in a small kingdom

A young prince inherits his father’s position as ruler over a “small kingdom along an ancient road” but his corrupt half-brother has his eye on the throne.  An evil plan is hatched but thwarted as the people of the kingdom demonstrate love and respect for their new ruler through a beautiful gesture.  A magical, heartwarming and timeless tale about the power of community.

In a Small Kingdom was written by Tomie dePaola, illustrated by Doug Salati and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

go west

We hop on a train for an epic journey across North America from Montreal to Los Angeles.  We board the Dorchester locomotive in Montreal and end up at “the last of the great train stations” — LA’s Union Station with its ruddy Spanish tiled roofs and iconic Mission Moderne style.  Along the route we take a gander at gorgeous passing scenery and of course delve into the history of train travel — getting a peek into what the first luxury passenger cars were like, passing venerable landmarks such as the Banff Springs Hotel, reading the stories behind famous stations like Grand Central in New York and learning about legendary locomotives such as the Daylight Limited running along the Pacific Coast from SF to LA.

A surprise search-and-find awaits readers at the end of this terrific resource about how the railroad shaped North American history.  Pascal Blanchet’s sleek, stylized illustrations possess an old world elegance that takes readers back to another era, bringing them home in time for dinner.  It would make a fantastic gift for the train lover in your life (we all know at least one).

Go West!: The Great North American Railroad Adventure was written and illustrated by Pascal Blanchet and published by Wide Eyed Editions.

goldfish on vacation

A strangely delightful and unexpected tale about one hot summer in the city, three children and their three goldfish.  Who are joined by a whole lot more children and their goldfish.  When you can’t leave the city for a vacation...there’s only one thing to do.  It’s a sunny, lighthearted story with a nostalgic nod to simpler, more carefree times that has us pining for summer warmth...and an unusual vacation!

Goldfish on Vacation was written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Leo Espinosa and published by Schwartz & Wade.

Hello Lighthouse

This book’s unique trim size is perfect for the story inside it—the life of a lighthouse “on the highest rock of a tiny island at the edge of the world” and its diligent keeper.  He tends to the light from sunset to sunrise, never letting it go out. Every small and big event that transpires, he faithfully records in his logbook.  Sophie Blackall’s depictions of the ocean are dramatic, moving and captivating.  It’s far and away one of the loveliest books published this year, both in art and sentiment.

HELLO LIGHTHOUSE was written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall and published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.  It’ll be out very soon on April 10.