New pile of picture books!

I’ve been away for a month, but now I’ve returned to a new pile of books. I have a few to share with you. First off, a book that would be fun to share at a class visit to the library. This is the time of year that lots of classes take field trips to the library, so pull out your best librarian voice and read If You Ever Want to Bring a Circus to the Library, Don’t! The main character’s antics will have kids laughing, and the bright cartoon illustrations will keep their attention. You’ll need to practise shouting BABOOMBA! for real effect, though.

In the complete opposite direction, The Way Home in the Night is a quite, introspective title that would be good for bedtime or night themed storytimes. A young rabbit is carried home by Mother Rabbit, and describes what they see as they walk along in the city. A simple premise made big by the lush illustrations. Animals baking pies, having a birthday party, and reading on the couch are completely natural in the capable hands of Miyakoshi. Look for the evident pencil strokes, the thick paper, and the use of shading to depict light and shadows in this quite, contemplative book. Pairs well with The House in the Night, the 2009 Caldecott winner.

A new Jerry Pinkney book is always cause for celebration, and the publication of The Three Billy Goats Gruff means you can get out the party balloons and streamers. You may ask, “Do we really need another version of this?” and the answer is yes. Yes we do, we need this one.  As expected, Pinkney’s illustrations are lush, funny, nearly realistic, and full of movement. The storytelling is spot on. Be sure to look closely at the end pages and read the author’s note, though, because the storytelling doesn’t end when the last page is turned. The bookmaking here is top-notch, including the ‘secret cover”. This book would make a great classroom discussion book as well as a fun one to share in storytime. Add it to your Pinkney collection!

For a light romp into vegetarianism, add T.Veg: The Story of a Carrot-crunching Dinosaur to your next dino storytime. The bright illustrations are wild and eye-catching, the rhyme, which is occasionally forced, is jaunty and will make a fun read-aloud. The message, that it is ok to be different (or ok to be a vegetarian in a world of meat-eaters), can be taken on several levels. Kids may giggle at the thought of a dinosaur that likes carrot cake, and they will cheer as T. Veg saves the day.

 

FOR TEACHERS:

A couple that teachers may want to try in classrooms include What’s Your Favorite Color? — a collection of short essays by well-known illustrators which could easily be used as a mentor text, or in art class as a model for thinking about how to use color. Pair it with What’s Your Favorite Animal? .

And last: this book from Lemony Snicket, Goldfish Ghost, might work well in upper elementary classes. Anyone who has had a goldfish as a pet will instantly recognize the floating white shape portrayed by Lisa Brown’s ink & watercolor illustration. In this book, the adventures of a goldfish who has just died will bring up discussion of friendship, looking for a place to be, and, naturally, death. The ending is a comfort, as (SPOILER ALERT!) goldfish ghost finds just the company he’s been seeking. What could be a morbid little book is handled quite well, with light touches of humour, and a feeling of quietness.  Keep your readers on their toes and pair Goldfish Ghost with this couple’s 29 myths on the Swinster pharmacy.