What's Your Favorite Animal? by Eric Carle & Friends

The title of this book is both a question and the subject of the book. Fourteen children's book illustrators answer the question with both an illustration and an explanation.

Thoughts: This is an inspiring book and I can't wait to use it for a program. I will share the book with kids possibly along with another animal book. After that, I will give them the time and materials to answer the question. Their answers would make a great bulletin board display. My favorite answers are Blue Carp (Peter Sis), Behold the Octopus (Nick Bruel), Duck (Jon Klassen), and Leopard (Lucy Cousins).

Themes: Animals, Elementary

(Henry Holt, 2014)

A Book of Babies by Il Sung Na

This delightful picture book explores animal babies.

Thoughts: a nice story which incorporates facts. Lovely illustrations. I like his style. A Book of Babies would pair well with My First Day by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page.

Themes: Animal Babies

(Knopf, 2013)

Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins

I think the title is this book's best description.

Thoughts: Fascinating and beautifully illustrated. Just what I would expect from Steve Jenkins. I love sharing his books when I do outreach in 1st and 2nd grade classrooms.

Themes: Elementary

(Houghton Mifflin, 2014)

Big Bear's Big Boat by Eve Bunting

Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Now that Big Bear is too big for his little boat and has given it to Little Bear, he sets out to make a bigger boat. The only trouble is all his friends have advice to give. Big Bear soon realizes that sometimes it's best to be true yo your dreams.

Thoughts: What a charming story! The illustrations are just right--soft yet vibrant. Big Bear's Big Boat would pair well with The Pigs' Picnic by Keiko Kasza and Monkey Face by Frank Asch.

Themes: Bears, Boats, Advice

(Clarion, 2013)

I'm a Frog! by Mo Willems

Piggie has done it again. That is to say, she's upset Gerald yet again. This time by being a frog. What if he turns into a frog, too?

Thoughts: Too funny. I love Gerald's exaggerated reactions to Piggie's pretending. This would be a great book to add to my animal sounds storytime.

Themes: Elephants, Pigs, Animal Sounds, Imagination

(Hyperion, 2013)

Brimsby's Hats by Andrew Prahin

Brimsby the hatmaker is content. He makes hats, his friend makes tea, and they chat. But one day,his friend goes away and Brimsby is all alone. He sets out to find new friends.

Thoughts: Such a lovely story. I love the ingenuity of Brimsby. He isn't content to be alone so he finds (and helps) new friends. Lovely, detailed illustrations. My favorite is the birds inside their new homes.

Themes: Friends, Hats, Birds, Tea

(Simon & Schuster, 2014)

The Very Big Carrot by Satoe Tone

Six little rabbits find one very big carrot. What should they do with it?

Thoughts: Too funny! I can hear my storytime kids shouting "Eat it!" through all the rabbits' fantastic suggestions.

Themes: Carrots, Vegetables, Rabbits, Imagination

(Errdmans, 2013)