Dad's Bookshelf: December 2022
We’re only a couple of weeks away from Christmas, but we are fresh off of our list of our favorite new Christmas picture books - so Dad’s Bookshelf is going to be entirely holiday free. We’ve already talked about all the Christmas books we’re excited about!
So what else are we excited about? It turns out we still have a lot of awesome picture books from 2022 that we want to talk about. And we’re going to get our big chance soon, because the Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards are fast approaching as well!
This month we have 3 recent picture books that we’ve fallen in love with for a variety of reasons. Two of them come with important lessons for kids to learn, while one is a good old-fashioned imaginative fantasy tale. I like a healthy mix of those two types of books. Picture books can be an extremely effective way to teach lessons, but I have a very soft spot in my heart for pure adventure too.
I feel compelled to point out that both of the books that aim to teach a lesson are tackling a lesson that you don’t think about every day. One focuses on forgiveness while the other takes on the complicated topic of wanting to be the best and the real reason we should pursue our interests. Ultimately I think both topics are pretty fantastic, and I appreciate the opportunity to converse with my kids about them.
All three of the books we’re featuring this month are beautiful as well. In fact, two of them feature artists we keep a close eye on to see what they release next - Briony May Smith and Kerascoët. There’s no doubt in my mind that any one of them would be a beloved addition to any home library, and I hope you discover a new family favorite among them!
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: Wally the World’s Greatest Piano-Playing Wombat was shared with us by the author - 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.
Wally the World’s Greatest Piano-Playing Wombat
Written by Ratha Tep and Illustrated by Camilla Pintonato
Wally is a great piano player, but he’s constantly comparing himself to his rival, Wylie. This book does a wonderful job balancing comedy with the serious and useful lesson it holds. Wally keeps adding elements to his act - like tap dancing and ball twirling - just so he can be the best at something, but Wylie keeps doing the same thing. So Wally quits.
What we end up with is an incredibly thoughtful exploration of why we do any of the things we enjoy doing in life. I’ve witnessed many gifted children quit activities because they weren’t the best, and it’s an absolute shame to see. If you love to do something, you should pursue those interests out of love.
This is a really good looking book too. These are very cute and quirky looking wombats we have here. It’s the kind of style that stands out great when you see this book cover popping up all over Instagram. It’s a prime example of a perfect pairing of message and art. And it’s definitely in the running for best title ever.
I Forgive Alex
Written and Illustrated by Kerascoët
One of our all-time favorite picture books is I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët. In fact, I think it’s one of the very best wordless picture books ever made, so I was really excited to get a spiritual sequel to it this year. It even seems to take place at the same school as its predecessor - because I’m certain I see Vanessa and her good friend among the children.
I Forgive Alex is another wordless picture book, forcing you to study the pictures and talk about what’s taking place to flesh out the story together. And the story involves a young boy named Alex accidentally destroying the art of a classmate. It’s a real shame, but he clearly didn’t do it on purpose. But everyone starts to shun him because of it.
There are lots of books about being nice to people, and about not bullying people, but this is a very interesting twist that’s important to think about. It’s a study on forgiveness. There’s an interesting group dynamic that takes place sometimes when someone hurts somebody - whether intentionally or unintentionally. And it can take a brave and thoughtful person to give forgiveness when they’re hurting. Another thoughtful and heartwarming ending!
The Mermaid Moon
Written and Illustrated by Briony May Smith
While I certainly appreciate a good moral at the end of a story, I don’t ever want the picture book world to forget that we need lots of stories that aren’t made to educate in any form or fashion. Sometimes we just need fantasy, imagination, and adventure. And I think The Mermaid Moon is a good example of that.
Briony May Smith also wrote the wonderful Margaret’s Unicorn, and I think this is something of a spiritual successor to that one too. Both books feature a young girl who has a special bond with a mystical creature - and both would certainly make great gifts for the unicorn or mermaid lovers in your life. And it’s not just Smith’s great imagination that sets these books apart from the rest, it’s her extremely gorgeous illustrations as well.
Molly and Merrin are friends in this book, despite the fact that one lives above the water and one below. But once a year there is a special moon called the mermaid moon - and all of the sea creatures can swim right up into the air. I’ve seen mermaids turn into people to join their human friends, but I’ve never seen them just swimming around in the air before! A lot of heart went into this one and the result is an extremely endearing and memorable adventure.
Have you read any of these great picture books yet? What stories have you fallen in love with lately? Let us know in the comments!
