- Jan 19, 2023
- 3 min read
In 2018, Ryan Billingsley started DadSuggests.com to share the children’s books and board games beloved by his family. In late 2022—and some 300+ posts later—Dad Suggests has transformed into a one-of-a-kind children’s bookstore in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The three-month-old shop, situated inside The Shops at BrickCity in the Evelyn Hills Shopping Center, is a family affair. Ryan and his wife order the backlist titles that have been long-treasured favorites, their 10-year-old son spearheads the graphic novel collection, and everyone has a part in handwriting notes and recommendations that they place next to favorite titles. Low, easy-to-reach shelves—many of which display outward-facing books and boardgames—a cozy reading nook with pillows, a teepee, and plenty of story times keep the vibe warm and inviting.
Dad Suggests
1404 N. College Ave.
Far Back Right Corner
Fayetteville, AR, 72703
Hi Ryan! Plenty of indie bookshops have closed and morphed into websites, so I certainly applaud that you’re going the other route. Can you tell me about the titles you carry? RB: “We have about 1,000 different books in the store right now. The vast majority of those are picture books, but we have a nice quality selection of graphic novels that my son helps with, and some of our all-time-favorite chapter book read-alouds as well. And we also carry a very big, curated selection of our favorite family board games. The split between books and games is close to 75% books and 25% games.”
You make it a point to pay special attention to backlist titles. What are your all-time favorites? “Sometimes people come into the store knowing they want to buy a book for a child, but they have no idea where to start. It's a lot of fun to help them hunt one down, and it's much easier if they're able to point me in a particular direction (Spooky? Funny? Fantasy?), but sometimes they legitimately just want to know what my favorite picture book is. And there are about 4 answers for me. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen is my favorite picture book of all time, and if someone wants to know that I will certainly tell them.
If they mention they are a teacher, I ALWAYS point out All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys.
I also very frequently recommend I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen and This is Sadie by Sara O'Leary and Julie Morstad (especially now that both are board books!)."
Buy I Want My Hat Back and This is Sadie from Dad Suggests on Bookshop
What are your top five books from 2022? "We just released the 5th Annual Dad Suggests Picture Book Awards, featuring our top 10 picture books of 2022, and I'd be more than happy to share my top 5 with you."
5. My Self, Your Self by Esmé Shapiro
"This is a beautiful and very quirky book that simply makes me happy. It also seems to teach great lessons about friendship and loving yourself as well."
4. Mina by Matthew Forsythe
"I'm a big fan of Matthew Forsythe's art, and this was a very worthy follow up to the all-time great Pokko and the Drum. Hilarious and very attractive."
3. Lizzy and the Cloud by The Fan Brothers
"The Fan Brothers are another example of artists we keep a close eye on. This story about a girl who raises a cloud and has to let him go is surprisingly emotional."
2. Ways to Make Friends by Jairo Buitrago and Mariana Ruiz Johnson
"This one is a surprise smash hit. We've actually had trouble getting it in stock in our store because they need to print more. It's spectacular. It's hilarious and quirky and genius."
1. The Queen in the Cave by Juliá Sardá
"This picture book is haunting and moving, and the art is whimsical and full of imagination. It's a story about 3 sisters growing up and growing apart—but on the surface it's spooky and full of endless creativity."
- Jan 17, 2023
- 4 min read
Kylie is nervous about visiting her grandmother—her Amah—who lives SO FAR AWAY. When she and Mama finally go to Taipei, Kylie is shy with Amah. Even though they have spent time together in video chats, those aren't the same as real life. And in Taiwan, Kylie is at first uncomfortable with the less-familiar language, customs, culture, and food.
AMAH FARAWAY
Written by Margaret Chiu Greanias and illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books (January 25, 2022)
Hi Margaret! First off, I have to say I’m blown away by your mirror structure! It’s hard enough to write a book—and now here you are making everything 1,000 times more difficult for yourself. Can you explain your process, and how you chose it? MCG: "In my opinion, writing in mirror structure is like writing in rhyme in one particular way--the story must drive the structure vs. the other way around. So importantly, I first defined what I wanted my story to be about, a loose plot, and the crucial midpoint moment.
Then, I wrote one sentence at a time by hand starting at the beginning (and end lol). I scribbled all over a notepad. This really was trial and error. I would change the words, I would change where the sentences were broken into lines, and I would read from top to bottom and bottom to top to see whether the narrative made sense.
To reduce the intimidation factor, it helped to break the story into scenes and tackle each scene individually.
I built the story one sentence at a time until I had a complete story. Even though I knew I was writing both halves of the story at the same time, it still felt surprising when I got to the midpoint and was able to read my story the whole way through for a complete story. I still remember the feeling of being amazed that it worked!"
Amazing! I'm so impressed. Have you seen the mirror structure in other picture books? Which ones do you most admire? "I've seen the mirror structure or some form of modified mirror structure in these fantastic books:
Snow Sisters! by Kerri Kokias and Teagan White is about two sisters with opposite personalities enjoying wintertime activities in a true mirror structure book where the words themselves reverse at the mid-point.
Mirror Mirror, Echo Echo, and Follow Follow by Marilyn Singer and Josée Masse are themed compilations of reverso poems, a form created by Marilyn Singer. A reverso poem is one that can be read from top to bottom and in reverse with different narratives. The only change between regular read and reverse read is punctuation.
I'll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca and Sara Palacios is a story about an Indian American girl whose grandmother makes her feel at home during visit to India and how she returns the favor when her grandmother comes to visit her in America. Rajani uses a looser version of the mirror structure, so each visit is specifically Indian or American.
Are there other picture books you admire for their unconventional structure?
The Diamond and the Boy by Hannah Holt and Jay Fleck tells dual parallel narratives of how a diamond is formed and how H. Tracy Hall became the inventor of a machine that makes diamonds.
The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of by Kirsten Williams Larson and Katherine Roy is another biography and tells the parallel narratives of how Cecilia Payne's curiosity and career develop with how a star is born.
The classic Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw highlights dual point-of-views and shows how two boys who live on opposite sides of the world, both culturally and physically, can be the best friends."
For those who love Amah Faraway, can you recommend another picture book that you think they might also enjoy?
"I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne and Julia Kuo is a touching picture book about a girl who immigrates from Taiwan to America, leaving behind her beloved Popo. It's a picture book about being far away from the ones you love and what happens to that bond after the family immigrates."
What are some forthcoming books you’re most excited about? "This is Not My Home by Vivienne Chang and Eugenia Yoh: Most immigration picture books are about children moving to America. But this one is about a child immigrating from America to Taiwan and how while she repeatedly insists that Taiwan is not her home in the beginning, she eventually decides to give it a chance and becomes comfortable with her new home.
Others that look terrific:
Maybe a Whale by Kirsten Pendreigh and Crystal Smith
The Fire of Stars by Kirsten Williams Larson and Katherine Roy
Dear Mr. G by Christine Evans and Gracey Zhang
The Boo Crew Needs You by Vicky Fang and Saoirse Lou
Wombats Are Pretty Weird by Abi Cushman
I Am An American by Darshana Khiani and Laura Freeman
I must also mention my own forthcoming books: Hooked on Books illustrated by Kristyna Litten coming out June 27, 2023 and How This Book Got Red illustrated by Melissa Iwai coming out October 1, 2023."
Who are some other writers you admire, with titles?
"Dane Liu: Friends Are Friends, Forever illustrated by Lynn Scurfield has a beautiful lyrical and sensory writing voice that makes you feel like you are there.
Pat Z. Miller: Most recently In Our Garden illustrated by Melissa Crowton and See You Someday Soon illustrated by Suzy Lee. All of Pat's books are so well-written whether they rhyme or not. I have been wowed by every one of her books.
Carrie Finison: Don't Hug Doug illustrated by Daniel Wiseman took a very didactic topic of consent and made it feel lighthearted and humorous while slyly teaching the reader."
What would be on your list of 100 best picture books of all time?
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael Lopez
The Longest Letsgoboy by Derick Wilder and illustrated by Cátia Chien
- Jan 12, 2023
- 2 min read
Snap! Poom-poom! Jingle-Jangle! Three talented animals--a crocodile playing a snare drum, a big brown bear with a bass, and a weasel with a banjo--form a traveling band to sing and play for the other animals in the woods.
Max's Boat Pick:
THE ANIMAL SONG
By Jonty Howley
Published by Random House Studio (January 10, 2023)
Thanks for stopping by, Jonty! Let's start how these interviews always start. Can you tell me the origin story behind The Animal Song? JH: "As is often the case with my books, it began as a simple sketch. I was inspired after looking through some 1950s jazz posters, and I made a simple illustration of an animal trio. I immediately felt they had a story to tell, but It wasn’t until a year or so later that I returned to them and developed the idea into a story. The book is written to feel like a song, as it follows a constant rhythm throughout. In the end I made a free song and read-along which you can access here: https://jontyhowley.com/shop/theanimalsong-songandstory"
Jonty Howley's original sketch (above) and color rough (below) for The Animal Song:
An interior spread from The Animal Song (text placement may be different from final book):
So fun! I definitely have a soft spot for instrument-playing animals. What are some other picture books you love that celebrate music? "There is an old Little Golden Book version of The Musicians of Bremen which has the most wonderful art by one of my favourite illustrators, John Parr (J.P.) Miller. He captured a real sense of the energy and joy of music in that book, and I love his unusual compositions!"
What forthcoming books are you most looking forward to getting your hands on? "I think it actually came out a short while ago, but I’ve been meaning to get a copy of The Mouse Who Carried a House on His Back by Jonathan Stutzman and Isabelle Arsenault. It looks like a future classic and the mixed media illustrations are stunning!"
What would be on your list of 100 best picture books of all time? "I love so many, but I won’t try to name 100! Here is a handful of personal favourites (in no particular order!)
The Dangerous Journey by Tove Jansson
Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
Out, Out, Away From Here by Rachel Woodworth and Sang Miao
The Musicians of Bremen illustrated by J.P. Miller
The Animal Fair by Alice and Martin Provensen
Grandad’s Island by Benji Davies
Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill