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Picture BooksJanuary 2016
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"Jollyfish possess the secret of fundamental glee -- There's no creature half as happy at the bottom of the sea." ~ from Jack Prelutsky's Stardines Swim High Across the Sky
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| Lost. Found. by Marsha Diane Arnold; illustrated by Matthew CordellAfter a winter breeze whisks away a bear's red fuzzy scarf, the humble garment goes on an unexpected odyssey. Passing through the paws of several woodland creatures, the scarf becomes a toy, a turban, and a tug-of-war rope, and is so well-used that by the time scarf and bear are reunited, the scarf seems to be ruined. But in meeting all the other animals, the bear has found something even better: new friends! Using only the two words in the title (and a handful of funny sound effects), this sparse but lively tale is just as cheerful and cozy as the red scarf it depicts. |
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| My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey by Lesa Cline-Ransome; illustrated by James E. RansomeAs a child wearing leg braces, Robert Battle couldn't have guessed that he had a career as a dancer ahead of him. But after the braces came off, Battle took on martial arts, ballet, and finally -- after seeing an inspiring performance by Alvin Ailey, the African American dance company he would eventually lead -- modern dance. Though the words in My Story, My Dance will be best enjoyed by older kids, the joyful, dynamic illustrations will thrill readers of all ages. Dance enthusiasts looking for another exhilarating picture book about an accomplished African American dancer should also check out Firebird by ballerina Misty Copeland. |
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| Mother Bruce by Ryan T. HigginsAn family unexpected forms after dinner plans go awry in this offbeat picture book. Grumpy, dumpy, and wearing a permanent scowl, Bruce the bear doesn't like anything…except for eggs. After stealing -- er, collecting -- some "free-range organic" goose eggs from a nest, Bruce prepares to dine…only to discover that the eggs have hatched, and the goslings are convinced he's their mother! How does one crotchety bear cope with raising four stubborn goslings? Find out in this "visually beautiful, clever, edgy, and very funny" (Kirkus Reviews) book that's just right for reading out loud. |
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| Dear Yeti by James Kwan"Dear Yeti, We're searching for you. Sincerely, Hikers." If you want to find the elusive yeti, it can't hurt to let him know, right? That's the logic employed by the two young hikers in this book, who venture out into a snowy landscape to look for the yeti, who shyly shadows their journey and reads each of the notes they leave behind. With sweet, stylized illustrations that portray the mythical beast as fuzzy and friendly-faced, this gently suspenseful story is sure to be a crowd-pleaser among kids who are fascinated by imaginary creatures. For another appealing pair of cryptid hunters, try Mary Ann Fraser's No Yeti Yet. |
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| The Plan by Alison Paul; illustrated by Barbara LehmanThe do-it-yourself spirit is alive in both the plot and style of this unusual book. The illustrations do most of the storytelling, using small details to add depth to the experiences of a farm girl and her father as they rebuild an old biplane and find solace from past sadness. The text contains only 20 words, all beginning with "P" and all connected by an added or subtracted letter -- "plan," for instance, becomes "plane," which becomes "planet," and so on, encouraging readers to engage in creativity and wordplay of their own. Children who relish this warm, clever tale of aeronautic ingenuity will also want to try Peter Spier's classic Bored -- Nothing to Do! |
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Using paper, clay, dolls, and even food, these books all feature inventive illustrations that go beyond typical two-dimensional art.
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| Peanut Butter & Cupcake! by Terry BorderNew in town, Peanut Butter is looking for a friend. As he searches, he sings a little song: "I’ll make you chuckle deep down in your belly, and we’ll go together like Peanut Butter and..." Although children will know just how to complete the rhyme, Peanut Butter still has to play with Meatball (who's jumping rope with a strand of spaghetti), Hamburger (who's taking two hot dogs for a walk), and pink-frosted Cupcake before finding his ideal new bestie. Photos of anthropomorphic food with bent wire limbs adds ample whimsy to this tale, which is followed by a sequel, Happy Birthday, Cupcake! |
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| The Beginner's Guide to Running Away from Home by Jennifer LaRue Huget; illustrated by Red Nose StudioIllustrated with elaborate clay models, this book will grab young readers with its eye-catching style, and then keep them riveted with its snarky, faux-instructional tone. The red-headed young hero is fed up with his family, so he's leaving home -- and he's got advice to share. Packing, he cautions, should be done carefully (why bring a toothbrush when you can bring gum?); you'll need to leave a detailed note of grievances (preferably taped to your baby sister); and you should try to depart as dramatically as possible (sobs are encouraged). Figuring out what to do once you've left? That's a little more challenging. Maybe your family deserves another chance… |
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| Viva Frida by Yuyi MoralesViva Frida is not so much a biography of talented Mexican artist Frida Kahlo as it is a sensory experience. Portrayed by an exquisitely crafted and photographed doll, the Frida Kahlo in this book looks out from under her distinctive brow, inviting readers along (in English and Spanish) as she sees, dreams, plays, and loves. Balancing the minimal text are illustrations that burst with saturated colors, touchable-looking textures, and details from Kahlo's real art and life (including her many pets). Though there's an informational note at the end, this biography focuses mainly on the creative process of an exceptional artist. |
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| Stardines Swim High Across the Sky and Other Poems by Jack Prelutsky; illustrated by Carin BergerIn this beguiling collection from popular poet Jack Prelutsky, animals are combined with objects or attitudes to create outrageous new species, such as the shining Stardines, untidy Slobsters, splashy Fountain Lions, and wordy Bardvarks (who "think they're poets, and persist in writing rhyme.") The mix-and-match style of Carin Berger's dimensional paper artwork is perfect for these wonderfully weird creatures, rendering each with such depth and creativity that readers feel compelled to linger on each page. Those who fall under the spell of this author-illustrator pairing should be sure to pick up their earlier book, Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant. |
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| Nancy Knows by Cybèle YoungNancy the elephant knows only one thing: that she's forgotten something. But what? As she tries to recall, many other things fill Nancy's thoughts -- and delicate paper sculptures of those things fill Nancy's outline on the page. Overwhelmed, Nancy thinks about things with wheels, things that fly, and things with specific smells, sounds, and locations, but it's not until Nancy is able to empty her mind of other things that her memory finally returns. Anyone, young or old, who's ever struggled to remember something can relate to Nancy and may also enjoy author and illustrator Cybèle Young's latest book of sophisticated paper art, Some Things I've Lost. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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