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.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

by Laura Joffe Numeroff
pictures by Felicia Bond

****
This book starts with one mouse's desire for a cookie, which leads to a glass of milk, and so on...until it leads full circle through a series of funny, yet logical, requests. I like how the author creatively takes the concept of cause and effect and turns it into a clever story.

Corduroy

by Don Freeman

*****

Not only does this book remind me of my childhood, it reminds me of the importance of that one bear! I love how Lisa has to have Corduroy...he's the bear for her. It doesn't matter that his button is missing or that he has wandered out of the toy department, that little girl and teddy bear have a connection. I think a lot of children feel that way about special toys. The idea that our teddy bears can love us as much as we love them is a wonderful one!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

*****

Eric Carle's illustrations are so appealing to kids. They are bright and fun , and mesmerize the youngest of readers. This book is a great introduction to one of the most fascinating natural phenomenons to interest children: a caterpillar's metamorphosis into a butterfly.

The Giving Tree

by Shel Silverstein

*****
I love this tender tale of a boy and his tree. I also had a tree as a child. It didn't speak to me the way the one in the story did, but it did provide me with many childhood memories! I love that this book can be enjoyed on multiple levels: from its deep and sincere symbolism to the simplistic images of a boy enjoying his childhood.

Goodnight Moon

by Margaret Wise Brown
pictures by Clement Hurd

*****

The best part of this book has got to be finding the mouse on every page! I can remember searching the illustrations as a child, and now my kids love to do the same. Through this experience I realized that pictures can tell a story beyond what words can say alone. To this day some of my favorite books are the ones that tell a story within a story through their illustrations.

Green Eggs and Ham

by Dr. Suess

*****

There are too many amazing Dr. Seuss books to mention, but this is a definite favorite. Sam I Am is a great role model for picky eaters...and bringing him up at the dinner table has proven effective in getting little ones to try new foods at our house!

Where the Wild Things Are

by Maurice Sendak

*****

A spunky main character in a wolf suit; boat rides to far off places; silly, yet ferocious looking creatures; wild rumpuses; and yearnings for the warm feelings of home...what more could you want in a book?! This classic is an all time favorite in our family. From my husband to our three year old, it is a winner. Maurice Sendak won the Caldecott medal in 1964 for his illustrations.