NEW PICTURE BOOKS FOR BOYS

Last week I started a Picture Book Intensive with Anastasia Suen. As part of the class we will be reading five picture books a week. Actually, I'm reading at least twice that, but only five are required for the assignments. We're focusing on the latest releases, of course, as all of us in the class want to write and sell our own picture books.

Here's three from this past week that strike me as especially great for boys:

THESE HANDS by Margaret H. Mason, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Grandfather talks to grandson about what hands can and cannot do. Beautiful art. Includes historical information about discrimination in the Wonder Bread company which, in the 1940s and 50s, did not allow black hands to touch the dough. I found it touching and meaningful.

BLACKOUT by John Rocco

This one is about a city that experiences a blackout and what a family does during that time. Not a lot of words in this one, and it's really not so much about the family as it is the experience of a blackout. Which is why I think boys will be particularly interested. And it would be a good tie-in for any energy-related discussions.

EARTH TO CLUNK by Pam Smallcomb, illustrated by Joe Berger

This one is really fun! Very imaginative with a grumpy little boy as its hero. Prepare to laugh out loud as the boy decides having a pen pal (Clunk) isn't such a bad thing after all.

For more book talks, visit Kelly at the Lemme Library for Book Talk Tuesday!