A Few More Favorites... Funny and Fabulous

CAMERON KIDS, 2023

Here's another post with brief notes about three recently-read books you will not want to miss. All feature humor and memorable characters, but are otherwise quite distinct from each other. What they share in common is that all are smile-inducing delights for  readers and those who share them with kids. 

First up is a poetry collection with a delightful theme: What if animals wore pants? No, not the way pet owners often make such choices for their animal-family members. These are wild/natural habitat animals and the assumptions is that they would choose what suits them best. 

Animals In Pants is written by Suzy Levinson and illustrated by Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell. This poetry collection offers many takes on an absurd premise- what if animals wear pants? Or other clothing. The delightful concept invites close consideration of the text (outstanding poems in a variety of formats by the very talented poet, Suzy Levinson) and examination of the colorful and interpretive illustrations in each case. The forms range from haiku to limericks to parodies of song lyrics to Shakespearean lines and many more. Many offer rhymes but all present suitable and superb language. 

In each case the selection of animal subjects and poetry forms is intentional and well-suited (pardon that pun). Each also reveals solid information about the subject animal, as with the squirrel, whose darting, sprinting, climbing habits require what else-- a track suit!

Get this one into the hands of young readers, and be prepared to laugh along!

G.P.Putnam's Sons,
2023

Another animal character wins hearts in FENWAY AND THE GREAT ESCAPE, written by Victoria J. Coe and illustrated by Joanne Lew Vriethoff. Fenway is a truly appealing dog (speaking as a dog-lover) and that is true whether you enjoy dog stories or not. Told through Fenway's voice and perspective, he is devoted to his "short human" but also is a curious, adventurous character by nature. The humor emerges from this distinct point of view and mitigates some of the anxious worry that might emerge when his opportunity to run free results in his getting separated from his "short human". In his case, he not only attempts to make that connection again but to prevent his human from "wandering off" and getting lost again. This is a beginning chapter book series kids will really enjoy across many ages, with enough plot and character complexity to lay the groundwork for longer/older novels.

Simon Spotlight, 2023

Here's a pre-level-one, earliest independent reader that captures attention, maximizes the humor, and launches the "Critter-Cam" series. KITTY-CAM is written my Margi Palatine and illustrated by award-winning Dan Yaccarino. This earliest introduction to reading independently is a delightful way to empower those beginners with the joys of books and reading. That creative team of Palatini and Yaccarino provides tons of personality and pacing with their page-turning choices of words, perspectives, and fun emotional reactions captured in the assumed "go-pro" style head-cam worn by Kitty. This has everything going for it, including re-read-ability and appeal even after more complex skills develop. Each spread merits close looks, since the images are CLOSE-UP and offering some valuable subtext to this very simple story:

First sentences:

Jump, Kitty. Jump. 

Jump. Jump. 

Dunk, Kitty. Dunk. 

Dunk. Dunk. Dunk. 

The fact that this launches a simple series of "critter cam" titles invites those eager little readers to move forward with laughter and a love of books.

SMALL in the CITY and TRUMAN- Two Views of Urban Pets

This pair of recently released picture books are treasures when enjoyed "as is", each offering a heartwarming, heart-tugging story, with visually engaging and expressive images and satisfying resolutions. Each will undoubtedly by reread again and again, each inviting readers of any age to pore over the illustrations and expressions and subtle details despite appearing to be pretty simple. And BOTH offer ideal mentor text for older readers for exploration of deep themes, distinct voice, and story structure to build tension and weave clues throughout minimalist text.

Neal Porter Books, 2019

SMALL IN THE CITY is the creative work of author/illustrator Sydney Smith. The universality of the main character is brilliantly portrayed by the illustrator, allowing the clothing, skin tone, and body posture to provide a character who can and will be donned by any and every reader. The first person voice pairs with up-close scenes, in full spreads and frames of various sizes, to present insights about the possible welcomes and dangers of a neighborhood, especially to an implied listener who might be new to the area, probably navigating it alone. Questions arise immediately about who the "you" might be, with various clues allowing for multiple possibilities. Nearing the end, the underlying story emerges, pulling hard at our heartstrings but without manipulation or cheap tricks. The color tones, the subtle details of reassurance, and the agency of the narrator will all be welcomed by very young, but will also serve as an extended analogy for middle grade and older writers who are exploring and developing understanding of deeper themes. 

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2019

TRUMAN is written by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. Truman is certainly the most appealing, charming, donut-sized tortoise you'll ever meet. He's also very clever, recognizing subtle changes in in his dear friend, Sarah, on the day she prepares to to go to school for the first time. From his window-view tank, Truman's logic leads him on a grand adventure to "be brave" and go in search of Sarah, who he had watched climb ON THE BUS for the first time!
His deep-seated commitment to Sarah, his flawless logic, and impressive determination lead him out, onward, and unwilling to give up, even when feeling overwhelmed.
The consistency of his tortoise-eye-view and mindset allows readers to identify with his fear despite knowing the human side of the story. The bright colors and unusual scale and perspective of the scenes combine a background awareness of the time passage for his adventures to build hope in the reader. An expected happy ending is taken a few pages further to extend the satisfaction level of both Sarah and Truman moving into a new stage of their relationship.

I've been reading many rave reviews about these books and expected to like them, but I was wowed. These seemingly simple books can serve as mentor text for tone, voice, and even for art perspective. Both are books that kids will beg to reread and can do so for themselves at very early ages.When the two are shared together the similarity of rounded images, minimalist line characters with expressive eyes and postures, and voices of the narrators beg comparison. On the other hand, contrasting the two titles for use of color and light tones, seasons, settings, and relationships merits discussion. 
Writers intent on creating remarkable picture books should take a page and explore both through repeated readings and discussions. Don't miss them.