If you’re looking for a hilarious read aloud that also plucks the heart strings, one filled with vibrant and playful illustrations, and one that simultaneously does and doesn’t take itself seriously—

This is your book.

If you’re looking to be seen as the favorite auntie or uncle by the under age10 set, gift this book at every opportunity.

If you want to be your child’s favorite parent, give them this book.

If you’re looking for a synopsis, suffice to say, the narrator, Ms. Picklepop, is here to teach readers good manners.

But as she starts her lesson, she makes a mistake and spills a blurp of blue paint. Ms. Picklepop, unable to laugh at herself or her mistake, instructs readers to erase what they’ve just seen from their minds. But this will prove impossible, as Blurp takes on a life of its own, foiling Ms. Picklepop’s efforts to teach proper manners at every turn. When she finally loses her composure, Ms. Picklepop angrily lashes out and then discovers that she has something to learn about manners, too.

If anyone can turn a blurp of paint into a sympathetic, funny, and lovable character, it’s Cindy Derby. Each time I read this book, I find more to appreciate. For example, the way Blurp drinks pots of paint to change color throughout. The vibrant, wild paint splashes collaged with images taken from the tightly controlled, proper 1950s home decor magazines. The surreal architecture of Ms. Picklepop’s house. The playful language. The flipping of expectations. I’m talking about you, Professor Ham!

Have I said enough? Yes?

Are you intrigued? I hope so.

Will you want this on your shelf? YES!!

Activities:

Make your own paint splatter pictures.

What do you think is the most important rule in Blurp’s Book of Manners? Create your own list of manners and make that your #1 rule.

Have fun mixing paint colors. What colors do you get when you mix blue and yellow? Red and blue? Yellow and red? What happens if you mix blue, yellow, and red together?

Title: Blurp’s Book of Manners

Author/Illustrator: Cindy Derby

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, 2022

Ages: All

Themes: Manners, kindness, laughing at your mistakes

For more perfect picture book recommendation, please visit Susanna Hill’s website.