FUN PICTURE BOOKS FOR ALL

Every so often, some great picture books will get published.  What make them great is the combination of the story and the illustration.  Here are some of my recent favorites.  Enjoy. 

Mustache written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Kevin Connell is HILARIOUS!  It's about one vain king and a town filled with people out to make him look silly by drawing mustaches on every single one of his images.  A book that will have everyone laughing and poring over each page of artwork.  

A cat and a bird are not suppose to be friends but when Tom finds a lost baby bird, he can't find it in himself to torment it, so he protects and cares for the poor little thing  just like a mother bird would.  Tom's Tweet by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Dan Santat make for a fun read with the family.

Dog In Charge by K.L. Going and illustrated by Dan Santat has poor dog in charge of five cats who do whatever they want in the house while the people are away.  Dog is exhausted by having to constantly reign in, clean up and keep an eye on all the cats.  Great illustrations by Santat and a hilarious romp through the house reminiscent of aTom and Jerry cartoon.  

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER

From Children’s Librarian, Kristine Markosyan at the Adams Square & Pacific Park Branch Libraries


I Don’t Want to Be a Pea! by Ann Bonweill, with illustrations by Simon Rickerty, is a wonderful story about friendship and the importance of compromise.


After being invited to a Dress-up Party, Hugo the Hippo and Bella the Bird have a difficult time agreeing on their costumes. While Hugo suggests they dress up as the theme of the Princess and the Pea—Hugo being the princess and Bella as the pea—Bella does not “want to be a pea.” She would rather have a Cinderella costume theme. Bella would be the princess and Hugo would be the pumpkin. Hugo does not want to be a pumpkin. He would rather be something else. When one friend makes a suggestion, the other opposes and makes their own suggestions. They cannot seem to agree on their costumes, but with the party that evening, will they finally come to a compromise? Or will this be the end of their friendship?

Readers are able to distinguish between the two characters because the dialogue is written in two different fonts. The illustrator does a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life. This would be a wonderful read-aloud for ages two and up.