I first discovered Bob Graham in 2002 around the release of “Let’s Get a Pup!” Said Kate. This was certainly a charming story of a young girl’s desire for a puppy but what most appealed to me were Graham’s illustrations. Rather than a prim and proper, neatly dressed mom and dad, Kate’s parents were pierced and tattooed, scruffy and tank topped with an imperfect house yet they made up a seemingly happy family. I loved this family and I’ve been a Bob Graham fan ever since. Graham’s newest book is called The Silver Button with simple illustrations that will impress once again as will the story. Graham takes one minute - 9:59am – and shows what can happen in the course of that short period of time across a city. While Jodie draws a button, a pigeon loses his feather, a baby is born, phones ring, etc. Though the greater significance of this book may be lost on young children, it is still a story they will enjoy hearing.
You may know Bob Shea from his Dinosaur vs. series, particularly my personal favorite (of course), Dinosaur vs. the Library. Ferociously cute Dinosaur also goes up against bedtime, the potty, and even Santa. Shea’s illustrations elicit pure happiness and that goes for one of his more recent works, Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, too. How could you not smile at a cheerful unicorn surrounded by dozens of colorful, happy cupcakes? Somehow I missed this book when it was published in 2013, but I am so glad that I’ve finally found it. Unicorn has moved into the neighborhood and Goat is none too happy. He thought he was pretty great but how can Goat compare with Unicorn who makes it rain cupcakes and can turn stuff into gold? But Goat can do wonderful things too like make goat cheese and play soccer without popping the ball, which Unicorn can’t do because of his pesky horn. In the end they realize that they both have their strengths and weaknesses and friendship ensues.
Jon Scieszka is not only a prolific writer but also a huge advocate of inspiring boys to read. In Battle Bunny, his collaboration with Mac Barnett, we have just the kind of book a boy would want to pick up and read. Like he’s done with his fractured fairy tales such as The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, Scieszka has taken what we expect from a children’s story and turned it upside down. The premise is that a boy, Alex, is given a sweet book called Birthday Bunny by his Gran and proceeds to turn it into a book he’d really like to read, Battle Bunny. The format would be tough for a read aloud but would definitely appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate.RETURN TO THIS ISSUE'S HOME PAGE
