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I've read lots of picture books this week, will share a few favorites. I'm still reading Evicted, have started a book for a coming book club, and completed one arc I enjoyed.
Thanks to Candlewick Press, I have had the pleasure of reading M. T. Anderson’s most recent story, a scathing commentary that’s wildly sci-fi but attacks the real ways of society today. The VUVV have arrived on earth and many welcome it, believing that their advanced knowledge of technology will save everyone. And the teen artist, Adam, believes it, too. But most lose their jobs to this new tech, and with no money coming in, people on earth begin to live without things they used to think were always going to be there, like clean water and good food. The VUVV can make anything (think 3-d printers) but it costs a lot more, and slowly Adam begins to realize that he must do something to save himself and his family.
Each chapter centers around a painting Adam does, and some is high-tech, holograms, etc., but as the chapters progress, Adam’s paintings reveal what is important to Adam. Despite the continuing gloom in the story, it does end with hope. The book will be a favorite of older teens who love Anderson’s witty comments on our own lives as they did with Feed.
No matter which picture book below you choose, it seems that most are about people helping others, having fun, taking care to celebrate life and our world. Each one can be a celebration!
I love the illustrations showing lots of feelings, and foremost, patience and love from the dad. Jabari’s face when he is feeling the surprise and when he comes “up” with a splash makes one smile just like Jabari. For anyone who has a child with some fear, this is a book to have. For anyone with a class in which it’s a good goal to discuss doing scary things, this is the book to have.