Picture books can take you on a journey. They can make you laugh, they can make you cry. They can show you something about the world around you, or help you discover something beautifully simple in a complex world.
As a picture book author, an illustrator, and a father of two young kids, I’m constantly coming home with stacks of books from my local library, and I would love to share with you some of my recent finds.
Magic Candy
written by Helena Baek, illustrated by Sophia Bowman
Magic Candy was recommended by a fellow parent. This one is a great example of how weird and wonderful picture books can be - a young boy buys a bag of mysterious candy from a store, and discovers that each candy he eats allows him to hear the hidden language of things around him, whether it’s a pet, an inanimate object, or a voice from the past. The claymation illustrations are undeniably striking, adding to the strangeness of the book’s concept, and making it all the more memorable.
Windows
written by Julia Denos, illustrated by E. B. Goodale
If you ever glance at lit up windows on a quiet evenings and wonder about the stories taking place inside of them, then this book is for you. Windows takes place in the final hours of the day, as we follow a boy taking his dog on a contemplative walk around his neighborhood. The illustrations beautifully compliment the character’s thoughtful journey.
Love, Z
written and illustrated by Jessie Sima
This is another book that is fun to read and fun to look at. After discovering a long forgotten message in a bottle, a young robot named Z sets off on a journey to learn what love is. He quickly meets a helpful kitty, and the two sail off together. The book is filled with fun little details, like the letters of Z’s family, and the sailor cat settling into a new home. As an added bonus, to this day my daughter affectionately clanks head with me every night when I tuck her in.
Nothing Happens in This Book
written by Judy Ann Sadler, illustrated by Vigg
You can’t help but be pulled into this book. It self admittedly starts off pretty boring, but we join the main character as he starts ti suspect that something (spoiler alert), does indeed happen in this book. This book is yet another example of wonderful variety of great illustrations and story structures that can be found in picture books.
My Words Flew Away Like Birds
written by Debora Pearson, illustrated by Shrija Jain
I absolutely love the illustrations in this book about a young girl who has recently moved to another country. We see her perspective as she explores her surroundings, but struggles with language barrier of her new home. It’s a wonderful and whimsical look into a child’s perspective.
Wet
written and illustrated by Carey Sookocheff
I love that pictures don’t always have to have a deep moral lesson, sometimes they can just explore a topic that younger kids are still becoming familiar with. This book explores the simple concept of ‘wet’, brought to life with adorably simple illustrations (I especially like the cover).
Chimpanzees For Tea
written and illustrated by Jo Empson
A boy’s trip to the market becomes increasingly absurd as he misremembers the items that his mother asked him to pick up. With the playful rhymes, fast paced text, and expressive illustrations, Chimpanzees For Tea is fun to read.
