Tag: Nikki Grimes

Only Picture Books’ 23 Favorites of 2023

On By Only Picture BooksIn OPB Favorites, Uncategorized

Well, we’re now fully into 2024, which means I now have 100% of the picture book options from 2023 available to read and rave about. In no particular order (save alphabetical!), here are OPB’s 23 favorite picture books from 2023.

People sometimes ask how I pick these books. I have the following listed on the SUBMIT PBs tab above as my overall criteria for including a book on the blog:

  • Books that have heart.
  • Books that resonate.
  • Books that are skillfully done.
  • Books that matter.

To be a Best of 2023, though? I’m looking for even more, such as:

  • Engagement of the Imagination: Books that spark creativity and wonder, inviting young minds to explore new worlds and ideas.
  • Emotional Detail and Complexity: Stories that navigate a spectrum of feelings with nuance and depth, resonating with both young hearts and mature minds.
  • Exceptional, Vivid Writing: Narratives that are not only beautifully penned but also vibrant and evocative, creating lasting impressions.
  • Interplay Between Text and Image: A harmonious and enriching balance where words and illustrations enhance and echo each other, creating a unified storytelling experience.
  • Relevance and Timelessness: Something that speaks to the present moment while holding enduring appeal for future generations.
  • Re-​readability: Titles that invite repeated enjoyment, revealing new layers and joys with each reading.
  • Visual Storytelling: Illustrations that don’t just accompany the text but enrich the narrative, adding dimensions of meaning and engagement.

Yeah, that’s a tall order. I quite agree. But doing so many good things at once is how you get on a Best of list.

Now, any list like this is wildly subjective despite my lists above, so plenty of worthy books won’t appear here. If I missed your favorite, my apologies! Feel free to note those in the comments on this post. Perhaps I’ll be able to work them into a future roundup or list of one type or another.

Since this is running in OPB’s usual monthly Picture Book Review slot, I’m including my own 5‑word reviews for each title along with a link to the appropriates Goodreads page.

Here we go!

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Bridget George (19 September 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Tidal wave of change inspires.

Goodreads Reviews

Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld (17 January 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Hidden depths, revealed with love.

Goodreads Reviews

The Book from Far Away by Bruce Handy, illustrated by Julie Benbassat (15 August 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Wordless wonder: cosmic book connection.

Goodreads Reviews

Butt or Face? by Kari Lavelle (11 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Guessing game with cheeky charm.

Goodreads Reviews

Cape by Kevin Johnson, illustrated by Kitt Thomas (20 June 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Grief, memories, and hope entwined.

Goodreads Reviews

Friends Beyond Measure by Lalena Fisher (28 February 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Friendship visualized through graphic design.

Goodreads Reviews

Grief Is an Elephant by Tamara Ellis Smith, illustrated by Nancy Whitesides (23 October 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Metaphorical, empathetic exploration of grief.

Goodreads Reviews

Hidden Gem by Linda Liu (11 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Rock’s reflections, profound self-​acceptance lesson.

Goodreads Reviews

How Dinosaurs Went Extinct: A Safety Guide by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Jennifer Harney (18 April 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: “Safety Guide,” dino style. UpROARious!

Goodreads Reviews

How to Write a Poem, by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (4 April 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Poetry’s dance in everyday moments.

Goodreads Reviews

Invisible Things by Andy J. Pizza, illustrated by Sophie Miller (18 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Unveiling life’s unseen wonders…poetically.

Goodreads Reviews

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan (11 April 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Arachnid adventure–jumping into action.

Goodreads Reviews

Mae and Gerty and the Matter with Matter by Elaine Vickers, illustrated by Erica Salcedo (17 October 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Sibling scientists bond through chemistry.

Goodreads Reviews

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mojdeh Hassani and Samira Iravani, illustrated by Maya Fidwai (19 July 202)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Under chador, a world unfolds.

Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez, illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz (30 May 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Shark magic fuels STEAM dreams.

Our Pool by Lucy Ruth Cummins (13 June 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: City pool: splashtastic summer delight.

Goodreads Reviews

Paula’s Patches by Gabriella Aldeman, illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza (11 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Heartwarming tale of mending friendships.

Goodreads Reviews

Remember by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade (21 March 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Nature’s wisdom in poetic embrace.

Goodreads Reviews

The Skull by Jon Klassen (11 July 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Cozy chills: eerie, tender, captivating.

Goodreads Reviews

Spicy Spicy Hot! by Lenny Wen (19 July 2022)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Cultural connection through fiery sambal.

Goodreads Reviews

The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage (5 October 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Enchanting storytelling reveals hidden marvel.

Goodreads Reviews

A Vaccine Is Like a Memory by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Kathleen Marcotte (20 June 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Inoculating minds with vaccine knowledge.

Goodreads Reviews

A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney (12 September 2023)

OPB Five-​Word Review: Grief’s path leads to treasure.

Goodreads Reviews

Only Picture Books’ 21 Favorites of 2021

On By Only Picture BooksIn OPB Favorites, Picture Book Lists

Okay, 2021 wasn’t a ton better than 2020 for many folks, though we had lots of high points in the picture book world that helped us through it all.

So, without further ado, here are 21 picture books that delighted OPB enough to include in this year-​end roundup of our favorites. (If we missed anything awesome–quite possibly the case–please share your own faves in the comments. We LOVE to hear what books really work for you, and why!)

Barbara Throws a Wobbler by Nadia Shireen (1 June 2021)

An excellent book about feelings with lovely illustrations and more than enough humor to make kids want to hear it again. Did I mention how good the art is?

Read the Kirkus review for it here.

 

Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (26 January 2021)

Doug just doesn’t like hugs and that’s perfectly okay. This is a very good book to help spark discussions about boundaries, though it has humor and fun too–it’s not just a message book.

Read the Children’s Books Heal review for it here.

 

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho (5 January 2021)

This lyrical tale show a young Asian girl learning about the beauty of her eyes and her heritage. The art is a knockout, too.

Read the Kirkus review for it here.

 

I Am Not a Penguin: A Pangolin’s Lament by Liz Wong (19 January 2021)

It’s exactly what you think from looking at that cover–a pangolin is having an identity crisis. Even if I weren’t so partial to penguins and pangolins, this is a fun informational picture book told mostly with word balloons.

Read the YA Books Central review for it here.

 

King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin by Stephen Costanza (24 August 2021)

This lovely nonfiction picture book biography tells how Scott Joplin became one of America’s greatest musical pioneers. The writing is full of rhythm, but the art steals the show.

Read the OPB review for it here.

 

The Longest Storm by Dan Yaccarino (21 August 2021)

This is the powerful story of how a family–three kids, a parent, and a pet–weather a crisis together at home. It’s reassuring to see how they handle their unwanted confinement. The art feels old school in all the right ways, which adds a real sense of mood throughout.

Read the Kirkus review for it here.

 

The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer, illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio (2 February 2021)

Each year, there’s one or two wordless books that earn their way onto the OPB favorite list, and this beautiful book deserves it. It reveals all the magic that happens at night when a fair is closed. Wonderfully so.

Read The Portland Book Review review for it here.

 

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christopher Robinson (2 February 2021)

During a long subway ride with an older sibling, Milo’s imagination is hard at work. “Maybe you can’t really know anyone just by looking at their face,” Milo thinks, and he’s totally right. This book is lovely and has a well-​earned emotional punch at the end.

Read The Horn Book review for it here.

 

My First Day by Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huy’nh Kim Liên (16 February 2021)

A young Vietnamese boy heads out in a wooden boat with a backpack and an oar–it’s his first time making this trip, he admits. He navigates the Mekong River all on his own, and the wonders of nature are everywhere. Where is he heading? To another first, of course.

Read the Kirkus review for it here.

 

Off to See the Sea by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (12 January 2021)

Bathtime is an ocean of fun when you bring your imagination with you. The story is purposefully simple but very effective.

Read the Publisher’s Weekly review for it here.

 

Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham (5 January 2021)

This timely book beautifully showcases life during the pandemic. It’s deep and empathetic in all the right ways, and it shows some of the bravery and sacrifices that were made. Lovely art makes this a must-have.

Read the OPB review for it here.

 

The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen (21 April 2021)

A hat-​wearing turtle has his day ruined when a rock falls from the sky right onto his favorite spot.  He’s stubborn, so he’s going to make it work somehow. His critter friends aren’t much help, though.

It’s a big book–really five books in one. But it’s dark, brooding, and has lots of deadpan fun.

Read the The Wall Street Journal review for it here.

 

A Sky-​Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman, illustrated by Peggy Collins (30 November 2021)

The hardships of living in a war-​torn country are made clear when Aria returns to school after an accident–her body isn’t the same. She’s worried about having somewhere to sit, though all the benches have been used for kindling during wartime. A touching Author’s Note completes this fine book.

Read the Seattle Book Review review for it here.

 

Something’s Wrong!: A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear by Jory John, illustrated by Erin Kraan (23 March 2021)

A bear remembers to do everything before leaving the house…except take off those embarrassing tighty whities. Hilarity ensues in typical Jory John fashion.

Read The Novel Hermit review for it here.

 

Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga (12 January 2021)

During the long ride to their new home, Gran asks Lily to find ten beautiful things to pass the time. Lily isn’t into this plan, but soon learns to see beauty in unexpected places.

Read the OPB review for it here.

 

Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi, illustrated by Juana Martinez-​Neal (31 August 2021)

In this story, food forms a very special bond between generations. You even get tomato facts as a bonus!

Read the Kirkus review for it here.

 

Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Robbie Cathro (4 May 2021)

This heartwarming book shares the struggle for the first same-​sex couple to be legally married in America. The cake-​making throughline is sweet and delightful.

Read the Mombian review for it here.

 

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (1 February 2021)

This powerful book reveals the story of how a 1921 incident with a white female elevator operator and a Black shoeshiner launched one of the worst racial battles in American history. Cooper’s art vividly brings this moment to life.

Read the Kirkus review for it here.

**Since we lost Floyd Cooper in 2021, you might want to check out the OPB interview with him. He’s amazing.**

 

Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin (30 March 2021)

A touching autobiographical story about how a child of immigrants learns about her family and heritage. Note the wonderful Chinese-​inspired art by Justin Chin!

Read the Long and Short Reviews review for it here.

 

We All Play by Julie Flett (25 May 2021)

A tender book by Cree-​Métis artist Julie Flett that reveals how animals play just as we all do.

Read the Publisher’s Weekly review for it here.

 

Weirdo by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, illustrated by Magenta Fox (15 April 2021)

It’s a judo-​loving guinea pig. What more do you need to know than that?

Read the More About Books review for it here.

Picture Book Review: Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
25 August 2020
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by OPB regular Ryan G. Van Cleave, and OPB newcomer, freelance writer and illustrator Bonnie Kelso.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

With this timely book, poet Nikki Grimes uses lyrical language to tackle the challenge of presenting a rich, well-​lived life. She also frames the story of Kamala Harris’ life in the ongoing conversation between a young Black girl and her mother and the motif of the lotus flower (which the word Kamala just so happens to mean).

We quickly learn the history of Kamala’s parents as well as how they marched for civil rights and went to see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Kamala was there, too,” Grimes writes, “bouncing along in her stroller, chewing on her pacifier and words like ‘peace’ and ‘justice.’ ” We move from those early years to seeing Kamala battling for the use of a soccer field in middle school to her time at Howard and her initial foray into politics.

The text might require a good bit of adult glossing and intersection, both because the lines are set as verse (which makes sense, considering Grimes’ penchant for poetry), and the terminology/​references are somewhat wide-​ranging. Those who want the fullest version of Harris’ story would be well-​served by examining her book The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, which came out earlier this year.

Some readers might resist the italicized mother/​daughter conversation frame because it could be seen as getting in the way of the deep dive into Kamala’s life. Others might not want the story to end with Kamala ending her presidential bid because she “realized running for President/​cost more money than she thought,/and Kamala’s campaign team/​didn’t have enough.” Some might also see this as an opportunity for a sequel!

I’ll let Bonnie get into the vibrant digital illustrators by Laura Freeman, but my layman’s two cents on the art is this–it’s bright, textured, and inviting. Seeing the cover alone made me want to seriously consider this book for a review, regardless of any other factors. A great cover really draws my eye.

Without a doubt, Kamala Harris–the first Black woman and first Asian American woman named to a major party presidential ticket (more firsts might happen the day after this review is out!)–is worthy of being the subject of a picture book biography.

The timeline in the back matter is welcome and helps give context to the events in the book. Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice is a worthy addition to any library or personal collection, and can serve as an introduction to the world of politics.

4 out of 5 pencils

 

–Bonnie’s Review of the Illustrations–

Laura Freeman’s illustrations in Kamala Harris: Rooted In Justice give an abundance of emotional depth to the life story of this widely beloved public servant who has been breaking boundaries in the name of justice her entire life. From my first glance at the gorgeous cover, I was struck by the perfect balance of compassion and strength it conveys. Kamala’s family influences emerge from the cool inkiness of her hair and contrast against the warm tones in her skin, the lotus, and the red stripes of the American flag.

This play with warm and cool tones continues throughout the book, showing Laura Freeman’s immense skill as a visual storyteller. Bold pops of magenta and saffron against pools of blue, urge the characters off the page and into life. Patterns are used with intention and precision, blending the traditional textiles of Africa, India, and America, emphasizing Kamala’s unique perspective and family history. The layered and sometimes angular compositions add drama to Laura Freeman’s trademark flat, digitally collaged style. She reserves the use of shading and detail to emphasize faces and bring vibrancy to the characters.

It was a pleasure to review this important and relevant biographical picture book and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

5 out of 5 crayons

Bonnie Kelso is a writer and illustrator of picture books who tends to shy away from political discussions. However, she believes strongly that Kamala Harris would make an excellent president.

A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Bonnie’s past experience in art spans a spectrum, from abstract painting on canvas to museum-​quality exhibit design. She has worked with clients such as the Smithsonian, National Geographic, and NASA. Currently, Bonnie is pursuing the challenging path of becoming a published children’s book author and illustrator. She lives in Las Vegas with her partner, two sons, cat, and Japanese cleaner shrimp.

To learn more about Bonnie’s work, please visit www.BonnieKelso.com.