I am happily swimming around and among picture books lately! This picture book rundown features lovely reads I have generously received courtesy of various publishers. All are ones I would recommend reading, so I hope you have a chance to take a look through this list!

In no particular, here they are: Alice & Gert: An Ant and Grasshopper Story* by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dena Seiferling is a fantastically sublime retelling/twist of the famous fable, full of wit, whimsy, and oodles of heart- as well as the most expressive and wondrous illustrations of insects and their surroundings. Alice and Gert are an unforgettable pair and this delicious gem of a story is highly recommended reading. Written by Canadian author Andrea Curtis and illustrated by Canadian artist Kass Reich (from the Megabat books!), Barnaby* is a thoughtful, beautifully rich story centering around a much-loved budgie named Barnaby whose jealously and temper gets the best of him when his lady (his human) brings a new feathered friend home. Barnaby reads like a modern fable, so vibrantly captured and presented by the winning combination of Curtis’s detailed storytelling and Reich’s captivating illustrations. Sarah Jacoby, the author-illustrator behind Forever Or a Day and the illustrator of other acclaimed picture books, returns with Can I Sit With You?**, a tender story featuring a young girl who meets a forever friend in a steadfast dog. Jacoby’s watercolour, pastel and mixed media illustrations are beautiful as ever here, bringing readers a poetic, rhyming story about true, forever love, and empathy. Brian Lies, who you may recognize from his bestselling Bats at the Ballgame, Bats at the Library as well as The Rough Patch, brings readers even more batty fun with Little Bat in Night School**. Yellow floaties on, backpack ready, Little Bat feels tremendously excited and prepared for whatever school will bring. Night school includes: new classmates, an understanding teacher, some messy mistakes, upside down giggles, lots of imagination, adventure and a friend named Ophelia. Lies’s illustrations are a wonder and this joyful, warmhearted story is sure to delight readers of all ages. Last but not least, let’s take a look at Annelouise Mahoney’s debut, Julius and Macy: A Very Brave Night***, a soft and perfect-for-bedtime story that features a darling badger and mouse who like “to play heroes” together. When Julius and Macy’s snacks go missing one evening of play, Julius points blame to a scary creature called a “Night Goblin”, and the two friends gather up their bravery to track down the suspected thief. A sincerely kindhearted story, with glowing, adorable illustrations and sweet friends, A Very Brave Night is the kind of reassuring picture book that makes for snuggly reading. Happy reading to you all!

*I received copies of Alice & Gert: An Ant and Grasshopper Story and Barnaby courtesy of Owlkids Books. **I received copies of Can I Sit With You? and Little Bat in Night School courtesy of Raincoast Books. ***I received a copy of Julius and Macy: A Very Brave Night courtesy of Thomas Allen & Son. Titles were received in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions and comments are my own. Titles have been published and are currently available.