Picture book mini-reviews 31

Underground
by Denise Fleming
Beach Lane Books
September 2012

Here is a unique and simple picture book with a few words per page. Fleming's distinctive dyed paper pulp illustration technique is, of course, a defining element of the style of this book. Worms, moles and other such creatures are featured in this appreciation of underground natural habitats. Pair this with Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin for a great Dig Into Reading summer storytime!

I borrowed this book from the library.

Exclamation Mark
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Scholastic Press
March 2013

Can punctuation rules make for an exciting children's story? Yes! Yes they can!

Exclamation mark doesn't fit in with all the other periods... even though he tries, he simply stands out too much. Enter the question mark, whose inquisitive nature causes him to quickly strike up a friendship with exclamation mark. But, will exclamation finally get sick and tired of question marks constant questions?

Presented in a very simple format, with lined paper as a background, simple cherry wooden colored endpages, and varying typefaces, Lichtenheld's expressive smiley faces carry the story to a humorous conclusion.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Peepsqueak Wants a Friend
by Leslie Ann Clark
HarperCollins
January 2013

Colorful digital and ink illustrations take us on Peepsqueak's quest for a friend. His repeating line, "You are 2, but I am 1; my search for a friend has just begun," does tend to get a little wearing as he "hopped, skipped, jumped and skittered" in search of a friend. Still, this is a nice story for youngsters in search of encouragement on the ease of making new friends.

I borrowed this book from the library.

You Can Do It!
by Betsy Lewin
Holiday House
January 2013

So simple and fun. Here's a book in the same category as Crosby Bonsall's Mine's the Best with an entire engaging story being told with a vocabulary of less than 25 words. An alligator has a dream of winning a swim competition and puts in plenty of hard work on the journey to victory. An appealing beginning reader, with loose watercolor illustrations, the endpages feature alligators warming up for athletic feats.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Youth Media Awards 2013

Well, all the dust has settled, and the award winners announced. What do we think of the award winners this year?

The Newbery award went to The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. I wasn't surprised by this pick! I'd heard a lot of positive buzz about it. There's a lot of excitement in Atlanta for this book, since the gorilla in the story spends part of his life at the Atlanta Zoo.

The Caldecott went to This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen. The only thing that surprised me about this one is that such a popular book was chosen! I think it's a lot of fun, and kind of off the beaten track.

I love all of the Caldecott honor books as well:
Creepy Carrots! illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds
Extra Yarn illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
One Cool Friend illustrated by David Small, written by Toni Buzzeo
Sleep Like a Tiger illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue was the only one that I hadn't heard of.

The Coretta Scott King Award went to Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America by Andrea Davis and Brian Pinkney. I really expected that Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis would win, but at least it got an honor.

The Printz Award for young adult fiction went to In Darkness by Nick Lake. All right, I'll just come out and say it. I feel like the Printz award is running away with itself. In Darkness seems like a dark horse. I certainly hadn't heard any buzz about it. It doesn't sound like the kind of book I'd normally pick up, but most reviewers had rated it highly, as a beautifully written, challenging work. I've heard a lot more positive things about Code Name Verity, one of the honor picks in this category.

I hadn't given much thought to the Schneider Award for books that address characters with disabilities until last year's debacle when the committee opted not to give any awards, stating they didn't feel there was anything worth recognizing that year. This year was totally different. Back to Front and Upside Down by Claire Alexander was the winner for the category for books for children under 10. It's a sweet little encouraging book about a student who may be dyslexic.

The Batchelder winner was My Family for the War by Anne C. Voorhoeve, translated by Tammi Reichel. I hadn't heard of this one, but it was translated from German, and I do think German books generally translate very successfully into English.

The Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award went to Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert illustrated by David Diaz and written by Gary D. Schmidt. No surprise there. David Diaz is a real favorite of mine.

The Geisel Award is for the most distinguished beginning reader book. I'm sad to say, I hadn't heard of the winner, Up, Tall and High! by Ethan Long, but it sounds charming. Sometimes I think the award could be renamed, "The Mo Willems Award" since the man seems to sweep it nearly every year with his wonderful Elephant and Piggie series. Let’s Go for a Drive! did get an honor. I was very surprised that Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean won an honor. I look at that book and think, "picture book" or even, "great storytime pick" but I don't think "beginning reader" even though it technically qualifies with it's simple and repeating vocabulary and fun to sing-along-to rhymes.

I was thrilled that Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, won the William Morris Award for a first-time author writing for teens. It's no secret that I have a special soft spot for dragons and this book was one of the best reinventions of dragonlore I've seen in a while.

This isn't a complete or comprehensive list, by any means. For a complete listing of award winners, check out the American Library Association website's official press release.

Picture books mini-reviews 23

Fox and Crow Are Not Friends
by Melissa Wiley, illustrated by Sebastien Braun
Random House Books for Young Readers
August 2012

What starts out as an Aesop's fable inspired story goes in a different direction, in this beginning reader collection of funny short stories about the enmity between Fox and Crow. Longer sentences, with simple vocabulary and a "chapter" organization make this book perfect for kids who aren't quite ready for chapter books yet. As Fox and Crow squabble over cheese (their favorite snack) readers will be surprised and pleased to see them both get their much deserved comeuppance from Mama Bear.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
by Jane Cabrera
Holiday House
August 2012

Just beautiful! Cabrera extends the traditional song into many new verses. The pictures are colorful and appealing. There's a hint of gold foil on the cover, which I know always catches children's attention. End pages include a silhouetted forest of animals and sheet music for the song. I have not felt quite confident enough to sing this one in storytime - I think for the right group, especially babies or smaller size groups this would go over very well indeed. The pace of the song would seem to demand a slow and gentle reading, just right for very young children.

I borrowed this book from the library.

What Can a Crane Pick Up?
by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, illustrated by Mike Lowery
Knopf Books for Young Readers
September 2012

Cute! This book was a hit at storytime. It's a wonderful truck book at a rarely looked at kind of truck, with a good sense of humor. Things get wacky when the cranes lift... other cranes! Or boxes of underwear! Plus, there's a super ending, with a crane that might pick up you, and you, and YOU!

I borrowed this book from the library.

Oh, No!
by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann
Schwartz & Wade
September 2012

What a great book! I read this with one year olds, and they enjoyed the repeating phrases - and finding the hidden tiger on every page! A storytime success.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture books mini-review 21

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses
by Ian Falconer
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
August 2012

Olivia, that ever sassy pig, returns in this latest installment of the popular series. Olivia, as always, marches to the beat of her own drummer. While other girls are enamored of pink, bejeweled princesses, Olivia is ready to question everything they stand for. ""Why is it always a pink princess? Why not an Indian princess or a princess from Thailand or an African princess or a princess from China?" she cries. "I'm trying to develop a more stark, modern style," she says. As a child of the 70's, this kind of anti-girly-girl feminist message is like mother's milk to me. Melodramatic, endearing Olivia finally declares, "I want to be queen." Pink stars decorate the endpages.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Cecil the Pet Glacier
by Matthea Harvey, illustrated by Giselle Potter
Schwartz & Wade
August 2012

Bizarre, fascinating and strange. This book is about a girl who is so desperate for a pet, she ends up saddled with a mini-glacier. This is so decidedly odd, I wondered if this was a foreign translation! Nope. It's American. Ruby Small likes to think of herself as an aggressively normal kid.It's not her fault that her father is a topiary artist, and her mother is a tiara designer. Relatively flat watercolor illustrations depict a straight-faced family amidst some pretty zany ideas with tongue-in-cheek humor. When Cecil the Glacier appears to imprint on a reluctant Ruby, her first words are, "Oh, no... Please no." I loved the way Ruby's father calls her by the pet name "hedgeling." Poor little Cecil has a lot of personality for a bob of ice. He's devastated when Ruby is picked on at school, "Cecil shed a tear... from the area where his eyes would have been if he'd had eyes, which he didn't." Ruby comes around after Cecil saves one of her three dolls, all named Jennifer. The story ends with a promise of Ruby starting to embrace her inner weirdness.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Annie and Snowball and the Grandmother Night
by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson
Simon Spotlight
September 2012

A sweet little beginning reader about a warm and happy family relationship. I always get a little nervous reading books for young children about grandparents - will the grandmother pass away? No, thank goodness! This is a just a light-hearted, enjoyable recounting of all the fun things that Annie does on a weekend visit with her grandmother: baking cookies, watching a movie, telling bedtime stories.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Ten Tiny Toes
by Todd Tarpley, illustrated by Marc Brown
Little Brown Books for Young Readers
September 2012

Sweet and cozy, this is a wonderful celebration of adorably scrumptious babies. A diverse group of families share one thing in common: a deep and abiding connection to their children. Cut paper, gouache and colored pencil illustrations reminded me a little of Brian Karas. End papers show baby footprints walking across the page. Lovely!

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture books mini-reviews 19

Dixie and the School Trip
by Grace Gilman, illustrated by Sarah McConnell
HarperCollins
June 2012

What is it with adorable, rambunctious dogs lately? Seems like everywhere you turn, there's another series for kids featuring a hapless canine. Dixie the Dog keeps Carl, Biscuit and Marley in good company. In this installment, Dixie the Dog sneaks aboard for a school trip to the dinosaur museum and creates chaos by leaving bones everywhere. Hilarity ensues.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Pony Scouts: The Trail Ride
by Catherine Hapka, illustrated by Anne Kennedy
HarperCollins
June 2012

Naughty pony scouts sneak out for a trail ride by themselves! Annie knows it's not the right thing to do, but goes along anyway. Fortunately, when the girls become lost, she remembers to let the ponies take the lead.

Just the thing for pony-crazed readers. This delivers a serious message with a gentle touch.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Animals in the Outhouse
by Anya Frolich, illustrated by Gergley Kiss
Sky Pony Press
June 2012

This is a funny book on an unusual topic featuring quirky toilet humor. An overambitious forest ranger puts an outhouse in the forest for the animals to use. Professor Grunter the boar feels a bit uncertain about this new device, so he decides he'll just tell everyone he's already used it... and then see how it goes for everyone else. One after another, each animal unsuccessfully tries, while not admitting it to the others. "Professor Gunter was the last in line. Fortunately, everyone else had left by now. In fact, most of them left rather in a hurry - heading for their favorite pooping spots in the forest, no doubt."

I loved the end-papers. What a great bonus. The opening pages show the forest ranger driving off with his blue outhouse. The back of the book features a map of the forest with all the animals in their habitats. This book was translated from the original German.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Jonathan and Martha
by Petr Horacek
Phaidon Press
April 2012

Here's a cute and funny story about two worms who learn to share... and end up falling in love.
The textured collage is reminiscent of Eric Carle, up to and including some die-cut and fold-over pages. This was a hit at storytime! I highly recommend this gem.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture books mini-reviews 18

I'm Not Tired Yet!
by Marianne Richmond
Sourcebooks
March 2012

This one didn't sparkle for me. The story features painterly acrylic and canvas illustrations. Ralphie thinks of every excuse possible not to go to bed - there's a bug on the rug, there's a monster behind the closet shelves, a mosquito buzzing in his ear, etc. His mom solves the problem by giving him a different animal themed snuggle - a fish kiss, a gorilla hug, a polar bear cuddle, etc. Usually a rhyming story will really enchant me, but this effort felt a bit forced. Still, children may appreciate the large-scale of the illustrations and the funny prank Ralphie plays in the end. I did really like the polka-dot endpapers.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Carl and the Sick Puppy
by Alexandra Day
Square Fish
June 2012

 Very simple sentences, and a thin plot are suited to the earliest of readers. As you can probably guess, as is typical in many goofy dog early readers, Carl gets in over his head taking care of a bossy sick puppy, but at the end of the day, all turns out well. Intelligent, but not too anthropomorphized animals make for a pleasant story. This just won't compare to the sublime original, but Day's illustrations of loveable Rottweiler Carl are as lovely as ever.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Beach Feet
by Kiyomi Konagaya, illustrated by Saito Masamitsu, translated by Yuki Kaneko
Enchanted Lion Books
May 2012

This Japanese import features loose pastels as a boy enjoys his day at the beach. Child-like wonder at the ocean comes across very clearly in this delightful translation. Artistically, there are several interesting changes in perspective. The most unique page is when readers get a view from the boy's sandy toes looking upwards.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Iris Wall, Cracker Cowgirl
by Carol Matthews Rey, Eldon Lux
Pelican Publishing Company
February 2012

Here is a title that should be of interest for Florida historians. The book features rough-textured watercolors and lengthy prose on a true-life cowgirl.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture books mini-reviews 17

Can I Just Take a Nap?
by Ron Rauss, illustrated by Rob Shepperson
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman
June 2012

With so many little boys named Aiden (or some variant thereof) these days, the name of the main character, Aiden, is sure to be one of the best loved features of this book.
Other than that, this is a slim offering. Aiden McDoodle is desperate for a nap - but everywhere he looks, even the library, is too noisy. Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations are colorful and packed with lots of funny little details. Could be a good bedtime story choice. If you say it enough, maybe they'll believe it!

I borrowed this book from the library.

My Dad

by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Sean Julian

Good Books
June 2012

Sweet and cozy, this celebrates the admiration a little bear has for his dad. Pleasantly rhyming text and large scale pictures make this book a natural for storytime. There's even room for a gentle fart joke or two. Good for Father's Day, or anytime of year.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Pearl and Wagner: Five Days Till Summer

by Kate McMullan
Dial
May 2012

Pearl and Wagner are beside themselves with nervousness and excitement. It's almost summer! But... it's been such a great year with their teacher Ms. Star. Moving on to Ms. Bean next year sounds scary. Especially when there's a rumor going around that Ms. Bean is mean! Here's a very relatable topic for many youngsters presented in a reassuring way. Ink and watercolor illustrations by Alley depict a diverse crowd of anthropomorphized animals. This book is just right for kids who aren't quite ready for longer chapter books yet.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Happy Like Soccer
by Maribeth Boelts
Candlewick
May 2012

Sierra is sad that her aunt (who is her sole guardian) can't make it to her Saturday soccer games. It's apparent that they live in a bad neighborhood and scrape to get by. After some finagling, her aunt arranges to switch her workday and makes it to the game. After some more finagling, Sierra manages to get another game switched to a Monday in a lot closer to her house. The book features attractive ink and watercolor illustrations. A good choice for diverse communities, who may relate to the story, especially in these tight times. Pair this with A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams to spark some interesting conversations.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture book mini-reviews 16

Dream Big: Michael Jordan and the Pursuit of the Olympic Gold
by Deloris Jordan, illustrated by Barry Root
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
May 2012

Michael Jordan's mother offers her perspective on Michael Jordan's athletic success in this lengthy picture book. Her emphasis on "homework first!" felt a bit didactic, and seeing his Olympic dream far outweigh thoughts of a pro-basketball career seemed a little artificial, but no matter. Michael Jordan fans and kids looking for sports books will gobble this one up. Full-color watercolor and gouache illustrations by Barry Root (known for his book covers on sports chapter books by Tiki Barber) elevate would could have been an otherwise dull read.

I borrowed this book from the library.

My Teacher

by James Ransome
Dial Books
April 2012

"Maybe that's why she keeps teaching"

Old enough to retire, and having taught three generations of students at the school, a little girl's teacher tirelessly continues to charm, delight, inform and inspire her students. Keep an eye out for the Folkmanis bee puppet which makes an appearance on the 3rd page! The story is long, and a bit on the overly-sentimental side, but I'd bet there are plenty of educators who won't be able to read this without getting a little verklempt. The illustrations appear to be watercolor and pencil, and portray a diverse, friendly urban neighborhood.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Martha Bakes a Cake

by Susan Meddaugh
HMH Books
April 2012

Martha (of Martha Speaks fame) stars in this beginning reader title. Endpapers feature scrambled alphabet soup letters. This is an adaptation from the Martha Speaks TV show. When Helen (the little girl that Martha lives with) is bummed about not winning a contest, Martha takes it into her head to bake a cake to cheer her up. Martha asks for help from the neighbor and the postman, but she and Skits, the large brown dog of the house, do most of the work themselves. Predictably, they come up with a lumpy, messy cake, littered with dog hair. Thank goodness dad has brought home a fresh cake from the bakery! Short, static sentences that do not use contractions make this an approachable book for young readers.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Marley: The Dog Who Ate My Homework
by John Grogan, Richard Cowdrey and Rick Whipple
HarperCollins
May 2012

This book is very typical of any of the books in the Marley beginning reader series. Marley gets a little carried away and eats Cassie's science project: a mobile of the planets made of fruit. What kind of dog eats fruit, I ask you? Anyway, just when everyone thinks that Marley's ruined everything, Marley saves the day, by bringing the family balls to make the solar system with instead. Cue the 1950's laugh-track! The watercolor illustrations featuring a happy Caucasian family, wearing conservative clothes (especially Cassie's pinafore dress) give this a mildly Dick and Jane feel.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture book mini-reviews 15

Gem
by Holly Hobbie
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
April 2012

Here's a book that kept me guessing. Starting out with a lengthy handwritten letter from Gram to her granddaughter Hope, I thought this would be a complex, wordy story. Not so! After the first page, the art takes over, and we follow the wordless adventures of little Gem the toad who survives nearly being hit by a car and being chased by a hungry hawk until he's rescued by a little girl, and set free in a nighttime garden full of flies. The book is appended with a few toad facts. Many of the watercolor, pen and ink illustrations would be lovely as framed art - particularly those scenes featuring Gem happily hidden amidst the greenery.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Olivia and the Kite Party
adapted by Alex Harvey, illustrated by Patrick Spaziante
Simon Spotlight
May 2012

Based on the TV series, this beginning chapter book offers bright, digital illustrations and a fairly prosaic storyline about Olivia's efforts to make her own kite, and then host a kite-flying party. Undemanding fans of the Olivia series may enjoy this easy to read adventure of pig-headed determination to get that kite aloft, but this book has absolutely no comparison to the understated elegance of the original Ian Falconer book that birthed the Olivia franchise.

I borrowed this book from the library.

The Berenstain Bears and Mama for Mayor
by Jan and Mike Berenstain
HarperCollins
April 2012

A less than dazzling entry into the Berenstain Bears franchise. Still, this book will be easy to recommend around Mother's Day, or during any election year. Simple, repetitive language and a easy to follow plot make this a good choice for very beginning readers to build confidence. Mama Bear is frustrated by the potholes on the road, and conceives of a plan to run for mayor. After an exciting campaign, where she gets carried away and begins to promise anything and everything, including "honey in every pot" and "salmon in every stream," Mama wins the race! A somewhat cynical ending shows Mama (like many politicians) overwhelmed and unable to make good on her campaign promises.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Two Little Monkeys
by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jill Barton
Beach Lane Books
January 2011

How utterly delightful! This book features a simple rhyming text and two sweet little grey monkeys, Cheeky and Chee who are busy avoiding a jaguar. Lovely, full-color double-spread illustrations feature lots of soft tans, blues and greens. Keep a sharp eye out for the jaguar, hidden on nearly every page! A gentle storybook perfect for the under two year-old set.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture book mini-reviews, part 12

It's Bedtime Dear Dragon
by Margaret Hillert, illustrated by David Schimmel
Norwood House Press
January 2012

What this book lacks in narrative sparkle, it makes up for in attractive formatting. Utilitarian short sentences show a strong basal reader influence. If not for the addition of the friendly green dragon, this could easily substitute for nearly any Dick and Jane adventure. Kids do flock to this series, however! Looking for something with a little more humor and pizzazz? Try the Dragon series by Dav Pilkey.

I borrowed this book from the library.

The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!
by Mo Willems
Disney Press
April 2012

Hahahahaha! This latest installment of the Pigeon saga has our hero completely indignant that SOME birds seem to get everything they want -- just by asking! Imagine everyone's surprise when Duckling reveals the real reason for his request: so that he could give the cookie (with nuts) to Pigeon. Trademark bold lines, expressive characters and a zany sense of humor will satisfy any fan of this series.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Dini Dinosaur
by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Daniel Rood
HarperCollins Children's Book
March 2012

This book was so cute! This story combines bathtime with dinosaurs to very great effect. My only quibble (and it's a minor one) is that I wasn't sure if the main character's name should be pronounced "Deeney" or "Dine-E" The story seems to scan just as well either way - just pick a pronunciation and stick with it all the way through. Dini Dinosaur gets dirty and needs to take a bath before bedtime. After jumping in the tub fully clothed, he gradually takes off one layer after another. With a repeating rhyming refrain, "Dirty Dini Dinosaur splashed in the tub. He tried to wash... with a scrub-a-dub-dub!" this is sure to be a hit at storytime. It's up to Mama Dinosaur to finally set things to rights, giving him a thorough scrubbing before settling down for bed. Rood's crisp digital illustrations are large and easy to see from a distance - another reason why this makes such a great storytime selection.

I borrowed this book from the library.

All for Me and None for All
by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
April 2012

Greedy Gruntly pig wants to hog everything for himself. During a treasure hunt with friends, his attempts to outwit and beat them to the treasure all backfire, and he thinks he's left with nothing... until his friends show him that they saved a bag of treats just for him. Munsinger's watercolor illustrations seem a little reminiscent of David McPhail. This story was just a wee bit didactic for my tastes.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture book mini-reviews, part 11

Good Night, Laila Tov
by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Jui Ishida
Random House Children's Books
March 2012

Here's another Jewish family picture book from Laurel Snyder. This is as sweet and gentle as her other books have been snarky and funny. A mom and dad plant trees everywhere they go and their two kids fall asleep - a lot! The tables are turned when the children tuck their parents in when they return home. Cozy illustrations show the family bathed in yellow light. This could be nice as a bedtime story or for Tu Bishvat.

I borrowed this book from the library.

An Awesome Book
by Dallas Clayton
HarperCollins
March 2012

This book may be a little more for grown-ups than for kids? It's kind of along the same lines as Oh, the Places You'll Go by Seuss, crossed with the silly sensibility of Todd Parr.  Things get off to a strong start, "There are places in the world where people do not dream... of rocket-powered unicorns." Busy sketches full of detail have a hipster vibe to them. The artwork reminded me a little of Hallmark Shoebox greetings, too. This is a reprint of a 2008 release.

I borrowed this book from the library.

That's Not Funny!
by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Adrian Reynolds
Andersen Press, USA
September 2010

Willis treats us to a silly story of a naughty hyena, who LOVES to laugh at all the animals when he puts a banana peel on their path to step on. The joke is on him when after a long series of mishaps, Hyena lands in "a huge, steaming heap of Elephant's POO!" Colorful illustrations really bring the African plains to life. Pair this with Why Do Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears or any of Eric Kimmel's Anansi books for a fun storytime.

I borrowed this book from the library.

National Geographic Kids Just Joking: 300 Hilarious Jokes, Tricky Tongue Twisters, and Ridiculous Riddles
edited by Robin Terry
National Geographic Society
March 2012

Kids jokes are just too funny. You'll be holding your belly, and rolling your eyes as you groan over these delightfully corny jokes.

Jokes like:
"Q: What rock group has four men who don't sing? 

A: Mount Rushmore."

Knock knocks like these:
"Knock, knock"
"Who's there?"
"T. Rex."
"T. Rex who?"
"There's a T. Rex at your door, and you want to know his name?"

And unique tongue-twisters such as:
"Girl gargoyle, guy gargoyle."

will all be very well received by kids with a sense of humor.

Brilliant color photos of all manner of wild animals and an appealing layout make this a perfect choice for reluctant readers. I highly recommend this book!

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture book mini-reviews, part 10

Biscuit Plays Ball
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Pat Schories
HarperCollins
March 2012

I think I just took 15 points of cute damage, from this ridiculously adorable puppy. The story is fairly slight; Biscuit rambunctiously punctures a kickball, forcing the kids to switch to a whiffle ball game instead. Cuuuuuute.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Secret Agent Splat
by Rob Scotton
HarperCollins
March 2012

Splat wants to solve the mystery of why his ducks' bills are going missing. The story didn't make a lot of sense - many of the characters just pop in with very little introduction, but then again, I haven't really followed the series. I loved Splat's rambling notes on his "cunning plan" to catch the culprit. There's a fun "top secret" duck code on the end pages that I think kids will dig.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Night, Knight
by Owen Davey
Templar
January 2012

Absolutely charming. A colander-helmeted little boy has an imaginative bedtime, transforming ordinary bedtime rituals into "a great adventure." A bath becomes a a swim past wildlife in the moat, brushing teeth becomes a dodge past alligators. The book is illustrated with a limited palette of orange, brown and blue, giving it a mildly retro feel.

I purchased this book.

Dad Does it All
by Paul Orshaski, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
Treasure Bay
December 2011

Ugh. That's nearly all I have to say about this one. Here's a dad who is so out of it, he puts Papa Berenstain to shame. The bumbling dad of this story manages to make a complete mess of things when mom is sick with a cold. "My dad stayed home the other day. My mom was sick. Her throat was gray." After a day of total incompetence, "He hung some shirts out on the line. They blew away - and some were mine! Then as we chased them in the yard, Dad said, 'I never worked so hard.' It's the kid who finally saves the day - by ordering pizza so they can eat after Dad's burned the roast. Appended with phonics activities for parents to do with their children.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture books mini-reviews, part 9

Dixie and the Class Treat
by Grace Gilman, illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers
HarperCollins
March 2012

Dixie the dog gets into one mishap after another. Emma and her mom are making cookies to share for snack at school, when uh-oh! An over-rambunctious Dixie knocks over the table, ruining everything. They whip up a fresh batch, unsuspectingly adding cayenne pepper instead of cinnamon. Cue the sad trombone - Wah-wah-wah-waaaaaah! But Dixie (and Emma's mom) save the day when they arrive at school and Dixie manages to knock over another table of cookies, saving the students from a too spicy snack. Emma's super-mom presents the kids with a third batch of cookies (cooked the right way this time, of course.) Colorful watercolors give a great sense of motion as Dixie wiggles and waggles across every page.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze

by Maureen Wright, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Marshall Cavendish Children's Books
September 2011

Here is a great picture book for sharing in the fall. I love the digital and watercolor illustrations by Hillenbrand. Bear is certain that his sneezing is the cause of falling leaves and geese flying south, while Autumn Wind knows that Big Bear had nothing to do with it. In a way, this is a bit of take on that old Aesop's fable, The North Wind and the Sun - where they battle it out to see who's stronger (it is neither, of course.) I don't know what made me think of it... the mopsical foolishness of the bear in this story, I suppose.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Little Bea

by Daniel Roode
Greenwillow Books
March 2011

A busy bee named "Bea" buzzes around, looking like a unscrewed lightbulb with her tiny striped body and bulbous yellow head. Gardening, visiting with friends, playing in the rain, and an array of other little mini-adventures in a bucolic outdoor setting wear her out until she, "Bzz. Bzz. Zzzzzzzz," goes to sleep. No matter how many times I look at this, bobble-headed Bea looks like a lightbulb to me! All of the digitally created art looks slick and bright. 

I borrowed this book from the library.

Mac and Cheese and the Perfect Plan
by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by Jane Manning
HarperCollins
March 2012

In this silly rhyming beginning reader, two alleycats argue over whether they should go to the beach or not. (Mac is in favor, Cheese is against.) When they miss the bus, they have to settle for the pool. Colorful watercolor illustrations depicting an overstuffed junkyard which is home to the two cats is probably my favorite part of this odd couple series.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Picture Books mini-reviews, part 4

Annie and Snowball and the Surprise Day
by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson
Simon Spotlight

March 2012

The ever-prolific Rylant strikes again with another entry in her Annie and Snowball series. Annie, her pet rabbit Snowball, and her dad take a surprise day-trip to the country for a picnic. Eyecatching pen and ink and watercolor illustrations feel loose and colorful. Written in simple language for beginning readers, this might make a good "additional" book for Father's Day displays. 

I borrowed this book from my library.

Pinkalicious: The Princess of Pink Slumber Party

by Victoria Kann

Harper Collins

February 2012

Pinkalicious has a princess-tastic time when three friends come over for a slumber party. They enjoy a game of musical chairs and decorate tiaras together. This is followed by meal of "princess and the split-pea soup," chicken nuggets a lá king and castle cupcakes. A bratty younger brother doesn't deter them from enjoying a pillowfight. Alison is nervous about sleeping over, until Pinkalicious reminds her "a princess faces her perils with strength." In the end, they conjure up a sparkly pink dragon to protect them through the night. Personally, I found this one a little overwhelming, but it's perfect for the super-girly pink-obsessed beginning reader. 

I borrowed this book from my library.

The Unruly Queen

by E.S. Redmond

Candlewick Press
February 2012

In wordy rhyme, a bratty princess Minerva von Vyle is finally tamed with reverse psychology from a fearsome nanny and her crew of monsters. This title will draw inevitable comparisons to Mary Poppins. Pen and ink and watercolor illustrations with plenty of cross-hatching and curlique details reminded me a little of a slightly less feminine (read: less pink) version of Fancy Nancy.

I borrowed this book from my library.

Arthur's Dream Boat

by Polly Dunbar

Candlewick Press

February 2012

Dunbar delivers a gem in this imaginative story of a boy who dramatically reclaims the attention of his busy family with a fantastic dream boat. Colorful, yet gentle mixed media illustrations and a variety of typefaces to emphasize certain words create an easy flow for young readers, despite the slightly longer than normal picture book format. I'd give this book a knowing wink as a Caldecott contender, if only Dunbar didn't live and work in Britain!

I borrowed this book from my library.