Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn

Tuesday is Lola's favorite day of the week. Why? It's library day. Lola gets to pick out new books, play, and even listen to a story. The library is Lola's favorite place.

What I thought: I like Lola from the moment I met her in Lola Loves Stories. Her first book doesn't disappoint me. I now know where her love of stories comes from--her weekly visits to the library. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The lines are soft and don't overpower the color. My favorite illustration is of story time.

Since writing the above, I've had the opportunity to use Lola at the Library for story time. I don't know if it was me, my listeners, or what, but the story fell a little flat. I think Lola Loves Stories would work better in a story time setting. Lola at the Library might work best for one-on-one sharing.

Story Time Theme: Libraries

(Illus. Rosalind Beardshaw. Charlesbridge, 2006)

Do You Have a Cat? by Eileen Spinelli

The narrator asks the reader/listener a simple question (Do you have a cat?) and at the same time, introduces us to famous persons' cats. I bet you didn't know that Queen Victoria had a cat!

What I thought: What a fun way for kids to "meet" historical figures. I had no idea these people owned cats. The illustrations are wonderful--bright, colorful, and appealing. My favorite illustration is of Domenico Scarlatti. I like how the cats look like their owners.

Story Time Theme: Cats

(Illus. Geraldo Valerio. Eerdmans, 2010)

On the Farm by David Elliott

In 13 simple poems, Elliott explores the farmyard world. From the rooster to the rabbit, we see what they do and how they interact with the farm around them.

What I thought: I liked On the Farm as much as I did In the Wild. Elliott's simple poems are exactly right for young readers and listeners. My favorite poems are "Rooster" and "Goat." Meade's illustrations are so appealing--the colors are great and the woodcut lines add definition. My favorite illustrations are the bees and the rabbit. On the Farm would work well for preschool story time. Pair with Doreen Cronin's farm books for a fun program.

The animals: rooster, cow, pony, dog, sheep, cat, goat, pig, snake, bees, bull, turtle, rabbit

Story Time Theme: Farm Animals

(Illus. Holly Meade. Candlewick, 2008)

Word After Word After Word by Patricia MacLachlan

Lucy, Henry, Evie, Russell, and May have the privilege of meeting and being taught by Ms. Mirabel--an author. Her time with them becomes a time of discovery. As they write, they explore and find themselves.

What I thought: Much better than a nonfiction book on writing. This book will do much to inspire young writers. Though Word After Word After Word is a short narrative (6 weeks, 125 pages), I really got to know the five friends/narrators. MacLachlan's Sarah, Plain and Tall is one of my favorite middle grade novels. She is truly worth studying. She can pack so much into a short novel. This book is a great addition to any library. It will pair well with Locomotion by Woodson, Love That Dog by Creech, Writing Magic by Levine, and Pizza, Pigs & Poetry by Prelutsky.

(Katherine Tegen, 2010)

April & Esme, Tooth Fairies by Bob Graham

April & Esme are descended from a long line of tooth fairies. When April receives her first call at age seven and three quarters, she's ecstatic. Convincing her mom & dad she's old enough takes some doing, but they finally agree. Sisters April & Esme are children no longer. They are tooth fairies.


What I thought: A magical book. I love the illustrations. The characters (April, Esme, Mom, Dad, even the family fairy dog) are so unique and individualistic. My favorite illustrations are Mom in the bathroom, the Underhill house (as April & Esme leave), and Daniel & his dog. I liked the incorporation of modern technology. The call is received via cell phone and the girls text their parents. This is a great book for parents to share with their children. After reading April & Esme, Tooth Fairies, I want to go watch The Tooth Fairy and Toothless.



(Candlewick, 2010)

In the Wild by David Elliott

Do you like animals? You do? You're in luck because this collection of poems will introduce you to or reacquaint you with many wild animals including the elephant, the panda, and the kangaroo.

What I thought: I haven't read Elliott's other collection On the Farm, but I definitely like his style. The poems are short and lyrical, and they evoke beautiful pictures in my mind. Meade's illustrations are perfect. The colors are soft, but the woodcut's black lines adds the right definition. My favorite poems are the giraffe, the zebra, the panda, and the buffalo. I only lament the lack of a hippopotamus. Elliott's poems are ingenious in that they are short enough that In the Wild could easily be classified as a picture book. This collection is a great way to introduce preschoolers to poetry. The individual poems will work well with any number of story time themes. The collection, as a whole, will also make a wonderful addition to a zoo themed story time.

The Animals: lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, rhinoceros, sloth, jaguar, panda, tiger, orangutan, kangaroo, buffalo, wolf, polar bear

Story Time Theme: Zoo

(Illus. Holly Meade. Candlewick, 2010)

The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz

Flory, a young night fairy, looses her wings in an accident. After she gets over the shock, Flory adapts rather well to her new life in a human's garden. She makes friends and grows stronger in her magic.

What I thought: What a beautiful story. The Night Fairy enchanted me from beginning to end. The story seemed to end too soon. Dare I hope that there will be another installment in Flory's adventures? The illustrations are as beautiful as the story. My favorites are Flory and Skuggle (29), Flory on the hummingbird (112-113), and Flory asleep (116). This book reminded me a little of my favorite fairy book, The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks. Flory's story, like Tiki's, is not just a fairy story. It's an adventure story. Give older fairy fans Spell Hunter by R. J. Anderson.

(Illus. Angela Barrett. Candlewick, 2010)