Picture Book Saturday

Circle, Square, Moose
By Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Published 2014 by Greenwillow Books
Moose is back, and this time, he's covering shapes! He loves shapes! But he also sometimes creates a little catastrophe where he goes. Well, Zebra will fix it. Or he'll try anyway. This book will definitely appeal to fans of the first (Z is for Moose) and, generally, kids tend to think chaotic animals are pretty amusing. Much as I love moose (and Paul O. Zelinsky), I tend to prefer Musk Ox (of Musk Ox Counts and others). However, Moose is much better for a storytime setting (Musk Ox can get a bit wordy), so I'm pleased to live in a world where there's room for both. This will definitely be popular with those who enjoy a bit of absurdity.

100 Things that Make Me Happy
By Amy Schwartz
Published 2014 by Harry N. Abrams
A simple idea, this book really is a list of 100 things that will make you happy. It rhymes, too, which is a bonus. I really enjoyed it - I think Schwartz has curated an excellent list of things. It make me want to start my own list, which is a very simple extension activity you could use with this book. It would also be fun to just dissect the list that Schwartz has created and talk about whether the same things make you happy or if you like different things. The illustrations are very vivid and highlight the items on the list quite well. I liked this one much more than I expected.

The Book with No Pictures
By B.J. Novak
Published 2014 by Dial Books
This book got a ton of buzz because apparently Novak is the next big thing in publishing (or he was, for a hot minute there in 2014). People raved about it, so of course, I was anxious to see it for myself. And, you know what? It's pretty cute. It's silly, and I think kids will enjoy it (though I've not yet been brave enough to try it with an audience yet), but I expected it to be funnier. And, I kind of missed the pictures. There is a lot of joy to be found in excellent pictures in children's books, and, obviously, this book is missing that. It certainly has a different kind of joy. I also wonder a bit if it will really still be as funny after multiple readings but, like I said, I haven't tested it with children, so I don't know.

Hello, I'm Johnny Cash
By G. Neri, illustrated by A.G. Ford
Published 2014 by Candlewick Press
I couldn't resist picking up this picture book biography of Johnny Cash, one of my favorite singers. And I'm glad I didn't, because I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, like many biographies for children, some of the less savory aspects of Cash's life are cleaned up (though not as much as I've seen elsewhere), but I think this version still presents an accurate portrait of Cash's life. I thought the way Neri chose to tell Cash's story also worked exceedingly well - it's spare but evocative and captures just enough to bring him to life. The accompanying illustrations are quite stunning - I think they really bring the narrative to life. There is great back matter at the end, so this is an excellent jumping off point for kids who want to learn more.

Picture Book Saturday

Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes
By Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by Jon Parra
Published 2013 by Chronicle Books
I appreciate authors taking a common theme and focusing on a specific culture. One of my favorites of this is Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns. But I enjoyed this one as well - a book of shapes focusing on Latino culture. I liked that the book uses Spanish vocabulary and the illustrations are really vibrant, perfect for highlighting the culture. I also appreciated that the objects highlighted for each shape were more unique than in other shape books I've read. I really enjoyed this one.

Frances Dean Who Loved to Dance and Dance
By Birgitta Sif
Published 2014 by Candlewick Press
I was pretty excited to discover this book, as I thought Sif's Oliver was a strange and lovely delight. I feel much the same about this one. Frances loves to dance but she's also quite shy about it. When she meets a young singer, she finally realizes that she should share the love she has for dance with others. It's a very sweet story, and I don't think small children can read empowerment tales enough - I definitely could have benefit from more of them. The illustrations are charming as well - I think Sif has a beautiful style. I'll definitely be looking for more from her.


Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious
By Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Hayelin Choi
Published 2014 by Readers to Eaters
I've talked before of my love for non-fiction picture books - you get all the best bits of the story distilled down to something you can read in just a few minutes. I admit to being only somewhat familiar with Waters prior to reading this book, but I adored it. I loved the simple way she thinks about food and her desire to share it with others. I thought Martin did an excellent job capturing her philosophy and making her story easy for young readers to understand. I thought the illustrations complemented the story beautifully - they look delicious!

The Boy in Number Four
By Kara Kootstra, illustrated by Regan Thomson
Published 2014 by Dial
Being a native New Englander, I grew up with an appreciation of both hockey and the Boston Bruins. Bobby Orr means a great deal to Bruins fans, so I couldn't resist reading through this book when it arrived at the library. Unfortunately, it's a disappointment. It is far too simplistic to legitimately serve as a biography of Orr and the writing is trite and pedestrian. The illustrations are lively enough, depicting the action of hockey well, but the text mostly just drags them down. I hoped for much more from this book.

Picture Book Saturday

First and foremost, it's Cybils Day!!! Head to their website to see all the winners! Don't forget, I served as a round two judge for the Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category. Once again, I had a delightful time serving and I highly recommend the experience to other bloggers out there! Look for my reviews of our finalists in the coming weeks!

Cinderella Stories Around the World
By Cari Meister, illustrated by Valentina Belloni, Eva Montanari, and Polona Kosec
Published 2014 by Picture Window Books

Rapunzel Stories Around the World
By Cari Meister, illustrated by Colleen Madden, Eva Montanari, and Valentina Belloni
Published 2014 by Picture Window Books

Little Red Riding Hood Stories Around the World
By Jessica Gunderson, illustrated by Colleen Madden and Eva Montanari
Published 2014 by Picture Window Books

Snow White Stories Around the World
By Jessica Gunderson, illustrated by Colleen Madden, Eva Montanari, and Valentina Belloni
Published 2014 by Picture Window Books

So I am reviewing all these together because I read them all at the same time. Also, they're very similar, so I don't think I'd have much to say about each volume individually. Each volume presents readers with either three or four versions of a classic fairy tale. The tales chosen should all be very familiar to young readers, though the alternate versions presented in these books might not be. In addition, some of the alternate versions are darker and scarier than the versions children are likely familiar with so I'd say know your audience before handing these to more sensitive readers. I enjoyed the wide variety of cultures represented by the tales in this collection and the illustrations do a lovely job of stylistically representing the cultures as well. Each book provides a glossary at the end for unfamiliar words, as well as suggestions about using them with the Common Core Standards (which, I'm sorry, but that makes me roll my eyes). All in all, I think these are very sleek additions to our collection of fairy tales, but suggest them with some caution.

Monster Party!
By Annie Bach
Published 2014 by Sterling Children's Books
Monster is thrilled to be invited to a party. This book follows him as he gets ready for the party, then highlights all the fun he has there. Of course, he is sad when it ends, but something special awaits him at home. This is a very basic book - it follows a tidy sequence of events throughout a day, which may help kids understand that some things have an order to them. It rhymes, which usually makes it a good choice for storyimes. Plus, it features a monster, another good choice to storytime. The illustrations are very bright and work well with the simplicity of the story. Solid, but not outstanding.

A Library Book for Bear
By Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Published 2014 by Candlewick Press
The delightful duo of Bear and Mouse are back for another adventure. Bear is absolutely sure he has every book he could ever want right here in his home - what could he possibly need to go to the library for? But Mouse is determined. Will a visit to the library change stubborn Bear's mind? Being a librarian, it's hard not to love this book. I quite enjoyed the previous books featuring Bear and Mouse, so I'm not terribly surprised that I enjoyed this one as well. It has a clever sense of humor and absolute delight as Bear discovers things he couldn't have imagined without Mouse. I love the friendship between the two and I love how easily children will be able to relate. Very much recommended.

Surprise
By Mies van Hout
Published 2014 by Lemniscaat USA
Man, I love van Hout's books. They are so, so simple, and yet so complicated at the same time. Van Hout uses just a few words to teach children complex concepts. The art is absolutely striking - I absolutely love the bright colors on the solid black backgrounds. It's just a gorgeous package. With this title, van Hout takes readers on the journey of a parent or caregiver - from the feelings of anticipation before arrival, to the bittersweet pride of letting a young one fly away. It's completely charming. I need to own all of van Hout's books!

Picture Book Saturday

Sleepover with Beatrice and Bear
By Monica Carnesi
Published 2014 by Nancy Paulsen Books
Beatrice and Bear meet in spring and become fast friends. But what happens in winter when Bear needs to hibernate? How can the friends share the season? They certainly try and it's adorable seeing how much they want to spend the time together. It's a very sweet story of friendship that would be great for the storytime crowd. The pictures are just as charming as the story - very expressive and sweet. A new favorite!


Ninja!
By Arree Chung
Published 2014 by Henry Holt and Co.
Ninjas are very popular right now - so much so that I even had a ninja-themed storytime this fall. This is a fun book, showcasing a ninja on a mission. There may be danger, but a ninja is always prepared. I like the arrival of a new little ninja at the end of the book and the simplicity of the text - one or two words per page. A good choice for young ninja fans, though it's not my personal favorite of the new crop of ninja stories. The illustrations are cartoon-y, which will appeal to kids, but the style is not one I love.

The Very Cranky Bear
By Nick Bland
Published 2014 by Orchard Books
This is an adorable story with illustrations that really pop. Three friends seek shelter from the rain in a cave, only to discover the cave is occupied. How can they make this bear less cranky? Hijinks ensue, sure to delight a young audience. Of course, the animal left out in the cold is the one with the successful idea. It's a lot of fun, energetic and lively. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to sharing it with kids.

Little Green Peas
By Keith Baker
Published 2014 by Beach Lane Books
The energetic peas are back - this time, to teach about colors! I think the peas are absolutely adorable and I love the illustrations - there are lots of details to examine and discover. But, for me, this concept didn't work quite as well as the first book. It is great for sharing but the colors are sometimes confusing, not highlighted properly and I find it strange that brown was not included (it's a very important color!). It's definitely fun and I think kids will like it, but I might just be over the peas.

Picture Book Saturday

I Love You Night and Day
By Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by Alison Brown
Published 2014 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
This is a nice general picture book about love - the relationship between the bear and the bunny is never defined, so it makes for a good overall depiction of love. It's also nice because it shows that love lasts even during times when someone is not being their best. The illustrations are soft and lovely - though it's not a bedtime story, it feels like a good one to share at bed time. The sentiment is nothing new but, for me, it never gets old.

Ninja Red Riding Hood
By Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Dan Santat
Published 2014 by Putnam Juvenile
I think I like this one even more than the first. In this book, the Wolf is humiliated from his encounter with the three pigs, so he heads off to ninja school for himself. He trains and earns his belt. Finally, his training complete, he heads out and encounters Red Riding Hood. Unfortunately, she's also trained at the dojo and is a worthy opponent. Will the Wolf ever get his tasty meal? These stories are fun and, as always, I love Santat's illustrations. This was a hit at my school outreach visits with second-graders. Wondering if there are more ninja adventures to come!

Hooray for Hat!
By Brian Won
Published 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers
A grumpy elephant is cheered by the arrival of a hat. Sharing his festive hat will cheer all his friends as well. This is a very simple story but one that will be great for younger readers. The hats are varied but equally eye-catching and the animals all have distinct personalities. It's a good book to illustrate how a small act of kindness can cheer both the giver and the receiver. It also shows how kindness can snowball, putting everyone in a better mood.The illustrations are bright and simple, keeping the focus on the animals. Very fun. 

Adventures with Barefoot Critters
By Teagan White
Published 2014 by Tundra Books
I loved this book! It's beautiful! The illustrations are exquisitely lovely, featuring charming woodland critters (and a triceratops). I loved that this book explored the alphabet with a story rather than just a couple words per page. It also moves through the seasons during the story, so that's a bonus. I just found this completely charming and want to share it with everyone!

Picture Book Saturday

How to Babysit a Grandma
By Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish
Published 2014 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
This is a companion book to the similarly titled How to Babysit a Grandpa, which I absolutely loved when I read. This book is basically that book all over again, though this time focusing on a little girl and her grandmother. These books are great fun because they are silly and appeal to both kids and adults. Instructions for babysitting grandmas include checking out all the wonderful things at the park and letting her pick the best spot to sleep. This book is just downright adorable and will definitely inspire some babysitting hijinks in young readers.

The Odd One Out
By Britta Teckentrup
Published 2014 by Big Picture Press
Though this is not a storybook, I still loved this. It's a lovely seek-and-find title for the very youngest readers. Each double page spread shows a cadre of similar animals - turtles on one page, lemurs on another - and asks readers to find the odd one out - the one who caught the worm, the one who has a baby, etc. Kids (and adults, too!) love seek-and-find books and we get increasing requests for those for the very young. This book is a lovely addition to the genre. The illustrations are quite beautiful and I loved the variety of animals chosen.

Mama Built a Little Nest
By Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Published 2014 by Beach Lane Books
You know, I don't love birds, but I do love picture books that are simple enough to use in storytime but also provide nonfiction information to relate the story to the real world. This book does just that in a lovely way, focusing on the different kinds of nests birds build for their young. The main text has a nice simple rhythm that makes this a good choice for a bird storytime. There is some real-life information presented on every spread to explain about the kind of nest shown in each illustration. Even this information is written simply enough that even a storytime crowd could understand it. The illustrations are in Jenkins' signature style and they are beautiful to look at. A delightful book.

Program: Mad Science

Once again, I have a few programs to share with you! Mad Science Mondays is a program I ran during the school year, once a month on a Monday afternoon. We had a different theme and experiments every month. Here's how we finished out the spring.

Lava Lamps - I started with a brief PowerPoint presentation on oil and water and why they don't mix. We talked about molecules and then I handed out the supplies to see our experiment in action. This is a very simple experiment, though a bit messy. You simply fill an empty water bottle 2/3 full with vegetable oil and the rest of the way with water, leaving some room at the top. Then you add food coloring of your choice. The food coloring will sink through the oil and mix with the water (as standard food coloring is water soluble). Once the food coloring and water are mixed together, break up an Alka-Seltzer tablet and drop in one piece at a time. The tablet will sink to the water and release colored bubbles through the oil to the surface. It's a temporary effect (you have to keep adding tablets to keep the bubbles going) but the kids were pretty mesmerized by it. I explained the science behind it and the kids left with their own lava lamps!

Egg Science - as I browsed through my collection of simple (and economical) science experiments, I noticed that eggs seemed to present a number of possibilities. I actually planned on doing this program in two parts: part one consisting of the experiments I'm about to mention and part two being an egg drop. However, I could not secure access to the roof or a tall enough ladder to make part two work. Perhaps I'll try again in the future. Anyway, this is what we ended up with. I walked on eggs which, disappointingly, no one was terribly surprised to see I could do (also, they desperately wanted me to get egg all over my feet). Prior to the program, I made a bouncing egg, but I tested it out live in front of the kids. Results? Huge fail - the egg didn't bounce, even from a couple inches and instead just splatted all over me (much to their delight). And finally, we made egg geodes. No PowerPoint this time; I just explained the science as we went along. They each got an egg in vinegar to take home for further bouncing egg experiments, plus their geode starters. Aside from getting egg all over me, they liked the geodes the best (anything with food coloring seems to be a big hit with them).

Sweets - one of my most popular programs last summer was candy science, so I figured I'd give it another go-round during a less-crazy time of year. Once again, we made ice cream in a bag, but this time, I actually had the chance to explain the science behind it. I think we could just do this experiment over and over again and the kids would be happy. Then, we did another perpetual favorite: Mentos geysers. We tested out a variety of sodas to see which would create the biggest geyser. Easy and always a hit.

And that was our spring of Mad Science Mondays! Unfortunately, attendance for this program drastically dropped off (with the exception of the sweets science), so I won't be continuing it in the fall. I would be happy to let someone else give it a shot, but I think science is not my strong suit. Has anyone had any simple but crazy successes?

Picture Book Saturday

Rock-a-bye Room
By Susan Meyers, illustrated by Amy Bates
Published 2013 by Harry N. Abrams

Is it weird that my first reaction to this book is "bedtime story for hipster parents"? It's actually a good bedtime story for anyone, with lulling rhymes and gentle illustrations. But something about it shouts "hipster" at me for some reason. The gentle rhythm would work well if you wanted to sing this story instead of just reading. The illustrations are definitely suited for a bedtime read, calm colors and simple lines. Another for my arsenal of bedtime books.

Magic Colors

By Patrick George

Published 2013 by Boxer Books

Oh boy, are parents going to love this one! This book is delightful - with transparent pages, it shows what happens when you mix different colors together, creating new pictures with every flip of the page. The text is very simple, making this a perfect (and, I'm sure, endlessly fascinating) book to share with even the youngest readers. I definitely recommend this one! 

 

Magic Opposites

By Patrick George
Published 2013 by Boxer Books

Another awesome concept book from George - this time teaching opposites with magic pages. These books are just brilliantly done, and I particularly like this one for the more interesting opposites he chooses to introduce. Kids will love discovering the magic in these pages.

Picture Book Saturday

The Crocodile and the Scorpion
By Rebecca and Ed Emberley
Published 2013 by Roaring Brook Press
I really like the illustrations here - the Emberleys have done some other folktales in a similar style and I haven't enjoyed them that much. In this case, I think the illustrations are great - very bright colors, vivid and eye-catching. However, I can't even remember the story very well. I know it's a riff on a classic tale, but the story didn't really capture my attention and I don't think it would hold a storytime crowd's attention.

The Fort that Jack Built
By Boni Ashburn, illustrated by Brett Helquist
Published 2013 by Abrams Books for Young Readers
This is a simple twist on "The House That Jack Built" but it is so much fun. I'm in love with Helquist's illustrations - he's someone who I seek out everything he's illustrated and read it whenever I get a chance (as much as that doesn't make a ton of sense). They work really well here - detailed and delightful. This story also works really well as it takes a popular subject - forts, duh - and then twists a classic tale. You see, Jack has "borrowed" items from his family members to build his fort and they kind of want them back. So, we readers get to see Jack's fort slowly being taken apart. It's fun and I think this has tons of kid appeal.

Don't Push the Button!
By Bill Cotter
Published 2013 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
As long as they keep making interactive picture books that are actually fun and work with a crowd, I'll keep reading them in my storytimes. Because really? How can you not push the button???? Of course, pushing the button sets off a series of disasters. Can we get them all under control before the end of the book? Kids will love this!

Picture Book Saturday

Perfectly Percy

By Paul Schmid

Published 2013 by HarperCollins

I think I've read pretty much all of Schmid's books simply because they are too adorable to resist picking up from our new book cart. This book features another of his lovable porcupines, Percy. Percy loves balloons but, as you can probably guess, balloons and porcupines don't always mix. Intrepid Percy is determined to find a solution, though, and, of course, all ends well. A very sweet little story.

 

Open This Little Book

By Jesse Klausmeier, illustrated by Suzy Lee

Published 2013 by Chronicle Books

I feel pretty silly saying this, but I'm not sure I get this book. It doesn't seem to have much of a point or a story and I'm hard-pressed to imagine what one might gain from reading it more than once. To me, it sort of just seems like a concept book where once you've seen the concept through, there's really no point in seeing it again. As a matter of fact, I almost think that once you watch the book trailer, you've seen pretty much all this book has to offer. Maybe I am being too cynical here, but I just don't see the appeal of this one.

 

A Year with Marmalade

By Alison Reynolds, illustrated by Heath McKenzie

Published 2013 by Little Simon

This is a cute little story of a girl whose best friend moves away, leaving her cat Marmalade in her care. At first, as one might expect, the little girl and the little cat do not much get along. But, over the year, their relationship grows and changes, ultimately becoming a comforting thing for them both. I think the illustrations here are absolutely charming and this would work well in a story time about friends. A very sweet story.

Picture Book Saturday

Before we get down to our regularly scheduled business, do you know what yesterday was? Well, Valentine's Day, of course, but that also means it was Cybils Day! In case you missed it, go here to find the winners. I participated as a second round judge in the Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category, and I'm very excited about our winner. Look for my reviews of all our finalists in the coming months!


I Am Cat
By Jackie Morris
Published 2013 by Frances Lincoln Children's Books
I really wanted to like this one, with the big orange kitty face on the cover, but I just didn't. I don't know. It was a little more cerebral and out there than I like my picture books to be. I have a really hard time imagining an audience of children enjoying this one as well. The illustrations are exquisitely lovely, but I just didn't like the story very much.




Musk Ox Counts
By Erin Cabatingan, illustrated by Matthew Myers
Published 2013 by Roaring Brook Press
Yay! Musk Ox is back and this time, he's taking on counting! I love Musk Ox so much because he is just like a four-year-old. He wants things to be all about him and he wants them a certain way and he's not afraid to let you know. I love that this book has an interactive element to it, making it instantly more appealing for a young audience. It's a hard book for a storytime crowd because there is a lot going on, but it's just so much fun. Love it!



You Were the First
By Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
Published 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Oh, this book is so sweet. This is the perfect book to share with your oldest child just before or after you add a new child to the family. This will remind that child that they will always be special because they were the first. It's just such a sweet book and the illustrations are perfectly suited - they are lovely and soft and they just feel so well-matched to the text. A beautiful book.

Picture Book Saturday

Things that Are Most in the World
By Judi Barrett, illustrated by John Nickle
Published 2001 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
I don't know how anyone can resist a Judi Barrett book; I don't even bother to try. This one, which just showed up new at our library, is no exception. This is not really a story; Barrett instead provides us with some of the things that are most in the world - the stickiest, the quietest, etc. Of course, in typical Barrett fashion, none of these things are quite what you would have expected. I think this would be a really fun book to tie to non-fiction as you actually look up things that hold records for being the most at something. Definitely a great read.

Ghost in the House
By Ammi-Joan Paquette, illustrated by Adam Record
Published 2013 by Candlewick Press
I like spooky and scary things and I'm pretty sure any kid I have is going to grow up obsessed with Halloween. That being said, this ghoulishly themed counting book is definitely appealing to me. A little ghost wanders through his house, discovering spooky surprises around every corner. The illustration style is really friendly, so even though this book is filled with ghastly creatures, I can't imagine any kid being frightened by them. A simple but fun book.

Little Owl's Night
By Divya Srinivasan
Published 2011 by Viking Juvenile
I love, love the illustrations here, probably the main reason why I picked this book up in the first place. This is a really interesting take on the bedtime story, as Little Owl journeys through the night (owls are nocturnal, after all) and observes all the amazing things that happen when the sun is down. I think this might actually help kids who are afraid of the dark or night-time. They could learn about what is happening while they are sleeping. Very cute, with lovely illustrations.

Picture Book Saturday

Windblown
By Edouard Manceau
Published 2013 by Owlkids Books
I feel like I'm the only youth librarian on the planet that wasn't completely enamored by this book. In fact, we just had a resource-sharing event with local librarians at my library and no less than a handful of them talked about using this book in storytime. Yes, I completely get that it has a built-in activity for it. However, that doesn't make it a good book. I think if I were a kid, I just wouldn't get this. But, like I said, I seem to be in the minority here.


Crafty Chloe
By Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Heather Ross
Published 2012 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Chloe is nearly heartbroken when she discovers that someone else has the same idea for a gift for their friend Emma. So, Chloe decides that she will make Emma something, a one-of-a-kind gift. Only, it turns out crafting isn't as easy as she thought. This is a pretty charming little book, one that I think will definitely inspire some kids to get crafting on their own after they finish reading. A very cute story.



Millie and the Big Rescue
By Alexander Steffensmeier
Published 2013 by Walker Childrens
The beloved Millie the cow is back in another adventure. This time, Millie and her friends play hide and seek. But what happens when Millie gets stuck in her hiding spot? Who will come to her rescue? A fun story, I think what I like most about this book (and the first) is just how sweet the illustrations are. Millie looks like a cow I'd want to be friends with. She just looks so good-natured. I think kids will like the silliness of this one.

Picture Book Saturday

Count the Monkeys
By Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Published 2013 by Disney-Hyperion
Barnett is definitely an author to watch. He writes both picture books and chapter books and seems to do well with both (although I haven't found time yet to read one of his chapter books, they're popular in my library). When I spotted his new picture book, I picked it up immediately. This is a storytime dream book - incredibly fun and interactive. It will definitely keep your audience's attention. The illustrations are perfect for the story, making this an even more awesome book. I definitely recommend this one and will be adding it to my storytime repertoire.

The Matchbox Diary
By Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Published 2013 by Candlewick Press
This is a quiet but lovely book for which some Caldecott buzz has been building. To be sure, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous - detailed and longing to be explored in depth. The story is of a little girl who asks her great-grandfather to tell her the story of an old cigar box filled with matchboxes. This would be a great book for a kindergarten/early elementary storytime or program - extension activities are really easy and I seem to remember starting my interest in family history in early elementary school. Very lovely.



Otter and Odder: A Love Story
By James Howe, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Published 2012 by Candlewick Press
Odd is exactly the word I would use to describe this story of an otter who falls in love with a fish. I think it is supposed to be whimsical and heartening and probably have a big lesson in it, but mostly I found it strange. Additionally (and I still hate to admit this), I do not enjoy Raschka's illustration style. It makes me feel unsophisticated or something whenever I say that, but I just think it looks messy and irritating. This was not a book for me.

Picture Book Saturday

Toys in Space
By Mini Grey
Published 2013 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
I've seen Mini Grey's books around before and have been drawn to the illustrations - they just look like so much fun. So, when I spotted this newest title on our new book cart, I immediately picked it up and read it. It's a bit of a confusing story, and a little too long for a storytime crowd, but I can see this being a popular bedtime read. The toys get left outside and end up on a space adventure. It's entertaining, and I loved how everything came together at the end. Definitely a cute story. 

Friends
By Mies Van Hout
Published 2013 by Lemniscaat USA
I love, love, loved Happy by Van Hout - the simplicity was great but I thought it was an excellent example of a concept book done very right. This new book is almost as fantastic. In this book, Van Hout explores friendship and all the things that can mean. Once again, I love that she doesn't shy away from negative emotions and interactions in these books - kids should learn these things, too. I don't love the illustrations quite as much in this one, but this is another fantastic concept book from Van Hout.

The King of Space
By Jonny Duddle
Published 2013 by Templar
This was a somewhat amusing book about a little boy who wants to be the king of space - a feat he actually manages to accomplish. However, when he gets into a bit of trouble, he won't be able to hide the truth from his parents anymore. It's kind of a cute book, with illustrations that look like they come straight from Pixar or Dreamworks studio - which will definitely be appealing to kids. The story is a bit long, though, and not as funny as one might hope. An okay read.

Picture Book Saturday

Steam Train, Dream Train
By Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Published 2013 by Chronicle Books
Kids have loved Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site since it was released, so it's really no surprise that the team behind it released another similar title. This one, as you could probably guess, focuses on trains, another big hit with the preschool-age crowd. I love the soft illustration style of both of these books. I also think they make great bedtime books - they are gentle and calming and I think they put kids in just the right mood.

The Day the Crayons Quit
By Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Published 2013 by Philomel
I couldn't resist the cover illustration or the idea of this book. I think it's a perfect book for the kindergarten crowd - they love funny books, and this one is. I think kindergarten is the perfect age for enjoyment of this book. They spend a lot of time with crayons and have undoubtedly picked their favorites. I think they'll benefit from the idea of using new colors for their pictures. I love the illustrations - even more fun.

Someone's Sleepy
By Deborah Lee Rose, illustrated by Dan Andreasen
Published 2013 by Abrams
This is another soft and gentle bedtime read, though this one focuses on the bedtime ritual between a mother and child. I like the simplicity of the story and the rhyming pattern will become familiar and comforting to children with the repeated readings that are sure to occur. The illustrations are so cute. A very sweet story.