Listen to My Trumpet! by Mo Willems - ESSENTIAL

Willems, Mo. Listen to My Trumpet! Hyperion Books for Children, 2012 $8.99. Rated G-Picture Book. In this Elephant and Piggie book, Piggie gets a trumpet and tries to impress Elephant with his talent. Elephant has a hard time breaking the news to Piggie that although his trumpet is making noise, it’s not making music. Piggie isn’t trying to make music though; he’s trying to speak elephant. 

This book has simple pictures and simple text. It’s entertaining and super cute. If you are a lover of Elephant and Piggie you will definitely want to add this to your collection. 

ESSENTIAL - EL (K-3), Pre-K. Shauna, reading teacher.

Feelings and Colors by Julia Levine - ESSENTIAL

Levine, Julia Pimsleur Little Pim: Feelings.  Abrams Books for Young Readers 2011 $8.95. Content G-BOARD BOOK. Pim the Panda explores emotions such as surprised, sad, and scared in English, Spanish, and French. Each page is filled with examples and non-examples of a specific emotion using interactive flaps and slide outs. Although I’m new to the Little Pim books, I’m guessing they all have the French and Spanish translation.  This is a very fun and educational book. Pre-K - ESSENTIAL. Shauna, reading teacher.

Levine, Julia Pimsleur Little Pim: Colors.  Abrams Books for Young Readers 2011 $8.95. Content G-BOARD BOOK. Pim the Panda explores colors in English, Spanish, and French as he collects balloons. Each page is filled with examples and non-examples using interactive flaps and slide outs. Although I’m new to the Little Pim books, I’m guessing they all have the French and Spanish translation.  This is a very fun and educational book. Pre-K - ESSENTIAL. Shauna, reading teacher.

Peepsqueak by Leslie Ann Clark - ADVISABLE

Clark, Leslie Ann. Peepsqueak.  Harper, 2012. $12.99. Content G- PICTURE BOOK.  Peepsqueak is a very busy little chick. More than anything he wants to fly, but he keeps getting told that chicks don’t fly and he shouldn’t try. 

This is a great book to demonstrate to kids to not give up on their dreams. The pictures are bright and colorful; it would be a great book to add to any library. 

ADVISABLE - Pre-K. Shauna, reading teacher.

FYI - There is a Peeksqueak stuffed animal available - probably just in time for Easter baskets everywhere!

Peas on Earth by Todd Doodler - OPTIONAL

Doodler, Todd H. Peas on Earth. Robin Corey Books, 2012 $6.99. Content G- BOARD BOOK. There’s a bit of a social commentary and encouragement to do the right thing mixed throughout the book. The peas give examples of what “peas on earth” would look like as everyone gets along and no one gets hurt.  The book has a cute message if you want to teach your kids that life could be perfect if you make the effort. If you want your kids to get used to disappointment so they will have the coping skills later in life, this might not be the book for you. 

Pre-K, EL - OPTIONAL. Shauna, reading teacher.

B is for Babar by Laurent Brunhoff - ADVISABLE

Brunhoff, Laurent De. B is for Babar: An Alphabet book. Abrams Appleseed, 2012 $7.95. BOARD BOOK. The text is new, but the pictures are classic Babar. The text gives early readers a small taste of alliteration as it reinforces the sound that each letter makes. The pictures are cute and the text is not too easy; just a bit of a challenge for an emerging reader. Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE. 

Shauna, reading teacher.

My Birdie and My Bunny by Jessie Ford - ADVISABLE

Ford, Jessie. My Birdie Abrams Appleseed, 2012 $6.95. BOARD BOOK. Just in time for spring and Easter the birdie book has arrived. This book features basic counting to four while telling what parts are on a bird. Each page also has a puzzle piece that pops out to create a small four-piece puzzle of a bird. PRE-K - ADVISABLE Shauna, reading teacher.

Ford, Jessie. My Bunny Abrams Appleseed, 2012 $6.95. BOARD BOOK. Just in time for Easter and spring the bunny book has arrived. Each page tells what bunnies do and also has a puzzle piece that pops out and creates a small four-piece puzzle of a bunny. This is perfect for quiet time or for stuffing a basket. PRE-K, PARENTS. Shauna, reading teacher.

Get Dressed! by Seymour Chwast - ADVISABLE

Chwast, Seymour Get Dressed!  Abrams Applessed, 2012. $13.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  A pajama top cover is the first delight in this book to fuel a child’s imagination, especially when it comes to choosing clothes for many activities.  Don’t be surprised if your own child becomes a more creative dresser if you share this with them – and you might lose a few pot lids in the process.  PRE-K – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Yawn by Sally Symes - ADVISABLE

Symes, Sally Yawn, illustrated by Nick Sharrat.  Candlewick Press, 2011.  $8.  Content: G.  STOP!  Don’t read this book until you are in your pajamas and ready for bed.  You have been warned.  As baby Sean lets out a great big yawn, he passes to a succession of unwitting victims – including you!  

A sturdy board book with a great big hole in the middle is always lots of fun!  Pre-K – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Pantone Colors by Abrams Appleseed

Pantone Colors by Abrams Appleseed.  BOARD BOOK.  $10.  The people at Abrams have partnered with the professional color people – Pantone - to create a board book of the basic colors matched with twenty variations, each with the official pantone number and a real life name.  

When my daughter was little, she was always very precise – “These aren’t shoes, Mom.  I am wearing sandals,’” she would say.  Thank goodness this book wasn’t around then, because them every single color in the world would have had a specific name!   I would have never heard the word ‘green’ again – instead it would have been pistachio, olive, lettuce, leaf, grass, emerald and so on.  And I would have loved every minute of it!  I can’t imagine an art teacher that wouldn’t love to share it with their classes.  

PRE-K, EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL; EVERYONE – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Baby Badger’s Wonderful Night by Karen Saunders - OPTIONAL

Saunders, Karen  Baby Badger’s Wonderful Night  Illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic  Egmont, 2011.  PICTURE BOOK $16.99  Baby badger is scared of the dark night, so his father takes him around the woods and shows him how to see colors in the dark, like purple and blue.  Then he shows baby badger the bright stars and teaches him how to wish on a falling star.  

Cute illustrations with a reassuring story about the night.  It would be great in a board book.  PRE-K - OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

A You’re Adorable by Martha Aexander - ADVISABLE

Alexander, Martha. A You’re Adorable Candlewick Press, 1994. $6.99. Content G- BOARD/PICTURE book.  This ABC book is based on a “popular” song from the 1940s,  although I cannot place the song. It’s a cute board book with lots of fun illustrations. PRE-K - ADVISABLE. Shauna, reading teacher.

Trains Go by Steve Light - ADVISABLE

Light, Steve. Trains Go Chronicle Books, 2012. $8.99. Content G- BOARD/PICTURE BOOK. The shape of the book adds to the fun of it. It’s about 12”x6” so opened it’s 24” long! Each page shows a different type of train along with the sound it makes. This a great book for train lovers, and teachers that want to expose their students to onomatopoeia for the first time. PRE-K, EL - ADVISABLE. Shauna, reading teacher.

Who Am I? by Gervase Phinn-ESSENTIAL

Phinn, Gervase. Who Am I?  illustrated by Tony Ross.  $16.95.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  A baby chameleon has just hatched and finds himself alone in the middle of the jungle.  He doesn’t wait long before he sets off to find out who he is and where he belongs.  He confronts a variety of jungle animals on his quest.  Each jungle animal is beautifully illustrated in bold colors.  From giraffes to cheetahs, each jungle animal shares their distinct and unique character trait to the young chameleon.  There is excitement and suspense at the end of the story that will have children begging for more.  This book would be perfect in a unit on colors, jungle animals or families.  We loved this book!  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer:  SL. 

Maudie and Bear by Jan Ormerod- OPTIONAL

Ormerod, Jan. Maudie and Bear, illustrated by Freya Blackwood.  $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  This is a book with five stories starring Maudie and Bear.  Maudie is an adorable little girl.  Bear is her best friend.  These stories explore the two enjoying bike rides, making snacks, mending differences, and sharing quality time together.  There is one story that is a take-off from Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  The illustrations are quaint and memorable.  For that alone the book is worth reading.  Some stories were tender and memorable, other were not.  We didn’t like how bossy Maudie could be.  She obviously represents young toddlers, but Bear’s unwavering devotion to Maudie isn’t realistic.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  OPTIONAL.  Reviewer: SL. 

A Leaf Can Be... by Laura Purdie Salas- ADVISABLE

Purdie Salas, Laura.  A Leaf Can Be…, illustrated by Violeta Dabija.  $17.95.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  This rhyming book explores the many roles that leaves play in nature.  From “snake concealer” to “rain stopper” the illustrations and simple words explore the world of leaves.  We enjoyed the illustrations and the variety of uses in this book. Some of the animals and characters are absolutely adorable!  The book ends with, “A leaf is a leaf- a bit of a tree.  Now go and discover what else it can be!”  Obviously teachers could use this to further student imagination and discovery of leaves and their uses. Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

The Loopy Coop Hens: Pip's Trip by Janey Morgan Stoeke-ADVISABLE

Stoeke, Janet Morgan.  The Loopy Coop Hens: Pip’s Trip.   $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  Midge, Pip and Dot live on Loopy Coop Farm.  They are tired of their routine lives and want to see the real world.  They make a plan to hide in the back of the farmer’s truck and see where he goes every day.  The plan is for them to go together, but on the day of their big adventure, Pip suddenly realizes she is alone!  She no longer want to see the world, but it is too late.  The engine starts up and Pip quickly closes her eyes.  Where will she go?  What adventures will she have?  This is a fun filled book that will keep preschoolers on the edge of their seats and have them laughing in the end!  The illustrations are large and colorful.  The words are simple and easy to understand.  Pre-K.  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer:  SL. 

The Lost Dog: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic by Monica Carnesi- OPTIONAL

Carnesi, Monica.  Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic. $15.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  This is a true story of a dog that was rescued after traveling seventy-five miles for two days on the Baltic Sea. This lost dog is found floating on sheets of ice and is finally rescued by the crew of R/V Baltica.  It is a heartwarming account of this brave dog’s adventure and the crew members who eventually found him.  We liked the story. However, we didn’t like that the author called him “Dog” instead of “the dog” or by his real name, “Baltic”.  We realize that he wasn’t named until after his rescue, but calling him “Dog” made the story somewhat impersonal and more difficult to read.  The illustrations are unique and exciting.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  EL.  OPTIONAL.  Reviewer: SL. 

Barnyard Purim by Kelly Terwilliger- OPTIONAL

Terwilliger, Kelly. Barnyard Purim, illustrated by Barbara Johansen Newman.  $7.95   Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  This book celebrates a Jewish holiday known as Purim.  The holiday celebrates the Biblical story in the book of Esther.  In this picture book, the barnyard animals dress up and perform a play recounting the story of Esther and Mordechai and their efforts to save the Jewish people.  I don’t know if it’s appropriate to tell a biblical story in the classroom, but if so, this is a cute way of doing so.  The illustrations are wonderful, fun and exciting.  The story is told in an intriguing and interesting way.  There is a sly fox that makes the ending exciting.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  OPTIONAL.  Reviewer: SL.   

Big Birthday by Kate Kosford- ADVISABLE

Hosford, Kate. Big Birthday, illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown. $16.95.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  Everyone wants the perfect birthday party- especially Annabelle.  She is tired of the traditional parties and wants something extra special this year.  After examining all other options, she gets the idea of celebrating her birthday on the moon. Annabelle is certain that a party on the moon will exceed all her expectations!  Little does she know, parties on the moon have their challenges as well.  The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful!  The story is imaginative and creative.  The ending is superb!  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

Big Hugs, Little Hugs by Felicia Bond-ADVISABLE

Bond, Felicia.  Big Hugs, Little Hugs. $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  Perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day, Felicia Bond creates a colorful book celebrating the wonder of hugs.  Each page is simple and beautiful.  With very few words, Bond explores hugs in winter and summer, in day or night, and even upstairs and downstairs. We loved the illustrations.  This is a perfect book for preschoolers or anyone in love!  Pre-K.  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL.