Picture Books that Go Deep with Fewer Words

I’m continuing to read and study over 100 picture books for Reading For Research Month. It’s amazing how much you’ll learn if you read like a writer. In this post, I wish to focus on three picture books with low word counts, yet their themes go deep. For me, these books are perfect read aloud, mentor texts.

SURF'S UP

written by  Kwame Alexander

illustrated by Daniel Miyares

Pub by NorthSouth Books 2015

This dialogue driven story shows frog friends, Bro and Dude, on a sunny day near the ocean. Bro wants to finish reading his book. But Dude wants to go surfing.
Alexander uses fun language to entice readers to turn the pages and keep reading beyond the last page. 

The story begins - 

SURF’S UP, BRO!             
Not yet, Dude.

A few pages into the story, Bro brings Dude into his book by expressing -

WOWIE KAZOWIE!
WHOA, DADDY-O          

THE RACE

written & Illustrated by Édouard Manceau

Pub by Owlkids Books 2014

Caribou line up for a high spirited race. It doesn't take more than a page turn for some caribou to play unkind tricks in order to win the race. But as they battle for victory, one caribou stops to question what the point is to outrun the next guy. What does it mean to win?

The story begins - 

It begins with a guy, a can of paint, and a paintbrush.

A few pages into the story, most of the caribou are in the race to win.

Quitting is not an option!

Once they're patched up,
the banana-peel survivors hit the ground running.

GREEN LIZARDS VS. RED RECTANGLES

written & Illustrated by Steve Antony

Pub by Hachette Children's Books 2015

With far fewer words, this story is reminiscent of "The Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss. One group is at war with another group for no reason. Us VS Them. Nothing more.

The story begins - 

The Green Lizards and the Red Rectangles were at war.

A few pages into the story, one brave lizard asks: 
WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

But he was SQUASHED, and this led to 

THE BIGGEST WAR EVER.

Until . . . 

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! said one Red Rectangle.