Monster Day at Work by Sarah Dyer

Today, Monster is going to work with his dad. He does everything his dad does from attending meetings to exercising after work.

What I thought: A cute book! The monsters aren't scary at all. Going to work with dad (or mom) will definitely appeal to children. It's nice to have a picture book about the topic. The monsters add fun to a familiar concept. My favorite illustration is the meeting.

Story Time Theme: Monsters

(Frances Lincoln, 2010)

Little Mouse & the Big Cupcake by Thomas Taylor

Little Mouse can't believe his luck when he finds a scrumptious looking cupcake. There's only one problem. The cupcake is so big that he can't carry it back to his house. Friends drop by in an attempt to help and taste the delicious cupcake. Soon the cupcake is small enough for Little Mouse to carry.

What I thought: A charming book. The story reminds me a little of Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming in that baked goods disappear piece by piece. The illustrations are lovely. Soft colors and such good use of white space. My favorite is mole and the cupcake. I think this book would pair well with Bonny Becker's Bear and Mouse books.

Story Time Themes: Friendship, Mice, Cupcakes


(Illus. Jill Barton. Boxer, 2010)

Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie by Herman Parish

Fall has arrived. it's time to rake leaves and bake apple pies. With her usual spirit, Amelia Bedelia tackles baking and her pie saves the day.

What I thought: The adventures of young Amelia Bedelia continue to enchant me. Her literal interpretation of everything makes the story just humorous enough. I can't wait to see what she gets into next.

Story Time Themes: Apples, Fall, Baking

(Illus. Lynne Avril. Greenwillow, 2010)

Square Cat by Elizabeth Schoonmaker

Life as a square cat isn't easy. Eula tips over, can't wear skirts, and mouse holes are beyond her. Eula becomes so dissatisfied with her life that she looses her purr. Her round cat friends Patsy and Maude step in to cheer Eula up and show her that life as a square cat can be quite enjoyable.

What I thought: I really liked this story. The concept is great, the text is simple, and the illustrations are appealing. Square Cat has the makings of a perfect story time book. It teaches a great lessons about friendship and looking on the bright side. I loved the cats' old-fashioned names. I can't pick a favorite illustration. I liked them all.

Story Time Themes: Cats, Friendship

(Aladdin, 2011)

More Bears! by Kenn Nesbitt

What this story needs is more bears. At least that's what the kids tell the author. Soon swayed by their demands, he adds bears and more bears until his story is quite crowded with them. It's so crowded, in fact, that the bears start a riot. After that the author is adamant. No more bears in this story! (But chickens are a different matter.)

What I thought: A fun book! This will be a story time favorite. I love books that invite the children to participate. The illustrations are great--colorful and funny. My favorites are Lucky Eddie and the bears leaving.

Story Time Themes: Bears, Interruptions (Pair with Interrupting Chicken.)

(Illus. Troy Cummings. Sourcebooks, 2010)

#FlannelFriday: Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd

This week, I turned the book Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd into a flannel board story. It worked well with my pets story time. I used an illustration from the book as a pattern for Dog. I made the spots with a 1 inch circle shape from Microsoft Word. I look forward to using this when I do a series of color story times in the spring. I may go back and make the other items (paint can, ice cream cone, etc.)

My love of puff (or dimensional) paint has a downside. Though it's dry, it still goes tack and sticks to things like my story time folder. I'm thinking of storing the different pieces with wax paper layers in between.

Everything But the Horse by Holly Hobbie

Young Holly Hobbie adapts well to farm life. She enjoys the animals and even her chores. One day after seeing the neighbors riding, Holly decides she wants a horse. Her parents say no, but that doesn't keep Holly preparing. After all, her birthday is coming soon.

What I thought: A charming book that brings out the child in us all. Hobbie's narrative is just right. I can see the story appealing to children because she addresses them as children but with respect. Her preparations for the horse are hilarious. The illustrations are lovely--such soft colors and so detailed. My favorite illustration is Holly surprised at seeing her birthday present.

Story Time Themes: Farm, Horses, Birthdays

(Little, Brown, & Company, 2010)