Featured books by Matthew Cordell
Another Brother
For four glorious years, Davy had Mom & Dad all to himself. But things changed when not one but 12 brothers arrived. Line drawings add expression and comedy to the understated text for a laugh-out-loud sheep tale sure to be enjoyed by those with — or without — new siblings.
Explorers
The story begins before a family with two parents, one child in a stroller, and a lively older boy reach the steps of the museum. The boy acquires a flying toy that leads first to misunderstanding but ultimately friendship. Few words are needed as the detailed, expressive line and wash illustrations convey action and emotion to bring the tale full circle to its satisfying conclusion.
Hello! Hello!
Lydia tires of her electronic devices while her parents and brother are enmeshed in theirs. A small leaf beckons the girl outdoors, propelling her into an imaginative outdoor adventure. Sure to start conversations among plugged-in family members, this genial fantasy is playful and light.
Wolf in the Snow
A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home? Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying, wordless story of friendship and trust.
Books illustrated by Matthew Cordell
If the S in Moose Comes Loose
What would happen if the “S” in the word moose comes loose? And the “E” breaks free? Follow the madcap sequence as the cow, goat and other animals share their ideas. Comical line drawings and wacky scenes play with words for laugh-out-loud silliness.
Leaps and Bounce
Lots of eggs all “Round and spotted/polka-dotted” are in the pond. Readers will soon see tadpoles “Wiggle tails!/Squiggle tales!” emerge in this light, rhyming journey from egg to frog. Delightful wordplay combines with comic illustrations, many on pages that open to double the size, sure to engage young readers or listeners.
Lost. Found.
An economy of words and animated line drawings with a dash of red combines to tell the story of a bear that loses a scarf but finds companionship. Two words describe the satisfying action on each page: Lost. Found
Rooting for You
Growing up is not easy, even for a small seed. But with encouragement from a bespectacled worm, a frightened seed pushes on and up and develops into a handsome flower. Rhyming text and cartoon line drawings suggest the challenges of sprouting — both literally and figuratively — while presenting a saga in which many children will see themselves.
Second Grade Holdout
The narrator and his friend Tyler will soon start 2nd grade. Will his new teacher and the more advanced grade be as bad as the boys’ older sister warn? Happily, the younger siblings catch on to the teasing when they acknowledge that they are no longer as gullible as first graders! The funny narration is accompanied by jaunty, expressive ink and wash illustrations.
Special Delivery
How young Sadie manages to deliver the elephant to her Great-Aunt Josephine makes for a laugh inducing romp. The silly story is told through comic illustration and an unassuming text with lots of sound effects.
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