Archives de catégorie : Picture Books

THE BEST FLOWER EVER de Neesha Hudson

A spare and laugh-out-loud funny picture book about appreciating what you have and learning to grow with the help of friends.

THE BEST FLOWER EVER
by Neesha Hudson
Dial/ Penguin Young Readers, June 2023

An Australian shepherd thinks he has the most special flower in the world. He loves the way it smells and how soft it is and how the petals tickle his nose. But one by one, more dogs show up with flowers that seem to be even more special than his! A humongous sunflower with a bejeweled pot? A plant that can survive in the desert? How could his little flower compete against those? But when he accidentally destroys his flower, this pup learns that just because other flowers are special doesn’t mean his can’t be too.

Neesha Hudson is a freelance author-illustrator living on the coast of Maine. She is delighted to spend most of her days drawing funny little characters and sipping black tea. She is the author-illustrator of Turtle in a Tree, and when not illustrating, Neesha enjoys spending time with her husband, their two children, two dogs, and four chickens.

MAX AND MOONBEAN de Rob Scotton

Rob Scotton returns with the first book in a brand-new picture book series about a shy young dog and his out-of-this-world friend.

MAX AND MOONBEAN
by Rob Scotton
HarperCollins Children’s Books, June 2023

It’s the night before show and tell, and Max isn’t sure what to bring. He’s shy and worried that it will all go all wrong. But when a space creature named Moonbean crashes into his room, Max discovers all he needed was a friend to help him.

Rob Scotton is the bestselling author and illustrator of Russell the Sheep; Russell and the Lost Treasure; Russell’s Christmas Magic; Splat the Cat; Love, Splat; Merry Christmas, Splat; and Scaredy-Cat, Splat! His work can also be found on greeting cards, ceramics, textiles, prints, stationery, and glassware. An honors graduate of Leicester Polytechnic, Rob now lives in Rutland, England, with his wife, Liz, who is also an artist.

TOO EARLY de Nora Ericson & Elly MacKay

A gentle, cozy story following a family’s bleary-eyed wake-up routine, a little one who’s eager to start the day, and the quiet magic of early mornings.

TOO EARLY
written by Nora Ericson
illustrated by Elly MacKay
Arams Books for Young Readers, November 2022

I wake up very early.
Good morning, Sun, on your way at last. You don’t wake up nearly as early as I do.
Now the wind is waking.
Tickle tickle on my cheeks,
rustle rustle through the leaves.
Birds untuck and start to coo,
Whooo whooo, you wake up too early, yes you doooo . . .

In sweet, melodic verse written from the perspective of the earliest riser, TOO EARLY follows a family’s morning routine, exploring both the groggy haze and the everyday magic inherent in the predawn hours of a loving household.

“This winning title invites readers into the morning routine of its characters. Readers may notice warm colors beginning to hint at the culminating sunrise that will conclude the book; before that, however, the quiet yet potent text engages other senses by describing rustling leaves, cooing birds, and, finally, the baby crying. Cozy, sumptuous, and stirring—the perfect way to greet the dawn.”
– Kirkus, starred review ★

Nora Ericson studied painting at Yale University and writing for children at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from central New York, she now lives in Portland, Oregon, with two kids, two dogs, and two cats. Besides reading and writing, she loves cooking, tromping in the woods, and whittling spoons while daydreaming of her future miniature donkey farm. She’s also the author of Dill & Bizzy: An Odd Duck and a Strange Bird and Dill & Bizzy: Opposite Day.
Elly MacKay is an internationally recognized paper artist and children’s book author and illustrator. She wrote and illustrated the picture books Red Sky at Night, If You Hold a Seed, and Butterfly Park, among others. The distinctive three-dimensional quality in her works is made by setting up layers of painted paper in a miniature theater. She lights the scene and photographs it to create her unique illustrations. MacKay lives in Owen Sound, Ontario, with her family.

IMAGINE A WOLF de Lucky Platt

This beautifully illustrated fable engages readers directly, reminding them to challenge expectations.

IMAGINE A WOLF
by Lucky Platt
Page Street Kids/SMP, January 2021

What do you see when you imagine a wolf? Sharp, pointy teeth? Big, hungry eyes? A soft sweater and a friendly smile?
Wait a minute!
The wolf in this story would rather knit than huff, puff, or blow anyone’s house down. But that doesn’t stop the townsfolk from crying wolf anyway. What’s a kind-hearted wolf to do when everyone keeps running and screaming at “Hello?” It’s time to show the world that this wolf is the furthest thing from Big and Bad.

Lucky Platt is a visual artist who loves finding art in unexpected places. Her work often explores themes of healing and inclusion with humor. She lives with her artist husband on a lake in rural Maine. This is her debut picture book.

THE LEGEND OF THE STORM GOOSE de Fiona Halliday

“This poignant story with its evocative prose (‘Two birds danced through burning puddles of sun’) is amplified by luscious and textured illustrations in which swirling blues conjure the stormy sea … Lovely and delicate.” —Kirkus

THE LEGEND OF THE STORM GOOSE
by Fiona Halliday
Page Street Kids/SMP, February 2022

With his great sheltering wings and crown of stars that lights the Scottish skies, Erin knows the heroic Storm Goose from her favorite legend will always guide Papa home from sea. But when a terrible storm strikes, it’s not Papa that comes ashore, but an injured white bird. Over the next few weeks, Erin helps the Storm Goose heal in hopes he can save Papa, but comes to accept that Papa will never come home and must instead oversee the Storm Goose’s triumphant return to the skies to save other sailors. But first, in a twist both heart-wrenching and inspiring, the legendary bird saves her from her grief.

Fiona Halliday’s love of birds spans back to her childhood growing up in Scotland. She works as a graphic designer and is the author-illustrator of Numenia and the Hurricane and illustrator of Hello, Little One (by Zeena M. Pliska), both from Page Street Kids. She lives in Austria, but the stormy Scottish coastline still inspires much of her work.