When a little girl needs a new pair of shoes she takes a poetic trip to the shoe store and explores every type of shoe available in adorable rhyming format. The poems were short and humorous and interesting to read.
Dutton Children's Books, 2008.
Wednesday
Shoe Bop! by Mairlyn Singer Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
When a little girl needs a new pair of shoes she takes a poetic trip to the shoe store and explores every type of shoe available in adorable rhyming format. The poems were short and humorous and interesting to read.
Dutton Children's Books, 2008.
Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
In this story it is an adorable reversal of roles when the little girl must round her mother up to get ready for bed.
Bloomsbury, 2010.
Friday
Sparkle and Spin: A Book about Words by Ann and Paul Rand
This book is all about words and how different words can be used for many different things. It is accompanied by lots of collage pictures and has a fun-to-read poetry format to it also.
Chronicle Books, 2006
First Edition Published 1957
AlphaOops! H is for Halloween by Althea Kontis Illustrated by Bob Kolar
The alphabet is at it again in this humorous telling of the alphabetical Halloween, starting with H.
Candlewick, 2010.
Firefly Night by Carole Gerber Illustrated by Marty Husted
A beautifully illustrated adaptation of Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha, a little Chippewa girl follows the beautiful fireflies throughout the night.
Whispering Coyote, 2000.
The Three Bears' Halloween by Kathy Duval Illustrated by Paul Meisel
Holiday House, 2007.
Good Night, Tiptoe by Polly Dunbar
Tilly is putting all of her friends to bed but Tiptoe, the bunny, does not want to stay asleep (or go to bed for that matter). A great addition to the 'Tilly and Friends' series.
Candlewick, 2009.
How to be a Baby by Me the Big Sister by Sally Llyod Jones Illustrated by Sue Heap
This walkthrough on all things how to be a baby is a cute book comparing the skills allowed by older siblings to babies. It is written the way a school child would talk and is filled with humorous lists and reasons why it isn't always so great to be a baby. In the end, however, the big sister realizes all of the pros to being a baby and she realizes that her little baby sibling will not always have baby limitations.
Also by this author is 'How to be a Bride' which is on par with this book.
Schwartz & Wade, 2007.
The Best Pet Ever by Victoria Roberts Illustrated by Deborah Allwright
This little girl wants a pet so badly that she pesters her mother while trying out a medley assortment of random objects as a pet. In the end, her mother gets her a kitten, but in the meantime, it is a cute and amusing look at the lengths this little girl goes to in order to have someone to play with.
Tiger Tales, 2009.
Shoe Baby by Joyce Dunbar Illustrated by Polly Dunbar
A little baby goes on a magical shoe adventure until he is reunited with his Giant parents. It is a wonderfully illustrated tale and the pictures are interested and bright and bold. We read this book over and over and over.
Candlewick, 2005.
Nobunny's Perfect by Anna Dewdney
This book shows examples of the behaviors of good little bunny's and bad bunny's and their behaviors. It is adorable and easy to read a loud and at my house we read it over and over and over until my preschooler was very clear on good bunny behaviors and bad bunny behaviors and she reiterated over and over that nobody's perfect. The lessons from this book stretched out into my life where after breaking something my daughter turned to me and said, 'Mom, it was an accident and nobunny's perfect.'
Viking, 2008.
Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems
Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion is the third installment of the Knuffle Bunny series by Mo Willems. The story follows along Trixie and her parents as they go on a trip to Holland to visit Trixie's grandparents and on the way there, Knuffle Bunny becomes displaced and is stuck on the train. Trixie must learn to live without her Knuffle Bunny and when they are finally reunited back on the plane, she learns the power of sharing and passes on Knuffle Bunny to a baby who she feels might benefit from Knuffle Bunny more than she.
Balzer and Bray, 2010.
Scribble by Deborah Freedman
While two little sister are coloring, a battle erupts between the two girls on who's picture is what when the little sister gets upset and scribbles all over her big sister's princess pictures. The drawings then take on a life of their own when the big sister leaves the room and the Kitty and the Princess fall in love after they have a colorful drawing adventure.
Alfred A. Knopf, 2007.
It's the Best Day Ever, Dad! By Brooke Shields Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
In this other book by Brooke Shields, the two little girls, Frankie and Violet, spend an exciting day with their dad. They do everything fun except for build a fort.
Harper Collins, 2009.
Thursday
Lively Elizabeth! What Happens When You Push by Mara Bergman Illustrated by Cassia Thomas
Elizabeth is an adorable and very lively little girl, who one day at school decides to do something naughty and pushes the boy in line in front of her! She sets off a chain reaction and everyone in the class is affected! Elizabeth apologizes and everyone in the class is able to play nicely. It shows what happens when you don't follow the rules. Elizabeth is so cute and it gives a good look at a day at daycare.
Albert Whitman & Co., 2010.
Be a Baby by Sarah Withrow Illustrated by Manuel Monroy
In short and simple rhymes everything this baby is to it's parents is explored. It's a book form of a poem to say to a baby. The illustrations are adorable.
Groundwood Books, 2007.
The Fathers Are Coming Home by Margaret Wise Brown Illustrated by Stephen Savage
In simple text this book explains that at nighttime all of the fathers are coming home to their children and it explores a variety of animals all coming home to their children. The ladybug father goes home to his ladybug children. The lion father only sees his cubs on holidays and summer vacations so he goes home to watch the sunset. And a little boy's father comes home from being a sailor to his little boy that night. This was a nice book about fathers and how they go home to their children, but some of the information I questioned a bit. Where were these fathers all throughout the day? The dalmatian dog might be a firefighting dog or something, so in that case it is understandable. But what are ladybugs and spiders and fish and pigs and snails doing all day that they are away from their children? It was an enjoyable book to read, but being the adult reader, it left me a bit puzzled.
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010.
Toot Toot Beep Beep by Emma Garcia
What sound does a Jeep make? What sound does a limousine make? How about a friendly green van? This book is a great early reader involving the sounds of cars and where they go. It's full of colorful blocky art that is enthralling to children. The print is large and bold and it is easy to read aloud. I liked the little Red Jeep Beep! Beep! and off he zooms to offroad.
Boxer Books, 2008.
Tuesday
Welcome to Your World, Baby by Brooke Shields Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
This story is about a little girl who is imagining how great her new baby sister's world will be when her sister gets older. She explains all of the fun things that they will do as sisters like having tea parties and playing dress up and snuggling on mom's lap. The illustrations are adorable and this is an entertaining read. My little girl really enjoyed this book as well.
Harper Collins, 2008.
The Truly Terribly Horrible Sweater...That Grandma Knit by Debbie Macomber and Mary Lou Carney Illustrated by Vincent Nguyen
This is a cute story about a little boy who is embarrassed of the horribly ugly sweater he received from his Grandmother for his birthday. He tries everything to get rid of the sweater until later on, while visiting with his Grandmother he learns of the reasons of the colors in the sweater and he then likes the sweater.
Harper, 2009.
Friday
Five Minutes' Peace by Jill Murphy
Poor Mrs. Large can't get any time to herself, not even five minutes to just relax (which is a common thing for every parent to go through) and this is her story. All she wants to do is take a bath but of course, all three of her children follow her around the house. However, in the end, she is able to find a way that works for her and get some peace time to herself. This book is a humorous but refreshing look at family life and how parent's rarely get any peace time to themselves (atleast while their children are around.)
Putnam, 1986.
Monsters Eat Whiny Children by Bruce Eric Kaplan
Two whiny little children make their way into the hands of some hungry monsters and this is that story. This is one of those picture books that can work for any age and I was giggling away right along with my daughter while we were reading this book. Monsters are more dysfunctional than previously realized and they can't seem to make up their mind on how to eat the whiny children that they have acquired. So why they are carrying on about everything else other than how to cook the whiny children, of course, the children escape.
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2010.
Ella the Elegant Elephant by Carmela and Steven D'Amico
After Ella the Elephant finds a unique hat that belonged to her grandmother in the attic, she decides to wear it to school and is very much set apart from all of the other elephants. Some of the other elephant children think it would be mean to call her 'Ella the Elegant' and so they do and everyone taunts her until one day the big bully Elephant gets stuck up on the wall of the schoolyard and Ella and her hat save the day. After that, everyone wants to wear a hat like Ella's. I really liked the illustrations in this book series as well.
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2004.
If You're So Smart, How Come You Can't Spell Mississippi? by Barbara Esham Illustrated by Mike and Carl Gordon
After discovering that her father is dyslexic and was not always the smartest little boy in school, a little girl goes on an information exploration about dyslexia and people throughout history who have overcome difficulties with it. I think this book does a really good job of laying out the before and after thoughts of the little girl as she realized that her father was not always the smart and successful person that he is now.
Mainstream Connections, 2008.
Monday
Bye-bye, Crib by Alison McGhee Illustrated by Ross MacDonald
Baby and Baby Kitty are getting ready to make the transition from bed to crib in this old-timey illustrated picture book. The little baby boy in the book has some initial fears about his bed being a big monster bed, but in the end him and baby kitty are able to sleep tight!
Simon & Schuster, 2008.
The Big Baby by Anthony Browne
The narrator's father in this story is really very self-absorbed and one day, because of a tonic he takes, his father really turns into a big baby! The story provides a humorous view at the ways of men and how literally, sometimes, they are just big babies.
Knopf, 1993.
Emily's Out and About Book by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post Illustrated by Leo Landry
Emily and her mother head out on the town for a day full of running errands. The story is simple and the font is large, it is a perfect read for a preschooler. The story reiterates the proper ways to act in certain places. Fancy Nancy even makes a guest appearance when Emily and her mom go to the library!
Collins, 2008.
Freckleface Strawberry by Julianne Moore Illustratated by LeUyen Pham
Freckleface Strawberry is your average little girl. Except that she is covered from head to toe in freckles! She gets pretty down about all of the things people say to her about being freckled and so one day she finds a solution to her problem and wears one of those winter ski-masks. Not only does she look a bit dangerous, but no one realizes she is herself and she gets to hear how much her friends miss her.
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2007.
Saturday
Mimi's Dada Catifesto by Shelley Jackson
Mimi is a cat who is a very artistic cat and this book is a creative and artistic look at the life of Mimi.
Clarion Books, 2010.
Monster Baby by Dian Curtis Regan Illustrated by Doug Cushman
Monster Baby is the humorous story of a couple who find an adorable baby on their front porch and decide to adopt it. Monster Baby, Olly, as they name him, is fuzzy and orange with horns and pointy teeth and a tail, and Olly grows VERY quickly. This is a really cute and funny story about how families can be made differently.
Clarion Books, 2009.
No More Kissing! by Emma Chichester Clark
A little boy monkey doesn't understand what all the hype about kissing is. It's annoying and yucky and EVERYBODY does it! He just doesn't understand...that is, until it's his turn to quiet down the new baby.
Barfburger Baby, I Was Here First by Paula Danziger Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
I love all of the nicknames this little boy comes up with for his new baby brother. He definitely has a lot of feelings about having a new sibling and in this book those feelings are explored and eventually overcome through this creative and humorous book.
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004.
Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak
This is a 'different' kind of children's book that borders on the line of slightly disturbing although it really is a lovely tale. After Ida's father goes away to sea, goblins come and snatch away Ida's baby sister and she must journey out to rescue her. The goblins end up being really cute and looking like roly poly babies (which explains why they stole Ida's baby sister to be a Goblin bride). The text is large and simple and the illustrations are amazing. This book won a Caldecott Honor. The story ends on a happier tone but the content is not-as-positive as I would imagine a child's story to be, HOWEVER, it has the old-timey feel of an old-fashioned fairy tale and anyone who knows their literature knows that fairy-tales do not always end happily, but this story does.
Harper Collins, 1981.
Spooky Spooky Spooky! by Cathy MacLennan
A cute overview of all things spooky at Halloween time in rhyme, this book is a definite pick! My daughter picked up the Spooky Spooky Spooky part right away and we really enjoyed reading this!
Boxer Books, 2009.
The Runaway Dinner by Allan Ahlberg Illustrated by Bruce Ingman
This book is a humorous story of a little boy who's dinner (and utensils and furniture) decides to take off one day after the little sausage who makes an escape. It is a really cute story and it is written in a dialogue format that is easy to understand and adds to the appeal of this story.
Candlewick Press,
Friday
When-I-Was-A-Little-Girl by Rachna Gilmore Illustrated by Renne Benoit
This is a cute look at how a little girl compares with her mother's recollections of how SHE was when SHE was a little girl. The little girl has some fierce competition (When-I-Was-A-Little-Girl LOVES liver and onions for dinner!) until she makes a phone call to her grandma for a visit and the truth really comes out!
Second Story Press, 2006.
Babies Don't Eat Pizza by Dianne Danzig Illustrated by Debbie Tilley
This is a simple yet comprehensive book for 'big kids' about baby brothers and sisters. It doesn't get too informative as to where babies come from but rather explores babies, how big kids used to be babies, what babies do, how they look and everything else a cihld would need to know about babies. It's wonderfully illustrated and very informative with an infusion of a little bit of humor where needed.
Dutton Children's Books, 2009.
The Biggest Bed in the World by Lindsay Camp Illustrated by Jonathan Langley
I think anyone who has shared a bed at some point or another with their child/ren can appreciate the father's feelings in this book. As his family expands there is less and less room in the bed and therefore, less and less opportunity for a good night's sleep. I like how the Mom always seems pretty content to have her gaggle of children undercovers with her, but the Dad is sick and tired. So he decides to build the biggest bed he can after the upgraded bigger beds are no longer big enough. However, the biggest bed in the world was a bit too much for their house to handle and one day the bed kind of crashed/flew out of the house and ended up in the ocean. After that Dad banned everyone into their own bed but then realized he and mom were kind of lonely all alone.
I really really really like this book for a number of reasons. Firstly, it really connects to me because I am also part of a family-bed family and as tough as it can be (that's a whole different blog...) there is no where else my babies would be as comfortable. I do think that the story is a little unrealistic (or maybe it's just an idea that I haven't thought of yet) because instead of having multiple blankets for everyone, there is just one big blanket that is comprised of a bunch of smaller blankets sewn together. One blanket, even a big blanket, isn't enough for just the adults in my bed so I thought it was a novel idea.
I also really really really liked how each kid in the family had a B name. Ben, Billy, Beth, Bart, Brittany, Bella and Boris.
Harper Collins Publishers, 1999.
Cats' Night Out by Caroline Stutson Illustrated by J. Klassen
This is a charming book featuring pairs of cats that dance throughout the night. It is a counting book by twos and the cats do every sort of dance until finally someone hollers for them to knock it off. It is richly illustrated with lots of contrast and darker colors to signify the city life. The book is in rhyming format so it is good for reading aloud. Also, the cats are super cute and dressed in different outfits and shoes depending on what types of dances they are doing.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2010.
Oink, Oink Benny by Barbro Lindgren Illustrated by Olof Landstrom
Two little brother pigs decide to go outside and play and in the meantime have a bit of an adventure from their mishaps before they go home. It's a really cute little story and it highlights how older siblings lead and take care of their younger siblings. I think it is also right-on in the way children think because instead of going home all muddy and covered in mud, the two little pigs decide to hide under a tree because they know their mother is going to be upset with them.
I love the illustrations and it's a really cute little book and a fun read for any child.
R & S Books, 2008.
Translated by Elisabeth Kallick Dyssegaard
Just Like Mama by Leslea Newman Illustrated by Julia Gorton
This little girl loves her mama and throughout her day she explains how nobody else does things JUST like Mama. It is colorfully illustrated and wonderful to read aloud as it rhymes and flows. From a parent standpoint, it is nice to look at all of the little parts of a child's day which can easily be overlooked but for the child means so much.
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010.
Burger Boy by Alan Durant Illustrated by Mei Matsuoka
This is the absolutely adorable tale of a little boy who loves cheeseburgers SO MUCH that he only eats them and one day, despite his mother's warnings.....he turns into one! This is a really cute version of that timeless saying, 'You Are What You Eat'. It's fun to read outloud and the illustrations are really great.
Clarion Books, 2005.
This is the Day adapted by Phillis Gershator Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
Houghton Mifflin, 2007.
Thursday
Summertime Waltz by Nina Payne Illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska
The Cover Image of this book does not do the illustrations inside (or the text) justice. This book is beautifully written and quite poetic. There are lots of abstract illustrations along with creatively placed text of the poem on each page. It is visually stimulating for all and appropriate for a wide range of children although older ones would be more apt to understand the poetry of the book.
Frances Foster Books, 2006.
Child of Faerie by Jane Yolen Illustrated by Jane Dyer
This was a charming story of a little human girl and a little fairy boy who become friends and experience the worlds of one another. They are friends until old age even though they each choose to live in their own separate world. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous.
Little, Brown and Co., 1997.
Tuesday
The World is Full of Babies! by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom
All sorts of animal babies are explored and compared to human babies, from fetal development to the various ways babies act and interact with their parents. The text is big and bold and perfect for younger readers while the illustrations are concise and depict animals realistically. This book does a great job in connecting with the reader on some of the various activities that are universal to all babies and brief explanation of various animal behaviors accompany the illustrations. This is a wonderful book to read to explore animal development or if children are interested in babies in general (not just human ones).
Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 1996.
Cars: Rushing! Honking! Zooming! by Patricia Hubbell Illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy
Marshall Cavendish, 2006.
My Race Car by Michael Rex
This book is a great introduction into the stock-car racing world for any child! The text is bold and easy-to-read with bright illustrations. The book is very explanatory and shows how the racecar is built and how the driver works the car. There are many interesting details about the car and the racing world ingrained within this picture book and it is a must-read for any child who loves cars (or whose parent is an avid racecaraholic).
Henry Holt and Co., 2001.
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