Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Otis - By Loren Long

A sweet story about a tractor named Otis who befriends a baby calf.  One day, the farmer decides that Otis is no longer useful, but the little old tractor proves to the entire community that he is still something special! The illustrations are simple and lacking in color, but manage to captivate even the very young.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Big Fat Hen - Illustrated By Keith Baker

This book provides numerous opportunities for counting practice, while delighting readers with hens, chicks, eggs, and bugs! A large and very colorful version of the timeless children's rhyme.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

I Like A Snack On An Iceberg - By Iris Hiskey Arno

A simple science introduction for toddlers! Taking readers from the barnyard to the jungle, this book introduces you to several animals, teaching you WHERE they eat and WHAT they eat.  Complimented by beautiful, warm illustrations and large text.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Your Own Big Bed - By Rita M. Bergstein

As a mom with a baby who will soon be moving up to a "big bed", I LOVE this book!! The author explains in a precious manner how animal and human babies alike are born, are carried by their parents, learn to explore the world around them, and eventually have "beds" all their own! The soft, sweet illustrations are delightful! This is a "growing up" book that every little one needs in their library!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Hooray For Spring! - By Kazuo Iwamura

A cute story for an introduction to spring! Three little squirrels explore the new season around them, and happen upon a hungry baby bird.  What do baby birds like to eat? These squirrels are about to find out! Complete with sweet springtime illustrations.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Polar Opposites - By Erik Brooks

What an ingenious idea for teaching children about opposites! "Alex the Polar Bear" and "Zina the Penguin" ARE complete opposites, living on opposite ends of the world, but even they can still be friends! Lots of black, white, and gray coloring through the majority of the illustrations, but the characters are definitely cute.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Hello, Puppy! - By Jane Cowen-Fletcher

This is the perfect toddler introduction to puppies! The soft, beautiful illustrations compliment the text, showing young children how puppies sleep, stretch, eat, play, and give "kisses". If you don't have a dog already, it won't be long before your little one is saying, "I want a puppy, Mommy!"

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Really Rabbits - By Virginia Kroll

When one lonely rabbit suddenly acquires a friend, the adventure is on!  "Tulip" and "Snuggle" discover they can get out of their cage, at night, and do all sorts of secret things to clean house and help their owners! A simple but sweet story with pastel illustrations.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Baby Badger's Wonderful Night - By Karen Saunders

Baby Badger is afraid of the night - until his father shows him all the beautiful things that the nighttime has to offer! Very soft, sweet illustrations make twinkling stars and night colors come to life. A good book about not being afraid of bedtime!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

How About A Kiss For Me? - By Todd Tarpley

Do you kiss a pig? A cactus? A flea? A mop? NOOO! A sweet and humorous book about showing love, that is just right for little ones!  The warm and friendly illustrations are adorable.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

A Year Full Of Holidays - By Susan Middleton Elya

This is a delightful book for teaching young children about holidays, seasons, and the months of the year! There's barbecue for Labor Day, turkey for Thanksgiving, colored confetti for New Year's, and so much more!  The soft, family oriented illustrations are adorable.  As is common with most secular holiday books, the text does make reference to Santa Claus, Halloween, and the Easter bunny.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Joseph Had A Little Overcoat - By Simms Taback

A Jewish man has an overcoat that he treasures . . . but, it is, unfortunately, getting quite old.  As the days go by, Joseph turns his overcoat into many smaller things, with the remaining good material - a jacket, a vest, a scarf . . . When there is absolutely nothing left of the overcoat, Joseph finds that, even then, he can do something with it!  The pictures reveal much about Jewish culture and tradition.  These Caldecott Award winning illustrations are a colorful collage of drawings and photos, with unique cut-outs showing what garment Joseph has made next.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Are You There, Baby Bear? - By Catherine Walters

Sweet and cuddly little Alfie Bear is going to have a new baby brother or sister!  But why is it taking so long for the new sibling to arrive? Did it get lost? Alfie searches the woods, meeting various animals, only to discover that his own special sibling surprise is at HOME! The illustrations for this book are just precious!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Shiver Me Letters - A Pirate ABC - By June Sobel

This a delightful alphabet book for any little boy who loves pirates! Hidden alphabet letters may be found in each colorful page! The adorable text and illustrations are definitely a winning combination! So cute!

Friday, May 18, 2012

The LOUD Book - By Deborah Underwood

An adorable book for any preschool lesson on hearing, listening, or the five senses! To make the text more interactive, you could even ask your child, "What would a _____________ sound like?", after every page. This is a very creative narrative, complete with fun animal illustrations.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Thank You For Me! By Marion Dane Bauer

A great book for teaching young children to be THANKFUL to God for the way we are made! Eyes, ears, mouth, nose . . . Every part of us is just right! This would be an excellent resource for an early study on the five senses or the human body! The cartoon style illustrations are made using pencils and watercolor.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Blackberry Booties - By Tricia Gardella

Mikki Jo decides that a pair of baby booties would be just the right gift for her new cousin Samuel. She may not be able to shear, spin, or knit, herself, but she can trade blackberries with ladies who can! In the end, she even discovers a special way to give her gift a "Mikki Jo" touch! A very sweet story about working hard to give to those we love.  The soft illustrations are done in watercolor.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Super Snow Day - Seek and Find - By Michael Garland

Aunt Jeanne turns Tommy's "snow day" into a real winter adventure! On each page, readers have an opportunity to look for hidden six-pointed snowflakes, animal footprints, notes from Aunt Jeanne, titles with the word "snow" in them, symbols for winter sports, and lots more! This is a highly creative book with fun, colorful illustrations.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Moo, Moo, Brown Cow, Have You Any Milk? By Phillis Gershator

Following the same pattern as nursery rhyme "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep", this story teaches children about different farm animals, the sounds they make, and some of the products we receive from them.  Very educational for preschoolers.  The soft, colorful illustrations are the perfect size for sharing with a class.

Friday, May 4, 2012

The Cajun Cornbread Boy – By Dianne de Las Casas


Dianne de Las Casas adds an alligator, a bayou, and some cayenne pepper to her “spiced up” version of the beloved “Gingerbread Boy” story! Children will find this book very humorous, whether or not they are already familiar with the original.  A helpful glossary, containing French vocabulary, may be found at the end of the story, as well as a recipe for “Southern Cornbread”!  The illustrations are large but not very eye-catching. 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Most Perfect Spot - By Diane Goode

A little boy wants to take his mother to the most perfect spot for a picnic.  They try one location after another, but are met with disaster after disaster - ducks, mud, rain . . . They eventually head for home, where they discover the most perfect spot of all! Really adorable illustrations compliment this sweet story.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Ladybug Girl & Bumblebee Boy - By David Soman and Jacky Davis

What a delightful story for a unit on "friendship"!  Sam and Lulu meet up at the playground and have to resolve their conflict of interests in order to get along with each other.  In the end, they're terrific "imagination play" is involving other children at the playground, as well!  These adorable but simple illustrations are perfect for trying to copy, as an art lesson!

Friday, April 27, 2012

My Baby Blue Jays - By John Berendt

The story of a family of blue jays from nest, to eggs, to flight.  Quite a delightful introduction to any unit involving backyard bird watching, nature walks, or a field trip to the park.  This is a perfect science book for kindergarten through second grade.  Best of all, the illustrations are actual photographs!!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Saving Strawberry Farm - By Deborah Hopkinson

A little boy uses just one penny to change the fate of a kind lady's strawberry farm.  This is a good historical book for young listeners, describing what life was like during the Great Depression. Soft, colored pencil illustrations add to the warmth of this sweet story.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Miss Dorothy And Her Bookmobile - By Gloria Houston

Author Gloria Houston recalls from her childhood a lady named Dorothy Thomas, who used a green van to bring books to people all over her little rural community.  She was a librarian on wheels - loading books from her basement every day, and driving in all kinds of weather to all kinds of businesses and homes.  This story is told to commemorate the great impact Dorothy had on every life she touched.  Complete with warm, simple illustrations.

Over The Hills & Far Away - By Chris Conover

This is the nursery song in story form, with the part of Tom Piper being played by an otter.  Other characters include raccoons, rabbits, bears, pigs and fish.  Though the old-fashioned illustrations lack bright colors, they are quite sweet and very detailed.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Miss Rumphius - By Barbara Cooney

Great-Aunt Alice promised her grandfather, when she was a little girl, that she would do three things before she died.  The most difficult task: "To make the world more beautiful".  A sweet story of a life well-lived.  The illustrations are a beautiful combination of acrylics and Prismacolor pencils.  An American Book Award winner.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Sweet Moon Baby - By Karen Henry Clark

A sweet, dreamy tale of how a little Chinese baby came to be adopted by American parents.  The story line somehow resembles a lullaby, as you watch this little infant float along the river, guarded by the smiling moon.  Colorful, unique illustrations capture both Oriental and American art.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs - By Janet Morgan Stoeke

What are all those pretty eggs doing around the farm, UNATTENDED?! A funny story about Easter from a CHICKEN'S point of view! Bright, colorful, and perfect for preschoolers!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

When The Big Dog Barks - By Munzee Curtis

A children's book with a sweet message: You don't have to be scared of things like big dogs and thunderstorms - Mommy & Daddy will always keep you safe!  Life-like illustrations and simple wording makes this a good "comfort" story, even for infants. 

Friday, March 30, 2012

The Seals On The Bus - By Lenny Hort

The PEOPLE on the bus aren't quite sure what to think, as seals, geese, monkeys, and other creatures, suddenly decide to come aboard!  A funny version of "The Wheels On The Bus" involving animals making their animal sounds! The illustrations are comprised of cartoon-style characters and newspaper clippings.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Duck Soup - By Jackie Urbanovic

When Maxwell Duck disappears in the middle of inventing his very own soup, his friends are afraid he may have FALLEN INTO the pot! A funny story that preschoolers are sure to enjoy! The large, colorful illustrations are perfect for sharing with an entire class. 

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Do Knights Take Naps? - By Kathy Tucker

Little boys who enjoy anything having to do with knights and dragons will LOVE this book!! Presented in a light-hearted way, for young children, readers may actually learn a few new vocabulary words, such as "joust", "visor", "catapult", and "moat". Written in a witty rhyming scheme, and illustrated with fun cartoons.  In the end, your "young lads" will discover that even brave knights take their naps! SMILE!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Prairie Willow - By Maxine Trottier

Pioneers, life, death, and one lone willow tree . . . A book with mature themes and rich illustrations.  This would be a perfect addition to a history unit study!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Look At You! - By Kathy Henderson

A terrific book for teaching babies about the wonderful bodies that God has given them!  They can wiggle, giggle, crawl, stand, eat, sleep . . . and enjoy a good story!  Beautiful, soft illustrations of other babies doing familiar activities are sure to delight your little one!  Some naked infants are portrayed, getting their diapers changed, etc., but all illustrations are very decent.  This is a perfect first introduction to the human body!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Harp O' Gold - By Teresa Bateman

An Irish minstrel discovers the shallowness of fame and wealth, when a miniature man one day gives him the kind of glamorous harp he's always wanted. This book not only teaches a lesson in contentment, but is also an ideal read for a 1st. or 2nd. grade unit on "St. Patrick's Day"! Colorful cartoon illustrations appeal to the young.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Brave Martha - By Margot Apple

A good bedtime story for children who tend to hear "bumps" and "thumps" in the night!  Martha and her cat Sophie are best friends, but one night when Sophie is nowhere to be found, Martha has a hard time falling asleep without her.  She hears all sorts of scary noises and then discovers it was the cat, all along! SMILE!  Delightful pastel illustrations done by the author herself. 

Friday, March 2, 2012

On Noah's Ark - By Jan Brett

The Bible makes no mention of any children being on the ark (Genesis 7:7), but this story is written from the point of view of one of Noah's grandchildren, during the worldwide flood upon the earth. Absolutely EXQUISITE illustrations, depicting both chaos and sleeping harmony, during those 40 days and 40 nights of thunderstorms. Puffins, antelopes, skunks, peacocks, koalas, butterflies . . . The pictures will absolutely capture your imagination and open your eyes to how VERY MANY animals the Lord preserved from harm!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

A Is For Amos - By Deborah Chandra

A little girl travels the alphabet, while riding on the back of "Amos", the spotted rocking horse.  She may only be imagining the bridge, the pigs, the clover, and the thunderstorm, but any reader will enjoy imagining right along with her! Lovely watercolor illustrations! 

Monday, February 27, 2012

Cowboy Dreams - By Kathi Appelt

The ideal bedtime story for any little boy who dreams of one day being a "cowboy"! Children will learn words such as "buckaroo", "palomino", and "compadre", while sweetly being lulled to sleep.  Western-style illustrations complete this charming bedtime poem.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Will I Have A Friend? - By Miriam Cohen

If you need a "friendship" book for your preschool or daycare class, this is the perfect little story to read aloud! Large, soft illustrations and well-behaved characters make this a very warm story about going to a new school and finding a friend. Both simple and sweet.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Bub or The Very Best Thing - By Natalie Babbitt

The King and Queen wonder what is the very best thing for their little boy.  Is it vegetables? Sleep? Sunlight?  The baby Prince knows all along, but his parents can't understand what he is saying just yet - "Bub" - LOVE! A beautiful book filled with very rich, lifelike illustrations.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

You Are The Best Medicine - By Julie Aigner Clark

This book is such a treasure!  The beautiful story of a mother trying to explain cancer to her little girl.  Mommy will feel sick, Mommy will lose her hair, Mommy will be very tired . . . but lots of love, kindness, and sweet memories will help to see us through.  A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of this book will actually go to Breast Cancer Research!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Sarah Morton's Day - By Kate Waters

This story is a superb photo-reinactment of Pilgrim life at Plymouth Plantation! Watch as Sarah makes hasty pudding, feeds the chickens, pounds spices, learns to write, and goes about her daily life.  With costumes, props, and even a sprinkling of Old English, this book is bound to make history come alive for any young student! An excellent resource to use with kindergarten through the second grade, during the Thanksgiving season.

Friday, February 3, 2012

My Goose Betsy - By Trudi Braun

What a goose looks like, what sounds it makes, where it lives, how it cares for its eggs, how the eggs hatch . . . I've rarely seen a better children's book on animal life! This is science in story form! Readers will find large, soft illustrations on every page, and even "A Few More Goose Facts" at the end, for older children.

Monday, January 30, 2012

B Is For Bear - By Roger Priddy

With cardboard pages and bright photos, this is a combination touch-and-feel, alphabet book, that is just right for any infant 6 months old and up. Glittering fish scales, raised bubbles, real yarn . . .It even includes a mirror on the "Y is For YOU" page! By far the best interactive baby book I've ever seen!

The Little Engine That Could - By Watty Piper

One of the best-loved children's books of all time!  A happy train breaks down before reaching the children on the "other side of the mountain", and no one wants to help - that is, until the Little Blue Engine comes along! She's a tiny engine, but due to her determination and thinking that "she CAN" do it, she's able to reach the top of the mountain and go sailing down the other side! Colorful, old-fashioned illustrations help to make this book both charming and timeless.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Maybelle The Cable Car - By Virginia Lee Burton

This is quite a long story for younger children, but very informative concerning how the cable cars came to stay in modern San Francisco.  Boys who enjoy the "Thomas" train books, as preschoolers, may later enjoy this challenging read. Detailed sketches show not only the history of the cable car, but also its mechanics.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Daisy Comes Home - By Jan Brett

One little hen is being bullied by the others until she finally decides to leave her Chinese hen house, and ends up on an adventure! Introduce children to animals like water buffalo, red-tailed monkeys, and cormorants, while discovering whether or not little Mei-Mei gets her hen back! A richly illustrated book set in rural China.  Such an excellent story for showing readers what life is like in a different culture!

Monday, January 23, 2012

James In The House Of Aunt Prudence - By Timothy Bush

James visits his Great-Aunt Prudence for the day, and discovers that her home is filled with antiques, paintings, and plenty of other interesting, elegant items. It doesn't take many moments alone, before James' imagination begins to run away with him, and everything in Aunt Prudence's home comes alive!  A charming book about child's play.   Detailed illustrations of ancient artifacts, wicked mice, and violent monkeys will definitely capture the imagination!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Best Friends Together Again - By Aliki

This book teaches that some things change and some things stay the same, when a best friend moves away. Letters and photos keep people close, across the miles, and even though lives move on in different directions, you can still have fun when the friend returns for a visit! The colorful illustrations and thought-provoking storyline make this an ideal tool for a kindergarten class.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Sounds Around Town - By Maria Carluccio

A simple book that introduces young children to common sounds that various animals and objects make, as well as a few words in different languages.  The storyline shows a mother and a father who are both very involved in their baby's life.  The unique illustrations appear to be created using different types of paper and textures.  A wonderful book for sharing during a lesson on the five senses!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Flower Garden - By Eve Bunting

A little girl who lives in the city CAN'T give her Mama a whole garden for her birthday, but CAN give her a little garden in a WINDOW BOX!  This is a precious and beautifully illustrated book on the joy of giving something lovely.  The story will help children to recognize several flowers by name and may even plant in their hearts the desire to do some gardening!

The Queen Of Style - By Caralyn Buehner

Queen Sophie has nothing to do all day until she enrolls in the "Royal College Of Beauty".  She studies her lessons diligently, and starts fixing everyone's hair in the kingdom - even the sheep! ORDERING townsfolk to have their hair done, doesn't work out too well, but when Sophie learns to let the people come whenever they want to, everyone is happy! A silly book with a hidden lesson in bossiness.  Very comical illustrations!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

It's Time To Sleep, It's Time To Dream - By David A. Adler

Sweet, sleepy pages to read to your little one as the seasons go by, year after year. Watch the trees and weather change in each soft-colored scene, and observe a little boy getting ready for bedtime in each unique silhouette. A very beautiful "night-night" book!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Cat & Mouse - By Ian Schoenherr

The perfect book for teaching a couple familiar nursery rhymes, while delighting children with large, colorful illustrations!  This story shows that even a cat and a mouse can be friends. SMILE!  Great for reading to a class!

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Listening Walk - By Paul Showers

A terrific book for sharing during a preschool study on the five senses! This story will encourage readers to stop and LISTEN to the many sounds all around them, every day! Lots of different "sound words" float between the colorful illustrations, and are great for trying to copy, as a group. Definitely a fun tool to use before going on a "Listening Walk" as a class or with your family!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Don't Spill The Beans! - By Ian Schoenherr

What better way to teach children some commonly-used idioms and phrases, than by reading them "Don't Spill The Beans!"?! Young listeners may also pick up on two or three NOT-so-common animal names!  Charming illustrations and a fun birthday storyline make this book just too cute for words!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Finding Joy - By Marion Coste

The tender story of a couple from the United States who decide to adopt a baby girl from China.  This is an excellent book for reading to a child who HAS BEEN adopted, or for sharing with a group of children to TEACH them ABOUT adoption!  The storyline will help little ones to see that being adopted is truly a precious thing - and it doesn't necessarily mean that their REAL parents didn't want them, either!  Because of China's strict family laws, literally thousands of Chinese infants have been adopted since 1991, and are now in loving, caring homes. The oriental illustrations match this story beautifully.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Let's Clean Up! - By Peggy Perry Anderson

An adorable rhyming book, teaching children the importance of keeping a clean bedroom!  Joe Frog sees that when Mommy has worked hard to make everything nice, it hurts her feelings when he messes it all up again.  The two of them discover, in the end, that it is much easier if they work TOGETHER.  Cartoon-style illustrations add to the humor of this cute story.