Picture Books for Children

by Mary Northrup

  Ashman, Linda 4–8 years

  CREAKY OLD HOUSE: A TOPSY-TURVY TALE OF A REAL FIXER-UPPER

  Illustrated by Michael Chesworth

  New York: Sterling, 2009 | 978-1-4027-4461-7

  With a pleasantly rhyming text and comically busy illustrations, this story tells the tale of a large family in a dilapidated house and what happens when the doorknob falls off. Various members of the family come up with ideas to fix it, with outside help, which build in a daffy succession until the family finally decides they must design an entirely new home. First-person voice lends an insider feel to the goings-on. Note the placement of the ink, watercolor, and pencil illustrations on each page, and the use of white space to surround them and to hold the text. Some illustrations feature cutaway views of the house, allowing readers to see the location of each family member. Others offer a bird’s-eye view, looking down at a large scene of activity. And every page is busy; with eight people in a multigenerational family, plus a dog, an atmosphere of fun and cooperation bursts through. The illustrations reflect the words of the text and add more detail. In the end, the baby resolves the doorknob problem, simply and sweetly, and the family decides they love their house as is.

  Blue, Rose, and Corinne J. Naden 4–8 years

  RON’S BIG MISSION

  Illustrated by Don Tate

  New York: Dutton/Penguin, 2009 | 978-0-525-47849-2

  Ron’s mission on the day of this story is to become the first African American to obtain a library card and check out books at Lake City Public Library in South Carolina in 1959. The kindly head librarian knows him as the boy who loves to read and even considers him her best customer, although he has been allowed to read the books only at the library. On this day, he asks to check out books and even stands on the counter in order to make his case. After the police and his mother are called, the head librarian decides to issue him a card. The text brings out Ron’s determination and sense of purpose. Illustrations in rich colors feature Ron in the center of most scenes. Airplanes in the sky in several pictures foreshadow his future. In addition to celebrating the love of reading, this fictionalized story will introduce young listeners to a time of segregation and to a young boy who stood up for his rights. An author’s note at the end tells the rest of Ron McNair’s story: he grew up to become an astronaut, one of the crew of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986.

  Bridges, Shirin Yim 4–8 years

  THE UMBRELLA QUEEN

  Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

  New York: Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2008 | 978-0-06-075040-4

  The struggle of an artist between producing for money and creating from the heart shines through this story, set in Thailand. Noot eagerly joins the women in the village business of painting umbrellas. While she can paint competently the flowers and butterflies that have long been the local tradition, she really loves to paint elephants. Although her family expresses displeasure with her choice of subject, she is vindicated when the king comes through the village to inspect the umbrellas and names Noot Umbrella Queen for the New Year holiday. The illustrations, linoleum prints with pencil, feature fine lines in the scenes of both industrious work and busy village life. These complement and expand the text, which also relates how umbrellas are made and how the villagers interact. Shades of orange, gold, and turquoise predominate, with pink and blue elephants making a delightful contrast. Take note of the endpapers: the front with traditionally painted floral umbrellas, the back with elephants on the umbrellas.

  Brown, Tameka Fryer 4–8 years

  AROUND OUR WAY ON NEIGHBORS’ DAY

  Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb

  New York: Abrams, 2010 | 978-0-8109-8971-9

  Acrylic illustrations full of expressive energy and movement, coupled with poetic text, will make readers want to live in this neighborhood. A young girl makes various stops at local spots—for ice cream, at her uncle’s barbershop, past chess-playing neighbors—in order to get home in time for the block party. Bringing in the foods, music, and activities of the party, the author and illustrator together celebrate a community of various ethnicities and ages. Notice the great rhythm of the text and the unconventional rhyming.

  Croza, Laurel 4–9 years

  I KNOW HERE

  Illustrated by Matt James

  Toronto: Groundwood/House of Anansi, 2010 | 978-0-88899-923-8

  Although a number of children’s books treat the situation of moving to a new home, this story concerns a little girl and her family who are part of a small group temporarily living in trailers while working on a dam-building project in Saskatchewan. The families find that they will next move to Toronto, and therein lies the tension in the story. In expressive language that evokes the senses, the girl enumerates what she knows—the road where she lives, the forest where she plays, the creek where her sister catches frogs. When her teacher has the children draw pictures of their memories of this place to take to Toronto, the girl draws many of the things she has known and seen. Richly colored illustrations enhance her feelings of excitement tinged with nostalgia. Several of them frame the text in interesting ways—for example, on the pull-down map in the classroom, in a drawing of an eye, and on that piece of paper she folds up with her memories. The endpapers offer an artist-drawn map of Canada, from the province of Saskatchewan to the city of Toronto, with animals and plants native to Canada adding visual detail. The small size of the book makes it personal, too. An evocative look, told in first person, at the lives of workers who must follow the job.

  Cunnane, Kelly 4–8 years

  FOR YOU ARE A KENYAN CHILD

  Illustrated by Ana Juan

  New York: Anne Schwartz/Atheneum, 2006 | 978-0-689-86194-9

  Following the lead of the title, the text is presented in second person, addressed to a young boy as he proceeds through one day. He herds cows, visits villagers, plays with his friends, and even gets into trouble. Acrylic-and-crayon art portrays the villagers and animals expressively, especially their eyes. In addition to mirroring the action of the text, the illustrations also provide details of a Kenyan village. The text includes several Swahili words; a glossary at the beginning of the book provides definitions and pronunciations. Listeners will relate to the child who, like children everywhere, forgets to do his chores in the face of other, more interesting activities.

  Daly, Niki 4–8 years

  RUBY SINGS THE BLUES

  Illustrated by Niki Daly

  New York: Bloomsbury, 2005 | 978-1-59990-029-2 | paper

  A little girl’s booming voice torments the people in her neighborhood and at school until she takes singing lessons and learns to channel her sound. Cartoon-style illustrations, rendered in pencil and ballpoint pen and digitally enhanced, make Ruby’s story appealing. Musical motifs on her voice teacher’s dress and her school concert costume, as well as the designs on her painter-mother’s dress, add an artistic flair. Her loudness is illustrated with hand-lettered words, very large in the pictures. Touches of humor appear, such as her teacher attempting to teach Ruby to use her shirt buttons as on, off, and volume control. Endpapers exude a jazzy style, with bright colors and line drawings of musical instruments and symbols.

  Henson, Heather 4–8 years

  THAT BOOK WOMAN

  Illustrated by David Small

  New York: Atheneum, 2008 | 978-1-4169-0812-8

  A boy who has no use for reading or books, and who looks down on his sister who loves them, finds a slow-growing admiration for a woman on horseback who brings free books to his mountain home. A beautiful tribute to the Pack Horse Librarians who delivered books in the Appalachians during the Great Depression, this book shows great respect for an illiterate boy as it tells the story from his point of view. Illustrations, rendered in ink, watercolor, and pastel chalk, use pale colors to show the isolation and hardscrabble life of the mountain people. The text employs Appalachian dialect and believably shows the transition from suspicion to appreciation to a desire to read that occurs in Cal. And what fac
ial expressions he is given! They, too, show this change throughout the course of the story. The book concludes with an author’s note on the Pack Horse Librarians and a list of websites and books about them. For another fictionalized story based upon a real librarian, read Gloria Houston’s Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile (HarperCollins, 2011).

  Ingalls, Ann, and Maryann Macdonald 4–8 years

  THE LITTLE PIANO GIRL

  Illustrated by Giselle Potter

  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010 | 978-0-618-95974-7| library binding

  This fictionalized version of the early life of Mary Lou Williams introduces young readers and listeners to this important jazz pianist and composer. The rhythm and words of the text fit the musical theme, enhanced by charming illustrations of Mary Lou, her family, and neighbors. Even the layout of the text in some areas recalls a musical scale, as each line is indented in from the one before. By concentrating on her childhood, the story should appeal to children who can relate to Mary Lou’s move to a new town, encounters with bullies, and embarrassment over her shoes. The gouache illustrations feature many scenes of Mary Lou playing the piano, which was her passion and her talent from an incredibly young age.

  Johnson, Dinah 4–9 years

  HAIR DANCE!

  Illustrated by Kelly Johnson

  New York: Henry Holt, 2007 | 978-0-8050-6523-7

  Braids, puffs, dreadlocks, straightened: this book is a celebration of the hairstyles of African American girls. In a variety of color photographs, these girls embody beauty and pride, joy, and reflection. The pacing and the diversity of styles and moods are designed to appeal to young girls. The author’s note about culture and the photographer’s introduction about her grandparents’ beauty salon add context and background. A list of further reading for kids and grown-ups appears on the last page. A wonderful example of photographic illustration, this book also features poetic text set on colorful stripes and blocks of a rainbow of colors.

  Lin, Grace 3–7 years

  THANKING THE MOON: CELEBRATING THE MID-AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL

  Illustrated by Grace Lin

  New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010 | 978-0-375-86101-7

  A nice introduction to the Chinese Moon Festival, this story follows a family—Ma-Ma, Ba-Ba, and three daughters—out into the country for a picnic and party. With special foods and lanterns, the family becomes part of a large group on the hillside, picnic blankets spread with treats and lanterns lit to mimic the moon. Gouache illustrations, colorful yet reflecting a dark blue nighttime sky, show the mooncakes, smiling steamed cakes, pomelos, and Asian pears, as well as the equipment needed for the lanterns. Autumn leaves in some illustrations remind readers that this is a harvest festival, celebrated in the fall. The endpapers feature simple illustrations of the objects used in the family’s picnic, which readers and listeners can then look for within the pages of the story. A two-page author’s note at the end explains the Mid-Autumn Festival and how Asian families celebrate this holiday.

  Martin, Jacqueline Briggs 5–8 years

  THE WATER GIFT AND THE PIG OF THE PIG

  Illustrated by Linda S. Wingerter

  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003 | 978-0-618-07436-5

  Gorgeous acrylic illustrations and moving text combine wonderfully in this story about a grandfather told from his granddaughter’s point of view. Like the stories of his days as a sea captain, the style is one of long ago. Grandfather seems to have lost his gift for finding water with a divining rod. When his pet pig—the last offspring of the pig he kept onboard his ship—goes missing, he gives up completely. With the help of his granddaughter, he locates the pig and witnesses the return of his gift for finding water. The illustrations, beautifully textured, convey broad swaths of sea, fields, and roads contrasting with detailed faces. A mixture of warm and cool colors accentuates the tugging of the sea and the land for both grandfather and the little girl. Readers and listeners may want to investigate further the phenomenon of divining rods and finding water with a forked stick.

  McGhee, Alison 6–9 years

  SONG OF MIDDLE C

  Illustrated by Scott Menchin

  Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2009 | 978-0-7636-3013-3

  A perky little piano student practices constantly in order to prepare for a recital. Simple yet appealing illustrations, done in pen and ink and colored digitally, will appeal to those following the story of her preparation and then her problem when she forgets what she has memorized. Told in first person, the story reveals the girl’s formula for success: imagination, lots of practice, and lucky underwear. Who knows which one helps as she overcomes her trial of forgetfulness? Students who have experienced recitals of any kind and those who like to read or listen to stories about plucky heroines will enjoy this one.

  Newman, Lesléa 4–8 years

  MISS TUTU’S STAR

  Illustrated by Carey Armstrong-Ellis

  New York: Abrams, 2010 | 978-0-8109-8396-0

  In this book, ballet is for everyone, no matter what size or shape. Selena loves to dance even though she is not the most graceful when she begins her lessons. Comical illustrations in gouache and colored pencil present Selena as energetic and full of mistakes but willing to work to improve. Look for the facing pages that show the progress of the class from one year to the next. Pages where Selena appears large and at the center of attention intersperse with pages where she is just one of many in the ballet class, or where she feels small and scared before the recital. A feeling of joy flows throughout the story, even through dancing difficulties, and culminates at the recital. Notice the long scarf in the audience that binds together Selena’s family and friends; sharp-eyed readers will see her mom knitting this scarf in earlier illustrations. One of the best things about this book is its depiction of the heroine as not ultrathin or especially coordinated. She is real. She is brave. She follows her passion.

  Pelley, Kathleen T. 4–8 years

  RAJ THE BOOKSTORE TIGER

  Illustrated by Paige Keiser

  Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2011 | 978-1-58089-230-8

  So many positives in this story: its depiction of an independent bookstore, pride in oneself, and handling a bully. A cat believes himself to be a tiger because his owner, a bookstore owner, tells him so and the customers at the store treat him that way. When an interloper cat joins him in the store and sets him straight, it takes the poetry of William Blake and a guest author to restore his pride. Watercolor-and-colored-pencil illustrations feature fine lines and varied colors that capture Raj’s moods and the activity in the bookstore, as well as the affection that everyone has for the bookstore tiger.

  Robert, Na’ima B. 4–8 years

  RAMADAN MOON

  Illustrated by Shirin Adl

  London: Frances Lincoln, 2009 | 978-1-84507-922-2

  A young girl explains the Muslim month of Ramadan, with its activities of fasting, prayer, and charity. In the prose poem text, she relates how her immediate family spends the month, but she also connects it to Muslims in her community and around the world. Illustrations of watercolor, collage, and color pencils feature fine lines, a multitude of colors, and interesting textures. Notice the backgrounds on each page and the variety of materials used: crushed tissue paper to portray the sky and water, a collage of postage stamps, paper printed with Arabic symbols, and more. Fabrics, photographs, and detailed drawings provide visual appeal. The first and last pages frame the story and reflect the title, with references to the moon. Lyrical language and child-friendly art make this book an effective introduction to this Islamic religious observance for the young. Pair this with Maha Addasi’s The White Nights of Ramadan (Boyds Mills, 2008).

  Schwartz, Joanne 4–8 years

  OUR CORNER GROCERY STORE

  Illustrated by Laura Beingessner

  Toronto: Tundra, 2009 | 978-0-88776-868-2

  A young girl helps out in her grandparents’ grocery store, a small mom-and-pop business that provides fresh produce, breads, sandwiches, and c
andy to neighborhood customers. Anna Maria goes through the day, explaining what she does in the store to help her Nonna Rosa and Nonno Domenico. Sweet illustrations—colorful in the array of products for sale, the store environment, and the neighborhood—make the store one that anyone would want to visit. For those who live in a small town or neighborhood where such stores still exist, the story may seem familiar. For adults for whom this type of store resides only in the past, this will be a trip down memory lane that they can share with students and children.

  Smith, Cynthia Leitich 4–8 years

  HOLLER LOUDLY

  Illustrated by Barry Gott

  New York: Dutton/Penguin, 2010 | 978-0-525-42256-3

  The title becomes the name of the main character, a boy who just cannot speak quietly. From the time of his birth, Holler is LOUD. A succession of humorous scenes illustrates his loudness and its effects on a classroom, at the movie theater, and out fishing with his grandfather. Even the text of his words appears much bigger—and in color—than the rest of the text on the page. The entire town finally tells him to hush, but then a big storm approaches and his volume saves everyone. The cartoon drawings perfectly match the humorous, over-the-top mood of the text, with plenty of details in the diverse crowd scenes to provide new sights in each reading. Look for the surprise twist at the end, as the town discovers a way to honor Holler’s loudness.

  Spalding, Andrea, and Alfred Scow 6–9 years

  SECRET OF THE DANCE

  Illustrated by Darlene Gait

  Victoria, BC: Orca, 2006 | 978-1-55143-396-7

  When the Indian agent tells the elders of a Canadian tribe that their dancing is forbidden, they travel to a remote village for a potlatch ceremony. There a young boy watches the dance that portrays the stories of his people. The illustrations combine black and white with color to reflect the mood of each scene. For example, at the potlatch, the colors of the masks and costumes show as boldly colorful reds and greens. In addition, almost every illustration includes paintings of tribal symbols or animals that the young boy sees as he looks out the window or pulls aside a curtain. Based upon author Scow’s childhood witnessing of the dance, this story provides a wonderful opportunity for discussions about discrimination and traditions of First Nations. The cover illustration features a young boy’s eyes; the back cover, an old man’s eyes. Includes a historical note and glossary.