Submitted by Melissa from Lexington Park!
So Many Days by Alison McGhee, with illustrations by Taeeun Yoo, is the perfect cure for a “bad day.” Regardless of your age, it speaks the words we all long to hear when things just don’t feel right. Written in verse, and having a very “zen like” style, So Many Days is calming to read and hear. This simple story, with clear illustrations, can be shared with group or an individual, for celebration, or as a bed time story, to lift a sad spirit, or rejoice in a great accomplishment. A true “feel good” book, with a very personal message: that no obstacle is too tall, no storm too rough. That mistakes may happen, but in the end, regardless the trial, you are stronger, braver, and loved, more than you know. See this book listed in our catalog
Poetry
All the World
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
And here is my second favorite picture book of 2009: All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee. The words of All the World are a poem about the earth which everyone shares. The illustrations are those of multi-cultural faces, in multi-cultural places, experiencing universal emotions and activities. Witness the beauty of nature, and the comfort of things we all do: eat, grow, travel, relax. “Hope and peace and love and trust. All the world is all of us.” I find this book to be a soothing meditation, well suited to the child curious as to how they figure into this big, whirling, planet that countless people call home. See this book listed in our catalog
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.
Blueberry Girl
Although Mother’s Day has passed, and Father’s Day is still a fair ways away, I couldn’t resist blogging about Blueberry Girl, the newest book by the fabulous Neil Gaiman, beautifully illustrated by Charles Vess, which is ideal to share with a special daughter. It’s a poem Gaiman wrote for his friend musician Tori Amos, when she was pregnant with her daughter. It’s a prayer to the powers that be to bless a baby girl as she grows in the world. To save her from nightmares at three, bad husbands at thirty, from dull days at forty, false friends at fifteen. “Her joys must be high as her sorrows are deep,” Gaiman writes — a lovely sentiment for every “blueberry girl.”
Slugs in Love
I was beyond tickled to discover Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson, and illustrated by Kevin O’ Malley, a veritable epistolary masterpiece for the Pre-K crowd! In the story we meet a particularly romantic pair of slugs–Marylou and Herbie. Marylou just loves everything about Herbie. Her heart is simply filled with poetry whenever she thinks of him! So one day she decides to leave him a love note, written in slug trail. Herbie is flattered of course, but doesn’t know which slug is leaving him such soulful slime. He keeps trying to arrange a meet-up. “Marylou:” he responds, “You could make my life complete! I’d love to meet someone so sweet.” but the rain washes his message away! Will these star-crossed lovers ever be united? Check out Slugs in Love to find out!
Once I Ate a Pie
Once I Ate A Pie by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, and illustrated by Katy Schneider, is perfect for anyone who has wondered what their beloved canine companion would have to say if they could talk. I am curious, when I see my dog sleep for about 20 of the 24 hours in a day, what reason she has to be so exhausted. Well MacLachlan and Charest give the accounts of 13 dogs, told in their own words. There’s Mr. Beefy, who steals tubs of butter off the dinner table, Darla, who does not like other dogs, Wupsi, who is told how cute she is so often it might as well be her name, Louis who BARKS at everything, and my personal favorite Lucy, who sleeps on a pillow in between her owners (just like my dog).