Picture Books
Moon bear
Clare Helen Welsh
jE Welsh
Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Picture Books, Animals, Art / Art History
"In this enchantingly illustrated, almost wordless picture book, a story of courage and creativity unfolds when a girl who is afraid of the dark meets a magical moon bear who is afraid of the light."
Big enough
Regina Linke
jE Linke
Picture Books
Tasked with bringing home his grandfather's ox, a young boy overcomes his fear and trusts his intuition to bring home the gigantic animal.
Browsing through this beautifully illustrated picture book feels like wandering through a stunning gallery of Chinese gongbi (工笔画) artworks! What makes it even more delightful is discovering that all the lifelike figures and scenery are magically brought to life with digital techniques. The story itself is warm and heartening, gently showing readers of all ages the power of self-confidence and mutual trust. Big Enough—check it out today! -Fang
Everybelly
Thao Lam
jE Lam
Picture Books
"From acclaimed picture-book artist Thao Lam comes a joyful celebration of an oft-maligned body part -- the belly! Maddie and her mom spend a sunny day at the local public pool where she meets and greets friends and neighbors. Maddie is waist-high on most of them, and she knows there's an interesting person behind every belly she passes -- like Jackie, the artist with a splatter of ice cream across their belly. Maddie's splatter painting often leaves Mama speechless, too! The poolside belly parade keeps Maddie musing: How bellies can make excellent tables, how hard some people work to keep their bellies flat when Maddie prefers her belly full, and how you should never, ever stick your hands in other people's bellies, no matter how soft and doughy they might look. (Maddie's cat taught her that the hard way.) As Maddie dances, swims and makes the long climb up to the diving board, Thao Lam's celebrated cut-paper collage portrays bellies and bodies of all shapes and sizes -- bellies with scars, tattooed bellies, growing bellies, growling bellies, bellies with six-packs, stretch marks, insulin monitors, freckles and more -- proving that every belly deserves its place in the sun."--
As bikini season descends upon us, Thao Lam has created a stunning ode to the belly. Vibrant patterns, sumptuous paper cut-out collages narrated with the innocent wonder of a child brings so much joy to the pages! Whether you're rocking a muffin top, a jelly belly, a six-pack, or anything in-between, this read will have you embracing your majestic midriff however it's showing up! A super-sweet read! -Victoria
We leap together
Christopher Silas Neal
jE Neal
Kids, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Nature
"An awe-inspiring nonfiction picture book, perfect for animal lovers, that reveals how a mama whale and a mama person care for their young in remarkably similar ways, from the illustrator of Over and Under the Snow. A little boy and his mother set off on a day trip, meanwhile, a mama whale and her calf swim towards the bay. On the way, both sing, blow bubbles, get lost--and found! Through it all, mama always stays close. The human pair board a sightseeing boat, and as the whales reach the harbor, they all converge in one spectacular scene! With lyrical text and absolutely magnificent art, here's a book that celebrates our connection to animals, and to each other"--
Beautiful illustrations and minimal text make for perfect storytime sharing! Curious readers will find backmatter that sheds more light on the comparison Neal draws between humans and whales. -Casey
Don't trust fish
Neil Sharpson
jE Sharpson
Picture Books, Animals
Why, dear reader, must you NEVER EVER trust fish? 1) They spend all their time in the water where we can't see them. 2) Some are as big as a bus--that is not okay. 3) We don't know what they're teaching in their "schools." 4) They are likely plotting our doom. This nature-guide-gone-wrong is a hilarious, off-the-rails exploration of the seemingly innocent animals that live in the water.
This book is a riot- the perfect balance of fun fish facts, dead-pan comedy and a subtle crab protagonist. I read this at impromptu storytimes for everyone in my house, including visitors, and it received rave reviews from adults, kids and teens alike. Maybe don't trust fish, but definitely don't miss this picture book! -Victoria
Thank you, everything
author Icinori (Publishing studio)
jE Icinori
Picture Books, Nature
"What starts as a series of "thank yous" addressed to common objects that inhabit our daily lives gradually builds into a fantastic journey across landscapes, seasons, and inner discoveries."--
If art washes away the dust of everyday life, consider your life squeaky clean after reading this one. This is one of the best wordless picture books I've read in a long time. The premise is simple: gratitude for the simplest of things. But the gratitude evolves into being thankful for so much more. There is no text, and the illustrations are divine. You'll have to covet and pore over the pages at least two or three times before returning. Stunning! -Victoria
Otter carries on
Maya Tatsukawa
jE Tatsukaw
Kids, Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Philosophy, Self Help
"Otter loves floating and collecting pretty, heavy rocks all by themself. When a storm comes, Otter has so many rocks that they can't swim home -- and soon, they're lost at sea. But when a few rocks accidentally slip away, Otter feels -- lighter. And with the help of a new friend, Otter realizes that maybe they don't need to carry everything alone." --
Otters, friendship, and adventures at sea! Maya Tatsukawa's latest picture book, Otter Carries On, is gorgeous and a nice conversation starter about letting things go. -Casey
Little Witch Hazel : a year in the forest
Phoebe Wahl
jE Wahl
Adventure, Kids, Picture Books, Animals
"Little Witch Hazel is a tiny witch who lives in the forest, helping creatures big and small. She's a midwife, an intrepid explorer, a hard worker and a kind friend. In this four-season volume, Little Witch Hazel rescues an orphaned egg, goes sailing on a raft, solves the mystery of a haunted stump and makes house calls to fellow forest dwellers. But when Little Witch Hazel needs help herself, will she get it in time? Little Witch Hazel is a beautiful ode to nature, friendship, wild things and the seasons, that only Phoebe Wahl could create: an instant classic and a book that readers will pore over time and time again."--
I really love Phoebe Wahl's artwork, and this makes reading her books even more enjoyable. In this book, we follow the character Little Witch Hazel as she adventures through the forest, meeting many adorable critters in even more adorable outfits along the way! -Violette
Papilio
jE Clanton
Humor, Kids, Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Science
"Told in three parts, Papilio transforms from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly"--
There's a new very hungry caterpillar in town, Papilio! This collaborative picture book has just enough information for young entomologists to gobble up and features a sweet story about finding your wings. Papilio is one big treat! -Casey
The ogre who wasn't
Michael Morpurgo
jE Morpurgo
Humor, Kids, Picture Books, Nature
Princess Clara misses her father, the King. All Clara wants is to escape outside and make friends with the creatures that she finds there. Her best friend is a very small ogre. Ogres are usually baddies, aren't they? Not this one... and he might just be able to help make Clara's dreams come true. Maybe he isn't an ogre at all?
Morpurgo and Gravett's latest collaboration is fabulous! Pair with Munch's "Paper Bag Princess" for a wildly fun reading time. -Casey
This ursa is majorly gorgeous! Carolina T. Godina's picture book illustrator debut is a stunner. -Casey