The Tooth Fairy

by Peter Collington

*****

I discovered this enchanting wordless picture book one day last week, while at the local library with my girls.  They begged me to "read" it to them that night for their bedtime book.  I started to object...it wasn't really something I could read since there were no words, but instead sighed and opened its pages.  Then, we were all whisked away into the secret life of a humble, yet magical creature we call the tooth fairy!  I felt like a visitor in her sweet home as I peeked into her life to discover how it all works.  The details on each page kept all of ours eyes moving from one corner to the next, as we smiled, giggled, and "ohhh"ed at the whimsy.  This is exactly the fairy that I would want to visit my house deep into the night.  I would gladly give her all my lost teeth, even without the payment of her priceless, handmade coin, just to know that my teeth would be used in such a brilliant way!  You'll have to check this book out to realize just how clever and endearing this little fairy is.

Friday My Radio Flyer Flew

 

 by Zachary Pullen 

*****

This one will bring anyone back to their childhood!  We have all either had our own Radio Flyer, knew someone who had one, or at least dreamed of riding on one!  As I read, I felt the anticipation of each day leading up to the big fly on Friday.  I especially loved the role the boy's dad played in making his dream happen.  Though the words and concept were fairly simple, the illustrations took it to another level.  This book is a reminder that anything can be achieved through a child's healthy imagination.

Fairly Fairy Tales

by Esme Raji Codell
pictures by Elisa Chavarri

****

Adorable pictures and amusing twists on several classic fairy tales.  Few words and  fun illustrations make it great for the very young (with short attention spans) as well as older children (who are sure to get a good laugh!)  For full appreciation of this book the readers should be familiar with the tales of "The three Pigs," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Cinderella," Hansel and Gretel," and "The Three Bears."

Me and You

by Anthony Browne

*****

I love this artistic version of Goldilocks and the three bears.  It takes place in a modern, urban setting where the human-like bears seem to coexist with people.  It is told from the baby bear's colorful perspective, but we also get Goldilocks's angle through black and white pictures.  Their two stories collide as color meets black and white.  I love the deeper meaning in this book...the pictures tell a story that goes far beyond the expressed words.

Sector 7

by David Wiesner

*****

I haven't found a David Wiesner book that I haven't loved. Words are unnecessary in his books. As you turn the pages of his masterpieces you can't help but be drawn into the extraordinary and compelling stories he tells with his illustrations alone. This book is no different. He once again shows his creative genius with the whimsical story of a boy and a cloud that meet on the observation deck of the Empire State Building and create an unlikely friendship. I wish I could give it six stars!

Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story?

by Jim Copp
pictures by Lindsay duPont

*****

So this one is for all of you out there who like quirky. These three tales come from Jim Copp's original recordings from the 1950's. Those of you who don't know anything about Jim Copp have got to listen to him tell these stories before you can fully appreciate them in book form. This collection of three of his stories came out in 2008 and includes a CD with the original recordings. The pictures are comical and fit in well with Copp's humorous style.

Today I Will Fly!

by Mo Willems

***

This is a simple book with very few words...great for a reader who is just starting out, but the message is a great one. And it is presented in such a funny way! Worth checking out.

Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing

by Judi Barrett
pictures by Ron Barrett

*****

This one definitely made me laugh hard! The author came up with some very funny scenarios of animals in clothes and why they would just not work! The illustrator matches the author's hilarity with his comical drawings! A good one to have on your home-library shelf for a day you need a "pick me up!"

Princess Hyacinth (the Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated)

by Florence Parry Heide
pictures by Lane Smith

****
This princess faces an unexpected dilemma: For some unexplained reason, she floats! So she spends her days literally tied down to the furniture or weighed down with extremely heavy clothing. She is the quintessential confined princess, until one day (against all caution) she removes her clothing and lets herself float away. Her adventure not only leads her to a new friend, but to a new way of life! Funny pictures and clever text make this a great read. I also really liked the hues in the artwork and the page layouts...different (which I like.)

The Pink Refrigerator

by Tim Egan

*****
The greatness of this find was very unexpected. My four-year-old daughter picked it out from the library shelf, because who wouldn't love a story about a pink refrigerator? (ask any four-year-old girl!) Upon reading it we discovered a valuable message about the importance of learning, exploring, and trying new things.

Dodsworth is a mouse who finds a new note on an old pink refrigerator each time he visits it, but the most exciting discovery is what's inside! This is a new favorite of our whole family (including my husband!)

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!