Today’s picture books beam with happiness, friendship,
…and a few pies.
Help yourself to something delightful!
Knight Owl
written and illustrated by Christopher Denise
published in 2022 by Christy Ottaviano Books, Little, Brown and Company
Owl has had but one dream since he was born – to be a knight. When the local dragon starts polishing off more than his quota of the kingdom’s knights, Owl finally gets his opportunity.
After a stint at Knight School, Owl becomes a valiant member of the Knight Night Watch, and lo and behold, the hungry dragon pays him a visit, ready to munch him for a tasty morsel. Owl’s quick wits and friendly nature save his own fluff-and-feathers, launch a surprising friendship, and halt the loss of knights. How ever does he manage it?!
I love this clever, amusing story and it’s fabulous illustrations. Owl is imbued with terrific personality and the atmospheric scenes of castles, knights, and a massive dragon captivate on every page. It’s a read-it-to-me-again story, perfect for ages 4 and up. (And a sequel is due out this October – Knight Owl and Early Bird. Hurray!)
Brindlefox
written and illustrated by John Sandford
published in 2023 by Worthy Kids
Brindlefox is a curmudgeonly fellow. Not a drop of kindness spills from his heart and not a word of neighborliness leaves his lips. Alone in his mussy house, Brindlefox couldn’t care less that vines and weeds have crept in and are choking everything. One day a sapling even sprouts from his very own back!
Imagine Brindlefox’s outrage when a heron begins gathering brambleberries from that very tree. The next day, however, a luscious brambleberry pie stands cooling on his windowsill, and the deliciousness of both pie and friendship proves to be just the remedy for his cold heart.
This fable-like tale is elevated enormously by its lush, vibrant artwork. Cover to cover, every page is a lovely treat, and the story itself is short and sweet, just right for young listeners ages 3 and up.
If You Live Here
written by Kate Gardner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
published in 2022 by Balzer + Bray, HarperCollins
Imagine all the diverse, curious places one might live – on a spaceship; in a tree; underground in a burrow; or even in a candy store!
Over a dozen fanciful options are explored in this jolly, whimsical survey.
Christopher Silas Neal’s charming illustration work invites us into each one offering loads of happy, sparkling ideas for little ones ages 3 and up.
The Only Way to Make Bread
written by Cristina Quintero, illustrated by Sarah Gonzales
published in 2023 by Tundra Books
This magnificent book is winking at us in the title because of course there is not only one way to make bread, and these golden-warm pages tantalize us with just a few of the many delectable, traditional, delightful bread-making ways.
As families gather in this giant kitchen, they go to work with favorite bowls, flours, and spoons, adding sprinkles of this and that, just as they choose. Soft, pillowy dough is kneaded and risen, shaped and baked in ways familiar to each one.
Finally, all that yummy bread, made with love, is shared together. The warmth of community, of bread-breaking, of family tradition wafts from these pages like the aroma of fresh baked bread. End pages describe more than a dozen different kinds of breads from different cultures, and provide recipes for two. Truly a gem of a book for ages 4 and up.
The Sharing Book
written by Dianne White, illustrated by Simone Shin
published in 2023 by Margaret Ferguson Books, Holiday House
Morning dawns rosy and peaceful over a campground tucked along a river. It’s a perfect day for sharing with one another. Dianne White’s friendly, kindhearted text walks us through that day, full of juice and joy, with every good thing made better by sharing it with others.
Sharing a blueberry pancake breakfast, a gale of laughter, a canoe adventure, stories around the campfire, all bring warmth and happiness to this lucky collection of campers.
Shin’s woodsy color palette, blocky shapes, comforting human figures, and idyllic outdoor scenes cocoon us in the warmth of both nature and community. The whole package is like a warm hug. Read it again and again with ages 3 and up.
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More fabulous reads will be coming your way soon!
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