Remembering Grandpa
In this anthology, Krishnaswami has collected and retold 18 traditional tales which originated in the Indian subcontinent, all with female protagonists. Many of these simply told stories feature a heroine who must stand up for her beliefs…(E)very story is followed by a helpful note that provides context and cites sources. — Kirkus Reviews
Shower of Gold: Girls and Women in the Stories of India
Zebra lines up participants to begin this very funny alphabet book. As A bounds up stairs to take the stage, Zebra peeks out. All goes smoothly until Moose says D is for Moose, bouncing Duck; Moose continues to irritate other letters until Z. Children who know the alphabet will delight in the slapstick humor and satisfying conclusion.
Z is for Moose
What happens when you plant a kiss? After “Doubt./Pout./Sprout!/SHOUT! SHOUT!” comes the sharing — and ultimately “endless bliss!” Simple, lined cartoon illustrations highlighted by sparkly kisses on open pages combine with brief rhythmic language to create a joy-filled book just right to share.
Plant a Kiss
Henkes’ first easy reader introduces Penny and her mouse family in two appealing chapters. Penny must wait to share her original song until after dinner. When she does, not only do her parents join in, the babies respond in a surprising way. Henkes’ signature illustrations expressively complement the well-paced narrative.
Penny and Her Song
Pigeon (of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (opens in a new window) fame) is back. Here, he’s irritated that a very polite duckling gets a cookie by simply asking! Could good manners really matter? Understated humor abounds in both minimal text and characteristic illustration.
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?
Dini, a young dinosaur, desperately needs a bath after playing in the mud. Young readers will quickly figure out that before he washes, he must take off his shoes, pants, etc. The repetition is sure to delight the youngest as they identify what Dini has left. Text and simple, flat illustrations show “Dirty Dini Dinosaur” as he splashes in the tub and into his loving mother’s arms.
Dini Dinosaur
Dinosaurs ready for the dance contest in this silly, lively, lighthearted look at popular programs. Rhymes and wordplay present dressed up dinosaurs doing everything from tap to the twist until the unnamed dino-emcee comes for his dinner — the contestants!
Dancing with the Dinosaurs
Moms and dads often do the same things in different ways but one thing they share in common, they both love their children “the exact same way.” Lighthearted illustrations and a predictable narrative depict the lively, affectionate relationship between a young child and her parents.
Daddies Do It Different
One day the little Bunny, called honey by his mother, is separated from her while playing in the woods. They reunion comes when he hears her call for ‘Bunny, my honey!’ All’s well that ends well in this comforting, attractive book by the illustrator of Guess How Much I Love You.
Bunny My Honey
Larry, like the boy who cried wolf, is known for his prevarication. He winds up a hero, however, when he tells the truth about space aliens. Illustrations in comic book format and jazzy rhyming text and coded alien-speak are sure to tickle funny bones.
The Boy Who Cried Alien
Sophie longed to join the ballet class she watched through the window but she wondered if the teacher would accept her — after all, a swan is not the typical student. Humor combines with ballet in gentle, realistic, expressive illustration for a droll and satisfying story.
Ballerina Swan
Meet Ana, a young girl who loves to read. There aren’t many books in her small Colombian village, though — until the day Ana meets the Biblioburro, a librarian who brings books through the mountains on the backs of two strong donkeys. Inspired by the heroic efforts of real-life librarian Luis Soriano, this story asks readers, “How far would you go for a book?”
Waiting for the Biblioburro
In this rhyming celebration of doubles, twin animals live on farms, in jungles; they race and play and make noise — sometimes to the comical chagrin of others around them seen in expressive, droll illustrations. Readers may recognize the rhythmic pattern of “Over in the Meadow” with a fresh twist.
Who’s Who
One Saturday, Esme who lives with her grandparents on a farm, goes with her grandfather to the county auction to buy the animal promised. The girl chooses Trudy, a small brown and white goat, and discovers a strong bond with this very special animal. Richly toned paintings depict the affection and farm life — concluding with a lovely surprise for Esme.
Trudy
An unlikely friendship develops between a small, basket-weaving mouse named Celeste and the young apprentice to the great naturalist, Audubon. They meet when Joseph accompanies Audubon to New Orleans to paint the birds of Louisiana. Evocative pencil drawings add information as well as emotion in this unique, attractive, sometimes sad, but always riveting blend of fact and fantasy.
A Nest for Celeste
During his first spring, the narrator was shorter than the grasses but grew into a fine but small evergreen tree. When people with saws came, they took the little evergreen by its roots where it was decorated with sparkles then planted. Lush, realistic illustrations show the passage of time and how the no longer small evergreen provided a home to other creatures.
The Littlest Evergreen
All mama bears must sometimes be separated from their cubs if only for a while, Little Bear’s mother tells him. But her love is constant and whenever a kiss is needed, Mama and her cub can take one out of a special box. Soft, expressive illustrations convey their sharing and love. A storyteller’s note may inspire others to make their won Kiss Boxes.
The Kiss Box
Translucent watercolors and short, varied poems take readers on a trip to the sea. There they meet sea birds, fish, coral, and more in each short verse. Evocative language creates memorable images of the sea and its often hidden treasures.
Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems
Bright illustrations accompany lively poems that celebrate children’s imaginations and playing outdoors on warm days. Some games, like ‘jacks’, may need a bit of explanation but walking on the edges (of sidewalks, curbs, etc.) and hopscotch are perennial favorites. Everyone may be inspired to go outside and play!
A Stick Is an Excellent Thing: Poems Celebrating Outdoor Play
Decked out in rain boots, hat, and umbrella, a child joins her friends to play in the rain. The sound of the rain, mud, and finally sunshine is evoked by alliterative language and wordplay. The joy of getting dirty outdoors concludes with the girl and her dog in the midst of a messy but exuberant bubble bath.
Split! Splat!
Humorous, sometimes slightly gross, always kid-friendly poems are accompanied by lighthearted black and white sketches. A range of readers, from sophisticated to those less initiated, are sure to find chuckles in this thick but accessible collection of short, rhythmic poems.
I’ve Lost My Hippopotamus
In this version of a familiar tune, Jo MacDonald (the old farmer’s granddaughter) and her cousin plant a Spring garden, watch it grow, observe what visits it, gather its bounty before the cycle ends only to begin again. Engaging illustrations suggest ways to dramatize the yearly cycle, and suggested activities conclude the book.
Jo MacDonald Had a Garden
Textured illustrations cleverly incorporate die-cuts exploring the many shades of green. Language is as inspired as the textured paintings, subtly suggesting an environmental note. The book concludes with “forever green” in which a man and a child admire a large, lush tree, presumably from a seedling planted earlier.