Submitted by Tammy, driver of the WoW van!
Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Waking Up? by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson. A kitten and her patient mother take part in the daily ritual of getting ready for school. This comic rhyming book shows the struggle in the cat household, as the mother cat responds to the actions of her kitten, who dilly-dallies in the morning when she should be getting ready for school! Readers follow along as the kitten snuggles on her pillow, stands on her head in bed, tears apart the bedroom in search of socks, discovers and chases a mouse. The mouse serves as an interested observer on each page, and escapes the kitten when she is swept off to school. In the end, the mother cat and her little kitten share a warm hug. Even having a they’re having a tough morning, they still love each other. See this book listed in our catalog
Rhyming
Miles the Crocodile
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Want to raise a jazz lover? Have I got the book for you: Miles the Crocodile Plays the Colors of Jazz by Andy Blackman Hurwitz and illustrated by Andrew Cunningham! Miles is a trumpet playing crocodile here to demonstrate “that the colors of jazz can make beautiful art” through words, pictures, and music! The book comes with a CD of jazz music that corresponds with the story. My favorite track is “Blue Jazz Blue” in which Miles sings the “I Ain’t Got No Cookie Blues” lamenting “I got my milk, but I want my cookie too!” If you like this kit, look out for other books in the “Baby Loves Jazz” series like Charlie Bird, Duck Ellington, and Ella Elephant. See this book listed in our catalog
I Am a Rainbow
Submitted by Amanda from Lexington Park!
I Am a Rainbow by Dolly Parton is an adorable book that associates colors with emotions that every boy and girl experiences. Written in rhyme, it connects each feeling and color with a great picture to illustrate the point. Pink- as sweet at cotton candy! Red- as angry as a bear! Blue – bored and sad! It goes on and on. The author shows that everyone has feelings as different as colors, and urges the reader to understand those feelings in others. She goes on to explain that everyone is a rainbow of different feelings, and “It’s not up to you, the way that you feel. But how you act IS a different deal.” See this book listed in our catalog
Dino-Hockey
Submitted by Allana from Leonardtown!
Dino-Hockey by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Barry Gott, is a picture book told in rhyme about one of my all-time favorite subjects–Ice Hockey. The book is illustrated with wonderful and amusing artwork. In this fixture, it’s the “Meat-Eaters” versus “Veggiesaurs,” and as they take the ice, and the puck is dropped, a hilarious contest ensues. With passing, checking, slashing, shooting, and penalties, the writer shows her knowledge of the sport, as well as genuine dinosaur names. Would you believe the referee is a Dodo? Well, I’ve seen some refs act like Dodos before, but we won’t go there! T-Rex scores first, with Raptor picking up the assist, as the “Meaties” take the lead. I get annoyed when someone gives away the final score of a game I haven’t yet watched, so I won’t spoil the ending here. This is an entertaining and unique children’s book for sports fans and Dino enthusiasts alike.
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.
Sort It Out
Submitted by Tess from Lexington Park!
Sort It Out! by Barbara Mariconda, with illustrations by Sherry Rogers, is a children’s picture book that works on many levels. On one level, it’s a cute story about a Packy the Pack-rat (an awesome name for a character in general), who’s mother insists he put all his things away. On another level, it’s a mystery (his things keep going missing! Wonder if his sneaky kid sister has anything to do with it). On another level it suggests several different ways kids can organize things (by color, shape, material, etc.). And on yet another level it’s an interactive rhyming book: “The turtle, the clover, the skinny string bean, he placed in a pile made of things that are… [say it with me] green!” All in all a fun book for multiple reasons.