PICTURE BOOK ROUND-UP

With three girls home for the summer, our library trips have become even more frequent and we have been bringing home 10-20 new picture books each week. As we read, I’m trying to keep a running list of the books I (and the girls) really love to share with all of you, for your little ones or for great gifts!

BECAUSE
by Mo Willems, illustrated by Amber Ren

This gorgeous book is nothing like Willems’ famous Pigeon or Elephant and Piggie books. It follows the trail of inspiration from a classical composer to a contemporary concert to an inspired child who goes on to become a composer herself. It is simple and beautiful and I could not get through it once without crying.

JACK (NOT JACKIE)
by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Holly Hatam

My girls adore this story about a girl whose younger sister only wants to wear boys clothes and cuts her hair short, eventually asking to be called Jack, not Jackie. Thoughtful and engaging, the book helped me introduce the idea of people knowing who they are from the inside and not having to dress or be what anyone else says.

GROUP HUG
by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Joey Chou

This was a surprise hit with excellent rhythm and a fun, repeated phrase, “Group Hug!” The girls loved chiming in and the animal illustrations are adorable.

I’M STICKING WITH YOU and
I’M STICKING WITH YOU—AND THE CHICKEN TOO!
by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by Steve Small

We kept these books from the library for weeks and weeks and I probably read each of them 20 times. The original book is about a squirrel and bear who are friends but get on each others’ nerves. In the sequel, they've become an established pair and a chicken wants to join their friendship (and band). The author writes only in the voices of the three animals but the poetry is extremely well done and funny. (Lily)