Writing books for children is how I feel I can contribute to peace and multiculturalism in our often hate-filled world. Setting the intention to write kind picture books requires that I also read them. Over the past year, that is exactly what I have been doing. This blog is dedicated to identifying some cool kids' books discovered through combing bestseller and award winner lists as well as through randomly perusing our local library children’s section.
Although there are a number of whimsical children’s books currently being published—many with uncanny twists—my all-time favorite kids’ book author is Mo Willems. Willems is well established in the picture book publishing world. He has won Theodor Seuss Geisel awards (several times); has received the Caldecott Honor (several times); and he is recipient of six Emmy’s (for Sesame Street writing). Mr. Willems is not only acclaimed, he is also prolific. Since 2003, Mo Willems has written over sixty books, illustrating most of these.
Why are Mo Willems’ books so popular with critics, kids, and parents? Basically, his books are fun, funny, and always kind. They have surprising and lovable characters who act in surprising, lovable ways. Willems' pigeon series features a pigeon and a duckling who spar over simple but very understandable objects such as cookies and hotdogs. Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! encourages readers to participate as the pigeon begs and throws tantrums trying to get permission from us, the readers, to drive the bus (which the bus driver has clearly instructed us not to allow). This book was a Caldecott Honor recipient as were Willems’ two Knuffle Bunny books, both based on Willems' daughter Trixie’s attachment to (and near loss of) her close companion, a bunny. Parents (and fellow grandparents) will totally understand the trauma of nearly losing a child’s best stuffed animal. Another of my faves is Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed (which helps children understand that each person has their own style--we do not need to all be alike). Probably the coolest of Willems' characters are the unassuming elephant Gerald and his sidekick pig, Piggie.
Like Willems’ "Pigeon" books, the Elephant and Piggie series of books are very sparsely illustrated. Though there is usually a drama that unfolds (and some sort of tantrum ensues), Willems easily reveals an endearing relationship between Gerald the elephant and Piggie the pig. They are best friends. My fave of this series is There Is a Bird on Your Head! in which Gerald endures first one bird then two birds then a nest with eggs and, finally, a whole family of birds on his head. Through Piggie’s intervention, Gerald eventually discovers how to rid himself of the onerous bird family (by politely asking the birds to leave), so the birds transfer themselves to Piggie’s head instead.
In the Elephant and Piggie series, as in other of Willems’ books, readers are transported into stories that are simple, kind, dramatic, funny, and universally accessible. Not an easy feat in our complex, often unkind and very compartmentalized modern world.
Although there are a number of whimsical children’s books currently being published—many with uncanny twists—my all-time favorite kids’ book author is Mo Willems. Willems is well established in the picture book publishing world. He has won Theodor Seuss Geisel awards (several times); has received the Caldecott Honor (several times); and he is recipient of six Emmy’s (for Sesame Street writing). Mr. Willems is not only acclaimed, he is also prolific. Since 2003, Mo Willems has written over sixty books, illustrating most of these.
Why are Mo Willems’ books so popular with critics, kids, and parents? Basically, his books are fun, funny, and always kind. They have surprising and lovable characters who act in surprising, lovable ways. Willems' pigeon series features a pigeon and a duckling who spar over simple but very understandable objects such as cookies and hotdogs. Willems’ Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! encourages readers to participate as the pigeon begs and throws tantrums trying to get permission from us, the readers, to drive the bus (which the bus driver has clearly instructed us not to allow). This book was a Caldecott Honor recipient as were Willems’ two Knuffle Bunny books, both based on Willems' daughter Trixie’s attachment to (and near loss of) her close companion, a bunny. Parents (and fellow grandparents) will totally understand the trauma of nearly losing a child’s best stuffed animal. Another of my faves is Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed (which helps children understand that each person has their own style--we do not need to all be alike). Probably the coolest of Willems' characters are the unassuming elephant Gerald and his sidekick pig, Piggie.
Like Willems’ "Pigeon" books, the Elephant and Piggie series of books are very sparsely illustrated. Though there is usually a drama that unfolds (and some sort of tantrum ensues), Willems easily reveals an endearing relationship between Gerald the elephant and Piggie the pig. They are best friends. My fave of this series is There Is a Bird on Your Head! in which Gerald endures first one bird then two birds then a nest with eggs and, finally, a whole family of birds on his head. Through Piggie’s intervention, Gerald eventually discovers how to rid himself of the onerous bird family (by politely asking the birds to leave), so the birds transfer themselves to Piggie’s head instead.
In the Elephant and Piggie series, as in other of Willems’ books, readers are transported into stories that are simple, kind, dramatic, funny, and universally accessible. Not an easy feat in our complex, often unkind and very compartmentalized modern world.
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