Books of the Week: Illustrators
December 17th, 2007 by Sara
I’m constantly delighted by the illustrations in the picture books I’ve been reading. Here are a few illustrators that have really captured my imagination.
Dan Yaccarino
(Every Friday, Trashy Town)
Mark Teague
(How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, The Secret Shortcut)
David Shannon
(No, David, Duck on a Bike)
Steve Jenkins
(Move, Actual Size)
David Wiesner
(Tuesday, Flotsam)
These illustrators show a creativity with their subject matter that brings you closer to it. Their pictures invite you into the story and stay in your mind long after. Whether it’s the simplicity of line, the movement within a still image, or the depth of detail, all of these illustrators and their styles are a joy to look at and read.
Wanna see who else I’ve been reading?
Posted in Books of the Week, The Great Picture Book Read, Illustration, I heart this book, Books, Writing
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Hi Sara.
Jude sent me your website and I love keeping up with your writing and reading. Best of luck for 2008 - It will be a special year for you I feel sure.
Congratulations to Tony for his work on Compass. We enjoyed it, especially all the R&H work.
Merry Christmas to you both.
Books of the Week: Did I mention…
December 7th, 2007 by Sara
My Little Sister Ate One Hare
written by Bill Grossman and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Maggie and the Monster
written by Elizabeth Winthrop and illustrated by Tomie dePaola
The OK Book
written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Chickens to the Rescue
by John Himmelman
Bark, George
by Jules Feiffer
Click,Clack,Moo: Cows That Type
written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Waking Up Wendall
written by April Stevens and illustrated by Tad Hills
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
by Kevin Henkes
Traction Man is Here
by Mini Grey
Here are a few books I want to read over and over, give to everyone I know, and fill my bookshelves with. Hope you enjoy them, too. Have any favorite reads I haven’t mentioned?
Wanna see the other 800 picture books?
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Books of the Week, Picture books, I heart this book, Books
December 11th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Lately I can’t stop reading Ugly Fish. I finish it and start over without even thinking about it. :D (I saw you’ve read it, too!!)
Of course I will eagerly be hunting down those on this latest roundup that are new to me!! Thanks, Sara!!
r
Books of the Week: Great books, Tough topics
November 30th, 2007 by SaraThere are some topics that it’s impossible to imagine a great picture book about. Until someone does it. Here are a few books that are great stories first, important topics second. As I mentioned in my ‘issue books‘ review, it’s so important to have stories that reflect children’s experiences. But it takes a great writer to reflect them meaningfully, engagingly, and with such compassion.
Before You Were Mine written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by David Walker
This is a wonderful story about adopting a rescue dog. The child asks the inevitable questions about what the dog’s life was before the child adopted him. Maribeth Boelts doesn’t skirt away from hard thoughts about neglecting or abandoning animals. Instead, she deals with these ideas with compassion, looking to ignorance rather than meanness as the culprit.
As if that wasn’t enough to take on, the child also tells his adopted dog about his other dog, who grew old and had to be put to sleep. This is all done with such gentleness and tenderness that the book retains it’s focus on the friendship between a boy and his dog, without dwelling on the darker side of things. Amazingly well done.
Visiting Day written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by James Ransome
Jacqueline Woodson writes this lovely story about a girl visiting her dad in prison. It focuses on the excitement the girl and her grandma feel about the upcoming visit, about the preparations they make, and how good it feels for the girl to see her father.
This is all done in the context of normalcy, without any judgement or negativity about the girl’s father being in jail. The illustrations are also beautiful and bring out the emotion, softness, and joy in the story. This book brought this subject into a whole new light for me and I love that it is out there.
The Magic Beads written by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund and illustrated by Genevieve Cote
The Magic Beads starts off as a ‘new school’ book, but you quickly realize it is much more. Lillian is starting a new school because she and her mother are living at a shelter, escaping Lillian’s abusive father. Though this is a huge and difficult subject, it manifests itself in specific and very real problem for Lillian. Show and Tell.
Everyday, a different student brings in something cool to show the class. While other students show off their expensive toys and gadgets, the butterflies in Lillian’s stomach turn into grasshoppers and, eventually, buffaloes. Lillian had to leave all her toys, nice clothes, and comforts behind when they left her father. Now, she has nothing to show. She misses her stuff and her Dad a little, too. Triumphantly, Lillian finds her own way to wow the class in this well crafted and engaging story. What a great way to discuss a difficult subject.
Wanna see the what else I’ve been reading?
Posted in Books of the Week, The Great Picture Book Read, Picture books, I heart this book, Books, Writing
November 30th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
wow. i knew that i wanted to read ‘before you were mine’ when you told me about it, but you didn’t mention the other books you had read. these sound awesome, and i want to read them if you haven’t taken them back to the library already! :)
December 5th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I am super excited as well. It’s like being towed along in the wake of a super powerful boat. You plow through an ocean of picture books, unstoppable, and I end up reading . . . as many as you can post about in your wake!
I don’t understand my own metaphor, but that’s what it feels like, anyway. ;)
Books of the Week: ‘Truck’ Books
November 25th, 2007 by Sara
There’s probably a better name for this genre, but I call them Truck books. It includes any book that kids love because of the big machines, trains, or trucks that vroom and crunch through it. Though I started out a bit disdainful of this necessary, but often boring genre, I’m learning to respect a good Truck book. Here’s the one that changed my mind:
Trucks Roll written by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by Craig Frazier
The best part about this book is that it’s funny. Though the trucks are beautifully drawn and realistic, they drive across the country carrying loads of giant chocolate chip cookies, puzzle pieces, and dogs. The active rhyme makes this book great to read, as well as look at.
Easy Street written by Rita Gray and illustrated by Mary Bono
Easy Street is a simple, rhyming book about paving a street. What makes this book special is the pictures. Little clay, doozer-like people build the road page by page. Real dirt, gravel, and asphalt are used in the pictures, giving a detailed and exciting look to the process. I swear I could smell the hot tar.
The Three Little Rigs by David Gordon
A twist on the The Three Little Pigs. This book has wonderfully personified machines and enough technical details to really fascinate a child.
Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo written by Kevin Lewis and illustrated by Daniel Kirk
I already raved about this perfectly rhyming, colorful picture book. But this list wouldn’t be complete without it.
Special Mention: Up Above & Down Below by Sue Redding
This book really captures your imagination. Though not a typical ‘truck’ book, it has the same sort of detail and behind the scenes look that kids love. It shows, often humorously, what’s going on above and below in each scene. On the second floor and on the first floor. Bunnies in the garden and below the ground. Kids on the street and workers under it. Simple rhymes and great pictures make this a joy to read.
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Books of the Week, Picture books, I heart this book, Books
November 26th, 2007 at 1:29 am
Fab. I love the ones you introduced me to before, and I can’t wait to read these others now! :D
Books of the Week: For the old’uns
November 18th, 2007 by Sara
It’s Day 56 in my journey to 100 Days, 1000 Books. I’ve read 574 books so far and I’m loving it. Mostly. Here are some of the books that are making this adventure a joy.
Part II of the best of reads brings my favorite picture books for the sophisticated, jet-setting, caviar munching, seen-it-all 4 to 8 age group. These books usually have more story, more humor, and more layers. When this added complexity manages to hang on to its clear focus and simplicity, magic happens.
Nini Here and There by Anita Lobel
When the suitcases come out, your pet’s heart fills with dread. This wonderful story turns the traumas of having to travel with your pet into a imaginative adventure.
Zuzu’s Wishing Cake written by
Zuzu is a fantastically creative, eccentric, and active main character. The distinctive style of the illustrations and fun story draw you in and make you fall in love.
Great Big Guinea Pigs by
The collage style pictures really work with this unusual guinea pig tale of natural history that brings you straight into prehistoric times.
Chicks and Salsa written by
The chickens are tired of their plain old feed. And who can blame them? They want salsa! Keep your eyes out for the enterprising and very funny rats.
Rainstorm by
A wordless picture book that spins a quietly magical tale of secret passageways on a rainy day.
Peanut by Linas Alsenas
The ridiculous pictures play counterpoint to the understated illustrations, making this one of the funniestpicture books I’ve read.
That Rabbit Belongs to Emily Brown written by
Emily Brown and her rabbit, Stanley, are unstoppable. A great stuffed animal story with hilarious 
pictures and outspoken main characters.
Special Mention: Pssst…
I’ve already exclaimed about this imaginative book, but I just couldn’t leave it out!
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Books of the Week, Picture books, I heart this book, Books
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Books of the Week: Issue Books
November 9th, 2007 by Sara
Stories are, above all, a way for us to understand the world. When we see a character having the same feelings as us, going through the same experiences, reacting in the same way, we discover we are not alone. Lying, teasing, being frustrated, being jealous of a friend, does not make us a bad person. It simply makes us human.
Picture books are essential in this respect. Children need to see their own situations, actions, and feelings reflected back at them. It helps them to understand and accept what is happening around and inside them. Here are a few stories that do this wonderfully.
The Show and Tell Lion written by Barbara Abercrombie and illustrated by Lynne Avril Cravath is an excellent and funny book about lying. The lovely part of this story is that the motive and imagination behind Matthew’s lie is as important as what he decides to do about it. Matthew manages to find a creative way to explain his ’show and tell lion’ to his classmates and though he still faces the repercussions, 
he is quickly understood and forgiven.
You’ll Be Sorry by Josh Schneider and If I Had a Dragon by Tom and Amanda Ellery are both excellent books about being annoyed with your younger sibling. These exaggerated, silly stories take sibling irratation to the extreme, helping kids identify, accept, and laugh off their feelings of frustration.
Fred stays with Me written by Nancy Coffelt and illustrated by Tricia Tusa is a book about moving back and forth between divorced parents. The genius of this book is its focus on the child’s dog, rather than the child herself.
Recess Queen written by Alexis O’Neill and illustrated by Laura Huliska Deith is a colorful, fun book about bullies. The characters are strong, the rhyme is great, and the solution is believable.
Little Donkey and the Birthday Present written by Rindert Kromhout, illustrated by Annemarie van Haeringen, and translated by Marianne Martens, and That’s mine, Horace by Holly Keller are books about wanting someone else’s toys. They both 
show the true yearning the characters have for the coveted toy, the details they love about the objects. Each deals in a loving manner with the feelings, never down-playing them or berating the characters.
*Special Mention: Max by Rachel Isadora is about a baseball playing boy that discovers he also loves ballet. This is a great story and a great character that tiptoes into the realm of being different without being bogged down by deeper issues.
Good issue books are extremely difficult to write, but these stories succeed by creating wonderful characters that we can love. By focusing on the stories, by using the issues as a catalyst instead of the focus, the subject matter sneaks up on you. These books entertain and comfort us as we see our own misbehaviors, problems, and fears laid open on the page.
Don’t forget to check out what else I’ve come across on my quest for 1000 picture books!
Posted in Books of the Week, The Great Picture Book Read, Picture books, Characters, Books, I heart this book, Writing
November 13th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Mmm. I am intensely interested in this topic. Thanks, Sara!!
November 13th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
It’s funny that there is a whole category of picture books that are called “issue” books because I like to think EVERY good book is going to be dealing with SOMETHING, SOME ISSUE that readers can relate to - like Max being ANGRY in Where the Wild Things Are - but is that an “issue” PB? Though I supposed some PBs, like “Pssst!” are just fun adventures and not very “issue” oriented (though throughout it there’s the whole idea of animals wanting to escape captivity…) or am I reading too much into it?
Thanks for this fun post!
Lee
Books of the Week:For the Young’uns
November 2nd, 2007 by Sara
Amazingly, some books have really stuck in my mind even after reading over 400 picture books. They aren’t always the ones I’m immediately ‘wowed’ by, but often the stories that come sneaking out when I’m telling Tony about my day. Or make me laugh later when I’m driving or writing email, from the memory of a particularly funny picture or silly premise.
Here’s part one of the list: Fantastic picture books for the very young. It’s extremely hard to make a very simple book that still has humor, interestesting characters, and 
depth, but these books do it brilliantly! These stories will engage the youngest children and amuse even the oldest adults.
Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
This gets my Gold Medal of Fantabulousity. Using different combinations of only 5 words (4 of which are in the title) Gravett is able to create an engaging character, clever word play, and, most amazingly, a very funny book.
Who is Driving? by Leo Timmers
This simple book repeats the question “Who is Driving?” giving us a line up of funny characters to choose from. Its simple text and wonderful animal illustrations can span the age groups.
Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino
This is one of those sneaky books. It’s a very simple, quiet story about a boy going out to breakfast with his father. But the fabulous, classic style of the illustrations and the comforting description of ordinary events has a way of warming your heart without ever being sappy.
Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo written by Kevin Lewis and illustrated by Daniel Kirk
Perfect rhyme. Bright,playful pictures. And trains! What more could a kid want?
*Special Mention: Dog Food by Saxton Freymann
This is a book that defies age groups. While the bright pictures will engage the very 
young, the simple,
but clever word play will be best appreciated by older children and adults. Freymann brilliantly creates scenes of dogs snacking, lounging, and playing, completely out of vegetables and fruits. These illustrations, combined with smart captions, make it a fascinating and funny book for anyone.
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Books of the Week, Picture books, I heart this book, Books
November 4th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
What a truly excellent round-up. I’m excited to read each and every one of these!!
Thanks, Sara!!
Books of the Week:Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad characters
October 26th, 2007 by Sara“The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another, his mother called him “WILD THING!” and Max said “I’LL EAT YOU UP!” so he was sent to bed without eating anything.” - Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are
What is it that makes wild, stubborn, grumpy, characters so much fun to read about? Is it that they say and do exactly what we want to when we’re feeling bad? Or that they throw out the rules and hold a wild rumpus instead? Or is it the end of the story that we like, when despite their atrocious behavior, someone still loves them enough to leave supper for them. “And it was still hot.”
I think it’s D. All of the above.
There’s nothing I love more than a character who’s a little bit unlovable. I admire their fearlessness. I want to romp around in Max’s wolf suit and be queen of the Wild Things. Here are a few of my other favorites Wild Things.
No, David! by David Shannon
The sheer energy and out-of-controlness of ‘David’ bursts out through David Shannon’s wild illustrations. David’s monstery grin and inability to listen, make 
him both impossible and fantastic. Despite the havoc David wreaks, we still want to hug him along with his mother at the end of the story.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz
Poor Alexander. He wakes up with gum in his hair, gets no toy surprise in his cereal, has to eat lima beans (he hates lima beans), has to wear his railroad-train pajamas (he hates his railroad-train pajamas!), his mickey mouse night light burns out, and even the cat decides she likes his brother better. And that’s barely the beginning of his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Who hasn’t had days like 
this? How could you not feel sorry for this very grumpy boy? The best part of this book is its clever and perfect ending. Judith Viorst brilliantly side-steps the sappy ending trap. But I’m not going to ruin it for you.
I’d Really Like to Eat a Child written by Sylviane Donnio and illustrated by Dorothee De Monfreid
This is a slightly outrageous book about a alligator who, you guessed it, wants to eat a child. He refuses sausages and bananas, and sets off to reach his goal. Only when he finally meets a child, do we realize how small he really is. Does he learn his lesson about eating children??? Guess you’ll have to read it to find out.
“I’m not cute!” by Jonathan Allen
This fluffy owl chick despises being called cute by the forest animals around him. He insists instead that he is “a huge and scary hunting machine with great big soft 
and silent wings.” Not quite yet, but you gotta love his gusto!
Honorable Mention: Olivia by Ian Falconer
Though Olivia is incredibly likeable, she still loves to create a mess and do what she likes. Ian Falconer takes a softer tone on the classic stubborn, unbeatable spirit.
Don’t forget to check out what else I’ve been reading!
Posted in Books of the Week, The Great Picture Book Read, Picture books, Characters, I heart this book, Books
October 31st, 2007 at 11:57 pm
Great, great theme for a round-up! I can’t wait to check out I’m Not Cute! Thanks!!
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:17 am
Oh, I think it goes without saying that I adore these other books. (That’s why I didn’t say it.) You and I are in synch like that. :)
Books of the Week: Old Favorites
October 19th, 2007 by Sara
When I’m perusing the picture book shelves and come across a favorite book from my childhood, it’s like crawling under the blankets, snuggling up with a stuffed animal, and sipping a cup of cocoa. With mini marshmallows. Those tiny pillows of delight. Spongey icebergs in a sea of chocolate. Morsels of fluffy happiness.
Ahem. Reading my old favorites brings instant security and comfort. And I can’t seem to get any perspective on them from my adult, writer brain. It’s too busy building a pillow fort.
So this week is dedicated to those books that highjacked my imagination and my filled my room with friends.
Miss Nelson is Missing written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall
The best part about this book is that the truth about Viola Swamp isn’t revealed directly in the text. It only hints (though not subtly) about the relationship between the two teachers and the pictures give you 
additional clues. As a result, you feel extremely clever and pleased with yourself for figuring out something that the characters in the book couldn’t. The writer and illustrator nudge you and wink, including you in their joke.
Bread and Jam for Frances written by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban
“I do not like the way you slide,
I do not like your soft inside,
I do not like you lots of ways,
And I could do for many days
Without eggs.”
To this day, Frances’s quiet song about soft boiled eggs and her determined attitude about what she likes and dislikes, bonds me to her. Rereading this book after so many years brought no disappointments, only joy and the distinct sensation of childhood.
Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
Ignore the movie. This book is vivid and thrilling. I remember reading it with my sister and feeling the danger and excitement of a game gone wrong. The hot breath of the lion. The destruction wrought by the 
monkeys. Chris Van Allsburg knows the way into the depths of our imaginations, even if Hollywood doesn’t.
SPECIAL MENTION: George and Martha by James Marshall
George and Martha is clever, funny, touching, ridiculous, and so very reassuring. These two hippopotamus friends cover the breadth of human experience, jealousy, pride, irritation, loneliness, vices, love, all within the context of compelling mini-stories. If you haven’t read the George and Martha stories they should be first on your list. And like mini marshmallows and cocoa, they’re best when shared with a friend.
Want to see what other books I’ve been reading?
Posted in The Great Picture Book Read, Books of the Week, I heart this book, Books
October 19th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Oh joyful joyful!! My favorite moments and memorized phrases pouring out after the fiftieth read of these books. No books could make me happier and seeing them always gives me a strong urge to run up to a stranger, sit them down and read them our stories and see their face as they hear it for the first time. :)
Meg
October 19th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
How happy has this post made me?? How happy has the way you articulated it made me??
> And I can’t seem to get any perspective on them from my adult, writer brain. It’s too busy building a pillow fort.
That’s it, exactly.
Books of the Week: Caldecott Books
October 5th, 2007 by Sara
It’s unusual for a book from the 40’s to still be on the bookstore shelves, but Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey is an exception. Not just because of its timeless story, but also because of its Caldecott Medal.
The Caldecott is given each year “to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.” It’s the illustrator who receives the award, but the book as a whole has to be superior, as well. So this week, I decided to find out what makes a book a Caldecott. It’s been enlightening.
The thing about Caldecotts is that they generally stay in print. So you have a sampling of books from the last 70 years. It’s amazing how much picture books have changed. And how much they haven’t.
Take the 2005 Caldecott Medal winner, Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. This book has a simple, sweet story about a kitten mistaking the full moon for a bowl of milk. The pictures have a clean and simple style with bold lines and soft, night time colors. This book could’ve been created at anytime, ever since cats have been gazing up at the moon. It has a classic feel with a lovely, traditional picture book story and structure. Picture books haven’t really changed.
But they have. And Smoky Night illustrated by David Diaz and written by Eve Bunting shows this clearly. This magnificent story takes us out of the normally safe and snug domain of picture books and throws us into the middle of a riot. These are not ducklings at stake either, but children, families, and neighborhoods.
Styles change too. This year’s medal book, Flotsam by David Wiesner is a complicated
So, looking at all these picture books, have they changed over the years? Ummmmmm, excellent question. But unfortunately, I have an urgent appointment I just remembered. Gotta go!
Take a look at other Caldecott greats I read this week: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Tuesday by David Wiesner, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Olivia by Ian Falconer, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig, Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type and illustrated by Betsy Lewin.
Posted in Books of the Week, The Great Picture Book Read, Picture books, Illustration, I heart this book, Books
October 10th, 2007 at 1:58 am
I am devouring your picture book reading recommendations. Yay!! I love having my PBs hand-picked for me by Sara!!!
Thanks to you, I’m now completely in love with Click, Clack, Moo, among so many others!
Kitten’s First Full Moon looks awesome. Gotta check that out.
:D
r
