Tag: Kevin Henkes

Editor Interview: Cheryl Eissing (Flamingo Books)

On By Only Picture BooksIn Editor Interviews2 Comments

When someone takes the time to write a great social media bio, they deserve kudos, acclaim, and general admiration. Witness editor Cheryl Eissing’s bio at Twitter/​X. “When I’m not editing, I can be found reading with an English Bulldog at my feet, cooking too much pasta, or walking my dog around Brooklyn.”

Love it!

Her bio at Penguin’s website offers two bits of dynamite info as well.

“Cheryl mainly edits picture books, with some middle grade and young adult, and is specifically interested in stories that cause giggles, give comfort, and expose their readers to experiences and perspectives they haven’t seen before.”

“Cheryl is always looking for commercial and silly yet profound picture books and stories that entertain, educate, and inspire young readers. When she is not editing books, Cheryl can be found befriending dogs on the streets of Jersey City, watching horror movies, or searching for the perfect lychee martini.”

Awesome, right? Let’s talk to her to find out a bit more.

RVC: Let’s deal with the geographic elephant in the room. In the bio snippets above, it seems you have a multi-​state dog love going. What’s the real story there? 

CE: Ha! Unfortunately, the first bio is out of date. I lived in Brooklyn with the bulldog in question (who has sadly crossed the rainbow bridge, as the social media pet community often calls it) but he was the greatest editing and walking companion. I moved to Jersey City in 2020 and still go for dog walks (by that I mean, I walk around Jersey City and admire all the dogs). I will always have a soft spot for bulldogs.

RVC: Got it, thanks. Now, back to the regularly scheduled OPB interview…what aspect/​part of you today gives away where you’re from and how you were raised? 

CE: I grew up in the suburbs of Long Island and went to college in New Jersey, so I’m very serious about bagels and pizza. I’ve just finally grown up and realized you can get good bagels and pizza outside of New York!

RVC: Good to know! Here’s a huge question: what was your first meaningful experience with a book?

CE: Oh goodness, what a big question! Picture books that I have a vivid memory of reading as a kid are Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes and Corduroy by Don Freeman. I just remember each of them speaking to something in me as a child. I always loved the adventure of Corduroy and was amazed by the idea of being alone in a department store after it closed. I loved the fantastical, dreamlike elements of Where the Wild Things Are and absolutely identified with Max’s mischievousness. And as someone who did not like being the only person with my name in my class as a little kid, Chrysanthemum really spoke to me.

RVC: Most of us in the book industry had a powerful experience with a teacher somewhere along the way. What was your MIT (Most Important Teacher) moment?

CE: Ms. Jeans, my second-​grade teacher!

RVC: Best…name…ever.…

CE: She was the absolute best and always made me feel smart and capable. I remember her showing a drawing I did to another teacher—it’s amazing how much those little encouragements are so important and really stick with you!

RVC: Totally agree! Your LinkedIn account says you did your undergraduate studies at Rutgers. What career goal did you have in mind there?

CE: I wanted to be in publishing since I was in high school. I remember looking at all of the YA books on my shelves and thinking, “Okay, I don’t really enjoy writing, but what are the names of these companies on the spines of my books?” and realized that I could work with books in another way. I went into college thinking I’d major in English and then eventually go onto publishing, and always sort of thought if it wasn’t meant to be something else would reveal itself as my calling, but it stuck!

RVC: What was the most useful thing/​skill you learned at Rutgers?

CE: Reading and analyzing literature and seeing the many ways a book can be written and written well. Not all who work in publishing are former English majors, but I felt like it certainly helped me!

RVC: You’re the post child for the power of internships. Share a bit about what you did and how that helped launch your career in the industry.

CE: Because Rutgers was just a train ride away from NYC, I was able to apply for internships and do those in Junior and Senior year. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do them in Freshman and Sophomore year while I was still getting my bearings and still having to take core requirement classes that took up a lot of my time.

I got lucky with landing my first internship at Abrams, in a department that I wasn’t ultimately interested in, but I was doing admin tasks and learning how publishing worked. That led me to more interviews and more internships. Most of what I did for internships wasn’t stuff that interested me, but it helped me learn how a publishing office worked and gave me good experience!

RVC: It seems like you might’ve had a moment where you considered being an agent. What happened there?

CE: After I graduated college and had just had one interview for a real job, I was feeling very restless and continued applying to internships, which eventually landed me as an intern at a literary agency. It was definitely interesting to learn about that part of the publishing world but I realized it wasn’t for me. I definitely prefer working on shaping a manuscript the most!

RVC: Tell me the story behind the first picture book you acquired. 

CE: The first picture book I acquired was My School Stinks by Becky Scharnhorst and Julia Patton. I met Becky at the Rutgers One-​on-​One Publishing Conference, and we really clicked. We worked on her manuscript (which was originally a camp story rather than a school story) and I loved it so much. Becky was so great at really considering my notes and was so great at writing funny and heartfelt stories. I ended up asking her to change the setting from a summer camp to a school and I remember feeling so worried that she wouldn’t want to change so much about her manuscript (but also completely understanding if she did!) and worrying that she wouldn’t want me as her editor.

In the end, she adapted the manuscript into a school setting, and I just loved it and I was so happy that my publisher agreed, too! We found Julia and adored her artwork–she is so talented at doing mixed media scenes and could really incorporate the journal entry format of the story into her hilarious illustrations. I loved working on My School Stinks!

RVC: What’s the most useful thing you got from that experience? 

CE: I think I learned a lot about the author’s experience of editing a manuscript. Because it was my first acquisition, I had to really carefully consider my words and how to get the best manuscript possible from my author, while still being encouraging and showing how much I love the book. While an editor absolutely feels ownership over each book they edit, ultimately the book is the author and illustrator’s creation! And our job is to give suggestions in how to make the best possible book that is within the author and illustrator’s creative vision! So I think that experience really taught me to really consider the author on the other end of my emails and notes.

RVC: Let’s jump ahead to your recent work. What’s the most important thing people should know or understand about Flamingo Books?

CE: We love funny picture books! We think books that are fun is the best way to make lifelong readers, so often the first thing we look for is humor. We love profound and heartfelt picture books, too, but I’d say a good majority of our books are funny!

RVC: Why is Flamingo Books a great fit for you?

CE: I love to do sweet and silly picture books that tackle big moments or emotions in a child’s life, as well as books that can teach a reader something new, but always with lots of humor and character. I love a funny book and I’m always looking for books that can be funny while still accomplishing other things. I think that humor is such an easy entry point for kids and reluctant readers. I truly believe that any kid who doesn’t like to read just hasn’t been introduced to the right books!

RVC: What does a typical workday look like for you?

CE: A lot of it is answering emails from other departments, looking at passes of books, fielding submissions, and, depending on the time of year, preparing materials for upcoming meetings.

RVC: What’s the most common misconception writers have about editors?

CE: I think some writers might feel like getting a lot of edits means their editor thinks that they’re not a good writer. Editing can take a lot of time and several rounds (some take 10 rounds or even more!). Sometimes we don’t notice something the first 5 times we read it. Or sometimes fixing one problem in the manuscript creates another. Having lots of edits is very normal and part of the process!

RVC: What’s your editing superpower? 

CE: Oh, I really don’t know! I guess I’m good at editing funny books?

RVC: Speaking of editing superpowers, you’ve had some real successes. Share what it’s like to find out a book you edited is on the New York Times bestseller list. 

CE: It is really really cool. Being on the NY Times list is not the end-​all-​be-​all of a book’s success by any means, but it’s definitely something that holds a lot of weight in the industry and it is so great to have one of your books succeed in that way. I think the coolest part is that books that land on that list are because of the work of so, so many of your colleagues who loved it. A book that you acquired and worked hard on, and launched to them, and hoped they would love as much as you do. Having a whole team to work hard with and celebrate with is really lovely!

RVC: I believe you worked on a book written by my friend, Michelle Houts—Hopefully, the Scarecrow.

CE: Yes! I adore Hopefully the Scarecrow!

RVC: What grabbed you about that story? 

CE: Michelle’s voice throughout the story was what I instantly loved. It had this timelessness to it that felt like a book I could’ve read 50 years ago but also felt so current.

RVC: Your feeling on art notes?

CE: I LOVE how that book turned out. We waited a whole extra year just to have Sara Palacios illustrate and it was so worth the wait! That book is gorgeous and I sometimes just pop it open to stare at the art. It’s one of those book where the words and art really work together perfectly.

RVC: A lot of aspiring writers read OPB. Let’s help them out—offer some examples of “commercial and silly yet profound picture books” please!

CE: The Bad Seed series by Jory John and Pete Oswald, A Hungry Lion by Lucy Ruth Cummins, We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen, Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev and Taeeun Yoo, Something’s Wrong by Jory John and Erin Kraan.

RVC: Since COVID, I’ve made a point out of asking everyone a health and wellness action. Here’s yours. What do you do to de-stress?

CE: I like to cook, or exercise, or read a book for pleasure.

RVC: One final question for this part of the interview, Cheryl. If you had to summarize the most important thing you’ve learned about picture books, what would it be?

CE: I guess it would be that picture books have power. They can teach kids about empathy, friendship, loss, feelings, family, differences, etc. and can shape who they are as a person.

RVC: Okay, here we go. It’s the LIGHTNING ROUND. Zippy zoomy questions followed by zapptastically fast answers. Are you ready?

CE: Yes!

RVC: What “old person” thing do you do?

CE: I really like jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku.

RVC: If someone narrated your life, who would you want to be the narrator?

CE: Kathryn Hahn or Ayo Edebiri.

RVC: If you had a giraffe you needed to hide, where would you hide it?

CE: Under a blanket.

RVC: What are five things you couldn’t do your job without?

CE: A notebook, a laptop, post-​its, Diet Dr Pepper, Rhymezone.com

RVC: Who sets the standard for picture book rhymes?

CE: Anna Dewdney and Sandra Boynton.

RVC: What’s a favorite line from a picture book you edited?

CE: “Great job, Buffalo. Help yourself to some potato salad.” (From Porcupine & Cactus by Katie Frawley & Alex Willmore)

RVC: Thanks so much, Cheryl!

Picture Book List: 15 Terrific Books About Teachers

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Lists1 Comment

It’s back-​to-​school time, so what better way to celebrate the awesome teachers in our lives than to put together a list of fun picture books about teachers, schools, and students?

If I missed any of your favorites, drop a note in the comments. Enjoy!

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon (March 1998)

From Goodreads: “‘What we have here is a bad case of stripes. One of the worst I’ve ever seen!’ Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don’t like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she’s so worried that she’s about to break out in…a bad case of stripes!”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–7

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes (September 1991)

From Goodreads: “Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. “You’re named after a flower!” teases Victoria.
“Let’s smell her,” says Jo.

Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 2–6

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis ? (October 2012)

From Goodreads: “Chloe doesn’t really know why she turns away from the new girl, Maya, when Maya tries to befriend her. And every time Maya asks if she can play with Chloe and the other girls, the answer is always no. So Maya ends up playing alone. And then one day she’s gone.

When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the opportunity that’s been lost. How much better could it have been if she’d just shown Maya a little kindness and opened her heart to friendship?”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 6–10

Here Comes Teacher Cat by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda (August 2017)

From Goodreads: “It’s back to school for the New York Times bestselling Cat when he steps in as a substitute teacher.

Cat is not pleased to be tapped as substitute teacher. Not only is it cutting into his naptime, but a roomful of kittens is a little … much. At school, Cat follows the lesson plan of music, building, and painting–only in gradually more mischief-​making Cat style. By the end, Cat has learned a thing or two about inspiring others by being himself. But even more heart-​melting and humorous is what these adorable kittens have learned from Cat.”

Pages: 88
Reading Age: 3–5

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes (May 1996)

From Goodreads: “Hooray For Lilly!

Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when Lilly brings her new favorite things

movie star sunglasses (complete with diamonds)
three quarters (shiny ones)
a purple plastic purse (it plays lively music when opened)

to school, and insists on showing them to everyone even though it is not Sharing Time, Mr. Slinger is not amused. In fact, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions. Lilly’s fury leads to revenge and then to remorse as she sets out to make amends, in this modern classic by the beloved Kevin Henkes.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 3–6

My Teacher Is a Monster by Peter Brown (July 2014)

From Goodreads: “Bobby has a problem. You see, his teacher is a monster. But when Bobby runs into his teacher outside of school, he learns there is more to her than meets the eye.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 3–9

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (September 2003)

From Goodreads: “With a simple, witty story and free-​spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark — and follow where it takes us.

Her teacher smiled. “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.”

Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw — she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. “There!” she says.

That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-​discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds’s delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–7

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King (September 2000)

From Goodreads: “It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy! In this funny yet endearing story, one little boy learns an effective recipes for turning your best enemy into your best friend. Accompanied by charming illustrations, Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 3–6

How Full Is Your Bucket? (for kids) by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer, illustrated by Maurie J. Manning (April 2009)

From Goodreads: “Through the story of a little boy named Felix, this charming book explains to children how being kind not only helps others, it helps them, too. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people — his sister Anna, his grandfather, other family and friends. Some people are happy, but others are grumpy or sad. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix’ grandfather explains why the happy people make Felix feel good, while the others leave him feeling bad — and how Felix himself is affecting others, whether he means to or not. This beautifully illustrated adaptation takes the original book’s powerful message — that the way we relate to others has a profound effect on every aspect of our lives — and tailors it to a child’s unique needs and level of understanding.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–7

The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard (May 1999)

From Goodreads: “Goodnight Moon creator Margaret Wise Brown’s The Important Book is a deceptively simple exercise–taking familiar things like an apple, spoon, or shoe, and finding the most basic association with those things. The most important thing about an apple? It is round. A spoon? You eat with it. A shoe? You put your foot in it. But why, according to Brown, is the most important thing about grass “that it is green,” while the most important thing about an apple is “that it is round”? Why is “that it is white” the most important thing about snow and a daisy? Whether or not you’d distill these things in the same way that the author does, Brown makes us think about the essence of everyday entities in new ways. The illustrations, by Caldecott Medal winner Leonard Weisgard (The Little Island), perform the same function–capturing the spoonness of spoons, the roundness of an apple, the motion of wind.”

Pages: 24
Reading Age: 4–9

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton (October 2013)

From Goodreads: “Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party… until, that is, a new kid comes to class.

When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.

From esteemed author and speaker Trudy Ludwig and acclaimed illustrator Patrice Barton, this gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish. Any parent, teacher, or counselor looking for material that sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children will find The Invisible Boy a valuable and important resource.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 5–8

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak (January 2003)

From Goodreads: “Chester Raccoon is very scared and nervous about his first day of school. His mom helps to solve his anxiety in a very special way that involves the kissing hand.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 2–6

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (October 2003)

From Goodreads: “The new kid in school needs a new name! Or does she?

Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week.

Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-​name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning.

On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it—Yoon-​Hey.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 3–6

The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill, illustrated by Laura Huliska-​Beith (February 2002)

From Goodreads: “A fresh & original twist on the common issue of bullying. Kids will relate, & parents & teachers will appreciate the story’s deft handling of conflict resolution (which happens w/​o adult intervention) Mean Jean was Recess Queen and nobody said any different. Nobody swung until Mean Jean swung. Nobody kicked until Mean Jean kicked. Nobody bounced until Mean Jean bounced. If kids ever crossed her, she’d push ’em and smoosh ’em lollapaloosh ’em, hammer ’em, slammer ’em kitz and kajammer ’em. Until a new kid came to school! With her irrepressible spirit, the new girl dethrones the reigning recess bully by becoming her friend in this infectious playground romp.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 5–7

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson (June 2016)

From Goodreads: “It’s the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone’s just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him?

The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he’s not the only one going through first-​day jitters.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 5–6

Picture Book List: 20 Heartwarming Books for Valentine’s Day

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Lists2 Comments

Love is in the air here at OPB, and we’re sharing that love with you via a wonderful list of heartwarming picture books.

If we missed one that makes your heart melt, please drop the name of that title in the comments. We always appreciate hearing what books you love!

A Crankenstein Valentine by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Dan Santat (December 2014)

From Goodreads: “Even the crankiest monsters have hearts in this Valentine tale from fan favorite author Samantha Berger and Caldecott medalist illustrator Dan Santat.

Cheesy cards, allergy-​inducing bouquets, and heart-​shaped everything? YECHHHH! It’s enough to turn anyone into a monster! An ordinary kid becomes Crankenstein on the most lovey-​dovey, yuckiest day of the year: Valentine’s Day.

Can Crankenstein find a way to turn his sour day sweet? Can a monster find a little love in his heart? Find out in the monstrously funny A Crankenstein Valentine.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 3–6

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond (December 2006)

From Goodreads: “A creative and sweet story, perfect for Valentine’s Day, that helps open the hearts of young readers. From the beloved illustrator of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

One day it rains hearts, and Cornelia Augusta catches them. She realizes that the hearts are perfect for making valentines. Each heart is special in its own way, and Cornelia Augusta knows exactly who to send them to: her animal friends.

A fun way to spark creativity and thoughtfulness! The perfect book to pair with Valentine’s Day crafts.”

Pages: 36
Reading Age: 2–5

Hedgehugs by Lucy Tapper & Steve Wilson (September 2014)

From Goodreads: “Horace and Hattie are hedgehogs, and the very best of friends. Together, they make daisy chains, splash in puddles, and have tea parties. But there is one thing they can’t do—hug! They are just too spiky. Throughout the seasons, these two hedgehogs will try many different ways of hugging. But will Horace and Hattie find a hug that feels just right?”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 1–4

Henry in Love by Peter McCarty (December 2009)

From Goodreads: “Henry is a bit of a dreamer and not much of a talker.Then there’s Chloe, who says what she thinks and knows how to turn a spectacular cartwheel.

This is the story of how one blueberry muffin makes all the difference.”

Pages: 48
Reading Age: 2–7

I’ll Hold Your Hand by Maggie C. Rudd, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri (February 2022)

From Goodreads: “This sweet picture book celebrates the unbreakable bond of a parent’s support for a child though life’s milestones, from learning to walk to the first day of school and all the highs and lows in between.

From the night you arrive to your first night away,
from learning to crawl to healing a broken heart,
and for all the highs and lows in between…
through every season, every challenge, and every joy, you are loved.

With sweet, lyrical text and stunning art, I’ll Hold Your Hand celebrates the unbreakable bond of family, and all the ways our actions can say “I love you” louder than words.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 3–6

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-​Vriethoff (October 2018)

From Goodreads: “A picture book about the unbreakable connections between loved ones–updated with new illustrations and an afterword from the author.

A mother tells her two children that they’re all connected by an invisible string. “That’s impossible!” the children insist, but still they want to know more: “What kind of string?” The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. Even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it deep in your heart, and know that you are always connected to the ones you love. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away?”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 3–7

Kisses and Cuddles by Little Bee Books (December 2015)

From Goodreads: “A little penguin loves to do many things during his fun day, but nothing beats getting kisses and cuddles from his mama!

Follow a little penguin as he spends his day doing everything he loves–such as eating pancakes, playing with his toys, drinking hot chocolate, spotting rainbows, and more. But what does he love the most? Kisses and cuddles from his mama!”

Pages: 16
Reading Age: 1–4

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes (December 2003)

From Goodreads: “Lilly loves her chocolate heart.
Will she save it?
Forever and ever?
What do you think?”

Pages: 24
Reading Age: 1–4

Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney (December 2014)

From Goodreads: “Beloved storyteller Anna Dewdney shows young children sweet ways to express their love on Valentine’s Day and all year round in Llama Llama I Love You!

With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-​length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.

In Llama Llama I Love You, little llama shows his friends and family how much he loves them with heart-​shaped cards and lots of hugs. What could be sweeter than Llama Llama on Valentine’s Day?”

Pages: 14
Reading Age: 1–3

Love Is My Favorite Thing by Emma Chichester Clark (August 2015)

From Goodreads: “Starring an enthusiastic pooch whose joy, optimism and love know no bounds, this lively picture book is based on Emma Chichester Clark’s own dog, and joyfully celebrates unconditional love.

Plum has lots of favorite things—catching sticks, her bear, her bed—but really, LOVE is her absolute favourite thing. She loves her family and all the things they do together. Sometimes, however, Plum’s exuberance causes trouble, and she just can’t help being naughty. But fortunately, love is such a great thing that even when she makes mistakes, Plum’s family still adores her.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 2–6

The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins (October 2019)

From Goodreads: “Fall in love with this endearing and adorable picture book that illustrates how a little bit of heart goes a long way to making the world a better place.

Hedgehog, Bunny, and Squirrel are best friends. One day, they each find a letter. But not just any letter…

A love letter.

My word!

My whiskers!

Aww, nuts!

Someone loves them. But who? The answer may surprise you!

Celebrated author Anika Aldamuy Denise and beloved illustrator Lucy Ruth Cummins deliver this heartwarming tale about a wonderful mix-​up that reminds us of the joys of friendship.

Makes for a perfect Valentine’s Day gift, or for any time you want to tell someone in your life how much you love them!”

Pages: 36
Reading Age: 1–5

Love Monster by Rachel Bright (December 2014)

From Goodreads: “Featuring the only Monster in Cutesville, LOVE MONSTER is a wonderfully warm and witty look at how sometimes, when you least expect it, love finds you… From a phenomenal picture book talent.

It can be tough being the only funny-​looking Monster in Cutesville, but this Monster is not one to hang around and feel sorry for himself, so he’s off – out into the big wide world to look for someone to love him.
He looks high, he looks low and he looks everywhere in-​between, but it’s only when he’s just about to give up that he finally finds what he is looking for…

Featuring an instantly charming main character who will appeal to children and adults alike, LOVE MONSTER is a warm and witty tale about the power of taking action from a terrific talent new to the HarperCollins list.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 1–4

Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Scott Magoon (August 2010)

From Goodreads: “Bernadette might seem like an ordinary monster, but sometimes she likes to do some very unmonsterlike things, like pick flowers. And pet kittens. And bake.

When the time comes for Bernadette to go to Monster Academy, she’s just a teensy bit nervous. Her classmates just don’t understand her. They’d rather uproot trees than sing friendship songs. And they prefer fried snail goo to Bernadette’s homemade cupcakes with sprinkles. Can Bernadette find a way to make friends at school and still be herself?”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 4–8

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (December 2015)

From Goodreads: “Little Miss planted a kiss …

One small act of love blooms into something bigger and more dazzling than Little Miss could have ever imagined in this epic journey about life, kindness, and giving.

New York Times bestselling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and award-​winning illustrator Peter H. Reynolds have teamed together for the first time, creating what may soon prove to be a perennial favorite.”

Pages: 36
Reading Age: 1–5

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat (December 2022)

From Goodreads: “This Valentine’s Day favorite read-​aloud will prompt lots of giggles, as well as discussions on kindness and forgiveness.

Gilbert is all set to write fifteen friendly valentine cards to his classmates. But how can he write a nice poem for the boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses? Instead, Gilbert writes two not-​so-​nice valentines…and signs the wrong name on both!

When his classmates read his poems, their feelings are hurt, and Gilbert’s prank quickly turns into pandemonium. But with the help of a friend and an honest apology, there’s always time for a change of heart on Valentine’s Day.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–7

The Runaway Valentine by Tina Casey, illustrated by Theresa Smythe (January 2001)

From Goodreads: “Victor has the glitziest glitter, the shiniest sparkles, and a special button that can play twenty different love songs! He’s the fanciest valentine in the card shop. That is, until he falls off the rack and gets swept into a dusty corner. And when he marches out of the shop and sets out on his own, he tatters his corners, frazzles his edges, and loses all his lace!But no matter what happens to him, one person after another finds that Victor is just what they were looking for. And through a wild Valentine’s Day journey he brings them all together — which, after all, is what valentines do best.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–6

Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson, illustrated by Kevin O’Malley (November 2012)

From Goodreads: “Marylou loves everything about Herbie—how his slime trail glistens in the dark, how he can stretch himself thin to squeeze inside the cellar window, and how he always finds the juiciest tomatoes. But Marylou is a shy slug. How can she get Herbie to notice her? Find out how Marylou woos her beloved in this must-​have love story that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.”

Pages: 34
Reading Age: 4–7

This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins (December 2017)

From Goodreads: “This book is not a valentine. It doesn’t have lacey edges or sugary hearts. But it is full of lucky rocks, secret hiding spots, and gumball machine treasures. This is a book about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. About recognizing that if you care so much about someone not thinking you care, maybe you really do. But wait—isn’t that exactly what love is about? Maybe this book is sort of a valentine after all. A testament to handmade, wacky, bashful, honest love—sure to win over the hearts of all readers—this offering from debut picture book author Carter Higgins and children’s book veteran Lucy Ruth Cummins is the perfect gift to celebrate every relationship, from parent to child, sibling to sibling, partner to partner, crush to crush.”

Pages: 48
Reading Age: 5–8

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Jay Fleck (March 2019)

From Goodreads: “Meet Tiny, a diminutive but determined T‑Rex in a big world, as he embraces all obstacles against him in his quest to learn how to hug.”

Pages: 48
Reading Age: 2–5

Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian, illustrated by Mike Curato (January 2016)

From Goodreads: “Perfect for fans of And Tango Makes Three and The Sissy Duckling, this irresistible picture book is a celebration of love in all its splendid forms from debut author J. J. Austrian and the acclaimed author-​illustrator of Little Elliot, Big City, Mike Curato.

You are cordially invited to celebrate the wedding of a worm … and a worm.

When a worm meets a special worm and they fall in love, you know what happens next: They get married! But their friends want to know—who will wear the dress? And who will wear the tux?

The answer is: It doesn’t matter. Because Worm loves Worm.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–7

 

Picture Book List: 20 Terrific Books About School

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Lists

Since it’s Back to School time pretty much everywhere, it just made sense to have this special Monday post about some of the best picture books about school. If I missed YOUR favorite picture book about school, drop me a note in the comments and I’ll try to include your fave in a future list or Bonus Goody post.

Brand-​new Pencils, Brand-​new Books by Diane deGroat (June 2007)

From Goodreads: “Gilbert, the popular star of deGroat’s New York Times bestseller Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink, returns in this humorous and reassuring back-​to-​school story, in which Gilbert experiences his first day in first grade.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–8

 

Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Adam Rex (June 2015)

From Goodreads: “It is Chu’s first day of school. Chu is nervous. He hopes the other boys and girls will be nice. Will they like him? What will happen at school today? Will Chu do what Chu does best?”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 1–5

 

David Goes to School by David Shannon (May 2021)

From Goodreads: “David’s teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David’s high-​energy antics fill each school day with trouble—and are sure to bring a smile to even the best-​behaved reader.

In ‘David Goes to School’, young David shows up late to class, goes wacko at the blackboard, chews gum in class, yells answers out of turn, pulls pigtails, stares out the window, cuts in line, has a food fight (“I don’t care who started it!” says the teacher), lingers at recess, and more. Colorful, hilarious, childlike illustrations examine our strangely appealing demon-​boy at eye level.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–6

 

Don’t Eat the Teacher! by Nick Ward (January 1998)

From Goodreads: “Sammy has trouble controlling his enthusiasm on his first day of school.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 2–6

 

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Judy Love (February 2000)

From Goodreads: “Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn’t want to start over at a new school. She doesn’t know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. This charming and familiar story will delight readers with its surprise ending.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 5–8

 

First Grade Jitters by Robert Quackenbush, illustrated by Yan Nascimbene (June 2010)

From Goodreads: “Perfect for nervous/​excited kids about to go to school (and their parents!), this engaging story convinces parents and children alike that there is no place cooler than a first-​grade classroom. Time to shake those jitters!

Here is the story of a young boy who is about to enter first grade and doesn’t know quite what to expect. Will his friends be there? Will he have to know how to read and spell? What if he can’t understand anything his teacher says?

Looks like a case of first grade jitters!”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 5–6

 

Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz (September 1998)

From Goodreads: “Froggy’s mother knows that everyone’s nervous on the first day of school. “Not me!” says Froggy, and together they leapfrog to the bus stop — flop flop flop. Froggy’s exuberant antics, complete with sound effects, will delight his many fans and reassure them that school can be fun.“This is a great read-​aloud with sounds and words that encourage active participation.…A charming story to calm those pre-​school jitters.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 2–6

 

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child (August 2005)

From Goodreads: “Lola is not so sure about school. After all, why would she need to count higher than ten when she never eats more than ten cookies at a time? Once again, it’s up to ever-​patient big brother Charlie to persuade Lola that school is worthwhile — and that her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, will be welcome, too.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–7

 

I Got the School Spirit by Connie Schofield-​Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison (July 2020)

From Amazon: “This exuberant celebration of the first day of school illustrated by award-​winning illustrator Frank Morrison will have every kid cheering for school to begin!

Summer is over, and this little girl has got the school spirit! She hears the school spirit in the bus driving up the street–VROOM, VROOM!–and in the bell sounding in the halls–RING-​A-​DING! She sings the school spirit in class with her friends–ABC, 123!”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–6

 

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen (June 2015)

From Goodreads: “In this exuberant companion to If I Built a Car, a boy fantasizes about his dream school–from classroom to cafeteria to library to playground.

My school will amaze you. My school will astound.
By far the most fabulous school to be found!
Perfectly planned and impeccably clean.
On a scale, 1 to 10, it’s more like 15!
And learning is fun in a place that’s fun, too.

If Jack built a school, there would be hover desks and pop-​up textbooks, skydiving wind tunnels and a trampoline basketball court in the gym, a robo-​chef to serve lunch in the cafeteria, field trips to Mars, and a whole lot more. The inventive boy who described his ideal car and house in previous books is dreaming even bigger this time.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–8

 

Little Mole Goes to School by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Sally Garland (July 2022)

From Goodreads: “It’s Little Mole’s first day of school, and he’s nervous. What if he is the last to know his alphabet? What if he’s not good at anything? With a good bit of anxiety, Little Mole heads to class and begins to compare himself to his peers. How will he ever measure up? But soon a crisis on the playground reveals that he has everything he needs in his own two paws to save the day. In this third installment of the Little Mole series, author Glenys Nellist and illustrator Sally Garland spin another endearing tale of the beloved Little Mole, his encouraging mama, and his forest friends. Children will relate to Little Mole’s feelings of self-​doubt, will cheer him on when he discovers his unique gifts and talents, and will be inspired to confront their own insecurities and celebrate what they have to offer, too.”

Pages: 36
Reading Age: 2–5

 

A Pirate’s Guide to First Grade by James Preller, illustrated by Greg Ruth (June 2013)

From Goodreads: “Arr! It’s the first day of first grade, and it’s all hands on deck for a young pirate and his crew. How much trouble can they get into? What will they do at recess? And, most important, what treasure awaits them at school?”

Pages: 48
Reading Age: 3–6

 

Pterodactyl Show and Tell by Thad Krasnesky, illustrated by Tanya Leonello (October 2018)

From Goodreads: “When a boy brings his pterodactyl to school for show-​and-​tell, hilarious havoc ensues. The creature’s delightfully demented antics, the kids’ expressions as they try to avoid the hungry pterodactyl, and the out-​of-​control imagination of the boy yield a wild and wacky romp. Kids who dig dinosaurs will devour this preposterous pterodactyl tale written in rhyming couplets and teeming with edgy school-​age humor and giggle-​inducing illustrations.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 5–7

 

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson (June 2016)

From Goodreads: “It’s the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone’s just a little bit nervous, especially … the school.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 5–6

 

 

The Class from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler, illustrated by Jared Lee (June 2009)

From Goodreads: “Is it true that the new class REALLY is just a bunch of horrible ghouls? The new teacher has heard all sorts of weird stories about her students. What will she find when the students arrive?”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–8

 

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-​Newton (July 2019)

From Goodreads: “Starting kindergarten is a big milestone–and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He’s dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can’t wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-​packed, but he’s up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can’t wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements–and then wake up to start another day.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 5–6

 

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Julie Durrell (July 2001)

From Goodreads: “It’s the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all—saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won’t be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is! Colorful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic Clement C. Moore Christmas poem.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 5–6 years

 

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins (June 2018)

From Goodreads: “Penelope the dinosaur starts school, but it’s hard to make friends when her classmates are so delicious!

It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all… Readers will gobble up this hilarious new story from award-​winning author-​illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.”

Pages: 48
Reading Age: 3–6

 

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes (April 2010)

From Goodreads: “Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then it was time for school to start. And Wemberly worried even more. If you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you.

Wemberly worried about spilling her juice, about shrinking in the bathtub, even about snakes in the radiator. She worried morning, noon, and night. “Worry, worry, worry,” her family said. “Too much worry.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–6

 

Wow! School! by Robert Neubecker (April 2011)

From Goodreads: “What could be more WOW! than the first day of school?
From science and storytime to music and math, Izzy’s classroom is full of new things to explore. Tag along with Izzy and experience the wonder and excitement of school from a child’s-​eye view.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–7