|
|
| Olive & Pekoe: In Four Short Walks by Jacky Davis; illustrated by Giselle PotterWhat it is: a collection of four stories starring wise, elderly dog Olive and large, boisterous puppy Pekoe.
Why kids might like it: There’s plenty of gentle humor to be found in comparing this unlikely pair of canine companions: while Pekoe loves playing with sticks and chasing chipmunks, Olive prefers resting in the knowledge that the forest is full of sticks and chipmunks. At least both dogs agree on the importance of snacktime! |
|
|
100 Things I Love to Do with You
by Amy Schwartz
What it is: a rhyming, cheerful compendium of everyday activities for children to do with a friend, sibling, or parent. Colorful cartoons depict a diverse array of characters trying such pastimes as making mud pies, writing secret codes, eating ice cream, and misbehaving (just a little).
For fans of: creator Amy Schwartz's earlier book, 100 Things that Make Me Happy, or Julie Morstad's How To.
|
|
| The Book Hog by Greg PizzoliStarring: the Book Hog, an avid collector who loves the look, feel, and smell of books -- but who doesn’t know how to read.
Who it’s for: With cheery pastel colors and minimal text, this feel-good book is a strong choice for sharing aloud, as well as for beginning readers (who may identify with the porcine protagonist).
Don’t miss: the way the titles on the Book Hog’s books only become clear after he learns how to read them. |
|
| How to Two by David SomanWhat it’s about: Beginning with a single child on a slide (“how to one”), more and more children are welcomed onto the playground in this charming counting book.
Art alert: With only a few words per page, the bright, dynamic watercolor illustrations are the star of the show.
Try this next: Shannon George’s One Family, another inclusive counting book that celebrates different combinations of people. |
|
| Not Your Nest! by Gideon Sterer; illustrated by Andrea TsurumiWhat happens: An industrious yellow bird builds a series of comfortable nests, only to find them usurped by other animals -- each one larger than the next. What’s a frustrated little bird to do?
Why kids might like it: the absurdity of big animals in tiny nests will provoke gales of giggles, while the cooperative conclusion will smooth ruffled feathers and appeal to kids’ sense of justice. |
|
| Noisy Night by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Brian BiggsWhat it’s about: On the first floor of a tall apartment building, a child gazes upwards and wonders "What is going LA LA LA above my head?" A pattern of rhyming sounds and loud neighbors (including an opera singer, cowboys, cha-cha dancers, and sheep) follows, with each page turn providing a chance for kids to guess what's next.
Be prepared: You may want to warm up your vocal cords before attempting this raucous read-aloud! |
|
| The Night World by Mordicai GersteinWhat it’s about: Woken by his cat in the very early morning, a little boy wades through the murkiness of his darkened house and out into the yard, where shadowy animals gaze with anticipation at the black, star-speckled sky. What are they waiting for? The answer, when it arrives, is dazzling.
Reviewers say: children will be spellbound by this "delightful celebration of night and sunrise" (Kirkus Reviews). |
|
| The Midnight Library by Kazuno KoharaWelcome to: the Midnight Library (evening hours only), where the librarian might be a little girl in pigtails, but she knows just what each animal in the library needs.
Art alert: Contrasting cool blues and blacks with a deep, warm yellow, The Midnight Library's illustrations are whimsical, inviting, and perfect for bedtime.
Further reading: For another luminous nighttime read, try The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson. |
|
|
A Big Mooncake for Little Star
by Grace Lin
What it's about: In the velvety darkness of their night-sky kitchen, Mama and Little Star bake a huge, luminous mooncake. Little Star knows she shouldn't touch it, but she can't resist taking a little nibble every night...
Read it for: a whimsical, family-centric fable about the phases of the moon, just right for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (a favorite holiday for award-winning author Grace Lin).
Try this next: Loretta Seto's Mooncakes.
|
|
|
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 will be a hit with fans of Karma Wilson's Bear Snores On.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 0-8!
|
|
|
Richmond Public Library 101 East Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 646-7223rvalibrary.org/ |
|
|
|