Storytime: New and Notable Picture Books (24)

This week's Storytime features a look at the upside of life's disappointments, a breakfast food favorite, a button-collecting raccoon, a very confused (but brave!) kitten, and an inspiring picture book featuring the first African American to be published in the south!

It's Tough to Lose Your Balloon

Written & Illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Ages 3-7, Available Now

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Goodreads

Lost balloons. Melted ice cream. Babysitters.

Life as a kid can be pretty daunting. But don’t let these troubles get you down. With the right attitude, a hurdle can become a hammock and an obstacle can become an opportunity!

Veteran picture book creator Jarrett J. Krosoczka teaches kids to look on the bright side of things. With lively illustrations and spot-on humor, It’s Tough to Lose Your Balloon champions resilience and helps children navigate childhood indignities while making them laugh at the same time.

“It’s never fun when you break a toy… But you’ll have fun fixing it with your grandpa” is one of many pieces of advice Jarrett J. Krosoczka gives readers in his new picture book, It’s Tough to Lose Your Balloon. Sometimes things happen that bring you down, but Krosoczka reminds readers that there’s always another, positive experience right around the corner! This short read aloud manages to share a big message that will last for a long time.

Everyone Loves Bacon
Written by Kelly Dipucchio; Illustrated by Eric Wight
Ages 3-6, Available Now

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Goodreads

Egg loves Bacon.
Lettuce loves Bacon.
Waffle loves Bacon.
Bacon is sizzling with popularity.
And pretty much everyone thinks he is the best.

That is-until Bacon's fame goes to his head. He's so busy soaking up the attention, that he soon forgets the important things in life, like friendship and family. How will it all pan out for our dashing, delicious hero?

Oh-so-hilarious! Readers will love this cautionary tale about humility, friendship, and bacon.
 

Dewey Bob
Written & Illustrated by Judy Schachner
Ages 3-5, Available Now

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Goodreads

A sweet raccoon character stars in this endearing tale of unexpected friendship from the creator of the bestselling Skippyjon Jones

Dewey Bob Crockett is a durn cute raccoon who lives by himself in a house filled to the brim with the wonderful objects he collects. Buttons, wheels, furniture and bricabrac adorn his cozy quarters and keep him busy as he finds and fixes, turning trash into treasures. But there’s something missing from Dewey’s collections—a friend! He tries gathering up some critters and bringing them home in his shopping cart, but that doesn’t work out so well. In the end, a friend does come Dewey’s way, and, with a little DIY help from this clever raccoon, returns again and again.

Combining art and heart with storytelling genius and a lilting twang, Judy Schachner's tale of unexpected friendship will delight readers young and old.

The Skippyjon Jones books are great, but I think Judy Schachner really shines brightest in her standalone titles. They're so warm and such fun to read aloud. Dewey Bob is an incredibly charming character.

Max the Brave

Written & Illustrated by Ed Vere
Ages 3-6, Available Now

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Goodreads

Max is a fearless kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a kitten who chases mice. There's only one problem-Max doesn't know what a mouse looks like! With a little bit of bad advice, Max finds himself facing a much bigger challenge. Maybe Max doesn't have to be Max the Brave all the time...

Join this adventurous black cat as he very politely asks a variety of animals for help in finding a mouse. Young readers will delight in Max's mistakes, while adults will love the subtle, tongue-in-cheek humor of this new children's classic.

This adorably fun read aloud follows Max, a brave kitten who chases mice. Well, who will chase mice as soon as he figures out what a mouse looks like. Comical, sweet, and colorful, Max the Brave is sure to become a favorite!

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton
Written & Illustrated by Don Tate
Ages 4-8, Available Now

  
Buy It
Goodreads

In the nineteenth century, North Carolina slave George Moses Horton taught himself to read and earned money to purchase his time, though not his freedom. Horton became the first African American to be published in the South, protesting slavery in the form of verse.

Don Tate is so incredibly talented; I love everything he's done. This nonfiction story about George Moses Horton is a must for all classrooms and libraries and will tie in particularly well during Poetry Month!

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Love any of the books featured this week? Let me know in the comments!