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.