Wistful, witty, and winsome reads

Where Are You, Brontë?

Tomie dePaola
Simon & Schuster, 48 pages

In Tomie dePaola’s last completed manuscript, Where Are You, Brontë?, the Strega Nona author uses simple words to sort through deep emotions evoked by the loss of his cherished furry companion. Soft and moving illustrations by award-winning artist Barbara McClintock pay beautiful tribute to the late author’s final story, allowing readers to sit alongside the elderly man in his grief, remembrance, and thanksgiving. Those who’ve loved and lost a beloved pet will relate to dePaola, the author and/or illustrator of more than 270 children’s books, as he reminisces over the gift that was his beloved pup and finds closure in knowing that Brontë will always be with him in his heart. McClintock includes a moving eulogy for dePaola at the end. Ages 4-8

Don’t Trust Fish

Neil Sharpson
Dial Books, 40 pages

Author Neil Sharpson’s witty words pair with Dan Santat’s classic pencil and watercolor illustrations to make people laugh in this unique educational picture book that introduces children to the concept of animal classification. The book starts out like a run-of-the-mill, vintage textbook starkly explaining what makes something a mammal, reptile, or bird, but then in sharp contrast Sharpson notes all the ways fish are rebels and outlaws who don’t follow the rules: “Some of them have gills. Some have lungs. Some live in salt water. Some live in fresh water. Some lay eggs. Some don’t.” The end result is a ridiculously fun conspiracy theory that will reel families in again and again as they ponder all of Sharpson’s fishy questions: “Ships always sink at sea. They never sink on land. Isn’t that strange? Don’t trust fish.” Trust us on this one. Ages 3-7

Otto and the Story Tree

Vivien Mildenberger
Random House Studio, 40 pages

Author Mark Twain once said, “Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” We see this concept at play in Mildenberger’s Otto and the Story Tree. A grumpy, lonely, apathetic old bird’s world transforms from gloomy and hopeless to bright and full of life as he shares his stories with a lone seed that fell into his home through a neglected hole in the roof. The seed grows into a tree as it receives nourishment from the bird’s tales. Otto receives nourishment, too, as animal neighbors are drawn first to the tree’s growing shade and then to Otto’s stories. Readers will note a marked difference in the bird and the color palette of his environment as he gains this undeserved gift of community—common grace perfectly depicted. Ages 4-8

It Started With a P

Brittany Pomales
Flamingo Books, 32 pages

King Liam has a habit of going to the extreme when things don’t go his way. After he dreams that something starting with the letter P—although he can’t remember what—ruins his upcoming birthday party, King Liam takes drastic preventative measures to ensure his party is a success. He decrees that everything starting with the letter P must go. But what are parties without pizza, piñatas, presents, and people? The p in party poses a problem as well. A plentiful portion of p-words ends up purged in this playful picture book featuring digitally created illustrations by Andrew Joyner. When King Liam finally realizes what (or, in this case, who) is responsible for sabotaging his special day, he seems to learn from the predicament—but only briefly. And perhaps that will preach to a petulant preschooler (or parent). Ages 4-8