Rutabaga's Reads 2018: Part 1

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a compilation of any kind, much less picture books, so here one is! It’s a post for anyone who has young kids or grandkids, is an aunt or uncle or other relative, is an elementary school educator or just loves books for all age groups. Enjoy!

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Apr. 8, 2014) by Dan Santat.

The story opens on an island where imaginary friends are born. Here they live until they are imagined by a real child and journey to the real world. But the turn never comes for one imaginary being, so he takes it upon himself to venture to the real world. He is unimaginary since no one has imagined him, and even in the real world, still no one claims him. Until one day, where he finds himself named … Beekle.

            I love this story. It is clever and sweet. I would hope it would propel children to make new friends. I count myself as having an imaginary friend when I was young, and this story affirms that there’s nothing strange about having imaginary friends in one’s youth. They can bring conversation or at least friendship and comfort. Minds are sharp and creative, and there are no age restrictions on imagination.

The Animals’ Santa (Oct. 21, 2014) by Jan Brett.

There is always a doubter, and Little Snow is it. His brother, Big Snowshoe, believes in the animals’ Santa, but without proof, Little Snow isn’t a believer. Their other animal friends speculate what type of animal the animals’ Santa could be, but Little Snow still thinks it’s all stuff and nonsense. Can he be convinced?

            I am a fan of Jan Brett books. The way she weaves her stories are delightful and almost majestic. Her brilliant illustrations help my opinion as well, for her illustrations do not simply highlight the words on the pages, as she tends to have other little stories going on along the edges. Her creativity lights up the world, and in a world where there seems to be so much darkness, this is no small thing.

Big Words for Little Geniuses (Sept. 4, 2017) by Susan ^and James Patterson.

   Hsinping Pan, illustrator.

Like the title says, this picture book contains big words for little geniuses! There is a big word for each letter of the alphabet with an illustration to represent it. There are even a couple extra pages at the end with 26 additional big words for little ones to learn.

            I normally do not see an ad for a book in a magazine and immediately think that I must get it. But there’s a first time for everything, and when I saw the title of this picture book, having become a first-time aunt last fall, I knew right away that I wanted it. Naturally, as a proud auntie, I automatically considered my nephew a genius before he was born. And, as a self-professed logophile, purchasing this book seemed like a no-brainer. I expect his first words will be “mama” and “dada.” Next, “Auntie Lisa” and probably “tractor.” And then, how about “bumfuzzle” and “dulcifluous?” *grins widely*

Peanut Butter & Cupcake (July 29, 2014) by Terry Border.

Peanut Butter is new to town, and he’s looking for a friend. He’s got the new soccer ball he received for his birthday and an introductory rhyme for when he encounters prospective friends. But everyone he comes upon seems too busy or unwilling to give him a chance. Is there a friend for Peanut Butter out there?

            I found this story to be superb. The storyline is uncomplicated – a youth (albeit an edible one) new to town wants to make new friends and is having a hard time finding even one – but it’s the images that make the story pop. The illustrations are not something drawn or painted; they’re photographs. The author is known for his Bent Objects, and he has photographed these objects to create the illustrations. It’s clever and fresh; the pages are visually entertaining. I hope no one takes issue with the lack of healthy food objects such as carrots or celery and instead note the value of entertainment. I think preschoolers will be amused by the zany photos, but the droll food comedy may be for those reading the story aloud to the children.

The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School (June 24, 2014) by Deborah Diesen.

   Dan Hanna, illustrator.

It is Mr. Fish’s first day of school, but everything is hard. He starts by getting lost, and it dominos negatively from there. Will he find his classroom? Or should he forget it and swim home?

            I have always enjoyed rhymes, and this picture book is written in such a form. It flows well and has a great message: you shouldn’t give up on anything, especially when you haven’t learned it yet! This message isn’t just important to instill in young children, but a good reminder for adults as well. Although the pictures are still, they feel animated to me. I think that youngsters will be fascinated by these exaggerated sea creatures with their big eyes and expressive faces.

Skippyjon Jones: Snow What (Oct. 21, 2014) by Judy Schachner.

A Siamese kitty boy who envisions himself as the “handsomest Chihuahua of all” is Skippyjon “Skippito” Jones. Skipping out on listening to the story of ‘Snow White’ with his mom and sisters, he retreats to his room, enters a deep, dark forest, comes across his amigos, Los Chimichangos, and faints on a mission to save Nieve Qué (Snow What). Thoughts of princesas are a snore to Skippito, the idea of tights is humorously offensive, and kissing is gross. So how’s he going to save a princesa when he thinks such tales are fuzzy, shmuzzy?

            Schachner’s Skippyjon Jones stories are so entertaining, and they work very well when reading aloud. The linguistics of the story feature dual-lingo words and puns, which I believe lend the story more verve. This story does not disappoint me with its adventurous main character and the illustrations that work so well with the tale because the author is also the illustrator. ¡Muy divertido!