Katie Loves the Kittens

Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman 2008

“Today was the most exciting day in Katie’s whole life! Sara Ann had brought home three little kittens.”

The unlikely love between a curious dog (Katie), and three bewildered kittens sets the stage for this endearing story. Katie is so beside herself to meet the kittens she begins to howl with joy, and scares them away. Later, after she has calmed down, she approaches the kittens again. First her tail wags ecstatically, and then her entire body begins to quiver with excitement. After each failed attempt to calmly introduced herself, Katie retreats to her red pillow bed. The sadness she feels is wonderfully captured in Himmelman’s expressive illustrations. Finally her dreams come true when the kittens seek her out, and a wonderful friendship begins to develop.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

John Himmelman on Amazon

The King's Taster

The King’s Taster by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Lou Fancher & Steve Johnson 2009

The cook of the castle makes the most delectable meals for the king, but the king refuses to eat. Max is the king’s taster, and he loves his job.The chef is justifiably frustrated, and he takes Max with him to foreign lands with the goal of finding the most delicious recipes to coax the king to eat. Their efforts are futile, until Max discovers the real reason behind the king’s spoiled appetite.

The artwork is clever, and mysterious, with collage used throughout. Those who are picky eaters, and those who aren’t, will get a tasty kick out of this story.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Lou Fancher on Amazon

Christina Katerina and the Box

Christina Katerina and the Box by Patricia Lee Gauch, illustrated by Doris Burn 1998

The difference between the imaginations of an adult and a child are crystal clear in this story. Christina transforms the refrigerator box on her front lawn into a plethora of creations. She and her mom have a literal tug of war between each transformation that the box takes; from a castle to a racecar. The friendships of children are explored as well, touching on sharing and respect for others things.

Burn’s illustrations are black, brown, and white. They timelessly capture the joy in imaginative play.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Patricia Lee Gauch on Amazon

Kindergarten Count to 100

Kindergarten Count to 100 by Jacqueline Rogers 2004

Starting school can be an uncertain time, but Petey will lead you through his day, counting as he goes. The familiar tasks and activities of a day at kindergarten are shown in soft watercolors. Each child in the story is confident and happy, which is exactly how we want our children to face each day at school.

Appropriate for ages 3-6

The Color Kittens

The Color Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen 1949

"Blue is the door

That takes you through into the world of the color kittens."

Hush and Brush are experts at mixing colors. Their paint buckets are lined up as far as the eye can see, and they are ready to mix up some magic, and poetry as well. Each color is represented and matched to an item that is familiar in a young child's world. The timeless artwork by the Provensen's provides excitement whether the kittens are awake or in dreamland. These pouncy kittens are wonderful guides into the world of color, and the lyrical verse will not be soon forgotten.

Appropriate for Baby-Preschool

Margaret Wise Brown on Amazon

No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons)

No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons) by Jean Pendziwol, illustrated by Martine Gourbault 1999

A young girl invites a dragon over for tea, not realizing the turn of events a sneeze can cause. The dragon's "a-choo" causes a fire to start, and panic to set in. But there's no need to worry because the girl knows just what to do when the smoke alarm goes off. She proceeds to teach the dragon, and us, through the funny, rhyming verse.

Pendziwol emphasizes the importance of the individual rather than the stuff a child might want to save during a fire. She reminds us to have a safety checklist (included in the back of the book), and the important role that the firemen and women play during an emergency of this kind.

This story will stimulate wonderful conversation with your child.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

I Knew Two Who Said Moo: A Counting and Rhyming Book

I Knew Two Who Said Moo: A Counting and Rhyming Book by Judi Barrett, illustrated by Daniel Moreton 2000

This romp through numbers one to ten, from Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs author Judi Barrett, will stretch your child's imagination. Each number is partnered with a silly verse that rhymes with the number itself. Each number poem is accompanied by, for example, pigs knitting, rats pole vaulting, or bears at a construction site. The scenes become more ridiculous as the numbers escalate.

The computer-generated artwork of Moreton is zany, and oversized with bright colors. Combining three concepts in one (numbers, counting and the concept of rhyming), will make this read a big hit.

Appropriate for ages 2-7

Judi Barrett on Amazon