The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom. It’s Tess’s first day of school, and she is so excited to ride the bus for the very first time! She waits at the bus stop with her older friend, Gus. One at a time, many different vehicles appear around the corner. As just the very front end of each one comes into view, Tess asks, “Is this the bus for us, Gus?” Young readers can guess what kind of vehicle is coming, then chorus along as the next full-page spread reveals the entire picture: “No Tess. This is a… FIRE ENGINE!” The simple, predictable text and built-in guessing game will make this book a favorite for young vehicle enthusiasts. Bright watercolors of a taxi cab, tow truck, backhoe, and more parade across the page as Tess and her multicultural classmates wait and watch. When the “bus for us” at long last arrives, and it’s time to head off to school! See this book listed in our catalog
Bears! Bears! Bears!
I’m going on a bear hunt! I want to catch some bears! But since there aren’t any bears in St. Mary’s County, I will hunt for bears at my library! Bears! Bears! Bears! by Bob Barner is a great book for any kids who think that bears are the bees’ knees. Each page features a different type of bear with beautifully textured illustrations. You can dive with the polar bears, climb with the moon bears, and doze with the black bears. The end of the book features true facts about the eight different species of bear pictured in the book. There is also a map of the world showing you all the places you can go looking for bears! So check out Bears! Bears Bears! today and learn about your favorite kind of bear! See this book listed in our catalog
Llama Llama Misses Mama
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney is a great story for little ones who are nervous about going to school, or having some separation anxiety when school begins. Llama Llama wakes up and gets ready for school with his Mama Llama, and then she drives him to school. When Mama Llama leaves, Llama Llama is nervous about all the new toys, new kids, and his new teacher. Llama Llama doesn’t want to play blocks, or train, or look at a book, and he doesn’t want to eat either. Llama Llama feels alone, and misses Mama! Then Llama Llama makes friends, and he plays outside–hide and seek, tag, and jump rope. When he and his friends come inside to play, Llama Llama sees Mama Llama! Llama Llama is so glad she came back, and he shows her all of the things he did with his new friends at school. Llama Llama loves his Mama, and school too! See this book listed in our catalog
Luna and the Big Blur: A Story for Children Who Wear Glasses
I recently found out that I need to wear glasses. When I went to what I hoped would be a routine vision test (the first I’d had in 10 years, but still, routine) and found out I have “abnormal eye muscle tension” and need prescription lenses to help me focus, I kind of had a mini-panic-attack. Visiting an optician, being told there’s something wrong with your eyes, and choosing frames that will be on your face EVERY DAY can be surprisingly overwhelming! And I am a grown up! One can only imagine what the experience is like for a child. If you have a little one who is having trouble adjusting to their new glasses, I suggest reading them the story of Luna and the Big Blur by Shirley Day, illustrated by Don Morris. Luna HATES her glasses. She doesn’t understand why she needs to wear them, if mom, dad, and baby sister all have perfect eyesight. When she looks in the mirror, glasses are all that she sees. Even when she wears her favorite matching shirt, they just don’t look right! One night, Luna has a dream she can see without them, and tries not wearing them the next day, with disastrous results. Finally, a pep talk from dad makes Luna see how special she is, and that glasses aren’t so bad after all. The book includes a note to parents about common vision problems among children, and advice on how to help your youngster transition into wearing glasses! See this book listed in our catalog
While the World Is Sleeping and McGillycuddy Could
Submitted by Ms. Allana!
The following are two books by prolific children’s author (and one of St. Mary’s County librarians’ favorites) Pamela Duncan Edwards:
I don’t know how many times I said “WOW!” while looking through the gorgeous While The World Is Sleeping, illustrated by Daniel Kirk. I probably said “wow” at least once for every page before I even read it. What child wouldn’t love this book? It is spectacular! While the poetry is rhythmic and meaningful, the artwork places the book in a superior class. This is the type of book a child will experience, not just be entertained by, or appeased with. Since it is a perfect bedtime story anyway, the child who reads it, or has it read to her or him, will be guaranteed sweet dreams filled with beautiful creatures and wondrous landscapes. See this book listed in our catalog
McGillycuddy Could, illustrated by Sue Porter, is a clever, humorous tale about a creature who comes to a farmyard and simply does not fit in. He can’t lay eggs, and he can’t give wool or milk, but before he limps off defeated, rejected and alone, an opportunity arises, and affords him the chance to show what he CAN do! You can read this aloud to smaller children, and really become animated, acting out the various traits of each animal as they taunt and try McGillycuddy. See this book listed in our catalog
Meeow and the Pots and Pans
Bang a pot, hit a lid, beat the mixing bowls! Meeow and his friends are cooking up a musical treat in Meeow and the Pots and Pans by Sebastien Braun. Meeow and his four animal friends look through all the cupboards for pots, pans, and cooking utensils, to form a band. Each animal removes an item from the cabinet. With a wooden spoon, frying pan, fork, mixing bowls, lids, and measuring cups, the playmates begin to play their instruments. The last page portrays Meeow and friends in band uniforms playing regular instruments, rather than homemade ones. Young readers will feel inspired to grab a spoon and a dish and join right in! See this book listed in our catalog