Best Read-Aloud Books And Browsing Collection, Grades EC-1

21 Pages·2012·0.24 MB·English

Curriculum Laboratory
Best Read-Aloud Books And Browsing Collection, Grades EC-1
For further assistance in using any of the resources in the Lab, please ask at the Curriculum Lab Information Services Desk
Introduction To The Collection and Booklists:
In 2013, the browsing collection of these titles will be found at the beginning of our Fiction Collection. The lists and the collection make an excellent place to start, if you are looking for
well reviewed titles to share with your students. Read-aloud books are also great for independent reading choices, as can be seen from the reviews. As these titles are ordered and received
into the collection, will also be able to browse these titles in the catalogue by searching for “read aloud books” or “bestread.” You can also add your favourite subject to your search to find
great read alouds for the classroom curriculum. The grade level recommendations are to be considered an approximation. You be the judge if your students would like a title in your
particular grade. Note: “EC” level on any of the titles indicates it as a read aloud suitable for preschool children. The read-aloud level is usually lower than the independent reading level, so
also pay attention to the reading level in the reviews, if the title is to be read independently and not read aloud. Many of these titles are also found in the main Curriculum Laboratory
collection, so check the library catalogue.
These Read Aloud Lists were consulted:
• Read Aloud America, found at: http://www.readaloudamerica.org/
• Great Books To Read Aloud, found at: http://www.randomhousesites.co.uk/childrens/GreatBookstoReadAloud/Great%20Books.pdf
• The Treasury of Read-Alouds by Jim Trelease, found at: http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/rah-treasury-intro.html
• E.B. White Read Aloud Awards
• The Alberta Read Aloud Registry
• EPL Books To Read Aloud, Good Read Alouds For The Family, NYPL Great Books For PreK To Read Aloud, from Lethbridge Public Library’s Bibliocommons lists.
The reviews are quoted from Books In Print Online, used under the Fair Dealing clause for research and reviewing purposes.
Helpful brochures: (found at http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/brochures.html)
• Why Read Aloud to Children?
• Thirty DO's to Remember When Reading Aloud
• A Dozen DON'Ts to Remember When Reading Aloud
1
Bibliographic Review:
Information:
Adams, Pam Booklist: Ages 4-7. Although there are many versions of this perennial favorite, this is one of the funniest and most innovative yet. The funky art and the
There was an old lady terrific humor are a winning combination. The song remains the same, but the animals involved add their own rhyming commentary on the situation: Says the
who swallowed a fly cat of the fly, "She gulped it out of the sky." The illustrations are cleverly handled. For example, a left-hand page shows the dog surrounded by other canine
1997 types, while the old lady is pictured on the opposite page, with a cutout in her dress that reveals a picture of everything she has swallowed so far; turn the page,
and the cutout surrounds the next victim--in this case, the unfortunate dog. Newspaper headlines ("Senior Swallows Cat" and "Lady Wolfs Down Dog") keep
up with the story, and there's a moral at the close: "Never swallow a horse." The many details in the artwork ensure a new surprise with each reading, making
for a fun-filled romp for young and old alike. A brief note on the song concludes. --Helen Rosenberg
Adler, David A. Booklist: Gr. 1-2. The third in the series, this story again features Jenny, the young detective, and the canine she has named My Dog. Jenny likes to think that
Dick Gackenbach it's My Dog who solves the mysteries, but the animal can't figure this one out. On Jenny's birthday, her friend Ken comes by with a puzzling story his bike has
(Illustrator) been stolen but the chain is there and the lock is still closed. It sounds unbelievable to Jenny, but she soon discovers that the bike story is only a ploy to get her
My dog and the to a surprise birthday party that her friends are throwing for her. This is the best of the series so far; the mystery is bright and bolstered by bits of humor. There
birthday mystery are also plenty of attractive line-and-three-color drawings to break up the text. Easy vocabulary makes this somewhat long story a good choice for eager
1987 readers.
Allinson, Beverley Booklist: Ages 3-6. Once again, Reid boosts a simple, direct text with the innovative plasticine technique that earned her the Ezra Jack Keats Award. At first
Beverly Reid Effie looks just like any other ant. The big problem is her booming voice, which scares away the caterpillar, the butterfly, the spider, and many others she tries
(Illustrator) to befriend. When these same creatures are about to be crushed by an elephant, they beat a hasty retreat past Effie. Not only does the little ant with the big
Effie lungs save them all, but she also finds a soulmate in the large, gentle elephant. With appealing variety in perspective and placement, the expressive artwork has
1994 humorous details, such as a hungry spider complete with bib, utensils, condiments, and parachute. Young children returning for second and third looks will
also be pleased with the grandiose and satisfying finale. Julie Corsaro
Andreae, Giles Horn Book Magazine: Don't let the title deceive you: the delightful array of pants celebrated in this bouncy, Dr. Seuss-style rhyme are all of the underwear
Nick Sharratt variety. Small pants, big pants / Giant frilly pig pants, Fairy pants, hairy pants / Run away from scary pants! and other humorous groupings are playfully
(Illustrator) depicted in Sharratt's black outlined, neon-colored pictures. From HORN BOOK Spring 2004,
2003
Armitage, David School Library Journal: Mr. Grinling, first introduced in The Lighthou s e Keeper's Lunch (1979; o.p.) and The Lighthouse Keeper's Catastrophe (1986, both
Ronda Armitage Andre Deutsch), still delights in his work but, due to his advancing age, begins dozing on the job. He fails on two occasions to turn on the lighthouse beam,
Lighthouse keeper’s and so is fired. As he and his wife sadly pack their belongings, they and some local villagers rescue a beached whale. Everyone is pleased when the lighthouse
rescue authorities reward Mr. Grinling by rehiring him as a part-time lighthouse keeper. The text reads well aloud and is appropriately placed on sprightly, full-page
1991 watercolors, accented with pen-and-ink details to lend definition. The pages are sometimes cluttered and on occasion the faces in a single picture are penned in
disconcertingly different styles--a flatter look mixed with a more three-dimensional one. The strength of this picture book lies in its brief but effective
character portrayal of two elderly and likable protagonists. --Cynthia Bishop, Onondaga County Public Library, Syracuse, NY
Baker, Alan Booklist: Ages 3-6. Benjamin, the clumsy but appealing little hamster who made such a mess in Benjamin's Book (Booklist 79:962 Mr 15 83), is back, this
Benjamin’s portrait time intrigued by the paintings at the Animal Portrait Gallery. He decides a self-portrait is in order, but before long he has more paint on his fur than he has on
1987 the canvas. His attempts to wash himself end in a tumble into the water. Finally, Benjamin decides there must be a better way to capture his likeness for
instance through photography. That's the ticket! Or is it? Benjamin's paw over the lens (as seen in the last picture) does not bode well for his new endeavor.
Once again, Baker's trompe l'oeil style of illustration brings Benjamin and his escapades amusingly to life. Benjamin, every hair on his fur seemingly visible,
dominates each page. The brief text makes this a good choice for preschool story hours where attention spans are limited.
2
Bibliographic Review:
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Beaumont, Karen Publishers Weekly: Ages 3-7. Written to the tune of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More," this lighthearted frolic by the creators of I Like Myself! centers on an
David Catrow aspiring young artist who makes elaborate paintings on the ceilings and walls, until mama shouts, "Ya ain't a-gonna paint no more!" and stashes the boy's art
(Illustrator) supplies on the top shelf of a closet. Determinedly declaring "but there ain't no way that I ain't gonna paint no more," the youngster climbs onto a makeshift
I ain’t gonna paint no pyramid to reach his paints-the only splash of color in an otherwise black-and-white spread. The rollicking rhymed narrative and stylized ink-and-paint
more! illustrations then reveal the narrator painting his body parts in a variety of wild patterns, while-with comic irony-he chants the refrain that comprises the
2005 book's title. In a child-tickling finale, the boy bellows, "But I'm such a nut,/ gonna paint my-/ what?!" drolly avoiding mentioning the body part that
completes the rhyme. Given the plot's premise, Catrow's humorously hyperbolic art fittingly takes center stage here, growing increasingly flamboyant and
electric as the boy embellishes more and more of his anatomy-and his playful pooch becomes equally well decorated.
Beaumont, Karen School Library Journal: K-Gr 1-Reminiscent of Mirra Ginsburg's Mushroom in the Rain (S & S, 1987) and Audrey Wood's The Napping House (Harcourt,
Jane Dyer 1984), this is the cumulative story of many animals all attempting to shelter from the rain in a doghouse. Children will love the hilarious ending when all of
(Illustrator) the inhabitants hastily vacate after an odiferous intruder tries to squeeze in, too. The marvelously textured watercolor-and-acrylic illustrations convey the
Move Over, Rover! feeling of a driving rain, the fur and feathers of the various creatures, and the joy of Rover when his house is once again his sole domain. The repetition of
2006 key phrases, the rhythmic text, and the cumulative structure of the narrative make this book an ideal read-aloud. The pictures and text evoke the cozy, warm
feeling of curling up for a nap on a rainy day and the unbridled thrill of leaping out into the sun.-Tamara E. Richman, Somerset County Library System,
Bridgewater, NJ (c) Copyright 2010.
Becker, Bonny School Library Journal: PreS-Gr 2-When a friendly mouse knocks at his door, Bear sternly points to the "No Visitors Allowed" sign. Returning to his
Kady MacDonald breakfast preparations, he opens the cupboard only to find the mouse tucked inside a bowl. "Perhaps we could have just a spot of tea," the ever-hopeful guest
Denton (Illustrator) suggests, but he is again shown the door. Despite boarding the windows shut, stopping up the chimney, and plugging the bathtub drain, the persistent rodent
2008 keeps reappearing. Finally Bear admits defeat, "I am undone," and agrees to set out a snack. Much to his surprise, Bear enjoys the company and shares jokes
and demonstrates a talent at headstands. The visit prompts him to reconsider his sign: "That's for salesmen. Not for friends." Denton's softly hued watercolor
illustrations capture the humorous interplay between the unlikely companions. The fastidious, pot-bellied bear wears a tiny apron while the wee mouse with a
big personality peeks out of such unlikely places as an egg carton. The lively repetition and superb pacing make this an ideal choice for storytime.-Linda
Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
Bergman, Mara Booklist: PreS-Gr. 2. In this offbeat fantasy, an alligator makes his way down the street, through the front door, up the stairs, and into an apartment where three
Nick Maland children flee from his gaping jaws. Finally, when they have endured the threat--or perhaps enjoyed the thrill--long enough, they turn the tables by yelling at the
(Illustrator) beast, who runs away. Using elements of rhythm and rhyme as well as an enjoyably predictable question-and-answer refrain, the text maintains a playful tone
Snip snap!: What’s beneath the scary details such as alligator eyes flashing and teeth gnashing. Expressive line drawings, brightened with watercolor washes, illustrate the story
that? with wit and style. Not for every preschooler, perhaps, but good fun for some, especially those who fantasize that they really could whip an alligator and those
2005 who realize that their home will never be invaded by a giant reptile. The final scene, in which the beast escapes into a manhole, might keep the alligators-in-
the-sewer urban legend alive for another generation. --Carolyn Phelan
Blake, Quentin Booklist: Ages 4-7. British illustrator Quentin Blake's latest picture book presents six short poems, as bouncy and boisterous as school bus songs and
All join in illustrated with equally high spirits. Parents and teachers will easily spot the book's central theme--the joys of cooperation--but what will endear the book to
1992 children is the ongoing idea that lots of kids making lots of noise can have lots of fun. Cheerful kids, depicted in humorous pen drawings with watercolor
washes, romp through the pages with a fine, Blakean sense of merriment. Each poem has a refrain; the book's title echoes the refrains of the first and last
selections. The verses beg to be read aloud or, better still, sung to story hour or classroom kids. Chances are, they'll all join in. ~--Carolyn Phelan
3
Bibliographic Review:
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Blundell, Tony Booklist: Ages 4-7. A light, bright, and snappy picture book by British illustrator Blundell, this develops a simple absurdity into a series of comic episodes.
Joe on Sunday Every morning when Joe awakens, he becomes whatever he feels like. On Monday, he's a pig: he gobbles his breakfast, rolls in the mud, eats his dinner (``and
1987 everyone else's''), takes an early bath, squeals, and goes to bed. On the next five days a lion, a mouse, a monkey, a monster, and a king each awakens in Joe's
bed and goes through the same basic routine with its own individual appropriate characteristics. On Sunday Joe's parents are surprised and pleased to find Joe
himself there, a good-natured kid, neither wild nor imperious, with no need for monkey business or mayhem. The colorful cartoonlike style and broad humor
of the illustrations are sure to elicit giggles.
Briggs, Raymond Ages 5-7. Out of print for some time, this rollicking story of the cumulative antics of a huge gray elephant and a small, pajama-clad baby is being reissued in
Elephant and the bad hardcover and for the first time being made available in paperback. BE. Behavior Fiction
baby
1986
Broach, Elise New York Times Full Text Review: A loony idea is expressed perfectly in Small's larger-than-life illustrations. "Buy a dozen get a dinosaur," it says at the local
David Small bakery, instantly transforming a boring day of errands for a little boy. The triceratops that emerges from the back is huge (and so is the bakery lady, in socks,
(Illustrator) sandals and a striped apron). The boy takes home the doughnuts and the dino, plus a stegosaurus, a pterosaur and a baby hadrosaur - and even more
When dinosaurs came improbable, there's a happy ending for Mom, too.
with everything
2007
Brown, Marc Booklist: Ages 3-8. When the surprise Arthur's parents mention isn't the hoped-for bicycle but a new baby, Arthur knows he is in for trouble in this latest of the
Arthur’s baby popular Arthur Adventure series. Not only does sister D. W. seem to know everything about babies, but Arthur's friends warn him about all sorts of perils
1990 associated with younger siblings including smelly diapers and embarrassing baby talk. Though Mother helps by showing Arthur pictures of himself as a baby,
he only feels comfortable with his new sister when he alone is able to stop her crying. The bespectacled Arthur's changing emotions as he anticipates the
infant's arrival and then gets to know little Kate reflect those of many big brothers and sisters, who will be amused and reassured by this delightful tale.
Browne, Eileen Handa puts seven delicious fruits in a basket to take to her friend, Akeyo. But on Handa's walk she passes a variety of animals who find her fruit very inviting.
Handa’s surprise: When she arrives at her friend's village, Handa gets a surprise!
Read and share Published: August 2005
2004 Read and Share is a unique first library for parents and children that helps build early readers' confidence. Grouped in four progressive levels, Read and Share
books--available individually for the first time--are specially for qualities that encourage literacy skills and a love of reading. Sixteen top-quality books with
notes for extending reading fun inspire the confidence parents and children need to experience the joys of reading...together. Plus an informative Parents'
Handbook! What is Read and Share?
Butler, Christina M. School Library Journal: PreS-Gr 2-Normally, Little Hedgehog would be asleep at Christmas, but the cold wind wakes him up. From out of the blue (literally)
Tina Macnaughton comes a gift from Father Christmas-a red woolly hat, just the perfect size, except for his pesky quills. When the hat is all stretched out, Little Hedgehog
(Illustrator) rewraps it and leaves it on Rabbit's doorstep. He in turn gives it to Badger, who then passes it on to Fox. Heading out one evening, he comes across poor
One snowy night Little Hedgehog, unconscious in the snow. Fox wraps him in the hat and takes him to Rabbit's house, where Rabbit and Badger are having dinner. Little
2004 Hedgehog wakes up long enough to admire his nice warm blanket, and the other animals decide that the hat is perfect for him. Macnaughton's illustrations are
simple and charming and the red hat has a touchable velvety texture, making this a good story for both intimate and large settings.-M. A.
4
Bibliographic Review:
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Byars, Besty School Library Journal: Gr 1-3-This charming early chapter book tells the story of a girl who "finds" a dinosaur when she goes outside to play. Boo insists
Erik Brooks that she needs a particular book from the library to read to it, and then that she and her older brother, Sammy, must jump on her bed so that the dinosaur can
(Illustrator) see them through the window. In true older-sibling fashion, the boy at first tries to deter her but is eventually forced to give in or come to some sort of
Boo’s dinosaur compromise. Brooks's illustrations show the action as well as Boo's flights of fancy. Byars takes full advantage of short words and sentences, helping readers
2006 to see themselves both in Boo's plays for attention and Sammy's desire for some peace and quiet. In the end, when Boo has to give up her dinosaur, she and
Sammy share a lovely moment of mutual understanding. A natural recommendation for graduates of Syd Hoff's Danny and the Dinosaur (HarperCollins,
1958), this book is a welcome addition.-Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY
Calma, Jocelyn Little Malia has a big idea. Poi for breakfast, poi for lunch, and poi for dinner too. She can't think of anything better she'd like to eat, so why not her very
Don Robinson favorite treat? Will she be tempted by cakes and custard, or steaks and shrimp, or hot dogs with mustard? Peek inside this colorful story and you will see, how
(Illustrator) Malia loves poi, so that's all she will eat! How long will it last? Only time can tell. Will Malia come out of this poi-eating spell?
Little Malia’s Big Poi
Idea
2009
Campbell, Ron Publishers Weekly: A giraffe bursts from a crate, a lion from a cage and a snake from a basket in Dear Zoo: A Pop-up Book by Rod Campbell, a companion
Dear zoo to Dear Santa. Readers flip open various containers to find the exotic animals within.
2004
Carle, Eric Publishers Weekly: All ages. Carle, whose The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been extraordinarily successful, scores again with this stunning picture book,
Papa, please get the drawn in thick, brilliant brushstrokes of blues and greens and reds that dazzle the eye. Monica wants to play with the moon, but can't reach it, so she asks her
moon for me father to get it for her. Ingeniously designed with several fold-out pages, the books opens out horizontally to show a very long ladder Papa fetches, opens
1999 vertically to show him climbing the ladder above a very high mountain, and unfolds into a huge spread of the full moon, where the ladder has led Papa. But the
moon is too big for him to carry, so he waits while it grows smaller, until finally it is the right size to bring home to Monica. She jumps and dances and frolics
with it, but it keeps shrinking, until one day it's gone. But not for long: a thin sliver soon appears in the sky, growing larger and becoming full once again. A
splendid introduction to the monthly lunar cycle, this is also a wondrous work of art that will stand up to countless readings.
Child, Lauren Booklist: K-Gr. 3. The dollhouse crafts and the play are as much fun as the wry storytelling in this exuberant fractured version of the familiar fairy tale. Child
Borland Polly adds a little zip to the narrative (You know what parents are like ), as the king and queen hunt for an appealing princess for their son. Unfortunately, they can't
(Illustrator) find one--until an adventurous, beautiful young woman takes a walk through the woods on a stormy night and takes shelter in the palace. She is a real beauty
The princess and the (you know how it is with these fairy tale types ), and the queen tests her by having the servants make up the bed with one tiny green pea beneath 12 feather
pea mattresses. Kids will appreciate both the independent princess and Polly Borland's photos of the child's skillfully crafted, three-dimensional backdrops (with
2005 cut-paper characters), which Child briefly talks about at the end of the book. --Hazel Rochman
5
Bibliographic Review:
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Chodos-Irvine School Library Journal: PreS-Gr 1-Mary and Clare spend their days at preschool together. They hug when they meet, hold hands while going out to the
Best best friends playground, and sit next to one another at storytime. All goes smoothly until the day of Mary's birthday, when she gets special privileges and much attention
2006 from the teacher and other students. Clare grows resentful and starts an argument, which ends with both girls angrily yelling, "YOU ARE NOT MY
FRIEND!" They each play with other children and have time to cool off. When naptime is over, Clare presents her friend with a hand-drawn picture and
wishes her a "Happy birthday." Mary graciously accepts the gift, an unspoken apology, and the two are friends once again. No adult guides them toward
reconciliation; these children simply figure out for themselves what is important. Various printmaking techniques are used in the artwork to create bold, flat
shapes, with enough white space to allow the colors to pop off the pages. The illustrations, in a warm palette, give a retro feel to the story but the
multicultural classroom takes the tale to the present. This is a story of true friendship that is stronger than envy or jealousy.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public
Library, WI
Chodos-Irvine Publishers Weekly: A junior Diana Vreeland in blue sheep jammies, Ella Sarah coolly surveys her open armoire and announces that she will wear "my pink
Ella Sarah gets polka-dot pants, my dress with orange-and-green flowers, my purple-and-blue striped socks, my yellow shoes, and my red hat." Family members try to
dressed dissuade her from an outfit that they deem too "dressy" or "fancy" or "silly" (the last comes from an older sister trying to pawn off some hand-me-downs).
2003 But Ella Sarah resists their admonitions and proves her sartorial instincts are "just right" when the occasion is a dress-up tea party with her friends. A gifted
printmaker, Chodos-Irvine (Apple Pie Fourth of July) uses bright but well-modulated colors, sharply defined shapes and plenty of white space to give the
pictures a strong graphic punch and convey a range of emotions. When Ella Sarah's ambitions collide with her mother's disapproval (however mild), Chodos-
Irvine shows the confident girl's posture curving into a dejected "S"; when Ella Sarah reaches the breaking point, the illustrator depicts her fury by showing
only Ella Sarah's hand on the left, with the toy cat she has thrown, flying across the spread. By conveying her heroine's perspective so convincingly, Chodos-
Irvine makes the book's ending a triumph-and one that should strike a chord with dress-up fans everywhere. Ages 2-5.
Cleary, Beverly Publishers Weekly: Two Times the Fun gathers four previously published stories by popular Ramona author Beverly Cleary: The Real Hole (1960); Two Dog
Thomas Taylor Biscuits (1961); The Growing-Up Feet (1987) and Janet's Thingamajigs (1987). Charming half-tone pen-and-ink-and-watercolor-wash illustrations by Carol
(Illustrator) Thompson, er, double the pleasure. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Two times the fun
2005
Coffelt, Nancy School Library Journal: K-Gr 3-Coffelt and Tusa have teamed up to create a charming book that meshes text and illustrations seamlessly. A young girl moves
Tricia Tusa back and forth between her divorced parents' homes, along with her canine companion, Fred, who has several bad habits that neither parent appreciates.
(Illustrator) When the dog wears out his welcome at both homes, the child must forcefully remind the adults that, "Fred stays with me!" and help work out solutions for
Fred stays with me! his naughty behavior. The story unfolds through the voice of the child: "Sometimes I live with my mom. Sometimes I live with my dad. My dog, Fred, stays
2007 with me." Her descriptions of what she does at each residence and Fred's constant affection and consistent bad behavior can be read independently by the
intended audience. The text, for the most part, appears against a simple white backdrop. Tusa uses gold and brown hues with occasional splashes of red to
create a warm tone. The narrator is drawn with a doll-like charm, but it is Fred, with his perky ears and perpetually wagging tail, that holds the most appeal.-
Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
Cohen, Miriam The first grade is getting ready to put on a play for the whole school. Everyone wants a part in "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." The teacher picks Paul to be the
Lillian Hoban troll, Danny to be the biggest goat, and Jim to be one of the trees. But Jim wants to be a troll, not a tree. So Jim interrupts the rehearsals and acts bossy to his
(Illustrator) classmates. Finally it is the day of the big play. But Paul has stage fright. Can Jim find a way to help his friend and save the play?
Starring first grade
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Cohen, Miriam Publishers Weekly: Mimmy and Sophie: All Around the Town by Miriam Cohen, illus. by Thomas F. Yezerski, brings back the playful sisters and their
Thomas F. Yezerski everyday doings in their Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood during the Depression. Yezerski's b&w drawings depict the siblings and their friends digging for
(Illustrator) treasure, riding a carousel and heading to the movie house. About Mimmy and Sophie, PW said, Cohen "injects a hearty dose of charm into the low-key,
Mimmy and Sophie slice-of-life-style plot lines through her sympathetic and well-trained recall for children's voices and perceptions."
all around the town
2004
Cooper, Helen Booklist: Ages 3^-7. Cat, Squirrel, and Duck share both an old white cabin in the woods and clearly defined duties with regard to making pumpkin soup. Cat
Pumpkin soup slices the pumpkin, Squirrel stirs in the water, and Duck adds just enough salt. One day Duck decides he wants to stir, creating such household consternation
2002 and so many hard feelings that he finally packs his wheelbarrow and waddles away. Cat and Squirrel try to carry on, but the soup isn't as good without their
friend's touch. Finally Duck returns, and the three experiment with changing roles. The process is very messy, but all agree that the result tastes as good as
ever. Cooper's richly colored illustrations, rendered in warm, autumnal hues, suggest a sense of security that will assure even the youngest listener that all will
end well. Complete with a recipe for pumpkin soup, this should find a niche in holiday story hours and with young families looking for seasonal projects. --
Kay Weisman
Cotton, Jolie Jean Paniolo Pua is a hard-working Hawaiian cowgirl. In this adorable counting story, Pua spends each day of the week preparing something special for her
Christine Joy Pratt upcoming paniolo parade through Makawao town. Christine Joy Pratt accurately recreates Maui's landscape, including Makawao's main street, for the
(Illustrator)
festivities that are delightfully illustrated in vibrant sketch board art.
Pua’s Paniola Parade
2002
Cronin, Doreen Horn Book Magazine: (Preschool, Primary) Readers of Diary of a Worm (rev. 11/03) and Diary of a Spider (rev. 11/05) could guess that Diary of a Fly would
Harry Bliss not be far behind, and, sure enough, here is the third in the series of books about a trio of diminutive friends. Like the others, this relays real-life information
(Illustrator) through humor ("What if I'm the only one [at school] who eats regurgitated food?") in a way that makes the facts memorable. Cronin uses her impeccable
Diary of a fly comedic timing throughout, as when Fly compares herself to a superhero ("I can walk on walls") and Spider then deflates her ("Your brain is the size of a
2007 sesame seed"). Bliss includes many witty details in his illustrations, with a set of additional pictures on the endpapers with captions that make them almost like
supplementary cartoons. The short sentences and visual jokes make this a great selection for listeners and new readers alike.
Crummel, Susan Booklist: PreS-Gr. 2. Only the Stevens sisters could create such an over-the-top tale about fuzz. A big, red dog drops a green tennis ball down a prairie dog
Stevens burrow, and a fuzz reaction erupts there. Everyone--except Big Bark--wants to twirl and swirl the stuff all over themselves, from head to toe. When the ball is
The great fuzz frenzy plucked fuzzless, a fighting frenzy breaks out. After the feuding stops, the dogs discover Big Bark has snatched the goods and proclaimed himself King of the
2005 Fuzz, a title short-lived when a hungry eagle plucks him up for lunch. Never fear, however: Big Bark lives on to bark another day. The mixed-media
illustrations are classic Stevens, with the book's oversize format providing wide-angle close-ups and a good platform for both horizontal and vertical foldouts.
Big Bark's bottle-cap hat and the dogs' farcical expressions play up the humor in the text, but it's the textured, chartreuse fuzz that steals the show. This fun-
filled story demands to be read aloud. --Julie Cummins
dePaola, Tomie The facts about cloth making are humorously presented in this story of Charlie, a shepherd.
Charlie needs a cloak
1986
7
Bibliographic Review:
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DiCamillo, Kate Publishers Weekly: Newbery Medalist DiCamillo (The Tale of Despereaux) joins forces with the formidably talented Bliss (Diary of a Worm) for a series of
Harry Bliss ripping yarns about a chicken who just can't stay down on the farm. By the time the book reaches its fourth and final chapter (and that word is used more to
(Illustrator) evoke the book's swashbuckling scale than to indicate a preponderance of text), the indomitable Louise has seen it all and done it all, from escaping pirates
Louise, the on storm-tossed high seas to joining the circus--and she's been envisioned as a tasty dish by just about everyone. Not surprisingly, while Louise relishes her
adventures of a wanderlust, she also experiences Weltschmerz --here's the hen contemplating the circus: "Safe in a clown's wig, hidden beneath his hat, Louise thought of the
chicken henhouse and what a quiet, spectacularly lion-free place it was." DiCamillo's brisk, comic narrative crackles with read-aloud savoriness, and her respect for
2008 Louise makes the book all the funnier. And where lesser artists might have packed lots of visual nudge-nudges, Bliss creates a thrilling sense of place and
puts his wide-eyed heroine front and center. An enlarged format does justice to the details in the art--and to the grand sweep of the storytelling. Ages 4-8.
Dodd, Lynley Publishers Weekly: A duckling convinces the pooch hero to play. "The pictures are amiably animated and suitably silly, but watch those wonderful waggish
Hairy Maclary and words," wrote PW of the earlier Hairy Maclary books. Ages 2-5. (Apr.)
Zachary Quack
2000
Dodd, Lynley Publishers Weekly: Ages 2-5. The first title, published in New Zealand in 1983 and making its U.S. debut, introduces the diminutive black dog and a host of
Hairy Maclary from canine pals in a cumulative text. They take the town until a giant tomcat sends them all homeward. In the second book (published in 1984), the same motley
Donaldson’s Dairy crew follows the hero in hopes of taking his bone but, one by one, Hairy outmaneuvers them.
1988
Dodd, Lynley Horn Book Magazine: As Hairy Maclary goes home, other dogs who want his bone are defeated by obstacles along the way in this singsong rhyme. Slinky
Hairy Maclary’s Malinki, a cat, and his parrot pal go through the house and make a huge mess in this repetitive and pointless tale. A variety of animals try to wake Bear.
showbusiness Occasionally whimsical illustrations accompany the thin stories. There are four other books in this series.
1992
Donaldson, Julia Horn Book Magazine: A small mouse outsmarts his animal predators with made-up tales of his supposedly good friend the gruffalo, a creature with knobbly
Axel Scheffler knees, and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose. When a gruffalo does appear, the mouse is surprised but uses his wiles to outwit the
(Illustrator) beast as well. Friendly watercolor pictures illustrate the story told in rhyme.
The Gruffalo
Donaldson, Julia School Library Journal: PreS-Gr 2-In this sequel to The Gruffalo (Dial, 1999), the wide-eyed daughter of that story's title character decides to find the "Big
Axel Scheffler Bad Mouse" that her father has told her so much about. "His eyes are like pools of terrible fire,/and his terrible whiskers are tougher than wire." With her
(Illustrator) stick doll tucked under her arm, the youngster enters the deep, dark woods and follows marks in the snow to snake, owl, and fox. When she finally finds a
The Gruffalo’s child little mouse, she grabs him for a feast, but the clever creature tricks her into running away to the comfort of her sleeping father's arms. The full-color cartoons
portray a suitably sympathetic child in the snow-filled woods. While children may appreciate the details (the stick doll, snake tracks in the snow, gruffalo
child's cave drawings) in the art, lack of change from picture to picture and in perspective diminish its effectiveness. The plot, rhymes, and art are all slightly
weaker than the original tale. Purchase this where the first book is popular.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
Ehlert, Lois Booklist: Dazzling . . . A celebration of the garden, the power of shape and color.
Planting A Rainbow:
Lap-Sized Board
Book
2008
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Bibliographic Review:
Information:
Emberley, Ed Publishers Weekly: Die-cut holes in the cover reveal the "two big yellow eyes" of the title hobgoblin in Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley (first
Go away, big green published in 1992). The sturdy laminated pages that follow also have die-cuts that show the monster's fleshy "long bluish-greenish nose," "a big red mouth
monster: Make your with sharp white teeth" and more. But the text gives readers the confidence ("You don't scare me!") to take away its scary features with each succeeding page
fears disappear turn until he's gone-"and don't come back! Until I say so." A fun way to conquer fears.
1993
Falconer, Ian Horn Book Magazine: Stylish charcoal sketches strategically accented with red paint show the aspirations and misadventures of a determined little pig-girl.
Olivia Although the story (more of a catalog, really) often seems to be winking at parents over their little ones' heads, the interplay of deadpan text (Olivia gets
2000 dressed. She has to try on everything) and droll illustration (seventeen alternatives of what-shall-I-wear?) is pretty funny. From HORN BOOK Spring 2001, (c)
Copyright 2010.
Fox, Mem Publishers Weekly: Ages 3-6. Fox's two new books join Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge as perfect examples of why the Australian writer has become one
Lofts, Pamela of today's top authors of children's books. Koala Lou is loved by everyone, but it is her mother who loves her most of all. She often tells her daughter, ``Koala
Koala Lou Lou, I DO love you.'' As the family grows and her mother gets busier, Koala Lou yearns to hear those words again. She sets out to win the Bush Olympics as a
1989 way to gain her mother's attention. Lofts's colored-pencil drawings portray the Australian flora and fauna beautifully, including a few of the more exotic
species. Both of Fox's books send out positive messages to children about the wonders of being human: Koala Lou celebrates the eternal love of a mother for
her child without the sentimentality of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever.
Fromental Jean-Luc School Library Journal: K-Gr 4-This hilarious, oversize picture book integrates challenging math concepts and environmental concerns into a clever
Joelle Jolivet narrative. On New Year's Day, a family receives an anonymous package containing a penguin. The young narrator chases the bird around the house as it runs
(Illustrator) amok and knocks over lamps and furniture. His sister, Amy, finds a note, "I'm number 1. Feed me when I'm hungry." Just as the message implies, there are
2006 more to come; by the end of the year, 365 in all. "Penguins, penguins everywhere./Black and white and in my hair," sighs Amy. As they arrive, readers must
recall the number of days in each month-by the end of February, they are calculating the number of penguins in all. Then Father decides to organize them,
first into four groups of 15, later in boxes by the dozen, and, finally, into a cubic formation. By summer, the heat, noise, and smell are unbearable. On New
Year's Eve, ecologist Uncle Victor arrives and the mystery is solved. The engaging story is illustrated in a flat retro design with a palette dominated by
orange, blue, gray, and black and white. The comical birds watch TV, dance with their teenage "sister," and eat everything in sight. The text provides endless
opportunities for word problems, and units on penguins and global warming will never be the same.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Gilman, Phoebe Publishers Weekly: Ages 5-11. When Joseph was a baby, his grandfather made him a shimmering blue blanket adorned with the moon and stars. As the boy
Something from grows and the blanket wears out, the old tailor recycles it, in succession fashioning a jacket, a vest, a tie and, finally, a cloth-covered button. But when Joseph
nothing loses the button, even his grandfather cannot make something from nothing. With its judicious repetition and internal rhymes, this thoughtfully presented
1992 Jewish folktale will captivate readers right through the ending, in which the boy discovers one last incarnation for his beloved keepsake. Although her
renderings of human faces border on cartoonishness, Gilman's ( The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs ) oil-glazed tempera paintings suggest the vivid world of
Joseph's shtetl, with full-page cutaway illustrations recording the multileveled activity in Joseph's house. In an imaginative visual stroke, the bottom of each
spread features the beneath-the-floorboards doings of a family of mice whose domestic life--from new births to Sabbath dinners to the outfitting of their entire
home in discarded swatches of the blue blanket--winsomely mirrors Joseph's own.
Gilman, Phoebe Princess Leora is left behind at the castle with the nasty Archduke. The king has told her to signal with balloons if something goes wrong - but then the
The balloon tree Archduke outlaws balloons. What will happen?
2006
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Bibliographic Review:
Information:
Gliori, Debi Horn Book Magazine: Small feels grim and unloved--and the young fox fails to find comfort in Large's promise to love Small no matter what. Small tests the
No matter what declaration: If I were a grumpy grizzly bear, would you still love me? What about a bug? A crocodile? And what about when Large is far away? The text offers
1999 nothing new in this overcrowded genre, but the watercolors, which have a cozy, candlelit glow, are full of witty details. From HORN BOOK Spring 2000,
Graham, Bob Publishers Weekly: Ages 4-7. "What's a family of superheroes to do when their progeny is slow to develop his flying skills? Graham answers this question
Max handily with scenarios that will have readers laughing out loud, as Max discovers his own special qualities," wrote PW in our Best Books citation.
2000
Green, John Booklist: Ages 4-6. Alice's premonition of "extraordinary" happenings on her birthday plays out in an unusual wish fulfillment when a colossal, one-eyed giant
Maryann Kovalski appears. Nameless, friendly (though his appearance at her birthday party results in chaos), mystified at being summoned, and desirous of returning home, the
(Illustrator) giant implores Alice's aid. They go to (where else?) the public library, where the resourceful Ms. McKracken consults a book of spells and magically sends the
Alice and the giant off to a mountain valley. All ends well in this lightweight story bolstered by the library scene, which story-hour children will enjoy. Loose pen-and-wash
birthday giant illustrations humorously reflect merriment gone awry and its spellbinding solution. --Phillis Wilson
2000
Hagrogian, Nonny A delightful telling makes this story of a greedy fox's adventure as catchy as a nursery rhyme. Crisp, happy pictures add to the fun. Inspired by an Armenian
One fine day folktale, the rhythmic, cumulative text will have small listeners "reading along" and matching words to pictures well before the story is ended.
1971
Heide,Florence Perry Booklist: Children's fiction is filled with stories of young royalty realizing the drawbacks of power; typically it has to do with getting the short end of the fun-
Lane Smith stick. But Princess Hyacinth has it even worse: she floats. So while other kids frolic in the pool, she's strapped into an indoor chair. Even when she's allowed
(Illustrator) outside, her heavy crown and weighted robes turn her walks into drags. Mostly she longs to forge a friendship with a kite-flying boy, but it takes an out-of-
Princess Hyacinth: control airborne incident to bring them together in an unexpected way his kite is able to reel Hyacinth back to safety. Smith's artwork uses cavernous spaces to
The surprising tale of dwarf the perennially morose (and weighed and tethered) princess, and the elaborate ropes and pulleys used to dress her drive home the irritation of being
a girl who floated unfairly encumbered. The layout of the text is just as playful, with certain sentences floating off the top of the page and other repeated phrases ( up, up, up )
2009 sailing skyward. A goofy romp that maintains a gentle feel throughout from veteran author Heide, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday.--Kraus, Daniel
Henkes, Kevin Booklist: PreS. Henkes creates another winner in this simple, charming story about a naive little kitten who mistakes a round, shining moon for a bowl of milk.
Kitten’s first full Kitten laps at the sky's creamy circle, but she is surprised when she tastes bugs instead of milk. Then she chases the milk-bowl moon through the garden and
moon field to the pond, where she climbs a tree, discovers another milk bowl shining in the water, and dives in after it. Finally, wet and sad and tired and hungry, she
2004 returns home to find, at last, a true bowl of milk, out of the sky and on the porch, waiting for her. Henkes' text, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's work in
the elemental words, rhythms, and appealing sounds, tells a warm, humorous story that's beautifully extended in his shimmering, gray-toned artwork. Working
in bold black lines and the silvery palette of moonlight, he creates a lovable, expressive character in the determined kitten, and his dramatic contrasts of light
and dark capture the excitement of a nighttime adventure. Wise preschoolers may chuckle at the kitten's folly, but they'll also recognize the mysterious power
of moonlight to transform the familiar world of daytime into something altogether new. --Gillian Engberg
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