Zoe Gets Ready by Bethanie Deeney Murguia Picture Book * * * Stars (Pretty good) It’s Saturday and it’s Zoe’s day to pick out what she wants to wear (instead of having to wear what other people choose for her). But she’s having trouble deciding. What kind of day is it going to be, and how does she want to spend it? One must, after all, be prepared for anything (and everything). After her mother … Read more
This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen Picture Book * * * * Stars (Great!) A small fish has stolen a hat from a much larger fish. As he swims away he recounts all of the reasons why he will “probably” not get caught. And, just behind him, the big fish wakes up, notices his hat is missing, figures out who has taken it, guesses where he’s going, confirms this with someone who saw … Read more
The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) A group of bunnies is picnicking by a lake when they hear the most terrible plop. They flee from the noise and are joined by every other animal they encounter as they try to get as far away from the plop as possible. When the animals nearly trample a bear, however, he grabs the tiniest bunny – the one who can’t … Read more
Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey with Gwen Strauss Historical Fiction Ruth and her family take a trip in the 1950’s from Chicago to Alabama to visit her grandmother. Traveling out of the city and seeing the hills and trees appear and the streets and buildings disappear are something new for Ruth. Along the way Ruth sees, for the first time in her life, that others are not always friendly to those … Read more
I Hatched! by Jill Esbaum illustrations by Jen Corace Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) A killdeer chick hatches and starts exploring the world. Everything is new and he is full of curiosity about himself and all of the things he encounters as he races around on his gangly legs at full speed. Fun, rhyming text, and adorable illustrations capture the essence of these busy birds. Young readers/listeners will likely have similar energy … Read more
Rabbit and the Not-S0-Big Bad Wolf by Michael Escoffier illustrated by Kris Di Giacomo Picture Book * * * * Stars (Great!) The narrator of this book asks Rabbit if he is familiar with the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf. When Rabbit draws a picture of the wolf on his blackboard, the narrator guides him in making alterations until he has it just right. And that’s when the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf shows up and Rabbit must RUN and HIDE. … Read more
My Snake Blake by Randy Siegel illustrated by Sergei Bloch Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) A little boy receives a pet snake for his birthday. Blake the snake is long and green and perfectly mannered – also, he can write (with his body), cook, and answer any homework question. He is the best of pets and the best of friends. Charming and funny story, with messy, hurried illustrations in black, white, red, … Read more
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett illustrated by Jon Klassen Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) One day, Annabelle finds a box of yarn that never runs out. She knits herself a sweater, and then one for her dog, and when her yarn supply continues to grow she gradually clothes the whole town (including people, animals, trees, buildings). The formerly black and white town becomes a colorful place. Then a fashion-conscious archduke – having … Read more
Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate Nonfiction Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Annette LeBlanc Cate is an enthusiastic amateur bird-watcher who shares her passion for our feathered friends with a young audience in this introduction to bird-watching. Using goofy cartoon birds (who have something to say about EVERYTHING) she explains how to find and identify birds, how field guides work, how birds are classified, and much, much … Read more
For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson by Peggy Thomas Biography Nonfiction Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Most kids will not be familiar with Roger Tory Peterson – I didn’t learn about him until I took an ornithology class in college, but Peggy Thomas really brings this artist, naturalist, and bird-lover to life – his passion for birds is clear throughout this eye-catchingly illustrated children’s biography. He used a system … Read more