B is for Blue Crab by Shirley C. Menendez, illustrated by Laura Stutzman, is a fun way to familiarize your child with the letters of the alphabet, as well as Maryland state symbols and landmarks. Each page has a letter, a short blurb for your child, and a larger, more informative blurb for you! You might be surprised by how much you can learn about the Old Line State. For instance, I was bemused to find that J is for Jousting the state sport of Maryland, and interested to discover T is for Tubman–Harriet Tubman that is, who was born in Dorchester county!
The Pet Dragon
The Pet Dragon by Christoph Niemann is an adorable tale of a little girl and her mythical animal companion, that also teaches basic concepts about the written Chinese language. Niemann was inspired by a trip to Asia, and a his first lesson about Chinese characters. The most memorable characters for him were the ones that most appeared to be symbolic icons for the ideas they represented. Through the illustrations in this book, Niemann demonstrates how the Chinese characters for words such as “tree” “dog” and “mountain” are all understandably indicative of what they mean. It’s also a really cute story, told like a folktale about a young woman who recieves a dragon, loses him, and then must find him again.
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
If bed time is a big struggle in your house, consider reading How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Yolen and Teague are the creators of the wonderful “How Do Dinosaurs” series of books, demonstrating appropriate versus inappropriate behavior in a variety of venues. In this installment, they treat us to possible answers to the titular question: Does a dinosaur pout when its time to go to bed? Do they stomp their feet and throw toys around the room? Do they moan and sulk and sigh and cry? They most certainly do not! Dinosaurs, as it turns out, have impeccable manners. When it’s time to turn out the lights, dinosaurs give a hug and kiss to mom and dad and say “good night!”
Wombat Walkabout
I love wombats. What else can I say? If your child loves wombats too, Wombat Walkabout by Carol Diggory Shields, and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, is simply required reading. Six wombats go for a stroll through the outback. A handful get distracted by interesting Australian things like a wattle tree, a billabong, and a kookabura (all of which are defined in a handy intro). When only two are left, they discover they’ve been trailed by a hungry dingo, and must save their friends from his evil clutches. They capture him with the tried and true cover-a-hole-with-sticks trick, which may seem old hat to you, but fabulously innovative to your youngster!
Once I Ate a Pie
Once I Ate A Pie by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, and illustrated by Katy Schneider, is perfect for anyone who has wondered what their beloved canine companion would have to say if they could talk. I am curious, when I see my dog sleep for about 20 of the 24 hours in a day, what reason she has to be so exhausted. Well MacLachlan and Charest give the accounts of 13 dogs, told in their own words. There’s Mr. Beefy, who steals tubs of butter off the dinner table, Darla, who does not like other dogs, Wupsi, who is told how cute she is so often it might as well be her name, Louis who BARKS at everything, and my personal favorite Lucy, who sleeps on a pillow in between her owners (just like my dog).
Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude
Finally the book we’ve all been waiting for! A biography of Gertrude Stein for children! Seriously, when I first saw Getrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Calef Brown, I wondered “Is this really necessary?” But I found it to be a wonderful, kid-friendly, and interesting story. Gertrude Stein is known for her poetry (which inspires the title and text of Gertrude), her friendship with many avant-garde modern artists such as Picasso and Hemingway, her long-time companionship with Alice B. Toklas (which is summed up gracefully with “Gertrude and Alice are Gertrude and Alice”) and her poodle, Basket!