CCBC Booklists

CCBC Review:

This picture book biography of Arnold Lobel opens with a discussion of wet socks. It’s the first of many examples that help readers consider how the outside makes them feel on the inside (in the case of wet socks, pretty uncomfortable). In Arnold’s case, getting sick as a young child—whether from wet socks or not—influenced his creative development. He spent many months in the hospital, drawing and looking out the window. He grew up to become an artist, though it took him a while to figure out how to let his curious, quirky self tell stories the way he wanted to tell them. The text in this biography is both playful and informative; the author uses second-person point-of-view to speak directly to readers while keeping the narrative centered on Arnold. The artwork is equally important; acrylic gouache, pen, and ink illustrations give a nod to Arnold’s style but are also uniquely the work of Emmy Kastner. A variety of layouts encourages engagement with the story, from double-page spreads of spot art reminiscent of a rebus, to fanciful borders and paneled scenes from his life. The book also brings a contemporary lens to Arnold’s private life as a gay man, ascribing deeper meaning to the book’s title. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Emmy Kastner

CCBC Age Recommendation: 8-12
Age Range: Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10) Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Formats: Biography, Autobiography and Memoir Picture book
Subjects: Art and Artists Biography Books and Reading Feelings/Emotions Gays Writers and Writing
Diversity subject: LGBTQ Character/Topic
On CCBC Booklist: Picture Books for Older Children and Teens: Never Too Old 

Publishers: Penguin Random House, Viking
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780593692509
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 920 Lobel

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