Picture book round up part… I have lost track! As they are so much fun I just read and read and read….. I am sure if I piled them up they would tower over me a few times over! All were read via an online copy, but both are currently available.
The publisher’s description of, If You Want to Ride a Horse, says it is “A whimsical guide through the steps of riding a horse, whether the horse is real or lives in the imagination” and this is the feeling throughout Amy Novesky’s picture book, whimsical. The illustrations are simple (but not negatively simplistic) and romantic. The color choice (or lack thereof) sets the overall tone of things. The text also has a romantic overtone. Things are easy, but have depth as well. Gael Abary’s artwork and the text are companions and their own characters simultaneously. The mixture of an old-school feeling and a modern attitude comes across.
Perla The Mighty Dog teaches her human boy how to stand up to a bully. It is clever, silly and relatable. Isabel Allende and Sandy Rodríguez tell the story from the point of view of a tiny dog, named Perla. She started life off differently, but when she finds her forever home, she fits right in, taking her responsibilities seriously (if not a bit tongue in cheek). And just as seriously are the adventures and troubles the family and Perla face. The artwork is bubbly and colorful allowing a serious theme to be less intense. The modern style and attitude will make this a favorite for all.