Big Bad Bubble by Adam Rubin, illus. Daniel Salmieri
Just look at that cover! Are you smiling yet?! Rubin & Salmieri- the team behind Secret Pizza Party and Dragons Love Tacos– have given us another totally winning and funny story. You wouldn’t think it, but monsters in La La Land are actually petrified of bubbles. There’s no way to fight the fear and fight the bubble….is there?? With help from the narrator and lots of reader encouragement, these La La Land monsters might actually stand a chance. This slightly longer read might be terrific for a preschool (and up) storytime: i’s full of awesome silliness; opportunity for audience participation and opportunity for the story-teller to do some kooky monster voices.

Peggy by Anna Walker
This is a beautifully illustrated and charming picture book about a ridiculously cute and bold chicken named Peggy who literally gets swept up in an adventure. One day a big blustery wind sweeps Peggy away from her quiet home and routine and into the busy city. With a lot of cleverness and a little bit of help from some familiar looking birds, Peggy is able to find her way back home- but not before going to the cinema and checking out some bargains! This is just such a sweet and sparkling story; I think it’s perfect for a curl-up-and-read, or even for a gently fun read aloud at storytime.

The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee
I have said it before and I will say it again: I am in awe of authors/illustrators who can convey story and range of emotion in wordless picture books. Frazee is a marvelous story-teller and here, in her brand new book, we’re treated to the story of a lonely farmer and what happens when he meets a little lost clown. This picture book is gorgeous, the colour palette appropriately subdued; it is a story full of warmth and a touch of melancholy. I so immediately loved this title that I added it to my book list for Picture Book Picks: Friendship, Love and Kindness.

Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
Oh yes! Another fantastic wordless picture book! What happens when we turn a flashlight on outside in the dark? What can we see? And what sort of magic is happening out there in the dark? Boyd has taken a brilliant (and deceptively simple) concept for a picture book and turned it into something that is, at turns, dreamy, funny, and captivating. As with the other three title listed above, I came to the end of this picture book with a happy sigh and thought, yes, that was a little bit of joy, wasn’t it?!