Submitted by Sue from Leonardtown!
Mommy’s High Heel Shoes by Kristie Finnan and illustrated by Pat Achilles. This story highlights the relationship of a working Mom and her children. Her daughter, nicknamed “Cakes” for her love of cupcakes, realizes that when Mommy puts on her high heel shoes she is usually going to work. While she is gone she tries on all of Mommy’s high heel shoes. Then Cakes remembers what shoes Mommy wears, and where she wears them to. Like the ones she wore to walk the dog, or water the garden. The ones she wore to the pumpkin patch trip, and of course the ones she wore eating cupcakes with friends. When Mommy comes home Cakes asks her why she likes high heel shoes and tells her that they’re hard to walk in. This charming story highlights a working Mom, and her heartwarming relationship with her family. Along the way, enjoy finding the heart, ladybug, and cupcake hiding in each page.
Family
My Parents Are Divorced, My Elbows Have Nicknames, and Other Facts About Me
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
My Parents Are Divorced, My Elbows Have Nicknames, and Other Facts About Me by Bill Cochran, with illustrations by Steve Bjorkman, is about a boy named Ted. Ted’s parents have split up, but what you really want to know about him, is that he goes to sleep every night with one sock on! His parents live on opposite ends of town now, but did you know he calls one of his elbows Carl, and the other one Clyde? Sure, his dad might have a new wife now, but Ted enjoys wearing a cape, and not just on Halloween. You might think Ted is a weird kid, not because his parents are divorced. A lot of kids have divorced parents, but that’s not who they are. It’s just part of what makes them unique, like Ted.
Little Bear’s Big Sweater
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Little Bear’s Big Sweater by David Bedford and Caroline Pedler is a great book about brotherhood, and favorite articles of clothing. Big Bear has grown out of his favorite green striped sweater, and must pass it on to his younger brother, Little Bear. “You better take good care of it,” he says, “It’s my favorite sweater – EVER.” Then the brothers run off to play, Little Bear striving to do everything his big brother can (with mixed results). When the brothers get seperated, a worried Big Bear follows a long green thread into woods, and finds Little Bear, with their unraveled sweater. Little Bear expects quite a lashing, but gets a hug instead. “It’s only a sweater,” Big Bear explains, and in the end Mom makes them both new green striped sweaters!
Spoon
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Answering the call for more quality literature about the plight of kitchen utensils are Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Scott Magoon with Spoon. Meet Spoon, an average spoon, with a large spoon family (including Aunt Silver). He’s got a nice spoon life, but he’s a little insecure about his identity. All his friends seem so much more useful! Knife can cut and spread! Fork seems to go everywhere, from salads, to spaghetti, to cake. And Chopsticks are just so exotic. If only Spoon knew how jealous his friends are of him though! They don’t get to measure things, dive headfirst into bowls of ice cream, stir relaxing cups of tea, or snuggle with the other spoons in the drawer.
In Our Mothers’ House
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
In Our Mothers’ House is the latest from celebrated children’s author and illustrator, Patricia Polacco. Reportedly, Polacco was always interested is writing about a book about a non-traditional family, but was spurred into action while visiting a school, and hearing a teacher tell a child who was adopted by two women, that she did not “come from a real family.” Polacco modeled the family in this story after that school girl’s family: Two mothers, with three adopted children, and based her illustrations on her own family (her daughter Traci, and Traci’s partner Nikki, posed as the mothers). In the story we witness family events such as holidays, new puppies, treehouse building, and visits with grandparents. Gay rights are only addressed briefly. The true focus of the story is the love of the mothers for their children.
The Napping House
Submitted by Catherine from Lexington Park!
Anyone who loves Good Night Moon, will want to check out The Napping House by Audrey Wood, and illustrated by Don Wood. This book, about a house where everyone from Granny down to the mouse sleeps in the same bed on a rainy afternoon, will have kids smiling as they look for the little animals on each page, and laughing as the “wakeful flea” sends the napping house into an uproar. The exaggerated drawings capture the silly feel of the book. And the colors – either soft or bright, show the feelings of the characters perfectly. This simple story with wonderful illustrations will be a favorite for parents and kids to read together.