A Collage of Picture Books
All our picture books are packed with gorgeous illustrations, but for this post I wanted to call attention to one of my favorite art forms… collage! There is something uniquely special about the tactile appearance of collage art, especially in a world where we rely so much on the digital landscape. The way images are formed by different mediums cut, torn, layered and pieced together demonstrates human creativity in its truest form. If you and your little reader are collage fans like me, the picture books below showcase the art form beautifully!
Two sisters live in harmony with and protect a geyser in this modern folktale woven together through luminous collage art from a Caldecott Honor winner.
On an island of moss and mist, two sisters coexist with the land, its animals, and a geyser that generously warms their home. But as the nearby village grows, people begin tossing their garbage into the geyser … without considering the consequences. Soon, the geyser must find a way to stop them, and the result is a reminder the village will never forget.
This lyrical tale with intricately layered and boldly colored collage illustrations by Caldecott Honoree Micha Archer gives fresh voice to an ever-important message about protecting nature’s wonders.
Over a hill, at the end of a road, by a glittering stream that twists and turns stands a farmhouse.
Step inside the dollhouse-like interior of Farmhouse and relish in the daily life of the family that lives there, rendered in impeccable, thrilling detail. Based on a real family and an actual farmhouse where Sophie salvaged facts and artifacts for the making of this spectacular work, page after page bursts with luminous detail and joy. Join the award-winning, best-selling Sophie Blackall as she takes readers on an enchanting visit to a farmhouse across time, to a place that echoes with stories.
What if less could be more?
A child’s bedroom, and the rest of his house, has become cluttered with stuff. But when one small act of giving something away sparks joy, he keeps going—and before you know it, his little sister, friends, and family get involved in donating items to people in need and bringing the whole community together for a swap party. Here is a heartening story that illustrates for the youngest readers how less can be MORE: more space for living, loving, and knowing that we already have PLENTY.
Brought to life in intricate collage by award-winning artist Oge Mora, More or Less takes the meaning of “reduce, reuse, recycle” into the realm of community-building and the cultivation of kindness and meaning.
From the bestselling and award-winning creator of They All Saw a Cat comes a bold and playful exploration of how the sun touches all life on earth—perfect for celebrating Earth Day!
Good golden sun, there is much we’d like to know! Are you happy? Are you lonely? Are you feeling well today? Does your belly ever ache? Won’t you come down to play?
From sunbeam, to flower, to insect, to animal, to plant, to soil, and the earth itself…the sun makes, moves, and transforms life all around us. Celebrate the mysteries of light from sunup to sundown as it weaves its way through creation inspiring change, hope, wonder, and curiosity.
Using a bold, young collage-style art perfect for fans of Eric Carle, Brendan Wenzel’s mastery of visual storytelling is on full display in this ebullient exploration of the life-giving power of our nearest star.
One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad, and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed-up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result. Everyone will enjoy sharing this concept book that taps into both socio-emotional growth and color concepts in a simple, friendly way.
Perfect for:
- Reading to children who have strong emotions
- Starting conversations about feelings
- Introducing color concepts
- Inspiring art activities using colors with emotions themes
- Counselors, therapists, social workers, and caregivers of all kinds
Don’t miss these other books about The Color Monster!
The Color Monster
The Color Monster Goes to School
Dr. Color Monster and the Emotions Toolkit
The Color Monster: A Coloring Book About Emotions
Meet Noa and the worst Teddy EVER in this sweet, funny debut about the unrecognized heroes in our lives, for fans of Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson. A Spanish edition, El peor Teddy del mundo, is also available for purchase.
Noa LOVES Teddy. But Teddy is ALWAYS tired! Why is Teddy always too sleepy to play with Noa during the day? It turns out that Teddy has a good reason, and Noa is in the dark about what’s happening behind the scenes at night…when Teddy works tirelessly to protect his little boy from a colorful ensemble of unwelcome nighttime visitors!
At once laugh-out-loud funny and endearing, Marcelo Verdad’s outstanding debut picture book explores how expectations don’t always allow us to see others for who they truly are, and how sometimes what we want isn’t always what we need.
Pavadais in bright gold colors
Jersey shirts and faded jeans
Swapping, changing, feeling seen…
Which is the color of me?
A young girl longs to know where she fits in: Is she American? Or is she Indian? Does she have to pick or can she be both? With bright, joyful rhyme, and paired with an immersive art style using American and Indian fabrics, American Desi celebrates the experiences of young children growing up first and second generation Indian American: straddling the two cultural worlds they belong to, embracing all they love of both worlds and refusing to be limited by either.
This story is a powerful tribute to the joy of being South Asian and for every reader who aspires to bridge their worlds with grace, grit, and confidence.
