Saturday, February 04, 2012

The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort

This adaptation of the classic "Wheels on the bus" song will leave kids giggling and and singing.  Somehow the passengers and drivers on this particular bus have been replaced and overrun with animals, and the pattern of the song allows for each animal's sound to be enthusiastically repeated.  Roughly penciled and cut-paper illustrations by G. Brian Karas complete the picture of a bus-ride gone awry.

Try also:
Moo moo brown cow, have you any milk? by Phillis Gershator
Who took the cookies from the cookie jar? by Bonnie Lass and Philemon Sturges
We're going on a bear hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed by Eileen Christelow

Monday, January 30, 2012

Kitten's First Full Moon

This black and white book may not seem like much at first glance, but Kevin Henke's Caldecott Medal-winning Kitten's First Full Moon will soon become a favorite upon opening the cover.  A little kitten, upon seeing the full moon for the first time, thinks it is a bowl of milk and sets off on an adventure to try and reach it.  Kitten's expressive face, and the simple illustrations and story will delight readers of all ages.

Try also:

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohman
City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
Gossie by Olivier Dunrea
The Tale of Tom Kitten by Beatrix Potter

Art & Max

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.   David Wiesner proves this time and time again with his wordless (or word-minimal in this case) picture books.  Art and Max are lizards who are painters...but two very different types of painters.  When Max paints Art (literally) and attempts to reverse the damage, Art nearly disappears all-together.  Max must work to re-create Art using various media.  Art & Max is brilliantly colorful and a delightful story to read.

Try also:

Chalk by Bill Thomson
Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman
Wave by Suzy Lee
Harold & the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson
Press Here by Herve Tullet

Spot goes to the farm by Eric Hill

In this classic lift-the-flap book, Spot the dog visits a farm in search of baby animals.  Toddlers will love looking behind the bushes, opening the door, and moving aside the grass to find baby animals of all kinds.  This book allows children to practice their animals words and noises, while improving their fine motor skills!

Try also:

Peek-a-moo by Marie Torres Cimarusti
Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg
Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert
Max counts his chickens by Rosemary Wells
Gossie by Olivier Dunrea

My dog is as smelly as dirty socks

This silly book uses similes to create a very amusing and bizarre family portrait.  A little girl, in trying to describe her family for a school project, compares them to everything from a whistle to a cookie to a pepperoni.  Objects join together at the end of each description to create a goofy picture of each family member.

Try also:

I spy: a book of picture riddles by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick
Food for Thought by Saxton Freymann
Crazy like a fox by Loreen Leedy
The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane Auch
Some Smug Slug by Pamela Duncan Edwards

There are Cats in this Book


Meet a great group of playful cats and explore a book filled with yarn, fish, and lots of interactive fun together! 


Also try:  Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog, Don't Make Me Laugh, I want my Hat Back, Press Here, There are No cats in this Book

Pouch!

A wonderful, warm, and reassuring story about exploring the world and making new friends.
Very sweet!

Also try:
Leaves
The Loud Book
Gossie and Gertie
Monkey and Me

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Purple Little Bird


Purple Little Bird, by Greg Foley is ideal for young children. Purple Little Bird will surely endear himself with his bright color, oversize head, and anxious expression.
The art is simple and elegant and the story has a nice message along with the obvious introduction of colors. Very appealing!



Also Try:

WILLOUGHBY & THE MOON by Greg Foley

WILLOUGHBY & THE LION by Greg Foley

THANK YOU, BEAR by Greg Foley