I Am Cat! by Peter Bently

Cat shows us what it means to be a cat.

Thoughts: What a fun book! I love that Cat is our narrator and how the rhythm of the story suits that...just like cat was talking to us. The illustrations are colorful and I like the lack of outlines. It's hard to pick a favorite illustration, but I love all the different expressions Cat has throughout the story. I Am Cat! will make a fun addition to storytime whether you're reading about cats specifically or pets in general. 

Themes: Cats, Pets, Cats & Dogs 

(Illustrated by Chris Chatterton. Penguin Workshop, 2023.)

Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow by Ryan T. Higgins

Bruce and the gang are back for another holiday adventure. This time it's Halloween and like always Bruce doesn't have any holiday spirit. 

Thoughts: Bruce's latest adventure for Halloween doesn't disappoint. Forced into participating in a scary story acted out. The grown up readers will recognize bits of the story that inspired the Legend of Soggy Hollow. Like all the other Bruce books, this one is filled with hilarity along with a hint of spooky just right for the season. Find activity sheets for the book here. 

Themes: Bruce, Halloween 

Don't miss the other Bruce Books! (Links to my reviews.)

Picture Books:

• Mother Bruce
• Hotel Bruce
• Bruce’s Big Move
• Santa Bruce
• Bruce’s Big Storm
• The Bruce Swap
• Hey, Bruce!
• Be Quiet

Board Books:

• 1 Grumpy Bruce
• Peek-a-Bruce

Little Bruce Books:

• Spring Stinks
• Thanks for Nothing!
• Out Cold

Early Readers:

• Bruce’s Big Fun Day
• Ballet Bruce

(Disney Hyperion, 2023.)

The Frustrating Book by Mo Willems

Unlimited Squirrels Book #5

Zoom Squirrel is ready for some new feelings but Zip and Zap may not be able to help. What's a squirrel to do? 

Thoughts: The squirrels are always entertaining, but I like how The Frustrating Book! deals with feelings that toddlers and preschoolers can relate to. (I can't wait to share the book with my four year old nephew.) I think older children will continue to enjoy the hilarity of the squirrels and the acorns and maybe learn that everyone has big feelings sometimes. 

Visit the author's website here for activities. 

Themes: Feelings, Emotions, Squirrels

Don't Miss the other books in this series! 

• I Lost My Tooth! 
• Who Is the Mystery Reader? 
• I Want to Sleep Under the Stars! 
• Guess What!?

(Hyperion Books for Children, 2022).

Odd Birds: Meet Nature's Weirdest Flock by Laura Gehl

Look inside for the oddest birds you'll ever encounter! 

Thoughts: Gorgeous, vibrant illustrations paired with simple text make this larger board book perfect for sharing in storytime. Here are the birds: Magnificent Frigatebird, Blue-Footed Booby, Shoebill Stork, Ostrich, Hoatzin, Oilbird, California Condor, and Burrowing Owl. My favorite illustrations are  the Oilbird and the Burrowing Owl. I love the additional facts included at the end of the books. 

Pair with Bring on the Birds by Susan Stockdale, Beautiful Birds by Jean Roussen, and Bird Show by Susan Stockdale. 

Themes: Birds 

(Illustrated by Gareth Lucas. Abrams Appleseed, 2022.)

Wombat by Philip Bunting

From the front flap of the cover: "Burrow into fun with this rhythmic (and rather silly) read-aloud about the secret world of wombats."

Thoughts: What fun! I think this book would go great with Wombats Are Pretty Weird by Abi Cushman. You could start with the picture book and then further explore wombats with the nonfiction title. The rhythm and cadence of the words is great. I would pair Wombat with Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett and Red House Tree House Little Bitty Mouse House by Jane Godwin for a storytime that focuses on rhythm and language. The cut paper and digital media illustrations are great and I love how perfectly they match the text. I can't pick a favorite. I would love a coloring sheet of Philip Bunting's Wombat for me and my library kids. 

Themes: Wombats, Australian Animals, Rhyming or Rhythmic Books

(Charlesbridge, 2023). 

Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A [Not So] Serious Guide by Abi Cushman

Find out all you could possibly ever want to know about wombats within these pages. 

Thoughts: I've been a wombat fan ever since I read Jackie French's Diary of a Wombat way back in 2011. Wombats are so cute. But now that I've read Abi Cushman's newest book I know know that wombats are also weird. Wombats Are Pretty Weird is the perfect blend of humor and facts. I love the conversations that take place between Joey the Snake and the other characters. The illustrations are colorful and, dare I say it, cute. This book reminds me of The Truth About...series by Maxwell Eaton III. Kids definitely appreciate a little humor with their facts. I think Wombats Are Pretty Weird will be fun to share with first and second graders. Find an activity guide, bookmark craft, and storytime activity sheets on the author's website here. 

Themes: Wombats, Elementary 

(Greenwillow Books, 2023.)

Crocodile Hungry by Eija Sumner

Crocodile is hungry. He tries visiting the usual places--farmers' market, grocery store, community garden--but has no luck finding anything to eat. 

Thoughts: Such an unexpected book. The ending was definitely a surprise. I can't wait to try this book out in storytime. The illustrations are detailed and colorful. I love the expressions on all the faces, human and animal like. The color palette reminds me of the Sweet Pickles book series from the 1970s. Pair with Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise by Sean Taylor. You could also pair Crocodile Hungry with other picture books with hungry in the title like I'm Hungry! ¡Tengo Hambre! by Angela Dominguez, Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith, Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda, and Ten Hungry Pigs by Derek Anderson. 

Find an activity sheet here on the publisher's website (scroll down to title). 

Themes: Crocodiles, 

(Illustrated by John Martz. Tundra, 2022.)

A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk into a Book by Jonathan Fenske

I think the title says it all. But what happens once a unicorn, a dinosaur, and shark walk into the book? 

Thoughts: Too funny! I think this will be a fun storytime book, but with a slightly older audience, say kids around four and five years old. A Unicorn, a Dinosaur, and a Shark Walk Into a Book would also be a hit with younger elementary students. The illustrations are colorful and I love the use of speech bubbles. With five characters, this book would be a great reader's theater title. Pair with More Bears! by Kenn Nesbitt, The Bear Who Wasn't There by LeUyen Pham, You Don't Want a Unicorn! by Ame Dyckman, You Don't Want a Dragon! by Ame Dyckman, or Kitties on Dinosaurs by Michael Slack. 

Themes: Intrusive Narrators, Unicorns, Dinosaurs, Sharks 

(Penguin Workshop, 2023).