One Weighs a Ton by Salina Yoon

One Weighs a Ton is an animal based lift the flaps and touch-and-feels book takes a news spin on counting. "One weighs a ton..." and on the opposite side is the number one, that was created looking like at of an elephant. Lifting the flap will reveal an elephant with an area of the ear to touch and a question and answer about elephants. Little kids will love the animals featured (10 total) as well as a learn some nonfiction facts as well. Very interactive!


Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (especially the numbers)

Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider

Ah, many parents have come across one....I know my mom dealt with one, oops.....the PICKY EATER! James' father must be creative and very imaginative to get his son to eat. James' dad convinces James to eat In 5 short and fully illustrated chapters, including The Tales of the Lumpy Oatmeal where he explains that if James does not eat his oatmeal, it might actually eat the leftover chocolate cake - or the dog. Kids will enjoy the humor, adults will appreciate the fact that kids might actually eat the slimy eggs or broccoli now.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves - funny!
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Penny Loves Pink by Cori Doerrfeld

Penny LOVES pink. Not LIKES it....but LOVES it! Everything is pink in her world (including the front endpages). Then a new baby arrives in the house and....so does BLUE! Throughout the book and Penny's list of pink items she likes, are hints about the upcoming arrival of Parker. Little girls will LOVE this book...perfect intro to all things PINK! Fun!


Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves
endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves

Lincoln's Legacy (Blast from the Past #1) by Stacia Deutsch & Rhody Cohon

I love picture books....and I can double dip, so to speak, - I can read the books to Adam but my chapter book repertoire is a little rusty. So I decided to try out a new series, Blast From the Past. Now to be fair, I am a history buff. I loved American History so this was not a stretch for me. This is the first book in the series. The book opens on a Monday morning. The class is waiting for their teacher, Mr. Caruther's to show up so they get their new "What If" question. Once Mr. C arrives he announces today's question: "What if Abraham Lincoln never freed the slaves?" Various people give their opinion of how things might have turned out. But things take an interesting turn when Mr. C asks a couple students to stay after school and the students learn the questions are REAL and that they have 2 hours to convince President Lincoln NOT to resign. These books are great for kids in grades 2-4, similar to the very popular Magic Treehouse series . I love books that tie in historical evens in an easy to read, FUN format for kids.

Text: 5 Buckeye Leaves

How Do You Read to a Rabbit?

Have you ever tried to read to a hippo? A snake? An alligator? It is not easy!! (Though truth be told I have not tried!)
"If you read a bedtime story to a hippopotamus, he might want to sit on your lap. If you read a boa, she may want to hug you goodnight."
An alligator? You can guess what happens then!! A great book to promote reading as well as provide a good chuckle. Using the book to guess what each animal MIGHT do if you tried to read to them would be a great inferring/higher level thinking activity for older kids. Kid would also enjoy coming up with their own "if you read to X animal.....this will happen."

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves (easy to understand tex, funny)
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Q is for Duck by Mary Elting & Michael Folsom

"A is for zoo. Why? Because...Animals live in the zoo. B is for Dog Why? Because a dog barks."

An abc book with a twist or as the long title suggests Q is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing Game. The book challenges the reader to really think about how the letter could be related to the word. Older kids will enjoy trying to uncover the riddle.

And yes, it is a little "older" but still worth a read.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray

Warning: This book may leave you wanting a piece of apple pie - just like Georgie!
It all starts with "A apple pie" and from there it is a journey of a wonderful tasting pie created by Grace and longed for by the puppy Georgie - "B bake it; C cool it; D dish it out". Georgie tries again and again, without luck, to get a piece of the yummy pie. "L leave without it; M miserable; N not giving up; O ogle it". Will he finally get to enjoy a pie of the apple pie? Enjoyable different take on ABC book.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (different....which I like)
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves (Hints to the story content - love that)

Apple Pis ABC/author site: http://www.applepieabc.com/index.html

Pig Kahuna by Jennifer Sattler

Fergus and his baby brother, Dink, (How can you not love the names!?!?!) spend alot of time at the beach collecting "treasures" that wash up on shore. Of course there are more in the water BUT there was a "lurking, murky, ickiness" which prevented them from going in the water. One day a extra special treasure arrives on shore....a surfboard. Since they can not use it in the water, they must find other uses for it, on land. Finally they name it "Dave"! Dink decides that Dave has lost his shine and needs to go back to the ocean.....
Love the illustrations - so funny! The story, though simple, is very original and different. Kids will really enjoy this book for just a fun, enjoyable book.

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Made me laugh right from the cover....)
Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
End Pages: 2 Buckeye leaves (plain)

Martha Stories by Samantha Berger

Martha refuses to say sorry....about anything....to anyone!! One day Martha decides not to say sorry to mother, father, and baby brother. But when they decide to withhold things from her, she realizes what she needs to say sorry.


Martha will not share and MINE is her favorite word!! Her brother no longer wants to be around here because she will not share with him. But Martha learns that there are advantages to having a little brother to play with.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves (Easy to understand for youngest children)
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 3 Buckeye leaves

When A Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore

"If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in."
And so begins this hilarious new book by first time writer Jodi Moore. The boy enjoys the company of his new pal. He tries to tell his family but they don't want to hear him. The fun ends when the dragon starts getting the boy in trouble.....

Text:
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Pay close attention to the details in the facial expressions of the characters.)
Text: 5 Buckeye leaves (Great length for even young children....the 3 year old loves it here!
Endpages: 5 Buckeye Leaves - (These are AWESOME!! The front shows the boy and his family arriving at the beach. He is running across with all the necessary beach toy items. The back endpages shows numerous sand castles complete with a dragon that has moved in!)

Check out this website for a CAKE (YUMMM) made:
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2036816

The View at the Zoo by Kathleen Long Bostrom

Rise and shine....another day at the zoo is beginning and the zoo keeper is busy getting all the animals ready for their company!
"Mr. Lion, comb that hair!
Elephant, please wipe your nose.
Pink flamingos - on your toes!

Once all the animals have assumed their position and are ready to go, the zoo keepers opens the gates and the children and adults pour in! At the koala and kangaroo section,
"Babies riding on their backs,
on their bellies, snug in sack"

And on to to the hippos,
"How they eat! They never stop!
That one looks about to pop!"

Simple Rhyming text makes this a great story to read with younger elementary kids. The surprise ending, explained by the ever wise owl, will make it that much more enjoyable for older kids and adults. I found myself reading the book o

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 2 (plain brown) Buckeye leaves

Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendships by Catherine Thimmesh

A lion and a pig. A Badger and a fox. A polar bear and a Eskimo sled dog. Seemingly unlikely animal friends thrown together in unlikely circumstances, which become friends. Each page of the book features a complete page photo while the other page provide a short nonfiction piece as well as the friendship themed poem throughout the book. A book that could be used when discussing animals or friendship. I found myself trying to guess how the animals came to become some librarians,

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 1 Buckeye leaves - Plain yellow. At least it is not white.

Meet Einstein by Mariela Kleiner

Meet Einstein is a simple, easy to understand "younger" kid introduction to science and the role Einstein played in in many if the concept we now know by name. The book starts with an explanation of what a scientist is and what they do.

"Scientist study the Earth and sky. They also study animals, plants, and even our bodies! Scientists like to ask lots of questions about why things happen and how things work. "

You do not want to miss the endpages! I love the endpages - covered with "tools" scientist use to do their job. From gloves to petri dish each item has an explanation of how that item might be used in the "scientific" world. Meet Einstein is a great introduction to the world of science for even the smallest learner!

Text:4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves

Splish, Splash, Splat! by Rob Scotton

Oh no! Splat wakes up to the news that he has a playdate with Spike! Spike will break all his toys and eat all the candy fish. Can this day get any worse? Yes, it can, and DOES get worse! Today at Cat School Splat's class is learning to swim! Splat does not like swimming because it is "horrible, scary, and wet"! But what Splat does not expect is to learn something he and Spike have in common!!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves - probably my favorite Splat book
Illustrations - 4 Buckeye leaves

To visit Splat the Cat's own webpage, cut and paste:
http://web.mac.com/rscotton/www.splat_the-cat.com/Home_of_Splat.html

I Don't Want a Posh Dog! by Emma Dodd

I like Emma Dodd's books for their simple story lines but fun use of words. She always makes great word choices. This was another 1/2 Price Books find this am. This was another book we borrowed from the library and did not take back for a LONG time. The little girl wants a dog....but she knows what kind of dog she does NOT want and explains it through her very precise choice of words.

"I don't want a posh dog. A blow-dry-when-washed dog."
"I don't want a snooty dog. A fancy, attitudey dog."

The dogs to match her words are hilarious and so fitting to her her words. She also has since published the "cat" version of this book, I Don't Want a Cool Cat! Great fun!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

10 Little Penguins by Kate Toms

Adam and I came across this cute book this am at 1/2 Price Books. I love the illustrations - so cute! When I find a book about counting that I can use at home and potentially at school, I like to grab it!....did not hurt that their prices are reasonable! The book starts with 10 penguins and on each page, one goes off for one reason or another.
"7 busy penguins each bake a tasty cake...1 penguin eats too fast and now has a tummy ache!"
The cupcakes are adorable and kids could try to make their own cupcake using lots of different "scrap" materials around the house.
Kids will love the silly penguins.

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Mrs. Spitzer's Garden by Edith Pattou

Not new (2001) but this time of year, as another school year starts to wind down and also given the political and public out cry against teachers (hey, I live in Ohio...it is BAD), I thought this was appropriate. Every year Mrs. Spitzer waits for Mr. Merrick to bring her a packet of "seeds", Once the packet has been delivered, Mrs. Sptizer starts to work, armed with her tools. She plants, waters, cares for, tends to, etc. those seeds and eventually they begin to grow. Some grow quickly. Some take more time and more attention to grow. It is because Mrs. Sptizer is such a talented, caring, and educated "gardner" that her plats bloom. Definitely a tear jerkers. Everyone has a "Mrs. Spitzer" that helped them "bloom".

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye Leaves

Meow Said the Cow by Emma Dodd

I am a big fan of Emma Dodd and actually did not realize when I read this book after getting it from library last night, that it was hers. Dodd's books are always a little silly and always with lots of fun words and rhymes. This would be no exception. Cat is upset because the farm is TOO LOUD! He decides to use his powers to mix up the sounds of the animals....this plan backfires, to put it mildly. The other animals have the last laugh...or moo as the case may be. Fun for little ones that like to particpate with animal sounds of their own! I am excited to share it with the 3 year old at our house tonight!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Bye-Bye, Big Bad Bullybug! by Ed Emberley

I am looking for a "buggy" book for kindergarteners....and this is not new (2007) BUT Ed Emberley always amazes me with his creative books. I don't think this is as much about the story, though it is funny, but the cut out illustrations that makes it fun and enjoyable. A space ship like flying object arrives and the little bugs are unsure of what it is....but they fear the worst...BIG BAD BULLYBUG!!! Ahhh!! The conversation then begins between the Big Bad Bully Bug and the two little bugs as another body part is revealed - mean green eyes for scaring itty-bitty baby bugs; two nasty pinchers for pinching itty-bitty baby bugs; etc. Thank goodness BIG FOOT comes along....


Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Ed Emberley site: http://www.edemberley.com/pages/main.aspx?section=home

My Dad, My Hero by Ethan Long

Since I was late with Mother's Day, thought I better try to be on time for Father's Day. This is a great book for Father's Day! The boy starts off stating that his father is NOT a super hero. Continuing on in this manner, the boy narrator explains all the reasons why his dad is not a superhero - cannot leap buildings in a single bound, does not have super strength, cannot fly, etc. In the end the boy admits what his dad "is". The illustrations are funny and add more humor to the story. Great book to share with the kids and dads!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves - It is simple, to the point and the youngest sons/daughters will understand it!
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves - I like the comic strip feel! It is something different!

Professor Garfield Website

Yes, as in Garfield the Cat! This is a pretty neat website - and fun - for kids! I wanted to remember it so I am recording it here. The site has a few features that I checked out.

Toon Reader - There are some graphic novels it will read to you OR you can opt to read it to yourself. I like the fact that if it is reading it to you, it highlights the box it is reading in red so you can follow along.

The Reading Ring - It does have a "boxing" theme so you may want to skip it if that is not approriate for your child. I personally got past the boxing issue when I realized what it was...I actually did this the OLD FASHIONED way when I was teaching in the classroom! There are 3 (or maybe more the higher you go. I only did a couple) boxes from a comic mixed up. The reader must read and put them in order. Then questions are generated about the comic strip.

Brain Buster - crossword puzzles, Sudoku, code buster, etc

Comic Lab - create a comic strip using the prompts. This is cool. Younger kids could do this very easily.

There are some other links but these are the ones I got to look at. The link is below to cut and paste...I still can't figure out how to link it even after 4 years of blogging on a few different blogs!! Enjoy!


http://www.professorgarfield.org/pgf_home.html

That's How! by Christoph Niemann

That's How! by Chrisoph Niemann provides a very creative way to look at machines and how they "work", at least through the eyes of a young boy. Readers of all ages will enjoy Niemann's fantastical items, from plane to steamroller to train. However unlike how these items look on the inside "for real", these drawings show ANIMALS powering and operating the inside of the machines. Very creative and provides kids with illustrations that they really have to LOOK at.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrator: 5 Buckeye leaves

Stubborn as a Mule and Other Silly Similes by Nancy Loewen

So this is not one I would necessarily read to the 3 year old, he would be really confused as we are still in the literal stage, but this is a great book for older elementary. Having struggled to find materials that were somewhat entertaining, while still teaching content, this one hits the nail on the head. I also like the sidebar information either further explaining that simile or information about its origin further to expand knowledge about language. I think this is a great book for kids in mid-to-upper elementary.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye Leaves

My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer

Daughter, Kate Feiffer, and father, Jules Feiffer team up in this new picture book based on a real event that took place in Martha's Vineyard when the author was "eight or nine or ten". On the a trip to the zoo father points out the large amount of rain yet on her side of the car, the daughter claims there is no rain. They continue on to their destination, daughter still insisting it is sunny on her side. Daughter must finally admit that maybe it is raining...a little. I think some younger kids will have trouble understanding what is really going on in the story while the older kids will get a good laugh from the exchange between the father and daughter.

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves (I like the fact it was based on a real event in their life.)
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker

A little boy's DREAM....and we have been waiting for this one!
It is bedtime at the construction site and all the trucks - from crane truck to cement truck to dump truck and on - must finish their job and go to sleep.
"He lowers his bed, locks his gate,
Rests his wheels; it's getting late.
He dims his lights, then shuts his doors,
And soon his engine slows to snores.
Shh...goodnight, Dump truck, goodnight."
A great bedtime story for the truck loving boys in your life - this will probably be a purchase for our house! Tom Litchenheld, as always, creates wonderful illustrations, creating great faces for the trucks.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Be sure to check out the endpages....day at the front and night at the back!)

On the First Day of Grade School by Emily Brenner

Another oldie (2004 - when did 2004 become old??) but so cute...

"On the first day of grade school, my students gave to me
A python that didn't squeeze me."

And so begins the school version of Twelve Days of Christmas. This funny version will have kids, an adults, laughing the whole way through as students bring in rats, buzzing bees, prancing ponies, skating monkeys, and burping goats to name a few.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves (A great beginning of the year book!!)
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves (Hilarious pictures! Be sure to check out the pictures!!)

Sadly I just went to "add" to my order for fall....it is out of print! :(

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons by IlSung Na

In this short, to the point book, the reader learns about some of the ways animals prepare as winter approaches.
"Some fly away from the cold. Some have a long, cozy sleep where they live."
Then as winter comes to an end, spring comes and again the animals prepare for a new season.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves (great for younger readers)
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

My Cold Went On Vacation by Molly Rausch & Nora Krug

I am not sure the 3 year old really "got it" but I found this book to be quite funny. The narrator of the story begins by explaining that the last few days he has had a "cold" and as a result, a day by day account of the effects. Luckily by Sunday, the cold was gone! BUT where did it go?....He then shares that the cold has been many places, from Iowa where his aunt lives, to Las Vegas where his grandma is. Again, I am not sure how much children will understand the story, without it being explained to them.

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye Leaves (great endpages...the "cold" is a little scary/strange looking....but I have never seen a cold before so...)

Cock-A-Doodle Quack! Quack! by Ivor Baddiel and Sophie Jubb

Baby rooster has a VERY important job. He must wake every one up in the morning. The problem is he does not know what to say. He decides to ask the pigs what they say. So of course when baby rooster tries to wake everyone up staying, "Cock-a-doodle-oin-oink!! noone wakes up. It continues in this way as baby rooster asks each animal what they would say and leaves the young readers/listeners, rolling on the ground laughing. Another older book, copyright 2007, but we love this book at our house. I think I have had it checked out for over 4 months. The three year old loves all the silly sounds, and young children will too!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

I Spy With My Little Eye Baseball photographs by David Milne and text by Brad Herzog

I Spy With My Little Eye Baseball (there is also hockey) is another among many books being published recently where the "reader"
must examine two seemingly similar pictures for differences. Each page has a "clue: as well. Some of the "picture puzzles: are more challenging than others. Baseball fans of all ages will love this baseball themed book.


Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations : 5 Buckeye leaves

The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

Gerry wants more than anything to be the fairy princess in the spring performance of The Crystal princess her ballet class is performing, after all she IS a princess. Instead of being the fairy princess, she is cast as the court jester, a role that comes with a silly red and yellow outfit that is very short, a silly hat and pointy shoes with bells on it. The night of the big performance, a series of mishaps ultimately end up with Gerry saving the day of the princess.

Story; 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations 4: Buckeye leaves

The Three Little Gators by Helen Ketterman

Helen Ketterman's version of the three pigs, The Three Little Gators, cracked me up...maybe it is too late in the day! Obviously instead of pigs we have gators. And two of the gators decide to take the easy way out and make their houses of sticks and sand while the third pig works hard to make a house of rocks. Soon the Big Bottomed Boar shows up with a BUMP, BUMP, BUMP!! You can guess where it went from there. Kids love different versions of familiar tales like this one. And yes, I will admit, I enjoy them as well!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

My Dog Lyle by Jennifer P. Goldfinger

My Dog Lyle by Jennifer P Goldfinger is not a new book but was one I found in our library that I really liked. I have been sharing it this week with kindergarteners and 1st graders and they seem to enjoy it as well. Lyle is based on the author's own dog, Lyle, and some of the things she mentions in the story, actually happened to her dog, including they BOTH were sprayed by a skunk. Lyle is a "snuggly, smart, howling, burping, slurping, stinky-pink..." dog. What I loved about this book was the great words that she uses...and that she builds on the words to describe Lyle. What the kids liked was that Lyle sometimes wears a tutu around his neck, drinks from the toilet, and runs into glass doors, and the pictures to go with these events are even more funny! Fun read aloud!

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

There's A Dragon in the Library by Dianne de las Casas

Max loves stories so it is no surprise when he tries to tell various people that there is a dragon, that keeps growing, in the library that noone believe him. Over and over he tells his story and in the end...there is no longer a dragon IN the library but rather...

A great book to introduce kids to the library and books in general. Will be filing this one away as a possible beginning of the year book! Dianne de Las Casas has a GREAT website for teachers. Lots of activites for kids to do and enjoy! Check it out before sharing this book with kids...I know you will find something to use!
http://www.storyconnection.net/?content=dragonLibrary

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye Leaves

Monsters, Mind Your Manners by Elizabeth Spurr

Look out, here come those mischievous monsters!! The monsters do not know how to act at all - no manners! From drawing on walls to eating with mouths wide open to playing marbles with their peas, these monsters are horrible. Great way to discuss the CORRECT, POLITE way to act with children!

Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky and children from around the world

Peace. Vladimir Radunsky asked children from around the world what peace feels, tastes, sound, look and smells like and this is a record of their words. From a bouquet of flowers in a happy family's living room to a growling bear of war who gets shot by a love arrow and the fighting stops, the words of children provide a different look at peace, through the eyes of children.

Story: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

A day late and dollar short....

....or I prefer, better late than never!! These two little gems are great for NEXT year's Mother's Day Celebration!!

Poor Douglass....he just wants a HUG! He tries a tree, a rock, a bush - that moves! Huh?, but nothing seems right. Then he comes upon a rabbit that helps him find his way to the biggest, warmest arms, his Mommy, of course! The book is funny, the 3 year old here thinks it is hilarious, especially the moving bush, and the illustrations adorable. We have also spent lots of time examining the last page with the rabbit and sheep demonstrating lots of different hugs: sandwich hug, upside-down hug, solo hug, etc. I am bummed that I missed this one in Scholastic book order earlier this year as it is a purchase item for sure.

Story: 5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves



Another Mother's Day book is Mother's Day Surprise by Stephen Krensky. Violet (the snake) is watching all her friends prepare something special for Mother's Day. She is sad that she an not as she has no arms or legs. Finally she comes up with a great gift for her special mom. She must practice, practice, practice. When the big day arrives, Violet is able to give her mom the special gift, and receives one in return. Sweet story to share in preparation for Mother's Day that reminds the reader about the true meaning of giving.

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

A Pet for Miss Wright by Judy Young

Miss Wright is an author. Being an author can be VERY lonely, so Mrs. Wright decides to buy a pet. First she tries a mynah but instead of talking to her, the bird imitated the keyboard clicking. She takes the bird back and brings home a monkey, which did not work out any better for her. She continues through a long list of animals trying to find the perfect animal for herself. She finally finds a pet that is perfect, both as a friend and as an editor.

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves (Very detailed with beautiful color choice - nice endpages!)

Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond

Charlie is a ranch dog. Charlie's best friend is Suzie. Together they must take care of many things on the ranch for all to run smoothly. Charlie works so hard that many times.....zzzzzzzz......he just falls asleep. Who is really doing the work on the ranch? I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as well as the illustrations, but I wonder how many younger children will understand what was really happening with Charlie and Suzie. Children would need to examine the pictures closely to uncover the truth behind Charlie's :work


Story: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves (my favorite is a picture of Charlie trying to make it over the fence, looking quite tired, and Suzie coming behind him, boing! Boing!)

Mo and Friends...

More LOVE for one of my favorites: Mo Willems!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/04/books/review/childrens-books-hooray-for-amanda-and-her-alligator-mo-willems.html

Hide and Squeak by Heather Vogel Frederick

It is time for bed but Baby Mouse has other ideas. As he runs and hides, Daddy must chase after him and search for his next hiding spot. Daddy gets closer and closer until he is finally able to catch him by mouse baby's tail.

Story: 3 Buckeye leaves - rhyming
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves - I especially enjoyed the mice's face

RRRALPH by Lois Ehlert

Very funny!! An amazing dog that can talk? Ralph CAN talk! For every question asked, he has an answer. "Ralph, what's on that tree?" and Ralph answers, "Bark! Bark!" How amazing is that? Ralph continues to answer questions like these throughout the book. Preschoolers - 2nd graders will enjoy this book.

Story: 4 Buckeye Leaves - short but funny and kids will enjoy the little "jokes" throughout
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves - love that kids could do their own version of the illustrations