Trouble Gum by Matthew Cordell

Trouble Gum by Matthew Cordell
As a child, I had a wonderful grandma who my brothers and I affectionately referred to as Grandma Chewing Gum. Whenever we saw Grandma Chewing Gum, we were certain to get a piece of Wrigley's Spearmint gum which she kept safe in her refrigerator (I'm not sure the reason behind that). Little did I realize then that it was probably a ploy to help keep us quiet. It worked - we loved to chew that gum.

So is the case for Ruben Figgs. It's raining and he's bored, so what does his grandma do? Give Ruben and his little piglet brother Julius each a piece of gum. Mom is not too thrilled and the rules of gum chewing are reiterated, but alas, throughout the book, Ruben ends up breaking every rule.

Cute, fun story that will produce lots of giggles (and a need to run to the store to pick up some gum). Great to share one on one, though the images are too small for a storytime group. Speaking of the illustrations - they are driving me crazy! The style reminds me of someone, but I can't place who: Roald Dahl perhaps? Or William Steig? I like them, don't get me wrong, it is simply that every time I look at the book I think "I should know these images. I've seen them before. Where are they from?"

Get some gum and share a few bubblicious stories with your little one today. A couple other suggestions:
Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Lisa Wheeler
Bubble Gum Kid by Stu Smith

Mrs. Biddlebox by Linda Smith; illustrated by Marla Frazee

Mrs. Biddlebox by Linda Smith

While researching books by Marla Frazee (for my review of “All the World”), I was reacquainted with an old friend; Mrs. Biddlebox. Mrs. Biddlebox by Linda Smith was one of the first book purchases I made as a new children’s librarian. The dark, yet vibrantly exciting cover caught my eye and I wanted to read for myself what this Mrs. Biddlebox was up to. Upon reading the book, I became instantly enthralled and shared the book with all I came in contact with. Then more books were published, and there were more storytimes to prepare for, so eventually, I lost contact with Mrs. Biddlebox. What a joy to find this grumpy woman again. Yes, she does wake up on the wrong side of the bed and just has a dreary awful day, but she doesn’t sit around stewing about it! She takes action! Mrs. Biddlebox grabs her brooms and attempts to gather up that bad day so that she can bake it into a cake and eat it! Sounds good to me. If it truly could be done, I’d be eating a lot of cake lately, but alas, it is nice to fantasize, and in the midst of that, gain a bit of hope that the bad days isn’t going to last forever. That’s what Mrs. Biddlebox does; she teaches you to take action, dump that gloomy day, eat it up and move on. You can’t help but smile yourself when you see her smiling face at the end of the book when she looks out into the beautiful night. Know someone who’s having a bad day? Introduce them to Mrs. Biddlebox.

Other books for fighting the gloomies:
Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
My Friend is Sad: An Elephant and Piggie Book by Mo Willems

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon
After my first reading of "All the World" I as completely wrapped up in the beautiful simplicity of the picture book. The lyrical lines lulled me into a sense of calm and well being while the images exuded life from each fluid stroke.

Though the deeper meaning may be lost on the very young, the toddler and preschool set will love the rhythmical language as much as the detailed images which alone, can tell a story.

This book is a pocket that joy can fit in. Read it, share it, and celebrate life in all the world.

Good night, Tiptoe : A Tilly and Friends Book by Polly Dunbar

Good Night, Tiptoe: A Tilly and Friends Book by Polly Dunbar

"Hector yawned. Tilly yawned. Everybody yawned, except Tiptoe." So begins the latest tale about Tilly and friends. Hasn't everyone experienced a night when they just aren't sleepy?! Though everyone is sleepy, Tiptoe is not. Tilly tucked the rascally rabbit in, yet Tiptoe is seen on the next page peeking around the corner stating "I don't want to go to bed." So goes the night until Tilly reads a bedtime story. Tilly books radiate a pleasant comfort akin to Mike Inkpen's Kipper the dog books and Mo Willems' friends Elephant and Piggie. If you have not yet met Tilly, book down to your local library and pick up one of her stories now!

Other recommended books by Polly Dunbar:
Dog Blue
Penguin

Starting the New Year off Right

Well, I have received a lot of verbal feedback correcting me on my use of the term "decade". It seems the world is quite divided (and passionate) regarding when a new decade actually begins. I accept the arguments, yay, but I'm not going to go back and change the title of my previous two posts. If it really bothers you, pretend they say "Best books of the past 10 years" :)

In any case, I thought I would start off my book reviews this year with something a tad bit weird, since that is how my year has started! One of my favorite authors of the past 10 years is Emily Gravett. She lives in England, so she won't be able to win the Caldecott or anything, but I believe her books do deserve awards! They are the most hillariously wicked picture books for kids and adults who are blessed with quirky personalities. Ok, wait, not all of her books - they are all hillariously enjoyable, but not necessarily wicked.

In one of her latest books, Gravett turns her attention towards our feathered friends. All of the other birds have laid an egg, except duck. Good fortune prevails however and duck finds an egg! An enormous, green-speckled, odd egg. Of course all of the other birds laugh, but just who has the last laugh?! Read and find out! Another clever book by Gravett who has a knack for suprise, quirky endings. Be sure to read this book through to the end before you share it with your young child! Especially if your child is a bit sensitive! I do not want to give anything away, but personally I must say that if you really look at the picture, all is fine :)

If you enjoy The Odd Egg, be sure to check out some of Emily Gravett's other books as well: