Michelle's Reviews

Bob (“Robert” when he’s getting on Julia’s nerves, “Uncle Bob” to baby elephant Ruby) is the stray pup from Applegate’s Newbery Medal–winning The One and Only Ivan, whose outsized personality demanded its own story. Through Bob’s eyes, we experience the deep connections in families of origin and families of choice, against the backdrop of a chaotic storm that challenges people and animals alike. Written in short, punchy, cleverly named chapters, this story will delight, even if you haven’t read the first book.  —Michelle

As a worrier myself, I very much appreciate Murray’s unflinching look at what exactly he’s afraid of. Once he names his fears, he implements practical solutions to address each one, and even finds that he can handle the unexpected. Near this story’s end, the narrator exclaims “I’m proud of you…my brave dog.” But in Murray’s final dream bubble, we see that Murray is also proud of himself. The vibrant, expressive illustrations of David Ezra Stein (of Interrupting Chicken fame) do not disappoint.  —Michelle

Louis and his grandma live in a world, a community, where you take responsibility—Grandma for an abandoned lot and Louie for a survey of dogs. Louie gets to make his own rules on this self-assigned project, counting dogs in houses, on walks, and in hearts. Cordell teases out every frustrated, gleeful, drooling expression with his illustrations, while Stead’s words get to the heart of the matter. A new picture book about dogs? Count me in every time.  —Michelle

Take a peek at the nighttime antics of a wide assortment of animals around the world. As you turn each page, the sliver-of-a-moon cut-out slowly, delightfully grows into a full moon, and then cycles back until it is again just a sliver. Even after you know the words by heart, it’s still remarkable to flip through the pages and watch the waxing and waning moon. One of my favorite picture books, now available as a board book for little hands to explore.  —Michelle

Marla Frazee (illustrator of Everywhere Babies and so many other Bookshop favorites) teams up with Mac Barnett (children’s book writer extraordinaire and my all-time favorite) in this sparsely worded and immaculately drawn picture book. The “impossible feat of derring-do” premise is all Mac; the inviting and highly detailed pencil illustrations are all Marla. What a perfect pair to take us on this journey of self discovery, with its suprising(ly satisfying) ending! —Michelle

Flubby—of Flubby Is Not a Good Pet! fame—is back and once again hilariously unwilling to participate in our cat-ish expectations of him. Author-illustrator J. E. Morris seamlessly combines simple text with engaging illustrations, providing beginning readers with plenty of hints for new vocabulary. Each of these installments serves up a slew of laugh-out-loud images: watch for Flubby and Kami eye-to-eye in a bedtime showdown, or Flubby’s clever strategy for avoiding the bathwater. Can’t wait for the next exciting adventure!—Michelle

Wilson is the “friendliest, woolliest, smartest sheep” in Abigail Atwood’s herd. But that doesn’t mean he always makes the right choices. One fateful day, a piano delivery ominously coincides with a Wilson disappearance. Luckily for Abigail, her border collie’s keen sense of smell coupled with Wilson’s finely tuned sense of hearing saves the day. Inviting watercolors exquisitely portray the expressive sheep eyes and their soft spiraling wool. A delightful chapter book for independent readers or an equally cozy read-aloud for the chilly evenings to come.—Michelle

What fun to see the kind-hearted words of Mac Barnett paired with the mesmerizing gouache illustrations of Carson Ellis, whose Du Iz Tak showed us worldbuilding at its finest. This new picture book brings to mind the ancient Indian parable about the blind men and the elephant. We can see it as a story about perspectives or a caution about unreliable narrators. But in the end, it is about love (and maybe a smidgen about time). See what your kids have to say!—Michelle

So, George Saunders, Jeff Tweedy, and Nick Offerman go hiking in the woods… I feel like there’s a punchline coming, or perhaps just the beginning to the best book ever on life in the great outdoors. His adventures in Glacier National Park with these two besties are worth the price of entry alone, but followed by a visit with British shepherd James Rebanks and an RV road trip with wife, Megan Mullally, and I’m giggling Ron Swanson-style over here. There’s so much more to say about Offerman’s humor, observations, and curiosity, but really, need I? —Melinda

Hardboiled dog detective J.J. and his chicken companions are back, this time in a leveled reader that provides an enticing gateway to the more complex J.J. Tully Mysteries and Chicken Squad chapter books that we have loved for years. One-part whodunnit, one-part Goldilocks, this simple story is propelled by Gilpin’s expressive illustrations, Cronin’s clever word choices, and Sugar’s skills as the bespectacled chicken ringleader. Where’d those chickens go this time? Cuddle up with this book and find out. —Michelle