New babies can be a fraught experience, and we've got several storytimers who are going through that process right now, so a small break from Halloween gives us some cute takes on new siblinghood.
The Baby Tree
Sophie Blackall
A cute compilation of all the different prominent American cultural myths about "where babies come from" from storks to cabbage patches to hospitals (vaguely) to the baby tree of the title and cover. At the end, the confusion is cleared up by a medically accurate but child-appropriate explanation of how the baby is made from a seed and an egg, and grows inside the mom until it's old enough to be born. Cute AND useful!
Baby Can
Eve Bunting, Maxie Chambers
Sibling rivalry starts early, and here we have an older sibling who is just a mite jealous of all the attention baby is getting for accomplishments that he can do just fine, but doesn't seem to get noticed or praised for! An attentive and complimentary (and distracting) family good-naturedly accomodate his need for attention in a positive and child-centered way, and by the end, the baby and brother are celebrating their successes together.
Bobo and the New Baby
Rebecca Minhsuan Huang
Bobo is an adorable dachshund, and he lives very happily with the Lees, until they bring home a baby. Suddenly everything Bobo wants must take second place to the baby - all the time! Despite that, Bobo is determined to be helpful and tries to kill a bee in the house, and initially gets yelled at, but when the Lees realize Bobo was trying to protect the baby, they formally introduce the two, and Bobo once more feels like an integral part of the family. (Hardcore echoes of Lady and the Tramp here, but that's probably because it's in the news with the new movie right now.)
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: More Creepy Fun
These were picked out by my coworker for a morning of spooky sillyness.
Click, Clack, Boo!
Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
The book sticks to the classic format, but here we're substituting creepy and silly halloween sounds into the mix. Funny and light.
Me and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween
David Biedrzycki
The irrepressible boy and his bright red pet dragon (who may or may not be imaginary) navigate the sometimes scary rituals and proceedings of a traditional American-style Halloween, and discover the fun behind the scary costumes and dark nights out.
Little Blue Truck's Halloween
Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
A cute "lift-the-flap" book features Little Blue Truck and friends as they head into a cozy Halloween night. Very good for kids hesitant about the whole deal, or parents trying to navigate the line between religion and culture.
Click, Clack, Boo!
Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
The book sticks to the classic format, but here we're substituting creepy and silly halloween sounds into the mix. Funny and light.
Me and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween
David Biedrzycki
The irrepressible boy and his bright red pet dragon (who may or may not be imaginary) navigate the sometimes scary rituals and proceedings of a traditional American-style Halloween, and discover the fun behind the scary costumes and dark nights out.
Little Blue Truck's Halloween
Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
A cute "lift-the-flap" book features Little Blue Truck and friends as they head into a cozy Halloween night. Very good for kids hesitant about the whole deal, or parents trying to navigate the line between religion and culture.
Tuesday Storytime: Pumpkin Time
It's October and that means Halloween! Getting into the spirit early with a trio of pumpkin-related stories.
Ten Orange Pumpkins
Stephen Savage
A fun, slightly spooky, counting book - watch out for the enormous spider towards the end!
Pumpkin Cat
Anne Mortimer
Cat and Mouse prepare all spring and summer for a pumpkin, and when it's finally grown in the fall, Mouse has a final surprise for Cat.
Boo! Haiku
Deanna Caswell, illustrated by Bob Shea
This "guess who" format is fun with the haiku rhythms, and the guesses aren't too hard, as long as the adults are willing to offer additional clues - even then "skeleton" was a bit over their heads. Overall tho, very satisfactory as a creepy fun call and response book.
Ten Orange Pumpkins
Stephen Savage
A fun, slightly spooky, counting book - watch out for the enormous spider towards the end!
Pumpkin Cat
Anne Mortimer
Cat and Mouse prepare all spring and summer for a pumpkin, and when it's finally grown in the fall, Mouse has a final surprise for Cat.
Boo! Haiku
Deanna Caswell, illustrated by Bob Shea
This "guess who" format is fun with the haiku rhythms, and the guesses aren't too hard, as long as the adults are willing to offer additional clues - even then "skeleton" was a bit over their heads. Overall tho, very satisfactory as a creepy fun call and response book.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Family is Cozy
These three books highlight the kindness of families and friends and the feelings of belonging and comfort you can find with others.
Bunny in the Middle
Anika A. Denise, illustrated by Christopher Denise
This is a sweet story about the unique trials of the middle child, presented in a relentlessly chipper tone as opportunities to be BOTH the younger (being cared for and helped) AND the older (being the helper or the teacher) child in a family or group.
Rabbit Listened
Cory Doerrfeld
Such a sweet perfect book. When a terrible accident befalls their block city, other stuffed animals and friends stop by to commiserate, sympathize, or offer advice. But the rabbit is the only one who gets it right, and just sits and listens as the child pours out their sadness. At the end, all the commiseration and sympathy and advice are helpful also - just that there needed to be that time of acknowledgement and space to feel the feelings first. Very psychologically accurate and sweetly presented.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Jamie A. Swenson, illustrated by David Walker
On a dark and thundery night, all of the stuffed animals and pets jump one by one in this "10-in-the-bed" variant until the blankets are stuffed to the edges and the bed finally gives out. A few abandon ship, and the rest snuggle down in the now somewhat crooked bed, finally able to sleep for the night.
Bunny in the Middle
Anika A. Denise, illustrated by Christopher Denise
This is a sweet story about the unique trials of the middle child, presented in a relentlessly chipper tone as opportunities to be BOTH the younger (being cared for and helped) AND the older (being the helper or the teacher) child in a family or group.
Rabbit Listened
Cory Doerrfeld
Such a sweet perfect book. When a terrible accident befalls their block city, other stuffed animals and friends stop by to commiserate, sympathize, or offer advice. But the rabbit is the only one who gets it right, and just sits and listens as the child pours out their sadness. At the end, all the commiseration and sympathy and advice are helpful also - just that there needed to be that time of acknowledgement and space to feel the feelings first. Very psychologically accurate and sweetly presented.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Jamie A. Swenson, illustrated by David Walker
On a dark and thundery night, all of the stuffed animals and pets jump one by one in this "10-in-the-bed" variant until the blankets are stuffed to the edges and the bed finally gives out. A few abandon ship, and the rest snuggle down in the now somewhat crooked bed, finally able to sleep for the night.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Elephants on Parade
There are so many good picture books featuring elephants. It's really just astounding. Here are three of my perennial favorites:
Elmer
David McKee
Elmer is a patchwork-colored elephant - the only one in his herd. He always feels just a little bit out of place, so he plays the prankster and joker and always cracks the other elephants up, but when he thinks that they ONLY like him for his jokes, he sets off to try to become normal elephant color to fit in better. When he realizes that he's liked for himself, and that his patchworks mean that he is individual in a way the other elephant's can't be, he becomes a bit more accepting of his differences.
Tweak Tweak
Eve Bunting, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
A cute "growing up" story by Eve Bunting gets even more adorable with soft-edged and fluffy illustrations by Ruzzier. A mama elephant takes her baby out on a walk and they talk about what they see, and what's possible for baby elephants to do, or not to do as the case may be. Very cute, and a fun way to introduce the idea that not everything is right for everybody, and that families and people may be different and have different abilities.
Small Elephant's Bathtime
Tatyana Feeney
Sweet short story about Small Elephant, who really doesn't like bathtime, but when DAD starts having all the fun in the bath, now we can't have that, can we? It's a cute twist on the "wait til your FATHER comes home" trope (which is hopefully becoming more of a thing of the past) and an adorable family with good problem-solving skills.
Elmer
David McKee
Elmer is a patchwork-colored elephant - the only one in his herd. He always feels just a little bit out of place, so he plays the prankster and joker and always cracks the other elephants up, but when he thinks that they ONLY like him for his jokes, he sets off to try to become normal elephant color to fit in better. When he realizes that he's liked for himself, and that his patchworks mean that he is individual in a way the other elephant's can't be, he becomes a bit more accepting of his differences.
Tweak Tweak
Eve Bunting, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
A cute "growing up" story by Eve Bunting gets even more adorable with soft-edged and fluffy illustrations by Ruzzier. A mama elephant takes her baby out on a walk and they talk about what they see, and what's possible for baby elephants to do, or not to do as the case may be. Very cute, and a fun way to introduce the idea that not everything is right for everybody, and that families and people may be different and have different abilities.
Small Elephant's Bathtime
Tatyana Feeney
Sweet short story about Small Elephant, who really doesn't like bathtime, but when DAD starts having all the fun in the bath, now we can't have that, can we? It's a cute twist on the "wait til your FATHER comes home" trope (which is hopefully becoming more of a thing of the past) and an adorable family with good problem-solving skills.
Monday, September 30, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Fun Clothes
It's getting to be VERY SLIGHTLY cooler weather, which means a lot of outfit changes and fraught clothing decisions to be made, so a storytime about all sorts of clothing conundrums is a fun take on the topic.
Ella Sarah Gets Dressed
Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Ella Sarah wants to wear a VERY SPECIFIC set of clothing, that, to be completely honest, is just totally over the top. Her family takes it in turn to suggest alternatives, but Ella Sarah remains insistent on her chosen outfit, which ends up working perfectly for her afternoon plans.
A Hat for Minerva Louise
Janet Morgan Stoeke
This series of books almost makes me like chickens. This time around, Minerva Louise is enjoying the winter weather, but it IS a little cold out. A hat would make it much more bearable to go exploring outside, but she keeps having troubles finding one that works out. Kids love identifying the various items, and parents enjoy that their kids can yell out stuff about the book without having to "shush" them.
Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?
Eve Bunting, Sergio Ruzzier
A cute little green duck(ling?) is wandering around pathetically looking for his new blue socks in this nearly-offensively rhyming story that thankfully is over before the rhyme scheme drives anyone utterly mad. There's a quite obvious twist ending, and other than the rhyming, it's sweet and cute and a familiar scenario to anyone with a toddler (or frankly anyone with too much on their mind or a forgetful nature).
Ella Sarah Gets Dressed
Margaret Chodos-Irvine
Ella Sarah wants to wear a VERY SPECIFIC set of clothing, that, to be completely honest, is just totally over the top. Her family takes it in turn to suggest alternatives, but Ella Sarah remains insistent on her chosen outfit, which ends up working perfectly for her afternoon plans.
A Hat for Minerva Louise
Janet Morgan Stoeke
This series of books almost makes me like chickens. This time around, Minerva Louise is enjoying the winter weather, but it IS a little cold out. A hat would make it much more bearable to go exploring outside, but she keeps having troubles finding one that works out. Kids love identifying the various items, and parents enjoy that their kids can yell out stuff about the book without having to "shush" them.
Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?
Eve Bunting, Sergio Ruzzier
A cute little green duck(ling?) is wandering around pathetically looking for his new blue socks in this nearly-offensively rhyming story that thankfully is over before the rhyme scheme drives anyone utterly mad. There's a quite obvious twist ending, and other than the rhyming, it's sweet and cute and a familiar scenario to anyone with a toddler (or frankly anyone with too much on their mind or a forgetful nature).
Friday, September 27, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Scaly Shenanigans
A fun trio of books featuring alligators, dragons, and dinosaurs, selected by my coworker.
Gator Dad
Brian Lies
Celebrates an anthropomorphic gator dad and his kids having a delightful summery "do nothing" sort of day, where somehow an awful lot of things get done, and memories get made. Really suprisingly sweet and innocent and wholesome-hearted.
Me and My Dragon
David Biedrzycki
A boy and his dragon go to the beach, where lots of things get all messed up, and of course it is always the dragon's fault. The shame-faced dragon reforms when things go a little bit too far, and peace is restored... or is it?
If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Linda Bailey, illustrated by Colin Jack
This is a very helpful how-to book on what you can do to keep your particular type of dragon happy and employed, or at least occupied, in a manner that suits both the dragon and you. There are dragons that like to blow leaves around, and ones who love to vaccuum, and ones who will scare away the neighborhood bullies, or conveniently eat your homework for you! Cute and tongue firmly in cheek.
Gator Dad
Brian Lies
Celebrates an anthropomorphic gator dad and his kids having a delightful summery "do nothing" sort of day, where somehow an awful lot of things get done, and memories get made. Really suprisingly sweet and innocent and wholesome-hearted.
Me and My Dragon
David Biedrzycki
A boy and his dragon go to the beach, where lots of things get all messed up, and of course it is always the dragon's fault. The shame-faced dragon reforms when things go a little bit too far, and peace is restored... or is it?
If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Linda Bailey, illustrated by Colin Jack
This is a very helpful how-to book on what you can do to keep your particular type of dragon happy and employed, or at least occupied, in a manner that suits both the dragon and you. There are dragons that like to blow leaves around, and ones who love to vaccuum, and ones who will scare away the neighborhood bullies, or conveniently eat your homework for you! Cute and tongue firmly in cheek.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Jungle Fun
Last week's storytime was a lot of fun as we interactively explored the jungle, and learned about friendship and conservation along the way.
The Rain Forest (Scholastic "First Discovery Book")
Gallimard Jeunesse, and Rene Mettler, illustrated by Rene Mettler
This transparency-flip book lets kids see scenes of the jungle from one viewpoint, and then reveals all the hidden mysterious creatures and life in the scene that may not have been obvious at first glance. It is a bit small, but we had mostly younger children, so they crowded around and we spent a lot of time examining all of the wonders of the rain forest.
What's in the Jungle? (lift the flap board book)
Renee Jablow, illustrated by Rosario Valderrama
A cute simple book with rhyming sets giving clues to what animals is hiding behind the flaps, easy enough for the youngest kids to guess. Very VERY short.
Explorers of the Wild
Cale Atkinson
A boy and a bear cub share a parallel story of solo exploration in a magical forest and mountain, until they encounter each other and after a brief moment of fear, realize what they have in common, and use their bravery and friendship to go further and explore more deeply than they ever did before. Very cute and I love the faux cartoon-rustic art style.
The Rain Forest (Scholastic "First Discovery Book")
Gallimard Jeunesse, and Rene Mettler, illustrated by Rene Mettler
This transparency-flip book lets kids see scenes of the jungle from one viewpoint, and then reveals all the hidden mysterious creatures and life in the scene that may not have been obvious at first glance. It is a bit small, but we had mostly younger children, so they crowded around and we spent a lot of time examining all of the wonders of the rain forest.
What's in the Jungle? (lift the flap board book)
Renee Jablow, illustrated by Rosario Valderrama
A cute simple book with rhyming sets giving clues to what animals is hiding behind the flaps, easy enough for the youngest kids to guess. Very VERY short.
Explorers of the Wild
Cale Atkinson
A boy and a bear cub share a parallel story of solo exploration in a magical forest and mountain, until they encounter each other and after a brief moment of fear, realize what they have in common, and use their bravery and friendship to go further and explore more deeply than they ever did before. Very cute and I love the faux cartoon-rustic art style.
Monday, September 16, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Funny Animals
This storytime was compiled and given by a different co-worker, as both of us were on vacation at the same time! Cute and good books tho, very well chosen.
One, Two, Cockatoo!
Sarah Garson
Essentially a counting and tongue-twister book, it's a silly romp through an idealized jungle canopy where cockatoos (and eventually other animals) all get involved in counting and dancing and frolicking around being generally silly.
Llama llama mess, mess, mess
An Anna Dewdney book (by Reed Duncan (her former spouse?) and illustrated by JT Morrow)
The shine is a bit off of this continuing series, but it still manages to be sprightly and cute, and handle child-level concerns and thought-patterns quite well. This time around, Llama llama sees what happens when no-one cleans up, and he doesn't like the chaos as much as he thought he would. Maybe a BIT of cleaning might be ok?
Kiss Goodnight
Amy Hest, illustrated by Anita Jeram
Always a sweet ending book. Sam gets all the standard bedtime rituals, but he's still waiting! For the most important part of bedtime, of course.
One, Two, Cockatoo!
Sarah Garson
Essentially a counting and tongue-twister book, it's a silly romp through an idealized jungle canopy where cockatoos (and eventually other animals) all get involved in counting and dancing and frolicking around being generally silly.
Llama llama mess, mess, mess
An Anna Dewdney book (by Reed Duncan (her former spouse?) and illustrated by JT Morrow)
The shine is a bit off of this continuing series, but it still manages to be sprightly and cute, and handle child-level concerns and thought-patterns quite well. This time around, Llama llama sees what happens when no-one cleans up, and he doesn't like the chaos as much as he thought he would. Maybe a BIT of cleaning might be ok?
Kiss Goodnight
Amy Hest, illustrated by Anita Jeram
Always a sweet ending book. Sam gets all the standard bedtime rituals, but he's still waiting! For the most important part of bedtime, of course.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Rainy Day Storytime
We got drenched this morning, so I pulled one of my usual fall storytimes forward to celebrate the sudden thunderstorm.
Tap Tap Boom Boom
Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Urban residents take to the subway underground station to seek shelter from a sudden rainstorm, and find friendship and fun while down there.
Rain
Sam Usher
A boy is DELIGHTED that it's a rainy day, and can't wait for all the rainy-day adventures to begin, but his grandfather persuades him to wait and wait and WAIT for the rain to end before heading outside for the eventual fun. Gets a little surreal at the end, might confuse littler ones as to what's real and what's imaginary.
Like a Hundred Drums
Annette Griessman, illustrated by Julie Monks
A lovely nature-and-farm-animal focused look at an incoming thunderstorm, heavy on the anticipation. The people are almost an afterthought, and it's a surprisingly lyrical and longing take on the subject.
Tap Tap Boom Boom
Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Urban residents take to the subway underground station to seek shelter from a sudden rainstorm, and find friendship and fun while down there.
Rain
Sam Usher
A boy is DELIGHTED that it's a rainy day, and can't wait for all the rainy-day adventures to begin, but his grandfather persuades him to wait and wait and WAIT for the rain to end before heading outside for the eventual fun. Gets a little surreal at the end, might confuse littler ones as to what's real and what's imaginary.
Like a Hundred Drums
Annette Griessman, illustrated by Julie Monks
A lovely nature-and-farm-animal focused look at an incoming thunderstorm, heavy on the anticipation. The people are almost an afterthought, and it's a surprisingly lyrical and longing take on the subject.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Summer Adventures
Last week's storytime was done by my coworker, celebrating the last dregs of summer fun before school starts back up.
Ice Cream Summer
Peter SÃs
Summer Days and Nights
Wong Herbert Yee
Maisy Goes on Vacation
Lucy Cousins
Ice Cream Summer
Peter SÃs
Summer Days and Nights
Wong Herbert Yee
Maisy Goes on Vacation
Lucy Cousins
Friday, August 16, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Imaginary Selves
There's lots of focus placed on imaginary friends, but this time around I wanted to focus on how children imagine themselves as bigger, stronger, or more interesting people (or versions of themselves) to empower themselves through life and challenges. Here we have three different versions of "imaginary selves" helping kids face some pretty common kid struggles: baby siblings, bedtime, and new schools.
Rodeo Red
Maripat Perkins, illustrated by Molly Idle
Rodeo Red does NOT like that new cowpoke Sideswiping Slim. That ornery thing snaps up toys, food, and even messes up her favorite hat! Not only that, but the "law" (mom and dad) are inexplicably and unfairly on that little snake's side! When he steals her sidekick Rusty the (stuffed) dog, Red just has to set things right. After a few botched attempts, an unwanted gift proves to be a welcome distraction. Maybe, just maybe, things can get set right with this rascal eventually.
Bedtime for Batman
Michael Dahl, illustrated by Ethen Beavers
A sweet side-by-side comparison story shows a small boy in Gotham readying for bed in the persona of his favorite caped crusader, Batman. While the boy faces challenges like the potty and managing to stuff all of his toys into the bin, Batman is cleaning up familiar evildoers from the sewers. The comparisons are funny and sweet, and the story is full of good rituals (with a checklist at the end for good measure). There's a companion story "Sweet Dreams, Supergirl" (and one with Superman and Wonder Woman) which is also adorable, but I liked the paired storytelling of this one best.
Ally-saurus and the First Day of School
Richard Torrey
Ally-saurus is a dinosaur for her first day of school, which helps her be brave and gives her something to focus on while she learns to navigate desks and class rituals. When lunchtime comes, despite being shunned by the "princess table," she finds a set of friends (all of whom have their own favorite animal (or item) to play happily, even with the princesses, during recess and afterwards into class again. A positive story about the impact of imagination and acceptance and being friendly.
Rodeo Red
Maripat Perkins, illustrated by Molly Idle
Rodeo Red does NOT like that new cowpoke Sideswiping Slim. That ornery thing snaps up toys, food, and even messes up her favorite hat! Not only that, but the "law" (mom and dad) are inexplicably and unfairly on that little snake's side! When he steals her sidekick Rusty the (stuffed) dog, Red just has to set things right. After a few botched attempts, an unwanted gift proves to be a welcome distraction. Maybe, just maybe, things can get set right with this rascal eventually.
Bedtime for Batman
Michael Dahl, illustrated by Ethen Beavers
A sweet side-by-side comparison story shows a small boy in Gotham readying for bed in the persona of his favorite caped crusader, Batman. While the boy faces challenges like the potty and managing to stuff all of his toys into the bin, Batman is cleaning up familiar evildoers from the sewers. The comparisons are funny and sweet, and the story is full of good rituals (with a checklist at the end for good measure). There's a companion story "Sweet Dreams, Supergirl" (and one with Superman and Wonder Woman) which is also adorable, but I liked the paired storytelling of this one best.
Ally-saurus and the First Day of School
Richard Torrey
Ally-saurus is a dinosaur for her first day of school, which helps her be brave and gives her something to focus on while she learns to navigate desks and class rituals. When lunchtime comes, despite being shunned by the "princess table," she finds a set of friends (all of whom have their own favorite animal (or item) to play happily, even with the princesses, during recess and afterwards into class again. A positive story about the impact of imagination and acceptance and being friendly.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Summer Fun
These were selected by my coworker!
An Island in the Sun
Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli
A "House that Jack built" narrative structure, and a lovely rhyming flow make this sweet but fairly empty story move along quickly, held largely together by the utterly beautiful illustrations of sun and wind and water and islands in a tropical imagination of a world. Beautiful but slight.
North, South, East, West
Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
An unpublished little gem from Margaret Wise Brown has a little bird fluttering off into different climates as she flies in each cardinal direction to discover where she most wants to be - finally (seemingly) returning home to settle and raise a family who end the story by taking wing in all different directions just like their mother.
Leo Can Swim
Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson
Leo is Lola's little brother, a Black British child who has family-and-child-centered real-life adventures with his family and father, much as Lola does in her books. In this story, Leo and his dad go to a swim class at a local pool, and encounter locker rooms, swimming gear, a swimming lesson, and a nice rest after class. Perfect little books for explaining life experiences for kids about to start on them personally, or for kids who may never have that experience to learn about them in a realistic way.
An Island in the Sun
Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli
A "House that Jack built" narrative structure, and a lovely rhyming flow make this sweet but fairly empty story move along quickly, held largely together by the utterly beautiful illustrations of sun and wind and water and islands in a tropical imagination of a world. Beautiful but slight.
North, South, East, West
Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
An unpublished little gem from Margaret Wise Brown has a little bird fluttering off into different climates as she flies in each cardinal direction to discover where she most wants to be - finally (seemingly) returning home to settle and raise a family who end the story by taking wing in all different directions just like their mother.
Leo Can Swim
Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson
Leo is Lola's little brother, a Black British child who has family-and-child-centered real-life adventures with his family and father, much as Lola does in her books. In this story, Leo and his dad go to a swim class at a local pool, and encounter locker rooms, swimming gear, a swimming lesson, and a nice rest after class. Perfect little books for explaining life experiences for kids about to start on them personally, or for kids who may never have that experience to learn about them in a realistic way.
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Summer Reading Storytime, space, week 8
Last week of Space! We say goodbye with a set from my coworker:
Mail Harry to the Moon!
Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley
Our unnamed narrator is QUITE DISPLEASED with the new addition to the family, especially now that his things (and food, and parental affection) are getting seriously infringed upon. When smaller ideas - toss him in the trash, flush him down the toilet - don't gain any traction, he goes for the ultimate solution and decides that they need to just Mail Harry to the Moon! But the next morning he's shocked by the silence - did they ACTUALLY do it? But the baby's too young to be on the moon by himself! So off he goes to the rescue, deciding it's really not that bad to have a baby brother after all.
Space Cows (easy reader)
Eric Seltzer, illustrated by Tom Disbury
This silly story reminds me of Sandra Boynton's goofyness, but in a easy-reader format. Nothing serious or ponderous, just a silly little nonsense rhyme featuring cows in spacesuits cavorting about in space and on the moon, and in spaceships.
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Grace Lin
This sweet fable (adapted from childhood memories of the actual Chinese Moon Festival, although not from the mythology associated with it) has Mama and Little Star as a small family, baking lovely tasty mooncakes that Little Star can't resist slowly nibbling on through the month, leaving a trail of crumbs as the milky way. Sweet and gentle and a fun "just-so story" for the phases of the moon being caused by a hungry little girl.
Mail Harry to the Moon!
Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley
Our unnamed narrator is QUITE DISPLEASED with the new addition to the family, especially now that his things (and food, and parental affection) are getting seriously infringed upon. When smaller ideas - toss him in the trash, flush him down the toilet - don't gain any traction, he goes for the ultimate solution and decides that they need to just Mail Harry to the Moon! But the next morning he's shocked by the silence - did they ACTUALLY do it? But the baby's too young to be on the moon by himself! So off he goes to the rescue, deciding it's really not that bad to have a baby brother after all.
Space Cows (easy reader)
Eric Seltzer, illustrated by Tom Disbury
This silly story reminds me of Sandra Boynton's goofyness, but in a easy-reader format. Nothing serious or ponderous, just a silly little nonsense rhyme featuring cows in spacesuits cavorting about in space and on the moon, and in spaceships.
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
Grace Lin
This sweet fable (adapted from childhood memories of the actual Chinese Moon Festival, although not from the mythology associated with it) has Mama and Little Star as a small family, baking lovely tasty mooncakes that Little Star can't resist slowly nibbling on through the month, leaving a trail of crumbs as the milky way. Sweet and gentle and a fun "just-so story" for the phases of the moon being caused by a hungry little girl.
Summer Reading Storytime, space, week 7
Last week of the SRP, but we're going to roll the storytimes for 8 weeks and end on the last day of July.
Here are our second-to-last space summer reading books for Pendleton's Family Storytime group!
Moondogs
Daniel Kirk
His parents are desperate to get him a pal, but Willy is convinced that no pet will be as good as a moondog. But when an alien threatens everyone, a good old earth mutt saves the day, and changes Willy's mind.
Boy + Bot
Ame Dyckman, illustrated Dan Yaccarino
A cute short fable of good friends trying their best to meet needs even in the face of unexpected challenges (and operating systems). The weird tiny scientist at the end is icing on the cupcake.
Garcia and Collette go Exploring
Hannah Barnaby, illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Garcia and Collette can't decide WHERE to explore, so they build their own devices (rocket and submarine) and head off on their respective adventures, but they realize the true fun of exploring is having someone to share the fun. Back they come, the inventions are invented upon, and a mutually-enjoyable destination is discovered in the end.
Here are our second-to-last space summer reading books for Pendleton's Family Storytime group!
Moondogs
Daniel Kirk
His parents are desperate to get him a pal, but Willy is convinced that no pet will be as good as a moondog. But when an alien threatens everyone, a good old earth mutt saves the day, and changes Willy's mind.
Boy + Bot
Ame Dyckman, illustrated Dan Yaccarino
A cute short fable of good friends trying their best to meet needs even in the face of unexpected challenges (and operating systems). The weird tiny scientist at the end is icing on the cupcake.
Garcia and Collette go Exploring
Hannah Barnaby, illustrated by Andrew Joyner
Garcia and Collette can't decide WHERE to explore, so they build their own devices (rocket and submarine) and head off on their respective adventures, but they realize the true fun of exploring is having someone to share the fun. Back they come, the inventions are invented upon, and a mutually-enjoyable destination is discovered in the end.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Summer Reading Storytime, space, week 6
The end of summer got away from me!
For this week, we had some cute stories picked out by my coworker:
Little Fox and the Missing Moon
Ekaterina Trukhan
After a nightmare where he eats the moon, Little Fox (and eventually his friends) head out into the dark night to find it. A bit wandering, but cute illustrations, and a sweet story.
No, No, Kitten!
Shelley Moore Thomas, illustrated by Lori Nichols
Kitten just needs a bowl and a basket and a laser pointer and a spaceship... What? Kitten wants to go to Jupiter, of course!
Roaring Rockets
Tony Mitton, illustrated by Ant Parker
Nonfiction content in a narrative form, with anthropomorphic animals as the cast, and wobby "crayon" faux naif illustrations. Super cute and I appreciate the attentiveness to veracity.
For this week, we had some cute stories picked out by my coworker:
Little Fox and the Missing Moon
Ekaterina Trukhan
After a nightmare where he eats the moon, Little Fox (and eventually his friends) head out into the dark night to find it. A bit wandering, but cute illustrations, and a sweet story.
No, No, Kitten!
Shelley Moore Thomas, illustrated by Lori Nichols
Kitten just needs a bowl and a basket and a laser pointer and a spaceship... What? Kitten wants to go to Jupiter, of course!
Roaring Rockets
Tony Mitton, illustrated by Ant Parker
Nonfiction content in a narrative form, with anthropomorphic animals as the cast, and wobby "crayon" faux naif illustrations. Super cute and I appreciate the attentiveness to veracity.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Summer Reading Storytime, space, week 5
Our 5th week of summer reading, and another week of themed storytimes for the little kids to go along with the program themes. Today we're looking at Science and Exploration!
Cece Loves Science
Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
ISBN: 9780062499608
Cece and her science partner Isaac are documenting a science experiment for class: everything from coming up with a Hypothesis to Testing Parameters, to the Experiment itself, and Documenting Results. They're trying to see if Cece's dog Einstein likes vegetables. I'd like to see some interesting science-based story-stretchers based on this book and some of the narrative and scientific elisions it makes, but that's just me being picky. It's cute and fun and Cece is a great science-based protagonist.
Life on Mars
John Agee
ISBN: 9780399538520
Our intrepid ungendered protagonist marches steadfastly around on Mars, missing the forest for the trees, or in this case, the giant red alien monster for the dirt and rocks and one pretty flower. At least until he gets back to his spaceship and discovers that SOMETHING is out there in a cute little finale.
Mae Among the Stars
Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington
ISBN: 9780062651730
A fictionalized account of "daydreamer" Mae Jemison, who made history as the first African-American woman astronaut, AND in space. An excellent if slightly trite rendition of the "follow your dreams and don't let the haters (or well-intentioned realists) get you down" tradition of inspirational storybook, with illustrations that drag the quality up by main force.
Cece Loves Science
Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
ISBN: 9780062499608
Cece and her science partner Isaac are documenting a science experiment for class: everything from coming up with a Hypothesis to Testing Parameters, to the Experiment itself, and Documenting Results. They're trying to see if Cece's dog Einstein likes vegetables. I'd like to see some interesting science-based story-stretchers based on this book and some of the narrative and scientific elisions it makes, but that's just me being picky. It's cute and fun and Cece is a great science-based protagonist.
Life on Mars
John Agee
ISBN: 9780399538520
Our intrepid ungendered protagonist marches steadfastly around on Mars, missing the forest for the trees, or in this case, the giant red alien monster for the dirt and rocks and one pretty flower. At least until he gets back to his spaceship and discovers that SOMETHING is out there in a cute little finale.
Mae Among the Stars
Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington
ISBN: 9780062651730
A fictionalized account of "daydreamer" Mae Jemison, who made history as the first African-American woman astronaut, AND in space. An excellent if slightly trite rendition of the "follow your dreams and don't let the haters (or well-intentioned realists) get you down" tradition of inspirational storybook, with illustrations that drag the quality up by main force.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: still space, even though the SRP is on a break for the 4th
This week's selections were chosen by my coworker:
The Babysitter from Another Planet
Stephen Savage
ISBN: 9780823441471
The Moon (Bamboo and Friends)
Felica Law, illustrated by Nicola Evans
ISBN: 1404812822
Chicken in Space
Adam Lehrhaupt, illustrated by Shahar Kober
ISBN: 9780062364128
The Babysitter from Another Planet
Stephen Savage
ISBN: 9780823441471
The Moon (Bamboo and Friends)
Felica Law, illustrated by Nicola Evans
ISBN: 1404812822
Chicken in Space
Adam Lehrhaupt, illustrated by Shahar Kober
ISBN: 9780062364128
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Summer Reading Storytime: space, week 4
My coworker picked these out, they're super cute!
Planet Kindergarten
Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Shane Prigmore
ISBN: 9781452118932
Really cute gloss of the first day of kindergarten as a mission to space, and it holds together quite nicely. I especially like the touches of having various kindergartners be various types of aliens just through hair and clothing and poses. Very fun, and lots of nudge-nudge wink-wink about what things "really" are. Short and cute.
Kitten's First Full Moon
Kevin Henkes
ISBN: 9780060588281
Kitten roams outside at night and discovers the moon, the night, and a nice puddle of what looks like milk, but is in fact the reflection of the beautiful moon. Soft, gentle, and sweet. A classic.
On the Launch Pad: A Counting Book About Rockets
Michael Dahl, illustrated by Derrick Alderman and Denise Shea
ISBN: 1404805818
Lovely little counting book with BRIGHT simple illustrations of rockets getting ready to blast into space. Super short and sweet, with lovely primary colors and nice textural color washes and collage pieces to add depth and visual interest. An excellent visual walkthrough of the process (very simplified) of getting a rocket ready to liftoff and head off into space, centered into a counting book where the visual elements match the number of that particular page. Hard work to set it up, but it's a breeze to read through, and a delight to look at the finished design.
Planet Kindergarten
Sue Ganz-Schmitt, illustrated by Shane Prigmore
ISBN: 9781452118932
Really cute gloss of the first day of kindergarten as a mission to space, and it holds together quite nicely. I especially like the touches of having various kindergartners be various types of aliens just through hair and clothing and poses. Very fun, and lots of nudge-nudge wink-wink about what things "really" are. Short and cute.
Kitten's First Full Moon
Kevin Henkes
ISBN: 9780060588281
Kitten roams outside at night and discovers the moon, the night, and a nice puddle of what looks like milk, but is in fact the reflection of the beautiful moon. Soft, gentle, and sweet. A classic.
On the Launch Pad: A Counting Book About Rockets
Michael Dahl, illustrated by Derrick Alderman and Denise Shea
ISBN: 1404805818
Lovely little counting book with BRIGHT simple illustrations of rockets getting ready to blast into space. Super short and sweet, with lovely primary colors and nice textural color washes and collage pieces to add depth and visual interest. An excellent visual walkthrough of the process (very simplified) of getting a rocket ready to liftoff and head off into space, centered into a counting book where the visual elements match the number of that particular page. Hard work to set it up, but it's a breeze to read through, and a delight to look at the finished design.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Summer Reading Storytime: space, week 3
My turn again!
Three fun ones about rockets and heading off into space, to tie into our program this afternoon where a team from the local amateur radio club will be using HAM radios to ask questions of an astronaut (an actor in costume, hidden in the building).
Hedgie Blasts Off!
written and illustrated by Jan Brett
ISBN: 0399246215
Hedgie works the clean-up crew for the Professor's space program, but something's gone terribly wrong, and the robot that they want to use to for the mission has malfunctioned. Only someone Hedgie's size can fit into the rocket, so Hedgie finally gets to realize his dreams of being an astronaut, as he heads out to the mini-planet of Mikkop and the malfunctioning magic geyser that shoots up the sparkles needed to nourish the beautiful tourist-pleasing plants of the tiny planet. A cute look at astronauts, eco-tourism, conservation, and the interdependence of life, even on tiny little planets in outer space, all narrated by a humble Hedgie.
Space Boy
written and illustrated by Leo Landry
ISBN: 9780618605682
While no formal diagnosis is given, this book seems written with Spectrum individuals in mind. Nicholas is headed to bed, but the world is too noisy. Dogs are barking, kids are crying and playing, cars are zooming outside; there's nothing for it but to drag on the spacesuit, head out back to the rocketship, and head to the moon for some peace and quiet. But after a while, and once he's settled down, he realizes he misses his family, (and hopes things have settled down there also) and heads back home to bed. Very sweet, and a good allegory of taking time to yourself and creating a quiet place in your mind (or backyard) to retreat to when things get too overwhelming.
Otter In Space
written and illustrated by Sam Garton
ISBN: 9780062247766
I dearly love the Otter books. They're just too adorable for words, but this one might be my favorite. After Otter Keeper takes Otter (and friends) to the Space Museum, and there's a familiar breakdown in the gift-shop when money never goes quite as far as it ought to, Otter (and friends) hatch a plan to find a moon rock of their very own in their back yard, building space suits and rockets and rock-retrieval-systems to help with the very hard work. They pick an excellent moon rock from the garden (and by excellent I think they picked the biggest, dirtiest one they could find) and dragged it triumphantly inside, whereupon Otter Keeper comes home from work and is Not Pleased. Compromises are made, rocks are washed, and Otter (and friends) decide that Pirate Treasure is an easier journey than Moon Rocks for tomorrow.
Three fun ones about rockets and heading off into space, to tie into our program this afternoon where a team from the local amateur radio club will be using HAM radios to ask questions of an astronaut (an actor in costume, hidden in the building).
Hedgie Blasts Off!
written and illustrated by Jan Brett
ISBN: 0399246215
Hedgie works the clean-up crew for the Professor's space program, but something's gone terribly wrong, and the robot that they want to use to for the mission has malfunctioned. Only someone Hedgie's size can fit into the rocket, so Hedgie finally gets to realize his dreams of being an astronaut, as he heads out to the mini-planet of Mikkop and the malfunctioning magic geyser that shoots up the sparkles needed to nourish the beautiful tourist-pleasing plants of the tiny planet. A cute look at astronauts, eco-tourism, conservation, and the interdependence of life, even on tiny little planets in outer space, all narrated by a humble Hedgie.
Space Boy
written and illustrated by Leo Landry
ISBN: 9780618605682
While no formal diagnosis is given, this book seems written with Spectrum individuals in mind. Nicholas is headed to bed, but the world is too noisy. Dogs are barking, kids are crying and playing, cars are zooming outside; there's nothing for it but to drag on the spacesuit, head out back to the rocketship, and head to the moon for some peace and quiet. But after a while, and once he's settled down, he realizes he misses his family, (and hopes things have settled down there also) and heads back home to bed. Very sweet, and a good allegory of taking time to yourself and creating a quiet place in your mind (or backyard) to retreat to when things get too overwhelming.
Otter In Space
written and illustrated by Sam Garton
ISBN: 9780062247766
I dearly love the Otter books. They're just too adorable for words, but this one might be my favorite. After Otter Keeper takes Otter (and friends) to the Space Museum, and there's a familiar breakdown in the gift-shop when money never goes quite as far as it ought to, Otter (and friends) hatch a plan to find a moon rock of their very own in their back yard, building space suits and rockets and rock-retrieval-systems to help with the very hard work. They pick an excellent moon rock from the garden (and by excellent I think they picked the biggest, dirtiest one they could find) and dragged it triumphantly inside, whereupon Otter Keeper comes home from work and is Not Pleased. Compromises are made, rocks are washed, and Otter (and friends) decide that Pirate Treasure is an easier journey than Moon Rocks for tomorrow.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Summer Reading Storytime: space, week 2
And my turn at bat!
City Moon
Rachael Cole, illustrated by Blanca Gomez
ISBN: 9780553497083
Sweet city-based story about walking the streets of a city and seeing the moon and the stars among the city lights and features, and wondering why all the rest of the city seems so busy and bustling. Very sweet and a good addition to my "here's what cities are like" collection for all of my current very rural kids.
Moon Plane
Peter McCarty
ISBN: 0805079432
Classic sweet story of imagination and freedom.
Sleepy Solar System
Dr John Hutton, illustrated by Doug Cenko
ISBN: 9781936669493
Much less fact-based than 8 Little Planets from last week, this one is more fantastical, focusing pretty exclusively on the fantastical idea of bedtime from a planetary perspective, with Mother earth and Father moon, and all the other planets as various siblings. Cute but super light and fluffy.
City Moon
Rachael Cole, illustrated by Blanca Gomez
ISBN: 9780553497083
Sweet city-based story about walking the streets of a city and seeing the moon and the stars among the city lights and features, and wondering why all the rest of the city seems so busy and bustling. Very sweet and a good addition to my "here's what cities are like" collection for all of my current very rural kids.
Moon Plane
Peter McCarty
ISBN: 0805079432
Classic sweet story of imagination and freedom.
Sleepy Solar System
Dr John Hutton, illustrated by Doug Cenko
ISBN: 9781936669493
Much less fact-based than 8 Little Planets from last week, this one is more fantastical, focusing pretty exclusively on the fantastical idea of bedtime from a planetary perspective, with Mother earth and Father moon, and all the other planets as various siblings. Cute but super light and fluffy.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Summer Reading Storytime: Space, week 1
And we're off to the races!
These were selected by my coworker.
8 Little Planets (board-book/cut-out book)
Chris Ferrie, illustrated by Lizzy Doyle
ISBN: 9781492671244
Sweet little rhymes are filled with easy facts and fun info about all the different "official" planets.
Best Frints in the Whole Universe
Antoinette Partis
ISBN: 9781626721364
I've read this cutie before about two alien "frients" who get into a spectacular argument over sharing and responsibility and owning up to mistakes. Very cute, and full of fun tongue-twisters for the reader.
Earth Space Moon Base
Ben Joel Price
ISBN: 9780385373111
Funky 1950s esque story about a tag-team of astronaut, robot, and test monkey who have to save the world (and their moon base) from scaaaaary moon aliens.
These were selected by my coworker.
8 Little Planets (board-book/cut-out book)
Chris Ferrie, illustrated by Lizzy Doyle
ISBN: 9781492671244
Sweet little rhymes are filled with easy facts and fun info about all the different "official" planets.
Best Frints in the Whole Universe
Antoinette Partis
ISBN: 9781626721364
I've read this cutie before about two alien "frients" who get into a spectacular argument over sharing and responsibility and owning up to mistakes. Very cute, and full of fun tongue-twisters for the reader.
Earth Space Moon Base
Ben Joel Price
ISBN: 9780385373111
Funky 1950s esque story about a tag-team of astronaut, robot, and test monkey who have to save the world (and their moon base) from scaaaaary moon aliens.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Monster Trucks
Last storytime before summer reading kicks off, and I ended up with a trio of books about monster trucks and a room full of ONLY girls! I love it. The girls and their moms really got a kick out of the "non-traditional" theme, so it was a win (unintentionally) for everyone!
Elbow Grease
John Cena, illustrated by Howard McWilliam
ISBN: 9781524773519
Elbow Grease is the smallest (and the only ELECTRIC) truck in the demo derby, but he and his slew of older brothers don't let that bother them. He's got the most gumption, and that's all that matters. When he stays up all night (skipping his nightly recharge) to play hookey to get to the big-name derby across town, his brothers show up to support him as he tries his best to keep up with the big dogs, with a little help from a lightning storm to recharge his batteries along the way. A cute message about tenacity, brotherly love, and the inevitable influx of electric cars into every facet of life.
Monster Trucks
A Bobbie Kalman Book
ISBN: 9780778730194
Photo-book, mainly used for key-words and for the real-life photography of the monster trucks involved. Lots of technical details glossed gently over in favor of getting to the general point: big tires, safety cage, fancy paint, fun names, lots of history, squishing cars.
Mighty Truck
Chris Barton, illustrated by Troy Cummings
ISBN: 9780062344786
Clarence is a normal oversized work truck, with perhaps an over-fondness for playing in the dirt, until a lightning-powered wash-cycle turns him into the blazing powerhouse that is Mighty Truck! He roams around town saving friends and strangers until he gets all dirty again, and realizes that he's just as happy keeping his secret identity a secret until it's needed again - it's way more fun to play in the dirt anyway.
Elbow Grease
John Cena, illustrated by Howard McWilliam
ISBN: 9781524773519
Elbow Grease is the smallest (and the only ELECTRIC) truck in the demo derby, but he and his slew of older brothers don't let that bother them. He's got the most gumption, and that's all that matters. When he stays up all night (skipping his nightly recharge) to play hookey to get to the big-name derby across town, his brothers show up to support him as he tries his best to keep up with the big dogs, with a little help from a lightning storm to recharge his batteries along the way. A cute message about tenacity, brotherly love, and the inevitable influx of electric cars into every facet of life.
Monster Trucks
A Bobbie Kalman Book
ISBN: 9780778730194
Photo-book, mainly used for key-words and for the real-life photography of the monster trucks involved. Lots of technical details glossed gently over in favor of getting to the general point: big tires, safety cage, fancy paint, fun names, lots of history, squishing cars.
Mighty Truck
Chris Barton, illustrated by Troy Cummings
ISBN: 9780062344786
Clarence is a normal oversized work truck, with perhaps an over-fondness for playing in the dirt, until a lightning-powered wash-cycle turns him into the blazing powerhouse that is Mighty Truck! He roams around town saving friends and strangers until he gets all dirty again, and realizes that he's just as happy keeping his secret identity a secret until it's needed again - it's way more fun to play in the dirt anyway.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Colors and Shapes Get Together
I love concept books. They're so much fun when they take simple ideas like shapes and colors and run with them to fun places like relationships or rivalries or even a story about outwitting a cat. These three have been sitting for a while waiting for a good time, and right before summer reading wildness is as good a time as any.
Blue VS Yellow
Tom Sullivan
ISBN: 9780062452955
Two sort of scribbly balls of bright color vie over who is the best: blue claims the sky, the blue whale, popsicles, and big blue trucks, while yellow gets the sun, the cheetah, lemonade, and fast yellow sports cars. Some (very minor color related) slurs are thrown, things get heated, and they end up in a blur of green! All is well until now red wades in, remarking that Obviously, everyone knows that red is best.
Perfect Square
Michael Hall
ISBN: 9780061915130
A square starts off - it's happy with it's solid squareness, solid sides, equal edges, sharp balanced corners. But then every day of the week something dramatic happens and Square has to figure out what to do with its new - very much not square - self. First it's hole-punched and sliced to bits! Then it's shredded, then reduced to ribbons, then crumpled and wrinkled all up... By the end of the week, Square is looking forward to whatever weird thing is going to happen... but nothing does. So Square creates a window that shows all the magnificent things it's been able to create from itself. Psychologically, it's a little bit iffy, but it's very pretty and it's a good surface story about being creative and "thinking outside the box" so I try very hard to not overthink it.
Mouse Shapes
Ellen Stoll Walsh
ISBN: 9780152060916
Our mouse friends from Mouse Paint and Mouse Count are back, and this time they're hiding in a pile of blocks (or perhaps paper cut-outs, it's never quite clear) from the cat. While they wait for the coast to clear, they use the shapes to make all sorts of fun things, and eventually they even hit on a solution to scare away the cat!
Blue VS Yellow
Tom Sullivan
ISBN: 9780062452955
Two sort of scribbly balls of bright color vie over who is the best: blue claims the sky, the blue whale, popsicles, and big blue trucks, while yellow gets the sun, the cheetah, lemonade, and fast yellow sports cars. Some (very minor color related) slurs are thrown, things get heated, and they end up in a blur of green! All is well until now red wades in, remarking that Obviously, everyone knows that red is best.
Perfect Square
Michael Hall
ISBN: 9780061915130
A square starts off - it's happy with it's solid squareness, solid sides, equal edges, sharp balanced corners. But then every day of the week something dramatic happens and Square has to figure out what to do with its new - very much not square - self. First it's hole-punched and sliced to bits! Then it's shredded, then reduced to ribbons, then crumpled and wrinkled all up... By the end of the week, Square is looking forward to whatever weird thing is going to happen... but nothing does. So Square creates a window that shows all the magnificent things it's been able to create from itself. Psychologically, it's a little bit iffy, but it's very pretty and it's a good surface story about being creative and "thinking outside the box" so I try very hard to not overthink it.
Mouse Shapes
Ellen Stoll Walsh
ISBN: 9780152060916
Our mouse friends from Mouse Paint and Mouse Count are back, and this time they're hiding in a pile of blocks (or perhaps paper cut-outs, it's never quite clear) from the cat. While they wait for the coast to clear, they use the shapes to make all sorts of fun things, and eventually they even hit on a solution to scare away the cat!
Monday, May 20, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Love
It doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to do a storytime about love, right? These were picked out by my coworker.
You Are My Happy
Hoda Kotb, illustrated by Suzie Mason
ISBN: 9780062887894
A mama bear and her cub nestle down for the night and recite a list of the day's activities that made them happy, all of them centered around exploring and being together, and ending with the title phrase. A litttle on the cutesy side for me, but the artwork elevates it immensely.
Poor Louie
Tony Fucile
ISBN: 9780763658281
Louie has the best life a chihuahua can have; dinner at the table, movies with mom and dad, long walks, shopping, he has it all. Until things start getting strange. He has to eat on the floor now?! And the cute clothes are all being packed up... ? And Mom's lap keeps getting smaller and smaller. And everyone keeps saying "Pooooor Louie" in this very sad and concerned tone of voice, but sometimes laughing a little. What gives? But baby fever conquers all (as it always seems to) and Louie comes out ok in the end, even if he DOES have to share the stroller with his human baby brother now.
Love Monster and the last chocolate
Rachel Bright
ISBN: 9780374346904
Love Monster loves his friends, but he also loves chocolate. And when you have friends AND chocolate, it's very hard to figure out what is the right thing to do. So when he gets back from his vacation to find a box of chocolates, he's all in a tizzy. Without even opening the box (this is important) he starts pondering the possibilities. A good friend shares, but should he maybe open it first and eat one or two of the ones that he really really really likes FIRST? Or is that not quite friendly? What if his friends can ONLY eat those kinds? OR what if his friends eat ALL of them up and don't realize that he never got one to eat himself? What if there's only ONE in there that he likes and someone ELSE eats it and then there's a whole bunch that he doesn't even like? He gets all flustered, but then he runs out of the house to his friends playing on the hill and explains everything all in a rush, and they just laugh and tell him to open the box - there's only one in there, and they had saved it just for him.
(it's cuter and takes less time to explain in the book, I swear)
You Are My Happy
Hoda Kotb, illustrated by Suzie Mason
ISBN: 9780062887894
A mama bear and her cub nestle down for the night and recite a list of the day's activities that made them happy, all of them centered around exploring and being together, and ending with the title phrase. A litttle on the cutesy side for me, but the artwork elevates it immensely.
Poor Louie
Tony Fucile
ISBN: 9780763658281
Louie has the best life a chihuahua can have; dinner at the table, movies with mom and dad, long walks, shopping, he has it all. Until things start getting strange. He has to eat on the floor now?! And the cute clothes are all being packed up... ? And Mom's lap keeps getting smaller and smaller. And everyone keeps saying "Pooooor Louie" in this very sad and concerned tone of voice, but sometimes laughing a little. What gives? But baby fever conquers all (as it always seems to) and Louie comes out ok in the end, even if he DOES have to share the stroller with his human baby brother now.
Love Monster and the last chocolate
Rachel Bright
ISBN: 9780374346904
Love Monster loves his friends, but he also loves chocolate. And when you have friends AND chocolate, it's very hard to figure out what is the right thing to do. So when he gets back from his vacation to find a box of chocolates, he's all in a tizzy. Without even opening the box (this is important) he starts pondering the possibilities. A good friend shares, but should he maybe open it first and eat one or two of the ones that he really really really likes FIRST? Or is that not quite friendly? What if his friends can ONLY eat those kinds? OR what if his friends eat ALL of them up and don't realize that he never got one to eat himself? What if there's only ONE in there that he likes and someone ELSE eats it and then there's a whole bunch that he doesn't even like? He gets all flustered, but then he runs out of the house to his friends playing on the hill and explains everything all in a rush, and they just laugh and tell him to open the box - there's only one in there, and they had saved it just for him.
(it's cuter and takes less time to explain in the book, I swear)
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Airplanes and Airports
With school getting out, there's lots of travel on the horizon, and air travel is stressful for lots of adults. Books about the process can help kids understand what's going on, and provide a sense of control and familiarity with the system, even if the adults are still longing for those mini-bottles.
The Airport Book
Lisa Brown
ISBN: 9781626720916
Really detailed comic-strip format (almost reminds me of a Richard Scarry book) follows a family (and a "lost" stuffed Monkey) through the process of getting to, through, and waiting in an airport, then getting onto, into, and settled into a flight, and then back out the other side. VERY detailed, and very darkly humorous about the lines and the waiting and the boredom.
Airport
Byron Barton
ISBN: 0690041691
Same idea as the first book, but much more simple. We also have more impressive clear blocky illustrations of airplanes, cockpits, and radio-control towers in this book, which leaves a more powerful visual impression. This simplified version really streamlines the human-centered portion of the process.
Miss Mouse Takes Off
Jan Ormerod
ISBN: 0688178715
From the perspective of a stuffed mouse lovey, we get the same process one final time. This time we really feel the boredom and time spent in the air, as well as the ample opportunities for things to get lost or mislaid along the way. We also get our first view of an airplane bathroom, which was VERY interesting to the kids. Details were about midway between The Airport Book and Airport, which works well for a final impression.
The Airport Book
Lisa Brown
ISBN: 9781626720916
Really detailed comic-strip format (almost reminds me of a Richard Scarry book) follows a family (and a "lost" stuffed Monkey) through the process of getting to, through, and waiting in an airport, then getting onto, into, and settled into a flight, and then back out the other side. VERY detailed, and very darkly humorous about the lines and the waiting and the boredom.
Airport
Byron Barton
ISBN: 0690041691
Same idea as the first book, but much more simple. We also have more impressive clear blocky illustrations of airplanes, cockpits, and radio-control towers in this book, which leaves a more powerful visual impression. This simplified version really streamlines the human-centered portion of the process.
Miss Mouse Takes Off
Jan Ormerod
ISBN: 0688178715
From the perspective of a stuffed mouse lovey, we get the same process one final time. This time we really feel the boredom and time spent in the air, as well as the ample opportunities for things to get lost or mislaid along the way. We also get our first view of an airplane bathroom, which was VERY interesting to the kids. Details were about midway between The Airport Book and Airport, which works well for a final impression.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Gardening
These three adorable stories were chosen by my coworker.
Dandy
Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Charles Santoso
ISBN: 9780316362955
Adorable. A dedicated lion daddy tries to keep his lawn beautiful in the face of fierce competition and judgement from the other neighborhood daddies, but he's thwarted when his baby daughter finds and adopts the one dandelion in the whole yard. He tries to decapitate it sneakily, but fails until the very last moment, when he (and the neighbor guys, who are also daddies too) realize what's truly important. So adorable and cute.
The Carrot Seed
Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Crockett Johnson
ISBN: 0060233516
A classic for a reason. The value of persistence, of knowing something in your heart, and keeping the faith in the face of everyone telling you to give up. All in a cute little minimalist story about a kid growing a carrot.
Lola Plants a Garden
Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
ISBN: 9781580896948
I Love the Lola books (and their baby brother set, the Leo books). They're an import from Great Britain, so there's a few small anachronisms, but this lovely Black family is a perfect showcase for lots of great stories about childhood, sibling-hood, and just general life from a kid's perspective. In this installment, Lola and her mom learn about gardens, and head off to the store to try their hands at a garden themselves. Mom plants more responsible things, but Lola is off to the races with lots of fun plants. At the end Lola and mom plan a garden party to introduce Lola's friends to all her new amazing plants.
Dandy
Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Charles Santoso
ISBN: 9780316362955
Adorable. A dedicated lion daddy tries to keep his lawn beautiful in the face of fierce competition and judgement from the other neighborhood daddies, but he's thwarted when his baby daughter finds and adopts the one dandelion in the whole yard. He tries to decapitate it sneakily, but fails until the very last moment, when he (and the neighbor guys, who are also daddies too) realize what's truly important. So adorable and cute.
The Carrot Seed
Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Crockett Johnson
ISBN: 0060233516
A classic for a reason. The value of persistence, of knowing something in your heart, and keeping the faith in the face of everyone telling you to give up. All in a cute little minimalist story about a kid growing a carrot.
Lola Plants a Garden
Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
ISBN: 9781580896948
I Love the Lola books (and their baby brother set, the Leo books). They're an import from Great Britain, so there's a few small anachronisms, but this lovely Black family is a perfect showcase for lots of great stories about childhood, sibling-hood, and just general life from a kid's perspective. In this installment, Lola and her mom learn about gardens, and head off to the store to try their hands at a garden themselves. Mom plants more responsible things, but Lola is off to the races with lots of fun plants. At the end Lola and mom plan a garden party to introduce Lola's friends to all her new amazing plants.
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Springtime
Not the most original of themes, but when you have cute books, what are you gonna do?
Finding Spring
Carin Berger
ISBN: 9780062250193
It's time to hibernate and wait for Spring, but little bear is waaay too keyed up for that. As soon as Mother falls asleep, he's off and searching for Spring. He finds something amazing, decides THAT is Spring, tucks some into his coat and heads back to his den for his long nap. When he wakes up, the "spring" in his coat is all melted, but when he heads back to where he found it, he finds spring for real. Lots of fun interactions with busy forest animals, and really cute illustrations.
Our middle "book" is actually a two-fer, with two small boardbooks tucked between the longer reads:
Funny Bunnies (boardbook)
Piggy Toes Press, 2011
ISBN: 9781615245949
Cute little rhymes on succeeding spreads with colorful backgrounds (one of my littlest ones was DETERMINED to announce the colors of all the backgrounds, including - with great pride - "MaGENta." Adorable all the way around.
A Little Book about SPRING (Leo Lionni's Friends series, boardbook)
Leo Lionni and Julie Hamilton
ISBN: 9780525582274
Frederick the mouse and his friends pledge allegiance and undying love to the season in vogue, with colorful backgrounds and springtime activities cutely (and very briefly) described.
Silver Seeds
Paul Paolilli and Dan Brewer, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
ISBN: 0670889415
Because April IS Poetry Month, y'all. This is a sweet little hard to find book that takes the first letters of various spring topics and uses them to create free-form poetry about that subject. So, for short:
Sliding through the window
Underneath the door
Nudging us out to play
makes SUN. Get it? That's pretty much all there is, but the paintings are luminous, and the choices for verse are moving and sweet and powerful. I am not really a poetry person, but I love all of these, and I love that I CAN love them and introduce them to kids with a clear and bright conscience so hopefully they learn to love poetry themselves too.
Finding Spring
Carin Berger
ISBN: 9780062250193
It's time to hibernate and wait for Spring, but little bear is waaay too keyed up for that. As soon as Mother falls asleep, he's off and searching for Spring. He finds something amazing, decides THAT is Spring, tucks some into his coat and heads back to his den for his long nap. When he wakes up, the "spring" in his coat is all melted, but when he heads back to where he found it, he finds spring for real. Lots of fun interactions with busy forest animals, and really cute illustrations.
Our middle "book" is actually a two-fer, with two small boardbooks tucked between the longer reads:
Funny Bunnies (boardbook)
Piggy Toes Press, 2011
ISBN: 9781615245949
Cute little rhymes on succeeding spreads with colorful backgrounds (one of my littlest ones was DETERMINED to announce the colors of all the backgrounds, including - with great pride - "MaGENta." Adorable all the way around.
A Little Book about SPRING (Leo Lionni's Friends series, boardbook)
Leo Lionni and Julie Hamilton
ISBN: 9780525582274
Frederick the mouse and his friends pledge allegiance and undying love to the season in vogue, with colorful backgrounds and springtime activities cutely (and very briefly) described.
Silver Seeds
Paul Paolilli and Dan Brewer, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
ISBN: 0670889415
Because April IS Poetry Month, y'all. This is a sweet little hard to find book that takes the first letters of various spring topics and uses them to create free-form poetry about that subject. So, for short:
Sliding through the window
Underneath the door
Nudging us out to play
makes SUN. Get it? That's pretty much all there is, but the paintings are luminous, and the choices for verse are moving and sweet and powerful. I am not really a poetry person, but I love all of these, and I love that I CAN love them and introduce them to kids with a clear and bright conscience so hopefully they learn to love poetry themselves too.
Monday, April 22, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Farm Animals
These were selected by my coworker.
Peppa Pig and the Easter Rainbow
No Author Listed
ISBN: 9780763694388
When it rains on the Easter Egg Hunt, things could have been ruined, but Peppa and her friends look to the Easter Rainbow for inspiration and find out that everything's better when it's multicolorful!
The Cow Said Neigh!
Rory Feek, illustrated by Bruno Robert
ISBN: 9781400311712
This building-rhyming story details how wanting to be something you're not can sometimes cause the whole farm to self-destruct. In a fun and zippy way, of course, with everything coming (mostly) all right in the end.
No Sleep for the Sheep!
Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic
ISBN: 9780152049690
Poor sheep in the barn just wants some shut-eye but EVERY OTHER ANIMAL is up, and heading NOISILY to bed in that self-same barn. How on earth is Sheep ever going to get to sleep with all this racket and all these neighbors?
Peppa Pig and the Easter Rainbow
No Author Listed
ISBN: 9780763694388
When it rains on the Easter Egg Hunt, things could have been ruined, but Peppa and her friends look to the Easter Rainbow for inspiration and find out that everything's better when it's multicolorful!
The Cow Said Neigh!
Rory Feek, illustrated by Bruno Robert
ISBN: 9781400311712
This building-rhyming story details how wanting to be something you're not can sometimes cause the whole farm to self-destruct. In a fun and zippy way, of course, with everything coming (mostly) all right in the end.
No Sleep for the Sheep!
Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic
ISBN: 9780152049690
Poor sheep in the barn just wants some shut-eye but EVERY OTHER ANIMAL is up, and heading NOISILY to bed in that self-same barn. How on earth is Sheep ever going to get to sleep with all this racket and all these neighbors?
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Candy!
I've wanted to do this storytime for a LOOONG time, ever since we got the book Ganesha's Sweet Tooth, but it's been hard to find a good time. Easter is approaching, and at least in the US, it's become secular enough that I can get away with having a somewhat tangentially related storytime - so candy it is!
Ganesha's Sweet Tooth
Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes, illustrated by Emily Haynes
ISBN: 9781452103624
A ... creative re-creation of the myth of the writing of the Mahabharata has a child Ganesha breaking his tusk on an interesting ladoo (indian temple sweet) - a jawbreaker! Frustrated by his tooth loss, he tries to throw it into the moon (referencing a different myth) but misses and bonks Vyasa (the legendary/mythic poet) on the head. Vyasa is intrigued by this god-child's tusk, and they strike a deal for Ganesha to write out the poem as Vyasa recites it, as long as he can eat all the candy he wants in the mean-time. Many lots later, the poem is completed, Ganesha is happy with his magical writing tusk, and there's sooooo much candy to eat!
Owen's Marshmallow Chick
Kevin Henkes
ISBN: (board book, no isbn listed, HarperFestival 2002)
I love how sweet and innocent this Easter story is. Baby mouse Owen has a full Easter basket of all sorts of traditional candies, and each one is pronounced his "favorite" as he gobbles them all up one after the other - except for the bright yellow marshmallow chick (it's a peep, but branding issues I'm guessing?) that matches his blanket and looks like a toy. That one gets played with all day (trying not to think about the sugar and sticky fallout of that choice) and put in pride of place with his other treasured toys that night, and dreamed about - and that one is of course, his "favorite."
I pulled Fairy Floss (Ann Ingalls, Migy Blanco, ISBN: 9781499802382in case we had an older crowd (still somewhat unlikely this time of year, but always a possibility) which is a pretty fast-moving but somehow slightly staid stroll through the Chicago World Fair where the delights of electric motors make treats like cotton candy (then known as Fairy Floss (among other amusing names) possible for a mass audience. Cute, but it was just a bit long and just a bit... boring? Which seems really impressive for a book about the World Fair AND cotton candy.
So instead we went with:
Bad Kitty Does NOT Like Candy (Yes I Do)
Nick Bruel
ISBN: 9781626722309
I try to not use a lot of "branded" characters (Elena/Doc McStuffins, Bad Kitty, Caillou (mostly because Caillou makes me feel homicidal) because I want to encourage kids to realize there's lots of books out there that don't have anything to do with the TV (or whatever streaming device they're watching their shows on now) - but every once in a while there's a cute enough book (or a hard enough theme) that makes me step into the branded world for a bit. This one did it for me - Bad Kitty is hungry, but not realllly hungry - she just wants candy because it looks so tasty and sweet and fun. Of course candy is bad for cats, but she eventually snags some (because bad kitty) and has to get her teeth brushed to clear out all the candy that has stuck her mouth closed. Now kitty IS hungry, and is perfectly happy with fish, because now she knows that she does NOT like candy after all.
Ganesha's Sweet Tooth
Sanjay Patel and Emily Haynes, illustrated by Emily Haynes
ISBN: 9781452103624
A ... creative re-creation of the myth of the writing of the Mahabharata has a child Ganesha breaking his tusk on an interesting ladoo (indian temple sweet) - a jawbreaker! Frustrated by his tooth loss, he tries to throw it into the moon (referencing a different myth) but misses and bonks Vyasa (the legendary/mythic poet) on the head. Vyasa is intrigued by this god-child's tusk, and they strike a deal for Ganesha to write out the poem as Vyasa recites it, as long as he can eat all the candy he wants in the mean-time. Many lots later, the poem is completed, Ganesha is happy with his magical writing tusk, and there's sooooo much candy to eat!
Owen's Marshmallow Chick
Kevin Henkes
ISBN: (board book, no isbn listed, HarperFestival 2002)
I love how sweet and innocent this Easter story is. Baby mouse Owen has a full Easter basket of all sorts of traditional candies, and each one is pronounced his "favorite" as he gobbles them all up one after the other - except for the bright yellow marshmallow chick (it's a peep, but branding issues I'm guessing?) that matches his blanket and looks like a toy. That one gets played with all day (trying not to think about the sugar and sticky fallout of that choice) and put in pride of place with his other treasured toys that night, and dreamed about - and that one is of course, his "favorite."
I pulled Fairy Floss (Ann Ingalls, Migy Blanco, ISBN: 9781499802382in case we had an older crowd (still somewhat unlikely this time of year, but always a possibility) which is a pretty fast-moving but somehow slightly staid stroll through the Chicago World Fair where the delights of electric motors make treats like cotton candy (then known as Fairy Floss (among other amusing names) possible for a mass audience. Cute, but it was just a bit long and just a bit... boring? Which seems really impressive for a book about the World Fair AND cotton candy.
So instead we went with:
Bad Kitty Does NOT Like Candy (Yes I Do)
Nick Bruel
ISBN: 9781626722309
I try to not use a lot of "branded" characters (Elena/Doc McStuffins, Bad Kitty, Caillou (mostly because Caillou makes me feel homicidal) because I want to encourage kids to realize there's lots of books out there that don't have anything to do with the TV (or whatever streaming device they're watching their shows on now) - but every once in a while there's a cute enough book (or a hard enough theme) that makes me step into the branded world for a bit. This one did it for me - Bad Kitty is hungry, but not realllly hungry - she just wants candy because it looks so tasty and sweet and fun. Of course candy is bad for cats, but she eventually snags some (because bad kitty) and has to get her teeth brushed to clear out all the candy that has stuck her mouth closed. Now kitty IS hungry, and is perfectly happy with fish, because now she knows that she does NOT like candy after all.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Spring Birds
We did a bit of an experiment today with a VERY LONG but excellent book about how robins grow and develop, so we used that book as our first TWO book sessions, with a song at a good stopping place, and then read one final short book at the end. It worked ok, the kids are a bit young for this, and we had some talkers, but such is life.
Robins! How They Grow Up
Eileen Christelow
ISBN: 9780544442894
Really Really Really Really long and wordy. There was a lot of paraphrasing and eliding. However, there are ALSO two sections where an egg is stolen and eaten by a squirrel, and a fledgling is stooped on and carried off by a hawk, and I did NOT skip those sections. They were written matter-of-factly, and so I just carried on. I think one mommy was a bit scandalized, but kids don't care and they just want to know how things work. Very informational, good illustrations, SOOOOO wordy.
I'm a Duck
Eve Bunting
Will Hillenbrand
ISBN: 9780763680329
Really cute rhyming couplets show off this water-phobic duck, and how he used his friends and his smarts to develop skills and confidence to eventually go swimming with his family. Cute, sweet, and OH SO SHORT.
Robins! How They Grow Up
Eileen Christelow
ISBN: 9780544442894
Really Really Really Really long and wordy. There was a lot of paraphrasing and eliding. However, there are ALSO two sections where an egg is stolen and eaten by a squirrel, and a fledgling is stooped on and carried off by a hawk, and I did NOT skip those sections. They were written matter-of-factly, and so I just carried on. I think one mommy was a bit scandalized, but kids don't care and they just want to know how things work. Very informational, good illustrations, SOOOOO wordy.
I'm a Duck
Eve Bunting
Will Hillenbrand
ISBN: 9780763680329
Really cute rhyming couplets show off this water-phobic duck, and how he used his friends and his smarts to develop skills and confidence to eventually go swimming with his family. Cute, sweet, and OH SO SHORT.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Give Me That!
Cute picks, done by my coworker.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
ISBN: 9780060245863
Classic and still funny "house that Jack built" story with unexpected and escalating situations.
Max the Brave
Ed Vere
ISBN: 9781492616511
Max the kitten desperately wants to chase mice - except he's never seen one. So he goes around to all the neighbor animals and asks them about it, and everyone is nice and helpful and truthful... except the mouse, for obvious reasons, who says that he's a monster himself, but points out a particularly gross-looking actual monster and cheerfully identifies THAT as a mouse. Max IS very brave, but that "mouse" was a bit much for him, so now he amuses himself chasing "monsters."
I Want That Nut!
Madeline Valentine
ISBN: 9781101940389
Mouse and Chipmunk have the poor fortune to BOTH find a particularly lovely nut at the SAME TIME. They muster all of their maturity and decide that Chipmunk should have it, but after a few hours of smothering this lovely nut with affection, Mouse STEALS it! Now Mouse is the one treating the nut like a visiting dignitary - until Chipmunk STEALS it back! Escalations occur, but eventually the nut is gone, and perhaps Mouse and Chipmunk have learned a bit about playing together and sharing things.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
ISBN: 9780060245863
Classic and still funny "house that Jack built" story with unexpected and escalating situations.
Max the Brave
Ed Vere
ISBN: 9781492616511
Max the kitten desperately wants to chase mice - except he's never seen one. So he goes around to all the neighbor animals and asks them about it, and everyone is nice and helpful and truthful... except the mouse, for obvious reasons, who says that he's a monster himself, but points out a particularly gross-looking actual monster and cheerfully identifies THAT as a mouse. Max IS very brave, but that "mouse" was a bit much for him, so now he amuses himself chasing "monsters."
I Want That Nut!
Madeline Valentine
ISBN: 9781101940389
Mouse and Chipmunk have the poor fortune to BOTH find a particularly lovely nut at the SAME TIME. They muster all of their maturity and decide that Chipmunk should have it, but after a few hours of smothering this lovely nut with affection, Mouse STEALS it! Now Mouse is the one treating the nut like a visiting dignitary - until Chipmunk STEALS it back! Escalations occur, but eventually the nut is gone, and perhaps Mouse and Chipmunk have learned a bit about playing together and sharing things.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Animal Friends
Some cute, sweet, and slightly off-kilter stories about animal friendships.
Emma Kate
Patricia Polacco
ISBN: 0399244522
The narrator does everything with Emma Kate, and the illustrations cover everything; a rambunctious girl with a bright red dress and pigtails, and a pretty nearly life-size elephant go around doing all sorts of mundane things - going to school, riding bikes, playing sports, even spending time in the hospital for their tonsils to be taken out. At the end, savvy readers (and lookers) won't be TOO surprised when they realize why only one of the characters is in color.
Gaston
Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson
ISBN: 9781442451025
Mrs Poodle is very proud of her four kids: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ohh-La-La, and Gaston, even though Gaston doesn't quite fit the mold. All of them are sweet kids and Gaston especially tries hard and has a sweet attitude. When Mrs Poodle meets Mrs Bulldog at the park with HER four kids, Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette, things become much clearer, but also complicated. The solution is a bit pat (especially for anyone who has dealt with foster or adoption issues) but the sentiment is sound, and everything comes together (literally) in the end.
Elmore
Holly Hobbie
ISBN: 9781524718633
I've been holding on to this book for nearly a year, trying to figure out what angle I wanted to take with the themes in it, and I finally decided just to keep it simple and go with friendship, but there's a lot to unpack in this simple, sweet book about a lonely porcupine who just wants to have some friends, but his needles and spines seem to make things impossible. A kindly uncle and a new perspective (and very open and friendly neighbors) help to smooth things over, and at the end, Elmore has developed his own very particular method of starting friendships.
Emma Kate
Patricia Polacco
ISBN: 0399244522
The narrator does everything with Emma Kate, and the illustrations cover everything; a rambunctious girl with a bright red dress and pigtails, and a pretty nearly life-size elephant go around doing all sorts of mundane things - going to school, riding bikes, playing sports, even spending time in the hospital for their tonsils to be taken out. At the end, savvy readers (and lookers) won't be TOO surprised when they realize why only one of the characters is in color.
Gaston
Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson
ISBN: 9781442451025
Mrs Poodle is very proud of her four kids: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ohh-La-La, and Gaston, even though Gaston doesn't quite fit the mold. All of them are sweet kids and Gaston especially tries hard and has a sweet attitude. When Mrs Poodle meets Mrs Bulldog at the park with HER four kids, Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and Antoinette, things become much clearer, but also complicated. The solution is a bit pat (especially for anyone who has dealt with foster or adoption issues) but the sentiment is sound, and everything comes together (literally) in the end.
Elmore
Holly Hobbie
ISBN: 9781524718633
I've been holding on to this book for nearly a year, trying to figure out what angle I wanted to take with the themes in it, and I finally decided just to keep it simple and go with friendship, but there's a lot to unpack in this simple, sweet book about a lonely porcupine who just wants to have some friends, but his needles and spines seem to make things impossible. A kindly uncle and a new perspective (and very open and friendly neighbors) help to smooth things over, and at the end, Elmore has developed his own very particular method of starting friendships.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Zoo Animals
Last week's storytime books were selected by my coworker, and they're a riot of wild animal fun.
1 Zany Zoo
Lori Degman, illustrated by Colin Jack
ISBN: 9781416989905
As one kid slips from the school field trip line into a secret gate into the zoo, he's witness to some wild and wacky shenanigans that his schoolmates will NEVER believe. A counting book with some zing to it.
Hilda Must Be Dancing
Karma Wilson, illustrated by Suzanne Watts
ISBN: 9780689847882
When the jungle thumps and bumps and things fall from the trees, it must be because Hilda is dancing. She loves dancing, but the jungle animals would really like some peace and stillness. All is well when the rambunctious hippo is introduced to water ballet.
Never, EVER Shout in a Zoo
Karma Wilson, Doug Cushman
ISBN: 0316985643
If You Give A Mouse A Muffin meets If I Ran the Zoo, with zany consequences and fun rattle-trap sentences.
1 Zany Zoo
Lori Degman, illustrated by Colin Jack
ISBN: 9781416989905
As one kid slips from the school field trip line into a secret gate into the zoo, he's witness to some wild and wacky shenanigans that his schoolmates will NEVER believe. A counting book with some zing to it.
Hilda Must Be Dancing
Karma Wilson, illustrated by Suzanne Watts
ISBN: 9780689847882
When the jungle thumps and bumps and things fall from the trees, it must be because Hilda is dancing. She loves dancing, but the jungle animals would really like some peace and stillness. All is well when the rambunctious hippo is introduced to water ballet.
Never, EVER Shout in a Zoo
Karma Wilson, Doug Cushman
ISBN: 0316985643
If You Give A Mouse A Muffin meets If I Ran the Zoo, with zany consequences and fun rattle-trap sentences.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Celebrate Reading
I had a collection of spring books all selected, but apparently this is "last surprise winter" week, so instead I'll save those for next time and use this cute trio of books about reading and libraries.
Bear's House of Books
Poppy Bishop, illustrated by Alison Edgson
ISBN: 9781680100389
This is such a cute book. Four childhood friends share their one picture book every night, even though it's worn out and sticky from use, until they go on a search for a new book, and discover an entire library owned by a slightly grumpy Bear. Bear is upset at first about others using his books (especially with sticky paws and when they use a sandwich as a bookmark) but when he realizes that they only have ONE book, he quickly develops a solution. Really sweet and heartwarming.
Llama Llama Loves to Read
Anna Dewney and Reed Duncan (or should that be the other way around...) illustrated by JT Morrow
ISBN: 9780670013975
The standard llama llama rhyming scheme works its magic with the process of reading - from letters to sounds to words, sentences, songs, books, stories, and reading informational signs. Not much depth, but accurate and uplifting, acknowledging that sometimes words need to be memorized, and sometimes words are difficult to read or learn. Not as inspiring as some of the other more emotional llama llama challenge-facing books, but a solid introduction to the concept of learning to read as a process.
Our Library
Eve Bunting, illustrated by Maggie Smith
ISBN: 9780618494583
(minus the last three or four pages because I had a young and very wiggly crowd - I ended on the "library on the grassy meadow" spread.)
I will say, the grownups in the group really enjoyed the VERY SPECIFIC book titles that were checked out of the library in order to help the children solve their problems and overcome their difficulties. Mrs Goose made everyone sad when she revealed that the library was old and dingy, with a bad roof, and no money, and that the landlord (a weasel of course) wanted the land back, but with some judicious checking out of VERY SPECIFIC BOOKS, and a lot of hard work and effort, and a dramatic confrontation with an elderly and grumpy Beaver, the library was saved - all with the help and instruction provided by the library books.
Bear's House of Books
Poppy Bishop, illustrated by Alison Edgson
ISBN: 9781680100389
This is such a cute book. Four childhood friends share their one picture book every night, even though it's worn out and sticky from use, until they go on a search for a new book, and discover an entire library owned by a slightly grumpy Bear. Bear is upset at first about others using his books (especially with sticky paws and when they use a sandwich as a bookmark) but when he realizes that they only have ONE book, he quickly develops a solution. Really sweet and heartwarming.
Llama Llama Loves to Read
Anna Dewney and Reed Duncan (or should that be the other way around...) illustrated by JT Morrow
ISBN: 9780670013975
The standard llama llama rhyming scheme works its magic with the process of reading - from letters to sounds to words, sentences, songs, books, stories, and reading informational signs. Not much depth, but accurate and uplifting, acknowledging that sometimes words need to be memorized, and sometimes words are difficult to read or learn. Not as inspiring as some of the other more emotional llama llama challenge-facing books, but a solid introduction to the concept of learning to read as a process.
Our Library
Eve Bunting, illustrated by Maggie Smith
ISBN: 9780618494583
(minus the last three or four pages because I had a young and very wiggly crowd - I ended on the "library on the grassy meadow" spread.)
I will say, the grownups in the group really enjoyed the VERY SPECIFIC book titles that were checked out of the library in order to help the children solve their problems and overcome their difficulties. Mrs Goose made everyone sad when she revealed that the library was old and dingy, with a bad roof, and no money, and that the landlord (a weasel of course) wanted the land back, but with some judicious checking out of VERY SPECIFIC BOOKS, and a lot of hard work and effort, and a dramatic confrontation with an elderly and grumpy Beaver, the library was saved - all with the help and instruction provided by the library books.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Spring is Coming
South Carolina is weird. There's a joke floating around the internet about all the different seasons "false spring" "second winter" "mud season" "ice week" and that's been true here - but despite it all, the flowers are starting to bloom and the temperatures are starting to consistently creep upward, even if the graph looks a bit bi-polar about it from day to day.
These books were picked out by my coworker.
Something to Crow About
Megan Halsey Lane
ISBN: 0803706987 (library binding)
Randall and Cassie are chicks together in the barnyard, and Cassie is just about perfect. She struts better, she scratches better, she can even find worms better. Poor Randall just wants to find SOMETHING he can be good at. When he finds it, both Cassie and Randall are surprised!
When Spring Comes
Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
ISBN: 9780062331397
Sweet vignettes of the colors and sounds and sights and activities (by people and by plants and animals and nature in general) of spring. Really sweet, very good for the center position, because there's no real plot to it, but it just flows gently along through sweet and colorful scenes.
If You're Hoppy
April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic
ISBN: 9780061566349
Along the rhythm and pattern of the original song, this jubilant book runs through all the various happy and exuberant animals that one could be if one were "hoppy" or "sloppy" or "flappy," from the standard storytime fare to some that are way more exotic or unexpected.
These books were picked out by my coworker.
Something to Crow About
Megan Halsey Lane
ISBN: 0803706987 (library binding)
Randall and Cassie are chicks together in the barnyard, and Cassie is just about perfect. She struts better, she scratches better, she can even find worms better. Poor Randall just wants to find SOMETHING he can be good at. When he finds it, both Cassie and Randall are surprised!
When Spring Comes
Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
ISBN: 9780062331397
Sweet vignettes of the colors and sounds and sights and activities (by people and by plants and animals and nature in general) of spring. Really sweet, very good for the center position, because there's no real plot to it, but it just flows gently along through sweet and colorful scenes.
If You're Hoppy
April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic
ISBN: 9780061566349
Along the rhythm and pattern of the original song, this jubilant book runs through all the various happy and exuberant animals that one could be if one were "hoppy" or "sloppy" or "flappy," from the standard storytime fare to some that are way more exotic or unexpected.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Flu Season
Everyone has the sniffles, either from the flu, or the horrible cold going around, or the weird weather this winter, or just the wintertime blahs. Instead of Valentines, here's my love-letter to the common cold.
The Sniffles for Bear
Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady McDonald Denton
ISBN: 9780763647568
Bear is the MOST dramatic, and I feel a special kinship with this particular brand of woe-is-me melodrama. This time around, Bear is QUITE SICK and doesn't feel that his friend Mouse appreciates the gravity of the situation: reading happy books, singing cheerful songs, playing a banjo! Just disgraceful. If only Bear had the energy to explain to Mouse how wrong he is. Take heart, after a nice nap, Bear is feeling much better, and now it's Mouse's turn to feel just a bit droopy and sniffly.
Don't You Feel Well, Sam?
Amy Hest, illustrated by Anita Jeram
ISBN: 0763610097
Little bear Sam gets a cough at bedtime and a patient Mom walks him through taking his cough medicine, before settling down in a warm kitchen with honey tea and a comfy chair to wait for it to snow.
Bark, George
Jules Feiffer
ISBN: 9780062051851
George's mom is very confused. She keeps asking George to bark, and he makes noises... but they all are from the wrong animals! A trip to the vet clears up the problem, but does leave one lingering issue to be discovered on the last page. This one is always a kid-pleaser.
The Sniffles for Bear
Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady McDonald Denton
ISBN: 9780763647568
Bear is the MOST dramatic, and I feel a special kinship with this particular brand of woe-is-me melodrama. This time around, Bear is QUITE SICK and doesn't feel that his friend Mouse appreciates the gravity of the situation: reading happy books, singing cheerful songs, playing a banjo! Just disgraceful. If only Bear had the energy to explain to Mouse how wrong he is. Take heart, after a nice nap, Bear is feeling much better, and now it's Mouse's turn to feel just a bit droopy and sniffly.
Don't You Feel Well, Sam?
Amy Hest, illustrated by Anita Jeram
ISBN: 0763610097
Little bear Sam gets a cough at bedtime and a patient Mom walks him through taking his cough medicine, before settling down in a warm kitchen with honey tea and a comfy chair to wait for it to snow.
Bark, George
Jules Feiffer
ISBN: 9780062051851
George's mom is very confused. She keeps asking George to bark, and he makes noises... but they all are from the wrong animals! A trip to the vet clears up the problem, but does leave one lingering issue to be discovered on the last page. This one is always a kid-pleaser.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Nontraditional Bears
I love a good off-beat theme. These fun bear books were selected by my coworker.
Harold Loves his Woolly Hat
Vern Kousky
ISBN: 9781524764685
Harold's woolly hat has been stolen by a crow, and Harold is willing to trade just about anything to get it back.. until he realizes WHY the crow is so attached to it. I'm not super thrilled about the subtext of "stealing is ok if it's for an important reason" but I'm just going to hope that it's above the kids' level.
Bamboo and Friends, The Rainy Day
Felicia Law, illustrated by Nicola Evans
ISBN: 1404812806
Panda bears are totally bears. A rainy day gives a chance for friends to share stories and learn more about nature and the water cycle.
Goodnight Already!
Jory John, illustrated by Benji Davies
ISBM: 9780062286208
Poor bear is exhausted, but his neighbor Duck is a night-owl, and an awfully persistent one. Will Bear ever get his sleep? (Maybe don't read this to very new parents - it's a "sad" ending for the Bear.)
Harold Loves his Woolly Hat
Vern Kousky
ISBN: 9781524764685
Harold's woolly hat has been stolen by a crow, and Harold is willing to trade just about anything to get it back.. until he realizes WHY the crow is so attached to it. I'm not super thrilled about the subtext of "stealing is ok if it's for an important reason" but I'm just going to hope that it's above the kids' level.
Bamboo and Friends, The Rainy Day
Felicia Law, illustrated by Nicola Evans
ISBN: 1404812806
Panda bears are totally bears. A rainy day gives a chance for friends to share stories and learn more about nature and the water cycle.
Goodnight Already!
Jory John, illustrated by Benji Davies
ISBM: 9780062286208
Poor bear is exhausted, but his neighbor Duck is a night-owl, and an awfully persistent one. Will Bear ever get his sleep? (Maybe don't read this to very new parents - it's a "sad" ending for the Bear.)
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Fishies
I'm sick of cold and winter and snow, and it's supposed to rain cats and dogs later this weekend, so FISH!
Poor Little Guy
Elanna Allen
ISBN: 9780525428251
Pufferfish revenge is pro revenge.
Mister Seahorse
Eric Carle
ISBN: 0399242694
Fish daddies are super cool!
Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones
Fish are boring pets, and this kid definitely doesn't want... well maybe... ok fine goldfish are awesome.
Poor Little Guy
Elanna Allen
ISBN: 9780525428251
Pufferfish revenge is pro revenge.
Mister Seahorse
Eric Carle
ISBN: 0399242694
Fish daddies are super cool!
Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
Kelly Bennett, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones
Fish are boring pets, and this kid definitely doesn't want... well maybe... ok fine goldfish are awesome.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: It's Cold Outside!
I'm finally back on my feet after a two-week long cold, and I've jumped into the winter wilderness with three books focusing on the chills and thrills of wintertime.
Pablo in the Snow
Teri Sloat, illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet
ISBN: 9781627794121
Winter is Here
Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
ISBN: 9780062747198
Winter is the Warmest Season
Lauren Stringer
ISBN: 0152049673
Pablo in the Snow
Teri Sloat, illustrated by Rosalinde Bonnet
ISBN: 9781627794121
Winter is Here
Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
ISBN: 9780062747198
Winter is the Warmest Season
Lauren Stringer
ISBN: 0152049673
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: What to do in the Snow?
This set by my coworker moves from nature to fun winter activities.
Blizzard
John Rocco
ISBN: 9781423178651
Snowballs
Lois Ehlert
ISBN: 0152000747
Snow Sisters!: Two sisters, one snowy day
Kerri Kokias, illustrated by Teagan White
ISBN: 9781101938836
Blizzard
John Rocco
ISBN: 9781423178651
Snowballs
Lois Ehlert
ISBN: 0152000747
Snow Sisters!: Two sisters, one snowy day
Kerri Kokias, illustrated by Teagan White
ISBN: 9781101938836
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Tuesday Storytime: Winter Wonderland
My coworker picked out a lovely set of three winter books focused on nature.
Slither, Slide, What's Outside?
Nora Hilb, illustrated by Simon and Sheryl Shapiro
ISBN: 9781554513871
Winter Lullaby
Barbara Seuling, illustrated by Greg Newbold
ISBN: 0152014039
Hibernation Station
Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus
ISBN: 9781416937883
Slither, Slide, What's Outside?
Nora Hilb, illustrated by Simon and Sheryl Shapiro
ISBN: 9781554513871
Winter Lullaby
Barbara Seuling, illustrated by Greg Newbold
ISBN: 0152014039
Hibernation Station
Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus
ISBN: 9781416937883
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