Submitted by Catherine from Charlotte Hall!
Can you read without vowels? Of course not! Sue MacDonald Had a Book, by Jim Tobin and illustrated by Dave Coverly, tells the story of a little girl who loses all the vowels in her book. Set to the tune of “Old MacDonald,” Sue must go on a quest to return these important letters to her book. The words of the book fit pretty much perfectly with the song, making this a fun and easy book to sing or read aloud. Bright colors, and silly pictures make this an engaging and funny book to share with children who are starting to recognize and understand their letters. So remember, you cn’t rd wtht vwls* so always keep A E I O and U nearby! And sometimes Y.
*can’t read without vowels
Music
Stanza
Submitted by Amanda from Lexington Park!
Stanza byJill Esbaum. Stanza is a book written in rhyme about a dog that is a bully by day but who, in the middle of the night, snakes off and writes poetry. Stanza is afraid that his talent will be discovered by his brothers, as well as his victims, and they will see it as a weakness, so he keeps it a secret from everyone. But then one day he sees an ad for a competition to write a jingle for Snappers Treats. Stanza stays up all night writing a jingle, and then the next morning he turns it in. Stanza dreams of winning first prize and buying lots of chicken pot pies. Stanza is so nervous that he checks everyday to see if he won …will he win or lose? And either way what will his brothers say when they discover his softer side? This is a very cleverly written book that will engaged readers with its words and illustrations.
Banjo Granny
Submitted by Chad from Charlotte Hall!
Banjo Granny by Sarah Martin Busse and Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Barry Root. This book is dedicated to “grannies everywhere…and to grandbabies everywhere.” It is a sort of tall tale. Granny, our banjo pickin’ hero, encounters a number of obstacles on her way to visit her grandson, Owen (who loves bluegrass music). These obstacles are in the form of natural barriers, such as a river, a desert, and a mountain. Granny overcomes them with the aid of her banjo and, of course, her love for her grandson. The river, desert, and mountain are personified as Granny invites them to listen to the song of her grandson “who goes wiggly, jiggly, all-around giggly, and tip over tumble for bluegrass music.” We catch glimpses of Owen when visiting birds inform him of the progress of his granny. When Granny and Owen are united in person, they sing “wop-a-doosy, lap-a-daisy doo!” The book includes lyrics and music to “Owen’s Song,” in the bluegrass style.
On Top of the Potty
On Top of the Potty and Other Get-Up-and-Go Songs by Alan Katz and David Catrow is simply the most hilarious book I’ve read in a long time. Having trouble convincing your child to use the toilet? There’s nothing quite like a rousing musical number to motivate even the most stubborn of diaper wearers. How about “If You Gotta Go Do Poopy” to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It?” Or maybe “Don’t Flush Strange Things in the Potty” to the tune of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Perhaps the title track, “On Top of the Potty” to the tune of “On Top of Old Smokey!” My personal favorite is “Frankie Noodle,” to the tune of “Yankee Doodle.” Sing it with me: “Frankie Noodle Sat right down Right upon the potty And he made a pee and poop In front of everybody!”
Olivia Forms a Band
Olivia Forms a Band is my favorite of Ian Falconer’s fabulous Olivia series. Olivia, you should know, is well endowed with the ability to wear people out, especially her mother. In this installment of the saga that is Olivia, her family is planning to attend a fireworks show. Olivia is outraged when she’s informed there will not be a band at the evening’s festivities. “I’ll be the band,” she concludes. But, her mother tells her, “the word ‘band’ means more than one person, and a band sounds like more than one person.” This sounds like a challenge to Olivia. She grabs all the items necessary for a one-pig band, and is soon clanging through the house (to her, of course, she sounds like the most marvelous marching band). You’re sure to enjoy this Olivia book as well as all of Falconer’s others. What will Olivia think of next?
Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf
In Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra, illustrated by J. Otto Seibold, we discover that the Big Bad Wolf has since retired to the Villain Villa Senior Center. He looks forward to checking the mail every day, but it’s always bills bills bills! But one day he receives an invitation to come the library for a tea party. He doesn’t much care for tea, but he loves cookies. His friend the crocodile informs him of proper etiquette by teaching him a catchy ditty. Mr. Wolf dresses in his best suit and is off to the library. After three cups a tea, he feels a burp coming on. Good thing he knows it’s polite to say “excuse me” when one belches (although he didn’t realize you say it after the fact, not before, and ends up announcing his faux pas to everyone)! This book is a really cute take on traditional characters that your child is sure to enjoy.