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Picture Books February 2018
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New and Recently Released! |
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| Grandma's Purse by Vanessa Brantley-NewtonWhat it's about: a little girl's exploration of her Grandma Mimi's oversized purse, which is filled with a variety of objects just as beautiful and fascinating as Grandma Mimi herself.
Who it's for: anyone looking for a bright and upbeat story about intergenerational bonding.
Further reading: Families whose elders are a bit prickly may prefer Vaunda Micheaux Nelson's Don't Call Me Grandma. |
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Snowy Bear
by Tony Mitton
Starring: Tired, cold and lonely, little Snowy Bear, who trudges through the woods seeking shelter and finally discovers it in a house where a lonely young girl is wishing for a friend.
Reviewers say: "An unapologetically sweet book that will engage both little and big hearts alike." (Kirkus)
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| Dear Girl by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal; illustrated by Holly HatamWhat it is: snippets of advice for young girls, ranging from whimsical ("don't ever lose your sense of wonder") to practical ("write down your thoughts"; "sometimes you'll need a bucket") to downright exuberant ("sometimes you’ve just gotta stop . . . AND DANCE!")
Author alert: Co-written by prolific author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and her daughter, Dear Girl is one of the last books Amy completed before her death in 2017. |
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| The Great Dictionary Caper by Judy Sierra; illustrated by Eric ComstockWhat it's about: After all of the words in the dictionary break free, they form a parade of cleverly demonstrated linguistic concepts: rambunctious action verbs do acrobatics, onomatopoeic words form a noisy marching band, and homophones march in twos and threes.
Who it's for: budding word nerds and adults who want to encourage them.
Don't miss: the handy glossary that caps this playful invitation into a deeper understanding of the English language. |
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Ducks away!
by Mem Fox
What it's about: Crossing a bridge with her five little ducklings in tow, a mother duck is dismayed when a strong gust of wind knocks the babies one by one into the river below, causing the frantically quacking and counting mother duck to choose between protecting the children who remain on the bridge or helping the ones who are swimming below. By the creators of Where Is the Green Sheep?
If you like this book try: Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett, Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth and Bill Martin's Chicka Chicka 1,2,3.
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| Don't Forget Dexter! by Lindsay WardStarring: Dexter T. Rexter, a toy dinosaur with a burning question: "Can you help me? I'm looking for my best friend, Jack." See, Jack has been gone for a while, and though Dexter is trying to keep calm (singing their special song helps), he's starting to get scared. Jack wouldn't forget him…would he?
Further reading: For toys that exhibit patience rather than Dexter's goofy (and ultimately unfounded) panic, try Kevin Henkes' Waiting; for a kid's perspective on a missing toy, pick up Mo Willems' Knuffle Bunny. |
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William's winter nap
by Linda Ashman
What it's about: a cozy winter bedtime story, featuring a boy and animal characters, that touches on the concept of hibernation.
Why kids might like it: kids will delight at each new guest's arrival and enjoy counting along as the animals keep scooching over to fit in William's bed.
Reviewers say: "Beautifully paced, rhymed and cadenced...[The] mixed- media artwork creates a strong sense of the setting and the appealing characters. Just right for reading aloud on cold, wintry nights." (Booklist)
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Old Favorites, Freshened Up |
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| My Grandfather's Coat by Jim Aylesworth; illustrated by Barbara McClintockWhat it's about: a tailor who skillfully repurposes his coat, turning it into ever-smaller items until nothing remains -- except the story.
Why kids might like it: Warm illustrations show how the tailor and his family change over time, while repeated phrases create a soothing, singsong quality.
Read this next: Those who relish the nostalgic charm of My Grandfather's Coat will also appreciate Simms Taback's Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, which is based on the same Yiddish folk song. |
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| The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos; illustrated by Rafael LópezWhat it is: a vibrant spin on "The House That Jack Built." It all begins with a farm maiden's humble pot, into which she -- with help from some talented farm animals -- continually adds ingredients, cooking up a delicious treat to share.
Who it's for: With glowing colors and cumulative, bilingual repetition, this readaloud-ready book will grab Spanish speakers and learners alike.
Don't miss: the recipe for arroz con leche (animal assistants not included). |
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Bunny & the beast
by Molly Coxe
What it is: Through her great capacity to love, a kind and beautiful rabbit maid releases a handsome rabbit prince from the spell which has made him an ugly beast, in a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast fairytale.
Who it's for: fans of the classic fairy tale.
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| Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo WillemsWhat it's about: "I sure hope no innocent little succulent child happens by our unlocked home," declare three dinosaurs as they set out bowls of pudding and exit their carefully arranged house. Even before the "poorly supervised" young Goldilocks arrives, kids will realize that this tongue-in-cheek retelling is toying with their expectations.
For fans of: sly twists on traditional tales, such as Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs or Mac Barnett's The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse. |
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Little Red Gliding Hood
by Tara Lazar
What it's about: A fractured fairy tale features a red-hooded figure-skating enthusiast who must win a pairs competition with a big-eyed, sharp-toothed and furry-pawed partner in order to replace her worn-out skates.
Reviewers say: "A wonderful winter-themed fractured fairy tale with so many clever details that kids will want to read again and again." (School Library Journal)
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Contact your librarian for more great books! |
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