June Recommendations

Picture Books:

In SMILE SOPHIA, written and illustrated by Skylaar Amann, Sophia is smart, strong, and “really good at digging holes.” What Sophia loves most of all is searching for dinosaur bones. Unfortunately, her mom wants her to put away her “dirty trowel and pickax,” her teacher wants her to stop looking angry, and all everyone wants her to do is smile. But Sophia is not angry (nor is she giving up her pickax). She just doesn’t see what there is to smile about…yet! Tight text and detailed pencil and Photoshop illustrations beautifully bring to life this winning story of a strong-minded, science-loving girl who sticks to her own agenda. Eureka!!

PATIENCE, PATCHES, written by Christy Mihaly and illustrated by Sheryl Murray, is the story of Patches, a dog who is “good at waiting.” This is a good thing, because his puppy life is full of waiting: for his “loud-laughing person” to throw the ball, for his “soft-singing person” to throw the ball and, more importantly, for his beloved people’s “blanket bundle” to do something interesting. The author does a great job channeling Patches’s voice and perspective, and the pencil and digitally-colored illustrations give a nice feel for both the active moments and the quiet ones. This is a sweet, sweet story about a loving family—made up of two moms and a dog—who find even more love when a baby comes to join them.

THE LITTLEST AIRPLANE, written by Brooke Hartman and illustrated by John Joseph, tells the story of a little bush plane that is smaller than the “sturdy and quick” turbo prop, the “brawny and long” cargo plane, and the “super fast” jet plane. While the others are busy soaring and rumble-roaring around, the little bush plane worries that he’s not strong enough or speedy enough to take to the sky. But when a storm strands two people in the wilderness, it’s the little bush plane who may have what it takes to save the day. Told in rhyme that’s fun to read aloud and accompanied by brightly-colored illustrations of the personified planes, this book is sure to be a winner at storytime!

In PEGA SISTERS GO TO CAMP, also written by Brooke Hartman, this time illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, Lilly has waited—and waited—for Pegasus Camp, and she’s beyond eager to soar and craft like she has in summers past. What’s different this year, however, is that her little sis Filly will be there, too. Now, wherever Lilly turns, Filly is there, too, spoiling everything until Lilly sends her away. But can Lilly soar without Filly to cheer her on? Again using rhyme to distinguish her story, the author leaves plenty of room for the illustrator to decorate each page with the glam, sparkling, “most marvelous magic” of these adorable pegasi.

In SO NOT GHOUL, written by Karen Yin and illustrated by Bonnie Lui, it’s Mimi’s first day to haunt a new school, but all she has to wear are “old Chinese gowns from her great-great-great-great-great-ghost-grandmother.” And she gets lots of advice about what “good Chinese girl ghosts” should do. But Mimi is Chinese American, and she knows that her family’s ideas are “SO NOT GHOUL!” Mimi tries hard to blend in with the other ghosts at school, but when the most popular one steals her look, Mimi doesn’t hesitate to set her straight—and to feel SPECTER-TACULAR doing it! This digitally-illustrated, ghostly tale about speaking up and speaking from the heart is full of pluck and puns.

FRANS’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE, written by Beth Anderson and illustrated by Caroline Hamel, is the story of a boy who is obsessed by how things work, a boy who feels called to “imagine, discover, create.” But his mother, his father, and the farm leave no time for inventing. When Franz grows up, he dreams… of a “”fantastical magical phantasmagorical machine!” But, there is no time for playing, dilly-dallying, or lollygagging. Until, after viewing the marvels of the world’s fair in Belgium, Franz finally listens to his imagination and begins to piece together his creation. RATTLE, CLATTER, CLANG! Franz’s machine comes to life and, twenty-three years later, he’s finally ready to share it with the world. This fascinating story, about the joys of creating is beautifully told and boldly-yet-whimsically illustrated. WHOOSH! DING! FLASH! Don’t miss it!

--Lynn