The Dark

The Dark

Written by: Lemony Snicket
Illustrated by: Jon Klassen

This book deals with the subject being afraid of the dark. It is also an observation on that which is in the light and that which is in shadow. What scares us about the dark? Why? In this picture book the little boy, Lazlo, talks to the dark and surprisingly, somewhat spooky, the dark talks back. What the little boy learns is that there is nothing to fear from the dark.The art work illustrates a perspective that kids and some adults have about the dark and the tone that Klassen creates is a perfect match for Snicket's story.

I have read this book to kids who were not scared or worried after hearing the books. What happens is an amazing conversation about the dark and what about it scares them (and us). On so many levels I love this book: as a story, as art, as a conversation, and as a read out loud. This is on my list of favorite picture books, maybe it will make yours too.

That Is Not A Good Idea!

That Is Not A Good Idea!
By: Mo Willems

This picture book is great! The art, the characters, the style, and most importantly the twist at the end. One of my friend's said the ending is very M Night Shyamalan, think the movies Sixth Sense or The Village. I crack up when I read this book, and I love reading it to adults and kids. The book is set-up like a silent movie and very vaudeville in style. The facial expressions on the characters are expressive, as they usually would have to be in silent movies. It is about a fox and a goose who meet and decide to go for a walk together in the woods, which of course sounds like "That is Not A Good Idea!".

I don't want to give anything away, you'll have to read the book. It really is... a good idea!

I Want My Hat Back

I Want My Hat Back

By: Jon Klassen

Winner of of multiple awards, "I Want My Hat Back" has great art and a simple lovable story. Each time I read it I notice something I hadn't seen before. There are so many opportunities for read-out-loud fun, and fun questions you can ask kids after reading it to them. The art is simple and stark but it works beautifully. What is said is just as important as what is not said, the artwork is as much a part of the story as the text. There is so much to like about this book and I highly recommend it.

That Is Not a Good Idea! 

By: Mo Willems

 This seems like a straight-forward story of a fox trying to catch and eat the goose, but like all Mo Willems books there is a hilarious twist. The style of the picture book reminds me of silent movies and vaudeville. The art is cute and the text is perfect for read out loud fun. The ending on first read, takes you by surprise first time and just makes you want to giggle.

I highly recommend this book for teachers, librarians, and parents. It works in all situations and kids will want to hear it multiple times because it is an easy laugh.

The Disney Ballad of Nessie

The Disney Ballad of Nessie
written by: Kiernan Lachlan
illustrated by: Andy Harkness

I never thought that I'd suggest or choose a Disney book, but this has both a beautiful story and beautiful illustrations; on top of those are some great messages for kids. Nessie lives in the forest with her friend McQuack then a man comes and builds a country club / miniture golf course forcing  Nessie and McQuack to move. They have trouble finding a place to live and Nessie cries in despair so much that it fills a valley creating a loch, her new home. One of the best lines I have read in a children's picture book is here, "Dinna be afraid to cry; it really is okay! Sometimes it's through our tears that we find a better way."

Lessons for adults as well as children. An all around amazing book. 

Lines That Wiggle

lines that wiggle

By: Candace Whitman
Illustrations by: Steve Whitman

This is one of my favorite picture books. The use of color, the illustrations, the creativity, and the way it all connects. I have used this book for as inspiration for art activities with elementary age children. Love the monsters in the illustrations which make it usable for a monster theme. It is a fabulous picture book to give as a gift because it is almost like a piece of art.

The simplicity of the text makes it sharable with toddlers and preschool-age children but the complex illustrations and art make it great for use with elementary age children.

I Need My Own Country

 
I Need My Own Country
By: Rick Walton
Illustrated by: Wes Hargis

I wanted a picture book that went along with a flag craft I created for my After School Art program. I was hoping for something where a child created a flag of their own. In the story the little girl has turned her room into her own country. This book is super cute and has great illustrations. The story is the perfect length for preschoolers and elementary school students that may require a short story. The Social Studies concepts abound and the text is sweet and playful.

I highly recommend this book for story time or for class rooms discussing countries / nation states for early elementary where you are lightly touching on the topic.

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.

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.

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.