Kidlit | The Picture Book Review

If Picasso Painted a Snowman by Amy & Greg Newbold

November 21, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Tilbury House Publishers] In If Picasso Painted a Snowman, a very friendly hamster introduces 17 different artists and their particular iconic style to readers in a fun and memorable way. Readers are brought into the story by the use of a direct second-person conversational tone making them instantly feel part of the story. It’s an immediately absorbing and engaging book that is both informative and accessible. The book opens with the hamster postulating, “If someone asked […]

Categories: Children's Books, Kidlit, Picture Books, Picture Books about Art, Recommended Picture Books • Tags: Children's Books, kidlit, Picture Book, Picture Books

The Peanut Fart/花生米样的屁 by Xiaoming Wang and translated by Adam Lanphier

November 15, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Candied Plums] You’ll never believe how much this book will make you care about a snail and his fart. You’ll be awed at how beautifully illustrated and how compellingly told this unusual picture book is. You’ll laugh, the kids will laugh, and you’ll find yourself amazed at how creative and touching The Peanut Fart is. The Peanut Fart combines stunning artwork and profound humor in such a creative and unique story that I didn’t know how […]

Categories: Bilingual Picture Books: Mandarin/English, Children's Books, Kidlit, Picture Books, Recommended Picture Books • Tags: Children's Books, kidlit, Picture Book, Picture Books

Hamsters Don’t Fight Fires! by Author Andrew Root and Artist Jessica Olien

November 14, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Andrew Root] Hamsters Don’t Fight Fires is, in its own way, a masterpiece. It is funny, impossible, sweet, encouraging, and bizarrely realistic and logical. In theory, it shouldn’t work. In theory, a book about a hamster wanting to be a firefighter should be kinda funny and cute at best. Instead, the story and illustrations come together in this beautiful and strangely perfect way that leaves its readers feeling hopeful and energized. You need to read this […]

Categories: Children's Books, Kidlit, Picture Books, Recommended Picture Books • Tags: Children's Books, Firefighters, Hamsters, kidlit, Picture Book, Picture Books

Microbes by Amy Gallagher

November 13, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of ThunderStone Books] Microbes is a super fun and fantastically illustrated picture book that gives you tons of information about the crazy and amazing world of microbes! The artist and author, Amy Gallagher, makes learning about the world of microscopic organisms interesting, funny, engaging, and memorable. In this nonfiction picture book, information about six different types of microbes: bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, archaea, and protozoa, is presented in an enthusiastic and playful fashion. She makes these microbes […]

Categories: Children's Books, Kidlit, Nonfiction Picture Books, Picture Books, Recommended Picture Books • Tags: Children's Books, kidlit, Microbes, Picture Book, Picture Books

My First Book of Patterns by Bobby & June George and Art by Boyoun Kim

October 16, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

[Reviewed from Copy Courtesy of Phaidon] My First Book of Patterns is a beautifully designed and elegant board book that introduces young ones to different lines, shapes, and the patterns that they create. Done in bold, vibrant colors with scenes that are eye-catching and immersive, My First Book of Patterns is a wonderful book to read with young ones. Created by Montessori educators, designers, and artists, this 66-page board book takes patterns-and-shapes format to a whole new level. Its layout and […]

Categories: Board books, Children's Books, Kidlit, Recommended Board Books • Tags: Board books, Book Review, Children's Books, kidlit

Itty Bitty by Cece Bell

October 11, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

In 2009, Cece Bell, author and artist of the acclaimed and wonderful graphic novel, “El Deafo,” created Itty Bitty, an elegantly simple and charming picture book. It has now been released as a board book and it is perfectly suited as such.

Categories: Cybils, Humor, Kidlit, Picture Books, Recommended Picture Books • Tags: Children's Books, kidlit, Picture Book, Picture Books

Baabwaa and Wooliam Written by David Elliott and Artwork by Melissa Sweet

October 11, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

Baabwaa & Wooliam will make you crack up as it skillfully addresses themes of dangerous friendships, nature vs. nurture, literacy, personal growth, and adaptability. But really, those are the side benefits — first and foremost, it is a delightful and immensely entertaining picture book full of laughs and giggles.

Categories: Cybils, Humor, Kidlit, Picture Books, Recommended Picture Books • Tags: Children's Books, kidlit, Picture Book, Picture Books

Marigold Bakes a Cake by Mike Malbrough

October 8, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

Marigold loves Mondays because Mondays are for baking. Alone! (Thank you very much.) He’s serious about this. He even puts up a sign on the front of his house. Don’t mess with him. On Mondays he luxuriously pours over articles, he clips recipes, and ponders new ideas. Then he gets to work!

Categories: Cybils, Kidlit, Picture Books, Recommended Picture Books • Tags: Children's Books, kidlit, Picture Book, Picture Books

Bunnybear by Andrea J. Loney and Artwork by Carmen Saldaña

October 8, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of My Public Library] Bunnybear is absolutely wonderful. The illustrations are beautiful, the characters are excellent, the way the story unfolds is captivating, and the themes of being who you are, acceptance, kindness, and friendship are uplifting and well crafted. Readers will identify with Bunnybear immediately and emotionally they’ll experience a wide-range of emotions as they read along – but ultimately feel understood. This is a wonderful picture book for everyone who feels different on the inside than […]

Categories: Children's Books, Cybils, Kidlit, Picture Books, Recommended Picture Books • Tags: Children's Books, kidlit, Picture Book, Picture Books

The Picture Book Review

Reviews of Children's Board Books, Picture Books, Activity Books, and Graphic Novels

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