Peanut Butter & Cupcake! by Terry Border

Peanut Butter and his family has just moved to town and he is looking for someone to play with him.  His mom encourages him to go outside in search of some new friends.  Peanut Butter meets Hamburger, out walking the dogs.  Hamburger can't play so Peanut Butter continues on his way.  Peanut Butter then meets Cupcake but Cupcake is building a sprinkle-castle and declines as well.  Peanut Butter's search for a playmate continues in this way until he meets Jelly.  Maybe Jelly is just what Peanut Butter needs!  Interesting illustrations to go along with the simple text to create a story that many kids can relate to, trying to find a friend. 

Text:  3 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

PS I have read the book a couple of times....and I am still not "getting" why the title is Peanut Butter & Cupcake......I just "don't get it" so assuming I am missing something......

Boa's Bad Birthday by Jeanne Willis

It is Boa's birthday and he super excited to celebrate with his friends AND of course, see the great gifts they bring him.  Orangutan brings him an ENORMOUS gift....what could it be?  A piano!?!?!  Ummmm, but snake has no fingers!  Boa guesses the NEXT gift he receives will be better.  Monkey brings him a much smaller gift, sunglasses.  Wait.  How can Boa wear these?  He does not have a nose OR ears!  This birthday is NOT turning out how Boa had hoped....and it is not over yet.  Boa's gifts are all "rubbish" until dung beetle arrives.  What could this gift be?  Will this gift be better than the others?  Kids will be amused by Boa's books, and how impractical the gifts are that Boa receives from his friends. 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves 

A Perfect Place for Ted by Leila Rudge

Poor Ted!  He has been at the pet store, well, FOREVER!  No one ever notices him.  Ted decides it is time to head out on his own to find a "job" that is perfect for him.  He tries the circus but that does not work out for him.  He tries a pet pageant but that does not work either.  Nothing Ted tries seems to be a good fit.  Then one day he sees a young girl placing posters up.  She is looking for a "furry friend" to be her friend.  Finally a perfect fit for Ted and his new friend, Dot.  A very sweet, simple story about fitting in and finding the perfect place for you.  I absolutely LOVE the illustrations.  A definite purchase book! 

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Fly Guy Presents: Firefighters by Tedd Arnold

Fly Guy and Buzz are off on another exciting field trip!  This time the duo are visitng the fire station.  In the latest in the NONFICTION Fly Guy books, readers will learn about the day to day activity in the fire station and when the fire fighters are on a call.  Photographs and diagrams accompany the text to make for an fact packed early nonfiction book.  A great introduction to nonfiction. 

Text:  4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye Leaves

Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won

Elephant is grumpy.  He finds a box on his doorstep and in this box is a hat.  He can't be grumpy now and is off to show Zebra.  Zebra is grumpy too until Elephant shares part of his hat.  It continue along this way until Turtle, Owl, Lion and Giraffe also enjoy part of the hat and with each sharing of the hat, each animal is no longer grumpy.  A story of friendship for younger students with simple text.  Happy, un-grumpy illustrations to support the text.

Text:  3 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Bedtime at the Nut House By Eric Litwin

It is bedtime….parent's favorite part of the day, after it is over!  Mama Nut is trying to get Hazel and Wally to bed.  Wally and Hazel are not ready for bed and would rather do anything BUT go to sleep.  Eric Litwin, one of the original Pete the Cat duo, is sure to sing his way into the hearts of kids everywhere with his catch too.  Be sure to go to www.TheNutFamily.com

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Moonbear's Sunrise by Frank Asch

Friends Bear and Little bear are back in a new adventure.  This time the two friends are discussing the beauty of the sunrise.  Bear wishes he could see a sunrise.  He sees the moonrise every day, enjoying every second of it.  Bear determined to see the sunrise, he searches for a way to see both.  After numerous failed attempts, Bear finally is able to enjoy the sunrise.  Fans of Asch and Bear books will enjoy this latest installment.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Goatilocks and the Three Bears by Erica S. Perl

"Once upon a time there was a kid named Goatilocks."  Sound familiar?  Not Golidlocks but rather Goatilocks.  But when Goatilocks arrives at the Bears' cottage he does not just eat the porridge, he eats the spoon too.  Then Goatilocks moves on to the chairs, again eating it up, as well as the beds, another delicious meal.  When the bear family arrives home, Goatilocks takes off running.  Later feeling guilty about what had happened at the Bears' house, she brings a gift to the family.  Kids will get a kick out of Goatilocks eating everything up.  Good for preschool/kindergarten age though older kids may not find the storyline quite as funny or filled with as many creative changes as expected.

Text:  3 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

It's Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr

Todd Parr is back with another lesson teaching book.  With each "mistake" - a resolution is given.  Children will quickly learn that even mistakes that seem huge can be resolved quickly and easily.  Simple text makes the book appropriate for younger audiences but can span to older kids with springboard to more advanced discussions.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves