Kid Lit Bits

It's about time I started talking more about books, hmmm? I've been very distracted with work and the weather and blasted allergies (Why me, Lord? I love gardening. Do you really want to see me outside weeding with toilet paper stuffed up my nose for the rest of the summer? Do you really want all the neighbours to keep looking at me so strangely? On second thought – don't answer that). Another reason I should be talking about books: almost a month ago, the delightful Chicken Spaghetti asked me to post what books I'd been reading lately. And I'm only now getting around to responding! Oy.

I've been reading a variety of books, and will eventually mention most of them, but for now, since Chicken Spaghetti does focus on kid's books, I thought I'd mention some wonderful picture books that I have enjoyed of late.

Grumpy Bird
by Jeremy Tankard
This is Jeremy Tankard's first picture book, and boy, has he ever gotten off to a great start! Bird wakes up grumpy – too grumpy to eat, or play or fly. "Looks like I'm walking today," said Bird. And so starts Bird's grumpy adventure, meeting Sheep, Rabbit, Raccoon, Beaver and Fox, who all decide to walk with Bird, too. And wouldn't you know it, as Bird spends more time walking with his pals, his mood begins to change. It's a charming, funny story (I love Bird's sarcasm!) that is simple but very appealing. And Tankard's illustration style is so unique and engaging – thick-lined cartoons mixed with bright Photoshop colours and photo collage create an energetic, magical world of fun. Can't wait to see his next book! In the mean time, you can check out more of his work at his web site.

Flight of the Dodo
by Peter Brown
This gem was recommended to me by one of the brilliant staff members at Book City in the Bloor West Village. It's a visual feast for the eyes, and it's got poop humour, too, which is always an added bonus for me! Penguin is what's known as a 'Waddler' – a bird that can't fly. Determined to get the bird's-eye-view he's never had (and fed up with being pooped on by those darn 'Flappers'), he gets his other 'Waddler' pals – Ostrich, Kiwi and Cassowary – to help him build a flying machine, so that they can have their own amazing adventures in the sky. And if they get to do a little target pooping along the way, where's the harm in that? What's good for the goose, as they say. A hilarious and entertaining story about friendship, perseverance and seeing life from a different perspective. Peter Brown's paintings are just breathtaking. Click here to see some sample spreads from the book, and here's Peter Brown's web site, too.

Lost and Found
by Oliver Jeffers
I've mentioned the work of Oliver Jeffers before. Yup. I love this guy's stuff. Grrrr...and I hate him, too! So damn talented! An enchanting story about a boy and a rather sad penguin, found at the boy's doorstep one day. Assuming the penguin to be lost, the boy helps the penguin find his way home. Ok, ok, so the penguin's home just happens to be in the South Pole, but that makes the story more interesting, doesn't it? Wanna know what happens? Gotta read the book, kiddo! Besides, don't you want to take a gander at Jeffer's heavenly watercolours? I'm quite convinced that nobody draws penguins better than Jeffers. Not even me, dammit!

The Little Red Fish
by Taeeun Yoo
Not even sure how to describe this one. Very different from the usual children's book – dark and mysterious, magical and mesmerizing. Very reminiscent of the old-fashioned European fairy tales I read as a kid. Here's a little bit about the story from the back of the book:

Can a fish disappear into a book? Can a boy jump into a book to save a fish? The answer? When a boy and a fish enter a magical library in the middle of the forest, anything can happen.

Ok. Stop. You had me at magical library. A beautiful, beautiful book, by a very talented artist. Delicate sepia-toned illustrations with little hints of magical red. A gorgeous red cloth cover you want to touch over and over again. Check out this luscious page from the book:

And if you want to see more of Taeeun Yoo's work, do take a peak at her web site.

So...many apologies, Chicken Spaghetti, for being so late in my resonse! I do hope this makes up for it, a little. I'd love to know if you (or anyone else out there!) has read any of these wonderful books.

Oh, and I couldn't help but notice that I seem to be drawn to books about birds – especially penguins. What do you think that means? Also, I have been noticing of late that I am more interested in books where the illustrator is also the author of said book. Or what the brilliant Jeremy Tankard calls himself – 'Authorstrator'.

Comments

[Beth]

Yes, I was wondering about the bird thing and then finally hit the book about fish.
These look like great inspiration for Patricia Storms to write and illustrate her own children's book!

[Susan]

These look great, Patricia. Now I have some more to look for at the library. I've not read any of them.

Since you like birds, have you read Matteo Pericoli's picture book "The True Story of Stellina"? Lovely book.

[Val]

When I started reading this post I thought: Nah, I don't want to read about children's books. Glad I got to the end and saw the cloud of fish in the library. Magical library - yes!

[DJ Cayenne]

My daughter loves Lost and Found, as well as Jeffers other book How to Catch a Star. I plan to pick up these others ASAP (esp. little red fish).

[Elizabeth]

Now that my son is way past the age of children's books I've lost touch with just how special they can be.

Thanks