Firefighters in the Dark

Firefighters in the Dark by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli 2006

Hearing the fire truck sirens at night causes a young girl to imagine the adventures of the firefighters. She imagines their rescue of fifteen little princesses in a huge castle, a girl in Mexico whose mouth is on fire, and a boy who bounces into the starlit sky. In between these daring feats she recalls the day-to-day activities of the firefighters as they wait for a call back at the fire station.

My child was enamored with the illustrations by Ceccoli. They are saturated with wonderful colors, and the almost angelic expression on the faces of the firefighters is serene.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Nicoletta Ceccoli on Amazon

Don't Grown-Ups Ever Have Fun?

Don’t Grown-Ups Ever Have Fun? By Jamie Harper 2003

The young girl who narrates this story is flabbergasted by the choices her parents make on a day-to-day basis. Why would they want to sleep in when there is so much to do? Why don’t they want to have fun while they clean? She thinks that her Mom and Dad should be more like she and her siblings. This exuberant story reminds us that being a parent can be exhausting, but that being childlike can reenergize us. The dynamics of family are illustrated in a humorous, and rambunctious way.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Jamie Harper on Amazon

Dino Pets

Dino Pets by Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Gideon Kendall 2007

Pets of the dino sort are a young boys dream. There just happens to be a Dino Pet store in the narrator’s town, and he takes the biggest dino home for a try. His new pet doesn’t quite fit in, and so he attempts to bring five other dino friends home. The creative illustrations are full of great expression and humor. In the end, dinosaurs may be extinct, but they don’t have to be absent from this young boy’s home.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Lynn Plourde 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

Those Darn Squirrels!

Those Darn Squirrels! By Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri 2008

An old man lives alone and finds pleasure in attracting birds to his yard so he can paint their pictures. He takes great pains to provide seeds and berries for his feathered friends. The neighborhood gang of squirrels and all their shenanigans interrupts his plans. The squirrels calmly construct clever ways to fill their bellies, and it looks as though they may prevail until they give Old Man Fookwire the biggest surprise of all.

The old man’s demeanor changes from one of frustration to unexpected happiness at the guests in his yard. There is a sweet respect between the creatures in this story that speaks volumes.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Daddy Hug

Daddy Hug by Tim Warnes, illustrated by Jane Chapman 2008

Daddy animals loving on their little ones is the theme of this wonderful book. The rhyming text describes the feel, size, moods, and love of a Daddy. Your child will relate to the descriptions, whether their Daddy is sneaky like a raccoon or strong like a gorilla. The warm images of fatherly love will likely make children feel secure and thankful for all their Daddy has to offer.

The artwork by Chapman is warm, and full of joyful activity. Snuggle up and enjoy.

Appropriate for ages 2-5

Tim Warnes on Amazon

Jane Chapman 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

Minnie's Diner: A Multiplying Menu

Minnie’s Diner: A Multiplying Menu by Dayle Ann Dodds, illustrated by John Manders 2007

Five brothers begin their day of strenuous work on the farm. They are brought to attention by the imposing shadow and demanding voice of Papa McFay.

“But Papa forgot there was nothing finer than the scrumptious food at Minnie’s Diner. And soon, down the road from Minnie’s kitchen, wafted a smell that got the boys itchin’.”

Soon each brother listened to their grumbling tummy and entered into Minnie’s diner. Will, the youngest boy, had the special of the day, which included five different items. All of Will’s brothers follow his lead, but each one is twice as hungry as the others and therefore “makes it a double”. Papa McFay, noticing that the farmyard is empty, guesses correctly where his boys are. He is hoppin’ mad, but Minnie’s fare will satiate him.

Kids will enjoy this rhyming read so much they won’t even realize they’re practicing their math. Manders artwork shows Minnie transform from an accommodating waitress to a weary woman who finally turns the sign to closed.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Dayle Ann Dodds on Amazon

John Manders on Amazon

The Donut Chef

The Donut Chef by Bob Staake 2008

A donut chef opens his shop on a busy corner and is confident it will be a huge success. Soon a competitor moves in next store, and the donut-making duel begins. The fight between the two chefs gives birth to donuts bizarre, and strange tasting. They become more interested in besting each other, and don’t pay enough attention to their customers. When little Debbie Sue arrives she seems stunned by the array of donuts, but can’t seem to find her favorite. The donut chef declares,

“We’ve donuts laced with kiwi jam, and served inside an open clam! Donuts made with huckleberry. (Don’t be scared; they’re kind of hairy).”

None of these will do for Debbie Sue. Her request stuns the chef, but he obliges, and realizes that simple is sometimes the most delectable.

My child and I were enthralled with the retro illustrations and vivid colors from Staake. This story will produce a smile, and perhaps a rumble in the tummy.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Bob Staake on Amazon

I Dreamt I Was a Dinosaur

I Dreamt I Was A Dinosaur by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Clare Beaton 2005

A small blue Diplodocus dinosaur cavorts across each page of this creatively illustrated story. He meets dinosaurs of every size and color. Some are foraging on button flowers, watching their babies hatch out of felt eggs, or running past a sequined volcano spewing lava. The simple text moves at a good pace, and still manages to introduce many kinds of dinosaurs. Don’t forget to find the snail hidden on each double-page spread.

The back of the book provides a reminder of each dinosaur friend in the story with a pronunciation guide, and brief facts included.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

Stella Blackstone on Amazon

Clare Beaton on Amazon

Duck Tents

Duck Tents by Lynne Berry, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata 2009

Five ducks explore outdoor adventures while having a campout in their backyard. The daytime activities of fishing and hiking merge into marshmallow roasting under the starlight.

“Five ducks sigh, full of marshmallow goo. Five little ducks hear a whoo-whoo-whooooo. Ducks all dive for their tents in a row, zip up tight, and lie down low.”

The delicious thrill of being scared helps these campers to discover where they feel the most safe.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Lynne Berry on Amazon

Hiroe Nakata on Amazon

Danny's Drawing Book

Danny’s Drawing Book by Sue Heap 2008

Danny and his friend Ettie are exploring the zoo on a winter’s day. They spot a red scarf near where the elephants reside, and begin to draw a story in Danny’s notebook. They escape from the cold into the Nocturnal Animal House, and learn more about an aardvark. The children use their imagination by drawing an encounter between the elephant and the aardvark. The story moves back and forth between the imagined world and the real one. Soon enough Danny draws he and Ettie into the story and the adventure expands.

The childlike drawings from Heap are welcoming, and blur the line between fantasy and reality. As children know, these two worlds can mix quite pleasantly. Reading this story may also encourage children to draw their own adventure.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Sue Heap on Amazon

It's Picture Day Today!

It’s Picture Day Today! By Megan McDonald, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson 2009

“Sequins, Squiggles, Glittering Stars, Fuzzy Pom-Poms, Twisty Yarns. Couldn’t keep any of them away….Hey, it’s Picture Day today.”

One might assume that this story is about picture day for children at school, but this is not the case. Craft supplies of all shapes and sizes tumble across each page. It might seem like an unlikely mix of objects until glue makes an appearance and everything comes together. Opening up a four-page fold out reveals an arrangement of knickknacks that creatively resemble animals and tiny people. This unique take on picture day will encourage an endearing craft session of your own.

Appropriate for ages 3-5

Megan McDonald on Amazon

Building With Dad

Building With Dad by Carol Nevius, illustrated by Bill Thomson 2006

Explore the construction zone of a new school with a young boy and his contractor dad. This story is written from the voice of an excited little boy who dons his hard hat to be Dad’s helper. They observe, and sometimes assist with, the backhoe, the earthmover and the cement mixer. They are helping to build a school, and not just any school, but the one that the young boy will attend with pride because he was Dad’s helper.

“And when I’m grown-up, I hope I will be a builder like Dad with a helper like me!”

One highlight of this story is the way that the pictures and text spill down the page vertically instead of horizontally. The young narrator looks up at the huge machines, and this unique perspective gives the rhyming couplets even more energy.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Don't Touch My Hat!

Don't Touch My Hat! by James Rumford 2007

In the western town of Sunshine, the job of keeping things under control and civilized goes to Sheriff John. He depends greatly on his ten-gallon hat to help keep the peace, and round up the rowdies.

In the middle of the night, Sheriff John gets the summons to help in an emergency. He unknowingly grabs his wife's fancy hat, instead of his own, and high tails it out the door. He takes care of the robbers and the rustlers, and restores peace to the town, all before sunup. On appearing at his doorstep he realizes the hat mixup. He also comes to terms with the fact that it's his heart, not his hat, that helps him succeed.

The text is written in Western dialect and includes some silly punch lines that would make this a wonderful read for a group.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

James Rumford on Amazon

Frog Goes to Dinner

Frog Goes to Dinner by Mercer Mayer 1974

This story follows on the heels of Mayer's wonderfully popular title A Boy, A Dog, and a Frog. A young boy is accompanied to dinner (unbeknownst to him) by his trouble-making pet frog. The expression of the frog, and the dismayed diners, as he makes his presence known at the restaurant, is hilarious. The completely wordless format invites a child's imagination to hop, skip, and jump.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Mercer Mayer on Amazon

Beach Day

Beach Day by Karen Roosa, illustrated by Maggie Smith 2001

A day at the beach is realistically depicted in this memorable story. Stretching from morning into evening, the bouncy verse highlights the joy of a family vacation at the beach. Filled with families of every shape and size, and all the paraphernalia of a day in the sand, Smith's artwork is inviting and cheery. As the day ends with a beautiful sunset, exhausted families exit the beach, and stifle a contented yawn.

Appropriate for ages 2-8

The Stray Dog

The Stray Dog by Marc Simont, from a true story by Reiko Sassa 2001

A family picnicking spies a lonely but friendly dog. The young boy and girl play with him, and even give him a name, but are told he can't come back to their home in the city. The text is spare, but anguish is evident in the children's faces as they drive away, and all week long as the family remains distracted.

They all return to the same picnic spot the next weekend, looking nonchalant, but longing for the dog to reappear. He does make an appearance, but this time with a dog warden chasing him. The children defend their special friend Willy, and the warden lets him go. The last few pages illustrate the love that the family has for Willy, and his feeling of contentment.

"They took Willy home. And after that they introduced him to the neighborhood, where he met some very interesting dogs. And Willy settled in where he belonged."

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Yes Day!

Yes Day! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld 2009

Every child's dream would be to get their way all the time. But what if there was one day in the year where every answer to a child's question was "Yes"? The young boy in Rosenthal's story explains his favorite day of the year. He wants us to follow and observe how each of his wishes is granted. From a food fight, to staying up way past bedtime, the humorous cartoons reveal the joy experienced on this most unusual of days.

The blue end-papers reveal even more to giggle about. There is a monthly calendar including days like; Not On Your Life Day, Go Ask You Mother Day, or Two Thumbs Down Day. It's obvious what the most popular day is by the bright yellow box in the corner declaring YES DAY!. Beware of your child asking for a day just like this.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Amy Krouse Rosenthal on Amazon

Happy Birthday, Dear Duck

Happy Birthday, Dear Duck by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Jan Brett 1988

This simple, yet clever story demonstrates the kindness of friends at Duck's birthday party. Each friend bears a gift that initially does not seem to have any connection to the next gift.

"Duck looked around and he said, "Thanks a lot!

I'm pleased as can be with the gifts you brought.

But we're far from a lake and far from the sea.

How can I use what you've given to me?"

The last present, brought by Tortoise, allows them to utilize all the preceding gifts. They celebrate Duck's special day in the best way possible in the middle of the desert.

Brett's bright, warm illustrations highlight the beauty of the Southwest, and the animals that call the desert home.

Appropriate for ages 2-8

Jan Brett on Amazon

Eve Bunting on Amazon