Duck on a Bike

by David Shannon

*****

My four-year-old picked this one out at a book fair, and I am so glad she did! Its a hilarious story that satisfies even the keenest of imaginations with its wonderful imagery of farm animals riding two-wheelers! Shannon's bright colors and comical style make this story a keeper.

When Lightning Comes in a Jar

by Patricia Polacco

*****

I actually got this recommendation from a fellow blogger who also enjoys reading books with her kids. Its amazing how many extraordinary children's books there are out there. I loved this one! I've read Patricia Polacco before, but I've never happened upon this gem. It made me wish to be transported to this simpler time of listening to old relative's stories, having sack races, and catching fireflies in a jar. It truly made me long to be a kid again.

Babies Don't Eat Pizza

by Dianne Danzig
pictures by Debbie Tilley

***

With a brand new baby at our house we have checked out about every children's book on the subject of newborns, being a big sister, and how to adjust to a new life with baby. There have been some good ones, but I think this is my favorite. It speaks to kids in a comical way about what to expect with a new baby. It discusses everything from the funny way babies look when they come home from the hospital (i.e. misshaped head, peach fuzz, peely skin) to their noisy cries, to the large amounts of stinky diapers. It is filled with colorful pictures that show how fun a new baby can be, as well as some things to look out for!

Manfish, A Story of Jacques Cousteau

by Jennifer Berne
pictures by Eric Puybaret

****

This book did a great job of telling who Jacques Cousteau was and what he did for the sea and our understanding of it today. The story format and beautiful pictures really appealed to both me and my kids. What I liked best about it was how it intrigued them to learn more. They asked a lot of questions about Cousteau and expressed interest in seeing his early films about the sea. So I found a video at the library featuring one of his films...and I've already placed it on hold! I just love learning with my kids!

The Curious Garden

by Peter Brown

*****

It's been a while since I reviewed what I consider a five star book (or reviewed any book for that matter.) This one definitely deserves it! It's one of my new favorites. I really like the determination of the main character and the pictures are absolutely fabulous. My girls and I have read this book over and over, and I honestly don't get tired of it. This one is worth checking out!

The Birthday Tree

by Paul Fleischman
pictures by Barry Root

****

I thought this was a beautiful story, but it went a bit over my kids' heads. The author drew a parallel between a boy, Jack, and the tree his parents planted when he was born. After he left home his parents were able to know how Jack was, based on the tree's appearance (sounds weird, but I promise it's better than I'm making it sound!) My kids did enjoy it when I read it to them, even though they did give me a few puzzled looks and said, "what?" more than once! I guess some books were intended more for the pleasure of the parents reading them...and there's nothing wrong with that!

How Mama Brought the Spring

by Fran Manushkin
pictures by Holly Berry

****

This book, with its wintry setting that turns spring, is not exactly what you'd expect kids to pick out in the hottest part of the summer, but mine did! I think it's a manifestation of the power a book can have in carrying us off to another world (a snowy day in Minsk is just about as distant as you can get from a scorching hot day in Central Valley, California!)

This is a lovely story of a mother who tells her daughter a tale from her own childhood in Minsk, in order to motivate her out of bed on a freezing Chicago morning. I can imagine the imagery of her own mother's magical blintzes (a cheese-filled breakfast pastry) warming me and my girls on a cold day. I definitely want to check this one out again when that time comes and I am longing for warmer days. I'll probably even try the recipe for "Mama's Cheese Blintzes" found at the back of the book!

The Big Tidy-Up

by Norah Smaridge
pictures by Les Gray

****

For spunky, spiky-haired Jennifer cleaning her room is just not a priority. She finds it convenient to throw her hat on the ivy plant and store pie under her pillow for a bed-time snack. When her mom declares her room a "Keep Out" zone, Jen delights in her mess and passes her time there quite happily...that is until she realizes she is tired of living in chaos and clutter! Jennifer decides the only way out is to do a BIG tidy-up.

My kids have asked me to read this one over and over again in the two weeks we've had it from the Library. They enjoy the colorful pictures and methodical rhymes. Unfortunately it hasn't sparked a "big tidy-up" of their own...yet!

Courage

by Bernard Waber

****

Courage takes many forms, and Bernard Waber does a great job depicting these through words and pictures. My favorite of his explanations include: "Courage is tasting the vegetable before making the face" and "Courage is explaining the rip in your brand-new pants." My kids really enjoyed his many definitions of courage...and even added on a few of their own!

A Friend Like Ed

by Karen Wagner
pictures by Janet Pedersen

***

This is a cute story about a mouse named Mildred and her quirky best friend Ed. Ed collects buttons and pencil stubs, invents things like a string bean picker, and recites poetry about everything (all things which embarrass Mildred.) Mildred decides that she needs a more "normal" friend who won't embarrass her, but in the end finds that Ed is the best friend for her.
Ed is a good reminder that being yourself is the best way to be!

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

by John Steptoe

*****

This book was inspired by old African folktale collected in the late 1800's from people living near the Zimbabwe ruins. It is the story of two very different sisters. Although both are extremely beautiful, one is kind and selfless while the other is bad-tempered and prideful to a fault. After a series of unknown tests, the girls' true characters are revealed and rewarded accordingly. The illustrations are beautiful, and are based on actual ruins and vegetation in Zimbabwe.

Road Trip

by Roger Eschbacher
pictures by Thor Wickstrom

****

I really enjoyed reading this fun book of "road trip" poetry aloud with my kids. I really like how this compilation of poems tells one larger story and how each poem leads into the next. Although told in a series of poems, it documents one family's two day trip across country to Grandma's house. It honestly made me want to pack up the car with my family and head east for a on-the-road adventure!

The Gardener

by Sarah Stewart
pictures by David Small

****

A very cute story told through the letters of little Lydia Grace Finch. She moves to the city to live with her straight-faced uncle, and help in his bakery. While living there she secretly creates a roof-top garden for him in hopes that it will get him to finally smile. This book won a Caldecott Honor in 1998.

Grasshopper on the Road

by Arnold Lobel

****

This book can be enjoyed on so many different levels. From my three-year-old thumbing through the pages to admire the funny pictures, to my five-year-old sounding out the words on her own, to my own appreciation for Lobel's witty humor and contemplative themes (it's much deeper than you would think an "I Can Read" book would be!) Grasshopper's journey down the road seems to be a metaphor for life, and all the bugs he runs into represent the day to day things that distract us from what's really important (from the narrow-minded beetles who can't accept any view besides their own, to the fireflies who zoom around so quickly that they don't even notice the flowers and leaves.) Anyway, more simply put it is very fun read for kids and adults!

Amelia Bedelia

by Peggy Parish
pictures by Fritz Siebel

****

This story is about an absent minded, yet lovable house maid with a name as silly as she is! She takes her new employers' directions way too literally resulting in things like dressing a raw chicken carcass in trousers with suspenders (her instructions were to "dress the chicken.") Great humor for both kids and adults (although I did have to explain to my kids why some things were funny....they were with Amelia on a few of the things; dress a chicken?!)

Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young

selected by Jack Prelutsky
pictures by Marc Brown

*****

This is a wonderful book of children's poetry. When I start reading this one with my kids, it is quite literally hard to stop...they always want to read just one more! Prelutsky does a fabulous job of selecting poems that are so relevant to a child's life. And page after page of Marc Brown's colorful illustrations only add to the fun!

Dreams

by Peter Spier

****

I believe this book is out of print, but it is definitely worth purchasing from a used bookstore (just do a google search.) In this wordless picture book, Spier brings the clouds to life by illustrating what two children see in the sky as they lay in a meadow and stare at the changing white cumuli. This book is so imaginative and encourages my kids to look a little longer, and a little closer at things around them.

Another wonderful book by Peter Spier: Noah's Ark

Zen Shorts

by Jon J. Muth

****

This charming book tells the story of three young siblings that meet a large panda named Stillwater. He teaches each of them profound life lessons through the simple stories he shares. Two of Stillwater's anecdotes are based on stories from Zen Buddhist literature, and the third comes from an ancient Taoist tale. The paintings in this book are done in watercolor and are absolutely breathtaking. Muth earned a Caldecott Honor for the illustrations in this book in 2006.

The Story About Ping

by Marjorie Flack
pictures by Kurt Wiese

***

This is an old favorite (really old...original copyright 1933.) It's a story of a little duck that gets separated from his family (to be more specific his mother, father, 2 sisters, 3 brothers, 11 aunts, 7 uncles, and 42 cousins!) It all ends well though, as Ping finds his way back home after he almost ends up as dinner for a local fisherman's family. He also learns a lesson through it all, which is always nice!

Bats at the Library

by Brian Lies

*****

This is a clever story about a colony of bats that take advantage of a window left open at the library. Seeing their opportunity, they fly in and the fun begins. While some read and research, others play in the water fountain, with the overhead projector, or make copies of themselves with the Xerox machine! Young bats play in pop-up books and have story time. The best part is that each bat is "completely swallowed up and lives inside a book instead of simply hearing something read." I love that the author shows this by painting recognizable scenes from well-loved children's books and incorporating the bats in them (i.e. Pippy Longstocking as a bat, or bats crossing the road instead of ducks in Make Way for Ducklings by Robert Mccloskey .) It's very funny and illustrates to kids just how fun it can be to get lost in a book.

How to Dig a Hole to the Other Side of the World

by Faith McNulty
pictures by Marc Simont

****

After my five-year-old daughter's inquisitive questions on what is under the sidewalk (my answer: "dirt"); then what's under the dirt? ("more dirt, and rock"); what's under the rock...and so forth, we decided to research the topic at the library. We found several good non-fiction books that had great pictures of the earth's layers and core, but the explanations were not very exciting to a young child. And then we found this book...it is so great! It is like taking a trip through each layer of earth, to the center, and out the other side. It kept both my girls griped as it explained exactly what one would find if she dug a hole right to the other side of the world. It's a total learning adventure!

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

by Simms Taback

****

Joseph starts out with an overcoat. When it is worn he makes it into a jacket...and then a vest, etc...until it is just a tiny button. The text is based on an old Yiddish folk song that the author loved as a child. The artwork is bright and entertaining. Taback won the Caldecott medal in 2000 for his illustrations in this book.

Another fun book by Simms Taback is There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.

Nine O' Clock Lullaby

by Marilyn Singer
pictures by Frane' Lessac

***

This is a really good book for broadening a young child's view of the world. It explores different locations and cultures by jumping from time zone to time zone around the world. From 9 p.m. in Brooklyn, New York, to 3 a.m in Zaire, to noon in Sydney, Australia; kids really can get a sense that there is always something happening in this great big world of ours. Remember three stars is still a good rating...this one is definitely worth checking out.

Grandfather's Journey

by Allen Say

****

A simple, but moving story of Allen Say's Grandfather's life in Japan and America. In telling about his Grandfather's story and love for both countries, he also reveals his own deep connection to both places. He says "...the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other." For some reason this book always makes me choke-up. The pictures are beautiful and the reminiscent story-telling is tender. Say won the Caldecott Medal for this book in 1994.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

by Chris Van Allsburg

*****

Chris Van Allsburg is an amazing illustrator and has won the Caldecott Medal twice (Jumanji in 1982 and The Polar Express in 1986.) What I love about this book is not just the awesome illustrations, but the way they spark the reader's imagination. The book begins with a fictional letter of introduction from the author/illustrator. It tells of a mysterious encounter one book publisher had with a man named Harris Burdick, who leaves a sample of artwork for his stories. Burdick never returns for the mysterious drawings. The pages that follow are the collection of drawings that are so bizarre and intriguing, that they inspire the reader to come to his own conclusions about these untold stories.
The concept was a little beyond my three and five year-old, but they still had fun looking at the unusual pictures. I definitely want this one for my own library.

Brave Charlotte

by Anu Stohner
pictures by Henrike Wilson

****

I read this for the first time last week after my three-year-old picked it out at the library. She chose well...it was a very fun read! Charlotte is a little sheep who is very unlike the other sheep in her flock (who often "tsk, tsk" her wild tactics.) The day soon comes that little Charlotte's courage is just what her shepherd and flock need. This is a charming story that shows that there's a place for everyone...even a daredevil sheep!

Miss Nelson is Missing

by Harry Allard
pictures by James Marshall

****

A no-nonsense Miss Viola Swamp shows up to substitute Miss Nelson's class after she is determined missing. The kids in Room 207 certainly learn a lesson in respect after several days with "The Swamp." The best part is the twist ending...it makes kids want to flip back and read the story all over again!

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato

by Lauren Child

*****

Years ago, long before there was a Charlie and Lola TV show on the Disney channel, I read this fabulous find as an Elementary Education major at BYU. I love this brother and sister combo. Charlie is level-headed but fun, and is good at understanding his precocious little sister Lola. In this story he cleverly convinces her to eat all the foods she profusely rejects, by calling them different names (i.e. mashed potatoes=cloud fluff.) We have applied this tactic more than once at our house (in fact, we still refer to peas as "green drops" from time to time!) Lauren Child not only writes a funny story, but also creates unique art by incorporating big, colorful patterns and real life images into her drawings. She won the Kate Greenaway Medal (the Caldecott equivalent in the UK) for this book in 2000.

Fancy Nancy

by Jane O'Connor
pictures by Robin Preiss Glasser

****

This book is a big hit at my house...but then again I have two girly girls. Nancy is a lovable character whose fancy for fancy influences her clothes, her room, her words, and even how she holds her cup ("pinkies up Darling!") I love how her family humors her (even though they aren't particularly fancy themselves), and truly appreciates the big personality she has.

The Relatives Came

by Cynthia Rylant
pictures by Stephen Gammell

*****

From the leaving at four in the morning to the ice chest full of soda pop, this book reminds me of my own long journeys to relatives as a kid. I get a kick out of the narrator's childlike perspective on the relatives' visit. The description of events is so easy to relate to, and the deep love this extended family has for one another is very believable. The vivid illustrations earned a Caldecott honor in 1986.

Martha Speaks

by Susan Meddaugh

****

This is a good-humored story about a dog that gains the ability to talk after eating her owner's alphabet soup (the letters go to her brain instead of her stomach.) It's funny to hear the kinds of things a dog would say...if she only had the chance! There are other Martha books that followed this one (although I haven't read any of them), and apparently PBS has a new show based on this book.

Hot Air

by Marjorie Priceman

*****

This book brings together two elements that I love: hilarious illustrations that tell their own story, and an actual historical event. This is the "mostly true story" of the first hot air balloon ride. The author starts off by verbally painting the setting of Versailles, France in 1783. She describes the people present on this historical day, but makes it clear that this book is not about them. She then cleverly goes into her own account of three barn yard animals' journey on the balloon ride (the part about the farm animals being the first passengers is actually true...Priceman just embellishes what happens on their ride!) A very entertaining, and educational read. Hot Air was a 2006 Caldecott Honor book.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

by William Steig

*****

In this book a young donkey, named Sylvester, finds a magic pebble. To make a long story short, he winds up as a rock until a fortunate encounter at the end of the book sets him free. Another winner by William Steig (literally...he won the 1970 Caldecott) that causes me to again ask, "Where does he come up with this stuff? (and I mean that in a good way!)

Flotsam

by David Wiesner

*****

In this wordless picture book, David Wiesner takes you to a different world with his illustrations. An intriguing story is revealed when a boy finds an old-fashioned, underwater camera that washes ashore. Flotsam won Wiesner his third Caldecott Medal (in 2007)...he's amazing.

Another favorite by this author:


Tuesday (2002 Caldecott Medal)--a hilarious wordless tale of flying frogs.

Nutshell Library

by Maurice Sendak

*****

This is a collection of four little books: Alligators All Around, Chicken Soup with Rice, One Was Johnny, and Pierre. I love these little rhyming books. They teach essential concepts like the alphabet, months of the year, and counting; and do it in such a clever and entertaining way! My kids love to sing "Chicken Soup with Rice" (Carole King made songs out of all of these poems....definitely worth hearing.)

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

by Judith Viorst
pictures by Ray Cruz

****

We all have days like this, even (and especially) kids. Not only is this book full of funny situations, but it helps us realize that we can look back on our own terrible days and laugh (hopefully!) I also like the references to Australia...it is so like a kid to think of some obscure place where life must be better!

The Hat

by Tomi Ungerer

****

I don't think this book is currently available (unless you buy it used.) Perhaps my taste differs here from the popular view, considering that it is out of print, but for some reason I just really enjoy this book! It's a quirky story about an enchanted hat that saves the day several times over, giving credit to an old veteran named Benito. For the full effect, this book should be read with an exaggerated Italian accent!

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

by Judi Barrett
pictures by Ron Barrett

*****

This imaginative book portrays life in a town where breakfast, lunch, and dinner fall from the sky! It is a very clever concept which grabs kids interest from the first page.

Officer Buckle and Gloria

by Peggy Rathman

*****

Officer Buckle is a rather dull stickler for safety rules, until his new partner Gloria (a energetic police dog) comes along. This is a fun story with equally fun illustrations. Peggy Rathman won the Caldecott Medal in 1996 for this book.

Tiki Tiki Tempo

retold by Arlene Mosel
pictures by Blair Lent

*****
"Tiki tiki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo"...I still say this name out loud occasionally, because it's just so fun to do! The author retells this old chinese folktale of a boy with a very long name. I really enjoy reading this book to my kids...it's just so fun to say the name over and over again!

Ira Sleeps Over

by Bernard Waber

*****
I can see in my mind a copy of this book on the large bookshelf in my brothers' room growing up. It is such a delight to read a story to your children that you can so vividly remember from when you where a child...I highly recommend it! This is a great book about the rite-of-passage of sleeping over at a friend's house for the first time. Ira is torn in his decision to take his teddy along, or be brave and go without.

Doctor De Soto

by William Steig

*****
William Steig is classic! I love how he creates such believable and human-like characters out of average animals. In this tale (no pun intended) he tells of an expert dentist, who happens to be a mouse. I enjoy the descriptions of how this little dentist carries out his practice on much larger animals (because of course every kid wonders), and how he "out-foxes" a fox. This book is witty, matter-of-fact, and can be enjoyed again and again (and again, and again...)

Chrysanthemum

by Kevin Henkes

*****
Three cheers for Kevin Henkes!! I just adore this author's style. There is not a Kevin Henkes' book that I do not love...and this story is at the top of that list. Chrysanthemum is a little mouse who loves her name...until she starts school and realizes that it is much different than her peers. I like how the author skillfully uses the repetition of certain phrases to tie the story together.

Other favorite books by Kevin Henkes:

Sheila Rae, the Brave
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Owen (1994 Caldecott Honor)
A Weekend with Wendell
Julius, the Baby of the World
Wemberly Worried
Chester's Way

A Bargain for Frances

by Russell Hoban
pictures by Lillian Hoban

*****

I absolutely love this little badger! Russell Hoban's charming stories about Frances capture life from a child's perspective. Phrases like "No backsies" and "Do you want to be careful, or do you want to be friends?" are just examples of the clever dialogue that occurs between Frances and her friends and family. Frances is cheeky, but not in an annoying way. Her curiosity and persistence are believable, and wildly entertaining!

My other favorite Frances books include:

Bread and Jam for Frances and Bedtime for Frances

The Frog and Toad Collection

by Arnold Lobel

*****
This clever collection includes three books: Frog and Toad All Year, Frog and Toad Are Friends (1971 Caldecott Honor book), and Frog and Toad Together (1973 Newberry Honor Book.) Each book is filled with humorous short stories of these classic amphibian friends. My personal favorite is "Cookies," in which the pair struggle with their desires to eat all of the cookies Toad just baked. "We need will power," says Frog...then they come up with funny ways to try to obtain it! Oh how I wish I could be buddies with these two lovable characters!

Curious George

by H.A. Rey

*****

My kids love Curious George. They laugh at the funny situations he gets himself into, and always feel a sense of resolution when we are finished reading. I love that this little monkey promotes curiosity...I feel that it is through curiosity that our children learn. There are many subsequent George books that explore a variety of topics, but the original has always been my favorite.