Review of Simon and the Better Bone, by Corey R. Tabor

Animal Characters, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Simon and the Better Bone

by Corey R. Tabor

Balzer + Bray, 2023. 40 pages.
Review written July 27, 2023, from a library book
Starred Review

This picture book utterly charmed me. It may be my favorite picture book of the year so far. An Author’s Note at the front says that it’s based on an Aesop’s fable, “But Simon gets a happier ending (he is a good boy, after all).”

From the start, we know this book is different, because you turn the book on its side to have the picture right side up. Then the pages turn from bottom to top instead of the usual side-to-side.

On the title page, we see a sweet brown tail-wagging dog digging something up. There’s a pool reflecting the picture on the lower page (the bottom half of the spread), with some water bugs skating on top of the water, so you clearly understand there’s water there.

As the book begins, now the pond page has the reflection and a few ducks (still reinforcing that there’s water in the bottom half of the spread) and on top (reflected), the dog is proudly carrying a bone and still wagging his tail happily.

Simon was out playing by the pond when he found a bone. If there was a better bone in all the world, Simon hadn’t seen it.

But then Simon spots something in the pond!

It was another bone.
A better bone.

There was a dog holding the bone. But it was a scrawny little dog.
Certainly no match for Simon.

So you can guess how the story goes — lots of facing off with that other dog and his better bone. Posturing, challenging, growling…. Meanwhile, pond critters and other cues remind kids reading that this is Simon’s reflection he’s facing off with.

Finally, there’s a pounce!

But yes, Corey Tabor cleverly finds a sweet way to give Simon a happy ending. Such a good dog!

Part of why I loved this book so much is that I’m a Big Sister – who did a lot of babysitting my younger siblings. (I was third of thirteen kids.) One of my favorite Big Sister Tricks was something a bunch of us discovered. We had a long mirror with a wide shelf in front of it. If you sat a baby in front of the mirror with a ball — the baby will try to get the Other Baby’s ball. Every time. They have an identical ball. But they want the Other Baby’s ball. This greatly amused us older siblings.

And putting this story into this delightful picture book will give kids the joy of knowing what’s really going on. I see an instant storytime classic in this book. So much fun!

coreyrtabor.com
harpercollinschildrens.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of How to Count to ONE, written by Caspar Salmon, illustrated by Matt Hunt

Delightfully Silly, Mathematical, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 2

How to Count to ONE

(And Don’t Even THINK about Bigger Numbers!)

written by Caspar Salmon
illustrated by Matt Hunt

Nosy Crow, 2023. First published in the United Kingdom in 2022. 32 pages.
Review written July 11, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

How to Count to ONE is one of those interactive picture books that speaks directly to the child reader, and this one is all about subverting expectations of counting books.

It starts with a picture of an apple, and asks the reader to count it.

Then it says, “Now for something bigger . . .” and gives them an elephant to count!

Next you think, “Ah, here’s more to count!” because the spread is filled with two giant whales. But instead, the narrator asks:

How many SAUSAGES do you see?

[There’s one, floating on top of the spout of a whale.]

And that’s how things go, with pictures of more and more things — but at least one object in the picture there’s only one of — and that’s what the reader is asked to count.

It’s amazing how difficult it is to only count the one thing. And the narration plays off that. Here’s one example spread:

So, here we have . . . some rhinos,
a few baboons, a number of snakes,
several ants and butterflies,
and ONE giraffe.

Using your counting skills, please count the giraffe.

I hope you didn’t count the other animals.
Remember, this book is about counting to ONE!

Finally, the narrator accidentally asks the reader to count the goldfish, instead of the goldfish that is wearing glasses — leading the reader to say “Two.” See, even the narrator makes mistakes!

But it all ends with the narrator thinking maybe you’re better at counting than they thought, so the reader is presented with one prize to count.

And if they’re just dying to count higher by this time, the endpapers show one hundred things to count.

I love about this book that some children won’t be able to resist counting things and other children will start looking to spot what there is one of. And it’s all in a playful package for plenty of laughter — while counting.

nosycrow.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of You Need to Chill, by Juno Dawson, illustrated by Laura Hughes

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

You Need to Chill

A Story of Love and Family

by Juno Dawson
illustrated by Laura Hughes

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2023. First published in the United Kingdom in 2022. 32 pages.
Review written June 27, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

This picture book is simple and delightful, and there are many adults out there who I wish would take this message to heart.

The book begins inside the front cover with a picture of a girl and her big sister arriving at school. Then the younger one enters her classroom and here’s how the text starts:

Sometimes people say to me,
“What happened to your brother Bill?

We haven’t seen him in ages.
Is he hiding?
Is he ill?”

“Is he lost in the park?
Is he scared of the dark?
Is he doing his homework still?

That’s when I look them in the eye and say,
“Hey, you need to chill.”

The questions about Bill get sillier and sillier.

“Was he eaten by a WHALE or SHARK?
Was he munched up just like krill?”

But the answer is always the same.

And after several rounds of questions, the girl answers:

“There are NO hungry whales . . .
NO little green men . . .
Your hysteria is silly.

The truth is that my brother Bill . . .

“. . . is now my sister Lily.”

But the book doesn’t leave them there. There are three spreads left in the book, showing a happy family:

“It was maybe quite a shock, at first,
but she’s really just the same.
She looks a little different
and she has a new first name.”

“She’s still clever and funny
and kind and cool.
She’s one in a mil…”

And I bet you can guess what they shout when people have a problem with that.

I like the way this book makes an important point in a light-hearted way. Someone else’s gender identity, child or adult, isn’t something that people outside their family need to worry about.

I honestly think that adults need this book more than kids do, but it’s also a fun way to give the message to any kids who need it. A lot of rhyming picture books try and fail to bring a lilt to a story, but this one pulls it off with flair, and begs to be read aloud.

junodawson.com
sourcebookskids.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Big, by Vashti Harrison

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Big

by Vashti Harrison

Little, Brown and Company, 2023. 60 pages.
Review written June 13, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

This gorgeous picture book successfully symbolizes how people’s words can make a kid feel too much, and shows her healing and coming into her own.

The book begins with an adorably chubby brown baby girl.

Once there was a girl
with a big laugh and a big heart
and very big dreams.

The pictures show her growing and learning. And being called a big girl is a good thing.

But she grows as a ballerina, wearing pink like the others, but towering over them. It starts to seem like being a big girl is no longer a good thing.

Then one day, she gets in a swing with a seat, like her friends do, and she gets stuck. Her friends laugh, and when a teacher helps her out, she says, “Don’t you think you’re too big for that?”

It made her feel small.

The pictures from there show her in many situations looking like a giant, feeling exposed and out of place. On the dance stage, she’s too big for the flower costumes, so they have her wear a dark grey costume as a mountain towering above everyone else.

Then a wonderful and moving series of images shows the girl growing as the space she’s in (the book’s trim size) closes in around her.

She’s sad, and even then people in her mind say, “Aren’t you too big to be crying?”

But the book does come to a lovely conclusion. The giant girl scoops up the unkind words that are puddled in her tears — and she gives them back to the people they belong to, saying “These are yours. They hurt me.”

Mind you, “Not everyone understood or even listened.”

But the girl, wearing pink again, has remembered that she likes the way she is, and she is good.

Now, once again, my description isn’t adequate. This is one to check out and hold in your hands and marvel. Most of the message is done through symbolism, which not all picture books can handle — but this one pulls it off completely. Honestly, this book is already my favorite for Caldecott this year. We’ll see….

vashtiharrison.com
lbyr.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Rain, written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lisa Congdon

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Rain

written by Cynthia Rylant
illustrated by Lisa Congdon

Beach Lane Books, 2023. 44 pages.
Review written June 4, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

Here’s a new storytime classic for rainy days.

This picture book, with endpapers of flowers, begins before the rain comes. The birds, the squirrels, the children in the park, the cats, and the dogs all know the rain is coming. Most of those hurry home, except many dogs who “stay right there in the yard and wait for the first wet drops on their noses. Just for fun!”

The turning point comes with the duck family.

And who is most happy about the rain?

Oh, the ducks of course.
They can’t wait.
They paddle and paddle
and spread the word.

Mama ducks gather up the babies
and promise them
a glorious day!

Then the rain starts, and the rest of the book is about how it is indeed a glorious day and about all the wonderful things the rain brings.

Rain is good for everybody!

This joyful and brightly-colored book (Really!) gives me a fresh, and happy, perspective on rain. What a delight it will be to share that perspective with kids.

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Very Good Hats, by Emma Straub, illustrated by Blanca Gómez

Delightfully Silly, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Very Good Hats

by Emma Straub
illustrated by Blanca Gómez

Rocky Pond Books (Penguin Random House), 2023. 32 pages.
Review written February 28, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

If you’ve ever been around a toddler or small child, some time or other you’ve played a game that explores the concept of What is a hat? This book puts that silly game into a picture book.

The first page challenges the reader:

Do you know what a hat is?

I bet you think you know what a hat is.

And yes, the next page starts with a haberdashery (okay, I didn’t expect that), but it goes on to acorn caps as hats for your fingers and books as hats for people with excellent posture.

Bubbles make very fine hats, if temporary.
A crown is a hat for a queen, but flowers can be too.

The roof is the house’s hat, and a lid is a pot’s hat.
Everyone knows that.

Pajama pants make for a dangly hat,
and towels are twirly hats, majestic as a unicorn.

I think my favorite spread is this one:

Empty bowls work, but you have to make sure they’re empty first,
otherwise you might have a soup hat instead.

I also enjoy this question, which I’d never thought about before:

If a turtle can tuck its head into its shell,
does that make its shell a hat?

And yes, the illustrations all add to the seriously silly fun.

emmastraub.net

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of In Every Life, by Marla Frazee

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

In Every Life

by Marla Frazee

Beach Lane Books, 2023. 32 pages.
Review written April 3, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

I’m a sucker for Marla Frazee’s illustrations. I don’t review even close to every picture book I come across, but I could not resist being charmed by this book. A note at the front says she got the idea from a call-and-response version of a Jewish baby-naming blessing done in a church service she attended.

The text is simple. Every two spreads follow a pattern: “In every [blank], blessed is the [blank].”

On the page with the blessing, we see eight to ten cameo pictures of people in that situation, and then you turn the page to a giant wordless painting where the blessing also applies. (The book is a bit bigger than most picture books.)

The first spread is “In every birth, blessed is the wonder.” The pictures show pregnant women and babies with people who love them.

“In every hope, blessed is the doing,” shows people accomplishing something – building, baking, fixing, making music, flying a kite. The big spread shows a family setting out to hike up a mountain.

I think my favorite spread is, “In every moment, blessed in the mystery.” I love the moments she chose to portray.

It all finishes up with “In every life, blessed is the love.”

And this is another book you need to check out for yourself and enjoy the wonderful illustrations, because my descriptions aren’t enough.

marlafrazee.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! by Sandra Boynton

Animal Characters, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great!

by Sandra Boynton

Little, Brown and Company, 2023. 36 pages.
Review written April 10, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

I’ve loved Sandra Boynton’s work ever since I found her greeting cards in my college bookstore. Recently, she’s moved beyond board books to picture books — and as usual, all ages will enjoy her humor and distinctive style.

I like the flap copy so much, I’m going to quote it here:

We all get overwhelmed sometimes, small people and big people and fictitious animals alike. Probably ESPECIALLY fictitious animals — just imagine how difficult it must be for THEM to believe in themselves.

So if you or someone you know or an imaginary friend of yours could really use a one-chicken cheerleading squad, this is the book for you!

And that’s what this book is about — a one-chicken cheerleading squad, telling various animals they’re doing great.

There’s a fun rhyme scheme, addressing the reader if they might be feeling low.

Or are you feeling quite upended?
Underprepared
and overextended?

If that is the case, you are in luck! Here’s an enthusiastic chicken all set to cheer you on and encourage you!

But when the chicken makes a little blunder, fortunately someone comes along to encourage them.

And that friend reminds us that we can also say these words to ourselves:

WOO HOO! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!

(And you know what? You really are!)

sandraboynton.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of Elena Rides, by Juana Medina

Animal Characters, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

Elena Rides

by Juana Medina

Candlewick Press, 2023. 28 pages.
Review written March 28, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

Oh, this beginning reader is wonderful! Since kids who are learning to read also tend to be kids who have recently learned to ride a bike, the subject matter is perfectly appropriate.

This is a book about Elena, a young elephant, who is learning to ride a bike.

And if kids think it’s hard to learn to ride a bike, well, it’s easier for them to balance than it is for an elephant!

The pictures are delightful. There’s so much joy on Elena’s face each time she gets going. And somehow, Juana Medina makes you believe an elephant actually could balance on a bike.

But the choice of words is also delightful. Sitting here in my home, I simply had to read the book aloud. This would be perfect in a story time, as each fall has an expressive sound with plenty of drama. Here’s how the book begins:

Elena wants to ride.
Elena buckles her helmet.

She readies,
she steadies . . .

she pushes,
she pedals!

She wobbles
and bobbles . . .

KA-BANG!

After the first fall, Elena has a look of worried determination. After the second, she does some crying. When a third fall happens after some exhilarating riding, she needs the encouragement of her bird friend to try again. But the book ends with the triumph of the title repeated:

Elena rides!

This seems like a practically perfect easy reader to me. I hope it gets some Geisel love!

candlewick.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

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Review of This Is a Story, words by John Schu, illustrations by Lauren Castillo

Contemporary, Picture Book Review, Starred Review 0

This Is a Story

words by John Schu
illustrations by Lauren Castillo

Candlewick Press, 2023. 40 pages.
Review written March 20, 2023, from a library book.
Starred Review

Yes, I was predisposed to like this book. John Schu is a librarian I met online before meeting him at library conferences and even being on an ALSC committee with him briefly. But I’m confident I’d love this book whether I knew the author or not.

The story of this picture book is a celebration of reading. It goes well with Mr. Schu’s earlier book, This Is a School.

This Is a Story begins with a word, then a word on a page, a page in a book, and a book on a shelf. But then it shows us the library where the book is waiting on a shelf.

Next we zoom out to a world full of humans. We see a little girl and her family go into the library.

Sometimes humans need help . . .

Then we see a librarian who looks an awful lot like Mr. Schu showing the girl a book that matches the sea horse kite she’s holding. The text simply says, “connecting.”

Then we get:

This is a book.
This is a reader.

And we zoom out to more readers looking at books for answers to questions, ideas to explore, and for sparking hope. All taking place in a busy, happy library setting.

I do love that among her adorable pictures, the illustrator used covers of actual books for the illustrations. My second time through, I looked for ones I could recognize. (There are lots!)

This is a joyful and simple celebration of stories, books, reading, children, and libraries. If I were still working in a branch, I’d immediately set it aside for preschool library tours. The words are short and sweet, so it will work well even for very young kids. But there’s a whole lot for kids to notice in the illustrations.

This lovely book warmed my heart.

This is a story.
And it helps us understand . . .

everything!

JohnSchu.com
laurencastillo.com
candlewick.com

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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.

What did you think of this book?