Jonathan Stutzman
Author of Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug
About the Author
Image credit: Photo Credit: Heather Fox
Series
Works by Jonathan Stutzman
Uh-Oh, Hugo! 6 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- children's book author
filmmaker - Agent
- Elena Giovinazzo (Pippin Properties Inc)
- Short biography
- Jonathan Stutzman is an award-winning filmmaker and writer of books for children. His short films have screened around the world and on television, and his is a contributing writer to the best selling collection The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories. Despite his association with tiny things, he is actually rather tall. Jonathan loves reading, making up stories, and being silly. He lives in the wilds of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife and French bulldog, and he is a staunch believer in
impossible things and the power of hugs. [from Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug, 2019] - Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Pennsylvania, USA
Members
Reviews
The wonders of the night are explored in this rhyming picture-book from author Jonathan Stutzman and illustrator Joseph Kuefler, from the domestic rituals of a family getting ready for bed, to the nighttime activities of the local wildlife. The artwork depicts a family moving house, driving through the dark to their new home, and passing many nocturnal creatures along the way. Once arrived, the family get settled, and then prepare for bed...
I enjoyed the gentle, celebratory feeling of The show more Night Is for Darkness, which takes something that is often feared by young children - namely, the dark - and captures its sense of welcoming peace. I also enjoyed the artwork, which I found absolutely lovely, particularly in the more naturalistic scenes depicting animals. The deer and fox caught in the headlight, for instance, were beautifully done, and reminded me of the sense of wonder I once felt as a girl, when traveling home in the car at night with my parents. As it happens, I picked this one up because of the artwork, as I have enjoyed many of Kuefler's previous picture-books. I also greatly appreciated the scene in which the two children are praying, before bed. This really stood out to me, given the absence of even casual reference to religious belief and practice, in most mainstream children's books here in the states, unless it be a holiday story, or an exploration of non-Christian experiences.** As someone who reads hundreds of picture-books, I can't recall the last recently published bedtime book that I have encountered, that makes mention of bedtime prayers, and this despite the fact that it cannot be that uncommon of a cultural/religious practice, given the demographics here in the states.
Leaving that very positive note aside, I do feel that The Night Is for Darkness, despite its good qualities, was not entirely successful. The narrative and illustrative attention was too divided, and in the end, I felt that author and illustrator should have chosen either to concentrate on the beauty of the nighttime world, as seen by the family from their car, or on the domestic routine of the family, as they prepared for bed. By attempting to combine the two, I thought the book was doing too much, and not succeeding completely in either element. Tastes vary, of course, so others might not feel this way. Picture-book readers seeking lovely bedtime books might still want to give this one a try, and see if it works for them.
**I should note that this critique applies only to mainstream publishing. There is, of course, a booming Christian publishing sector, where this lack of representation does not occur. Unfortunately, books from Christian publishers do not make their way into public libraries as reliably as those from secular mainstream publishers, meaning that this lack of representation, in the books available to many children today, is still an issue. show less
I enjoyed the gentle, celebratory feeling of The show more Night Is for Darkness, which takes something that is often feared by young children - namely, the dark - and captures its sense of welcoming peace. I also enjoyed the artwork, which I found absolutely lovely, particularly in the more naturalistic scenes depicting animals. The deer and fox caught in the headlight, for instance, were beautifully done, and reminded me of the sense of wonder I once felt as a girl, when traveling home in the car at night with my parents. As it happens, I picked this one up because of the artwork, as I have enjoyed many of Kuefler's previous picture-books. I also greatly appreciated the scene in which the two children are praying, before bed. This really stood out to me, given the absence of even casual reference to religious belief and practice, in most mainstream children's books here in the states, unless it be a holiday story, or an exploration of non-Christian experiences.** As someone who reads hundreds of picture-books, I can't recall the last recently published bedtime book that I have encountered, that makes mention of bedtime prayers, and this despite the fact that it cannot be that uncommon of a cultural/religious practice, given the demographics here in the states.
Leaving that very positive note aside, I do feel that The Night Is for Darkness, despite its good qualities, was not entirely successful. The narrative and illustrative attention was too divided, and in the end, I felt that author and illustrator should have chosen either to concentrate on the beauty of the nighttime world, as seen by the family from their car, or on the domestic routine of the family, as they prepared for bed. By attempting to combine the two, I thought the book was doing too much, and not succeeding completely in either element. Tastes vary, of course, so others might not feel this way. Picture-book readers seeking lovely bedtime books might still want to give this one a try, and see if it works for them.
**I should note that this critique applies only to mainstream publishing. There is, of course, a booming Christian publishing sector, where this lack of representation does not occur. Unfortunately, books from Christian publishers do not make their way into public libraries as reliably as those from secular mainstream publishers, meaning that this lack of representation, in the books available to many children today, is still an issue. show less
Tiny's friend Pointy feels sad, so Tiny wants to figure out how to hug his friend despite having such tiny arms. He goes to several family members for advice and even has a training montage.
I was drawn to this one by Tiny's incredibly cute design. Pointy (a stegosaurus) was also pretty cute.
I loved the dry humor in this. At one point, Tiny's mother tells him some uplifting stuff, and his response is hilariously practical: "I cannot hug with my heart."
If there was one thing that vaguely show more bugged me about this, it was that Tiny never once asked Pointy what was wrong. Still, the story was amusing, and Tiny's efforts were at least appreciated by his friend.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) show less
I was drawn to this one by Tiny's incredibly cute design. Pointy (a stegosaurus) was also pretty cute.
I loved the dry humor in this. At one point, Tiny's mother tells him some uplifting stuff, and his response is hilariously practical: "I cannot hug with my heart."
If there was one thing that vaguely show more bugged me about this, it was that Tiny never once asked Pointy what was wrong. Still, the story was amusing, and Tiny's efforts were at least appreciated by his friend.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) show less
Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark: (Read-Aloud Family Books, Dinosaurs Kids Book About Fear of Darkness) by Jonathan Stutzman
Even monsters can be afraid of the dark dark, and tiny T Rex brings the message across the the sweetest way.
Camping outside is tons of fun...if there were nighty-lights outside. With his friend's help, T. Rex plans the best means to keep scary Grumbles and Nom-bies away. Even with the best constructions and ideas, the dark dark doesn't disappear. So, T Rex has to come up with another solution.
T. Rex is a sweet little rex. It's impossible not to like him as he prances around in his pajamas show more and tries to be brave when faced with something most kids don't care for—the dark dark. The support of his friend is inspiring and warming as the two of them try to come up with ideas. The entire situation will be easy for listeners to identify with, and they'll be able to put themselves into T. Rex's shoes and feel for him.
The illustrations are simple but carry the needed impact. T. Rex's predicament and the emotions surrounding it come across loud and clear. And yet, there's a tiny bit of humor and lightness built in, to ensure a few smiles along the way. It's hard not to like T. Rex as he drags his 'squish' around with him and is determined to overcome his fear to enjoy the fun of camping outside.
Summed up, this is a sweet book which attacks a fear many young listeners face themselves. It demonstrates that through friendship, determination and remembering a loving parent's wise words, the dark dark isn't hard to defeat after all.
I received an ARC and found this read to be such a great, cute way to take on a fear many young readers have themselves. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts. show less
Camping outside is tons of fun...if there were nighty-lights outside. With his friend's help, T. Rex plans the best means to keep scary Grumbles and Nom-bies away. Even with the best constructions and ideas, the dark dark doesn't disappear. So, T Rex has to come up with another solution.
T. Rex is a sweet little rex. It's impossible not to like him as he prances around in his pajamas show more and tries to be brave when faced with something most kids don't care for—the dark dark. The support of his friend is inspiring and warming as the two of them try to come up with ideas. The entire situation will be easy for listeners to identify with, and they'll be able to put themselves into T. Rex's shoes and feel for him.
The illustrations are simple but carry the needed impact. T. Rex's predicament and the emotions surrounding it come across loud and clear. And yet, there's a tiny bit of humor and lightness built in, to ensure a few smiles along the way. It's hard not to like T. Rex as he drags his 'squish' around with him and is determined to overcome his fear to enjoy the fun of camping outside.
Summed up, this is a sweet book which attacks a fear many young listeners face themselves. It demonstrates that through friendship, determination and remembering a loving parent's wise words, the dark dark isn't hard to defeat after all.
I received an ARC and found this read to be such a great, cute way to take on a fear many young readers have themselves. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts. show less
OMG. So books about childhood stuffed animals, growing old with them, and then giving the animals new life when the child has become an adult and has a child of their own.....I'm seeing this in books a lot more AND I AM HERE FOR IT.
My goodness, this is adorable. Dan Santat's illustrations perfectly encapsulate Bear's adventures and everything they are (a shoulder to cry on, their make believe friend, etc.). The look on Bear's face when he sees his new young friend was my favorite.
And yes, show more as a new mom who will share her toys with Audrey......I shed a few tears. show less
My goodness, this is adorable. Dan Santat's illustrations perfectly encapsulate Bear's adventures and everything they are (a shoulder to cry on, their make believe friend, etc.). The look on Bear's face when he sees his new young friend was my favorite.
And yes, show more as a new mom who will share her toys with Audrey......I shed a few tears. show less
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- Works
- 25
- Members
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- Rating
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- Reviews
- 45
- ISBNs
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