A little history, a laugh or two and a beach story

Enjoy a few books with interesting stories from history, one book to make you laugh and one bonus wordless book that I have 'read' over and over.

Melody


Johann Gutenberg and the Amazing Printing Press by Bruce Koscielniak
Learn about Gutenberg AND all the others who came before him in this easy to read, informative and interesting book. Great for school age kids and adults.








Naming Liberty by Jane Yolen
Join an immigrant family traveling from Russia to America AND the journey of the Statue of Liberty from France to America. The two stories are on opposite pages; this makes it a complex story and suitable for school age kids. Author's notes at end of the book tell us about her family and how they came to America. Do you know YOUR family story?

Sisters of Scituate Light by Stephen Krensky

This true story is engagingly told. Two sisters left in the light house while the family is evacuated hear the British soldiers rowing to shore to pillage the village. Seizing their drum and fife, these two sisters hide in the woods and play the music that troops would play as they marched to battle. The British heard the music and abruptly turned around and rowed back to the ship. Great notes at the end of the book let the reader know that this story was told in magazines in the girl's own words years after the end of the War of 1812.

The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend

And here is your fun to read story! A clever cat creates a perfect nest. He just wants a chicken to come and lay an egg so he can make an omelet. A chicken does find the nest and lays an egg. Then a duck comes by and also lays an egg. Finally, a goose adds her egg. Before the cat can get those eggs, the fowl fight about whose nest this is. Now no one will leave the nest! After days of sitting and fussing with each other, the egg-layers leave, after cat tells them about better nests on the next farm. Finally - omelet time! But, crack, crack, crack - the three eggs hatch and imprint on the cat.

Wave by Suzy Lee
No words, but if you have ever been to a beach with waves, you have probably either had this experience or seen someone else have this happen to them. Exhuberant, happy pictures capture all the joy of being at the beach!

Books for fun ... just a few

Duck Soup by Jackie Urbanovic

This is the second duck story from Jackie Urbanovic. Read Duck at the Door first. Then prepare to read this with all the melodrama you can muster. Duck likes to cook, and steps away to get some ingredients. When his animal friends come into the kitchen, they mistakenly believe that duck has fallen into his own cooking pot!







Spot 7 animals by Kidslabel

Books that have you looking for items on the pages are perfect for 'visual acuity' and this is no exception. Each full spread features two pages, identical except for seven items that have been added or moved. Can you find them? Answers in the back!

I did good to find six on a page!



Hogwood Steps Out by Howard Mansfield

Hogwood is in a very long (228 pages) book. Meet him and enjoy this short book about a naughty pig.

Picture books - puzzles, funny stories, and informative books

Here is a wide variety of picture books for creative, inquisitive kids of all ages. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Melody

The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster: A Tale of Picky Eating by A. W. Flaherty
"Once upon a time, a little girl named Katerina-Elizabeth took an ocean liner to visit her grandmother in Scotland." And so begins this funny story. Katerina-Elizabeth does not like oatmeal, and throws it out the porthole. A sea worm eats the oatmeal, and gets bigger and bigger, following the ship all the way to Scotland.
The author includes fabulous information about the science of supertasters, and how to tell if you or your child happen to be one.



Kids Like Us by Carole Lexa Schaefer

Spend a day with this preschool class, as they use their imagination and play, play, play. If you like this, get the other books by this author and also illustrated by Pierr Morgan.







I'm Bad! by Kate McMullan

This T. Rex is bad, bad, bad. He chases and hunts and terrorizes everthing. But he just cannot seem to catch anything to eat. Finally, his mommy brings him some food. And be forewarned, mommy does not bring him a salad. She has a dead dinosaur for him to eat. Which, of course, is what T. Rexes eat. You will want to read the others by this author, I'm Dirty! and I Stink!




Americana Adventure by Michael Garland
This is a great example of a picture book for older elementary age kids. You are going to meet all of the presidents on this adventure, read quotes from famous Americans and maybe even solve the mysteries posed at the beginning of the book.
Thankfully, the answers are given at the end of the book.




sisters & brothers - sibling relationships in the animal world by Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins just keeps on delivering great books about animals with beautiful cut paper illustrations, and this one is no exception. Learn a lot about animals as you read through this longer picture book.




My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers
If you have read Marguerite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague" you will know all about pony penning day. Every year, the horses are rounded up and some are sold at an auction. Susan Jeffers gives us a lovely picture book about the Assateague ponies.
I always wanted to go to the pony penning day and buy an Assateague pony of my own, so this story brought tears to my eyes, as I read about the kindness of strangers who sometimes help children buy their own pony.
And if you have a pony lover in your house, get Susan Jeffers' other horse stories.


Where's My Mom? by Julia Donaldson
Monkey lost his mom. Where is she? Butterfly know just where she is and is determined to help. Unfortunately, Butterfly does not wait for Monkey to finish describing his mother before they are off to find his mother.
Read Is Your Mama a Llama? for a similar story. Both are funny, joyful stories with happy endings.





Ookpik: The Travels of a Snowy Owl by Bruce Hiscock
Read this wonderful natural history story of snowy owls. This is a longer story, perfect for school age children. The author includes a page of additional notes.








Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy
The quirky charactors in this book will help us learn what we need to know to become astronauts. It is easy to read, simple pictures and text, yet the information given is right on target. There is an additional page of 'fascinating facts' at the back of the book.







Minji's Salon by Eun-hee Choung
This little girl uses her imagination to create her own styling salon at home. Her 'customer' is the family dog, and she uses paint, ice cream and crayons to make a stylish dog, and a big mess. Her mother, at first shocked by the mess, looks again, and sees her daughter as a salon owner, and plays along.
This creative and intriguing story has brief text. The pictures mirror the mother's experience at the salon on the left hand page and the daughter and dog goings on at home on the right hand side.

Great books for young readers

If you know someone who is just beginning to read, or perhaps ready to read to you, but just something easy, please, then grab some of these great new books.


Fly High, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold
This is the latest of five books about Fly Guy and his boy 'Buzz' and it is so much fun to read. Lots of repeated words and phrases will allow new readers to practice, repeat and remember. All of the stories are perfect for the pickiest of new readers ... little boys.






Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Rain or Shine by Eric Silverman
And here is the fourth book in this Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa sereis that is especially for girls who love horses. Kate and her horse Cocoa have all kinds of adventures together. The vocabulary in this book is more complex and there are a lot more words per page than any other of the titles selected here. Count on using this for young readers who are reading fairly well but are not wanted to tackle really long books just yet.






Goose and Duck by Jean Craighead George
Jean Craighead George is a fabulous writer. She writes nature stories, about arctic animals and people who live in the cold northern climes. I love her book about her childhood, Tarantula in My Purse, which certainly is not for new readers. It would be a great read aloud.
I digress. Goose and Duck covers, in very simple text, the imprinting process that occurs when birds hatch and believe that a person is really their bird mother. Harper Collins (the publisher of "I Can Read" books) rates this 'High interest stories for developing readers' who are 'reading with help.'



Fancy Nancy and the Boy From Paris by Jane O'Connor
I love the big Fancy Nancy picture books, so I was delighted to find these new readers. Fancy Nancy is the girliest of girls; she like fancy things, ribbons, bows, pink everywhere. You will want to read all the Fancy Nancy stories if you have a girl like her in your house.
In this wonderfully funny story, there is a new boy in her class and he is from Paris. Fancy Nancy LOVES everything French, and she makes friends with this new boy. I will not tell you anything else - you just have to read it!
This is another Harper Collins book, "Simple sentences for eager new readers" is their designation for this level one reader. Fancy Nancy does like to use big, new, and sometimes French words, so your new reader will need help. There are prounounciation helps and definitions at the end of the book.


Mr. Putter & Tabby Run the Race by Cynthia Rylant
Cynthia Rylant has written many, many books and has several different series in the reader area. I have really enjoyed the Mr. Putter & Tabby series and there are over 17 written so far. My favorite so far is Mr. Putter & Tabby Write the Book. Anyway, the stories feature a senior citizen and his cat. Unlikely combo for a young reader, perhaps, but the stories are varied and interesting.
These stories are rated as books for 1st through 3rd grade, so are meant for children who are reading with little help.

Picture books with true stories in them ...

Stormy's Hat: Just Right for a Railroad Man by Eric A. Kimmel


Goerge "Stormy" Kromer was an engineer during the days the trainmen wore derbies or fedoras. But these hats blew off time and again. Stormy described hat ideas to his wife, who created the hat that railroad workers wear today.

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks by Anne Broyles

This is a remarkable book based on a true story and I hesitate to try and describe it. Priscilla is a slave girl, owned first by whites then by Cherokee. When the Cherokee's were forced to leave the East, Priscilla went to. As the family walked through a town in Illinois, someone from Priscilla's past recognized her. This kind man bought her from the Cherokee, set her free and he and his wife adopted her into their large family. Hollyhocks are the flowers Priscilla's mother always planted, and Priscilla always took hollyhock seeds with her to plant again, as a way to bring a sense of her own mother and home with her wherever she went.

A Very Improbable Story by Edward Einhorn

I usually am not crazy about picture books with math in them. Many are so forced. Blah! But this stort of probability also has a quirky storybook element to it that makes it fun - Ethan wakes up with a cat on his head. The cat will not go away until Ethan wins a game. The reader gets a gentle, gradual explanation of how odds work.

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference by Katie Smith Milway

If you have not heard how micro-loans are changing the world, a little at a time, this is a great book to read. This story takes place in Africa, where a young boy borrows a little money to buy a hen. The hen lays eggs, the boy sells the eggs, buys more hens. More eggs, and now he can afford to go to school. He earns a scholarship, goes to agricultural school and then comes home to become a farmer, employing his neighbors, improving the lives of everyone; children have enough to eat and be able to go to school. The author gives more information about micro-loans in the back of the book.

Phillis's Big Test by Catherine Clinton

Phillis Wheatley published a book of poetry in Boston in 1773. The year before she had to go before a board of over a dozen men and be questioned - they did not believe a slave could write such poetry.

Great story, and it is again based on a true story.

Arabella Miller's Tiny Caterpillar by Clare Jarrett

This is a great way to introduce little ones to how caterpillars undergo metamorphosis and become butterflies. Nice story of little girl feeding the caterpillar, and seeing the butterfly fly away. Author also gives information on the process in the back of the book

Picture books for fun, for toddlers and for great art

In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck

This bedtime story features a sleepy girl that wants to sleep in a blue room. But the room is not blue. She wants a blue blanket, some blue tea, but nothing is blue. What to do, what to do? And then mama turns off the light. The room, the blanket, the tea and flowers - all are now blue. The book has such a soft, quiet feel to it that it is bound to be a good bedtime story again and again.





Bear's Picture by Daniel Pinkwater (new illustrations by D. B. Johnson)

Pick this book for the illustrations, then read it again for the story. The illustrator has other fabulous books, notably Henry Hikes to Fitchburg. In this story, the bear is painting what he likes and two men come along and tell him he cannot paint, and then criticize his painting. The men disappear into the stream in the painting, the bear is happy with his painting, the book itself is turned and we see a stylized painting of ... the bear himself!




Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Jane Cabrera



Everyone knows the song. Now sing along and enjoy the colorful, luscious pictures by Jane Cabrera. I plan on using this for story time and toddler time, too!

My Baby & Me by Lynn Reiser

Here is another great book for little folks. Four sets of siblings talk, play and do loving things together. The cover does not show the beautiful children of color who are included. Rhyming text is simple and very child centered.








Mommy Do You Love Me? by Jeanne Willis

Mommy hen and little chick love each other. This story goes beyond 'love you, love you, love you' to showing that even when mommy is mad, she still loves little chick. And mommy and little chick are able to talk about that - a great way to bring the topic up with little ones who are struggling with understaning complex human emotions.







Ma! There's Nothing to Do Here! by Barbara Park
Have you heard of the book series Junie B. Jones? Well, here is her very humorous picture book inspired by the ultrasound of her grandson. This in utero baby can think of lots of thing children would like to do, and complains about not having anything to do while in the womb.






Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett

I love this simple story and plan on using it for story time real soon. The text is simple, repititious and then the reader will turn the page to see the animals that the little girl and her monkey went to see. You will definitely want to read the other books by this author/illustrator: Meerkat Mail; Orange Pear Apple Bear; and the almost scary story, Wolves.

What Pet to Get? by Emma Dodd

Big bold pictures and absolutely ridiculous pet choices make this a fun book to read. Mom does not just say no to her son, but suggests a pet elephant might squish the car, a lion might scare the mailman and sadly, T. rexes are extinct.

Guess What I Found in Dragon Wood by Timothy Knapman

No, this is not a story about finding a dragon. This is a story about a dragon finding a boy, a 'Benjamin' that he takes to school. But the Benjamin is homesick, so the dragon takes him home. Great story for dragon lovers of all ages.

Come Fly with Me by Satomi Ichikawa

You travel to Paris with this author/illustrator, in every book she writes. In this book, two toys take a trip together. After all, "The best part of going Somewhere is sharing it with friends."

La La Rose is one of my favorite stories with a lost toy rabbit who eventually finds his girl. And again, you get to visit Paris.

Longer picture books for older children

Help Me, Mr. Mutt! Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

This is a complex story about dogs with people problems, and cat problems, too. Mr. Mutt writes back his advice to each problem, and so does the cat. Great for school age and older.

Look for other books by this sister team. One of my favorites is The Great Fuzz Frenzy which features prairie dogs and a tennis ball.



Speaking of prairie dogs, Danny Diamondback by Barry Jackson is an unlikely story about a rattlesnake who ends up protecting, not eating, the little rodents. And that rattle? Why it helped him land a gig with a band.







How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
This is a more serious story, and is based on the author's own experiences. He was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1935. His family fled to Turkestan and this book is the story of part of that time. The author gives us enough information to make you want to read the book again, this time looking at all the pictures a bit differently.


Add The Journey that Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margaret and H. A. Rey for another, longer look at author/illustrators and WWII.

More books, just for fun

Baby Brains and Robomom by Simon James

I love Baby Brains! In his latest escapade he creates a Robomon to help his mother get all the household choirs done. Then Robomom takes over taking care of Baby Brains. This is too much for Robomom and she starts making bigger and bigger mistakes, like hanging Baby Brains up on the laundry line to dry. Baby Brains wants his mommy!

Do get the other Baby Brains books!



The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems


Have you read the other pigeon books by Mo Willems? Start with Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! a great story that needs children to say 'no!' over and over again as the pigeon begs the reader to let him drive the bus. In this newest book, Pigeon wants a puppy ... until he gets one.





Speaking of puppies, try Cynthia Rylant's latest, Puppies and Piggies with cheery illustrations by Ivan Bates. This is a sweet tale of animals and what they like to do, and baby, too.






The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill
This is a book I have been reading to other adults. It is silly and absurd, and has a surprise ending that will make you laugh. The goofy pictures are perfect!








Mary Had a Little Lamp by Jack Lechner
Clearly, this is not a serious book, either. Half the fun is kids knowing what the book is spoofing. Make sure to read the 'critics reviews' that are featured on the back cover for even more fun.










Sergio Makes a Splash! by Edel Rodriguez
Sergio the penguin loves the water. But not deep water. Sergio does learn to face his fears, and maybe we can all learn from Sergio.









What Shall We Do with the Boo-Hoo Baby? by Cressida Cowell



I had to add this fun to read book when I read the next, really new book. In this book, all the animals are trying to take care of the crying. The baby cries and cries. Make sure YOU Boo-Hoo as you read the story.


What Do We Do with the Baby? by Rick Walton
And this sweet little story is all pastels, love and light - hold the baby, hug the baby, squeeze the baby, kiss the baby. The illustrations are adorable and done in a way that makes it easy to see the bunny baby of the story as a real baby - but cuter!








Apples & Oranges: going bananas with pairs by Sara Pinto

This silly book has two similar objects, asks the reader how they are alike, and it is obvious, and then gives a silly answer. "How are an apple and orange alike?" Turn the page and ... "They both don't wear glasses."

Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (and other things not to do) by Judi Barrett

From the author who brought us Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs comes this also quite silly book that uses illustrations to
demonstrate the "why not" factor.

Uh-oh! by Rachel Isadora
Gorgeous illustrations show the child, simple text like, "Clean clothes" and then turn the page and the same child has made a mess. The text on the messy page? "Uh-oh!" This would be fun to read to any little one who is learning to talk, and toddlers, too.

Oh, Brother! by Nikki Grimes
This is a very unusual picture book. Stepbrothers are now having to learn to live with each other. The struggles are represented as poems. Mike Benny's illustrations add tremendously to the feel of the book.
And this book does have a happy ending; the stepbrothers do learn to
care about each other.

Papa and Me by Arthur Dorrow
I'll keep looking for easy ways to get that accent mark. In the meantime, revel in the beauty of both the illustrations and the lyrical language AND the bits of Spanish language all stirred into this beautiful father and son story. The illustrations draw me back again and again.
Delicious!

Bow-wow Bugs a Bug by Mark Newgarden
This wordless book is for bug lovers. If bugs creep you out, skip this. Without words, the 'reader' has to really look around the page to see what is happening, or about to happen. School age children will get the most pleasure from this book; preschoolers may have trouble understanding the humor.

Hogwash by Arthur Geisert
Another wordless book with a complicated story-line, school age kids will be studying the pictures to catch the nuances of the story and the zany machines for hogwashing.

DO get his other books ... wordless and wonderful.

Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman
Take a short trip to Paris, in this story with very simple text. Enjoy the 'tourist' information included in the back of the book.

Fancy Nancy - Bonjour, Butterfly by Jane O'Connor
If you have not read any Fancy Nancy yet, you better start soon! Even little boys are intrigued by this girl who dresses everything up, makes every day a fancy day and has days when things just do not work out the way she wanted. In this book, Fancy Nancy is using her fancy French words, which she helps us with. I love all the Fancy Nancy books, but this one ... I went out and bought!

Add Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words from Accessories to Zany for a fabulous alphabetic vocabulary book.