A Pirate's Night Before Christmas

A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas by Philip Yates, illustrated by Sebastia Serra 2008

This is a familiar story transformed by the pirates that occupy it. The legend of Sir Peggedy is told in swashbuckling style. The book itself is a treasure; from a sled filled with sea-worthy gifts pulled by seahorses, to the toothless grins on the grimy faces of the pirates. The illustrations by Serra are wonderfully detailed, and throb with adventure.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

The Old Blue Pickup Truck

The Old Blue Pickup Truck by Candice F. Ransom, illustrated by Jenny Mattheson 2009

A little girl and her Daddy spend a special day together running errands. Their reliable blue pickup truck holds all the items they’ve purchased. When a storm threatens, the little girl creatively saves the day. The joy that the young girl and her Daddy experience by just being together is apparent in the simple, cheerful, and bright illustrations.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

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

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B. G. Hennessy, illustrated by Lynne Cravath 2001

This delightful book about the first Thanksgiving is a great introduction to the history of the holiday. A familiar rhyme is used to showcase the everyday lives of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. As autumn draws closer they reap the benefits of their hard work all year, and enjoy a shared celebration. Everyone unites to prepare the feast, and then enjoy the bounty at a celebratory picnic.

"Turkey, cornbread, cranberry stuffing. Pumpkin, cider, Indian pudding. Clams and oysters-tummies growling. Let's give thanks and then we'll eat!"

Hennessey includes informative endnotes to expand on the foods and activities mentioned in the story. The artwork by Cravath is full of warmth, and joy.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

B. G. Hennessey on Amazon

Lynne Cravath on Amazon

Being a Pig Is Nice: A Child's-Eye View of Manners

Being a Pig Is Nice: A Child’s-Eye View of Manners by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Dan Krall 2009

Animals don’t have to worry about being polite. They are practically encouraged to misbehave. The young girl in this story guides us through animal habitats so we can see how young creatures are encouraged to behave by their parents. The differences between us and them is comical and endearing.

“When you are an elephant it is polite to splash. Not splashing is Atrocious, Disgraceful Conduct. But flies and all their relations come to live on you when you’re an elephant and that’s not nice.”

This young girl realizes the negatives of being an animal, and the positives of appropriate manners, while using her imagination and making us laugh in the process. The illustrations are bright and dramatic and perfectly match the humor of the text.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Sally Lloyd-Jones on Amazon

Police Officers on Patrol

Police Officers on Patrol by Kersten Hamilton, illustrated by R. W. Alley 2009

A day in the life of a police officer, from the mundane tasks to the drama, is cleverly depicted in this rollicking read. Hamilton helps us remember how important and brave police officers are. The artwork by Alley introduces us to engaging characters with life-like expressions, which are emphatically thankful for the help they receive from the police.

Kids will be chanting with the officers, “When people need help, we rock and roll!”

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Kersten Hamilton on Amazon

R. W. Alley on Amazon

Papa is a Pirate

Papa is a Pirate by Katharina Grossmann Hensel 2009

A young boy wonders what his dad does all day at work. He begins to entertain the idea that his Papa might be a pirate, and Daddy plays right along. From putting on a show for passing cruise ships, to saving the boy’s mother who also happens to be a pirate, the little boy is almost convinced of his Papa’s real job on the high seas.

The text is written in a conversational tone, and the imaginative artwork is full of humor.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Sally and the Purple Socks

Sally and the Purple Socks by Lisze Bechtold 2008

Sally the duck is ecstatic to receive her new purple socks in the mail. Uncertain as to what size she specified, they nevertheless fit perfectly. The socks begin to take on a life of their own, growing at a speedy rate. But Sally is unperturbed and comes up with clever ways to use her soft, cozy, warm, luxurious and magical socks. A rainstorm brings things back down to size, and Sally is even more thankful for her purple toe warmers.

The silly suspense of this book would be perfect for a clothing themed story time.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

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

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

Peanut

Peanut by Linas Alsenas 2007

Mildred is lonely, but then she gets a new pet. Although her pet Peanut is not a dog, she treats him as such. As she walks him in the park, she discovers that he is missing from the circus. She visits him there, and realizes he is happier at the circus, but she is alone again. Coming across another stray animal will certainly help her sadness subside, even if she is a little muddled about it’s true identification.

The fun contradictions of this story will delight young children. It will also remind them of the special companionship that having a pet can bring.

Appropriate for ages 2-6

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

Timothy and the Strong Pajamas

Timothy and the Strong Pajamas by Viviane Schwarz 2007

Timothy "wasn't big, and he wasn't strong. But he really, really wished he was." To make himself stronger Timothy exercises, drinks milk and thinks strong thoughts. But it's only after his mom mends his pajamas that he is endowed with super powers. He, along with his faithful stuffed monkey, become heroes to those in need of help. But when monkey needs Timothy's help, his strength is depleted because of the tear in his pajamas. Timothy feels uncertain and terrified. To his amazement he is assisted by those he helped, and he is so grateful. In this book, what goes around does come around, and everyone is brought closer because of it.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Pretty Pru: A Tilly and Friends Book

Pretty Pru: A Tilly and Friends Book by Polly Dunbar 2009

"Tilly and her friends all live together in a little yellow house."

Tilly leads the pack of whimsical friends with quiet flair, but mischief is always lurking. Pru, the bird, is admiring her reflection in a mirror, when Tumpty the elephant asks to share some of her makeup. She immediately refuses, and disgruntled Tumpty grabs her bag of makeup while she is in the throes of her "pretty-prance".

The disappearance of her purse causes Pru to frantically ask Tilly for help. Although each animal feigns indifference when asked where the purse is, they sport enhanced lashes, glowing cheekbones, and freshly manicured nails. Even though Pru is dismayed to find that Tumpty took the purse, apologies are quickly exchanged, so the animals can get on with their fun.

Dunbar endows each character with a wonderful expressive tenderness.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Polly Dunbar on Amazon

Pajama Time!

Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton 2000

Making it to bed in a happy mood can be somewhat of a challenge, but reading Boynton's story can make it a celebration. The tone is comfortable and silly, all while mentioning familiar bedtime tasks such as getting jammies on, reading a bedtime story, and brushing those pearly whites. Dancing may not be a common theme during bedtime, but your family will change their mind quickly after enjoying this irresistible read. The endearing creatures in the story will encourage your child to 'pajammy' in whatever they've got.

Appropriate for Baby-Preschool

Sandra Boynton on Amazon

Polo: The Runaway Book

Polo: The Runaway Book (The Adventures of Polo) by Regis Faller 2007

The journey that Polo takes is fueled by his imagination after reading a book given to him. A small green alien snatches the book, and Polo is in hot pursuit. A series of amazing events ensues as Polo travels through a cotton candy cloud, a stormy ocean, and a mysterious jungle island. At each turn, he meets new friends, but he never lingers, because he must retrieve his book.

The nearly wordless story, and the bright illustrations have huge appeal to young children. The comic book type format reiterates the importance of following a story line from left to right, and top to bottom.

This is a great reminder of how reading can expand our imagination, and as Polo learns, it's important to share that joy with others.

Appropriate for ages 4-12

Toot & Puddle

Toot & Puddle by Holly Hobbie 1997

The best of friends have different ideas of what is fun. Even though Toot and Puddle love being together, they take time to pursue their own adventures. Puddle is a homebody that immerses himself in the country setting of Woodcock Pocket. Toot is always anticipating his next adventure across the globe. As Toot sets off on his journey, he always remembers to send Puddle postcards.

Holly Hobbie's beautiful illustrations take us into the emotions that separation from a friend can bring. Even though they support each other's differences, Toot and Puddle always look forward to being together again.

This story about being a great friend, and not forgetting to be yourself, is a wonderful reminder for children and adults.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Holly Hobbie on Amazon