little lit book series: books about mail

February’s theme is mail for #littlelitbookseries.  The art of correspondence.  Concerned about her Great-Aunt Josephine being too lonely, Sadie decides to send her a "care package."  A pretty sizable one—an ELEPHANT!  She thinks her aunt "could really use the company."  Sadie encounters some obvious obstacles along the way but remains undeterred and determined.  Heartfelt, funny and completely thoughtful.

Special Delivery was written by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell and published by Roaring Brook Press.

Be sure to check in at @littlelitbookseries to see what other titles we're reading throughout the month.  And search the hashtag #littlelitbookseries on Instagram to see which epistolary tales our group sharing today.

i don't know what to call my cat

Quandary of quandaries.  What to name the cat?  As a young girl gets to know the playful and mischievous nature of her new cat and the other more eccentric facets of its personality, she realizes picking a name will not be a straightforward task.  Cats are complicated creatures, no?  Luckily, the perfect name presents itself at just the right time.  And all is purrrfect again.  Completely funny, charming and lovable story and illustrations.  Hard to ask for more, really.

I Don’t Know What to Call My Cat was written by Simon Philip, illustrated by Ella Bailey and published by Simon and Schuster.

will spring be early? or will spring be late?

Groundhog surfaces to make his yearly prediction and a funny misunderstanding ensues when he finds a red flower.

Will Spring Be Early? Or Will Spring Be Late? was written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson.  First printed in 1959.  This revised edition was published by Harper Colllins.

mang andoy's signs

The city is overrun with chaos and the mayor knows just what might bring some order.  He commissions Mang Andoy (Mr. Andoy) to make some signs to clarify rules of conduct.  But how will people react?

Mang Andoy's Signs is a bilingual book, written in English by Mailin Paterno and translated into Tagalog by Eugene Y. Evasco.  Isabel Roxas' thoughtful and whimsical collages are a perfect fit for the bustling scenes of this urban tale.  A little about her method — "The artwork for this book was created using watercolor, paper scraps, and digital collage.  Bus fare tickets, candy wrappers, and other pieces of vintage ephemera were collected from bus conductors, friends, and generous pack rats."

Published by Tahanan Books for Young Readers.

swimming with sharks

Eugenie Clark experienced discrimination on two fronts—because she was both a woman and Japanese American.  However, she pressed on, and through grit, diligence and beautiful, unrelenting curiosity, she became one of the most significant scientists of her time.  She faced adversity with much grace and found such joy in her work.  Her story is told in Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark.  Written by Heather Lang, illustrated by Jordi Solano and published by Albert Whitman & Company.