I understand why moving is routinely cited as one of life’s most stressful experiences. Having recently moved myself, the ordeal of packing and unpacking, navigating new routes and, yes, figuring out the street-parking schedule is still dismayingly fresh. But I’m an adult in charge of my own destiny (if not my own parking space). The frustration of being a child is that grown-ups get to make all the decisions, and kids have to live with them. To help ease that frustration, these nine picture books, listed alphabetically — some brand-new and all published within the last 10 years — communicate to children that while moving has its costs, it can have benefits as well.
For Daniela, this is no ordinary day. This is the day that Evelyn Del Rey, “my mejor amiga, my numero uno best friend,” and her family are leaving the neighborhood. The two girls still spin in circles until they’re dizzy and share their secret handshake, but teary Daniela knows that “tomorrow everything will be different.” That’s why the conclusion, depicting a smiling teenage Daniela leafing through a box of letters from her still-bestie, is so satisfying. Richly textured jewel-toned art in a style reminiscent of Ezra Jack Keats makes this lovely ode to BFFs a contemporary classic.
Goodbye, Old House, by Margaret Wild; illustrated by Ann James
Sometimes we forget that moving is not just about goodbyes: It’s also about hellos. Sam, outlined in black strokes on a white background and juxtaposed against soft washes of abstract color, marches through the house and yard the family is leaving behind, bidding farewell to each space and noting the “last time” for each activity associated with it. The child’s smiles and wide-armed waves imply an abiding love for the old place, but also excitement for the new one. Soon Sam is happily narrating “first times” and greeting each room in the new house with an enthusiastic hello, signifying that you’re never too young for a fresh start.
What would we do without dogs? When the shy narrator moves with her mother into a new apartment, she is so nervous at even the suggestion of a play date that her “face turns hot.” Then Mom introduces her to Millie: “A not too big, not too small dog. A just right dog.” As soon as she comes home from the shelter, Millie makes friends both human and canine, and gradually inspires her timid owner to do the same. Against expansive white space, Castillo delineates her mostly orange, yellow and red illustrations with black ink, showcasing every delightful detail, from Millie’s twitchy triangular nose to the girl’s brightly patterned socks.
Kick Push, by Frank Morrison
Epic, a skilled skateboarder, is counting on his cool tricks to captivate a new crew in his new neighborhood. But he quickly tires of skating alone: “Why be Epic if no one can see?” He tries fitting in by playing ball, but nothing is as rewarding as flip-kicking his board. After “shimmying” around the block one more time, Epic finally picks up a host of admirers who spot his “sick moves” and want to join in. With gonzo visual perspectives, rad skateboarder slang and the timeless theme of staying true to yourself, this gnarly book totally shreds.
Lenny & Lucy, by Philip C. Stead; illustrated by Erin E. Stead
“This is a terrible idea,” Peter tells his single dad as they drive through “dark unfriendly woods” and across a wooden bridge to their new house. The next day, having stayed awake all night, the worried boy creates two big pillow-and-blanket guardians he names Lenny and Lucy to stand watch outside while he and his equally anxious dog, Harold, sleep. But when the girl next door appears with binoculars and marshmallows, looking for owls, the woods don’t seem quite as scary — especially after her mom brings hot cocoa for everyone. Wistfully melancholic, this quiet charcoal-and-egg-tempera collaboration by award-winning spouses celebrates the power of imaginary friendships while validating and soothing the very real fears of children.
Southwest Sunrise, by Nikki Grimes; illustrated by Wendell Minor
Jayden is not pleased with his parents’ decision to move from New York to New Mexico. The subdued desert can’t possibly compete with his beloved city full of skyscrapers and sirens. But their first morning there, when he opens the field guide Mom gave him and begins to explore, he’s won over by the sculptured landscape, bright flora and bold fauna. Grimes’s lyrical descriptions of the desert biome marry beautifully with Minor’s warm, muted art, bringing readers face to face with the natural gifts the Southwest has to offer.
Starting Over in Sunset Park, by José Pelaez and Lynn McGee; illustrated by Bianca Diaz
When Jessica arrives in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, from the Dominican Republic with her mother, she sees that the lives of her aunts, uncles and cousins in this new place are beautiful, and she wonders, “Could my life here be beautiful as well?” Of course, but not without some disheartening challenges — like squeezing in with relatives and learning English. But soon Jessica and her Mama have their own apartment and a thriving cat-sitting business, leaving Jessica to conclude, “Starting over in Sunset Park was hard, but in the end it was good.” Diaz’s prismatic, tropically hued artwork sublimely pairs Jessica’s island past with her city present.
When Mama tells Lily that they are moving back to Taiwan to care for Lily’s grandmother, Lily’s mouth becomes a furious, down-turned black oblong as she exclaims, “What about …” all her favorite irreplaceable things? In Taiwan, she rejects each attempt to connect to her culture with the curt response, “This is not my home.” It is only when Mama replies, “But this is mine. … And this can be ours,” that Lily reconsiders her position. The story is presented in an engaging comics style, with panels and speech bubbles, and the detailed depictions of Taiwanese markets, temples and even squat toilets are bound to generate lively conversation with young readers.
Until You Find the Sun, by Maryam Hassan; illustrated by Anna Wilson
Aminah’s life was “full of sparkles” in South Asia. Now that her family has moved to a wintry climate, Aminah misses the sun and her cherished grandfather. After an encouraging phone call from Da, she spots a bright “yellow from home” coat in a store window. The jacket’s warm hue lightens her mood and draws the attention of a new friend. Suddenly life is sparkly again, this time from a glistening snowfall. The cozy art, in vibrant yellows and blues, cheerfully conjures the contrasting locales, while Da’s kind face will shine like a beacon to children missing grandparents.
#Picture #Books #Moving
