Monday Finds...

So today I was browsing the picture books for specific books to fit a teacher’s request and came across some interesting and varied books in the process that had absolutely nothing to do with what I was looking for, but had everything to do with my curiosity and interest in all sorts of picture books.

What I wound up with is an eclectic mix with no real theme or rhyme or reason. Just whatever I found. These were my finds today:



How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham—I have to get this one for my collection! Despite my husband’s continued conviction that pigeons are no more than rats with wings, this is a sweet story mostly told in images of a little boy named Will who brings home a pigeon with a broken wing and nurses it back to health. It’s a perfect city book for parents who need something featuring animals but not the country, with a great uplifting message and just all around wonderful book. Definitely going to put this in my faves. For ages 4 and up.


The Wish by Elle van Lieshout & Erik van Os, Illustrations by Paula Gerritson—A simple, charming story about a woman who wishes on a star—but doesn’t wish for the usual things. It’s brief and to the point with a happy ever after. Great once upon a time for ages 5 and up I think, though the point the book is making may go over the heads of younger listeners. I’m thinking how to bring this story into some of my read alouds, particularly to add to the wishing theme when I’m reading Willoughby and the Lion.



The Red Wolf written and illustrated by Margaret Shannon—I admit to being a sucker for the unusual fairy tale—especially the rebellious sort. This is an interesting little tale about a princess denied the world by her over protective (and rather unpleasant father) that is until she receives a strange gift that allows her to escape her imprisonment and get a little revenge. I don’t know if I’d recommend this to everyone. It has a very odd sort of father figure, a very startling sort of escape and revenge. I think my fellow poster, Don might enjoy it, but it won’t be for everyone. It did bug me a little that the girl’s name is Roselupin (gee no that doesn’t evoke ‘red wolf’ at all!). But I still have a fondness for it. Age suggestion would be 8yrs and up.



Divali Rose by Vashanti Rahaman, illustrated by Jamel Akib—Always intrigued by the multicultural story that highlights an unusual topic. In this case the Indian holiday of Divali. It’s a complicated story dealing with new and old immigrants to Trinidad and some of the hard feelings that exist and prejudices. I’m not sure it’s the best of stories but it’s a great introduction to another culture, some of it’s history and customs strung together in a tale of a boy struggling to admit the truth of something he did to his Grandfather. Ages 8 and up.




Tutus Aren’t My Style by Linda Skeers, pictures by Anne Wilsdorf—A funny read that got my attention because I was never the pink girly-girl myself. A sort of anti-fancy Nancy tom-boy character, Emma, is dismayed when her favorite uncle sends her a ballerina costume. She spends the story trying to figure out how to be a ballerina, and finally makes up her own “ballerina” rules (which end up with the cat wearing the tutu). It’s a silly, story that’s light hearted and fun—especially when it turn’s out Emma’s uncle meant to send a safari costume! Ages 4 to 6.



Today and Today: haiku by Issa, pictures by G. Brian Karas—a book I didn’t discover until now, but is a wonderful intro to classic haiku with a range of soft and evocative pictures through all four seasons. Pretty, interesting. Probably more appealing for adults than youngsters. I’d recommend ages 8 and up.


Four Legs Bad, Two Legs Good! By D. B. Johnson—trust the author who was inspired by Thoreau’s writings for his Henry books to now take a page for Orwell’s Animal Farm to create a tale for younger readers. This one is told in a graphic novel format and has a positive ending of cooperation that brings all the animals together. Interesting idea, probably will work best for a youngster who is just getting into graphic format and ready for more complex storytelling. Not my favorite of his works, but decidedly interesting. Probably best for 6 yrs and up.

Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad