Picture Book Palooza

First things first: I finally finished The Presidents Club. Yaaay (says the patron who was next in line to read it). I will blog about it later--wanted to get a children's books-related post on here first (what a concept).  I thought about doing a Wowbrary Wednesday post, since there are several books that I am eagerly awaiting, thanks to Wowbrary, but will hold off on that.  That being said--if you're a Fauquier County Public Library patron, you really should subscribe to Wowbrary.  You'll receive a newsletter in your email once a week of all the new things that have been ordered or added to the collection (books, ebooks, DVDs, CDs, etc).


I read another huuuuuge pile of picture books. I don't have the time or interest to blog about every single one I read, so I will cut to the chase and tell you about the ones that really stood out:

Hide and Seek


I love Il Sung Na's picture books. His pastel illustrations of animals are endearing and comical, and the text is simple and engaging for very young listeners.  The animals decide to play a game of hide-and-seek; as you can imagine, several have difficulty hiding, except for chameleon.  Adorable.

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket

Ever know a child who was so attached to a blanket that he/she refused to let it be washed? Remember how you--or the parents--let it go until it was really too pungent to not wash? Did this cause much anxiety? If so, then you (and many young listeners) will relate to Small Bunny's Blue Blanket.  Small Bunny just looooves his blue blanket, but it's really past time for washing.  Small Bunny is worried that the blanket will just not be the same after washing.  This is TOO CUTE.  You will love it.

Oink-A-Doodle-Moo


When I pick up a Jef Czekaj picture book, I know it's going to be a wacky and creative read.  Oink-A-Doodle-Moo is no exception.  This is a little simpler--story wise--than his other books, but just as appealing and silly.  Pig has a secret to tell Rooster: "Oink.  Pass it on."  Well, Rooster doesn't relay the secret quite exactly to Moo "("Pass it on."), who adds his own interpretation to Frog, and so on.  Remember the game of Telephone, in which someone whispers a phrase to someone, who passes it on, and so forth, until the final person says the phrase out loud (which is rarely the same as the original phrase)? You get the idea.  Tons of fun. 

Bea at Ballet



Ballet books are always in demand, so I was super pleased that Rachel Isadora, creator of some seriously fine picture books, has written another ballet book.  Bea at Ballet is in the vein of "a day at my ballet class" story line.  We learn the five positions of ballet, proper class attire, and ballet terminology.  The class is multicultural AND includes boys in the class!  This is the third ballet book I've read this year that included boy dancers, which is a good trend to see.  Very sweet.

A Home for Bird


You will LOVE A Home for Bird. Young listeners will love it too.  Vernon (a toad) is trying desperately to find a home for Bird.  Unfortunately, Bird doesn't speak.  Perhaps Bird is shy.  This is a beautiful story of friendship and persistence.  Definitely going on my Caldecott shortlist.  Stead is the author of one of my favorite Caldecott books, A Sick Day for Amos McGee (his wife, Erin Stead, was the illustrator); the Steads create marvelous picture books.  You should check them out if you are not familiar with their creations.


We have nearly three weeks left in our summer reading program!