Charlotte Offsay and Abi Cushman have created another terrific picture book together calledTheQuietOcean. This one is a companion to The Quiet Forest. Cushman’s illustrations draw readers into the soothing blue ocean with her delightfully silly sea creatures living their best lives, until unexpected havoc turns their world upside down.
The book’s endpapers depict the ocean floor, but it’s not what you would expect (NOTE: Don’t miss the other endpapers after you finish). A bike leans against a rock, across from a beach chair, and a bathtub and a rubber ducky sit alone not far from a harmless (?)-looking pufferfish. After the title page, where there’s a clever glimpse of a yellow fish tail, readers see that same cute pufferfish swimming happily amongst the seaweed and rocks, gliding in and out of the marine algae and seagrasses. Until…
A squid, wearing a shower cap and drinking a cup of coffee, soaks in a tub with a brush in one of his eight arms. As you can imagine, this would scare anyone who saw it, even a sea creature who has lived his life on the ocean floor. The pufferfish’s fright releases ink, and this obviously startles the squid. His once-clean body is now covered in ink! Tension builds.
A playful puffer and a startled squid in a suddenly not-so-quiet ocean. Offsay uses cumulative structure in each event, creating a fun read for both the reader and the listener. Splattered ink surprises the relaxed green turtle as he lounges in his beach chair. He falls out of the chair, spilling ice cubes from his glass, and scurries past a dolphin riding his bike. FLAP! SPLASH! The cumulative chaos continues.
The dolphin’s splashing upsets the shark, who is doing what all sharks tend to do — knitting a blanket in a lounging chair. The shark grabs the knitted blanket, which causes the yarn ball to wrap around the chair, seagrass, and rocks; the pufferfish and turtle’s eyes open wide when the shark swims into a wedding cake the whale is meticulously decorating with icing. Oh, what a mess! So … page turns quicken.
A playful puffer, a startled squid, a troubled turtle, a distressed dolphin, a shaky shark, and a wailing whale in an oh-dear-this-is-out-of-control ocean.
Havoc turns to calmness when the whale hears the ocean’s song. The shaky shark de-stresses the distressed dolphin, and the troubled turtle soothes the startled squid. Ahhh! Now that feels good.
It’s impossible not to smile while reading this story. Children learn the importance of calming their bodies and minds in stressful moments. It’s a story to share after a difficult day at school, or a funny read before bedtime. Both Offsay and Cushman have created a book teachers will keep on their shelves for years to come. Offsay and Cushman’s long list of children’s books is on my reading list, and I especially recommend this one.
Written by Maritere R. Bellas Illustrated by Jayri Gómez
(Lil’ Libros; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
Publisher Description:
“… This heartwarming English-Spanish story shows that speaking two languages is powerful and you don’t need a cape to be a hero.”
Review:
This is a WAY overdue post ofTío Ricky Doesn’t Speak English/Tío Ricky no habla inglés, written by Maritere R. Bellas and illustrated by Jayri Gómez, a picture book so well crafted that I wish I’d been able to review last year. The good news is that I’ve reread it, and once again, Bellas’s characters still jumped off the pages into my heart. Not only do I enjoy bilingual books, but I also love learning something new. In this case, the not-uncommon need for bilingual English-Spanish speakers to help their Spanish-only-speaking relatives, and how it can sometimes feel like a “have to” rather than a “want to” for young children. This must be so relatable for many readers.
This opening spread, full of excitement, sets up the story with both the prose and the emotive art:
The main character’s delight at his uncle’s visit is palpable, but pretty soon, readers see there are strings attached. Wherever the main character and his uncle go, the child is called on to translate, be that at the bank, at the market, with neighbors, or with the mail carrier. While Papi explains that helping each other is what families do, it doesn’t seem to ease the young boy’s burden.
A trip to the pharmacy to get medicine for Tío Ricky builds tension and reveals the extent of the narrator’s frustration. What the boy doesn’t realize is that his uncle feels the same way about being unable to communicate clearly with the staff. His facial expression speaks volumes.
When the boy overhears his uncle practicing his English at home, the boy’s empathy shows. I love that playing dominoes is a way for these two to connect and a great opportunity to teach some English words. In the art, readers can see on the characters’ faces how much they’re enjoying each other’s company. It’s nice that some of that annoyance has passed simply by sharing a good time together.
But when Tío Ricky complains that his head hurts and he feels dizzy, his nephew steps up and calls 911, something he learned from his parents. Just like he learned the value of family members supporting each other. I liked watching the main character grow over the course of the book. It felt natural and satisfying to see him finally embrace his skill—one I sure wish I had—when faced with an emergency.
“The paramedic tells me Tío is lucky to have me there to help. I smile. “Your tío is going to be fine. He just needs to take his medicine and rest.”
Bilingualism is a gift. It’s why we sent our daughter to a bilingual school when we lived in Germany. But the truth is, many children do not appreciate this gift until they are older. Tío Ricky Doesn’t Speak English/Tío Ricky no habla inglés is an important story to share so children in similar bilingual situations will see that they are not the only kids who have to translate. It’s also a reminder that, while there may initially have been reluctance on the part of the young translator to be on call for their non-English-speaking relative, the benefits far outweighed the drawbacks. In fact, it ends up being a win-win for everyone!
I hope that by sharing this book, parents can help children embrace and celebrate the “superpower” of bilingualism.
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); $18.99, Ages 2-6)
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From the Publisher:
A must-have for any nursery! This bestselling series adds another charming picture book that imagines creatures all across the animal kingdom as kiddos showing affection to their mamas – making it the perfect purchase for Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day or any time of year.
Review:
What fun young animals have getting ready to share their love on Mother’s Day! This latest picture book in the popular If Animals Kissed Goodnight series by Ann Whitford Paul and David Walker inspires all the oohs! and ahhs! just like all the previous books have done with a gentle pastel palette, adorable animals, and a lilting rhyme.
Little ones will meet Wombat, Cat, Koala, Quokka, Kookaburra, Magpie, Wallaby, and myriad other animals found in Australia, some better known than others. But Wombat mama and Wombat baby make the most appearances, all delightful, I might add. Whether creating a Mother’s Day card, digging deep into a burrow, or a cute baby thoughtfully waiting for its mama “who moved at a much slower gait,” and finally picking flowers for a colorful bouquet, Wombat Mama and Wombat Baby are an endearing pair.
What works especially well is how Whitford Paul has subtly included *factual information that complements her rhyme, such as what the kookaburra likes to eat above. I’d never heard of a quokka (a small wallaby), but now I know that the native Banksia tree provides these marsupials with shelter and sustenance in the south-west region of Western Australia. Are you familiar with the reptile known as a skink? They can be found throughout Australia. The swooping hawk in Walker’s art is only one of the many predators this lizard must watch out for.
Treat children to a copy of If Animals Said I Love You, Mama, a sweet read that highlights the special mother-baby bond this holiday joyfully celebrates.
*NOTE: My curiosity prompted me to research the flora and fauna info for further details when I described the Banksia tree and quokka.
Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it, especially when you’ve been making it very clear you want love to stay away! Love Finds a Way, a sweet picture book by Vern Kousky, demonstrates that point beautifully.
Oscar, a bird, is determined to keep love at bay. In fact, he worries about it so much that he is compelled to find a way to protect himself. It’s clear he’s already loved by the squirrels, whom he rebuffs. There are several scenes in which the animals are shown carrying flowers, but love is not for him.
After trying “one thing after another,” Oscar gets a dog he names Brutus; he is certain he’s found a surefire way to scare off any love interest. Brutus proved to be so good at what he did, and so Oscar counted on him more than he knew. Readers will enjoy seeing Brutus learn what it takes to keep Oscar safe, but they may already suspect, before Oscar does, that the dog has become much more than a guard dog.
So, when Brutus goes missing from his routine patrol, Oscar cannot bear it. Has Oscar realized that he loves the dog? When at last Brutus returns, Oscar knows that something has changed. There’s no denying that, despite all his efforts to stave off love, Oscar’s love for Brutus has blossomed into a meaningful friendship. Once he acknowledges that, he’s free to welcome love in all its delightful forms. Throughout the book, the adorable illustrations convey Oscar’s growing love for Brutus, whether he admits it or not. I think if this book had no text, readers would still be able to understand Kousky’s heartwarming story. The joyful experience of watching how unexpected love and friendship find Oscar makes this a rewarding read for Valentine’s Day. Kids will be happy you shared Love Finds a Way with them!
BODY BEAUTIFUL
Written by Susan Verde
Illustrated by Steph Littlebird
(Abrams BYR; $19.99, Ages 4-8)
Did you know your body is beautiful? #1 New York Times bestselling author, Susan Verde, poses this thoughtful question to young readers in her new picture book, Body Beautiful. The book takes children on a journey that celebrates the magnificent wonders of our bodies.
The story starts with a lovely illustration (below) of a fetus sleeping soundly inside its mother’s womb.
“You were born from a beautiful body
who was born from another beautiful body
and so on going way way way back.”
Indigenous artist Steph Littlebird illustrates our continuing connectivity by showing the planets circling the mother and unborn child using soft colors of purples, pinks, and yellows. Littlebird’s vibrant art moves us forward as we turn the page to a list showing all the many ways to describe the human body. It’s a long list because we are rightfully different. I love how this spread conveys that we are all so unique that we can’t be categorized as just one entity.
However, Verde explains, these descriptions are only part of what makes our bodies beautiful. MIRACULOUS, GROWING, and SPEAKING are words used to express how each of us is more than what is seen on the outside. UNIQUE is spelled out alongside a girl and a boy sitting in the wilderness, amidst the green trees, birds, owls, and butterflies. The story’s lyrical language takes the reader through the outer vessels of our bodies to our inner minds that tell us when our body has something to say. One of my favorite lines is Asking you to listen—our bodies often tell us when something isn’t right. We just need to stop and listen. As a certified yoga instructor, this resonated with me because it’s something I do and encourage others to as well.
Littlebird’s uplifting art depicts kids of all shapes and sizes, from tall to short, large to small, from white to brown, and everything in between, as well as those with varying abilities, each moving happily together. Your body is also WISE— Keeping a record of the joy, the sadness, the wonder, the stories of your resilience, the lessons learned. This book serves as a meaningful reminder to children (and to adults). When we see the young black girl hugging herself, we read Your body is YOUR OWN.
The story flows, inviting read-alouds and conversation. It then concludes with children walking through a field, reminding the reader that the most beautiful part of your body is YOU, and there will be nothing more beautiful than that.
The backmatter includes an Author’s Note explaining how Verde got the idea for this story. There’s also an Illustrator’s Note that encourages young people to feel proud of their bodies. This is an important topic that should be taught to children at a young age, before they begin judging themselves for what they think they should be. We live in a time when stories like this need to be told because you can never share too much about mindfulness, self-love, and kindness with children.
A loving, heartwarming picture book about empathy, sisterhood, and finding the courage to ask for forgiveness—and having the grace to give it—to others and to ourselves.
INTERVIEW:
Jan Epstein Schwaid: Hi, Rebecca! Longtime fan, first-time interviewer. I loved this book and its sweet, relatable message. What was your inspiration?
Rebecca Gardyn Levington:Thank you so much for your kind words, Jan. Very excited to talk to you!
This story actually started with a call for poems by Ladybug magazine in the summer of 2021. They were looking for poems about “traditions and rituals” and, since I love a good writing prompt, I started brainstorming about various Jewish traditions and rituals that I find meaningful. I’ve always loved the Tashlich ceremony, which takes place on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. It is a ritual that is all about finding forgiveness – by making amends with those we’ve harmed and by giving ourselves grace for our missteps. The original poem was 5 stanzas long and had a little sidebar about the ceremony. I actually remember being happy when Ladybug decided not to publish the poem because I was excited about the idea of playing with it more and maybe turning it into a picture book.
When I was invited to attend the inaugural PJ Library Summer Camp at Highlights for emerging authors in 2022 (where I met YOU!), I knew it was the perfect time to work on this. The feedback I received during that summer helped enormously with the revisions of this book.
JES: How and why did you decide to add the backdrop of Rosh Hashanah to this story of sisterly forgiveness? Did you consider telling it without the Jewish holiday element?
RGL: No, I never considered telling this story without the Jewish holiday element. As I mentioned, the story started with a poem about Tashlich, and grew from there into a more universal story.
JES: Taschlich was a ceremony I only really learned about in college, where we’d throw bread into the campus fountain. Now, we throw rice paper into a pool! Did you grow up with the tradition of Taschlich? Do you practice it now? If so, how?
RGL: It’s funny, I also never knew about Tashlich as a kid growing up in a Reform temple in the Bay Area of California. I’m not really sure why. My best guess is that after trying to keep two little girls quiet in temple all morning, my parents didn’t have the energy to take us to yet another service, at another location, but I should ask them!
I only learned about Tashlich as an adult because the temple I now belong to (here, in NJ) conducts the Tashlich service immediately after (and in the same location as) their “family service.” We’ve attended every year since my two boys were little. It has always been my and my family’s favorite parts of Rosh Hashanah because it is a short yet very meaningful service, it’s outdoors in a beautiful park setting, and it involves throwing bread into water (and what kid doesn’t like throwing things?)
JES: Your rhyming books flow so incredibly well and feel effortless. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing in rhyme? Do you have resources you’d recommend?
RGL: Thank you for that compliment! Honestly, the best advice I would give to anyone who wants to write in rhyme is to put in the time to learn the craft.
Some people think “cat” rhymes with “hat,” so what’s so hard about “that”? But in order to write a story in rhyme that FEELS easy and can be read flawlessly by ANYONE, it requires an understanding the mechanics of meter — how words have natural stressed and unstressed syllables and that by placing words in a particular order, you can create specific rhythms. Writing picture books (as opposed to poems) increases the difficulty because the story ALWAYS has to come first. You can have the most wonderful rhymes and perfect rhythms, but if the story doesn’t make sense or goes off on unnecessary tangents, it isn’t going to fly.
I’ve worked really, really, really hard over the last decade – taking classes, reading and studying thousands of rhyming picture books and poems, swapping manuscripts with other incredible rhyming authors, getting professional critiques, etc. — to truly master the ins and outs of rhyme, meter, and lyrical language. For those who want to put in the work, I will say that the absolute BEST thing I ever did for my career was to take Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab class. Renee also has a fabulous FREE YouTube channel. (And no, I don’t get any kickbacks from Renee. I’m happy to spread the word because I absolutely believe her class helped me take my writing to an entirely different level).
I would also say that if you don’t absolutely LOVE writing in rhyme, don’t. To me, a rhyming poem or picture book is one big puzzle. When, after hours of tinkering, I’m able to uncover the perfect word that exactly encapsulates the meaning and feeling I’m after AND perfectly slides into my meter, I get SUCH a high! But if you don’t feel this way, don’t make your life harder. It is more difficult to get an agent and more difficult to sell a rhyming picture book (for many reasons I don’t have time to go into here). So why put yourself at a disadvantage if it isn’t something you love?
JES:Do you ever write non-rhyming versions of your stories? Do editors ever ask for non-rhyming versions?
RGL: Because, as I said, story ALWAYS needs to come first, I know some people suggest writing out manuscripts in prose before “translating” it into rhyme, but that’s never really worked for me. These days I tend to write all my stories in rhyme from the beginning. Oftentimes that means I end up killing a lot of darlings along the way, as I realize that a certain stanza isn’t moving the story forward. It’s a bit torturous, but it’s just how I work.
That said, I definitely have written stories in prose that I intend to remain in prose. But doing so feels less comfortable than writing in rhyme, and none of those stories have ever sold. There’s something about the constraints of meter and rhyme that helps me focus. Having unlimited space and unlimited words to tell a story feels very overwhelming to me.
Actually, several people who critiqued early drafts of FINDING FORGIVENESS told me to take it out of rhyme. They felt like maybe the subject matter was a little too heavy for a rhyming story. So, I tried to change it into prose, but it never felt like “me.” So, I returned to the rhyme. It was definitely a challenge to get it right (I count 31 drafts) but I’m glad I stuck with it.
And no, I’ve never had an editor ask me for a non-rhyming version of a story they’ve acquired. All the editors I’ve had the pleasure of working with have been super enthusiastic about my work (which is why I love working with them!). That said, I have had editors pass on submissions because they didn’t “connect with the rhyme.” That kind of feedback stings a bit, but I’ve grown a pretty tough skin.
JES: You’ve written books about Passover, Hanukkah, and now, Rosh Hashanah! Are there other holidays you’d like to explore?
RGL: Indeed, there are! In fact, I have a book about Shabbat, LOOKING FOR LIGHT, which is also illustrated by Diana Mayo (the same illustrator as FINDING FORGIVENESS) and comes out in early 2027, again with Farrar, Straus, & Giroux. And I have a book about Purim, BRAVE LIKE ESTHER: A Purim Story, illustrated by Asya Aizenstein, which comes out from Kalaniot Books in January 2027!
JES: Your moving books all evoke strong emotions. With what feelings do you hope young readers come away from this book?
RGL:Thank you again for the compliment. I really hope that readers will come away from this book with feelings of empathy and understanding for both characters in the story.
Like the main character in this book, I too have a younger sister and our relationship as children was filled with arguments like the one depicted. I also now have two boys of my own and see similar frustrations and miscommunications creep up between them as well. Sibling relationships are tough for anyone to navigate, and it is particularly hard for kids, who are still learning that the world doesn’t always revolve around their own experience and point of view. One of the reasons I often write in the first person is because I want my readers to walk in my character’s shoes and try on all the feelings they are feeling, and find understanding for others when they encounter similar situations in their own lives.
JES: Do you have any advice for new picture book writers?
RGL:Oh, I have a TON of advice! (Allow me to shamelessly plug my monthly newsletter, where I answer questions from subscribers and offer LOTS of advice every single month! You can sign up on my website and read all past archives on my “Resources for Writers” page here: https://rebeccagardynlevington.com/resources-for-writers/)
For now, I’ll offer these three nuggets:
Write the books YOU love to write. I love writing rhyming (often plotless) poem-picture books. But initially when I was starting out, I didn’t write these types of books because I thought I had to follow the “rules” — ex: “have a main character with a problem who tries 3 times to solve it,” “don’t write in rhyme,” etc. Not surprisingly, none of those drafts ever sold. It wasn’t until I listened to my heart (cute the 80s tune!) that my writing finally started feeling authentic and I began selling books.
Publishing is a BUSINESS. As I say in #1, first and foremost, write what you love! BUT, at the end of the day, you also need to think about how you will SELL that book to a publisher. So, what are your “hooks”? (Can it be sold during a particular holiday? Is it about a certain type of relationship? Is it SEL? STEM? Can you add sidebars or back matter?) Who will buy your book and WHY? (Can teacher’s use it in their classroom, for example.) After writing a first draft, I recommend writing your pitch and researching comp titles (other books with similar themes or styles). It will help you revise when you have a solid idea of what holes you feel your book fills in the marketplace.
Put yourself and your work out into the world as much as you can! You NEVER know where opportunity will arise. Enter ALL the contests, join ALL the groups, go to ALL the conferences and webinars you can, and enter ALL the mentorship programs. If I hadn’t applied for the (now defunct) #PB Chat Mentorship Program in 2019, I wouldn’t have connected with my mentor, author Lori Degman, and she wouldn’t have connected me with my editor at Sleeping Bear Press who ultimately bought and published my first book, BRAINSTORM!
JES: What’s coming up next for you?
RGL:Thank you so much for asking!
My next two books, both out on Sept. 9th, are SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND (Barefoot Books), illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova, and DINOSAUR SURPRISE! (Highlights Press), illustrated by Teresa Bellon. Here are the blurbs:
SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND is a lyrical picture book that encourages kids to be true to who they are, even when “who they are” is constantly changing. Like the wind, which on some days is “whirling and wild” and on others “mellow and mild,” we cannot be described, defined, or labelled in any one way. Each day, our moods, feelings and reactions to the world inevitably shift and drift depending on our circumstance, but we are always, on all days, uniquely ourselves.
DINOSAUR SURPRISE! is an interactive board book about… dinosaurs, of course! Babies and toddlers will delight in joining real dinosaurs in a rhyming story, and then—surprise!—lift the felt flaps to reveal silly ones. The last page features a mirror under the flap where little “babysaurs” can practice their silliest faces. This is the perfect book to help little ones develop early humor and fine-motor skills while they laugh and play with caregivers.
Rebecca Gardyn Levington is a children’s book author, poet, and journalist with a particular penchant for penning both playful and poignant picture books and poems – primarily in rhyme. She is the author of WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (which has been translated into nine languages and is the winner of a Crystal Kite Honor and a Northern Lights Book Award),AFIKOMAN WHERE’D YOU GO? and FINDING FORGIVENESS (both PJ Library Selections), BRAINSTORM!, LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN, WRITE HERE WRITE NOW, SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND, DINOSAUR SURPRISE!, and I WILL ALWAYS BE… with many more books forthcoming. Rebecca blogs monthly for the Picture Book Builders and her award-winning poems and articles have appeared in numerous anthologies, newspapers, and magazines. She lives with her family in Summit, NJ, where she enjoys bouncing on a mini-trampoline, playing Mah Jongg, and eating chocolate-peanut butter ice cream (although not usually at the same time!). Find out more and sign up for Rebecca’s monthly newsletter at www.RebeccaGardynLevington.com.
Jan Epstein Schwaid Photo Credit: Just Maggie Photography.
JAN’S BIO:
A graduate of the University of Southern California’s screenwriting program, Jan Schwaid is an award-winning writer of short films, television, video games, podcasts, and children’s books. She currently writes for PJ Library’s scripted children’s podcast Beyond the Bookcase, now in its fifth season. Her debut picture book, The Shabbat Flood: A Texas-Sized Tall Tale, will be published in Fall 2026. She also teaches screenwriting at the Los Angeles branch of the New York Film Academy. Jan lives in Los Angeles with her husband, young daughter, a rescue pup Taco. Visit her online at janschwaid.com or on Instagram at @jan_schwaid_writing.
I’m celebrating summer, my favorite time to read, read, read. The sun lingers high in the sky, my deck chair is comfy, and the next thing I know my family is asking if or when we are having dinner. Just let me reach the end of this chapter…
But I don’t become that engrossed in every book. This summer, I’ve put down three promising novels that simply did not engage me. Which makes me worry – how many books should I bring on vacation? I am definitely the donkey in this illustration, with a giant tote of extra books propped just out of view!
In Sloth and Squirrel on Vacation, the unlikely friends are going on a trip to Paradise Park, but of course, they prepare in very different ways. Sloth, usually the slower of the two, is ready in a flash, bringing only a tiny polka-dotted bindle. Squirrel is a fast and massive over-packer, tossing everything but the kitchen sink into an overstuffed suitcase. Did either of them pack even one book?
Well, Sloth and Squirrel did consult a travel magazine when deciding where to go, and that definitely counts as summer reading. Also, audiobooks, graphic novels, comic books, cookbooks, museum placards, seed packets, cereal boxes, and even blog posts count as summer reading. At least they do for me!
I recently took a peek at the summer reading lists for students in my hometown. For elementary students, there are suggested titles and a recommendation to read as much and as widely as possible. For older students, there are selected texts, worksheets to complete, and assignments due on the first week of school. I felt grateful, remembering those three novels I chose to put down, that I did not have to puzzle out their exposition and themes, or draw a plot diagram. It’s empowering to have a choice in reading material, and it’s essential that we do our utmost to ensure everyone has access to books that are just right for them.
I hope all students are rewarded with a pizza party, sparkly stickers, or extra recess for completing their summer reading, math packets, and All About Me assignments. If you need a funny, sweet story about compromise, friendship, and exciting summer activities, I hope you will look for SLOTH AND SQUIRREL ON VACATION. And if you’ve found the most perfect, un-put-downable summer read for you, I hope you’ll tell me all about it!
BIOGRAPHY:
Cathy Ballou Mealey is a scone lover and picture book author. SLOTH AND SQUIRREL ON VACATION and SLOTH AND SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE are two books illustrated by Kelly Collier, out now from Kids Can Press. MAKE MORE S’MORES, illustrated by Ariel Landy, was published in 2023 by Sleeping Bear Press. Cathy lives north of Boston with her family, where she has seen plenty of squirrels and one moose.
Finding a destination that best friends Sloth and Squirrel can agree on for their vacation is tough, until they learn that Paradise Park has “Something for Everyone!” Perfect! While Sloth happily lazes on the sand, Squirrel enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, paragliding, ziplining… until he starts to miss Sloth, and heads back to find him. Meanwhile, Sloth, finished with his nap, is missing Squirrel, and begins searching for him—in all the places Squirrel has just been! Will the friends ever have fun together? Young readers will appreciate how the two lovable, mismatched friends always find a way to work things out. This endearing story makes a funny and engaging read-aloud, offering lessons on caring for others and being adaptable.
“A hardworking sponge…has a BIG job. She washes and mops and scrubs away all the messes in the kitchen. But what happens when the mess gets TOO BIG and she just CAN’T clean anymore?”
From Kirkus:
“Harris’ debut is a humorous foray into cleaning routines with a valuable message about avoiding burnout.”
Review:
In The Big Squeeze, an enthusiastic sponge helps around the sink, washing dishes, brushing away crumbs, and cleaning up spills …
until she becomes weighed down (and stinky) with all the gunk she’s absorbed. Suddenly, she could no longer do what she was made for. She’s a mess in more ways than one!
This cute, SEL debut featuring anthropomorphic kitchen cleaning items from Molly Harrisgently tackles self-care with a relatable story. Add the lively illustrations by Alison Hawkins, which exude friendly humor, and the variety of colorful characters imbued with engaging personalities, and you’ve got a winner for families, classrooms, and libraries!
TWO TOGETHER
by Brendan Wenzel
(Chronicle Books; $18.99; Ages 3-5)
★Starred reviews – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books,Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness
PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION:
In this companion book to They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat, a journey home leads to unexpected adventures for a cat and dog. A playful, imaginative story of friendship, empathy, and discovery by Caldecott Honor winner Brendan Wenzel.
REVIEW:
In Two Together, New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott Honor winner Brendan Wenzel has once again created a book filled with empathy, friendship, and understanding, following the successful companion tales They All Saw a Cat and Inside Cat.
We first meet our two protagonists from afar. Then, soon after, we see a large dog that carries a white bone in its mouth throughout the book, and a cat with a striped tail who wears a red collar and a yellow bell around its neck, as they dash home. We know from the start that these two are the best of friends. We also know that even the best of friends may differ in their views.
The brown dog is painted with watercolor, while the cat is drawn in pencil. Why? Because they are different. The story, told in rhyme, shows the pals exploring unknown sounds and smells on the trees, but the sounds are different, as are the smells. Through the scrub. Through the grass. The dog jumps through the bushes, while the cat crawls underneath them. The two make their way down the path, where the dog pounces on the dirt and the cat climbs the stone wall. The page with the dog is painted. The page with the cat is rendered in pencil.
The cat finds its way to rest on a branch in a tall tree, while its buddy, the dog, and its white bone must wait at the bottom, looking up. We see them both noticing a peach hanging on a branch, but the dog’s view is that of a painted orange peach, while the furry cat sees it in mixed colors drawn in pencil. They see the world differently, yet remain together.
Brambles! Mushrooms! Squishy moss! Two together very lost.Two together find a cave. They work together out of the dark cave and into the sun. The reader turns the page to a beautiful sunset in purples and reds as the cat leads the way through the green hillside. The two climb to the top of the hill and sit together, looking up at the moon, when they see a light in the distance. All is dark. Home is bright. Wenzel draws the two in a way we can see what they see. The cat sees the dog in pencil, and the dog sees the cat in watercolor. They are home and safe—well, safe until the next day, when the two of them go off on a new adventure together.
The back matter adorably explains that Wenzel’s latest picture book was created with almost every medium under the sun, but mostly acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil, and a computer. The inventive art draws the reader in, making them another character in this sweet story.
This story pulled at my heartstrings, not because I’m dog-obsessed (okay, I like purring cats, too), but because it’s a great lesson for kids to see that our differences make us interesting to others and make us who we are. We can be the best of friends and still appreciate each other for being our unique selves. This picture book makes an ideal read-aloud and is a valuable tool for teaching social-emotional learning to children.
The story follows Brendan, Landon and Sommer—three kids in the neighborhood who help their lesbian neighbors hang up a rainbow flag over their porch. When they visit their neighbors the next day, they notice the flag has been ripped down and the house of Cari and Louri egged. ‘How could this happen in our neighborhood?’ everyone seems to want to know.
Angry about the hate crime, the kids imagine possible solutions—some that I think we all will have at times of helplessness and frustration—including finding the culprits and egging their house as revenge (I truly appreciated these moments, as it’s not just something kids could relate to, but also adult readers who can lead by their immediate angry emotions into doing something violent).
The solution the kids come up with is beautiful and demonstrates how love can triumph over evil if good people stand together in their love for one another rather than giving in to hate and revenge. I love that this is a true story—and I admire that the protagonists of the picture book themselves aren’t queer. The message that you don’t have to belong to a group to care for that group and stand with them in times of danger and trouble was particularly poignant.
The art in this book is spectacular. Colorful palate, expressive, animated drawings (incredible as all the characters have ‘dot’ eyes, the illustrated still manages to pull off quick nuanced emotions), and showcasing diversity in every page – not only the inclusion of every pride flag, but also in the people (Jewish kid with kippah playing basketball was a welcomed surprise for this Jewish reviewer, but I was also awed by the multiple hijabis, disability inclusion, racial/country origin diversity!)
Back matter explains not only the real story behind the picture book, but also connects it to an antisemitic incident in Montana, demonstrating that hate looks familiar no matter who the target is, but love for one another can bring communities together.
Thank you to Beaming Books for sending me a copy of the book. I will be including it in my classroom library.
Author Deke Moulton
BIO:
DEKE MOULTON (she/her) (rhymes with ‘geek’) is a writer currently living in the US Pacific Northwest. She is a former US Army drill sergeant and trained as an Arabic linguist during her time in service. Don’t Want to Be Your Monster, her debut book, won the Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor Awards and was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Middle Grades of 2023. Her follow up, Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf, is a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and a Jewish Book Council middle grade finalist. She is represented by Rena Rossner with the Deborah Harris Literary Agency. Find out more about Deke on her website: Middle Grad Kidlit Author | Deke Moultonand on Instagram at @dekewritesstuff.
Starred reviews – Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal
A NEW YORK TIMES/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR!
REVIEW:
If you’re looking for a fascinating picture book biography, look no further thanAs Edward Imagined: A Story of Edward Gorey in Three Acts, written byMatthew Burgess and illustrated by Marc Majewski. I was first introduced to Gorey’s foreboding and darkly comical art when I developed a love for Edward Lear’s limericks, some of which Gorey illustrated. Then, there was the enticing opening sequence for each episode of MASTERPIECE Mystery!, a personal fave etched in my memory. When I discovered his wildly irreverent and irresistible holiday cards, I knew exactly which friends would appreciate them.
So, in honor of Gorey’s 100th birthday, February 22, 2025, I am thrilled to introduce this unique talent to a new generation. I don’t know about you, but I always thought Edward Gorey was English for some reason. Maybe that’s because Lear was. Gorey actually grew up in Chicago, and his artistic ability appeared when he was still a toddler. He taught himself to read at a young age, too. “And before he turned six, he finished a long, spooky novel about a vampire named … DRACULA.” At six!! Gorey did not shy away from marching to the beat of his own drum, whether that meant writing and illustrating books or painting his toenails green. In these three acts, Burgess has homed in on exactly what info would appeal to young readers, especially those who are also original thinkers. And Majewski’s acrylic on paper illustrations pair perfectly and convey a Gorey-esque vibe.
In Act Two, Burgess takes us behind the scenes as Gorey’s creative career takes off after moving from college in Boston to the “bustling island of Manhattan.” I learned that Gorey attended nearly every New York City Ballet performance for over twenty years! That’s devotion. Gorey illustrated covers for others’ books while working on his story to earn a living. The character he invented was called Mr. Earbrass. It took a while for his books to catch on, but they did. That led to a commission designing costumes and the sets for a Broadway production of “Dracula.” It was a huge success and “nominated for important awards.” More comfortable at home than on a glitzy red carpet, Gorey chose to skip the award scene and hang out with his feline friends instead.
Did success spoil Edward Gorey? Nope. Act Three reveals a content man who chose to leave the city for the fresh air and relaxed life in Cape Cod. After several years of spending time there “when the ballet close for the season,” he eventually made it his full-time home. There, he wrote plays for the local theatre company and continued writing books. He lived life on his terms and found comfort in a vast collection he had accumulated over the years. Teddy bears, sea stones, skeletons, and books filled his home, and much of it can still be seen on a visit to The Edward Gorey House Museum. One of the spreads I like returning to is the one that depicts Gorey’s packed library with wall-to-wall shelves and a floor covered in books as cats roam around the room. The art throughout is captivating, and Burgess has chosen to go into more detail in his Author’s Note in the backmatter, where children can also find a two-page timeline that touches on parts of Gorey’s life not elaborated on in the story. This much lauded biography helped me understand and appreciate Gorey’s genius through a fresh and colorful new lens. I’m happy kids can now meet him, too.
Nancy Bess Had a Dress, written by Claire Annette Nolandand illustrated byAngela C. Hawkins, is a feel-good read-aloud that works on many levels. First, it’s historical fiction set in late 1930s rural America; second, it’s about watching your pennies when times are tough; and last but not least, it highlights a young girl’s ingenuity in repurposing a flour sack.
When Nancy and her mom go to buy a new sack of flour, Nancy chooses a pretty one decorated with daisies. During the Depression Era, flour sacks served multiple purposes for families. Of course, they held flour for baking. Once empty, flour sacks could be used to make household items and clothing. I love how Noland shows children exactly how this worked. I had heard about flour sack dresses but admit I knew very little else, so I appreciated being enlightened.
Handy with a sewing machine, Mama helps Nancy Bess make a dress. Nancy is delighted with how the dress looks and wears it everywhere. Readers will notice Hawkins’s sewing and patchwork motif throughout the story. I didn’t catch it all initially, but I was glad when I did upon further readings. I also think parents or teachers can point out the different things children did in the 1930s living out in the country. Try to spot the adorable mouse that pops in and out of the pages. I found myself searching each spread to see if it was included. Look for the one with it sweeping. Hawkins also incorporates comic-style panels into several illustrations, adding variety to the already engaging art.
Soon, Nancy Bess grows out of her dress. She then makes it into an apron. As Nancy Bess goes about her activities, it tears. So she turns it into a smart-looking satchel. This flour sack clearly has as many lives as a cat, and as such, Nancy Bess continues to find worthwhile ways to get as much wear out of it as possible. Seeing how she does this is part of the motivation to read on. After the satchel rips, it’s time to make what remains into a scarf, but a “cherry red stain” from pie soon ruins that creation. What will she make next?
A catchy refrain Noland employs to engage children was also pleasing to my ear:
Nancy Bess knew how to make do.
She measured,
cut,
stitched,
and saved the unused bits.
As time passes, young readers may also spot Mama’s growing belly. A baby is on the way!
Nancy Bess still finds new ways to fashion accessories for herself and her puppy. But as satisfying as the sack dress was in the beginning, its new purpose, something specially sewn for her new sibling, is by far the most rewarding!
Can you tell I thoroughly enjoyed this picture book? It blends history with recycling, which is still as popular as ever with the resale and vintage clothing stores, though no longer from flour sacks. I’ve recently discovered a craft store near me where people donate clothing and fabric scraps for others to repurpose. Backmatter dives a bit deeper into how flour sacks became popular. Maybe after reading Nancy Bess Had a Dress, children will want to fashion something new from something old or worn or torn. I know it’s got me looking at the clothes in my closet in a new “green” way.
Click here for a paper doll activity. Color and then cut out characters!
Download this helpful educational resource guide here.
For some families, saying ‘I love you’ comes out easily. For others, they show ‘I love you’ in other caring ways. Author-illustrator Caroline Hadilaksono’s sweet story explores the many thoughtful ways we show our love to each other, whether it’s spending time together or hidden in a ‘have you eaten yet?’
Review:
As I read her thoughtfully crafted picture bookThe Ways We Say “I Love You,” I felt as if author-illustrator Caroline Hadilaksono was speaking to me. I grew up in a family where I knew I was loved, but the sentiment was shown way more frequently than said. I’ve written essays about how my father took me shopping and my mother took me to the theater, but hearing those three words verbalized was uncommon in my family.
What’s so wonderful about this picture book is that it offers children who have been raised in households similar to mine the opportunity to see that actions often speak louder than words. Hadilaksono also gently conveys in her warm illustrations that many cultures demonstrate their love this way, which doesn’t mean a child is loved any less. The way the siblings share a story time (see the illustration above) says love. The tender way the parents watch and don’t interrupt the special moment says love. That’s why this book would be great to share for Valentine’s Day, especially if the giver knows the book is depicting them. It’s a great way to start the conversation about all the different ways there are to say I love you.
Spending time with a grandparent, great aunt, or other esteemed elder is a special way to show love. Sharing and passing along a traditional family recipe while cooking together also demonstrates love. The various spreads show diverse families and the love their actions convey, whether that’s feeding a child, talking long distance on a video call, or teaching a child to ride a bike, being there if they fall, and cheering them on when they succeed.
In her touching backmatter Author’s Note, Hadilaksono writes that in her Indonesian culture, her parents never said, “I love you,” and people didn’t generally say it to one another. It was much more of an “American thing” from movies and TV. She captures the heart of her picture book when she explains that while she’s still learning how to say “I love you” to the important people in her life, she also understands that there are many ways to say” I love you.” The beautiful artwork, rendered in watercolor and gouache textures, was composed digitally and adds to the feel-good mood this story brings to readers.
This is the story of three bat best friends: Addie, Jude, and Ben, whose favorite things to do are swooping, flipping, and somersaulting their nights away in Addie And The Amazing Acrobats. This debut picture book by author-illustrator and preschool teacher Shauna Cagan tells the story of “Superstar” Addie, who is confronted with a choice between her best friends and the fame of joining the legendary Big Bat Circus.
Cagan pulls the reader into the story by breaking the fourth wall: “Um, excuse me.” Addie interrupts the narrator, disagreeing with the opening line of the story. Cagan’s terrific digital illustrations deliver, too, as the scene is set by the big red bridge and the many bats hanging upside down in the dark underneath a passing train. With Addie not liking the opening line, the story starts again with “This is the story of three BEST friends. They were together from the start.” Addie wants the reader to know that their friendship is most important. Cagan illustrates them as newborns wrapped in blankets and at their first sleepover (see art above), where they stayed up all day (get it, they’re bats). As they get older, their favorite thing to do is aerial stunts over the night sky.
The trio was a big hit performing for the bears, skunks, and deer, and with each night, the crowds grew. One night, Addie felt a tap on her wing and was asked to join the Big Bat Circus leaving the following day. Addie, Ben, and Jude were over the moon and waited early in the morning with packed bags by the train tracks for the adventures to begin. But when Flipper Von Swoopsalot arrived with his tall red and yellow top hat and red cape, he said, “Just you, Superstar. The others have to stay.” Addie had a tough choice to make. Young readers may be convinced that she would never leave her friends behind. So what happened? She boarded the train with the banner on the side that read THE ONE AND ONLY AMAZING ADDIE!!
Night after night on the road, Addie dazzled her fans, who crammed inside the traveling circus tent with boxes of popcorn and yummy treats. Addie’s talent was in the spotlight, something she always dreamed about. But something was missing.
Meanwhile, back home, Addie’s replacement, a terrified raccoon holding on to a tree stump (such a funny illustration!), is too afraid to join Jude and Ben flying in the sky. When Addie receives the news that she will be performing back at home, she immediately mails a letter to her friends. But are they still her best friends? When the second Tuesday arrives Addie looks out the train window in hopes her best bat pals have not abandoned her as she did them.
This sweet story about choosing friendship over what you think you want the most is heartwarming. It shows kids the impact of their choices, a positive social-emotional element that adds an extra layer to the entertainment. The humor is delightful, and you can find something new to laugh about with every read. Bravo to Shauna Cagan, who has taken her years of teaching preschool students and created a book the kids will adore.
GoodReadsWithRonna.com is thrilled to be back for our 13th year supporting Read Your World, this time as a Co-Host!! We hope you’ll visit the Giant Linky below to access all the other great diverse books reviewed from board books to young adult. Please scroll down after reading this review for many more details about Read Your World.
★Starred Review – Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal
REVIEW:
In the opening paragraph ofEmily Barth Isler’sThe Color of Sound, readers meet 12-year-old Rosie, a child prodigy who is a violin virtuoso. They’ll also be rewarded with a fascinating and compelling read that hits all the right notes.
Rosie, it seems, has gone on strike. That hooked me immediately. I had to understand why she was refusing to practice her instrument or attend a prestigious music summer camp. Part of Rosie’s protest is a direct result of a fight she had with her best friend Julianne. Julianne could no longer play second fiddle to Rosie’s instrument, rehearsals, trips away, and frequent cancellations, including Julianne’s important birthday sleepover. However, the major reason Rosie goes on strike is to take time to find out all she has missed and to learn who she is rather than who her mother seems to be dictating she should be. “How can you love someone so much and also feel so angry at them?” Even though Rosie may have loved many things about the violin the loneliness accompanying the prodigy lifestyle was taking its toll on her. She feels her parents, especially her mother, can’t see her or hear her beyond their own visions, a strong theme woven into this moving novel. The exploration of the mother-daughter dynamic and intergenerational trauma, in this case, the Holocaust, are also themes that particularly resonated with me.
Readers also find out early on that Rosie, like the author Isler, has synesthesia, a neurodivergence that causes her to see music in colors. But Rosie does not divulge this to anyone. Not her parents. Not to Julianne. She knew instinctively it was something she had to hide … ” … a painting could be a symphony … a song can be a picture.” Colors and rich language unfurl on the pages and add meaning to Rosie’s self-exploration journey. “What if there’s a whole other range of colors and sounds I’m only beginning to hear?”
After the fallout with Julianne, Rosie feels more isolated than ever for someone her age. The violin is her only friend. Or is it? Isler does a great job of making readers wonder if perhaps the violin isn’t really as much of her friend as one might be led to believe. Choosing to bail on music camp, Rosie now has to join her mother to spend six weeks with her grandparents who she barely knows. Will time spent with these relatives in Connecticut, with whom she is neither close geographically nor emotionally, help Rosie grow as a person, and as a family member?
Readers get a clue as to the tone of each chapter with musical terminology as clever subheadings, mainly in Italian, such as prima vista, pianissimo, and staccato. I found myself looking out for examples of these in different character’s actions. While visiting for the summer, Rosie slowly gets to know her Grandpa Jack and her ailing Grandma Florence, who has Alzheimer’s and is nearing the end of her life. I liked these characters more than Rosie’s mother whose strictness felt OTT at times. They provided an entré to Rosie’s heritage that she did not know much about. It’s always seemed to be off-limits, part of some family secrets that Rosie needed to explore. Uncovering these secrets, likely written into her DNA, will yield clues as to why she is who she is.
Being away from her all-consuming violin lessons brings joy into Rosie’s life in unexpected ways and places. These scenes are some of my favorite parts of the book, feel-good moments that give us hope that Rosie can find a healthy way forward in her life. She befriends some older high-school students in an improv class at the local library, and she also enters a mysterious time-travel loop in the shed on her grandparents’ property. I don’t want to give this part away but suffice it to say that Rosie’s encounters in the shed may actually effect a positive change in her life. And, as Rosie spends quality time with her grandparents and appreciates the family history that slowly reveals itself, she experiences how connections to the past become life-affirming for her present. If Rosie’s mother (and her father) can learn to see Rosie for who she is and wants to be, then there’s a good chance that Rosie can break free from the restrictions and commitments playing the violin has represented and forge a more meaningful bond with her family.
Reviewed by Ronna Mandel
Read Your World 2025(1/30/25) is in its 13th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
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BIOGRAPHY:
