Cozy up for story time with these delightful picture books
No matter the weather or the season, books for younger readers delight little ones and their grown-ups. It鈥檚 a great moment in children鈥檚 literature, with a wider range of voices than in the past. Here鈥檚 a selection to warm your heart, make you smile, and inspire poignant discussion.
I Talk Like a River (ages 4-8)听
By Jordan Scott, illustrated by Sydney Smith
Canadian poet Jordan Scott鈥檚 picture book, 鈥淚 Talk Like a River,鈥� is truly written from the heart. Gorgeously illustrated by Sydney Smith, this story will help young readers understand what it feels like to be different, to sit in the back of a classroom hoping the teacher doesn鈥檛 ask you a question, or to wake up mornings, like the young narrator, with 鈥渨ord-sounds stuck in my mouth.鈥澨�
Why We Wrote This
Reading aloud with children helps nurture a love of books. Today鈥檚 picture books have expanded to include young people who may have felt left out in the past, widening the circle of empathy and understanding.
Based on the author鈥檚 own experiences as a person who stutters, the poetic language and stunning illustrations make it a joy to read and share. The fold-out spread, of a freckle-faced boy whose words evade him, is breathtaking. In his note at the end, the author explains what stuttering feels and sounds like, as well as how his dad helped him discover what it means to talk like a river. 听
It鈥檚 a beautiful love letter to a parent who showed his son how to be quiet and walk along a riverbank. A gift to those who struggle with any kind of difference, 鈥淚 Talk Like a River鈥� is full of joy and rich with encouragement.
All Because You Matter (ages 4-8)听
By Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Tami Charles鈥� latest picture book, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Bryan Collier, is a tribute to the love and care of a parent for a child. Charles鈥� words are poetic and empowering: Children are told, 鈥淭hey say that matter is all things that make up the universe: energy, stars, space. ... If that鈥檚 the case, then you, dear child, matter.鈥澨�
In an endnote, the illustrator explains how he tells the story visually and credits growing up with a grandmother who was a quilter for his exquisite collages.听鈥淎ll Because You Matter鈥� is an exceptional book to guide grandparents or parents sharing family history, and it鈥檚 a relevant read-aloud for these times.
Swashby and the Sea (ages 4-7)听
By Beth Ferry, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal听
Swashby is a cranky recluse who鈥檚 perfectly content with his 鈥渟alty and sandy and serene鈥� sea. When interlopers appear in the form of a girl and her granny and they dare to set up umbrellas and beach chairs on his stretch of sand, Swashby doesn鈥檛 like it a bit. So what does the old sailor do? He writes messages to the unwanted visitors who are disturbing his peace and solitude, admonishing, 鈥淣o trespassing!鈥� and 鈥淜eep Away!鈥� But the mischievous waves have other ideas. Lesson learned! No one controls the sea.听
Caldecott Honor winner Juana听Martinez-Neal鈥檚 illustrations, from the swirly ocean wave endpapers to the sandy beach scenes inside, make this a perfect summery story to share, reminding us of carefree days at the beach. A delightful tale with a just-right ending, 鈥淪washby and the Sea鈥� swept me away.
Wild Symphony (ages 4-8)听
By Dan Brown, illustrated by Susan Batori听
Bestselling novelist Dan Brown, of 鈥淒aVinci Code鈥� fame, has written a charming children鈥檚 book, 鈥淲ild Symphony,鈥� with illustrations by Susan Batori.听A moray eel, a mouse, a blue whale, and a frog 鈥� and every animal you鈥檝e always admired or feared 鈥� jump off the exuberant pages of this oversized picture book.听
Young musicians and poets, children who love word puzzles, and admirers of whimsical animals can turn pages and hear the music that Brown composed for each animal by aiming a smartphone camera at the page. (Watch the delightful preview and download the book鈥檚 accompanying free app at .)听
Bits of advice are excellent听jumping-off places for discussion. On the spread about Wondrous Whale, Maestro Mouse says: 鈥淚f you listen carefully to nature, you鈥檒l hear conversations all around you.鈥澨�
Skunk and Badger (ages 7-10)
By Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen
When Badger, who鈥檚 set in his ways and determined to carry out his very important rock work, opens the front door of his aunt鈥檚 home, he鈥檚 in for a surprise. A visitor, Skunk, has come to stay. If only Badger had read the correspondence from his aunt alerting him she was sending a roommate.听
A geologist who needs space to observe and catalog his large rock collection, Badger temporarily hands over the box room. But he wants no part of this chatty roommate until Skunk serves up a candlelit supper. Now Badger begins to think he might be OK. They make deals: You cook; I clean. Badger even relinquishes his rock room.听
Thus begins a rollicking good adventure and an unlikely friendship story reminiscent of a slightly prickly 鈥淔rog and Toad鈥� tale. Amy Timberlake鈥檚 language is delightful 鈥� a 鈥淐hicken Coop d鈥橢tat鈥�? Be still my heart. As they tip-claw around, testing their living arrangement, Skunk and Badger begin to appreciate each other.听
While not truly a picture book, the clever illustrations by Caldecott winner Jon Klassen perfectly complement the story. Newly minted readers with a sense of humor, who appreciate read-alouds that make their adults smile, will enjoy this one. I can only hope this marks the beginning of an enduring if unconventional relationship that will play out in many more books.
