The River

“In the spring the sagra (a holy feast) comes to town with its carnival rides.  Flowering linden trees perfume the air and fill the sky with soft puffs that look like snow.  Music and bright lights fill the streets until midnight.”

Alessandro Sanna eloquently depicts the passing of time and what the seasons bring in a story about the people and life in and around a river.  It might be worth it to buy THE RIVER for his skies alone—saturated, dramatic, wispy, rich with movement, and in every shade of every color imaginable.  They run the gamut of emotions and play a part in telling the story of our connection to the place where we live.

THE RIVER was written and illustrated by Alessandro Sanna and published by Enchanted Lion Books.  For a preview of the interior, head over to this Instagram post and scroll right.

When I Am Big

A boy imagines what he’ll be like when he grows up — the things he’ll collect, the things he’ll do for fun, what’ll he’ll eat, where he’ll go.  He’ll ride a bicycle with 2 horns, tie his shoes all by himself and make “3 knots with big bows.”  He’ll have 4 hats for his “adventures to the south, the north, the east, and the west.”  And he’ll have “7 different jobs, one for each day of the week!”  But his favorite job will be “walking animals.”  A whimsical and clever take on the traditional counting book, and a sweetly funny tribute to children’s imagination and their perpetual wonderment about grown-up life.

When I Am Big was written and illustrated by Maria Dek and published by Princeton Architectural Press.  Out soon on April 3.

Forever or a Day

Sarah Jacoby’s profoundly beautiful debut Forever or a Day ponders time and our perspective of it.  Her story is immersive and deeply reflective, and you’ll get lost in its words as they mix with your own thoughts, images and memories of your life that will be conjured up while reading.  Sarah’s soft, ethereal illustrations and pensive text remind us in the end what richness we have in family and our time with them.  This book evokes so many emotions, and its images and words—they stay with you.  One of our favorites published this year.

Forever or a Day was written and illustrated by Sarah Jacoby and published by Chronicle Books .  Out soon on March 27.

Peanut Butter and Jelly (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #3)

In the latest installment of one of our favorite graphic novel series Narwhal and Jelly, Jelly introduces Narwhal to his new favorite food (hint, it’s in the title of the book) and Narwhal becomes slightly obsessed.  Just slightly. ;)

If you haven’t gotten a chance to check out this swimmingly fun set of early reader graphic novels starring this charming pair of best friends, there’s no time like the present.  They’re perfect for reluctant readers and avid readers alike.

Peanut Butter and Jelly (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #3) was written and Illustrated by Ben Clanton and published by Tundra Books.  Due out soon on March 27 but available for pre-order now.

Natsumi!

Natsumi is a little girl with a huge personality.  She does things with all the zeal, volume and might she can muster.  The grown-ups in her life always seem to want her to take her energy down a notch.  As she’s feeling discouraged and that she can’t do anything right, Grandfather imparts some timely advice.  Natsumi takes his words to heart and puts her energy into preparing an incredible surprise for her family at her village’s upcoming festival.  NATSUMI! is an exuberant and heartwarming tale that celebrates children’s uniqueness and strengths.

NATSUMI! was written by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Priscilla Burris and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers.