I love sharing books with you that combine wonderful artwork with memorable words. Up High by Matt Hunt is about a little boy going for a walk with his Dad. The world looks and feels scary to the small child until his father puts him up on his shoulders. This …
I’m a big fan of Gianna Marino’s books. I especially enjoyed NIGHT ANIMALS and posted about it on Picturebook Builders. And now, here I am again singing the praises of Gianna’s clever story telling and glorious illustrations in her latest book, THE OUTSIDE. THE OUTSIDE features a funny cast of …
In a sea of picture books that look so much alike… HEATWAVE, written and superbly illustrated by Lauren Redniss burns right off the shelf. It almost looks too hot to touch. Lauren Redness uses just three colors: red, blue, and black (plus, minimally, the white of the page) along with …
I am cheating a little bit. Because this wonderfully whimsical book, Who Will Make the Snow, written by Taras Prokhasko, and written and illustrated by Mariana Prokhasko, and translated from the Ukrainian by Boris Dralyuk and Jennifer Croft, isn’t “technically” a picture book. It’s 80 pages long and stated that …
Don’t Forget, written by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Anna Walker feels like a hug. The illustrations are so endearing and the thoughtful “Don’t forget to…” reminders move us through the story in a warm and comfortable way. In order to work as a picture book, the narrative needs to …
THE BLUEST OF BLUES, Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs, written and breathtakingly illustrated by Fiona Robinson. Having a father who was a scientist, Anna Atkins was inspired by nature and education from a very early age. She studied shells, plants, insects, and illustrated their minute details. Her …
“Maria Gianferrari has climbed fig trees in Italy, stood under stately coastal redwoods and twisted Torrey pines, marveled at mitten-shaped sassafras leaves, colorful coral trees and sawtooth oak acorn nests. She lives with her family, including dog, Maple, in a house encircled by trees.” Jennifer: Maria, your book, Be a …
The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann is a delightful and engaging look at a young girl’s very first camping trip. Ernestine, who lives in the city, is invited to join her Aunt Jackie and her cousin Samantha for a camping trip. Even though she has never been before, she …
Caldecott medalist Sophie Blackall’s latest picture book, Hello Lighthouse evokes gasps of awe from both it’s gorgeous look and feel, to its beautifully written story and message. Savvy readers of Picture Book Builders will note that Suzanne Slade posted earlier about the book, which you can see here . I wanted to …