Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Mother Duck has lost one of her ducklings. She – with the rest of her babies in tow – makes the rounds of the pond, asking other creatures they chance to meet, “Have you seen my duckling?” Sharp-eyed young ones will be able to point out the missing duckling in each of the illustrations – he’s not far from … Read more
Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner Picture Book * * * Stars (Pretty good) Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese kitten whose mother sends him to his room after finding him curled up in a bird’s nest – he needs to do some “serious thinking before you leave this room, Mr. Fuzzy Pants, about just what it means to be a CAT.” It doesn’t take Skippyjon long to imagine himself as somewhere (and something) else, though, once … Read more
Stand Straight, Ella Kate: The True Story of a Real Giant by Kate Klise illustrated by M. Sarah Klise Biography Nonfiction Picture Book * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Ella Kate grew up in the late 1800s. She started life in the normal way, but when she was 7 years old she started growing rapidly, quickly outdistancing her peers. She didn’t stop growing until she was 22 years old, and by then she was … Read more
Little Whistle by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Tim Bowers Picture book * * * Stars (Pretty good) Little Whistle is a small brown guinea pig who lives in a toy shop called Toytown. He sleeps all day because at night he has adventures visiting all of his friends (the toys) in the shop. On his very first night in the shop, he meet s a sailor who lets him borrow his pea coat, which Little … Read more
Little Pea by Amy Krause Rosenthal illustrated by Jen Corace Picture book * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This tongue-in-cheek take on cleaning one’s plate is humorous fun for kids and grown-ups alike. “If you want to grow up to be a big, strong pea, you have to eat your candy.” Papa Pea tells Little Pea. That’s a tall order, but Little Pea acquiesces. And what’s for dessert? You might be surprised. Corace’s signature … Read more
Imagine Harry by Kate Klise illustrated by M. Sarah Klise Picture book * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Little Rabbit is quite dependent on his friend, Harry, especially when it’s time to start school. The thing is, no one else sees Harry, or even seems to realize he’s there. This warmly reassuring tale underscores the security Little Rabbit has in his relationship with his mother and the inner resources he draws upon in adjusting … Read more
SUPERDOG: THE HEART OF A HERO by Caralyn Buehner EASY BUETHE GRUFFALO by Julia Donaldson EASY DONI STINK by Kate McMullan EASY MCM UNDERWEAR! By Mary Elise Monsell EASY MON and EASY PB MON DOG BREATH: THE HORRIBLE TROUBLE WITH HALLY TOSIS by Dav Pilkey EASY PIL DOGZILLA by Dav Pilkey EASY PIL and EASY PB PIL KAT KONG by Dav Pilkey EASY PIL and EASY PB PIL THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY … Read more
Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Lola is a happy girl. Why? Because it’s Tuesday and Tuesday is library day. Little ones will relate to Lola and appreciate her celebration of books as they shadow her through her adventures from wake-up time to bedtime when, of course, her new library books are read to her. Bright, but soft and fuzzy, acrylic illustrations … Read more
LITTLE MOUSE AND THE BIG RED APPLE by A. H. Benjamin EASY BEN SHARING IS FUN by Joanna Cole EASY COL IT’S SHARING DAY by Kristen Larsen EASY DOR KINDNESS IS COOLER, MRS. RULER by Margery Cuyler EASY CUY I CAN SHARE WITH OTHERS by Jenette Guntly Donovan EASY DON BOSSY BEAR by David Horvath EASY HOR IT’S MY TURN! by Heather Maisner EASY MAI AND TANGO MAKES THREE by Justin Richardson EASY RIC WILLIAM … Read more
Little Joe’s Big Race by Andy Blackford 1st Reader * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Its unique plot and laugh-out-loud ending, paired with engaging illustrations, make this an outstanding choice for beginning readers with basic skills. Reviewed by Debbie Luetscher, Youth Services Staff