Along similar lines as the last book I recommended, Monsters Eat Whiny Children (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2010) by Bruce Eric Kaplan is funny with an edge of scariness. In this two whiny children are told by their father that monster’s eat whiny children. Of course, they didn’t believe him. But one day a monster came and stole them away. The story just makes me smile every time I think about it.
If you like this book, you’ll want to check out another of Bruce’s titles: Cousin Irv from Mars.
Bruce is a cartoonist, a television writer and producer and an adult author as well. Read more about him here on the Simon and Schuster site, and here on IMDb (Internet Movie Database).
Category: PB
picture books
Creepy Carrots
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown is one of those fun books where the images and words are telling different stories…or are they? I love the idea of the story–Jasper Rabbit can’t get enough carrots…until they start following him. This 2013 Caldecott honor book was published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2012. (Thanks to editor Dani Young for introducing me to this book last fall!)
Looking at author Aaron Reynold’s website, I see I need to read more of his books. Just by reading the titles, it’s obvious that his sense of humor extends beyond one title.
Illustrator Peter Brown has a vimeo on how he created the art. Visit his website at www.peterbrownstudio.com/. I was first introduced to Peter’s fabulously fun art with the book Chowder (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2007).
On either the illustrator or author website, you can see listings of the many awards and lists where this book is included.
The Stamp Collector
The Stamp Collector (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2012) by Jennifer Lanthier and illustrated by Francois Thisdale is a compelling picture book. It’s the story of two boys–one a stamp collector and one who loved words. One was from the city and poor. One was from the country.
The poor boy leaves school and takes a job as a prison guard. The country boy after seeing crops fail leaves school and goes to work in a factory. He writes. His stories bring hope to the villagers, but the grey men take him away. They say “words are dangerous” and send him to prison.
Both the guard and the prisoner are lonely, but there is no talking, no friendship, no laughter. The writer’s story is spreading. Letters start arriving for the writer, but he’s not allowed to see them. The guard saves a stamp, then another. One day he reads the letters. He can’t break the rules and give them to the prisoner. But he gives him a stamp. Then another. “Every stamp tells a story without words.”
When the prisoner gets sick, the guard brings him the letters that beg for another story. In whispers, he has the prisoner tell him a new story. He is holding the prisoner’s hand when he dies. The guard leaves his job, goes to a faraway library and begins to write.
This book has won a Crystal Kite Award and an Ezra Jack Keats Book Award.
Go to the author’s site to hear about her inspiration for this story.
Go to the illustrator’s site to see more of his beautiful artwork!
Silly Frilly Grandma Tilly
Silly Frilly Grandma Tilly (Flash Light Press, 2012) by Laurie A. Jacobs and illustrated by Anne Jewett is a fun read with fun illustrations. Here’s a quote:
“Grandma Tillie says she is too old to play games.
She says all she likes to do is sit and knit.”
But once the parents are gone, she disappears and out comes the lady with the bright pink hair and it’s The Tillie Vanilly Show, including dancing. Next up is the lady with the lampshade hat and Chef Silly Tillie’s Diner, including singing. Madame Frilly Tillie comes to make them gooooorgeous in the bath. Kid narrator wonders who will come to put them to bed. Chole wants plain Grandma Tillie. To the end Grandma Tillie denies dancing, but when Sophie closes her eyes, she’s sure she hears her Silly Frilly Grandma Tillie dancing.
The book has been announced as a winner of the Gelett Burgess Center Children’s Book Award.
Read more about author Laurie A. Jacobs here.
Learn about illustrator Anne Jewett here.
Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku
Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku (Henry Holt and Co, 2011) by Lee Wardlaw, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin has won the 2012 Lee Bennett Hopkins/Penn State University Poetry Award. Not a surprise really. Lee Wardlaw is quite the award-winning author, and Won Ton is so darn cute!
It’s a sweet story of a kitty at an animal shelter. We learn what he thinks and feels about it and follow him as he is adopted and adjusts to his new house, where he finally reveals his true name. I love the illustrations. This is a definite book choice for cat lovers and one easy to read over and over.
I also like how the author gave a bonus in her note where she explains senryu and haiku.
Writers should go check out Lee’s “101 Ways to Bug Children’s Book Author Lee Wardlaw” on her About Me page. Take a look at how many other books she has published, too–you’ll find others you want to read.
Illustrators should check out the beautiful art on Eugene Yelchin’s site. Wow!