If You Run Out of Words, illustrated and written by Felicita Sala, published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, ISBN: 9781419766886.
An unexpected series of questions from his child prompts a very imaginative father to tell an increasingly bizarre, fantastical tale that amuses and amazes. Sala mixes fantasy with whimsical humor here, but gives the work a beating heart. It’s a surprisingly moving title. The warm bond between parent and child glimmers on the page. The daughter asks her pop will he ever run out of words for her. Nope, never, he replies, vowing to travel deep into the woods to visit a word factory run by elves. The self-taught Sala gives us a fun, elaborate comical rendering of this elaborate underground factory with its many tunnels, gadgets, and celebratory meals. The father’s answer leads to another question and then another wild reply. The dad describes flying into outer space and dipping under the sea, making sure he has enough words to share with his beloved offspring. The book is both beautiful and silly. It would actually make a good companion with Neal Gaiman’s wondrous novella Fortunately, the Milk, which also stars a father who spins an action-packed account of daring and peril. Sala packs If You Run of Words with striking, unforgettable comical visuals throughout. Like the father shrinking down to ride on a boat with evil mice pirates. You really don’t know what will happen next. For an extra treat, peek under the book jacket!
Two very different looks at visitors from other space for those budding sci fi fans.
The Spaceman, illustrated and written by Randy Cecil, published by Candlewick, ISBN: 9781536226164.
With his bug eyes and “whoa I cannot believe the wonders I am seeing” facial expressions, The Spaceman makes for one engaging protagonist. He lands on a planet (most likely Earth) on a mission to gather soil. It’s supposed to be a quick visit but chaos involving his rocket ensues, leading to a hilariously depicted chase. Along the way, this misadventure gives our titular hero a chance to take in his beautiful surroundings. Yes, things do not go as planned, but with enchanting encounters with refreshing water, lovely winged creatures (yay butterflies!), and a very very very very friendly pooch, the now-content Spaceman does not mind. Cecil’s book delights on so many levels. The first person narration grabs the reader right away. The Spaceman is diminutive, and Cecil has fun placing with scale, placing him next to flowers, bugs and the tongue-wagging dog that tower over him. Also, Cecil knows how to pace the action, whooshing the reader from one comical event to the next with grace and ease. And Cecil sticks the landing with an adorable ending that satisfies.
Viewfinder, created by Salwa Majoka and Christine D.U. Chung, published by Tundra, ISBN: 9780735268753.
At 144 pages, Viewfinder is not really a picture book. It’s a wordless graphic novel. But it goes so well as a companion piece to The Spaceman I had to pair the two. Viewfinder drops the reader into the world of a young space traveler who goes from planet to planet collecting gems. The character lands on a planet that seems to have been deserted. She discovers an object (which we will instantly recognize as one of those viewfinder toys) that shows her photos of the once vibrant life that existed, and this includes human life. As she moves from locale to locale, trying to figure out the planet’s mysteries (the illustrations effectively convey the blur of motion), the book casts a compelling spell on the reader. The work is sci fi, it’s a mystery, and it’s also surprisingly sweet–probably the cutest dystopia novel ever. And yet Chung and Majoka are not afraid to tap into the sadness of the situation. In a reassuring touch, the creators do manage to give those experiencing this adventure hope. It would make a terrific animated feature.
This past week I introduced three new books to some of my preschool groups and the children loved them!
The Book That Almost Rhymed, illustrated by Hatem Aly, written by Omar Abed, published by Dial Books for Young Readers, ISBN: 9780593406380.
An enthusiastic rhyme-spewing young storyteller wants to tell an action-packed tale filled with verses and wordplay. But a younger sister keeps botching up the rhymes by yelling out totally unexpected words, disrupting the narrative’s flow. That is the fun comical premise of this rollicking sibling romp that never goes the direction the reader thinks it will go. As new obstacles appear, the book becomes sillier and more giddily ridiculous and young storytime audiences cannot help but giggle. Abed has a blast throwing in zippy words, and demonstrates a talent for effective comic timing. Aly’s bright illustrations capture the escalating wildness of this impromptu collaboration; this is controlled chaos at its best. Things end with a sweet peaceful resolution. But what I really like is the clever way Abed reveals that the sister’s contributions can be used in an all new way. Here’s to future collaborations!
Mama in the Moon, created by Doreen and Brian Cronin, published by Rocky Pond Books, ISBN: 9780593698204.
You may have heard but this past week we had a solar eclipse, ha. When I saw a certain spread in this book showing a mama sloth’s silhouette as she slowly moves down a tree in front of a giant yellow moon I couldn’t help to think–wow, this looks like a sloth eclipse! The Cronins tell a tale that invites the storyteller to read it as slowly as a sloth’s movements. And yet, there is surprisingly a lot happening here. A baby sloth cuddles with their mother high up in a tree, but then tumbles to the ground. The little tyke panics, calling up to mom. She shouts down reassuring words, saying she will arrive soon, and to notice the comforting flowers, worms and butterflies. The idiosyncratic images in this book glow in the moonlight. The worms especially have a very distinct look to them. When the mother-child reunion finally does occur, young listeners feel relieved and elated. A satisfying gem.
Turtle-Turtle and the Wide, Wide River, created by Jane and Will Hillenbrand, published by Holiday House, ISBN: 9780823453979.
Will Hillenbrand says in an afterword that this story of a baby turtle surviving its first storm came to him in a dream. And it’s interesting: the book, while seeming like a pretty straightforward account about perseverance and animal characters helping out the littlest and youngest in their ranks, does have sort of a dream logic to it. Turtle-Turtle lives on a little island surrounded by a big river. Other seasoned creatures (a heron, frog and otter) notice a storm brewing, while Turtle-Turtle happily sniffs flowers, oblivious to the rolling dark clouds. When things go haywire and a wave pulls our turtle pal underwater, Turtle-Turtle must discover how to swim, paddle and kick those legs. The Hillenbrands make creating a picture book seem effortless and easy, when we all know that it is not. They throw in recurring word patterns (“down, down, down” followed by an “up, up, up”) and children happily shout out the sound effect words like whish, swish, and whoosh even while feeling deeply concerned about our hero. The illustrations deftly mix in the cute with perilous: that little smile on the turtle’s face makes listeners say “aaaawwww” while the storm clouds make them say “whoa.” An instant storytime favorite.
Join me next week on April 3 for this blog’s very first cover reveal! So excited! You will be the very first to see the cover for a new and exciting picture book coming later in the year. What is the book going to be? You will have to pop back in and see.
This week it’s time to look at one of the very best picture books of the year (so far), and at a trio of books from esteemed and terrific Caldecott honorees.
Touch the Sky, illustrated by Chris Park, written by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, published by Carolrhoda, ISBN:9781728460451, to be released May 7, 2024.
This book isn’t coming out until May 7, 2024, but I was able to see a copy thanks to my co-worker, Fuse #8 blogger extraordinaire Betsy Bird. When I think of what makes picture books so rewarding and thrilling to look at, I think of books like Touch the Sky. This evocative title vividly captures a childhood milestone, learning how to pump effectively enough on a swing to soar towards the sky. In Lucianovic’s account, things don’t go automatically well for shaggy-haired swing set newbie Vern, who watches with wonder (and frustration) at a peer (the hilarious and fearless Gretchen) who swings with graceful ease. Vern flips, flops, and even falls, not exactly enjoying the laughter of others and groaning a bit at Gretchen’s TRY AGAIN (the colorful words filling the page). Lucianovic mixes humor and pathos; readers want Vern to succeed but have a few chuckles watching him stumble a bit. We know Vern will eventually succeed, but the author still keeps us in suspense. Park’s expressionistic illustrations have a modern art feel to them at times, and are a fluent delight. Park knows how to convey motion and body language. Dig those facial expressions as Vern goes from feeling hopeful to experiencing extreme dread and ultimately enjoying pure elation. It’s a beautiful and funny book at perseverance.
3 new ones from Caldecott Honors
Nana in the Country, illustrated and written by Lauren Castillo, published by Clarion, ISBN: 9780544102170.
This lovely sequel to Castillo’s Caldecott Honor title Nana in the City serves as a satisfying mirror to that title. This time urban dweller Nana visits her grandchild in the country. In the first book, most of the drama stemmed from the child’s fears about being in the city. Nana does not possess any fears of being in a rural setting. In fact, Nana seems to already know everything about what the kid wants to show her, and this frustrates the little one. But do not fear: Castillo throws in a dramatic moment that empowers the child and leaves Nana impressed. Castillo brings her usual A game to her emotionally direct prose and warm illustrations.
Two Together, illustrated and written by Brendan Wenzel, published by Chronicle, ISBN: 9781797202778, to be released: April 23, 2024.
Wenzel (Caldecott honoree for They All Saw a Cat, that modern classic about perception) proves once again that he is one of the most inventive and playful illustrators working today. A dog and cat walk together outside, side by side and almost home. Sounds like a simple plot, right? But wait. Wenzel takes this idea of a shared excursion and then twists the images about in the most unexpected ways. The pooch’s views of what happens on the walk differs from the feline’s, and sometimes their realities become surreal. Look at the frog and check out that bear. Wenzel loves creating works about animals, but he never makes the same work twice. Two Together definitely beats to the sound of its own drummer, and each page turn brings a new thrilling visual surprise.
What’s New, Daniel?, illustrated and written by Micha Archer, published by Nancy Paulsen Books (an imprint of Penguin), ISBN: 9780593461303.
Archer received her well-deserved Caldecott honor for the nature-infused Wonder Walkers. She now gives us a third book about Daniel, that sweet, sensitive, introspective boy who loves writing poems about the animals he sees in Central Park, and exchanging warm greetings with those living in his urban neighborhood. In this sunny title, Daniel heads back to the park, this time to visit his grandfather and find out what’s new with a variety of non-human pals (a rock, some birds, polliwogs, and so on). His upbeat exchanges allow him chances to talk about some of his milestones (loose tooth, running fast). Archer knows exactly how to depict the inner-workings of a compassionate child without feeling treacly. And I love how she brings everything together at the end; as in the previous Daniel stories, the story is cumulative with Daniel happily saying everything he has learned on his journey. Oh yes, and let’s look at that amazing art. Tender, colorful collages that show beautifully across a room. Another gem.
Mr. Brian's Picture Book Picks 