I’ve been struggling to figure out how to report on the picture books we’ve read. My goal is to finish my library’s collection of picture books with an author last name starting with C this year – which means I’m reading A LOT of picture books – many of which aren’t worth re-reading. But there are a few that are quite good. For now, I’m going to try separating out picture books into a post of their own and report briefly on each book. Titles with an *asterisk* are ones I think are worth re-reading (3 stars or above).
Authors Last Name “CAN”
- *Pinduli by Janell Cannon
I did not at all expect to enjoy this story of a hyena who gets made fun of – but enjoy it I did. It’s all about how our words impact others. Quite good. - *Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
A young bat falls into a bird’s nest – and discovers that though he and the birds are different, they can still be friends. Very nice. - Bonjour Camille by Felipe Cano, illustrations by Laia Aguilar
I don’t know what to think about this exactly, except that I don’t think it’s worthwhile enough to spend too much time figuring out what I think about it. - A Friend for Einstein by Charlie Cantrell and Dr. Rachel Wagner
A tiny, tiny miniature horse is lonely. Who will be a friend for Einstein? Okay, not amazing.
Written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
- 5-Minute Biscuit Stories illustrated by Pat Schories
Gentle stories of ordinary adventures children will likely be able to identify with. This anthology is a nice one if you happen to like the “Biscuit” books. - Biscuit Visits the Doctor
Half of the text is “woof”. No thank you. - Hannah is a Big Sister illustrated by Dorothy Stott
As usual, this “new baby” focuses on an older sibling’s frustration – until she discovers she can soothe the baby. Eh - *I will Love You illustrated by Lisa Anchin
Pretty pictures, pretty rhyme, great for reading to a little-little one. - *Mighty Tug illustrated by David Mottram
A sweet rhyming story about the small but mighty tugboat (and all the things he can do). - Not This Bear illustrated by Lorna Hussey
A little bear on his first day of school disagrees whenever his teacher says that “all the bears enjoy…” – but he finds that his first day of school isn’t so bad after all. - The Potty Book for Boys illustrated by Dorothy Stott
A rather standard “I’m a big boy” type book - Tulip loves Rex
and Tulip and Rex Write a Story illustrated by Sarah Massini
A girl and a dog are friends. They like to dance. They write a story. Meh.
Authors Last Name “CAPO” to “CARL”
- Monster Know Shapes by Lori Capote, illustrated by Chip Wass
A rather generic shape book with rather dull cartoon illustrations. - *Heroes of the Surf by Elisa Carbone, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Interesting story of a beleaguered ship and the people who came to its rescue – based on a true story from 1882. - **47 Strings: Tessa’s Special Code by Becky Carey, illustrated by Bonnie Leick
A lovely letter written to a big brother about his little sister, who has Down Syndrome. - Cinderella’s Stepsister and the Big Bad Wolf by Lorraine Carey, illustrated by Migy Blanco
A fun fractured, multi-fairy-tale mashup. Cinderella’s hard-working and kind step-sister doesn’t live up to the ugly name, so her mother sends her off to learn how to be evil from all the best (worst?) fairy tale villains. - **The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
We’ve read all of Carle’s books before – but Louis pulled this one off the shelf at home and OF COURSE I’m willing to read it to him! - A World of Your Own by Laura Carlin
All about drawing your own imaginary world – with lots of ideas for doing so. I found it to be just, meh.
Written by Nancy Carlson
I am not much of a fan of Carlson’s illustration style – or of most of her subject matter. Meh.
- Harriet and the Roller Coaster
Henry’s bravado turns out for naught when Harriet discovers that she actually enjoys the roller coaster – while Henry discovers that it isn’t really for him. - Henry’s 100 Days of Kindergarten
I wasn’t a fan of the illustrations and I think I might be something of a Scrooge when it comes to depictions of classroom life…so this book was not for me. - Loudmouth George Earns His Allowance
George discovers that forcing his little siblings to do his chores doesn’t exactly save him time or energy. - Sometimes You Barf
I understand the idea, trying to make barfing less scary. But I just can’t enjoy this book. - There’s a Big, Beautiful World Out There!
There are lots of things to be afraid of – but even more to be glad to explore. Made all the more poignant when you learn at the end that the book was written on Sep 12, 2001.
Written by Nancy White Carlstrom
This opens and closes with that “before you were born, God wrote your days in a book”, but the middle was enigmatic. I’m not sure whether I like it.
Three different mother/child pairs ask and answer “Mama, will it snow tonight?” Sweet.
Guess Who’s Coming, Jesse Bear?
Happy Birthday, Jesse Bear and
*Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? illustrated by Bruce Degan
A rhyming series of inconsistent quality. I enjoyed What Will You Wear quite a bit – but found the others either too preachy or too repetitive to be truly enjoyable.
A lovely transition from quiet to loud and back again. Fun.
Beautifully poetic, lovely word pictures of the sky speaking – but a bit hard to interpret. This has Psalm 19 at the end of it “The heavens declare the glory of God…” but the message of the book doesn’t really have the sky speaking the glory of God.
Authors Last Name “CAR” to “CAS”
- I’m 3! Look What I Can Do by Maria Carluccio
I’m surprised this wasn’t a board book. It’s very, very simple. Simple enough to be boring to my two-year-old (who listens with half an ear as if to say, “well, duh, I can do most of those things. What of it?”) - *A Circle of Friends by Giora Carmi
A little boy changes his neighborhood when he gives a roll to a homeless man sleeping on the bench below his apartment. A lovely wordless book. - The Children Who Loved Books by Peter Carnavas
A book against Marie Kondo-ing your book collection :-) - Haunted Houses Handbook by Monica Carretero
Nothing terribly objectionable, but really not my thing. - How Roland Rolls by Jim Carrey, illustrated by Rob Nason
Groan. - Papa’s Backpack by James Christopher Carroll
A child wishes he could go along “in papa’s backpack” when his father is deployed. I wanted to like this, but it just didn’t do it for me. - Spiders Dance by Maureen Carroll, illustrated by Bobbie Powell
A spider wants to dance – but has to learn his own way of dancing. The author made asides to the reader at the end of every page, which might have spoiled the story for me. - *Under a Prairie Sky by Anne Laurel Carter, illustrated by Alan and Lea Daniel
A boy dreams of becoming a Mountie – and pretends that he already is one. - *Guess Who, Haiku by Deanna Caswell, illustrated by Bob Shea
A cute book of haiku about different animals – offering the reader an opportunity to guess which animal.
Written by Jan Carr
- *Dappled Apples and
*Frozen Noses illustrated by Dorothy Donohue
Poetic tributes to autumn and winter (respectively), filled with scenes from each season. Delightful – engaging enough for a four-year-old, a two-year-old, a one-year-old, and their mama. - Toe Shoe Mouse illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell
A mouse finds a home in a toe shoe – and a friend in the toe shoe’s owner Celeste.
Written by Carol Carrick
- Lost in the Storm illustrated by Donald Carrick
Realistic fiction about a dog who got lost in a storm (and is found). - Mothers are Like That illustrated by Paul Carrick
Simple and sweet, about how mothers love their children.
Other Picture Books
- Papa’s Gift by Kathleen Long Bostrom, illustrated by Guy Porfirio
A rather saccharine tale checked out from the church library. One reading was plenty enough.