Submitted by Ms. Allana!
My Friend, the Starfinder by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Everyone knows, or has known, an elderly person, like an old Uncle, or maybe a friendly and wise old neighbor. In this bedazzling and whimsical story, a little girl listens to the stories her old neighbor tells her. In particular, the story about him finding a falling star is most special to her. I enjoy the layout and flow of this book. Although the illustrations are not sharp with detail, they are right for this story, and one simple but meaningful line on each page is appealing to the littlest ears and eyes. See this book listed in our catalog
Bedtime
So Many Days
Submitted by Melissa from Lexington Park!
So Many Days by Alison McGhee, with illustrations by Taeeun Yoo, is the perfect cure for a “bad day.” Regardless of your age, it speaks the words we all long to hear when things just don’t feel right. Written in verse, and having a very “zen like” style, So Many Days is calming to read and hear. This simple story, with clear illustrations, can be shared with group or an individual, for celebration, or as a bed time story, to lift a sad spirit, or rejoice in a great accomplishment. A true “feel good” book, with a very personal message: that no obstacle is too tall, no storm too rough. That mistakes may happen, but in the end, regardless the trial, you are stronger, braver, and loved, more than you know. See this book listed in our catalog
Pet Shop Lullaby
Submitted by Carol from Charlotte Hall!
Pet Shop Lullaby by Mary Ann Fraser is a short, simple story about a pet shop, and what happens in a pet shop at night. All the animals sleep at night, except of course for the hyper hamster. The hamster comes alive at night. He just can’t sleep. He loves to play on his wheel, and scratch, and munch all night long. However, all the other animals are getting very cranky because of this, and they try to think of ways to get the hamster to sleep. They try everything. They give him a bath, brush his teeth, sing to him, read him a story, and tuck him in. Read to find out if the animals can get the hamster to sleep at night. See this book listed in our catalog
Guess How Much I Love You
Submitted by Jill from Leonardtown!
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. Little Nutbrown Hare is getting ready for bed, and Big Nutbrown Hare is waiting to tuck him in. But before bedtime, Little Nutbrown Hare has something very important to say to Big Nutbrown Hare: “Guess how much I love you? …This much,” he says, with arms stretched wide. But Little Nutbrown Hare’s arms are small, and the gesture is not nearly grand enough to show how very much he loves his daddy. And Big Nutbrown Hare loves his little son even more. What could possibly express the size of their love for each other? Is it as high as they can hop? As far as they can see? Read this tender, comforting story with your little hare at bedtime and you’ll both go to sleep feeling very loved indeed. See this book listed in our catalog
Jazz Baby
Submitted by Tammy, driver of the WoW van!
Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler is a rhythmic, short story about a baby and his extended family making jazzy music. In this amazing book you’ll find all the sounds you would hear in a jazz song: rat-tat-tat, snazzy jazzy, doo wop doo, etc. Readers will find themselves getting involved in the story as they start to clap and tap along to the rhythmic nature of the book. The beautiful illustrations cover the pages with long shots of buildings swaying to the beat, and music notes that dance around “Baby.” As the story winds to an end, the family members start to disappear, until a sleepy baby is left with his parents, and soon falls fast asleep. See this book listed in our catalog
The Secret Plan
Submitted by Amanda from Lexington Park!
The Secret Plan by Julia Sarcone-Roach. Milo, an elephant, and Henry, Harriet, and Hildy, three cats, are next door neighbors and friends. They have all kinds of fun together, but always seem to get interrupted. They are interrupted most often by bedtime. They come up with lots of plans to avoid going to bed, but they always get caught… until they come up with a super sneaky plan! They pretend to go to bed, and then sneak to the attic to play together. Their plan works until they all get too sleepy to keep playing and have to sneak back downstairs to their beds. Milo is almost asleep when he hears Harriet tapping out another super sneaky plan for another time. In this tale of avoiding bedtime, the characters’ unusual friendship makes for a cute backdrop. See this book listed in our catalog