Picture Book time! They are fun! They are scary! They are full of pride! And one of each is below.
First with have The Scariest Story You’ve Ever Heard by Ron Keres and illustrations (what they are) by Arthur Lin. Read via an online reader copy, though available, this book has mostly all black pages. The narrator says this is so because it is just too scary to see! Two brothers (or so the narrator says), let their imagination run wild when they start hearing those bumps, thumps and grunts in the night. What could it be? By the end we are aware that someone (not to name any paternal names) needed a midnight snack. This is not only scary (the oooh dear what is it and will it hear/see/eat us?) but fun, too.
It’s Pride, Baby! by Allen R. Wells and colorfully illustrated by Dia Valle. Currently available, this too was read via an online reader copy. Focusing on the celebration of Black and Queer Pride, and how a celebration around that was created, we see two father-male presenting individuals of color saying how their daughter-female presenting child should have pride in themselves: Be it if they love a him, a her or a they. To be proud of their skin, accomplishments and community. And while the images promote that theme, the overall theme is, regardless of color or gender, all children need to hear that they are loved and should have pride from others and with themselves.
And finally the fun one! Not a Smiley Guy by the cleverly fun Polly Horvath and illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Another read via an online reader copy and currently available, this book was fun in a way that I did not expect to like. Our young hero, Ernest, is not a smiley person. It just is not a natural feeling for him. As he grows, we peek into his mind. Now he knows he has a nice family, the town is lovely, and overall things are good. Now he could hope for some elephants, but he’s not one to complain. As we go along his family tries all sorts of things to get him to smile, but it won’t work. The ending is funny and clever with the moral saying that people do not have to change who they are, but a little compromise is never bad. After all, you do what you can for those you love. The illustrations are simple, but do not skimp on the details. The colors are slightly more early and muted, but not dull
