Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori

Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori

Flora's Blanket used to be my favorite Debi Gliori book, but I think Stormy Weather has just won that title! Her amazingly whimsical illustrations coupled with the reassuring rhyme combine to make the perfect bedtime story to share with your little one.

Need a few more bedtime stories? Why not check out these as well:
Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton
Good Night, Tiptoe: A Tilly and Friends Book by Polly Dunbar

Something to Do by David Lucas

Something to Do by David Lucas

I did something that I always try hard to avoid – I read other reviews of this book before I wrote my own. That’s a big no-no, because instead of writing only my feelings of the book, it makes me want to defend it (if there are bad reviews) and so I spend my time writing why those people are wrong instead of simply stating my opinion of the story. I can’t help myself. Such is the case with Something to Do by David Lucas. I found that people kept comparing the title to Not a stick and Not a Box by Antoinette Portis and I want to say “Have you read those books? Really?” because you see, if they did, they would realize that yes all the titles are similar in that they show how wonderful the imagination can be, but that’s it…. there is a story to be told here, and in Portis’ titles, there is not (I love them, by the way, but I don’t think it’s fair to compare them). Now, comparisons to Harold and the Purple Crayon are a >little bit< more understandable, but still, my brain keeps screaming WHY COMPARE THEM!?!? Much loved, adorable Harold was written in 1955…. Is it not safe yet for someone to come up with a similar tale for a new generation?! Can no one else yet write with a crayon/stick/utensil? Is it not safe yet to venture into the world of imagination?!? Try this: give Something to Do to a child and see what happens. Read the story with them. Talk about the illustrations, what’s happening in the story, and maybe pull out some paper and some crayons or find a stick on a beach and doodle together too. Don’t just think, “Oooo the dad bear drew a ladder to the moon – why did the author have to go and copy Eric Carle?!?”

Woof: A Love Story by Sarah Weeks

Some may think that dogs and cats don't belong together... all I have to say in response is "why not?!?". Sarah Weeks had written a sweet, rhyming story about a love-sick dog, a scared cat and a whole bunch of miscommunication! Fun book to share aloud with adorable mix-media illustrations by Holly Berry.

If you’re going for a love theme, pair this book up with either:

Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story by Lisa Wheeler

Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story by Sam Lloyd

Or if you would like to tie it into a communication theme, try:
Hen Hears Gossip by Megan McDonald
The Jungle Grapevine by Alex Beard

Or try a music theme pairing the book with Sarah Week's other fun title:
Catfish Kate and the Sweet Swamp Band

Middle Child Blues by Kristyn Crow

The Middle-Child Blues by Kristyn Crow

To this day I still can hear Jan's whining cry "Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!" bemoaning her woes of being not only Marcia’s younger sister, but also her seemingly invisible position as the middle child of the huge Brady Bunch. She’s not alone. The Brady Bunch housekeeper, Alice, is also a middle child, as are many others throughout the world. You would think that with so many middle children in this world, there would be many picture books based on this topic supporting those wee folks stuck in the middle. No, that is not the case, but then along comes Middle Child Blues by the rhythmic writer Kristyn Crow and illustrated by none other than David Catrow. Catrow’s wide-eyed, colorful, exuberant characters have graced the pages of many children’s books over the years as well as national summer reading program materials, so one may think that readers would tire of their ever expressive faces and quirky manners. Happily, the characters fit right into the beat of Crow’s story; a story which when read aloud is enjoyable to not only those with the “low-down, big-frown, sulkin’-all-around-town, bummed-out, mid-kid blues”, but also their siblings and parents as well. It’s hard to be sulkin’-all-around-town when you’re reading one of Crow’s beat filled books.

Check out these other books to share with your middle child:
Martha in the Middle by Jan Fearnley

Squashed in the Middle by Elizabeth Winthrop

Duck, Duck, Moose by Dave Horowitz

Duck, Duck, Moose by Dave Horowitz

Two ducks are getting ready to head south to Florida for the winter and invite their friend Moose. Moose doesn't want to go, he wants to eat pancakes, but finding no pancakes or anyone to eat them with, he decides to travel with the ducks. Anyone who has ever taken a road trip before will enjoy the humor in the text and the bold, colorful illustrations. Horowitz also does a good job of showing the world that there is more to Florida than Disney World! My only problem is that I cannot share the book with my preschool storytime group: the inclusion of peeing and nose-picking just won't go over with all of the parents. Duck, Duck, Moose will be proudly displayed on our library shelves however, and I will be sharing it with my own kids!

Valentine's Day 2010, Love is in the Air!

What better way to show some love than to share a book with someone?! Here are a few of my favorite LUV books. Have fun sharing one or a few with your loved ones, any time of the year!

Froggy's First Kiss by Jonathan London

I love Froggy. He’s goofy and silly and relishes new things, except perhaps his first kiss. This is a great read-a-loud to share on Valentine’s Day! The trick to any Froggy book is to read it with PASSION! Get into all the sounds effects! Let that "Ewww" reverberate off the walls! When the teacher yells for Froggy, you YELL OUT too, in the squeakiest old-teacher voice you can muster! So what if you’re in a library (yes, this coming from a Children’s Librarian)! Books are meant to be enjoyed and if you are to teach that to a young child, then you need to SHOW that you find enjoyment too! Dive into the book with reckless abandon and the kids will love it; and you’ll be surprised to learn that they don’t care if you mess up on a word or don’t pronounce something just right; they simply delight in the moment shared.

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Personally considered a classic in bunny bedtime books, Guess How Much I Love You is a rarity in children's literature as it depicts the love between a father and a son (the contest manner seems pretty typical!). The touching tale exemplifies the relationship between Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare as they tell each other how much they care for the other: from ‘as high as I can reach’ and ‘ all the way up to your toes’ to ‘up to the moon and back’. A tender story chock full of beautifully expressive illustrations to share with your own Little Nutbrown hare.

Love, Splat by Rob Scotton

Splat is back and he wants to make a very special valentine for his crush. What a cute story for preschoolers or the young school age crowd who are faced with first loves and first Valentine's Day cards! For me, the illustrations are just as important as the words, and Scotton nails the adorably goofy and loveable cat with sweet Splat. Also check out "Splat the Cat" and "Russell the Sheep" by the same author.

Wag! by Patrick McDonnell

As a long time fan of MUTTS, I was so pleased when Patrick McDonnell started publishing picture book versions of Earl's and Mooch's adventures. The books introduce the younger set to these charming characters and their very Zen view of life. The latest, Wag!, is no exception. A very simple question is pondered: What makes Earl's tail wag? The journey to the answer tells the answer itself.


Be My Valentine, Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish

There is nothing like the original! Yes, currently you can find a new, younger Amelia Bedelia on the bookstore shelves, and the story is cute, but when it comes to sharing a mixed up Valentine's Day story, I would choose the original any time! Here is Amelia in classic form: somehow the list to a Valentine's Day party is lost, so Amelia works to fix things in her own mixed up, wacky manner with hilarious results. By all means check out the new book Amelia Bedelia's First Valentine, but be sure to pick this one up too!

Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond

What else do you do when it begins to rain hearts?! You make Valentines of course, and that's exactly what Cornelia Augusta does.

A Book of Sleep, by Il Sung Na

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na
When nighttime descends, all the animals go to sleep, except for the watchful owl. So begins this bedtime book which will be loved by the young and old alike! Charming illustrations in muted tones coupled with the brief text set the perfect mood for napping.

I cannot find the words to adequately express just how much I love this sleepy time book! The illustrations by Il Sung Na are so completely amazingly lovely, that I can only describe them as eye-candy. The horse tushes and 'one eye open' birds will elicit giggles just as the koalas and giraffes will prompt readers to "awww" in delight. Sure, there is not a lot of text, but there doesn’t need to be, and the text that is there works in perfect harmony with the pictures, which in my mind is the ideal picture book.

Check out this book now - At your local library or neighborhood bookstore - You won’t be sorry! And be sure to keep your eye out for Na’s next book, The Thingamabob due out in March 2010.

There's No Such Thing as Monsters by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Caroline Pedler

Little Bear is happy to be in his own room with his own big bed, but now can he fall asleep?! Typical fears arise, but Big bear is right there ready to provide comfort. The illustrations done with soft tones provide soothing support for the story. Despite the apple core that drives me crazy, the only thing holding me back from giving this a 5 out of 5 stars was that I felt it ended too abruptly. You get to the last page and feel that something is missing. Is Big Bear just going to stand in the doorway all night?! Maybe have him go back to his own room and fall asleep with a smile on his face listening to Little Bear snore?! Something!!! Anything! You cannot simply end a book with snoring sounds! Well, I guess you can - they did - but I wanted more! At least it did lead to a fun discussion of "what happens next"!

Other cute bedtime books:
What's Under the Bed? by Joe Fenton
Stormy Weather by Debi Gliori
Bump in the Night by Edward Hemingway