tiny, perfect things

“Today we keep our eyes open for tiny, perfect things.”

A book that revels in the small everyday wonders and treasures of life, the ones that we notice most when we’re children — “a spider’s web that caught the light,” “a flower growing through a sidewalk crack,” our shadows “holding hands” in the late, late afternoon sun.  The pale bright moon and cold air that signal that it’s time to head back home to someone waiting for us.  An exceptionally lovely book with just the right words, art and cadences to remind us to slow down and not let the awe-filled and curious wonders of life escape us.

Tiny, Perfect Things was written by M. H. Clark, illustrated by Madeline Kloepper and published by Compendium.  It'll be out on June 1.

in a small kingdom

A young prince inherits his father’s position as ruler over a “small kingdom along an ancient road” but his corrupt half-brother has his eye on the throne.  An evil plan is hatched but thwarted as the people of the kingdom demonstrate love and respect for their new ruler through a beautiful gesture.  A magical, heartwarming and timeless tale about the power of community.

In a Small Kingdom was written by Tomie dePaola, illustrated by Doug Salati and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

go west

We hop on a train for an epic journey across North America from Montreal to Los Angeles.  We board the Dorchester locomotive in Montreal and end up at “the last of the great train stations” — LA’s Union Station with its ruddy Spanish tiled roofs and iconic Mission Moderne style.  Along the route we take a gander at gorgeous passing scenery and of course delve into the history of train travel — getting a peek into what the first luxury passenger cars were like, passing venerable landmarks such as the Banff Springs Hotel, reading the stories behind famous stations like Grand Central in New York and learning about legendary locomotives such as the Daylight Limited running along the Pacific Coast from SF to LA.

A surprise search-and-find awaits readers at the end of this terrific resource about how the railroad shaped North American history.  Pascal Blanchet’s sleek, stylized illustrations possess an old world elegance that takes readers back to another era, bringing them home in time for dinner.  It would make a fantastic gift for the train lover in your life (we all know at least one).

Go West!: The Great North American Railroad Adventure was written and illustrated by Pascal Blanchet and published by Wide Eyed Editions.

goldfish on vacation

A strangely delightful and unexpected tale about one hot summer in the city, three children and their three goldfish.  Who are joined by a whole lot more children and their goldfish.  When you can’t leave the city for a vacation...there’s only one thing to do.  It’s a sunny, lighthearted story with a nostalgic nod to simpler, more carefree times that has us pining for summer warmth...and an unusual vacation!

Goldfish on Vacation was written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Leo Espinosa and published by Schwartz & Wade.