Picture Books
Big and small and in-between
Higgins, Carter, author.
jE Higgins
Picture Books
A tribute to all the special things in the world, whether big, small or somewhere in-between, from the hole in the donut to the way the Moon looks through a telescope, and a boat below the sky and above the waves.
A brave cat
Marianna Coppo
jE Coppo
Picture Books
"Olivia, an indoor cat, is a fearless explorer until she accidentally finds herself outside, which tests her adventurous sense of self and results in a brave new outlook."
I love picture books about cats and dogs, they always have such a relatable point of view, depending on whether you're a cat person or a dog person. I'm a dog person, but I still appreciate Olivia the cat's perspective and appreciation of her home. It has short simple sentences and beautiful and colorful illustrations that I was really taken with. And I learned that the author has another book with a heart-melting look into the lives of pets starring a dog protagonist called " Such a Good Boy," that will be a great find for me next! -Mari
If you go down to the woods today
Piercey, Rachel, author.
jE Piercey
Picture Books
A first collection by an acclaimed poet invites readers to join Bear on his journey to meet friends and explore his woodland home during a magical year of seasons as depicted on high-detail hidden-object spreads.
This title is part poetry, part seek and find, and all delightful! -Casey
I'm a unicorn
Helen Yoon
jE Yoon
Picture Books, Humor, Fantasy, Kids
"See?" cries the calf. "Uni means one, and corn means horn!" Even their baby picture proves it: they were born with one horn! But as the eager little calf continues their research, a budding identity crisis arises...
Potty humor AND unicorns?! Get ready to repeat this read. -Casey
Octopus Shocktopus!
Peter Bently
jE Bently
Picture Books
An octopus falls from the sky one day. It lands on a roof and there it stays. The village's children quickly make friends with it, even though the adults are wary. But the octopus proves very handy indeed, making a perfect slide, helping out with some painting, and even rescuing a cat stuck in a tree. But just when all the neighbors decide they want an octopus of their very own, it disappears. Where has it gone and will it come back?
An imaginative and colorful story set in a idyllic little neighborhood by the sea. I loved the bright color of the Octopus and the rhyming is well-done and easy to read aloud. It gives cozy vibes as Octopus celebrates holidays and enjoys the seasons changing on top of the house The small community mutually benefit from the Octopus, who helps beautify the neighborhood by painting fences and raking leaves, and it in turn loves to play with the children. This book will spark imagination for young readers and wish they also had a giant octopus on the roof of their house! -Mari
Books aren't for eating
Carlie Sorosiak
jE Sorosiak
Picture Books
Leopold the goat owns a delightful bookstore, and he has a talent for matching his customers with the ideal book--an adventure story for the girl in the rain boots, a novel about gnomes for the man who loves to laugh, and a book of birds for the woman in the feathered hat. But one day, another goat arrives and proceeds to eat every book Leopold offers. Can Leopold find just the right one to tempt this reluctant reader?
I am always drawn to books with goat characters because they are my favorite animal. This is a cozy quick read set in a bookstore with delightful illustrations and calming pastel colors. A love letter to the books, libraries and bookstores set in a world where goats can learn to turn pages instead of eating them, and dress like and live among humans. A world I wanna be in! -Mari
Brown is warm, black is bright
Sarah L. Thomson
jE Thomson
Picture Books, Nature, Read Woke
Illustrations and text celebrate the colors brown and black, demonstrating the many positive assocations with these two colors.
This lovely picture book is everything you want in a fall read-aloud, beautiful, touching, and repeatable. I cannot wait to share it at preschools and in-house storytimes! -Casey
On the other side of the forest
Nadine Robert
jE Robert
Picture Books
What's on the other side of the forest? A young rabbit and his father are determined to find out in this modern picture book that feels like a classic, calling to mind the tender work of Beatrix Potter. Some say that wolves, ogres, and giant badgers live in the forest beside Arthur's house. That's why no one ever goes in there, to see what's on the other side. But one day, Arthur's dad has an idea--a magnificent idea! Build a tower to look over the treetops! But a magnificent idea takes a lot of work. Will the villagers join and help them? And when the tower takes shape, what will they see on the other side? This wonderful, heartwarming story by Nadine Robert--with illustrations by Gérard DuBois reminiscent of classic children's books--shares the importance of community and cooperation to achieve a big dream.
I am breaking out of my nonfiction and fiction groove to recommend the literally loveliest thing I've read all year. Kids who have the patience to sit down and listen to a good story, well told, will cuddle up with you to enjoy this picture book. But not my kid! As a 6yo, he thinks books like this are for preschoolers. Joke's on him, tho, these beautiful books are also for art-appreciating adults. Gerard Dubois's illustrations feature clean and elegant lines with expert level coloring. If you love fantastic illustrations and an uplifting story about the strength of a community and the wonder of our world, you will love this picture book. -Melody
If you're a drag queen and you know it
author Lil Miss Hot Mess
jE Lilmissh
LGBTQ+, Picture Books
Drag queens sing verses of this popular song that encourages everyone to express their fabulousness by singing, posing, and twirling along.
I love both of the sing-along picture books by Lil Miss Hot Mess! They are so fun to act out and sing and the illustrations are colorful and so fun to look at! This one was an absolute hit sung and performed by local drag queen Valencia, especially her dramatic twirling of her dress! This book is a staple for Drag Storytimes and an absolute blast to read at any time! -Mari
Pizza! : a slice of history
Greg Pizzoli
j641.82 Pizzoli
Nonfiction, Picture Books
From Geisel Award-winning author Greg Pizzoli comes a hilarious and mouth-watering history of pizza. Do YOU like PIZZA? Because right now, somewhere in the world, someone is eating it. Did you know that in the United States we eat 350 slices of pizza every second? Or that in Sweden they serve pizza with bananas and peanuts? All over the world, people love pizza-but where did it come from? And who made the first pizza? Join award-winning author and illustrator Greg Pizzoli as he travels through time and around the globe to discover the mouth-watering history of pizza. Bursting with color, flavor, and fun facts, Pizza!: A Slice of History reveals the delicious story of the world's best food.
This book was added to the collection just in time for a Pizza-riffic storytime with preschoolers this week! Greg Pizzoli's bold-colored (and only the colors of pizza, I might add) and adorable illustration accompany pretty much all of the information about pizza anyone could want or imagine knowing, including the history of the ingredients, the different styles of pizza across the world and factoids like we eat 350 slices of pizza every second in the US. I got so hungry flipping through the pages! -Mari
This concept book is unique and surprising. -Casey