The Illustrations Tell the Story

Some of my favorite picture books are the ones that make you look very closely at the illustrations to tell the full story. - I wrote about it in this blog post and again in this one.

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

• Pub date: 2014
• The readers see the nearly found treasure that Sam and Dave miss, and the ending will inspire debate among those who examine the details.

My Teacher is a Monster (No I am Not) by Peter Brown

• Pub Date: 2014
• The teacher slowly becomes more human in the illustrations.

Best Pet of All by David LaRochelle

• Pub Date: 2004
• A boy wants a dog, but he has to settle for a dragon when his mom says no to the dog. Watch for signs that the boy and the dragon might be in it together.

Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb

• Pub Date: 2013
• Readers can see that what Bernadette says is an elephant is really a teapot and the boat is really a banana. But that’s just part of the fun of Bernadette.

Anton Can Do Magic by Ole Konnecke

• Pub Date: 2011
• Anton thinks he can do magic, but readers can see that there is nothing magical going on.

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo

• Pub Date: 2012
• The surprise ending will have readers flipping back through the illustrations throughout the book to see what they missed.

How to Catch a Mouse by Philippa Leathers

• Pub Date: 2015
• Readers will spot the mouse on every page even as Clemmie declares the house "mouse-free."

Lizard from the Park by Mark Pett

• Pub Date: 2015
• A lonely boy finds a lizard to be his friend, but readers will see a potential human friend on most pages.

Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sis

• Pub Date: 2015
• A boy writes letters to his grandfather about his summer, but he may be stretching the truth. 

My Mom has X-Ray Vision by McAllister

• Pub Date: 2011
• See also: End pages, POC on the Cover
• A boy wonders if his mom is a superhero, but decides that she isn't. The illustrations show that he was right.