Perfect Picture Book Friday
The Wolf, The Duck & The Mouse (Candlewick Press, 2017) by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen is a humorous picture book (no surprise if you are familiar with the author or illustrator).
Mouse meets a wolf and gets swallowed. In the wolf’s stomach he meets a duck who actually enjoys his life there. With advice from the duck, they live happily, but the wolf . . . not so much.
I like the classical feel of this story. The illustrations add to the humor.
Read about Mac and his other books on his website. While there you can see all the awards the book has won. Also check out Jon’s illustrations on tumbler.
Tag: Perfect Picture Book Friday
Bernice Gets Carried Away
Perfect Picture Book Friday
Bernice Gets Carried Away (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015) by Hannah E. Harrison is one of those fun picture books where the title has multiple meanings.
Bernice is not in a good mood. (Look at that face!) Everyone at the birthday party is getting good things, except Bernice. So when balloons were going to be handed out, “she didn’t take any chances.”
I love how perspective turns Bernice’s mood around, and that it can do the same for us.
This book is an Oklahoma Book Awards Finalist in both Illustration and Children/Young Adult categories.
Author/Illustrator Hannah E. Harrison has a number of books out that relate to friendship. Read more on her website.
Grandma’s Purse
Perfect Picture Book Friday
Grandma’s Purse (Alfred A. Knopf, 2018) by Vanessa Brantley-Newton just makes me smile. Not only while reading it, but whenever I think about it.
Told from the viewpoint of a little girl who is excited “Mimi is coming for a visit,” the book shows us treasures from Grandma’s purse. And those magical things make her grandma Mimi. Items are explained and the little girl gets to use them.
I love how she calls her grandmother’s perfume “smell-good” and how Mimi explains that her coin purse “also holds memories.”
At the bottom of the purse, there’s a surprise, but you’ll have to read the book yourself to find out what it is.
This is one of Vanessa’s three authored books. To see the other two, and all the books she’s illustrated for other authors, go here.
Dad and the Dinosaur
Perfect Picture Book Friday
Dad and the Dinosaur (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2017) by Gennifer Choldenko and illustrated by Dan Santat was “just right.” It was sweet, had humor, a problem and solution, and a happy ending.
Nicholas is afraid of the dark, but his dad is not afraid of anything. Nicholas tries to be brave like his dad, but needs help. Big help. He needs a dinosaur. “When Little Nick had his dinosaur in his pocket, he was just as brave as Big Nick.” But what happens when Nicholas’ dinosaur is lost?
I love the relationship between Nicholas and his dad.
If you aren’t familiar with author Gennifer Choldenko, don’t forget to check out her wonderful middle grade books, too. You can find them here along with 5 other picture books.
Dan Santat is a prolific illustrator and an author himself, too. Look at his long list of picture books, chapter books and graphic novels here.
What Goes Up – a picture book
Perfect Picture Book Friday
What Goes Up (Tiger Tales, 2013) by Paula Bowles is a darling story of persistence and hard work.
Martin is a sad dragon. His wings are too tiny to fly and he wants to fly. He tries various solutions, but “What goes up, must come down.” The village children who love him play a game of belief and imagination with him every day, and eventually . . . Well, you’ll have to read it to see what happens.
I love the humor in both text and illustrations. And isn’t Martin adorable?
Go here to see the other books Paula has illustrated or written and illustrated.