*Mama, I'll Give You the World (2006)

I was surprised by the ending of this store, and that makes Mama, I'll Give You the World  (2006) a fun read.  Roni Schotter's narrative and Saelig Gallagher's illustrations add to this joy. I smiled all the way through Luisa's view of her mother's world. After school, Luisa's bus drops her at the door to the Walter's World of Beauty. Her mother and all the other hair stylists greet her warmly. Luisa even knows her mother's favorite customers. After finishing her homework, "Luisa takes out her scissors, her glue, and her paper and does what Mama does--cuts and colors and curls--portraits of the customers." I love how many of the pictures are huge one- and two-page spreads filled with light and happiness. This book received the Platinum Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award.