Aaron Zenz has illustrated 12 books to date, two of which he also wrote: The Hiccupotamus and the forthcoming Chuckling Ducklings. He runs a family book review blog with his kids called Bookie Woogie: his family has around 3000 children's titles in their personal collection.
Take a look at his website.
These are ten of Aaron's favorite picture books:
10. LEONARDO THE TERRIBLE MONSTER by Mo Willems
A main character with great personality. The use of space in the compositions is bold and brilliant. Flawless story beats and perfectly placed page turns.
9. THE SPOOKY OLD TREE by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Regardless of how a person feels about the direction the "Bears" books eventually took (whether good or bad), I dare you to revisit this title and evaluate it on its own merits. It does indeed rock.
8. THE THREE PIGS by David Wiesner
I love metafiction, and this book is perhaps - perhaps - the only example to surpass Grover's classic "Monster at the End of this Book." Leave it to David Wiesner...
7. WHO NEEDS DONUTS? by Mark Alan Stamaty
The art is a shock to the system. Stunning. Overwhelming. Crazy. You could spend a lifetime combing the pictures. And the story is equally absurd and delightful with great themes and text-echoes.
6. SHARK AND LOBSTER'S AMAZING UNDERSEA ADVENTURE by Viviane Schwarz
So. Much. Fun. This is how you tell a story.
5. THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO AND POLO by Dieter Wiesmuller
My favorite illustrations in any book. Crisp cools, rich warms. Lush and lavish.
4. THE ARRIVAL by Shaun Tan
No other book like it. It's epic. It doesn't just "tell" an immigrant's story, it magically (or I suppose, skillfully) brings us INTO the very experience.
3. THE CINDER-EYED CATS by Eric Rohmann
The images are so powerful, it would have been a great wordless book. It's the picture book that captured my heart, compelling me to create my own worlds. For that I will always be thankful.
A main character with great personality. The use of space in the compositions is bold and brilliant. Flawless story beats and perfectly placed page turns.
9. THE SPOOKY OLD TREE by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Regardless of how a person feels about the direction the "Bears" books eventually took (whether good or bad), I dare you to revisit this title and evaluate it on its own merits. It does indeed rock.
8. THE THREE PIGS by David Wiesner
I love metafiction, and this book is perhaps - perhaps - the only example to surpass Grover's classic "Monster at the End of this Book." Leave it to David Wiesner...
7. WHO NEEDS DONUTS? by Mark Alan Stamaty
The art is a shock to the system. Stunning. Overwhelming. Crazy. You could spend a lifetime combing the pictures. And the story is equally absurd and delightful with great themes and text-echoes.
6. SHARK AND LOBSTER'S AMAZING UNDERSEA ADVENTURE by Viviane Schwarz
So. Much. Fun. This is how you tell a story.
5. THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO AND POLO by Dieter Wiesmuller
My favorite illustrations in any book. Crisp cools, rich warms. Lush and lavish.
4. THE ARRIVAL by Shaun Tan
No other book like it. It's epic. It doesn't just "tell" an immigrant's story, it magically (or I suppose, skillfully) brings us INTO the very experience.
3. THE CINDER-EYED CATS by Eric Rohmann
The images are so powerful, it would have been a great wordless book. It's the picture book that captured my heart, compelling me to create my own worlds. For that I will always be thankful.
2. SHADOW by Suzy Lee
This book JUST came out, but already it rocketed high up my list of favorite books of all time, and will stay there for all foreseeable future. Wow, wow, wow. Full of drama, beauty, emotion, enchantment, play... How did she achieve all this in 32 pages??? It is so perfect, I've wanted to cry while reading it.
1. BLACK AND WHITE by David Macaulay
After the Bible, it's my favorite book of any kind. Four stories? One story? Who knows. The number of interconnecting details from story to story seems limitless. I've discovered some new hidden surprise literally every time I've revisited the book. The sheer number of playful components that tie this book together, then pull it apart, only to tie it back together, always keeps it at the top of my list.
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