Joseph Kuefler

Narnia meets Where the Wild Things Are in Beyond the Pond, the tale of a young boy embarking of a voyage of the imagination (or is it?). Curious as to what lies in the pond behind his house, Ernest D. decides to explore, diving down and down (with his dog, of course!), until he finally comes to the land on the other side of the pond. Here he has many marvelous adventures, from riding on the back of a massive bird, to fleeing from a rather ghoulish (and giant) primate of some kind. When show more Ernest and his canine companion finally do return to their side of the pond, their new experiences give everything a different look - a different feeling...

It's difficult to believe that this beautifully-crafted picture-book marks the debut of talented newcomer Joseph Kuefler. With a story that is immensely engaging, capturing a child's creative play, and gorgeous artwork that reminded me of a more colorful Jon Klassen, this was a pleasure to peruse, and one of my favorite picture-books of 2015! Many of the visual details - the shipwreck Ernest passes on his long dive, the mouse astride a tiny unicorn, in the magical land beyond - add to the sense of enchantment, while the overall effect of the artwork is to draw the reader into the world(s) being depicted. The text itself is lovely, with moments of storytelling magic - "He dove into lightless stretches and through sunken treasures" - although I could have lived without Ernest's repeated exclamations of "Exceptional." Recommended to any reader who appreciated beautiful picture-books, or stories in which children are engaged either in imaginative play (depending on your interpretation) or exploration of other worlds. show less

Author/illustrator Joseph Kuefler, who made his debut with Beyond the Pond, one of my favorite picture-books of 2015, returns with this third foray into the genre. Like the other construction vehicles, Digger likes to work, building the infrastructure of the city. But when he finds a beautiful blue flower in the rubble, he attempts to protect and nurture this delicate being, only to see it destroyed by Dozer. Is it the end, or can he do something constructive with the seeds...?

A sweet story show more about urban development, and the importance of conserving green spaces, The Digger and the Flower imagines a world in which green growing things must retreat from the city. In this sense, it struck me as being somewhat different from titles like Peter Brown's The Curious Garden, in which the hero manages to carve out green spaces within the city itself. Here, the digger must replant the sees outside the city, in order to preserve them. I think, all told, that I prefer Brown's approach to Kuefler's, although this one had its heart in the right place, and featured lovely artwork. Recommended to anyone looking for vehicle/construction books with a slightly different focus than your run-of-the-mill example of the genre. show less

When Jonah lays claim to the local playground, declaring himself king, the other children all swear loyalty to him. All, that is, save Lennox, who declares herself queen. So begins a royal war, as the two children each strive for dominance over the playground, and all their peers. Eventually they are left to their own devices, as their "subjects" desert them in favor of more amusing play. Then Jonah and Lennox make peace, and all is happy again. Until Augustine decides she must be queen...

An show more amusing picture-book examination of playground politics amongst young children, Rulers of the Playground is the second children's book from author/artist Joseph Kuefler, who made his debut with Beyond the Pond. All in all, I found the story here amusing, and suspect that young children, who are no doubt quite familiar with "king of the hill" type games, will as well. I also enjoyed the illustrations, which capture the humor of the story quite well, especially in the depiction of the growing discontent of the other children. I don't know that I loved this quite as much as Keufler's debut, which was really quite magical, but it is nevertheless an engaging tale. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining playground stories that explore the social dynamics of the kindergarten and primary school set. show less

Two young boys enjoy a sleepover party in this sweetly engaging picture-book from author/illustrator Joseph Kuefler. Using the pillows in the house, from couch cushions to bed pillows, they create any number of imaginary worlds, and enjoy their games of make believe, until finally it is time for bed, and the pillows serve another function...

Having been an admirer of Kuefler's work since the publication of his debut picture-book, Beyond the Pond, back in 2015, I picked up Pillow Places with show more some anticipation. Although not the equal of that earlier book in my estimation, it is nevertheless an engaging title, exploring the friendship and imaginative play of young children. The text is simple and spare, but also poetic, and the artwork expressive. I particularly loved the little black cat which can be seen on every two-page spread, joining in the boys' fun. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for heartwarming bedtime books featuring imaginative play. show less