Me I Am!

Me I Am! By Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Christine Davenier 2007

Your child is individual and special, and Prelutsky’s book is a celebration of that fact. The poem “Me I Am” is woven throughout the book, and introduces three very unique children doing the things that they like best. We follow a little girl who loves to dress up, a boy who is enamored with the natural world, and a young ballerina in all her glory. The three children come together at the end and continue to celebrate the special traits that make them different, and the joy that it brings.

The jovial illustrations by Davenier showcase the imaginative world of young people in a way that is completely fresh and relatable.

Appropriate for ages 3-7

Jack Prelutsky on Amazon

Christine Davenier on Amazon

The Day the Babies Crawled Away

The Day the Babies Crawled Away by Peggy Rathmann 2003

In the fading evening light people traipse outside to enjoy a neighborhood festival. The parents are distracted during a pie-eating contest, and their babies crawl after a bunch of butterflies. Luckily a toddler in a fireman’s hat follows after them, and just barely saves them from many dangers. He leads them back to their parents and is the celebrated hero of the day.

The entire story is cleverly illustrated in silhouette, so we can only imagine the expressions of each character. This brings a joyful anticipation to the reading of the story. Children will revel at the fact that the hero of the day is a child.

Appropriate for ages 2-6

Peggy Rathmann on Amazon

Art

Art by Patrick McDonnell 2006

The play on words makes this book about Art and his art pulsate with creativity. Art is so intent when he paints, and the joy he experiences while doing so is obvious. He does not hold back, and his imagination is let loose. The culmination comes as the various doodles of art mesh together to illustrate a story about Art’s dream. His mom proudly displays his art on the refrigerator for all to enjoy.

After reading this story, you and your little ones will feel greatly inspired to get out the crafts and make a masterpiece.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Patrick McDonnell on Amazon

Anna's Wish

Anna’s Wish by Bruno Hachler, illustrated by Friederike Rave 2008

Anna lives in a village that has not had snow in years, yet many of the villagers still have sleds and snow shovels. When Anna and her mom walk past the local bakery she feels a soft coldness touch her cheek as she stares at a little white horse standing on a cake. Her mom tries hard to describe what snow is like, so Anna searches for and finds a red, wooden sled in the basement. She cleans the sled up and dreams of frolicking in the snow. Her wish comes true, and the entire village celebrates.

The variation in the colors of the village scenes belie the longing and joy that Anna experiences with the coming magic of snow.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Bruno Hachler on Amazon

All Aboard for Dreamland!

All Aboard for Dreamland! By Melanie Harby, illustrated by Geraldo Valerio 2008

Riding a train through each phase of bedtime readiness makes for a playful read. The train and the children onboard zig zag and cavort through “Wiggletown”, “Giggletown”, “Groggy Grove”, and “Snuggle Cove.”

“The sky’s a cozy blanket when the fog comes rolling down, wrapping ‘round us rocking through another sleepy town.”

The wiggling and giggling coming from your little passenger will soon be replaced with yawns and cuddles when destination Dreamland is reached.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

Geraldo Valerio on Amazon

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Caroline Binch 1991

Grace spends her days acting out the amazing stories that her Nana tells her. She dons appropriate costumes for each role she plays. Most of the time she plays by herself, but when she is the doctor, her Ma and Nana become injured patients complete with toilet paper bandages.

Grace’s school is doing the play Peter Pan, and Grace wants the main role. Her friends tell her that a girl can’t be Peter Pan, but with the encouragement of her family Grace finds the strength to persevere and do her very best.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Mary Hoffman on Amazon

Caroline Binch on Amazon

G is for One Gzonk!: An Alpha-number-bet Book

G is for Gzonk!: An Alpha-number-bet Book by Tony DiTerlizzi 2006

This book combines numbers and letters of the alphabet with zany creatures that deserve a second and third glance. A young boy introduces us to each strange, but not too scary looking beast while adding finishing touches with his paintbrush. The nonsense that erupts off each page is quite memorable and full of silliness.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Tony DiTerlizzi on Amazon

Adele & Simon

Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock 2006

Simon is picked up at school by his big sister Adele, who urges Simon to “try not to lose anything today.” We soon learn that Simon has a knack for getting distracted and misplacing his things. Paris in the 20^th century holds many bustling scenes with distractions around each corner. The route that Adele & Simon take is leisurely, and includes a street market, gardens, and the grounds of Notre-Dame. As Simon looses his things (crayons, a glove, his knapsack), kind Parisians help him search, but he ends up sauntering to the next beautiful locale. These same Parisians follow through in a special way, preventing undue frustration from Simon’s mom when he arrives home empty handed.

Each pen-and-ink illustration by McClintock is full of details which make the visual game of hide-and-seek a delight. The journey the children take through the city is depicted on endpaper maps. Each neighborhood or landmark covered in the story is described in more detail at the back of the book. If you have never been to Paris, the astonishing artwork of this book will make you dream of visiting someday. If you have been to this enchanted city, memories will loom large as you immerse yourself in the pictures.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Barbara McClintock on Amazon

The Scrambled States of America

The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller 1998

“States all over the country were waking up, having their first cups of coffee, reading the morning paper, and enjoying the beautiful sunrise.” All the states except the one smack dab in the middle. Kansas whines to his neighbors about their permanence, and starts to stir things up. Nebraska quickly agrees that change is in the air, and they organize a party so all the states can be introduced. Amidst the chatting, and pleasant potluck dishes, the states decide to switch things up, literally.

After they settle into their new spots, they realize this scrambled situation they’ve gotten themselves into is a mess. Each travels back to where they belong, with a new appreciation for their state of affairs.

The quirky details and humor injected on each page make this a unique and memorable lesson in geography.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Laurie Keller on Amazon

Imogene's Antlers

Imogene's Antlers by David Small 1985

Waking up with a full set of antlers on her head seems not to perturb Imogene at all. She takes the new decoration in stride, unlike her mother, who faints every time Imogene appears. The doctor declares that nothing is the matter, and the cook and kitchen maid use Imogene's antlers to great advantage.

"The cook, Mrs. Perkins, gave

Imogene a doughnut, then

decked her out with several more

and sent her into the garden

to feed the birds."

Small's illustrations demonstrate Imogene's contentment with the absurdity of the situation. Besides, she'll be back to normal by tomorrow. Or will she?

Appropriate for ages 2-8

David Small on Amazon

Alex and Lulu: Two of a Kind

Alex and Lulu: Two of a Kind by Lorena Siminovich 2008

Alex and Lulu are wondering if opposites can attract. There are some activities that they both enjoy, but a plethora of things that they do differently.

"Alex," says Lulu. "we are just SO different."

Alex begins to worry if this is in fact a bad thing. Could it even ruin their friendship? They soon discover that they are not opposites (such as big and small or open and closed), they are unique individuals that don't like being apart.

On the backdrop of Siminovich's retro artwork, Alex and Lulu learn that their differences have fashioned a very compatible friendship. They may be different, but they are "together", and that is what matters most.

Appropriate for Baby-Preschool

Monsoon Afternoon

Monsoon Afternoon by Kashmira Sheth, illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi 2008

During a monsoon rain storm what is a young boy to do? Boredom causes this young man to ask each of his family members to play, but they are too busy. Finally his Dadaji (grandfather) agrees to join him. They sail boats in the washtub, and wander through the damp village. After ending up at the old banyan tree the boy asks, "Dadaji, did you ever swing on this tree?" "Oh yes. Very often," he said. "Did monsoon come when you were little?" I asked. "Of course. Monsoon came every year when I was little. Just like it does now."

The rhythm of the monsoon season reflects the bigger themes of family lineage, and the passage of time. The powerful bond between grandfather and grandson takes place on the cultural backdrop of the Indian community.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Kashmira Sheth on Amazon

A is for Africa

A is for Africa by Ifeoma Onyefulu 1993

The beautiful photographs from Onyefulu represent the goings-on in a small African village, and are alphabetical by subject. Some letters introduce everyday tasks that we are familiar with;

"Ee is for the embrace we give our loved ones.

Gg is for Grandmother, telling wonderful stories."

Other customs are less familiar;

"Ff is for the Feather's a chief wears on his hat.

Hh is for mud Houses, just right for a hot climate."

Your child will learn about new customs and culture from these special families as they portray everyday life in their village.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Agent A to Agent Z

Agent A to Agent Z by Andy Rash 2004

Agent A is on a mission to find the evil spy. To discover the one who is out of line in this alphabet rhyme. Each letter of the alphabet has a secret agent to accompany it.

"Every spy who is official

uses words with his initial.

But one spy is out of line.

I need to know his name by nine."

The comedic details by Rash come at a fast pace, and he appoints each agent a ridiculous disguise. With the mystery neatly solved, Agent A saves the day, and enjoys a pleasant evening at the Agent Dance.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Wow! America!

Wow! America! by Robert Neubecker 2006

Izzy chases after her little sister Jo across the face of America, and we get the privilege of following along. Each region of the United States is explored with two-page paintings that are vivid, and will grab the readers attention. There are so many reasons to utter, "Wow" while attempting to find Izzy, Joe and their trusty dog on each page. At the end of the journey they run into their mother's arms; so thankful for home.

The visual excitement of this book will encourage children to learn a little geography and Americana all at once.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Robert Neubecker on Amazon