PICTURE BOOKS SEPTEMBER 2025

This fall has brought me some wonderful new picture book sources to add to my collection.  Of note is that some titles bring attention to the world of animals and nature. Shout outs are given to Plumleaf Press’s new releases, a tribute to: Robert Munsch and a list of nominations for The Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award 

 

DO NOT EAT LIKE A SHARK: Wacky Ways Animals, Slurp, Chomp and Gulp by Etta Kaner / nonfiction

Yahoo! to Etta Kaner who has written a number of entertaining and informing titles that illuminate the world of animals. Featured booksin the Orca Workshop series include: Animal Talk,  Animal Defenses,  and Animals at Work.The titles of her books alone bring attention the mysterious characteristics of animals, big and small: Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? (How Animals Keep Warm); Friend or Foe (The Whole Truth about Animals That People Love to Hate)  Do Not Eat Like a Shark: Wacky Ways Animals Slurp, chomp and Gulp and If You meet A Barfing Bird (How NOT to help animals) are two new Etta Kaner publications  that connect well to the STEM curriculum. Morevoer, they are fun to read. 

 

FISH by Brendan Kearney

Fish is an engaging story with engaging illusrions a ou two friends, Finn and his dog, Skip who meet some new friends who teach them about the problem of pollution in the ocean. It is Kearney’s hope, that this picture book invites readers to think about the amount of trash we throw away and what we can do to reduce our own waste. Mission accomplished Mr. Kearney  Like SOS Water by YOYO this is an important story about sving the ocean.  Fish is part of The Finn and Skip   series of books about helping readers to think about nature and the environment (Forest, Bee, Arctic, Moon).  These are terrific – important – picture books. 

 

HANSEL AND GRETEL, Stephen King, Ill. Maurice Sendak

What a publishing coup. This book connects to literary giants. Stephen King, master of horror was invited to write a new interpretation of the story told by Jacob Wilhelm Grimm. The art work to accompany King’s text, was created by the iconic picture book artist, Maurice Sendak. (1928 – 2012) who has left the world with designs for sets and costumes that he had designed for the Humperdink opera of the story. The result: A dark retelling (of course) of brave and resourceful brother and sister smothered by an evil stepmother who wishes to get rid of them and he lure of a candy-decorated cottage which proved to be a threat to their lives and the brilliant – and dark-ish – illustrations,  of ‘reacting to the text. In a New York Times review (August 31, 2025), illustrator Jon Klassen writes: I do like how seriously everyone seems to have taken this project. Sendak was a serious guy, and everyone took that cue, tonally,. I feels reverent. Is’ full of tricky problems to solve, but there is a grandeur to it.”

Excerpts

“The white bird, its evil job done, flew away from the roof. The children turned to look at it so did not see the kindly face turn into that of an ugly old hag with yellow, half-blind yees, snaggle teeth, and a wart on her nose.”

“Get up you lazybones! Fetch water and cook something good for your brother! He’s too skinny! Whenhe’s fattened up, I’m going to eat him.” / Gretel began to cry but it did no good: the witch enjoyed the tears of children, as witches always do.”

 

INSPIRING QUOTES FROM CHILDREN’S CLASSICS, Annie Sara (ed.); Ill. Ruth Barrows

I think I would have liked to write this book. I have been collecting quotations about reading and from reading to educators and young people to think about why good books matter. Annie Sarac (editor) has selected quotes that have been excerpted from over 170 children’s literature. Snippets are arranged into a dozen or so sections that connect each of the quotes (e.g. Curiosity, Family, Forgiveness, he Impossible, Truth, You Matter) The colourful illustrations  both compliment the words and decorate the pages. These quotes are indeed ‘inspiring’. inviting us to pause and ponder about their significance, even if isolaed from the complete text. Moreover, this collection might inspire readers to pay attention to narration and dialogue from books they enjoy reading, perhaps recording these  personal snippet choices  to savour. I would have liked to write this book.

Sample quotes

“Setting out on an adventure is thrilling, but coming home is even better .”~ Where The WIld Things Are, Maurice Sendak

“Through curiosity, I  forget my failures and sorrows, and I feel great happiness.” Monday with a Mad Genius, Mary Pope Osborne (Magic Tree House)

“Of course they needed to carew. It was the meaning of everything.” The Giver, Lois Lowry

“I believe in one day and someday and this perfect moment called now.” Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline Woodson

“The best person I know is myself.” Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney

 

KEEP OUR WORLD GREEN: Why humans need gardens, parks and public spaces by Frieda Wishinsky; Illus. Sara Theurerkauf / nonfiction

This super nonfictin title brigns to life the worldwide communities, large adn small that provide habitats for plants and animals. The resource is a loving tribute inviting readers to respect these green spaces  around us are accessbile to all, bring food to communities and serve as inspiration for art and literature. Especially noteworthy are the books text features that includes vivid illustrations, cartoons, photographs, and maps..Wishinsky reports the history of public spaces and how they evolved. or importantly caution is given to the risks on these communities due to the climate crisis. Keep Our World Green is a fine speceimen of nonfiction writing: It engages, it informs, it inspires,  Hooray for Frieda Wihinsky. Hooray for Green Spaces. 

 

THREE NEW GEMS FROM PLUMLEAF PRESS

 

AKEMI’S SONG Joanne Kwok; Ill. Yiting Hui

It is Lunar New Year. The elders have chosen, Akemi, a young Flamecress to sing her special song. But the young bird cannot find her voice to sing her song and so sets off on a journey where she gains strength to discover more about herself, her home and the natural world that surrounds her. Having gained confidence, Akemi, eventually raises her voice to show appreciation of those around her and the beautiful world she inhabits. The wonderful watercolour paintings that appear throughout capture, the of the young bird’s adventures as the glorious  natural forest environment of Taiwan that she travels through. This beautful picture book sings a story of courage, self-confidence, hope and home.

Excerpt

“Sweet Akemi, do not lose hope. Fly off and search our island for inspiration for your song. Then come home in time for the Lunar New Year celebrations with the song in your heart.”

 

JANE AND THE BLUE WILLOW PRINCESS, Catherine LIttle; Ill Sae Kimura

This beautiful book is a commemoration of the birth of Jane Austen, born 250 years ago. Catherine Little has done a beauiful job of imagining Jane Austen as a young girl who enjoyed making up stories to entertain her family. The discovery of a blue willow plate dug up at Steventon Rectory in the United Kingdom (Jane’s birthplace,) provided an impetus for writing this picture book.  The story also  conveys the loyal love beween Jane and her sister, Cassandra (Cassy).  Sae Kimura’s artwork helped to illuminate the life of Jane Austen, her family and friends and the environment she grew up in. jane Austin was born in 1775 and died in 1817 (41 years). She is the author of six classic novels, including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma).

 

REACH FOR THE SKY: How Two Brothers Built an Airplane in Chinatown; Evelyn Sue Wong; Ill. Sarah Ang


During the depression, two brothers hold on to dreams of flying, despite having little money, and becoming aware fo racial discrimination surrounding them. Robert ShunWong and his brother, Tommyu, hold on to their dreams and built a single -seat plane (Pietenpol Sky Scout) and that dreams sometimes do come true, if you reach for the sky. Evelyn Sue Wong tells an inspirational story, based on real experiences is set in Vancouver’s Chinatown. The art work capures, home and community and the eventful journey of two inventive Chinese Canadians.

Excerpt

“No one in China twon could believe their eyes. Their world was grounded in their community, but Robert and Tommy were reaching for the sky.”


SHOUT OUT

ONE DAY: A True Story of Survival in the Holocaust, Michael Rosen: ill. Benjamin Phillips

Acclaimed British author and poet, Michael Rosen was commissioned to write this story to honour the 2022 commemmoratiobn of Holocaust Memorial Day. The title One Day (repeated throughout) was chosen as the title since the phrase was the motto for that year.  Assuming the voice of Eugene Handschuh, Rosen tells the tstory of French citizens who deported Jews From Paris to Auschwitz. Based on research and interviews we  learn yet another story about the horrors of the Holocaust  when French Jews were being deported not knowing and the people in France had no news of what was happening to the Jews. Eugene Hanschuch was one of those Jews who, along with his father survived teh war. Michael Rosen’s aunt and uncle were on the very same convoy as Handschuh but they didn’t come return from the prison camp.  Michael Rosen tells this story with clarity and poignancy. The monochromatic art work by Benhamin Phillips is staggering by capturing images of arrests, starvation, harsh work, attempts to escape through a tunnel interrogation and massive crowds of scared and screaming men, women and children whos lives were changed ‘one day’ and get through’ the day and then on to he next. One day at a time. One day after another”.  Writing these words is giving me goosebumps. This isa masterful picture book publication by a masterful author a illustrator and about a true story about the Holocaust catastrophe.  What a book!

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LOVE YOU FOREVER, MR. MUNSCH

The New York Times Magazine wrote a beautiful piece about Canadian Picture book hero, Robert Munsch (September 14,  2025).  Munsch is currently living with dementia and Parkinson’s disease and the article pays tribute to his sifnificant work as a storyteller and the author of more than 70 picture books that will be loved FOREVER.

Here is the link to the article:https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/magazine/robert-munsch-author-children-books-dementia.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nk8.noUJ.mWNa1MaIDXSA&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

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 FYI

The CBC has put ou a lis of 30 Canadian books for Young Kids That We Are excied about this fall.  Diversity reigns. 

https://www.cbc.ca/books/30-canadian-books-for-younger-kids-that-we-are-excited-about-this-fall-1.7616173

 

FYI

The 25 Greatest Picture Books of the Past 25 Years

Slate Magazine, September 22, 2025, Dan Lis and Rebecca Onioin, 

A recent article has been released that outlines the impact of picture books yesterday and today. The authors have offered a list of 25 titles from the past 25 years. I wonder which 25 titles would be on my list. Your list?

Source: Slate Magazine
https://share.google/9yGD8XrbgTkwjw2nn

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  • FIVE GREAT CANADIAN PICTURE BOOKS

    The Marilyn Baillie Picture Prize is an award given to the best picture book published within a year. The followinglists the 2024 nominees announced by The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. The winner will be announced on October 27th

    A FACE IS A POEM, Julie Morstad

    I’M AFRAID SAID THE LEAF Danielle Daniel; Ill. Matt James

    IT BEARS REPEATING Tanya Tangaq; ill. Cee Pootoogook

    MAD AT DAD, Janie Hao

    SOS WATER Yayo