When you make a mistake, you need to apologize. Here's how.
Thoughts: Straightforward advice with a little humor thrown in. The illustrations are soft colored and details. I especially like all the animals' expressions. I think this book would pair well with Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry.
Themes: Animals, Apologies, Mistakes, How To
(Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Candlewick Press, 2021.)
Thoughts: What a fun concept! A pottery cat who comes to life and runs through Monet's paintings. The illustrations are soft colored and inviting. Chika's expressions and personality come through wonderfully in the illustrations. Cameron does a masterful job depicting Monet's paintings. I think anyone who reads this book will want to know more about Monet. Would pair well with Where Is the Frog?: A Children's Book Inspired by Claude Monet by Géraldine Elschner.
Themes: Art, Cats, Painting
(Illustrated by Becky Cameron. Random House Studio, 2020.)
An Elephant & Piggie Like Reading Book
Goat and Frog are playing a game. As it gets more involved, Frog isn't so sure he wants to keep playing. Can they still be friends?
Thoughts: Too fun! I would not recommend replicating Goat and Frog's game at home. The illustrations are colorful and I love the expressions. Speech bubbles for the win. I love books that promote tandem reading--parent with child, grandparent with child, or sibling with sibling.
Themes: Frogs, Goats, Friends, Games
(Disney, 2021.)
A day in the life of Stanley the librarian.
Thoughts: What a lovely tribute to libraries everywhere. I like that several different aspects of libraries were represented in the book--the physical library building, a mobile library, and storytime. This will be a great addition to a library themed storytime. The illustrations are colorful, realistic, and very appealing. The publisher has a series activity kit available here.
Don't miss Stanley's other adventures!
Stanley's Board Books
Themes: Libraries, Stanley
(Peachtree, 2021.)
Thoughts: Such a fun book! The text is fabulous--very rhythmic. You can also chant it. The illustrations are colorful and I love all the depictions of the cats. My favorite cats are art cat, lucky cat, cool cat, grin cay, lynx cat, tangled in your knitting cat, floppy cat, clock cat, stripe cat, and my cat. I think if I use this book in storytime, I'd read it first and then we'd go back and count the cats keeping a running total page by page.
Themes: Cats, Counting
(Random House, 2019.)
Thoughts: Such a fun book and a great addition to unicorn books. I look forward to adding this to my unicorn storytime. The illustrations are colorful and I love the expressions on all the characters' faces. Some great activity sheets are available here from the publisher. Several of them encourage children to use their imaginations as well as drawing and coloring skills.
Themes: Cats, Unicorns, Imagination
(Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2021.)
A look back at the changes the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the world both outside and in.
Thoughts: Such a timely book! Outside, Inside is a great way to start a discussion with the youngest children about the pandemic. Simple text is paired with lovely illustrations. The illustrations are so detailed I found my self going back to look at them several times. I often say that when we find ourselves on the other side of this pandemic (and we're not there yet) I think we need to have some way to remember what life was like then. This book definitely fits the bill. I could see myself sharing Outside, Inside at such an event where we share stories from the time and have a favorite mask show and tell. I know parents, grandparents, and teachers will find this book to be useful.
(Roaring Brook Press, 2021.)
