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BEA 2012: Picture Books (page 8)

Cover art for DAN, THE TAXI MAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
DAN, THE TAXI MAN
by Eric Ode, illustrated by Kent Culotta
"Noisy fun, with a strong beat and a narrative pattern that even younger audiences will have no trouble catching. (Picture book. 4-6)"
Dan the cabbie puts pedal to the metal to pick up a rock band and get it to a gig. Read full book review >
Cover art for MONSTERS AREN'T REAL
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
MONSTERS AREN'T REAL
by Kerstin Schoene, illustrated by Kerstin Schoene
"A lightweight fear-dispeller, without the gun violence that now makes Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet (1968) so discomfiting. (Picture book. 4-6)"
Beaten down by a ubiquitous chorus of denials (see title), a monster suffers an existential crisis. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GIANT SEED
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
THE GIANT SEED
by Arthur Geisert, illustrated by Arthur Geisert
"This is a story of magic, etched with an everydayness that encourages readers to invite wonder, even bewilderment, into their lives. (Picture book. 4-8)"
A welcome addition to Geisert's gratifying series of wordless oddments features a volcano, a giant seed pod and, for sure, a bunch of pigs. Read full book review >
Cover art for VICTRICIA MALICIA
CHILDREN'S
Released: June 1, 2012
VICTRICIA MALICIA: BOOK-LOVING BUCCANEER
by Carrie Clickard, illustrated by Mark Meyers
"Though swelly seas occasionally threaten, overall, it's smooth-enough sailing here. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Ahoy, mateys; there's one determined young girl aboard this pirate ship. Read full book review >
Cover art for PASS IT ON!
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 22, 2012
Kirkus Star PASS IT ON!
by Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Michael Slack
"Though it is supposed to be a silent game--and here it is anything but that--this rendering of the childhood favorite captures the essence of its illuminating comedy. (Picture book. 4-8)"
Sadler gives cockamamie treatment to this barnyard variant on the game of telephone. Read full book review >
Cover art for COPPERNICKEL GOES MONDRIAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 14, 2012
COPPERNICKEL GOES MONDRIAN
by Wouter van Reek, illustrated by Wouter van Reek
"Surreal but fascinating, visually jazzy but conceptually cryptic, this will work for older readers who like primary colors, geometric art or the philosophical notion of the future. (author's note) (Picture book/art. 7–10)"
A red-hoodie–sporting, upright-standing bird (or possibly weasel) named Coppernickel (Coppernickel: The Invention, 2008) and his diminutive pet dog follow artist Piet Mondrian though a progression of changes in their setting, time period and bodies. Read full book review >