pictures, pictures

My Rotten Readheaded Older Brother, by Patricia Polacco. This book honestly captures the animosity and competitiveness between siblings who can't hope to compete in the same fields. The characters are drawn honestly and messily; it's hard to love something that looks like they do.

Mama's Saris, by Pooja Makhijani; illustrated by Elena Gomez. The story is good, girls of all cultures will be able to identify with it.

The Baabaasheep Quartet, by Leslie Elizabeth Watts. The attention to detail in the illustrations make this book. I find it hilarious that a mustache can disguise a sheep in a city. My favorite is the sheep who looks like a sticky popcorn ball.

Tomás and the Library Lady, by Pat Mora; illustrated by Raul Colón. This shows a little piece of the life of a family of migrant farm workers. It's simplified for kids, but not overly sweetened.