Tag: humorous picture book

cover of Swashby by the Sea
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Swashby and the Sea

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Swashby and the Sea (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020) by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal is a delightfully warm story that can be read over and over. This story has such a sweet ending.

I love what it says about the sea and Swashby, “She knew him in and out, up and down, and better than anyone.” And I love the adorable illustrations.

Captain Swashby, now retired, is happy living by the sea. Until…neighbors show up. He keeps writing messages to them like “no trespassing” and the sea fiddles with each a bit like “sing.” Will Swashby learn to accept these intruders?

Beth Ferry is the author of Caveman Crush and has quite a number of other books–see them here. I need to check out some more. I like the unusual facts and the box format of her about page.

Author/illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal was born in Peru. You may have heard about her debut picture book, Alma and How She Got Her Name which was a 2019 Caldecott honor book. She’s also a 2018 Pura Belpré Medalist. Read her other awards here.

book cover of Floaty
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Floaty

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Floaty (Henry Holt and Co., 2018) by John Himmelman is a fun book. I missed it when it came out and am glad a friend brought it to my attention. I think kids and adults will appreciate the humor in words and illustrations.

Mr. Raisin only likes sewing. One day a basket is left at his door and inside is a troublesome puppy who floats. The old man can’t quite just let him go and eventually Mr. Raisin becomes fond of the dog he names, Floaty. But what is he to do when one day the leash breaks and Floaty floats away?

Author/Illustrator John Himmelman has done over 80 books! He’s on Facebook where it looks like he posts book news regularly and has his own website. Many of his books are nature related.

cover of I'm a Hare, So There!
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

I’m a Hare, So There!

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

I love this picture book I’m a Hare, So There! (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2021) by Julie Rowan-Zoch coming out this month. It’s humorous and so true to how we are. Plus kids will be learning about a variety of animals as they read. And who doesn’t like a main character with an attitude?

When called a rabbit, Hare is incensed. He argues about why he’s not a rabbit. Of course, he calls the ground squirrel a chipmunk, a tortoise a turtle, a coyote a jackal, and doesn’t seem to care that he is wrong about them. But don’t call him a rabbit!

Lovely back-matter explains the differences between other animals who are similar. I can see this book being read and reread.

To learn about the author/illustrator read her bio. See some other books Julie has illustrated here and check out her portfolio with a variety of styles of artwork here.

cover of The Capybaras
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

The Capybaras

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Coming in April is an interesting picture book about diversity: The Capybaras (Greystone Kids, 2021) by Alfredo Soderguit.

When the capybaras show up the chickens are not happy about these wild creatures. Rules are shared to keep the capybaras away. But when danger comes, the chickens change their minds. And the ending has a surprising twist, too.

I love how the chickens learn that different isn’t bad. I keep smiling at the end–you’ll have to read it to find out why.

The Spanish edition, Los Carpinchos, is a New York Public Library Best Book for Kids 2020.

Read about the author/illustrator here.

Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

The True Story of Zippy Chippy

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

I didn’t expect The True Story of Zippy Chippy: The Little Horse That Couldn’t (North-South Books, 2020) by Artie Bennett and illustrated by Dave Szalay to make me laugh out loud, but it did. Who’d have thought a true story about a loser could be so fun? And touching?

Zippy Chippy was a racehorse descended from legend racehorses, who couldn’t win a race. He even lost a 40 yard race against a human baseball player! He retired after losing 100 races, yet somehow his popularity has grown.

Definitely read the back matter after the story. It’s so fascinating.

Read the author’s amusing bio here. And read about Artie’s other books here.

You can find the illustrator’s bio here where you’ll find out he’s also an author. There are lots of sample illustrations on his home page. I like many of his other illustrations here, too.