Top Picture Books in October

There were a lot of picture books that I enjoyed this month. Interestingly, there was definitely a self-improvement theme going through most of them. So if you're looking to help your kids be better people, check out some of these titles. And then, of course, I tacked on some creepy underwear because Halloween obviously. And my fascination with underwear books. That too.

I Am Not a Chair
Written and illustrated by Ross Burach

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-0062360168
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of publication: February 14, 2017
Age: 4 - 8 years
Format: library book

Themes: giraffes, identity, jungle animals, courage, humor

Could there be anything worse for Giraffe? Maybe being sat on by a skunk or smooshed by two hapless hippos, or worst of all—cornered by a hungry lion? No one seems to notice that Giraffe is not standing around just to be sat upon. Will he be able to find his voice and make his friends realize who he really is?

I really don't think this book is getting enough credit. Sure, it's pretty silly and the whole concept is a tad absurd, but that all just emphasizes the point of the book even further: to be true to yourself and those around you. Standing up to peer pressure and all that. So a good lesson and it's totally hilarious? Yeah, I'd say that's a winner! I laughed more with this book than I have in a while. The ending, especially, was a perfect touch. The illustrations are, of course, what make this book (because, really, a giraffe would not look like a chair otherwise). Overall, I really enjoyed it and am eager to share it with some kids.

Find it at your library or on Amazon



The Bad Seed
Written by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswold

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0062467768
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of publication: August 29, 2017
Age: 4 - 8 years
Format: library book

Themes: seeds & nuts, behavior, manners, self-improvement

This is a book about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. How bad? Do you really want to know? He has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. He's been bad since he can remember! But is there a chance he could change?

Jory John is definitely one of my go-to's when I need something funny. So I was actually a bit surprised at the sensitivity and depth of this particular picture book. Don't get me wrong; there's still some humor and the fact that we're dealing with seeds and nuts is hilarious in itself. But this particular seed has had a really, really hard life. And even after such a dark past, he's still willing to try and be a better person? I mean--wow!--what a life lesson. The illustrations expand on the story, showing the humor and hardships that the text hints at. Overall, it almost doesn't feel like a story as much as it is a lesson. It's not my favorite style, but that doesn't mean it's bad—on the contrary. Read it. Discuss it. There's a lot you can gain from this one.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Nerdy Birdy Tweets
Written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Matt Davies

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1626721289
Publisher: Roaring Brook
Date of publication: August 1, 2017
Age: 5 - 9 years
Format: library book

Themes: friendship, social media, birds, behavior

"Nerdy Birdy and his best friend, Vulture, are very different. Nerdy Birdy loves video games, but Vulture finds them BORING. Vulture loves snacking on dead things, but Nerdy Birdy finds that GROSS. Luckily, you don’t have to agree on everything to still be friends.

"One day, Nerdy Birdy joins Tweetster, and the friend requests start flying in. Vulture watches patiently as Nerdy Birdy gets swept up in his new friendships, but when he goes too far, she finally gets angry. Hopefully, Nerdy Birdy knows just what to do to make things right."

The first book, Nerdy Birdy, was a favorite of mine. So it's no real surprise that I like this one, too. But I am surprised at just how relevant and to-the-point this story's lesson is. Social media is no substitute for real friends, but how you behave online can and will affect your real relationships. Kids should learn this! So kudos to Reynolds for taking it on. Davies' scratchy illustrations do a fantastic job of communicating the emotions of these characters and add just the right amount of humor when needed. Overall, excellent, and is something everyone should read to brush up on their social skills.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Bruce's Big Move
Written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1368003544
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Date of publication: September 26, 2017
Age: 4 - 8 years
Format: ARC from publisher

Themes: moving, friendship, forest animals, humor

After the events of Hotel Bruce, our favorite curmudgeonly bear shares his home with not only his four geese, but three rowdy mice besides! Fed up with their shenanigans, Bruce sets off to find a rodent-free household. But as usual, nothing goes quite according to plan...

Ah, Bruce. My most favorite of grumpy bears, back again! See, Bruce's first book was a perfect 5-star for me. The second was, well, pretty good. This, the third book, follows the pattern of the second one: Bruce, as frustrated as he is, puts his geese first and they live happily ever after. For me, this story makes Bruce's character feel a bit unresolved. Won't he ever get what he wants? Or at least something to make him happy (like the beach in book one)? The humor is still there, the fantastic illustrations are still there (oh my gosh, I LOVE Bruce's facial expressions), and it's still a good book—I just wish my favorite character got more out of it. I guess that's how much I love that gruff, fuzzy guy! Keep writing Bruce books!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Twinderella: A Fractioned Fairy Tale
Written by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Deborah Marcero

My rating: ★★★½

ISBN: 978-0399176333
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Date of publication: September 5, 2017
Age: 5 - 9 years
Format: ARC from publisher

Themes: fairy tales, math & fractions, twins, sister relationship, rhyming

Sure, you may know the story of Cinderella, but did you know she had a twin sister? Tinderella may be lesser-known, but the twins worked together equally. They each did half the housework, half the mending, and half the mean step-sister tending. But when they meet only one prince, what will they do?

I do love a good, clever fractured fairy tale. This one, of course, is actually "fractioned"—teehee. So not only does Schwartz again show her mastery retelling a classic fairy tale in perfect rhyme, but it has educational math elements, too! And while the illustrations are certainly cute, I didn't think they were very exciting or emotional, as I like my illustrations to be. The twin girls are slaving away and falling in love and everything else...and I wish the illustrations reflected that a bit better. Still, the rhyming text makes for a perfect readaloud, and the educational elements make for a great lesson on fractions. Check it out!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Creepy Pair of Underwear!
Written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1442402980
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date of publication: August 15, 2017
Age: 4 - 8 years
Format: library book

Themes: underwear, fears, rabbits

Jasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn’t know any better he’d say his undies were a little, well, creepy. Jasper’s not scared obviously, he’s just done with creepy underwear. But after trying everything to get rid of them, they keep coming back!

Sometimes you have to embrace your fears to get over them, right? Even if that fear is of glowing green underwear! Full of humor, scares, creepy illustrations, and underwear, this book has everything to make it a total hit with the kids, especially during this season. I didn't quite love the resolution at the end as much as Creepy Carrots!'s (a bit too non sequitur in this case), but everything else is totally on point. Brown's simple but evocative illustrations are fantastic. I would add this book to my underwear storytime in a heartbeat. Give this one a read—if you dare!

Find it at your library or on Amazon