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A novel prescription ... finding the right book at the right time
2022 Standout Picture Books (International Edition)
I had a great time curating this list last year and discovering some wonderful picture books I hadn’t come across.
Picture books are just what the doctor ordered ~ a format that even the most exhausted, ADHD-frazzled, tail-end-of-the-pandemic-years child, parent, or teacher can respond to.
Condensed liquid sweetness mixed with something substantial to chew on.
Like bubble tea, but nutritious
The idea was to ask children’s books creators, both authors and illustrators, to share their favourite books from the year. Authors and illustrators tend to read a ton of books, just as musicians might consume a lot of music. This leads to depth and breadth of influence and taste.
THE RIVER is a gloriously illustrated story in which we follow Rowan and his beloved river as they both change from quiet to playful from sad to happy, and all the moods in-between. One time when Rowan falls into a sad place, it feels like he will never move past from that frozen state. Rowan’s journey, trying to make sense of his feelings, spans over seasons. This gentle story combines themes of compassion and kindness and will aid young readers in understanding the changing nature of emotions.
Internationally I didn’t read quite as much (which is odd considering I went to Europe) but highlights for me were I’LL BE THERE written by Karl Newson, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw and published by Nosy Crow, which is a super sweet story particularly good for first time parents and WE DISAGREE ABOUT THIS TREE, which is the third installment in author/illustrator Ross Collins’ hilarious series about a Bear and a Mouse that fail to see eye to eye.
I stand in bookstores and libraries and flip through a lot of books. And I remember the exact moment I turned a page in MINA and knew this book was coming home with us. It’s a delightfully funny book, about a mouse whose father has a habit of bringing home unsuitable guests. While Mina ignores them for the most part, when he brings home what he thinks is a squirrel, she has her suspicions. I can’t really say more without spoiling the book. The outrageous scenario is treated with sly humour and comical twists that no one sees coming. My children love it as much as I do. The illustrations are beautifully subtle, elevating the text.
Ali Rutstein
Ali Rutstein (@alirutstein) placed first in the CYA Non-Fiction Picture Book Category in 2022. She recommends THE EYEBROWS OF DOOM by Steve Smallman and Miguel Ordóñez.:
When I first laid eyes on the front cover and title, I knew I was going to love THE EYEBROWS OF DOOM. It features two hairy eyebrows that wreak evil mischief by taking over the mind of whoever they land upon. Told in perfect rhyme, we follow the dastardly antics committed by Eyebrow One and Eyebrow Two as they leap from one character to the next, until they are finally dealt with once and for all at the zoo – or are they? This fantastic and ridiculous book was requested over and over again by my slap-stick comedy loving six year-old.
Translated from French, this tale follows a young rabbit and his father who aspire to see what lies beyond the forest by their home. A simple yet whimsical story, with a fable-like feel, portraying community spirit and perseverance. The illustrations by Dubois are charming, using muted colours with a vintage feel. This book executes the perfect mix of simplicity, intrigue and a goosebump-inducing ending.
Kirsten Ealand
Kirsten Ealand (@kirstenealand) lives in a patch of rainforest in northern NSW, enjoying an alternative lifestyle with her family and Ralph — their rescue dog with gorilla eyes. In 2021 she won the Book Links mentorship and was runner up for the CBCA, NSW Aspiring Writers Mentorship Program, and her debut picture book is forthcoming. She recommends:
THE BLANKET WHERE VIOLET SITS by Allan wolf, illustrated by Lauren Tobia (Candlewick Press): This cumulative tale of a night stargazing is at once cosy and expansive. Always coming back to the blanket on the grass where Violet sits, eating a sandwich, an apple and crisps, we expand ever outward to the sun, the solar system, the galaxy, and the universe — past comprehension, billions of light years in every direction. It is a perfect introduction to the vastness and wonder of space all while wrapped up in the love and comfort of your family.
And RIDE, ROLL, RUN: TIME FOR FUN! by Valerie Bolling, illustrated by Sabrena Khadija (Abrams Appleseed/Thames & Hudson): A celebration of the fun to be had in vibrant city communities, a diverse group of friends make their way home from school stopping to play along the way — riding bikes and skateboards, playing hopscotch, jump rope and dodge ball. It’s a delightful blend of the retro and modern with a joyful rhyming text and bright, bold illustrations full of movement —the perfect read-aloud.
Devyn Douvier
Devyn, the curator of the Mutually Inclusive blog, recommends LOVE, VIOLET by Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Charlene Chua:
This is a heartwarming story about a young girl named Violet, who has a crush on a girl in her class named Mira. Violet is determined to tell Mira how she feels by giving her a valentine on Valentine’s Day, but she struggles with “what if”s all day at school. Love, Violet perfectly captures the butterflies of being a kid with a crush and is exactly the kind of queer representation I wish I had as a child.
Dr Lara Cain Gray
Dr Lara Cain Gray is Head of Acquisitions at Library For All and reviews picture books at Story Links and her own blog at CharmingLanguage.com. Her guide to deep reading of children’s literature, THE GROWN-UP’S GUIDE TO PICTURE BOOKS, is forthcoming with MidnightSun Publishing. She recommends IT FELL FROM THE SKY by the Fan Brothers (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books):
The Fan Brothers are a groundbreaking author/illustrator team whose evocative creative storytelling gets better with every book. A bug community is disrupted when a magnificent object falls from the sky. Is it a small planet? A lolly? A chrysalis? They all agree it is a Wonder, which begins a debate about who should own it? How it should be displayed? And how it might be monetized? There is messaging around sharing and selfishness, as well as commentary on public art, but most captivating of all is the illustrative juxtaposition of the colourful Wonder against a detailed, monochrome landscape. Stunning!
As a fan of both Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s work, this collaboration on a classic tale did not disappoint. Klassen brings his signature style to Mac’s humorous retelling — a combination that makes for a fresh and entertaining read.
Inda Ahmad Zahri
Inda Ahmad Zahri‘s (@inda_binda) latest picture book TWICE THE LOVE is a celebration of the magic of twins, while her upcoming title THE MONTH THAT MAKES THE YEAR is her first as both author and illustrator, and recounts the joyful practice of Ramadan. She recommends ROOM FOR EVERYONE by Naaz Khan & Mercè López (Simon & Schuster):
‘It’s hotter than peppers out there in the sun,’ and little Musa is exasperated when his dad keeps offering rides on their daladala to everyone they pass on the way to the shore in Zanzibar. The vibrant Tanzanian characters are brought to life in bursts of bold colour and gestures by Mercè while Naaz keeps us completely enthralled by the amazing story and message woven in this story which is as much about counting as it is about sharing.
Jemima Shafei-Ongu
Jemima Shafei-Ongu (@jemima.write_make_play) was a recipient of the Westwords Academy Scholarship and mentoring recipient in 2021 and current president of the CBCA’s Canterbury Bankstown Inner West sub-branch. Her first picture book, ASLAN AND BIG BAD BENNY is publishing with Penguin Random House in early 2024 and her second, A LEMON FOR SAFIYA, is publishing with Hachette in mid-2024. She recommends A NEW FRIEND by Lucy Menzies and Maddy Vian (Quarto Publishing):
A NEW FRIEND is a sweet picture book about new beginnings, making friends, and helping people. But what makes it really special is the format in which it’s written. Innovatively split into halves, A NEW FRIEND can be read side by side, or as two separate stories. As well as depicting lots of energy and emotion, the beautifully coloured illustrations represents protagonists in refreshingly atypical and empowering roles, making the story even more wonderful.
Joy Moore
Joy Moore is an editor, author and poet who blogs about rhyming picture books and offers critique services at word-painting.com She recommends MAYBE YOU MIGHT by Imogen Foxell and Anna Cunha (Lantana Publishing):
I love a good refrain. One of the fundamentals of poetry is the recurrence of sounds, syllables, words, phrases, lines, and stanzas. Repetition can be an intoxicating feature of poetry. It creates expectations, it can arouse emotions, memories, incite enchantment and inspire bliss.
Zewlan Moor
Zewlan Moor‘s (@byronbiblio) debut picture books, NOTHING ALIKE (Bright Light | Hardie Grant) and THE BILL DUP (Windy Hollow) are coming out in 2023. She recommends SOMETHING GOOD by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken (Little Brown Books for Young Readers):
SOMETHING GOOD captures the intrigue of being called into the Principal’s office for a “bad-something” no one can quite talk about. As readers, we never find out what the “bad-something” is, but we suspect it is hate speech written on a bathroom wall. The book explores the effect of the incident on the relationships between the children, and how the class bands together to overcome the negativity with “something good.” Like in ADRIAN SIMCOX DOES NOT HAVE A HORSE, the author does not shy away from the difficult, authentic aspects of human feelings and interactions, and the illustrator brings an added layer of vibrancy and meaning with her expressive pinks and yellows. An all-time favourite for me.
I hope you enjoyed this 2022 wrap-up of international picture books that might ease your transition into the rest of your post-pandemic life.
Keep an eye out for the published and forthcoming titles from our curators as well. Many of them are rising stars!
And remember, if there’s a book you’d like to read and you don’t see it at your local public or school library, try to request a library purchase. Librarians are often keen to buy books patrons want. And Australian authors and illustrators at least are paid a stipend for books held in libraries, to compensate for loss of private sales. Win-win!
Check out the 2022 Standout Picture Books (Australian Edition) here.
