Gonna Pounce part 2

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Here are three more pages of the comic followed by some recommendations of very artsy picture books about solitary creatures who begrudgingly come to realize that socialization is really important even though they have very comfortable routines. Pretty relatable!!

This weeks Rec's:

Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex G. Griffiths

Before I was fired from the bookstore, my staff pick for this book was chosen as a blurb by the American Booksellers Association for their "Indie Next" catalogue. This happened often, cuz I was really really good at my job. It's funny to think about stacks of that pamphlet arriving at the store with my quote on it as a representative of that business. But I digress! This book is amazing.

Here's the blurb that got used: "Absolutely incredible picture book about a fox on a treasure hunt. Every page is a complete delight. Reminds one of the best Frog and Toad stories. Excellent hand drawn art throughout."

My staff picks for that place tended to be very basic as you can see, but it was important to get as much info across in the shortest word count. I learned a lot about this style of "micro-review" when I would review retro video games on twitter, before they upped the word limit on that website that no longer exists. I really enjoy this process and is partially why I wanted to continue doing this.

Anyway, Fox and the Mystery Letter is really a special piece of work that I'm really excited for. It comes out today and I really think you should get a copy. Like the next two books on this post, this is the kind of thing that is great for reading to a kid but also just as great for a short adult reading experience with a hot beverage on a quiet morning.

Little Shrew by Akiko Miyakoshi

I'm a generally large human, but deep inside myself I feel like a very small person. I'm very timid and nervous and always just assume everyone around me is taller. this is all to say that I relate really hard with the titular character here.

This was one of my favorite books that came out in the last year, it's a really sweet little hardcover about a tiny dude who has a very strict but pleasant life routine. It was made by the same author as Tea Party in the Woods, a picture book that really blew my mind a few years back.

This one especially is also a really great gift for anyone who appreciates incredible artwork and atmosphere. Enjoy the photos of my copy amidst our drying flowers.

A Day With Mousse by Claire Lebourg

This is another very giftable sweet hardcover about a strange creature named Mousse (is he a sea slug maybe?!) and again, I really relate to this guy who just wants to do his thing but is disrupted by the possibility of a friend!

I'm trying to understand just what appeals to me so much about this specific type of picture book. There's definitely a vibe going on with these three that hit me perfectly. My favorite picture books mostly fall in this camp, whatever it's called. Maybe someday I'll find a name for it.

That's all for this week. More comics and recs on their way next tuesday. Visit my bookshop store and check out my faves lists. Buy a book for yourself, it feels nice.

Thanks!