The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc (2014, Enchanted Lion Books; 64 pages) The Lion and the Bird -- one of the best books I've read in the past year -- is an ode to friendship, loneliness, and kindness. This book contains not only fantastic, magical illustrations, but also a storyline built around a rare friendship that follows the bittersweet passing of time and seasons. There is a kind lion and an injured bird. There are wordless pages that tell the story through exquisite details in the illustrations that help to create a gentle pace, because sometimes words are truly not necessary, and what is necessary is to look at the world in silence and open your heart to the unknown. Everyone should read this book once or twice in their lives. Find this title in our catalog: The Lion and the Bird Recommended by: Maite
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Home by Carson Ellis (2015, Candlewick; 40 pages) This loving look at the places where people live is a new picture book in our collection, written and illustrated by Carson Ellis, artist for the Wildwood series and also the artist for the indie band The Decemberists. What I love about the book (besides the illustrations) is the brave vocabulary, and also the wittiness. It is simple, and still introduces the mythology and geography and even philosophy of home. "French people live in French homes. Atlantians make their homes underwater." "Some homes are boats. Some homes are wigwams." The final pages of the book allow interaction with the reader in a great and inspirational way: "But whose home is this? And what about this?" A meditation on the concept of home and a visual treat that invites many return visits. "Home might be a house in the country. Or an apartment in the city. Or even a shoe." I love this book. Find this title in our catalog: Home Recommended by: Maite Sparky! by Jenny Offill (Schwartz & Wade, 2014; 40 pages) “You can have any pet you want as long as it doesn’t need to be walked or bathed or fed.” Our heroine’s mom probably regrets telling this to her daughter, but it’s too late now. The minute she says it the girl heads straight to the library (where else?) and there she learns about sloths. In no time at all, one appears via Express Mail and she names him Sparky (thereby giving away the fact that she harbors impossible sloth-related dreams). Her know-it-all neighbor Mary Potts is not impressed, so our heroine determines to show off her pet in a “Trained Sloth Extravaganza.” Naturally, this does not go as planned, but even after everyone has left and it’s just her and Sparky, she can’t help but love the little guy -- and neither could I. Sparky! is hilarious, touching, and irresistible. Find this title in our catalog: Sparky! Recommended by: Greg |
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