Cesar Takes A Break: Susan Collins Thoms
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 11, 2010
by Susan Collins Thoms (Author), Roge (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Sterling (March 4, 2008)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Iguanas, Pets, School, Vacation Read more
Spring 2010: Kids’ Book Picks
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 8, 2010
Spring is in the air. Familiar floral scents are beginning to drift with the breeze, stimulating thoughts of rebirth—from flowering blossoms to new-born chickens. Spring just may be my favorite season. The following books are a great representation of this sweet and thriving time of year.
Silly Little Goose!by Nancy Tafuri
Reading level: Ages 0-5
Board book: 26 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk edition (February 1, 2010)
Little Goose is looking for a quiet and comfortable place to lay her eggs—a classic spring activity. Simple text combined with animal sounds and winning illustrations make Silly Little Goose a great read-aloud book. This book was first released in 2001, but it has just been released as a sturdy board book—a great choice for the younger set.
Add this book to your collection: Silly Little Goose!
The Grasshopper Hopped!by Elizabeth Alexander (Author), Joung Un Kim (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 3-6
Hardcover: 14 pages
Publisher: Golden Books (January 12, 2010)
I’m not sure if Grasshoppers would be considered synonymous with spring, but, when I saw the cover for this book, my mind immediately thought of gardening and blossoms. As Grasshopper searches for his “perfect” spot, readers are taken on a journey similar to the one that Goldilocks takes in The Three Little Bears: The soup pot is too hot, the fridge too cold. Kim’s cut-paper illustrations and interactive pull-tabs add extra pizazz to the already engaging rhyme and sounds of Alexander’s charming little story.
Add this book to your collection: The Grasshopper Hopped!
Forever Friendsby Carin Berger
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (March 2, 2010)
From her collage artwork to her simple and reflective stories, Carin Berger is one of my favorites! Forever Friends, a companion book to The Little Yellow Leaf, is the story between two unlikely friends who must part because of the seasons. It is the season of spring that brings them back together. The cherry blossoms, mushrooms, and flower-chains, add extra panache to this heartfelt story of friendship.
Add this book to your collection: Forever Friends
You may also enjoy: The Little Yellow Leaf
Interview: Carin Berger
Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
by Randall de Seve (Author), Jen Corace (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (February 16, 2010)
Spring time begs for youngsters to return to the great outdoors. It also welcomes vivid imaginations that are rekindled by a change of scenery. Mathilda is an adorable little lamby—illustrated by Jen Corace: Little Pea, Little Oink, and Little Hoot—who clearly has a profound imagination that is stimulated easily by her surroundings. Mathilda also has a level of curiosity that, when combined with her imagination, allows her to become anything (an important message for anyone). Very sweet!
Add this book to your collection: Mathilda and the Orange Balloon
You may also enjoy: Little Pea, Little Oink, and Little Hoot
Paris in the Spring with Picasso
by Joan Yolleck (Author), Marjorie Priceman (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (March 23, 2010)
This is a visual and intellectual, cultural treat. Marjorie Priceman, the illustrator of two Caldecott Honor books, has superbly conjured images of 20th century Paris; an era of great artists, such as: Pablo Picasso and Gertrude Stein. The artwork is reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmans’ Madeline books, only the colors are more vibrant. Francophiles will delight in author Joan Yolleck’s imaginative telling of how these great artists may have spent one of their wonderful spring days in Paris. Conceptual meets factual, ending in a brilliant soiree.
Add this book to your collection: Paris in the Spring with Picasso
Francophiles may also enjoy: Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman
My Little Pony: The Greenest Day (I Can Read Book 1)
by Jennifer Christie
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (March 9, 2010)
The Greenest Day is a level 1 I Can Read book, which means that it has short sentences and familiar words. At the beginning of the book there are a few words that are matched with a picture. Throughout the story, these pictures replace the words in the sentences they appear—a fun concept to spice-up learning to read. With spring, friendship, and good listening as the key concepts for this story, it’s a great choice for a reluctant reader or My Little Pony fan.
Add this book to your collection: My Little Pony: The Greenest Day
Source of all books: Publishing Houses
Jerry Pinkney discusses his picture book, The Lion & the Mouse—2010 Caldecott Winner
Kids Winter Books: Snow, mittens, polar bears and other artic animals
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 4, 2010
What better season is there to cuddle-up under a blanket next to a crackling fire, with a good book? The following books are perfect for this peaceful-but-sometimes-blustery time of year. There is something for every child: snow, mittens, polar bears, penguins—and even a coming of age story for the teens.
Author Showcase: Pets’ Playground – Playing Safe in a Dog-and-Cat World
By Amanda Chin
Published: November 30, 2009
Author Showcase: A place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works.*
Pets’ Playground – Playing Safe in a Dog-and-Cat World
by Dr. Amanda Chin. (Author), by Luke Feldman (Illustrator)
Reading Level: 4-9 year olds
Paperback: 104 pages
Publisher: AAHA Press (November, 2009)
What to Expect: Dogs, Cats, Fun Pet Games, Activities, Cooking
Pets are an everyday part of childhood for more than 60% of the United States’ population. As we head toward the holiday season families will spend more time with their family pets or even consider a new furry family member. There are many wonderful reasons for adopting a pet. They promote the advancement of social attributes in children, including companionship, nurturing, love, affection, responsibility and respect. However, this human-animal bond can quickly dissolve, creating an unsafe environment for the child and the pet if simple safety is not practiced.
Thanksgiving Books: More Turkey, Please!
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: October 28, 2009
Although there is no concrete evidence that Turkey was eaten at “The First Thanksgiving Feast”, Thanksgiving would not be the same without our gobbling friend. If you’re looking for a light way to connect your littlest pilgrim to the simplest symbol of this thankful holiday, I suggest you feast on the following books:
Fall/Autumn Picture Book Picks: 2009 Edition
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: October 5, 2009
The weather is starting to cool, autumn is officially here. Leaves are beginning to change their color, and some have already started to softly tumble to the ground. This means it’s time to switch your flip-flops for your Ugg-Boots, order chili instead of gazpacho, and refresh your book selection with some wonderfully heart-warming tales. Grab a blanket and cozy up with one of these books:
Giveaway: Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 28, 2009
The bestselling authors of Owen & Mzee are back again with this remarkable true tale of a bottlenose dolphin who learned to swim again after a life threatening experience that left her tail permanently damaged. I am so moved and inspired by this beautiful story and I know you will be too. I urge you to enter this wonderful giveaway.
2 Books to Ruffle Your Feathers with Ambition
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 14, 2009
“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow them.” ~ Louisa May Alcott (Author of the classic children’s book Little Women)
by Tammi Sauer (Author), Dan Santat (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: Sterling (August 1, 2009)
What to expect: Talent Shows, Ability, Chickens, Domestic animals, Humor
In life, we always find groups. Groups of like-minded beings (animals and people). Groups typically stick together because of race or breed, some stick together because of shared talents. It is usually these shared talents that give us purpose and sheer enjoyment in life.
The Importance of Being Different
By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 21, 2009
Try as we might, we can’t all be the smartest, fastest, prettiest…we are ourselves and sometimes that can be hard to accept. But it’s a life lesson that must be learned and as parents we can try to make the lesson a little easier by pointing out that being different is the spice of life. It’s what makes every day interesting. We’ve all got our own talents and strengths. The key is finding what they are.
Three books that focus on the theme
of acceptance are Pink!, Patulous The Different Caterpillar, and Bob the Lizard. All three books help kids see that even though they’re different, they’ll still be accepted and have friends.
