I Can See Just Fine by Eric Barclay

Adorable!  Found this little gem at the library today at lunch and had to grab it!  Simple text, cute pictures, and some humor thrown in for good measure!  Perfect combo!  Paige does NOT want glasses.  Paige does not think she needs glasses.  Her parents and teachers thing differently.  Paige gets to select just the perfect frame and quickly realizes that the very thing she did NOT want, makes her see the world a whole lot better! 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

This will be a purchase for our home library because this weekend....someone at our house started seeing things a whole lot clearer....and she is pretty darn cute IMHO! 

Outfoxed by Mike Twohy

A fox breaks in the henhouse.  The fox grabs a chicken.  The fox runs for home to enjoy his tasty meal.  OR does he?  Instead of a tasty chicken he finds a DUCK in his pocket.  He is NOT happy about this.  The smart duck, being quick on his webbed feet, works to convince the fox that he is in fact a dog.  Well, the fox does NOT want a dog near him and soon takes him back to the farm.  All is well.....or is it?  Clever book which older kids will enjoy as an example of "being outfoxed"! 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves 

Dot. by Randi Zuckerberg



Dot is very tech savvy.  She can swipe, tape, and share.  But while Dot is doing all that, what is she missing out on?  Obviously technology is a huge part of the world kids are growing up in today but the value in playing and being outside should not be discounted....own personal soapbox....  Adults would appreciate the message in this book. 

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves (simple)

Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

And note....the last name :)  

Winter is for Snow by Robert Neubecker

Winter has arrive and two siblings are quite different on their opinion of the season of cold, snow, and ice.  Told in two voices, great for buddy reading, the two siblings "discuss" the pros and the cons.  Beautifully illustrated and provides a great book to read to kids about winter that is NOT related to Christmas. 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves (clever format)
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Deck the Walls: A Wacky Christmas Carol by Erin Dealey

A new twist to the widely known Christmas carol, Deck the Halls.  When cousins are together to celebrate the Christmas holiday, all things can happen.  The kids provide a new spin on the celebration from mashed pototoes flying, snowmen made from tomatoes, sneaking cookies, and fun in the snow.  Kids will enjoy, but hopefully not attempt themselves, this new twist on the classic.  Can't wait to share this with thing 1 and 2 at home....thought I am hoping they do not get any ideas!!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (adroable!)
 

On My Way To Bed by Sarah Maizes

"BEDTIME!!"  The time of day that *some* parents rejoice and *most* kids dread but not if you are Livi!  For Livi that word is the beginning of an adventure.  From teetering on a high wire, the crowd holding its breath, to checking a hippo for cavities, her time as a magician, and a swim across the ocean floor, Livi's journey to bed is full of excitement and danger.  But how will Livi be in the morning?  Adorable book which MANY children can relate to, and many parents could write their own verision. 

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

*Same author/illustrator team also wrote On My Way to the Bath! 

If It's Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws by Kim Norman

From the team that created Ten On the Sled, another fun winter time picture book, comes a new winter book as we near winter.  Using If You're Happy and You Know it as a guide, animals friends enjoy winter by throwing snowballs, skiing, skating and making snow angels.  Once the outside coldness is too much for the winter friends, they move inside (sounds good to me) and enjoy some cocoa, an art project and of course, a book!  Very cute addition to your winter time collection!  (I also like that it is not "Christmas" so my students that do not celebrate Christmas can enjoy a seasonal book!)    

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves (some of the rhymes and rythms seems a bit forced)

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (adorable friends)  

Monster Needs A Costume by Paul Czajak

I am so bummed....that I did not find this book until AFTER Halloween because my kiddos would have LOVED it!  (Yes, next year!)  It is Monster's favorite time of year and of course he does not have the perfect costume to wear!  He tries various costumes out, including cowboy from the West, ballet dancer with a tutu, and ninja.  Nothing seems to be the perfect choice for Monster.  Will he find the perfect costume in time for Halooween night?!  Kids will love this fun, rhyming story about monster's quest to find the PERFECT costume.  Great fun and wonderful addition to any Halloween collection. 

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (Monster is the perfect SILLY monster....not scary at all!)

The Three Bears ABC: An Alphabet Book

I will admit I was skeptical when I saw this book thinking that it might be forced and that the ABC aspect would alter the story of the three bears.  I was pleasantly surprised.   The flow of the story was not in any way strained and I found myself wondering how the author would tie the next letter into the story. 

"C is for cool.  The bears waited for the hot porridge to cool. So Papa put on his cap, Mama her cape, and Baby his coat."

"O is for open.  The bears found their front door open.  How odd!" 

A wonderful addition to any study of the Three Bears.  Older/advanced students could be challenged to anticipate how the next letter will be added to the story. 

Text:  5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Prairie Chicken Little by Jackie Mims Hopkins

Mary McBlicken the prairie chicken is on a mission to warn all the prairie animals about the "rumbling and a grumbling and a tumbling" that he heard.  It can only mean one thing: that there is a stampede coming.  She is headed to tell Cowboy Stan and Red Dog Dan when she comes across Jeffrey Snog the prairie dog and Beau Grabbit the jack rabbit, and on and on.  Soon a line of animals are headed to see Cowboy Stan and Red Dog Dan when a sly coyote with his own plan shows up on the scene to "help" the animals escape the danger of the stampede.  How will they surivive?  Will they survive?  

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves 

A Very Witchy Spelling Bee by George Shannon

Just in time for Halloween, a new witch book full of spells, magic, a stormy night, and spelling.  Spelling?  

Cordelia loves to spell, both studying spells and practicing spells.  Cordelia is very excited when she sees a sign, s-i-g-n, for the upcoming "Witches' Double Spelling Bee" that is held only every 10 years.  Beluah Divine has won the contest the last few times and is excited to beat a child.  When it comes down to Cordelia and Beluah as the final two contestants, Beluah uses her spells to put a chair on Cordelia's head and turn her ears into pears.  Cordelia must come up with a creative way to beat Cordelia.  A good book to be used as a springboard to having students come up with their own spells using creative use of letters.  

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

 

Library Mouse: Home Sweet Home by Daniel Kirk

Love Library Mouse!!  I love that they are a little longer picture book yet still fun and adventerous for kids!  In the lates Library Mouse:  Home Sweet Home, Sam and his friend Sara, discover that the library is going to have some "renovations" done to it.  While the work is being done the two friends will have to find a new place to live.  Sam and Sarah begin researching all the different types of houses and build temporary houses.  It soon becomes clear to Sam that there is really only ONE house for him, in the library.  Another great book in the Library Mouse series. 

As a side note, my favorite 5 1/2 year old LOVED seeing the page with the yurt, a Mongolian home.  He immediately made the connection to his own minature yurt that we purchased in Kazakhstan for him.  "Hey, that is the kind of house they have in Kazakhstan!...." 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Ben Rides On by Matt Davies

Ben loves his new bike.  He loves to take the long way to school just so he can enjoy it more.  What Ben does NOT like is arriving at school and coming face to face with Adrian Underbite, "...perhaps the world's largest third-grader."  On this particular day Adrian has decided to take Ben's bike.  Ben is devestated.  As he makes the long walk home he is very upset and thinks of nothing except his bike.  On the way he comes across his bike....and finds Adrian HANGING in a rather unforunate situation.  A great book for tackling the somewhat difficult topic of bullying.  Students will relate to Ben's excitement of getting a new bike as well as the disappointment of that bike being stolen and ruined.  Great for discussing decisions and doing the right thing, even when sometimes you do not really want to.  This one is being added to the "must purchase list" at all 3 of my schools!   

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

My Octopus Arms by Keith Baker

Ever wish you had another arm....or two?  Octopus has EIGHT and look at all the things that can be done with EIGHT arms!!  Little crab is wondering what all the octopus can do with so many arms.  Knit a sweater, write a letter, perform a puppet show, strum a chord (on multiple instruments), and saw a board, to name a few.  Cute, rhyming book to share with preschool/kindergarten students. 

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

What will hatch? by Jennifer Ward

"Oval, blue.  What will hatch?  Fuzzy, new- robin."
With simple riddles readers learn about animals that hatch from eggs.  Great, interactive introduction to animals that hatch from eggs.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by Kimberly and James Dean

Pete the Cat is BACK in a slightly different form.  Pete is still very knowledgable and full of great wisdom though his delivery is slightly more subdue, due in large part to a change in author.  Pete the Cat has the blue cat blues when Grumpy Toad shows up.  Surprisingly today Grumpy Cat is not grumpy at all thanks to "cool, blue, magic sunglasses" which helped make him see things differently.  Pete soon sees exactly what Grumpy meant.  Pete then goes on to spread the magic of the cool, blue, magic sunglasses to others.  Great message for all ages though lacking the usual snappy song.

To view the latest Pete video click HERE!  

Text:  3 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Let's Make Faces by Hanoch Piven

This book has FUN written all over it...and you only have to get as far as the front cover before you realize this.  Fruits and vegetables, tools of all shapes and sizes, things from outside and inside, and every where in between!  Look at every day items in a whole new and fun way while starring at these pages!

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Me and My Dragon: Scared of Halloween by David Biedrzycki

They both like birthday parties, parades, and fireworks.  But when it comes to Halloween the two pals do not agree.  Boy attempts to help his dragon feel better about Halloween by finding the perfect costume.  Dad was not a fan of the mummy costume, zombie costume scares dragon, and the tutu is flammable.  Will the boy find a way to help dragon enjoy Halloween?

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations  4 Buckeye leaves

Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds

Poor lion, great white shark and timber wolf are so misunderstood just because they are savage carnivores.  Carnivores have feelings too!  Sure, they go on feeding frenzies.  Sure, they have vicious fangs and scary eyes.  Together the new friends decide to become vegetrians.  They soon learn this is not a viable answer.  Next they try dressing in disguise.  This new plan does not work either.  With each other's support they must accept that they are carnivores and they eat meat.  The humor in this book would be most understandable by mid elementary students. 

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Bugs In My Hair by David Shannon

Ssshhhh!!  Don't say it!!  Don't mention it!!  How embarrassing!!!  BUGS IN MY HAIR!!!  How did they get there?  ITCH ITCH!  Such humiliation!  ITCH ITCH!  Maybe if I don't admit I actually have lice....it will go away!  ITCH ITCH!  Lots of cures...but which one is the least painful?  From the famous creator of the David books, comes the book that will have you itching and scratching within the first few pages of the book.  A funny yet educational look at lice. 

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

The Beginner's Guide to Running Away from Home by Jennifer Larue Huget

Ever feel like running away from home?  Here is the perfect guide to running away.  Feeling underappreciated, the main character has decided it is time to hit the road...not that anyone will notice of course!!  For starters, skip the bandana on a stick.  If you want to successfully run away, get at least a backpack or better yet, a wagon.  Don't forget the snacks.  Leave a tear causing not someplace that won't be missed.  And you are ready to storm out of the house.... A humorous look at what many kids (and maybe some adults) at one time or another, have considered doing.  Older elementary kids especially will enjoy the wit and humor in this picture book. 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  3 Buckeye leaves

Ribbit! by Rodrigo Folgueira

A pond, home to a family of frogs, is suddenly altered one day when a pink pig is found sitting on  a rock in the pond.  The frogs have no idea what to do wit this visitor.  Soon the pink pig starts, "Ribbit!"   Other animals soon shows up asking about the visitor.  The go off to ask the chief frog as to why the pink pig is still at their pond.  What will they find out?
Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Rabbit and the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf by Michael Escoffier

Rabbit draws a terrifying picture on the chalkboard of the Big Bad Wolf.  But it is not the Big Bad Wolf on the prowl....it is the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf.  Slowly the chalk drawing changes to look more like the Not-So-Big-Bad Wolf.  Full of suspense and surprising end, this simple books will delight children of all ages.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Unicorn Thinks he's Pretty Great by Bob Shea

Before Unicorn came along Goat thought he was pretty cool.  Goat's super cool biking skills are nothing compared to Unicorn flying to school.  Goat's magic tricks seem so boring compared to Unicorn's trick of turning things to gold.  But Goat quickly learns that some of what makes Unicorn so special, may actually not be so special.  Will these two ever get along?


Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Snowzilla by Janet Lawler

It's July....perfect time to read about SNOW!  Cami Lou has watched the snow for weeks and weeks.  She is now ready to construct a giant of snow.  But not everyone is as excited about her project and soon it is decided that Snowzilla will have to come down.  It is not the end of the Snowzilla though.  A group of Snowzilla supporters devise a plan to save Snowzilla.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Bully by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

A perfect example of simple text presenting a huge message.  Bully (the bull) does not have any kind words for his friends.  His mean words send the other animals running except the goat.  Goat calls him a "Bully" and Bully is left thinking about his actions.  He knows he must change his ways and decides to talk to his friends.  A great book for younger elementary kids as the simple text and simple illustrations will help kids focus on the message.  As always, preview before sharing with your kids/students as Bully tell the goat to "Butt out" and that may not be appropriate for your audience.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

The World is Waiting for You by Barbara Kerley

In the tradition of great, inspiring graduation/farewell books comes a new book intended for maybe a little older individual.  Illustrated with incredible photographs, the short text leaves the reader with a message to take on the world.  An added bonus is the additional information about the photos, including location of the photos.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman

I think I might have screamed, loudly, when I saw this little treasure on the shelf of the cutest bookstore in Michigan while on vacation last week.  Luckily, no one but my husband and 2 kids were close enough to hear this outburst, and they are use to my giddiness when it comes to books.  Why was I so excited?  Because the author/illustrator of this little gem is the same as one of my most favorite books of all time, Blue Chicken (2011).  And this newest book from Freedman has now earned its spot on my most loved picture books of all time....how could it not....look at these illustrations!!!

Snail is waiting for Fish to come share new stories.  This time though Fish wants to SHOW Snail another story.  Snail is not a fan of this and the two friends begin to argue.  Fish swims off in anger....right out of the book.  Snail is now faced with the decision as to whether to take the chance and follow FIsh or to stay in the book.  Terribly creative, inventive illustrations, with a fun story containing a great message.  

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

What happens if you swallow a watermelon seed??  Crocodile LOVES watermelon.  He can't wait to CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP on some watermelon.  BUT crocodile swallows a watermelon seed.  Oh no!  What will happen?!?!  Hilariously funny.  Kids will loves the fear of the crocodile....as they too have probably experienced.  Simple text supported by the illustrations which kids must "read".

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

The Great Fairy Tale Disaster by David Conway

One that is being added to my "list" for all 3 schools in the fall....Love Tiger Tales books!  The Big Bad Wolf is tired...no huff and puff left....he is looking for a new fairy tale to relax in.  The first one he enters is Cinderella.  Soon enough he realizes he is in the wrong place.  When the fairy godmother arrives and waves her wand, putting a dress on him for the ball, he takes off.  The next fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk, is way too scary for the wolf and he quickly takes off.  On and on the Big Bad Wolf takes off - in and out of various fairy tales until the tales are nothing but a jumbled up mess.  Maybe, just maybe his original fairy tale was not so bad after all.  Adorable pictures, fun story, must buy!!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf by Mark Teague

It is the three little pigs with a twist in this funny new version of the famous story.  The book begins as the the farmer informs the three pigs that he is moving to Florida and pays them for their hard work.  The three pigs take off to build houses of ...wait for it....straw, sticks, and bricks.  It is not long before a wolf shows up and he is huffing and puffing.  By the time the wolf arrives at the brick house, which has all three pigs hiding out in, he is very hungry and exhausted.  The wolf passes out on the ground and three pigs decide to revive him and feed him dinner.  The three pigs and the wolf decide to live together in the brick house - minus the huffing and puffing.  A great retelling of the famous story with just enough twists to provide a springboard to discussions.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

What NOT to Give Your Mom on Mother's Day by Martha Simpson

A little late for Mother's Day BUT when looking for a book NEXT year for Mother's day, here is a top pick.  A great book of advice for kids (and dad's) about shopping for mom....

"Do NOT give her bucket of big fat worms...unless she is a bird"

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  3 Buckeye leaves

I Spy on the Farm by Edward Gibbs

I spy with my little eye...read the riddle and peek through to find a rooster and a cow and a pig and other farm animals.  A fun introduction to a farm/animal unit which allows for great interaction.

Text:  5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

I Scream Ice Cream! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

A book of wordles....a WHAT?  I will openly and public admit, I had no idea what a WORDLES is.  Being a big fan of Amy Krouse Rosenthal I jumped when I saw this book in the new books section however there it took reading the cover aloud before I got it.  "Pants Knees.....Pants.....sneeze"  Huh?  Go ahead....read it aloud.  Now you got it right?  Like I said, it takes reading it aloud.  Kids will love these.  I can see older elementary (4th-5th grade) especially enjoying this.  Great fun!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Five Little Monkeys Jump In The Bath by Eileen Christelow

Those silly five little monkeys are back again and this time they are in the bathtub - and with good reason.  Those five monkeys are always getting into some sort of mess and this time is no exception.  First comes the ice cream then the mud then the TUB for the monkeys!  Using great colorful language the monkeys are able to get cleaned up before getting messy yet again.  Cute story that is short enough for even the youngest readers to enjoy.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Goodnight Baseball by Michael Dahl

A little boy spends the afternoon at the ball field watching an exciting baseball game.  When it is time to go home, the boy must bid goodnight to everything he sees at the park that day.  A "grown up kid" Good Night Moon!  Very cute for all the baseball lovers.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

A Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Willems

Much anticipated at our house.....Piggie and Elephant are back in a new adventure.  This time Piggie is quite upset when a "big guy" takes the ball he was playing with.  Gerald jumps in to help his friend.  Gerald is not worried, since he is BIG himself. However Gerald has met his match.  The ball "thief" is big, very big.  Piggie and Gerald always bring great laughs and fun.

Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el

Crispin Blaze is not your typical dragon.  He knows that when he turns 7 years old he will join his family as a fire breathing dragon.  When the day finally arrives Crispin is excited to finally try out his fire breathing capabilities.  He opens his mouth and out comes....whipped cream!!!  Dad takes him to the doctor.  When Crispin tries to show the doctor, he opens his mouth and out comes...band aids.  What is happening?  The doctor sends Crispin home with medicine but it does not get better.  Afraid that his family will be disappointed, Crispin decides to run away.  Crispin meets up with a knight named Sir George.  Together these two learn important lesson about being yourself and friendship.  Great message that will be enjoyed by many ages.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

That Is Not A Good Idea by Mo Willems

Love Mo Willems!  And as much as I love Pigeon books and Piggie and Elephant is an every.day.post.dinner.reading. at our house (hard to find books that both the 2 year old and 5 year old will listen to together) I always likes when there is a new book from Mr. Willems.  I love the little yellow chicks!  Fox is excited to see a nice, plump goose which means a nice dinner for him.  Or so he thinks!!  The chicks keep trying to send out the warning....but their warning is ignored.  Fox is able to get the goose to his kitchen and looking in the big pot.....

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

The trailer is super cute.  To check it out click HERE!  

Nurse Clementine by Simon James

It is Clementine's birthday and her parents have given her a first aide kit and nurse's outfit.  It does not take long for Clementine to find emergencies to help with.  Clementine is able to nurse Mr. Brown's stubbed toe and Mrs. Brown's headache.  Nurse Clementine tries to help her brother as he continually crash into things but he insists he does not need help.  Will Nurse Clementine ever be able to help him?

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

The Emperor's Cool Clothes by Lee Harper

The emperor's new clothes with a new, cooler twist.  In this book the emperor is out to be cool and stylish.  He once again is tricked by some good-for-nothing-scoundrels.  They succeed in getting money and giving the emperor NOTHING in return.  The wait is on to see which character will speak up and reveal that in fact the emperor is naked.  A fun twist to an old story.  Kids will find this book cool......

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Heidi Heckelbeck and the Cookie Contest by Wanda Coven

A chapter book??  I know, I know...been a LONG time since I read a chapter book.  This is the sweetest series.  A great book for girls in grades 2-3.  I do not like to pigeon hole a book as a girl or boy book but this one.....What I like about this book the most - it is appropriate for kids in elementary, no questionable material here!

Heidi is preparing cookies for the Brewster Elementary annual cookie contest.  Heidi decides to make the famous Heckelbeck Chocolate Chunk Cookies.  Heidi knows how proud of his recipe her dad is but she is worried it just won't cut it - too boring.  Heidi decides to make some changes to her cookies - which backfires with a smelly result.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (Great support to readers just getting into chapter books!!)

Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld

Meet !  He has always stood out.  The only time he did not stand out was when he was asleep.  He tried to fit in with the . but it never worked out.  Then one day ! met ? and he soon learned that he had an important job.  In true Rosenthal/Lichteneld fashion, Exclamation Mark is again told with the same wit that readers have come to expect from this team.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeyes leaves