Submitted by Ms. Catherine!
A dog says “Woof!” or “Arf!” or maybe even “Ruff Ruff!” Dogs most definitely do not say “Meow, Quack, Oink, Moo!” But George does. In Bark, George written and illustrated by Jules Feiffer, we meet a pup named George. His mother is concerned that something is not right. When she asks him to bark, he sounds off a round of other animal noises. With the help of the vet, we find out just what’s going on with George. Bold, fun illustrations accompany this very silly story of a dog who has bitten off more than he can chew. Children will be delighted by the funny story and will enjoy helping to make animal sounds and asking George to bark again. And just when it seems like everything will be okay, there’s a surprise that will have parents and kids laughing together. See this book listed in our catalog
Classic
A Tree Is Nice
Submitted by Ms. Melissa!
You can swing from a tree, climb a tree, seek shelter under a tree… trees are nice. You can plant one, live next to one, eat fruit from one. Trees are a vital part of our existence. They are everywhere and we couldn’t live without them. A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry, is a classic, but is as relevant today as it was when it won the Caldecott award in 1957. Through simple, easy to read text, the author describes the many roles trees have in our lives. Ink and watercolor illustrations by Marc Simont alternate with ink illustrations and allow for bold contrasts and highlight many key phrases in the book. If you go out exploring, or want to teach your child something important about the world we live in, this may be the book for you. See this book listed in our catalog
The Doorbell Rang
Submitted by Ms. Jill!
Here’s an oldie but a goodie: The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins has been in print since 1986! Does that make it a classic? In this simple story about sharing (and math), Mom has baked a dozen cookies. Mmmm! They smell as good as Grandma’s cookies! Sam and Victoria are about to share them, six cookies each, when the doorbell rings. Two neighborhood friends have arrived! If they all share the cookies, there will be 3 cookies each. Just as everyone is about to take a bite, the doorbell rings again… Over and over, the doorbell rings and more friends arrive. The children redistribute the cookies into ever-smaller shares until finally there is just one cookie per person… And that’s when the doorbell rings one more time. Who can it be now?! And how will they ever make the cookies stretch for any more visitors? My favorite part of this story is the way that Sam and Victoria are so willing to share their cookies with everyone who arrives, even when the shares dwindle almost to nothing. When I read it at story time, the kids’ favorite part is shouting “Ding-Dong!” every time the bell rings! (The sound effect isn’t written in the book, but hey, that’s what a doorbell sounds like, right?) Read The Doorbell Rang with your little ones today, and then go share some cookies! See this book listed in our catalog
The 3 Little Dassies
Submitted by Ms. Allana!
The 3 Little Dassies by Jan Brett is a twist on the classic tale of the three little pigs. No surprise at the wonderful illustrations of Brett, as the story, which takes place in Namibia, portrays the adventures of three Dassies who have grown old enough to set forth and fend for themselves. Under the watchful eye of a guardian Agama Man, they travel up a mountain and try to settle into homes where they will each be safe from the hungry old eagle. “I’ll flap and I’ll clap and I’ll blow your house in” he rants and beats his wings. The eagle may displace a Dassie from the grass house, and from the house made of twigs, but what will happen when he tries to destroy the house of stone? See this book listed in our catalog
The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out
Submitted by Ms. Amanda!
We all know the song “The Eensy Weensy Spider” and can sing it on cue, but what happens if the Eensy Weensy Spider doesn’t want to go back up the water spout? The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out by Troy Cummings is the story of what happens when the sun dries up all the rain and the Eensy Weensy Spider does not climb up the water spout again. Eensy Weensy is just too scared to climb the spout again. The next day the story is all over the Web and she is so embarrassed. Her friend the ladybug tries to cheer her up and get her climbing again. First, Eensy climbs a flower pot and realizes that climbing isn’t so bad. Next, the ladybug encourages her to climb a fireplug, and a dog, and then a mail box, and finally back up the water spout! Eensy is so excited she doesn’t want to stop climbing, so she climbs a crane, a hotel, a radio tower, and then to the tip-top of a rocket ship! She realizes that even though she fell down the water spout the world is a big place with lots of places to climb, and even though she fell down she should try again. This is a great twist on an old favorite. See this book listed in out 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