Little Elliot, Big City: The next big thing in children's picture book characters. Or, little thing.

If you're particular with your picture books, and prefer the kinds of books you like reading as much as your children do, you need to check out the sweet new release, Little Elliot, Big City, which is just out today. You'll be captivated right away by author/illustrator Mike Curato's charming, cinematic depictions of New York City that invoke a retro noir, 40's-era style you'll want to frame and hang on the walls. But it's the enchanting story of a kind little polka dotted elephant with a sweet tooth that will really make this a bookshelf staple for early readers in the 3-8 range.   To make things more fun, the website offers a free download of a Little Elliot activity kit including printables, games, coloring pages, and even a cupcake recipe.

This is Curato's debut book, but with two follow-up stories to come and a ton of buzz, it's primed to be the next big children's series. In fact, it's already getting rave reviews from the likes of Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, and the School Library Journal, with Curato's illustration style compared to the likes of Edward Hopper. But hey, let your kids be the judge. They won't know from Edward Hopper, but they will find it hard to resist those cupcakes. Visit the Little Elliot, Big City website for more info and purchase it from Amazon, Barnes + Noble, or your local indie bookseller. And be sure to download the free Little Elliot activity kit.