Picture books

Picture books from well-loved series

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Kitty Camp by Drew Brockington (Harry N. Abrams, 40 pages, ages 4-8). In this follow-up to Puppy Bus, a girl accidentally gets on the wrong camp bus. She’s way more enthusiastic than the Puppy Bus protagonist, excited about camp in general and certain that camp with a bunch of kittens will be even better. But arts and crafts is a chaotic mess, the kitties would rather sleep than hike, it’s impossible to eat her tuna sandwich, and no one wants to join her in the pool. When she sees cats popping out of cardboard boxes, she gets the idea to build everyone a super-sized fort, and before long, she and the cats have found a bunch of ways to have fun together. “Kitty camp just took a little getting used to,” she decides as she boards the bus home. A cameo by the Puppy Bus boy and a surprise ending hints that there may be a third books in the works.

Based on the enthusiastic reactions I’ve had to Puppy Bus over the years (it’s my go-to book for kindergartners starting school), I can’t wait to share Kitty Camp. Those familiar with the ways of cats will get a kick out of seeing how they do camp. It’s a little late in the season now, but keep this in mind for kids going off to summer camp for the first time next summer.

This Book Is Dangerous! A Narwhal and Jelly Picture Book by Ben Clanton (Tundra Books, 44 pages, ages 4-8). The beloved graphic novel characters Narwhal and Jelly now have their own picture book, mostly featuring Jelly the jellyfish, who tells readers, “I don’t do dangerous,” after seeing the title of the book. As he swims through the sea, looking for an escape, he’s faced with all sorts of fearsome creatures, warning readers not to disturb them, then angrily reprimanding them when the animals come after him. His luck unexpectedly changes when he’s swallowed by a shark and discovers a jar of hot sauce in the shark’s stomach. Opening the jar results in a fiery shark explosion that sets Jelly free, only to lead him to the sounds of chewing from another sea creature. But–surprise!–it’s just his friend Narwhal eating a “dangerously delicious” waffle, and giving the book a sweet ending.

One can never have enough Narwhal and Jelly in the library, and this fun interactive picture book is a great way to introduce newly independent readers to the graphic novel series. Those who aren’t quite there yet will love this book on its own merits.

Mysterious creatures of the deep

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In the World of Whales by Michelle Cusolito, illustrated by Jessica Lanan (Neal Porter Books, 52 pages, grades K-4). When a small boat with people in search of sperm whales spots a clan, a free diver (diving without an oxygen tank) goes into the water to investigate. He soon discovers a newborn calf surrounded by its mother and other whales. As he swims nearby, taking pictures, other whales arrive, as if they’ve been summoned to meet the new baby. The mother seems to be introducing them to her newborn, and finally she nudges the baby toward the man. A gatefold page shows him face to face with the baby, while other whales swim around them. Finally, the whales swim away, and the man resurfaces. “He rides home in silence, forever changed.” Includes a labeled diagram of a sperm whale, additional information about free diving and whales, resource lists, and notes from the author and illustrator that tell about Belgian free diver Fred Buyle, who is the inspiration for this story.

Readers will be in awe of the whales in this book, as well as free diving, which seems like a scary but exciting adventure into the ocean. Jessica Lanan’s artwork is breathtaking, and potentially worthy of a Caldecott or another Sibert award.

The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure by Thor Hanson, illustrated by Galia Bernstein (Greenwillow Books, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Inky was a Maori octopus who lived in the National Aquarium of New Zealand. We’ll never know for sure what went on in Inky’s octopus brain, but this story speculates that he had all kinds of questions about the people and animals around him. The biggest question, though, was if there was a world beyond the tank. Inky got to find out out one night when he noticed the lid of his tank was ajar and managed to squeeze himself out (“An octopus body is boneless/like Jell-o wrapped up in a sack”). He couldn’t survive long outside of the water, but he managed to travel across the floor to a drain and slip into it. The next morning, zookeepers were baffled as to where Inky had gone until someone noticed a trail of water across the floor and deduced that he had traveled 164 feet through the pipe and into the sea. Includes additional information about Inky and other octopuses.

I wouldn’t have recommended writing the story of Inky in rhyme, but somehow, it works, thanks to an interesting story and some excellent rhyming that brings it to life. Kids will be cheering for Inky and undoubtedly inspired to learn more about octopuses.

Creating community

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No More Chairs by Dan Gill, illustrated by Susan Gal (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, grades K-3). On the first day of school, Mr. Gill’s students ask him why there’s an extra chair at the front of the room. He tells a story of when he was a kid, and he went to a birthday party with his best friend Archie. At the door, the host’s mother stared at Dan, who was white, and Archie, who was Black. “You can come in,” she told Dan, “but your friend cannot, because there are no more chairs.” At first Dan doesn’t understand, although Archie seems to, and he offers to bring a chair from home or sit on the floor. But when the mom is adamant, Dan finally realizes what’s going on. “Give these presents to Steve,” he says. “We’re going back to my house, where there are always enough chairs.” On the way home, Archie tells Dan he will speak up for him if Dan ever feels like he can’t speak for himself, and the two friends share a big bowl of ice cream. And that’s why, Mr. Gill explains, he always keeps an extra chair in the classroom, to make sure that everyone knows that there are always enough chairs, and everyone is welcome. Includes an author’s note of how he always told this true story from his childhood to his classes on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday to help them understand the meaning of the day.

Use this short but powerful tale to either kick off the school year with a message of inclusion or to begin a conversation about the civil rights movement. It’s a story that will resonate with kids of all ages, as well as with adults, and points to the importance of people with privilege speaking up for those who are being marginalized.

Sunnyside School: A Community Helpers Book by Lindsay Ward (HarperCollins, 40 pages, grades K-3). Welcome to Sunnyside School! The first two pages show 39 different jobs that people have at the school. Then the story begins, with siblings Ali and Matty starting second grade and kindergarten, getting walked into the school by their mom. As the two go through their day, they meet all kinds of people: front office staff, classroom teachers, specialists, cafeteria staff, and more. Sidebars give additional information about their jobs, while questions are sprinkled throughout the text to keep kids engaged, and characters talk to each other via cartoon bubbles. Ali’s best friend has just moved away, and Matty’s going to school for the first time; each of them is successful and finding a new friend. At the end of the day, both kids meet their mom and report an excellent first day. Includes a search and find activity for kids to go back and find things like pencils and backpacks in the book, as well as a glossary.

This is an outstanding introduction to all the people who work in a school woven into a first day of school story that kids will relate to. I thought about reading this to kids at the beginning of school, but there’s so much information packed into it that it almost felt overwhelming to read it all in one sitting. it would be a great book to revisit a few times during the first week or two of school, as well as a good one to share with kids at home before their first day.

Two picture books made for sharing

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Everyday Bean (Tiny Bean’s Big Adventures) by Stephanie Graegin (Tundra Books, 56 pages, ages 3-7). “Bean wants to tell a story about tiny ghosts. And Grandma wants to tell a story about giant strawberries. They can’t decide which story to tell you. So they’ve asked me to tell some stories instead.” Ten stories follow about Bean and Grandma, each one only a few sentences long, with adorable illustrations of a young hedgehog and her grandmother. There are tales about everyday events, like swinging at the park, making different things from a cardboard box, and picking out a cactus at Mr. Green’s plant store (“This plant reminds Bean of Grandma. And it reminds Grandma of Bean.”). The last story, “Bean Burrito,” shows Grandma tucking Bean into bed, and both of them nodding off as she reads a bedtime story.

This feels like a book with great potential to become a well-loved favorite over time, with gentle humor, familiar situations, and adorable characters. Listeners who are paying attention will notice that they get to hear stories about both giant strawberries and tiny ghosts.

More or Less by Alison Hughes, illustrated by Oge Mora (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 3-7). The entire text of this book consists almost entirely of the words “more”, “less”, and “plenty”. Oge Mora’s colorful collage illustrations give readers a lot to consider about what those words mean. A family has plenty, but one of the kids has a room with more…and more (with two pictures side by side that kids can compare to see what’s been added). Less in the room can lead to more donations and community building. Less going into the trash results in more recycling and creative repurposing of unwanted items. The last page shows the family hugging one another with the word “Plenty.”

Take your time going through this deceptively simple book. There’s a lot to see, and many interesting ideas about what we want more or less of in our lives, as well as the meaning of the word plenty. I’m looking forward to projecting this on a screen and sharing it with kids, who I know will see all kinds of things in the illustrations that I missed.

Life lessons from animal friends

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Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman, illustrated by Sarah Rebar (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 40 pages, ages 3-8). Siblings Axolotl and Axolittle are very different–big sis Axolotl lives life to the max while younger brother Axolittle is quieter and more studious–but they’re still the best of friends. When Axolotl’s boisterous play ends up destroying Axolittle’s painting, though, an axo-squabble ensues. Finally, Axo-dad-l comes in to calm things down, and after a bit of a break, family harmony is restored.

Axolotls seem to be having a moment, due to Minecraft, I guess? Whatever the reason, this book will definitely catch the eye of many a young reader, and they won’t be disappointed by the lively rhymes, clever axolotl (and axolittle) plays on words, and relatable family situations. This would make a great sibling gift for the older child in a family with a new baby.

Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat (Dial Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). After an introduction to mammals, reptiles, and birds, the narrator gets to fish: DON”T TRUST FISH! There are so many reasons, and those reasons grow more preposterous as the book goes on. Some have gills and some have lungs. Some live in salt water, some in fresh water. Very shifty. They live underwater where you can’t see them. They may be in your home, spying from that aquarium, and reporting back to the king fish! And they like to eat poor, innocent, kind crabs…which readers will learn on the last page is the animal responsible for all the information in this book.

I’ll admit I didn’t love this book the first time I tried reading it, and I only looked at the first few pages. But the four starred reviews and inclusion on possible Caldecott lists led me to take another look, and I’m happy to say that now I get it! It would be a fun story to read aloud and have kids try to guess who the narrator is. Dan Santat’s illustrations, of course, add immeasurably to the fun. It could also be a great introduction to a discussion with older kids about considering sources of information in the news and on social media.

You and Me, Anemone by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Greenwillow Books, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Using clever rhyming text, an anemone makes a plea to readers not to BOOP it, then goes on to encourage kids who prefer not to be booped to assertively make their wishes known. The anemone explains that it likes living harmoniously in community with other anemones, and that not being touched doesn’t mean that it doesn’t enjoy the company of others, “to live side by side in our own kind of unity! Resplendent, independently, extending as far as eye can see.” Includes an author’s note about how she learned recently not to touch anemones and giving kids tips for communicating their own preferences as well as noticing those of others.

This is an ingenious book, combining interesting information about anemones with ideas for kids on how to notice what they may or may not want and expressing that. The illustrations are made to look like applique on burlap, with lots of textures and colors.

Which witch?

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This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). The narrator has had enough of her cute costumes of years past. No more bunny or mouse…this year, she is going to be a witch! She’s been planning this for quite a while, growing her hair, practicing spells, and enlisting her dad to make her a witch costume. On Halloween night, she dresses up, only to scare herself when she looks in the mirror. Dad helps her to take a break, and before long they’re out trick-or-treating, the girl in her witch costume, and her dad dressed up like a cat.

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 232 pages, grades 3-7). Although Jazzy’s moms and grandmother run a successful broom business, Jazzy’s never had any interest in flying. She’s not too surprised when she’s the only kid at school not to get off the ground during her first flying lessons, trying not to feel jealous when her best friend Aggie is a soaring success. When Jazzy sees a cycling race on TV, she’s sure that she’s found her passion, and using parts from the junkyard and a little magic, she and Aggie create a bike for her. Jazzy discovers she loves biking, but she’s afraid to tell her family. With a supermoon in the forecast, the witches all get ready for a flying parade, and Jazzy is finally forced to confess her shortcomings. She learns that her moms both had their share of youthful struggles, and that everyone is proud of her just the way she is, leading her to come up with an innovative broom design with a comfortable bike saddle that not only allows her to finally learn to fly, but helps other witches as well. Includes an author’s note and a preview of Jazzy’s next adventure.

Evelyn Witch Gets a Pet by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Roaring Brook Press, 32 pages, ages 4-8). When Evelyn Witch wakes up with a feeling that something is missing from her life, she can’t quite put her finger on it until she spies the pet shop. Bats, rats, and cats are all beyond her budget, and the only thing she can afford is a box marked “Mystery Pet.” Inside is an egg, which Evelyn is most impatient to have hatch. After a series of outlandish plans to make this happen, she finally realizes that all she can do is be patient, take good care of the egg, and focus on other areas of her life. Her patience is finally rewarded with an appropriate pet for a witch.

Kids will love these three witchy heroines who learn lessons in courage, patience, and being true to themselves in two picture books and a graphic novel. Each one has distinctive artwork that creates a magical world of witches and other fantastic creatures. Halloween may still be three months away, but there’s no reason to wait to read and share these magical books.

Christmas (and Halloween) in July

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Scary Shark: A Jaw-Some Halloween by Mike Lowery (Orchard Books, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Edgar the shark is too scared of everything having to do with Halloween to want to go trick-or-treating, so his friend Lotta the crab eases him into it. They start by carving pumpkins (Lotta uses claws, Edgar uses teeth), then move on to decorating, and finally costumes. After deciding to be Count Sharkula, Edgar freaks out a little when he sees monsters outside his window, but Lotta shows him they’re just friends in costumes. Finally, Edgar’s ready to join the fun, and the two swim out the door and into a spooky underwater town just right for trick-or-treating.

I’m familiar with Mike Lowery’s Gingerbread Man books, but I didn’t know about his shark series, which includes Pizza Shark and Santa Shark. They’re sure to be popular with their comic-style artwork, lots of cartoon bubbles, and puns galore. One can never have too many Halloween books, and this one will be a big hit.

The Gift of Words by Peter H. Reynolds (Orchard Books, available October 7, 40 pages, ages 4-8). In this follow-up to Reynolds’s The Word Collector, Jerome is looking for some good holiday words to add to his collection and to give as gifts to his family and friends. In town, he sees words like, “Sale!”, “Cheap stuff!”, and “Violators will be towed”, none of which seem right for the holidays. The newsstand is even worse, with its headlines about war, poverty, and climate change. Jerome tries listening to the words around him, but they turn out to be complaints or angry commands (“Hurry up!”). He goes back home, where he pulls a selection of the right words from his collection, then heads to the park to decorate a tree. He invites others to add their own words, and before long, the tree is covered with words such as listen, hope, and epiphany, as well as phrases like peace on earth and savor each moment.

Like many Peter H. Reynolds books, the message isn’t exactly subtle (in case you missed it, the last page says “‘Share your positive words. May they inspire peace on Earth.’ – Peter H. Reynolds”), but this is a lovely book for the winter season that spreads a positive message without specifying a particular holiday. The ending practically begs for a bulletin board featuring a tree that kids can decorate with their own words.

Thanks to Scholastic for providing me with review copies of both of these books!

Picture books based on novels

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The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, grades K-3). “Everything was just right on the Island. And then a strange new creature appeared.” For those few remaining individuals who haven’t read one of The Wild Robot books or seen the award-winning film, the new creature is Roz, a robot who has washed up on the island following a shipwreck. This picture book captures the essence of the story, including Roz’s ability to program herself to move and speak like the other animals and her motherly relationship with Brightbill the gosling. As the seasons change, Brightbill grows up, and when fall comes, he migrates south with the flock of geese. Roz protects the other animals through a hard winter, all the while wondering about her son. When spring returns, so do the geese, and after a happy reunion, “Everything was just right on the Island.”

Odder: An Otter’s Story by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel and Friends, 40 pages, grades K-3). Odder is a playful otter whose adventurous nature sometimes gets her into trouble. Based on the novel, which was inspired by two otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this picture book tells the story of Odder’s two rescues by aquarium staff. The first time, she’s separated from her mother and gets washed up on the beach. After a period of rehabilitation, she’s released back into the wild, but her fearlessness results in a shark attack, landing her back at the aquarium for good. As a permanent resident, Odder helps young otters who have been rescued by serving as a mentor, teaching them how to play and hunt until they are ready to be released back into the wild. Includes a photo and additional information about the real otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

My cynical side is always a bit suspicious of picture books based on novels: are publishers just trying to milk more profits from a successful middle grade book, or are they genuinely interested in sharing a good story with younger readers? Both of these efforts feel pretty genuine, but The Wild Robot is a more successful adaptation than Odder. It captures the essence of the story with just a sentence or two on each page but leaves the details to the longer book. The Odder retelling seems a little too ambitious, especially since there are two separate rescues, and the story feels too long and somewhat confusing. Both books have beautiful illustrations, and I especially enjoyed seeing Roz’s world portrayed in vivid color.

A pair of books for the first day of school

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When You Go to Dragon School by Chelsea M. Campbell, illustrated by Charlene Chua (Feiwel and Friends, 32 pages, ages 3-8). When the local school is too full, a group of kids decide to go to dragon school instead. The narrator tells them what they’ll learn: breathing fire, sleeping on piles of gold, sharpening claws and polishing scales, and flying in formation. But wait a minute–kids can’t do those things! The narrator admits that the dragons might think the kids are too squishy and kind of weird for not being able to do breathe fire or fly. But, wait again–maybe the kids could teach the dragons how to make s’mores with their fire. Or make a pillow fort on that pile of gold. Or fly on their backs to help them with their synchronized flights. So don’t worry, the narrator concludes, everyone’s going to love you.

Striking just the right tone for first-time students, this book acknowledges anxieties while encouraging kids to use their own strengths to make friends and enjoy all aspects of school. The smiling dragons are cute and welcoming and not the least bit scary.

First Day Around the World by Ibi Zoboi, illustrated by Juanita Londoño (Versify, 48 pages, grades 1-4). Kids around the world recount the different parts of the first day of school. As the sun rises over eastern Africa, children wake up and greet each other in Swahili. Moving west, we see students in Mali and Senegal traveling to school on foot and by boat. As the day goes on, readers travel to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the rest of the world’s continents (even Antarctica!) as kids around the globe share the foods they eat, the history they learn, the languages they speak, and the customs they observe. As the sun sets in Alaska, a sleepy child gets tucked into bed, ready to rest and prepare for another day of learning. Includes an author’s note recounting her school days in Haiti and the United States.

I love the idea of this book, and the text and colorful illustrations introduce a wide range of places and schools. I wish there had been maps on each page to show the locations, with a world map at the end to put it all together. I also had high hopes for this being a good read-aloud at the beginning of school, but I think the length and introduction of so much new information could make it difficult to keep kids’ attention.

Productive poops and undersea whoops

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Worm Makes a Sandwich by Brianne Farley (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 32 pages, ages 4-8). When a worm offers to make the reader a sandwich, it acknowledges that it seems like an impossible task. But give Worm some garbage, and it will eat and poop, and so will some of its friends, like snails, slugs, beetles, and millipedes. All that poop makes for some rich compost, which can then be added to the garden soil. And the soil helps grow tomatoes, which–you guessed it–can be made into a delicious sandwich. Includes additional information on composting.

Worm is a good narrator to introduce composting and gardening to the youngest readers, and the illustrations do a great job of showing each step in the process. Worm’s claim on the cover that it will make a sandwich “all by myself!” may be a bit misleading, since many other insects as well as a human gardener are shown facilitating the process, but Worm definitely plays a vital role.

What Fish Are Saying: Strange Sounds in the Ocean by Kirsten Pendreigh, illustrated by Katie Melrose (Sourcebooks Explore, 40 pages, ages 4-8). As a child and adult paddle their kayak, enjoying some peace interspersed with a few quiet sounds, they wonder if there’s noise under the water. The answer is a rousing yes, as the rhyming text moves undersea where creatures grunt, groan, squeal, burp, and more. We find out how and why they make noise, and why sound works so well under the water. The repeating refrain “It’s noisy down below” concludes the book with a two-page spread showing all their animals and their sounds. Includes two pages of additional information about undersea noises.

Kids will love these catchy rhymes, fascinating facts, and gorgeous colored illustrations of the busy (and noisy) undersea world. The book would make a great mentor text for teaching onomatopoeia. Some of the rhymes seemed just a syllable too long or short, so I would review it a couple of times before attempting to read it aloud.