Brand-New Baby Blues by Kathi Appelt

Being the one and only was great. Now that there's a baby brother, too, a little girl is sure she has the brand-new baby blues. This new brother doesn't do much except use her stuff and take up her parents' time. But she reaches a very grown-up decision--once the baby's not a baby and just a brother, she'll like him fine.

What I thought: A great book about new babies and sibling rivalry. This book definitely fills a need. The story was lyrical. You could almost sing it. I especially liked the chorus/refrain that was repeated throughout. It really made the story feel like a blues song. The illustrations are good--colorful yet soft (hardly any lines).

Story Time Themes: Siblings, Babies

(Illus. Kelly Murphy. Harper, 2010)

No by Claudia Rueda

Winter is coming, but Little Bear doesn't want to hibernate. He tells his mother so with a resounding "No!" For every objection, he has a ready answer. Even when he gives in to winter and hibernation, he makes it his idea, not his mother's.


What I thought: What a cute book! Little Bear could give some kids competition. Have you ever met a kid like him? Well, I have. Rueda has captured children's attitudes exactly. This will be a fun book to share in story time. I'll ask the kids what they would say to their mothers! The illustrations aer just beautiful. I love the uncomplicated color scheme and the softness of the illustrations. My favorite illustration is Little Bear building a snowman.

Story Time Themes: Bears, Winter, Mothers


(Groundwood, 2009, Trans. 2010)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my faithful readers! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, fun, and food. (How's that for alliteration?)

As today is a holiday, there won't be a Beatrix Potter Reading Project Post. I'll be back on Thursday, December 2 discussing The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes. You'll find an update on the project here.

I'm going to share my favorite Thanksgiving Book with you. It's Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr (Illustrated by Laura Rader, Walker Books, 2007). This is a great story time book because the kids can help you say "Run, turkey, run!" I also like the optimistic ending. The turkey's still running. We don't know if he gets caught, but I like to think he doesn't.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving!

Fluffy & Baron by Laura Rankin

Fluffy is a duck. Baron is a German Shepherd. Despite the difference in their species, these two are fast friends until the day some wild ducks land in the pond. Baron is quite despondent when Fluffy deserts him for several days. He's soon happy again when Fluffy presents him with nine new ducklings to befriend.

What I thought: What a charming story about friendship. Baron and Fluffy are unlikely friends, but the bonds of friendship often know no bounds. The illustrations are wonderful. I especially like seeing the seasons change.

Story Time Themes: Friendship, Dogs, Ducks

(Dial, 2006)

The Littlest Owl by Caroline Pitcher

Four owls are born in a willow tree. The fourth is the smallest of all. He doesn't grow as fast as the others or fly as soon. But when he must, he finds that he can, indeed, fly.

What I thought: I can't resist a book about owls and this was a good one. I'm an underdog champion and Four is definitely the underdog in this story. I like his determination despite his handicaps. The illustrations are lovely--the owls look so soft and fluffy that I almost petted the page.

Story Time Theme: Owls

(Illus. Tina MacNaughton. Scholastic, 2008)

The Chicken Thief by Beatrice Rodriguez

When Fox steals a hen one morning, Bear, Rabbit, and Rooster expect the worst. They chase that sly fox across the ocean only to find they were mistaken in his intentions.

What I Thought: What a wonderful book. The illustrations are so detailed that you don't miss words. The pictures tell the story quite clearly. I can't wait to use this with some of my smaller story time groups and hear the kids tell the story. I have quite a few favorite illustrations: Fox running off with Hen, Fox and Hen playing chess, Hen in shades, and finally, Fox and Hen bidding farewell to their friends. This unlikely love story will pair well with Woof: A Love Story by Weeks. The Chicken Thief is unexpected Valentine fare.

Story Time Themes: Love, Valentine's Day

(Enchanted Lion Books, 2010)

The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter

First published 1910
59 pages, 28 color illustrations

Mrs. Thomasina Tittlemouse (you might recall her from The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies) keeps a very tidy house. She's quite proud of the fact. But one day, even the tidiest of mice can't keep a house clean with a multitude of visitors parading through.

The History Behind the Tale (Linder 205-207):
The other creatures that appear in The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse were quite familiar to Beatrix Potter. She'd been drawing bugs, beetles, toads, and the like since she was in her teens. The story of Mrs. Tittlemouse was a gift for Harold Warne's daughter Nellie. The published book is dedicated to Nellie. As always, Beatrix took meticulous care with the text and the small changes she executed made all the difference. Beatrix felt The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse would appeal to girls.

My thoughts: Such a neat little mouse certainly does appeal as a character. Little girls who often pick up brooms and dusters to "help" mother will find a kindred spirit in Mrs. Thomasina Tittlemouse. The story is quaint and charming as are the illustrations.

Favorite Illustrations: Mrs. Tittlemouse (8), Mrs. Tittlemouse tossing a spider out the window (20), Miss Butterfly (44), Mouse party (57)

Activities:
-Mrs. T's House Mouse Relay (have the kids run a relay in which they sweep, dust, pick up, etc.)
-I'm drawing a blank this week. Readers, do you have any suggestions?

Favorite Words: bundled, ponderously

I hope you've enjoyed my discussion of The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse. Next Thursday, I'll be discussing The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes. If you've missed any of the posts, you can find them indexed here.