Monthly Features by Carol Elbert
Snow by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stringer. Harcourt, 2008.
Suggested for ages 4-8
Grownups may grumble, but children love snow. Rylant, award-winning author of more than a hundred books for young people, celebrates snowfalls light or heavy, the pleasures of playing outdoors, and the coziness of indoors. Beautiful acrylic paintings by a Minnesota artist capture the frosty wind, the softening of edges, and the children's delight.
Quack Quack, Maisy: a Stroll-Along Book by Lucy Cousins. Candlewick, 2008.
Suggested for ages 0-18 months
Designed to be clipped to your baby's stroller, this colorful board book is small and sturdy. Bold simple pictures show a variety of animals, and the text consists of the sounds they make. With your encouragement, your baby will have fun buzzing like a bee and baaing like a lamb. This is one of a series of "Stroll-Along Books."
Welcome Winter by Jill Ackerman, illustrated by Nancy Davis. Little Scholastic, 2008
Suggested for ages 0-2
A new title in the excellent "Little Scholastic" series for babies and toddlers, this board book describes the sensations of winter. Snowflakes fall, snow crunches under our boots, wind blows your face. Bright simple pictures include textures to feel, and a flap lifts to show a snowman outside the window. A baby can touch the textures and point to the pictures. A toddler can find the red boots, green jacket, blue hat. Add to the fun by improvising actions as you read the words, ending with a warm hug.
What Are Clouds Made Of? by Geraldine Taylor, illustrated by Amy Schimler. Scholastic Cartwheel, 2008.
Suggested for ages 4-8
Do trees breathe? What do worms eat? Can fish hear things? Here's an interactive little book that encourages children to ask questions about the world around us.
With flaps to lift and tabs to pull, children (and parents) will find simple explanations about nature. Your next step may be a visit to the library to check out more books about topics that spark your child's interest.
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea. Hyperion, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2-6
If you know a child who is fascinated by dinosaurs, here's a must-read bedtime story with a repeated refrain. A little red dinosaur roars his way through a day's activities, and nothing can stop him! But when he faces his biggest challenge, bedtime, his eyelids droop, his roars get quieter, and bedtime wins. Bright childlike drawings are combined with photographic collage elements and varied sizes of type. You'll find lots of opportunity for participatory roaring.
Holly's Red Boots yby Francesca Chessa. Holiday House, 2008.
Suggested for ages 3-6
Holly is eager to go outside and play in the snow, but Mom says she must wear her red boots. With the help of her cat, Holly looks high and low, finding plenty of interesting things. By the time she finally finds her boots, the snow has melted, but the boots are perfect for splashing in puddles. Large pictures in vivid colors make this ideal for sharing with a group or with a child on your lap.
Knitty Kitty by David Elliott, illustrated by Christopher Denise. Candlewick, 2008.
Suggested for ages 4-8
"Clickety-click. Tickety-tick. Knitty Kitty sits and knits." She's making things to keep three lively kittens warm. The language is a pleasure to read aloud, and the cozy illustrations capture the playfulness of the kittens. David Elliott is the author of And Here's to You and On the Farm. If you'd like to knit as well, you can find the patterns for scarf and hat on the publisher's website.
Little Monkey by Kimberly Ainsworth and illustrated by Michelle Berg. Little Simon, 2008. (Little Green Books)
Suggested for babies
Little Monkey plays with his friend who stars in a companion book, Little Panda. Introducing a new series intended to be eco-friendly, this cloth book is machine washable and just right for the baby who is chewing on everything.
10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh. Candlewick, 2008.
Suggested for ages 3-6
Here are fun and easy eco-tips for young children in a beautifully designed book made from 100% recycled material. Die-cut pages add interest to the acrylic paintings. The suggestions are simple yet meaningful: "I try to turn off the tap when I brush my teeth. …I enjoy making toys from things around the house." What a difference it could make if young children adopt habits of conserving resources!
Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman. McElderry, 2008.
Suggested for ages 3-7
Fans of Bear and his friends will be glad to know there's a new book in this delightful series. "In the deep, dark woods by the Strawberry Vale, a big bear lumbers down a small, crooked trail….He is not home yet when the sun starts to set…And the bear feels scared…" The repeated rhyming pattern builds a gentle suspense until his friends find him, everything's fine, "and the bear feels safe." Acrylic paintings show endearing animal characters.
Dance with Me by Charles R. Smith Jr., illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. Candlewick "Super Sturdy Picture Book," 2008.
Suggested for ages 2-4
"Dance with me. Twist with me. Wiggle, move, and bounce with me." You and your child will want to shake, shake, shake it as you read this lively book about two children dancing down a city street. A parallel story is told in the colorful mixed media illustrations on sturdy pages with rounded corners. Put on some music and "wiggle, waggle to the sound!"
Big Kicks by Bob Kolar. Candlewick, 2008.
Suggested for ages 4-6
Biggie Bear is asked to substitute on the Mighty Giants soccer team, even though he's never played before. The team quickly discovers that "maybe being big and being good at soccer were not the same." Biggie doesn't turn into a soccer star, but the satisfying conclusion shows acceptance for all kinds of talents. Lively pictures in bright colors were created digitally.
Look Out, Suzy Goose by Petr Horacek. Candlewick Press, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2-5
Wanting to be alone, Suzy leaves her noisy flock (Honk! Honk!) and goes into the woods (Flip, Flop, Flip, Flop). But she is followed (Tiptoe, Tiptoe) by a hungry fox who is spied by a wolf (Creep, Creep) and then a huge bear (Pad, Pad). A sudden turn of events creates a racket, and Suzy goes home, where, now that night has fallen, it is nice and quiet. Lively mixed media illustrations add humor, and the pattern invites participation. Try acting this out with your child.
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2-7
Old Bear falls asleep for the winter and dreams that he is a cub again, enjoying the beauty of each season in turn. Imaginative watercolor illustrations capture the magic of Bear's dreams in which he naps in a giant spring crocus and summer clouds rain blueberries. Henkes won the Caldecott Medal for his earlier book Kitten's First Full Moon.
Book! by Kristine O'Connell George, illustrated by Maggie Smith. Clarion, 2008.
Suggested for ages 18 months-3 years
A child opens a package and is delighted to find a book. This brief story in rhyme celebrates the book experience. Originally published as a picture book, this new board book on colorful pages is just right for toddlers. The board book is also available in a bilingual Spanish/English edition.
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Harcourt, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2-5
A simple rhyme introduces one baby after another, born in different parts of the world, each having "ten little fingers and ten little toes." Wonderful pictures show cuddly babies in diverse circumstances, all completely lovable. As you read this to your own baby, you'll have fun counting fingers and toes, followed by three little kisses on the tip of the nose.
Potato Joe by Keith Baker. Harcourt, 2008
Suggested for ages 3-7
"One potato, two potato, three potato, four…" A rollicking counting tale based on the traditional nursery rhyme makes for a bouncy read-aloud. Ten smiling potatoes roll around the garden, playing tic-tac-toe, joining a rodeo, playing in the snow. Repeated readings lead to new discoveries. Can you spot the little ant in almost every picture? What other bugs can you find? How many words can you find that rhyme with Joe?
Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move by JoAnn Early Macken, illustrated by Pam Paparone. Holiday House, 2008
Suggested for ages 5-9
Dandelions can be a wonderful introduction to seed dispersal for young children. Seeds can be carried by wind, water, or animals. Late summer and early fall are good times for nature walks with your children, and chances are, at least dandelions will be easy to find. Visit your public library to check out field guides to trees and flowers. When you re-read this book, explore with your child all the words describing how seeds move: whirl, twirl, spin, glide…
I Love My New Toy by Mo Willems. Hyperion, 2008. "An Elephant & Piggie Book"
Suggested for ages 4-8
When Piggie gets a new toy, she's eager to share it with her friend Elephant, but then--he breaks it! Oh no! Sad… mad… Will their friendship survive this accident? The author's hilarious drawings capture the emotions and personalities of these endearing characters. Another new title in this funny series for beginning readers is I Will Surprise My Friend! Whether or not you have a beginning reader in your family, don't miss the books by Mo Willems.
1 2 Buckle My Shoe by Anna Grossnickle Hines. Harcourt, 2008
Suggested for ages 3-5
Hand-stitched appliqués create a vibrant patchwork illustrating the classic rhyme. As you look at the pages with your child, notice the red thread running though the story. The author-artist is a quilter, and on her webpage at www.aghines.com, you can see step-by-step how she made this book.
Beep Beep by Petr Horacek. Candlewick, 2008
Suggested for ages 1-3
Let's take a drive to Grandma's house, with sound effects: Beep! Beep! Vroom! Vroom! This bright board book has acrylic collage illustrations with die cut pages to add interest. A brief text describes a drive through the town, along the highway, down a hill, where Grandma's waiting with open arms. The companion book, Choo Choo, takes us on a train ride to an ocean beach.
Roadwork by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock. Candlewick, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2-6
"Load the dirt. Load the dirt. Scoop and swing and drop. Slam it down into the truck. Bump! Whump! Whop!" Roadwork is a familiar sight in the summer, and here's a book to help you see it as a rollicking adventure rather than an aggravation. Bold illustrations and lively rhymes full of noise will appeal to young truck fans as you learn together about the process of building a road.
Puppies and Piggies by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Ivan Bates. Harcourt, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2-5
"Puppy loves the farmyard, Puppy loves the rain. Puppy loves to press his nose against the windowpane." In this gentle picture book, rhymes describe young animals on the farm enjoying favorite things, leading up to "Baby loves his blanket, Baby loves his bed. Baby loves his mama, who will kiss his sleepy head." You and your little one will have fun seeing how many animals you can find at each turn of the page in the appealing crayon and watercolor illustrations.
Little by Little by Amber Stewart and Layn Marlow. Orchard Books, 2008.
Suggested for ages 3-5
Otto can do lots of things, but he hasn't yet learned to swim like the other otters. He wishes and wishes that he could. With encouragement and good advice from his sister, little by little, he learns that starting small can have big results. Young children needing reassurance that new skills take time will be glad for Otto's success. As you re-read the story, point out details in the playful watercolor illustrations: bugs, frogs, flowers, and fish.
To Be Like the Sun by Susan Marie Swanson, illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Harcourt, 2008.
Suggested for ages 4 – 8
A little girl describes planting striped gray seeds, tending them, and watching them grow into tall golden sunflowers, flowers that worked hard "to be like the sun." A lyrical text and beautiful prints full of texture and light make this a lovely book. Each page is a work of art. Share this with your child and be inspired to grow something, even if it's just a bean in a cup.
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry. Harcourt, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2 – 6
"Little Blue Truck came down the road. 'Beep!' said Blue to a big green toad. Toad said, 'Croak!' and winked an eye when Little Blue Truck went rolling by." Dump Truck gets stuck in the mud, Blue tries to help, and soon both are stuck. But Blue's animal friends demonstrate the value of a helping hand. Animals and vehicles have plenty of personality in the gouache illustrations. Rollicking rhythm and rhyme and sound effects make this great fun for reading aloud.
Peekaboo, Blueberry! by Barney Saltzberg. Harcourt, 2008.
Suggested for infants – age 3
Here's a treat for babies learning to point to eyes, ears, and nose. Lift flaps with a bunny named Blueberry as he points to his eyes, nose, mouth, toes, and ears. Then—where did Blueberry go? Ring the doorbell in this book with sound, open the door—there he is! Have fun with your own baby pointing to parts of the body, playing peekaboo, and giggling with Blueberry.
Bow-Wow Attracts Opposites by Mark Newgarden and Megan Montague Cash. Red Wagon Books, 2008.
Suggested for infants – age 3
A lively little terrier stars in this board book series illustrated with bold lines and bright colors sure to appeal to babies. Bow-Wow chases a cat up, down, in, out, over, under, and finally, alone in the rain, feels sad. But a surprise ending perks him right up. A companion book is Bow-Wow Hears Things
Wee Little Chick by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by John Butler. Simon & Schuster, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2 – 6
It's spring in the barnyard, and the wee little chick, all brand-new, is the littlest of the new chicks. But that doesn't stop her from running fastest and peeping loudest of all. Mama Hen knows she's just the right size. Large illustrations in acrylic paint and colored pencils show realistic farm animals looking soft, gentle, and yes—clean. Have fun adding sound effects as you read this to one child or share with a group.
Alphabet by Matthew Van Fleet. Simon & Schuster, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2 and up
What fun! This novelty book is filled with textures to feel, flaps to lift, tabs to pull, things to find, and wonderful words. At the back is a list of creatures and plants that begin with each letter of the alphabet plus a removable poster with pop-ups. "Striped iguanas climb, spotted jaguars pounce, playful baby kangaroos---bounce, bounce, bounce!" This is a book your child will enjoy in a variety of ways, discovering new things at every exploration.
Finger Puppet Book. Chronicle, 2008.
Suggested for infants – age 3
"For this velvety little mouse, a flower pot's a perfect house." Peeking out of the cover is a plush mouse finger puppet, permanently attached to this sturdy board book. As you turn the pages, the puppet fits through the round hole in every page. The simple rhymed text and high contrast illustrations make this a good choice for babies, and your toddler will have fun adding "squeak!" sound effects.
Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems. Hyperion, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2 – 6
The pigeon is back in a new story, and this time, he really, really, REALLY wants a puppy. Has he thought this through? Well, maybe not. Award-winning author/artist Willems accomplishes amazing expression in simple lines.
Arabella Miller's Tiny Caterpillar . by Clare Jarrett. Candlewick, 2008.
Suggested for ages 3 - 7
A rhyming text elaborates on the traditional song about Arabella Miller finding a caterpillar. Whimsical illustrations in pencil and paper collage show a little girl preparing a caterpillar house and watching as he grows, makes a chrysalis, and finally emerges as a butterfly. At the end of the book is an explanation about the life cycle of a butterfly. Words and pictures capture the wonder of this transformation.
The Life of a Car by Susan Steggall. Henry Holt, 2008.
Suggested for ages 3 – 7
In a different kind of life cycle, young car enthusiasts will want to examine the details as a car progresses from the factory to eventual recycling. Handsome paper collage illustrations in primary colors and short sentences tell the story: "Build the car. Deliver the car. Sell the car. Drive the car. ….CRASH! uh-oh…" The focus is on the vehicles, not on the people, and the crash is not traumatic. You'll discover new things in the pictures each time you read the book.
Little Green Frogs by Frances Barry.
Candlewick, 2008. .Suggested for ages 2 – 4
Watch eggs change into tadpoles and then full grown frogs in this "Fold Out and Find Out" book. Sturdy pages unfold like flower petals leading to a circular pond filled with hopping frogs. A final note explains how to raise tadpoles at home, advising the reader to be sure to return the baby frogs to the pond they came from. Perhaps you've read Richard Louv's book about "nature-deficit disorder" in which he encourages early positive exposure to nature. A child's book can be a springboard for a nature activity.
Big Yellow Sunflower by Frances Barry. Candlewick, 2008.Suggested for ages 2 – 4
Here's another book promoting nature exploration with very young children. What will it be, this seed planted underground? It spreads out roots and pushes up shoots, nourished by rain and sun. We turn pages in an unusual format resulting in a big yellow sunflower. A note tells how to grow your own sunflowers.
First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Roaring Brook Press, 2007.
Suggested for ages 2 – 6
"First the egg, then the chicken. First the tadpole, then the frog…" and eventually, "First the word, then the story. First the paint, then the picture." The brief, simple text is matched with fascinating art. Clever die cut holes reveal each transformation and are equally successful as the page is turned. Richly textured paintings are deceptively simple and very satisfying. What great book design! This has won a number of awards including Caldecott Honor Book.
Giant Pop-Out Bugs. Chronicle Books, 2008.
Suggested for ages 2 - 4
Simple riddles describe bugs with picture clues. "I'm round and red and covered in spots…What am I?" Open the flap, and a big ladybug pops out! Wow! Picture book nonfiction for young children just keeps getting better and better. Sharp photographs on bright colored pages, sturdy pop-ups, a text and format that entice participation—irresistible! This will be a hit with one child or a group.
Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins. Candlewick, 2008.
Suggested for ages 1 – 3
"Hello! I am Little Fish, swimming in the sea. I have lots of fishy friends. Come along with me." We meet all kinds of fanciful, colorful fish in a simple rhyming text that has fun with words: " Hello, hairy fish, scary fish, eye fish, shy fish, fly fish, sky fish." Solid shapes with bright patterns outlined in black provide lots to look at. Can you find Little Fish at each turn of the page? Originally published as a picture book, this new edition is a sturdy board book.
On the Farm by David Elliott, illustrated by Holly Meade. Candlewick, 2008.
Suggested for ages 4 – 8
What a beautiful book to read aloud! Extra large pages are filled with gorgeous woodblock prints painted with watercolors. Holly Meade illustrated the Caldecott Honor-winning Hush! A Thai Lullaby. This is her first picture book using woodcuts. The text is a series of short poems portraying farm animals. Here's a sample: "The rooster crows and struts. He's got feathers! He's got guts! Oh, the rooster struts and crows. What's he thinking? No one knows."
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Selections for February 2008
Nic Bishop Frogs by Nic Bishop. Scholastic, 2008.
Suggested for ages 4+
Terrific larger-than-life color photographs show all kinds of frogs in fascinating detail. The text is presented in 3 different fonts, so you can easily read part or all of it, depending on your child's age and interest. The author/photographer has a doctorate in biological sciences and has created a number of award-winning books for children. Ask at your library.
The Crawly Caterpillar Little Scholastic, 2008.
Suggested for ages 1 – 3
A rhyming text follows the life cycle from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. This board book includes textures to feel and word play to enjoy as the caterpillar "wiggled, wriggled, jiggled…nibbled, gnawed, and guzzled." And a sturdy butterfly pops up from the last page!
What Pet to Get? by Emma Dodd. Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, 2008.
Suggested for ages 4 – 8
Jack wants a pet. His mother agrees, but she raises objections to each animal he suggests. A lion might frighten the mail carrier. A polar bear wouldn't like the central heating. A giraffe is too tall, a rhino too wide. Finally Jack has her softened up for the perfect pet. Large cartoon-style illustrations are full of texture and humor.
Numbers Little Scholastic, 2008.
Suggested for ages 0 – 2
Touch and count "1 soft caterpillar, 2 bumpy frogs, 3 fluffy sheep, 4 furry cats, 5 sparkly fish." That's the whole story—but your baby will love the high contrast and varied textures in this bright board book as you say "Touch this!" at each turn of the page.
Selections for January 2008
Jamie and Angus Together by Anne Fine, illustrated by Penny Dale. Candlewick, 2007.
Suggested for ages 4 – 6
If you're looking for a short chapter book as a family read-aloud, consider these gentle stories about a loving family with a preschooler named Jamie and his much loved stuffed toy Angus, a Highland bull. This book is a sequel to the award-winning Jamie and Angus Stories. Each chapter is an episode, working well as bedtime stories.
Maybe a Bear Ate It! by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley. Orchard Books, 2008
Suggested for ages 3 – 5
A young cat in striped pajamas, complete with night caps for his ears, loves to read his favorite book at bedtime, but now he can't find it! He imagines chasing all the creatures that might have made off with it. Your child will giggle through the hilarious romp before the book is found, as the observant reader knew it would be, under the bed. Lively pictures tell the story, and you'll have fun exploring the details. A winner for bedtime or anytime.
Yo, Jo! by Rachel Isadora. Harcourt, 2007.
Suggested for ages 3 – 7
Franklin and his little brother Jomar are waiting on the stoop for Grandpa to get home. Jomar wanders up the street, exchanging slang greetings with everyone, but when he meets Grandpa, the only words that will do are, "I love you, Grandpa." Wonderful collage illustrations show a city neighborhood where everyone knows—and keeps an eye on—young Jo.
Meerkat Mail Emily Gravett. Simon & Schuster, 2007.
Suggested for ages 4 – 8
Sunny, a young meerkat living in the Kalahari Desert, gets tired of the constant togetherness of family. He leaves to visit one relative after another before finally realizing that home is best. Much of the story is told through the clever postcards Sunny sends home, flaps you can lift to read both sides. The pages are filled with things to discover.
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