Picture Book | The Picture Book Review

Norman The Slug with the Silly Shell by Sue Hendra

March 14, 2018 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Aladdin/Simon & Schuster] Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell is a light-hearted and brightly-illustrated picture book about finding a way to be who you want to be – especially if you weren’t born that way. Norman is a slug, but when he looks over at the snails, he’s in awe of them. He wants a beautiful shell like they have. He really wants to hang out with them and join in on their group pyramid. […]

Categories: 2017, Picture Books, Picture Books about Being Different, Picture Books about Being Yourself, Picture Books about Belonging • Tags: Book Review, Books, Children's Books, Picture Book, Picture Books

Lots More Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi and Ron Barrett

March 13, 2018 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book/Atheneum Books for Young Readers] In 1988, Judi and Ron Barret created Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing to help out parents everywhere in answering the universal and boggling question, “Why don’t animals wear clothing?” It’s a very funny book that makes us giggle and provides some solid examples as to why it would be a bad idea for animals to wear clothing. Now in 2018, Judi and Ron Barrett are back with even […]

Categories: 2018, Picture Books, Picture Books about Animals, Picture Books about Belonging, picture books about inclusiveness • Tags: Animals, Children's Books, Clothing, kidlit, Picture Book, Picture Books

BRAVE by Stacy McAnulty and Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

March 12, 2018 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Running Press Kids] “Brave kids can save the world. Just by being…brave.” Have you read Brave yet? If not, you need to. It’s an amazing picture book. With it’s powerful, direct text, and bold, bright illustrations, Brave will floor you. As an adult, it will put you in awe of everything your kids have to do daily just to grow up. Good luck making it through the first few readings without having to fight back tears. […]

Categories: 2017, Children's Books, Kidlit, Picture Books, Picture Books about Bravery • Tags: Book Review, Brave, Children's Books, Picture Book, Picture Books

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Who Was That? by Olivier Tallec

March 9, 2018 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Chronicle Books] In Who Was That? readers learn that they are not as observant as they think they are, but that won’t stop them from laughing about it. In asking us questions about what we’ve just seen, this book deftly and playfully shows us how vulnerable we are to oversight and misdirection. You’ll feel compelled to stop, go back, and examine each page. Even when you’re sure that you’re ready for the next page turn and […]

Categories: 2018, Children's Books, Humor, Kidlit, Picture Books • Tags: Book Review, Children's Books, Chronicle Books, Olivier Tallec, Picture Book, Picture Books, Who Was That?

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The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates

March 7, 2018 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers] The Big Umbrella is a beautiful and reassuring picture book about friendship, inclusiveness, and shelter from the rain. Set in a background of muted blues, grays, browns, and green — the contrast of the bright, red umbrella with its warm and adorable smile is a huge win that warms your heart. This beautiful umbrella meets readers on a rainy day. We see it waiting patiently by the […]

Categories: Picture Books, Picture Books about Belonging, picture books about inclusiveness • Tags: inclusiveness, Picture Book, Picture Books, umbrella

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Petra by Marianna Coppo

February 21, 2018 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Tundra Books] Is Petra a mountain? A pebble? An egg? An island? Or a child’s pet rock? Well, whatever Petra is, she knows that she is going to be amazing and that with each new day and each new phase in her life — something wonderful is bound to come of it. Petra is a joy of a picture book that gently guides readers to ponder themes of flexibility, self-perception, change, time, and anticipation. Petra herself is […]

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

17 of the Funniest Picture Books We Read in 2017

December 21, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

Between our regular reading, blogging, and being a first round panelist for the Cybils, we read a lot of picture books this year. Here are the ones that made us laugh and giggle the most. Those in bold were sent to me for review from the author, illustrator, or publisher. The rest we picked up at our local library. They’re all fantastic. All the images are Amazon affiliate links and you can click on them to learn more about them […]

Categories: 2017, Humor, Picture Books • Tags: 2017, Children's Books, Funny picture books, Humor, Picture Book, Picture Books

Rot, the Cutest in the World! by Ben Clanton

December 20, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books for Young Readers] Released out into the world yesterday – Rot, the Cutest in the World! is a picture book about a mutant potato entering a cuteness contest. It expertly touches on themes of beauty, high self-confidence, context, and who’s to judge. Rot explains these complex lessons in a fun, honest, and hilarious way. In Rot, the Cutest in the World!, Ben Clanton uses tons of humor to send a clear message that […]

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

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Small Walt – by Elizabeth Verdick and Marc Rosenthal

November 27, 2017 by The Picture Book Review

[Review Copy Courtesy of Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books] In this enchantingly illustrated and uplifting story, we cheer for a small snowplow as he goes out in a big snow storm and surmounts even bigger challenges. Expert storytelling combined with a perfect blend of retro and modern illustrations makes Small Walt a win for young fans of snowplows everywhere. Where to Get Small Walt: [Affiliate Link]: Amazon.com [Local Bookstore]: Addendum Books [Public Library]: Worldcat.org Small Walt, with his sweet smile, kind […]

Categories: Children's Books, 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

Tag: Picture Book

Norman The Slug with the Silly Shell by Sue Hendra

Lots More Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi and Ron Barrett

BRAVE by Stacy McAnulty and Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Who Was That? by Olivier Tallec

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates

Petra by Marianna Coppo

17 of the Funniest Picture Books We Read in 2017

Rot, the Cutest in the World! by Ben Clanton

Small Walt – by Elizabeth Verdick and Marc Rosenthal