Books I'm Talking About at ILA 2015

P. Zonka Lays an Egg by Julie Paschkis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

P. Zonka is a dreamer. She's also a preoccupied hen -- much too busy to lay eggs. Instead she spends her time observing the beauty around her, noting the colors of the flowers, and admiring the blue of the sky. Her hen peers question her constantly about her refusal to lay eggs. Does P. Zonka give in and do what everyone else does?

This brilliantly illustrated picture book is filled with swirls, curved lines, and vivid flourishes reminiscent of Ukranian decorated eggs. Each two page spread swims beautifully in pastel shades of yellow, blue, green, or orange. The artwork perfectly personifies the creativity and freedom P. Zonkas enjoys.

A picture book about creativity, being true to self in the face of opposition, and finding beauty in one's surroundings.

Meet the Dullards by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Dullards have three children, and they have raised them to be boring in a boring environment complete with gray walls and a dull neighborhood. But one day they catch their children reading books! After they replace the books with plain paper, Mr. and Mrs. Dullard decide a change of scenery is in order to ensure the continuing "dullness" of their children. But when they arrive, they encounter a few challenges. Do the children continue to be dull? Or do they rebel? This comical, clever picture book entertains and inspires rereads for details of boredom.

Even the endpapers are gray in this picture book, and readers will appreciate the reason. Use of color is a part of the story, and emotions such as surprise, disdain, and want are shown with expressive eyes.

A must-have picture book for both ingenuity and humor.




Special Delivery by Philip C. Stead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sadie has an elephant she'd like to mail to her Great-Aunt Josephine. But when she finds out how may stamps are required, she imagines other means of delivery (including by train and alligator). When she finally delivers the elephant, readers discover another surprise about Aunt Josephine. Delightfully and colorfully illustrated by Matthew Cordell, this picture book is imaginative and playful - and readers will come to love Sadie for her determination, sense of adventure, and the way she keeps her promises.

Note the book cover resembling a stamp, the outdoor post office, and emotions shown in elephant eyes. Under the dust jacket, the casing reveals another wonderful surprise from Matthew Cordell.