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

Sometimes You Get What You Want

Sometimes You Get What You Want by Meredith Gary, illustrated by Lisa Brown 2008

Children will relate to the text by Gary that focuses on day to day activities and the emotions that arise when we get what we want, and when we don’t. No doubt, a great conversation will ensue after reading this book with your child.

“Sometimes you can make as much noise as you want. Sometimes you have to be quiet. Sometimes you can do it yourself. Sometimes you need a little help. Sometimes you have to go right to sleep, but sometimes you don’t.”

Appropriate for ages 2-6

Gossie

Gossie by Olivier Dunrea 2002

Gossie the gosling never leaves the barn without her favorite red boots. Reading this story is to explore with her as she goes about her day. But what happens when the red boots disappear? Her routine is broken, she cries, but she also finds a friend in the process.

The illustrations and text are simple, and full of child-sized fun.

Appropriate for ages 2-6

Olivier Dunrea on Amazon

Ginger Bear

Ginger Bear by Mini Grey 2007

On the title page Horace stares into a pastry-shop window full of gingerbread boys, which prods him to form a gingerbread creation of his own. When his gingery bear is cooked, he practically salivates over it, but his Mum tells him to wait until later. When Ginger Bears awakens, he traipses into the kitchen to quench his loneliness by whipping up a big batch of cookie friends. He has many decorations on hand, and the way he adorns each cookie is strange and funny all at the same time. The Circus that ensues is so dramatic and riveting, that the cookies don’t see the uninvited guest enter the kitchen. The pieces left behind help Ginger Bear realize that it’s time to move on to a career that is safer, but no less dazzling.

Grey’s artwork is hilariously creative, and the details of each character (whether human, canine or pastry) will lodge themselves in your memory.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Mini Grey 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

The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies

The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies by Ammi-Joan Paquette, illustrated by Christa Unzner 2009

This magical guide reveals the hiding places of fairies in an adventuresome way. Gardens and parks all around us can hold evidence of fairies; such as dandelion fluff used as a pillow, or an abundance of acorn shells scattered about. The book mixes artwork and photography, showing the human children narrowly missing the fairies at each turn.

A celebration of nature takes place in the pages, and your child may never look at the garden the same way again.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Christa Unzner on Amazon

Let's Go Home: The Wonderful Things About a House

Let’s Go Home: The Wonderful Things About a House by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin 2002

This is a book that celebrates the place we call home.

“But no matter the kind of house, it is the living inside that makes it wonderful, what happens in each room that makes it marvelous.”

A tour of each room in a house is lovingly explained on every page, from the front porch to the attic. The living room is “friendly”, the kitchen is “delicious”, and the bathroom is where you “find out what people like to read or how they like to smell or whether or not their teeth are real.” The warmth from Halperin’s illustrations will draw the reader in, and the exquisite detail is conducive to one-on-one sharing.

This story almost made me cry, as I have always been fascinated by houses, and the living that takes place inside the walls.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Cynthia Rylant on Amazon

Wendy Halperin on Amazon

Jumpy Jack & Googily

Jumpy Jack & Googily by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Sophie Blackall 2008

Jumpy Jack is a nervous snail, who is very scared of monsters. Lucky for him, his blue goblin shaped friend Googily has a kind heart, and tries to calm his fears. Jumpy Jack is positive that a monster lurks around every corner, and Googily checks just to make sure. Both friends fail to see that a monster is indeed in their midst in the form of Googily. Rosoff addresses fear in a light hearted manner. This story could pave the way for a wonderful conversation about the irrational fears that children sometimes experience.

Blackall’s whimsical artwork portrays Googily, in his dapper attire, as a timid and beloved monster friend.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Meg Rosoff on Amazon

Sophie Blackall on Amazon

What! Cried Granny

What! Cried Granny by Kate Lum, illustrated by Adrian Johnson 1999

Granny discovers that she is slightly unprepared for Patrick’s first sleepover at her house. Her efforts to provide everything Patrick needs for bed are valiant, and laugh inducing. She is armed with her toolbox, and determined to give her grandson everything he needs. She doesn’t break a sweat as she hones her woodworking skills and sewing prowess.

Obviously all this work takes some time, and when she finally equips Patrick to go to sleep, morning has arrived.

The illustrations are dramatically exaggerated, similar to the graphics of the 1950’s and 60’s.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Goodnight, Sweet Pig

Goodnight, Sweet Pig by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Josee Masse 2007

Sleep is just a dream for pig number one as her room fills up with rollicking friends. Each pig has their own idea of what should be done at bedtime, and none of them includes sleeping. Finally pig number one speaks up, and the rambunctious crowd falls silent. They proceed to help her drift off to slumber land, and quietly make their exit.

Bailey combines counting and bedtime in a creative way. The illustrations by Masse are bright, and full of humor, as the previous chaos comes to a peaceful conclusion.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Guido's Gondola

Guido’s Gondola by Renee Riva, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman 2005

Venice, tourists, and gondolas go hand in hand, and this story includes all of them plus a great moral to boot. Guido is a kindhearted rat who joyfully guides tourists through the waterways of Venice on his humble gondola. He enjoys the simplicity of life until the suggestion of purchasing a bigger, faster vessel is brought to his attention.

As he acquires more, his life becomes more complicated and less contented. In a freeing declaration Guido yells, "Enough is enough! It is not all about big boats and stuff!" Learn with Guido that life is not about acquiring, but about appreciating the small joys in life.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Steve Bjorkman on Amazon

Good Night Sam

Good Night Sam by Marie-Louise Gay 2003

Sam shares a room with his sister Stella, and is having a hard time falling asleep. He seems to have misplaced his dog Fred, and declares he can't sleep without him. Stella sleepily, but patiently, tries to help Sam discover Fred's whereabouts. They trail through the dark house together, quietly searching. Sam voices his own fears, and the fears of many young children, about the unknown noises and shadows of the dark.

Keep a look out for Fred the dog, lurking in each watercolor illustration. Gay sheds a fresh light on a child's fear of the dark, and their need for reassurance and support, whether through a person or a special pet.

Appropriate for Baby-Preschool

Marie-Louise Gay on Amazon