Picture Book FNG Review: That's Not Funny, David! by David Shannon

Image: Scholastic Inc.

That's Not Funny, David! by David Shannon. 32 p. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc., March 4, 2025. 9781546123187. Review of fng courtesy of publisher.

It's hard to believe that it will be 27 years this September, since boisterous, rambunctious little David burst on the scene in all his triangular-toothed glory. Has he grown either physically or emotionally? No. Is he still a perpetual motion machine? Yes. As the author/ illustrator notes in his introduction, humor is subjective. David definitely goes for low-brow and provocative. His antics will delight his fans.

Picture Book Review: Only My Dog Knows I Pick My Nose by Lauren Tarshis

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Only My Dog Knows I Pick My Nose by Lauren Tarshis. Illustrated by Lisa Bronson Mezoff. unpgd. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc., October, 2021. 9781338680256. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Beware the perfect child! This is an adorable story about a little boy who isn't all he appears to be. Does he really eat his broccoli? Does he really brush his teeth? His dog keeps his secrets and loves him unconditionally. The cartoon illustrations, comprised of vignettes and single- and double-page spreads convey warmth and humor. This should become a story time favorite.

Picture Book Review: Llama Glamarama by Simon James Green and Garry Parsons

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Llama Glamarama by Simon James Green. Illustrated by Garry Parsons. 32 p. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc. June, 2021. 9781338736182. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Larry the llama is a rule follower by day and a dancing fool at night, when he breaks out the rainbow boa and rhinestone-studded hat. When three friends discover his hijinks, Larry runs away. He doesn't get far before he discovers a carnival where llamas and other animals dance. He returns to his pack, where he learns his friends have secrets as well. 

Can we librarians and teachers ever have too many books that encourage young children to be themselves? No. This energetic, humorous story-in-rhyme will engage and encourage empathy. The text is well-matched with dynamic, lively art. Be prepared to read this one again and again with as much ham as possible. 

Picture Book Review: Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn

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Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn. Illustrated by Victo Ngai. unpgd. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc., May, 2021. 9781338305890. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

A young girl is awake in the middle of the night observing the adults in her life make preparations to leave. Each double-page spread contains a line with a single, spare wish. According to the illustrator, there are just 75 words of text. The text is achingly beautiful and matched perfectly be equally arresting illustrations. The palette is muted, somber and each spread begs lingering. They are sad though. The little girl fiercely hugs her dog in one spread and tearfully bids her grandfather goodbye in another. There's hardship at sea as well as homesickness. Thankfully, the final spreads end on a hopeful note and notes from both the author and illustrator provide context. 

While the story is based on the author's experience leaving Vietnam in 1980, she and the illustrator consciously chose to universalize the refugee experience in both the text and especially on the book cover, which is different than the jacket illustration, thereby leading to another "Book Cover Dilemma." I'm choosing not to tape mine down. 

The sixth grade read Inside Out and Back Again by Thannhá Lai this year and I believe this books as well as The Paper Boat: a refugee story by Thao Lam would me amazing additions to the fabulous unit the two teachers developed. Wishes belongs in all libraries and should be shared widely with young people. 

Fact Friday: Titanosaur: discovering the world's largest dinosaur by Dr. José Luis Carballido & Dr. Diego Pol

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Titanosaur: discovering the world's largest dinosaur by Dr. José Luis Carballido & Dr. Diego Pol. unpgd. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc. February, 2019. 9781338207392. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Slightly oversized picture book treatment of the discovery and excavation of the world's largest dinosaur bones in Argentina. Beautiful paintings illustrated the text, which was written by the paleontologists who worked on the dig. Sidebars add extra scientific information along with photos of the scientists and the dig. This is sure to please any budding paleontologist. 

My only quibble is the fact the authors chose not to name the gaucho who discovered the femur and who made the trek to the museum with the information. I am always telling my students to give credit for sources. Surely he deserved a lot more credit than, "a gaucho." 

I also wondered about the destruction of the the land on the ranch in the name of science. Sure, the team dug the bones out carefully, but was the land restored when work was complete? Why did they need to build a road? What sort of road was built? How did it affect the ranch? Was the owner compensated? I think students today should be made aware of these issues and encouraged to question the effects and ethics of scientific exploration. 

Perhaps this could've been addressed in the back matter. But aside from a short author's note and additional pictures, there was no other back matter - no suggestions for further reading or glossary. The end-pages were cute and the flip side of the cover revealed a poster of the titanosaur.

ETA: My google search revealed a number of articles from such reliable sources as the New York Times and the BBC. Neither source mentions the rancher's name! Interestingly, Wikipedia does identify him as Guillermo Herridea. 

A good book will prompt questions, so it's not a bad thing, just an observation. Truthfully, I'm a bit more disappointed in the spare back matter; but then, I've been on a bit of a back matter crusade lately. That said, Titanosaur belongs in any library catering to young and old dino fans!

Double the Fun Picture Book Review! We've Got the Whole World in our Hands by Rafael López

We've Got the Whole World in our Hands adapted and illustrated by Rafael López. 

AND 

We've Got the Whole World in our Hands/ Tenemos el Mundo entero en las Manos adapted and illustrated by Rafael López. unpgd. Orchard Books/ Scholastic Inc. October, 2018. 9781338177367 (English). 9781338299502 (Spanish). (Reviews of finished copies courtesy of publisher.)

I love decorated end-pages. I love it when artists find a way to connect their illustrations. I love yarn. It can entangle but it mostly knits together to form something beautiful. I also happen to love the spiritual, We've Got the Whole World in our Hands. It's short range matches mine and I could always manage to sing it at mass without embarrassing myself. It's a pleasant earworm to have and I've had it since reading these two delightful editions.

This book has it all, a gorgeous embossed cover, luscious end-pages and vibrant, joyful double-page spreads connected by an endless ball of variegated yarn. One cannot help but smile while reading the book. Actually, one should not read it. One should sing it - even with a pitiable voice as mine. It also possesses a cover dilemma:

What could make the book better? Why, a bilingual edition of course! Backmatter includes a note about the spiritual an illustrator note and the sheet music. Either or both of these books are a must-have for all kinds of libraries.