Beautifully enticing wordless book. I couldn't wait to turn the page but also had to linger to be sure I didn't miss each detail, first looking in th Beautifully enticing wordless book. I couldn't wait to turn the page but also had to linger to be sure I didn't miss each detail, first looking in the windows, then searching for the mice and viewing the pictures on the walls, finally following the cat as the boy did, up and up, to a surprise! ...more
There's hope in the world when someone celebrates stories as beautifully as Paul Czajak has in this book. A mayor of a town wants his people to liste There's hope in the world when someone celebrates stories as beautifully as Paul Czajak has in this book. A mayor of a town wants his people to listen "only" to him, orders all books destroyed. A young boy finds goodness in his own words that plant seeds for all. Rashin Kheririyeh's illustrations celebrate books in lovely ways, even on the inside covers. And there is that black cat companion who's with the boy all the way. It's a lovely fable for reading aloud. ...more
Lovely illustrations and another tale that brings happy Christmas feelings of a little tree that lives by a railroad track, soon chosen to go home to Lovely illustrations and another tale that brings happy Christmas feelings of a little tree that lives by a railroad track, soon chosen to go home to be a Christmas tree in a little boy's home. She is lonely, but Santa soon fixes that, bringing the boy a toy train. The tree is happy again, hearing that train chugging beneath her. You'll find the ending comes full circle in this sweet imaginary tale. It brought my own memories of putting a train around our tree when my children were young. My husband's father was a train engineer and trains were an important part of our lives with the kids growing up....more
Lou Peacock's shopping trip in rhyme makes a sweet story of a mom and her two children, the oldest bringing along Oliver, his stuffed elephant. What fLou Peacock's shopping trip in rhyme makes a sweet story of a mom and her two children, the oldest bringing along Oliver, his stuffed elephant. What fun the boy and Oliver have while Mom shops! They purchase all the things on the list, get ready to go, but sad to say, Oliver, who also had fun playing, was missing. Helen Stephens' illustrations are soft watercolor, loving depictions of this Christmas story. ...more
Winter officially begins in ten days, but for some of you in different parts of the country, it has definitely begun. Here's a book from Kevin Henkes Winter officially begins in ten days, but for some of you in different parts of the country, it has definitely begun. Here's a book from Kevin Henkes that celebrates the winter full of snow. I love the line, "The wind howls in every language and the windows rattle". It's quite a big storm pictured beautifully by Laura Drozek, all through some days with soft-black outlining the colors and lots of grays and blues--winter! There is a surprise at the end....more
This is the latest in the adventures of Farmer Falgu by Chitra Soundar. There are three others. This one holds an underlying message, that even when This is the latest in the adventures of Farmer Falgu by Chitra Soundar. There are three others. This one holds an underlying message, that even when one has missed out on a plan because of helping others, often things do work out. Perhaps they do, perhaps they don't, but I enjoyed reading the adventure of Farmer Falgu going to a festival, Kumbh Mela, that has certain rituals, and is help only every twelve years. It is good to learn of holidays that are important in ...more
It's a glorious, living story of a day in the life, this time with a fox, hungry and traveling through the woods to find what is possible, first a mo It's a glorious, living story of a day in the life, this time with a fox, hungry and traveling through the woods to find what is possible, first a mouse, then, whew, a rabbit. It also becomes the hunted when encountering a wolverine. Jonathan London has written the story in brief, poetic text and each of Daniel Miyares's pages show the need, the capture, the danger and the silent, safe warmth of the fox's hole. "Little foxling, little fox,/safe in your hole – tomorrow/you will go back/out into the snow./But tonight, you can rest/in your halo of warmth./Good night, little fox."...more
It's a beautiful lift-the-flap exploration of nature as little tree realizes it is not so alone as it thinks. Each page holds several flaps and the w It's a beautiful lift-the-flap exploration of nature as little tree realizes it is not so alone as it thinks. Each page holds several flaps and the words tease readers to find what's being said by lifting the flaps. Some of nature's things are visible, but others hide, and in clever places, too. Where is the "brilliant goldfinch (that) sings?" and where is the field mouse "who needs a place to hide"? It's a great book to introduce come of the wonders of nature....more
On my first read, I laughed and loved this cumulative tale of a father who happens to be the one who found that elephant! And, calm as can be, he takeOn my first read, I laughed and loved this cumulative tale of a father who happens to be the one who found that elephant! And, calm as can be, he takes the elephant, the one with "sharp shiny tusks" who doesn't "make a trumpet sound" or "charge at all" off to someone's bedroom. This father tells the story to an unknown person, says that creature "followed me quietly to your bedroom." Hmm, then I read the story to my young granddaughter, seven, and she was immediately in a hurry, laughing and saying things like "hurry up, turn the page". She had a tough time waiting to see what was next. The father in the story, however, continues to be calm as calm can be, even when he discovered a camel in his study, a cobra in front of his bedroom window, and a rhinoceros in the laundry room. Colorful and realistic illustrations by Kelly O'Neill add to the story's matter-of-fact pace. Those animals behave with surprising calm although I spied a bit of eye-rolling from the father. The story will be a favorite as kids gather ALL their favorite stuffies while getting ready for a dream-filled sleep....more
In basic terms, this is a simple book, just as expected from Kevin Henkes, who writes for young children. However, you must look closer to find that tIn basic terms, this is a simple book, just as expected from Kevin Henkes, who writes for young children. However, you must look closer to find that this darling elephant parade is subtle and complex, maybe call it 'sneaky'? It fills everyone up with movement words like "up, down" or "in, out" setting expectations high for whatever comes next in what adults know are "basic concepts". Here's a list: "numbers, shapes, adjectives, adverbs, and daytime and nighttime." Plus, there is a surprise at the end, another reason to jump into this "parade of elephants". It is fun, and seems like one that parents won't tire of reading again and again....more
From one to ten, then back again, it seems to me that this counting book is a delight for welcoming winter. Two Dianas tell the story, from sleeping cFrom one to ten, then back again, it seems to me that this counting book is a delight for welcoming winter. Two Dianas tell the story, from sleeping children to snow play with friends, back to cocoa and warmth inside, Diana Murray crafts a rhyme that's filled with happiness. That puppy even gets into this day! Diana Toledano creates snow-filled double pages as the first two kids go out into their snowy neighborhood and join friends for a winter's day of fun. Every page brings memories and a wish to step into this story!...more
Rafael López has created the happiest and most beautiful book celebrating our wonderful world, full of many different people, animals, things. As the Rafael López has created the happiest and most beautiful book celebrating our wonderful world, full of many different people, animals, things. As the pages are turned, the lyrics to the song are there, ready for everyone to sing along. This is going to be a lot of fun to share and sing together in classrooms, or with a few at home. ...more
Originally published in 1942, then re-done with all of Lynn Ward's illustrations in 1970, this story of the little red lighthouse who thought it wasn'Originally published in 1942, then re-done with all of Lynn Ward's illustrations in 1970, this story of the little red lighthouse who thought it wasn't needed anymore after the George Washington Bridge was completed. It was, at least for a while. And it is still there, but now it's a historic sight you can visit. This book helped save it!
For all who love seeing these big machines and appreciate the work they do, often in the night like this one, sometimes in dangerous conditions, Debo For all who love seeing these big machines and appreciate the work they do, often in the night like this one, sometimes in dangerous conditions, Deborah Bruss shows all that happens in clever rhyme, the story, really, of a snowplow driver, though he and the machine are thoroughly connected in the job! "Wind picks up and whirls the snow./It's a whiteout! Take it slow." Steve Johnson's illustrations show the beginnings of the work and follows all through the night in dark, snowy pictures, lights shining in windows and in streetlights as the snowplow moves along. Considering the weather, the scenes still give a cozy feeling, another kind of world most of us don't know. One fun thing that takes away the loneliness is that this particular snowplow driver takes his dog along....more
Thanks also to Candlewick Press for this sweet Christmas picture book from Michael Morpurgo and Kerry Hyndman that may connect with all of us with lonThanks also to Candlewick Press for this sweet Christmas picture book from Michael Morpurgo and Kerry Hyndman that may connect with all of us with longing for home. This robin, brave and persistent, hears a calling that he cannot resist. Traveling over mountains and sea, in snowstorms and escaping hawks, Kerry Hydman's illustrations show the struggles of this bird, the sweeping and harsh terrain surrounding the flight along with other flocks he later joined, to return home. The ending is deliciously wonderful as he finds "her" and his home, welcomed by the people who live there, eating their Christmas bird cake. The story does have a happy ending and reminds me of the movie several years ago titled "Winged Migration", showing the struggles and the success of birds flying their long journey to HOME. ...more
A flurry of intriguing gifts from crow to a young boy turns into a fabulous surprise. Saying thanks for small kindnesses may turn into something even A flurry of intriguing gifts from crow to a young boy turns into a fabulous surprise. Saying thanks for small kindnesses may turn into something even bigger. It's a delightful story for young children....more
A sweet book for the young ones about giving thanks for the small things we treasure, parades and puddles, laps and books. The animal illustrations arA sweet book for the young ones about giving thanks for the small things we treasure, parades and puddles, laps and books. The animal illustrations are great....more
I've talked with my nine-year-old granddaughter about standing up for what’s right, what words can be used to help, to be an ally for a friend. She a I've talked with my nine-year-old granddaughter about standing up for what’s right, what words can be used to help, to be an ally for a friend. She already knows there is much need in her world of elementary school, and in the wider world, too. This book fills, mostly alphabetically, with actions. From "Assemble. Take Action. Create Allies." to "Read, remember, resist." and finally "Be zealous." Rob Sanders's poetic text gives ideas that Jared Schorr's bold illustrations show some ideas for "how". One person can help, many can accomplish anything they fight for. I imagine so many conversations with these pictures and calls to act. Terrific book!...more
Thanks to Candlewick for a copy of this book by Robert Sabuda, a pop-up artist extraordinaire. If you have some child who adores pop-ups, this is a maThanks to Candlewick for a copy of this book by Robert Sabuda, a pop-up artist extraordinaire. If you have some child who adores pop-ups, this is a marvelous one showing 10 different horses and what they are doing on the farm: running, jumping, bucking, drinking, grazing, pulling, playing, sharing, resting. For little ones, there are extra things to look for on each page, plus the surprise pop-up. ...more
I live in ski country, though I have stopped being on the slopes, all the rest of the family ski and I read this book to my 7 and 9-year-old granddaugI live in ski country, though I have stopped being on the slopes, all the rest of the family ski and I read this book to my 7 and 9-year-old granddaughters, skiers since they were three! They laughed and remembered their own 'bunny slope' times, their first big hills, and sometimes disasters as this funny giraffe takes off, legs askew, on skis! Viviane Elbee shares some familiar things, like that 'pizza' stop, but adds in lots of smiles and surprises when we readers see an elephant swooping down a slope and when the giraffe collides with a sloth. My only reservation is that while it was funny in the book, it is really a dangerous accident when skiers collide. In all, it's a fun story if one doesn't take it too seriously....more
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