Picture Book Pick: What's New, Daniel?

What's New, Daniel?

by Micha Archer

Illustrated by the author 

Nancy Paulson Books

An imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2024

32 pages

ISBN: 9780593461303

What's New, Daniel? is a quiet picture book filled with love, wonder and discovery. Daniel meets his grandpa at the park, and the elder asks, "What's new, Daniel?" This question set Daniel off on a quest for discovering really, "What's new?" He climbs up and his favorite, giant boulder and watches as the blackbirds have returned. 

Spring has indeed sprung. New ducklings are hatching, polliwogs are growing legs, leaves are unfurling, squirrels are building nests and even snakes are changing by shedding their skin. Daniel discovers he, too, is changing and growing. He's getting a new tooth, he can run faster than ever before, and he's growing like the polliwogs. Daniel recounts all the things he's seen and asks, Grandpa, "What's new?" 

The author's illustrations and  collages are beautiful and make this book an artistic gem. 

This picture book is a lovely interpretation of a grandpa with a special bond with his grandchild. Full of love, heart and family connection, What's New, Daniel? is that sweet book every child needs to read, even if they are far away from their grandparents. It is reminder to families to make more time to enjoy the outdoors, nature, the changing seasons and love. 

Highly recommended ages 2-6. 

 

Fun Picture Book Pick: The Book That Almost Rhymed

The Book That Almost Rhymed 

by Omar Abed

Illustrations by Hatem Aly

Dial Books for Young Readers

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

 2024

 32 pages 

ISBN: 9780593406380

What's a rhyming older brother supposed to do when his loud, interfering detective younger sister keeps messing up his stories and rhymes? Play along, of course! 

Funny text by Omar Abed will keep young readers in giggles as they try to finish each rhyme with the obvious rhyming word that will fit and make sense only to realize each time little sister interrupts and throws out silly and sometimes outrageous lines that make no sense to the older brother, he's nice enough to go with with his sister's help as she takes the story into outer space, back in time to kingdoms, knights and you guessed it: DRAGONS, and aboard a pirate ship where they dance their way out of trouble. 

The pirate ship encounter begins, "On deck they faced a frightful sight/ The pirates were prepared to--"

Readers will guess "fight" is the rhyme, but Little Sister interrupts, shouting, "DANCE!" The picture of pirates dancing with the brother/sister duo is unexpected and clever. The Book That Almost Rhymed is a great way to teach rhyme and predicting what will happen next in the story, an important reading strategy for any reader. 

This picture book is bound to be a favorite at story time and must be read aloud. Savvy parents will not read this one at bed time as the young readers will want to interact with the story and shout out obvious word choices. 

Highly, highly recommended. The sibling relationship is lovely and lovingly depicted by Abed. Everyone will wish for this kind of fun with their siblings. PreK-grade 3 and older to teach rhyme. 

Important Graphic Novel: Puzzled: A Memoir About Growing Up With OCD

 Puzzled: A Memoir About Growing Up With OCD

by Pan Cooke

Illustrations by the author

Rocky Pond Books

An imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2024

224 pages 

ISBN: 9780593615621

Puzzled is an important book about growing up feeling different from other people. Pan is ten-years old when he begins to feel a little off kilter. His mind feels like a puzzle and he worries about "what if". What if he makes a scene in church? What if he blurts out curse words in class? Pieces of the puzzle float around his mind and are pictured in illustrations by the author as puzzle pieces.

He begins to think of all the dreadful things that could possibly happen and develops rituals to try to insure that they don't. Anxiety overwhelms him. The story follows Pan through puberty when things are always changing and GIRLS become a huge anxiety for Pan. What if he says something stupid? How is he supposed to act? Although these questions are common for most tweens and teens, Pan dwells in his anxiety-filled puzzle pieces. By age fourteen, Pan begins to have questions about his body and about food. Food becomes a terrible puzzle. While other students eat tons of french fries and candy, Pan is disgusted (yet jealous) to see they seem to have no problems with fatty, over-processed junk food. 

The author dispels popular myths about OCD, including being neat and tidy and a stickler for organization. Those things are not OCD. Overthinking and anxious thoughts are as is creating rituals to try to manage these thoughts. 

Pan seeks help once he realizes there might be a doctor who can help. 

The Afterword by Cooke is hopeful and honest. He's now an adult and a WRITER! He still has OCD, but he knows how to use tools to help himself. OCD can vary greatly from person to person. There is not one simple symptom to look for. Most people go eleven years or longer before they are diagnosed for the condition. 

The graphic nature of this book make it easily accessible even for the most reluctant reader. Colorful, understated art appears fun and happy, the opposite of most of Pan's thoughts and interactions with others. 

Recommended ages 10-up. Middle grade readers will be drawn to Puzzled. 

Ethereal PIcture Book: In My Dreams

 

In My Dreams

by Effie Lada

Illustrations by the author

Clavis Publishing Inc. 

2023

332 pages

ISBN: 9781605378657

Originally published in Belgium and the Netherland,

2022Translation from Dutch by Clavis Publishing, Inc. 

Simply transformative and ethereal art work by the author in grayscale pencil and pages with overlay that reveal hidden illustrations for the reader to discover make In My Dreams a treasure trove of artistic expression. 

A young girl tries to stay awake to "catch" her dreams and see for herself where they come from, but, alas, she always drifts off to sleep. Color is introduced to the story: the green of the girl's outfit, gorgeous pink feathers as the child drifts over the rooftops of her town, a red umbrella and a school of orange fish. The girl wakes in the morning to a world filled with color, and she is "herself." 

Sleepy, understated prose and beautiful images will make this book a nightly bedtime read. 

Highly, highly recommended ages 2 and up. Libraries must buy at least two copies; one for the shelf  (which is likely to be damaged after a few reads) and one for story time that will last years. 

Must-Have Picture Book: Wild Places

 

Wild Places: The Life of Naturalist David Attenborough

by Hayley Rocco 

Illustrations by John Rocco

G.P. Putnam's Sons

An imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC

2024

48 pages 

ISBN: 9780593618097

"If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us." --David Attenborough 

Simply stunning! Illustrations by John Rocco are stellar and among the best artwork found in children's books. The earth captured in colored pencil and digital paint open this amazing story of the most important voice in saving wild places for generations to come, for our children, our grandchildren and their grandchildren. 

When David Attenborough was a young boy, two-thirds of the planet was filled with wild places. David explored fossils and rocks around his home. Later he went to university to study wild animals and the places they live. Television was just gaining popularity, and David had an idea to do a show about animals. He traveled far and wide, showing viewers gorillas in Africa, penguins on icebergs, wild animals in the South American rain forests and everywhere else animals lived. Millions of viewers tuned in. 

Much to David's dismay, as time passed, humans began destroying natural places, building cities and skyscrapers. He sought out scientists and climate experts around the world. He sounded the first alarm to make wild places wild again. He insisted humans begin to use new ways to power their cities. Attenborough was intent on stopping overfishing in the oceans to help marine life and was an early advocate for eating less meat. Meat production takes many acres to raise the beef, lamb, and poultry and ruins the land. David insisted we replant trees to save our environment. 

The most powerful voice in ecology and natural sciences, David Attenborough brought saving our planet to the forefront of every political discussion worldwide. He believed, "If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us." 

The hit series "Life on Earth" had 500 million people watching it and learning about ecology and activism. The Author's Note, bibliography, and information of how to help change the destruction of wild places as well as huge problems we face as humans if we don't change are included. If everyone does their part, Attenborough is sure our planet will thrive. 

So highly, highly recommended and a must-have, must read, Wild Places is an obvious frontrunner for numerous literary awards this year. 

Grades 2 and up.