The little boy in this story just wants to find the perfect place to read his book. He isn’t satisfied with each spot he tries, one being too hot (the big yellow chair is dwarfed by a giant, bright sun, its shape mirrored by an enormous lion’s face), another being too cold (the boy chatters in a high-back chair as a polar bear—and the lion from the “hot” page—peeks over his shoulder). Another is too slippery and slimy, as a green-hued spread depicts a swamp-like scene of frogs and lily pads (how did this determined little boy get a chair onto a lily pad?). However, with each spot the boy considers, a new animal emerges, wanting to be a part of his journey—which comes into play at the end of the book.

Leigh Hodgkinson (Troll Swap) brings wit and charm to this imaginative story of finding that sweet spot. Reminiscent of “The Princess and the Pea” and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” for evoking the feeling that something is not quite right, A Place to Read teaches children that it’s not where you read that’s important, but rather the act of sharing a book with friends. This is an excellent book to be read aloud, as beginning readers and even pre-readers will enjoy pointing out the letters and words they recognize. But the illustrations take center stage: The little boy’s reading chair changes with each spread, revealing an assortment of upholstery and textures that are reflected in each setting.

This is a vibrant and visually appealing book for budding readers.

Two blobs of clay (with eyes) sit on an artist’s bench. The gray one seems mischievous; the brown one looks a tad nervous. When the artist (or at least her hands) shows up, she bends and stretches and smooshes and scratches the blobs into a gray wolf and a brown owl. But that’s only the beginning.

The wolf (true to its playful origins) isn’t satisfied with its chosen form and starts improvising, crafting crazy ears, funny hairstyles and dramatic eyelashes out of clay. The more cautious owl isn’t so sure—until it starts tentatively experimenting with its own clay and soon discovers the joy of reinvention. But what happens when all that creativity gets out of control? Perhaps the two clay creatures will go beyond being just “claymates” and prove they’re true friends.

The charming story in Claymates is told through humorous cartoon-style dialogue, hand-lettered in ink (matching the speaker’s clay color) on torn scraps of paper. The expressive characters, made only of clay and dolls’ eyes, come to life in memorable color photographs, which are remarkable for showing an artist’s studio and an artist at work, complete with all the tools of her trade. Parents be forewarned: You might want to purchase some modeling clay before giving your child this book. They’ll come away inspired and eager to create their own claymates.

This article was originally published in the July 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

In Now, Antoinette Portis returns to themes similar to the ones in her evocative Wait (2015). This new story manages to be even more streamlined and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to slow down and enjoy the moment, a suggestion that is nearly subversive in this era of distracted multitasking.

In a series of spreads with simple sentences rendered in large black type, a young girl expresses her appreciation for moments in her day: “This is my favorite breeze,” the book opens, as the girl runs through grasses. Her favorite cloud is such because “it’s the one I am watching.” The song she sings is her favorite because “it’s the one I am singing.” In essence, the girl is living deeply in the moment, as children are wont to do. Only once does the author switch to past tense; the rest of the book exists in the immediate and engaging present.

Visually, Portis tells the story with great economy, just as she did in Wait. She uses thick, black lines (rendered via ink, brush and bamboo stick and colored digitally) on uncluttered spreads to tell the tale, providing breathing room that’s fitting for a story about appreciating the moment at hand.

The book’s ending ushers in an adult, assumed to be a parent, and smartly, subtly invites readers to appreciate their own moment of now, as we see the adult reading to the girl. This “now” is the girl’s favorite because she’s sharing it with this adult. Can the reader do the same? Only if they’ve been paying attention to Portis’ wise sentiment and eloquent story.

Julie Danielson features authors and illustrators at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, a children’s literature blog.

This article was originally published in the July 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Jimmy is minding his own business when a loud howl reaches his ears. He springs into action, racing through a secret door in the closet to his secret base, where he is transformed into Kid Amazing. The Commissioner (busy washing dishes) gives him his assignment. “Could you please see what is going on?” In a flash, Kid Amazing is on it. He knows there is only one creature who could “howl such an annoying howl”: his arch nemesis, the Blob!

It’s not easy to make his way through the Blob’s terrible stink perimeter, but nothing stops Kid Amazing, not even the slime-covered floor or the frightening skull on the food-spattered bib. The Blob’s howls (delivered from her high chair) fill the entire room. But Kid Amazing somehow manages to locate the Blob’s howl neutralizer. (Three guesses as to what that is!)

Mission accomplished, Kid Amazing reports his success—and that the Blob (aka little sister) is in desperate need of a “new stink-containment unit.” But can Kid Amazing rest on his laurels? Is there more trouble in store? Kids and parents will have to turn the last page of Josh Schneider’s hilarious, inventive portrait (complete with detailed pictures of Kid Amazing’s arsenal of gadgets) of a superhero big brother to find out.

Schneider is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning creator of Tales for Very Picky Eaters. His first picture book, You’ll Be Sorry, was named “Book that Provides Best Ammunition to Parents Weary of Warning Their Kids About Socking their Siblings” by Publishers Weekly. They might have to come up with a new category for Kid Amazing vs. the Blob.

Deborah Hopkinson lives near Portland, Oregon. Her most recent book for young readers is Independence Cake.

You know what to do. When a wide-eyed girl looks right at you and says, “Go!” you keep your eyes open as long as you can. As readers turn the page in Tom Booth’s Don’t Blink!, his comical debut as author and illustrator, a little red bird flies in and asks the girl what she’s doing. If any readers are still a little uncertain about what is transpiring, the girl acknowledges that she’s having a staring contest. And when the bird asks with whom, the girls points right at the reader and confirms, “This kid. Yes, you!”

Eager to participate, the bird joins in the staring contest. Soon a fox, an alligator and a monkey are in on the action as well. After the monkey yells “STARING CONTEST!” the participants include a porcupine, a gorilla, an elephant and even more wild animals. Just like the girl, all the animals—rendered in traditional and digital techniques—add to the amusement with big eyes that seem ideal for a staring contest.

As readers begin to see the girl’s and animals’ eyes grow weary, they’ll realize how difficult it is to never blink. Children who have kept their eyes open will also notice a giant tortoise who crawls closer and closer, bit by bit. But will he make the staring contest in time? Metafiction fans of Hervé Tullet, Jon Klassen and Mo Willems will enjoy another story that amusingly invites readers to become part of the fun.

For young children, moving to a new city can be lonely and anxiety inducing. That’s the case for the protagonist in Isabelle Arsenault’s new book, Colette’s Lost Pet. But she overcomes that with an assist from her bustling imagination, and it makes for a satisfying and entertaining read.

The story—laid out in panels of various shapes with dialogue in speech bubbles, making this a sort of picture book/graphic novel hybrid for young readers—opens with Colette’s mother telling her, “For the last time, NO PET!” All of this comes from indoors, where Colette and her mother stay hidden. Look closely in the yard (as readers get an aerial view) to see empty boxes littering the grass. This one drawing tells readers a great deal: The family’s just moved, and Colette would like a pet to help her acclimate to this huge adjustment.

Angrily, Colette steps outside in her yellow raincoat and meets two boys, who ask her what she’s doing. When she tells them she’s looking for her lost pet, the adventure begins. Clearly making up the story on the spot, Colette sets off with the two boys on a wild goose chase, looking for a pet parakeet that never existed. As they move through the neighborhood, five more kids join the chase, all the while Colette elaborating further about this pet.

Arsenault builds the text well, using internal rhymes to great effect. As each child joins the search, another child explains the creature they’re looking for, and the details grow. The parakeet becomes a massive and mythical sort of creature, and as Colette expounds further at one point, the children all see it fly over her head. Did it really make an appearance, or is it a wild collective imagination at work? It doesn’t really matter, as now they are all friends. Colette’s lonely days are over.

Arsenault’s drawings, in grays, blacks, yellows and a bit of light blue, are sweet but not saccharine, and the hand-lettered text is relaxed and inviting—much like the entire story.

Delightful.

Julie Danielson features authors and illustrators at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, a children’s literature blog.

Badger and Rabbit spend a day together after Badger inquires, “What are you waiting for?” and Rabbit responds, “Wouldn’t you like to know.” Thus begins many rounds of a guessing game as the friends traipse through the woods, spying many wonderful discoveries: field of daisies, deer, a snake, squirrel, mischievous mice and more.

Very young children are often forced to wait, and they’ll greatly enjoy the give and take of these questions and mysterious answers. The illusive thing has a smile, but no legs or tail, and it’s very old and always changing. The day goes by, with seemingly aimless exploring and delights, as the pair get closer and closer to their goal.

“I’m tired. I give up,” Badger laments.

“Don’t give up now,” Rabbit urges. “We waited all day.”

Badger persists with question after question, while Rabbit patiently answers, never giving in to Badger’s pleas for an answer. Finally, as night comes, Badger falls asleep, nearly missing the big surprise.

Scott Menchin’s gentle tale of friendship is a perfect bedtime tale, and Matt Phelan’s pencil and pastel drawings are reminiscent of crayon scribbles, artfully conveying the story’s perfect mix of energy and anticipation with the rewards of patience and fortitude.

In Charlie’s Boat, third in Kit Chase’s engaging series about playtime and friendship, Charlie, Oliver and Lulu enjoy a day of fishing at the water’s edge.

Oliver and Lulu are naturals, easily catching fish, while Charlie sadly hooks nothing but sticks. After sitting by the mound of sticks for a time, Charlie has an idea. He fashions a boat, and soon his friends make boats, too. When they stage a race, Charlie is sure he will win. Instead, Lulu’s vessel comes in first, Oliver’s edges in close behind, and Charlie’s boat is waylaid by rocks and he finishes dead last. Though he congratulates his friends, he feels glum. Maybe fishing and making boats are not for him.

Oliver comes up with a way to help Charlie. Working together, the three friends build a sturdy raft and all hop aboard. Charlie, to the delight of everyone, catches his very first fish.

Children will readily identify with Charlie in this gentle and charmingly illustrated tale of friendship. It seems even the worst day can be turned around with the help of good friends. Chase has created an endearing group of devoted pals who pitch in, relax and enjoy being together.

Charlie’s Boat, with its warm tale of friendship, lovable characters and sweet illustrations, has the easy cadence and charm of a classic.

Billie B. Little is the Founding Director of Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, a hands-on museum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

In her raincoat and boots, an eager girl and her puppy are ready to follow the breezes in their backyard. After rain sends her scampering for shelter, leftover puddles are just the beginning of an adventure. Following her imagination and unfazed by the changing weather, she hosts a seashell tea party, sends her toys on a mini nautical adventure and eventually recruits a friend for one final quest.

Told in first person with simple words, Secrets I Know lets imaginations flourish. Kallie George makes good use of personification and metaphors, lending an extra bit of poetic enchantment. Paola Zakimi illustrates with a zoomed-in intensity, drawing readers deep within the tale through scenes that are as lush and soft as the best-kept gardens. Varying shades of green recall our own childhood memories, when everything was bigger and more wondrous. Each page is worth exploring, with wild animals, toys and tucked-away bicycles.

Secrets I Know feels both timeless and fresh, like an old classic that has faded just enough without losing its sense of wonder.

This article was originally published in the June 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

There are some picture books that hit you right in the funny bone. This is a mighty feat, because humor can be tricky. Authors do best to avoid being too treacly about the whole affair or looking like they’re trying too hard. The great James Marshall once said that when it comes to humor, authors can’t call attention to themselves. It must be as effortless as a balloon in the air, he said. “You can’t show how hard you work.”

This is precisely what Rowboat Watkins does to great effect in Pete with No Pants, illustrated in his singularly unconventional style. Watkins gets out of his own way and lets the story take the stage. And that story is all about Pete, a young, gleefully uninhibited elephant. If you regularly spend time with preschoolers, you will recognize that Watkins nails the whims and capricious natures of young children.

Pete, being an elephant, is big, gray and pants-less. So are boulders. He is gray, puffy and pants-less. So are clouds. He’s also gray, “nuts about acorns” and pants-less. So are squirrels! Pete spends a day of play deciding to be those things. Descartes would be proud of the philosophical inquiry going on here: Pete doesn’t pretend to be these things; he decides to take on various personae.

Pete gets frustrated as he looks for a friend: The boulders are mute, and the squirrels (who make a series of funny asides, such as “there goes that boulder with pants again”) decide he’s a boulder and run off. Is anyone ever going to answer Pete’s knock-knock jokes?

Cue Pete’s mother. Given that she has repeatedly brought him his pants, she knows he wants a partner in play. So, off they go, running, sharing knock-knock jokes. “It’s me!” Pete declares as the punchline to one of them, content to be himself for a moment, happy to be his mother’s son. This wise, savvy mom is the beating heart of this very funny story.

It’s warm, playful and bursting with personality. Good luck prying this book out of children’s hands.

Julie Danielson features authors and illustrators at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, a children’s literature blog.

John Newbery, the father of children’s literature and namesake of the Newbery Medal, is revered by all who read and write books for children. Balderdash!: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books, written by Michelle Markel, introduces a new generation to Newbery’s legacy.

The book follows Newbery’s career, which begins as a printer and ends as a publisher who revolutionized children’s literature by printing over 100 fun and entertaining titles for children. It’s an animated and lively tale, ever faithful to Newbery’s philosophy that children need amusing books. Children’s books in the 1740s were didactic and boring, but Newbery promoted purchasing a book accompanied by gender-specific toys, a brilliant marketing campaign that was met with success on both sides of the Atlantic.

Nancy Carpenter’s illustrations have a sprightly and energetic style. The edges of the pages are painted to look like an old-time storybook and lend a certain gravitas to the narrative. The mod, marbleized endpapers are reminiscent of Newbery’s first book for youngsters. Fonts in different sizes add interest to the text.

Balderdash! reads as a delightful invitation to children: When readers turn the first page, they enter the expansive world of John Newbery, and after their journey, readers are securely deposited in the wonderful world of reading, in a book nook for children. Extra biographical information and a selected bibliography make this book perfect for teachers and librarians.