Written by Hirotaka Nakagawa and illustrated by Yoshifumi Hasegawa. Published by Hyperion Books for Children in 2006.
DOSUKOI! Copper can’t wait until he can talk, so that he can run around (oh, and run around) yelling DOSUKOI just like Sumo Boy. This brightly-colored book doesn’t have many words, but most of them are best read LOUDLY.
Written and illustrated by Richard Scarry. Published by Random House; originally published in 1968.
Copper’s daddy gets a kick out of all the stuff going on in Richard Scarry’s drawings. Some of it is quite silly. Lots of it is educational-ish. Copper hasn’t had the time yet to listen to this book all in one sitting, but he will one day.
Written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Dahlov Ipcar. Published by Islandport Press in 2008, a reprint from 1945.
Copper’s daddy’s parents got him this book in Maine, presumably inspired by the great views of the ocean. Copper likes Ipcar’s illustrations with their bright blues and oranges. He knows more about ocean fishing than he used to, thanks to the examples of the fishermen, both big and little.
Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Published by Philomel Books in 2006.
Yes, there is a nibble taken out of this book, and no, Copper didn’t do it. He’ll appreciate the subtle textures and colors of this book a little more when he’s older, but for now, that nibble is pretty entertaining.
Written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson. Published by Harper Collins in 1955.
That purple crayon is pretty wonderful. Copper is considering dressing as Harold for Halloween.
Written and illustrated by Parker Jacobs. Published by Paul Frank Industries in 2008.
“The illustrations in this book were digitally rendered.” Yes, they were. It’s a bright, colorful, and very 2008ish design featuring Paul Frank’s monkey, Julius. Perhaps inspired by the items in his bedroom, Julius dreams about all kinds of fantastical scenarios, including being a rock star in outer space. Copper keeps eyeing his daddy’s baritone guitar, perhaps with similar celestial aspirations.
Written by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Michael P. White. Published by Peachtree Publishers in 1997.
Copper’s copy of this book is autographed to his mommy by the illustrator. The pictures are airbrushed. The main character is a little boy who learns about his old pirate neighbor’s amazing secret.
Written and illustrated by Shaun Tan. Published by Lothian Books in 2000.
Copper was especially pleased to receive this book in the mail today because his parents just misplaced (or lost) one of his favorite books, Flamingos on the Roof. Hopefully, that lost thing will find a good home just like the lost thing in this odd book. The action is subtle, but there are lots of nice details and the hero is a bottle cap collector.
Written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts. Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers in 2007.
Iggy is stylish (check out the chucks and black jeans) and clever. Iggy uses his architectural skills to save his classmates and teacher from being stranded on a tiny island. Copper admires Iggy.
Edited by Art Spiegelman & Francoise Mouly. Published by RAW Junior in 2001.
This is the second book in the Little Lit trio. Copper likes the stories by Ian Falconer & David Sedaris, Jules Feiffer, and Jacques de Loustal & Paul Auster the best. He thinks he’ll ask for “It Was a Dark and Silly Night” so that he can complete his collection.
Written by Jon Stone and illustrated by Mike Smollin in 1971. A Sesame Street Book.
This is another book that originally belonged to Copper’s mommy. It’s entertaining to read this story of Grover’s anxiety about turning pages with great emotion.
Written and illustrated by David Macaulay. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1987.
This is a circular story that answers the question of why the chicken crossed the road. The chain of events is entertaining. The pictures are bright and colorful and tell the half of the story that the words leave out.