JOURNEY OF THE HUMPBACKS, written by Juliana Muñoz Toro, illustrated by Dipacho, and translated by Lawrence Schimmel, is a journey from “glacial waters near Antarctica to the warm coasts of the Pacific” in the company of these acrobatic, “giant-winged” whales. Pages are overflowing with fascinating facts, diagrams, questions, and playful-yet-informative art, all laid out with an energetic design that draws readers in. Occasional wordless, full-color, full-bleed spreads are stunning and add to the value. Fascinating, engaging nonfiction for older readers!
In TUCK ME IN! by Nathan W Pyle, a beach tells the moon that it’s chilly, so the moon “pushe[s] the water up onto the sand” to tuck it in. But then another, distant beach calls out because now this second beach has lost its blanket! So moon “pushe[s] the ocean back and forth,” listening to the two beaches complain. Finally, she stops to explain, in simple terms, the concept of tides. And sand castles! Inviting, cartoony art is perfect for this funny, lightly-scientific book for very young readers. Belongs in every toddlers collection right next to THE DAY MOON AND EARTH HAD AN ARGUMENT, written by David Duff and illustrated by Noemi Vola!
AXOLOTL AND AXOLITTLE, written by Jess Hitchman and illustrated by Sarah Rebar, is the story of two siblings, Axolotyl and Axolytle, told with an inventive rhyme scheme. While Axolotl “lives life to the max-a-lotl,” little brother Axolittle “likes to study facts a little.” He also “dances, sings, and acts a little. And loves to just relax a little.” These two siblings are very close, and together they “axo-lutely run the show,” until they have a falling out. After “a wibble. Then a wobble. Then a giant axo-squabble,” things eventually get resolved, but what a fun ride—reading this aloud is a must! Bold, cartoony, digital art glows with fuchsia and neon yellow that’s set against calmer greens. Super-di-dooper!
VAMPIRE JAM SANDWICH, written by Casey Lyall and illustrated by Nici Gregory, is a barely spooky story narrated by a cute kid with a flashlight under their chin. Readers will learn about a “legend… told in the darkest corners of kitchens far and wide” in which, long ago, a vampire (“possibly named Terrence”) encountered a very tasty strawberry jam sandwich, but when “someone in the house woke up,” the vampire (who was “surprised—not scared”) ran away. The bitten sandwich turned into a cursed creature of the night, always roaming, always searching “for MORE JAM!” The story is perfectly silly, and the graphite pencil and digital illustrations in a limited palette of blacks, reds, and yellow/beige effectively bring to life this strangest of vampires, along with an emotive feline companion slash co-conspirator. Really fun!/div>
In HOME IS A WISH, by Julia Kuo, a child leaves, sometimes with her Mama, sometimes with her Amah, but they “always come back home.” Until one day they leave behind “sounds, smells, feelings, words, and memories,” and home “becomes a wish,” as they travel far away. Everything is strange in this new place and the girl wonders how it can ever be home. She drifts, until “odd becomes ordinary, and strange becomes sweet.” Until these new people and places become a different home, a home for “now.” Poetic and tender, Kuo’s lyrical text soars, and her digital art evokes both yearning and stability.
BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES, written by Christine Alemshah and illustrated by Dream Chen, a cardboard box is a bear cave, a playhouse, and a rocket ship, before it becomes “something even more special.” A balikbayan box is filled with presents for relatives, treasures that are outgrown, gathered, and shopped for. The box is stuffed “full to the tippy top” with all these treasures, then notes and cards are added because the box carries more than gifts; it also carries love. This charming book about a Filipino custom that serves as a “special expression of love to family and friends” has a satisfying ending that comes full circle. Colorful art and supportive back matter highlight both the imaginative and the sentimental elements in this well-written, well-illustrated book.
--Lynn
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