Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest

 Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest by Phoebe Wahl, 96 colorful pages

As my kids are all adults, I am far away from the children's book world. I checked this out because of the author/illustrator Phoebe Wahl. I have been a fan of her art for a long time, but haven't actually read any of her books. This was an enjoyable read. Will the story appeal to the under 6 set? I am not sure, but I loved the drawings. The more you study them, the more you realize how intentionally inclusive and detailed they are. That is Wahl's strength. Her images capture a world that is comforting, gentle, and welcoming. We could all use a little more of that. 

The Mysteries

The Mysteries by Bill Watterson and John Kascht, 72 pages

In this fable for adults, Watterson and Kascht create an enigmatic story of people being scared by "the mysteries," and eventually overcoming that fear. The quirky illustrations are fantastic, and the whole book takes about 15 minutes to read — and that's if you're really giving the illustrations a thorough examination. It's not what I expected from Watterson (creator of Calvin and Hobbes), but it's absolutely delightful.

The Skull

 The Skull by Jon Klassen, 105 pgs. 

I love this author's work and illustrations and this book was really surprising. I grabbed it for my kid to check out, thinking we would read it together, but she ended up reading the whole thing all by herself and really liked it. It's a strange book and it doesn't quite end the way you imagine it will. In an author's note at the end of the book, Klassen writes that he was in a library in Alaska, waiting to give a speech and happened upon a book of Tyrolean folk tales and read quickly through one about a skull. The story stayed in the back of his mind for so long that when he finally decided to do something with it, he couldn't remember the title of the book or the story. He wrote to the librarians there, giving them what details he could recall and they found it for him easily ("Librarians are very good at that," he writes). Here, Otilla, the main character, finds a skull that wants to remain that way, instead of being reunited with its skeleton. Otilla helps out and makes a new friend in the process. It's a little dark and quirky but not at all frightening and would make a good addition to Halloween storytimes for older kids. 

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!

 Don't' Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! by Mo Willems, 40 pgs. 

Is Mo Willems an evil genius? A marketing guru? Or did he just hit the jackpot with his charming doodles? Either way, this is a fun addition to the Pigeon series. Many of Willems' books demand repeated reading and this one will surely become a seasonal classic in due time. I spent so much time reading these books to my daughter, now that she's sort of aged out of them, it's hard for me to put them down as an adult. As always, Willems writes with two audiences in mind: child and parent, so there is much to love for both. Happy holidays! 

Magnolia Flower

 

Magnolia Flower by Zora Neale Hurston, adapted by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrated by Loveis Wise, 40 pages

This is a gorgeous adaptation of the folktale by the beloved Ms. Hurston. National Book Award winner and bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi adapts the tale for young readers, aided by the lush artwork of Loveis Wise. This picture book tells the story of Magnolia Flower, the daughter of an escaped slave and an indigenous woman who fled the Trail of Tears. After the Civil War, a man of letters comes to their community, and Magnolia falls in love with him. However, her father does not approve and so the couple run away, only to return many years later.

What is unique about this tale is that it is told by the River that Magnolia grew up around. It is a tale of love and resilience, and the connection between the land and the people. It also shows the connection between Black and Indigenous people--how some of them were able to build community together, in spite of the United States trying to destroy and subjugate them. And the illustrations! This book is large, and I was so glad because the pictures needed that space. The art bursts with life and color, and I think children will want to stare at them for hours. Highly recommended for all ages!

Gibberish

Gibberish by Young Vo, 40 pages

This adorable picture book is about Dat's first day of school in a new country. His mother warns him that he won't be able to understand anyone because of the language difference. This is quickly proven to be true, as all Dat hears is gibberish! He feels very isolated, until a girl in his class decides to befriend him. She uses pictures in order to teach him English words. The day ends on a high note, as he introduces his new friend to his mom after school!

Young Vo took a creative approach to illustrating what it is like when you cannot understand anyone around you. The gibberish is written in a Wingdings font, and everyone except Dat looks like a Cuphead-like monster instead of a human. They are also in black and white, whilst Dat is in color. I think this is a unique way to show how isolated Dat feels, which will spark empathy in the children who read this book. I know the author took his personal experience moving to the United States as a child to write and illustrate this book. Definitely share with your kids!

Lunch Every Day

Kathryn Otoshi, 38 pages 

 

Lunch Every Day is a powerful read that addresses not only the topic of bullying, but also seeing it from both sides of the scale. Each day, Jimmy avoids the school's free lunch line because the line is too long. Instead he chooses to take Skinny Boy's lunch every single day.

One day Skinny Boy hands out birthday invites to his classmates including Jimmy.  Jimmy is shook. At first he decides he is not going. However, the morning of the party, he changes his mind and attends. He is a little timid to enter the party as he notices everyone has a gift and he does not. Once inside, he is truly welcomed by Skinny Boy's mom. She addresses the lunch issue in a kind and compassionate way and assures Jimmy he will never go hungry again by providing an extra lunch in her sons lunch box to share. 

There is an author's note at the end of the story. There, you will begin to see how Skinny Boy mom's compassion made an impression on Jimmy to break his bullying cycle, become an educator, and give back to the community in bully prevention. The author dedicates the book to Jimmy (Jim) and to the Mom who made the extra lunch for Jimmy every day in school.

Mars Needs Moms!

Mars Needs Moms! by Berkeley Breathed (2007) 44 pages

Another picture book by one of my favorite cartoonists. Milo is a boy who doesn't appreciate his mother. When she sends him to bed without his supper for dyeing his sister fuchsia, as well as for sassing off at her, he's wakes up in the night and sees his mother being kidnapped by Martians. He follows along to see why the Martians would need her. The pictures are filled with charming details.

Pete & Pickles

Pete & Pickles by Berkeley Breathed (2008) 48 pages

Somehow I had missed the fact that a favorite cartoonist, Berkeley Breathed of Bloom County fame, had also created picture books for children. Pictures with exquisite details depict Pete, a pig with a very routine life and Pickles, a circus elephant who escapes the sad conditions of her confinement by hiding out at Pete's home. Pickles is quickly recaptured, but Pete finds her. The sweet story includes hints that Pete is still grieving the loss of his spouse, Paprika, but a crisis shows him how much he has come to love Pickles.

The Odious Ogre/Norton Juster

The Odious Ogre by Norton Juster (story) and Jule Feiffer (art); picture book; 32 pages

The Phantom Tollbooth is one of my favorite books. It's a book that I literally read to pieces growing up, then got my hand on another copy and started all over again. So when I learned that Juster and Feiffer were teaming up again, I had to check out the result. This is the story of a ogre with such a terrible reputation that everyone just gives him what he wants without his having to lift a finger. Then, one day, he meets a girl that hasn't heard about him. It's a lot of fun, and the art is, of course, half of it.