Hello again! Are you enjoying autumn so far? After you’re done stomping on crunchy leaves and sipping apple cider, snuggle up somewhere cozy with one of these new books.
Picture Books
“Wombat Said Come In” written by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Brian Lies
Bush fires are raging in Australia, but Wombat isn’t worried. He knows he’ll be safe in his cozy, underground burrow and prepares to snuggle in with his favorite quilt and a mug of tea. Then a knock on his door introduces a succession of animals fleeing the fires, and Wombat invites them all in with unfailing hospitality. But Wallaby, Kookaburra, Platypus, Koala and Sugar Glider are not the most considerate house guests, and Wombat is eager to regain the serenity of his home after the danger is over. Yet when one of the animals doesn’t have a home to return to, Wombat’s compassion overrules his frustration with his guests. Kids can giggle at the animals’ antics but this book also creates a wonderful opportunity to discuss our responsibility to help others in need. And the Australian setting introduces fun animals that might not be as familiar to our North American audiences.
“This Story Is Not About a Kitten” written by Randall de Sève and illustrated by Carson Ellis
Here’s another story of refuge and rescue! As the title says, this book is not about “a kitten, hungry and dirty/ scared and alone/ meowing sadly/ needing a home.” Nor is it about the dog who hears the kitten, nor the people who stop when they hear the dog. It’s not even about the man who gives the kitten milk, or the person who finds it a box. Written in a cumulative style, like “The House that Jack Built,” this story is a beautiful celebration of community as the whole diverse neighborhood comes together to care for a stray kitten. Heartwarming, inspiring, and with a repetitive structure that will delight young listeners, this would make an amazing read-aloud.
Chapter Books
“A Rover’s Story” by Jasmine Warga
I feel like I’ve seen a few picture books about Mars rovers, but now we’ve got a chapter book! This rover was named Resilience, Res for short, and lives up to its name. As Res begins its journey in a NASA lab, it enjoys spending time with the two scientists who created it. The scientists talk to it and play it music as they write countless lines of code. Res starts to understand and admire human emotions, though other machines (like cell phones and tablets) warn it that emotions won’t be helpful on its mission. Res makes it to Mars, and is faced with continual challenges. As it rises to meet them, it shows that emotions can be just as important as reason. Interspersed with all of Res’ musings are letters from a girl named Sophie. Sophie is the daughter of one of the scientists who created Resilience, and she regularly writes letters to Res, starting in sixth grade. The letters are a clever way to show the passage of time, as Sophie matures from a middle schooler to an adult and Res is still completing its mission far away. This introspective tale is perfect for fans of outer space and robotics, and packs a nice, emotional punch.
“Adventuregame Comics: Leviathan” by Jason Shiga
Oh my goodness. It’s a choose-your-path graphic novel that feels like an RPG video game! The story starts when you walk into a tavern and a stranger asks if you’re looking for work. You choose your response, as well as what class of adventurer you are (bard, barbarian etc.), and the story progresses from there. You discover that there’s a legendary sea monster terrorizing the town, but how you deal with it is up to you — and not everything is as it seems. As with any story like this, there are some dead ends that will require re-reading with different choices, but the various endings reveal far more moral ambiguity and tangled politics than one might expect. This engrossing book will keep you busy flipping pages and following new paths!
