Hooray For Picture Books!
The CBC looks for a theme to spotlight in each month’s Hot Off the Press list so that we can alert parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and all children’s book enthusiasts to cool new offerings from our member publishers.
There’s nothing more emblematic of children’s literature than a much loved picture book. What many don’t realize is the extraordinary amount of talent that is needed to convey a whole story within 32 pages (the most common length of a picture book). The author must be succinct and deliberate with their word choice, while the illustrator—especially if someone other than the author—needs to use those words to create an entire pictorial world. The end result is a perfect marriage between art and text that can transport readers (and listeners!) to different realms, engage our curiosity, teach us how to be good people, and provide both belly laughs and wonder.
For this Spotlight, we’re giving three cheers to the many new fantastic picture books appearing on our July Hot Off the Press list. Hip, hip hooray! Hip, hip hooray! Hip, hip hooray for picture books!
The Bison and the Butterfly, by Alice Hemming; & illus. by Nancy Leschnikoff (The Quarto Group / Ivy Kids Eco) — Environment / Sustainability / Recycling, Animals, Friendships, Science / Nature, ages 4-6.
A touching ecosystem story about friends in nature and the nature of friendship, by the bestselling author of The Leaf Thief.
Produced in collaboration with Kent Wildlife Trust’s bison rewilding project, this is the heartwarming story of Bison and her forest friends.
Bison feels very sad and lonely. She’s big and hairy, and sometimes a bit clumsy… and she doesn’t know why anybody would want to be her friend. But wise woodpecker knows that everybody likes different things, and that the other animals probably feel a lot differently than she imagines.
Soon enough, as Bison eats her breakfast, has her bath and does her – ahem – business, she meets many different creatures who love her exactly because of her big, shaggy ways.
As well as celebrating these differences, this enchantingly illustrated book explains to children, in terms that they can relate to, how the different animals within an ecosystem work in harmony and benefit one another, and the power of rewilding to shape these relationships.
Behind this sweet rewilding tale is the Kent Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Blean Bison Project, which has re-introduced three bison into woodland in Canterbury. The book includes a section explaining the science behind rewilding, and shows that, no matter who we are and what we like, we are all worthy of friendship and have a part to play… whether that’s in our ecosystem or personal community!
The Dictionary Story, written & illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, Sam Winston (Candlewick Press) — Concepts, Humor, Imagination / Play, ages 4-6.
Dictionary wishes she could tell a story like other books. So one day, she decides to bring her words to life. How exciting it is to finally have an adventure on her very own pages! But what will she do when her characters collide and everything gets all in a jumble, causing the most enormous tantrum to explode? This isn’t what she wanted at all! Luckily her friend Alphabet knows exactly what to do and sings a song that brings calm and order to Dictionary’s pages once again.
The much-anticipated new picture book from the best-selling, award-winning creators of A Child of Books.
Dig, Dig Dinosaur, by Anjali Goswami; & illus. by Maggie Li (Nosy Crow) — Careers / Hobbies, Animals, History, ages 4-6.
Three young adventurers embark on “an expedition to a faraway land.” With the proper tools and an ambitious spirit, the adventurers dig for dinosaur bones, discovering and learning about various types of dinosaurs. Along the way, the adventurers strive to uncover dinosaurs bigger than the ones before, eventually revealing the biggest dinosaur at the end of the book. With the expertise of author Anjali Goswami, this board book celebrates the expansive dinosaur population while encouraging young people to explore the world of paleontology.
Full Circle: Creation, Migration, and Coming Home, by Elisa Boxer; & illus. by Vivian Mineker (Cherry Lake Publishing Group / Sleeping Bear Press) — Science / Nature, Animals, Environment / Sustainability / Recycling, STEM / STEAM, ages 4-6.
This lyrical adventure follows the bluefin tuna, puffin, sea turtle, and Atlantic salmon through their life cycle. Each of these special species has a characteristic called natal homing. They’re born, leave home to eat and mate, and then return to precisely where they were born to start their own families. This is a scientific look at these animals’ habits—but includes a parallel story reflecting humans’ own tendency to return home.
Science and nature backmatter includes additional information on the included animals as well as an author’s note.
I Love You the Way You Are, written & illustrated by Ron van Maurik (Clavis) — Friendships, Animals, Social Emotional Learning, Kindness / Generosity, ages 4-6.
A touching story about friendship and the importance of being yourself. For little critters ages 4 years and up.
Hedgehog and Mouse are friends. Best friends. It doesn’t matter what they’re doing, as long as they’re doing it together. One day, Hedgehog wants to thank Mouse for being his friend. But . . . Oh no . . . He falls and accidentally pricks Mouse. Wouldn’t Mouse be happier with a softer friend instead of one with quills?
In Time, written & illustrated by Marina Ruiz (The Quarto Group / Frances Lincoln Children’s Books) — Concepts, Social Emotional Learning, Imagination / Play, ages 4-6.
Follow the story of a little girl as she learns to slow down, be patient and appreciate that some things in life are worth waiting for.
When you’re little, the world can seem like a truly slow-moving place. Waiting for school to finish, staring at the clock, wishing it would move. Joining seemingly never-ending queues, urging them to speed up. Staring longingly at a hot cake baking in the oven. Jumping into bed, lying down and drifting off to sleep. Waiting can seem to last a lifetime.
And then, as soon as you wake up… the race begins – hurry up, let’s get a move on – we’re going to be late!
This book is all about a little girl learning to be patient. As she slowly opens her eyes to the wonder of nature, she uncovers that some things are really worth waiting for. Animals wake from hibernation, seeds bloom into flowers, trees turn into forests and snails form beautiful, glittering trails.
A wonderful book for kids who always ask, ‘are we there yet?!’ Encourage them to go with the flow with this relatable story that has stylish and soothing illustrations on each page. An important message wrapped in an enjoyable and comforting story that kids will love to pick up off the bookshelf.
King Lion, written & illustrated by Emma Yarlett (Candlewick Press) — Animals, Friendships, Social Emotional Learning, Imagination / Play, ages 4-6.
King Lion wants a friend. But the only way he knows to communicate is to ROAR! Waving his paw, flashing a smile, and even cracking a joke don’t help. How can he let the townsfolk know that he just wants some company? Wild with loneliness, the king climbs to the top of a tower and roars his fierce sadness day and night, until one day, a little girl hears him and thinks that perhaps she understands. With charming illustrations, Emma Yarlett’s gently humorous take on how to make friends shows a little empathy goes a long way.
Why does everyone run away whenever this lonely beast roars “HELLO!” at them? A story about the art of making friends—and the bravery of one kind little girl.
Little Tractor Learns How to Share, by Natalie Quintart; & illus. by Philippe Goossens (Clavis) — Social Emotional Learning, Friendships, Animals, Kindness / Generosity, ages 4-6.
A sweet picture book about hospitality, friendship, and learning to share. For everyone ages 4 years and up.
The swallows are back, so spring is coming! Little Tractor is happy to see the cheery birds. But then the swallows build a nest in his barn. Now he has to share his space, and Little Tractor isn’t so happy anymore. Until one little swallow changes his mind . . .
The Lots-of-Time Machine, written & illustrated by Paulette Bogan (Amazon Publishing / Two Lions) — Family / Community, Social Emotional Learning, Humor, ages 4-6.
Step inside the lots-of-time machine, where everyone has lots of time to play—and love to share—in this charming picture book.
Fifi the raccoon is trying desperately to get her family to play with her. But everyone is too busy, busy, busy! What’s a girl to do? Together with her dog, Felix, Fifi comes up with an idea—one that will bring them all together and give them lots of time to play: it’s a lots-of-time machine! But what happens when Fifi’s brilliant idea doesn’t go quite as planned? Can Fifi and her family find a way to be busy…together? Find out in this endearing and relatable family story.
Round and Round the Year We Go, written & illustrated by Carter Higgins (Holiday House / Neal Porter Books) — Concepts, Imagination / Play, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 4-6.
Eric Carle meets Chicken Soup with Rice in this joyful dance through the year one month at a time, sure to whirl young readers right along with it.
Time never passed so happily! From sledding and snowman-crafting in January to the New Year’s countdown in December, childlike drawings and jolly text describe each month of the year with all the fun that each one promises. This book works like a song: each month is a new verse, and readers transition into each new season by a chorus with a recurring refrain, which is riffed on throughout the year. Beloved author-illustrator Carter Higgins is back with all her quirky warmth in Round and Round the Year We Go, a book as fun to read aloud as it is to listen to and learn from. Story time is sure to provoke giggles, games, and ideas for your own seasonal escapades.
Scooper and Dumper and the Pumpkin Parade, written & illustrated by Lindsay Ward (Amazon Publishing / Two Lions) — Construction / Transportation, Imagination / Play, Friendships, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 4-6.
Autumn fun with small-town vehicles.
Crisp fall days are here, and Scooper and Dumper are in high gear, getting ready for the pumpkin parade. From hanging lights to moving hay bales, they’re a terrific team. The night of the parade, they have everything together but the pumpkins. So they head over to Maybelle’s farm. But rounding everything up isn’t so easy. And what’s that spooky noise in the cornfield? Could it be a ghost?
Scorch, Hedgehog of Doom, by Cate Berry; & illus. by Margherita Grasso (Page Street Publishing / Page Street Kids) — Animals, Action / Adventure, Social Emotional Learning, Humor, ages 4-6.
Scorch the hedgehog is determined to be ferocious. The doomsy-est, most menacing class pet ever known. She’s not just Scorch, she’s… Scorch, Hedgehog of Doom!
There’s just one problem—Scorch is kind of adorable. So adorable, in fact, that it’s all anyone ever notices.
With each swirl of her cloak, each sharp claw raised high, each baring of her chilling chompers, the kids of room 402 don’t fall back in fear or quiver with tears. Instead, they cry, “Awww! Adorable!”
Tired of being seen as just one thing, Scorch flies into action, determined to show how truly terrifying she can be. But when her flipping, training, and high-flying efforts land her in true danger—the home of the classroom’s other scaled, slithering, cold-blooded animal occupant—Scorch must harness and embrace all the parts of her unique self. Put to the ultimate test, she finds power in being ferociously adorable and killer cute.
Readers will fall for this ferociously “awww”-inspiring story starring a beloved class pet about self-image, identity, and finding harmony among the many different, sometimes contradictory pieces of ourselves.
Seeker of Truth: Kailash Satyarthi’s Fight to End Child Labor, by Srividhya Venkat; & illus. by Danica da Silva Pereira (Little Bee Books ) — Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Cultural Diversity, History, ages 4-6.
Little by little, drop by drop Kailash Satyarthi devoted his life to battling international child labor and exploitation. In 2014 his work earned him a Nobel Peace Prize alongside Malala Yousafzai.
“My only aim in life is that every child is free to be a child.”
Kailash Satyarthi has fought injustice his whole life. As a young boy, he raised money so poor children could attend school. When he was a teen, he combatted caste discrimination by sharing a meal with “untouchables.” And as an adult, he fought against child labor and for increased education, ultimately rescuing hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. In 2014, he was recognized for his efforts, winning a Nobel Peace Prize alongside Malala Yousafzai. This inspiring picture book shows that anyone can strive for change in their community that makes a big difference around the world.
Sonia and the Super-Duper Disaster, by Rachel Funez; & illus. by Kelly Kennedy (Free Spirit Publishing) — Social Emotional Learning, Disabilities, Mental / Physical Health, Humor, ages 4-6.
Sonia’s adventure-filled story with worry-fighting gadgets helps kids learn how to cope when it feels like everything is going wrong.
When Sonia forgets Mom’s birthday, she’s determined to whip up a super surprise and become Mom’s hero. But her ADHD foils her best-laid plans, and her anxiety multiplies as the chaos grows. Sonia has to use all her coping skills to find a new recipe for success and become her own superhero.
Celebrating the individual strengths and special qualities of neurodivergent children, Sonia helps children with ADHD and anxiety recognize how their bodies feel when they become anxious and gives them tools to calm down with her worry-fighting gadgets. Activate Breath Blasters! Stellar Self-Talk! Senses Scanner!
A section at the back of the book includes more information on Sonia’s worry-fighting gadgets for kids and tips and reminders for caring adults.
The Sun Never Hurries, by Roxane Turcotte; & illus. by Lucie Crovatto (Pajama Press) — Concepts, Family / Community, Food / Cooking, Social Emotional Learning, ages 4-6.
Papa Jo loves to slow down and savor his day, but the excitable young Charlie may need some convincing…
Charlie’s grandfather, Papa Jo, uses an hourglass to remind himself that every moment is precious. When Charlie asks Papa Jo what his hourglass is for, she doesn’t really understand his answer. To teach Charlie the importance of taking her time and savoring her day, the pair spend their day at a leisurely pace, transforming every ordinary day into a wonderful time.
This gentle story reminds us to enjoy the precious moments we spend together. As young Charlie learns to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature and everyday life, so too will your young reader. This affectionately illustrated book will work as a perfect bedtime story that will encourage children to reflect on their day and treasure the little things that make their life special. In The Sun Never Hurries, Lucie Crovatto’s rich and tender illustrations transport readers to a cozy day cooking and exploring the outdoors. Roxane Turcotte’s writing showcases the special bond between a grandparent and grandchild.
For more great book suggestions, be sure to check out the full July Hot Off the Press list!
List compiled by CBC’s resident book connoisseur, Brooke Pisarsky. Check out other Hot Off the Press Spotlight book lists on our blog.
