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10 Books That Prove Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a Genius
Have you ever played that game where you imagine who you would invite to dinner if you could invite anyone in the world? If you’re a picture book writer or really just any kind of creative soul working as an ad exec, an artist, or even a community activist, there’s a good chance one of your answers might be Amy Krouse Rosenthal (AKR). Since she started writing for NPR, then adult books, and then (squeal!) children’s books, she has inspired creatives to approach their work with a playful spirit, while at the same time always managing to say something that matters. Her wise words resonate with parents and children in a way that seems effortless. If you have any doubt, here are ten books that prove AKR is a genius (and collaborates with genius illustrators, from Tom Lichtenheld to Jen Corace), and we’re all lucky to have her here.
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Exclamation Mark
Most editors aren’t fond of books about inanimate objects. And the themes of this book could easily feel a little cloying: self discovery, celebrating your differences, being yourself…but AKR always puts a creative twist on these concepts, while also making the subject of punctuation (gasp!) interesting. This picture-book follows an exclamation mark as he tries to fit in with the periods, which is impossible, of course. But when he encounters a question mark, he’s forced to reveal the full power that comes with being an exclamation mark. After his encounter, he’s never afraid to leave his mark on the world again!
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Little Pea
AKR is a master at taking a traditional kid worry or complaint and turning it upside down. In this book, Little Pea only wants to eat vegetables, and he hates dessert. It sounds simple, but I dare you not to giggle as you read about Little Pea’s struggle to eat the candy that all peas must eat if they want to grow up to be big and strong. And if this book doesn’t make your kids want to eat more spinach, I don’t know what will!
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Spoon
Oh, Spoon! He’s a happy utensil, but life is always sparklier on the other side of the silverware drawer. Do Fork and Knife have it better than Spoon? They’re busy cutting and lifting, not scooping and spinning until they’re stir crazy like Spoon. In this book, AKR celebrates the differences that makes each of us shine. It’s a familiar theme, but presented with so much personality. There’s plenty of pot banging, ice-cream diving, and punny humor to make the kiddos happy, and a sweet message that can help parents start a conversation about which side the grass is really greener on (Hint: neither!).
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Duck! Rabbit!
All of AKR’s books are highly visual. Her text works with the art to add jokes, characterization, and details that encourage repeated readings. This book is in a class of its own. It’s really a book-sized optical illusion that will have kids and parents wanting to look at every page again. Is this book about a duck? Or is it about a rabbit? Depends how you look at it…
One of Those Days
This book is ten years old, but it’s still one you’ll want to turn to when it’s been one of those days. You know the kind. There’s Annoying Sibling Day. And Running Late Day. We’ve all had Keep Spilling Stuff Days. And don’t get me started on Nobody’s Listening to You Day! Seeing how AKR gives names to these days somehow makes it easier to handle them gracefully. They feel less about you and me, and more about how the world works. Plus, as AKR reminds us, there’s always a Brand New Day the next day.
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I Wish You More
This is AKR’s latest book, and it shows off her ability to play with language and say something we all know to be true in a simple but lovely way. Like a parent blessing a child, AKR wishes the reader “more ups than downs” and “more will than hill.” There are also allusions to the small pleasures in life that make us all happy like “more tippy toes than deep” water. This is a book you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.
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This Plus That
AKR has a genius way of making something abstract and high-brow totally accessible and silly. This book showcases her imagination with strange combinations that make perfect sense when you see them the AKR way. And after reading “yes + no = maybe,” “wishes +frosting = birthday” and “birds + buds = spring,” your kids will be wanting to make their own this + that poems. Creative idea + AKR = Genius picture book, no?
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Yes Day!
It’s like “treat yo’self” for kids. Can I clean my room tomorrow? Yes! Can I have pizza for breakfast? Yes! Can I stay up late? Yes! It doesn’t come every day, but when it does, YES! AKR takes advantage of the constant refrain of “No”s most kids hear all day to create a fantasy holiday that will have kids daydreaming months after they read this book.
Little Oink
Like Little Pea, Little Oink doesn’t quite do what he’s supposed to. Pigs are supposed to be messy. They’re supposed to live in a sty! But Little Oink is tidy. He likes keeping things clean! Will Little Pig learn to make a proper mess? Will seeing how disgusting things can get inspire your kiddos to finally clean their rooms? One way to find out…
Wumbers
If this + that poems have you craving more AKR creativity, try wumbers (numbers + letters, duh!). In the world of wumbers, octopuses have orn8 10tacles and bearded men have 2can ta2s. There are also 2t jokes! Combining the thrill of spotting a funny license plate with AKR’s quirky take on the world makes this a game kids will want to play on their own long after the book is done, and you’ll be left thinking “How did she do that???” The great AKR strikes again!
What is your favorite Amy Krouse Rosenthal picture book?