Two Homes

Two Homes by Claire Masurel, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton 2003

A young boy named Alex describes what life is like with his divorced parents. He does so in a simple and straightforward manner. He has two rooms, two sets of friends, and two toothbrushes. One can only imagine the depth of emotion that dwells inside this young person as he is transported back and forth, but Masurel speaks of the adjustments in an immensely sensitive way. No matter where Alex is, he is completely loved, and this truth makes an enormous impact as he copes with the magnitude of divorce.

Whether you have struggled through a divorce yourself, or have sidestepped the wounds it can inflict, this is a must read with your child. It makes one very grateful for the love of a parent, whether together or apart.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

Claire Masurel on Amazon

Kady MacDonald Denton on Amazon

Thanksgiving Is Here!

Thanksgiving Is Here! By Diane Goode 2005

Grandma and Grandpa’s house is the place to be on turkey day. The family tumbles in from the cold and everyone contributes to the preparations. Somebody is reading, somebody is eating, and other people are greeting the family as they enter in.

“At Grandma’s house the chairs don’t match…but we don’t mind. We all have a place at the table.”

Goode’s illustrations accurately chronicle the comforting chaos and ridiculous ruckus of a family who loves each other, and has an abundance of things to be thankful for. The story ends sweetly with the silence and satiation of a day wrapped up in joy.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Diane Goode on Amazon

How to Heal a Broken Wing

How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham 2008

At times, the pace of life leaves no time to slow down, and yet the young boy in this urban story does just that. He sees an injured pigeon lying on the busy sidewalk and asks his Mom if they can take it home. We then see the compassionate process that his family takes as they care for and nourish the bird back to health. The text is wonderfully spare as we watch the bird heal, and long to be where he really belongs. Will learns a lesson about kindness that he, and you, will not soon forget.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Bob Graham on Amazon

Say Hello

Say Hello by Jack Foreman, illustrated by Michael Foreman 2008

A dog and a little boy are experiencing what it feels like to be lonely and left out. A group of kids having a great time can be very intimidating, but it only takes the kindness of one to begin the process of friendship and belonging.

The spare text and illustrations leave ample room to observe the moral of kindness towards others, and the powerful life change it can render.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

Michael Foreman on Amazon

And Here's to You!

And Here’s to You! By David Elliott, illustrated by Randy Cecil 2009

Infectious read-aloud poems celebrate the animals around us, from the “Bubble People” to the ”Giving People”. But let’s not forget the “People People” who, after reading this delightful story, are even more thankful for the creature world around them and the fact that they are a vital part of it.

Cecil’s oil illustrations are full of whimsy and warmth, complimenting the text perfectly.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

David Elliott on Amazon

Randy Cecil on Amazon

The House in the Meadow

The House in the Meadow by Shutta Crum, illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye 2003

This informational book about building a house from the ground up also includes great practice in counting. A newly married couple oversees the construction of their first home as the seasons change. The text echoes the classic counting rhyme “Over in the Meadow” by Wadsworth. The important job that each worker performs is included in the clever text. Billin-Frye uses colorful collage that has a three-dimensional feel.

“Over in the meadow, by the house, in the sun, waved the wife and the husband and their new little one. “Home!” Said the couple. “You’re home,” said everyone. Then they lived in the meadow, in their house that was done!"

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Shutta Crum on Amazon

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

Fairy Houses

Fairy Houses by Tracy Kane 2001

Kristen’s family is on vacation and they surprise her by revealing a human made village for fairies. She becomes the architect of her own magical home for the fairies, and wishes more than anything to meet them. She finally gets what she wishes for, because she respected and cared for the forest and it's occupants.

Kane’s illustrations are dreamlike and magical which is just what the storyline warrants. The natural world will be viewed differently after reading this story, and a fairy village will most likely appear in your backyard very soon.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Tracy Kane on Amazon

My Heart Is A Magic House

My Heart is a Magic House by Julie Jacobs, illustrated by Bernadette Pons 2007

Stephanie Squirrel’s mom is about to have another baby, and she is worried that everything will change. She’s concerned about sharing material things, as well as her mother’s love. Her mom explains that her heart will expand, just like a house with many rooms, and her love will swell. The reassurance and loving comfort of this story will encourage older brothers and sisters in the change ahead.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Bernadette Pons on Amazon

How To Be

How To Be by Lisa Brown 2006

A young girl and boy demonstrate how to be six different animals with antics that are fun and creative. The text and illustrations are spare but colorful and will encourage kids to get up and make a go at it themselves. The siblings’ mischievous actions even teach about sequence. The last section of the book reminds kids of the importance of being you. Children can model the positive characteristics that the animals have demonstrated.

Appropriate for ages Baby- 5

How Are You Peeling?: Foods with Moods

How Are You Peeling?: Foods with Moods By Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers 2004

This amazingly creative and original story is full of thought provoking questions. Vegetables and fruit emoting every kind of expression roll across each page. Your child may relate to a jovial lemon, a flabbergasted pepper, or a jealous tomato. The expressive black-eyed peas used for the eyes are genius. You will never look at a display of produce the same again.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Saxton Freymann on Amazon

Joost Elffers on Amazon

The Snail House

The Snail House by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Gillian Tyler 2001

This story begins in the lap of a Grandma, which reassures us that it will be riveting. Add to it children who shrink to miniature size, and a traveling shell house on a snail’s back, and we know the story will be even more engaging. The snail covers a very short distance through the garden and yet adventure is prevalent in the form of an earthquake, a disappearing baby, and a brush with death.

The visual feast presented to us by Tyler, in pen-and-ink and watercolor, coincides beautifully with the conversational narrative by Ahlberg. The garden scenes passing outside the whimsical windows of the snail house are stunning.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Allan Ahlberg on Amazon

Halfway Hank

Halfway Hank by Joe Fallon & Ken Scarborough, illustrated by Jack E. Davis 2005

Hank does everything halfway. Part of his room is clean, and he skates with only one skate. He seems quite content with his lot, until the County Barbecue, where he competes in an important race. His way of doing things just doesn’t seem to work, until Hank turns the tables on everyone and wins despite, and because of, his differences. The artwork vividly shows Hank's determination, and the disgruntled reactions of others.

We all want our children to follow through on a task, and this story does a great job of highlighting that importance. Even though Hank does things differently, he is not a quitter, and this is an area that we could all improve in.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Jack E. Davis on Amazon

The Wonderful Thing About Hiccups

The Wonderful Thing About Hiccups by Cece Meng, illustrations by Janet Pedersen 2007

A young boy attempts to explain the rules of the library while battling hiccups, riding a hippo, and keeping his little sister in one piece. If all goes well (books returned and in good condition) a library card will be given, and this is a wonderful gift indeed.

The unpredictability of the story, and the unkempt young boy, will induce many giggles. The joy of reading is highlighted with great effect.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Janet Pedersen on Amazon

Hat

Hat by Paul Hoppe 2009

Henry finds a lone red hat in the park, and decides it should be his. He could use the hat to keep him dry in a rainstorm, sled down a snowy hill, or protect him from being eaten by a crocodile. But what if someone else needs the hat even more than Henry? In the end, this smart young man makes a very wise choice.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

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

The House Takes a Vacation

The House Takes a Vacation by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Lee White 2007

Why wouldn’t the house take a vacation at the same time as the Peterson family? The chimney grudgingly agrees they should travel to the sea after much prodding from the sunporch, the bedroom windows, and the roof. The basement stays behind because he “refused to rise to the occasion.”

The expressions of the different parts of the house are amusing, and there is a plethora of silly puns. The house experiences the Dance of the Sunlight on the ocean, and even passes dangerously close to the Peterson’s sunbathing on the beach. The Peterson’s arrive home right after the house, and find it looking quite bedraggled; decorated with seaweed, and an octopus. They thought they were the only ones who took a vacation, but we know better.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

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

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

Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses!

Never Babysit the Hippopotamuses! by Doug Johnson, illustrated by Abby Carter 1993

Kids will giggle at this comic tale of a small boy baby-sitting two enormous pachyderms. Advice on the care of the sibling hippos is given, as well as the wacky details of the evening. Among the list of things not to allow are wrestling, and leap frog. Beware of bathtime, because "the Hippos love to do cannonballs into the tub."

Carter's watercolor illustrations represent the manic energy of the Hippos, and the exhausted determination of the babysitter. Watching these beasts is no easy task, but much easier than taking care of the next door neighbors.

Appropriate for ages 4-8