Among hundreds of new picture books this year, here are five favorites

Written by admin on July 13, 2011 – 4:29 pm

by Kathy Englehart

Hooray for Amanda and her Alligator

Mo Willems

Willems writes and illustrates in a breezy style that pleases children and grown-ups alike. For his new “61/2 surprising stories about 2 surprising friends,” he sprinkles in wisdom, such as “Books beat boredom” and “When friends say ‘No, really,’ they mean it.” Amanda and her stuffed alligator are quite likable, and the writing is fresh, well-paced and very funny. The simple charcoal and watercolor cartoons cleverly capture facial expressions and movement, no easy feat. Reminiscent of “Knuffle Bunny,” and just as good, I predict a sequel or two on the docket. Grade: A-

Me . . . Jane

Patrick McDonnell

Young Jane Goodall played with a stuffed chimpanzee named Jubilee, read Tarzan books and dreamed of Africa. She studied and imagined, learned and discovered until her dream of living among animals came true. McDonnell tells her story respectfully in an understated text set on cream-colored paper embellished with stenciled images of the natural world. The opposite page shows Jane exploring that world in fanciful ink-and-watercolor cartoon drawings. The last spread contains a wonderful 1957 photo of Goodall arriving in Tanzania as she reaches to touch the hand of a chimpanzee. A very engaging introduction to an important scientist. Grade: A-

The Loud Book

Deborah Underwood & Renata Liwska

LOUD is everywhere: “BURP DURING QUIET TIME LOUD, DROP YOUR MARBLES IN THE LIBRARY LOUD, DEAFENING SILENCE LOUD,” that last one emanating from a very stern mommy when the kids raid the cookie jar. Friendly animals find every loud imaginable as they progress through a busy day, which ends with “FIREWORKS LOUD, CAMPFIRE LOUD AND SNORING SISTER LOUD.” The capitalization emphasizes the LOUD. Childlike language, graceful writing and expressive illustrations add up to a resounding cheer — a loud one, of course. A worthy companion to last year’s “The Quiet Book” from the same pair. Grade: A-

SHOUT! Shout it out!

Denise Fleming

This concept book begs to be read out loud. Preschoolers will “SHOUT! Shout it out!” right along with the energetic children pictured on the vividly colored pages. A mouse leads children through all the basic skills that kids master in their early years: numbers, letters, colors, animals, vehicles. Fleming adds patterned-paper collage and line details to her signature handmade pulp-paper illustrations, creating sharp images that seem to jump right off the pages. Small children love to show off what they know, and this invitation to participate won’t be ignored. Be ready for some noise. Grade: A-

If I Never Forever Endeavor

Holly Meade

Remarkable linoleum block prints enhanced with watercolor and collage set the stage for the dilemma of a tiny yellow bird. Should he stay safely in his nest? Or should he explore the endless blue sky? What if his wings don’t work? What if he fails, then falls? But if he never endeavors to fly, how will he know if he can? It’s the story of life, rolled into a picture book. The poetic writing effectively uses rhyme, onomatopoeia and rhythm to deliver its subtle message of believing in yourself and the endless possibilities that life offers. Grade: A-

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