Favorite Picture Books of 2020

Favorite Undies of 2020

Don't forget that you can see my casewrap reveals all year round here.

Endpapers for the end of your week!

I TALK LIKE A RIVER

For my last review of 2020, I would be completely remiss if I didn't share I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith. 

Let's Talk Illustrators #165: Nicola Davies

For my last interview of 2020, I am pleased to present my conversation with seasoned author and debut illustrator Nicola Davies about Last: The Story of a White Rhino. Already an accomplished zoologist and writer, Nicola easily (or so it seems!) slides into the role of illustrator with eye-catching and meaningful visuals that push her text forward and tell their own story. Enjoy our chat!

Crushes of the Week: December 6-12, 2020

This week's crushes:

1. The Bad Chair by Dasha Tolstikova (Groundwood Books, October 2020)
2. Mexique: A Refugee Story from the Spanish Civil War by María José Ferrada and Ana Penyas (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, October 2020)
3. The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez and Lauren Semmer (Workman Publishing, December 2020)
4. Sound: Shhh . . . Bang . . . Pop . . . Boom! by Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv (Chronicle Books, October 2020)
5. If You Were Night by Muon Thi Van and Kelly Pousette (Kids Can Press, September 2020)
6. A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris (Candlewick, October 2020)

      

Endpapers for the end of your week!

EVERY COLOR OF LIGHT

Every Color of Light, written by Hiroshi Osada, illustrated by Ryōji Arai, and translated by David Boyd, is a visual and lyrical marvel.

Let's Talk Illustrators #164: Andrés Sandoval

Today I'm sharing an interview Brazilian illustrator, architect, and muralist (among other things) Andrés Sandoval about The Invisible, written by Alcides Villaça. You'll see below how each one of those descriptors informs the way Andrés creates his illustrations, and it was so interesting to peek behind the curtain (or red vinyl in this case) to see how Andrés balanced a dual narrative. 

Crushes of the Week: November 29-December 5, 2020

This week's crushes:

1. One of a Kind: A Story about Sorting and Classifying by Neil Packer (Candlewick Studio, October 2020)
2. The Teachers March!: How Selma's Teachers Changed History by Rich Wallace, Sandra Neil Wallace, and Charly Palmer (Calkins Creek Books, September 2020)
3. The Language of the Universe: A Visual Exploration of Mathematics by Colin Stuart and Ximo Abadia (Big Picture Press, October 2020)
4. I Am a Capybara by Michela Fabbri (Princeton Architectural Press, October 2020)
5. The Last Hazelnut by Susanna Isern and Mariana Ruiz Johnson (Barefoot Books, August 2020)
6. I Found Hope in a Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendziwol and Nathalie Dion (Groundwood Books, September 2020)

     

Endpapers for the end of your week!

LITTLE WISE WOLF

Little Wise Wolf by Gijs Van Der Hammen and Hanneke Siemensma is a quiet, beautiful story about the benefits of teamwork and community.

Let's Talk Illustrators #163: Rosa Osuna

I am so excited to share a special interview today with Spanish illustrator Rosa Osuna. Rosa illustrated Chema Hera's Grandparents, which published in the US for the first time this past spring. This is Rosa's debut book, but it's clear it won't be her last! Check out our conversation below.

Crushes of the Week: November 15-21, 2020

This week's crushes:

1. The New Baby and Me by Christine Kidney and Hoda Haddadi (Tiny Owl Books, November 2020)
2. Anatomicum: Welcome to the Museum by Jennifer Z. Paxton and Katy Wiedemann (Big Picture Press, September 2020)
3. The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer and Cindy Derby (Candlewick Press, October 2020)
4. Reynard the Fox by Anne Louise Avery (Bodleian Library, November 2020)
5. The Mountains of Mumbai by Labanya Ghosh and Pallavi Jain (Karadi Tales Picturebooks, September 2020)
6. Amazing Islands: 100+ Places That Will Boggle Your Mind by Sabrina Weiss and Kerry Hyndman (What on Earth Books, June 2020)
7. A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India by Meera Sriram and Mariona Cabassa (Barefoot Books, August 2020)

      

Endpapers for the end of your week!

THE BEAR AND THE DUCK

The Bear and the Duck by May Angeli is a loving story about the lasting bonds of friendship and the continuity of change.

Let's Talk Illustrators #162: Devin, Eric, & Terry Fan (aka The Fan Brothers)

Today's interview is special for a couple reasons. It's special for me because it's my first-ever interview with THREE creators at once! Now while you'd think that'd be a lot to coordinate, what makes this interview extra special is that the creators are The Fan Brothers. You've probably heard of The Fan Brothers and their award-winning books, but the cherry on top of this extra special interview is that The Barnabus Project marks one Fan brother's picture book debut and the first time all three brothers Devin, Eric, and Terry have created a book together. Check out our conversation below!

Crushes of the Week: November 8-14, 2020

This week's crushes:

1. Two Many Birds by Cindy Derby (Roaring Brook Press, November 2020)
2. Your House, My House by Marianne Dubuc (Kids Can Press, October 2020)
3. The Wrench by Elise Gravel (Orca Book Publishers, October 2020)
4. Make Yourself at Home by Signe Torp (Thames & Hudson, October 2020)
5. Lubaya's Quiet Roar by Marilyn Nelson and Philemona Williamson (Dial Books, October 2020)
6. Paper Peek: Animals by Chihiro Takeuchi (Candlewick Press, September 2020)
7. Put Yourself in My Shoes by Susanna Isern and Mylène Rigaudie (NubeOcho, September 2020)
8. Special Delivery by Elliot Kruszynski (Cicada Books, September 2020)
9. Out the Door by Christy Hale (Neal Porter Books, October 2020)

       

Endpapers for the end of your week!

STAR CROSSED

Star Crossed by Julia Denos addresses the difficulties involved in maintaining a long distance relationship and the things people do to stay connected to the ones they love.

Let's Talk Illustrators #161: Yael Frankel

Today I'm sharing an interview with award-winning Argentinian illustrator Yael Frankel. Yael's debut book in the United States is The Elevator, and it was such a thrill talking to her about this book and what she has in store for us next. Enjoy!

Crushes of the Week: November 1-7, 2020

This week's crushes:

1. Sharing by Yusuke Yonezu (Mineditionus, September 2020)
2. A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut by Masha D'Yans (Millbrook Press, October 2020)
3. Mouse in the House by Russell Ayto (Andersen Press, October 2020)
4. 5-Minute Really True Stories for Bedtime by Britannica Books (Britannica Books, October 2020)
5. In the Dark: The Science of What Happens at Night by Lisa Deresti Betik and Josh Holinaty (Kids Can Press, September 2020)
6. This Is a Book of Shapes by Kenneth Kraegel (Candlewick Press, September 2020)
7. Once Upon an Hour by Ann Yu-Kyung Choi and Soyeon Kim (Orca Book Publishers, October 2020)
8. Who Ate My Cakes? by Canizales (Nubeocho, October 2020)