Picture Book Pick: Dark on Light

 

Dark on Light

by Dianne White 

Illustrated by Felicita Sala

Beach Lane Books

Imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2022

40 pages

ISBN: 9781534487895

What a beautiful book! Dark on Light delivers breathtaking illustrations by Felicity Sala and lyrical poetry that dances of the pages by Dianne White. This is the perfect bedtime book showing even though it's dark at night, there is so much light. What a comfort to young readers who fear bedtime and the dark! 

Soothing as a lullaby, this picture book is certain to become a bedtime favorite. A trio of siblings explore the woods near their home, taking in the magic of the night. They return home where it's warm and comfortable and climb into their beds after reading a bedtime story. 

Dark on Light deserves the highest award a children's book can receive. My pick for picture book of the year! 

Highly, highly recommended ages 2 and up. 

Picture Book Pick: Yetis Are the Worst!

 

Yetis Are the Worst!

by Alex Willan

Illustrations by the author

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

2022 

40 pages 

ISBN: 9781665921770ao

A bright new book from the children's author/illustrator who brought us Unicorns Are the Worst! and Dragons Are the Worst!, Yetis Are the Worst! shines the brightest of all. 

Gilbert the Goblin is out to prove Yetis exist and that they're not so mysterious nor as cool as everyone thinks. He sets off with his camera, climbing a mountain of snow to get the perfect photo of a yeti. Little does Gilbert know the yetis are everywhere around him, but he can't seem to see them. Young readers are sure to point out the "hidden" yetis and laugh as Gilbert attempts to locate even one yeti. 

When an avalanche comes roaring down the mountain, Gilbert falls into the yetis' secret hideout where he discovers yetis are just like you and me. They cook, they play music, and they even sit down to go to the bathroom! 

The yetis are fascinated by Gilbert and his camera and they happily take pictures. It turns out, as Gilbert says, "Yetis aren't so mysterious...they're just a little shy..." 

Adorable illustrations of the yetis fill each page and Gilbert's expressions and feelings captivate the reader. 

Highly, highly recommended ages 3 and up.

Crimson Twill: Witch in the City

 

Crimson Twill: Witch in the City

By Kallie George 

Illustrations by Birgitta Sif 

Candlewick Press

2022

64 pages

ISBN: 9781536214635

Crimson Twill is young witch, but you wouldn’t know by looking at her. She doesn’t wear black dresses or pointy shoes. She wears bright colored polka dots, a crimson hat with a bow  to match her name and gum boots. She giggles, and skips and plays like all children instead of cackling and creeping around like witches are supposed to do. 

Crimson is so excited when her mother announces they are going to New Wart City to shop at Broomingdale’s. Crimson has a few coins to spend and can’t wait to see what the store has  to offer a young witch. After making plans to meet her mother later for the fashion show, Crimson sets off to explore on her own. She thinks she might find a new hat or a wand or even a broomstick, maybe even a pet cat? 

Crimson visits each department and ends up with a lost little dog, a new friend and a sweeping broom, not a riding broom. Crimson runs to meet her mother at the fashion show. 

The broom begins cleaning the floor (which is what brooms are supposed to do), but bumps into Crimson who drops her basket and Pepper the puppy bounds out of it into the crowd of witches. Running after Pepper, Crimson becomes the hit of the show! Other witches admire her fashion,  photographers take her picture, and the crowd applauds thinking Crimson is modeling the newest designs. 

Crimson Twill: Witch in the City is a captivating read with heart, friendship, bravery and a strong female protagonist who dares to be different and different sets Crimson apart. 

Highly, highly recommended!