“The pink, squidlike Bean is perfectly adorable…. A colorful and uplifting story that is more than just a beach read.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Latimer’s bright, digitized pencil drawings give life to the coastal setting and will make readers appreciate the seaside as much as Lula does. An absorbing and heartening tale about the boundless friendship between people and nature and the importance of preservation.” —Booklist Online

“Big on imagination, environmental conservation, and sandwiches.” —Foreword Reviews

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.

“This is a must-have addition to any children’s collection and a surefire crowd-pleaser at a dinosaur storytime. One might call it a roaring success.” ―Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“Latimer’s rhyme scheme is wonderfully timed and plotted, giving a singsong cadence that is ideal for storytime. His illustrations are equally spot-on with bright colors and basic character design that give a gentle and caring feel… Sure to be a crowd-pleaser—highly recommended.” ―School Library Journal

“As cozy and safe as it is mannerly, with a patterned text well suited to storytime sharing with younger audiences.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Best Children’s Books of the Year―Bank Street College of Education, 2019

Children’s Choices ―International Literacy Association, Children’s Book Council, 2019

Alabama Camellia Award (Nominee, Grades K-1) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2019-2020

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.

“The engaging illustrations are bold and energetic… a welcome addition to most picture book collections.” ―School Library Journal

“A funny take on loving an ‘exhausting’ dog, and the way that training can help make big strides with its behavior. Most of the time.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Kid-friendly and full of action and gentle suspense, this selection will be a favorite of dog lovers and reluctant readers alike” ―Kirkus Reviews

Best Children’s Books of the Year ―Bank Street College of Education, 2016

Alabama Camellia Award (Grades 2-3) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2016-2017

Children’s Book Award (Nominee) – Florida Reading Association, 2016-2017

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.

“A clever but silly story of friendship despite differences…. Readers will chuckle as these two opposites negotiate their unusual friendship. The illustrations add lots of humor; the colors are bright, and the pictures are big, which makes the book a good storytime choice.” ―School Library Journal

“Latimer…whose deadpan visual comedy is always a treat, once again proves he’s adept at conveying life lessons with the lightest of touches. Addressing the vicissitudes of friendship in a conversational and slyly funny voice, he reassures readers that liking someone needn’t be a matter of all or nothing: a little imagination and understanding can go a long way.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Precise digitized pencil drawings with quirky knitted-fabric details humorously express the story’s message of overcoming difference to make a friendship work.” ―Horn Book Guide

Best Children’s Books of the Year (Starred) ―Bank Street College of Education, 2015

Parents’ Choice Recommended Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2015

Read Aloud Book Award (Winner) ―Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction, 2015

Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, Grades K-2) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2015-2016

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.

“There are plenty of arch asides that parents will enjoy in this droll little book, which shows that it may be the stars who shine, but it’s those who provide the behind-the-scenes technical support and organizational know-how who actually put the show together.” ―The New York Times

“The illustrations are clean and simple, with a cool-toned palette, and lots of humor packed into them…This is a fun book to read, but it also carries the message that not everyone has to be good at the same things. Sometimes you really need a penguin to plan the party.” ―School Library Journal

“Lots of goofy interpolations add sauce to the story line…Latimer’s asides are quite funny, and the book is a standout in another category, too: not many picture books champion ordinary administrative skills.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Offbeat illustrations – stylized pencil drawings, digitized and then finished with color and texture – are delightfully droll. And he tucks many deadpan jokes into the story (the king’s pie chart indicates the proportional ingredients of a pie, for instance). Quirky, with a side of self-esteem.” ―Kirkus Reviews

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“Penguin is upset when he can’t figure out how to win the talent show. But when he realizes his true talent, all of his friends help him to celebrate.” ―MetroFamily Magazine

“A great winter read that celebrates all kinds of talent!” ―Rio Grande Family Magazine

“Delightfully written and illustrated by Alex Latimer, this sensational book is loaded with humor, wisdom, and a solid message of what it is to be a friend.” ―Books to Borrow, Books to Buy

“The story is simple but gives a great life-lesson to young readers” ―Madhouse Family Reviews

“I like that this book explores and explains that everyone is talented in their own way. Kids need to see that. It floors me that Mr. Latimer could do it in 25ish pages!” ―Maestra Amanda’s Bookshelf

“Witty, fresh, and the illustrations are funny yet sweet…seemingly simple yet filled with personality” ―Media Darlings

“A sweet story about how we are all good at something and that it isn’t always obvious. I love the illustrations” ―Red Ted’s Art

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Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2013

Morning Calm Medal (Nominee) ―International Schools of Korea, 2014-2015

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.

“Latimer’s illustrations are quirky and dryly funny…older children will appreciate Latimer’s edginess.” ―The New York Times

“Latimer’s digital colored-pencil illustrations humorously capture the funny details of the contests, such as Lion’s paint-splattered stick drawing of a dinosaur compared to Rabbit’s rendition of the Mona Lisa (with bunny ears). Readers will laugh at the surprise revelation that a colony of wily rabbits was in on the success. This quirky twist on ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ is a winner.” ―School Library Journal

“Latimer’s digitally colored pencil cartoons are full of funny details (a TV color test appears in Lion’s thought bubble during a trivia challenge), and while he lets readers in on Rabbit’s secret to success, Lion simply gets a satisfying, fable-worthy comeuppance.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Precise, digitized pencil illustrations utilize simple lines, patterns and colors to highlight Lion’s mean and silly bullying antics… Readers with sharp eyes will be rewarded with numerous amusing visual details, including hidden hints about how Rabbit outwits Lion. A droll, nonthreatening tale of bullying in the guise of a modern fable.” ―Kirkus Reviews

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“Latimer does the trope justice and adds a nice twist to the story line: a last reveal that should make readers smile, playing off a rabbit’s capacity to multiply… Bright art and boxy-looking critters will seem familiar to fans of Latimer’s earlier books. Meanwhile, plenty of busy asides allude to Rabbit’s quick thinking, and evocative but simple facial expressions help make the story lively. Readers should be pleasantly swept up in this underdog victory.” ―Booklist Online

“Featuring bold, uniquely stylized color illustrations Lion vs. Rabbit is an original picture book intended for young readers ages 4-8… A gentle, playful parable…” ―Midwest Book Review

“Droll details and comic characterizations add wild panache. The story’s skewed humor and buoyant charm delight on their own, but the regular opportunities for the listener to know just a little more than the protagonist elevate this outing from mere felicity to full-on fun.” ―Butler’s Pantry

“Such a charming book… The twists are wonderful and the message regarding bullying is clear.” ―Kid Lit Reviews

“Students will love the illustrations Latimer has created… This book will be just the mentor text for this type of writing. The story structure is clear. The problem is evident. The events are funny. The solution is perfect.” ―Reflect and Shine

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Children’s Choices ―International Reading Association, Children’s Book Council, 2014

Parents’ Choice Recommended Award ―Parents’ Choice Foundation, 2013

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2014

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Storytelling World Resource Awards (Honor, Stories for Young Listeners) ―Storytelling World, 2015

Virginia Readers’ Choice (Master List) ―Virginia State Reading Association, 2015-2016

Alabama Camellia Awards (Nominee, Grades 2-3) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2014-2015

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee, Picture Book) ―Maryland Association of School Librarians, 2014-2015

Goldfinch Award (Nominee) ―Iowa Association of School Librarians, 2016-2017

Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―Washington Library Media Association, 2015

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Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.

“Latimer has created offbeat digitally colored drawings brimming with quirky, diverse perspectives and hilarious details.” ―School Library Journal

“Older siblings may sneak in while this one is being read aloud.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Hip and trendy but with a timeless theme, this is one enjoyable read.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“With goofy, wide-eyed, stick-legged, plump-middled figures and just the sort of lunacy that could have sprung from an impish young imagination, this picture book makes for a cheerful, lightly subversive kids’ point-of-view rejoinder to the lesson of owning up for your actions.” ―Booklist

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“In this refreshing take on ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf,’ a boy’s excuses turn out to have an unexpected element of truth.” ―Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine

“Latimer’s book takes a very simple idea – telling the truth, however outrageous it is – and turns it into an odd and funny essay on the limits of lying and the eventual triumph of truth…” ―The Virginian-Pilot

“The designs for the various creatures are all incredibly delightful, especially in the little details and idiosyncratic touches to their designs and their behaviors (how the ninja eats cake, or rakes leaves, for example)…I’d highly recommend this to any comics fan with a library card.” ―Everyday is like Wednesday

“You’ll love the ending to this fantastical picture book that reminds us that sometimes the simplest answer is not always the correct one.” ―Madison Public Library

“Latimer’s work is tailor-made for a ‘read to’ book, as his sense of humor works on more than one level; and his understanding of a child’s wild imagination is spot-on…” ―Media Darlings

“In summary, a wonderfully cute story about how the truth can really be stranger than fiction…and a child’s imagination while unlimited does not always run away with itself…Recommended reading for all ages…from the little daydreamer to the adult with a penchant for enchantment, it can be enjoyed by any and all.” ―Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

“Let’s be honest, the title drove me to the book. I couldn’t help it. If a children’s book contains…”ninja” or “zombie” in the title, I’m picking it up. 99.9% (thus far) I put…right down. But Latimer offers us something great…children will adhere to the message of telling the truth no matter what. I think that’s something we can all relate to, no?” ―The Book Hunter

“Children are sure to be amused by this delightfully odd picture book. They will sympathize with Tim’s predicament, and celebrate when he finds a solution. They might even be inspired to tackle the ninja and astronaut who have been causing problems in their lives. Who knows? Perhaps Tim’s solution will work for them too.” ―Through the Looking Glass

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Best Read Aloud Book Award (Finalist) – ReadBoston, 2012

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.

“A goofy romp with a very lovable dinosaur at its center that never loses its (very small) footing.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A fun, absurd tale about two children with big imaginations.”―School Library Journal

“Coming up with clues and imagining the possibilities are very humorous and the illustrations are sure to appeal to young readers.” ―Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook blog

Alabama Camellia Award (Nominee, Grades K-1)―Alabama Department of Education, 2017-2018

Alex Latimer lives in South Africa near the border of a national park. So when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. He has written several picture books for children. You can visit his website here.