Today's read... The Welcome Home by Amy June Bates

Today's read...well, when I got it, I didn't know what to expect. The cover portrays tons of animal goodness, but it's light and gentle, too. I'm curious to see where this read takes us and am just going to jump right in and find out.

And after reading this one, I'm putting it on my possible favorites of 2023 list because it is better than I even thought it might be.

THE WELCOME HOME

by Amy June Bates

Paula Wiseman Books

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 19th!!!

From the creator of The Big Umbrella comes another poetic and lushly illustrated picture book about the joy of companionship and there always being room for one more in this tale about the search for the perfect pet.

Mr. and Mrs. Gargleson-Bittle are looking for a change. Their life has become too quiet, and little changes like eating waffles only help for a moment. They decide to get a pet—but what kind should they have? First they welcome a snail into their home, then an elephant named Louise, then an aardvark named Sam.

One by one they come, and while the house is definitely no longer quiet, Mr. and Mrs. Gargleson-Bittle still have room and love for more. Could this waggy, lick-your-face puppy be what makes their family complete?

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON   /    B&N  /   BOOKSHOP

MY TIDBITS

This is one of those reads, which offers delightful fun and wraps it in a comforting atmosphere of goodness.

Mr. and Mrs. Gargleson-Bittle live in a nice house and have a nice life together, but something seems to be missing. After contemplation, they decide it should be something which to play with and and chase around and...they end up with a snail. They do like their snail, but something still seems to be missing. Something bigger. So, they adopt an elephant. And so the tale continues.

The awkward feeling of wanting-something-but-not-knowing-what-it-is comes across clearly and hits with familiarity. Although Mr. and Mrs. Gargleson-Bittle are adults, young readers will recognize the issue and sink right into their problem. Then, the giggles begin. Unexpected pet after unexpected pet slam in with extremes and make it clear that this couple is anything but normal. They have huge hearts, tons of patience, and enjoy every animal they get. The goodness mixes with the silliness to create a couple, which readers will wish they could live next to and visit as much as possible.

Then, there are the animals. These come across especially well in the illustrations. The  gentle lines and colors fits amazingly well to the chaos. It keeps emotions and warmth high, while the ridiculous parade of creatures comes in one  after the other. This creates a masterful balance between humor and heart to make it a read to be visited again and again. And again.

And here she is...

Amy June Bates has illustrated books including the Sam the Man series; Sweet Dreams and That’s What I’d Do, both by singer-songwriter Jewel; and Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan. She is the author-illustrator of The Big Umbrella, about which Booklist raved, “A boundlessly inclusive spirit...This open-ended picture book creates a natural springboard for discussion.” She lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with her husband and three children.

Review: The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates

THE BIG UMBRELLA

by Amy June Bates

Cowritten by Juniper Bates

Simon & Schuster 

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 and up

In the tradition of Alison McGhee’s Someday, beloved illustrator Amy June Bates makes her authorial debut alongside her eleven-year-old daughter with this timely and timeless picture book about acceptance.

By the door there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have.

Don’t worry that there won’t be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room.

Lush illustrations and simple, lyrical text subtly address themes of inclusion and tolerance in this sweet story that accomplished illustrator Amy June Bates cowrote with her daughter, Juniper, while walking to school together in the rain. 

MY TIDBITS

Inclusion and tolerance ring loud and clear in this beautiful, touching book.

The red umbrella is a big, friendly umbrella and carries this attitude through rain and storm out into the world. While starting out simple and indoors, the umbrella is taken outside where it quickly gains more and more people to shelter from the ever dripping rain. And the umbrella is never too small. Never.

This is a book of little but powerful words. While keeping the text to a minimum, just enough comes through to build the right atmosphere and understanding. The illustrations do the rest. The mixture is sweet, encouraging, humorous at times and holds a huge message without ever becoming preachy. This is one amazing umbrella, and simply by doing its job, it spreads a warm feeling of tolerance and belonging.

Young listeners will easily fall into the pages as the umbrella is taken out into the city. It's bright color and bold, never faltering smile make it an umbrella to love. The illustrations not only do a wonderful job depicting different types of people and show how the umbrella grows and grows without any words, but little sparks of humor sprinkle in to keep the entire thing light and friendly. The growing details invite readers to flip through the pages and see what they can discover. 

This is a lovely book with a wonderful message. It makes a great read-aloud, opens to discussions and isn't easily forgotten after it is laid down.

And here they are. . .

Amy June Bates has illustrated many picture books, including, Sweet Dreams and That's What I'd Do, both by singer-songwriter Jewel; Hillary Rodham Clinton by Kathleen Krull; and The Brothers Kennedy, also by Kathleen Krull. She lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with her husband and three children.

Juniper Bates was in sixth grade when she and her mom, Amy June Bates, came up with the idea for The Big Umbrella while sharing an umbrella in a rainstorm. Juniper loves music, skiing, books and puddles she can jump in. Juniper lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with their family and dog, Rosebud.