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Picture Books January 2023 |
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The Blanket Where Violet Sits by Allan Wolf; illustrated by Lauren TobiaWhat happens: Equipped with a telescope and space book while on a picnic under the stars with her family, a little girl looks into the great beyond. Want a taste?: “This is the yellow star orbited ’round, by the small blue planet with moon so pretty, that shines on the park in the bustling city, home to the blanket where Violet sits ….” |
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Featuring: a vivid San Francisco backdrop and bright illustrations that bring the action to life To the tune of: The Wheels On the Bus - "the hair on the drag queen goes up, up, up" and, "the fingers on the drag queen go snap, snap, snap" Reviewers say: "Don't tell the queens, but the flow is the book 's real star, because it encourages natural kinetic participation that will have groups of young readers giggling and miming along with the story." (Kirkus) |
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Giant Island by Jane Yolen; illustrated by Doug KeithWhat's inside: In this wondrous book by award-winning fantasy author Jane Yolen and award-winning fantasy illustrator Doug Keith, two children and a dog explore the coves and caves of a tiny island. What happens: Under the watchful eye of Grandpa, the kids are thrilled to discover a huge surprise: the craggy rocks, tufted grass, and wind-swept trees on Giant Island are much more than they seem. |
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Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo's First Woman Zookeeper by Candace Fleming; illustrated by Julie DowningBased on a true story: In the 1940s, Fred Martini, a zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo, brought a newborn lion cub home to his wife. The cub had been rejected by its mother and desperately needed care. Helen Martini cared for this cub and later, other cubs as well. What happens: Eventually, Helen Martini becomes the first woman zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo, caring for many different species of animal babies. Why kids might like it: The adorable illustrations of cuddly baby animals and the sweet storyline result in a charming picture book. |
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Me and the Boss: A Story About Mending and Love by Michelle Edwards; illustrated by April HarrisonWhat's inside: Lee goes with his big sister, Zora (the Boss), to a library program where they learn to sew. While Zora embroiders a flower, he makes "a mess." The struggle is real: Lee doesn't give up. Remembering what he learned, he practices and then secretly sews the ear back on Zora's stuffed bear, an act of kindness that earns him a special big sister hug. Don't miss: The last page of the book give instructions for embroidering a smiling moon, just like the one that Lee made. |
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| Hello, Rain! by Kyo Maclear; illustrated by Chris TurnhamWhat it's about: The most exhilarating playtime can happen when "the sky is an adventure." At the tell-tale "plink, plunk, plonk" of raindrops, a girl and her dog don their raincoats and dash into the deluge.
Why kids might like it: Rhythmic text packed with onomatopoeia vividly evokes the sensory joys of a rainy day, from puddle-jumping to paper boat racing to enthralled observation.
Kids might also like: Linda Ashman's Rain! or Elizabeth Bluemle's Tap Tap Boom Boom. |
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B is for Baby by Atinuke; illustrated by Angela BrooksbankB is for: Baby, with beads in her hair; the basket of bananas that Baby hides inside; brother, bopping to music on his headphones as he loads the basket on his bike; the baobab tree that Baby spots during the ride; and Baba, who finally discovers his stowaway granddaughter.
Why kids might like it: it’s a sweet, uncomplicated story with inviting illustrations of contemporary Africa.
Kids might also like: Baby Goes to Market, by the same author and illustrator.
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|  Starring: timid, noise-sensitive rabbit Willow, content to stay in her cozy mailbox home...until a letter with a heartfelt request prompts her to venture outside.
Art alert: Suffused with mottled rainbow colors, the luminous illustrations create a dreamy, whimsical atmosphere perfect for gentle Willow's story.
Try this next: Mike Curato's Where Is Bina Bear?, another empathetic, fanciful look at the balance of community and anxiety for the crowd-averse. |
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|  The setup: When the capybaras arrive on the farm, fleeing hunting season, the chickens are hostile about the change in their "safe, agreeable" home. The fallout: As the youngest among the two species become friends, the chickens learn to appreciate their neighbors and envision a shared future.
Who it's for: younger children who can enjoy the adorable, stylized illustrations and animal friendships, as well as older kids who may grasp the allegory of welcoming refugees and creating community solidarity. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
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