Some happy picture books for April

Bully by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Great illustrations of a bull being a bully to other barnyard animals. It’s the goat that calls him on it, and after thinking it through, the bull apologizes and makes nice with his diminutive friends. While there is not much here, there is enough to start a conversation: what is a bully, how can we get along with everyone, and why is it not nice to tell someone he stinks, even when he is a skunk? Have fun!

The Things I Can Do by Jeff Mack

 

In the style of No, David by David Shannon, Mack has written and illustrated a cute poem in the style of a six year old artist. Good for little ones who are at that age where they say, “I can do it myself!”  Mothers and fathers will appreciate the humor and little ones will proudly learn to read these words themselves.

The Very Inappropriate Word by Jim Tobin, illustrated by Dave Coverly

Michael collects words, big words, small words and sometimes, inadvertently inappropriate words. When Michael tries out his inappropriate word, he has to stay after school and help his teacher search for more words for the spelling lesson. A good way to have the talk with your children about when and how to use words and what is acceptable and what is not. The drawings here are nicely done cartoons clearly showing Michael with a white mother and an African American father. You go, Tobin and Coverly!

Dusk by Uri Shulevitz

A boy with his dog and his grandfather with a beard go for a walk as the sun sets. What follows is both silly and profound, with poetry in both words and pictures. If you are looking for a book about almost nothing, but everything important, this is the book for you. Have fun!

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon

Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief is quoted on the cover, “Quirky, soulful and alive… about to treasure, like a favorite song.” And he is right! Herman is a crocodile and Rosie is a deer, both live in New York City where they work and make music, until one day when bad things happen to them both and for a time, they stop making music. When they begin to make music once again, they find each other. Isn’t that what all good love stories include?