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!
Rhyming
B is for Blue Crab
B is for Blue Crab by Shirley C. Menendez, illustrated by Laura Stutzman, is a fun way to familiarize your child with the letters of the alphabet, as well as Maryland state symbols and landmarks. Each page has a letter, a short blurb for your child, and a larger, more informative blurb for you! You might be surprised by how much you can learn about the Old Line State. For instance, I was bemused to find that J is for Jousting the state sport of Maryland, and interested to discover T is for Tubman–Harriet Tubman that is, who was born in Dorchester county!
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?
If bed time is a big struggle in your house, consider reading How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Yolen and Teague are the creators of the wonderful “How Do Dinosaurs” series of books, demonstrating appropriate versus inappropriate behavior in a variety of venues. In this installment, they treat us to possible answers to the titular question: Does a dinosaur pout when its time to go to bed? Do they stomp their feet and throw toys around the room? Do they moan and sulk and sigh and cry? They most certainly do not! Dinosaurs, as it turns out, have impeccable manners. When it’s time to turn out the lights, dinosaurs give a hug and kiss to mom and dad and say “good night!”
Wombat Walkabout
I love wombats. What else can I say? If your child loves wombats too, Wombat Walkabout by Carol Diggory Shields, and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, is simply required reading. Six wombats go for a stroll through the outback. A handful get distracted by interesting Australian things like a wattle tree, a billabong, and a kookabura (all of which are defined in a handy intro). When only two are left, they discover they’ve been trailed by a hungry dingo, and must save their friends from his evil clutches. They capture him with the tried and true cover-a-hole-with-sticks trick, which may seem old hat to you, but fabulously innovative to your youngster!
Tadpole Rex
Take a journey to prehistoric times with Tadpole Rex by Kurt Cyrus. Meet Rex, a feisty tadpole, born in a swamp that forms in a Tyrannosaurus’s footprint. Watch him as he slowly transforms into a ferocious frog! Rex attacks duckbills and nearly trips a triceratops, releasing his fiercesome “Ribbet!” as he jumps through the air. This book is especially good for boys, but children in general tend to be fascinated by the transformation from tadpole to frog (or caterpillar to butterfly). It’s also full of fun sounds to make, like the “bloop” of bubbles in primordial goo, the “fleep” of Rex’s growing appendages, and of course, the “stomp” of his dinosaur neighbors. The book may even lead to a conversation about frogs, and how amazing it is that they have been on earth countless more years than we have!
Baseball Hour
I love Baseball Hour by Carol Nevius with illustrations by Bill Thomson. In it we are privy to an hour of practice for a little league baseball team. Every type of child is represented–all races, boys and girls, tall and short, lean and portly–working as a team, having fun, and competing. Watch them jog, stretch, toss and catch balls, swing bats, and win! Talk to your child about the importance of exercise and teamwork with this action packed story filled with realistically detailed sepia-toned illustrations. This book truly scores a homerun!