Our California by Pam Munoz Ryan, illustrated by Rafael Lopez 2008
The vastness and history of California are evocatively represented in this book. The story begins with a two-page spread map of California and the trail that the reader will travel with the text. The artwork by Lopez is vibrant, and pulsates with the wonder of this great state. Each region explored in the book is covered in more detail in the back.
Appropriate for ages 4-8
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
Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee 2006
A common scene at an amusement park sets up this story. The line of people is long, and pulsing with anticipation. As they draw nearer to the daunting roller coaster, some opt out. But a brave little girl and her Dad stand their ground and go on an adventure they will never forget, and might possibly repeat.
The emotion that oozes out of each person in Frazee’s artwork is astounding. You will want to laugh when the big burly men get scared on the roller coaster, and bite your nails in trepidation for those who are obviously petrified. The humor and suspense depicted here are unforgettable.
Appropriate for ages 3-6
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee 2008
Two boys visit their grandparents to enjoy the beauty of Nature Camp. The text says that James was sad to see his mother leave, but his expression as he waves goodbye is anything but worried. Contradictions abound in the story line, and this makes for many laughs. The boy’s grandparents have their own ideas about how the boys should while away the week, but the boys spend their free time in a completely different way. They bond while jumping on an air mattress, vegging in front of the TV, and eating stacks of banana waffles. The discovery that things can work out magnificently even when they don’t go exactly as planned is the theme of this story.
The artwork by Frazee captures the essence of summer in the waves, the sunset, and the hilarious representation of childhood friendships.
Appropriate for ages 4-8
Emma’s Turtle by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Marsha Winborn 2007
Emma reads to her turtle about adventures in other parts of the world, and this makes his backyard pen feel very small and plain. He decides to dig his way out and explore the world. He encounters an elephant’s leg (a tree stump), a kangaroo (a frog), and even a tiger (the neighbors cat). He is feeling a little apprehensive as he plods along, and wonders how long it will take him to get back to the United States. Luckily a concerned Emma finds him and returns him to his pen for a snack.
Even though Emma’s turtle never leaves the yard, he is unperturbed and thankful for the adventure he did have. This story reminds me that it is wonderful to have a home to come back to, and people that miss you when you are away.
Appropriate for ages 4-8
City Lullaby by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Carll Cneut 2007
The sounds and colors of the city are deftly woven into this counting book. A bright pink stroller calmly glides across each chaotic scene from the city.
“Ice cream truck jing-a-linging. Nine annoying cell phones ringing. Nine phones ringing, ten horns beeping. In the stroller, Baby’s sleeping.”
Despite the over-stimulating sounds of the city, Baby snoozes on. There is an abundance of things to find and count on each page. This would make a great choice for storytimes.
Appropriate for ages 3-8
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
Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock 2006
Simon is picked up at school by his big sister Adele, who urges Simon to “try not to lose anything today.” We soon learn that Simon has a knack for getting distracted and misplacing his things. Paris in the 20th century holds many bustling scenes with distractions around each corner. The route that Adele & Simon take is leisurely, and includes a street market, gardens, and the grounds of Notre-Dame. As Simon looses his things (crayons, a glove, his knapsack), kind Parisians help him search, but he ends up sauntering to the next beautiful locale. These same Parisians follow through in a special way, preventing undue frustration from Simon’s mom when he arrives home empty handed.
Each pen-and-ink illustration by McClintock is full of details which make the visual game of hide-and-seek a delight. The journey the children take through the city is depicted on endpaper maps. Each neighborhood or landmark covered in the story is described in more detail at the back of the book. If you have never been to Paris, the astonishing artwork of this book will make you dream of visiting someday. If you have been to this enchanted city, memories will loom large as you immerse yourself in the pictures.
Appropriate for ages 4-8
The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller 1998
“States all over the country were waking up, having their first cups of coffee, reading the morning paper, and enjoying the beautiful sunrise.” All the states except the one smack dab in the middle. Kansas whines to his neighbors about their permanence, and starts to stir things up. Nebraska quickly agrees that change is in the air, and they organize a party so all the states can be introduced. Amidst the chatting, and pleasant potluck dishes, the states decide to switch things up, literally.
After they settle into their new spots, they realize this scrambled situation they’ve gotten themselves into is a mess. Each travels back to where they belong, with a new appreciation for their state of affairs.
The quirky details and humor injected on each page make this a unique and memorable lesson in geography.
Appropriate for ages 4-8
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
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
Beach Day by Karen Roosa, illustrated by Maggie Smith 2001
Wow! America! by Robert Neubecker 2006