The Monster Who Loved Books

Monster Who Loved Books

By: Keith Faulkner

Illustrated by: Jonathan Lambert

This is one of my go to books for story times especially when the theme is monsters or books. Bradley lives above his father's book store and is awakened one night when he hears something down stairs in the book store. It turns out that there is a monster eating books. Bradley shows the monster what books are really for and in telling the monster about books gets whisked away to a place where books come to life.

This book shows how books can whisk you away to a different world and expand your imagination. The pop-ups fit well with the story and do not seem gratuitous. The illustration has been executed with a child's eye in mind and the story flows for great out loud reading. The details in the background provide for easy conversation with kids about books and nursery rhymes they may know. I highly recommend this book.

Earth to Clunk

Earth to Clunk
By: Pam Smallcomb
Pictures by: Joe Berger

I thought this was a great book about about a boy and his pen pal Clunk from the planet Quazar. They send each other letters and things that they think the other would (or would not) like. I think that this book has cute illustration, you could easily tie it to a writing lesson, it has a hilarious plot, and I could definitely see kids wanting multiple reads.

I recommend this book to teachers, parents, and other librarians because you can make up crafts and learning activities to pair with it really easily.

Doug-Dennis and the Flyway Fib

Doug-Dennis and the Flyaway Fib

words and pictures by: Darren Farrell

Doug-Dennis is a sheep who is going with his friend, Ben-Bobby who is an elephant,  to see a circus. On the way into the circus Doug-Dennis gets a candy bar and Ben-Bobby gets popcorn. Doug-Dennis eats Ben-Bobby's popcorn  and when asked about it he fibs. He then continues to fib and fib and fib each one taking him higher and higher up into the night sky where it became a BIG FAT LIE.

He is surrounded by ridiculous adult lies that I found the funniest part of the book.

The book does a good job of starting a conversation between parents and kids about lying. The art is very good, the book is pretty funny, and everyone learns a valuable lesson.

Otto Grows Down

Otto Grows Down

By: Michael Sussman

Illustrated by: Scott Magoon

I just came across this book by accident. I was looking for picture books that dealt with making wishes. In this book Otto is having his 6th birthday and he notices that his baby sister has the rattle that was his when he was a baby. His parents ask him to make a wish when blowing out his candles, so he wishes that his baby sister didn't exists anymore. Wishes have unintended consequences and when time starts to move backward Otto gets younger and younger, soon his baby sister is gone like he wanted, but other things start happening too! Each day happens in reverse like when he takes a bath he gets dirty instead of clean. The funniest part of the book I had to take a picture of...

Going to the potty in reverse, ewww!


Anyways, this book deals with both the theme of coming to terms with a new sibling, getting older, unintended consequences, and it is funny. A great book that is as entertaining for adults as it is for kids.

Sergio Makes a Splash!

Sergio is a penguin. Sergio loves water.  His class is taking a swimming trip, but Sergio is afraid of deep water. He has his floaties on and all of his friends are waiting... Will he jump in?

You'll have to read the book to find out. The book is so cute, the art makes imaginative use of only three colors (blue, orange, & black), and kids that are afraid of going into the pool (or used to be afraid) can relate. It makes for both a great one-on-one book and a fun read aloud.

Sergio Makes a Splash!
By: Edel Rodriguez

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!
By: Karen Beaumont
Illustrated by: David Catrow

This is one of my favorite picture books. It has art, body parts, colors, rhyming words, great art, and it is funny. The rhyming word help develop the early literacy skill of phonological awareness: being able to make the small vowel sounds in words. I have heard several different read out-loud interpretations that entertain and inspire kids to hear the book over and over.

Buy it! Check it out from the library! Believe me it will give you a chuckle and afterword you can sing Head-Shoulders-Knees and Toes.

Ninety-Three In My Family

Ninety-Three In My Family

By: Erica S. Perl

Illustrated by: Mike Lester

Silly, funny, AND mathematical, the story is about a boy who is asked by his teacher how many are in his family he says there are 93 and explains the break down of 88 animals and 5 human members. He goes on to explain the problems that 88 animals cause in the family in its hilarious entirety. I really like the break down tally on the last page. Looking for a picture book that combines math AND fun this is something for you.

Monkey With A Tool Belt

A Monkey that has a tool belt, if that wasn't enough his name is Chico Bon Bon. A name so awesome I use it as a nickname for my son now. This monkey helps people, is creative, and can match wits with an evil organ grinder that tries to monkey-nap him. A great comics-style picture book that is funny, clever, and makes even adults want to read it over and over. I work in both a library and a book store and I always say, Hey! Have you ever read "Monkey With a Tool Belt"?

You should read this book, two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Penguin and the Cupcake

Penguin is tired of eating fish so he's headed to the Northern Hemisphere for... cupcakes!

A hilarious story with some asides that make for great fun for adults and each of the characters makes for easy read aloud voices (at least for me). Art work, read aloud, and story all work. The kids I read it to laughed every time I read it this week.