Submitted by Ms. Tess!
Using only 4 words, Jeff Mack tells a fabulous story of two good friends, with very divergent world views, in Good News Bad News. If there were a glass in this story, Rabbit would think it’s half full, and Mouse would think it’s half empty! “Good news!” Rabbit proclaims, presenting a picnic basket to Mouse. “Bad news!” Mouse grumbles as it starts to rain. But “Good news!” Rabbit has brought an umbrella! Oh “Bad news!” The wind has picked up and threatens to blow the umbrella (and Mouse) away! The story continues in this way, as Murphy’s Law seems to plague the pair, Rabbit ever optimistic that things will get better, Mouse pointing out way after way things can only get worse. When I read this book for the first time I wondered will Mouse eventfully crush Rabbit’s cheery perspective? Or will he learn to embrace Rabbit’s joyful philosophy? I was happy with the ending, and think you will be too! Check out Good News Bad News today and remember to always look on the bright side of life! See this book listed in our catalog
Food
Just One Bite
Submitted by Ms. Amanda!
Just One Bite is an exceptional example of narrative nonfiction. I was thrilled to meet author Lola Schaefer at the Maryland Library Association Conference in May. She is charming, and as engaging as her books. When speaking about writing Just One Bite she revealed “I wonder how much animals eat in each bite?” is the question which inspired her to write this book. Ms. Schaefer continued that most of her books start with a question and then lots of research. After that question and painstaking scientific research, she and illustrator Geoff Waring created Just One Bite, which is a volume of informative, easy to read text, and vibrant, life sized illustrations that will enchant readers of any age. It is a life size look at how much an animal can eat with each mouthful. The book starts off with a look at how much a worm can eat – just a tiny spec of dirt – and then explores animals from all over the world. With each page the animals get bigger. The mouths, and bites, and even pages grow till we find a sperm whale… How much can he eat? This beautiful book is a great way to encourage children’s curiosity and get them to ask their own questions like, how much can I fit into a bite? 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
A Pirate Cookbook
Submitted by Ms. Tess!
Swab the deck (or get the kitchen ready) and raid the galley (or check the pantry) because your little pirate is hungry and only a proper pirate snack will do! A Pirate Cookbook by Sarah L. Schuette features seven delicious and nutritious recipes that are perfect for a young child to help with, or even make on their own. There’s a section describing what tools and techniques you’ll need to use, and then we’re off! There’s “Scurvy Soup,” a fruity concoction full of vitamin C, “Parrot Punch,” a yummy drink to enjoy while plundering the tropics, and many more fun foods, sure to please the bellies of the fierce seafarers in your home. Hopefully you and the child you care for will enjoy making the dishes as much as you do eating them! See this book listed in our catalog
A House in the Woods
Submitted by Ms. Melissa!
A House in the Woods by Inga Moore. The Pigs, the Moose, and the Bear are in a pickle. They have nowhere to live! Building a house would be difficult. When you don’t know how to build, who do you call? The Beavers, of course, who wish to be paid in peanut butter sandwiches. With all the building, and shopping to buy enough peanut butter and bread to make all those sandwiches, the Pigs, the Moose, and the Bear are very tired, so off to bed they go. Detailed woodland illustrations are sure to capture the imagination, and stir dreams of creativity in this perfect-for-bed-time story about hard work and friendship. See this book listed in our catalog
One Little Blueberry
Submitted by Ms. Tammy!
One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano. One little blueberry falls onto the ground causing a lot of trouble! As it rolls down the hill it passes two ants, three ladybugs, four caterpillars, and more hungry bugs, all the way to ten hopping grasshoppers. They all want the juicy blueberry for themselves, chasing it down the hill. Who will get the tasty snack? Learning to count from one to ten is a treat with this lively read-aloud that uses large, brightly colored insects for each number. In the background on each page you can see the previous bugs heading down the hill in order. Preschoolers will delight in following the blueberry, and will be surprised at who gets to eat the juicy treat. See this book listed in our catalog