Submitted by Ms. Carol!
The Loopy Coop Hens: Pip’s Trip by Janet Morgan Stoeke is a story of three hens who want to see the world. The chickens are ready for some adventure, or so they think. They watch every day as the farmers truck drives away and, of course, they are curious. They wonder where the truck goes and what the world looks like beyond Loopy Coop Farm. One day they decide they are going to climb in the truck and go for a ride. However, Pip climbs in and Midge and Dot chicken out. Pip starts to get really scared when he realizes that he is all alone and he hears the truck start up. He closes his eyes and when he opens them again he is still at the farm but he thinks he has been on a ride. He is very proud of himself until his friends tell him that he never went anywhere at all. They tell him the truck never moved. But his friends still make him feel brave and Pip decides he would rather just stay at the farm than see the world. In the end Pip, Midge, and Dot decide a wheelbarrow ride is much better than a truck ride and they can see all they want to see from right where they are. See this book listed in our catalog
Birds
More
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
More by I.C. Springman, illustrated by Brian Lies, is a wonderful book, offering many opportunities to have meaningful conversations with the child you care for. I’m partial to it mainly because it features a beautiful bird called a magpie. Magpies are fascinating creatures. They are thought to be one of the most intelligent species of all animals. Many superstitions surround magpies. In the U.K., for example, to see a lone magpie is considered bad luck, and one ought to salute the magpie, as a sign of respect. However, they are probably best known for their propensity to collect things, particularly shiny objects. In More, we meet a magpie who has nothing. Soon though, he has something! And soon after that he has several things. Lots of things. Plenty of things! Perhaps he has too many things, his mouse friend tries to relay, as our magpie fills not only his nest, but every nest in a tree with his treasures! The mouse finally convinces the magpie he doesn’t need everything, he only needs enough. This book is filled with fantastic vocabulary. It’s also quite thought provoking–in a materialistic society, let’s teach our children that friends are more important than things, and we don’t always need more, we just need enough. The illustrations are to-die-for. Who knew a bird could be so expressive? And our magpie friend sports a noticeable ring around his leg, which can lead you into a discussion about people who study birds, and why they might do that. More is a fabulously layered story, and I sincerely hope that you give it a try! See this book listed in our catalog
One Cool Friend
Submitted by Ms. Catherine!
One Cool Friend, written by Toni Buzzeo and illustrated by David Small, tells the story of Elliot. Elliot is a cool kid indeed. He regularly wears a tuxedo, and knows how useful the library is. One day he decides to take a trip to the aquarium, despite “the masses of noisy kids” who are sure to be there. He finds the penguins, and appreciates their fine sense of style. Due to a slight confusion on his father’s part, Elliot manages to bring a penguin home as a pet. His new friend Magellan proves to be a cool friend indeed. Penguins have always been a favorite animal of mine, so any book featuring them is sure to please. This book in particular is delightful. Buzzeo’s text is both funny and sweet. Small’s illustrations are smart and filled with details that will make the reader want to go back and examine them a second time. The twist at the end of the story is sure to catch readers, both young and old, by surprise. If you’re a fan of animals and funny books, this will be a new favorite. See this book listed in our catalog
Those Darn Squirrels!
Submitted by Ms. Brenda!
Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin tells the story of Mr. Fookwire and his bird-loving, squirrel-disliking dilemma. Mr. Fookwire was a grumpy old man. He didn’t like much of anything, but he loved birds. He loved to paint pictures of them as they flew around in his back yard. When he realized that winter was fast approaching, he decided to feed the birds so that they would stay for winter. Mr. Fookwire built beautiful bird feeders, and filled them with yummy seeds and berries. Birds came from all over to feast in his back yard. But the birds weren’t the only creatures interested in those yummy seeds and berries. The squirrels wanted to get in on that action. Did you know that squirrels are very intelligent animals? The illustrator, Daniel Salmieri, shows us, in great detail, how creative squirrels can be. They are crafty little guys. They can map out plans of attack, and devise catapults to send them over buildings. They have Mr. Fookwire shaking his fist and yelling “Those Darn Squirrels!” each time they empty his birdfeeders. When the birds fly south for the winter, Mr. Fookwire is sad and lonely. The squirrels feel sorry for him. They hold a meeting and decide to give the old man a present to make up for all the seeds and berries they have eaten. They also decide to try to cheer him up. You won’t believe what these silly squirrels decided to do, but I think it will make you smile along with Mr. Fookwire! See this book listed in our catalog
Owl Babies
Submitted by Ms. Jill!
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson. Sarah, Percy, and Bill are baby owls. They live in a hollow-tree nest with their Owl Mother. Owl Babies is the story of what happens one evening when the little owls wake to find their mother missing. The deep nighttime woods are dark and filled with unseen things that move, and the young birds must be brave. Sarah and Percy make guesses about where the mother owl might have gone (hunting, to get food!) and what she will bring them (“mice and things that are nice”), and when (soon!). All the smallest owlet Bill can muster is an increasingly worried, “I want my mommy!” When she does not come home right away, they begin to worry: what if their mother is lost? Or caught by a predator? As the waiting draws out, the little owls draw together, finding comfort by roosting in a tight bunch as they watch for their mother’s return. When at long last the mother owl does return to her babies, they nearly miss her arrival, having squeezed their eyes tight to wish for her! All worry is forgotten as the little owls bounce and dance with delight. Waddell’s spare, simple sentences and Benson’s lovely dark ink-and-watercolor illustrations make this very short story absolutely gripping for young listeners. The baby owls’ determination to be brave for one another, their growing anxiety, and the release of tension when Mother returns are perfectly captured. This is a gem to be shared again and again. See this book listed in our catalog
Do Like a Duck Does
Submitted by Ms. Brenda!
Do Like a Duck Does by Judy Hindley takes us on a fun, rhyming romp, with a mother duck and her five little ducklings. Someone, a hairy scary someone, is creeping very closely, and following them. He says he is a big, brown duck. He can waddle like a duck. He can scuttle and strut like a duck. But “he has no feathers and he has no beak, he has four claws on his hairy scary feet.” Mama Duck is suspicious. She lets the hairy scary stranger follow them, but he must do as a duck does, and jump in puddles, munch on bugs, zip through the thistles, and slide into the river. Will this hairy scary stranger with “two ears that stick up a mile, and a wicked foxy nose and a wicked foxy smile” be able to do as a duck does? Or will Mama Duck outsmart him? See this book listed in our catalog