Keeping younger readers occupied at the cottage

Cries of “are we there yet” might be replaced with silence or, better yet, happy kids saying “again, again!”

My Book of Birds by Geraldo Valerio (ages 5-10) North American birds from forest, mountain, plain and sea, strut, flap and preen across generous, colourful pages. With direct but elegant prose, Valerio offers a few facts about each one. This book’s abundant variety and clean cut, striking collage illustrations make multiple readings a must.

The Toad by Elise Gravel (ages 4-8) Hilarious, sly, informative and full of pizzazz. This playful take on the toad introduces its life cycle and habits with cartoons, hand-lettered fonts and an appreciation for nature’s weirdness and comedy. Seventh in Gravel’s Disgusting Critters series (which also covers the slug, fly, rat, louse, worm and spider), it’s a perfect mix of science, disgustingness and fun.

I am Pan! by Mordicai Gerstein (ages 5-9) Mythic, jazzed, full of his own wonderfulness, Pan cavorts through this graphic picture book/novel with tales of his exploits and hyperkinetic enthusiasm. Fraught lines and eye-blinding colours, over-the-top drawings of gods and monsters and a flamboyant, irreverent text — it’s all gloriously attention-seizing, excellent for those who want the fast-paced, strange and funny.

Little Red, by Bethan Woollvin (ages 3-6) This version of Little Red Riding Hood isn’t for the faint of heart — but it’s one that pivots on Little Red’s bold resourcefulness.

With illustrations in red, black and white, Woollvin evokes the sinister side of the story. The wolf, the devoured grandma, “might have scared some little girls,” is the narrator’s refrain.

“But not this little girl.” Darkly comic, an axe figuring suggestively, this is a good choice for kids who enjoy Jon Klassen’s celebrated picture books.

Happy Birthday, Alice Babette by Monica Kulling, illustrated by Qin Leng (ages 4-7) Alice is thrilled when she awakens on her birthday, knowing that this will be a day of surprises. As she wanders through Paris having little adventures, her friend Gertrude tries to make her a birthday feast and write her a special poem.

This rendition of the domestic arrangements of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas is charming and funny, due in no small part to Leng’s light colours, loose lines and gently comic sense of character.