Tom Lichtenheld

When the letter E falls down the stairs and becomes incapacitated for duty, O tries to take over E’s duties. The results are sophisticated and funny in this pun-filled picture book.

The exclamation mark knew he was different from the moment he arrived. When he conversed with the question mark, however, a world of possibilities opened up! Seeing punctuation in action has never been more fun than with these emotive punctuation marks as characters!

Each vehicle on the construction site snuggles down at the end of the day. Sound has been added to this edition of the picture book version (opens in a new window) with the same title. Icons on each page ask young readers to match the button which makes the sound — from the final sounds of digging and dumping to yawns and snores.

Two boys with toys begin a contest, pitting shark and train to see who will win the various contests. As the challenges grow, so does the size and perspective of the illustrations until the boys end for lunch. The portrayal of children’s imaginative play is spot-on.

Join the train as it begins its rhythmic, rhyming counting expedition. It starts with one engine and a happy bear and ending with the caboose with 10 windows and a “goodnight!” wish. Colors are presented in the same format in Steam Train, Dream Train Colors.

Rain and more rain on a gray and dreary day as a child walks their dog. A found yellow umbrella scatters in the wind — but the next day, when the child and pet are again walking, they find a field of yellow umbrellas that they share to create sunshine. Black and white line cartoon illustrations punctuated by yellow accompany the staccato text, ideal for reading aloud.

Moose wants to be an astronaut but the film is entitled “This is a Moose.” Even Moose’s lacrosse-playing grandma and doctor giraffe buddy can’t convince the filmmaker to change his role. That is, until Moose is launched into outer space. Cartoons and sophisticated asides make this goofy, offbeat tale outrageously funny with a touch of filmmaking vocabulary included.