A Selection of Picture Book Authors (4)

A Selection by Jackie Urbanovic.

            “Sitting Duck” (Nov. 12, 2010) is a fiction children’s book by author and illustrator Jackie Urbanovic.

            In “Sitting Duck,” Max the Duck is getting ready to babysit Brody the Dog’s niece, Anabel. Another dog, Uncle Dov, also joins the babysitting group, though the remaining furry friends (dogs, cats, a few birds and a bunny) hightail it and leave very quickly. What are they so afraid of? As Max puts it, “How much trouble could a puppy get into, anyway?” Needless to say, Anabel keeps Max, Brody and Dov very busy.

            Another book by Urbanovic is “Duck and Cover” (Jan. 27, 2009). In the story, an alligator goes to Irene’s (the animals’ caretaker) house seeking a place to hide. Harold the Alligator is hiding from the zoo detective, for he has been accused of having a “snack” which was supposedly “someone’s pet.” The animals in the house are terrified by the sight of an alligator, but especially petrified after hearing that bit of information.

            Max is afraid, too, but he knows what it is like to be alone with nowhere to go, so he approaches Harold and pleads with Irene to let him stay awhile. Irene is convinced, and the animals set to work on trying to find a place or a way to hide Harold. Where or how do they try to hide Harold? Does it work?

            The duck story which began them all for Jackie Urbanovic is “Duck at the Door” (Jan. 23, 2007). It is a quiet, cold winter day when there is a “Knock, knock, KNOCK!” on the door. The dogs, cats, birds and a bunny wake up Irene in the middle of the night. She goes to the door and finds Max the Duck, all cold and snowy. They asked why he stayed. Young friends, where do ducks like to go for the winter?

            Urbanovic’s “Duck” stories are fun and enjoyable to read to and with youngsters. Geared for ages four to seven, I think children will enjoy her colorful pictures and friendly-faced animals. They will feel like they’re reading about new friends.

 "Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants!" by Diane deGroat.

            Diane deGroat is an author and illustrator. She is well-known for her Gilbert stories. Gilbert is an opossum (or possum). Gilbert and his friends are in the first grade. “Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants!” (Feb. 22, 2011) is a children’s picture book, directed toward children ages four to eight.

            In “Ants in Your Pants, Worms in Your Plants!” Gilbert is stumped. The weather outside is gorgeous and sunny with a blue sky and nary a cloud in sight. Still, Gilbert is stumped, for his teacher, Mrs. Byrd (a bobwhite quail, according to the FAQ section of her website), has asked the students to write a poem about springtime. He is so befuddled about his lack of ideas that he is wiggly and squirmy.

            In the story, Earth Day is coming up soon. Mrs. Byrd asks the class what they can do to help the planet. The students have many good ideas. Once they’re back in the classroom, Mrs. Byrd asks everyone to come up with their own Earth Day project. What does Gilbert come up with?

            Diane deGroat has a terrific message for everyone in this book. It is not just about Earth Day, but about how to be a “greener” person. She threads the message into this story with a possum as the main character. Her illustrations are colorful, and the characters are cute. I recommend this story to all kids. Diane deGroat may have written the story with a young person’s viewpoint in mind, but the message is for all of us.

A Selection by Mo Willems.

            Mo Willems, the author known for his Pigeon series of books, also brings readers his newer series CAT the CAT (2010). Willems is both the author and illustrator of his books.

            “CAT the CAT, Who is THAT?” (Feb. 16, 2010) is the story of an energetic cat who introduces readers to some of her animal friends. She meets a mouse, a duck, a fish and a yellowish creature with two antenna eyes, four arms, three legs and a tail. “Blarggie! Blarggie!” it greets her. Will she befriend him? Why is it nice to make friends who may not look like you? Kids, if you meet a new classmate, how do you treat her or him?

            “Let’s Say HI to Friends Who FLY!” (Feb. 16, 2010) is the story of an exuberant cat who asks more of her animal friends whether or not they can fly. She then proceeds to cheer each friend on as he or she demonstrates flying ability. In this story, reading friends will meet a bee, a bird, a bat and a rhino. A rhino! How does a rhino fly? How do you fly? By airplane or helicopter? Or perhaps you haven’t flown yet?

            “What’s Your Sound, HOUND the HOUND?” (Apr. 27, 2010) tells us the sounds that even more of the lively cat’s animal friends make. She asks for sounds from a hound, a chick, a cow and a bunny who doesn’t want to make a sound.

            Mo Willems’ CAT books are geared for infants and children in preschool; in other words, very young readers. They are short books filled with simple, colorful pictures. The books would be fun to read with young children. They are easy enough that soon the child may be reading the story back to you!

            I noticed a fun tidbit in each of the stories. Did you recall or know that Willems is the author and illustrator of the Pigeon series? With that in mind, can you find the pigeon in each of the stories? The pigeon could be anywhere …

            Willems’ work is not solely in children’s literature. According to his blog, he has also worked in television, theater and animation. He has earned 3 Caldecott Honors, 2 Theodor Seuss Geisel Medals, 2 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honors, 2 Carnegie Medals in Literature and 6 Emmys. If you’re not familiar with Mo Willems’ books, I hope you will be encouraged to peruse them at your local library or nearby bookstore.

"Chicks Run Wild" by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen.

            “Chicks Run Wild” (Jan. 25, 2011) is a children’s picture book for two- to six-year-olds written by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen with illustrations by Ward Jenkins. The story is written in rhyme and is about a hen and her five energetic chicks.

            As on other nights, the chicks are all tucked into their matching beds in one big bedroom. Their mama tucks them in and “Mama kisses each dear child, but when she leaves … those chicks run wild!” Those chicks aren’t ready to sleep yet, for they have energy to spare! They’re young and undaunted by bedtime. They wiggle and giggle, jump and thump. At least, they do so until they hear their mama coming toward their room.

            “Chicks Run Wild” is a cute little tale of chicks (kids) not wanting to go to bed when they are told. It would be a fun bedtime story that I think will have children giggling about the chicks’ funny antics. Bardhan-Quallen’s rhyming text is catchy, and kids will pick up on that, hopefully making this book a new favorite. In addition, Jenkins brings wonderful pictures to the story. I love his detail on the last page where Mama has a quiet house to herself and the various expressions on the faces of Mama and chicks. Jenkins really captures what is going on as you read Bardhan-Quallen’s text.