Sweet books of comfort and consideration
Books can be challenging, mind-stretching, difficult, even emotionally taxing. But sometimes, that's not what you want. A book that soothes and comforts, that eases you through a difficult time or troubling feeling, is like putting on a soft pair of slippers. These three new picture books are just right for curling up on the couch and feeling a little better about life.
“When the Storm Comes” by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo. ( Ages 3 to 7. Nancy Paulsen Books. $17.99.)
When the storm clouds roll in, what do the intrepid humans and animals in this book do? Step by step, they prepare themselves. “We count supplies. We check the news. We find our comfort spot. We snooze.” In soothing poetry, author Linda Ashman details how creatures of all sorts find their comforts. Taeeun Yoo's windswept scenes show rabbits huddling in hollow logs and whales diving deep below the whitecaps while parents and children gather together to ride out the storm — and, of course, a sunny day follows, as everyone emerges to check on neighbors and give thanks “for friends who flock together.”
“Sorry (Really Sorry)” by Joanna Cotler, illustrated by Harry Bliss. ( Ages 4 to 8. Philomel Books. $17.99.)
All it takes to make everything all wrong is a single act — a grumpy cow who doesn't like muddy hooves, kicking mud onto a duck. “I felt like it,” Cow tells her. “And I'm not sorry.” The ill mood spirals through the neighborhood, from duck to frog to bird to goat to pig, until it seems everyone is out of sorts. All it takes to make everything right again, however, is a single act — a kind word from Dog, which reminds Pig that they are friends. Pig is sorry, really sorry, and sets in motion a series of kind acts that bring worm sandwiches, kind notes, and happy feelings to the chain of friends. Gentle and sweet, the book reminds readers that they have the power to feel better and do better — and brings the message home with humor and Harry Bliss' expressive illustrations.
“Dozens of Doughnuts” by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley. ( Ages 3 to 7. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers. $16.99. Available in July.)
Carrie Finison's cheerful, poetic ode to a hungry bear who craves dozens of doughnuts starts with a sleek bear preparing to snuggle into bed with a belly full of goodies — until the doorbell rings. A visitor arrives, then another, and LouAnn the bear finds herself cooking batch after batch, wearily surrendering her treats … until her stomach is rumbling and her temper is getting bearish. Like true friends, though, her buddies realize what has happened and decide to intervene. “Peeking outside, LouAnn blinks in surprise. Her friends have come back, and they all brought supplies!” One more, extra-large round of doughnut-making ensues, making sure that all the friends have had a chance to share the love, the labor, and (most important) the doughnuts. “Dozens of doughnuts, hot from the pan. Stacked up in heaps, and they're ALL for LouAnn.”