kids! Not all littles love every book out there, naturally, but I think there are some stories with more …
Arthur Levine’s new picture book, What a Beautiful Morning, illustrated by Katie Kath, launches on August 8. It is a stellar example of treating a story concerning a serious issue with tenderness and joy. Full disclosure; this review may be biased for a couple of reasons. First of all, I consider Arthur a …
Our son Jackson graduated from high school on Saturday. Cause for celebration, yes, but it also has me feeling a bit nostalgic. I love, respect and admire this young man who towers over me, and love that we can have adult conversations about all sorts of things—from news headlines to …
VIRGINIA WOLF, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, written by Kyo Maclear, is the story of two sisters — Vanessa and Virginia — one bright and sunny, and the other, well, wolfish. Vanessa tries everything she can think of to cheer her sister up, but nothing seems to work. In a quiet moment of resignation, …
Have you ever parked yourself in front of your computer, determined to write a fabulous, inspiring picture book, but you can’t come up with a single idea? Well, take heart! In Philip C. Stead’s new picture book, IDEAS ARE ALL AROUND, this talented author/illustrator shares the same struggle on his second spread – “I …
Last June, Ginny Louise made her debut in Ginny Louise and the School Showdown which introduces readers to one irrepressibly cheerful hedgehog who happens to be the new kid at Truman Elementary. Now Truman Elementary is not a typical school. Nope. Its student body includes the likes of the …