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.

"Brief Notes" About IMAGINATION-Spurring Books

If you read my prior post (here) about two outstanding 2018 picture books, you couldn't help but notice that I failed at my stated goal to write "brief notes" and move on. 

I seem to get carried away when it comes to picture books, especially when they combine entertainment with inspiration. 

Never a quitter, I'm diving back in to try this again with other recent titles, reminding myself that the links for each will take you to more detailed info. PLEASE believe me when I say that each book here deserves a place in your hands or in the hands of kids you know and love. Click those links. Start a list for your next library or wishlist.

These cover images and BRIEF blurbs should get you started, and I'll move on to share more titles soon. 

Hang on, here we go!

THE GREATEST ADVENTURE, by Tony Piedra.

This is a celebration of imagination and a spirit of adventure. The unfolding story presents a view of important   multigenerational interaction and encourages adventurous creativity.

WALLPAPER by Thao Lam.  Shyness is dealt with in many picture books, but this wordless exploration of an inner imaginative life serving to build confidence and curiosity feels fresh and effective. 

Read more HERE.

IF I HAD A HORSE by Gianna Marino. 

We all have dreams, but not all dreams come true. I believe that readers, (many who are young, but also many adults) will feel their dreams coming true on the pages of this book. And you'll gasp at the gorgeous illustrations that make that happen. More Here.

Anna At the Art Museum, by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert, illustrated by Lil Crump. So many positives to this share little book, framing multiple qualities: the perspective of a very REAL little girl figuring out how art museums work: mostly a litany of "NO" rules, authentic reactions and emotions, curiosity, and imagination.

Moving on...

There's a Dinosaur on The 13th Floor, written by Wade Bradford, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. From front to back cover, and every page turn, the absurdity of this story becomes more funny and engaging as Mr. Snore (with an enormous schnoz) tries to get a good night's sleep despite the many bizarre intrusions into his peaceful rest.

If daVinci Painted a Dinosaur is written by Amy Newbold wth pictures by Greg Newbold. This combination of iconic art blended with familiar dinosaur traits is laugh-inducing. Add to that an appealing little hamster(?) who executes the proposed mash-ups and kids will be begging for more. As with Anna's museum visit (above) the back matter offers thumbnails and short blurbs about the original images and the various artists' styles.

TA-DA!  Not quite as brief as I might have hoped, but I'm getting better at this.  Stay tuned for another speed-review, coming to this bog soon!