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Picture Books December 2016
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Bloom
by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by David Small
Problem-solving isn't always a tidy process, and no one understands this better than Bloom, the mud fairy. Despite her practical magic (she can turn weeds into flowers and sand into glass), Bloom is banished by the prim rulers of the glass kingdom because she leaves too many muddy footprints. Yet when the glass castle begins to crack, a servant girl named Genevieve is dispatched to retrieve Bloom -- though the results of her mission may not be what the rulers expected! This lively, unusual fairy tale is sure to inspire kids to get their own hands dirty. For another book about not getting stressed about mess, check out Patrick McDonnell's A Perfectly Messed-Up Story.
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Best Frints in the Whole Universe
by Antoinette Portis
Welcome to Boborp, a vibrant planet where round, spindly-limbed residents Yelfred and Omek are best frints. Being frints means doing everything together: eating tentacles for yunch, playing kratch in the peedle pit, and sharing blurfday gifts. On Boborp, however, frints "have been known to use their teef and not their words," which is precisely what happens after Omek carelessly shmackles Yelfred's shiny new spossip. Can this fraught frintship be repaired? Kids who love goofy wordplay (or relish being able to "correct" an adult reader) will enjoy finding out. For another alien-themed vocabulary-stretcher, try Baloney (Henry P.) by Jon Scieszka.
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Bear is Not Tired
by Ciara Gavin
After being adopted by a family of ducks in Room for Bear, Bear is settling comfortably into his new life. Eating, sleeping, playing, swimming -- Bear does everything that his feathered brethren do. (Well, everything except flying.) Then the first winter air tickles Bear's nose; it's time to hibernate! Though he tries to resist, Bear starts falling asleep during family activities. Thankfully, Mama Duck has a smart solution that will allow Bear to snooze away the winter without missing out. Rounded shapes and pastel colors in the illustrations add a gentle, homey feel to this picture book that's sure to be a hit with fans of Karma Wilson's Bear Snores On.
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Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs
by Eric Litwin; illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Dancing dinosaurs, a guitar-strumming dog, and a rhyming refrain are the perfect ingredients for a crowd-pleasing sing-along in this lively picture book. Groovy Joe, the crooning canine, is "living the dream, he had a spoon and a tub of doggy ice cream." But before Joe can dig in, bib-wearing dinosaurs stomp in demanding scoops of their own! There's not enough to go around, but Joe's quick thinking turns a potential disaster into an interspecies dance party. Fans of Pete the Cat and his catchy tunes won't be able to resist Ice Cream and Dinosaurs, the 1st in the Groovy Joe series.
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| Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre; illustrated by Steve JenkinsA squirrel's tail can be used as a flag, a balancing tool, a hiding place, or an umbrella… and that's just one of many intriguing items you'll find in this introduction to the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed mammals. Though the story uses punchy poetry and crisp collage art to describe squirrel behavior, the book's final pages are packed with scientific facts, making Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep valuable for pleasure reading as well as report writing. Those who appreciate the harmonious collaboration of author April Pulley Sayre and illustrator Steve Jenkins should be sure to check out their previous works in Vulture View, Woodpecker Wham!, and Eat Like a Bear. |
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| Are We There, Yeti? by Ashlyn AnsteeAll aboard for a class trip with the big furry bus driver, Yeti! Rendered in rounded, cartoony illustrations, this yeti is more friendly than fearsome, and his name lends itself to goofy plays on the time-honored road-trip refrain. The students are just about ready to revolt with impatience (and complaints that they're hungry/thirsty/bored) when they finally arrive at...a cold, empty snowscape? It might not look like fun, but both the students and the readers are in for a surprise. For another punny picture book about a mythical creature, try author Ashlyn Anstee's No, No, Gnome!. |
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| Elwood Bigfoot: Wanted: Birdie Friends! by Jill Esbaum; illustrated by Nate WraggCryptid life can be lonely, and in this quirky tale one isolated bigfoot named Elwood embarks on a campaign to befriend the birds whose chirping brings him so much joy. The birds, however, are reluctant to approach Elwood, even when he dresses like them, invites them to a party, and builds a birdie amusement park. Kids will quickly spot why Elwood's efforts go astray, but they'll also root for the kindly sasquatch as he bumbles his way toward success. Fans of Elwood and his (eventual) feathered pals may also want to pick up Nadia Shireen's The Yeti and the Bird for a different take on a similar friendship. |
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| Dear Yeti by James Kwan"Dear Yeti, We're searching for you. Sincerely, Hikers." If you want to find the elusive yeti, it can't hurt to let him know, right? That's the logic employed by the two young hikers in this book, who venture out into a snowy landscape to look for the yeti, who shyly shadows their journey and reads each of the notes they leave behind. With sweet, stylized illustrations that portray the mythical beast as fuzzy and friendly-faced, this gently suspenseful story is sure to be a crowd-pleaser among kids who are fascinated by imaginary creatures. For another appealing pair of cryptid hunters, try Mary Ann Fraser's No Yeti Yet. |
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The thing about yetis
by Vin Vogel
Yetis love snow and all things winter, but sometimes they need a dose of summer as well
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| The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot! by Scott MagoonThis book begins with a little boy named Ben telling a big fat lie: “LOOK EVERYONE, IT’S BIGFOOT!” At first people believe Ben’s tall tale, but when no Bigfoot materializes, they start to get frustrated. Kids will chuckle as Ben (aided by his long-suffering dog) deploys increasingly outrageous tactics to get his skeptical family and friends to believe in his Bigfoot sightings. And when Bigfoot finally does appear…well, we don’t want to give away the surprise! Expressive, playfully retro pictures help to balance the underlying lesson about honesty in this lighthearted and quirky retelling of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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