Dad: the man, the myth, the legend by Mifflin Lowe: In the eyes and imagination of a 10-year-old son, Dad is capable of anything from fighting pythons to flying into space. At every getaway, a sensible mother humorously brings father, son, and readers to life. The son makes a face at his parents' embrace, but enjoys snuggling into his bed at night. He loves hearing his dad say, "You can do anything," but what he really wants is to be like him. Dani Torrent's lively illustrations and Lowe's positive depiction of family life and parenting make it worth reading. (Ages 4-8)
Fern and ottoby Stephanie Graegin: Fern the bear and Otto the cat share a cozy tree house and a deep friendship. Fern begins to write a story about their friendship, but Otto says he lacks enthusiasm and suggests that they venture into the woods in search of better material. The pair set off, meeting familiar characters and ongoing fairy tales such as "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Three Bears," and, most terrifyingly, the giant witch from "Hansel and Gretel." Fern and Otto gain a new appreciation for their home and its quiet rhythms. The gentle illustrations will leave young children with a lot to see. (From 3 to 7 years old)
The Rock of Heavenby Jon Klassen: The fun interactions reveal the personality differences between a stubborn tortoise and an inviting armadillo, each wearing a sporty bowler hat, and a silent snake companion in a beret. In 96 pages and five short sections, the turtle and the armadillo debate naps, sunsets, the future, and where is the best place, all while encountering bizarre events like a rock falling from the sky and a futuristic alien. Klassen's story of how friendship works amid strange and unpredictable circumstances includes his iconic minimalist illustrations, witty dialogue, and forceful eye movements. (Ages 5-8)
The wisdom of the treesby Lita Judge: Judge combines fascinating details and poetry with watercolors, giving readers a new take on tree ecosystems. Trees send messages to each other through fungal roots, the โWood Wide Web,โ and they have the ability to share food, help each other protect themselves from disease and insect attacks, and build support systems that support each other. extend for miles. Judge covers topics such as photosynthesis, winter slumber, tree rings, and the need for reforestation, and expands on further explanations in the appendix. Despite a strong environmental bias, this book shows the wonder of God's design. (From 6 to 10 years old)
Epilogue
On Twist a sun scarf by Dawn Casey (Floris Books, 2020), a young woman raises a lamb, then shears, spins and dyes its wool for a winter scarf. With themes similar to those of Harriet Ziefert A new coat for Anna(Knopf, 1986), the book shows children the cycle of making clothes with wool.
At Richard Ho's The lost package (Roaring Book Press, 2021), a child's carefully prepared package finally reaches its intended recipient, but not without setbacks and unexpected connections. In the final notes, Ho mentions the beleaguered US Postal Service, where his father worked for three decades.
Parents should be aware of the latest picture book from Newbery winning author Matt de la Peรฑa, Milo imagines the world (GP Putnam's Sons, 2021), features a same-sex wedding. The story portrays a boy who observes and draws the people around him on a subway, speculating about their comings and goings, and then realizes that they are probably different than he imagined. โMJ
