Flights of imagination take wing with picture books
With illustrated books, the connection between reader and listener 鈥� as well as the interplay of text and image 鈥� can create powerful memories. These books are enriched by the experience of sharing them, with read-aloud time spurring a child鈥檚 curiosity and igniting discussions. 听
Room for Everyone (ages 4-8)听
Written by Naaz Khan, illustrated by Merc猫 L贸pez
Why We Wrote This
What fosters closeness better than story time? We asked a children鈥檚 book buyer for an independent bookstore to share her recommendations of titles she鈥檇 read aloud to small ones.
Hop on the daladala (a kind of minibus taxi) on the way to the blue crystal waters of Zanzibar! The vibrant illustrations play with color, perspective, and texture. Rhythmic language dances across the pages as more and more people and their belongings pile into the vehicle on the way to the beach. It seems there can鈥檛 possibly be room, but 鈥渁fter some wiggles and giggles and fun, they made enough room for everyone.鈥� Even the typeface becomes flexible, with words such as 鈥渟huffle,鈥� 鈥渟quirm,鈥� and 鈥渟queeze鈥� taking up extra space on the page.听
The bus fills up and the illustrations keep expanding until a truly spectacular cross section of the overloaded daladala is followed by the cathartic release. Ahhhhh. After the characters climb out to enjoy the beautiful beach, readers should stay on board for a glossary of Arabic and Swahili words as well as a page about Zanzibar and its culture. This is a book you will be happy to read again and again because it鈥檚 so full of sunlight and energy.
Gladys the Magic Chicken (ages 4-9)听
Written by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Adam Rex
The author of 鈥淒ragons Love Tacos鈥� pairs with the illustrator of 鈥淥n Account of the Gum鈥� in this hilarious tale. It鈥檚 a big, sweeping story that鈥檚 just right for sharing a belly laugh with the whole family.听
Set in ancient times, the story centers around a bug-eyed, much-celebrated chicken named Gladys. At 48 pages, this is longer than the standard picture book, which helps give it an epic feeling. Characters such as Shepherd Boy, Brave Swordsman, Purple Pooh-bah, and Learned Princess, who writes a catchy little ditty that ends in 鈥淎bra-cock-a-doodle-dee-doo!,鈥� make 鈥淕ladys the Magic Chicken鈥� laugh-out-loud memorable.
But what I truly love about this is that it can prompt your own Socratic dialogue: Does Gladys have special powers? Why not read it together again and discuss?
Maybe Maybe听Marisol Rainey听
(ages 4-10)听
Written and illustrated by Erin Entrada Kelly
Readers might know Erin Entrada Kelly from her Newbery Medal-winning chapter book, 鈥淗ello, Universe,鈥� or her Newbery Honor book, 鈥淲e Dream of Space.鈥� In this start of a series aimed at younger readers, Kelly again creates rich characters, but this time with short chapters and endearing line drawings that work perfectly for a multilevel read-aloud as well as for early independent chapter-book reading.
Eight-year-old Marisol is quirky: She loves silent movies and has four plush cats named after her favorite foods: Nacho, Lumpia, Banana Split, and Pot Roast. Her charm shines through the prose and the pictures. In this book, Marisol works up her courage to climb the tree in her backyard (which she names Peppina) 鈥� maybe. The unique details about Marisol鈥檚 life go perfectly with the universal emotions depicted, making this a wonderful conversation starter plus a satisfying reread. Watch for a second book in the series in 2022.听
A Boy Named Isamu (ages 3-7)听
Written and illustrated by James Yang
One of the unexpected charms of this book is that it is told in the second person. The lines between audience and character, observer and artist, and reader and listener soften to allow us to explore sensation, isolation, and creativity along with the protagonist. 听 听
Isamu seeks quiet so he can listen to his own curiosity. 鈥淲hat kind of wood is this? How does fruit get its color? Why does cloth feel so soft? Who made the path with stone?鈥� Readers can ponder how they might answer these questions in the text, and they might come up with questions of their own. They are invited to explore the wonder in the sound of a stick in the sand, the look of welcoming light, and the perception of the weight of stone.听
The main character is inspired by the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. The author鈥檚 note at the end of the book provides further information, including a photograph of young Isamu and one of his sculptures. It also explicitly celebrates alone time and the creativity that comes from it.
This gorgeous book might help everyone understand how one might be 鈥渁lone but not lonely.鈥�
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We All Play (ages 3-7)听
Written and illustrated by Julie Flett
Stunning illustrations, fun alliteration, a fantastic vocabulary, and shout-it-out repetition make this a favorite. Each spread in the book shows a sequence of alliterative verbs matched with animals, followed by the chorus of 鈥淲e play too! / kim锚taw芒naw m卯na鈥� and a playful assortment of kids in different seasonal settings. The images are soft, warm, and full of exuberant movement. Toward the end, the wolf cubs 鈥測ip / and yawn / And slowly, side by side / animals fall asleep.鈥� Finally, after one last frolic in a pile of autumn leaves, 鈥淲e do, too. n卯stan芒n m卯da .../ zzzz.鈥� The children in the book, as well as those listening, reach a calm conclusion.听
Images and text are spare enough to allow ample time for readers to talk about the vocabulary and act out the motions. The first-person plural narration emphasizes universality and a connection to the natural world, something also addressed at the end of the book as the author-illustrator shares a bit about her Cree-M茅tis culture. A glossary with Cree words is included, and readers can find an audio guide online for the pronunciation.
Time for Bed, Old House (ages 3-7)听
Written by Janet Costa Bates,听illustrated by A.G. Ford
This multigenerational story is sweet, soothing, and empowering. 听
Young Isaac is excited to visit his grandfather, but he is also anxious about sleeping away from home. Grandpop guides Isaac on a bedtime ritual through the house, acknowledging the noises that unfamiliar old houses make and subtly addressing Isaac鈥檚 fears. They finish with preliterate Isaac 鈥渞eading the pictures鈥� aloud to Grandpop. Adults and children might recognize the story Isaac reads as 鈥淭he Snowy Day鈥� 鈥� a nod to a beloved children鈥檚 classic. The illustration for this scene is especially comforting, with Grandpop, Isaac, and Isaac鈥檚 bear snuggled together in an armchair with the book. The scene emphasizes the power of connection through books, conveying warmth and love through text and image.听
By the final pages, Grandpop is asleep, and Isaac takes responsibility for putting himself to bed. Like Isaac, readers and listeners can look forward to a good night鈥檚 sleep and another day of fun to come tomorrow.
