Submitted by Ms. Catherine!
We all know that in fairy tales princesses are supposed to be delicate and lovely, and princes are supposed to be handsome and refined. But what about a princess with gigantic feet, and a prince with a huge nose? Do these rather un-royal attributes make them any less majestic? In Ten Big Toes and a Prince’s Nose written by Nancy Gow, and illustrated by Stephen Constanza, we meet a big-footed princess and a large-nosed prince who just want to be appreciated for who they are instead of what they look like. Told in rhyme, we get to see our two heroic highnesses learn to be happy with who they are and even fall in love! With beautiful illustrations and delightful characters, this is a great book for anyone who has ever felt a little different. See this book listed in our catalog
Being Different
A Mother for Choco
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza is the story of Choco, a little bird who has no mother. He wonders who his mother could be, and sets off to find her. The giraffe is yellow like Choco, but doesn’t have wings. The penguin has wings, but not big, round cheeks like Choco. Everywhere Choco turns, he can’t find another animal that looks exactly like him. He begins to cry for his mommy. Mrs. Bear finds Choco. Mrs. Bear is obviously not Choco’s mom, but she can hold him, and kiss him, and cheer him up like a mom can. Mrs. Bear offers to be a mother to Choco. At first Choco is hesitant, but when he sees Mrs. Bear’s other (adopted) children–a hippo, alligator, and pig–he knows he’s finally found a family he can fit in with, because family doesn’t mean looking like one another. It means love, and laughter, and maybe a little apple pie. Re-discover the meaning of family with A Mother for Choco today! See this book listed in our catalog
Polar Opposites
Big Bouffant
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
I love Big Bouffant by Kate Hosford, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown, and find myself relating to the main character Annabelle: I too like to stand out from the crowd, enjoy things that are a bit retro, and get bored if my hairstyle stays the same for too long. In this story, Annabelle is appalled by her classmates’ lack of imagination where hairstyle is concerned. Look at all those boring ponytails and braids! Annabelle needs a hairstyle with pizazz! When she sees a photo of her grandmother, sporting a striking bouffant, she has her eureka moment. Annabelle tries to build her own bouffant (with honey, and mayonnaise, among other unconventional implements) leading to a “hair emergency!” Luckily mom is there to save the day, and Annabelle heads to school the next day with a beautiful (and stable) bouffant. A few students snicker, but the bouffant really takes off, and soon everyone wants high hair! But as soon as she starts the trend, Annabelle grows tired of it, and is on to the next. No girls at school are wearing homemade gowns… If you have a future fashionista in the home, be sure to read them Big Bouffant! (Warning: exposure to this book may lead to ACTUAL bouffants among elementary aged children.) See this book listed in our catalog
Holler Loudly
Submitted by Ms. Janis!
Holler Loudly by Cynthia Leitich Smith. Holler is the young son of the Holler family. His loud voice has always been a problem for him. His parents, teachers, and friends have hushed and shushed him his entire life, but it never helps. He continually gets in trouble for his loud voice. He ruined fishing trips, was kicked out of the movies, and scattered all the animals at the state fair’s hog-calling contest. He’s finally convinced to settle down. But when a tornado comes toward his town, Holler decides there are times to be quiet and times that require LOUD. He decides to take action: he shouts down the tornado, and breaks it up into harmless bits of breezes. Readers, as well as listeners, will have fun with this animated story, and its southern twang. See this book listed in our catalog
Not All Princesses Dress In Pink
Submitted by Ms. Catherine!
When I was growing up, I was sure that there was nothing more fun than making mud soup, or rolling down a grass hill. Yet at the same time, I was definitely a very girly girl. In Not All Princesses Dress In Pink, by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Anne-Sophie Languetin, we meet a multitude of princesses who have their own way of being themselves. These princesses do not spend all of their time dressed in ball gowns and drinking tea with their little finger in the air. Instead they play baseball, take care of animals, have fun with friends, and defeat dragons (okay, maybe not real ones) all while wearing their best sparkly crowns. Yolen and Stemple have written a great book to help remind young girls that being true to yourself is what’s really important. Languetin’s bright and lovely illustrations are delightful; her princesses are having so much fun being themselves. This is a great book for any girl, whether she has a crown on her head, cleats on her feet, or both! See this book listed in our catalog