Are you a dog person? Are you looking for two new books to read about dogs? Well the first book below has a theme of dog and sibling rivalry. And the second, well it is a bit more sad. It is about the loss of a beloved pet named Bronte by one of my all time favorite authors.
Hazel the Handful by Jamie Michalak and illustrated by Matt Myers (due early April 2025; read via an online reader is a cute story about sibling rivalry told from the point of view of the older child (or actually the middle one as there is an older sibling, too), um I mean doggie. While the theme is not original, it is a nice way to introduce the theme to younger children.
Hazel is beloved by her family, but when the baby comes, well things of course, change. The protagonist, Hazel, moves through this journey with relatable and realistic emotions. And they are expressed with illustrations that are colorful, sweet and fun. I did not have a WOW BEST BOOK EVER feeling, but it is a book that can become a favorite of you and your child. Overall, things are nice. They are silly and goofy without being “too much” or really “bratty” with the creation of Hazel.
Now, if you love Tomie dePaola and you want to read everything they have written, then Where Are You, Brontë? is a must read. However, he did not illustrate it, but Barbara McClintock had the honor. The book is due early May 2025 and I read via an online reader copy.
The ability of the illustrator to make it look as if the author (dePaola) himself drew them himself is amazing. They bring to life a beloved author once more and deal with a story that is pure Tomie, but also covers new territory. The idea of seeing a beloved pet in a very minimalist way, yet you can relate to it, is sweet. The fact that dePaola will lose his beloved friend is sad, but it is also hopeful as we learn that Bronte (or our beloved friend) is always with us.