What's Sweeter

by June Tate (Author) June Tate (Illustrator)

What's Sweeter
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Author-illustrator June Tate makes her debut with a heartwarming picture book comparing the seemingly small but tenderly profound moments hidden in our world. A modern-day classic in the making for fans of Margaret Wise Brown and William Steig.

This extraordinary book focuses on the everyday moments that slow the world down for us: a hug from someone we haven't seen in a long time, the soft spot behind a cat's ear, a ladybug landing on your arm.

And in the end, the answer to the question of what's sweeter rings truest of all.

The perfect gift for occasions ranging from celebrations like birthdays and graduation to a just-because gift appreciating someone. Pass this book to the sweetest around you.

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Kirkus

A soothing bedtime read. A quiet book that will help readers experience and reflect on the rich sensations of life.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--In a meandering tone similar to The Happiness of a Dog with a Ball in its Mouth, this book takes the form of a list of the sweet things in life. At first, the text follows a formula of "what's sweeter than," for example, "how little ducks walk in a row." The template breaks mid-book in a refreshing change to "Is there anything sweeter," ending with "no, nothing could be sweeter, except maybe you." Some of the listed topics are concrete ("the soft spot behind a cat's ear"), others more abstract ("when something fits you just right"), and still others would not be defined as "sweet" but still somehow fit ("a fire truck getting a bath"). Tate create charmingly childlike digital illustrations with a variety of analog materials. Wobbly doodles of children appear on sparsely illustrated pages with cream and yellow backgrounds. The few exceptions stand out, such as watercolor butterflies exploding off a painted page. While the book's pacing will not hold the attention of every child, those who read it will find themselves enthralled. VERDICT An endearing book for caregivers to share with children.--Clara Hendricks

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

This debut by Tate catalogs small-scale, everyday delights--pleasures visualized in scribbly, faux-naïf vignettes of children portrayed with varied skin tones, all set on backgrounds of creamy whites, pinks, and yellows. "What's sweeter," the narrator starts, "than the soft spot/ behind a cat's ear?" A loopy, wandering line shows a child with brown skin giving a gray-and-white cat a scritch in just the right place; the feline leans in, eyes closed in contentment. "What's sweeter/ than a fire truck/ getting a bath" accompanies a big ladder truck pulled out in front of a fire station, fire fighters scrubbing it all over with big sponges as two children in fire hats look on. Many of the sweet things are nature-themed ("seeing a bluebird/ right outside/ your window"), but others could take place anywhere: "when something/ fits you just right" appears alongside an image of a caretaker with a large shopping cart and a happy child with a diminutive version. Tate's whimsical musing ends with a twist that brings this beguiling, even sweet, interlude close to the reader. Ages 4-8. (Dec.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes



June Tate
June Louise Tate is an illustrator from Kentucky. She studied Creative Writing in college, which led her to fall in love with illustration and the art of the picture book. She has also done a few very silly animated shorts. Her debut picture book What's Sweeter is forthcoming from Katherine Tegen Books.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063114135
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Katherine Tegen Books
Publication date
December 13, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV029000 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | General
JUV009050 - Juvenile Fiction | Concepts | Senses & Sensation
Library of Congress categories
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