That afternoon, just as she was about to leave the shed, she smiled at all the robots.
“Looks like I have a friend after all,” she said.
As she was turning to leave, she heard a strange whirring behind her. She spun around, but all she could she were the robots lined up on the table.

Children’s author Carolyn Crimi (writer of picture books such as There Might Be Lobsters and I Am the Boss of This Chair) teams up with My Heart and The Book of Mistakes illustrator Corinna Luyken to bring readers the wonderfully unusual and heartfelt chapter book Weird Little Robots. When readers meet protagonist Penny Rose Mooney, they learn three important things: one, that Penny Rose can build incredible miniature robots; two, that Penny Rose does not have a best friend; and three, something…peculiar… seems to happening lately with her robots. Penny Rose has Arvid (her cat), her parents, and her array of robots, so it seems like having a best friend isn’t really necessary. However, while celebrating her birthday with her parents and cat, Penny Rose thinks that sharing a slice of birthday cake with a best friend might be a rather lovely thing. After considering how she might approach and make friends with her “mysterious” goggle-wearing neighbor and classmate, Lark Hinkle, a slightly bumpy and awkward encounter leads to the beginnings of a genuine friendship. One in which Penny Rose not only shows her beloved robots to an amazed Lark, but also one in which Penny Rose tells Lark that she thinks her robots might actually be alive. An invitation to a super secret science club at school that makes a point to exclude Lark fractures parts of the new friendship, but a brazen move by a jealous classmate to steal Penny Rose’s robots just might bring the two back together. With dynamic, oh so perfect black and white illustrations by Corinna Luyken throughout (the characters beam off the page), Carolyn Crimi’s compact novel is rich with important subject matter and magic woven throughout. Speaking to friendship, loyalty, robotics, bullies, and the wonder of what happens when you believe in the impossible, Crimi and Luyken’s novel is an affecting and uncanny story, perfect for fans of authors such as Michelle Cuevas, Kallie George, or Sara Pennypacker.

She kept her eyes closed for what seemed like a long time. When she opened them and lifted her head, she saw words glinting in the glass above her.
She read the words out loud: “In a crooked little house by a crooked little sea.”
It was like the beginning of a story.
In a crooked little house by a crooked little sea.

From Newbery award-winning author Kate DiCamillo, Beverly, Right Here is the third entry in the Three Rancheros series. In Raymie Nightingale, readers met the first protagonist in the trio of unlikely friends, Raymie Clarke; in Louisiana’s Way Home, our attention turned to Louisiana Elefante; now, in book three, readers get the chance to spend some time with Beverly Tapinski. After reading and relishing the heart of Raymie Nightingale and the gorgeousness of Louisiana’s Way Home, I was eager to dive into Beverly, Right Here: I could not wait to learn more about the third friend that, up to this point, readers had known the least about. DiCamillo opens Beverly, Right Here with a thunder of an opening sentence, leading readers quickly, heartbreakingly- and very directly- into the mind, heart, and life of Beverly Tapinski. It is 1979 and Beverly is only fourteen years old when she decides to really, truly run away; she catches a ride out of town with her not-so-pleasant older cousin and she is soon gone. Beverly arrives in a new seaside town and miraculously finds work at a seafood restaurant (even though she hates seafood) and finds a temporary place to rest her eyes and heart in the home of a remarkable elderly woman named Iola. Surprising herself when she allows the smallest of bonds to form with Iola and a young teen named Elmer, Beverly also finds herself thinking about meanings of home, her future, her absent, alcoholic mother, loss, loneliness…and Raymie. DiCamillo truly excels in crafting and drawing standout characters and breathtaking, simultaneously life-affirming and devastating moments that brush against every raw emotion in one’s heart. Beverly, Right Here is as beautifully written, emotionally resonant and surprising as the previous Three Rancheros titles, lit with moments of humour and moments of the extraordinary. Highly recommended reading and definitely one for those who have enjoyed DiCamillo’s other middle-grade offerings and the other two titles in the Three Rancheros series.

I received copies of these titles courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada/Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. Titles have been published and are currently available.

With the sweetest of humour and loads of unfeigned charm, author Jonathan Stutzman (of the upcoming Llama Destroys the World with Heather Fox) and illustrator Jay Fleck (Tilly and Tank) join together to bring readers Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug. Tiny T. Rex is facing a major problem. His dear friend Pointy feels sad, and Tiny wants to make his friend feel better by giving him a hug…the only thing is, Tiny has “tiny arms” and it turns out that it is “very difficult to hug with tiny arms”.  So what is Tiny to do? Deciding to ask various family members for advice, Tiny finds that the suggestion from his siblings Trixie and Rawrie- that “to do the impossible you must plan and practice”- is the best. Ever the undaunted Rex: Tiny maps out ways working around his tiny arms to give Pointy a big hug; works out; and practices “hugs on everything” from books to ice cream. While not everything goes smoothly- and a key moment leads to a potentially big moment of ‘uh-oh!’- Tiny’s story makes its way to a well-earned wonderful ending that will make readers grin with happiness.  A warmhearted, hopeful story featuring the unforgettable, compassionate Tiny, and Fleck’s streamlined and eye-catching illustrative style, Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug is a terrific and seriously charming story centering around empathy, friendship, and determination.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. This title has been published and is currently available.

Author and illustrator Corinna Luyken (The Book of Mistakes, Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse with author Marcy Campbell) returns with the quietly powerful and poetic My Heart. Opening with: “My heart is a window, my heart is a slide”, Luyken’s latest reads as a soft and potent song within the pages of a picture book. Taking readers through a lyrical and visual exploration, My Heart shows readers the many ways in which one’s heart can be and exist- closed or open; messy and “heavy with rain”; or even mended after being broken. While arguably a concept touched upon many times in picture books, Luyken’s selective prose, the strong ending and the gorgeous artwork- saturated and bold, yet still somehow gentle and restrained- make this look at acceptance and love a real standout. With its carefully chosen palette- bursts of colour only come forth in shades of yellow- and sublime details, My Heart is marvelous in its design, how it reads, and its overall feeling of effortlessness. A tender and joyous read that resonates deeply, My Heart is fantastic. I cannot wait to read and see what Corinna Luyken brings about next. Readers who enjoyed Luyken’s The Book of Mistakes, or thoughtful reads by children’s authors such as Joyce Sidman, Julie Fogliano, Sara O’Leary, Philip C. Stead, or Jessixa Bagley might especially love My Heart.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own. This title has been published and is currently available.

A classic in the making, this heartwarming story about empathy and imagination is one that families will treasure for years to come.

Adrian Simcox tells anyone who will listen that he has a horse–the best and most beautiful horse anywhere.

But Chloe does NOT believe him. Adrian Simcox lives in a tiny house. Where would he keep a horse? He has holes in his shoes. How would he pay for a horse?

The more Adrian talks about his horse, the angrier Chloe gets. But when she calls him out at school and even complains about him to her mom, Chloe doesn’t get the vindication she craves. She gets something far more important.

Written with tenderness and poignancy and gorgeously illustrated, this book will show readers that kindness is always rewarding, understanding is sweeter than judgment, and friendship is the best gift one can give.

Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse brings debut author Marcy Campbell together with The Book of Mistakes artist Corinne Luyken to tell the story of a young boy named Adrian who shares stories about his beautiful horse, and Chloe, a classmate who becomes angered by Adrian’s seemingly preposterous stories.

When we are introduced to Chloe and Adrian, we learn a few things right away. Namely, that Adrian Simcox “tells anyone who will listen that he has a horse” and that while “some kids believe him”, Chloe emphatically does not. Speaking with classmate Janie, and then with her mom, Chloe insists that Adrian cannot have a horse with the following statement:  “Adrian Simcox gets the free lunch at school. His shoes have holes. Kelsey told me her cousin has a horse, and it’s super expensive. He can’t take care of a horse”. While her mom and teacher suggest patience, Chloe reaches her limit one day, shouting at Adrian in front of other kids about his obvious lack of horse. When Chloe tells her mom again about Adrian’s lying, her mom takes Chloe (and dog Chompers) on a walk that leads them to Adrian’s home. What follows is a wonderfully drawn detente of sorts, as Chloe and Adrian experience a silent feed of emotions that lead to an unspoken agreement as well as a revelation regarding Adrian’s imagination.

Perhaps there may readers may be left wondering at the fact of Adrian’s horse at the end of the story; understandable, though perhaps another question or two to dig into more might be: why (at least for much of the story) does Chloe need to prove her point so much? Why do you think she is so drawn to Adrian, if only for her desire to belittle him? Does it matter in the end if Adrian actually has a horse? I enjoy a read that asks questions and asks its audience to think…to reflect, and I feel that Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have Horse offers that- in addition to its aesthetic gorgeousness. Luyken’s artwork, which you can get a sense of in the fantastical The Book of Mistakes, makes such an impression here. The combination of Luyken’s soft strokes and bright swells of colour, of the contrasting hues between Chloe’s world and Adrian’s, of washes and lines of colour that mold, shadow and create, of Chloe’s often discomfited facial expressions, and of Adrian’s horse…what an experience to soak it in.

Overall, a stunning picture book. Raising matters of empathy, understanding, recognition of when to let go, discernment of privilege, and of imagination, Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse is excellent. The combination of Marcy Campbell’s softly assertive writing- the text is really refined and approachable- with the magnificent magic of Corinne Luyken’s artwork something to behold and appreciate. When I first read Matthew Cordell’s Wolf in the Snow last year, I had an immediate feeling- a sudden feeling of something intangible– that the book would be a year-end standout (…interesting note that Wolf in the Snow later won Cordell the Caldecott!). I have this similar feeling about Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse. It is a superb picture book that should be read and considered (and appreciated) by readers of any age.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

Here are some wonderful picture books and non-fiction children’s titles I’ve recently read and/or shared at storytimes. Some titles have been promoted during Summer Reading Club, though I may do another separate post just for those titles! I’ve starred the ones which I have used and were a big hit at one of my storytimes. I haven’t yet used Corinna Luyken’s The Book of Mistakes or Adam Lehrhaupt and Felicita Sala’s I Don’t Draw, I Color! at storytimes, but I highly, highly recommend taking a close look at both of these titles. Totally unique- an experience in storytelling and incredible visuals– just amazing work!

Shark Dog! by Ged Adamson*
Morris Mole by Dan Yaccarino*
You Don’t Want a Unicorn! by Ame Dyckman, illus. Liz Climo*
My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis by Paul Meisel*
Blue Whale Blues by Peter Carnavas*
Whose Poop Is That? by Darrin P. Lunde, illus. Kelsey Oseid*
Pink is for Blobfish: Discovering the World’s Perfectly Pink Animals (World of Weird Animals) by Jess Keating, illus. David DeGrand*
South by Daniel Duncan
Colette’s Lost Pet by Isabelle Arsenault
I Don’t Draw, I Color! by Adam Lehrhaupt, illus. Felicita Sala
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

A blend of picture books, mystery and fiction…In no particular order, here they are:

1. Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin– a wordless picture book that I have been reading wonderful reviews about. Graegin’s illustrative work is lovely!

2. The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken– described as Zoom meets Beautiful Oops!, I’m looking forward to seeing this gorgeous-looking picture book in person.

3. I Don’t Draw, I Color! by Adam Lehrhaupt, illus. Felicita Sala– regular readers of my picture book posts might know I just adore Lehrhaupt’s work! As soon as I saw this latest one come up on Goodreads, it went right to my must-read.

4. I Hate Everyone, Except You by Clinton Kelly. Any other folks here who watched TLC’s What Not to Wear? I’ve read and really enjoyed Kelly’s previously published fashion/entertainment books (love his humour and snark). I Hate Everyone, Except You is a little bit different- this one is actually a memoir- a collection of personal essays- and it sounds fantastic.

5. Tales for the Perfect Child by Florence Parry Heide, with illustrations by Sergio Ruzzier– a new edition of Parry Heide’s classic. I feel as though I have read this, many years ago, but I just cannot recall! In any event, I’m looking forward to rediscovering (or discovering!) this book, and can’t wait to see Ruzzier’s illustrations!

The next four are titles I added to my TBR immediately after reading terrific reviews for in Publisher’s Weekly:

6. The Outrun by Amy Liptrot– a fascinatingly described non-fiction title

7. Find Me by J.S. Monroe– a right-up-my-alley kind of thriller…

8. The Girl from Rawblood by Catriona Ward– a gothic horror/mystery!

9. Say Nothing by Brad Parks– another taut thriller that sounds just like something I’d be interested in!

10. Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett– an unmissable cover, intriguing description and narrator? Yes, please!

What’s on your Top Ten Tuesday this week?