Kastner, Emmy. Outside In and the Inside Out: A Story About Arnold Lobel. Emmy Kastner, Illus. Viking, 09/2025. [40]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-69250-9. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Award-winning author and illustrator Arnold Lobel, best known for the Frog and Toad beginning readers, is celebrated in this picture book biography. Lobel was a shy boy who loved to draw and tell stories to his classmates; he grew up to do the same thing with children everywhere. The text also describes his career, marriage, family, and later life with his partner Howard. Both the simple text and the cartoon-style gouache, pencil, and ink illustrations reflect the style of Lobel’s popular books, including Mouse Tales (1972) and Fables (1980). Back matter includes an author’s note where Kastner describes what inspired the book and offers more details on Lobel’s life, including a list of his books, and sources.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool