Matt Faulkner – illustratör

En mi corazón quiero saberQue cuando terminen mis díasEstados UnidosEstados UnidosTe di lo mejor de mi vidaEste libro es una celebración del espíritu americano. Es una oda al sentido de servicio y deber que comparten muchos estadounidenses, y un mensaje de esperanza para un futuro mejor; uno que nos une a través de generaciones y canta el sueño de un hermoso mañana.Acompañado por una impresionante variedad de ilustraciones hechas por trece artistas, cada uno de los cuales comparte lo que Estados Unidos significa para ellos, Himno americano honra a las personas que trabajan juntas, todos los días, para construir un mundo mejor para su familia, su comunidad y su país.

Based on the song that President Joe Biden quoted in his inaugural address, this picture book celebrates the beauty and diversity of this country and the legacies on which we build our future. As President Joe Biden delivered his inaugural address, he quoted from a song that fully captured his own spirit of service: “The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day. What shall be our legacy? What will our children say? Let me know in my heart, when my days are through—America, America, I gave my best to you.” It was a sentiment that spoke not only to our new president’s character, but to the sense of pride in duty and purpose for the sake of a country we hold dear. And it contained a message of quiet patriotism that so many of us hope to share with the next generation. In this new picture book, using the full text of the song President Biden quoted, we do just that. With words that speak to the soul of our nation, and art from twelve different illustrators, all depicting what America means to them, we take readers on a journey through this beautiful country—its history, its struggles, and its dignity—and throughout, we count our own blessings and think about how we can do more to share them with others, and give our best to our country and everyone in it.

Four starred reviews! “Evocative prose and illustrations bring to life…[the] heart-wrenching decisions and considerations that Japanese Americans had to face…[and] their endurance, sacrifices, and resilience.” —Susan H. Kamei, author of When Can We Go Back to America? Told in a brilliant blend of prose and graphic novel, this “magnificent, essential” (Booklist, starred review) middle grade story about a Japanese American family during World War II is written and illustrated by Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature winner Matt Faulkner.Manzanar is nothing like home. Yet the relocation center is where Mari and her family have to live, now that the government has decided that Japanese Americans aren’t American enough. Determined to prove them wrong, Mari’s brother Mak has joined the army and is heading off to war. In protest, Mari has stopped talking for the duration of the war. Or at least until Mak comes home safe. Still, Mari has no trouble expressing herself through her drawings. Mak, too, expresses himself in his letters home, first from training camp and later from the front lines of World War II, where he is fighting with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. But while his letters are reassuring, reality is not: Mak is facing danger at every turn, from racism within the army to violence on the battlefield. In turns humorous and heartbreaking, Mari and Mak’s story will stick with readers long after the last page.

When a jittery, jumpy kid is separated from his older brothers on Halloween night and finds himself alone on Monster Street, he fears the worst!The boy's dread of things that go bump in the night fills his head with monstrous thoughts. Lightning flashes. Bats flap overhead. Doors squeak open. Hairy arms and tentacles drop spiders into his sack. The boy is relieved when he finally meets up with another trick-or-treater. That is, until his new friend removes his mask...Illustrator Matt Faulkner's ghoulishly entertaining illustrations capture the playful mood of Danny Schnitzlein's clever verse. Children will love the surprising twists and turns of the plot, especially how the young hero conquers his fears...with a little help from his new fiendish friends.

This hilarious picture book from author Danny Schnitzlein will have picky eaters begging for more.What do you dread eating the most? For one young boy, it's peas, but he's discovered a seemingly simple solution. He makes a bargain with a fiendishly funny monster who will eat the boy's peas in exchange for his soccer ball. But soon, peas are on the menu again and with each new encounter, the monster's demands escalate. Eventually, our hero faces a daunting decision―can he conquer his loathing for peas, or will he lose his most prized possession?Danny Schnitzlein's verse combines with Matt Faulkner's uproariously detailed illustrations to create a clever story about how far we're willing to go to avoid the things we hate.

Every parent needs a break sometimes! Single parent Squirrel learns to lean on friends in this heartwarming and funny picture book about family and community.Squirrel is at his wits' end after a long winter inside with his kits. His friends--the other woodland creatures--decide to work together to give him a much-deserved break. They hatch a plan to take turns helping Squirrel relax while they entertain the kits. Squirrel enjoys a day of self care, as the kits play, bake, and do fun activities with the other animals. It doesn't take long for Squirrel's friends to realize just how hard he works each day.Full of humor, this book embodies the message that it takes a village--or, in this case, a forest--to raise a family!

Owl is hosting a Fall Feast, and Platypus—his favorite didgeridoo musician—is joining! But what do you serve someone who is mammal, bird, and reptile? A funny and relatable picture book perfect for Thanksgiving and for parents looking to teach 3-7-year-old kids about accepting differences, looking beyond stereotypes, and friendship.Owl is so excited to meet Platypus—his favorite didgeridoo musician, who just confirmed he'd be part of Owl's Fall Feast! Owl is over the moon! But there is just one problem: What does Platypus eat?Checking in with his friends offers no good insight. In fact, he learns that Groundhog is lactose intolerant, Hare has an allergy to carrots, Sparrow is a vegetarian, and Tortoise prefers to eat the flower centerpiece!Will Owl be able to see past his preconceptions of his friends and other species, and be accepting to everyone's differences? Full of humor and tenderness, this book teaches readers valuable social-emotional lessons of accepting others for who they are.

This hilarious picture book from author Danny Schnitzlein will have little pea-phobes, picky eaters, and monster lovers begging for repeated reads.What do you dread eating the most? For one young boy, it's peas, but he's discovered a solution."I closed my eyes tightly and sent out a wishThat the peas would somehow disappear from my dishAnd something quite strange and mysterious occurred,As if somehow. . . somebody. . . somewhere had heard."He makes a bargain with a fiendishly funny monster who will eat the boy's peas in exchange for a soccer ball. But with each new encounter, the monster's demands escalate. Eventually, our hero faces a daunting decision?can he conquer his loathing for peas, or will he lose his most prized possession?Danny Schnitzlein's Seuss-inspired verse combine with Matt Faulkner's uproariously detailed illustrations to create a clever story about how far we're willing to go to avoid the things we hate.