I Know a Librarian Who Chewed on a Word by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton

I will admit I love when authors come up with new words for popular books/songs - Mary Had A Little Lamb, Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, etc.  So I found this one during our library visit today and it has made it to my list of "beginning of the year" books to share with the kids.  (Side note:  though I have been cautioned that I may not be seeing the kids in my 3 elementary schools this year...yes, you read that right...3 schools....don't get me started on THAT!).  So It is as you might expect a take off on the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.  It is pretty clever.  She starts off swallowing a word which in my opinion is better than swallowing a fly.  She then continues to "swallow" things such as:  a book, book cart (ouch), story-hour chair, and on and on.  I know the kids will get a kick out of the things she swallows and all of it leads up to finally revealing the word she swallowed......

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Little Bo Peep by the sheep as told to Priscilla Lamont

What ever really happened to Bo Peep's sheep?  According to the SHEEP, Little Bo Peep on that fateful day, was bored.  She suggested a game of hide-and-seek.  It took some practice but eventually the sheep eventually became quite good at hiding.  Pretty soon more people joined the fun:  the farmer, the farmer wife, the policeman, etc.  In the end Little Bo Peep was fired because she had "lost her sheep" and was never able to find them.  Cute take on the classic nursery rhyme.  Good book to use with a discussion on point of view/perspective.

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Oink-A-Doodle-Moo by Jef Czekaj

It starts with the pig.....then to the rooster, the cow, the frog, and on and on.  It is a game of telephone with an animal twist and with each animal the "message" changes a little bit.  Not a lot of story but children will delight in the animal sounds throughout.  The book lends itself to a great interactive experience with students.  Love the funny and colorful illustrations!

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Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (Bright and colorful)

The Little Pea by Eric Battut

Peas generally look alike.  The tend to be the same size and color.  One little pea though does not like being the same as all the other peas.  When the little pea notices a peacock with a beautiful tail, it decides it will attach a feather with string and will be handsome as well.  Then the little pea notices the stripes on a tiger and the trunk on an elephant and wants to have these attributes as well.  The little pea is laughed at by the other peas but does not seem to care.  When the planting season arrives, little pea digs into the ground and waits.  When the new plant finally emerges, it is full of happy and different kinds of peas.  A good addition to any discussion about differences and celebrating being an individual.  Simple enough storyline that even the youngest child will understand but will extend itself to older students as well.

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Illustrations:  3 Buckeye leaves

Chico the Brave by Dave Horowitz

Chico is afraid of everything.  In an effort to make Chico feel better and more confident, Dad tells Chico the story of the Golden Chicken, a superbird.  Chico decides he must go look for the Golden Chicken to ask him what makes him so brave.  Chico packs a lunch and heads for the mountain.  Along the way he finds himself surrounded by llamas, the dreaded Llama Llama Gang.  The llamas are amused by Chico's story about the Golden Chicken.  Chico continues to search for the Golden Chicken when a mighty wind blows Chico off the mountain top.   As the wind sends Chico through the air the other chickens and the llamas see him flying and leaves them wondering if they just saw the Golden Chicken! I love this book, as I do Horowitz's book Humpty Climbs Again. Great picture book for older elementary kids.

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Stop Thief! by Adam J.B. Lane

Randall McCoy has decided he is "a big boy" now!  Since he is a "big boy" he has decided he no longer needs Mr. Pigglesworth, his stuffed pig.  Well his first night without Mr. Pigglesworth does not go so well and Randall decides to sneak down to get his trusty pig.  But when Randall creeps down the stairs he discovers a thief and the thief snatches Mr. Pigglesworth and takes off through a museum, chocolate factory, amusement park, and on and on.  A fun mixture of graphic novel and traditional picture book, this is a great book for both girls and boys (the 4 year old here loves this one).

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The Very Fairy Princess: Here Comes the Flower Girl!

Geraldine believes she is a fairy princess.  She knows this because she has a "sparkly feeling" inside.  Geraldine spends lots of time and energy spreading "sparkle".  Geraldine is very excited because she just found out her Aunt Sue is getting married and she is going to be a flower girl.  She begins working very hard to make everything as sparkly as possible.  When the big day arrives and Geraldine is somewhat disappointed when her flower girl dress is revealed.  Will she still be her sparkly self?

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*My favorite book in this series so far!!*

The Little Bully by Beth Bracken

Billy is a great kid.  He has lots of friends, is polite, smart, funny, and generally a great friends to everyone he meets.  Fred is the opposite.  Everything Billy does Fred makes fun of.  Billy does not want to go to school anymore.  He is tired of Fred's constant teasing.  One day Billy realizes something:  Fred has no friends.  Billy realizes he must stand up for himself.  A good introduction to bullying for younger children.  It is written in simple terms that allows younger children to understand bullying and how best to deal with a bully.

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Eggs 123 by Janet Halfmann

As if I was not behind already with my blogging, the 4 year old and I visited the downtown MAIN branch of the library.....oh boy....had to use daddy's card because mine are both maxed out (side note:  and it is not even during the school year).  Each page contains a riddle and a picture, some obvious and some not so obvious, of the egg and "mama" animal.  By opening the flap the animal in the egg is revealed.  From Penguins to caterpillars to ostriches, animals of all kinds are portrayed.  Great interactive book for classroom and library story time use.



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Horseplay! by Karma Wilson

Farmer is quickly becoming fed up with his horses.  Every day the horses are exhausted.  Farmer decides to investigate and discovers the horses are tired because....of course...HORSEPLAY!  Farmer is furious and plots ways to make those horses behave.  This book was a big hit our house.  And he made a connection - this book and Cick, Clack Moo - that's my boy :)  Kids will enjoy the silly actions of these animals, especially the horses!


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Suryia Swims! by Bhagavan "Doc" Antle with Thea Feldman

Suryia is back and this time he is learning to swim!  Unlike many orangutans, Suryia actually enjoys the water and especially with his friends Roscoe (dog), Bubbles (elephant), Tonks (tiger) and Ondar (bear).  Illustrated with photographs, audiences will again fall in love with the hilarious antics and fun of Suryia and friends.  Great companion to the first book, Suryia and Roscoe.

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Rosie Sprout's Time To Shine by Allison Wortche

Rosie and Violet are very different.  Violet is the BEST at everything and she has no problem letting everyone know it!  Rosie on the other hand is not the best at anything.  When their teacher Ms. Willis announces that each student will be planting pea seeds, Violet is quick to announce HERS will be the best.  Rosie takes great pride in her little plant and one day notices a tiny bit of green poking through the dirt.  But no sooner has she noticed and Violet announces her plant is growing!  The next morning Rosie goes inside to take care of her tiny pea plant and decides to cover Violet's plant with dirt.  Once school starts, Ms. Willis announces that Violet will not be at school because she has chicken pox.  Rosie's guilt begins to grow.  Rosie begins taking care of both plants and when Violet finally returns to school, she is in for a big surprise.  This is a great book for teaching kids about "being the bigger person" and how to best deal with individuals that are not always nice.  Sometimes it is hard to be a "good person" when you are not treated nicely by others.  Great character building book!!

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Zorro Gets An Outfit by Carter Goodrich

Zorro and Mr. Bud are back!  But now Zorro has an outfit!  Zorro does NOT like his outfit and is teased and laughed at by the other dogs.  Mister Bud tries very hard to cheer his buddy up but nothing works.....until they meet Dart another dog at the park, a dog in an outfit.  He is fast and stylish and suddenly Zorro does not think his outfit is so bad anymore.  In fact he feels kind of sorry for Mister bud for not having an outfit.  Simple book written about friendship self image and self confidence.  Kids will be amused by the fun pictures.  

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The Obstinate Pen by Frank W. Dormer

The pen Uncle Flood receives as a gift is not your average pen.  The minutes Uncle Flood begins to write the pen changes the words.  He tries again and the same happens again.  Uncle Flood is not happy and throws the pen out the window and into the hands of a cop trying to write a ticket.  As the officer tries to write the ticket, same thing happens to him.  Repeat - same.  The pen continues its journey in the same manner until he falls into the hands of Horace.  Horace sits down to draw and what do you suppose happened?!?  Funny book - 4 year old critic here thought it was hilarious.  He was literally rolling on the ground!  Beware of some "name calling" that you may want to properly prepare your audience about.  

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Chloe, Instead by Micah Player

Molly always wanted a little sister.  Molly wanted a little sister just like HER but instead got....Chloe.  Chloe is NOT like Molly at all.  Molly colors with crayons but Chloe eats them!  Molly loves books and so does Chloe.....to destroy them.  Molly certainly was not expecting a sister like Chloe.  But is Chloe so bad?  A simply written book for big sisters, as well as big brothers, dealing with the arrival of a younger sibling.

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Endpages:  5 Buckeye leaves (Shows Chloe up to no good...tee hee hee hee!)

My Dad! by Steve Smallman

There are many things dad do.  In this adorably illustrated book, My Dad!, the many things dads do is celebrated.

"Some dads join in when you jump in a puddle! Some dads will run up and down by your side, holding your bike till you learn how to ride."


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Happy Father's Day!!!

When Dads Don't Grow Up by Marjorie Blain Parker

We all know THESE dads.  These dads have never grown up!  These are the dads that "still read the comics and watch cartons".  These dads "understand that shopping carts are for racing" and "that clothes don't have to match,"  Kids with dads like this....should consider themselves lucky!  (And I can safely say....I live with one of those "dads"!

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Wolf Won't Bite! by Emily Gravett

Three pigs have done the unthinkable....caught a wolf.  From there the three pigs put the wolf through a series of activities.

"I can lift him off the ground!  I can make him dance a jig but...wold won't bite!"

Or will he?

Hilarious, short text, matched with funny pictures.  Kids will get  a kick out of this fun, short book....and they might recognize those 3 pigs!

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Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

"Hey, kid!  Did you know that dragons love tacos?"
They do!  But not SPICY tacos....why?  Because spicy tacos because dragons' ears smoke, snorts sparks, tummy aches, etc.  Are you wondering what else dragons love?  PARTIES!!  And they especially love...TACO PARTIES!  But you must remember:  nothing spicy!!

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*Love the tacos all over the endpages!

Augie to Zebra by Kate Endle & Caspar Babypants

I am always on the lookout for a good alphabet book and this new book is a nice one to add to the list.  Each page features a letter with a short phrase, including a name.  In addition each page has a few "extras" on the page that are not mentioned in the phrase but also starts with the same beginning letter.

Frederico follows frogs

Students may have difficulty with the pronunciation of some of the names.  The illustrations are fun and cheerful.  Great possibilities for stretching students understanding of beginning letter sounds.

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Oh No, Monster Tomato by Jim Helmore and Karen Wall

A new AND fast favorite at our house!  As in....I picked it up today from library and had to read it 2xs...in a row.  You can tell from the cover why it is such a fast favorite.  Excitement.  Suspense.  Action.  The Great Grislygust Grow-off is coming up and Marvin has hopes set on winning with his tomatoes.  Marvin's siblings though are convinced he does not stand a chance against their pumpkins and beans.  But Marvin's tomatoes are not your average tomatoes.  Soon the MONSTER tomato plant is beaming tomatoes at his brother and sister and continuing to grow.  When the grow-off judges show up, the plant starts hurling tomatoes at them.  Marvin is certain that his winning plans are ruined.  Hilarious book that kids will immediately fall head over heels for.  

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Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (Just look at the facial expressions above!)

Vote For Me by Ben Clanton

So this is one that may not REALLY be intended for kids but.....adults will get a kick out of it (or maybe high school/middle school students). See if you can put it together....a DONKEY and ELEPHANT are both running for office, the Big Cheese to be exact.  As these things sometimes do, it gets to be a little, well,  heated with mudslinging (literally).  See why you might want to use this with older kids??  I laughed through the whole thing, knowing what I know....but the 4 year old thought it was funny because even he knew that the elephant and donkey were not being "nice"!  And in the end....the INDEPENDENT MOUSE won.....if only it was that simple!

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A Is For Zebra by Mark Shulman

A is for zebra?  D is for bald head?  E is for me?  It is when the books is about ENDING letters!  Finally a book that looks at the end of the word.  We have been working on this in "Mommy summer school" here at our house so this fits perfectly.  Great, FUN illustrations with great captions to be read, enjoyed, and extend understanding of ending letters.

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Library Mouse: A Museum Adventure by Daniel Kirk

Sam and Sarah are back and this time they are headed to the museum next to the library.  Sam convinces Sarah to try keeping a journey.  They are enjoying their adventure, seeing the variety of art and other items, when they run into an enemy, a cat.  They quickly learn why the cat is following them and discover they have a new friend.  Great fun, if you enjoyed the other Library Mouse books, you will enjoy the latest installment.

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To see the book trailer click HERE!

Dog In Charge by K.L. Going

When the humans leave the house, Dog is left in charge of the 5 cats.  Dog's plans are simple:  sit and stay. The cats have other plans!  Dog spends the entire time hunting hiding cats and cleaning up after the bad cats.  Dog is worried when the humans come home, he will no longer be a favorite.  Kids will love the antics of the cats as well as the dogs reaction to the troublesome cats.  Fun book written in an interesting style - a touch of graphic novel within a picture book.

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Endpages:  5 Buckeye leaves - Awesome!  Big points for silly faces on dog by the 4 year old here!

Pass It On! by Marilyn Sadler

Most of us have played the "Telephone" game as a child.  Pass It On! is the book version of the game and as the reader, aware that the message is being changed as it passes from one animal to another, you have the opportunity to watch the message become more hilarious.  Bee starts with the simple message of "Cow is stuck in the fence."  This quickly changes to "Cow put a duck in the tent" and from there more interesting messages.  Funny book with a great lesson.  

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How to Babysit Grandpa by Jean Reagan

Grandpa is covering over.....he needs a babysitter again!  While babysitting Grandpa, you must remember to take him for a walk, draw a picture for him, etc.  A great book for introducing any babysitter to a child. Funny book that will be enjoyed by children as well as their adult reader.

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Endpages:  5 Buckeye leaves - ADORABLE!  Check it out!

Zoe Gets Ready by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

I can SO relate to Zoe's dilemma.  Zoe is use to being told what to wear.  On Saturdays though Zoe gets to select her own outfit.  Then the trouble begins:  twirling day, cartwheeling day, exploring day, etc.  Zoe is finally comes up with a "solution"!  Cute book which girl especially will enjoy the book.  Simple text and cute pictures makes this a great book for young children.

To see the book trailer click HERE!

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Pets Go Pop! by Bob Staake

I really enjoy Bob Staake.  His books are always fun and innovative.  Being a pop up book, this one though fun, may not be the most financially responsible choice for my school.  The book contains few words but the illustrations provide such an engaging experience for the reader.  Kids will enjoy this one over and over.


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Split! Splat! by Amy Gibson

Who knew that rain could be so fun and cheerful!?!  Amy Gibson proves that rain does not have to ruin your day!  Using lots of upbeat language, Split! Splat! is an adventure in words.

"I sing a little sun song, a sun song, a run song, a cloud-gone, green-lawn, raining-is-all-done song."

Love this upbeat book which will have every reader looking at rain a little different.


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What Little Boys Are Made Of by Robert Neubecker

What are little boys made of?  Sticks and stones and puppy dog tails....and "moons and stars and rockets to mars."  Neubecker extends the well-known poem adding in the things that so many boys enjoy, imaginative play.  Simple texts and colorful illustrations makes this book a great book for young boys.  This book has been a great hit at our house.

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Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda

3 pigs + 1 wolf + a lot of huffing and puffing = a birthday cake?  A version of the 3 Little Pigs, written in short sentences, with little details, but with a new twist at the end.  The big bad wolf is not huffing and puffing for no reason this time!  This time there are candles to be blown out!  A cute take on a classic tale.  Despite its simple sentences and style, I think this book is best for kids that already know the tale of the 3 pigs.


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Cindy Moo by Lori Mortensen

"Hey Diddle Diddle, the cat and the fiddle...."
All the cows at the Diddle Farm are not sure how any cow could jump over the moon!  Cindy Moo decides she is going to prove to the other cows that SHE can jump over the moon.  She works hard and is finally able to jump over the moon one evening after it rained.  The other cows are ecstatic and are soon jumping into the fun!  A fun take on a classic nursery rhyme.

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