Rain Forest (1988)

 Rain Forest by Helen Cowcher (1988) is a scary story without a happy ending. Her large, brightly colored paintings introduce us to wildlife in the rain forest. Then, there are several pages of impending doom. "From afar, there came a terrible tale . . . something sinister in the air." Machines are cutting down trees. The animals are fleeing to higher ground. When floods come, "There were no trees to hold the soil in place, so the river burst its banks." I won't give away the ending entirely. I can say that generalized anxiety about future disaster is very real.

*The Goat Lady (2004)

 The Goat Lady by Jane Bregoli (2004) seems to be a true story. A short biography of the main character is at the back of the book. The story is narrated by two children who move into a new housing development near an old farmhouse. It's "paint was peeling, its doors hung crookedly from their hinges, and the yard was full of white goats." The neighbors complain about the old farmhouse and its unruly animals. These children visit Noelie, the old woman who lives there. They learn about all things goats and also help with farm chores. It so happens that the children's mother is a painter. They ask if she would paint a portrait of Noelie and her goats. The result is an exhibition at the town hall. After this, the neighbors understand Noelie's situation, and many offer to help her out. What makes this remarkable story even better are the beautiful illustrations. 

*Hello, My Name is Ruby (2013)

Hello, My Name is Ruby is another lovely book by Philip C. Stead (2013). He writes with unique gentle kindness. Ruby is a very small, yellow bird who introduces herself to other birds, one at a time. The first bird invites Ruby to fly, and we learn that "Ruby had never flown with a friend before." (OK, unlikely for a bird, but I imagine readers will relate.) Ruby adopts this kind gesture and asks other birds to fly with her. She also asks a tiny bird if it is ever afraid. The reply is powerful. When a large, imposing bird rejects Ruby's invitation to be her friend, Stead successfully captures Ruby's hurt feelings. Never fear, a more friendly bird shows up and directs Ruby to other birds like herself. Ruby seems amazed to find a flock of similar, small yellow birds. (OK, unlikely.) I expect to turn the page and find Ruby thrilled to find her own tribe at last. Misleading text on the inside book cover implies this conclusion. But Stead is much too intelligent a story teller to settle for that trope. His ending is much more satisfying. 

Big Cat Dreaming (1996)

 Big Cat Dreaming by Margaret Wild (1996) was a pleasant surprise. The child narrator is not named; however they visit Grandma with a little sister on holidays. Grandma has a Big Cat and Small Dog. The cat is very big. I wonder if it's a Maine Coon. But this story isn't actually about the cat. This story is about dreaming of younger days. Big Cat falls asleep first, and Naomi asks Grandma what the cat is dreaming. Grandma says "'firecracker kittens, full of fizz and hiss.'" Small Dog dreams of puppy days, "'digging here, digging there, chewing this, chewing that.'" When Grandma wakes up from a nap, she says she dreamed of her childhood playing hide and seek. In the evening, the two children join two neighbors to play hide and seek in the dark. Then, Grandma goes outside and joins in the fun. Anne Spudvilas' paintings are soft and lovely, beautiful additions to the text. 

The Winter Gift (2000)

 The Winter Gift by Deborah Turney Zagwÿn (2000) is about a piano passed down from grandmother to grandchild. I love books about generations sharing time, space, and memories. Clee is the narrator. They recall Christmas at Gramma's home, complete with a decorated tree, cooking smells, lots of company, and music. When Gramma moves to an apartment, the piano stays behind. Clee, sibling, and Gramma show the piano to a gentleman interested in buying it. He complains about the chipped ivory keys and scratch on one side. He doubts it will hold a tune because it's so old. The contrast between this potential buyer and the emotional attachment of gramma and her grandchildren is glaring. Gramma responds by sitting down to play. "Gramma's music circled in that room. It filled all the empty corners. It tied Simon to Clee and Clee to Gramma and Gramma to her past with a ribbon of sound." Gramma stands up and tells the gentleman that the piano is not for sale. 

*The Peaceable Kingdom (1993)

The Peaceable Kingdom by Ewa Zadrzynska, at first glance, is about a lion, leopard, and fox that leave Edward Hicks’ famous painting. They exit the Brooklyn Museum and end up in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. When young Susan, Brian, and their Mother see the animals, they are being attacked by much smaller wildlife. Because the outside world perceives them as dangerous predators, all react in fear and respond with threats of violence. The children,  not yet fully socialized, see the animals for what they truly are—terrified. The children negotiate peace and resolve the conflict, just as William Penn does in The Peaceable Kingdom. This is serious, contemporary content. William Penn receives brief mention in this story. Yet, this book and his The Peaceable Kingdom model peacemaking.

I didn’t find this story read aloud online. 

There are many versions of this painting in the United States. A list of some locations is in the back of the book. There’s also a description of Edward Hicks on the last page.

My Picture Book Talk for this story is here.

The Elephant's Ball (2007)

 The Elephant's Ball illustrated by Pauline Baynes (2007) "was originally published in great Britain in 1807 by John Harris. . . The author of The Elephant's Ball is unknown. . . his or her original words are retained in this edition . . . the rhythm and charm of the nineteenth-century language comes to life." This is the story of a huge party to which many different animals attend. "Due caution is prudent! but laws had been made: No Beast, on that night, should another invade." Much of the text describes each animal as it arrives. Then they dance, sing, and dine on a banquet the elephant prepared ahead of time. The pictures are colorful and joyous. Each animal wears a fancy outfit. The only animal who doesn't make it is the sloth. Oh, and the rats and mice were kept away from the food. This is a fun book for readers who enjoy language.