Philip & Erin Stead - Author/Illustrator Duo

For most books, I go to the library or B&N and read it first. It’s got to make me laugh out loud, bring a solid tear, or at least make me hold the book to my heart and say “awwwww” for me to consider buying. If I don’t have one of those reactions, I seriously don’t bother. Why spend my hard-earned money on a book that doesn’t absolutely brighten my day or touch my heart in some way? BUT I make a few exceptions. There are a few author/illustrator teams I specifically watch and wait in avid anticipation for their next masterpiece.  If they write a book, I buy it. I don’t go to the library and read it first. I don’t read reviews. I don’t look at the price (for very long). I just buy it. 

One of those author/illustrator teams is Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead. Yep, husband and wife. Philip is the writer, Erin is the illustrator. Their first book won the 2011 Caldecott medal, “A Sick Day for Amos McGee”. Their second book, “Bear Has a Story to Tell” received the E.B.White Read Aloud Honor. But don’t be all wow’d by the medals - there are many award-winning books I don’t buy. But these… these you will love. Their third book together is “Lenny and Lucy” and after 3 different hold-the-book-to-my-heart “awwww’ moments, I knew I loved it just as much as their first two. 

So, Philip and Erin always have animals involved in their story - either animals are ALL the characters, like “Bear Has a Story to Tell” or animals are interacting with people, like “Lenny & Lucy” and “Sick Day for Amos McGee”.  Many authors personify animals successfully (William Steig, Kevin Henkes, etc) but Philip has a way of not just making animals seem human, but also making me fall in love with them from the first page! Like a please-move-next-door, could-talk-for-hours, i’ll-bring-you-chocolate-when-you’re-sad human. “Sick Day for Amos McGee” had me falling in love with an elephant, a tortoise, a penguin, a rhinoceros, and an owl all at once! Part of it is Erin’s amazing illustrations - the way she makes each animal look happy or sad or tired or proud is absolute genius. The other part is Philip’s words - or lack of them.  He doesn’t use a lot of words, and I love that! He is able to get right down to the few words it would take to describe a specific action the character is doing - and that action is always what describes the endearing essence of that character. The action he chooses always describes the very thing that will make you love them. For example, here is one sentence that goes on for 5 pages, one phrase per page.  

See if you don’t love these animals!

“He would play chess with the elephant (who thought and thought before making a move)

Run races with the tortoise (who never ever lost)

Sit quietly with the penguin (who was very shy)

Lend a handkerchief to the rhinoceros (who always had a runny nose)

And, at sunset, read stories to the owl (who was afraid of the dark). 

Adorable, right?  I mean, you love Amos who is doing these things for the animals, but you also love the animals.  Endearing heart-warming stuff. Just wait till you finish the rest of the book… definite “awwww” moment. The book teaches kindness without telling me to be kind, or how to be kind, and without preaching to me.  I felt my heart soften in the best possible way - through my own thoughts. This is why so many authors use animals- it’s a way of teaching without making the child face that exact situation. But for many authors, I still feel like I’m in school by the end no matter how many animals they use. I love to learn by watching others, drawing my own conclusions, softening my heart with my own thoughts. And Philip Stead is the master of letting me do that. Who wants to feel like they’re in school when they read a picture book?  Not me. 

If you’re a dog-lover, you must read “Lenny & Lucy”. The way the boy (Peter) and this dog (Harold) interact is just heaven. Peter and his Dad move to a new house and Peter feels nervous about the dark woods nearby. I’ll let you find out who Lenny and Lucy are - (clue: they are not animals or people!) but you will seriously love them. Again, Erin’s illustrations in this are brilliant. I wanted to bring everybody home with me. This would be the perfect book to read if you are moving soon and your kids feel nervous. Lots of relatable themes to talk about through the safe means of a picture book. 

Philip Stead also wrote and illustrated several books by himself. “Samson in the Snow” and “Sebastian and the Balloon” are my two favorite.  Samson is a wooly mammoth who makes friends with a teeny mouse and a small red bird in the midst of a snowstorm. It’s unlikely that they would find each other but it’s clear that it’s no coincidence. A cold snowy book that absolutely warmed my heart.  “A Home for Bird” and “Hello, My Name is Ruby” are also by Philip and were always checked out from the library. You’ll probably have to place a hold in order to read any of his books, but it will be worth it. 

Erin Stead illustrated two of my favorite books by Julie Fogliano, “If You Want to See a Whale” and “And Then It’s Spring”.  Both involve a boy and a dog (so, I’m obviously hooked in right there). Julie Fogliano is a real poet - amazing writing, you can visualize just what she is saying, and it’s not too many words to read out loud. Erin Stead also illustrated ‘The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles” by Michelle Cuevas - ok I’ll admit I just bought this one because of the illustrator, but this… this story is just awesome. It’s about a lovely man (and a cat) whose job is delivering any bottled messages he finds in the sea. You will love him and the way he finds friends. I loved the idea, loved the way she wrote it - I could literally feel the man’s loneliness, it made my heart ache. But at the end, his “heart was a glass vessel filled to the brim”. Beautiful. Again, so so endearing. My favorite spread in this book is when everyone is facing the ocean away from the reader, sitting on chairs. Check out all the different hats. Erin is a master. 

So, when will Erin and Philip Stead make another book?  I’m impatiently waiting…