I Hate Picture Books! by Timothy Young

I Hate Picture Books!

Author/Illustrator: Timothy Young

Publisher: Schiffer

Publication Date: March 29, 2013

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I can't think of a single bad thing to say about this book so here are ten awesome things about it: 

1. It's funny (soooo cute!)
2. It promotes a love of books (the character doesn't "hate picture books" after all)
3. It's adorable (see #1)
4. My whole family loved it (which means my daughter and her dad)
5. It has fantastic illustrations, including tonnes of pictures of other picture books (and ones I didn't think were even famous)
6. My daughter owns half the picture books featured in it, which made us all like this book even more (and made us feel smart)
7. It's by Timothy Young, whom I've loved ever since Shadows on My Wall
8. It dispels the idea that children "grow out of" their favourite books 
9. It's all around awesome
10. Oh and the author is having a contest! (keep reading for more details)

Do you recognize the picture books featured in the illustration below? If you have young children (or are a daycare teacher or children's librarian) I bet you do!

Shadows on my Wall, by Timothy Young

Shadows on My Wall

Author: Timothy Young 

Publisher: Schiffer Books 

Publication Date: August 31, 2012

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Shadows on My Wall is a simple but delightful story about a child who has difficulty sleeping because the street lights cause all manner of strange shadows on his wall. At first he thinks there are monsters in his room, but soon learns that he can pretend the shadows are anything he wants them to be, including funny playmates to keep him company at night. I loved this book. The illustrations are simple and consistent--every page is the child's room with various shadows on the wall--but they hit just the right tone. Shadows CAN be scary but it's a great message to remind children that they can also be fun and funny. It reminded me a little of Ed Emberley's Go Away, Big Green Monster! or Charles G. Shaw's It Looked Like Spilt Milk, where things aren't always what they seem and sometimes it's all a matter of interpretation. Plus, as a bonus, the last page includes a whole bunch of how-to shadow puppets that you can try at home!

Hit the jump for Magda's Take and more pictures from inside the book!