Tag: humorous picture book

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.

cover of Spooky Scouts shows monsters camping and boating with a worried wolf character front and center
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

Spooky Scouts

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

I again have a preview* of a book that will be popular at Halloween, but will also be perfect in preparation for camping and young scouts–Spooky Scouts (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026) by Kimberly Shrack.

The book starts with Luna saying, “The Spooky Scouts Pledge.” Turn the page and see the other Scouts and learn what Luna loves. Most of all she loves the annual camping trip…especially the s’mores. But when she finds out that tonight is a full moon, can she keep her secret?

I loved the humor and the comical events that ruin her plans. I think kids will also enjoy the extras in the illustrations.

This is the author/illustrator’s debut picture book. Read about Kim here and see some of her art here. In 2027 she has a second book coming out called Braaains.

*I received an advance copy from the publisher for an honest review. The book comes out the end of August.

cover of Charts for Babies with a pie chart for "what to do with this book"
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

Charts for Babies

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Charts for Babies (Abrams Appleseed, 2026) Michelle Rial is so darn cute. And will especially appeal to any nerdy parent, grandparent, or aunt or uncle. As you can tell from the cover, the book includes humor.

But, make no mistake–this books IS for kids. It shares concepts such as big/small, flat/curvy, behind/ahead/between and much more, in rhyme. Not only is it a fun read-aloud, but the book will grow with the kids as they can return to it for more complex ideas such as types of charts.

This is Michelle’s debut picture book. Read about the author/illustrator here. She has also written a book for adults. If you like, read an interview with Michelle about Charts for Babies.

cover of The Underwearwolf - dark background with orange lettering for UNDERWEAR and yellow for WOLF with a spotlighted wolf in underwear. kids toys on the floor.
Posted in PB, Read-aloud, So Many Good Books

The Underwearwolf

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Okay, this one, The Underwearwolf (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026) by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Charles Santoso, grabbed me by the title and didn’t let go. If you like humor in books such as Creepy Carrots, then you’ll like this laugh-out-loud one.

The main character’s uncle Larry sends this note along with a gift, “I know you appreciate underwear; so I sent you the coolest ones I could find.” The kid has lots of underwear but these are “Different. Strange. Wool?” There’s fine print “DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE OR FOR ANY REASON WEAR THESE UNDERWEAR DURING THE FULL MOON.” Does our character listen? Of course not.

Hilarity ensues. Kids will be repeating phrases from this book.

I hadn’t read this bestselling author before, but now want to read his others. Read about Gideon here and check out his books here and here.

I’ve featured another book by the illustrator, this way, Charlie, which has a completely different tone. Read about Charles here and see some of his art here.

Note: I received a review copy of this book from Simon and Schuster. However, I only recommend books I like.

Cover of Courage Hats - Two characters looking out a train window, a child in a paperbag bear hat, and a bear in a paperbag human hat.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Courage Hats

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Courage Hats (Chronicle Books, 2022) by Kate Hoefler and illustrated by Jessixa Bagley is a fun read about courage and making friends.

Some don’t like train travel…
Mae is afraid because “the train went deep into bear places.”
Bear is afraid because “the train went deep into people places.”
They both create courage hats to wear. Guess where they each end up sitting?

I love the innocence of each character. And especially the phrase “…when you take your hat off, someone else will, too.”

Read about the author here and check out her books here. Kate’s newest book is The Couch in the Yard.

Jessixa is an author and an illustrator. Read about her here, see her books here, and illustration samples here.