Picture Book Review: Hooked On Books by Margaret Chiu Greanias (illustrations by Kristyna Litten)

On June 5, 2023June 5, 2023 By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

Author: Margaret Chiu Greanias
Illustrator: Kristyna Litten

Peachtree

27 June 2023

32 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/Operator of Only Picture Books) and Connecticut-based author/illustrator Abi Cushman.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Hooked on Books dives deep into the heart of a bookworm named Pearl, an anglerfish who resides in the far reaches of the ocean’s twilight zone. With her glowing lure/reading light, Pearl embarks on a journey that many readers will find relatable–she wrestles with finding the oh-so-perfect reading spot undisturbed by her sea creature buddies.

Pearl’s story begins with her anticipation to dive into a long-awaited book about a kraken’s quest for happiness. However, her excitement is soon dampened by the constant interruptions from the underwater community (including eels, jellyfish, and mollusks), all eager to peek at her book. In her desperation for peace and quiet, Pearl explores the darkest corners of the sea, even braving the midnight zone where yeti crabs mistake her lure for a disco ball.

Finally, she finds solitude in the tranquil darkness of the abyss, a place untouched by the relentless interruptions. However, Pearl soon discovers that blissful silence can become a lonely place, leading to an unexpected realization: sharing her love for books might not be so bad after all.

In sum, Hooked on Books is a charming story that captures the frustration and the eventual compromise that comes with the territory of being an avid reader. Litten’s charming, whimsical illustrations breathe life into the narrative, illuminating the deep-sea setting with captivating contrasts of light and dark–I’ll let Abi explain that a bit more. At the same time, Greanias’ adept storytelling provides a gentle reminder about the importance of setting healthy, appropriate boundaries while also appreciating the company of others.

This eye-catching 32-page picture book is likely to resonate with young readers, whether they live on land or fancy a life far under the sea.

4.25 out of 5 pencils

–Abi’s Review of the Illustrations–

In Hooked on Books, Kristyna Litten has created not only engaging and expressive characters, but also visually stunning scenes. This is quite a feat for a story that takes place deep down in the dark ocean with a main character that, in real life, let’s just say does not look very approachable.

But Litten accomplishes this by using a limited color palette of varying shades of blue for most of the sea creatures and scenery, and reserving a bright orange hue for the main character, an anglerfish named Pearl, paired with a burst of bright yellow to depict her lure/reading light. In doing so, Litten skillfully evokes a deep sea atmosphere, but is still able to show details of other sea creatures, plant life, and scenery. The eye naturally follows the brightly-colored Pearl on each spread, with her funny pouty face as she tries to get a moment alone to read her book.

One thing that I thought would be imperative in this book was the effective use of light and shadow because a lot of the magic of deep sea anglerfish is just how dark it is way deep down in the ocean, and just how bright the anglerfish’s lure is. Fortunately, Litten rose to this challenge, and depicts light and shadow beautifully. I especially enjoyed the spread where Pearl is swimming away from all the sea creatures leaving behind a trail of light. It is such a fun scene, and the light trail really boosts the humor of the situation.

Another challenge Litten had to solve was how to show what Pearl was reading. Litten chose to make the book look like a shell, and then the characters from the book emerge from it as simple outlined forms as opposed to fully-rendered characters. This was a really clever way to distinguish the characters and action in Pearl’s book from what was really happening around Pearl.

I also really appreciated how Litten used creative layouts to effectively show Pearl’s vertical travel. For example, as Pearl journeys deeper, one spread has the reader flip the book on its side to make use of the full vertical double page orientation. As Pearl journeys up, Litten employs vertical panels to emphasize her ascent.

My favorite spread zooms out and shows a myriad of sea creatures fanned out from Pearl in a semicircle as she tries to hide in a shipwreck to get a moment of peace. Of course she’s illuminated by her burst of light at the bottom of the page. Kids will enjoy looking at the different fish and other creatures surrounding her.

In conclusion, it’s clear that Litten and the design team at Peachtree were very thoughtful in their choices about color, light and shadow, and design. The result is a book that flows wonderfully and will capture readers’ attention with every spread all the way through to the end.

5 out of 5 crayons

Abi Cushman is the author-illustrator of funny picture books, including Animals Go Vroom! (Viking), Soaked! (Viking), and her nonfiction debut, Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A [Not So] Serious Guide (Greenwillow, 2023). She has also worked as a web designer for over 15 years, and runs two popular websites of her own: MyHouseRabbit.com and AnimalFactGuide.com, which was named a Great Website for Kids by the American Library Association. In her spare time, Abi enjoys running, playing tennis, and eating nachos. (Yes, at the same time.) She lives on the Connecticut shoreline with her husband and two kids.

For exclusive sneak peeks, wombats, and special giveaways, subscribe to Abi’s newsletter.

Picture Book Review: The Night Tent by Landis Blair

On May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

The Night Tent
Author: Landis Blair
Illustrator: Landis Blair

Margaret Ferguson Books
18 April 2023
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/Operator of Only Picture Books) and OPB friend, Rebecca Zomchek.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

From the first page of Landis Blair’s debut picture book, readers encounter a scenario we all know–a child in bed is uncomfortable when considering all the worrisome things that MIGHT be lurking in the dark. The more he tries not to think about it, the more he does.

Then the child (his name is Watson) notices an odd light coming from beneath the covers, so what else can he do but check it out? Once he ducks beneath the covers, he finds himself under a giant tent where the roof is covered with stars (thus the title, one assumes).

It’s more than a tent, though–there on the ground before Watson is a magical pathway weaving its way to a strange forest. Yes, there are unmistakable Where the Wild Things Are vibes here as Watson encounters creatures among the trees. We already know he’s scared of creatures in the night, so it’s no shocker that he hides at first, but after giving us the ongoing refrain (“and since Watson wasn’t sleepy”), which justifies his decision to proceed each time in the face of potential peril, he joins them as “he ran and played with them along the forest path.”

Despite Watson’s insistence that he’s not tired, he looks sleepier by the page as he gets on a trolley and “traveled through an ancient city, along treacherous cliffs, and over the sea to a tiny island with a very tall tower.” Up he climbs as his eyes droop and his shoulders slump, and then he crawls out from under the cover and is zonked–way too tired to worry about monsters or darkness or anything except sleep.

I’ll let Rebecca explain how the art steals the show here, but I can see where parents might be pleased how this story demonstrates how a child can find their way to sleep on their own. Yeah, it’s Maurice Sendak with kid gloves, but the dreamlike art, gentle mood, and quiet, comforting language will be welcome fare for many families.

4 out of 5 pencils

–Rebecca’s Review of the Illustrations–

I first became aware of Landis Blair’s work from his illustrations for From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughy. His pen and ink work interested me then as I am a fan of both his style and influences, and I was very excited for the opportunity to see and review his debut picture book.

In a layered style full of strong ink values and hatch marks, reminiscent of both Edward Gorey and Tove Jannson, Blair takes on a night-time adventure with young boy Watson and how his imagination takes him from being afraid of the darkness in his room into a sprawling Where the Wild Things Are type of adventure through a magical landscape.

Watson tries and fails to sleep while being afraid of his dark bedroom. After discovering a light coming from under his covers we and Watson go on a starlit journey through deep forests, meeting friendly monsters, and traveling down a winding path to a high tower. These are all depicted in cool blues, greens and purples, with pops of muted yellow and black crosshatching applied to add depth and texture. This helps with both the nighttime feeling and both the idea of being outside and inside a dream.

We and Watson discover just how far our imaginations can take us and how the power of creativity and thinking of positive things can help us overcome our fears and find peace and rest.

Blair balances his many armed and mix and match animal/monsters and darker color palette with whimsy, and inviting smiles, managing to side-step being scary and creating a world that feels very dream-like. The story itself is simple and straightforward but is warm and gentle which helps balance the surreal world he creates. Watson also being one of the warmest elements in the books helps draw our eye to him and the many long paths create fun eye movement as you move through the story.

I hope this book lulls many children to sleep while following Watson’s journey, just as it did for him. I also hope anyone enjoying the book is able to twinkle with their own stars when faced with worries and fears, remembering that our thoughts and dreams can be there for us when things are dark.

4.75 out of 5 crayons

Rebecca Zomchek is a children’s book illustrator who has worked as a concept artist and cartoonist. She earned her BFA from Syracuse University and her MFA from The School of Visual Arts; she is now the Associate Dean of Entertainment Design at the Columbus College of Art and Design. Rebecca loves watching the stars and going on adventures through the woods.

Visit her at www.rzillustration.com.

Picture Book Review: Busy Feet by Marcia Berneger

On April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

Busy Feet
Author: Marcia Berneger
Illustrator: Susanna Chapman

Starry Forest Books
14 February 2023
24 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/Operator of Only Picture Books) and longtime OPB friend (and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor) John Herzog.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

It’s always a bit challenging to review a book with minimal text and eye-catching art. That’s the situation here with Busy Feet, where a pair of kids go throughout their day with the emphasis being on the range of activities they experience in a kind of Energizer-bunny fashion. You almost never see their faces to the point that the feet themselves are essentially the main characters. I’ll let John explain the ifs, hows, and whys of the art’s effectiveness below, but I suggest it’s likely due to vibrant colors and a strong sense of motion.

Let’s circle back to the text. The rhymes are purposefully basic and appear to be chosen with a goal of showcasing opposites (hot/cold, go/stop, high/low) to help very young readers learn important words and concepts. To ensure readers notice these common antonyms, they’re always in UPPER CASE lettering in the text.

The book is especially short for a picture book (24 pages versus the standard 32). Was it originally intended to be a board book? I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that, considering the level of text. This feels like a book intended for 2- to 4‑year olds, though kids in the images seem older than that mid- to late-toddler age. I’m pleased to see that the main two kids/pairs of feet showcase a biracial friendship, and in the cameos of other kids/feet, there’s a child in a wheelchair zooming along. For a pretty small cast of characters/feet, that’s a lot of range.

In the absence of a more defined storyline and with rhyming text this minimal, I prefer to find true rhymes (high/sky) versus near rhymes (done/come). Leaning into the accents in addition to being attentive to syllable counts and rhymes often gives subtle oomph to the text, as well.

Still, Busy Feet this has a pleasing read-aloud quality. And, as John will explain in a moment, the art is sure to appeal. That’s a nice combination. But I wonder–since toddlers buzz through their days in a whirlwind of activity, might we see sequels that showcase other busy toddler body parts? I’m imagining hands and mouths, but surely other options might prove equally intriguing.

4 out of 5 pencils

–John’s Review of the Illustrations–

Reading Busy Feet reminded me of this quote from Douglas Horton:

“The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity.”

Susanna Chapman’s illustrations for Busy Feet exemplifies this beautifully. The colors, patterns, design of the characters and peripheral elements – it all feels so simple, yet there’s a heart of complexity beating here.

Even simpler is the story, written by Marcia Berneger. Typeset in Futura (a Wes Anderson staple) and coupled with the simply complex illustrations, this feels more like a visual tone poem than a picture book. The design choices and visual flourishes give this an almost hallucinogenic feeling, which is exactly what the book needs.

I personally found the story (if it can be called that) somewhat lacking, but perhaps I’m expecting too much. After all, if the story were to be more straightforward, perhaps the balance of the simple story with the complex illustrations would cause it to feel a bit uneven. Nevertheless, I think there were more opportunities for Berneger to explore, especially given that the book takes the point-of-view of a little dog following along with the exploits of his child compatriots.

That’s the only weak link, really. On the other hand, the illustrations are incredibly effective and, most importantly, fun. This book is chock-full of abstraction, interesting perspectives, textures you can really sink your teeth into, and old school printing imperfections – such as misaligned print plates. The style is very retro, which helps to make Busy Feet feel at home in both 1963 and 2023.

I have no doubt that this will end up being one of my favorite books of the year thanks to Chapman’s outstanding illustrations.

4.5 out of 5 crayons

J ohn Herzog is an illustrator and educator. He has created work for Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Little, Brown and Company, Highlights for Children, DreamWorks TV, and Hasbro. He also teaches illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design.

John is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where he received the 2018 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award. He lives in Florida with his family.

John is represented by Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary.

Picture Book Review: Bear Is Never Alone by Marc Veerkamp

On March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews2 Comments

Bear Is Never Alone

Author: Marc Veerkamp

Translator: Laura Watkinson
Illustrator: Jeska Verstegen

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
4 April 2023
32 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/Operator of Only Picture Books) and Florida-based freelance illustrator Gladys Jose.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Veerkamp’s English-language debut (which Laura Watkinson translated from the Dutch original) in an interesting one. Here’s the story.

From page one, everyone in the forest knows that Bear’s piano playing is magnificent. The forest creatures crowd around to hear every delicious note. So good!

Suddenly, there’s a YAAAAAWWWWWNNNN!

Who’d be so rude as to interrupt this wonderful concert? Not Monkey. Not Squirrel. Not Turtle.

Was it…Bear?

Yep, Bear is done with music for now and simply wants a break. He just wants to be alone, though that’s a real problem because the others aren’t okay with it. The way the animals stalk him and insist on more music–like he owes it to them!–seems to be vaguely reminiscent of how paparazzi swarms celebrities and expect them to deliver ²⁴⁄₇.

Eventually, Bear shakes his pursuers and ends up alone. Or so Bear thinks. But look–Zebra is nearby (and I can’t help but note how Zebra’s stripes are newsprint–so cool). Zebra’s not pushy or demanding, though. In fact, Zebra wants to do something in return for Bear playing such beautiful music. Zebra offers to read Bear a story.

No way, decides Bear because all he wants is to be left alone. But…being told a story is pretty good. Is there somehow a way for both animals to get what they want?

I won’t spoil the final spread, but it’s a cute, satisfying moment.

Introverted readers will see themselves in how powerfully Bears years for silence and solitude. Others who perhaps aren’t as attuned to that angle will likely see this as a story about respecting boundaries or showing kindness.

Regardless of how apparent the social-emotional lessons are to readers, this simple story with captivating art is thoughtful and welcome. I look forward to seeing more of Veerkamp’s work being translated into English.

4.5 out of 5 pencils

–Gladys’ Review of the Illustrations–

The art for Bear Is Never Alone is absolutely stunning!

The illustrations for this book are rendered in brilliant silhouetted black and white figures and shapes, with a bold red color for small details. The use of negative space was used so thoughtfully throughout. It’s the type of art readers will want to take time and look through slowly, as there are little details hidden throughout. In some places the negative space is actually other imagery, another animal, or elements of the forest.

The lone zebra character’s “stripes” being text is a creative and lovely touch, tying in to the book that they were hoping to comfort bear with–the same way that the bear’s solid bold silhouette mimics the grand piano.

I appreciate how the lone zebra was actually introduced from the start of the book, but never mentioned through the text and you could see he was different than the other animals and would play a bigger role eventually.

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this picture book. Both the words and art were lovely! It’s definitely a book worth having on your shelf and worthy of re-reads.

5 out of 5 crayons

Gladys Jose is an illustrator and storyteller. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, specializing in graphic design. She’s the illustrator of the Fresh Princess series (HarperCollins), The Elephants’ Guide to Hide-and-Seek (Sourcebooks), and Clayton Parker Really Really REALLY Has to Pee (Abrams), as well as other upcoming books.

She lives in the sunny state of Florida with her supportive loving husband, energetic brilliant daughter, and a very sweet pup named Miles.

Picture Book Review: My Baba’s Garden by Jordan Scott

On February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews1 Comment

My Baba’s Garden
Author: Jordan Scott
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Neal Porter Books
7 March 2023
32 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/Operator of Only Picture Books) and new OPB friend, Olga Herrera.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Jordan Scott’s My Baba’s Garden promises to be an unusual–perhaps magical–journey right from the start when the first-person narrator states “My Baba lives in a chicken coop beside the highway” and that chicken coop is near a sulfur mill that’s “shaped like an Egyptian pyramid.” Pretty cool!

What we quickly realize is that the young boy narrator has an imagination that’s as wide as the ocean. By the second spread we see it in action again as he notices distant mountains that “look like whale bellies.” Of course, Sydney Smith obliged with terrific art that has the right undulations and curves that do suggest whale-ish-ness.

It’s interesting that Dad regularly drops off the child to spend the day with the child’s Baba who is “hiding in the steam of boiling potatoes.” I’ll bet plenty of young readers know life situations like this that are anything but the Leave It to Beaver family that just isn’t realistic any longer. Seeing this kind of alternative childcare situation should prove welcome to those readers.

While Baba lives in a tiny space that indeed might’ve once been a chicken coop, it’s “crammed with food from her garden,” and food becomes a way to connect grandparent and child. “We don’t talk very much,” the boy observes, and it seems clear that there’s a language barrier that’s easily overcome by food, tenderness, and familial love.

After feeding the boy breakfast, his Baba walks him to school. When it rains, however, she pauses and loads up a glass jar with all the worms she can find wriggling on the pavement and in the grass. Later, we find out that she releases the worms in her garden where they do their worm-work that’s healthy and welcome for any vegetable garden. It’s one of many quiet but important lessons that Baba teaches the narrator (and readers).

But one day, Baba “leaves her chicken coop home and moves in with us.” The reason why isn’t explained, though it’s easy enough to infer that it’s for the health reasons. Leave it to this observant boy to notice that a new big building now stands where her house used to be, and her garden has turned into an uncared-for jungle.

I won’t spoil the ending, but even though their situation has changed, the boy and his Baba continue to have a special, tender relationship that’s wondrous to witness. Coupled with Sydney Smith’s fine art, the ending of this book is delightful and full of heart.

Even without knowing Jordan Scott’s background as a poet (I recommend his debut collection Silt), I’d recognize the careful, precise use of language one expects from a wordsmith. With sound repetition (“sees worms squirming” and “kneel next”) and vivid similes (“My Baba hums like a night full of bugs when she cooks”), this story is a pleasure to read.

It’s no surprise that an Author’s Note reveals that the narrator had a Baba in his life that did most of the things the book’s Baba does. We should all be so lucky as to have a loving Baba like that in our lives.

Well done, Jordan and Sydney.

4.5 out of 5 pencils

–Olga’s Review of the Illustrations–

Sydney Smith’s illustrations in My Baba’s Garden perfectly complement this beautiful and emotional story.

Sydney has painted memories!

Looking at the illustrations in My Baba’s Garden, I feel I’ve entered her home and should whisper as I read this book. Sydney’s loose watercolor helps us see these memories through sometimes teary eyes or when the sun comes through a window and causes you to squint a bit. His expert use of lighting is dramatic and impactful, and so beautiful. In every scene, the light is like a friend, welcoming.

The effect of this dramatic lighting is most pronounced when we meet Baba, the grandmother in the story. The spread where we first see this important character is filled with gorgeous pops of bright gouache color on a muted background and grounded by the strong shadow cast by the grandmother. This spread said everything you need to know about the character, her lifestyle, and her routine. It is breathtaking how much detail is available to us without the use of line.

The simplicity of the character design and the objects themselves balance the complexity of the illustration. Sydney provides just enough information to allow your eye to finish the rest of the story.

I found his use of color, predominantly yellow, very intentional in each panel. It is sparingly used and reserved for areas that are meant to call our attention. In a muted palette, the spots of vibrant yellow and a few reds are gorgeous and feel to float and be more solid than the rest of the painting. These pops of color are like the gestures of love the grandmother shows her grandson with no need for words. It’s no accident when you realize the color yellow is reserved for the boy’s raincoat.

In the spread where the boy explains what has happened to his grandmother’s unique home, we are invited to sit quietly with him in deep thought. It is such a powerful moment–expertly illustrated. The boy’s isolated eye draws us in while we slowly take in the information of what is happening outside of the room, all through reflections on the window. It is breathtaking.

Throughout the book, you will find patterns on cloth, or dishes, that give you a clear understanding of the rich tradition of the grandmother.

The gesture of kissing the food when it falls down is a tradition I am familiar with in my own family, and that moment when the boy kisses the apple slice made my heart ache. Sydney conveys emotion so well, and he does it quietly and elegantly. Speaking of quiet moments, the panel where the close-up of Baba’s face with lighting from the window and the love in her eyes is gorgeous and wasn’t lost in me how juxtaposing it with the rain scene below ties the two characters in different worlds now. The noisy rain versus the quiet room. And both characters see each other.

In these two connecting scenes, the red of her smiling lips bounced on his boots and cheeks. Once again, a splosh of color balances the sadness of the scene with the love of the relationship.

Painting emotion is one of Sydney’s fortes, and My Baba’s Garden is the perfect harmony of nostalgia and love.

5 out of 5 crayons

Olga Herrera (she/her) is an author and illustrator of children’s books. She earned her bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the Ringling College of Art and Design with a major in Illustration.

Olga’s hilarious and endearing debut picture book, The Unwelcome Surprise, will be published in April 2023 by Feiwel & Friends, Macmillan.

One of her passion projects is the podcast she co-founded, Illo Chat, a podcast about the journey into professional Illustration and the world of children’s book publishing.

As a long-time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), she has served as a writing and illustration mentor for her regional chapter (MD/DE/WV) and has won several illustration competitions.

Olga is multicultural, Cuban and Ecuadorian, and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up in Ecuador, a beautifully diverse country that remains close to her heart. As a teenager, she returned to the United States, where she began her interest in the arts. She is a visual storyteller, often looking for a napkin and pen to jot down some fantastic idea that is sure to disappear in the blink of an eye. When she is not creating her content, she teaches Illustration in traditional and digital techniques or creative writing for fiction picture books.

She lives in the picturesque state of Maryland with her husband, two children, and too many pets who patiently listen to her ideas.

You can find out what projects she is working on by following her on Instagram @olgachildrensillustrator, and on Twitter @OlgaIllustrator.

Her website is www.OlgaHerrera.me

Only Picture Books’ 22 Favorites of 2022

On January 2, 2023January 2, 2023 By Only Picture BooksIn OPB Favorites, Picture Book Lists, Picture Book Reviews

Hello, 2023! While we’re really excited about the kidlit world and all that’s about to happen this year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on some truly terrific picture books from the past twelve months.

This is a subjective list, so if we missed a great picture book, our apologies. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments. We’ll try to include those in future lists, if we can.

One last thing–since we’re running this in our regular Picture Book Review slot of the month, we’ll include our own 5‑word reviews along with a link to the Goodreads reviews. Creating these haiku-like mini-reviews is as challenging as it is fun. Try it yourself sometime!

Berry Song by Michaela Goade (19 July 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Luminous, dreamy, pro-earth joy. Berrytastic.

Goodreads Reviews

Chester van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme by Avery Monsen, illustrated by Abby Hanlon (15 March 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Rhyming read-a-loud hilarity. Interactive fun.

Goodreads Reviews

A Gift for Nana by Lane Smith (10 May 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Quirky. Cute. Maybe for adults?

Goodreads Reviews

All Star: How Larry Doby Smashed the Color Barrier in Baseball by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Cannaday Chapman (4 January 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Unsung hero. Door-opener. Fascinating. Timely.

Goodreads Reviews

Bedtime for Bo by Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold and Mari Kanstad Johnsen, translated by Kari Dickson (9 August 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Joyous, snuggly bedtime love. Imaginative.

Goodreads Reviews

The Blanket Where Violet Sits by Allan Wolf, illustrated by Lauren Tobia (30 August 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Lyrical cumulative rhymes. Picnicky fun.

Goodreads Reviews

The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky by Kim Jihyun (19 April 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Evocative wordless storytelling. Enchanting debut.

Goodreads Reviews

Dodos Are Not Extinct by Paddy Donnelly (8 February 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Extinct animals aplenty. Storytime silliness.

Goodreads Reviews

Good Night Little Bookstore by Amy Cherrix, illustrated by E.B. Goodale (29 August 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Cozy, charming Goodnight Moon pastiche.

Goodreads Reviews

I Am Mozart, Too: The Lost Genius of Maria Anna Mozart by Audrey Ades, illustrated by Adelina Lirius (22 February 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Gender injustice–Mozart’s prodigy sister.

Goodreads Reviews

John’s Turn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kate Berube (24 February 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Embrace your talent. Gloriously so.

Goodreads Reviews

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise (15 March 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Owlish wordplay. Bravery. Radiant art.

Goodreads Reviews

The Legend of Gravity: A Tall Basketball Tale by Charly Palmer (4 January 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Splendrous colors. Fanciful facts. Teamwork!

Goodreads Reviews

Lizzy and the Cloud by The Fan Brothers (3 May 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Pet clouds are awesome. Beautiful.

Goodreads Reviews

Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Yas Imamura (8 February 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Detainment camp. History. Heartbreak. Books!

Goodreads Reviews

Monsters in the Fog by Ali Bahrampour, illustrated by Cannaday Chapman (14 June 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Humorous mountain journey. Beware “monsters”!

Goodreads Reviews

Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady, illustrated by Gracey Zhang (19 July 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Childhood dreams. Heart-melting ending.

Goodreads Reviews

The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan by Kristen Mai Giang, illustrated by Alina Chau (29 March 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Goofball acrobatics. Vibrant art. POW!

Goodreads Reviews

Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (20 September 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Glorious tribute. Discussion-starting. Ear-pleasing. Timely.

Goodreads Reviews

Strong by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani (10 May 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Becoming an LGBTQ+ strongman. Empowering.

Goodreads Reviews

Uncle John’s City Garden by Bernette Ford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (3 May 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: City gardens. Family. Recipes. Delicious.

Goodreads Reviews

The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López (4 January 2022)

OPB Five-Word Review: Lyrical history lifts up readers.

Goodreads Reviews

I got so excited going through my shelf of 2022 picture books for this end-of-year list that I completely forgot to go back through the books we reviewed here at OPB (which I keep on a different shelf in a different room). I’m not bumping any of the 22 above books because they all belong here, but so do the following three titles.

I supposed that makes this post more accurately “Only Picture Books’ 22 25 Favorites of 2022.”

Mommy’s Hometown by Hope Lim, illustrated by Jaime Kim (12 April 2022)