By the time Monday is over, we'll know about so many happy authors and illustrators because the Youth Media Award Ceremony will be done! Congratulations to all those whose names were called! And those who didn't hear their names will be disappointed, yet we all know how many wonderful books we've shared this year, and the books of those authors and illustrators will still be read and loved and read again.
This dear little Henry Finch doesn't quite know what's going on in his life, but he is tired of all the greetings and goodnights by ALL of those other finches who surround him. Henry decides to try something new, which doesn't work out very well, although there is an epiphany in his darkest of experiences, one with a beast. Then, Henry finds the courage to do something brave. This is a book for everyone. It's funny, philosophical and one you might want to read again and again just in case you missed something important. The thumbprint art of Viviane Schwarz is so clever. I was pleased to see the different kinds of personalities she showed in these simple illustrations.
I didn't have time to order 2016 books from the library, and after all, it's only Jan. 11th, but I found one brand new 2016 when I stopped by my local branch. It is a special new book by debut author J. J. Austrian and illustrator Mike Curato, of Little Elliot fame! It's about love in all its forms, and you can read a blog post here by Mike Curato about how very special it is to him.