April Recommendations

IMAGINE YOU AND ME, by Benson Shum, is the sweet story of Randall and Parker, who together enjoy summers filled with ice cream, “visiting magical worlds,” and “lifting each other up when needed.” When they’re disturbed by a sloth of bears, Randall (a bear) is initially worried, but Parker (a girl) encourages her friend to overcome his shyness and ask the others to play. Everything goes well, except that the other bears can’t see Parker. But she’s there to coach Randall through his insecurities, and the bears are kind. More and more, Randall plays with the bears, and less and less with Parker, until one day Randall can’t find Parker anywhere. Earnest characters are beautifully described with spare text and sparely-colored, cartoony illustrations. An earnest, heartwarming atmosphere permeates this gentle—imaginary—friendship story.

In LIGHTS OUT: A Movement to Help Migrating Birds, written by Jessica Stremer and illustrate by Bonnie Pang, a flock of sparrows begin their journey south for the winter, flying by night, with “a map made of stars” to guide them. In the city, bright lights cause the map to fade, and the sparrows become confused. Many find their way, but one is left behind until a girl’s “helping hands” rescue it. The girl learns that “people all over the city” can make a difference by turning off their lights ”so the birds can see the starry map.” Lyrical text combines with the rich palette of the digital illustrations to create this uplifting, kid-friendly call to action inspired by the Lights Our movement.

HOW TO FIND A BIRD, written by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Diana Sudyka, describes some of the many ways readers might seek out these wonderful creatures. Perhaps, young birdwatchers will blend in, or move slowly, or sit quietly and look. Not just up, but down, where birds forage, sneak snacks, splash, and/or nest. And straight ahead, where they blend in. And up, too, where they can be found flying, sitting—and murmuring! Readers can give them a home and feed them. And they can close their eyes and listen. Thoughtful, informative text and completely stunning watercolor and digital illustrations include fun onomatopoetic bird calls and labels for the many birds depicted within these pages. Back matter adds practical ways for kids to begin birdwatching in earnest.

In IF YOU WANT TO RIDE A HORSE, written by Amy Novesky and illustrated by Gael Abary, there are questions to answer. Will your horse be “Black or bay?/ Dappled like a starry sky, or gray?” or white? or wild? What will you call her? There are steps to follow, like brushing her coat and—yep—scooping her poop. And there are secrets to ponder, such as how it might feel “if your horse is out of sorts.” But ultimately this story is about how, if you want to ride a horse, “all you have to do is close your eyes.” The poetic text canters smoothly along, accompanied by delicate mixed media art, and, together, both will surely instruct and inspire readers.

PARTLY CLOUDY, by Deborah Freedman, stars two very different bunnies who are looking at clouds. Where bunny number one sees “cotton candy,” the other sees “a cumulus cloud.” Where one sees a “cozy blanket,” the other sees a “stratus cloud.” And on they go: “cotton balls” vs. “altocumulus,” “pea soup” vs. “fog” until a scary storm shows how much each bunny has learned from the other! Gentle, uncluttered watercolor illustrations introduce two bunnies with plenty of personality, and showcase lots of cloud-related science and whimsy.

EVERGREEN, by Matthew Cordell, is a longer picture book with chapters. It’s the sweet story of Evergreen, a scaredy-squirrel whose mother asks her to take an acornful of magic soup to Granny Oak. But Granny Oak lives on the other side of the Buckthorn Forest, which would be “a scary place—even if you weren’t squirrel named Evergreen.” Still, Evergreen takes a deep breath and heads off. Along the way, she has many adventures, including rescuing a rabbit, getting carried off by a hawk, rescuing a young toad—GROAK—meeting new friends and dodging a few enemies, until she encounters “the loudest, scariest, ground-shaking-est noise of the day”… and after all this time the soup nearly spills! Timeless text is supported by the Caldecott Medalist’s dramatic, expressive, scratchy pen and watercolor art, and it’s a lot of fun to follow along as Evergreen understands she can be both afraid and brave.

--Lynn

April Books of the Month

Two of my longtime critique buddies, Dianne White and Karen Jameson, have three inspiring, wonder-filled books newly out in the world: FINDING GRATEFUL, IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE, and WAKE UP, WOODLANDS!

“Mama says you don’t need a map to find grateful.” In Dianne White and Faith Pray’s FINDING GRATEFUL, after their car breaks down, a child relates how her mama encourages her to notice "this thing/that thing/anything, really.” The child realizes she can find grateful in a smile, or “a cold spray on a hot day.” She pays attention to wiggling toes, and the smell of honeysuckle, indeed, to all the wonder of the here and now. The uplifting, lyrical prose will sweep readers along, and it’s deftly illustrated in an appealing, fully-rendered yet sketchy style that conveys movement and enthusiasm. This child’s eye view of mindfulness is a lovely and comforting read.

IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE, also written by Dianne White and this time illustrated by Nanette Regan, is an inspirational, board book take on growing up and becoming your best self. Opening verses (“There’s a time to begin/and a time you will wait./A time when you're early./A time when you're late.”) are accompanied by an infant in a crib and a toddler learning to walk, followed by the child aging up and growing her life experiences. “There’s a time for inside/and a time to go out./Small moments of quiet./Big moments of SHOUT!” The text is smooth and song-like and begs to be read aloud, while illustrations, loose and evocative, are active or contemplative in turn. IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE, with its gentle push for this child to “show the world who you are: confident, courageous, a bright rising star!” is sweet and lovely. This book would be a terrific gift for new parents, or graduates of any age!

WAKE UP, WOODLANDS, written by Karen Jameson and illustrated by Marc Boutavant, is the rhyming, beautifully illustrated follow up to 2020’s WOODLAND DREAMS, created by the same talented team. As a group of kids emerges from a cabin to celebrate the end of winter, the text calls out to a succession of sweetly nicknamed critters to do the same:

Wake up, Tiny Whiskers.
No more storming
Woods are warming
Sweep your sleepy dreams away.
Scamper out to meet the day.

Smoothly written stanzas “croon a song” of spring, and bright, bucolic illustrations showcase children and animals alike, as they make their way across these colorful pages. WAKE UP, WOODLANDS works as a lovely companion to WOODLAND DREAMS, a story about bedding down for winter, or on its own as a paean to spring.

--Lynn