Tag Archives: picture books

Searching for Security: A Review of Comet’s Nine Lives

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Comet’s Nine Lives
Jan Brett
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an Imprint of Penguin Random House
Ages 4-8
Available: October 6, 2026

 

When his first life slips away from him after eating some foxgloves, Comet the cat needs to find a home to keep his other eight lives intact. As his efforts turn into one misadventure after another, losing more lives in the process, Comet’s goal of finding a suitable shelter seemed further than ever. However, the safety he sought may be closer than he first thought. 

Jan Brett’s signature intricate and realistic art style shines once again in her latest picture book. Her trademark serene and cool watercolor illustrations and borders, which include seashells, sea creatures, seaweed, and wooden planks, capture the coastal ambiance of the story’s island setting. The watercolor paint isn’t super vibrant, but it is smooth and calm. Comet’s antics portrayed in the pictures spark exciting action despite the lack of bright colors. Brett’s prose doesn’t talk down to her audience. She uses sophisticated language in some areas, especially when a dog character feels outraged or frightened of Comet’s unwelcome presence. For instance, in one scene where a health inspector comes to an ice cream parlor and sees Comet, he proclaims, “Feline residues! Maximum infractions!” As Comet loses each life, Brett’s wording makes apt descriptions that match the situation presented in the illustrations. Overall, Comet’s Nine Lives is an exquisite read sure to charm both parents and young readers alike. Jan Brett fans would be proud to include this book in their collections. 

Butler Bookshelf

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For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re looking at picture books featuring fathers. These stories showcase how to express love for parents, father figures in this case, in a multitude of ways and how they care for their children in many ways, too. Our feature pick is Baba Palooza by A.D. Ghani and illustrated by Nadia Alam. Whenever Aziah rides her Baba’s taxi, she feels like a movie star. Since Baba works long hours, Aziah and her father make every second count. When Baba has to miss Aziah’s dance recital due to work, Aziah wants to give her father a surprise he’ll never forget.

Check out more picture books featuring fathers (and grandfathers) below!

Baba Palooza
A.D. Ghani
Illustrated by Nadia Alam
ABRAMS/Abrams Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Ways Papi Says I Love You
Delia Ruiz
Illustrated by: Carlos Vélez Aguilera
Charlesbridge
Available now!

Grumpy Monkey Father’s Day Fuss
Suzanne Lang
Illustrated by: Max Lang
Random House Children’s Books/Random House Studio
Available now!

Sunrise Sail
Charles Trevino
Illustrated by: Maribel Lechuga
Charlesbridge
Available now!

One Two Daddy Loves You
Shelly Becker
Illustrated by: Dan Yaccarino
ABRAMS/Abrams Appleseed
Available now!

One Beary Cute Story: A Review of Mr. Crump, the Heartless Grump

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Mr Crump, the Heartless Grump
Pog
Illustrated by Stephanie Leon
Floris Books
Ages 4-7
Available August 18th, 2026

Mr. Crump is, frankly, a total grump. He has no manners, no patience, and absolutely no enjoyment of things like pigeons at the park. But the second he gets home, Mr. Crump suddenly becomes soft, snuggly, and sentimental—just like the enormous collection of stuffed teddy bears filling his house! One fateful Halloween, a group of trick-or-treaters mistake his beloved bears for treats and make off with the entire collection! Left with just Captain Snuggles, his oldest and most prized teddy, Mr. Crump begins to learn what it means to care for others. With his newfound generosity, the town discovers there’s more beneath his curmudgeonly exterior, and the children now know that Mr. Crump is far from a grump.

One of the most striking features of Mr Crump, the Heartless Grump are Stephanie Leon’s pencil illustrations. The soft lines give the characters depth and texture, while the color palette mirrors emotion. The town’s colors lean cooler, more muted, and a little distant, resembling Mr. Crump’s gruff, closed-off personality. But inside his home, everything warms up. There’s a gentle, golden glow that makes his space (and his bears) feel safe, tender, and inviting.

Paired with author Pog’s playful, slightly silly language and distinct vernacular, Mr Crump, the Heartless Grump feels lively, cozy, and inviting, making it a great choice for younger readers and especially strong as a read-aloud tale.

Butler Bookshelf

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Our picture book collection feature colorful illustrations and even some copies written in other languages. This week on Butler’s Bookshelf, all these picture books have a creature that live however they want: cats. Here in the Butler Center, we love cats so much we want to be them! However, since we can’t, spotlighting (and reading) picture books about them will suit us just fine. Our feature pick is I Really Want to Be a Cat, written and illustrated by Helen Hancocks. This entertaining picture book presents a case to why cats are awesome, and after reading it, perhaps you would really want to be a cat, too!

Check out more books that feature cats below:

I Really Want to Be a Cat
Helen Hancocks
Sourcebooks Kids/Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Available now!

Nani and the Lion
Alicia D. Williams
Illustrated by Anna Cunha
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Tate’s Wild Rescue
Jenny Turnbull
Illustrated by Izzy Burton
Random House Children’s Books/Crown Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Luigi the Spider who Wanted to Be a Kitten
Michelle Knudsen
Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Candlewick Press
Available now!

No Cats in the Library
Lauren Emmons
Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division/Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

This Wood Make a Great Read: A Review of I Am Not Boring

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I Am Not Boring: The True-Life Story of a Log
Lena Podesta
Ten Speed Young Readers
Ages 3-5
Available May 26th, 2026

This log wants you to know that it is NOT boring! It might not talk, or sing, or eat, although countless creatures like fungi, lichens, and bugs make it their dinner. He might just sit there, but its cozy insides make for a great skunk home, and its mossy outsides are the perfect perch for a bird friend. The life of a log may not be glamorous, but it sure is useful.  

In tandem with the quirkiness of her characterizations, Lena Podesta’s illustrations bring our narrating log to life in a way that makes it feel anything but boring. The wood is textured with colored pencils, and the surrounding flora & fauna, with that same sketchbook-esque style, add depth and movement to each page. The animals are drawn in a playful, cartoon-like style that keeps the story fresh, fun, and approachable. The scientific concepts are woven in smoothly, and it helps that the log itself has a bit of an attitude, making this an engaging, entertaining blend of both non-fiction and narrative picture book. 

The backmatter includes all of the log’s roles: house, food, gardener, and helper, and Podesta’s author’s note adds a nice personal touch, sharing how she grew up flipping over logs and ended up discovering just how much life they can really hold. I Am Not Boring: The True-Life Story of a Log is a fun, informative read, bringing charm & wit to a topic we rarely see explored in science class. Maybe logs aren’t so boring after all! 

From A Rocky Start to Solid Pals: A Review of Still Friends

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Still Friends
Troy Wilson
Illustrated by Mike Deas
Orca Book Publishers
Ages 3-5
Available May 19th, 2026

On a routine trip to the neighborhood park with his owner, one friendly (and inquisitive!) pup notices a lone girl sitting on the bench. He wants to play, but she doesn’t move (or talk!). Nothing but stone-cold silence. But as the seasons pass and the months go by, he learns to appreciate her stability. She doesn’t make him go to the vet, or scold him when he eats a dropped hot dog, and maybe, after all, he can learn to love her for exactly what she is… rock solid.

The charm of this picture book lies not just in its endearing, offbeat premise—unlikely companionship between a statue and a dog—but also in its world. Quirky characters, like a recurring flock of nosy pigeons, the stern lady manning the hot dog cart, and a family of birds who just won’t stop eating seeds, let the story come alive; perfect small details for eagle-eyed younger readers. The words are simple and sparse, yet still emotionally resonant. Deas’ soft pastel and watercolor illustrations bring a warmth and nostalgia to the story, with thoughtful usage of white space and sketchily drawn lines that feel lived-in and familiar, keeping each page spread from feeling too cluttered with the chaos of this faux-Central Park.

All in all, Still Friends is a tenderly funny read, inviting young audiences to reconsider what friendship can look like—and how sometimes, the most unexpected companions are the ones who stay.

Butler Bookshelf

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Happy Tuesday! Today is all about the silly, so from hand puppet shark attacks, farm animal shenanigans, to pepperoni prehistoric creatures, there’s a little bit of goofiness for everyone here; giggle-enducing storytime guaranteed. Our feature pick this week is Loops, written and illustrated by Jashar Awan. Tying shoes can be a big deal! But with a little help & encouragement from one very determined friend, you too can learn to bunny-ear and loop and pull like a pro.

Check out some more silly picture books below!

Loops
Jashar Awan
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

No, I’m a… Shark!
Mike Henson
Illustrated by Ana Gomez
The Quarto Group / Happy Yak
Available now!

Sorry, Sammy
Scott Rothman
Illustrated by Tom Tinn-Disbury
The Quarto Group / Happy Yak
Available now!

Pizzasaurus
Tammi Sauer
Illustrated by Kyle Beckett
Random House Children’s Books / Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Available now!

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm
Mark Teague
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Beach Lane Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Whether you’re planning on celebrating Easter this Sunday or just really love those chocolate candied eggs, the spring season is in full bloom (pun intended)… and hopefully sunny skies are to follow! This week’s Butler Bookshelf is full of spring-themed & seasonal reads to get you ready for April’s showers and May’s flowers. From nature-themed non-fiction reads to picture books of landscaping lawns and baby animals galore, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone here. Our feature pick is Goldfinches, a poem by the late, great Mary Oliver, illustrated by Melissa Sweet. The finches dazzle in color as they lay their eggs and weave their baskets, with a sweet and tender song. “Have you heard them singing in the wind, above the final fields? / Have you ever been so happy in your life?”

Check out some more springtime reads below:

How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking Free
Sara Holly Ackerman
Illustrated by Galia Bernstein
Random House Children’s Books / Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

Lawn-Mowing Day!
Breanna Carzoo
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Little Simon
Available now!

Goldfinches
Mary Oliver
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Random House Children’s Books / Viking Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Our Green Planet
Leisa Stewart-Sharpe
Illustrated by Kim Smith
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Beach Lane Books
Available now!

Welcome, Spring!
Apryl Stott
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Beach Lane Books
Available now!

A Stick (Or Princess) In The Mud: A Review of Her Muddy Majesty of Muck

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Her Muddy Majesty of Muck
Beatrice Alemagna
Astra Books for Young Readers / Hippo Park
Ages 5-8
Available March 31st, 2026

Little Yuki and her older brother Shen are far from friends. Yuki has big feelings, and Shen has little patience for her stomps and tears. One afternoon on the walk home from school, Yuki, in a fit of rage, flings their house keys into the sewer. When she climbs down after them, she comes face-to-face with the Muddy Majesty of Muck: an ooey, gooey creature made entirely of mud. The Muddy Majesty takes Yuki on a journey underground, meeting Boogers who love to be mean, and trekking to a museum of objects left behind by those who lost their tempers once, too. Along the way, the Muddy Majesty explains that the meaner Yuki becomes, the bigger she grows. Yuki feels like she’ll be stuck underground forever, but then she spots Shen, who’s come to her rescue. The siblings reconcile, Yuki feels her anger melt away, and although the Muddy Majesty has now shrunk, Yuki promises to come back and visit her soon—to make mud pies, of course.

Alemagna’s incredibly charming illustrations, created through an endearing and eclectic potpourri of gouache, collage, oil paint, and wax pencils, make Her Muddy Majesty of Muck just as delightful visually as it is in its storytelling. The dialogue is simple yet incredibly effective, and the humor—snarky Boogers attempting to read or bathe or don heels and a muddy princess who can’t stop dripping—will appeal to younger and older readers alike. Most importantly, the story’s message resonates: we shouldn’t let our feelings consume us. Anger, envy, and sadness can be messy, but with persistence and love and maybe a nice shower, even the muddiest of feelings can eventually be washed clean.

Olive You, Too: A Review of The Giant and the Olive

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The Giant and the Olive
Leo Daly
Catalyst Press
Ages 4-10
Available February 3rd, 2026

Once there was a happy giant who did all the usual giant things—scaring cows and “Ho-Ho-Ho”-ing all day long. That is, until he stumbles upon what feels like the most beautiful treasure of all: a tiny, shiny black olive. He proudly shows it off to the town & his friends, kisses it goodnight, and tucks it under the covers each evening. But after one fateful, maybe-too-tight hug ends with a POP!, the giant is devastated by his broken treasure. Through all four seasons, he mourns, weeping over the olive’s grave. Things look bleak until one sunny morning, he discovers that his giant tears might’ve made for the perfect fertilizer; an olive tree has begun to grow!

Through simple dialogue that still effortlessly conveys big emotion, The Giant and the Olive tiptoes between grief and humor with a gentle charm, complemented by Daly’s color-packed, hatched illustrations. With themes that align naturally with social–emotional learning, the story emphasizes the importance of leaning on friends, or even an entire town, during moments of loss. This makes it a thoughtful learning & regulating tool for younger children, as well as older elementary readers who may be encountering heavy, hard feelings for the first time. Daly is careful not to paint grief and sadness as something to simply “get over,” as he makes sure to end with a final, encouraging (and perhaps giant) message: change and loss and olive (all of) one’s love can lead to new, beautiful beginnings.