If You Happen To Have A Dinosaur by Linda Bailey

What would you do if you had a dinosaur?  How could you use a dinosaur to make your life easier?  A dinosaur could open cans, mash potatoes, or scare off burglars.  There are many things that maybe you had not thought of that a dinosaur could be used to do.  But not all dinosaurs will be helpful in all situations.  A funny look at an impossible, absurd, but hilarious situation.  A fun books that older elementary kids would enjoy as much as younger kids.


Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrators:  5 Buckeye leaves

This Is A Moose by Richard T. Morris

Lights….Camera……Uh Oh!  A director is ready to shoot the movie about the life of a moose but the moose has other ideas!  Moose has his sights set on outer space.  After numerous takes, with no cooperation from the moose and being helped by the other animals.  The other animals build a slingshot and send moose into space and the director must face the reality of the situation.  Funny book to enjoy with kids of varying ages.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Planet Kindergarten by Sue Ganz-Schmitt

Prepare for take off……3…..2….1……BLAST OFF!...right into kindergarten.  The preparation have been made, supplies purchased, it is time to head to the new planet of kindergarten.  The other "aliens" (students) arrive from many "galaxies" and soon learn some differences between this new planet and home.  Very cleverly written with a space theme carried throughout will leave kids ready to blast off into kindergarten.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Going Place by Peter and Paul Reynolds

He has waited ALL year and now the day has arrived!  Rafael will FINALLY get his go-cat kit so he can begin building for the big race!  Rafael is very careful as he follows the directions.  He is quite proud to finally finish his go-cart and see that it looks EXACTLY like it should according to the instructions.  He decides to check on his neighbor's progress.  He find Maya sitting watching a bird.  When he checks on her the next morning he finds she has created a rather unusual "go-cart" and attempts to explain to Maya that she did NOT follow the directions.  Maya has an interesting, a different way of looking at the "go-cart" instructions.  The two team up together to create a "go-cart" like no other.  This is an wonderful story about looking at things from a different point of view, seeing things differently and breaking away from the "expected" course of action.  The imagination of Maya and Rafael challenges us all to see things a little differently.  Love it!!

…AND not that I am in ANY way trying to wish away the summer, this would be a great beginning of the school year book for kids!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Part-time Princess by Deborah Underwood

During the day she does regular girl stuff but at night she becomes a princess.  With the princess crown on her head she gets right to work doing, sliding down fire poles to save the kingdom, lassoing dragons, and going to school.  Not your typical princess, there are lots of fun and activity for this young princess before dancing in a sparkly dress at the ball!  Young princess loving girls will enjoy this fun twist on the ever popular princess tale.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Don't Play With Your Food by Bob Shea

Buddy the monster is excited when he comes upon some bunnies.  He plans to gobble them up!  What Buddy does NOT know is he is dealing with some pretty smart bunnies.  The smart bunnies are able to convince Buddy NOT to eat them by agreeing to make them cupcakes.  Of course after indulging in the delicious cupcakes Buddy does not have ANY room left to eat up any bunnies so he decides to come back the next day.  When he comes back the next day planning to gobble up the bunnies, the bunnies convince him to instead go swimming.  After being reminded he should not eat BEFORE he swims, he decides to wait until after swimming to eat the bunnies but falls asleep instead.  On and on the bunnies are able to trick the monster into NOT eat them.  In the end  Buddy has an important decision to make regarding his tummy and the bunnies.  Children will enjoy watching the not-so-scary-but-a-little-silly-monster be tricked and outfoxed by the bunnies.  Sure to be a hit with kids of all ages. 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (fits the text perfectly)

Lola Goes to Work: A Nine-to-Five Therapy Dog by Marcia Goldman

Meet Lola, an adorable little dog that works hard every day as a therapy dog.   In order to be a therapy dog, Lola had to learn certain skills.  After all her training she had to take a test to prove she could be a good therapy dog.  Each day while she is working Lola visits friends in their homes or schools and tries to cheer them up.  Younger children will enjoy this simple book with amazing (and sometimes funny) photographs to compliment the text.  Great introduction for kids that have never heard/seen therapy dogs. 

Text:  3 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Fraidy Zoo by Thyra Heder

It is zoo day and everyone is excited to go...well, almost everyone!  But why is Little T afraid to go to the zoo?  The family sets out to uncover why she is afraid.  Starting with the letter A the family acts out the different animals that could be the source of her fear.  A great book for interactive read aloud as the reader must determine what animal the family is trying to illustrate. 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves



Snow Dog, Go Dog by Deborah Heiligman

Tinka is back for the third installment.  In true Tinka fashion, he is on the move and this time that means snow fun!  However this time Tinka takes off and can not his way back.  Will Tinka learn his lesson this time?  

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (Love the illustrations!  Tinka is adorable!!) 

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne

When Albert turned 3 and he still was not talking his parents became concerned and then he started talking, he had lots of questions.  Some of his teacher told him he was a disruption to the class.  But Albert had lots of questions.  Questions about Gravity.  Questions about light.  Questions about sound.  Questions about magnestism.  Through his whole life Albert had questions and seeked for answers to these questions, which often led to more questions.  Written is story form, kids will love this biographical look at Einstein's life and the life full of questions he lived.  Great addition to any library. 

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton

Want a pet?  Trying to get facts on how to train your new pet?  There is lots of advice available.  But what if your pet is a train?  There are many steps involved in training your train.  First you have to decide what kind of train you want.  You must select a name for your train.  You must be sure your train gets plenty of sleep which may mean you have to lull the train to sleep.  Taking care of a train is not easy, so be prepared.  Cute take on having a "pet".


For a book trailer click here!
Text:  4 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas

It is Chinese New Year and Goldy's mother has woken Goldy up early to go visit their neighbors the Chan family.  Goldy is not happy about this.  Noone answers when Goldy arrives at the Chan's house but the door opens and Goldy goes in.  Goldy finds 3 bowls of congee, no porridge, which she decides to try.  She then goes on to try out the chairs and the beds before the Chan family returns home.  Readers will be able to find similarities and differences throughout the book.  A great book to use in conjunction with Chinese New Year and/or fairy tale/Goldilocks study.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

And the reason we already own this book (with her favorite big brother....)

Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano

 Thanksgiving has come and gone and Turkey has lived to tell about it.  Just when Turkey thinks he can relax he overhears dinner plans for Christmas.  How can Turkey escape becoming Christmas dinner?  Turkey decides that the only person that can help him is Santa Claus.  Turkey heads to the North Pole to meet with Santa and quickly learns that the elves will not let him see Santa.  He tries various disguises to get into see Santa, none of which tricks the elves.  Will Turkey ever get in to see Santa?  Will Santa be able to help?  Hilarious Christmas book that kids of all ages will enjoy!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Fossil by Bill Thomson

Bill Thomson is back with another brilliant wordless picture book.  In Fossil a boy and his dog are near a lake where they discover a rock.  This rock is not just any rock but rather a fossil of an ancient plant that comes to life.  The boy breaks open two more rocks and two more come to life.  Things change from amazement to fear when one of those fossils takes the boy's dog for a ride.The boy must figure out a way to save his dog. A great wordless picture book (like his other book Chalk) for older students to enjoy.

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

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