(1) K-3 Illustrated by Gracey Zhang. The creators of The Big Bath House (rev. 11/21) take readers back to Japan, this time for a wild bicycle ride through mid-twentieth-century Tokyo. A group of children, one of whom serves as the book's narrator, eagerly watches as a delivery man sets off on his bicycle in the morning, balancing on his shoulder an impossibly tall tower of stacked soup bowls and noodle boxes. With vivid descriptions of the sights and sounds of the city, the text sets readers right down in the middle of the scenes, while the writing makes for an animated read-aloud: the delivery men are "artists. Architects. Tough talkers. Speedy spinners. But mostly, they are acrobats." Illustrations done in ink and gouache capture the circus-like thrill of the cyclist navigating his precarious tower through busy streets to reach his destinations: a university, a factory, and a big office building. The art conveys equally well the quiet, cozy scene that evening when the man makes his final delivery -- to his own home, where his wife and baby and the children seen earlier happily welcome Papa and their noodle dinner. Two historical photos of Japanese demae (delivery men) bookend the story; the first one alerting readers and the second reminding them that the amazing balancing acts illustrated here aren't the least bit exaggerated. An illustration of an exhausted but smiling Papa soaking in the family's deep tub may send readers dipping back into this talented duo's earlier book.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Gracey Zhang. A young girl visiting her grandmother in Japan narrates this not-so-traditional bath-time book about a very traditional and ancient Japanese custom. The narrator and her beloved baachan, along with a gaggle of aunties, take a walk to the neighborhood bath house, where they meet up with some smiling young cousins. After removing shoes and clothes, they sit on low stools by water faucets, scrub themselves clean with soap, and rinse off before gently easing themselves into the steaming hot bath with a communal "Ahhhhh." The narrator guides readers through the potentially unfamiliar rituals by clearly describing what will happen; the future tense ("The wooden sandals will be lined up and waiting") also reads like a comforting reminder of what will take place the next time she gets to visit her grandmother. The text mirrors the mood--quick rhymes describe the excitement of arriving and the fun of soaping up, then longer sentences slow down and quiet as the group walks home in the dark. Zhang's buoyant illustrations in ink, gouache, and watercolors match the water-focused story with transparent, watery hues anchored by strong black outlining. Young audiences will giggle at all the naked bodies in the book, while adults will appreciate the body-positive descriptions: "You'll all dip your bodies, / your newly sprouting, / gangly bodies, / your saggy, shapely, / jiggly bodies, / your cozy, creased, / ancient bodies. / Beautiful bodies." In an appended note, Canadian author Maclear (It Began with a Page, rev. 11/19) describes the childhood summers she spent in Japan, she and her grandmother sharing not a common language but "rituals, a sweet tooth, and a love of bathing."

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Morstad. Japanese American artist Fujikawa (1908–1998) helped break the color barrier in picture books with her 1963 now-classic Babies. Maclear lucidly outlines a remarkable life of art and creativity, of struggle and perseverance. Growing up in California, Fujikawa "sometimes...felt invisible among her mostly white classmates." This feeling continued into adulthood and an art career in New York City, especially when her West Coast–based family was incarcerated in WWII internment camps. Morstad's illustrations effectively vary in style and coloring to match events. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2019

(2) YA Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler. Charlotte (Charlie) is more interested in classmate Emile than she is in music until her teacher puts on Maria Callas. This graphic novel focuses on middle-school dynamics within the rich context of Charlie's interior life and her burgeoning passion for opera. Small panels and varied colors for different story elements play well with drama supplied by full-page pictures. A revelation regarding Emile is bittersweet--like the story as a whole. Bib.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jay Fleck. Curious and absentminded Flo, the smallest panda, likes taking her time and lounging ("her number-one saying is 'Get floppy!'"). Although this frustrates the other pandas with their daily tight schedule of activities, her "floppy," relaxed ways are more appealing after a near-disaster. Spare, brightly drawn illustrations and occasional speech-bubble dialogue complement the simple message that slowing down can be a good thing.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Morstad. An imagined first-person voice, dotted with (sourced) quotations, introduces flamboyant Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Beginning with her parents' harsh treatment of her, the narrative reveals a creative woman determined to leave a designing legacy with inventive, playful looks. The watercolor, gouache, and pencil-crayon illustrations depict how a dreary childhood "bloomed" into a color-filled life. An appended note says more about Schiaparelli's accomplishments. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer:

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Esmé Shapiro. Yak and Dove, very unlike each other, are nonetheless best friends. Three episodes, told entirely in dialogue, explore their friendship as they argue, reconcile, and plant an unusual garden. The art is beautiful but lacks dynamism, as both the palette and narrative content changes little from page to page; the stories themselves are engaging but quite long, and the dialogue-only format soon wears thin.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Turnham. Charles sets off with his trusty friend, Boggan (a sled), in search of a wish tree, helping woodland creatures along the way (e.g., hauling hazelnuts for Squirrel). Maclear's contemplative text emphasizes the sights and sounds on their woodland journey rather than Charles's motivation or mysterious wish. The digital illustrations use a muted palette of slate and rose to evoke a winter sunset.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Júlia Sardà. An eccentric family is obsessed with making "lists most usual. And lists most unusual" (e.g. Mama's "lists of ghastly illnesses and the greatest soccer players"). One day a visitor arrives, adding a new perspective to their concept of list-making with his stream of philosophical questions. Gloomy, macabre-style illustrations add to the esoteric feel of this peculiar nonsense tale for older picture book readers.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marion Arbona. After being sent to the study to "think things over," a reluctant reader picks up a "good little book" and falls in love. When he loses the book, he despairs, only to realize that stories continue to live in his imagination. Vibrant, bold, borderline-surreal gouache paintings enliven this (somewhat didactic) fable that will probably appeal most to book-loving kids.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Katty Maurey. A girl reluctant to leave the city to spend summer vacation at the beach with her family ends up bewitched by what the ocean has to offer. Maclear's emphasis is on lyricism rather than character, and the narration isn't true to a child's voice. Maurey's art--mixed-media scenes in earth tones and powdery blues--matches the narrative's enchanted mood.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Morstad. Maclear tells a fictional story about real-life friends and collaborators Julia Child and Simone Beck (a.k.a. Simca) as child chefs. Becoming silly, stubborn, and argumentative, grownups regress when they experience the duo's marvelous culinary delights. Stylish ink, gouache, and Photoshop illustrations capture the whimsy in a tale without much child appeal that plays loosely with Julia Child's iconic persona.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matte Stephens. Martin and his change-averse neighbors are challenged when Mr. Flux (modeled on George Maciunas, founder of the 1960s avant-garde Fluxus art movement) hits town. In this revelatory tale, Flux is a Mary Poppins–esque eccentric do-gooder who's met with skepticism but mourned upon his departure. The gouache illustrations embody the spirit of a movement that "didn't take art or life too seriously."

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. When Virginia wakes up with the "doldrums," her sister, Vanessa, tries to help, but nothing works until she suggests that Virginia think of a place where she would be happy. Vanessa then paints this imagined world. The illustrations, showing Virginia's transformation from wolf back to little girl, and of her world from gloom to glad, convey the isolation and chaos of a mind uneased.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2012

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. Spork, the offspring of a spoon and a fork, feels conspicuous in the kitchen. Forks and spoons ignore him, and he goes completely unused--until a "messy thing" (a baby)--arrives on the scene. Nothing treacly about this mixed-cutlery tale; the clever text and lively illustrations have enough zest to make the lesson about fitting in around the table more than palatable.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander