Meet the Smushkins - (The Smushkins) by Claudia Rueda (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The Smushkins are looking for a house, but what makes a good house for the Smushkins? They all agree: there must be lots of light, a big table everyone can sit on to look out the window, and an apple tree for making pies. Oh, and a playground, puddles to jump in, an ice cream cart, and so much more. But most of all, a good house for the Smushkins is a house full of Smushkins"--

Book Synopsis

What if you mixed the gentle spirit of Lucy Cousins's Maisy with the offbeat world of the Moomins? Meet the Smushkins, a family of characters that toddlers will find irresistible.

The Smushkins are looking for a house, but what makes a good house for the Smushkins? They all agree: there must be lots of light, a big table everyone can sit on to look out the window, and an apple tree for making pies. Oh, and a playground, puddles to jump in, an ice cream cart, and so much more! But most of all, a good house for the Smushkins is a house full of Smushkins! Kicking off a delightful concept board book series, this boldly illustrated, giftable picture book introduces a family of characters so adorable, so goofy, and so lovable that readers of all ages can't help but feel that they've known them forever.

Review Quotes

Oh-so-squishable character design aside, this remarkably respectful work mirrors young children's natural curiosity about creating spaces where they feel happy and safe. The omniscient narrator's concrete commentary always honors the characters' desires. . . .It's a vision of childhood that's generous, validating, and cute as all get out.
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Illustrations are intriguing. . . .
--School Library Journal

Rueda deftly taps into the fun of coming up with one's dream home with all one's best friends. . . .Wishful thinking with friends galore and delicious ice cream? A win! Aspirational and friendly.
--Kirkus Reviews

The ever-innovative Colombian author-illustrator Rueda once again exhibits an understanding and respect for the interests of young children, weaving gentle humor into spare text and illustrations. . . . This will be a charmer for toddler storytimes and likely inspire conversations about what kids value about the places they live.
--Booklist

About the Author

Claudia Rueda is an author and a New York Times best-selling illustrator of more than thirty picture books. Her books have been published in the United States, Mexico, and Spain and have been translated into sixteen different languages. Nominated for both the Hans Christian Andersen and Astrid Lindgren Memorial Awards, Claudia Rueda is originally from Colombia, where she went to law school and art school and worked as a political cartoonist before studying children's book illustration at UC Berkeley and receiving a master's in creative writing from Lesley University. She lives in New York City.