Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

 

(hb; 2022: children’s picture book)

From the inside flap

“Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. . .”

 

Review

Knight is a delightful children’s picture book, with excellent illustrations and a fun twist at the end—while it would’ve been especially nice for Denise to visually foreshadow that twist (something he could’ve easily done)*, Knight (still) works, making for a good read. Worth checking out.

(*I understand and respect that most readers, especially children, won’t care about foreshadowing in a children’s picture book. That said, for some of us who write, edit, etc. text, it’s something worth noting.)

Millions of Cats by Wanda Gág

 

(hb; 1928: children’s picture book)

Millions is about an old man who goes to get a cat for his wife but ends up bringing back too many─it’s a delightful book if you can overlook the dark, dumb-luck overtone of the book’s solution to the angry, fighting-cat problem. The artwork is great, unique and old-timey as well.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

(hb; 2018: children’s picture book)

From the inside flap

“It’s Penelope’s first day at school, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates.

“But making friends is hard to do when they’re so delicious!

“Readers will gobble up this hilarious new story from award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.”

Review

This dark-humored children’s book hits the sweet spot between amusing-to-adults and amusing-to-appropriate-for-children. By making Penelope a sweet-natured T-Rex child─who quickly learns to not consume her classmates, a lesson without any lasting harm─and the other characters’ mild response to her actions, Eat is a perfect-for-its-genre read: it sports a simple (but not simple-minded) story arc, easy-to-spot and multilayered moral lessons, and laugh-out-loud funny, surprising moments. I especially love Walter the goldfish and the end-line of this inspired book. Eat is a charming, funny and memorable three-minute read, one worth owning (if you are into this genre and darkly funny mindset).

The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse and Wendy Watson

(hb; 2004: children’s picture book. Illustrated by Wendy Watson.)

From the back cover

“Newbery medalist Karen Hesse tells a harrowing, true story about life in the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII.

“When Karen Hesse came upon a short article about cats out-foxing the Gestapo at the train station in Warsaw during WWII, she couldn't get the story out of her mind. The result is this stirring account of a Jewish girl's involvement in the Resistance. At once terrifying and soulful, this fictional account, borne of meticulous research, is a testament to history and to our passionate will to survive.”

Review

This outstanding children’s picture book manages a rare feat: it deals with a dark, yet strangely inspiring historical event and manages to be child-friendly and entertaining at the same time. Its artwork is eloquent and simple, as spare as the emotionally resonant tale it accompanies. This is excellent, and ─ even for this adult ─ worth re-reading on occasion, for its humanity, grace and superb storytelling.

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham

(hb; 1956: children’s book. Illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham.)

From the back cover

“This lovable white dog with black spots (or black dog with white spots) has charmed children for fifty years, and we are celebrating with an anniversary edition. This childhood favorite is perfect for reading aloud before going to bed or avoiding a bath.”

Review

This delightful picture book is one of my all-time favorite children’s works, a fun tale about a dog who does not want to be bathed and acts to prevent it from happening. The protagonist and artwork are endearing and entertaining, and the ending is satisfying in its mischievious mini-twist, one worth remembering. Followed by three equally-worthwhile sequels, No Roses for Harry! (1958), Harry and the Lady Next Door (1960) and Harry By the Sea (1965).

Scary Godmother, by Jill Thompson

(hb; 1997: children's picture book)


Review:

Funny, sweet, spooky (in a kid friendly way) picture book, this.  Great illustrations, as well.

Scary Godmother is worth owning, especially if you have kids.

Followed by four sequels, the first of which is Scary Godmother: The Revenge of Jimmy.

(Big thanks to Stranger for recommending the series.)

Better Haunted Homes and Gardens by Jennifer Barnes and Kristen Margiotta

(pb; 2009: children's picture book)


Review:

When Ivy Spookerton goes looking for a new place to live, she has specific requirements for her new home: it must be haunted, in a way pleasing to her macabre mindset and her bugs.

This charming, quirky picture book (reminiscent of The Addams Family) made me smile, as did Margiotta's mood- and color-appropriate artwork, which is what alerted me to the existence of this book.

Here's an excerpt - two of my favorite pages from Better Haunted Homes:

"Ivy Spookerton was up to her ears in creepy crawlies. Renting an attic room from Old Mrs. Wrinklechin had been great for a time but Ivy's bug collection had doubled since she'd first moved in.

"Ivy needed a place where she and her critters would have some space to stretch out.

"When the spiders started to make nests in her hair Ivy knew it was finally time to go house hunting. Haunted house hunting to be precise!

"Ivy had always wanted to live in a haunted house and would settle for nothing less than the most haunted house in all of Pumpkinville."

Better Haunted Homes is worth reading, for those without kids who enjoy G-rated silliness and spookiness; it's worth owning for those who have children, whose sensibilities may appreciate the above elements.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

(hb; 1971: children's picture book)

Review

When a young man visits the mysterious Once-ler, he hears a cautionary and timely tale about the Once-ler's past, and his role in the destruction of the cotton candy-like Truffula Trees.

Great children's verseworks read - fun, with a strong/positive and increasinglyly important message.  Worth owning, this, as are most Dr. Seuss books.

#

This book resulted in two movies.

The first, a twenty-five minute, animated television film short, aired stateside on February 14, 1972.

Eddie Albert voiced The Narrator.  Bob Holt voiced The Lorax and The Once-ler.  Athena Lorde voiced Mrs. Schmunsler.  Harlan Carraher voiced "The Boy".  An uncredited Thurl Ravenscroft voiced the "Bass Singer".

Hawley Pratt directed the short, from a teleplay by book author Dr. Seuss.

#

The second version, a CGI'd Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, was released stateside on March 2, 2012.

Danny DeVito voiced The Lorax.  Ed Helms voiced the Once-ler.  Zac Efron voiced Ted.  Taylor Swift voiced Audrey. 

Betty White voiced Grammy Norma.  Rob Riggle voiced Mr. O'Hare.  Jenny Slate voiced "Ted's Mom".  Stephen Tobolowsky voiced Uncle Ubb.

Joel Swetow voiced "1st Marketing Guy".  Michael Beattie voiced "2nd Marketing Guy".  Laraine Newman provided one of the "Additional Voices".

This second film was co-directed by Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda, from a script by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul.