Tag: Picture Book Reviews

Picture Book Review: Joey: The Story of Joe Biden, by Jill Biden

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews
Author: Jill Biden (with Kathleen Krull)
Illustrator: Amy June Bates
Paula Wiseman Books
22 September 2020
48 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Chief Political Analyst at Only Picture Books) and OPB superfriend (and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor) John Herzog.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Joey: The Story of Joe Biden is a picture book biography about the 46th President of the United States, written by his wife, bestselling author Jill Biden (with the help of award-​winning writer Kathleen Krull). The book begins with Joe’s early years in the quaint world of the 1950s, with terrific Norman Rockwell-​esque illustrations that effectively create a pleasurable nostalgic mood. I could wax on about the art alone, but I’ll let John handle that below.

Though Joe knew the challenge of poverty early on, he enjoyed a rich, supportive family life. Mrs. Biden–little Joey’s mom–even told him, “Bravery resides in ever heart, and yours is fierce and clear.” Through a series of anecdotes like that, the book reveals an admirable sense of responsibility and honor the entire Biden clan seems to hold dear.

Many reviewers seem untroubled by the potentially problematic role model that Joe presents in those early years, though, such as how Joe was “unable to refuse a dare, even when it was dangerous,” and how he dealt with school bullies by fighting. The accompanying image for that latter situation even shows him with a clenched jaw and clenched fists. These facts might undercut the role-​model purity some readers hope a book like this will bring. Certainly, having young people fight their way out of problems or undertake unnecessary risk behaviors aren’t things many adults condone.

Yet the book gets back on track fairly quickly, with Joe’s competitiveness, sense of justice, and ability to overcome a pervasive stutter preparing readers for the metamorphosis Joe undergoes in high school. He grows a foot taller, develops boundless charisma, and works hard to be a peacemaker. The fact that he spent summers in a work-​study program so he could afford to attend the expensive “Catholic high school overlooking the Delaware River” helps present him as a sympathetic, hard-​working figure. Here’s the role model parents are looking for in this book.

While the book acknowledges that Joe became “one of the youngest people ever elected to the United State Senate,” and that Obama found him to be “the best vice president America’s ever had,” Joe’s political career isn’t really a large part of the book. This is more the nostalgic story of how a leader is made through the crucible of life’s challenges told through unadorned, plain English–as opposed to the poetic depiction Nikki Grimes used to present the life of Kamala Harris in her recent biography.

Author Jill Biden understandably tries hard to present Joe in a very positive manner that mostly rings true. But there’s this moment early on: “maybe he was just a regular guy, not rich, not privileged, but he dreamed big and saw himself a leader.” Will some readers be bothered by the “not privileged” note? Perhaps.

The book went to press prior to Biden winning the election, so it simply ends with his 2019 announcement that he’s running for President of the United States, which he considers “a battle for the soul of America.” The book ends with “Give me the ball!” which connects to a throughline regarding his past as a successful athlete.

The backmatter is sizable but the highlights are a quirky list of Bidenisms and a comprehensive timeline that fills in many of the blanks of Joe’s life and career. Whether you’re a Biden fan or not, this book offers insight into our 46th President and will be a welcome addition to the shelves of school and public libraries.

4.25 out of 5 pencils

 

–John’s Review of the Illustrations–

With his successful campaign for President of the United States, interest in all things Joe Biden was bound to be inevitable. So it’s no surprise that we now have Joey: The Joe Biden Story for children (and their parents) to learn a little more about Biden’s upbringing and why he got into politics in the first place.

Written by Jill Biden with Kathleen Krull, and illustrated by Amy June Bates, Joey spends a lot of its time with Biden as a young man playing football, interacting with his siblings, going to school, etc. We have a chance to see the values instilled in him when he was a kid, how he exemplified them as a young boy, and how he continues to exemplify them today. While the book does seem overly idyllic at times, it understands its audience and does a good job of showing the relevant parts of Biden’s life.

I know that, in the past, I have been very effusive about the work of Amy June Bates (see my review for Gittel’s Journey). With her work in Joey, that effusion has not diminished in any way. The reality is this: Amy June Bates is one of the best picture book illustrators working today, and is probably one of the best picture book illustrators of all time. Her sense of design and color, the natural flow of her illustrations coupled with the story, her impeccable sense of detail balanced out with blocks of color–what can I say? It’s all fantastic and perfect and wonderful. Her use of traditional media–in this case watercolor, gouache, and pencil–elevates the storytelling, giving us rich, nuanced images that help us connect to Biden–first as a kid, and now as President-elect.

The nitpicks I have with the illustrations in this book–and they’re very minor–are as follows. Sometimes it’s hard to pick out Biden from the crowd. Overall, Bates does a fine job of separating him from the pack, but there were a few times where I just wasn’t sure which character was supposed to be Biden. In many of the illustrations, Bates gives Biden’s clothes a slight teal color, but I think it would’ve been helpful to make that more consistent throughout the book. I also wish that Biden’s character design had a consistent trademark attribute that followed him from childhood to adulthood. His design felt slightly erratic, and adding a staple of his look would’ve also been helpful.

These are minor criticisms, of course. And while I thoroughly enjoyed Joey: The Story of Joe Biden, it often felt like the picture book equivalent of rose-​colored glasses. But perhaps that’s the point. It brims with nostalgia, of course, but thankfully it’s infused with elements of reality that help keep it grounded. That’s probably the best compliment I could give the book, really. Biden himself feels like a dreamer, a go-​getter who also understands the plight of the average person. That attitude comes across loud and clear in the book and, after dealing with the last four years, it’s a very welcome change.

4.5 out of 5 crayons

John Herzog is an award-​winning illustrator and educator. 

His clients include Hasbro, Dreamworks TV, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Scholastic, and Highlights for Children. He also teaches illustration classes at Ringling College of Art and Design.

John is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where he received the 2018 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for his Highlights High Five cover illustration. He lives in Florida with his wife, two kids, a pair of geckos, a South American horned frog, a bearded dragon, and a fish.

 

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.

Picture Book Review: Your House, My House by Marianne Dubuc

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

22 September 2020
32 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (chief rabbit aficionado at Only Picture Books) and OPB newcomer, freelance author/​illustrator Kelly Light.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Marianne Dubuc’s new picture book, Your House, My House, almost seems like one of those seek-​and-​find books my kids loved so much in their k‑1 years. On every page of this book, a little block of text is tucked into the leaves of a tree at the top left while the rest of the page–the bulk of it–offers a look inside a multi-​level house full of animals engaged in a variety of actions. Yes, it’s a very special day at 3 Maple Street since it’s Little Rabbit’s birthday. But there’s so much more going on at the same time.

I confess that I find it a bit challenging to connect the text to the characters being referenced since the art is disproportionately large on the page. I’m almost more inclined to just peruse the pictures and imagine my own stories to pair up with the interesting characters versus try to bring the existing text into some kind of connection with the art. Is that a good thing? I’m not sure what to think about it.

Since my responsibility in these reviews is to focus on the story, though, I’ll leave it to Kelly to dive deep into the compelling artwork. While I have lots of appreciation for this book as a whole, I’m giving this a slightly lower ranking than I’d give were I reviewing the entire book as a single thing. With it being such a clearly art-​centric book, there’s almost no other option.

It’s worth checking out, though. Let’s not lose track of that fact.

4 out of 5 pencils

 

–Kelly’s Review of the Illustrations–

I’d like to ask Marianne Dubuc if she’s a fan of the book What Do People Do All Day? after pouring over her new book Your House, My House. Before I even received the book to review, the cover of her book struck a chord deep inside of me. I ripped tape off of boxes from my recent move, to find my own tattered copy of Richard Scarry’s book.

Was it the cross-​sectioned home revealing the inside of the building and goings-​on of what appears to be an early twentieth century, very large old apartment building? The viewer never sees the house with its front wall. That invisible wall allows us to take in all that happens on a very, very busy day at 3 Maple Street.

The SUPREMELY detailed drawings in Marianne’s book appear to be done in great, old-​fashioned pencil and watercolor. Simply–the best. Some touches of colored pencil, here and there. The palette emits a sunny day in soft washes with just the right amount of puddling. My inner art geek is dying to know. Did she work to size? (which means the size of the printed book.) I wonder if that’s the case because there is so much detail. I would imagine working larger to fit it all in, but if Marianne did that, perhaps all of this lovely graphite would close up and darken and lose its silvery tone.

These are the thoughts that fill my head when inspecting another illustrator’s work.

The details are ABUNDANT and the art tells most of the story. The writing here is mostly visual but WHOOO BOY, what kinds of lists Marianne must have made to keep this all straight as she drew! The day of the tiny Bunny’s birthday is filled with four floors of activity, one tree, two sides of the house, and the street out front. The inhabitants are all drawn with charm and deceptive simplicity. Marianne manages to convey all kinds of mood and emotion in her characters. An annoyed Owl, a sick Bear, Terrible Two Mice Triplets, Expectant Fox Family, Hedgehogs waiting for Dad, Cats moving in, Rabbits burning baked goods, Birds in the branches, a Post-​Cat, a Goldilocks breaking and entering, a Wolf chasing down some pigs and a Little Red Riding Hood walking on by. The tiniest of the characters, the ghost, the ladybug, the bee, the mice children, and a very odd Gnome are the only ones that are hardest to read.

Some of their drawings got tight. It was the Gnome that made me put this book onto my Cintiq and blow it up. I stared. ”IS THAT A…GNOME? A GNOME, TOO??” I started to question my own eyes and rubbed them and wondered if Marianne had eye strain, too, after creating the art. It is quite a feat to draw what is the visual equivalent to a silent movie. I had to go back through all of the pages and see where and when this crazy Gnome came into 3 Maple Street! By making me do that, I knew, Marianne had hooked me into this book experience.

I imagine a child POURING over this book, over and over and over to see all of the details, just as I did with my own Scarry book. This feels very classic, looks very classic, and is illustrated with a lot of class. It feels very real in these times that we stay so close to home and perhaps feel so much more together than we have for a long time.

My ONLY wish? That the book was BIG. 11x15 BIG , like my old Richard Scarry book.

Pure pencil, pure watercolors, pure picture book perfection.

4 out of 5 colored pencils

Kelly Light lives in Amherst, MA but grew up down the shore in New Jersey surrounded by giant pink dinosaurs, cotton candy colors, and Skee-​Ball sounds. She was schooled on Saturday-​morning cartoons and Sunday funny pages. She picked up a pencil, started drawing, and never stopped.

Kelly is the author/​Illustrator of the Louise series. Louise Loves Art and Louise and Andie, The Art of Friendship are the first two picture books in the series. Louise Loves Bake Sales and Louise and The Class Pet are the first readers in HarperCollins’ I Can Read program.

Kelly has also illustrated Elvis and the Underdogs and Elvis and the Underdogs: Secrets, Secret Service, and Room Service by Jenny Lee, and The Quirks series by Erin Soderberg.

Website: www.kellylight.com

Picture Book Review: The Blank Page by Alberto Blanco

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews
Author: Alberto Blanco
Illustrator: Rob Moss Wilson
Parallax Press
22 September 2020
32 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (#1 Paper Fan at Only Picture Books) and OPB newcomer, freelance artist Sharon Holm.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

It’s fitting that a book like this is published by Parallax Press, a publisher founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, and one that’s committed to producing books on mindfulness. Why? Because the book’s first line is very Zen.

“There is nothing here.”

And just as Zen can plunge one past the surface of life, so, too, does this picture book by acclaimed Mexican poet Alberto Blanco seek to send the reader into an unexpected journey into the profound interconnectedness of all things. To look at a single page of paper is to sense the tree it was made from, as well as the rain and sunlight that helped it grow, and so on.

Eventually, “we can see the trees, the rivers, the clouds, and the mountains…and we can see people, like you and me.” That’s a pretty deep concept for picture book readers. But if we’re fine with board books like Nietzsche 4 Babies or Metaphysics for Babies, why not this, right?

Still…is the idea that the book in your hands is something that connects you to the whole universe too big of idea for little ones to grasp? Is it too abstract? I’m not certain. It’s ambitious, to be sure. And there’s a clear sense of community and connection here, which I applaud.

The best line is the last one: “Where nothing happens, there is a miracle that we are not seeing.” A note on the copyright page attributes that to someone other than the author, though it certainly feels like a line that a poet as accomplished as Blanco might have created.

Ultimately, the book might be more about prompting discussions and thought than providing answers or entertaining readers. For the right adult companion reader, that might be a great fit for what they want to share with a child.

3.75 out of 5 pencils

 

–Sharon’s Review of the Illustrations–

The Blank Page has a clever introduction, especially for a children’s picture book–a blank page that says “There’s nothing on this page.”  But is there really nothing there? There’s the page, after all. And the book goes on to examine the process of making the paper that makes up that page, as Ryan noted above.

One might suggest that the story is rather simplistic. But is it really? Can a child see that this is more than just another life cycle of a tree book?  The words created a depth I wanted to read into.

Let’s see if the art helps readers explore those depths.

I found the design of the cover to be simple yet effective. I’m also pleased by how that design simplicity is carried throughout the interior spreads. The composition of the interior pages–with the use of sparse text and brightly colored vignettes–pop on a solid white background.

Overall, the illustration style of bold black outlines with bright digital color come across well.

But I wanted more of a connection between the actual artwork and the words of the story. Instead, the heavy lines and flat digital color caused the illustrations to lack the same emotion and depth of the words. It seemed like a missed opportunity.

The art and text didn’t quite work as well as I hoped to support a picture book that isn’t nonfiction, but doesn’t have a main character or narrative throughline.

The book’s message seems to be that everything has a connection, and that we’re all working together in conjunction with our universe. And that we must ALL work together as one, with the universe, to succeed. That’s a great message for any child.

3.25 out of 5 crayons

Sharon Holm is an artist, mother, sister, daughter, wife, friend, black belt kick boxer, and animal rescuer.

She’s also a professional children’s book illustrator/​work-​in-​progress writer. She graduated with honors from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale with a degree in Visual Communications, and was an award-​winning art director for various advertising agencies in South Florida before turning her attention to children’s illustrating.

Since then, she’s built an art career through illustrating trade books, fiction, nonfiction, activity books, educational products, and bath books, as well as greeting cards, puzzles, and calendars.

Picture Book Review: Hans Christian Andersen: The Journey of His Life by Heinz Janisch

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews
Author: Heinz Janisch
Illustrator: Maja Kastelic
NorthSouth Books
1 September 2020
56 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Frequent Fairytail Fan at Only Picture Books) and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor John Herzog.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

I’m always a bit leery of picture books that run past the traditional 32 pages. And with this one at 56 pages? This might be the most telling comment of the entire review–it doesn’t feel long. Had I not known in advance that it was 2x as long as most, I wouldn’t have even thought about that fact.

Partially, it’s due to the captivating artwork. Witness how mesmerizingly bright things get when the story leaps into flights of the imagination. But I’ll let John handle that aspect of things, though I’ll simply add that this reader really appreciates the sense of wonder, innocence, and magic the illustrations create at times. Well done, Maja Kastelic!

Austrian author Heinz Janisch’s fresh take on the life of Hans Christian Andersen (translated by David Henry Wilson) is clever in that it allows Hans himself to tell his own story fairy-​tale-​style to a young girl named Elsa as they share a coach ride. That’s so appropriate in that it connects to the oral component of his tales–we likely first heard them read aloud to us, and here’s Hans doing that same thing for yet another young story lover. Like I said–so clever and apt.

Elsa also serves as a stand-​in for the reader, asking the questions we want asked, primarily “What happens next?” But she also asks if he’s the Hans in his many stories, to which he replies:  “I don’t think my stories are all about me. With fairy tales you can sometimes hold a mirror out in front of other people without them realizing it.”

Another way in which this book is clever is how Hans showcases qualities and experiences from his own life through the lens of his stories, such as how his own early years were like “The Ugly Duckling,” which is about a duckling who is teased for being different until one day when it turns into a beautiful swan. “Anyone can turn into something special–that’s what the story tells us. Like a poor cobbler’s son becoming a famous writer,” he says to Elsa and her mom.

Some might argue that the book presents too cheery a take on a life that most realize was fairly grim, lonely, and eccentric (I hesitate to call him weird, but yeah, that’s probably more accurate since he went bonkers over bad reviews, was terrified of being buried alive, and was likely celibate his entire life), but without a doubt, he’s one of the most influential writers of his century and this book captures a bit of that magic in a pleasant mix of biography and a well-​fabricated story frame.

This is a must-​read for any reader, with appropriate Back Matter that likely will offer one or two tidbits adult readers didn’t know about this beloved literary giant.

4.75 out of 5 pencils

 

–John’s Review of the Illustrations–

There’s something truly magical happening in Hans Christian Andersen: The Journey of His Life. It’s not just the context, although there’s plenty of magic to be found there. It’s in everything, really: the story, the illustrations, the colors, the compositions. If there’s a perfect picture book, in my opinion, I’d say this gets damn close to being it.

First, I must point out how much I love the length of this book. It’s much, much longer than your typical picture book today, but I appreciate that here. It’s long, but at no point was I bored and, personally, I don’t think kids will be bored reading this either. Heinz Janisch has made this popular, prominent figure of the establishment feel fresh again with an interesting take on their life story. I found it incredibly clever to couch Andersen’s history in a journey where he talks about his life with Elsa, a child–his main audience then and now. I was pleasantly reminded of how Andersen’s stories don’t talk down to children (and neither does this book), which I feel is something of a problem in the children’s publishing world today.

In terms of the illustrations, this is probably one of the most cinematic picture books I’ve ever read. The compositions, character designs, and expert use of color and mood harken to the work of Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino. As someone who has dabbled in filmmaking, it’s fantastic to see the crossover here. Color especially is used in incredibly effective ways that help tell the story. We’re taken through the highs and lows of Andersen’s life through color, and the way illustrator Maja Kastelic has approached it is pitch perfect. The contrast is such that, if you were to remove the words, I dare say that the images would still tell the story. They’re that good.

The character designs are also brimming with watercolorey appeal. I instantly like Andersen as he’s depicted here with his top hat and blue bow tie, his cheeks slightly flushed. The other characters involved are also charming and full of life. Even the environments are full of appeal and character thanks to the watercolor approach here.

The way the compositions are laid out almost resemble a comic book, and also reminded me of how Wes Anderson loves playing around with aspect ratio in his films (see The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch). There’s one page in particular that I absolutely love: Andersen is discussing the dark times he endured as a child, and the illustrations are very desaturated and dour. And at the very bottom right-​side of the page, underneath this mountain of black & white images, we see a small Elsa looking sad at what Andersen had to endure. We know exactly how Elsa is feeling because of the way the page is laid out and the way color (or lack of it) is used. This page, in and of itself, is a masterclass of visual storytelling.

I completely and willingly admit that I’m coming at this book with my own personal biases. However, I’m planning to purchase The Journey of His Life when it’s released in September, so that right there should tell you how much I love it. I think you’ll love it, too.

5 out of 5 crayons

John Herzog is an award-​winning illustrator and educator. 

His clients include Hasbro, Dreamworks TV, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Scholastic, and Highlights for Children. He also teaches illustration classes at Ringling College of Art and Design.

John is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where he received the 2018 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for his Highlights High Five cover illustration. He lives in Florida with his wife, two kids, a pair of geckos, a South American horned frog, a bearded dragon, and a fish.

He is represented by Shannon Associates.

Picture Book Review: Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers, by Matthew Cordell

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers
Author: Matthew Cordell
Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Neal Porter Books
6 April 2020
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Biggest Mister Rogers Fan at Only Picture Books) and Florida author-​illustrator Loreen Leedy, a friend of the OPB family.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Hello, Neighbor, an authorized biography, takes a direct chronological approach to the life of Fred McFeely Rogers (1928–2003). A lot of care is given to establishing the motivation for Fred’s later commitment to creating quality educational TV programming, starting from being bullied as a child to his growing faith to his sincere interest in becoming a minister.

Then came this: In those days, television was new and just beginning to become popular. And Fred didn’t like what he saw.

Fred decided he could do better. So, what he did was learn the industry from the inside out, then he brought his love for puppetry and music to bear with the première of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood in February 1968. Fred’s interest in welcoming and accepting others was key to all he did–it’s why “Police Office Clemmons was the first African American character to appear in a recurring role on a children’s television series.” Through the many guests to The Neighborhood, viewers also encountered artists, musicians, and people from all walks of life.

One noteworthy linguistic technique is the shift to first-​person plural–we–once Fred’s own show is underway. That might be a choice that represents Fred’s inclusivity or the lasting impact of his work, though many young readers of today won’t be as familiar with The Neighborhood as their adult reading companions will surely be, so they’re not exactly part of the aforementioned “we.” But no doubt, they’d like to be after reading/​hearing so many good things about Fred.

The nonfiction element of Fred’s story doesn’t quite allow for the richness of language and the poetry of sound to emerge within the lines themselves, though perhaps that sense of beauty instead is found in the accompanying artwork done in Cordell’s sketchy-​scratchy style. Cordell is a skilled artist and his soft imagery has a leisurely sensibility that fits the mood of Fred’s life.

The back matter–archival images, a robust About page, visual glossary, and more–is necessary to give a deeper sense of all that Fred did to earn his lasting legacy. And inspirational quotes that get to the heart of who he was and what he believed in are prominently displayed on endpapers.

There are few adults I can think of who are more universally beloved and respected than Fred Rogers. This book serves as a welcome tribute to this admirable, kind-​hearted man.

4 out of 5 pencils

– Loreen’s Review of the Illustrations–

Scrapbook pages from Fred’s childhood reveal his early interests in music, puppetry, and storytelling. As a young man, he questions the frivolous content of children’s television programming. Instead of endless pies in the face and rude behavior, he is inspired to create something gentle, empathetic, and educational. On his show, Mr. Rogers would speak directly to young viewers, engaging with their questions, joys, and fears as well as their imaginations. Author-​illustrator Matthew Cordell takes readers behind the scenes to visit the set with its familiar front door, bench, trolley to the Neighborhood of Make Believe, plus the lights, cameras, and crew.

The illustrations recall a variety of moments from the over 900+ episodes. Fred sings the show’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor theme song in a sequence of TV-​shaped spots, accompanied by delightfully wonky, rainbow-​hued hand lettering. Framed portraits of recurring cast members, scenes from field trips, and famous visitors like Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West enliven the pages. The back matter showcases several photographs of Mr. Rogers in action. The familiar fish tank is one of the notable elements included in a handy visual glossary.

Both young and old will enjoy a tour of Mr. Rogers’ friendly neighborhood with the help of this picture book biography.

Disclosure: Many of Loreen’s picture books have been published by Holiday House.

4 out of 5 crayons

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Loreen Leedy is the author-​illustrator of more than 40 popular picture books that have received many rave reviews and honors. Her titles such as Measuring Penny, Amazing Plant Powers, and Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story often include math, science, and language arts content. Her most recent book, Step by Step, features footprints made by baby animals including a puppy, duckling, and fawn in a page-​turning question and answer format. It makes an appealing nonfiction choice for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade age levels.

To see Loreen’s work and download free book activity printables, please visit www.LoreenLeedy.com.