by Kelly Carey

​With a charming child narrator whose no-nonsense and humorous approach is equal parts endearing and funny, Like (Chronicle Books, 2022) by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Leo Espinosa encourages readers to wonder how they relate to the things around them and points out that they have more in common with each other than anything else on Earth.

​Plenty of books have been written extolling how much folks have in common, but Like does it in the most wonderful kid-centric way. It kicks off comparing a person to a tin can. That will have kids giggling from the jump. Then it raises the stakes by asking kids to compare themselves to a swimming pool, a hyena, and mushrooms. But don’t be fooled, this is more than just a humorous text. This picture book offers up a serious heartwarming message of community as it celebrates our common human traits. Afterall, we are way more Like each other than we are like a can of tomato sauce. 

On Writing: 
Like is a wonderful mentor text for exploring the use of first person. Barrows smartly makes her first-person narrator a child to match her reading audience but then elevates her text with wonderfully nuanced dialogue. Her main character speaks with innocent humor, insightful naivete, and fully recognizable kid-speak. The beauty of using a child narrator is that your target reader will instantly relate, and the story can convey lofty and complex topics in a clear and entertaining way (well, if you do it right and Barrows certainly does!). If you want to make sure your child characters ring true, Barrow’s text will be a great tool. ​

This is also a great text to study if you have opted to pepper your manuscript with a few thoughts in parentheses. Barrows has used this method sparingly but with great results. 

To learn more about author Annie Barrows visit her here. 
To learn more about illustrator Leo Espinosa visit him here. 

​Review by Annie Cronin Romano

In A LITTLE MORE BEAUTIFUL (Waxwing Books, 2023), Lou Alice loves the outdoors, and she especially loves to garden. With each day that goes by, Lou Alice does something to leave the world a little more beautiful than she found it, and the gardens she plants bring smiles to those in her town. Then one day, an aging Lou Alice is no longer able to do the work she loves, and no one seems to be missing her except for one young girl. She had been observing Lou Alice, always noticing the beauty she had sown and the pleasure that came from her efforts. The girl takes over tending the gardens as Lou Alice once had, but she realizes she needs to do more, for it wasn’t just the flowers she loved; it was Lou Alice's untethered joy at sharing nature's beauty. The girl knows what makes Lou Alice smile, and she decides to see to it that Lou Alice receives some of the happiness she's given others.

A LITTLE MORE BEAUTIFUL is a picture book ideal for children ages 3-8. In a classic tone, it depicts the importance of appreciation and how sharing our talents can not only bring beauty into the world but also appreciation of others and the joy of human connection. Magically illustrated by Breezy Brookshire, the springtime palette perfectly captures the happiness created by Lou Alice’s gardens. The illustrations seamlessly complement the selective text, picking up the story where the words leave off and adding some visual treats along the way, as children will enjoy tracking the birds and curious cat across the pages. 
 
On Writing
Mackenzie’s use of text is efficient yet expressive. Her writing is a solid example of subtly conveying a message within a story. While there are clearly social themes in this picture book, the lessons are presented with a light touch, and the delivery allows for a variety of take-aways, such as appreciation of nature, awareness of others, kindness, and human connection. Using this book as an example, take a look at your own stories that may have an embedded social lesson. Examine if the moral is too overt and forced. Be sure the message is folded gently into the story narrative. 

For more information about Sarah Mackenzie’s work, visit her website at www.waxwingbooks.com/about. 
For info on Breezy Brookshire’s work, visit her website at www.breezybrookshire.com.