Lucky for Good by Susan Patron

I LOVE LUCKY!  The Higher Power of Lucky is probably my favorite book of all time. I read it right after my mom passed away and in the middle of the controversy over "the word." Soon after, I met the author and watched her accept her Newbery Award. It has a very special place in my heart (I cherish my signed copy) and I could easily relate to Lucky! Lucky for Good is the third and final Lucky book. (I recommend this series to grades 5 and up....oh and I highly recommend it!!!!)

For eleven-year old Lucky, the universe is full of questions. Is that mysterious woman at the cafe Miles’s mom? Does her father not talk to her because he hates her? Will the Health Department ruin everything? Is she really going to go to hell? The answers are, in no particular order, nearly, no, yes, and a big fat “who knows.” But, answers—like every little thing in the whole universe—are constantly evolving and sometimes, the biggest questions have no answer at all. The best Lucky can do is never give up on maybe, maybe understanding things a little better before she turns twelve. It will take a punch in the face (not her face), a near cafe disaster, a trip to the principal’s office—and both male and female sofas-- but in the end, she’ll see that there are loopholes in life and, thankfully, in county health codes!

Back to School Tortoise

This book cover just caught my eye at the library because it looks so sweet! And it is! Kids will love this story and will be able to relate to the Tortoise who is scared of his first day of school. He keeps thinking of everything that could go wrong until he realizes all of the fun he could have. This would be a good, short little story to share with Kindergarten.

It's time to go back to school. But Tortoise is worried. What if he falls down? What if he doesn't like lunch? What if the kids are mean to him? What if he falls down, doesn't like lunch, and the kids are mean to him? The perfect back-to-school book about being brave, with a surprise at the end!

The Babies on the Bus

This is such a cute version of Wheels on the Bus...this would be a great baby gift! Still most of the original verses- "Horn goes beep beep beep." But a baby twist as well- "the babies go up and down." I think this is a GREAT book for babies and toddlers. They will love the song and the bright, colorful illustrations!!!

The babies on the bus sing
LA-LA-LA!
LA-LA-LA!
LA-LA-LA!
Jump on the bus with Karen Katz’s adorable babies as they take a classic song for an all-new ride!

Princess Palooza by Joy Allen

If you loved Joy Allen's Princess Party then Princess Palooza is a must! I love these rhyming, fun, and easy to read princess stories. Great if your kids love Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious... but even if they are too young to understand Fancy Nancy (such as my daughter Carson) they will still love these princess books. Great for toddlers AND elementary students!

Sporting tutus, butterfly wings, cowboy boots or soccer jerseys, each of these twelve little girls is ready to have a day of fun together-a Princess Palooza! And what could be better than a day at Princess Park-a wonderful playground with a castle, moat and carriage. It's the perfect place for the girls to let their imaginations run wild as they run, jump and dance.

Prudence Wants a Pet

There are many many many books out there about pets. Children wanting pets (I Wanna Iguana and What Pet to Get)... Pets wanting pets (Gilbert Wants a Goldfish)....and Pets wanting children (Children Make Terrible Pets). But there is something different and sweet about Prudence. The illustrations are sweet, simple, and lovely. Children will also laugh as Prudence adopts everyday items and tries to make them her pets...a branch and a men's dress shoe that she feeds and walks. Everyone will relate to this story of wanting and dreaming for a pet of their own.

Prudence wants a pet. Desperately.
“No,” says Dad, “pets cost too much to keep.”
“No,” says Mom, “pets make noise.”
But Prudence is determined. She finds her own pet. It is a…branch. But Branch isn't exactly the pet of her dreams, and neither are Twig, Mr. Round (a car tire), or her baby brother Milo.
Poor Prudence. Will she ever find the perfect pet?

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

Here is a video preview of the new Pete the Cat book.

NEW PIGEON BOOK COMING OUT!!!! (spring 2012)

If you know me then you know I LOVE MO WILLEMS!!!!! I was just reading his blog and saw that he has another pigeon book coming out next spring. Carson and I just love that Pigeon....as do all kids!!!! (I just got her the Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus board game for Christmas....shhhh!) Now I know this is not coming out for another 7-9 months but just wanted to let the countdown begin. :)

I'm Back!!!!

Ok...Ok....I am back to my blog now! I took a few weeks off for summer vacation. I love living at the beach...you don't have to go anywhere and all of your friends and family love to come visit :)!!!!

But Carson and I have been very busy with our summer reading and trips to the library. We love going to the library every Tuesday for storytime! Last week she checked out some fun books. I just finished reading The Help, which is now probably one of my top 3 favorite books ever! I also finished 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass and LOVED that! It is a SC Children's Book Award Nominee for this year. Now I am about to start Rob Lowe's biography. So we have had a very "booky" summer so far.

Here is a book we checked out last week and it is a must for school libraries and art collections! It would be a perfect companion book to The Dot by Peter Reynolds.

Lots of Dots by Craig Frazier

In this exuberant book, Frazier does more than simply showcase a vast variety of dots, he encourages readers to look closely at the world around them. Through his energetic images, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Buttons are dots. Wheels are dots. Ladybugs have dots. And so do the fried eggs on your plate. Lots of Dots is lots of fun!

"Some dots are big. Some dots are small. Some dots float, and some dots fall." I love the simple rhyming text that goes with the illustrations. This could lead to a fun art project and creative writing lesson. Have the kids write their own lines and draw dots that they observe.

I Spy With My Little Eye by Edward Gibbs

The librarian read this last week during toddler storytime and I checked it out this week for Carson. This is the best book!!! Using colors, each page let's the reader see an eye and gives a clue as to what animal is on the next page. Example: "I spy with my little eye....something that is gray." And then there is a speech bubble that says, "I have a very long trunk." When you turn the page it says, "I am an elephant." So cute! Carson LOVES this. The animals go through the colors and they are: blue whale, gray elephant, white polar bear, yellow lion, orange monkey, red frog, and green frog. I would definitely buy this for all home collections! Will also lead into a good game of eye spy around your house or classroom!

The Great Big Book of Families

This is a great book about all types of families in our country! This is a great book for classrooms and libraries- especially in classrooms where teachers and children discuss their families. Each spread talks about a different subject when dealing with families...clothing, jobs, transportation, pets, celebrations, school, homes, and more. The book shows all kinds of families- families with one mother or two dads, families that grow their own food, families where both parents work, and much more! Great representation.

This fun and fascinating treasury features all kinds of families and their lives together. Each spread showcases one aspect of home life - from houses and holidays, to schools and pets, to feelings and family trees. Ros Asquith's humorous illustrations perfectly complement a charming text from the acclaimed Mary Hoffman; kids will love poring over these pages again and again.

Mitchell's License- This is a New Favorite!

Hop in for a hilarious, heartwarming ride with four-year-old Mitchell, a kid with a need for speed, a lead foot, and a very special license to drive.
This has to be one of the cutest books I have seen in a while! I LOVE this book. First off, I absolutely love Tony Fucile!!! He is the illustrator for Bink and Gollie and the author/illustrator for Let's Do Nothing.
In Mitchell's License, Mitchell is a 4 year old boy who does not like to go to bed...until his dad lets him drive to bed. Now, Mitchell loves to drive (his daddy) very fast to bed!!! The story is funny for kids and parents and the illustrations only make it more funny!!!!

Mitchell was four years, one month, and five days old when he got his license. He may need a little boost getting into the driver’s seat, but once he’s behind the wheel, his car sure goes fast! Left turn, right turn, slow down for speed bumps - Mitchell is a pro. And he loves the way that horn sounds! There’s just one problem: Mitchell and his car have a slight disagreement about what type of fuel should go into the tank. With warmth and sly wit, Hallie Durand follows a young child obsessed with all things automobile, while Tony Fucile’s comical illustrations convey the well-tuned bond between an obliging father and a high-octane child.

Here is Tony Fucile signing my copy of Let's Do Nothing for Carson at the ALA conference.

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet

What a great author and illustrator team...

Author-Kelly DiPucchio is the author of Grace for President and coauthor of The Sandwich Swap. Bob Shea wrote and illustrated Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and New Socks. (I just LOVE Bob Shea!) This is a CUTE new book that reminded me of The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems. Kids will love Gilbert and the colorful illustrations!

 

Gilbert has almost everything his fishy heart could desire: a castle, a chest filled with treasure, and food that falls from the sky. But there's one BIG thing missing from his life: a pet. And so begins Gilbert's harrowing search for the perfect fishbowl companion - a search filled with loud barking, quiet buzzing, and one giant whiskered surprise!

You Are My Little Cupcake

I just bought this board book for Carson- even though I need to stop buying board books. It was too cute to resist. I also had to buy it for a friend who is about to have a baby! Perfect new mommy gift! Just a "sweet" little rhyming book to read to your baby!!! I love the illustrations with cupcakes everywhere.

Your smile is sweet as frosting.
Your snuggle can't be beat.
Your kiss is irresistible
And makes each day complete.

From their sugar-sweet smiles to their scrumptious little toes, babies are as irresistible as frosting-covered cupcakes!

Books for the iPad

Carson's new thing is reading books on the iPad when we are on the go. If you have an iPad (and let your kids look at it) then you need to download the following books from the app store. They will love them.

1. The Monster at the End of This Book. This was my favorite book when I was little. I bought the hard back book for Carson but she loves to look at it on the iPad. It is interactive so they turn the pages, and can knock down a brick wall, and tickle Grover. Very cute!

2. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow. This is a great app because you can set the book on auto read and the kids do not have to touch anything. Or you can set it so they turn the pages themselves. Interactive as well. Touching the pictures will tell the children the word and highlight it.

3. Sandra Boynton books- The Going to Bed book or Moo La La La. Very interactive. The animals make sounds and you can make them "run" off of the pages. These are perfect for little ones!!!

4. Pat the Bunny- Also very interactive. When baby looks in the mirror...they can see themselves. They can lift flaps and use color. So cute!

5. Dr. Seuss books- today I just got her Green Eggs and Ham. Also has an auto play setting. This is great for learning new words and the pages are easy to turn!

1+1=5 And Other Unlikely Additions

1+1=5 And Other Unlikely Additions by David LaRochelle. This is a fun books for elementary children- who really understand the fun addition problems and can guess what they might be. Here are some examples from the book: On one page it will show "1+1=5?" and then when you turn the page it has "1 set of triplets + 1 set of twins = 5 babies!" That is the format. 1+1=3? 1 unicorn + 1 goat = horns. 1 ant + 1 spider = 14 legs. This could be a fun math and writing activity with children. They could come up with their own 1+1 addition problems. This is a great book for 1st grade and up. Illustrations are fun and colorful!

How much is 1+1? Think the answer is 2? Not always, as this playful approach to addition proves! David LaRochelle takes children on a joyful mathematical journey that will engage their minds and teach them to think about numbers in a creative, outside-the-box way.

These wacky equations don't add up…or DO THEY?
1 set of triplets + 1 set of twins = 5 babies!
1 duet + 1 quartet = 6 musicians!
1 century + 1 decade = 110 years!

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake

This is a cute book...especially for girls! They will just Betty Bunny. This is a cute book to read with Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake by Thomas Taylor or Cupcake by Charice Mericle Harper.

When Betty Bunny eats chocolate cake for the first time, she declares, "I am going to marry chocolate cake." She loves it so much that she takes a piece to school with her in her pocket and refuses to eat anything else. Mommy tells Betty that she has to eat healthy food first, and have patience because cake is for dessert, not pockets. But Betty doesn't want to have patience; she wants to have chocolate cake!

The Giant of Seville

Based on the life of a real circus giant, Captain Martin Van Buren Bates!
I love true stories and biographies so I just thought this was so interesting! And I love that this is about a person from Ohio :).

Captain Martin Van Buren Bates arrives in the town of Seville, Ohio—standing seven feet and eleven and a half inches. He is "a giant" who has toured around the world in the circus. In search of a quiet home he decides to get off the train in Seville, although he fears he will be too big for the little town. But Seville is full of surprises, and the Bates soon learn that the only thing that matters is the size of one’s heart.
 
A “tall” tale based on the true story of a real-life circus giant, The Giant of SevilleBuren Bates and his wife, Anna Bates.

Chicken Cheeks

I love this book!!! So funny...all about animal bottoms! This is a cute book to read at home with toddlers and elementary children. It is good if you have young children and older ones to read to because they will all love this and laugh out loud together!!!

Some bears will go to any length to get some honey. This one recruits every animal that comes along to form, well, a stack. The result? Tail of the duck to the gluteus maximus of the duck-billed platypus (with many other rears in between). Follow this back-sided journey up the tree - where the real surprise awaits.

Marley Messy Dog- I Can Read 2

Another fun reader about the beloved dog Marley. And yes...his high energy gets him into trouble in this book as well. Kids love the Marley picture books and like to read these readers all by themselves. This is a good gift for my neice Olivia who loves the Marlet books but is starting to read herself.

When Mommy decides to surprise Cassie with a newly painted bedroom, Marley wants to help. But by the time he's done, the messy dog is in need of a little help himself! Based on the real dog- Marley. By John Grogan.

Purple Little Bird by Greg Foley

Purple Little Bird by Greg Foley (Don't Worry Bear). This is a great book for Carson, toddlers, and younger elementary students. They will just LOVE the illustrations. Very appealing. Little bird lives in a perfect purple world. But it isn't until he ventures out into the world that he discovers there is more to life than just purple.

Purple Little Bird lives in a very purple world:
He has a purple little house and a purple little garden.
But somehow, it's just not quite perfect.
So Purple Little Bird sets off to find the perfect place for him—and discovers it in a most unexpected way.

Clink by Kelly Dipucchio

Clink, a new book by Kelly Dipucchio (Grace for President), is a VERY cute book that children will love. It reminds me of Toy Story and Corduroy. Elementary children will love this book as a read aloud! Could lead to good discussions on technology then and now and how new technologies change our lives.

Clink was a state-of-the-art robot with the dazzling ability to make toast and play music at the same time. But that was many years ago.
Now kids want snazzier robots who do things like play baseball and bake cookies. So day after day, Clink sits on a shelf and sadly watches as his friends leave with their new owners. He almost gives up on ever finding a home—until the day Clink spies a boy who just might be able to be the right one for him. . . .

Tyrannosaurus Dad

What's forty feet long, fifteen feet high, and wears a tie? Tobias's dad of course! This is a cute book for Father's Day that elementary boys will like. This is a funny story about a boy's dad (a tyrannosaurus) who shows up to ump for the Field Day baseball game. He saves the day when no one wants to disagree with his calls. :)

Tobias’s father is a lot like other fathers—he likes corny jokes, and doing magic tricks, and works really hard at the office. But there the resemblance ends.  He has teeth as sharp as steak knives, is forty feet high, and weighs as much as a locomotive.  He is, in fact, a tyrannosaurus.

Last Day Blues

Not that I am counting but...with only 5 days left of school- this would be a great story for any classroom this time of year.
It's the last week of school and Mrs. Hartwell's class is excited to leave for summer vacation, but they don't want their teacher to miss them while they're gone. They picture that their teacher will be sad and lonely all summer- without anything to do. They decide to cheer her up by thinking of the perfect present to give her so she will not be so sad on the last day. Children, teachers and parents will love this book- especially the ending when they get to see how the teachers really react :)

First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew

This is a great new book for teachers to use in their classrooms when teaching different units- healthy eating, national buildings and symbols, and plants. It could work for all of these subjects. Children will love the illustrations and learning about what is new and modern at the White House. (Recipes Included)

The White House garden, part of Michelle Obama’s campaign to encourage healthful eating, was established in 2009. This book tells the story of Mrs. Obama’s garden, as well as the story of the White House grounds, the other gardens (including Eleanor Roosevelt’s Victory Garden in World War II) that came before, the White House children who have played there, and the teamwork, involving local children as well as the Obama family and White House staff, that led to the garden now flourishing on the South Lawn.

Happy Hippo, Angry Duck: a book of moods

Another great book by Sandra Boynton. Carson just LOVES all of her books and now- so do I!

Are you HAPPY AS A HIPPO?
Or ANGRY AS A DUCK?
Maybe SAD AS A CHICKEN?
(Can you sadly say "CLUCK CLUCK"?)

Bestselling author Sandra Boynton is back in this all-new board book about moods. Boynton's clever animals exemplify a wide range of emotions in this hilarious story about different feelings. Young readers are sure to giggle as interactive text asks them if they are "grumpy as a moose or excited as a dog?" Maybe they're "worried as a rabbit or contented as a frog?"

Put these on your lists for the future...

I love looking around for new books that just came out and books that are coming out in the next season or two. Here is a list of some books that I found that are coming out this summer/early fall that you may want to add to your list for the future and be on the look out. I not previewed or read these...this is just a list from authors and illustrators that I love!

1. Llama Llama Home with Mama by Anna Dewdney- August 23

2. Where's My T-R-U-C-K by Karen Beaumont. Picture by David Catrow- September 1

3. If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff- October 4

4. The Little Bitty Bakery- Pictures by Betsy Lewin- August 30

5. The Sniffles for Bear by Bonnie Becker- September 13. (I love this series!)

6. Back to School Rules by Laurie B. Freidman (Like Thanksgiving Rules)- September

7. Every Thing On It- Shel Silverstein's unseen/unpublished work- Sept. 20

8. Stuff by Margie Palatini- Sept. 20

9. Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat- Philip Stead (A Sick Day for Amos McGee)- June 7

10. E-mergency by Tom Lichtenheld- October 19

11. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Jerry Pinkney- October 19

12. Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Lois Ehlert- August 30

Billy Bully: A School-Yard Counting Tale

This is a good book for young elementary school children to learn about bullying. In this counting story- Billy learns that bullies lose friends one by one. It is not until he realizes how to be a good friend that he starts to gain them back...one by one.

In this funny counting book, Billy Bully learns what it means to be a good friend.
"When Billy Bully comes to play
he always takes the fun away."
As Billy Bully does one rotten thing after another, his friends dwindle to zero.  With a little effort, Billy Bully realizes that a real friend doesn't think only of himself.  Kids will love to count down--and most importantly--back up, as Billy Bully makes it up to his friends and gets the whole gang back together!

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton

I have seen this book a few times before and just never picked it up....which I do not understand because of course boys would LOVE this book about sharks and trains. However- I read it today and it is a new favorite of mine for sure!!! I might start giving this book to boys I know for their birthdays...it is that good. The author is Chris Barton (The Day-Glo Brothers) and the illustrator is one of my faves- Tom Lichtenheld (Duck Rabbit and Bridget's Beret). In this book- the readers see who will win- the shark or the train. However...they will soon see that it depends on the situation. Of course swimming in the ocean the shark will win...but in a marshmallow toasting contest- the train would win. Kids will LOVE this book and laugh out loud! (I did!)

Shark VS. Train! WHO WILL WIN?!
If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting match up, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train?

When a Dragon Moves In

This is a cute new book by a new author (Jodi Moore) and the illustrator from I Need My Monster (Howard McWilliam). Kids will be drawn to the cover...a boy having fun on the beach with a fire breathing dragon...it just looks like an instant hit. It is a little long for little little kids but it is a great read aloud. It sort of reminds me of the beginning of How I Became a Pirate and the flow of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

On a beautiful day at the beach, a young boy brings his bucket, shovel, and imagination, and builds a perfect sand castle. Right away, a dragon moves in. The boy decides to befriend his dragon and they spend time roaming the shore, flying a kite, braving the waves, defying bullies, and roasting marshmallows. However, no one believes the boy when he tries to share the news of his new friend. That’s when the mischief begins, and the dragon becomes a force to be reckoned with. Children will laugh out loud as the dragon devours every last sandwich, blows bubbles in the lemonade, and leaves claw prints in the brownies. Maybe the dragon really is running amok on the beach, or maybe it’s a little boy’s imagination that is running wild.

Splish, Splash, Splat!

Coming out this Tuesday- 5/17- Splish, Splash, Splat! by Ron Scotton. This is a very popular series with kids! (I would recommend for ages 3-8.) This is a fun book for summer reading!

In this book- Splat does not want to have a playdate with Spike. Spike will break his toys and eat all of his candy fish! And he does not want to learn how to swim—water is horrible, scary, and wet! He's sure that this is going to be the worst day ever. But when the rest of their classmates rush straight into the pool, Splat and Spike find that they may have more in common than they thought. Will Splat overcome his fear of water and get into the pool?

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

This is a new favorite of mine for sure!!! Everyone will love this book...but especially toddler and preschool and kindergarten boys. This is a wonderful story about friendship and being nice to others. Children will also love the truck and farm animal noises.

Horn went Beep! Engine purred. Friendliest sounds you ever heard.
Little  Blue Truck came down the road. Beep! said Blue to the green big toad.

Sheep said Baaa! Cow said Moo! Oink said a piggy. Beep! said Blue.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Meet Blue. A muddy country road is no match for this little pick up--that is, until he gets stuck while pushing a dump truck out of the muck. Luckily, Blue has made a pack of farm animal friends along his route. And they're willing to whatever it takes to get their pal back on the road.
Filled with truck sounds and animals noises, here is a rollicking homage to the power of friendship and the rewards of helping others.



The Wonderful Book

The Wonderful Book by Leonid Gore is such a cute book. Children will love the story and cute animals Teachers and librarians can use it to start discussions on taking care of books and treating books right. This reminds me of the book Petunia where the goose doesn't know what to do with the book she finds in the woods.

In this book- a rabbit finds a mysterious object (a book). "What is this?" he asks. "It looks like a wonderful house for me." And he wriggles inside for a nap. Later he hops away and a bear comes by and finds the book. "What is this?" the bear asks. "It looks like a wonderful hat for me." And he puts it on his head. One by one different animals find the object and transform it into whatever they need it to be.
Finally, a boy comes by and finds the book and he knows exactly what to do- open it up and read it. And...It's a wonderful book! Soon, all the animals gather around to share the wonderful story that's inside.

From the Babymouse Team....Squish

From the creators of Babymouse...we now have Squish- a cute little amoeba. (yes, a little weird and interesting character choice for young readers but they will still want to read!)
Readers will love this series...especially when they see it sitting next to Babymouse books.

Introducing SQUISH—a new graphic novel series about a comic book-loving, twinkie-eating grade school AMOEBA trying to find his place in the world (or at least trying to make it through a school day). Squish has to navigate school (bullies! detention! Principal Planaria!), family (dad: Hates to wear a tie. Secretly listens to heavy metal in the car), and friends (Peggy-rainbows! happy all the time! and Pod . . . who's . . . well, you just have to meet him).

 

 

 

We first meet Squish in the new Babymouse book- #14 Babymouse Mad Scientist. (Squish is like the spin-off.) Here- Babymouse enters the school science fair! Will her amazing discovery win 1st place? Will it become a successful spin off series? Find out in Babymouse: Mad Scientist! Mad Scientist is the 14th graphic novel in the award-winning series and the Babymouse that begins the amazing adventures of SQUISH: SUPER AMOEBA!

 

How to Clean Your Room in 10 Easy Steps

Got a messy room? No problem...this is the book for you! Kids will laugh out loud as they read this book. Readers are getting advice on how to clean their room. Except...it might not be the best advice!
1.  Always wait until your mother hollers, "GET UP THERE AND CLEAN YOUR ROOM—NOW!" using all three of your names. Once she does, you'd better get moving.

From dumping out drawers and dividing stuff into piles to arranging all eight zillion of your stuffed animals, here's the kind of advice on room tidying that everyone can relate to.

Bring on the Birds by Susan Stockdale

I HAVE to buy this for my 5 year old niece Olivia. She loves birds!!! She will say "the blue jay is my favorite bird" and "the ostrich is my favorite bird that does not fly." This is the perfect book for her or any young bird lover!

Birds come in all sorts of interesting shapes, sizes, and colors and many of them can do amazing things as well. Can you imagine...

Dancing birds,
Diving birds,
Hanging birds,
Hiding birds...

They're all real!

In her latest book, Susan Stockdale introduces young readers to both exotic and familiar birds in energetic rhyming text. The bright, bold colors and crisp, clean lines of Stockdale's birds, depicted in their natural habitats, can't help but grab your attention. An afterword identifies each animal and tells a little bit about it and where it lives. Olivia will just love to learn more about each one!

I'm a Shark by Bob Shea

I just love Bob Shea! His other books include Race You to Bed, New Socks, and Dinosaur vs. Bedtime. This is his newest book and it will be SOOOOO popular...especially with boys. Boys come into the library everyday and ask for new shark books. They can't get enough and they will just love this one!!!!

Shark's not afraid of anything.
The dark?
Nah.
A big mean bear?
Don't make him laugh!
But there is one thing that even Shark fears. . . . Can you guess what it is?


Also....It doesn't come out until Sept. 27 but be on the lookout for Dinosaur vs. the Library this fall.

Dinosaur is going to one of his favorite places: the library! On the way, he encounters a series of animals--a cow, some baby chicks, a lonesome turtle, a sad owl--and shares his roars with each. When he reaches his final destination, he faces his biggest challenge yet: Storytime! Library wins! Well, okay, they both win when Dinosaur settles down to listen with his animals friends.

Leap Back Home to Me by Lauren Thompson

Lauren Thompson is the author of the adorable Mouse's First series. This is the perfect book for Mother's Day or a big event like the first day of school. It is so sweet and children will love the little frog. Mothers will love the mommy frog :).

A little frog’s first leap out into the world is a big, scary thing. But luckily, mama is always there to catch him when he comes home. As the leaps get bigger, frog gets braver—and before he knows it, he’s soaring out to the moon and beyond!

This loveable little frog will hurdle his way into your heart. Come leap along, and see what it’s like to shoot for the stars . . . and always have a landing pad ready to catch you.

The Underpants Zoo by Brian Sendelbach

Ok- so I am getting to that stage where I need to read Carson books about the potty and underpants. Since I will be home with her this summer...this is something we are going to start working on. I found this cute new book that I need to get for her- The Underpants Zoo. It is very cute and funny and would be a good companion book to The Tushy Book which we already own. This rhyming book goes through the zoo and shows what kind of underpants all of the animals wear...the leopards wear spotted underpants of course! I think Carson will like this because of the animals and as she gets older she will find the different types of underpants funny!

 
"There's a new zoo in town,
and here's what I've heard . . .
THE UNDERPANTS ZOO
is completely absurd."

What kind of underpants does a lion wear? What about an elephant? The answers to these questions will have readers laughing and turning the page to find out more!

LOVE Mo Willems!!!!!

Not New... But A New Favorite At Our House

Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! by Sandra Boynton is an older book but this is the first time I have seen it. I read it at Barnes and Noble and had to buy it for Carson because it was so fun to read! Here is a sample of this opposite board book.

Dinosaurs Cold.
Dinosaurs Hot.
Dinosaurs Cute and Dinosaurs Not.
Dinosaurs Early.
Dinosaurs Later.
Dinosaurs crammed in an elevator.
Dinosaurs Plump.
Dinosaurs Lean.
Dinosaurs Red, Blue Yellow, and Green.

 

Carson just LOVES this book!!! Sandra Boynton is the best!