There's a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers

A little girl lives all alone in a big, old house. She's sure there's a ghost in the house. Can you help her find the ghost? 

Thoughts: Part ghost story, part seek-and-find activity--this book is brilliant! I love the storyline, but it's the illustrations that steal the show. The use of old photographs, new illustrations (the girl and various house details on paper pages), and the ghosts (on tracing paper pages) make this story great. Make sure you look at the end pages to see the rather subtle surprise ending. I can't wait to use this book in storytime in October. I know kids will love this book. The fact that the girl never sees a ghost and they are everywhere will have the kids shouting out, "Turn around!" or "Look over there!" There's a Ghost in This House will be storytime gold. Pair with The Dark by Lemony Snicket, Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, and What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss. 

Read about Jeffers's creative process here. 

Download an activity pack from Oliver Jeffers's website here. 

Themes: Ghosts, Spooky Stories 

 (Philomel Books, 2021.)

Jungle Night by Sandra Boynton

It's nighttime in the jungle and all the animals are sleeping. Can you hear them? 

Thoughts: I love books that feature animals sounds. I think these animal sleeping sounds are unique. I know kids will love hearing the sounds and trying to imitate them. Pair with Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss and I'm a Frog! by Mo Willems. 

Download narration by Keith Boynton and a soundtrack featuring Yo-Yo Ma here. 

Themes: Night, Jungle, Animal Sounds 

(Workman Publishing, 2020.)

I Do Not Like Yolanda by Zoey Abbott

Bianca likes writing letters and sending them through the mail. She also likes postage stamps. There's one thing Bianca doesn't like: Yolanda at the post office. Bianca is scared of Yolanda. Will she ever overcome her fear? 

Thoughts: I also love a good story about mail and/or letters. I Do Not Like Yolanda is that and so much more. It's great to see Bianca conquer her fear and realize that Yolanda can be a friend. The illustrations are colorful, detailed, and make good use of white space. I love that all the details of Bianca's letters and envelopes are included. The letters that decorate the end pages are fun to read. For a mail themed storytime pair with The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera, Snail Mail by Samantha Berger, Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett, A Letter for Leo by Sergio Ruzzier, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt, and Love, Mouserella by David Ezra Stein. 

Download activity sheets from the publisher here. (Look for I Do Not Like Yolanda in the list of titles.) 

Themes: Mail, Letters

(Tundra, 2021.)

Chez Bob by Bob Shea

Bob is one lazy alligator. Being so lazy makes him hungry. He tries using his manners to entice birds into his mouth, but alas it doesn't work. Bob decides to open a restaurant for birds on his nose. Chez Bob is guaranteed to get him more birds than he can eat. Or is it? 

Thoughts: Too funny! I love books where villainous characters turn out to be not so bad. Bob's voice is greeat and I love seeing the change in him as the book progresses. The illustrations are bright and colorful. My favorite illustrations are the town and Bob's nest. Pair with Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman, Misunderstood Shark: Friends Don't Eat Friends by Ame Dyckman, Chicken Little and the Big Bad Wolf by Sam Wedelich, Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins, The Great Gran Plan by Elli Woollard, Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman, Max and Bird by Ed Vere, and A Hungry Lion, Or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals by Lucy Ruth Cummins. 

Themes: Alligators, Birds, Restaurants 

(Little, Brown and Company, 2021.)

Woodland Dance! by Sandra Boynton

The moon comes up and the woodland animals come out to dance. 

Thoughts: Woodland Dance is great read-aloud. The illustrations are colorful and the animals depicted are endearing. I love the cadence of the words when read aloud. This could be a new classic. As always I'd love if Sandra Boynton's board books were slightly larger to make them easier to see when I use them in storytime. 

Themes: Forest Animals, Dance, Night 

(Workman Publishing, 2021.)

Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast by David Ezra Stein

Sequel to Interrupting Chicken and Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise

Little Red Chicken is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed one morning when Papa would rather still be sleeping. She wants cookies for breakfast. Papa says no, but when reading nursery rhymes with Papa, Little Red Chicken makes her opinions known. Will Little Red Chicken succeed in getting cookies for breakfast? 

Thoughts: I love the Interrupting Chicken books and the newest is no different. Little Red Chicken's enthusiasm paired with her interruptions make this book so fun. I think the next time I visit elementary school classrooms, I'll use these books. They're so fun and I think a slightly older audience (first and second grade) will really appreciate the humor. 

Nursery Rhymes Mentioned: 

• Diddle, Diddle, Dumpling
• There Was an Old Woman 
• Humpty Dumpty
• Jack Be Nimble 
• Little Boy Blue 
• Hickory, Dickory, Dock 

Download a series activity kit from the publisher's website here.

Themes: Nursery Rhymes, Chickens, Breakfast, Cookies, Elementary 

(Candlewick, 2021.)