Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday, my friends!
I have such a wonderful book to share with you today. I think you’re going to love it!
But I am chuckling to myself because, after over a decade of PPBF in which I never did a wordless picture book, this is the second one this spring!
Now I’m wondering if I’m biased because I am a writer who does not illustrate, and perhaps that often makes me favor books with text 😊 But at least I seem to be changing the error of my ways! 😊
For writers who struggle with leaving room for the illustrator, this book and The Octopus are a great learning tool because they show how very much can be conveyed in the art. Take a look at the expressions, body language, detail, and outright story-telling that these artists can convey without a single word and lean into what that can do for your writing, and what you can trust your illustrator to bring to the project.
Also, it is complete coincidence that today’s book features a dog and our Tuesday Debut book from this week also featured a dog. When I create the blog schedule, it is primarily based on when books come out, and I often don’t know what the books are about until closer to post time!
So. Are you ready for a gorgeous and fun book?
Title: Claude
Written & Illustrated By: Phyllis Harris
Publisher: Familius, May 19, 2026, fiction (with nonfiction back matter)
Suitable For Ages: 5-7 years
Themes/Topics: art, play, creativity, passion over perfection
Opening: (wordless, so please see the illustration 😊)
illustration copyright Phyllis Harris, 2026, Familius
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “A little artist decides to create her own masterpiece, but her puppy has other ideas. From grabbing his favorite ball to rolling on the floor, he tries everything to get her attention, and chaos ensues, creating a big, colorful mess. Or is it a mess after all? Perhaps Claude the dog and Claude Monet have a lot more in common than we think.”
illustration copyright Phyllis Harris, 2026, Familius
Links To Resources: wonderful resources kindly provided by author/illustrator Phyllis Harris!
illustration copyright Phyllis Harris, 2026, Familius
Why I Like This Book: I was in love with this wordless picture book the moment I saw the puppy and the jaunty red beret! 😊 I am the first to admit that my education in art/art history is sorely lacking. So I love that through this beautiful and thoughtful, but also entertaining and fun picture book, young readers will be introduced to the work of Claude Monet. The cover shows our main character, a girl who loves to create art, gazing at a beautiful Monet painting. Inspired, she goes home and tries to decide what to paint. Remembering the sky and the trees from the painting, she begins with some blue and adds green below, seemingly aiming to recreate the Monet. Next she starts to add some yellow. Meanwhile, her puppy is bored, bored, BORED! He tries everything to get her attention and some play time. (And any young reader who has ever tried to get mom or dad to play while they’re on the phone or making the grocery list or folding the laundry will totally relate to this! 😊) Finally, the puppy, left to his own devices to entertain himself, gets to chasing his tail and chaos and mess ensue, leaving girl, puppy, floor, and walls splattered with paint. At first, the girl is glum, thinking her painting ruined. But then she realizes that, thanks to her puppy’s antics, she has created something original that is even more beautiful in its own right, especially because it is no longer just a copy of the Monet, but has something added that came from her and her puppy. A very effective way to to show how something that might seem at first like a mess or a mistake might turn out to be something wonderful! Concise back matter on Claude Monet and the featured painting are included. Highly recommended!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Phyllis Harris has a passion for creating books that inspire hope, love, and the innocence of childhood. She feels most creative in nature and prefers the songs of birds to the noise of traffic.
Harris first started her career in graphic design at a newspaper while also freelancing at Hallmark Cards. She then shifted to illustration full time where she has happily continued for the past 20 years creating the art for over 30 children’s books. In recent years she has focused more on her writing as well as illustrating picture books.Headshot includes my dog, Brinkley because he was definitely the inspiration behind the book, Claude. As you will see in the book, I have a very hard time getting much done with Mr. Brinkley(AKA- Claude the dog) around. 😉
Website: https://www.phyllisharris.com/
Susanna Leonard Hill 
I love Monet’s paintings, so I was super excited by the cover of this book. I love that it is wordless and that the girl and puppy create their own special masterpiece. Thanks for introducing me to this book, I can’t wait for my hold to come in!
Thanks so much for putting a hold on it at your library! I love libraries!!!
You’re going to love it, Maria! It’s so well done!
This looks like such a special book! The illustrations are precious and I love the idea of embracing mistakes to make your own beautiful masterpiece. Congratulations Phyllis!
Thanks so much! I appreciate your kind words!
So true, Laura! And in this case, the final product is a masterpiece that doesn’t look like a mistake at all!
I saw this on NetGalley and it’s really a lovely book featuring two of my favorite things! So creative!
Yay! Thanks! Dogs and art are definitely at the top of my list, too!
It really is, Laura! I am the first to admit that my knowledge of art is extremely limited, but I love dogs, creativity, and playtime 🙂
Monet is one of the artists I have always appreciated since many of his paintings are at The Art Institute of Chicago. I’m a big fan of Impressionism in general and have ‘enough knowledge to be dangerous.’ 😂
Yay! Claude is almost out! I’ve followed Phyllis on socials for quite a while after I found out she is an illustrator of picture books living in the same general metro area (KC). And, I love all of her art! This book looks especially adorable. Congratulations, Phyllis!
Hi to another KC person! Thanks for your sweet comment!
It is SO adorable, Barb! I hope you get a chance to see the whole thing!
What a lovely and lively way to introduce children to Monet and the joy of creating art. The illustrations are devine. Congratulations, Phyllis!
Thank you so much, Kathryn! Thanks for your kind words about the art!
I agree, Kathryn! It makes it so much fun!
How completely brilliant! I love wordless books.
Thanks, Robin!
Then you will love this one, Robin! Because it is so beautifully done!
I love Phyllis’ artwork but hadn’t realized she has a new picture book out. So happy you featured it today!
Thank you! Yes, I am trying to get the word out as best I can and Susanna was so kind to help me with that! I am a member of your blog, too! Love it! I enjoyed seeing my friend, Charlotte’s book featured today.
Patricia does a fabulous job on her blog, doesn’t she, Phyllis? Maybe you can visit her blog, too 🙂
I wish I could draw, Patricia. I love how Phyllis is able to tell the whole story so beautifully through her art. I would love to be able to do that!
I am so happy you enjoyed Claude, Susanna! Thank you for the wonderful review and for all you do for the KidLit community!
I LOVE it, Phyllis! I fully intend to get a copy for my grandkids – I know they will love it, too!
LOVE wordless picture books and this one looks epic. Very excited to add it to my shelves.
Oh, that makes me so happy to hear! Thank you!
It is both beautiful and cute, playful and meaningful – I thin you’ll love it Barbara!
So very perfect. There’s a lot to be said for unleashing the playful puppy of creativity in all of us.
Yes, my dog, Brinkley sure helps me remember exactly that! In fact, without him, this book wouldn’t exist. 🙂
Absolutely, Jilanne! 🙂
Dog. Paint. Chaos. What could possibly go wrong – or, as this book points out – right! Who needs words when you’ve got paint? I love Claude Monet, and definitely look forward to looking at this book. And with back matter, to boot!
It’s a recipe for perfection, Sue! I think you will love it!
What a very cool concept. We also try to celebrate mistakes in our house. Our library has a copy on the way so I put it on hold. That picture of the illustrator with her dog is just what I needed this morning. 🥰
It’s a great picture, isn’t it, Kate? I hope you enjoy the book when you get to read it!
The perfect combination..pup, paint, painter! Plus back matter! 🎨🐶💕
It really is, Susan! I hope you get to read it!