Hellobee

I love going to Barnes and Noble and browsing over all the new picture books. I don’t buy a lot of books during the year save for birthdays and Christmas, so when I do buy I tend to get quite a few per child. When I choose books I not only look at the stories they tell, but also the illustrations that make them come alive. I feel both are important in captivating and inspiring the love of reading. These are all my favorite picture books that I found this year.

The Only Child – This book resonates with me deeply as its a story written about an only child by an only child. Guojing the illustrator of this wordless book grew up in China under the one child policy, and thus was lonely for much of her childhood. In this book a little toddler dreams and creates a world to escape from the loneliness she feels in her daily life. The illustrations are lovely and it brings me back to all those dreams and imaginings I had as a child growing up.

Finding Monkey Moon – Drake has a blanket that has been his lovey for his entire life. The panic that sets in when we can’t find Big Ole Blanket is one I know well, so this story is very relatable to a child who needs that comforting item to help them go to sleep.

This is Sadie – Sadie has quite an imagination and her worlds come to life in this amazingly illustrated book. Sadie reminds me so much of Drake with how a simply box can transform into a ship, a rocket, a stagecoach, anything, right before his eyes. Her wild world often reminds me of another storybook character, Max from Where the Wild Things Are, and in some ways I see this as a re-imagined version for a new age.

The Bear’s Song – It’s time to hibernate but Papa bear can’t find baby bear. Through the amazing illustration work, Papa runs through the pages chasing his cub who is chasing something of his own. The book is such a neat visual experience and Drake loved hunting for both characters in the Where’s Waldo picture scenes on all the pages. I recently found out that 2 more books in the series came out, and now I can’t wait to get them.

Ellie – Elephants have long been a favorite animal in this house. This fun little story about how Ellie the elephant paints to help save her beloved zoo is visually fun, and it’s a nice story about how even the most unlikely people have talents to give.

Enormous Smallness – This is the story of poet e.e. cummings. Through fun illustrations we learn all about his childhood growing up and the things that would shape him and his poetry. ee cummings is one of my favorite poets, so I loved this intro into his early days and hope to one day introduce Drake and Juliet to more of his work.

The Day the Crayons Came Back – We love The Day the Crayons Quit (it’s one of my favorite books) so of course we had to get the sequel as soon as it came out. Duncan’s crayons are at it again sending Duncan notes of all the places crayons can be lost. Through the same format of letters (this time postcards), each crayon speaks to Duncan and eventually they all are all found and reunited in a wonderfully fun way.

The Wonderful Things You Will Be – Emily Winfield Martin is one of my favorite artists I follow, and we own her other two books Dream Animals and Day Dreamers. Her artwork is whimsical and playful in such a unique way. I loved the premise of this book that when we look at our children there is just so much potential and possibility still at their feet.

Bunny Roo, I Love You– Teagan White is another artist I follow, and we also love her other book Barefoot Animals. Bunny Roo is just such a sweet story of a mother’s love. This one holds a special place in my heart for Juliet as she is my baby bunny, and I think of her when she was just a baby whenever I read this book.

Please Bring Balloons – A little girl takes an amazing journey with a carousel bear with the help of some balloons. Gorgeously illustrated and whimsically fun, a story that adventure can be found with even the most unlikely of friends.

Sea of Bath – The Captain was asleep at his ship when the tide came in! What a funny sea he is in filled with rubber ducks, pirate ships, and a boat called Soap. An amusing story filled with unique illustrations, this one has been a favorite of Drake’s for years.

Orion and the Dark – Orion is afraid of the dark (among many other things), a common fear I think many kids can relate to. He doesn’t like going to bed, but one night dark introduces himself and Orion faces his fears to learn that some things aren’t as scary as they seem.

Ganesh’s Sweet Tooth – A friend of mine who is an animator gifted this book written by someone she knew at one of her jobs. It tells the story of Ganesh the elephant, God of the Hindu religion, and how the Mahabharata, a poem in Hindu was written. The illustrations are very Pixarish and Ganesh is like many children, a lover of sweets. I thought it was a nice introduction to another culture we have very little experience with.

Who Done It – An amusing who did it caper. In each page there is a line up of characters and the reader needs to figure out who did the deed. Using clues and deductions we find out who the perpetrator is. It’s a fun book that allows for reasoning in a playful manner.

Grandpa Green – Through topiaries we learn the story of Grandpa from his early days until when he went to war, got married, and started a family. The topiaries are a unique and different way to illustrate a life, and a great reminder that grandparents lived a life long before us and their stories might be worth a listen.