Jill Lorenzini

Being human comes with many perplexing questions. But sometimes asking those questions opens the doors to a path, if not a straightforward answer. Written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Gabriella Barouch, Maybe is an inspiration tucked inside an adventure, perfect for readers of any age who may be asking, “What next?”

Loosely following the journey of a little girl, who is fancifully clad in a leafy “bird” cap, Maybe’s art is intrinsic to its message. Barouch’s vibrant, detailed illustrations are unusual and delightful. Dreamlike and intriguing, her art defies convention; mushrooms may loom as large as trees, and glaciers might fit comfortably in your hand. Pulling readers further into her journey, the little girl—more a reader’s companion than a character—helps create the fantasy, watering giant flowers, building a tower of houses. In a final lyrical nod, Barouch carries elements from page to page, culminating with an image that will leave readers smiling.

Maybe is an invitation instead of a lecture, as Yamada delivers his message with simple, brief statements that keep the story moving. And while the book’s images are imagined and invented, there is honesty in each depiction. When the little girl fails, a scribble hangs over her head. She climbs inside a storybook and befriends the unfamiliar.

It would be a disservice to qualify Maybe as just a children’s book. Children of all ages have dreams pulling them along, destinations and goals to meet along the path. But what truly matters is who we are along that journey.

When a talking tiger walks into a family’s campground seeking shelter, one young boy finds companionship and the courage to face the challenges of growing older. Introspective and intriguingly illustrated by John Rocco, Susan Choi’s Camp Tiger leaves readers with a sense of quiet wonderment.

Choi writes the way a child talks, narrating everything the boy sees, does and knows with delightful metaphors and meticulous descriptions. In this candid way, Choi gives voice to the questions and uncertainties that come with growing up.

Rocco illustrates with bold, vibrant colors that seem to deepen and grow more luminous as the pages turn. From vast, idyllic vistas to the cool greens and blues of a shady campsite, Rocco’s use of light and shadow gives readers a tangible sense of place. But while the scenery is sublime, what elevates this camping story is the tiger itself. Beautifully detailed and expressive in the daylight, the tiger shines in the moonlight, magnificent and near-mythic.

More contemplative than straightforward, Camp Tiger’s message may need some unwinding for the youngest readers who will have many questions: Is the tiger real? Why weren’t the people afraid of him? Where does the tiger go at the end? But whether you read Camp Tiger as an allegory for growing up or as the story of a child’s fanciful imagination, one thing is clear: There are lessons to learn from the tigers in the shadows.

A delightfully unconventional tale, Edison: The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure by German author and illustrator Torben Kuhlmann will appeal to children with a sense of adventure and an inventor’s imagination.

Pete, a young and curious mouse, is determined to find a family treasure that was lost at sea when the ship carrying Pete’s intrepid ancestor sank. With the help of a wise Professor, Pete researches, designs and builds a submarine. Clever and resourceful, the two mice discover plans for the invention that changed the course of human, and mouse, history.

While Edison reads like a chapter book, Kuhlmann smartly lets his illustrations do much of the talking. Delicately detailed, each image is endlessly intriguing. Submarine blueprints, old-timey “photos” and illustrated newspaper clippings draw together both the minuscule world of mice and the vast depths of the sea. Kuhlmann’s art varies from black-and-white sketches to immense full-color spreads, all of which seem infused with the sepia tones of a bygone era.

Concluding notes from Kuhlmann give readers a brief history of the lightbulb and a short bio on Thomas Edison. While it’s unlikely that Pete’s furry ancestor truly created the lightbulb, readers might be surprised by the debate surrounding its true inventor. A substantial book, Edison is a bit lengthy for a one-sitting read for very little listeners. However, kid-friendly chapters and extensive illustrations will keep readers hooked and looking for treasure.

Illuminating the world of those whose day begins when most of us are tucked into bed, Night Job by Karen Hesse is a sweet story about hard work and devotion. One young boy makes a lunch he and his father will share late in the night, as he prepares to join his father at his night custodial job. While the duo cleans, they squeeze in moments of levity as they work their way through the deserted school, turning a night’s work into time together.

Multiple award-winner Hesse narrates in first person with an ear for childhood wonder and honesty, as the boy observes everything from the fishy smell coming from the bay to his father’s heft of custodial keys. Exceptionally poetic, Hesse’s imaginative language lends a slightly surreal and dreamlike feeling to this nighttime adventure. Even the taste of a well-earned, late-night sandwich is amplified.

G. Brian Karas’s art perfectly matches Hesse’s observant tone. An empty school by night might seem somewhat otherworldly, but Karas manages to convey a sense of intimacy and coziness as our characters work in muted colors that are highlighted by spots of bright light. Karas illustrates with unexpected and often disarming detail; I could almost feel the early-morning breeze blowing in through the window.

Inspired by a true story, Night Job is, at first glance, a story about a boy and his father going to work. Unexpressed with words, and yet loudest of all, is its emotional undertone of love, companionship and admiration.

Deceptively simple at first glance, Cori Doerrfeld’s Good Dog is more than your average dog-finds-a-home story. When a little girl passes by the park on the back of her mother’s bike, one small stray dog sees her and suddenly knows exactly where he belongs—if only he can find her again. Readers will cheer as this plucky, determined pup dashes, dodges and digs himself home.

Narrated with only 27 words, Doerrfeld’s images imbue this story with heartfelt and earnest sentiment. Gentle, muted colors create a world that is kind and welcoming and populated with the most endearing expressions—both human and animal—and the soft, thick lines are distinctly kid-friendly. 

However, Good Dog isn’t an exercise in saccharine sloppiness. While there is plenty of sweetness, Doerrfeld also fills her pages with people of many backgrounds and families of all kinds, creating a strong sense of community and purpose. And Doerrfeld doesn’t ignore the canine population either; seeing-eye dogs, a pup with a wheelchair, working breeds and lap dogs frolic through the story. 

An overwhelming sense of belonging and contentment makes Good Dog a perfect bedtime story and will become a favorite with young readers. But whether you read with your two-legged little ones or your four-legged furry ones, Good Dog has a worthwhile lesson for all of us: When friendship and love rolls by, chase after it.

From breakfast to bedtime, Fiona Woodcock’s Look has one theme: “oo” words. Luckily for us, “oo” abounds. In fact, you might be surprised at how many of these words Woodcock fits into her simple but charming story about a trip to the zoo.

Incorporating stamps and stencil art into her illustrations, Woodcock makes creative use of her minimal text. Double “o” words are cleverly integrated into each illustration: “Shampoo” is written in floating bubbles; “food” features a pair of fried eggs; “goodnight” can be spotted in a cuddly duo of stuffed bears. Woodcock lets her images carry the story forward, and animal antics entertain and add a touch of whimsy. Woodcock clearly has fun with her art, filling one page with ice cream sprinkles and another with pink pollen from a sneeze-inducing field of flowers.

Bright colors and simple shapes make Look delightfully appealing and cheerful, while its lights-out ending makes it an ideal bedtime book. Look is full of easy-to-learn sight words for beginning readers, and it will also find a home in classrooms, serving as inspiration for English lessons. Even nonreaders can keep up with this book’s straightforward plot.

This article was originally published in the July 2018 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Little sister Lola is desperate for a dog. Tailed by a hot-pink imaginary furry friend, Lola and her brother Charlie spend their days daydreaming about the perfect pet. Their parents are anti-dog, but when it’s time to go to the pet store, Lola knows exactly what she wants: a quiet dog with nice ears . . . that hops? A Dog with Nice Ears, written and illustrated by Lauren Child, is a bit like watching kids play with puppies—entertaining and often producing extreme giggles.

Cheerful and funny, Child’s beloved characters have charmed picture book readers for nearly two decades. The award-winning Child has a deft and magical hand with her children’s literature. Her signature style is exuberant and playful, and Charlie and Lola’s world is rendered as both vibrant and cozy. Using a combination of watercolor and collage, Child perfectly captures the imagination and creativity of childhood. The text itself seems to skip across the page, a reflection of Lola’s own hoppy personality.

However, the most charming part of A Dog with Nice Ears is Lola herself. Lola’s inventive language, pluck, imagination and irrefutable (if unusual) logic will entertain young readers and amuse those of us who have little Lolas of our own underfoot. Ever-patient big brother Charlie is the perfect counterpart, kind and sensible. Both siblings are loveable and loving, and they serve as the ideal storybook chums for young readers. Dog envy can hit hard; luckily A Dog with Nice Ears has already found you.