Category Archives: Picture Books

Imogene’s Antlers

Posted on March 8, 2014 | Comments Off on Imogene’s Antlers

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On Thursday, when Imogene
woke up, she found she
had grown antlers.

Imogene reacts to her new appendages remarkably well, as does most of the rest of her household (although her mother keeps fainting dead away) and has quite a lovely Thursday.  And by Friday, things are back to normal…  Or are they?

Like Tuesday, When Dinosaurs Came with Everything (also illustrated by David Small), and George Shrinks, this book presents an unusual situation and watches with a smile as its characters respond.  It is quiet and self-contained, just like its heroine.

Author: David Small
Illustrator: David Small

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You Choose!

Posted on March 5, 2014 | Comments Off on You Choose!

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The boys love choosing and discarding and comparing, so this book is absolutely perfect.  It asks question after question (for example: If you could go anywhere, where would you go?  Who would you like for family and friends?  What kind of home would you choose?  And what would you put in it?).  The more you look at this book, the more you realize is packed onto each page. The boys grab it often and spend tons of time with it, engrossed in thought or (even better) discussing their options together.

Author: Pippa Goodhart
Illustrator: Nick Sharratt

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Cinderella

Posted on March 3, 2014 | Comments Off on Cinderella

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This is the version of Cinderella I remember from my own childhood; I never forgot the golden dress and was thrilled to find this copy. My youngest loves fairy tales and we enjoy reading them together. This retelling hits all of the notes you would expect (pumpkin, fairy godmother, transformation) while leaving out the gory bits (we’re going to be waiting a number of years before reading the Grimm Brothers’ version). Most importantly, this book is so beautiful he doesn’t miss Disney’s talking mice.

Author: Eveyln Andreas/The Grimm Brothers/Charles Perrault
Illustrator: Ruth Ives

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Five Little Monkeys Storybook Treasury

Posted on February 27, 2014 | Comments Off on Five Little Monkeys Storybook Treasury

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We love four out of five of the stories in this book, with their charming pictures and constant refrains:  Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”), Five Little Monkeys with Nothing to Do (“There’s nothing do!”  “Oh yes there is,” says Mama), Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake (“Sh-h-h!  Don’t wake up Mama!”), and Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car (“I KNOW!” says one little monkey.  “I KNOW!”).  I don’t like Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree as much as the rest, but the boys like it fine.  As an added bonus, this treasury comes with drawing tips for making your own monkeys and lots of stickers.

If you want to give a really popular birthday present, pair this book with the Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Game.  The game itself isn’t really that exciting.  But it doesn’t need to be; it includes a big plastic “bed” with a spring mechanism inside and lots of monkeys to put on top.  Push a button on the bed and every so often the spring releases and monkeys go flying.

Author:  Eileen Christelow
Illustrator:  Eileen Christelow

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Jamberry

Posted on February 24, 2014 | Comments Off on Jamberry

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This adventure of a boy, a bear, and “billions of berries” was very popular a few years back.  It is great to read aloud, with a wonderful rhythm and enticing pictures (by the illustrator of the original Magic School Bus series).  You might need multiple copies and you are likely to memorize it.

Author: Bruce Degen
Illustrator: Bruce Degen

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The Complete Brambly Hedge

Posted on February 20, 2014 | Comments Off on 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

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Clink

Posted on February 16, 2014 | Comments Off on 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

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The King of Pizza

Posted on February 15, 2014 | Comments Off on 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

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The Duchess Bakes a Cake

Posted on February 14, 2014 | Comments Off on 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

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The Snail and the Whale

Posted on February 10, 2014 | Comments Off on 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

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