On the Shelf

Header Right Social

FacebookInstagramYoutubeMeetupOn the Shelf Blog

Header Right Search

Mo Willems

Welcome

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Mr. Eric!

Being a baby can be a confusing time. They are tossed out into the cold world without a clue of what is going on around them, or who these mysterious giant people are that force them to drink milk and wear clothes. There are strange faces looking at them all the time, and weird rules (don’t poop on people) that just don’t make sense to you at all. Luckily for these babies, Mo Willems has written “Welcome: A Mo Willems Guide for New Arrivals.” This hilarious children’s book designed to look like a handy instruction booklet, complete with faux warning labels, is a lot of fun to read out loud to your little one. In the section entitled “Please Enjoy Your Stay” it describes that “many activities are available for you to enjoy, including, but not limited to: sleeping and waking, eating and burping, pooping and more pooping.” The images set in high contrast colors are sure to catch your baby’s eye, and the observational humor about babies and what they do is sure to appeal to grown ups that know all too well what taking care of a baby is really like. See this book listed in our catalog

That Is NOT a Good Idea!

by 1 Comment

Submitted by Mr. Eric!

That Is NOT a Good Idea by Mo Willems is a story about a young, naive, duck who finds herself wandering through the city at dark. As anyone knows, the city can be a scary and potentially dangerous place at night. But lucky for her a very friendly, extremely well-dressed, fox approaches her to help her get safely out of the city. Oh, what a nice guy to help such a clueless individual in her time of need! To show up right at the perfect time can only be a coincidence and not by his own malicious design! Surely he doesn’t have any ulterior motives! I’m sure you think you know where this story is going… but you may be wrong… This is a fun story about how not everything may be as it seems at first glance. (Pro tip: if you can find a scarf and a hat acting out the parts of the fox and the duck can make this book a fun activity for you and your child!) See this book listed in our catalog

Knuffle Bunny Free

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Cassie!

Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems. In this third installment of the Knuffle Bunny series by the outrageously wonderful Mo Willems we once again tag along with Trixie and her parents (and Knuffle Bunny, of course!) on an epic adventure. In this tale we read of love, loss, and growing up. The story is adorably funny, heartwarming, and you’ll learn a little Dutch, too. To begin: Trixie and family set off for Holland, a country farrrrrrr away, where Oma and Opa live. Alas, after leaving the airport Trixie realizes that she has left Knuffle Bunny on the plane, gasp! Although Trixie pines for her dear friend, she soon realizes that she is growing old enough to be apart from good ol’ Knuffle Bunny. It is this thought that prompts Trixie to commit a selfless and kind act that will have you and your growing little one grinning. Share this wonderful book with your child, especially if they may soon be ready to move on from their special stuffed friends and cozy blankies. See this book listed in our catalog

A Big Guy Took My Ball!

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Amanda!

Mo Willems has done it again with another great new Elephant & Piggie book entitled A Big Guy Took My Ball! This time he has included concepts like big and small, along with social skills like making new friends, playing together, and helping your friends. Once again, Gerald and Piggie are dealing with an important kid issue in a very engaging and thoughtful way. Piggie found a big ball and was so happy but then a big guy came and took it! Piggie is heartbroken. Gerald is angry. “Why do big guys have all the fun,” he wonders, until he realizes that he is a big guy! Gerald is determined to get the ball back for Piggie until he finds that the big guy who took Piggie’s ball is a really, really big! He is a whale! Of course Gerald and Piggie come up with a sweet solution that teaches a great lesson for little readers. See this book listed in our catalog

Should I Share My Ice Cream?

by Leave a Comment

Submitted by Ms. Amanda!
Should I Share My Ice Cream is the newest edition to the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems (and, in my humble opinion, the best in that series so far). Willems tells a story of two friends, one ice cream cone, and a big decision! On a hot day, Gerald buys an ice cream cone, but, in his excitement and love of ice cream, he forgets that his best friend, Piggie, would want an ice cream cone too, and he does not buy her one. This brings Gerald to the troubling question: “Should I share my ice cream?” Gerald has a huge battle with himself about sharing his awesome and cool ice cream cone with his best friend. He thinks of reasons why he should and should not share. Perhaps she does not like the flavor, then it would be wrong to share a flavor she does not like with her. Or she doesn’t know that he has ice cream, so maybe he should eat it before she can see it. Finally, he decides that it would make Piggie happy if he shared his ice cream with her, and he goes off in search of Piggie determined to share his… NOOOOOOOOOOOO! The ice cream has melted while Gerald was making up his mind! Just then, when Gerald is sad that both he and Piggie will not get to have any of his ice cream, Piggie shows up with an ice cream, and shares it with Gerald! After all, that is what friends are for. Wouldn’t you share your ice cream with a friend? See this book listed in our catalog

City Dog, Country Frog

by 2 Comments

Submitted by Ms. Tess!

Mo Willems is one of our FAVORITE authors here at the Kid’s Book Blog, and we were all not-so-patiently awaiting the arrival of his latest book at the library. We were NOT disappointed by its awesomeness. City Dog, Country Frog by Mr. Willems, illustrated by Jon J. Muth, is the heartwarming story of a rambunctious city dog, who meets a wise country frog in the spring. Country Frog teaches City Dog some excellent froggy games. In the summer, City Dog returns to teach Country Frog some excellent doggy games. But in the fall, Country Frog is tired, and suggests they play “remember-ing” games. In the winter, City Dog searches for Country Frog, but his friend is gone. And when it’s spring again, City Dog is sad, but meets a new friend, and life continues on. This book may serve as a gentle way to introduce your little one to the circle of life, and the idea that some animals live longer than others, and how that’s natural and ought to be accepted, even if it is a little sad. See this book listed in our catalog or watch a delightful video of Mo talking about this book