Ursula Upside Down

A welcome reminder to embrace your view of the world. (Picture book. 4-9)

Readers will also note several other species in the picture that share the duo’s outlook, offering a funny and final reminder that perspective need not be isolating. Ages 4-8.

Caldecott Honoree Tabor has once again found a subject that aligns well with his love of flipped formats: the upside down catfish, which an author's note states lives in Africa's Congo River basin. Pink, plump, and whimsically whiskered, Ursula lives in a "wonderful world"--signature-style illustrations depict a blissful underwater environment in sun-streaked, translucent aquatic tones. There, "river weeds waved from above. Rays of sun shimmered from below," and insects on the water's surface are ripe for the picking. But when another fish indicates that Ursula is upside down relative to others in their shared habitat ("Just look around!" it says), doubt sets in. Ursula upends her orientation (Tabor instructs readers to turn the book accordingly) and ends up thoroughly confused ("Was left right?! Was right wrong?! Which way was even up?!")--and dangerously stranded on the shore. She encounters an ideal rescuer in Vern, a kindly bat; when Ursula notes that Vern is "upside down too!" after Vern rolls her back into the water and returns to his hanging position in a tree, Vern replies blithely, "Upside down?... Says who?" Readers will also note several other species in the picture that share the duo's outlook, offering a funny and final reminder that perspective need not be isolating. Ages 4-8. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (May)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"Caldecott Honoree Tabor has once again found a subject that aligns well with his love of flipped formats. Pink, plump, and whimsically whiskered, Ursula lives in a "wonderful world"—signature-style illustrations depict a blissful underwater environment in sun-streaked, translucent aquatic tones. Offering a funny reminder that perspective need not be isolating." — Publishers Weekly

Praise for SIMON AND THE BETTER BONE: "The illustrations are so warm and scribbly one can almost feel the yarn and fluff of this dog. The moral here is that our reflections contain not only what we possess, but also what we have lost and what we have given— in an act of kindness — away." — New York Times

"Giving readers a front-row seat to a comical encounter based on Aesop's "The Dog and His Reflection," Tabor once again takes a picture book's physical form into account, asking readers to open it vertically. Digitally assembled pencil, colored pencil, and acrylic art, which combines textures scribbly and velvety, chronicles Simon's unsuccessful attempts to best his "scrawny little" rival with a series of challenges and a "polite warning." Is Simon a silly dog? Of course—and a real sweetheart, too." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Young listeners will explode into giggles as they recognize Simon's toddlerlike mistakes, all the while appreciating his good (and not-so-good) intentions. Tabor's smudgy illustrations depict Simon with warmth and humor in a gentle park setting... the author/illustrator also deftly folds in a joke-filled lesson about sharing and friendship. Kids will fall in love with this enticing introduction to Aesop—and with Simon. A charming, clever, and feel-good version of a classic fable." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"This book's unique orientation cleverly uses the gutter in the vertical double-page spreads to show Simon and his reflection. Tabor effectively uses simple lines and curves to show Simon's dynamic emotions and movements. The pastel color palette complements the gentle tone, while the exuberant scribbles in colored pencil and joyful dabs of acrylic paint underscore the childlike spirit of the story. This is sure to be a storytime favorite." — Booklist

"Tabor updates Aesop's Fable "The Dog and His Reflection" with a little more goofiness and a bit less pedantry, and the clever unfolding layout of pages to reveal Simon's reflection immediately brings kids in on the joke, ensuring storytime engagement. Smudgy, dappled textures in pastoral hues make a cheerful background for shaggy brown Simon whose expressive tail and ears effortlessly convey his joy, frustration, and glee." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Tabor's book once again makes smart use of vertical orientation to enhance this story. The preschoolers at whom this playful story is aimed will delight in being one up on the main character. Friendly pastel-hued illustrations with white space and loose, energetic lines capture the abundant vigor of a young pup. The egocentric stage of a child's development has never been so expertly (and adorably) depicted." — The Horn Book

Praise for MEL FELL: "The mixed media drawings, alive with wonderful textures and soft colors, show Mel executing an impressive aerial somersault before blithely hurtling headfirst in parallel with the tree trunk as inhabitants below are thrown into comic panic, convinced that Mel's dive-bombing will result in disaster.... 'Hope' may be the thing with feathers, but Mel proves that 'gutsy' can be, too." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Young people, who find themselves on the precipice of new activities, routines, schools, and challenges so frequently, will savor this little kingfisher's success and perhaps feel they can right themselves the next time they fall into a downward spiral....Encourages children to feel brave, to try, and to believe they can soar." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"There's a good deal of humor in this lighthearted story; a slug keeps promising to help but never makes it far, and a fly is liberated ("I'm free!") from the spider's web when Mel falls through it. Tabor's relaxed, loose-lined illustrations capture the energy of the fall as well as Mel's endearing, determined personality." — Horn Book (starred review)