Dad's Bookshelf: April 2023
This month on Dad’s Bookshelf we have three new picture books that we’re quite excited about around here. All three are going to be very memorable in our house. One of the books will most certainly be pulled out every Easter, and two of them are already shortlisted for the best picture books of 2023.
We always write about the 3 books we’re most excited about in our house every month, but it’s very rare indeed that two of those books are predicted to end up in the top 5 of the Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards. That’s how strongly I feel about the quality of these picture books, and I think you’ll end up enjoying them quite a bit too!
One common thread that weaves its way through these books is creativity and imagination, and you know how much I enjoy that. And I simply can’t say enough about all of the illustrators being featured this month. The three illustrators of these books are Jarvis, Christian Robinson, and Zach Manbeck - and if you haven’t bookmarked those names already, I highly recommend you do so right away!
At the same time, there’s a nice variety on display this month as well. One book stands apart as an Easter title that serves its purpose of celebration of nostalgia with perfection. One book is hilarious and perfect for creative kids and jokesters. And one is a character-driven story that might go down as an all-time favorite.
I hope you enjoy learning about the books we’re featuring this month, and that you find a new story to love in your house. Let me know what you’ve been enjoying lately - and happy reading!
Dad’s Bookshelf is a continuing, monthly series featuring the kids books we are most excited about each month. The series is named after the real life bookshelf we have in our home, where I keep all of my favorite picture books of all time. While the books we share on Dad’s Bookshelf are often brand new releases, it’s also not uncommon for us to be excited about an older book we just discovered.
Disclosure: Manolo and the Unicorn was shared with us by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are our own. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links that will lead you to view the books on Bookshop.org and Amazon.
Pick a Perfect Egg
Written by Patricia Toht and Illustrated by Jarvis
Pick a Perfect Egg is the newest addition to the series of holiday books written by Patricia Toht and illustrated by Jarvis. Now in our collection we have Pick a Pine Tree, Pick a Pumpkin, and this newest book that has released just in time for Easter. I’m a sucker for holiday books, especially when they’re done well.
What I like about these books, and Pick a Perfect Egg is no exception, is that they do a wonderful job of capturing the mood and atmosphere of the holidays they are about. They’re certain to bring up feelings of nostalgia for anyone who grew up with these traditions - in this case decorating an Easter egg. And this is in no small part due to the incredible illustrations of Jarvis too. His is a name we have started to look out for in picture books, because the art is really quite beautiful and full of color and joy.
Manolo and the Unicorn
Written by Jackie Azúa Kramer & Jonah Kramer and Illustrated by Zach Manbeck
I shortlisted Manolo and the Unicorn for one of my favorite books of 2023 once I saw the cover. I do this out of habit so I never forget to look up favorites for the Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards, and I reserve the right to change my mind once I read the book. In other words, I judged this book by its cover, and I’m happy to report that I was absolutely right! It’s both beautiful and wonderful.
Manolo believes the world is a magical place, and he’s the perfect role model for holding onto childhood wonder. He also is a big fan of unicorns, and wants to be one for the animal parade at school. But the other kids say unicorns aren’t real, and also that they are for girls.
I’m blown away by this book in more ways than one. Zach Manbeck’s art is phenomenal and reminds me in some ways of another favorite artist Matthew Forsythe. I will have to look out for all of his work from now on. And the story itself is just about perfect. It touches on many things I talk about all the time - chief among them childlike wonder and being yourself. Young Manolo is a very special character - and he just might end up becoming an all-time favorite.
Twenty Questions
Written by Mac Barnett and Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson have teamed up for another picture book - need I really say more? Have you not already picked this one up? These are two artists at the very top of their game and the top of their field. They are picture book all-stars and collaborations like this make me sit back and just soak it in. All I can do is feel appreciative for what they do.
Twenty Questions is hilarious and whimsical and delightful. It’s a genius concept and it’s flawlessly executed. It’s basically a list of open-ended questions for children to answer - and I mean really open-ended. One page basically says “how many animals can you not see in this picture.” A big part of the humor is how there’s obviously no correct answer, and kids will undoubtedly love to play along anyhow. It’s very original and a lot of fun.
Personally, I’d love to see the rejected list of questions that didn’t make the book. I’d happily buy an extended edition of this book that’s 100 pages long - and I’m sure Mac Barnett must have had dozens of one-liners that didn’t make the cut. I’m a big promoter of creativity and this book is just begging kids to get creative - so I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this one.
Have you read any of these wonderful new books yet? What books have you been enjoying recently? Let us know in the comments!
