New picture books

Last week was a busy week for receiving new children's books.  There are two standout picture books I've received:  About a Bear by Holly Surplice and That's Not a Good Idea by Mo Willems.  There is also a fun picture book biography about James Naismith, the inventor of basketball.

About a Bear by Holly Surplice is a sweet, simple picture book that describes the emotions and motions a bear can feel or do.  The illustrations are bright, big and colorful, and the short sentences and rhyme scheme make a great step up for children who are getting a bit too old for board books, but too young to sit still for a narrative. 

That is Not a Good Idea by Mo Willems continues his unbroken streak of genius.  Formatted like a silent film with title cards, a fox convinces an innocent-looking white goose to accompany him home for dinner.  The baby geese pop up every few pages as members of the audience outside of the main action, frantically informing us, "That is REALLY not a good idea!"  As often happens in a Mo Willems plot, the ending has a bit of a twist that, while not entirely unexpected, still made me chuckle out loud at my desk. 

Hoop Genius:  how a desperate teacher and a rowdy gym class invented basketball by John Coy, ill. by Joe Morse.  Football was too rough to play inside and lacrosse was just a disaster!  James Naismith needed to find something for his class to do in gym.  He found a soccer ball and a basket and HELLO BASKETBALL!  I'm generally leery of picture book biographies because the subject matter is too sophisticated to be condensed into a 30 page illustrated format.  However, the story of how Mr. Naismith invented basketball is short, sweet AND informative without being stodgy.  The illustrations are wonderfully vintage-looking, while conveying movement brilliantly.

Check 'em out early and often!