Hicklebee's Recommends... Picture Books
Charles’ nurturing words are perfectly complemented by Collier’s beautiful collage paintings in this book showing black and brown children, reminding them that they matter. Filled with hope, assurance, and love.
An A is an H that just won't stand up right, and a B is a D with its belt on too tight. From A to Z two masters of wordplay make us look at each letter in a creative, fun, colorful new way. Take time for the details in the illustrations and the pun-filled comments throughout. A secret message to decode can be found on the rear endpaper.
Barnabus, a wee cross between an elephant and a mouse, is one of the "Failed Projects" hidden deep beneath the Perfect Pets emporium of a busy city. When it appears that a drastic lab clean-up threatens him and his colorfully named peers, he leads a bell-jar breakout--one that takes them up to see the night sky he's always dreamed of.
Terry, Eric, and Devin Fan grew up together in Toronto and have been long-time collaborators. The Barnabus Project has gorgeous illustrations--full of humor with a Monsters, Inc., vibe. And the book can be as soulful as E.T. in teaching a lesson about acceptance.
A small foreign exchange student comes to live with a family. He is curious, quiet, and perplexing to his host who does his best to show him around. But when he departed one morning “with little more than a wave and a polite goodbye” he left a beautiful surprise for the family. There is more than a touch of magic here, along with a character hard to forget.
Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other. This story takes place on the day before Evelyn moves away as they play amid the moving boxes promising to keep in touch. “Mami says not to be sad, that we will both make new friends…..I know she will always be my first major amiga, my numero uno best friend…” The last page shows an older Daniela, surrounded by letters from Evelyn showing readers that it is possible to keep a best friend, even after they’ve moved away.
“ I am a nonstop ball of energy. Powerful and full of light. I am a go-getter. A difference maker. A leader”. The confident Black narrator is proud of everything that makes him who he is. Empowering text and illustrations that radiate light and joy celebrate the wonder of this young boy. An important book to share.
With stunning illustrations, Blackall takes us from the solar system to the quilted landscape of earth. She shows us people of varying shapes, sizes, and abilities along with all kinds of animals moving through land, sea, and air. Kindness abounds. A hopeful look at what we have to be thankful for during these times when much thought is on today’s difficulties.
Margaret moves with her family to a cottage by the sea to be near her grandma. One evening she discovers unicorns descending onto the shore. They vanish as quickly as they'd appeared, but accidentally leave behind a baby, tangled in the weeds. For every child who imagines finding and caring for a lost unicorn—I’m sure I was one.
On grandmothers day at Zura’s elementary school, students are asked to invite their grandparents to school to share what makes them special. Zura loves her West African grandmother but is worried about how her classmates will react to the tribal markings on her face. Nana Akua saves the day with a quilt of traditional African symbols and a bit of face paint. She explains how her marks make her special, and paints symbols on the children’s faces, making them feel special, too. A wonderful springboard for a conversation about cultural diversity.
Molly Lou’s mother told her to speak up for what’s right and for those who can’t. When school starts and a bully begins teasing, Molly Lou knows what to do. Catrow’s quirky illustrations are a perfect fit for spunky Molly Lou who acts on her mother’s advice making good choices and speaking up.
A board book filled with surprises. First comes the circle. Then the square and the triangle. Then the . . . emu pushing a pancake wagon down a hill? What begins as a concept book about geometric shapes soon defies expectations with a series of funny and imaginative twists. Each turn of the page builds anticipation. Perfect opportunity for young readers to pitch in with their own twists—orally or written.
A father and daughter lay the foundations for their life together. Using their own special tools, they get to work, building memories to cherish, a home to keep them safe, and love to keep them warm. A companion to Jeffers’s Here We Are, the emphasis here is on life’s opportunities and the love of a parent.
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For the first time, all nine of Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes’s bestselling, mouse picture books, and characters Lilly, Chrysanthemum, Owen, Wemberly, Sheila Rae, Julius, Chester, and Wendell are available in one hardcover treasury.