Friday, December 30, 2011

Pretend You're A Cat - By Jean Marzollo

This is a great "action" book for preschoolers! Read them a story and get them up out of their chairs, at the same time!  You may enjoy reading the story through from cover to cover first, or choose to stop after each new animal is introduced.  Soft illustrations portray the animals being described, as well as examples of children pretending to BE the animals.  Lots of fun!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Going To Sleep On The Farm - By Wendy Cheyette Lewison

A truly beautiful book for sharing during "farm week" or just before bedtime!  A little boy asks his daddy how each barnyard creature goes to sleep at night.  Children will learn farm animals by name, their sleeping habits, and the sounds that they make. At the end of the book, it is the little boy, himself, who falls asleep. Lovely, warm illustrations fill the pages of this tender story. 

Monday, December 19, 2011

From Dawn till Dusk - By Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

The author shares beautiful season-by-season memories from her own childhood, growing up on a farm in Vermont.  Children will learn about sugaring time, haying, apple picking, harvest and much, much more.  This is a highly educational book hidden within a delightful storyline.  The unique illustrations and real-life photographs add to the overall reading experience. 

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Teeny Tiny Ernest - By Laura T. Barnes

A very important story for any child who's feeling "too small" or "left out".  Ernest is absolutely certain that all his friends view him as being the shortest and smallest of them all, but what he discovers is that friends often see you much differently than you see yourself.  This adorable tale is just right for teaching children that it is who you are on the INSIDE that counts! Soft illustrations accompany the storyline, perfectly. 

Easy To See Why - By Fred Gwynne

A little girl takes her mutt to the dog show and discovers that all the other dogs LOOK LIKE their owners! But guess who HER little dog looks like, and who brings home the prize?! A cute way to help youngsters recognize different dog breeds by name.  The illustrations are plain but to the point.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Mrs. Katz and Tush - By Patricia Polacco

A lonely Jewish lady shares her customs and her heart with a little African-American boy.  "Tush" is an adopted cat, so named because the poor creature has no tail.  This is truly a heartwarming story of friendship and love.  Readers will pick up on a sprinkling of Yiddish, while learning about special celebrations and holidays.  Polacco's watercolor illustrations are just as priceless as her stories.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Who Ate All The Cookie Dough? - By Karen Beaumont

Mama Kangaroo asks around everywhere, if anyone knows who ate all her cookie dough. In the end of the book, you lift a little flap, and discover that it was Baby Kangaroo! He was hiding in her pouch, all along! Children learn to recognize different animals by their names, while enjoying a rhyming storyline.  The cartoon-style illustrations are colorful and large.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

One More Time, Mama - By Sue Alexander

A little girl begs her mama to tell her the story of what it was like waiting for her baby's arrival.  This book not only gives children a sense of how long a pregnancy lasts, but also teaches about the growing love in a mother's heart as she patiently waits for that first sight of her little one.  A very sweet story! The soft illustrations add warmth and beauty to the storyline. 

A Carp For Kimiko - By Virginia Kroll

This is an excellent story for introducing children to Japanese culture! Learn about traditions surrounding "Children's Day" and "The Doll Festival", while reading a tale that touches on how siblings feel when they are "left out".  The colorful illustrations are fabulous!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Petite Rouge - A Cajun Red Riding Hood - By Mike Artell

Definitely get ready to laugh as you read this funny version of the famous "Red Riding Hood" story! Because it is written in Cajun "lingo", reading the narrative aloud in a Southern accent is an absolute must! This book is not only humorous, but also exposes children to the fact that people in various parts of the country often have a different way of saying things. The fun illustrations make the storyline even more charming. 

A Suitcase Surprise For Mommy - By Cat Cora

This is the perfect little book for a child who has a working mother.  Zoran's Mommy has to fly out of town, on business, and he knows he'll miss her a lot.  He comes up with just the right thing to send along with her, to make sure Mommy won't forget how much he loves her!  The illustrations are quite adorable for younger children. 

Saturday, December 3, 2011

That Cat Can't Stay - By Thad Krasnesky

Dad comes up with all sorts of excuses for not wanting a cat, but somehow those cats just keep coming! Children will love the humorous illustrations and the rhyming storyline! Yes, Mom and the children are trying to get Daddy to change his mind, but you'll have to admit that this is pretty cute! Quite a fun book for a lesson on pets.

Together - By Hazel Hutchins

This is a very sweet story for teaching young children about various closures - snaps, buttons, velcro, shoelaces, etc.  The best "closure" of all are the loving hugs that hold US together!  Soft illustrations and simple dialogue make this a must-read for any preschool class.

Grandfather's Gold Watch - By Louise Garff Hubbard

A lengthy but truly beautiful story about immigration, heritage, and a little bit of wisdom passed down from one generation to the next.  The messages of "What will I do with my name?" and "What will I do with my time?", woven throughout the tale, are priceless.  The colorless sketches are extremely detailed.

The Frogs And Toads All Sang - By Arnold Lobel

A charming collection of rhymes about frogs and toads. One poem has a line declaring, "Go away, you fools!", but the other rhymes are very cute!  These would be a perfect length for teaching younger children to memorize!  The fun sketches made by the author were colored in by his daughter, after his death. 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Pajama Pirates - By Andrew Kramer

What a delightful bedtime story - especially for boys!  Siblings decide to a have a little bit of imaginary "pirate" play, before Mama comes and tells them it's time to sleep.  Lots of creativity!  The fun rhyme scheme and unique illustrations make this perfect for reading aloud.

Brontorina - By James Howe

Brontorina is a dinosaur who dreams of becoming a ballerina.  She must face some pretty big obstacles, but in her heart, she knows she's a dancer.  This story teaches that if you hold onto your dreams, anything can happen! You may also learn a few dancing terms! The cartoon style illustrations are fun.