Submitted by Melissa from Lexington Park!
All Kinds of Families by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marc Boutavant, features creative and fascinating pictures, that draw readers in, and add insight to the many aspects of family. One can be comforted by the words–anything can be part of a family: “Bottle caps, ginger snaps, buttons, or rings. You can make families from all sorts of things!” Family can be a difficult thing to explain in certain situations. This book simply describes and illustrates the basic concept, so it is easy for children to understand. From fingers to toes, make believe families to families from long, long ago–children and adults alike will enjoy the rhythmic language and the idea that we all play a very special role. See this book listed in our catalog
Family
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
Brian & Bob
Submitted by Amanda from Lexington Park!
Brian & Bob: The Tale of Two Guinea Pigs by Georgie Ripper. Brian and Bob were best friends. They lived in a cage at Pete’s Pet Palace. They ate, slept, and played together until one day, when a boy walked into the shop and picked Bob up and took him home, before he even had a chance to say good-bye to his friend! Brian was left all alone in the cage, and he missed Bob so much. One day Brian was sitting in his cage being sad when an old man picked him up and took him home. Brain was even more alone, and even more sad. All he could think about was his friend Bob. Then the old man gave him to his grandson as a gift. The little boy put Brian in a cage, and to his surprise, Bob was there! They were together again–eating, sleeping and playing together in their new cage! This is a great story about friendship! It shows how much friends can miss each other, and the joy of being reunited! The illustrations are simple but lovable. This book is an adorable tale. See this book listed in our catalog
Jazz Baby
Submitted by Tammy, driver of the WoW van!
Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler is a rhythmic, short story about a baby and his extended family making jazzy music. In this amazing book you’ll find all the sounds you would hear in a jazz song: rat-tat-tat, snazzy jazzy, doo wop doo, etc. Readers will find themselves getting involved in the story as they start to clap and tap along to the rhythmic nature of the book. The beautiful illustrations cover the pages with long shots of buildings swaying to the beat, and music notes that dance around “Baby.” As the story winds to an end, the family members start to disappear, until a sleepy baby is left with his parents, and soon falls fast asleep. See this book listed in our catalog
Bedtime in the Jungle
Submitted by Tammy, driver of the WoW van!
Bedtime in the Jungle by John Butler. The sun is starting to set in the jungle as bedtime approaches for the baby animals. The daylight in the background gradually disappears on each page as the moon gently rises and the stars appear in the night sky. Children will be delighted as the animal mothers gather their babies close to settle them for the night. Using soft words of comfort inspired by the song “Over in the Meadow” each mother encourages her little one(s) to go to sleep. All of the animals are depicted in their natural settings, in soothing shades that are sure to calm young children and encourage them to sleep. See this book listed in our catalog
When Vera Was Sick
Submitted by Jill from Leonardtown!
When Vera Was Sick by Vera Rosenberry. Poor Vera! She doesn’t feel good. She has spots all over her body, even between her toes. She has to stay in bed, but the spare room where Mother tucks her in, away from everybody, is strange and lonely, and a little scary. At first, poor Vera is too sick to enjoy anything–not looking at books, not coloring (even though she has new crayons)–all she can do is scratch her spots. Vera is miserable. But Vera’s family loves her very much. Mother brings out the special silky pillow for her to cuddle. Daddy brings her flowers. When Vera starts to feel a little better, big sister June comes in to play Chinese checkers, and the whole family finds ways for the little girl to amuse herself in bed. Before long, Vera is feeling all better! When Vera Was Sick is a quiet, comforting story about a familiar childhood experience. The ink-and-watercolor pictures are perfect for portraying Vera’s almost comical misery, and also show the warmth and loving care of her family. Vera returns for more childhood stories in Vera’s First Day of School, Vera Rides a Bike, Vera’s Baby Sister, Vera Runs Away, Vera Goes to the Dentist, and Vera’s Halloween. See this book listed in our catalog