Offill, Jenny. While You Were Napping. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2014.  978-0-375-86572-5. $16.99. Gr. K-3.
For many children, the thought of being left out of an adventure is just unacceptable. Maybe that is why naptime is often preceded with kicking, screaming, crying, and yelling. In While You Were Napping, this picture of missing out on something amazing while snoozing is painted so humorously. A big sister visits her brother after he awakes from his nap, telling him that he does not have to worry about missing out on anything at all. Nothing interesting has happened. That is of course, unless he thinks dirtball fights, digging for dinosaur bones, cotton candy carrying robots, french-fry sandwiches, fireworks, pirates, and an impromptu trip to the moon sound like fun. An observant reader might realize that big sis is telling a fib, using items in her brother’s room as inspiration for her fantastical tale. The poor younger brother, however, is not privy and on the last page we see his arms-crossed, pouty face reaction.

 

I love this story for a few reasons. One, is that I am myself a younger sibling and I can picture my older sister joking around with me in the same way. Another is how true a child’s hatred for napping is, often induced by wanting to experience everything and fear of missing out. Lastly, as an adult reading this story, I am reminded of the idea that children who hate taking naps always have to take them, but adults who would love even a short, mediocre nap never seem to have that luxury. I laugh at the idea of missing out on some sort of crazy adventure as described by the big sister and thinking, “eh, I’d rather take the nap.” I think a lot of people could relate to this story, children and adults alike.
Picture Book            Lisa Naylor, Concord Elementary

Hawkes, Kevin. Remy and Lulu. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2014. 978-0-449-81085-9. $17.99. Gr. K-3.
When impressionist style painter Remy first encounters Lulu the dog in a countryside outside of Paris, it seems as though the two are meant for one another. Both fit the bill of “struggling artist”, Remy because he cannot seem to get others to understand his artwork and Lulu because she just lost her art studio home. The two find happiness in the company of one another. Remy explains to Lulu that because his eyesight is not very good, he paints “the essence of a person, not their likeness”, which is probably why so many of his customers who go to him for portraits of themselves are left feeling disappointed. However, with Lulu by Remy’s side during his portrait painting sessions, things begin to suddenly change. His once disgruntled customers are now happy and willing to pay more than expected for Remy’s work! They are amazed at the details and the color. What Remy does not know, but the reader quickly find out, is that it is not his details and color that is impressing the customers. Unbeknownst to Remy, each time he paints, Lulu finds a small corner of the canvas where she creates her own pieces of art. It is her work that the customers are so pleased with. As the story progresses, Remy discovers the truth and is at first extremely hurt. However, he comes to realize that he is only truly happy when he paints from the heart, even if it means that others might not understand his work. He even appreciates and praises Lulu’s work, and the story ends with the pair working as a team, each painting what makes them happy.

There are so many connections and points of discussion that emerge from Remy and Lulu, including different styles of art, Parisian culture, and learning to do what makes you happy rather than trying to please everyone around you. An audience for this story will not be hard to find as it incorporates humor, friendship, and whimsy into a well thought out, engaging story.
Picture Book            Lisa Naylor, Concord Elementary