The Poky Little Puppy, 1942

The Poky Little Puppy, 1942

The Poky Little Puppy was first published in 1942. It’s written by Janette Sebring Lowrey and illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren, and it’s toted as the all-time best-selling hard-cover children’s book in the US. It was one of my father’s favorites. So this post is for you, pops. Continue reading →

One Monster After Another, 1974

One Monster After Another, 1974

The monsters in Merced Mayer’s One Monster After Another are not scary. Even so, Mayer touches upon that tender nerve also tickled by shadows in the dark: what lurks just outside of the scope of our eyes? I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: couple the slightly dark or scary with the fanciful and fun and you get a balance that feels frivolous yet true to life. What happens to our world when we are not looking? It’s the very root of imagination. Continue reading →

In the City of Paris, 1985

In the City of Paris, 1985

Think you have it hard? Nope. Nothing like the dogs of Paris. Though you may be a “good dog”– intelligent, well-trained, attractive, educated, pensive, philanthropically minded, self-sacrificing– doesn’t matter. If you are a dog at all, you will always be denied entry into the parks of Paris. Even on a leash. Continue reading →

Horatio, 1969

Horatio, 1969

Horatio, is a person cat. Not only does he hate all creatures other than his kind Mrs. Casey, he thinks, rationalizes, wields irony, and has facial expressions like a person. He is grumpy. He likes to be treated with respect. In Horatio, we find an anti-hero in a bold cat form. Continue reading →

Swimmy, 1963

Swimmy, 1963

I remember loving Leo Lionni’s book as a child, though I honesty don’t remember exactly what I loved so much about it.  In re-reading it, however, I know what re-worthifies it.  First and foremost, the story is triumphant and heroic.  A small fish– with the unfortunate name of Swimmy– culls his desire for adventure from … Continue reading →

Otter and Odder, 2012

Otter and Odder, 2012

This is two otters kissing from The Daily Otter (dailyotter.org, check it out, you’ll be happy you did). This picture has little to do with the book Otter and Odder by James Howe. Except it has otters. And kissing. Now we’re just missing the fish… Continue reading →

Old Aunt Elspa’s ABC Book by Joseph Crawhall

Old Aunt Elspa’s ABC Book by Joseph Crawhall

Old Aunt Elspa and her alphabet, made for “book-loving chubbies.”  Think you could get away with calling your audience chubby today?  Even if they’re five…?  Doubt it.  No, Old Aunt Elspa dates back to 1884.  The antiquated S that looks like an F, the cover that proudly proclaims the availability of a color edition, and … Continue reading →

Alphamorphabet by Jay Palefsky

Alphamorphabet by Jay Palefsky

Palefsky holds court as a true artist, with a style that is a mix of surrealism and comic book art. Owls become a parade, shoes become a shoe critic, cats become dogs, and houses become butterflies. The idea and execution are immaculate and awe-inspiring. Continue reading →