So many books!

For my first post in 2013, I have a huge stack of books to share. Here are some really fun books that just went out on our shelves!

Chu’s Day by Neil Gaiman

A little panda with a big sneeze is the premise of this fun little book. Play-on-words and quirky illustrations make this one a delight to share at storytime.

Squeak Rumble Whomp Whomp Whomp: Sonic Adventure by Wynton Marsalis

A noisy romp through the sounds around us. Make lots of sounds while reading this music-inspired book. Get the kids to chime in with their own sounds; make some shakers, drums, etc.  and get moving around the room!

I am So Handsome by Mario Ramos

The Big Bad Wolf is so full of himself that he does not even realize that his usual targets are afraid of him. This twist on the old icon is filled with wonderful language and great new vocabulary. Share along with a Red Riding Hood and 3 Pigs story, or pair with Jon Scieszka’s True Story of the Three Little Pigs for a wild wolf romp.

I’m NOT Sleepy by Jane Chapman

Little owl wants to play, but Grandma insists it is time for bed. She gives him a snack, tucks him in, and still he is wide awake. There’s not much new here in the plot line, but the illustrations are cute and the repeated phrase of “Hop, jump, flutter,  flump” will be fun to say with the kids. Teach them this phrase beforehand and add some TALKing to your early literacy storytime.

Polar Bear Morning by Lauren Thompson

Two little polar bear cubs meet and become friends. Short enough for toddler storytimes, and the illustrations are large and friendly. Good vocabulary builder for little ones. See also Polar Bear Night by same author/illustrator.

All the Awake Animals Are Almost Asleep by Crescent Dragonwagon

Not only do I love this author’s name, I love the alliteration in this book. It is a bedtime alphabet book chock full of letter sounds. Add in the big list of new vocabulary and David McPhail’s quiet illustrations, and you have a perfect addition to your next pajama storytime.  A big dose of early literacy!

 

 

The Reader by Amy Hest

A charming story of a boy, a dog, some snow, and a book. A gentle story to end storytime with.

Beach Feet by Kiyomi Knoagaya

Warm up your winter with a visit to this sunny beach. The illustrations are full of movement and, of course, feet.

Railroad Hank by Lisa Moser

Hank and his train are off to visit Granny Bett who is feeling blue. His misunderstandings send the whole gang up the mountain, along with some chickens, cows, apple trees and a pond. Of course Granny cheers up, and everyone has a grand time. The repeated refrain of “Chugga Chugga Chugga Chugga Woo Woo Woo” will get kids interacting with the story.

Mice  by Rose Fyleman

Lois Ehlert’s signature illustrations turn this slight poem into a fun picture book. The rhymes will reinforce phonological awareness, and the paper collage illustrations are just begging to be imitated. Would also make a great writing prompt book for early elementary classrooms.

About  a Bear by Holly Surplice

This simple ode to a bear is just right for baby and toddler storytimes, and would be a good book for those just learning to read. Bright, large pictures accompany this bouncy bear rhyme.

 

Ostrich and Lark by Marilyn Nelson

An original tale illustrated by artists in Botswana. Two bird friends in the African veld spend their days and nights together. Lark sings, but ostrich is silent, until he finds his voice. Simple story with bright folk-art paintings to spice it up. Pair with an ostrich sound and some African folk tales. Lots of new vocabulary here, too!

A Kiss Like This by Mary Murphy

Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day of the year. A sweet little book about… kisses! Smooch it up for storytime with babies and toddlers.

Let’s Sing a Lullaby with Brave Cowboy by Jan Thomas

Not-so-brave cowboy gets distracted as he tries to serenade a couple of cows to sleep. As expected, Thomas delivers a fun romp, this time about bedtime.

 

New for Storytime

Anton can do Magic by Ole Konnecke – Anton has a magic hat. A real one. I like the simple story and simple, clear illustrations in this book. It would go nicely in a hat storytime along with I want my hat back by Jon Klassen and Jennie’s Hat by Ezra Jack Keats. Extend your storytime by looking for hats in the pictures and talking about different names for hats—turban, bowler, baseball cap.

And then it’s spring by Julie Folgiano – Wishing to see some green? This book is perfect for Spring or gardening storytimes. It has a gentle, soothing text, and lovely illustrations by Erin E. Stead. The illustrations will probably work best in small groups, but the book is so lovely, it needs to be shared. Lots of vocabulary opportunities here, in describing the greens and browns of Spring—why not take a walk outside to look for and describe the greens and browns around your area? (Perfect gift for the gardener in your life, too.)

The Easter Bunny’s Assistant by Jan Thomas. – Jan Thomas is one my new favourites for storytime. This book is so silly, I can’t wait to share it. Easter Bunny is getting eggs ready for the big day, and Skunk is helping. But when Skunk gets excited… well, nature takes over. Such a fun romp! Look for the letter E all through the book to extend it into the Early Literacy realm. Perhaps you could read it a second time and ask kids to shout “EEEEEE” when they see that letter?

The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett- A pig-for-princess switcheroo ends well in this fun fractured fairytale. If you have kids that will sit for a longer story, this is just the ticket. Bright illustrations will keep them looking while you read. A very silly story that has references to several well-known tales, which could be an opportunity for some puppet storytelling after the reading.