Happy Birthday, Madame Chapeau

Although he loves stories, Aaron has trouble reading but has been an artist his whole life. With the help of Miss Greer, his astute 2nd grade teacher, Aaron’s gifts are realized and he gets help with reading. The rhyming text and illustrations call to mind the creators’ other collaborations and are equally captivating.

Ada Twist constantly asks questions: what, why, where? Her parents tire of it until they realize that Ada Twist is really a budding scientist! Told in rollicking rhyme and playful, style-conscious illustrations, this engaging tale is satisfying as well as inspiring.

Ted spruces up his home and school and helps another young person by employing his artistic talent and creativity. Simple illustrations accompany an engaging text.

With humorous allusions to a candy universe and over-the-top puns, this laugh out loud funny novel follows twins as they defeat killer space bunnies. Heavily illustrated and with a light tone, this should appeal to even the most reluctant reader.

When he bumps his knee, Ted decides to become a doctor to care for everyone. Though Ted’s diagnoses irritate adults, young Dr. Ted winds up saving the day.

Robbie Darko loves magic but simply is not good at it. That is, until his grandmother teaches him a few tricks she learned as a professional magician. Filled with pathos and good nature, this novel is sure to resonate with readers.

As in other stories about the young bear, Ted’s first attempt at rescuing the day as a firefighter ends in minor disaster. But he rebounds and ends up being a huge help after all.

Space bunnies are back for a second installment. Can twins Joules and Kevin save their school from the ferocious fur balls? Fiercely funny, this is sure to please young readers.

The farmer’s sheep don’t stay on the farm when there are so many other interesting things to explore! Can the farmer gather them up in time? Counting sheep and enjoying their antics is humorously presented in rhyme and jaunty illustrations.

A sweet and playful bedtime and read-aloud picture book that reminds young readers just how loved they are. “I love you like yellow. I love you like green. Like flowery orchid and sweet tangerine …” Love comes in many forms. It can feel tart as lemonade or sweet as sugar cookies. Slow as a lazy morning or fast as a relay race. Love is there through it all: the large and small moments, the good times and bad. And at the end of the day, love settles us down to bed with a hug and kiss goodnight.

Can Iggy Peck use his architectural prowess to help Ada Twist’s Aunt Bernice from losing the house she inherited? Iggy, Ada, and the other Questioneers come together to solve the mystery of the missing antiques and acquire a bit of history along the way in this latest story in the Questioneers series.

Iggy Peck loves to build anything using almost any material.  His teacher, however, disagrees about architecture. Iggy rises to the challenge and changes her mind in this rhyming, thoroughly satisfying tale of an aspiring (and inspired) young architect. 

It takes a good teacher to really see an insecure child. Ms. Kern sees Lila Greer so well that Lila grows into the amazing teacher of kids like Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, and Sophia Valdez. Like other books in the series, is fun to read aloud and is illustrated in Roberts’ characteristically detailed (and fashion-conscious) style.

Young Rosie wants nothing more than to invent, to be an engineer. Her confidence is shaken until her great-aunt Rosie (strongly echoing Rosie the Riveter of WWII fame) helps restore it. Told in rhyme with verve and humorous illustrations, this story is sure to inspire and engage.