ALL YOU NEED IS A BOOK
RHYTM
According to Dr. Seuss,
“You can find magic wherever you look.
Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.”
As December looms, I realize I haven’t written here in a while. I want to share some of the wonderful picture books that I have discovered lately. Perhaps you will find a holiday gift for a love one, or for yourself.
I first came across What To Do With a Problem, when it was read at church. Written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Besom, I felt so moved by the topic, how brilliantly it was presented and illustrated. It is for anyone who has had a persistent problem that “follows you around”. 
The longer you avoid it the bigger it becomes. It is told from the child’s point of view, and you feel his angst as he struggles to solve his problem, effectively illustrated here.
Also written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Besom are two books with similar formats and illustrations. What Do You Do With An Idea won an Independent Publishing Book Award. This is a book for anyone who has ever had an idea “that seemed 
a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It’s a story to inspire that idea.” (from the front flap).
What Can You Do With A Chance is the same structure, and first person point of view.
Both pencil and watercolor are used to create enchanting illustrations in the 3 books.
“A book is a magical thing that lets you travel to far away places
without even leaving your chair.”
-Katrina Mayeu
Shy Willow, written and illustrated by Cat Min, immediately grabbed my heart. Willow is a shy rabbit whose home is an abandoned mailbox. Open the book and you are introduced to her fears.
Animals in children’s stories often represent childrens’ feelings. Children can explore these feelings without judgement.
In this story a letter is dropped in the mailbox addressed to the moon, asking it to shine brightly on a boy’s mother’s birthday. The rabbit braves the world to answer the letter.
Inside the back cover are sketches of the rabbit’s new world.
A gorgeously illustrated story of empathy, friendship and heart.
“Reading is dreaming with open eyes.”
– unknown
I love the moon glowing on winter snow. I Took the Moon For A Walk is a beautiful story written in verse by Carolyn Curtis, and illustrated by Alison Jay.
When everyone is asleep, a young boy goes on an adventure with his friend, the moon. This is a magical story celebrating the beauty of the world at night.
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
– Garrison Keiller
Kids love humor and adults enjoy reading funny stories aloud to their kids. Humor can be wacky, weird, outrageous, silly, or subtle, to name a few possibilities. Illustrations, impossible situations and wordplay are a few of the tools used by authors to build their humorous framework. A funny situation, humor, in picture books, can help children connect with the stories they read.
My book shelf is filled with stories that make me laugh. Dev Petty and Tammi Sauer are authors I seek out for creativity, and giggles , with a message.
Consider Mary Had a Little Glam, by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Vanessa Brantly Newton. Can you imagine the story-line of this fun take on Mother Goose? Mary styles those in need of fashion help. She helps a kid who lives in a shoe with stylish footwear. When Jack falls and breaks his crown, she fashions a new one, and so on. The illustrations enhance the humor.
In Moth & Butterfly: TA-DA!, Dev Petty writes a beautiful, funny story with facts and a message. Ana Aranda’s bright, comical illustrations enhance the energy and humor of the story.
Moth and Butterfly are caterpillar friends, and love what they have in common. When they emerge from their cocoons as a moth and butterfly, how would things go? Some things never change. Like good friends, they work out how they can be together.
Bloop, by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Mike Bold, is a hilarious story about an alien who makes too many bloopers, so he is sent to Earth to conquer the crazy planet run by dogs. What a life. Other creatures feed them and pick up their poop. Has the alien found a new home?
The illustrations are brilliant and complement the humorous text.
I, rather my dog Willow, won a contest and Mike Boldt “bloopified” Willow. What fun!
“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
– Ernest Hemingway
A Fun, lyrical way to learn about the funky and freaky way fish act. This non-fiction picture book by Debra Kempf Shucker, illustrated by Claire Powell will capture the interest of child and adult and be read over and over. From the front flap: “But not all fish are alike. From zapping, stinging, even singing, to playing dead or having a see-through head.” The illustrations are brilliant and freaky.
The inside covers and front and back pages have a fish inventory that includes their rating on a scale of freaky and funky. The back matter explains what fish do what, and lists further resources.
This book is a must-have.
“A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.”
-Neil Gaimen
In this series of books, Henry Winkler and Lin Olin created a spirited boy, Hank Zipzer. The funny adventures of this bright boy with learning difficulties was inspired by Henry Winkler’s own childhood experiences.
As of 12/1/21, there are 17 
books in the series. These are written for ages 8-12, but can be enjoyed by any age. My grandson, now 10, is hooked, and is reading the series in order. Bonus, Hank Zipzer has greatly increased his enthusiasm for reading.
“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”
– Dr. Seuss
Books I celebrated today:
- What Do You Do With a Problem?
- What Do You Do With an Idea?
- What Do You Do With a Chance? – these 3 books by Kobi Yamada
- Shy Willow by Cat Min
- I Took the Moon for a Walk by Carolyn Curtis
- Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer
- The Moth & Butterfly: TA-DA! by Dev Petty
- Bloop by Tara Lazar
- Freaky, Funky Fish by Debra Kempf Shucker
- Hank Zipzer Book Series by Henry Winkler and Lin Olin