Reading Roundup: August 2013

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 8

Sources
Library: all

Standouts
Writing: Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Dan Santat
Ahahahaha! Those poor carnivores; what are they to do? They like eating meat. Unfortunately, the meat has a distinct aversion to being eaten, and they're shunned. How can they change their ways? I love how this ends.
Illustration: The Beginner's Guide to Running Away from Home, illustrated by Red Nose Studio, written by Jennifer Huget
This one is getting props for its intricate and time-consuming art. Each spread was created out of clay and cardboard and paper and sealing wax and string and cabbages and kings, and then photographed. Holy wow. Check out this interview over at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast if you want more.
Overall: Oliver and His Alligator by Paul Schmid
Oliver is worried about his first day of school, so he takes an alligator friend with him. As you do. I have an inordinate (and some might say, worrisome) fondness for picture books where characters get eaten by large toothy animals, and this one was gentle and funny enough to read to the more sensitive storytime-goers.

Because I Want To Awards
Most Unexpected Sequel: Nighty-night, Little Green Monster by Ed Emberley
I didn't realize this one was coming out. It uses the same format as its big brother book, breaking a monster down into component parts, but instead of telling it to go away, you're soothing it to sleep. Hmmm. Interesting change.
Smartest Little Owl Ever: Little Owl's Orange Scarf by Tatyana Feeney
Oh, the angst of horrible clothing! Little Owl manages to lose his despised orange scarf and negotiates a much better item of clothing with his mom. I've never seen a picture book that featured a yarn shop as a plot point, until now.