This Picture Book Life

fortune cookies + fortune cookies!

09.11.2014

Fortune Cookies by Albert Bittman and Chris Raschka.

Did you guys know it’s national fortune cookie day this Saturday, Sept. 13? (I found out from another blog of course.)

While every day is a national something or other day now, I’ve been wanting to feature Fortune Cookies, the book. So this is just the excuse to do it!

One box of seven fortune cookies, one for each day of this girl’s week.

This book is a lot of fun. It has slips of paper you pull to see. It also plays with lucky number seven and the days of the week. It plays with other good luck symbols too, like a kite and a cat. Even the red of our main character’s dress.

I love how every fortune comes true. And I love how if you look closely at the first illustration, you’ll find out this girl’s name is Fortune!

The end of the book brings it all together. That box of seven eaten cookies, seven fortunes, seven days of the week, and to the reader’s surprise and delight: kittens!

Let’s take a look at fortune cookies of all kinds, shall we? Just for FUN! Giving fortunes is so great for any time of year that feels like a new beginning, be it January or September, with first weeks of school.

Beautiful porcelain fortune cookies designed by Aleksandra Pollner.

The real deal, with sprinkles(!) from Smart School House. (No actual baking required, by the way.)

Paint chip fortune cookies and takeout box!

Kind of amazing chocolate ice cream cone fortune cookies from The Cupcake Project.

Fortune cookie coin purse.

Felt fortune cookie garland DIY by Oh Happy Day.

A pewter, personalized fortune cookie by Herbert Hoover.

And pretty sweet teacher appreciation gifts by Lisa Storms.

bird: picture book for the older set

picture books for the older set

09.09.2014

4417990 Bird by Zetta Elliott and Shadra Strickland.

This is a book where the illustrations and text go so perfectly together I assumed it was by an author/illustrator. But no, it’s a beautiful collaboration.

Bird is the title of the book, but not just because it’s the nickname of the main character who narrates it.

(click image(s) to enlarge)

Bird draws a pigeon outside his window. He and his Uncle Son go the park and feed pigeons. His Uncle Son and Grandfather flew planes in the war, flew like birds. Uncle Son plays Charlie Parker, “the other bird,” in his apartment. The boy watches birds flying from his rooftop and, one important time, his older brother gives him a book of birds.

“You just remember,

everybody got their somethin’.

And that includes you.”

But there’s also the idea of a bird. Of freedom, of flying.

And even flying away, as in death.

They boy’s older brother, Marcus, is in trouble. With drugs. He only flies away like a bird after struggle and death.

Bird is a book about drug addiction and losing someone you love and who loved you. But it’s also a book about growing up and, thankfully, hope.

Strickland’s illustrations are apropos. Dark, then light. Layered. Imaginative, then realistic. Line drawings like the one Bird makes. Watercolors of city scenes.

“You can fix a broken wing with a splint,

and a bird can fly again,” he said.

“But you can’t fix a broken soul.”

And when you’re lucky enough to get your hands on this book, do take a long look at the spread on which Uncle Son and the narrator discuss their favorite birds. Look for the red specks in the trees, each a cardinal that “looks like a fiery spark blowing through the trees.” Just like a fiery spark of hope in the gloom.

Thanks to Lee and Low Books for images!

fashionable picture book characters

PICTURE BOOKS +

09.04.2014

In the spirit of fun and in honor of New York Fashion Week, I give you these fashion-forward picture book characters. (I stuck to fictional characters who are human, for some parameters.)

Shout out to Julie Falatko who suggested on twitter that I do a fashionable parents in picture books post when I featured The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Thanks for getting the wheels spinning!

AND THE AWARDS GO TO…

I Had a Favorite Dress by Boni Ashburn, pictures by Julis Denos. (p.s. Also one of my favorite TPBL blog posts ever.)

Her outfits change through the seasons and growth-spurts thanks to her mom’s superb sewing skills. That dress becomes a shirt, a scarf, a hair bow.

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo, pictures by David Small.

No explanation necessary. This kid wears a tux. It’s no wonder his best friend is destined to be a penguin.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee written by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead.

Oh, Amos. The hat, the slightly rumply green suit, the boots! Perfection.

Cherry and Olive by Benjamin Lacombe.

Cherry wears the perfect cream turtleneck sweater, no? It’s a cold weather staple.

Come On, Rain by Karen Hesse pictures by Jon J. Muth.

I like how Tessie’s suit is ballet-inspired. Simple and danceable. Just right.

How to by Julie Morstad. (p.s. I’ve blogged it.)

These kids look awesome. I especially like the butterfly wings, but each ordinary ensemble is great as well. Kind of old-timey, colorful, and quintessentially kid.

Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts.

Miss Lila Greer is so Mad Men, no?

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers (p.s. I’ve blogged it.)

Breton shirts are for sailors, and this boy goes on a journey. That shirt is so graphic and so Jeffers.

Pelly and Mr. Harrison Visit the Moon by Lindsay Ward.

Really it’s two awesome accessories: that lightning bolt space cap AND the bunny slippers!

Please Bring Balloons by Lindsay Ward. (p.s. I’ve blogged it.) Lindsay Ward’s characters have two of these awards!

Obviously. Those. Red. Boots.

The Frank Show by David Mackintosh. (p.s. I’ve blogged it.)

Such taste and refinement in those striped PJs. (And really, they have a lot in common with Grandpa Frank’s wardrobe.)

Virginia Wolf by Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arsenault. (p.s. I’ve blogged it.)

Sweet, sweet yellow dress.

Neville by Norton Juster and G. Brian Karas.

Red checks are always in style.

These Hands by Margaret H. Mason, illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

Red converse. Good for a grandson or a grandpa or any person of any age or gender.

Red Sled by Lita Judge.

That puffy white suit really gets me.

Rain! by Linda Ashman, pictures by Christian Robinson. (p.s. I’ve blogged it.)

The definitive froggy rain coat. Ribbits of joy!

Sparky! by Jenny Offill and Chris Appelhans.

A costume a real kid could really make by herself. Space traveler meets magician meets superhero.

There you have it! I’d like to thank all the talented people who shared their gifts with us in these books. And I dedicate this post to all of you who read my blog!

the adventures of beekle + marshmallow beekle craft

Picture Book Crafts

09.02.2014

adventuresofbeekle The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat.

What a magical book. A heartwarming book. A brave, enduring character, that Beekle.

click image(s) to enlarge

An imaginary friend looking for the friend who’s going to imagine him. Traveling all the way from his imaginary friend world to the real world. The real, gray world. (Except it’s colorful and bright where kids play! The use of color in this book is masterful and such a joy to behold.)

A celebration of imagination and play and the inventiveness of a child’s mind. And a celebration of friendship, even the kind nobody else can see, but is the real deal.

I’m confident you’ll see when you read it (or read it again). Yes, you will.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say Beekle has elements of two of my favorite picture book creators, Shaun Tan and Oliver Jeffers. It’s like Lost and Found meets The Red Tree meets Santat’s particular magic. Agree? Either way, Beekle is an original and full of almost unimaginable wonder.

Thanks to Dan Santat for images!

Could this be the easiest craft ever? Okay, maybe not, but it’s pretty simple. Not only that, but you get to keep an adorable marshmallow Beekle around as an unimaginary friend. For real.

When I see Beekle, my mind immediately goes to marshmallows! Puffy, lovable marshmallows. (Also, while totally artificial, they smell really really good!)

Just looking at this little guy makes me smile. And remember the magic of the book. (Isn’t he sweeeeeet?)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut two toothpicks in half (remove and discard the sharp side so no one gets poked).

2. Slide a flat side of toothpick into small marshmallow; do it again with the other one.

(Again, be careful not to get poked.)

3. Insert toothpick/feet into jumbo marshmallow.

4. Draw Beekle’s face with a Sharpie.

5. Fold/cut gold paper into a crown by cutting it into a strip and cutting out triangle shapes along one edge; then fasten it together with tape.

6. Put the crown on Beekle’s head and tada!

The great thing about marshmallows is, well, they’re probably not going to rot! I’ve got my Beekle on a bookcase in my apartment and every so often I just want to give adorable Mr. Puffy a little squeeze!

*warning: this craft is not edible despite being made from marshmallows*

picture books about books (or poems)

picture books for pairing

08.28.2014

I love a book about a book or story or language or reading, don’t you? It’s like a cupcake with extra frosting for bibliophiles. It affirms the things we like while indulging in them.

These two are a perfect pair for that.

A Book Is a Book by Jenny Bornholdt, illustrated by Sarah Wilkins (2013).

I love this one so much. I just reread it and laughed aloud alone in my apartment several times.

Click image(s) to enlarge

“A book is to read” the first spread tells us. Yup and yes. But a book is more than that too in this whimsical take on the written word and story that’s clearly had input from the real things kids say.

Some favorites:

“Reading a book of pictures is still reading.” Word.

“Reading books in bed is great, but not really heavy ones.” True.

“It is impossible to read in the shower.”

“How a book smells depends on what it’s been through.”

This book will charm the pages off you, book lovers!

And we must see more of Sarah Wilkins’s wonderful artwork! We must!

Thanks to Myrick Marketing for images!

This Is a Poem That Heals Fish by Jean-Pierre Siméon and Olivier Tallec (2007).

This book is mind-bending and I mean that as the highest praise. (Get ready for animals and objects who talk like it’s old hat.)

Here’s how it goes. A boy named Arthur has a fish named Leon who looks like he’s sick and going to die. Arthur’s mother’s solution is to give the fish a poem to revive it. Of course! A poem!

“But what is a poem?”

That’s what Arthur wants to know. And that’s what this book is about. It’s a story about poetry and it’s poetry itself.

When household appliances can’t answer Arthur’s question, he asks other people. They give the most baffling, beautiful answers. They speak of what poetry is to them.