Dad's Bookshelf: May 2021
This month on Dad’s Bookshelf I think you’ll see a nice range of emotions on display. We have a bit of spooky, a bit of funny, and even some love and empathy thrown in as well. We’re nothing if not an open book here on Dad Suggests, and by now you probably know that we’re suckers for books that do any of those emotions well.
Perhaps the obvious highlight of the month is the recent release from one of our favorite author/illustrators of all time - Jon Klassen. At this point his work has definitely reached the status of must-read, with a very high anticipation for release dates as well. And his newest book brought a lot of smiles to the faces around here.
And I’m very excited to talk about the other two books on Dad’s Bookshelf this month. One is actually coming out this week from one of our very favorite publishers - Scribble - and we got an early look at it. And the other actually made our list of some of our very favorite picture books of 2020, and I just can’t stop thinking about how beautifully imaginative it is.
You can’t go wrong with any of these books. But of course I think that because Dad’s Bookshelf is all about the books we love. So I’d love to hear what you think if you give any of these a chance! And I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
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 links in this article are affiliate links that will lead you to view the books’ listings on Amazon or Bookshop.org.
Wren
Written by Katrina Lehman and Illustrated by Sophie Beer
Wren is very relatable for me - and I’m sure for many other kids and adults out there - because he really likes peace and quiet. But, instead, he gets a baby sister. He tries blocking out all the noise, and even tries sleeping in the garden, but nothing works. So he actually goes to live with his grandparents for a while. The funny thing is, however, is that he starts to miss his family and all the action.
This book is very sweet, and made by the same team that made the wonderful Izzy and Frank - another favorite around here. The art from Beer is so wonderful and original and truly endearing. I love all the detailed scenes of Wren trying to enjoy quiet activities with his chaotic family around him, and I adore the bond he makes with his little sister.
The Wanderer
Written and Illustrated by Peter van den Ende
The Wanderer is the type of book that seems to fly under the radar in a way, despite the fact that it will be seen as a beloved masterpiece to some, which makes me want to sing its praises every chance I get. If you or your kids are fans of pure imagination, with a slight tinge of spooky added in, then you absolutely have to read this book. You just have to.
The Wanderer is actually a wordless picture book, and the illustrations follow a small paper boat on a magnificent journey through an insanely imaginative and spooky world. I’ve heard many people compare van den Ende’s work to Shaun Tan, and it’s a great comparison taking into consideration the quality and imagination on display. My kids and I can spend a long time slowly going over the pictures in this book, and also talking about the most memorable ones. It’s an absolute trip and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
The Rock from the Sky
Written and Illustrated by Jon Klassen
When a new book from Jon Klassen is announced, it definitely immediately goes on the calendar. We were looking forward to The Rock from the Sky for a long time, and it didn’t disappoint at all. It’s funny and dry and even a little spooky - which is an element that appears every once in a while with Jon Klassen and always makes me happy to see.
This book actually has 96 pages so it’s much thicker than your typical picture book, but it still reads very quickly. So what you’re really getting is just a lot more of Klassen’s spectacularly quirky art that I always say I’d love to hang on the wall, so this time I actually ordered a print of my favorite page to hang up. If you already love Jon Klassen there’s no doubt at all you’ll love this book. And if you’ve never read his books before (note that I’m leaving out the possibility entirely that you’ve read his books and don’t love them) know that you’re in for a wonderful experience of dry humor and the best depictions of eyes picture books have ever seen.
Have you read any of these amazing books yet? What kids books have you discovered recently? Let us know in the comments!
