Rudy’s Lullaby
Story and Art by Alexandra Boiger
Hardcover, Picture Book
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
Penguin Random House
Amazon
IndieBound
Illustrator and Author
Two raccoons, Rudy and Bruno, are living the perfect quiet life. Until Mama Charlie and her five little chicks bring a whole new symphony of feelings into their lives. A funny and poignant picture book about working parents, babysitters, love, and the power of music.
“Rudy’s expanding circle of care unfolds with a light touch as an important truth shines through: companionship can yield unexpected rewards.”
– Publisher’s Weekly
“Boiger delivers a balanced message about honoring one’s feelings while remaining open to the possibility of change. Featuring characters striking dynamic poses, her swirling, soft watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations in pastel hues create a mellow atmosphere and help move the story along. Whimsical fun with an optimistic message.”
– Kirkus
Hardcover, Picture Book
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
Penguin Random House
Amazon
IndieBound
“A delightful lesson in the joy of living in the moment.”
“Each cartoon block is simple perfection…A gentle lesson on dealing with adversity and celebrating friendship.”
“Boiger illustrates the burgeoning chaos with a wispy, whimsical elegance reminiscent of Hilary Knight’s art, placing a very small, tousled redhead in gracious, upper-crust surroundings, and adorning the array of partyers in Depression-era evening garb.”
“Tender and humorous . . . The underlying message to adjust some of our screen-centric habits in order to appreciate the natural world with open eyes and reverence is a plain truth with value for readers of all ages.”
“Boiger’s story is graceful, and her limited-palette watercolor illustrations in well-designed combinations…effectively keep readers’ attention on the story. …A fun-filled story that delivers the true nature of the Olympian spirit.”
“Boiger creates a vivid sense of music and movement in the graceful watercolor illustrations. A fresh addition to the Tallulah series.”
“Love is the core of the voyage … The breathtaking art carries the message throughout.”
“…exemplary watercolors, which show both delicacy and strength, and features inspiring quotes. This well-curated list will show children that women’s voices have made themselves emphatically heard.”
“…there’s a beautiful wordless language at play here as Boiger captures the quiet dignity of these 13 women in ways that are tonally similar but sufficiently distinct to make turning the page to another spread a real pleasure.”
“In this tale of sled-riding friends, Alexandra Boiger, successfully captures the Olympic spirit. Max and Marla is a story about persistence in pursuing goals and sends a positive message that true Olympians never give up to readers of any age.”