A Picture Book Recommendation for Budding Geographers and Landscape Artists

MOST OF THE BETTER NATURAL THINGS IN THE WORLD, Dave Eggers and Angel Chang

If you've read my "About" page, you'll know that I'm a sucker for beautiful kids' books, I’m a nature seeker, AND I love Amur tigers. So earlier this week, when I picked up Most of the Better Natural Things in the World and found: beautiful illustrations + wondrous landscapes + a tiger (white, so probably Amur), I almost fainted.

Most of the Beautiful Natural Things in the World is a short read. I got through the 23 words quickly on first go-round. The second time I read the book I focused on the pictures. And then I leafed through once more, but this time I just enjoyed Tiger’s trek. Tiger with its yellow chair and red rope. (What? WHY a chair? WHY a rope? Well wouldn’t you like to know!)

As soon as I finished read number four, glossary and all, I knew this book was my favorite of the week. 

Honestly, run to the library or your local bookstore and find out why Tiger is dragging that darn chair over archipelagoes and under lagoons. It’s such a good read.

Why for kids: The Tiger! Though Tiger is usually just a small object in a two-page illustration, Tiger and its bird (Bonaparte's Gull? A different bird every time?) companion are always active and up to something interesting in one gorgeously illustrated biome after another.

Why for grownups: It will only take you minutes to read -- 23 words! You'll have them tucked into bed faster than you can say Netflix!  And I especially appreciate that this is an excellent book for littles and older kids. I've caught my 12-year-old flipping back and forth between the pages and the glossary more than a few times in the past few days, but I know what they're really looking at it is…Tiger.

A Picture Book Recommendation for Kids with Grieving Adults

GRANDPA’S TOP THREES, Wendy Meddour

Yes, that’s what I said, kids with grieving adults. Henry has lost his granny and Grandpa has come to stay. Grandpa keeps gardening and despite Henry’s attempts to break through, Grandpa stays silent. Henry, like many kids, doesn’t get it - what’s up with Grandpa and the not talking? But Henry persists and by playing one of my family’s favorite games, “Name Your Top Threes,” Henry slowly gets Grandpa to engage again. Henry doesn’t seem adversely affected by his Grandmother’s death but he and Grandpa have a lovely exchange about “top three Grannies” and Henry and Grandpa finally tell us that they miss her. While I think books about grieving children are super valuable, I also appreciate books that explain the funny behaviors adult show when they’re going though something hard. Death is confusing, but trusted adults acting unexpectedly is perhaps even more so.

Why for kids: Colorful illustrations, the fun of “top threes,” and adventures with a grandparent.

Why for grownups: A great conversation opener if you need to talk about grieving, a matter-of-fact exploration of loss, a heartwarming ending that just might bring a tear to your eye.

( I didn’t read it this week so I’m cheating a little but if this is a topic you want your child to read more of, I also recommend THE ROUGH PATCH, by Brian Lies. Gorgeous story, gorgeous illustrations.)

A Picture Book Recommendation for Kids With Big Personalities: Pokko and the Drum

Pokko and the Drum, Matthew Forsythe

“From E.B. White Read Aloud honor artist Matthew Forsythe comes a picture book about a magical drum, an emerald forest, and the little frog who dares to make her own music.”

I am so glad I have such awesome writing partners. One of them, Claire Bobrow, pulled this out of her always-enormous stack of books and said, “read this.”

Pokko is a rockstar in both the literal and figurative sense. When Pokko’s quiet and fearful (as in, don’t be loud, the gators will get us, fearful) parents discourage her drum playing. She takes it outside and lets her inner artist express itself. And you know what? She doesn’t get eaten, she finds friends! Okay, maybe somebody gets eaten, but only for a quick minute until Pokko sets the ground rules. Long story short, Pokko is living her best life playing her music and hanging with creatures that really get her - including her parents.

Why for kids: FROGS WITH LOUD DRUMS? How cute is that? Also, carnivores who love music so much they agree to not eating their bandmates. Gorgeous colors and active illustrations.

Why for grownups: All the messages we want our kids to have — trust your instincts, be inclusive of everybody, even if they’re carnivores, and follow your passion.

A Picture Book Recommendation for Explorers: The Hike

The Hike, Alison Farrell

“The Hike is a plucky and sweet adventure story about three intrepid young female explorers set out to conquer the outdoors in their local forest.”

I’ll admit it; I’m a hiker. And I’m sure I’m a little biased when it comes to books about hiking. But kids’ hiking books can leave a little to be desired - mainly, imagination. That is why this book is so much better than those stuffy, “explore the outdoors!” books that gloss over the things kids hate about hiking and are ultimately non-fiction masquerading as fiction (and true non-fiction writers, you know I love you). The Hike is funny, and it tells an adventure story that is not at all informational or preachy, so when Farrell starts labeling plants and animals with their proper names, it’s not annoying. Rather, it just seems like part of her adorable illustration style. And kids get out of breath! That’s important! Kids HATE to get out of breath! And they fall behind. Kids HATE to be last! But kids LOVE discovery, and weird facts, and this book is full of them. LOVE!

Why for kids: Wren, El, and Hattie (and Bean, the dog) are super cute. Actually, all the illustrations are adorable. Non-supervised exploration…in the woods! Invasive plants take over the world.

Why for parents: The back matter is SO GOOD! You can read this one multiple times — and admit it, you can get a little tired of reading the same book umpteen times — and still find little details to point out. It’s also so packed full of facts that there will be at least one that takes you by surprise. I thought I had read lots about trees but did I know what a nurse tree was? No, but now I do!

A Picture Book Recommendation for Farmers-to-be: The Farmer

The Farmer, Ximo Abadia

“A farmer’s hard work is rewarded in this eco-friendly and elegantly illustrated picture book.”

I can only read so many Publishers Weekly before I get booked-out, so I miss a lot of hot books. Thankfully, my AWESOME neighborhood bookstore, Folio Books, can’t afford to be literature-lazy. The earthy poppy orange and green cover called to me — standing with the other New York Times 2019 winners, The Farmer stood out. Even if I didn’t love the text, which I did, the illustrations alone tell a beautiful story.

Why for kids: Easy to understand overview of seasons, food sources, weather, and drought. Funny cows.

Why for parents: The full-page spreads of the sun and the moon. Gor-gee-ous!