Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illus. by James Dean

One of the current favorites with children visiting our libraries for tours and storytimes is Pete the Cat! It is a terrific readlaoud or singaloud for a large group reading. I always think truly wonderful, simplistic picture books are those that stand alone with reading or singing. No additional prop is needed. This is one [...]

Read Full Post »

We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems

Gerald the Elephant and Piggie are best friends and appear together in many books by Mo Willems. Today I Will Fly, I Am Going! and Elephants Cannot Dance! are some great ones. However, I got to hear Mo Willems read and act out We Are in a Book! on stage at the Williamsburg Regional Library [...]

Read Full Post »

Tailypo! by Jan Wahl, illus. by Will Clay

All kids and adults should read this story once! I first heard it told orally at a Boy Scout camp and have loved it ever since. After searching through various versions of this old African American tale I decided I liked this one, re-told by Jan Wahl, the best. The illustrator’s acrylic shades enhance this [...]

Read Full Post »

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Stephen Gammell

We are often asked for stories about families. Cynthia Rylant, one of my favorite childrens’ authors has written many books, including family stories, that reflect her Appalachian background. When The Relatives Came, a Caldecott Honor winner is a timeless classic. It is a simple, warm story about a family reunion. Stephen Gammell’s whimsical illustrations enhance [...]

Read Full Post »

Here we go round the Mulberry Bush by Jane Cabrera

Jean Cabrera has an instantly recognizable style of illustrating. Her brightly colored, unique, and simple style works great as a readaloud for a small or large group of toddlers or younger pre-schoolers. Cabrera offers very contemporary illustrations for the old nursery rhyme, “Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush.” Two spotted puppies go through all [...]

Read Full Post »

Snow Dog’s Journey by Loretta Krupinski

There are many picture books about winter, but this is a new heartwarming tale about a snow dog. Snowy landscapes, loyalty and magic combine. Anna had said anyone could make a snowman–she wanted to make a snow dog. So Olen and Anna build a dog from snow. Anna wraps her scarf around the dog while [...]

Read Full Post »

Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy by Denise Fleming

A favorite author-illustrator of mine is Denise Fleming. Her newest creation–a bedtime story–is illustrated in her instantly recognizable artwork done in pulp painting. It is another story of baby animals getting ready to go to sleep. Fleming uses very simple, repetitive text, in her books. In Sleepy, Oh so sleepy, the little animals look sleepy [...]

Read Full Post »

Time for Bed by Mem Fox, illus. by Jane Dyer

Another beautifully illustrated, bedtime book that works well is Time for Bed by renowned international literature expert, Mem Fox. Each page in this book shows a different mother animal getting her baby to sleep. The extremely, large illustrations make this a good story for a group reading. It would be very special as a bedtime [...]

Read Full Post »

Ten in the Bed by Jane Cabrera

If you are having trouble getting the children to go to bed, try this bedtime story – Ten in the Bed! Jean Cabrera’s re-telling of familiar nursery rhymes such as this one are wonderful for toddlers and pre-schoolers. The vividly colored, large illustrations worked well at the library for our twilight Bedtime Stories event. Cabrera [...]

Read Full Post »

The Clock Struck One by Trudy Harris, illus. by Carrie Hartman

I’m always surprised by the number of children now who can’t tell the time on analog clocks. The Clock Struck One with it’s amazing – large, comical illustrations helps solve this problem. It is a time telling tale that introduces all sorts of clocks and the concept of telling the time on these clocks. It [...]

Read Full Post »