Milton Public Library

Picture This!

Tune in each week for a new Picture Perfect pick

Oh no! Time to go! by Rebecca Doughty
Often it isn’t easy to say goodbye and some goodbyes are more difficult than others.  The rhyming text and droll illustrations deliver a real sense of fun to a serious topic.  The final message, that for every goodbye there is a new hello, is a reassuring one.  For children 3 and up.

 

Princess Arabella's birthday by Mylo Freeman
This is a princess story with a twist that children and parents will all love.  Princess Arabella is a rather spoiled young girl who is demanding an elephant for her birthday.  Well, she gets what she wants but there is a price to pay for her demand.  The whimsical and colourful illustrations are super. For children 3 and up.

The snow day by Komako Sakai
       A young bunny wakes up to  wonderful news – it’s a snow day.  Kindergarten has been cancelled and he looks forward to the freedom of the day ahead.  But there is bad news as well.  His father is stranded in another city because of the snow.  When will he get home?  The muted shades of white and grey impose a feeling of quiet and peace.  For children 3 and up.

 

Snowy sports: ready, set, play by Per-Henrik Gurth
Just in time for the winter Olympics, this book depicts an adorable cast of animal characters as they embrace the wonderful world of winter sports.  The illustrations are bright and bold.  For children 3 – 5. 

Imagine a place by Sarah L. Thomson
“Imagine a place…where words shelter you, ideas uphold you, and thoughts lead you to the secret inside the labyrinth.”  Heady stuff!  This is a book to explore.  There is so much to look at, so much to discover, so  much to talk about.  Imaginatively conceived paintings enhance the lyrical text.  For older children 6 and up

Nancy Tafuri is one of my favourite author/illustrators. . 

Big storm by Nancy Tafuri
The sky is darkening.  The wind starts to blow.  A storm is coming.  Count from 1 to 10 as Rabbit, Mouse and Bird and their friends take cover in a cozy hollow.  They are safe for the night but find in the morning that they have a surprise visitor.  The illustrations are bold and bright and the book is recommended for children 2 – 4.

 

The surprisel by Sylvia van Ommen
True to its title, this quiet, wordless picture book keeps readers wondering what, exactly, is sheep up to.  After measuring the wool on his back, dying it, shearing it, spinning it, then finally knitting it, our question is answered.  The illustrations, in thickly applied gouache, are simple and uncluttered.  For children 3 and up. 

 

When you were small by Sara O’Leary
At bedtime a father reminisces with his son about what it was like when he (the son) was little.  “Dad” says Henry, “Tell me about when I was small”.  Dad, clearly, has a vivid imagination, much to the reader’s delight.  For children four and up.  Younger children might not ‘get’ it but will be intrigued.  The illustrations, much like line drawings, are charmingly detailed.

I love chocolate by Davide Cali
One little boy loves chocolate for a whole host of reasons – because it makes bad times better, because it makes every day a celebration.  And that’s just for starters.   Why do you love chocolate?  The illustrations are delightful.  For children 3 and up.

The perfect baby by Tony Bradman
Lucy has not taken to her new baby brother William – he is too noisy and smelly for a start.  She insists that he be returned to the New Baby Department at the hospital.  After a succession of replacements who turn out to be too boring, too hairy and even too scary she decides William isn’t so annoying after all.  A very funny book sure to be enjoyed by big brothers and sisters everywhere.  For children 3 and up.

Perfect snow by Barbara Reid
Yes, another great book by Barbara Reid!  With this book the illustrator combines her traditional Plasticine  with ink and watercolour panels to capture the anticipation, excitement and action of Canadian winter schoolyard full of perfect snow.  While you are waiting for the first snowfall, read this.  For children 3 and up.

The Christms babyl by Marion Dane Bauer
This is a unique take on the Christmas story. When the baby Jesus was born there was much celebration in the manger but when you were born there was celebration too because every new baby is a miracle. What a wonderful message this is! The illustrations – all the animals, kings, shepherds and angels – are bold and heartwarming. For children 2 – 5.

When Stella was very, very small by Marie –Louise Gay
If you are, like me, a devoted fan of the delightful characters Stella and Sam created by the talented author/illustrator Marie Louise Gay, you will be very pleased with the newest title in the series. When Stella was very small, she saw the world in her own unique way – with wonder, curiosity and the sense that anything is possible. For children 3 and up.

Just how long can a string be? by Keith Baker
Bird and Ant are friends.  Together they explore the many uses of a ball of string – from tugging a balloon, flying a kite to twisting and turning and tangling in knots.  Young children will enjoy spotting the tiny ant on each page.  For children 2 – 5. 

A crazy day at the critter cafe by Barbara Odanaka ; illustrated by Lee White.
A quiet morning in a roadside café turns to chaos when a bus breaks down and a menagerie of noisy, rude animals enters, demanding to be fed.  This story, told in rhyme, might humour that picky eater in your life.  For children 3 – 6.

Posy by Linda Newberry
Here is an outstanding picture book for all cat lovers and their young children.  Posy is a kitten with many uses – spider catcher, sofa scratcher, whiskers wiper, crayon swiper.  The illustrations are superb – large, simple and beautifully drawn.  For children 1 and up.

What pet to get by Emma Dodd
A common refrain heard by parents everywhere is “I want a pet”. Well, Jack wants a pet but what pet to get? His suggestions - elephant, lion, polar bear, tyrannosaurus rex - are not practical as mom carefully points out. The gatefold on the last page reveals Jack’s final choice, and a big surprise - literally. The large, bold illustrations will provide fun for children 2 - 5.

Higher! Higher! By Leslie Patricelli
Bold, vibrant and wildly expressive illustrations make this a most appealing book for the youngest children.  Dad and daughter are at the park where the swing is the main attraction.  How high can it go?  Higher than a giraffe?  Higher than a mountain?  Have a look and find out.  For children 18 months to 3 years of age.

 

The sleepy little alphabet by Judy Sierra
It is bedtime in alphabet town but all 26 small letters have something they want, need or must do before being tucked in by big letter mums and dads.  This is a fun read-aloud for young children learning their ABCs.  For children 3 – 5.

 

Sylvie by Jennifer Sattler
A curious young flamingo named Sylvie asks “Mama, why are we pink?” Well, it is because of the pink brine shrimp flamingos eat.  Sylvie decides to experiment taking the maxim ‘you are what you eat’ to a whole new level.  Much fun for children 3 – 5.

 

Puppy Love by Gillian Shields
This canine Romeo and Juliet story has a much better ending than the Shakesperian version. When posh pooch Esme Lanour is rescued by downtown dog Samuel Bloom it is the start of a big adventure and a great romance but the course of true love does not indeed run smooth. The pastel illustrations are delightfully sweet. For children 4 - 8.