Picture Book Reviews: Zoey’s Cheer-Me-Up Chest & Before You Came

Hello, lovely readers! Thanks to the very kind folks at Canadian publisher Peanut Butter Press, I have two picture books on the review docket. First up, we’ll take a look at Zoey’s Cheer-Up-Chest by written by Anne Renaud, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, and then we’ll take a look at Before You Came by Anne Renaud, illustrated by Nahid Kazemi. Happy reading!

In Zoey’s Cheer-Me-Up Chest, by award-winning prolific Canadian author Anne Renaud and illustrator Gabrielle Grimard (Stolen Words, by Melanie Florence) bring readers a gently reassuring picture book, with beautifully warm and cozy illustrations. On the morning of their father’s birthday, twins Mathew and Mathilda race down the stairs in anticipation of preparing their father a wonderful breakfast bonanza. But when they arrive at the kitchen, they find their little sister Zoey looking very glum while sitting alone at the table. When they prod their sister, Zoey replies that she can’t make and create things as grand as her bigger siblings- she’s younger and smaller and can’t make gifts as special as theirs! Mathew and Mathilda are lovely, encouraging siblings, reassuring Zoey that handmade card she has made for their dad is, in fact, splendid! The twins then share that sometimes they felt sad about not being to do certain things when they were younger, but their teacher had them create special “cheer-me-up” boxes, filled with notes of reminders of the amazing things they can do! Tying shoelaces and learning to tell time- those would be the sorts of things that would go in a box- happy reminders that tell you are capable of great things, no matter how young you are. With Zoey still not believing her brother and sister, she grumbles off, not appreciating being called a “grumpy groundhog”. Still in a funk, readers watch as Zoey slowly but surely comes to realize that she can do all sorts of things, even as a kindergartener, and maybe discover a way to create a unique cheer-me-chest all on her own. A fully realized story, balanced perfectly with Grimard’s graceful, delicate and familiar-feeling artwork, Zoey’s Cheer-Me-Up Chest is an altogether genial story with compassionate siblings and great turn of character realization that might inspire young readers to create their very own cheer-up treasure boxes!

Before You Came, also written by Anne Renaud, with illustrations by Nahid Kazemi, is beautifully poetic picture book that speaks to the unfathomably deep love and vast spread of emotions that a parent can hold for a child- even before they have arrived. This is a contemplative picture book which reads like the most loving embrace of words being spoken to a little one; of dreams, of yearning, of imagining cradling and rocking. In the vein of picture books perfect for expectant parents or new caregivers, Before You Came sits well along with more lyrical picture books such as I Sang You Home, Little You, Sweetest Kulu, All the World, and more. Nahid Kazemi, an illustrator you may immediately recognize from their art for the award-winning picture book The Sour Cherry Tree (by Naseem Hrab), or The Old Woman (by Joanne F. Schwartz), brings their contemporary yet whimsical feel to Renaud’s writing. The pictorial spreads match and capture the essence of Renaud’s sublime words: going between warm colours, and flashes of blush and red, signifying perhaps glows of hope, of deepest anticipation and joy; while other spreads are cooler toned, and more abstract, perhaps signifying deep-seated feelings of worry and uncertainty. Before You Came is a unique picture book to be sure, so beautiful and heartfelt, with standout, unique artwork, and I hope this quiet yet potent gem finds its own loving niche of appreciative readers!

I received copies of both books in exchange for honest reviews courtesy of Peanut Butter Press. All opinions and comments are my own.