Picture This! A New Look at Favorite Characters

I Will Chomp You, by Jory John and Bob Shea
There’s a toothy blue monster on the loose, and he’s not afraid to address his readers directly: “If you turn any more pages…I will chomp you, buster!” Throughout the story, he snarls and warns readers away, but before long we understand why: he’s safeguarding his cake, which is located at the end of the book. And we also come to understand that his growl is far worse than his bite. Your little ones will love the comic illustrations, and the dynamic monster protagonist, whose urgent tone brings this book to life. Much like the cake the monster cannot wait to devour, this story is a treat. And it should be enjoyed often.

No, David!, by David Shannon
In this cheerful homage to well-meaning naughtiness, we are invited to spend a day with spirited David, a character loosely based on author Shannon’s childhood recollections. With a broken vase, jostled goldfish, abandoned plates of vegetable “art”, and a bare-bottomed romp through the neighborhood in his wake, David’s narrative trajectory is clear—he’s headed toward a Time Out. He’s broken all his mother’s rules, and a single tear rolls silently down his cheek as he sits in isolation, but David is reminded of his mother’s unconditional love when he’s suddenly unfolded in her snuggly hug. No, David is irresistible and hilarious, and once you pick this story up, you’ll understand why this rascal is adored worldwide.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath!, by Mo Willems
If there’s a Pigeon fan in your midst, the latest installment in Willem’s wildly successful franchise is a can’t-miss. In The Pigeon Needs a Bath, Willem’s clever, incorrigible Pigeon is at it again, this time rationalizing why he most certainly does not need a bath. After acknowledging every potential issue with the water temperature and the tub itself—and even venturing to ask the requestor when he/she last had a bath—Pigeon runs out of excuses, and into a problem: he now notices his own stench! After landing in the bath, Pigeon might even have a bit of fun—and you definitely will with this fantastic read-aloud!

Journey, by Aaron Becker
With a few simple swipes of her magical red crayon, a young girl transforms her black-and-white day into an extraordinary full-color journey through magical, mystical lands. Travelling by foot, boat, and hot air balloon, we join her on a wordless adventure through a landscaped dotted with turrets and towers, and we’re guided down windy rivers by the soft glow of lanterns. This is a picture book like no other, and you won’t want the journey to end!

The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires
On an ordinary day, a girl and her assistant, a corpulent bulldog, aspire to make something magnificent. They toil, tinker, and transform the sidewalk into a jumbled workspace, but—alas—magnificence eludes them. Frustrated and fed up, the girl’s expression darkens, until her trusty assistant suggests a break. A walk turns out to be just the thing to clear her mind, and she returns to the task at hand with alacrity and a bottomless well of creativity—she now knows just the perfect thing to make. Perseverance pays off richly in this warm tale, and that’s an important message at any age!

Rosie Revere, Engineer, by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
This charming picture book, from one of our favorite writer/illustrator teams, features Rosie Revere, a young girl who, while small in stature, has some pretty big ideas. Late at night, when she’s supposed to be asleep, Rosie is always hard at work on some gadget or gizmo, and she pursues her goal of flying with uncommon zeal. Incidentally, this pint-sized, exuberant inventor is the great-great niece of none other than Rosie the Riveter, and when Aunt Rosie comes to visit, Rosie Revere learns some very important lessons about never giving up. While the mixed media illustrations are lighthearted, they underscore a powerful message that you’ll love sharing with your little reader over and over again.

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
On Monday, Sam and Dave set out to dig a hole; they’re in search of something extraordinary. They dig, and dig, and dig some more. They split apart and come back together again, but still, they find nothing. It’s only when they fall asleep that something SPECTACULAR happens! Sam and Dave Dig a Hole is a spunky story of hard work and determination, and will surely reinforce your belief in the unseen possibilities all around us.

Violet the Pilot, by Steve Breen
Violet is something of a child genius—at 2 she could repair appliances, and at 4 she was reassembling Grandfather Clocks. By 8, she has a bevy of world-changing inventions she loves to tinker with after school at her father’s junkyard, but she doesn’t have many friends. She’s teased and taunted for her eccentricity, but when she spies a troop of boy scouts in trouble when she’s mid-flight – on her way to the annual air show – Violet doesn’t hesitate to dive down for an impromptu rescue. Humble Violet is rewarded for her heroics, and vaulted into city celebrity status. This is a story with a big heart – hopefully it will land safely in your next story time!

What Do You Do with an Idea?, by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom
The Eureka! moment from which a new idea materializes is thrilling, but sharing that idea with the world can be scary. This story follows one child – and his brilliant idea – on one very exciting journey; as the child grows and gains confidence, so does his idea. When the time is right, the idea – which has now matured into a full-blown concept – is released into the world, and black and white illustrations come to life in big, bold color. Reminiscent of Shel Silverstein and Maurice Sendak, this is an exceptionally inspirational tale for readers young and old, and destined to become a classic.

The White Book, by Silvia Borando, Elisabetta Pica, and Lorenzo Clerici
The first page of this extraordinary book contains a blank wall and small boy with a paint roller. His expression is set, and it’s clear that he has a job to do. There are no words to narrate, but a broad array of colors immediately follows, and they tell a wild, wonderful story nonetheless. A flock of birds emerges from a splash of pink, and a coat of green reveals a roaring dinosaur, but it’s clear – from his unceasing strokes – that the persistent artist is seeking a specific type of creature. The pay-off is sweet and visually breathtaking; this is a can’t-miss celebration of patience and determination.