Category: PB

picture books

Cartoon style art shows a boy being dragged by an overflowing buffet of Thanksgiving foods with adult faces behind the food.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

The Great Thanksgiving Escape

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

The Great Thanksgiving Escape (Candlewick, 2017) by Mark Fearing is so hilarious. (I can’t believe I’ve never posted about it before!)

Gavin expects a boring day, but when cousin Rhonda suggests they escape the toddlers to the swing set in the backyard, the hilarity ensues.

I love this view of a Thanksgiving gathering from the point of view of a kid. “Great wall of butts,” anyone?

Mark is an author/illustrator who sometimes illustrates others books and sometimes writes and illustrates his own. See his books here. See what else he does here and read about Mark here. He’s also a good speaker, so if you can, attend an event where he’s talking.

Cartoon style art, shows a running boy carrying a cornucopia of fruit and veggies spilling out. There's a lamb ducking raining food on one side and a shocked turkey on the other.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

It’s Almost Time for… Thanksgiving

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

It’s Friday, so time for another picture book!

It’s Almost Time for… Thanksgiving (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026) by Maisha Oso and illustrated by Tom Knight is a fun holiday book.

Written in verse it shares how to get ready–“put away decor from Halloween”–plan the meal, pick your turkey, and what to do on the day, from watching the parade, playing football, sharing gratitude, and of course the food.

The story has an unexpected twist. And is part of the “It’s Almost Time for…” series.

Read about the author here and see Maisha’s other books here.

See a bunch of Tom’s illustrations and book covers here and read about the author/illustrator here.

A cartoon style rocket ship in front of a blue background. Also a purple nebula spiral and a small saucer style space ship with a critter inside.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

I Need Space

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

I Need Space* (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026) by Molly Harris and illustrated by Jon Corby at first appears to just be a simple look at playing in space, but it’s much more.

Rocco the rocket ship finds the playground so much fun. It’s a blast until some others don’t play nice. What’s a spaceship to do?

I love puns, so the title and parts of the text especially appeal. And the art is darling! I like the backmatter as well.

I think this story will be helpful for kids learning how to navigate life, which they all have to do, and will appeal to teachers and parents as well. Readers of Jenn Bailey’s award-winning Henry books, may enjoy this one, too.

Read about the author here and see Molly’s other books here.

Read about Jon here and see his books and some of his illustrations here.

*The book’s official release date was Tuesday. I received a copy for review from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

Cover shows a mole in a scarf hugging a tiny thing, a dandelion seed
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

The Tiny Thing

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

The first time I read The Tiny Thing* (Beach Lane Books, 2026) by Ellen Tarlow and Lauren Stringer, I wasn’t sure I liked it. But then I reread it. And paid more attention to the illustrations. Now I love it!

It’s fall and Mole befriends a tiny thing (images show it is a dandelion seed) and brings it home. The tiny thing gives Mole someone to talk to, someone to confess fears to, and best of all someone to tell stories to. His storytelling skills grow over the winter, and in spring he and the tiny thing go outside where Mole puts pieces of plants, sticks, rocks, feathers together to make new things. This causes change for both of them.

See all of the author’s books here and read about Ellen here.

Read about the illustrator/author here. See Lauren’s books here and some of her illustration process here.

*I received a copy of the book from the publisher for review. Opinions my own.

cover of Leif's Gift - shows a kd with a watering can in teh center, surrounded by plants. A green turtle is below him.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Leif’s Gift

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Lief’s Gift (Norton Young Readers, 2025) by Michael Wang and illustrated by Lenny Wen is amusing and educational.

Lief likes growing plants in his bedroom with his pal Hortus (a turtle). “Lief was devoted to foliage.” He asks for specific plants for his birthday, from the tooth fairy, from Santa Claus. He has quite a collection, but doesn’t think he has enough. But when his plants grow, and grow and grow, he has trouble finding things in his room. When Hortus is missing, Lief takes an honest look at his too wild room. How can he keep his plants but make them somehow less?

Backmatter shows how to propagate plants. And includes a list and illustrations of pet friendly plants.

This is the author’s debut picture book. On this page, you’ll find activities and videos for the book. Read about Michael here.

Read about the illustrator here. Lenny is an author as well as an illustrator and you can see her books here. Sample illustrations are on the main page of her website.