A boy's life

What if you had the power to instantly duplicate yourself with just a simple wish? Or lift heavy objects into the air just by thinking about them? What would you do if the Big Bad Wolf came home with you? The boys in each of these appealing new picture books face these situations and more, in day-to-day challenges that range from the mundane to the fantastic. Stock up on these titles for plenty of just-right selections to recommend to any customer seeking a special literary gift for that quirky—and amazing—boy in his or her life.

In Peter Reynolds' charming watercolor-and-ink fable, So Few of Me, the acclaimed author of Ish and The Dot shows us what can happen when one becomes simply too over-scheduled to ever stop and smell the roses. No matter how hard the multi-talented, multi-tasking Leo works, there is always so much more to do. Will another Leo help get it all done? What about four extra Leos? Or ten? An insightful reminder that sometimes kids (and adults) just need time to dream. ($14.00) Candlewick Press, Cambridge, Mass.

In Jim LaMarche's inspiring story Up, little Daniel (whom everyone calls Mouse) is always left behind when his father and older brother set out to work on the family fishing boat. But one day, his wish to be big and strong is finally answered in an unexpected way—he develops a startling talent for levitating things using only his will. And when Daniel helps save a beached whale, he finally gets the chance to prove that he's stronger than anyone thought. ($16.95) Chronicle Books, San Francisco

In Robert Neubecker's poignant Courage of the Blue Boy, Blue is determined to see all of the colors of the world. He sets out to find them, traveling through a series of monochromatic lands before finally arriving in the multi-colored city of his dreams…until he realizes there's no blue there at all! But as he locks himself in his room to write, sing and paint in blue, sending each work of art out the door in turn, he changes the city's colors—and those of himself. ($15.95) Tricycle Press, Berkeley, Calif.

In Tom Macrae's sophisticated and funny trickster tale The Opposite, illustrated by Elena Odriozola, Nate wakes up one day to find an Opposite in his room, a strange and mischievous creature that no one else can see. Beginning at breakfast, the Opposite interferes in everything Nate tries to do—despite his best efforts at success, the opposite always happens. That is, until our clever hero discovers the solution to his troubles once and for all. ($15.95) Peachtree Publishers, Atlanta

In Rhode Montijo's sweet, allegorical Cloud Boy, a lonely little boy made entirely of clouds lives high above the world all by himself…until the fateful day when he finds a wonderful way to belong. By creating beautiful cloud shapes that he sends down to share with the world below—from butterflies to birds to fish to flowers—Cloud Boy's art connects him to the other children on earth and brings them (and him) true happiness. A simple yet very compelling story. ($12.95) Simon & Schuster Children's Books (Little Simon), New York

In Delphine Perret's unique and humorous The Big Bad Wolf and Me, a bored and spunky boy encounters a depressed—and somewhat wimpy—Big Bad Wolf who has lost his mojo, cheers him up, feeds him chocolate chip cookies, and helps him to regain confidence in his fear-inducing abilities. Each chapter begins with a declarative sentence, illustrated in subsequent pages by a series of whimsical line drawings, as the boy teaches the wolf how to be scary again. Ideal for young readers as well as adults. ($9.95) Sterling Publishing, New York