Dad's Bookshelf: November 2020
It’s time once again to explore the picture books that our family has fallen in love with recently, and I’m very excited to talk about this month’s books. I have three picture books lined up that are visual masterpieces and full of inspiring and creative imagery. And there’s no doubt at all that this month’s lineup is going to help us round out our best picture books of the year list as well.
The books on this month’s list were a true joy to share with the kids - and for more than just one reason. In the case of Oliver Jeffers’ newest book, I was obviously more than happy to share a book that celebrates the love between father and child. And in the case of the other two books on this list - it’s like we were transported right into the most imaginative and creative fantasy worlds. Sometimes they were full of wonder, and sometimes they were quite scary.
Something that truly ties together these picture books this month is that they all seem to explore one fundamental question - what’s it all about? What truly matters in life? What’s the point of all this this beauty in the world? To share it with others? Suffice it to say that all of these books are not merely beautiful and imaginative - but they all touch on powerful emotions as well.
I hope that Dad’s Bookshelf hopes you and yours find a new story to fall in love with this month! Happy reading - and don’t forget to let us know if you’ve discovered any new family favorites recently!
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 IndieBound.
Nightlights
Written and Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
Nightlights is a visual feast for the imagination. The art of Lorena Alvarez is a sight to behold, and it’s very much similar to the feeling of taking a trip into a wild Hayao Miyazaki Studio Ghibli movie. It’s formatted like a graphic novel, and it’s nothing like any other picture book we own. At times it’s like a beautiful dreamscape you never could have imagined, and at times it’s nightmarish and exciting.
The story follows a young artist whose talent and imagination isn’t exactly encouraged - until she meets a peculiar young girl that supports her. But this strange friend isn’t what she seems to be - and the story dives into an incredibly original exploration of what art means to the artist. Our son was basically begging for more after reading this book, and I’m very happy that I get to surprise him soon with Hicotea - the second installment of what we all hope is a very long series. I can’t say enough good things about the captivating artwork, and I can guarantee we will be keeping a very close eye on the career of Lorena Alvarez from here on out.
What We’ll Build: Plan for our Future Together
Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers is certainly a family-favorite, and I’m beginning to build a clearer picture of why that is. I find his messages entirely relatable as a fellow young father, and I’m seemingly drawn to the same things that inspire him to create his beautiful books. As writer Paulo Cocozza said in her article in The Guardian, many of Jeffers’ picture books take the shape of a compendium, trying to gather together info and make sense of this big world we live in for the sake of his children.
His latest creation - What We’ll Build - is dedicated to his young daughter Mari, and it’s a beautiful tribute to the excitement of fatherhood. It’s teeming with anticipation - the anticipation to get out and experience everything with your kids. It’s a valiant effort at trying to put into words that desire to give the very world to your children - to share as much magic as possible with them. It’s absolutely delightful, and just as beautiful and creative and whimsical as you’d expect from a book by Jeffers.
Lights on Wonder Rock
Written and Illustrated by David Litchfield
Lights on Wonder Rock is brought to you by David Litchfield - the creator of the very popular The Bear and the Piano. And it’s very hard to put into words. It simply sticks with you. It’s an exploration of magic and longing and the unknown - and perhaps even the meaning of life. It’s a book about life and love and it’s really quite beautifully crafted. There’s no doubt it will come up again later this year when we build our list of the best picture books of the year.
Wonder is a good word to place in the title of this book - because it sums up the feelings of this book about as well as one could hope. The story focuses on a young girl who is visited by an alien spaceship when she is little, and she literally spends her entire life hoping that they come back and take her away on an adventure. Hidden underneath the gorgeous art and the incredibly engaging story is a very emotional and beautiful exploration of what life is all about.
Have you seen any of these great books yet? What have you been reading in your house? Let us know in the comments!
