Picture Book Saturday (37)

My First Ghost
By Maggie Miller and Michael Leviton, illustrated by Stephanie Buscema
Published 2012 by Hyperion
Okay, I completely love this book! It comes with a ghost, and is the right blend of spooky, funny, and sweet. It reads like a vintage educational video and the illustrations evoke that feeling very nicely. I don't know what else to say - I just love everything about this book. I can definitely see it being popular with kids, especially those who like monsters and Halloween and scary stuff (not that this is a Halloween book, necessarily). I just completely adored this and will definitely be buying copies to share.

Going Ape!
By Eduardo Bustos, illustrated by Lucho Rodriguez
Published 2012 by Tundra Books
With so many different species of ape in the world, what kid couldn't use a short introduction to some of the most interesting and unusual? Short text and lovely, compelling and simple illustrations make this a definite winner for early non-fiction. I think this book is incredibly effective in introducing young readers to the variety of apes and would be a wonderful addition to storytimes.

Nothing Ever Happens at the South Pole!
By Stan and Jan Berenstain, illustrated by Mike Berenstain
Published 2012 by Harper
A bored little penguin bemoans the fact that the South Pole is so tragically boring. He goes off in search of excitement and adventure and finds...? You'll have to read it to find out! I was pleasantly surprised to discover this book on our New Books cart - I didn't actually know that the Berenstains did anything other than bears! I think kids would really appreciate this book, and it would work well in a winter storytime. Very cute.


Ballerina Rosie
By Sarah Ferguson, illustrated by Diane Goode
Published 2012 by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Rosie loves to dance, more than anything. And she absolutely wants to be a prima ballerina. But when she enrolls in dance school, she can't seem to dance as wonderfully as she does at home. Will Rosie figure out a way to be the ballerina she knows she is at heart? This is an incredibly charming book, sure to be very popular with little girls who love ballerinas and dancing. The illustrations are my favorite part - they are sweet and lovely and beautifully represent the joy and art of dancing. There is also a great message about perseverance. I was completely charmed by this book.