Respect the Mighty Picture Book: some new favorites

I found three fabulous new picture books from author-illustrators I met in LA this weekend and I had to share...


1) Pssst! by the hilarious, very friendly author/illustrator of The True Meaning of Smekday, Adam Rex

What you gotta love: talking zoo animals convince a kid to bring them what they need to create a zoomobile and bust out

The mood: comic book-style layout, wry humor, lots of good jokes for grown-ups hidden in the illustrations

Recommended for: kids who like funny, kids who like zoos; the details in the art make it accessible for anyone 4-9

Especially recommended for: people who like to do animal imitations when they read out loud


2. Scribble, by Deborah Freedman, whom I met and thought was lovely and then was thrilled to discover also has a brilliant portfolio (it is always nice when people you like turn out to also be talented, eh?). I am much looking forward to more from her.

What you gotta love: sibling rivalry played out by the kids' own drawings, Freedman combines her charming, representative illustration and realistic kid art, the text has a great younger sister voice

The mood: quiet, funny, scribbly

Recommended for: kids 3-7 who like art, or who hate their sisters

Especially recommended for: kids who have had their artwork called "scribbles"



3. Little Night, by Yuyi Morales. I was disappointed I didn't get to meet Yuyi, but this book won a Golden Kite award and her acceptance speech was absolutely beautiful.

What you gotta love: in a sweet, quiet folktale-esque story, Mother Sky tries to get Little Night to go to bed but Little Night just wants to play; bright and fantastic (in the sense of "full of fantasy") illustrations

The mood: dreamy, playful

Recommended for: little ones, bedtime

Especially recommended for: me. Seriously, I am still catching up. Good night.