The Channukah Guest

Read: a long time ago

The Chanukkah Guest by Eric Kimmel; Illustrated by Giora Carmi

A hilarious story about a woman with failing eyesight who mistakes a bear for the Rabbi come to join her for her famous latkes.

Eric Kimmel has written a good number of Hanukkah books for the picture book set - and this one is my favorite.

Sally and the Purple Socks

Read: 8/28/2009

Sally and the Purple Socks by Lisze Bechtold

A duck gets a pair of purple socks in the mail. They are incredibly small but come with a note saying they will get bigger in time. The socks grow and the Duck enjoys wearing them as socks. But a few hours later, they are so big, they can be used as a scarf, then a blanket, then a rug, then a circus tent!

The illustrations are bold and simple and the story of socks growing way out of proportion is just ridiculous enough to amuse any preschooler.

Peanut

Read: August 24, 2009

Peanut by Lina Alsenas

A lonely old lady finds a "puppy" in the park and takes him home. Peanut is an unusual puppy - since he really is an elephant. Finally the ringmaster from the circus sees them at the park and takes Peanut home to the circus - where he really belongs.

The illustrations are cartoon-like but are clearly defined which makes for a good story time read.

When I Was King

Read: August 24, 2009

When I Was King by Linda Ashman, Illustrated by David McPhail

I love this story. All in rhyme, a little boy bemoans his younger brother who gets all the glory, when it used to be his...when he was King.

The illustrations are just what I'd expect from David McPhail - soft and whimsical. I love the crown the little boy wears throughout the story - reminding us that he used to be King...

I Will Surprise My Friend

Read: 7/31/2009

I Will Surprise My Friend by Mo Willems

This easy reader is HILARIOUS! I was a little skeptical about all the buzz Mo Willems has been getting, then I read this book and another by him this afternoon. I laughed out loud at the ending. The combination of simple pictures of the Elephant and the Pig, their facial expressions and their thought bubbles made for a really fun read. There is a lot of repetition and the print is large and clear.

Little Hoot

Read: May 7, 2009
Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Illustrated by Jen Corace

Little Hoot is a baby owl with a problem. His parents won't let him go to bed at a reasonable hour. They make him stay up late, because that is what Owls do.

The illustrations by Jen Corace are charming and sweet with a large clear picture of the characters on each page. Though the format of the book is somewhat small overall, the simplicity would make this a good story time candidate.

Maybe a Bear Ate It!

Read: May 7, 2009
Maybe a Bear Ate It! by Robie H. Harris, Illustrated by Michael Emberley

A little monster? cat? creature? is reading a book in bed. When he loses it under his covers, he starts to panic and begins a string of assumptions about what may have happened to his book.

Michael Emberley's illustrations and large, clear and colorful. This lends the book towards easy use for story time and with younger readers. The Bear (who gets a bum rap and is featured on the cover) is scary and endearing at the same time. The main character - the cat/monster/creature has on a cool stripe-y pair of pajamas and I love the expressions he gets while in such a state of despair!