Where Is My Sister? A Gentle Reflection on Sibling Loss

 Few books address a child's experience of death, although some are so well done they merit call backs HERE (elders) , HERE (pets) , and HERE (Siblings).

WHERE IS MY SISTER, written by Shannon Gibney and illustrated by Huy Von Lee,  takes on the least-addressed topic in death, that of a child lost at or before birth. The extreme shift from glowing anticipation to fierce loss is a brave emotional journey to attempt, and these creators achieved something special and noteworthy. 

University of Minnesota press, 2026

In this case, the rarely addressed topic of siblings/children who die at birth is presented with  gentle nuance and deeply resonant validation of the process of grieving such an impossible loss. The cover image and many of the illustrations reveal the tragedy and loss felt throughout the family, with the father and older brother seeking comfort in faith and hope and pursuit of the spirit of the lost Toni, the coming sister whose life was so lovingly anticipated. 

But even-younger Salome struggles with the WHERE of her missing sister, not the why or how such a loss could have happened. This is quest story, Salome's quest is to find and keep her sister close at hand. Longing to believe that Toni might hear a story she reads aloud, that she is part of the family circle-hug, that she surrounds each of them throughout their day is reflected as "somewhat" satisfying when we see the final illustrations in which Salome's expression still holds sadness, but the prospect of better days and acceptance is evident. The strength of family loving resonates throughout the text and images.

I particularly appreciated that each member of the family was allowed a spread or more to suggest their personal journeys through their loss, with Mom clearly struggling the most. As in THE RABBIT LISTENED, among my all-time favorite picture books, Salome senses the value of simply staying near her mother, catching a tear and clinging to the hope that it might hold a bit of her baby sister Toni in its salty essence. 

This is certainly an ideal book for any family dealing with such an indescribable loss. As with so many other powerful books on difficult topics, it is also a superb book to share with everyone, since the experience is both heartbreakingly specific (building empathy) and also metaphorical about any tragic loss after extended anticipation and hope. That comparison is not meant to diminish the immeasurable suffering of families facing the loss of an expected child. It is meant to to suggest that everyone carries loss in different ways, and this book offers a loving portrayal of nonjudgmental and potentially helpful ways to struggle through painful times. 

This is not an upbeat or easy read, but it is one that opens conversations about deep feelings, especially among very young audiences. It does nothing to "fix" anyone else's loss, other than than to suggest that none of us are alone, and seeing the possibility of deep sadness in others can only make us better at being human to, and for, those around us as they experience  their journeys.

CARTER HIGGINS: A Big Deal in Little Books

If you've never read (or realized that you've read) picture books by CARTER HIGGINS, allow me to introduce you. If you don't click on her name now to learn more about her and her books, please do so once you reach the bottom of the page. I've followed blog posts by Carter for years. Working with books as a librarian was her career and her personal delight, always with an uncanny ability to see in the best of them (in the images especially) the depth of ideas and intricacies of detail and meaning that could be found and shared with young audiences. Nuance and discovery were traits of her book reviews and explorations and I learned a great deal by reading her thoughts.

In time, she was immersed enough in the world of picture books to write her own. In her many  amazing books she has been paired with stellar illustrators who rose to the high bar of her language and concepts. Her books show how thoroughly she absorbed and learned from the best examples of others that she often celebrated in her blog posts. Please explore her website to see examples of her work and confirm them as evidence for my praise. 

CHRONICLE BOOKS, 2022

One particular title is a seemingly small work that is in fact quite complex and rich. BIG AND SMALL AND IN-BETWEEN is written by Carter Higgins and Daniel Miyares. It includes a few complex interactive paper folds and gatefold features, but the words and art merit long pauses and appreciation at each page turn. The concepts of big, small, and in-between represent sections within the book, each followed by multiple spreads of examples. These range from literally-sized references, to emotionally evocative ones (BIG is the donut that your brother has because he got to it before you could!), to imagined ones, challenging ones, and figurative ones.

 Each experience in each grouping combines with simple but evocative language ("a boat below the sky and above the swell" with illustrations that expand the concepts and entice further inspection of the many ways in which things like in-between-ness can be noticed and appreciated. The cover art and end papers invite scrutiny, too, offering rich opportunities for close inspection and discussion of discoveries.

The "concept spreads" offer an enjoyable read-through and discussion of comparative size, value, impact, etc. They also welcome discussions of emotions and reactions. We sometimes describe little ones who struggle for self-regulation as having BIG FEELINGS, and yet, don't we all?  Even the most accommodating child (or adult) likely feels deeply and strongly about many things, but has managed those feelings, wrestling them into levels of expression that won't "make waves". A book like this, one with such gentle and delightful language and color, can be dipped-into a page at a time. It  is a priceless tool for folks to find themselves within. It invites discussion and encouragement, acceptance of BIG FEELINGS even among those who try so hard to deny or suppress them.

Finding a way to describe just "what kind" of a book this is can be a challenge. It is not as literal as a few concept books Carter has created, including her numerous board books and interactive books. This has several of those qualities, including the durable construction and smaller square trim size. But it has even more pages than a typical 32 page picture book, far more than an eight- or sixteen-page board book. The labeled concepts of size are much more ambiguous or internal, still aimed at readers of any age but inviting longer, lingering consideration.

I urge you to spend similar reflections time exploring her website. She offers activities related to her books for those focusing on early language and concept development. In case you didn't click on CARTER HIGGINS above, do it now!

THE RABBIT LISTENED: Could We?

Whatever joyful thoughts and inspirations this time of year calls to mind for you (Passover? Resurrection? Spring bulbs? Longer days of sunlight?) I'd imagine that rabbits play some role in those thoughts. New births abound, tiny nests of bunnies are uncovered when gardening, and pint-sized, transparent-eared little buns nibble at grass or dandelions. Right? 

Store shelves abound with chocolate rabbits while comic strips feature parents biting the ears off the chocolate bunnies in their kids' Easter baskets. [Side survey: when you receive a chocolate rabbit, do you bite the ears off first? Feel free to confess in the comments!]

What does all this have to do with picture books? Well, I found an Easter card picturing three chocolate bunnies on the cover, and the middle one with missing its ears. The inside text said that two out of three rabbits HEARD it would be a wonderful Easter. It's a funny card and I was pleased to find it. After I mailed it, though, my thoughts followed a "rabbit hole" about missing ears and not hearing and relying on habits rather than thinking or listening in the moment.

DIAL BOOKS, 2018

That led me back to a book that I featured some years ago about dealing with grief, THE RABBIT LISTENED, written and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld.  As the cover indicates, this is a story of comforting, with a focus on the power of listening. 

When the child's play-project collapses, they view it as a tragedy. Various efforts to "make it better" are offered by caring others. Adults will recognize themselves in the words of advice, familiar phrases that fail to recognize what is really needed. 

Examples are things we too often say to others in our lives; 

You can make another.

At least you've learned something.

You have other toys to play with.

or even the dreaded...

This is not such a big deal.

I didn't put quotes around the above lines because I paraphrased, writing the gist of what the text stated. Characters were reverting to past practice and patterns without pausing to see what was really needed.

Each seemed to have lost their "emotional ears", making assumptions or rushing in to reduce tension and pain. At times, though, quite often actually, what is most needed is simply someone to sit with us while we fully experiencel our pain. 

The rabbit does that. No words. No verbal reassurances. Simply being there, as near and as accepting as possible. As I wrote in a prior post, "...this little book offers a universe of wisdom. It opens with utterly appealing scenes, introducing a character, Taylor, about whom we instantly care."

"After failed attempts, Rabbit arrives. As the title says, Rabbit Listened, recognizing and absorbing Taylor's raw emotions. Rabbit's only role is to be present. To offer comfort without expectation or exit. Only then can Taylor (who could be a boy or a girl) try out various reactions, move through stages of grief, and work through the pain of loss until it is resolved. As comforting as this book may prove to be for young audiences, it should be considered an advanced course in human outreach for those of us with the "fixer" impulse."

Those missing rabbit ears on a seasonal card had me reflecting on the degree to which our larger society seems to operating on assumptions and default reactions. Not only in politics, but in technology-anxiety, environmental concerns, and more. So often I hear familiar phrases and reactions in conversation from entirely different people in a wide array of ages and settings. All seem calm and caring, but that edge of repetition concerns me. Many times such talk elicits some nods or "hmm" and the topic shifts. Perhaps we'd all do better in many circumstances to reflect back before offering even "safe" reactions or thoughts. 

For myself, I'm hoping to reflect back and listen more. "Tell me more about what you think" or "Tell us why you say that" or ??? What I want is to make myself THINK, and LISTEN, and be open to how others feel. I'm more convinced than ever that some of the most deeply-held opinions are actually a reflection of deeply felt tensions or worries or fears. Perhaps if I allow others to share some of that, I could simply listen. Perhaps it might ease their sense of isolation or fear of being attacked. I don't have to agree or disagree, just let them feel heard. 

At least I can try. And I plan to do so.

That is my plan for a new beginning to this season of growth and renewal.

May your own seasons be filled with listening.

THE SLEEPER TRAIN... ALL ABOARD!

I'm very nostalgic about trains, though I only rode on one once, as a child, for a very short trip. (Or occasionally at the zoo with kids!). Sleeping at our grandparents' Kentucky home meant vibrating through the night to the rumble of trains as they passed by just thirty feet across the road.  Or "racing" trains on tracks parallel to the highway as Dad drove us to Kentucky and back to Ohio, counting train cars, hoping that the man in the caboose would wave back when they inevitably passed us up. My bucket list still includes a cross-country train trip. We'll see....

Candlewick Press, 2025

Meanwhile, back to picture books! THE SLEEPER TRAIN obviously appealed to me from the start. It depicts experiences rooted in a culture halfway around the planet but offering universal connection in its emotional explorations and memories. Written by Mick Jackson and illustrated by Baljinder Kaur, this is a delightfully illustrated story of a girl and her family as they travel to visit relatives. The train itself frames the story, as the girl's first-person narration reveals her family's journey, her excitement about using a fold-down bed in their cabin, and then her struggle to fall asleep. As might be predicted, readers join her in viewing the station, their night travels through and near cities, and her struggle to calm herself and fall asleep. Then, page turns each reveal her memory of strategies to deal with  sleeplessness. 

There will be plenty of readers who find the vibrant and detailed illustrations both welcome and familiar, a rare opportunity to see themselves and their homeland on picture book pages. For others, though, this will be less a mirror and more of a window or sliding door to a world filled with new images and locations, yet deeply familiar experiences. She activates her past efforts to find sleep, remembering happy times: a recent vacation, napping at the beach under a soothing sun, family camping, and even a scary time in the hospital when her family stayed at her side to comfort her. Her memories reveal that such universal experiences are global, while the specifics in culture, clothing, and styles clearly reveal their Middle-East/South Asian  setting. Morning brings the family to the dining car and the final page turn is utterly perfect. (Another memory to be recalled on some sleepless night in the future). 

For anyone traveling, during holidays or otherwise, this is a rich experience, a delight for eyes and hearts.💕 Trainlovers will be delighted, and parents of struggling sleepers will appreciate the self-regulation strategies described. Kids will be begging for train rides!  If that isn't in the foreseeable future (or even if it IS), check out Marsha Diane Arnold's recent BIG BOY, HERE.

WHEN AUGGIE LEARNED TO PLAY CHESS: You Can, Too!

 The holiday gift-giving season is well upon us! My book-of-choice today is one that makes a delightful gift across many ages (read the author note in back). Beyond that, though, the story it reveals suggests a gift of even greater value: spending time and learning with someone you love. Especially someone young.

Ann Schwartz Books, 2025

WHEN AUGGIE LEARNED TO PLAY CHESS is written by Meredith Rusu and illustrated by Stephen Costanza. This story offers many openings for kids to connect... 

1. Moving...

...Far away (from beachside to a neighborhood with cows and strong smells!)...

Navigating change...

Feeling alone...    in a crowded new school...

Rejection... it's hard enough to say hello to strangers, but then to be ignored? Yikes!

Big feelings... while parents are busy. EncouragIng, but busy.

Auggie notices something on a shelf in his new home-- a lovely checkered board and a pouch filled with intriguing carved characters. When Auggie's Tatâ (Daddy) notices and begins sharing both stories and skills, the gift of time and teaching allows Auggie to turn his mind away from distress and explore challenges and curiosity. The process offers connection for Tatâ and Auggie and a place of respite from change, anchoring them to a family heritage and to each other. 

Mid-story unfolds with some basic labeling and roles of the chess pieces, never slowing the pace but serving well in repeated readings for anyone trying to learn without a skilled Tatâ at their side. Auggie's growing knowledge leads to better days in his classroom, too, and the conclusion offers a suggestion of a satisfying beginning.The author's note and shares a personal story involving family chess heritage, assuring readers that anyone can learn chess, even the very young.

And even the very OLD! I learned chess as a kid, but never worked at developing competitive skill or learning gambits. MANY years later when my school was organizing "clubs" for kids at recess or activity times, mine was the only hand that went up when someone asked, "Who knows how to play chess?" That small act led me to host the "chess room" one day each week, wrangling 7-9 year olds and a few dozen game sets for both novices and talented players. I never claimed to have any knowledge beyond the basics, but over time those stronger players (and valued volunteer parent coaches) allowed me to learn more. After many years this surprising gift was presented to me> > > >

That's been several decades ago, and yet I can still get newcomers launched, settle confusions or disputes, and spot a mis-staged board from across a classroom. My point is, learning to play chess is a lifetime gift that can reach others at any level. There is no better time than the holidays, when family and friends gather, to have a chess board on hand. Someone in those spaces would raise a hand to admit knowing how to play, and someone else will be eager to figure out those curious characters that travel around the board following detailed rules. (Do me a favor. Avoid digital play, at least at first. Use an actual board and figures if at all possible. Learning to set up the positions, including stories about their relative power and playability, is a significant experience in itself.)

Auggie's story is one of family strength and connection, but it also celebrates the ways in which playing chess opens his mind to potential relationships and actions among strangers and friends. It reinforced his sense of agency, even when he felt himself to "only" be a pawn. The complexity of Auggie's journey will entertain and satisfy readers, but my guess is that the closing of the cover will be followed by "I want to play chess!" Consider a gift pack of a chess set with a copy of this book!

WE ARE DEFINITELY HUMAN Swells with Heart and Humor

 

TUNDRA BOOKS, 2024

Be prepared to suspend your inner cynic to embrace a naive and welcoming attitude in WE ARE DEFINITELY HUMAN by X. Fang. That's what the humans (the ones we recognize as human) do in their chance encounter with three folks whose "car" lands in the middle of the night. These beings find themselves in need of serious help. That serious dilemma doesn't diminish the over-the-top humor or the genuine heart of the story itself.

This quirky and clever story features "strangers" who instantly declare, when asked, that they are human, definitely, though clearly they are not. Definitely human. Yep. Despite their obvious differences, the kind family who locate their crashed transport vehicle open their hearts and doors to the outsiders. They are willing to take their declaration of being humans at face value and overlook unfamiliar appearances, odd behavior choices, and stilted language patterns.

The humor and vivid differences throughout allow readers to laugh at such silliness while digesting the choices being made with kindness and a gentle underlying message. This is a perfect example of my assertion that picture books are meant to be consumed as a whole, beginning to end, as an art form and story in their own right. This book, read aloud to a group or on a lap, will have everyone of many ages chuckling and likely laughing aloud. But the best books, as this one is, invite readers to go right back to page one and begin again, discovering what is lurking in the nuances and corners of the pages. 

The thoroughly simple premise opens plenty of opportunities for potential skepticism, or even a condescending assessment of the locals folks who seem clueless about being obviously misled. Instead, the readings of the story,  from first through multiples, leads to a sense of what it means to be human, definitely. Even the youngest will identify and appreciate the warmth and rightness of kindness, finding balance and truth in the impact such kindness can have on others, directly and as a ripple effect into the future. Definitely.

WORRIED? Let VICTOR Help (Victor, The Wolf With Worries)

 You don't need to be heading back to school, scheduling a job interview, joining a new club or social group, or otherwise anticipating your personal shortcomings to 

WORRY!

Most of us tend to worry on a daily basis, about anything and everything-- whether or not we are "good enough" for any and all events and affiliations. That comes from COMPARING, from seeing who others are, how they function, what they look like, and ways they interact  then viewing ourselves as lesser. Less strong, less attractive, less knowledgeable, less... you fill in the blanks. It's all well and good to assess ourselves objectively and set achievable goals. That can be motivating, instigating growth and positive change. 

BOXER BOOKS, 2023

But WORRY leads to becoming frozen, or self-isolating, or even misrepresenting ourselves as something we are not. Which brings us to this delightful and important picture book, VICTOR: THE WOLF WITH WORRIES. It's written and illustrated by Catherine Rayner, whose talent in both creative realms shines through. 

There is no shortage of kids who worry, and no shortage of picture books about worrying. Even so, please  share this one with anyone you know who worries, whether situationally or chronically. It's a gem.

Most litters of furry critters reveal distinct personalities within weeks. One might be noticeably affectionate, another clearly curious, while others either assertive or shy. Innate personalities are the natural templates on which learning builds and through which instincts emerge. In social groups like wolves (or classrooms) those personality differences are even more evident. And some WORRY.

Rayner's cover alone reveals how utterly irresistible VICTOR is. Somehow, that loose, mottled illustration style incorporates revealing elements that are expressive and appealing. Check the sharply-focused but somehow slightly wary eyes, the shoulder/head angle and flattened tail that suggest watchfulness and an element of simmering concern. The color tones and textures throughout underscore the wild and natural aspects of Victor and his pack, despite the very human emotional experiences, attitudes, conversations, and responses they convey. 

BOXER BOOKS: Title Page

Before you WORRY that this book is too downbeat, the title page shifts to glowing pastel tones and a much more confident view of Victor, promising potential resolution of his distress. 

It does not disappoint, and the journey to that resolution, that character growth, follows a friendship path between young (and worried) VICTOR and his little buddy PABLO. First, though, readers will note the kinds of things that make Victor worry. Each comes from his actual observation of the older group as well as his internal assessment that he doesn't measure up. He adds the very recognizable conclusion that unless he can match the others, he will not be welcomed, or even accepted.

His efforts to manage his inadequacies revolve around pretending. Not big enough, or fierce enough, or brave enough? Fake it till you make it, so to speak. But young Victor is a sharp wolf and realizes that pretending could invite others to believe he is all that, expecting him to prove himself actually big or brave or fierce. 

That thought pattern is set with a perfect balance of crisp text and revealing, appealing illustrations that invite attention to small, smile-inducing elements. Then, several pages in, Victor turns to his friend Pablo. 

Pablo does what a good friend does. He notices that something is wrong and asks about it. In the following pages, Pablo gently suggests ways Victor can diffuse  his worries, can self-regulate his chronic concerns. Telling a trusted friend your worries can lighten a load. Imagining your worry is in a bubble and blowing it gently away can relax your mind and heart. Running and frolicking can work out nervous energy. All of which allow Victor to  feel more "wolfish". (The illustration on that particular double spread is fantastic, and includes such a revealing perfect wolfish detail in Victor's grin. The conclusion is both satisfying and charmingly fun. 

The strategies suggested by Pablo are ones mentioned in other, more didactic "worry" books. Here, the visual and storytelling appeal make this so entertaining that littles will want to hear it again and again, likely imitating the two friends as they follow Victor through his growth. The changes are subtle and organic to the friendship and the plot, while the illustrations (with those subtle but revealing art details) make this a book I want to hug. Give it a look soon, and ask yourself how often you might be scrolling through social media and judging yourself as LESS THAN. Using this book in a discussion of that topic with older kids could be worthwhile. Maybe it would even soothe your own worries!

THE WRONG BOOK: Why Recommend That?

PHILOMEL, 2024

When looking for THE WRONG BOOK, written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Alex Willmore, be sure to check carefully. Including contrarian words in a picture book title is not unusual, and there are plenty that merit a good look. In this case, though, THE WRONG BOOK is the right one to read!

 If there's one sure way to hook young readers it is to combine humor with visual puzzles and a frustrated narrative. Throw in having an inanimate-personified narrator (an indignant bookmark? ) who breaks the fourth wall and expects readers to step up and speak up (a la PIGEON books my Mo Willems). Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

This book has all that, plus opportunities beyond entertainment, of which there are plenty. Many reading strategies can be practiced, and expanded discussions can emerge. The end papers show "bookmark" with a wide variety of simple facial expressions, inviting lots of empathy/emotional "reading" and naming of emotions with young audiences. Once the actual spreads are viewed, predictions can involve realistic expectations and then wildly funny potential options of alternate sound-making from the anticipated page turns. The ending is somewhat surprising in that the confused/silly mix-ups are not only allowed but mimicked by that irritated bookmark. It literally says, "If you can't beat them, join them". The various sounds used are onomatopoetic, offering fun examples of this figurative form of writing and also inviting some motivating decoding practice. 

I included a larger view of the cover to allow you to explore the tone and fun of the interior art and story.The title is correct (THE WRONG BOOK) and bookmark's mission to get things right is revealed, with expected  sounds and even creators' names in need of correcting. Illustrator Willmore is known for the comic visual and humorous interpretation of text, as well as the purposefully scrawled, oversized lettering that invites reading aloud with powerful expression. The personification of bookmark echoes author Daywalt's approach in THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT and other titles in that series.

Another fun use of this book would be to share/compare with INTERRUPTING CHICKEN, (reviewed HERE) those PIGEON titles from Mo Willems, and a delightful classic, BABY SAYS MOO! by JoAnn Early Macken. With so much shenanigans in the spotlight here, I can't blame someone for doubting my word, but kids will not go wrong with THE WRONG BOOK. 

HAZEL IS ALL THAT: Learning Like a Little One

ROCKY POND BOOKS, 2025

Spend a few minutes with HAZEL, of HAZEL IS ALL THAT, written and illustrated by Chad Otis. Hazel is that bespectacled little girl on the cover, surrounded by dogs, wearing an ambiguous expression. So, too, are some of the dogs. This vibrant new picture book is awash with color and action,  with "dog talk" sometimes offering page-covering onomatopoetic power. The first dog Hazel encounters erupts with repeated 

RRAAARP! 

RRAAARP! 

RRAAARP! 

RRAAARP!

Hazel's reaction is no surprise, and her label of "bad dog" fits with a reader's reactions. As Hazel and her adult proceed through the park, she encounters a dog who is good, another who is tough, and another who is naughty. All are labels used by Hazel based on observation of behaviors, body types, and ...

her own assumptions. 

Hazel does what we all do. Or, more fairly, I'll speak for myself. This "little one", trying to figure out her world and apply labels she's learning, does what an old human like me is inclined to do-- jump to conclusions. Without asking, without further observation, without having any real need to assign labels to others. 

Midway through, Hazel's dropped ice cream sends her cycling through the many emotional states she had observed in the park pets: angry, naughty, sad, embarrassed, and happy again. This wise young Hazel realizes that she can be ALL THAT, allowing her to notice that the conclusions she had draw about dogs are incomplete, at best. All those dogs can also be "all that". A plot development in theconclusing pages will tug at readers' hearts and also reminds us that emotional states are rarely one-offs. We can be scared and angry and "good" at the same time, in varying amounts.

This minimal-text, maximal meaning picture book combines loose-lined, splashy illustrations reminiscent of  Chris Raschka's "Daisy" books with the heart of THE HAPPINESS OF A DOG WITH A BALL IN ITS MOUTH by Bruce Handy and Hyewon Yum. I relished the yellow glasses throughout, symbolic of the open-eyed perspective of a little one in a big world. Hazel was taking everything in, processing prior learning and applying it (especially those ambiguous emotional labels) to the patterns she observed. 

Again, rather than say "we all do that at every age",  I'll just admit I am thinking of myself. It is such a challenge NOT to turn brief observations into instantaneous judgments. No matter how aware I try to be of that tendency, it takes a story like this to remind me of this trend in my nature. I need to STEP BACK. To pledge to be as open-eyed as Hazel became. When "evidence" appears that someone is a certain way, that should be my signal to consider what MANY ways that person could be feeling or thinking or what they could be dealing with. Perhaps a sour facial expression is inadvertent evidence of physical pain. On a day of immeasurable happiness anyone can be caught with a wave of regret, or missing someone, or longing of some other kind.. 

Jumping to conclusions rarely lands us on solid ground. HAZEL IS ALL THAT is a colorful, action-packed picture book that serves social-emotional learning on every level. Noting visual clues that triggered Hazel's initial responses offers an important exercise for youngest audiences, as is dealing with her own "meltdown" midway through the book. The astute insight she achieves about emotions being complex and multi-layered presents yet another discussion point for early learners. And, may I say, a reminder to me and others who are decades away from being "littles" that Hazel's awareness, her outreach to notice the emotions of others, and her ability to self-correct are lessons we never outgrow. 

I KNOW HOW TO DRAW AN OWL: a Tender Reminder To PAY ATTENTION

 This is a picture book I'm eager to share, but I struggled to decide how to begin. The author solved that by writing a small opening note on the credits page, which touched me deeply. Then the actual text hit the perfect pitch to launch a tender and important story. So which should I use to gain your interest and convince you to read this? 

*Sigh* 

NEAL PORTER BOOKS, 2024

As the song says, I'll start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...".

I KNOW HOW TO DRAW AN OWL is written by Hilary Horder Hippely and illustrated by Matt James.The wordless first page shows a teacher at the green board drawing two circles... a snowman? 

That compelling page turn reveals this teacher instructing how to draw an owl- round head, oval body, talon feet, hooked beak, folded wings, and two big eyes. A diverse group (teacher and students) responds with various facial expressions in full color illustrations with loose-edged intensity and splashes of realism. The next page turn confronts us with a full spread of one artwork with huge, intese owl eyes aimed right at the reader.

That's the launch of a story that will stay with you as deeply as those owl eyes will. When asked how the Belle knew how to draw such hyper-realistic eyes, she shrugs, but we read that she knows, but won't tell. The continuing story includes more of those wordless double spreads that say so much, alternating with expansive illustration scenes, supported by first person narrative by Belle. She exits the school bus to walk past homes of classmates until she meets her mom in a blue car. And they go home.

That's when things get serious. This IS home. Mom drives deep into the woods and they find a place to spend the night after the park closes. A place with a water for drinking and cleaning, a car to serve as home with a bedroom/windshield view of the treetops. The sound of an owl is a good omen, her mom says. Night after night she waits, hears, but doesn't see, that owl. Until she does. 

That powerful moment is handled with grace and realism. There is nothing magical in this book, beyond the enormity and magic of humanity and love. The book could have concluded there, but something equally powerful is revealed in the few remaining pages. I titled this with a reminder to PAY ATTENTION. That could apply, literally, to the child paying attention to the owl. More importantly, the conclusion stresses that the child pays attention to essentials that can so easily be overlooked (no spoilers here).

Now, cirlcing back to that opening page note in then upper left corner of the credits page. The author notes that she has been informed when students reside in shelters, so she is able to focus on particular needs that may arise. Once, though, she noticed a student living with a parent in a car- it was one of her students. She had no idea and realized that anyone among her group might have such needs. She calls out the bravery of the child and the parents for doing everything with hope, nurturing faith and hope that could so easily be lost. 

This book appeals on many levels:  as a school story, as a family story, as a nature story, as a kindness story, and for its effective narrative/layout and compelling illustrations. It is a timeless story, since hard times never seem to leave us. That makes the deepest metaphor all the more important,. Using our eyes, our attention, to truly SEE each other is not only possible. It is a capacity that grows with practice. And it should. 

Please read this and share it, and keep your eyes open!

MELA: The Truth About Trust

This very special picture book is going to strike a chord with doglovers, especially those who believe in rescuing dogs most in need.

 Will it also appeal to those who admire remarkable illustration? Yes. 

Will it resonate with those who appreciate relationship stories? Yes.

Will it remind readers of the struggle experienced in holding on to hope and faith when our wishes are delayed? Yes.

CRESATIVE EDITIONS, 2025

MELA is a seemingly simple picture book written by Maddelena Schlavo and illustrated by Eleonora Pace. The minimal text is as crisp and bright as the cover illustration, as direct and satisfying as a bite into a perfectly-ripe apple, as open to partnership with the reader as MELA eventually becomes open to her new partner in life. 

Illustrations alternate between isolated images on stark white backgrounds that focus attention fully on major or spot illustrations, while others are full double-spread art that encompasses the larger story of the intended home for MELA, of the locations, and the depth of feelings and situations that must be dealt with before their intended connection is completed. 

After years of abandonment, unspoken details, and eventual travel, the girl waits and plans, with hope, while the dog waits and wonders, without assurance. Scenes throughout suggest (but don't overdo) the kinds of adjustments that MELA (which means apple) must make in her new home. Storms disturb, but so do vacuums and traffic noise and busy streets and even nightmares. Throughout it all, MELA becomes able to trust. To turn to her new family for reassurance and safety. To know she is home.

Sounds simple? Yes.

Easy? No.

Important? Absolutely. 

The art and story are equally beautiful. Even so, had this book, originally published in Italy, not been translated to English, I believe it is such a universal story and so wonderfully visualized that it would be fully understood and embraced even without translation. 

I hope you'll give it a look and see if you agree. 

Three Cheers for LIBRARY MONTH! (Shhh...) ORSON and the WORLD'S LOUDEST LIBRARY

 

I grew up in the era of silent libraries. I have been SHUSHED more than once (or dozens of times) while using a library. So I'm delighted that those special places have become a place for interaction and community. There are silent/private rooms for study, testing, small meetings, or any other need for personal space and rules. But the library itself can include conversations with librarians, clicking keyboards, friends or family reading quietly together, or other interactions and  socializing activities. This new contemporary picture book features a young fella who is very sound-sensitive, ORSON and the LOUDEST LIBRARY, written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson.

Astra Books
for YOUNG READERS, 2025

The very good news about ORSON is that he loves books and reading. His loving home provides plenty of books and reading opportunities for him, all of which are QUIET! 

(Side note-- in these times of major stresses on public and school libraries, including censorship, failed referenda, withholding public dollars supporting their essential services, and more, ORSON's public library is celebrating a grand reopening after updating and investing in maximizing its services and functions.)

When Gordon arrives at the reopening of his library, it is full of folks! All ages, all abilities, all interests, and all needs. A few are quiet, but most are NOT! Patrons are trading books, listening to a book talk, helping each other find great books, and more. YIKES! Despite Orson's polite request to the librarian to SHUSH those folks, she points out that all the people he complains about are... reading books, as ORSON loves to do. She will NOT shush any of them!

Naturally, ORSON takes on the shushing role, so he learns about quiet study rooms. Yes, it is very quiet, but he knows that those other folks are out there, in the not-silent library spaces, doing loads of fun things with books and letters and others! The results are terrific- when ORSON finds the fun of sharing library and book activities, and the patrons find the fun in ORSON!

Do yourself a favor. Spend some time in a library this weekend. Thank those librarians. Pay attention to your community and its support of the local public library (and school libraries). Their role in keeping our communities connected, informed, strong, and READING is priceless. 

HOPE Is a Thing With Wings... and Ears: RABBIT's FEAT

HIPPO PARK (Astra Books) 2025

Spring is the season of change, of hope, of... rabbits! Whether you welcome them or dread their nibbling intrusions in your gardens, rabbits are appealing and hard to resist. A new fiction picture book, RABBIT'S FEAT, created by author/illustrator Barney Saltzberg, is also appealing and utterly irresistible. (That sweet little title pun has a few punny partners within the text, but not enough to annoy the anti-pun-folks among us!)

This new book presents, on the cover, a simple but fantastic premise...Boulder is firmly anchored on a high ledge, not far from prickly Cactus that blooms only occasionally, as is often true for  cactus plants. The two have shared this exact desert space long enough to become "friends", and the text centers on their minimal dialogue. In only a few lines it's clear that boulder genuinely longs to get closer to witness those rare blooms more fully, and cactus dreams that would be possible. This central problem and ensuing discussions are  illustrated with warm, saturated desert-night colors. The text elicits empathy, even for inanimate, immovable objects.

 But wait...

A parallel VISUAL narrative is launched on the first page. Rabbit hears their conversation of friendship and longing, spring after spring, and understands that boulder and cactus are each incapable of moving. On that same opening spread is a butterfly, reappearing throughout each spread. Both the rabbit's awareness and the butterfly's presence symbolize that hope can be nurtured, even in seemingly hopeless situations. 

This essential wordless visual narrative is anything but stationary, revealing rabbit's attempts to move Boulder. Imagine that. Even with burtterfly's help, (imagine that, too) it seems a lost cause. But without evidence of movement, Boulder senses their efforts, imagines that a move just might be possible, that things might change.

Rabbit recruits support, and (spoiler) succeeds. The winners are kindness, team work, and science, and especially readers. 

Illustrations are a masterful blend of collage (using handmade papers) and soft-edged art with crisp rabbit character elements (eyes, nose, whiskers, claws) that enrich an appealing emotional story among the collaborators.

Harking back to my longtime soapbox, that the best of picture books offer value and meaning to readers of any age, this story made me think of so many current situations involving separation, longing, and seemingly hopeless situations. Throughout our country and in our own lives. Just sensing that someone, anyone, recognizes that longing, cares, and wants to help can make the struggle survivable, right? if those who want to help will recruit others, if they collaborate in creative thinking and energy, if even the slightest among them is valued and included, anything is possible.

Whether used intentionally as SEL text in support of dreams, hope, teamwork, empathy, and community, or as a fun intro to the power of levers and other simple machines, or simply to entertain and engage young audiences, RABBIT'S FEAT is a winner.

THE OUTSIDE: Laugh and Learn About Prairie Dogs

 Classifying/categorizing books, especially picture books, is becoming harder and harder. When it comes to "labeling" books that provide reliable nonfiction information, but present that material through cartoonish or personalized characters, it's debatable. I find myself turning to library shelving choices or publisher descriptors. Is a particular title creative nonfiction? Or informational fiction? When both story text and sidebar facts are provided throughout, I (and readers) more clearly see this as nonfiction. (See recent post, HERE.) When the story incorporates factual content within anthropomorphized critters, but provides back matter about each of those factual elements, it gets a bit more challenging.

VIKING, 2024

And that's precisely how author-illustrator Gianna Marino left me perplexed but delighted with THE OUTSIDE.  Call it what you want, but take my advice and read it. As you likely know, prairie dogs live in extensive communities, often called prairie dog towns. Whether the extended group is small (as this one is) or massive, their interactions can make a lively and appealing model for many human relationships. 

In this case, the story unfolds with speech bubble narratives, delightful perspectives, and one prairie dog, Earl, who is afraid of going outside. He prefers dig-dig-digging underground where he feels safe. His above-ground buddies are on the look out for predators, but Earl fears rain. Earl's fears (of several kinds) play a role in his rescue of the group. Even so, despite their safe survival, Earl relies on his peer support to find security within himself and among his community. OUTSIDE!

This is an excellent offering for young readers to encourage social/emotional learning and discussion, to empathize with characters, to identify/predict storyline, and to flat-out enjoy a funny story.

The double spread back matter includes labeled illustrations of the ways prairie dogs dig complex intentional underground spaces to survive and thrive. I found Earl & Company to be unforgettable, and I hope you will, too.

A Fathers Day Marvel: BUNNY SHOULD BE SLEEPING

NEAL PORTER BOOKS,
Holiday House, 2024

 BUNNY SHOULD BE SLEEPING may just be the most ideal Fathers Day picture book I've ever read. Written by Amy Hest and illustrated by Renata Liwska, the cover alone is likely to elicit "aw-w-ws" for the obvious and deft gentle tone and tender appeal of the character and the situation suggested by the cover (check the back jacket cover, too.)

My first awareness of it, including praise from other reviewers, left me eager to read it. I've now renewed my library copy and re-read it multiple times, preparing to share it with you at this special calendar timing in celebration of fathers. That was not my original intention. I imagined it would fit well among anyone's collection of bedtime books, portrayed by an appealing little bunny in need of yet another story or other delay to the inevitability of sleep. 

The images are warmly sleepy and comforting despite the cool colors filling each page. As the story unfolds, the drama increases. Readers share Bunny's worrying concern and mission yet travel within Bunny's safe and secure home, habits, and thoughts.  The text assures us of Bunny's soft blanket and warm toes while the glowing moon offers a haven from full darkness. Even so, Bunny lies awake, revealing his remaining need: 

"Come on, Dad! Check on me, check on me, check on me!"

Waiting is hard, and Bunny must take action. Once he collects the necessary items in his wagon, he takes them to Dad's room, who is asleep under that same glowing moon. When Bunny offers each of the comfort items from their prior routines, Dad sleeps on. Bunny's next move is more direct. The pages that follow are as tender and perfect as you might imagine, and utterly satisfying in the simplicity and power of the text and the images. Don't imagine that it is predictably "sweet", it is also surprising in wonderful ways. 

Whether your Fathers Day dad (defined however you feel at home with that title) is still in this young-child stage of life or long past it, I imagine many who would love this story and the appreciation and recognition it implies. The responsibilities of fatherhood/parenthood are immeasurable and often overwhelming, but this recognizes that "the little things" really do matter, and always will. 

I've written in prior posts about the significance of nightly read-aloud sessions with Dad, Mom, and my siblings. Among the many ways I benefited from my parents' habits and guidance, those nightly readings are priceless and irreplaceable in forming the person I am today. I've also written multiple  Fathers Day recommendations/reviews, easily located using the search box in the side menu. Whether you check those out or not, I certainly hope you will take time to read (and reread) this masterful picture book, for its powerful message, and to appreciate the talents and skills of its creators and book designers. 

Ollie the Oak Tree? Oh, MY!

 

Page Street Kids, 2024

A new picture book is the debut for author Andrew Hacket and a lively visual adventure from award-winning illustrator Kaz Windness. The title only hints at the wild and wooly nature of Ollie's idea: OLLIE, the ACORN, and the MIGHTY IDEA. The title page illustrations set the stage for a story that is both familiar (a kid getting bullied by a bigger, neighbor kid), and outrageous! Or it will feel outrageous for anyone who is not a kid, but could actually sound pretty logical to young audiences. 

Ollie is an avid and very successful gardener. He loves the growth of his plants, but longs to grow as big and strong and tall as a mighty oak tree, His neighbor Everett is bigger, stronger, and "needles" Ollie often. 

That opening premise launches Ollie on a series of "I couldn't, I shouldn't..." possibilities that he promptly proceeds to try. He just might become an oak tree if he will swallow an acorn,  followed by the other things an acorn needs to grow that are not naturally in his stomach! That repetition of "I couldn't, I shouldn't..." sustains the reminder to readers that this is fantasy, so Ollie's eventual transformation and decisions (and consequences) lead to a fun resolve. Ollie's understanding of what "I could, I should...." choose to do is satisfying. The relationship is happily resolved, followed by friendly back matter that describes what plants need to grow, and why those elements are NOT MEANT TO BE SWALLOWED! 

The vibrant, cartoon-style illustrations by Windness saturate the pages and inspire imaginations and laughter. Layered onto the silliness are many learning details in visual narrative and in text, including some simple images of Ollie's digestive system, plant/gardening images and details, and the push-pull of internal conflict and interpersonal struggles. If you missed a recent post,  HERE, check out more lively books that consider the ways kids navigate their powerful emotions. 

Just a side note: 

Years ago I had a mighty oak tree in my yard and my beloved dog gobbled up quite a few acorns off the ground while I was nearby, gardening.(Ironic, right?) She became so ill that I nearly lost her  although she did eventually recover fully. After that I cleared acorns from her yard area, but I also posted small yard signs near the curb to warn dog-walkers in my neighborhood when the acorns began to fall each year. This might be an anecdote to share with kids in the name of protecting their pets and reminding them to pay attention to those back matter notes!

AFTERWARD, EVERYTHING WAS DIFFERENT

The post title above is the title of a remarkable new picture book. Powerful, right? Also, a pretty bold claim. What could happen, when and how, that would really change EVERYTHING? From the title alone, a few events in history come to mind...

For example, the first nuclear blast, or specifically the first time an atomic bomb was dropped on a human population. After that, everything really was different, in the scope of HUMAN HISTORY.

How about the first European landings in North America and the Caribbean islands. That would not have made such an instantaneous change as the destruction caused by an atomic bomb, but, over time, it certainly shifted the history of western civilization. Colonization and empire building did not begin or end with that event, but it certainly pulled back the curtain on a massive new arena for human and cultural destruction. 

There are other events, arguably, that might well have made EVERYTHING DIFFERENT, Afterward, but most that occurred to me were in a time and place for which documentation was possible. Granted, the documentation was not always fair or accurate or even complete, but research about such events could be (and has been) done to identify more of the whole truths.

Greystone Kids, 2024
Informational Fiction 

In the case of this remarkable new picture book, a fictionalized but documented event occurs within one nuclear Stone Age group. Since this prehistoric period does not offer ANY form of text accounting, recounting the event through wordless text is especially suitable. The facts about such history are directly determined by the artifacts/images still in existence. AFTERWARD, EVERYTHING WAS DIFFERENT is the product of an established creative team, Rafael Yockteng and Jairo Buttrago. Other noted reviewers have called this new book thought-provoking, intriguing, and important. I add my endorsement to all of those descriptors, as well as adding my reactions below after reading closely for several days. 

I say"reading closely" despite the fact that this is wordless book, until the final turn provides a single page of text to offer historic context and research validation from which this story emerged. That explanation is minimal, and "readers" of the visual narrative will find more or less in it depending on their own background information. That doesn't mean even the most naive readers won't be captivated by the dramatic events and images as well as the characters portrayed. 

In my case I noted the seemingly incongruent humanoid types within this "family". Recent research has revealed errors in the assumption that what were identified as varied "stages" of pre-homo-sapiens fossils must have lived at distinctly different time lines in distinctly different locations. Instead, current fossil and archeological findings show that the varied subspecies likely lived simultaneously, could have interbred, and likely did. That accounts for the ways in which this small working unit of folks do and don't resemble each other inn anatomy, body hair patterns, and more. Cooperation and hunting techniques also reflect scientific evidence of actual communities. Tools and techniques are even more examples of ways in which this wordless book allows audiences young and old to experience daily life, vicariously, within such a group.

The book design offers up a multi-page opening act prior to then title page. In those scenes we meet the group, expoerience hardships (even fatal ones) within a harsh terrain, including active volcanoes and threatening climate elements. The Megafauna (giant animals) are fur-covered and resemble supersized animals of today, vaguely. The roles of different members of the group suggest both planning and intense cooperation as well as details indicating that these are hunter/gatherers, Everyone has a role (except for the two small naked children, whose behaviors are worth noting) including the young person who seems to always be noticing the creatures and drama of their journey. The black, white, and greyscale double-page spreads flow beyond the edges of the pages, suggesting a sprawling imagined landscape of enormous proportions (with potential threats at every turn). This stark approach to the visual storytelling is effective in lending a sense of time long past and its sharp-edged reality, not unlike archival photos. 

I won't spoil the story by recounting individual challenges and hardships depicted, but I must report on the superb central story. This observant child finds herself compelled to record their environment and adventures (and survival) on cave walls. The resolve, once she does so, opens readers to the fullest sense of how that single creative act did, in fact, make everything different. Using the technique of wordless storytelling allows readers to imagine the unfamiliar communication among this prehistoric group. Did they rely on grunts and gestures, minimal naming words, or drawing in the dirt to indicate plans for a hunt, directions of their journey, even decisions to hunker down due to weather conditions or time of day?  Any of those approaches, or a combination of them, is likely. Evidence of such communications have been found even though written text . But the final spreads suggest that storytelling, with some more sophisticated language skills, likely developed in tandem with then visual preservation of their life stories. That scene also suggests that something beyond survival and cooperation might have evolved during the same stages of history.

This is heartwarming, mind-blowing, and question-generating. It is deeply rich with detail and nuance, as much so as any later masterpiece. I encourage everyone to make an effort to get this book and examine it closely- multiple times. I predict you will be different after you read it.

Two Delightful Picture Books with "BIG FEELS"

Sky Pony Press, 2024

 Sue Fliess is an author whose mastery of narrative rhyme is reliable and kid-friendly, as noted in some prior offerings I reviewed HERE, HERE, and HERE. Her latest picture book is a feel-good, universally-appealing take suited to any kid who loses a baby tooth (universal, right?). This crew of tooth-losing-aged diverse kids begin with a celebratory success, and their anticipation of the tooth fairy's arrival. 

With that opening "Hooray!", readers are launched into the joyful fun (and some lively surprises) while preparing for the arrival of the tooth fairy. The truth about any child's loose tooth is that feelings prior to successful extraction can be ambivalent at best, and may include some anxiety or even fear. Thus, the title of this post: "Big Feels". 

This positivity about successful tooth removal and preparations will be a hit with parents and with youngsters awaiting that first experience and even for those who already display gaping grins. The clever premise of this book is that the crew of kiddos first describe what a tooth fairy (a "tiny flying friend") will do, then imagine a genuine dilemma. Just as someone might lose a tooth for the first time, a tooth fairy might be a beginner, a first-timer, and not be very successful at the job. Oh, no! Which way to fly? How to find the right house? Or the right pilliow?\

These little dynamos set out to help. Readers will delight in the  fun illustrations by Simona Sanfelippo, revealing clever, energetic personalities. They plan, they gather materials, they prepare signs, a tooth box, and even welcome signs. The tooth fairy is delighted, of course, leaves the child a new toothbrush and dental floss, with a note of thanks and also a promise to return when needed. 

At that point, the book brings welcome surprises, including pages that offer non-rhyming information paragraphs (suitable for the age) about baby teeth, tooth fairy traditions, origin stories, and other cultural practices. This is followed by some simple HOW-TO directions for little ones to make their own signs and messages for the tooth fairy when their time comes. This upbeat and unique take on losing baby teeth and tooth fairies will be a great addition to families, schools, libraries, and care centers for children of this age. 

Chronicle Books, 2023

As for those "Big Feels", Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Miller created a picture book that allows young children to consider confusing and complicated emotions that are deeply felt but can be challenging to identify and self-regulate. All too often, discussions and book explorations of feelings with young children tend toward labeling or explaining, sorting into "positive or negative", good or bad", "happy or sad". Adults reading this note may already be rolling your eyes about the over-simplification that implies, with losing a baby tooth as a perfect example of complex and confusing emotions for young people. 

These creators took a wonderfully creative approach that avoids such categorizing by inviting readers to don the "invisible thing" spotting glasses that are drawn on the opening end pages. By "wearing" imagined glasses, the illustrations become visible! I was excited about this effective way of making abstract subject matter both visible and open to better understanding. The first double spread illustrates and labels concrete object (even imaginary ones, like a monster) with a very short note that these are familiar characters from many picture books. I would add, from real life, too!

Interior, IMAGINARY THINGS,
Chronicle Books, 2023

One page turn demonstrates that even these recognizable characters experience "invisible things" (emotions). What the creators produced are varied irregular and colorful shapes that represent emotions, unnamed. One still unlabeled, not obvious as single, simple emotions. In fact, the simple side text on that page points out that "life is more than meets the eye." Cleverly (again) the senses are used to sort out some experiences, external and internal, that kids know well but may never have consciously processed. After several spreads of sensory explorations and emotions they may instigate, inner experiences and "senses" are pictured, labeled, and discussed. These pages are  followed by suggestions for ways to manage and cope with feelings (those invisible things). 

Interior, IMAGINARY THINGS
Chronicle Books, 2023

The extensive variety of feelings illustrated, labeled, and applied to little lives offers visual delight and rich content. The amorphous, colorful "blobs" and recognizable shapes use minimalist lines and dots to add emotional expression, even when open to interpretation. The visuals will appeal and encourage frequent return to the pages. Several spreads encourage a sort of "seek and find" fun that demonstrates how many ways emotions are universal. Whether the young people in your lives are pretty mellow or are highly reactive to sensory or internal experiences, this book will likely be a welcome exploration for them and for the older readers who share it with them. "Big Feels" near leave us, and that makes this original and clever presentation of them an appealing and valuable  addition to our lives.