Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems

Here’s another great book by our pal, Mo Willems. Leonardo is a terrible monster – terrible at being a monster, that is. He’s not weird looking, he doesn’t have a thousand teeth and he can’t ever seem to scare anyone. So, Leonardo comes up with a plan to find the most scaredy-cat kid in the [...]

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Watch Out! by Jan Fearnley

Wilf is a little brown mouse who is “full of busy,” always running, jumping, playing and climbing. And, like most little boys, he’s not always good at listening to his mother. Time and time again, Wilf crashes, bangs and wallops his way into some sticky situations. Mommy is tired after a full day of mishaps, [...]

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Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer, illus by Scott Magoon

Mostly Monsterly is the story of Bernadette, a little monster who has a deep, dark secret – she’s a little too sweet. Unlike her monster classmates, who lurch, roar and demolish cities, Bernadette likes to pick flowers, give hugs and pet kittens. She is disgusted by her friends’ behavior, and seeks to introduce a bit [...]

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Henry & the Crazed Chicken Pirates by Carolyn Crimi, illus. by John Manders

I have a thing for wacky, offbeat picture books, so I was immediately drawn to today’s title, Henry & the Crazed Chicken Pirates. I mean chicken pirates?? How much crazier can you get? This is the second book featuring Henry, a worrisome rabbit who finds a mysterious message in a bottle from his “worst enemies” [...]

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Hands Can by Cheryl Willis Hudson, photos by John-Francis Bourke

I’ve read a lot of children’s books over the past few years to my son, and there are a few that really stand out. Hands Can by Cheryl Willis Hudson is one of those books. Illustrated with photographs rather than drawings, it describes and shows children using their hands in a variety of activities. Boy [...]

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A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Christian Stead, illus. by Erin Stead

Today’s book is the 2011 winner of the Caldecott medal which is awarded annually to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children. A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead, is a charming book about friendship, empathy and kindness. Amos loves being a [...]

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Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban, Illus. by Gareth Williams

It’s 7:00 pm, which means it’s bedtime for Frances the badger.  Unfortunately, Frances isn’t at all tired and, as little badgers tend to do, tries to delay the inevitable for as long as she can.  She asks for hugs, kisses and water, she makes up songs, and, eventually, her overactive imagination convinces her that she [...]

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The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the County by Lane Smith

Lane Smith is an author-illustrator whose work has garnered numerous awards such as the 1993 Caldecott Honor Medal for The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Smith has a wonderfully sardonic sense of humor that lends itself well to subversive children’s books, including today’s featured title, The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the [...]

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Dinosaur vs The Potty by Bob Shea

It wasn’t long ago that I was potty training my son, so I consider myself somewhat of an expert of the library’s collection of related books. I only wish today’s selection, Dinosaur vs. The Potty, had been an option at the time. Unlike most potty training books, it’s not an introduction to the world of [...]

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Edwina: The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems

I like Mo Willems.  Who doesn’t?  His Knufflebunny, Elephant and Piggie, and Pigeon books are beloved by children everywhere!  My favorites, however, are the stand-alone titles such as Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, and the focus of this post, Edwina: The Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct. Edwina is a pearl wearing, purse carrying dinosaur [...]

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