If you’re not familiar with it, the Fibonacci sequence is a math pattern that begins with 0 and 1, and each subsequent number is calculated by adding the previous two numbers. So, it would look like this: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, and so on. I am a writer, but I’m also a numbers gal, so this book that incorporates both blew my mind:

Wow! This book has my mind blown (especially as a words, numbers, and visual gal)! Above all, LEO + LEA is a friendship story: First, the reader is introduced to Leo, who likes to count. Then Leo is introduced to Lea, who likes to draw. When the playground gets too overwhelming for Leo, he leaves to find some peace. He finds Lea (remember she likes to draw), and is delighted to find a pattern (remember he likes to count) in her art. Their commonality blossoms into friendship. This is a lovely story in itself, but the way the story is told and illustrated makes it truly magical. The “+” in the title hints at what’s to come, as well as the second spread which simply says, “counting,” but if you look closely, you’ll notice when Leo counts trees, squirrels, steps, classmates, and so on, his counting follows a pattern. Further, the text itself is written in the same Fibonacci sequence: One word on the first spread, followed by one word, then two words, then three, then five, and so on. And on top of that, the illustrator incorporates the Fibonacci sequence in the illustrations! Both author and illustrator share notes in the back matter that give further explanation about the inspiration for the story and art, explanation of the Fibonacci sequence, and illustration techniques used. Like I said, wow! This multi-layered, beautifully illustrated, heartwarming friendship story is truly a work of art!
 
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If you’re not familiar with it, the Fibonacci sequence is a math pattern that begins with 0 and 1, and each subsequent number is calculated by adding the previous two numbers. So, it would look like this: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, and so on. I am a writer, but I’m also a numbers gal, so this book that incorporates both blew my mind:

Young readers will love this friendship story between Hopefully, the scarecrow, and a girl who reads stories to him during the warmer months. They grow together over the years until one spring when she doesn’t arrive. Hopefully is lonely, but “hopefully” waits for her return. This book of friendship and hope is clever, sweet, and full lovely illustrations and oodles of heart. I am totally in love with Hopefully the Scarecrow!
 
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​Let’s extend a big thank you to all the first responders who risk their own lives to help protect and save ours. I have a soft spot for picture books featuring fire fighters because my dad was a volunteer firefighter for my hometown for over 30 years, so when I saw this book, I knew it was going to be a winner:

This fictionalized story about Fire Chief Fran shares a day-in-a-life look of a firefighter. Ashman’s rollicking rhyme make this a fun, engaging read, while simultaneously informing the reader of actual scenarios firefighters might encounter. The book includes back matter with supplemental facts and tips on what it takes to be a firefighter. Carpenter’s vibrant, expressive illustrations are energetic and delightful, a perfect match for this lively story. Readers who love fire trucks, dogs, bells, and fire poles are sure to love this book and request it on repeat!
 
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​What’s your favorite color? I have read that blue is often named people’s favorite. What is the world’s fascination with blue? This picture book shares some fascinating history that may shed some light:

Wow! On almost every spread of this book I found myself thinking, “I never knew that!” or “How fascinating!” or both! This book delves into the history of the color blue, from the why (some believed blue had special powers; some believed it was holy) to the how (crushing blue rocks or extracting the ink from the bellies of snails or the leaves of plants) to the who (slaves in the U.S. harvested indigo), when, where, and more. Then the author talks about blue as a feeling and why the word is associated with different sayings (out of the blue, singing the blues). Engaging text, gorgeous (and I mean gorgeous) illustrations, comprehensive back matter, all about a universally known color, but an uncommon topic for a picture book make this book brilliant!
 
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Have you ever had trouble getting a little one ready for the first day of school? Can you imagine if your little one was an octopus who is a master of disguise and an escape artist? Well, that’s what this book is all about: 

This clever picture book is a fresh twist to the classic first-day-of-school-themed-story. Children will giggle when they hear Becky Scharnhorst’s humorous tale, told in “how to” structure, of a reluctant octopus who hides and disguises himself (as octopuses are known to do to evade capture) to avoid going to school. Jaclyn Sinquett’s bright, expressive illustrations will have readers turning the pages to search for where the octopus has hidden himself next. This book has all you could hope for in a picture book: engaging text and art, a seek-and-find element, surprise “undies” under the jacket cover, illustrated end pages, humor, heart, and even back matter full of “mostly” true facts about octopuses. I love HOW TO GET YOUR OCTOPUS TO SCHOOL and I think you will too! 
 
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​Let’s celebrate International Music Day by reading a picture book biography by an iconic woman known world-wide for her musical talent:

This biography of Julie Andrews tells the true tale of a girl who, despite a troubling childhood, finds her voice and then shares it with the world in iconic roles such as Mary Poppins, Eliza Doolittle, and Maria von Trapp. Hedlund’s lyrical text and Urbinati’s gorgeous illustrations practically sing on the pages of this beautiful book. If you are a fan of Julie Andrews, music, or picture book biographies about perseverance and pursuing dreams, this is the book for you!
 
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A holiday encouraging us buy a book? Yes, please! If you’re looking for ideas, here’s an adorable picture book I recommend:

I can relate to Bear—he loves books! He loves them so much, he wants one of his very own. One that’s “the color of ripe red raspberries. And delicious to read.” The problem is, Bear is a bear, and bears aren’t allowed where you can find books. Poor Bear! Ellen Ramsey’s sweet story of determination, creativity, friendship, and a love of books is perfectly paired with MacKenzie Haley’s bright, whimsical illustrations. Readers will cheer for Bear as he pursues his treasure and will love the heartfelt ending, complete with a surprise cover reveal under the book’s dust jacket. Bear loves books and I love A Book for Bear. I think you will too!
 
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Let’s give a shoutout to friends this month! Sometime friendships click in place perfectly right away; sometimes they take a while to find their fit. Today’s book recommendation is about two friends who start off a bit apprehensive of one another, but gradually warm to each other: 

After I read this book the first time, I felt like I found a new friend. I hugged it all the way to the checkout line. I am a huge fan of Julie Fogliano, Molly Idle, and Juana Martinez-Neal’s work, so to see them create this book together? Pure magic! Fogliano’s lyrical text rolls off your tongue as it tells the story of two children who start off in a rocky place, but gradually become friends. And who better to illustrate than two friends in real life? Idle and Martinez-Neal blend their unique styles into one cohesive look to create a story I hope you’ll love as much as I do. This one’s a keeper!
 
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Today is a day to celebrate bees and their importance in our world. But bees face dangers that can be detrimental to our lives. This picture book has a humorous take on the danger one bee faces because of a bear:

This book is a perfect example of the marriage between text and art in a picture book. The title alone gives you an idea of what this story will be about— a hungry, honey-loving bear will be in some sort of conflict with a bee. And that is what the story is about, but it’s so much more. Daniel Bernstrom’s text is short—only 116 words—just enough to tell the story, yet it has the humor, rhythm, and repetition that makes this a brilliant read-aloud for little ones. Then the art! Brandon James Scott’s bright, expressive illustrations have a honey glow on every page that tell a story beyond the words that, again, make the book a brilliant read-aloud. Run, don’t walk, to grab yourself a copy of this fun book!
 
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​Let’s give a round of applause for all the hardworking farmworkers, especially today! And here’s a picture book that imagines what life might have been like years ago for twelve children who grew up on a farm:

Sophie Blackall has gone above and beyond with this beautiful, breathtaking, heartwarming book. The text is one long, lyrical sentence about a farmhouse “where twelve children were born and raised,” and the life Blackall imagines they had until they all had gone, and the house lay empty until Blackall discovered it and collected some abandoned treasures that inspired and her to create “this book that you hold.” Sigh. If that’s not enough, Blackall’s art is inspired. She used “scraps and fragments [she] found in the house” to create the illustrations and even included photographs of the remains of the house on the back endpapers. Maybe it’s because I, too, love old things (Blackall begins her author’s note, “I have always loved old things”); maybe it’s because my grandmother was the youngest of twelve children raised on a farm; maybe it’s because I have a large (not twelve) family of my own and can see my children in this book; whatever it is, this book holds a special place in my heart and a prime spot on my bookshelf.
 
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