Picture books are a great way to sit and read a good book, but you do not have to invest a large amount 
of time into them. Besides, they can help you learn about people’s personalities. These two books are great “personality finders.” One is a modern story, but has a soft, old-school, classic feel; while the other is more modern. Knowing the audience that will enjoy these can help you find a novel for them. Yet, there is nothing wrong with a good picture book read as an adult.
Little Blue House Beside the Sea is a sweet, cozy, soft poem and story about the sea, a house and a little girl who loves it all. Jo Ellen Bogart created a story that is an any time read. It can work for a one-on-one reading time or for a group read. Carme Lemniscates’s illustrations pop off the page and perfectly compliment the text with lovely colors and the right details. Our narrator’s passion for the ocean and the everyday things around her comes to life perfectly. Everything about the book has a modern sentiment, but classic feel to it.
However, with Play Outside! you have a modern picture book created by Laurent Moreau. The abstract yet realistic images and European feel to the text creates a modern story that is busy, bright and humorous. The afterwards continues things with a list of no/to low data to extreme endangered creatures. Going outside to play and enjoying what is out there makes thing about environmental in a less direct manner as well. Plus, you can also just take it as a story about an exasperated mother who tells her children to play outside which has an unforeseen ending after adventures ended.
Both are great gift books (child or adult). And when you find the personality of your book you find the person who is meant to make a forever home for it.
