When it comes to picture book releases, a celebration is always in order. Some, though, merit extra attention. That could be due to their unusual topic or treatment, the timeliness of the material, or connections with curriculum that hook readers from page one. Even more than those features (and others) are the track records of the author and illustrator who create the book.
I am as excited as everyone else when a debut picture book creator knocks it out of the park. It is truly thrilling, and I watch for more offerings from those remarkably talented folks. That was the case for the debut picture book by author Miranda Paul (ONE PLASTIC BAG, ISATOU CEESAY AND THE RECYCLING WOMEN OF THE GAMBIA, Lerner). Since that initial publication, I have praised her picture books (both fiction and nonfiction) in several posts here, here, and here. Her work has garnered positions of honor on "best of" and notable lists, have earned many starred reviews, and developed more than a decade of fans among kids, parents, educators, and librarians. Just insert MIRANDA PAUL in the search option of the right sidebar here >>> and you'll see that I am a longtime fan. You'll also find a wonderful interview she participated in some years ago.
BEACH LANE BOOKS, 2023
Speaking of years, that is the topic of her latest release, launching TODAY (September 26, 2023). I was delighted to receive a signed review copy from Miranda (with no promise of my response) and am even more excited to share it with you on the book's birthday!
Of course there are plenty of calendar and season-themed picture books, as well as ones with math twists. In this case, the new release not only confirms that reliable creators are always producing books worthy of our attention. 365: HOW TO COUNT A YEAR also offers unusual twists on prior calendar-focused titles.
Beginning with the straightforward (and familiar) starting point that most years have 365 days, the very next page-turn sparks engagement with references to 365 routine happenings, explored with humor and surprises. Yes, 365 good mornings and good nights, but also, "hopefully, 365 pairs of clean underwear". The fun continues with accurate, amusing, and curiosity-inducing narrative, shifting to the ways in which such big numbers can be made friendlier by grouping into weeks or months. In a clever circle-story cycle, the text revolves back to the twelve months and a full year, in which that long-awaited, once-a-year birthday returns. This is a seemingly simple subject that is executed with shining success in the text.
Now, about those illustrations! Julien Chung is a prolific illustrator whose characteristic approach is to make "out-of-the-box illustrations for children's books." He is true to form in this latest of at least twelve picture book creations, many of which deal with familiar topics in lively and smile-inducing, brain-stimulating ways. In this case, the cover illustration alone reveals that his vibrant but seemingly simple images are layered with levels of connections and comical appeal. That lion (irresistible, right?) travels throughout in countless roles: as the face of the morning sun, the model for that daily underwear change, and countless (pun intended) other ways. The cover also is a masterful approach to retaining focus on the big idea- 365 days make a full year, completed with that return of a birthday celebration. In fact, though, the overall images invite a pause to examine it more closely, hinting at the complexity of that year. Those include the solar system's role in creating one trip around the sun each year, the role of calendar concepts, and even aspects of this topic that are not directly addressed but allow for further investigation. Did you notice that MARCH is the calendar page LION is roaring toward, coming on strong? From jacket/cover, to front and back endpapers, to each colorful spread, time-related connections are revealed in the illustrations that are not directly addressed in text but expand understanding and inspire questions and "AHA" moments. (See yearlong phases of the moon on the "365 goodnights" spread.)
I urge you to celebrate this lovely release with me. For those of you who are new to Miranda Paul or Julian Chung, this is likely to nudge you to get your hands on more of their work. I have no doubt you'll agree with me that they are picture books worthy of cake and ice cream, but mostly, of reading and sharing.
Time-limited note: Until Saturday, September 30, 2023, this is a personal invitation to join her in celebrating her new release. Wish I could be there!
FROM MIRANDA PAUL: I want to personally invite all of you to join me for a Book Birthday Party at Lion's Mouth Bookstore in downtown Green Bay on Saturday, September 30 at 11:00 a.m. The event is free, and there will be FREE gourmet cupcakes and cake from the fabulous local bakery Bake My Day. (With some gluten-free ones!). I'll be signing books and doing a very short presentation. Mostly, we'll celebrate life and just hang out for an hour.
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