Category: Picture Book Reviews

Picture Book Review: How the Sea Came to Be by Jennifer Berne (illustrated by Amanda Hall)

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Author: Jennifer Berne
Illustrator: Amanda Hall
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
25 April 2023
56 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and Florida-​based author/​illustrator Loreen Leedy.

 

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Jennifer Berne’s new picture book, How the Sea Came to Be, is an evocative and captivating exploration into Earth’s aquatic history. The storytelling (divided into three parts—The Birth of the Sea, The Birth of Life, and All That the Sea Came To Be) combines elements of geology, oceanography, biology, and evolution. Written in rhyming verse quatrains, the narrative is as much a lyrical journey as it is an educational resource, offering readers an overview of over 4.5 billion years of oceanic history. Yeah, that’s a lot of room to cover, and she manages it on in a robust 56 pages.

The vivid imagery created by the text grips from the outset, with descriptions that bring to life the primal chaos of the earth’s formative years. I’m also a fan of how Berne goes beyond rhyming to include alliteration (“They blazed and they blasted and boomed”) that add to the meter (mostly iambic) which makes this a fun read-aloud.

Accompanying Berne’s textual journey are Amanda Hall’s mixed media illustrations. I’ll let Loreen dive deeper into those (like the watery pun?), but I find them to be integral components of the learning journey, adding richness to the storytelling. The layout of each spread invites exploration and appreciation, with the varied marine life forms being depicted in their natural, multi-​layered aquatic habitats. I wish there were clearer labels directly on the art, but most of what’s shown is either in the main text or the extensive back matter. The full-​page notes from both creators, glossary, full-​spread chart of “Ocean Creatures Over Time,” and recommended readings and resources adds an extra layer of depth (is that another ocean pun?) that will no doubt be a welcome addition for the home school and classroom market.

It’s a challenge to simplify and present complex scientific concepts in a way that’s both accessible and engaging to young readers. For the most part, that’s what happens here. Ultimately, this picture book inspires curiosity and invites questions about our world’s natural history, making it a solid resource for young scientists or anyone with a keen interest in the marine world.

4.5 out of 5 pencils

 

–Loreen’s Review of the Illustrations–

The rhyming text and impressive illustrations in this nonfiction book present a whirlwind tour of the earth’s oceans from the earliest moments in prehistory up to the present day. Colorfully complex endpapers give a sneak peek of the visual delights to come. Every page invites readers to explore the vastly different environments that once existed (or still exist) on our planet.

Earth’s early period of cosmic bombardment and erupting volcanoes appear in dramatic compositions of orange, black, and white. Monochromatic scenes depict a cooling, rainy world with brand new oceans full of crashing waves. Life begins microscopically small yet with pulsating energy, pictured as tiny circles/​cells that expand into more numerous and complex forms. Soon, simple but more recognizable animals such as sponges and jellyfish cling to rocks or float in the salty waters.

A delightful close-​up view of a worm wriggling along the ocean floor conveys an important milestone in the history of life: the ability to travel in a desired direction. Hard-​shelled arthropods scuttle and swim through a viridian and magenta frieze. One illustration requires a 90-​degree turn of the book to explore the dark depths of the sea where unusual, even glowing creatures dwell. Each spread moves forward in time as cephalopods, fish, reptiles, and whales wander the seven seas in their turn.

The animals are drawn and painted in a lightly stylized, realistic way with a hint of friendly charm. Technical jargon is avoided in the main text, while the back matter provides additional in-​depth information such as an illustrated fold-​out chart of geological eras. Curiously, plants are not mentioned despite their vital role in the food chain. Aside from that quibble, this is a terrific book to engage young readers in learning about major ocean-​related developments in prehistory. The beautifully designed artwork is outstanding throughout with numerous details for young readers to examine and enjoy.

4.5 out of 5 crayons

Loreen Leedy is the author and illustrator of over 45 picture books for children. Most of them include educational content such as math, science, language arts, and social studies topics, presented with humor and enthusiasm. Her titles include My Teacher Is a Dinosaur and Other Prehistoric Poems, Jokes, Riddles, & Amazing Facts; Fraction Action; Measuring Penny; and Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story. She lives with her husband on a rural property in central Florida.

Picture Book Reviews: Here I Can Be Mindful (Ally Condie); Oh No, the Aunts Are Here (Adam Rex); Stinkbird Has a Superpower (Jill Esbaum); Weather Together (Jessie Sima); When You Can Swim (Jack Wong)

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Things went sideways at OPB this month, so instead of offering a normal picture book review where I write about the story and a pro illustrator writes about the art, we’re going a different route this time. We’re doing five-​word reviews for five picture books.

If you like this zippy new format, maybe we’ll try it again from time to time.

 

Here I Can Be Mindful
Author: Ally Condie
Illustrator: Jamie Kim
Viking Books for Young Readers
2 May 2023
32 pages

Five-​word review: Peaceful voyage through mindful awareness.

4.25 out of 5 Zen koans

Oh No, the Aunts Are Here
Author: Adam Rex
Illustrator: Lian Cho
Chronicle Books
23 May 2023
40 pages

Five-​word review: Boisterous, loving family reunion tale.
4.25 out of 5 family photos

Stinkbird Has a Superpower
Author: Jill Esbaum
Illustrator: Bob Shea
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
16 May 2023
32 pages

Five-​word review: Unique charm amid stinky adventures.

4.25 out of 5 stink waves

Weather Together (Not Quite Narwhal and Friends)
Author: Jessie Sima
Illustrator: Jessie Sima
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2 May 2023
56 pages

Five-​word review: Unicorns explore emotional weather together.

4.75 out of 5 rainbow swirls

When You Can Swim
Author: Jack Wong
Illustrator: Jack Wong
Orchard Books
2 May 2023
48 pages

Five-​word review: Diverse, empowering, aquatic joy ride.

4.5 out of 5 diving boards

Picture Book Review: Hooked On Books by Margaret Chiu Greanias (illustrations by Kristyna Litten)

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Peachtree
27 June 2023
32 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and Connecticut-​based author/​illustrator Abi Cushman.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Hooked on Books dives deep into the heart of a bookworm named Pearl, an anglerfish who resides in the far reaches of the ocean’s twilight zone. With her glowing lure/​reading light, Pearl embarks on a journey that many readers will find relatable–she wrestles with finding the oh-​so-​perfect reading spot undisturbed by her sea creature buddies.

Pearl’s story begins with her anticipation to dive into a long-​awaited book about a kraken’s quest for happiness. However, her excitement is soon dampened by the constant interruptions from the underwater community (including eels, jellyfish, and mollusks), all eager to peek at her book. In her desperation for peace and quiet, Pearl explores the darkest corners of the sea, even braving the midnight zone where yeti crabs mistake her lure for a disco ball.

Finally, she finds solitude in the tranquil darkness of the abyss, a place untouched by the relentless interruptions. However, Pearl soon discovers that blissful silence can become a lonely place, leading to an unexpected realization: sharing her love for books might not be so bad after all.

In sum, Hooked on Books is a charming story that captures the frustration and the eventual compromise that comes with the territory of being an avid reader. Litten’s charming, whimsical illustrations breathe life into the narrative, illuminating the deep-​sea setting with captivating contrasts of light and dark–I’ll let Abi explain that a bit more. At the same time, Greanias’ adept storytelling provides a gentle reminder about the importance of setting healthy, appropriate boundaries while also appreciating the company of others.

This eye-​catching 32-​page picture book is likely to resonate with young readers, whether they live on land or fancy a life far under the sea.

4.25 out of 5 pencils

 

–Abi’s Review of the Illustrations–

In Hooked on Books, Kristyna Litten has created not only engaging and expressive characters, but also visually stunning scenes. This is quite a feat for a story that takes place deep down in the dark ocean with a main character that, in real life, let’s just say does not look very approachable.

But Litten accomplishes this by using a limited color palette of varying shades of blue for most of the sea creatures and scenery, and reserving a bright orange hue for the main character, an anglerfish named Pearl, paired with a burst of bright yellow to depict her lure/​reading light. In doing so, Litten skillfully evokes a deep sea atmosphere, but is still able to show details of other sea creatures, plant life, and scenery. The eye naturally follows the brightly-​colored Pearl on each spread, with her funny pouty face as she tries to get a moment alone to read her book.

One thing that I thought would be imperative in this book was the effective use of light and shadow because a lot of the magic of deep sea anglerfish is just how dark it is way deep down in the ocean, and just how bright the anglerfish’s lure is. Fortunately, Litten rose to this challenge, and depicts light and shadow beautifully. I especially enjoyed the spread where Pearl is swimming away from all the sea creatures leaving behind a trail of light. It is such a fun scene, and the light trail really boosts the humor of the situation.

Another challenge Litten had to solve was how to show what Pearl was reading. Litten chose to make the book look like a shell, and then the characters from the book emerge from it as simple outlined forms as opposed to fully-​rendered characters. This was a really clever way to distinguish the characters and action in Pearl’s book from what was really happening around Pearl.

I also really appreciated how Litten used creative layouts to effectively show Pearl’s vertical travel. For example, as Pearl journeys deeper, one spread has the reader flip the book on its side to make use of the full vertical double page orientation. As Pearl journeys up, Litten employs vertical panels to emphasize her ascent.

My favorite spread zooms out and shows a myriad of sea creatures fanned out from Pearl in a semicircle as she tries to hide in a shipwreck to get a moment of peace. Of course she’s illuminated by her burst of light at the bottom of the page. Kids will enjoy looking at the different fish and other creatures surrounding her.

In conclusion, it’s clear that Litten and the design team at Peachtree were very thoughtful in their choices about color, light and shadow, and design. The result is a book that flows wonderfully and will capture readers’ attention with every spread all the way through to the end.

5 out of 5 crayons

Abi Cushman is the author-​illustrator of funny picture books, including Animals Go Vroom! (Viking), Soaked! (Viking), and her nonfiction debut, Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A [Not So] Serious Guide (Greenwillow, 2023). She has also worked as a web designer for over 15 years, and runs two popular websites of her own: MyHouseRabbit.com and AnimalFactGuide.com, which was named a Great Website for Kids by the American Library Association. In her spare time, Abi enjoys running, playing tennis, and eating nachos. (Yes, at the same time.) She lives on the Connecticut shoreline with her husband and two kids.

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Picture Book Review: The Night Tent by Landis Blair

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Margaret Ferguson Books
18 April 2023
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and OPB friend, Rebecca Zomchek.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

From the first page of Landis Blair’s debut picture book, readers encounter a scenario we all know–a child in bed is uncomfortable when considering all the worrisome things that MIGHT be lurking in the dark. The more he tries not to think about it, the more he does.

Then the child (his name is Watson) notices an odd light coming from beneath the covers, so what else can he do but check it out? Once he ducks beneath the covers, he finds himself under a giant tent where the roof is covered with stars (thus the title, one assumes).

It’s more than a tent, though–there on the ground before Watson is a magical pathway weaving its way to a strange forest. Yes, there are unmistakable Where the Wild Things Are vibes here as Watson encounters creatures among the trees. We already know he’s scared of creatures in the night, so it’s no shocker that he hides at first, but after giving us the ongoing refrain (“and since Watson wasn’t sleepy”), which justifies his decision to proceed each time in the face of potential peril, he joins them as “he ran and played with them along the forest path.”

Despite Watson’s insistence that he’s not tired, he looks sleepier by the page as he gets on a trolley and “traveled through an ancient city, along treacherous cliffs, and over the sea to a tiny island with a very tall tower.” Up he climbs as his eyes droop and his shoulders slump, and then he crawls out from under the cover and is zonked–way too tired to worry about monsters or darkness or anything except sleep.

I’ll let Rebecca explain how the art steals the show here, but I can see where parents might be pleased how this story demonstrates how a child can find their way to sleep on their own. Yeah, it’s Maurice Sendak with kid gloves, but the dreamlike art, gentle mood, and quiet, comforting language will be welcome fare for many families.

4 out of 5 pencils

 

–Rebecca’s Review of the Illustrations–

I first became aware of Landis Blair’s work from his illustrations for From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughy. His pen and ink work interested me then as I am a fan of both his style and influences, and I was very excited for the opportunity to see and review his debut picture book.

In a layered style full of strong ink values and hatch marks, reminiscent of both Edward Gorey and Tove Jannson, Blair takes on a night-​time adventure with young boy Watson and how his imagination takes him from being afraid of the darkness in his room into a sprawling Where the Wild Things Are type of adventure through a magical landscape.

Watson tries and fails to sleep while being afraid of his dark bedroom. After discovering a light coming from under his covers we and Watson go on a starlit journey through deep forests, meeting friendly monsters, and traveling down a winding path to a high tower. These are all depicted in cool blues, greens and purples, with pops of muted yellow and black crosshatching applied to add depth and texture. This helps with both the nighttime feeling and both the idea of being outside and inside a dream.

We and Watson discover just how far our imaginations can take us and how the power of creativity and thinking of positive things can help us overcome our fears and find peace and rest.

Blair balances his many armed and mix and match animal/​monsters and darker color palette with whimsy, and inviting smiles, managing to side-​step being scary and creating a world that feels very dream-​like. The story itself is simple and straightforward but is warm and gentle which helps balance the surreal world he creates. Watson also being one of the warmest elements in the books helps draw our eye to him and the many long paths create fun eye movement as you move through the story.

I hope this book lulls many children to sleep while following Watson’s journey, just as it did for him. I also hope anyone enjoying the book is able to twinkle with their own stars when faced with worries and fears, remembering that our thoughts and dreams can be there for us when things are dark.

4.75 out of 5 crayons

Rebecca Zomchek is a children’s book illustrator who has worked as a concept artist and cartoonist. She earned her BFA from Syracuse University and her MFA from The School of Visual Arts; she is now the Associate Dean of Entertainment Design at the Columbus College of Art and Design. Rebecca loves watching the stars and going on adventures through the woods.

Visit her at www.rzillustration.com.

Picture Book Review: Busy Feet by Marcia Berneger

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Starry Forest Books
14 February 2023
24 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and longtime OPB friend (and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor) John Herzog.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

It’s always a bit challenging to review a book with minimal text and eye-​catching art. That’s the situation here with Busy Feet, where a pair of kids go throughout their day with the emphasis being on the range of activities they experience in a kind of Energizer-​bunny fashion. You almost never see their faces to the point that the feet themselves are essentially the main characters. I’ll let John explain the ifs, hows, and whys of the art’s effectiveness below, but I suggest it’s likely due to vibrant colors and a strong sense of motion.

Let’s circle back to the text. The rhymes are purposefully basic and appear to be chosen with a goal of showcasing opposites (hot/​cold, go/​stop, high/​low) to help very young readers learn important words and concepts. To ensure readers notice these common antonyms, they’re always in UPPER CASE lettering in the text.

The book is especially short for a picture book (24 pages versus the standard 32). Was it originally intended to be a board book? I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that, considering the level of text. This feels like a book intended for 2- to 4‑year olds, though kids in the images seem older than that mid- to late-​toddler age. I’m pleased to see that the main two kids/​pairs of feet showcase a biracial friendship, and in the cameos of other kids/​feet, there’s a child in a wheelchair zooming along. For a pretty small cast of characters/​feet, that’s a lot of range.

In the absence of a more defined storyline and with rhyming text this minimal, I prefer to find true rhymes (high/​sky) versus near rhymes (done/​come). Leaning into the accents in addition to being attentive to syllable counts and rhymes often gives subtle oomph to the text, as well.

Still, Busy Feet this has a pleasing read-​aloud quality. And, as John will explain in a moment, the art is sure to appeal. That’s a nice combination. But I wonder–since toddlers buzz through their days in a whirlwind of activity, might we see sequels that showcase other busy toddler body parts? I’m imagining hands and mouths, but surely other options might prove equally intriguing.

4 out of 5 pencils

 

–John’s Review of the Illustrations–

Reading Busy Feet reminded me of this quote from Douglas Horton:

“The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity.”

Susanna Chapman’s illustrations for Busy Feet exemplifies this beautifully. The colors, patterns, design of the characters and peripheral elements – it all feels so simple, yet there’s a heart of complexity beating here.

Even simpler is the story, written by Marcia Berneger. Typeset in Futura (a Wes Anderson staple) and coupled with the simply complex illustrations, this feels more like a visual tone poem than a picture book. The design choices and visual flourishes give this an almost hallucinogenic feeling, which is exactly what the book needs.

I personally found the story (if it can be called that) somewhat lacking, but perhaps I’m expecting too much. After all, if the story were to be more straightforward, perhaps the balance of the simple story with the complex illustrations would cause it to feel a bit uneven. Nevertheless, I think there were more opportunities for Berneger to explore, especially given that the book takes the point-​of-​view of a little dog following along with the exploits of his child compatriots.

That’s the only weak link, really. On the other hand, the illustrations are incredibly effective and, most importantly, fun. This book is chock-​full of abstraction, interesting perspectives, textures you can really sink your teeth into, and old school printing imperfections – such as misaligned print plates. The style is very retro, which helps to make Busy Feet feel at home in both 1963 and 2023.

I have no doubt that this will end up being one of my favorite books of the year thanks to Chapman’s outstanding illustrations.

4.5 out of 5 crayons

John Herzog is an illustrator and educator. He has created work for Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Little, Brown and Company, Highlights for Children, DreamWorks TV, and Hasbro. He also teaches illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design.

John is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where he received the 2018 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award. He lives in Florida with his family.

John is represented by Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary.

Picture Book Review: Bear Is Never Alone by Marc Veerkamp

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Author: Marc Veerkamp
Translator: Laura Watkinson
Illustrator: Jeska Verstegen
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
4 April 2023
32 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and Florida-​based freelance illustrator Gladys Jose.

 

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Veerkamp’s English-​language debut (which Laura Watkinson translated from the Dutch original) in an interesting one. Here’s the story.

From page one, everyone in the forest knows that Bear’s piano playing is magnificent. The forest creatures crowd around to hear every delicious note. So good!

Suddenly, there’s a YAAAAAWWWWWNNNN!

Who’d be so rude as to interrupt this wonderful concert? Not Monkey. Not Squirrel. Not Turtle.

Was it…Bear?

Yep, Bear is done with music for now and simply wants a break. He just wants to be alone, though that’s a real problem because the others aren’t okay with it. The way the animals stalk him and insist on more music–like he owes it to them!–seems to be vaguely reminiscent of how paparazzi swarms celebrities and expect them to deliver 24⁄7.

Eventually, Bear shakes his pursuers and ends up alone. Or so Bear thinks. But look–Zebra is nearby (and I can’t help but note how Zebra’s stripes are newsprint–so cool). Zebra’s not pushy or demanding, though. In fact, Zebra wants to do something in return for Bear playing such beautiful music. Zebra offers to read Bear a story.

No way, decides Bear because all he wants is to be left alone. But…being told a story is pretty good. Is there somehow a way for both animals to get what they want?

I won’t spoil the final spread, but it’s a cute, satisfying moment.

Introverted readers will see themselves in how powerfully Bears years for silence and solitude. Others who perhaps aren’t as attuned to that angle will likely see this as a story about respecting boundaries or showing kindness.

Regardless of how apparent the social-​emotional lessons are to readers, this simple story with captivating art is thoughtful and welcome. I look forward to seeing more of Veerkamp’s work being translated into English.

4.5 out of 5 pencils

 

–Gladys’ Review of the Illustrations–

The art for Bear Is Never Alone is absolutely stunning!

The illustrations for this book are rendered in brilliant silhouetted black and white figures and shapes, with a bold red color for small details. The use of negative space was used so thoughtfully throughout. It’s the type of art readers will want to take time and look through slowly, as there are little details hidden throughout. In some places the negative space is actually other imagery, another animal, or elements of the forest.

The lone zebra character’s “stripes” being text is a creative and lovely touch, tying in to the book that they were hoping to comfort bear with–the same way that the bear’s solid bold silhouette mimics the grand piano.

I appreciate how the lone zebra was actually introduced from the start of the book, but never mentioned through the text and you could see he was different than the other animals and would play a bigger role eventually.

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this picture book. Both the words and art were lovely! It’s definitely a book worth having on your shelf and worthy of re-reads.

5 out of 5 crayons

Gladys Jose is an illustrator and storyteller. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, specializing in graphic design. She’s the illustrator of the Fresh Princess series (HarperCollins), The Elephants’ Guide to Hide-​and-​Seek (Sourcebooks), and Clayton Parker Really Really REALLY Has to Pee (Abrams), as well as other upcoming books.
She lives in the sunny state of Florida with her supportive loving husband, energetic brilliant daughter, and a very sweet pup named Miles.