PICTURE BOOK PALOOZA

I love picture books. And I have read a LOT of picture books over the past few months. But today - I received a box from with forty-two ARCs of picture books!!  So I wanted to publish this post which highlights a few of my recent favorites before I dive into this new batch of books.

Availability note -  Amos McGee Misses the Bus won't be published until November but the rest are available - hopefully at your local library.

Amos McGee Misses the Bus by Philip C. Stead; illustrated by Erin E. Stead; to be published November 2, 2021

I am so happy to see Amos again! And this story is so lovely. Amos has a special outing planned for his zoo friends but - he is so tired! He misses his bus and is afraid his outing will have to be canceled. Unbeknownst to Amos, everyone pitches into help - especially tortoise. Can you guess where they are going on their outing? Erin Stead's illustrations are, as always, amazing and Philip's story heartwarming and humorous. I can't wait to add this to my library! 

A big thank you to Macmillan for making a digital ARC available.

Grandma's Tiny House: A Counting Story! by JaNay Brown-Wood; illustrated by Priscilla Burris August 8th 2017

I loved this book! Maybe because I'm a grandma who loves having people over to eat? Maybe - but also because it's an engaging book that could be used for a Thanksgiving story time. It has lots of yummy food and it reinforces counting. Plus it's a little one that comes up with a solution to the over crowding problem. "I know!" she confidently tells her grandmother. The book could easily be adapted for a lot of different story times - problem-solving, food, and counting - to name a few. Plus the above-mentioned Thanksgiving.

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover) by Helen Yoon; published January 12th 2021

I loved this! At first you think it's going to be the typical "wolf in sheep's clothing" tale. But our sheep friends are not so easily fooled! And wolf may not be so bad after all. 

Moose, Goose, and Mouse by Mordicai Gerstein and Jeff Mack;published January 12th 2021

A moose, a goose, and a mouse need a new house. One that isn't old and cold - they want a house that is sunny, funny, and comes with a bunny! And so this wild ride of a house-hunting adventure begins! Be sure to read the author's note -- Jeff Mack and Mordicai Gerstein worked on this book together, and sadly Mack had to finish it alone. It's a loving tribute to friendship and creativity!  

 Shy Willow by Cat Min; published February 16th 2021

Willow is a small rabbit that lives in an abandoned mailbox. She would much rather stay insider her mailbox - venturing out is always so worrisome. But one day, a young boy drops a letter into her mailbox - addressed to the moon. And Willow knows that she must deliver the letter to the moon - no matter how many obstacles are thrown in her way.

What a lovely, whimsical book! The illustrations are simply breathtaking and I truly loved Willow's determination to complete her mission. It was so rewarding in unexpected ways.

 Best Day Ever! by Marilyn Singer; illustrations by Leah Nixon; published June 29th 2021

I think we have all had days that start out as a great day but then quickly turn into a bad day - but end up in a good day frame of mind. That's what happens with the dog in this book. And his owner, also. Best Day Ever quickly turns to Worst Day Ever. But it doesn't have to stay that way.

Being a librarian, I know that there just are not that many book out there that have a main character in a wheelchair going through their daily routine. Getting up, getting dressed, going to the park, hanging out in the back yard, giving their dog a bath, and getting upset when the dog is a little too rambunctious. This book will fill a huge hole in both library and classroom collections.

In addition, the author explains that the events in the book were inspired by two of her own dogs. The illustrator, Leah Nixon, had a spinal cord injury which left her partially paralyzed. She uses a wheelchair and has a very helpful pet dog. She was happy she could use both herself and her dog as models for this book!