friday's five, we are family

It's been a week of ups and downs in my life, and I didn't get to spend much time in the picture book world, so I've got four new write-ups and one recycled mini-review from all the way back in 2012. This week I'm thinking a whole lot about family, a theme that I've focused on here frequently in this redux of Friday's Five. But think about it, from a little kid's perspective, family is practically the whole world. So there just can't be too many high-quality picture books about family in our lives!

Onto the books!

1. Carmela Full of Wishes written by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Christian Robinson

The dynamic duo of Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson are not to be outdone! I adore this tale of a sister and brother, one excited to finally be old enough to head out on family errands without the parents, and the other annoyed at having the little sibling tag along. They provoke each other in the little ways that will be familiar to families with more than one young child, but their bond shows true when it needs to. The text includes bits that refer to immigration status and challenges, which can make for a deeper conversation with slightly older readers.

2. Grandma's Purse written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

A lovely grandparent and grandchild relationship is the focus of this bright and enthusiastic picture book. Mimi comes to visit and her granddaughter is thrilled to spend the day with her. They don't need to head anywhere fancy, all the fun they need is stored in Grandma's purse! As the young girl and her grandmother pull out item after item, they giggle and celebrate all the things that make Grandma special-- her mirror and lipstick to get her lips ready to give her granddaughter a big kiss, her "smell-good" to leave behind a whiff of her memory even after she leaves, and so much more. Brantley-Newton creates joy in her words and especially in her illustrations which are colorful and detailed in her own special way.

3. My Papa is a Princess written and illustrated by Doug Cenko

A little girl sings her Papa's praises in this cute picture book. In her imagination, the girl sees her father's loving actions in grandiose terms-- playing cars with her turns him into a race car driver and when he gets the grill's flames under control she sees him as a firefighter. What readers will see is a lovely relationship between a father and daughter, and an attentive parent who shows interest in his child's world.

4. Hello Lighthouse written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

2019 Caldecott Award

The new keeper comes alone to the lighthouse to take over the job and his days are quiet by full, tending to the job's responsibilities and entertaining himself with writing letters to his beloved. Soon she joins him and their days hum along in shared solitude, and soon enough the pair becomes a trio when they welcome a child. A life is lived there for several years until  technological advances move them in a different direction. This is a quiet family story that follows a unique lifestyle, and there are notes in the back that give more context to the history of lighthouses.

5. Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

I'm a big fan of this story's presentation of an unfair aspect of chidren's lives, especially those older siblings. The cultural references give a greater depth to the story and the conflict that Rubina experiences as her mother's expectations of her don't mesh well with what her peers are accustomed to. The consequences are sad to read about, but Rubina's mature reaction to a similar situation sometime later provides a jumping off point for discussions about sacrifice, dealing with disappointment, and understanding others' perspectives. Overall, a great picture book for older children.


Happy reading!