I have had the great fortune of reading another great batch of picture books in the last while! The following five are all ones I would definitely recommend:
Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins
Publication: November 24, 2015 by Disney-Hyperion
Author and illustrator Higgins has knocked it out of the stratosphere with Mother Bruce. Inventive, hysterical, subversive and all-around beautiful, this is a standout story of Bruce the egg-eating bear who accidentally becomes the mother (a really, really reluctant mother) to four goslings. It’s early in the year yet, but it’s highly likely this well-reviewed title will end up as a favourite of 2016.
Dear Yeti by James Kwan
Publication: November 3, 2015 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Author and illustrator James Kwan tells a sweet story of young hikers on the search for the elusive yeti. It seems as though yeti books have been on the rise as of late (Are We There, Yeti?, Yeti and the Bird, Yeti Turn Out the Light!, and more), and Kwan’s entry here is much welcome. Told through short missives the hikers write to Yeti, this condensed tale is funny, highly appealing, and full of kindness.
Lost. Found. by Marsha Diane Arnold, illus. Matthew Cordell*
Publication: November 3, 2015 by Roaring Books Press
Truth: I will read all picture books either written and/or illustrated by Matthew Cordell– that’s how much I love his work! With Lost. Found., and the cleverness of Arnold’s limited text, Cordell’s artwork shines here. With just two words- ‘lost’ and ‘found’- readers are taken on a trek with some animals and a bear’s missing long red scarf. Frenetic but never over-the-top, this is a feast of just-the-right art and just-the-right text coming together to tell a fantastic story.
Wild by Emily Hughes
Publication: September 10, 2013 by Flying Eye Books
Hughes, the author and illustrated of the beautiful The Little Gardener, brings readers another gloriously illustrated picture book with much to think about. In Wild, we learn the story of a young girl, brought up, loved, and raised by her animal family. When she gets captured by humans, and is forced to become more like them, what will happen? From beginning to end, this book is riotous, cautionary, and dynamic- a terrific tale.
Little Elliot, Big Family by Mike Curato*
Publication: October 6, 2015 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Elliot- from Little Elliot, Big City– is back! The gorgeous and sweet little elephant is in a new story; this time all about family. Elliot’s friend Mouse goes off to meet is multiple relatives, and while wandering around the city all alone, Elliot becomes forlorn seeing everyone around him with their loved ones. A lovely exploration of different kinds of families, this latest Elliot story is not without some sadness, but ends with a believable and utterly heartwarming finale. Beautifully done!
*Lost. Found. and Little Elliot, Big Family copies courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for honest reviews. Thank you! All opinions and comments are my own.
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