Today’s post features, as the title says, 5 picture books that will easily appeal; and what I left out in the title is that this appeal is across age ranges despite them being picture books! Actually, two of them are targeted towards adults, or more specifically moms; but young readers will be able to appreciate them too.

As for me, picture books have always appealed, and will continue to do so for a long time to come. When I was a child, the picture books I had access to were somewhat different from the ones I am reading today; but it was always fun. As an adult, I got back into picture books in preparation for being a mom; tbh, for myself! And I continue reading them long after my kids stopped reading them (now they are teens after all)

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The Picture Books

Hello Numbers! What Can You Do?

Book Info

What It Is

Written by the mathematician-and-poet team Edmund Harriss and Houston Hughes, and illustrated by longstanding New York Times artist Brian Rea, this rollicking, rhyming book will take you to a whole new world of numbers.

The How (I Felt)

A little wordy, but the rhymes are oh-so fun and at the same time explain math concepts so very well. Children definitely need an adult or an older person to read this with them, for it is word play and math concepts all in one.

For example, just look at the book’s description:

‘First think of One peeking out from the night Like a point, or a dot, or a shimmering light. But when One finds a friend to run from or run to, Then we can’t call both “One”—that new One must be Two!’

The book itself is more of the same… and brilliant it is from frame to frame.. (oh, well, page is what I meant, but it wouldn’t have been rhyming content!)

And I cannot forget about the artwork here. I loved the adorable, bright, cute, delightful, educational, fun, great illustrations (I stopped with g.. could have continued but don’t want this review to be overlong too)

Perfect Pairing

Pair it up with Outdoor Math to add more fun to learning (with) numbers!

In Summary

This is a fun and certainly unique way to look at numbers, and how they relate to each other as well; and the illustrations are sure to delight all readers.

Good Night Rona: A Pandemic Parody

Book Info

What It Is (from the book description)

Goodnight Rona, a pandemic story, is a very ‘real’ parody about life during a Covid-19 outbreak. Honest and funny, this book takes a modern adult twist on one of the most beloved children’s book of all times. This book includes a list of free Covid-19 resources and a portion of the proceeds are being donated to charities including the International Rescue Committee and Lola’s Children’s Fund.

The How (I Felt)

A witty look back at the year that was. I always enjoy twists on classics when done well, and Stacey uses both the look and feel of the beloved children’s classic to write this picture book parody for all ages. While younger children might not get all the references, the pictures tell their own story as well, and kids can easily play I-Spy games with this one. This cute yet all-too-real and quick read adds the right touch of lightness to the current times.

Perfect Pairing

Pick up Stacey’s other book – Tsunami Mommies – featured below, to keep smiling.

In Summary

A read that is sure to help us look at the year back from a whole new angle; and make it all a little better.

Tsunami Mommy

Book Info

What It Is (excerpted from book description)

A parody book for adults, makes great gifts for women, but can be read as an adult family parody. There need to be more humor books for women written by women. A perfect gift for yourself, new-, old-, disaster- and perfectly put together- moms. This book is also great for dads and children too.

The How (I Felt)

Using familiar themes of the cumulative song (if you recall singing ‘And the Green Grass Grows All Around’ as a child), Stacey portrays mom-life with humor and honesty. Though readers of all ages will no doubt find themselves smiling as they turn the pages of this book, it will appeal the most to — moms, of course!!

Like with her other book, Goodnight Rona, the pictures lend themselves to many I-Spy games. Repetition emphasizes the whirlwind-life of moms and in the end, like all parents do, we see that it is all worth it (not a spoiler, of course, just fact).

Perfect Pairing

Pick up Stacey’s other book – Goodnight Rona – featured above, to keep smiling.

In Summary

Helps laugh the tsunami right out of the whirlwind that is momlife!

Under the Love Umbrella

Book Info

What It Is

From an award-winning creative duo comes a book about the wonder of ever-present love. A stunning celebration of the joy and comfort that is always with us, wherever we roam in the big, wild world.

The How (I Felt)

A precious book that uses an umbrella as a metaphor for the all-encompassing love of parents for their children. I adored the illustrations, and the neon colors used thereof. I do love bright colors as a rule, and when rightly used, they are brilliant – just like the artwork in this book. While the rhyming seems a bit forced sometimes, or a bit off, the sentiments strike the right chords in a parent’s heart and that makes this book so perfectly worth a read.

A great gift for any day, and even more so as a Valentine’s day gift for your child, or for another parent who will love to read this. I also loved how Davina Bell chooses to end the book with the words at the start of the book, tying it all together in a warm circle, like a parent’s love all over again. And again, totally love and inspired by Allison Colpoys’ art.

Perfect Pairing

Check out this post for a list-ful of books that you can pair with Under the Love Umbrella

In Summary

Sweet, comforting read of love for any and everyday. Perfect for those snuggly read-togethers!!

Why Are You So Quiet?

Book Info

What It Is (excerpt from description)

Into a world where it often seems nobody is listening comes a poignant story that celebrates the power of silence. With gorgeous illustrations from Risa Hugo, Jaclyn Desforges’s first picture book champions introversion and the value of being a listener, a thinker, and an observer in our increasingly loud world.

The How (I Felt)

So I am not a quiet person myself (except when I want to be, like when I am reading); and have never been (or think I will be) asked the question in this book’s title: Why Are You So Quiet? But I know many who are, and totally love and appreciate them. If everyone is ‘not quiet’, then who will be listening? But jokes aside, each person is different, and learning to understand and accept, more importantly appreciate those differences is what is needed. Bear in mind that this acceptance, appreciation, and understanding needs to happen on all sides — from within and from others. And why should the quiet ones be labeled different anyway? Aren’t the talkative ones different for the quiet ones too?

Anyways, personal thoughts aside, here are my thoughts about the book itself. It is a beautiful, beautiful book about Myra Louise, the one qho is quiet; and it has illustrations that wonderfully complement the encouraging, gentle and lyrical text.

As Myra Louise tries to answer that question everyone around her asks of her, she learns a lot about who she is. She is an observer, a reader, a thinker, a tinkerer, and of course, a listener! And with each thing she learns, she wants to share it with others as well. I loved how the soft, soothing colors of the expressive artwork brighten as we turn the pages — shifting from pastel to bright — along with all the joy and acceptance that Myra discovers for herself.

Perfect Pairing

While Love Your Body is aimed for a slightly older audience than ‘Why Are You So Quiet?’, it still conveys the message about finding joy and acceptance in who you are.

In Summary

A great book for all readers – the quiet ones and the not-so-quiet ones – to learn the joys of listening and simply being.

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Linking these books @ It’s Monday, What Are You Reading over at TeachMentorTexts

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, have you read any of these picture books? Or picture books similar to these? Your thoughts on the books you have read are welcome, as are your recommendations. And as always, would love to hear any and all comments on this post. As well as suggestions too.