Barnyard Fun by Maureen Wright

It is April 1st and the sheep, also known as the prankster, is ready to go.  Sheep plays lots of "fun" tricks on his friends, which they are not too happy about.  Then sheep saw horse.  Horse suggested to sheep that his trim might need a trim.  Sheep thinks this is a good idea.  When horse is done with sheep, sheep has quite a surprise waiting for him, much to the delight of the other animals.  Hilarious book which resulted in out loud laughs from the 6 year old at our house.  There are very few books for April Fools Day so this will be a great addition to any collection.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

I'm Going to Catch My Tail by Jimbo Matison

Cat wakes up ready for a mission:  to catch his tail.  As cat works hard to catch his tail, tail works hard to avoid being caught.  Simple, fun, silly text and illustrations, which somewhat reminded me of Jan Thomas books, will probably leave little ones with giggles.  Funny ending even left me with a chuckle.

Text:  3 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Ivan the Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate

Conversation tonight before reading this book with the 6 year old….

" A gorilla in a shopping mall?  Why would there be a gorilla in a mall?  That is mean!"

Written by the Newbery winning author of The One and Only Ivan (chapter book), comes the picture book version.   Ivan, a silverback gorilla, is taken from his home along with Burma, another baby gorilla, to Washington state.  Once there Burma dies and Ivan lives in a home until he grows too big and is moved to a mall to live.  A great companion to the chapter book or a stand alone book for younger children.  An incredible story which lends itself to many discussions about the treatment of animals in captivity.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

I Wanna Go Home by Karen Kaufman Orloff

From the team that created I Wanna Iguana and I Wanna New Room comes the newest trial of Alex.  This time Alex has been sent to his grandparents' house at the Happy Hills Retirement Community.  Alex can't believe while his parents are off on a wonderful vacation in  Bora Bora, he is stuck with grandpa's dentures, no video games, and square dancing.  Alex begs his parents to come get him, fast.  Will Alex parents make it in time?  What if he accidentally starts liking it.


Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (David Catrow never disappoints)

If you were a dog by Jamie A. Swenson

"If you were a dog, would you be a speedy-quick, lickety-sloppidy, scavenge-the-garbage, frisebee-catching, hot-dog-stealing, pillow hogging, best-friend-ever sort of dog?"

What if you were a cat?  A fish?  A bird?  What if you were a dinosaur?  With fun, unusual language explore the possibilities of being animals of all kinds.  Complimenting the text are illustrations from Caldecott Medal–winning illustrator Chris Raschka.  

And the 3 1/2 year old…..cracked up through the whole thing…..

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Mix it up! by Harve Tullet

From the creator of Press Here, comes another interactive books that kids, and adults though they may not admit it, will love.  Mixing colors and creating new colors while following the directions will have kids rolling just as they were in Press Here.  Kids will return to this book again and again, and despite knowing that they really don't have control of the changes, does not deter them from picking this book up.  

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Ladybug Girl and the Dress-up Dilemma by David Soman

It is Halloween and Lulu has a MAJOR problem, she doesn't know what to dress up as.  She assumes she will dress up as Ladybug Girl but her brother thinks she has uses that costume one to many times.  She must decide tonight so she goes through a list of possibilities.  Robot?  Nope, too big to fit through the door.  Silent movie star?  How would she ask for candy?  Octopus?  Alien?  Wallaby?  Nothing seems to be the right choice.  Then she decides to be a vampire panda!  Her brother is not very supportive of this idea!  Will Lulu find the right costume before it is too late?  A great story just in time for Halloween costume picking season.  Any Ladybug Girl fan will want to add this one to their collection.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves