Submitted by Ms. Allana!
Ivan the Terrier by Peter Catalanotto. I loved this book as soon as I saw it because I am the proud and loving owner of a little rat terrier named Pepper. She does not get into the mischief that Ivan does in the story however, but his perky and curious personality is definitely a terrier trait. The narrator is trying to tell classic fairy tales, but here comes Ivan crashing in at every turn. It is very amusing, and delightfully illustrated by the author. Young children of pre-school age will find this story a hoot! See this book listed in our catalog
Classic
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
Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore!
Submitted by (our newest blogger) Ms. Brenda!
Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore! is a wonderfully fun rhyming book written and illustrated by David McPhail. Imagine you’re sitting alone, at night, reading quietly to yourself. All of a sudden you hear crunching, munching, burping noises. What can THAT be? You hop up to find out and you see… PIGS!?! Pigs everywhere! “Pigs in tutus, pigs in kilts, pigs on skateboards, pigs on stilts.” If that’s not bad enough, more pigs start arriving by boat, plane, and even train! They’re making oatmeal in the sink, and ordering pizza. Some are, ahem, in only their underwear. And… oh, the mess they’re making! Read to find out just how much trouble these pigs can get into, and if they’re willing to clean up afterward. This book is fun to read one on one, or in a group. It’s a personal favorite of mine because both of my kids each got such a kick out of it. See this book listed in our catalog
It Looked Like Spilt Milk
Submitted by Ms. Melissa!
In the second grade, my teacher had us make clipboards out of cardboard and paper clamps. When we were done, we all marched outside with our creations, a pencil tied to the cardboard with string, and scrap paper attached firmly under the clamp. She had us make a circle, and then instructed us to lie down on our backs in the grass. She asked that we close our eyes, and when we opened them to the big blue sky full of puffy white clouds, she said “draw what you see.” That’s what I remember at least, and that’s what I am reminded of when I read the classic It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw. Plain blue pages with a single image, and very few words make up this simple tale. The basic, concrete phrasing is perfect for teaching concepts such as “alike and different” or “image versus object.” Late spring is the perfect time to go cloud watching, so go exploring with your little one, and learn what their imagination is capable of! See this book listed in our catalog
Go Away, Big Green Monster!
Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberly. “Big Green Monster has two big yellow eyes…” So begins this simple story that’s just right for sharing with toddlers. As you turn the bright, die-cut pages, more and more of the monster appears: his scraggly purple hair. His long bluish-greenish nose. His sharp white teeth! And finally, his BIG SCARY GREEN FACE!!! But not to fear! All the brave reader has to do is shout “Go Away!” and keep on turning the pages. One by one, the monster’s scary features disappear again, until he is gone away completely. Young readers will demand to read this not-so-scary book again, and again, and again! See this book listed in our catalog
The Owl and the Pussycat
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
Artist Stéphane Jorisch offers a brilliant reinterpretation of Edward Lear’s classic poem in this beautifully illustrated edition of The Owl and the Pussycat. Jorisch takes Lear’s non-sensical interspecies romance one step further, portraying an affluent owl and a cat from (literally) the other side of the tracks who must hide their affection for one another from their close-minded neighbors. Seeking a place where they can love each other freely, they set out to sea. They sail to a land where their relationship is embraced and, after acquiring a ring from a friendly pig, the owl and pussycat are wed! Lear was an incredibly inventive poet (for instance, he coined the term “runcible spoon” for this poem) and Jorisch took the melancholy inferred from the poem (probably reflective of the repressive 19th century English society Lear was witness to) to inspire his fanciful, but thought-provoking illustrations. You can read The Owl and the Pussycat to the children in your life as a silly rhyming story, or as a celebration of true love and its ability to conquer all obstacles! See this book listed in our catalog