Some great new picture books came my way this past month. Shout out to BABAR BOOKS who had a wonderful display at the Quebec English Language Teachers Conference in Saint Saveur,
THE. BURNING OF THE BOOKS by Jonah Winter; illus. Gary Kelley (destroying / banning books)
This is one of the strongest nonfiction picture books I’ve come across this year, describing the horrific event of Nazi book burning in the 1930’s. Though censorship and banning hav been part of the publishing world for centuries. the history of ‘the burning of the books’ in 1933 Germany was a gut-wrenching historical experience Moreover, this chilling story, ominously was foreboding of the banning books of all kinds in American libraries today. There are two things that make this book particularly remarkable: 1) the verbal text is set off in rectangular boxes, each filled with one or two statements succinctly recounting a part of the narrative; 2) the full page art work by Gary Kelley is atmospheric and provocative, profoundly capturing the danger of the empty shelves when books were driven to a public square, dumped on the ground and set on fire. “Destroying books came down to the same thing: to shut down not just the books but the people who write them.”
DEAR CLASSROOM 1B by Lynn Leitch; illus. Christine Battuz / (point of view; letters)
Norm is grumpy. Norm is misunderstood. He doesn’t like being hugged; being groomed by others; competing in races. He likes being left alone to sleep and taking baths in sand. Norm is a a hamster, the class pet in Room 1B. Norm sends messages to the children in letting them know what he likes and doesn’t like and offers suggestions on how to be treated. What a delightful story that appeals to my tastes 1. Because it is mostly written as letters of advice 2. letters are written from a clever perspectve 3. it’s anthropomorhpic (animals human qualities. Dear Classroom 1 B is both a fiction and nonfiction story that provides young readers with facts about the life of a hamster as well as help them gain insights into a pet, in the classroom or otherwise. Lynn Leitich has written a witty, informative, book sure to entertain young readers. NOTE The book serves as a great anchor text for writing letters in role.
Sample
Dear Classroom 1B
Thanks for making me feel welcome. A parade? For me? It’s (almost) too much. I do have one small request. Cuuld you please let me sleep? I’m a day snoozer.
Your classroom pet,
Norm
LIVING BRAVE: How to add more confidence to your courage by Kobi Yamada: illus. Charles Santoso / (finding courage)
This is an inspirational book for young readers – older one’s too – that invites pondering about bravery, courage, fears and the challenge to try new things and imagine a life of possibilities by becoming all we can strive to be. Kobi Yamada (What Do You Do With an Idea?) presents a single precept on a double page illustrated page. Each thought is a motivational sentence or two helping us io “Lean into experience. Embrace making mistakes Learn o accept the unknown.” Charles Santos monochromatic art work, starring a playful hedgehog experiencing courageous acts and living his dreams. Other titles in the series: Finding Muchness; Feeling Graceful, Chasing Dreams, Being Kind .
Sample messages:
Distance yourself from things that make you doubt your worth.
Befriend your fears. Take them with you and let them discover they can learn and change as you learn and change.
Don’t give up on the person yo will be a few years from now.
MELL FELL by Corey R. Tabor / 2021
Thi story of a baby kingfisher leaving its nest for the first time, determined to fly, only to falling down down down into the water below where, true to a kingfisher’s nature it catches a fish in its beak) What’s intriguing and entertaining about this picture book is the formatting and sequential narrative. The story is read vertically as Mell Fell from the tree passing by squirrels, bees, and a spider who tired to protect the bird from getting injured. But into the water Mell Fell and the story con tiunes by turning the book around until – spoiler alert – bird arrives flew back home. This a clever, funny adventure with a story of courage, art work filled with energy, and delightful dialogue (“Huzzah, Huzzzah!” / “Blast! Nuts! Oof” is sure to captivate young readers. Mell Fell was a Caldecott Honor book in 2022
THE PIGEON WON’T SAY THE ABC’s by Mo Willems (the alphabet)
Mo Willems infamous pigeon is back, this time to learn his ABCs. No, he actually will not say them because he has an ‘ALPHABET ALLERGY ‘ and besides he is BUSY. Pigeon journeys through an alphabet of excuses, inviting readers to identify, observe and ‘read’ intial sounds for 26 letters of the alphabet. *e.g., “This is EMBARRASSING. I FORGOT my license.” Oh, Pigeon, you are a funny funny rascal who always has something to amuse us and teach us. Oh, Mr. Williams you are a funny funny author who also has something to amuse us and teach us. This board book is DELIGHTFUL, ENTERTAINING and FUN way to practice and learn the ABC’s
THE ROCK AND THE BUTTERFLY by Kathy Stinson; illus. Brooke Kerrigan 2024 (Dependency, Indepency, Kindness)
Butterfly and rock depend on each other for companionship and survival (“each was exactly wht the other needed. The rock and the butterfly were a perfect fit.”.) What happens when rock disappears? How will the scared and lost butterfly cope and survive without its trusted friend. This is a story about interdependency and independency . It is a heartwarming story of carrying on, when those we have relied upon and loved have left us.
THIS IS ORANGE: A Field Trip Through a Color by Rachel Poliquin; illus. Julie Morstad / 2025
How many things can you name that are orange? I love the subtitle of this terrific nonfiction picture book for indeed Rachel Poliquin takes readers on a field trip to the wonderful wonderful world of orange found in food, in the natural world, in art, in landmarks, in clothing and in history. This book is filled with information about something that we might not otherwise think about with an invitation for students to observe and wonder about the wonderful color orange. Julie Morstad’s stunning art work adds to the pleasures of the field trip through a color. I found this picture book to be totally fascinating. Orangeya glad ya bought it, Larry?
Some facts
Orange blossoms have an exquisite scent, and the fruit’s name traveled from the Tamil word naru, meaning ‘fragrant, to ‘narang in old Persian and naranjh in Arabic, narancia in Italy and narange in France.
In 2005, the artist Christo and Jeanne-Claude installed 7.50e gial orange gates along pathways in New York City.
American astronauts wear survival suits made in a colour called International Orange to be seen against blue sky and murky water. (The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Tokyo Tower in Japan are slo painted International Orange.
WHAT A BABY CAN DO by Jennifer Murano
Adorable photographs accompany rhyming text that tell us what babies can do (e.g., smile, watch friendly faces, smell, taste).
A baby can hear a musical toy,
Laughing, singing and whispers of joy.
WHEN I’M A MOSHOM by David A. Robertson; illus. Corrie Hilln / (Indigenous Identity; Generations)
If truth be told, I purchased this picture book when I saw David A. Robertson’s name on the cover. The smiling child hugging his Moshom (grandfather) added to the appeal. The title, itself, assured me that Robertson will shine a light on the joys and responsibilities of being a grandparent cheering on their grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments. Taking a walk through the book further captured my interest, with succinct passages on a single page (accompanied by titles in Swampy Cree) where the author images himself in the future (“When I’m a moshom/ A long long time from now. ..” Robertson has found a sublime match with beautiful illustrations created by Corrie Hill. When I’m A Moshom is a picture book celebration of family bonds, of cherished memories of Indigenous peoples. This is a picture book treasure.
>> SHOUT OUT <<<<<
ANOTHER TONGUE by Yevgenia Nayberg / 2026 (Second Language Learning)
This lovely picture book celebrates both our mother tongues – the firs language we learn and the new language our tongues and ears encounter when moving to a new place with a different language. Another tongue, with simple text and playful witty art work is a tribute on what it means to be bilingual. Which means someone with two tongues. What a beautiful beautiful book helping readers to think about = and connect to – the tribulation and joy of learning new words in our mother tongue or being immersed in an immigrant experience.
“Some first words of your language are simple. And some are quite complex. But eventually you get to learn them all.”
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>>>> SHOUT OUT <<<<<
HOME IS A DOOR WE CARRY by Constantin Satupo /2023 /2026 / (The Refugee Experience)
Every year, millions of children leave their homes behind: flood, a fire, a drought, a war. Sometimes family circumstances or opportunities provide reasons for families to move from place to place. Things are left behind. Finding a place of refuge, a place of safety is a dream, a hope. Things are left behind as people they set out to find a safer place to live. The title of this story packs a wallop, when a boy thinks of the house that he left behind as being ‘very scared and lonely right now. It might even hurt’. The narrative provides a punch in the heart when the child says “I wish I could say ABRACADABRA and shrink my house so I could pick it up and carry it in my arms”. And so the boy carries the home that provides courage, comfort, companionship, protection as things get scary on the journey to a new place. Ultimately, the house can help make a new place, a place of safety, community, togetherness. Home is a Door We Carry is an astonishing picture book accomplishment by an astonishing Russian expressionist artist who wanted to “tell stories of all the children who, all at once, lost everything.” I’m getting goosebumps as I write this. A must read.