Jethro Byrd: Fairy Child

Everyone knows that rascally egg, Humpty Dumpty, but few have met the rest of his family which includes his younger sister, Dimity. Painfully shy, Dimity comes out of her shyness (her shell, so to speak!) to help her rambunctious brother. Humor abounds in both text and illustration on this take-off of the traditional rhyme.

Children often see what adults miss, and so it is when Will finds a pigeon with a broken wing on the sidewalk of a busy city. Will and his parents, help the bird recover over time then release it. Limited text and well paced and placed illustrations tell the affecting story.

Her parents are receptive to Kate’s suggestion, “Let’s get a pup!” and head to the shelter. They bring home a puppy, but ultimately return to add Rosey, an older dog, to their family. Line and wash illustrations depict a very contemporary and loving family with wit and compassion.

The son of superhero parents, Max is frustrated when even his cape and encouragement from his parents aren’t enough to help him learn to fly. But everything changes on the day he saves ababy bird and discovers that he, too, is a hero. Gently lined and colored illustrations depict slightlyfrumpy, appealing, characters in this engaging andencouraging tale.

Oscar and his inter-racial family celebrate his half birthday with a joyful picnic in the park. Families are likely to recognize Oscar’s slightly cluttered home, the pleasure sister Milly takes in wearing her fairy wings (made from coat hangers), and the happiness in sharing a day together in the lighthearted illustrations and subtle text.

Inseparable from her blanket, little Julia carries it with her everywhere until both her blanket and her need for it gradually disappear. Readers will appreciate the gentle humor in this recognizable story.