The Complete Brambly Hedge

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This book is a compilation of cozy, old-fashioned stories about a community of mice in England.  (It really feels quite British, at least to this American.)  There is lots of loving discussion of food and games and activities (the creation of a beautiful ice hall to have a Snow Ball in is a favorite).  But the sweet stories may just be an excuse for the tremendously detailed, wonderful illustrations.  The many cross section pictures (like the one above) are particular favorites.

Author:  Jill Barklem
Illustrator:  Jill Barklem

Clink

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Clink’s an old and rusty robot who has watched countless robots be taken home to families while he stays on the shelf.  No one seems interested in a robot who simultaneously makes (burned) toast and plays music.  But is there a match out there for Clink?

This book is poignant, ultimately joyful, and beautifully illustrated.  Both boys have agreed they would love to adopt Clink, burned toast and all.

Author:  Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrator:  Matthew Myers

The King of Pizza

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The king of Naples has everything he could possibly want, but nothing satisfies him.  Only when he leaves the palace and learns to share with others is he able find true happiness.  Fortunately, a spoonful of sugar (or slice of pizza) helps this message go down very easily.

The boys enjoy “ewwwwing” at the the endless weird fancy dishes the king eats (glazed jellyfish in octopus ink sauce garnished with twinkling starfish, anyone?) and they greatly enjoy hearing about the glories of the pizza that inspires him to change his ways.  This book is fairly long for a read aloud, but their attention never waivers.

Author: Sylvester Sanzari
Illustrator: John E. Hurst

The Duchess Bakes a Cake

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Her cries brought the family, one and another.
“Come girls,” said the Duke,
“Say good-bye to your mother.

“I fear an improper proportion of leaven
Is taking my dear Duchess right up to Heaven.”

Giant cakes, silly adults, bright and cheerful illustrations…  All of these are strongly in this book’s favor.  However, some of the fun for the boys may be listening to me trying to get through it.  Most of it roll trippingly off the tongue:

“You’ll all be delighted, for I’m going to make
A lovely light luscious delectable cake.”

But a few parts, particularly the names of the thirteen (!) daughters are fraught with peril.  Take a deep breath and hold onto your hats.  It is well worth the effort.

Author:  Virginia Kahl
Illustrator:  Virginia Kahl

Ice Cream Everywhere!

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This very simple early reader has sweet pictures and rhymes that are not forced.  But the biggest draw, of course, is that it is about one of the boys’ very favorite subjects.

Author:  Marjorie Blain Parker
Illustrator:  Stephanie Roth

 

The Snail and the Whale

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This is the tale of a tiny snail
And a great big, gray-blue humpback whale.

Adventure.  Excitement.  A snail “with an itchy foot” craves these things (and finds them) along with a (very large) kindred spirit.  This book is a spellbinder and an absolute pleasure to read aloud.

Author:  Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler

Chelsea Morning

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This is the perfect bedtime story for when your voice is giving out (which makes it very helpful to have in reserve this time of year).  Pop in the enclosed CD, let Joni Mitchell provide the vocals, and enjoy the utterly fanciful art (the picture above is my oldest’s favorite).

Author:  Joni Mitchell
Illustrator:  Brian Froud

Good Night, Gorilla

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My youngest loved this book as a young toddler.  He’d ask for it every night before bed and we’d watch the gorilla release all of his animal friends so they could follow the zookeeper home.  We’d loved the details, like the toy in each animals’ cage,  the balloon that drifts through each double-page spread, and the mouse constantly lugging around a huge banana.  He would giggle and giggle when one of the characters got a big surprise.  A real charmer and, of course, perfect for bedtime. (He also loved the Scholastic video version of the book, which is less detailed but equally sweet.)

Author:  Peggy Rathmann
Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann

Usborne Touchy-Feely series

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This series is nothing if not predictable.  A little white mouse says “That’s not my [robot/monster/train/etc.]” over and over, explaining why the item on each page is not the one he is looking for (usually based on their textures or colors).  At the end of each book, the little mouse exclaims “That’s my [robot/monster/train, etc.]!” and then explains why.  (For example, “Its antennae are so sparkly.”)  These books were very popular through the toddler years–we had the robot, monster, and train versions and there were lots more at daycare.  Strangely, the whole series is now out of print.

Author:  Fiona Watt
Illustrator:  Rachel Wells

Goodnight Moon

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Another book that needs no introduction, Goodnight Moon was part of my oldest’s bedtime routine for about a year, beginning when he was around six months old.  We hoped the hypnotic words, the coziness of the pictures, and the unchanging routine would help him (finally) go to sleep.  And, as he got older, we enjoyed looking for the mouse hiding in each picture of the room.

Author:  Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator:  Clement Hurd