Madeline in London by Ludwig Bemelmans

I was familiar with Ludwig Bemelmans’ famous character Madeline, but I never read any of his books until I recently picked up the fourth book in the series, Madeline in London. Originally published in 1961, Madeline in London opens with the departure for London of Madeline’s friend, Pepito, son of the Spanish ambassador, and his [...]

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Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China, translated and illus. by Ed Young

Parents and teachers who wish to broaden children’s knowledge of fairy tales may want to consider Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China, a Caldecott Medal-winning book translated and illustrated by Ed Young. In this variation on Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf disguises himself as a grandmother; however, this time he faces [...]

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The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson, illus. by Beth Krommes

Parents who are trying to help their children adjust to sleeping in the dark may want to share with them the Caldecott Medal-winning cumulative story The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson with pictures by Beth Krommes. The child in the story is led through a nighttime routine that provides a sense of [...]

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Rumpelstiltskin retold and illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin is retold and lavishly illustrated in Paul O. Zelinsky’s 1986 Caldecott Honor Book. Rumpelstiltskin is the story of a young woman whose father attempts to impress the king by telling him that she knows how to spin straw into gold. The king wants to test the woman’s skill [...]

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Kamishibai Man by Allen Say

“Come gather around me, little ones, your kamishibai man is here again!” Clack, clack! “Come get your sweets and listen to my stories!” Clack, clack, clack! Before the advent of television, kamishibai (or “paper theater”) was a common form of entertainment for children in Japan. The kamishibai man would ride into town every afternoon on [...]

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Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

I enjoy picture books about cats and recently discovered Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. This is the story of a kitten’s nocturnal quest to find an elusive bowl of milk. As the story opens, the kitten is sitting on the front porch when she sees a full moon. Believing the moon is really [...]

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Olivia Goes to Venice by Ian Falconer

Olivia, the irrepressible heroine of Ian Falconer’s acclaimed series of children’s books, embarks on an unforgettable family vacation in Olivia Goes to Venice. While her vacation only lasts a few days, she makes the most of it by taking a gondola ride, feeding the pigeons in the Piazza San Marco, and marveling at the beauty [...]

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Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? by Shel Silverstein

The family pet takes on a whole new definition – and shape – in Shel Silverstein’s classic, Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? According to Silverstein, there are many practical benefits to owning a rhinoceros. You need a new lamp? Look no further than the rhinoceros. You have a bad report card you need to hide [...]

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Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein, illus. by Ed Young

One of the most ambitious and thoughtful children’s picture books I’ve ever read is Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein with art by Ed Young. It’s a deceptively simple story presented in a complex and dynamic manner that would appeal to older children and adults alike. Wabi Sabi is the tale of a cat living in [...]

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The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle

Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I like going through the stacks in the Youth Services department to discover books I missed out on reading when I was growing up. A recent discovery was The Mixed-Up Chameleon by author and illustrator Eric Carle, the charming tale of a chameleon whose existence is transformed the day it [...]

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