The illustrations are inviting and vibrant on the two page spreads and use a lot of white space on others so we can focus in on the drawings. Mary Murphys brilliant split page board book is perfect for helping little ones learn to mix and match. People that are diversely represented by colour by gender and by abilities and that we all have our own thoughts and “Only I know how to be me. Then she brings it all back by connecting it to people. One of the many beautiful things about this book is that Murphy does not stick with animals, we learn about the earth, the stars and the universe – that every single thing or living being is different. HELLO I do miss saying HELLO to you all in person. Murphy begins the book by explaining how a tree is able to do turn sunshine into food and how it can provide a home and shelter and states “ Only a Tree knows how to be a tree.” From there we are logically taken to a bird and what makes it unique always ending with Only a _knows how to be a _. Only a Tree knows how to be a tree is a simplistic but important message to young and old readers alike. I am going to go back into the archives a bit to March 10 of this year and offer Only a Tree knows how to be a tree for your consideration. As always, there are many books worthy of this special event and released appropriately so, in August and September to fit this niche. crocopotamus-mix-and-match-the-wild-animals-by-mary 2/21 Downloaded from on by guest right for easy manipulation by little hands, and bright, bold animals wait to be mixed up again and again. It’s back to school time and teachers will be looking for that perfect first #classroombookaday and/or story to share with their students. Mary Murphy is a new author illustrator to me but I definitely will be spending some time checking out her other books.

Crocopotamus by Mary Murphy