Snakes on the Job by Kathryn Dennis

Construction worker snakes are hard at work constructing a play ground.

Thoughts: Too fun! Snakes plus construction is sure to be a storytime hit. The pictures are bright, colorful, and informative. My favorite illustration is lunch time. I can't wait to add this book to some storytimes.

Themes: Snakes, Construction

(Feiwel and Friends, 2020.)

Tooth Fairy in Training by Michelle Robinson

Tate is a tooth fairy in training. She's learning from her big sister May. She collects teeth from all sorts of creatures. Can she pass the tests?

Thoughts: Such a cute book about sisters. I love that Tate has to collect teeth from animals as well as a child. Tooth Fairy in Training will be a great addition to my teeth storytime. The illustrations are colorful and whimsical. This book would pair well with Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat by Deborah Underwood, I've Lost My Tooth! by Mo Willems, and The Tooth Mouse by Susan Hood.

Themes: Teeth, Fairies, Dental Hygiene

(Illustrated by Briony May Smith. Candlewick, 2019.)

Saving the Countryside: The Story of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit by Linda Elovitz Marshall

This picture book biography of Beatrix Potter is suitable for the youngest readers and focuses primarily on Potter's interest in nature and her work with conservation later in life.

Thoughts: I've been a fan of Beatrix Potter for years. When I read Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear I realized how much more Potter was than an author and illustrator. She was an entrepreneur and a conservationist. I like that this biography for children explores her conservation work. The illustrations are lovely. I think Potter would have liked them.

If you find yourself more interested in Beatrix Potter after reading this book, you might check out my Beatrix Potter Reading Project that I undertook in 2010 and 2011.

More Books About Beatrix Potter: 

Kid Artists: True Tales of Childhood from Creative Legends by David Stabler 

Writers and Their Pets by Kathleen Krull

Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box by David McPhail 

Beatrix Potter And The Unfortunate Tale Of A Borrowed Guinea Pig by Deborah Hopkinson 

The Tale of Beatrix Potter adapted by Sara Schonfeld

Beatrix Potter by Jeanette Winter

The Ultimate Peter Rabbit: A Visual Guide to the World of Beatrix Potter edited by Camilla Hallinan

Themes: Biography, Conservation, Authors & Illustrators, Artists, Elementary

(Illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati. Little Bee Books, 2020.)

I Want a Dog by Jon Agee

A girl visits the animal shelter looking for a dog. Sadly, this particular animal shelter is out of dogs. She's offered an unusual assortment of animals instead. She turns them all down adamant she only wants a dog. After she tells the volunteer what's so special about a dog, he thinks he has just the right pet for her.

Thoughts: This book is hilarious! I can't wait to use it in storytime and share it with students at the elementary schools. It would pair well with What Pet Should I Get? by Dr. Seuss. The illustrations are in Agee's usual style. For such a simple illustration style, he conveys great emotion on the characters' faces. 

Themes: Pets, Dogs, Unusual Pets

(Dial, 2019.)

Bear Is Awake! An Alphabet Story by Hannah E. Harrison

A bear wakes up in the middle of winter and has quite an adventure from A to Z.

Thoughts: I love that while Bear Is Awake! is a simple alphabet book it tells a great story using a few words and great pictures. Bear and the girl have great expressions throughout the book. I can't wait to add this to my Animals in Winter Storytime this November or December. My favorite pages are E, H, L, N, and Z.

Other Books by Hannah E. Harrison: Extraordinary Jane

Themes: Bears, Winter, Alphabet

(Dial, 2019.)

Roar Like a Dandelion by Ruth Krauss

An alphabetical adventure complete with actions to act out.

Thoughts: Such a lively book. A few of the actions are nonsensical and I would have to give some thought to how to act them out with the kids. This book is going to be such fun to use in storytime. I love books that are interactive and get the kids up and moving. The illustrations are soft colored and expressive--just what I would expect from Ruzzier.

Other Books to Get Kids Up & Moving During Storytime:
Bounce by Doreen Cronin
Stretch by Doreen Cronin
Wiggle by Doreen Cronin
Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas
Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Move! by Steve Jenkins

Themes: Alphabet, Movement

(Illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. Harper, 2019.)

Llamas with Lemonade: An Unusual Animal ABC by Ariana Koultourides

An alliterative animal ABC board book filled with charming illustrations.

Thoughts: This book is cute and larger than the average board book so it will be easy to share with big crowds at storytime. I like that the animals and the things they have alliterate. It adds extra interest to the story. I could see myself asking kids what else could the deer have that begins with the letter d and so on. The illustrations are simple and the text is large. I look forward to other books from this author/illustrator. I can also see myself using this book as a writing prompt for elementary or homeschooled students. For example write me a story about a hedgehog with a hat.

Themes: Animals, Alphabet, Elementary

(Annick Press, 2019.)