Submitted by Ms. Sue!
Brand-New Baby Blues by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Kelly Murphy. The arrival of a new baby brother has this sister remembering the past, when it was only her. She tells her story of days gone by, when she was the only one, the cat’s pajamas, the moon and the sun. Now everything is different, and her whole life is rearranged. “Not now” is all mama answers, when her baby brother takes up all mama’s time. With her brand-new baby brother, she has the brand-new baby blues! This story in rhyme is cute and familiar to anyone with siblings, and could be sung to your child in a bluesy tune for fun. The full page illustrations utilize soft shades, further enhancing the quality of this book. See this book listed in our catalog
Emotions
Whatever
Submitted by Melissa from Lexington Park!
Ungrateful. That’s one word to summarize Billy, a character from the book Whatever by William Bee. No matter what is done for Billy, “whatever” is his only expression of thanks. His father, aiming to please, shows him extraordinary things: a very tall giraffe, the world’s curliest trumpet. He even flies him to the edge of outer space! But, unfortunately all Billy can say is, “whatever.” *Sigh* Then, one day, the world’s hungriest tiger comes along, and things change for Billy. This is a snarky tale of a boy who doesn’t appreciate the effort of others and in doing so, learns a valuable lesson… the hard way. The words and pictures are simple, but the message is loud and clear. This is a book for parents looking for a platform in which to explore the values of appreciation and gratefulness, told in true fairy tale fashion. See this book listed in our catalog
The Grouchy Ladybug
Submitted by Jill from Leonardtown!
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle. The grouchy ladybug does not want to share his yummy aphids! What’s more, he’s out to pick a fight. But when another ladybug stands up to him, the grouchy ladybug declares, “you’re not big enough to fight!” He flies off in a huff to find somebody bigger to pick on. We follow the grouchy bug hour by hour through the day as he challenges bigger and bigger creatures, until at last an enormous blue whale causes the ladybug to reconsider his rude behavior. Will the grouchy ladybug ever learn to share? Along with its great story, The Grouchy Ladybug is beautifully designed. Eric Carle’s signature painting style is bright and bold. Smaller flaps and partial pages gradually increase in size as they reveal larger and larger animals, and the size of the print grows too. A small drawing of a clock face in each illustration lets advanced readers practice telling time as the ladybug’s day progresses. The Grouchy Ladybug is a fun read-aloud to share again and again. See this book listed in our catalog
Henry in Love
Submitted by Catherine from Charlotte Hall!
I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way
Submitted by Amanda from Lexington Park!
I Always, ALWAYS Get My Way by Thad Kranesky. Emmy is an adorable three year old who gets into trouble left and right. She spills juice on Daddy’s pants, but doesn’t get in trouble, “after all… she is only three.” She “trips” over her brother Tom’s toy race car track and destroys it, but gets out of trouble by making a “tiny little scene, and Mom yells at Tom, after all… she is only three.” She builds a dollhouse out of her sister Suzie’s stuff and Suzie get a time out for not sharing, after all Emmy is only three! She plays pirate queen and buries all her loot ( her brothers boot, she sister’s rings, and half the silverware) — when her Dad finds her, he makes her clean up, even though she is only three! Emmy gets into more and more trouble through out the book until finally Mom has had it. She dresses up her brother’s pet lizard, floods the upstairs hall, soaks her sisters shoes, and throws the lizard into her mother’s lap. After all that, Emmy is finally punished, possibly until she is four! This is a cute book about being spoiled. It is written in rhyme, and is sure to make you giggle. The great pictures depict all the trouble Emmy gets into, as well as her sweet faces, and the fits she throws to get out of trouble! 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