Submitted by Jill from Leonardtown!
The Super Hungry Dinosaur by Martin Waddell. Grrr! It’s a Super Hungry Dinosaur! Hal and his little dog Billy are playing happily in their yard when the Super Hungry Dinosaur comes crashing in. He’s going to eat Hal! And Hal’s mom! And Hal’s Dad! And Hal’s little dog Billy! Fortunately for everyone, Hal is a fearless and quick-thinking little boy, and he knows just what to do about a Super Hungry Dinosaur. Lots of dinosaur noises (GRRRR!!!), great sketch-style artwork, and a ridiculous chase scene all combine to make this book by an award-winning author a sure winner. See this book listed in our catalog
All the World
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
And here is my second favorite picture book of 2009: All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee. The words of All the World are a poem about the earth which everyone shares. The illustrations are those of multi-cultural faces, in multi-cultural places, experiencing universal emotions and activities. Witness the beauty of nature, and the comfort of things we all do: eat, grow, travel, relax. “Hope and peace and love and trust. All the world is all of us.” I find this book to be a soothing meditation, well suited to the child curious as to how they figure into this big, whirling, planet that countless people call home. See this book listed in our catalog
The Lion and the Mouse
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Okay. I’m going to come right out and say it: The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkey is my favorite children’s picture book of 2009. This (mostly) wordless, beautifully illustrated, re-imagining of Aesop’s fable has a special place in my heart. A mouse dares hide from an owl in the mane of a jungle king. The lion spares the mouse’s life, and it scurries home to its large family. In the meantime, the majestic cat is trapped by hunters! When he ROARS for help, who shows up? His fated mouse friend, who chews him free, enabling him to return to his pride. It pays to be charitable, in the case of the lion, and corageous, in the case of the mouse. The art in this book is spectacular, and the lesson it provides will hopefully ring true with your child. It may also inspire you to learn more about the wildlife depicted in the story! I will gush no further, except to say I truly love this book and encourage you to check it out post haste! See this book listed in our catalog
Bedtime in the Jungle
Submitted by Tammy, driver of the WoW van!
Bedtime in the Jungle by John Butler. The sun is starting to set in the jungle as bedtime approaches for the baby animals. The daylight in the background gradually disappears on each page as the moon gently rises and the stars appear in the night sky. Children will be delighted as the animal mothers gather their babies close to settle them for the night. Using soft words of comfort inspired by the song “Over in the Meadow” each mother encourages her little one(s) to go to sleep. All of the animals are depicted in their natural settings, in soothing shades that are sure to calm young children and encourage them to sleep. See this book listed in our catalog
When Vera Was Sick
Submitted by Jill from Leonardtown!
When Vera Was Sick by Vera Rosenberry. Poor Vera! She doesn’t feel good. She has spots all over her body, even between her toes. She has to stay in bed, but the spare room where Mother tucks her in, away from everybody, is strange and lonely, and a little scary. At first, poor Vera is too sick to enjoy anything–not looking at books, not coloring (even though she has new crayons)–all she can do is scratch her spots. Vera is miserable. But Vera’s family loves her very much. Mother brings out the special silky pillow for her to cuddle. Daddy brings her flowers. When Vera starts to feel a little better, big sister June comes in to play Chinese checkers, and the whole family finds ways for the little girl to amuse herself in bed. Before long, Vera is feeling all better! When Vera Was Sick is a quiet, comforting story about a familiar childhood experience. The ink-and-watercolor pictures are perfect for portraying Vera’s almost comical misery, and also show the warmth and loving care of her family. Vera returns for more childhood stories in Vera’s First Day of School, Vera Rides a Bike, Vera’s Baby Sister, Vera Runs Away, Vera Goes to the Dentist, and Vera’s Halloween. See this book listed in our catalog
The Book That Eats People
Submitted by Jill from Leonardtown!
Many picture books are sweet, fun to read, and good for you. But some books are not like that at all. Some books are just… dangerous. Like The Book that Eats People by John Perry. With cover art wrapped in caution tape and stamped “beware,” this book looks bright and interesting, appealing even, but don’t be fooled. This book EATS PEOPLE! So far, The Book That Eats People has eaten 5 kids, 1 criminal, a shelf full of books, 1 library security guard, and 1 zookeeper’s shoe (that we know of). So you’ve been warned: read it with caution, and never, ever turn your back on it. Because The Book That Eats People is always hungry. See this book listed in our catalog