Picture Books, Oh My!

 

Starling-Lyons, K., & Minter, D. (2018). Going Down Home With Daddy. Peach Tree. 

From Going Down Home With Daddy

Going Home With Daddy stars a young child named Lil Alan visiting his family at his grandmother’s ancestral home. Although he is excited to go, Lil Alan is unsure what he will share. Using poetic language, Lyons paints a story about connection, familial ties, and reclamation. 

Despite their history of slavery and racism, they still have the power to dream and build a life of their own. We also see this theme in the art. Illustrated in watercolor, each page feels free-flowing. Minter’s art feels connected to the other, making each page blend. With purposeful imagery and color, Going Home With Daddy is a powerful story about family and the reclamation of land. 

From Going Home With Daddy

Cordell, M. (2017). Wolf in the Snow. Macmillan. 

From Wolf In The Snow 

       

      Matthew Cordell’s story, Wolf in the Snow, is a masterpiece in storytelling. Told entirely in beautifully drawn pictures, it follows a young girl and a wolf cub stuck in a snowstorm. Cordell is excellent at showing expressions and vulnerability. The reader sees both the young girl’s doubt and fatigue and the young puppy’s fear and apprehension. Cordell’s depiction of a dangerous snowstorm makes it easy to understand the gravity of the situation. 

From Wolf In The Snow 

     

    This simple but emotional story emphasizes the importance of helping someone in need. Even though the young girl struggles through the storm, she still attempts to help the young puppy. Overall, Wolf In The Snow is a sweet and straightforward story about unlikely friendships and kindness told only in drawings. 

Love, J. (2024). Julián is a mermaid. Candlewick Press. 

From Julian Is A Mermaid 

         

Another picture-driven story, Julian Is A Mermaid, follows a young boy searching for his own expression. Julian and his Abuela swim every Saturday, and he wishes to be a mermaid. When he sees a group of mermaids on the subway, Julian fulfills his dream of becoming one with the help of his Abuela. Julian Is A Mermaid is a story about identity and expressing yourself. Julian’s identity is never a source of shame, which is a fantastic message for children everywhere. 

One aspect of Love’s story that is different from the rest is the imagery of color. All the mermaids and aquatic creatures are painted in multiple intense colors. Love’s artwork feels like it’s right out of a watercolor painting. The pages are both breathtaking and drive home the theme of self-expression. Love wants to drive home that being yourself makes you beautiful and vibrant. Despite being told a few words, Love captures the importance of self-expression and loving yourself in just a few pages. 

From Julian Is A Mermaid 

Reading these books made me feel like I was at storytime again. One thing I noticed about my picks was how much effort and care the authors and illustrators put into them. Each theme and piece of art in each story was intentional. It was fun to read and analyze each tale.