Adam Lehrhaupt

The young narrator of this lovely picture-book tribute to the artist in all of us maintains (as per the title) that he doesn't draw, but rather, he colors. Although not a talented draftsman - his cars looks like boxes and his puppies like mush - he uses colors to express his emotional state, and to communicate to others how he feels about the world around him.

The seventh picture-book I have read from American children's author Adam Lehrhaupt, but the first from Italian illustrator Felicita show more Sala, I Don't Draw, I Color! offers a perceptive look at the creative impulse in young children, encouraging those reading and/or listening to it to explore their own artistic talents, even if they can't draw. The artwork is vibrantly colored, as one would expect, given the subject matter, and complements the narrative perfectly. Recommended to all young would-be artists, and also to all young people who imagine they aren't artists, because they lack some certain skill. show less

Zoey was a chicken who marched to the beat of a different drummer. She had dreams... and a plan... and a porcine friend named Sam. Enlisting Sam in her grand adventure of exploring space, Zoey approached some of the other barnyard animals, who each declined to join, for various reasons. Undeterred, she and Sam set out in a basket borne aloft by balloons, encountering an asteroid (baseball), a comet (kite), and some alien spaceships (birds in flight). Eventually coming down to earth, she and show more Sam shared their amazing adventures with their less venturesome friends...

An amusing tale of a barnyard animal with a special dream, Chicken In Space reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Rose Stanton's recent Peddles, which follows the story of a pig who also dreams big. I enjoyed the humor in Adam Lehrhaupt's narrative, and appreciated Zoey's flights of fancy, as she reinvents each new event in stellar terms. The artwork by Israeli illustrator Shahar Kober is likewise amusing, capturing the range of emotions, from puzzled to alarmed, on each animal's face. I particularly liked the scene in which an inquisitive Zoey leans down to speak to Pip the bespectacled mouse, clinging to his reed and looking rather afraid - quite charming! Recommended to younger children who enjoy barnyard tales with a twist. show less

Theodore the dragon lurks in his dark, quiet cave, uninterested in eating the various creatures that come by and visit him. Then a persistent little boy with a sword comes charging in, and won't leave him alone. Finally roused from his apathy, Theodore gives chase, interested in eating someone at last. But the boy's laughter dissuades him, and he joins in the fun and games instead. After all... he can always eat the boy later!

I enjoyed I Will Not Eat You, appreciating both the humorous story show more from author Adam Lehrhaupt, and the appealing illustrations from artist Scott Magoon. It's clear that what Theodore really needed was not a snack, but rather some company and amusement, which is exactly what the boy provided. The final line of the story gives a nice Jon Klassen style ending to the book, with the implication that some eating might still occur. Magoon's artwork, in which Theodore does not appear for some ways into the book, is engrossing. I particularly liked the scene in which the boy falls down, and a magical red Theodore looms over him - just lovely! Recommended to all young children who dream of dragons, or to anyone looking for children's stories about imaginative play. show less

Verb is happy being the active center of attention, until Noun comes along and steals the show with the many people, places and things he can be. She tries to steal the show back, reacting to each of Noun's new manifestations, until a threatening bee approaches, and she realizes that without her intervention, Noun is helpless...

Author Adam Lehrhaupt takes the parts of speech - Noun, Verb, Interjection, Adjective, and Adverb - and crafts a tale of initial jealousy and then budding friendship show more in Wordplay. I liked the premise here, and think the story could work as an introduction to the functions of the different parts of speech - there is a brief afterword spelling things out explicitly - provided there is some adult guidance available to help younger children with the concepts. The artwork by Jared Chapman is colorful and bright, although not really to my taste. Recommended to those looking for a more creative, story-based introduction to the parts of speech for very young children. show less