Dad's Bookshelf: August 2022
It’s only been two weeks since the last edition of Dad’s Bookshelf, but that’s because we’ve gotten our hands on so many good picture books recently - I just couldn’t wait longer! The august edition of Dad’s Bookshelf features 3 picture books released this year, including 1 that just hit the shelves this week!
One fun thing about this month is that it features 3 books by author/illustrators that we were previously unfamiliar with, and it’s always nice to get exposed to new artists. Those new names for us are Pam Fong, Edward Hemingway, and Daniel Gray-Barnett, and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what they do next.
The themes in these books range from being yourself, to conservation, to the importance of friendship, and the stories all make for fantastic read alouds - even the wordless one! But, as is so often the case, I think what drove us to choose these 3 books was primarily the beautiful and memorable illustrations. There are 3 very different styles on display here, but they’re equally engaging and memorable.
You’ll also find a variety of delivery methods in these books. One is a classic rhyming book, one is a wordless picture book, and the third book even makes use of emojis in creative ways. I think it’s a nice little varied roundup, which I hope leads to improved odds of you finding something for you to love.
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 new releases, it’s also not uncommon for us to be excited about an older book we just discovered.
Disclosure: Some of the books in this month’s Dad’s Bookshelf were provided to us by their publishers, with no expectation of inclusion on this monthly article of the books we’re most excited about. 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.
Pigeon & Cat
Written and Illustrated by Edward Hemingway
Pigeon & Cat is a picture book full of style. I love the art in this book. It’s an incredibly handsome and engaging picture book that makes for a fantastic read aloud. It’s also creative in its delivery, featuring a bird who speaks in emojis, and lots of detailed pages organized in a clever and appealing format.
It tells the tale of a lonely cat who befriends a bird. One day Pigeon begins bringing Cat art supplies, and he starts to express himself in beautiful ways with his creations. Their friendship has brought Cat to life, so it’s very distressing when Pigeon disappears, and Cat sets off into the big city to find her. It’s a beautiful story with fantastic character design. And the kids really love the cute way that Pigeon talks in emojis.
Katerina Cruickshanks
Written and Illustrated by Daniel Gray-Barnett
I’m such a big fan of everything Scribble decides to publish. It’s a wonderful company that produces legitimately fantastic picture books. Katerina Cruickshanks is the latest one to hit our bookshelf, and of course it’s an absolute delight. It has a truly classic look and feel to it - a story that easily could have come out several decades ago.
It’s a fun and quirky rhyming book - with charming non sequiturs - almost with a Dr. Seuss book without all the nonsense words. It also features a child, Katerina Cruickshanks, that dances to the beat of their own drum. It’s a great celebration of being yourself, which we’re always big fans of championing. And it’s funny, charming, and pleasant to listen to. I think this will be a very popular read aloud this year.
Once Upon a Forest
Written and Illustrated by Pam Fong
This picture book not only shares a name with one of my favorite animated movies from childhood, it’s also quite beautiful in its own right! It features a determined little marmot who wants to save her forest home from the aftermath of a wildfire. Unfortunately wildfires are an increasingly common way of life in our world, and picture books like this that touch on the topic are great learning opportunities with the backdrop of an emotional story.
Once Upon a Forest is also a wordless picture book, so we get to follow along with Marmot’s efforts only through the illustrations. She watches as the helicopter dumps water on the forest, and runs to see what she can do. She pulls out dead stumps and plants new little trees in their place. She even camps nearby to nurture them and make sure they are healthy. But after all that work, the book leaves us with a small hint that a new fire is starting nearby. It’s a beautiful book with a surprisingly realistic and semi-melancholy ending.
What picture books have you been enjoying in your house recently? Have you read any of these books yet? Let us know in the comments!
