Laura Gehl | The Children’s Book Review | November 16, 2017
Reading out loud to my kids is one of the greatest joys of my life. I still read to my 13-year-old (we just finished a Dave Barry phase, and now we’re in an Agatha Christie phase) and my 11-year-old (currently working his way through WWI and WWII nonfiction and novels) in addition to my younger two. I will happily read aloud to all four of my kids as long as they will let me!
Best Frints in the Whole Universe
Written and Illustrated by Antoinette Portis
This book rings so true emotionally…beautifully portraying the ups and downs of friendship…but it is also a unique, humorous take on the subject. The language used on planet Boborp is just similar enough to English that kids can understand it, but just different enough that they can feel clever for “translating.” My daughter wanted to read this book over and over and over…and eventually insisted that we turn it into a play (starring her, me, and a laundry basket).
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Ages 4-7 | Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1626721364
The Perfect Nest
Written by Catherine Friend
Illustrated by John Manders
This book is about a frustrated cat who just wants a tasty omelet and ends up taking care of three demanding babies instead—a goose, a chicken, and a duck. Since each of the babies has a different accent, the story makes for read-aloud gold. My kids listened to it again and again, and we’ve given this book as a gift many times over the years.
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Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Candlewick | 2007 | ISBN-13: 978-0763624309
Creepy Carrots!
Written by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by Peter Brown
The twist at the end of this book is so clever that it never gets old! This is another book we have gifted many times, because we can’t imagine any child not enjoying it.
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Ages 4+ | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers | 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-1442402973
Rhyming Dust Bunnies
Written and Illustrated by Jan Thomas
Our copy of Rhyming Dust Bunnies barely made it through my fourth child. We read it and re-read it until the cover fell off. The simple-but-funny text, the simple-but-adorable illustrations, and the clever ending…this book is sheer brilliance.
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Ages 3-8 | Beach Lane Books | 2009 | ISBN-13: 978-1416979760
A Birthday for Frances
Written by Russell Hoban
Illustrated by Lillian Hoban
This was a favorite of mine in my own childhood, and my kids loved it just as much. Frances’ completely relatable jealousness about her sister’s birthday, combined with her hilarious songs and inventive spelling…this might be the most perfect book ever written (with apologies to the other fabulous books I have included here and the other fabulous books I couldn’t include).
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Ages 4-8 | HarperCollins | 1994 (Reprint) | ISBN-13: 978-0064430074
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Peep and Egg: I’m Not Taking a Bath
Written by Laura Gehl
Illustrated by Joyce Wan
Publisher’s Synopsis: In this lively addition to the funny Peep and Egg picture book series for toddlers, a reluctant chick named Egg overcomes her aversion to taking a bath.
Peep thinks Egg needs to take a bath after playing in the mud. But Egg is not taking a bath. Not in the river, not in the duck pond, and definitely not in the dog’s water bowl―too slobbery! Does Peep have any tricks up her feathers to help a chick change her mind? Laura Gehl and Joyce Wan are back with another fun, colorful story that takes the “not” out of “I’m not taking a bath!”
Ages 2-6 | Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux | 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0374303273
Available Here:
Fun Stuff:
Check out the adorable Peep and Egg coloring sheets and more at http://www.lauragehl.com/free-activity-sheets/
About the Author
Laura Gehl is the author of popular picture books books, including the Peep and Egg series and One Big Pair of Underwear, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Laura has four children, who always love getting dirty and sometimes love taking baths. She and her family live in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Visit Laura online at lauragehl.com and www.facebook.com/authorLauraGehl
About the Illustrator
Joyce Wan is the author and illustrator of many popular board books, including You Are My Cupcake, We Belong Together, and The Whale in my Swimming Pool. She is also the illustrator of Sue Lowell Gallion’s Pug Meets Pig. Joyce lives in Ridgewood, New Jersey. For more info, visit wanart.com
Laura Gehl, author of Peep and Egg: I’m Not Taking a Bath, selected these five family favorites. Discover more articles on The Children’s Book Review tagged with Family Favorites.
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