Strong and steadfast characters

Wild Blue

Dashka Slater
(Candlewick 2023)

This sweet story opens with a little girl who loves riding her beginner bike with training wheels. The girl has grown bigger, however, so it’s time to put her “pink pony” out to pasture and “wrangle a new one from the herd.” This new bike she dubs Wild Blue, but learning to ride it proves challenging as Wild Blue bucks her off time after time. “This bike’s not tame enough to ride!” she cries. Her dad, though, gives her the support and encouragement she needs, and the girl perseveres. Laura Hughes’ delightful acrylic ink illustrations capture all the excitement and frustration that come with learning to ride a bike. Ages 3-7

Blah Blah Black Sheep

N.D. Wilson
(Canonball Books 2023)

Blah Blah Black Sheep doesn’t fit the mold of a proper sheep. He’s continually disappointing or irritating others in his flock: “Blah blah black sheep always does it wrong. Blah blah black sheep sings the wrong song.” Although at first the flock doesn’t value the little sheep, when he bravely takes a stand to save his friends, he finally earns their respect. Wilson’s story, slated to release as an animated series in the future, can serve as an allegory for inspiring other “black sheep” not to be afraid to be bold and brave even when it means standing out from the crowd. Kids will enjoy illustrator Forrest Dickison’s ­rendering of the woolly protagonist. Ages 4-8

While Everyone Is Sleeping

Sarah Mackenzie
(Waxwing Books 2023)

A little shrew creeps out of bed and into the night where “Moonlight glows and beckons me, luring me to come and see secrets of the wild and free … while everyone is sleeping.” She soon discovers, though, that not everyone is sleeping: The night is alive with fluttering moths, humming crickets, and blinking fireflies. The star of the night show is the fragrant and luminous moonflower band, to which the other nocturnal creatures join in with frolicking and singing. Mackenzie’s lyrical lines come alive with Gabrielle Grimard’s muted pencil and watercolor illustrations that capture the beauty of woodland nightlife. Ages 3-8

Gift & Box

Ellen Mayer
(Alfred A. Knopf 2023)

Grandma wraps up a special Gift and then puts it in Box before shipping the package to her granddaughter. Although it is a long, bumpy, and sometimes scary trip, Box promises to protect Gift and offers comfort and encouragement along the way. Brizida Magro’s crayon, ink, and collage illustrations trace their journey from the post office as they travel by conveyor belt, boat, and mail truck. When they finally reach their destination, Box’s job is finished as the granddaughter opens the package and finds Gift. It seems their time together is over, but then the granddaughter has an idea that will delight young readers—and probably inspire some crafting of their own when a box gets delivered to their home. Ages 3-7