January is the perfect month to curl up with a good book and enjoy the warmth inside your home. These picture books teach us of the value of books. They are good for all ages unless otherwise indicated.
My Librarian is a Camel: How Books are Brought to Children Around the World, by Margaret Ruurs, is a wonderful showcase of the many ways children receive library books the world over. In Kenya, books come by camels. In Finland, children receive books from boats. In Peru, donkeys are the purveyor of reading materials. The photos help enlighten children in the U.S. that libraries aren’t always within the confines of a building.
Palace of Books, by Patricia Polacco, is an autobiography about when the author was young and was adjusting to a new town. When she met an encouraging librarian, her life became happier. Because of her passion for birds, she was directed to where the books about birds were. This led to the author becoming the first member of the Audubon Society in her elementary. The gorgeous illustrations were rendered in pencil, marker, and acrylic paint. If you haven’t read any of the many books by this author, you’re missing out!
A Book for Bear, by Ellen L. Ramsey and brightly illustrated by Mackenzie Haley, is about a bear who loves listening to a young girl, Ellen, read out loud under a tree. He convinces her to take him to the library to get his own book. But that doesn’t work because bears are not allowed. Bear and Ellen end up writing their own story which could inspire your child to do the same. The book is best suited for ages three through six.
Books Make Good Friends, by Jane Mount, is a magical book rich in color, description, and recommendations of books on every page. Lottie is shy but wants to make friends. Her love of books helps her enjoy her life. But eventually books and the rich imagination that goes with them helps Lottie find friends to enjoy as she continues to enjoy her books. The color in this book practically jumps off the page and is made with gouache, ink, and gel pens. There’s even a recipe on the end-page for friend-making cookies. This book is a winner.
The Loud Librarian, by Jenna Beatrice and colorful illustrations rendered in collage and other mixed media with digital editing done by Erika Lynne Jones, has Penelope thrilled to be the student librarian for the week. She has just one problem: she has a very loud voice. How can she work in the library where everything is quiet? This adorable book shows how she comes up with a solution while still being true to herself. The best age for this book ranges from ages four to seven.
Tomfoolery! Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming-of-Age of Children’s Books. By Michelle Markel and beautifully illustrated using waterproof black ink and watercolors by Barbara McClintock, is all about how Randolph Caldecott brought about a completely new way to illustrate picture books. Back in the 1850’s, the pictures were stiff. But Caldecott changed all of that. The prestigious Caldecott Medal is named after him. The story and pictures are a great delight! You’ll find much more about this great man in the back of the book.
The story of a book by joy McCullough and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth, celebrates the uniqueness of a picture book and the magic it can bring to each reader. The text is sparse yet powerful exemplifying the power of a book through words and pictures. The bright open-page illustrations were rendered with gouache, color pencil and collage on paper with digital finishing.
Once Upon a Book, by Grace Lin and Kate Messner, and gorgeously illustrated using gouache on watercolor paper by Grace Lin, is an adventure that transports a young girl, Alice, as she falls into a picture book. As she travels from the desert sand and heat to deep in the ocean blue, Alice discovers her home is also a place she desires to be. The amazing end-pages practically tell a quick summary of the story. Beautifully written with limited text and richly illustrated with vibrant color!
This is a Story, by John Schu, and wonderfully illustrated using ink, watercolor and pastel by Lauren Castillo, demonstrates how library books can match the interest of each person. A young girl, with her dad, goes to the library as she holds onto a sea horse kite. Finding a sea horse book brings light and happiness in her face. This powerful yet simple book showcases the empowerment a book can become for each of us. This book is best for ages three to eight.
The Book From Far Away, by Bruce Handy and gorgeously illustrated digitally and with mixed media by Julie Benbassatt, is a wordless book rich in story telling with a most unusual celebration of the commonality books can bring. A child and being from another planet meet and end up exchanging books. The pictures are glorious telling the story and fill the entire open page. I love wordless picture books because children can explore and retell their own story which expands imagination as well as learning story structure.
All the Wonderful Ways to Read, by Laura Baker and perfectly illustrated by Sandra de la Prada, truly celebrates reading and the uniqueness of every book. There are many examples of where we can read, what we can read and how we can read. The discoveries are limitless making books a joy beyond measure. This book is best for ages three through eight.