Helpful Books for Disturbing Times

by S.R. • November 15, 2016

Here is a small selection of children’s books that I personally find helpful and perhaps hope-inducing without trying to hammer a moral lesson into your head, which could be not only painful but counter-productive.

(The links are to Indiebound.org, but of course you can find or order these books at any other bookstore or library.)

Arnold Lobel

Grasshopper on the Road

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780064440943

Leo Lionni

Little Blue and Little Yellow

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780688132859

Tony Kushner and Maurice Sendak

Brundibar

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780786809042

Jo Hoestlandt and Joanna Kang

Star of Fear, Star of Hope

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780802775887

Tomi Ungerer

Otto: The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780714857664

Ruth Krauss and Crockett Johnson

The Carrot Seed

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780064432108

William Steig

Amos & Boris

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780374302788

← This Will Be Your Picture Book!

This Is Not a Picture Book! →

Fish and Worm

Fish and Wave

Fish is back, and ready to make a new friend.

Fish and Sun

Four starred reviews

"The understated plot allows new readers to focus on the well-chosen words and meaningful emotional arc, and Ruzzier’s slightly bonkers visual world-building keeps things fresh." –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A captivating new duo." –Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Fish and Sun are two delightful characters who will touch readers’ hearts. The perfect story for emergent readers and developing visual learners." –School Library Journal (starred review)

"Uncluttered watercolor illustrations, in Ruzzier’s always imaginative, slightly off-kilter style, reinforce the playful action; the natural language and phonetic patterns will serve readers well; and the emotional drama is just right." –Horn Book (starred review)

"The incomparable Italian picture book author and illustrator Sergio Ruzzier (“Fox + Chick,” “Two Mice”) dips his pastel watercolor brush into the comics format with a poignantly deadpan, linguistically spare new series perfect for beginner readers." –The New York Times Book Review

Roar Like a Dandelion

“Wondrously imaginative…An alphabetic catalogue of Krauss’s quirky, free-spirited, infinitely playfully, subtly profound prescriptions for joy and existential contentment…Page after page, letter by letter, Ruzzier’s sweet, and stubborn creatures leap and tumble along the lines of Krauss’s imagination with their joyous, mischievous magic.”
—Brain Pickings

“This work adroitly bridges the more-than-half-century gap between two accomplished artists...An abecedarian catalog of delights.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Each page offers its own adventure; taken together, the spreads create an irresistible, deliciously subversive invitation to turn one’s back on the tiresome.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“With a nod to the fanciful, this alphabetic listing of activities invites readers’ imaginations to soar.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

"Ruzzier’s sweetly subversive sensibility proves to be a felicitous match. For each letter there’s a mischievous directive—aimed at anyone who’s outgrown tamer alphabetic fare. Fuzzier’s daffy creatures carry out each nutty order with unabashed flair." —New York Times Book Review

“A natural choice for storytime…Inventive and original, Ruzzier pays homage to Krauss as well as Sendak, using a style all his own.” —Booklist

We Give Thanks

"A delightful approach to the Thanksgiving holiday that encourages acts of kindness all year round." —School Library Journal

"Even simple generosity is conceived of in droll, unexpected ways as a bear slips a cookie under the table to a fish in a bowl in Ruzzier’s fresh-eyed interpretation of Rylant’s simple, holiday-ready blessing." —Publishers Weekly

Two Mice

ALA Notable Children's Books - Younger Readers

"Using only two-word phrases and a sample repeating number pattern, this clever book creates a fast-pacede adventure for listeners and new readers alike." —Horn Book Magazine, starred review

"The simplicity of the text means that the earliest readers will soon be able to pick it up and will return to it over and over. One story. Two mice. Three cheers. Lots to love." —Kirkus, starred review

"The small dimensions of the book (not to mention its heores), the reassuring patterns of Ruzzier's text, and the surrealist edge common to his artwork create an adventure with a scintillating combination of danger and comfort." —Publishers Weekly

"Sweetly satisfying." —School Library Journal

“What a cute, clever way into number sense.”
—The New York Times Book Review

"There's a lot of drama for a book about counting, but that's not the only stunner. The world Ruzzier creates with his illustrations is so singular, so extraterrestrial that the pictures give the story a sci-fi vibe." —The Boston Globe

"A simple and simply lovely book. A sort-o-counting (well, one to three and back again) book and a tiny adventure story too. Absolutely charming." —Monica Edinger (Educating Alice)

"The inventively undulating narrative structure, the sherbet-like color palette, fantastic tile floors, countless tiny visual surprises-and last but not least, the comfortingly resilient mouse friendship-make Two Mice a standout." —Shelf Awareness

Good Boy

Four starred reviews

"This gem of a story by Ruzzier stars a boy in a green T-shirt that doesn’t quite meet his shorts. The sparse text, the tidiness with which Ruzzier works out his concept, and the endearing qualities of his two heroes make the book a small classic." ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

"One or two words per page and help from the illustrations make this an accessible easy reader. What, at first, appears to be a customary story of a boy and his dog turns out to be so much more—and so much more fun." ―Booklist, starred review

"There’s no alpha male here, just two genial, respectful, loving creatures. An original premise, a bare-bones text of thirty-two words, perfect picture-book pacing, and deliciously transparent watercolors combine for an emotional punch." ―The Horn Book, starred review

"Ruzzier’s distinctive cartoon-style, ink and watercolor illustrations propel most of the story, offering plenty of visual interest and cues for pre-readers to decode the limited text. The boy, with his drooping socks, and his belly occasionally protruding from under his T-shirt, is realistically childlike and charming. A simple yet surprising friendship story, perfect for preschool audiences and for those just beginning to read. A first purchase." ―School Library Journal, Starred Review

“With lovely art that turns effortlessly surreal, that’s all it takes to tell a clever, comical story of a truly mutual relationship.” ―The New York Times Book Review

"Soft-focus watercolor-and-ink illustrations in subdued shades convey a dreamy atmosphere that makes the unfettered lives of this pair believable. The bond between the golden-haired duo is quietly conveyed with an imaginative charm that deepens on subsequent readings." ―Kirkus

Fox + Chick: Up and Down

Fox+Chick: The Sleepover and Other Stories

"Following their wacky antics in the previous two volumes (The Party and Other Stories, rev. 7/18; The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories, rev. 7/19), this charmingly mismatched pair returns for three more stories. . . . The offbeat tales told through comic panel art and colorful settings, combined with the excitable, bossy Chick and the easygoing, sensible Fox, create another installment in this comics-style picture book series that works for readers and listeners alike." —The Horn Book

"In pleasing and often amusing illustrations, Ruzzier uses the conventions of comics (visual narrative sequences, speech balloons) to motivate beginning readers with the dual reward of verbal and visual humor. Original storytelling with quirky, character-driven humor." —Booklist

Fox+Chick: The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories

Reviews
"Echoes the poignant if occasionally antagonistic friendships of such odd couples as Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad. bringing the gentle message of learning to live with, and even appreciate, one another's quirks." —Kirkus Reviews
"A perfect choice for those who have graduated from new reader materials but aren't quite ready for lengthier chapter books. Highly recommend for purchase." —School Library Journal, starred review

Fox+Chick: The Party and Other Stories

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor
NPR Best Books of the Year
New York Times Notable Children's Book
Boston Globe Best Book of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
The Horn Book Magazine Fanfare Best Book of the Year
Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

"Three stories well suited to both reading newcomers and not-yet-reading listeners." —The Horn Book Magazine, starred review

"The winning combination of Ruzzier's signature ink-and-watercolor illustrations and humor in an easy reader/comic format is guaranteed to garner fans." —School Library Journal, starred review

This Is Not a Picture Book!

New York Times Notable Book of the Year
The Huffington Post Best Picture Books of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

"Sweet, profound book... pays a sneaky tribute to the power of words and pictures to work together. Brilliant endpapers." —The New York Times

"Cleverly invites new readers into an enticing world of discovery." —Booklist

"A fun picture book about the beauty of words." —GeekDad

"A pitch for reading-a magic act that turns words into pictures." —The Horn Book

"A book about learning to read. offers gentle empathy for kids tackling this intimidating task." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Effectively demonstrates the magic of reading and the power of imagination." —School Library Journal, starred review

"An affirmation of the transformative power of reading." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

One Mean Ant

"Readers will delight in the silly antics and wacky wordplay of these unlikely companions just as much as they'll enjoy the conversational, tall-tale voice adopted by the narrator. A zany, hilarious first in a planned trilogy." —Kirkus Reviews

"There's little physical action; instead, the energy comes from Yorinks's hotheaded dialogue ("Buzz off!") and Ruzzier's expressive characters and backgrounds. Though the even-tempered fly shows signs of being able to break through the ant's hostile defenses, redemption is fleeting for the vaudevillian pair. And a surprise ending brings the proceedings to a sudden close that may prove a bit of a shock for those who have gotten into the lengthy story's rhythm". —Publishers Weekly

Sprokostagorubolonoso

The Making of The Real Story

The Chapter of Accidents

The Real Story

Fish and Worm book trailer!

I am sorry, said Mother.

Fish and Wave Wins a 2023 Geisel Honor!

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