Mental Health: Picture Books
For a child experiencing anxiety, phobias, depression, or grief, a picture book is a good conversation starter. This list, developed by Ann Jacobus and Nancy Bo Flood, is essential.
Quentin Blake
Laughing Matters
This month, Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Phyllis Root, the usual hosts of this column, have invited Kari Pearson to share her recommendations for funny picture books.
Let’s play a game! It’s called Funny/Not Funny. It goes like this:
Funny: Eating greasy bloaters with cabbage-and-potato sog (see: How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen)
Not Funny: Shoveling gigantic snowdrifts out of my driveway into piles almost as tall as myself.… more
Books about Chocolate
February is National Chocolate Month, so how could we let it pass by without an homage to chocolate … in books? Far less costly on the dental bill! “In 2009, more than 58 million pounds of chocolate were purchased and (likely) consumed in the days surrounding February 14th — that’s about $345 million worth. (Kiri Tannenbaum, “8 Facts About Chocolate,” Delish) Were you a part of the national statistic?
… more Beyond the Page
by Vicki Palmquist
I’ve been savoring Quentin Blake: Beyond the Page (Tate Publishing, 2012), a book that is replete with photos, illustrative art, and all the many ways Mr. Blake’s art has adorned many aspects of life “beyond the page.”
In his own voice, we hear of the places illustration has taken him. With something near a state of wonder, Mr.… more
Turtles in Children’s Literature
Our Bookstorm™ book, The Shadow Hero, is the origin story of a superhero, The Green Turtle. While this character is not an actual chelonian — though that would be an awesome super hero — there are many turtles and tortoises in children’s literature. Some might even be, technically, terrapins. Here are some notables.
… more
How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen
by Melanie Heuiser Hill
I have written before about the need for longer picture books in addition to the shorter ones making up the current trend in picture book publishing. I want to stay on the record as saying there’s plenty of reason to keep publishing picture books that are longer than 300 – 500 words. I’m an advocate for 3000 – 5000 words — a story with details!… more
