A quartet of picture books, each featuring a different animal, will have you grinning to rival the Cheshire cat

Book Reviews by Theresa Gauthier

I came across these books ages ago browsing the shelves of a local bookstore, and it’s proof to me (though I didn’t really need it) that shopping for books at a brick and mortar store is far superior to surfing the website of any online retailer.

 

The first is Michael Slack’s Bunny Built.

Adults and children alike will love the simple story about a bunny named LaRue who has everything in his workshop that a builder could want—except carrots!  His search to correct this oversight leads him to find a way to help all those he meets along the way.  Slack’s clever, colorful illustrations add punch to the prose for a book destined to become a classic.

Next up is Don’t Feed the Bear by Kathleen Doherty.

When the park ranger decides to erect a sign to curtail the bear’s snacking, Bear takes offense and puts up his own sign.  A literal war of words unlike any other erupts until the pair finds a way to remedy the situation and call a truce.

Delightful illustrations by Chip Wass and a pun ending make this a fun read for kids and their adults who will recall their own childhood memories of bear vs. ranger feuds.

My penultimate selection is Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones. 

Three children stuck in the city all summer learn that a nearby local fountain will become a “summer home” for goldfish. Certain their own trio of goldfish will love having a vacation, they count down the days to the opening. 

They and the other children in the city visit their fish throughout the summer, playing and listening to Grandpa’s tales of summers when he was a child and what that very fountain had been like back then.  Flashback scenes of Grandpa’s childhood are rendered in black and white.  The book captures the feeling of endless summers from the unique perspective of bygone days. 

The illustrator, Leo Espinosa, also manages to convey the endless scope of crowds—of fish and of children—on the limited space of the page with admirable results.  A great multi-generational take, this one will leave you smiling.

The best picture books to come along in a long time, this trio of stories will appeal to every age.

Bravery and respect find voice in this beautiful offering. 

Finally, one of my favorite books is Dad and the Dinosaur by Gennifer Choldenko, Illustrated by Dan Santat 

I love this book!

Don’t miss this spectacular offering from Gennifer Choldenko (writer of the Al Capone Does My Shirts series and Chasing Secrets among other children’s books) and Dan Santat (The Adventures of Beekle: An Unimaginary Friend and the Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot series among even more children’s books). 

The story is told from the point of view of a young boy who, with the certainty of a child, knows that his father isn’t afraid of anything.  Wanting to be like his father, the boy carries a toy dinosaur with him wherever he goes.  He believes his courage comes from the dinosaur, so one day when he discovers it’s missing, he is more than upset.  He’s certain he’ll never be brave again.

What follows is a sweet, tender tale of some father and son bonding, and a look into things that guys can keep to themselves and not tell mom.

The father’s willingness to hunt for his son’s lost dinosaur, to appease his child’s belief while never once belittling it or tainting it with a knowing smile or an “I’m-just-humoring-you” attitude makes this a heartfelt gem of a story.

What makes it truly special is the focus on respect—something missing in most books written for this age group.  Not only does the boy respect his father, but the father respects his son as seen in the caring way he deals with not only the missing dinosaur, but also the implications of its loss for his son. 

In a landscape of picture book after picture book trying too hard for a laugh, or shouting at their readers in bold capital oversized letters, or regurgitating whatever might be the popular formula of the month—this book is an open window on a clear spring day. 

This should be the go-to book for father’s day in the years to come. It’s a lovely story and one I’m happy to recommend.