Hello readers! Welcome to Thumbs Up Picture Books. This is our place to share our opinions on the books we read each week. Whenever we finish a book, Nicholas (7), Julia (5) and I (45)(!) each give it a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle rating. As you will see, the kids don't always agree with me or with each other on which books are worth reading. So when you see a book with unanimous thumbs up, there is a pretty good chance you'll like it too!
SCROLL DOWN ON THIS PAGE FOR REVIEWS OF FICTION BOOKS! Use the blue buttons on the right to access reviews of Non-Fiction and Historical Fiction books, a list of Best Books (three thumbs up) and lists of books By Topic. And check out the "more" tab in the upper right for links to other interesting web sites about children's books, a photo gallery and an invitation to share your own picture book recommendations. Enjoy! |
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Fiction
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Down Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Adventures of Snowwoman
AUTHOR: Katya Arnold
YEAR: 1998
I was hopeful when I found a book featuring a snow-woman instead of a snowman for once, but quickly disappointed by the unoriginal tale involving a mission to deliver a letter to Santa. The illustrations are bright and colorful, but the depictions of people are kind of scary. Julia enjoyed it though!
TITLE: The Adventures of Snowwoman
AUTHOR: Katya Arnold
YEAR: 1998
I was hopeful when I found a book featuring a snow-woman instead of a snowman for once, but quickly disappointed by the unoriginal tale involving a mission to deliver a letter to Santa. The illustrations are bright and colorful, but the depictions of people are kind of scary. Julia enjoyed it though!
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Alligator Sue
AUTHOR: Sharon Ames Doucet
YEAR: 2003
Alligator Sue is the bizarre story told in colorful Cajun dialect of a girl who lives on a houseboat in Louisiana, is washed into the swamp by a hurricane, and ends up being adopted by a family of alligators. We all like originality in a story, but this one goes a bit overboard (literally)!
TITLE: Alligator Sue
AUTHOR: Sharon Ames Doucet
YEAR: 2003
Alligator Sue is the bizarre story told in colorful Cajun dialect of a girl who lives on a houseboat in Louisiana, is washed into the swamp by a hurricane, and ends up being adopted by a family of alligators. We all like originality in a story, but this one goes a bit overboard (literally)!
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Down Julia: Thumbs Down
TITLE: Bad Astrid
AUTHOR: Eileen Brennan
YEAR: 2011
I'm sorry to have to say it, but "Bad Astrid" should have been called "Bad Book." The rhymes are tortured and the story, about a new dog in town, is a bore.
TITLE: Bad Astrid
AUTHOR: Eileen Brennan
YEAR: 2011
I'm sorry to have to say it, but "Bad Astrid" should have been called "Bad Book." The rhymes are tortured and the story, about a new dog in town, is a bore.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: A Bad Case of Stripes
AUTHOR: David Shannon
YEAR: 2007
This is an amusing tale of an impressionable girl who endures a series of maladies conjured by the tastes and expectations of others. The only cure is finding the courage to be herself.
TITLE: A Bad Case of Stripes
AUTHOR: David Shannon
YEAR: 2007
This is an amusing tale of an impressionable girl who endures a series of maladies conjured by the tastes and expectations of others. The only cure is finding the courage to be herself.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Bake Shop Ghost
AUTHOR: Jacqueline K. Ogburn
YEAR: 2005
All three of us loved this book about a cranky but very talented old baker who passes away and comes back to haunt her old bake shop, frightening away most prospective replacements until the right one comes along. Highly Recommended!
TITLE: The Bake Shop Ghost
AUTHOR: Jacqueline K. Ogburn
YEAR: 2005
All three of us loved this book about a cranky but very talented old baker who passes away and comes back to haunt her old bake shop, frightening away most prospective replacements until the right one comes along. Highly Recommended!
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Bedtime is Cancelled
AUTHOR: Cece Meng
YEAR: 2012
A rumor started by a couple of kids that bedtime is cancelled is picked up by the local paper, and the grown-ups in town are beside themselves with exhaustion in this funny and enjoyable book.
TITLE: Bedtime is Cancelled
AUTHOR: Cece Meng
YEAR: 2012
A rumor started by a couple of kids that bedtime is cancelled is picked up by the local paper, and the grown-ups in town are beside themselves with exhaustion in this funny and enjoyable book.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book
AUTHOR: Alexander Stadler
YEAR: 2005
In this, our favorite of the Beverly Billingsly books, Beverly gets her first library card, takes out her first book, and accidentally keeps it past its due date. Her classmates terrify her with rumors of huge fines and jail time, but the librarian ultimately sets her straight.
TITLE: Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book
AUTHOR: Alexander Stadler
YEAR: 2005
In this, our favorite of the Beverly Billingsly books, Beverly gets her first library card, takes out her first book, and accidentally keeps it past its due date. Her classmates terrify her with rumors of huge fines and jail time, but the librarian ultimately sets her straight.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Big Red Lollipop
AUTHOR: Rukhsana Khan
YEAR: 2010
The kids thought this one was just OK, but I nearly cried when the big sister, forced to bring her middle sister to a friend's birthday party because her foreign mom does not yet understand American kids' customs, selflessly helps spare her middle sister the same fate. Instead of opting for easy revenge, this quiet heroine chooses compassion. I love it!
TITLE: Big Red Lollipop
AUTHOR: Rukhsana Khan
YEAR: 2010
The kids thought this one was just OK, but I nearly cried when the big sister, forced to bring her middle sister to a friend's birthday party because her foreign mom does not yet understand American kids' customs, selflessly helps spare her middle sister the same fate. Instead of opting for easy revenge, this quiet heroine chooses compassion. I love it!
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Book that Eats People
AUTHOR: John Perry and Mark Fearing
YEAR: 2009
Open this book if you dare, but be warned -- it eats people! Original and hilarious (and maybe a tiny bit scary for younger kids).
TITLE: The Book that Eats People
AUTHOR: John Perry and Mark Fearing
YEAR: 2009
Open this book if you dare, but be warned -- it eats people! Original and hilarious (and maybe a tiny bit scary for younger kids).
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Brave Irene
AUTHOR: William Steig
YEAR: 1986
If there is one children's book writer who can really weave a great yarn, it is William Steig. One of the things I like most about his stories is that there is no dumbing down either of the language he uses or the ideas he tackles. I think the effect is to give his young readers a sense of the respect he has for their ability to understand and enjoy his work. In Brave Irene he tells the story of a determined girl's battle with nature on her quest to deliver a dress that her sick mother sewed for a duchess. Highly Recommended!
TITLE: Brave Irene
AUTHOR: William Steig
YEAR: 1986
If there is one children's book writer who can really weave a great yarn, it is William Steig. One of the things I like most about his stories is that there is no dumbing down either of the language he uses or the ideas he tackles. I think the effect is to give his young readers a sense of the respect he has for their ability to understand and enjoy his work. In Brave Irene he tells the story of a determined girl's battle with nature on her quest to deliver a dress that her sick mother sewed for a duchess. Highly Recommended!
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Brontorina
AUTHOR: James Howe
YEAR: 2010
In this sweet book about inclusiveness and fitting in, a determined dinosaur named Brontorina wants to be a ballerina but finds she is too big to attend dance class, and as one unkind student keeps reminding her, there are no ballet slippers big enough for her dinosaur feet. Both obstacles are overcome when the teacher moves the dance studio outdoors and another student's mom makes Brontorina shoes.
TITLE: Brontorina
AUTHOR: James Howe
YEAR: 2010
In this sweet book about inclusiveness and fitting in, a determined dinosaur named Brontorina wants to be a ballerina but finds she is too big to attend dance class, and as one unkind student keeps reminding her, there are no ballet slippers big enough for her dinosaur feet. Both obstacles are overcome when the teacher moves the dance studio outdoors and another student's mom makes Brontorina shoes.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Cecil the Pet Glacier
AUTHOR: Matthea Harvey
YEAR: 2012
They say if you put a monkey in front of a keyboard and give it the rest of eternity to tap away at the keys, it eventually will type every story from the Odyssey to Huckleberry Finn. But I don't think it would type this one, about a young girl whose parents are into topiary and tiara making, and who has three identical dolls -- all named Jennifer, and a pet glacier. Original to the point of kookiness.
TITLE: Cecil the Pet Glacier
AUTHOR: Matthea Harvey
YEAR: 2012
They say if you put a monkey in front of a keyboard and give it the rest of eternity to tap away at the keys, it eventually will type every story from the Odyssey to Huckleberry Finn. But I don't think it would type this one, about a young girl whose parents are into topiary and tiara making, and who has three identical dolls -- all named Jennifer, and a pet glacier. Original to the point of kookiness.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: The Chicken of the Family
AUTHOR: Mary Amato
YEAR: 2008
In this adorable book, two older sisters tease their younger sister by telling her she is really a chicken, and even though the gullible younger sister falls for it, she has the last laugh because she finds she actually likes being a chicken.
TITLE: The Chicken of the Family
AUTHOR: Mary Amato
YEAR: 2008
In this adorable book, two older sisters tease their younger sister by telling her she is really a chicken, and even though the gullible younger sister falls for it, she has the last laugh because she finds she actually likes being a chicken.
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Down Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: The Chicken Thief
AUTHOR: Beatrice Rodriguez
YEAR: 2010
In this wordless book, the pictures tell the story of a fox that kidnaps a chicken. The chicken's friends give chase, and when they finally catch up, it turns out that the chicken wants to stay with the fox. The publisher touts it as a "twist" or "surprise ending," but it seems to me more like a bizarre paean to Stockholm syndrome.
TITLE: The Chicken Thief
AUTHOR: Beatrice Rodriguez
YEAR: 2010
In this wordless book, the pictures tell the story of a fox that kidnaps a chicken. The chicken's friends give chase, and when they finally catch up, it turns out that the chicken wants to stay with the fox. The publisher touts it as a "twist" or "surprise ending," but it seems to me more like a bizarre paean to Stockholm syndrome.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Children Make Terrible Pets
AUTHOR: Peter Brown
YEAR: 2010
A young bear named Lucy brings home a stray boy she finds and begs her mom to let her keep him as a pet. But she soon learns how difficult it can be to care for the funny little critter. A very cute book that we all enjoyed.
TITLE: Children Make Terrible Pets
AUTHOR: Peter Brown
YEAR: 2010
A young bear named Lucy brings home a stray boy she finds and begs her mom to let her keep him as a pet. But she soon learns how difficult it can be to care for the funny little critter. A very cute book that we all enjoyed.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Christmas Farm
AUTHOR: Mary Lyn and Barry Root
YEAR: 2008
A woman enlists the aid of her 5 year old neighbor to start a tree farm and spends the next several years watching both the boy and the trees grow. Nice warm, New Englandy pictures.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Clever Jack Takes the Cake
AUTHOR: Candace Fleming
YEAR: 2010
This is a great book about a poor boy who gets invited to a princess' birthday party but cannot afford a gift. He sells everything he has to buy ingredients for a cake. He has many adventures on his way to the party that result in his arrival without the cake but with a great tale to tell (which turns out to be a much better gift than the cake). Highly recommended!
TITLE: Clever Jack Takes the Cake
AUTHOR: Candace Fleming
YEAR: 2010
This is a great book about a poor boy who gets invited to a princess' birthday party but cannot afford a gift. He sells everything he has to buy ingredients for a cake. He has many adventures on his way to the party that result in his arrival without the cake but with a great tale to tell (which turns out to be a much better gift than the cake). Highly recommended!
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Cloud Spinner
AUTHOR: Michael Catchpool
YEAR: 2012
The Cloud Spinner is a very pleasant, kind of quirky story about the pitfalls of greed. A little boy weaves the clouds into fabric from which he makes himself a small scarf. When the king sees the fine garment, he demands that whole wardrobes be made for the royal family (leaving the sky without clouds and the people without rain). In the end it is the the princess who sees the evils of her father's greedy ways and saves the day.
TITLE: The Cloud Spinner
AUTHOR: Michael Catchpool
YEAR: 2012
The Cloud Spinner is a very pleasant, kind of quirky story about the pitfalls of greed. A little boy weaves the clouds into fabric from which he makes himself a small scarf. When the king sees the fine garment, he demands that whole wardrobes be made for the royal family (leaving the sky without clouds and the people without rain). In the end it is the the princess who sees the evils of her father's greedy ways and saves the day.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Creepy Carrots
AUTHOR: Aaron Reynolds
YEAR: 2012
Creepy Carrots tells the story of a rabbit with a habit of taking carrots from a field, until he starts being followed by giant, menacing-looking carrots. I think we are supposed to think it is his conscience (his parents are never able to see them) reflecting his guilt for something --being greedy? stealing? -- I'm not really sure. He puts an end to the haunting by building a big fence around the carrot field, making it impossible for him to get at the carrots, which we see was the carrots' plan all along. With "creepy" black and white and orange illustrations.
TITLE: Creepy Carrots
AUTHOR: Aaron Reynolds
YEAR: 2012
Creepy Carrots tells the story of a rabbit with a habit of taking carrots from a field, until he starts being followed by giant, menacing-looking carrots. I think we are supposed to think it is his conscience (his parents are never able to see them) reflecting his guilt for something --being greedy? stealing? -- I'm not really sure. He puts an end to the haunting by building a big fence around the carrot field, making it impossible for him to get at the carrots, which we see was the carrots' plan all along. With "creepy" black and white and orange illustrations.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Daddy Mountain
AUTHOR: Jules Feiffer
YEAR: 2004
Kids have a million and one uses for their parents (for example, mine have used me as a seat cushion, a napkin, a trash repository, a ride-on toy and a step ladder). This book follows the progress of a girl who uses her dad as a mountain, as she climbs and summits him. A big hit with the kids!
TITLE: The Daddy Mountain
AUTHOR: Jules Feiffer
YEAR: 2004
Kids have a million and one uses for their parents (for example, mine have used me as a seat cushion, a napkin, a trash repository, a ride-on toy and a step ladder). This book follows the progress of a girl who uses her dad as a mountain, as she climbs and summits him. A big hit with the kids!
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Day the Crayons Quit
AUTHOR: Drew Daywalt
YEAR: 2013
This very amusing new book is written as a series of letters from a boy's crayons, each of which goes on strike for a different reason (e.g., the favorite blue is overused and needs a rest, the neglected pink is tired of being picked up only by the little sister for princesses, etc.).
TITLE: The Day the Crayons Quit
AUTHOR: Drew Daywalt
YEAR: 2013
This very amusing new book is written as a series of letters from a boy's crayons, each of which goes on strike for a different reason (e.g., the favorite blue is overused and needs a rest, the neglected pink is tired of being picked up only by the little sister for princesses, etc.).
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Dirty Joe the Pirate
AUTHOR: Bill Harley
YEAR: 2008
Dirty Joe and his shipmates roam the seas stealing dirty socks from the crews of other boats. He meets his match when he comes upon Stinky Annie, whose all female band of pirates roam the seas stealing underwear from the crews of other boats. Annie captures Joe and discovers that he is her long lost little brother. We think this might spare him the fate of having to hand over his undies, but alas, it does not. The moral of the story is something about big sisters being bossy.
TITLE: Dirty Joe the Pirate
AUTHOR: Bill Harley
YEAR: 2008
Dirty Joe and his shipmates roam the seas stealing dirty socks from the crews of other boats. He meets his match when he comes upon Stinky Annie, whose all female band of pirates roam the seas stealing underwear from the crews of other boats. Annie captures Joe and discovers that he is her long lost little brother. We think this might spare him the fate of having to hand over his undies, but alas, it does not. The moral of the story is something about big sisters being bossy.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Dot
AUTHOR: Peter Reynolds
YEAR: 2003
A nice book for kids for whom the perfect is the enemy of the good, the Dot follows the budding art career of a little girl who starts out thinking she has no artistic talent. Another good choice by Peter Reynolds with a similar theme is "ISH," (2004).
TITLE: The Dot
AUTHOR: Peter Reynolds
YEAR: 2003
A nice book for kids for whom the perfect is the enemy of the good, the Dot follows the budding art career of a little girl who starts out thinking she has no artistic talent. Another good choice by Peter Reynolds with a similar theme is "ISH," (2004).
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Duck
AUTHOR: Randy Cecil
YEAR: 2008
This is a book about a carousel duck that wants nothing more than to be able to fly. One has to wonder why the wooden creature can walk and talk and interact with a little duck it meets (who ultimately grows up and takes it for a ride), yet cannot fly. But this will be neither the first nor the last picture book to sacrifice logical consistency for the sake of a cute story.
TITLE: Duck
AUTHOR: Randy Cecil
YEAR: 2008
This is a book about a carousel duck that wants nothing more than to be able to fly. One has to wonder why the wooden creature can walk and talk and interact with a little duck it meets (who ultimately grows up and takes it for a ride), yet cannot fly. But this will be neither the first nor the last picture book to sacrifice logical consistency for the sake of a cute story.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
AUTHOR: Mo Willems
YEAR: 2006
Mo Willems is one of our very favorite children's book authors. We even went to see him read in person at the Eric Carle Museum (See the Photo Gallery for pics). And Edwina is among the best of his books. Poor Reginald Von Hoobie Doobie tries to convince everyone that dinosaurs, including Edwina, are extinct, but no one will listen to him... except Edwina.
TITLE: Edwina, The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct
AUTHOR: Mo Willems
YEAR: 2006
Mo Willems is one of our very favorite children's book authors. We even went to see him read in person at the Eric Carle Museum (See the Photo Gallery for pics). And Edwina is among the best of his books. Poor Reginald Von Hoobie Doobie tries to convince everyone that dinosaurs, including Edwina, are extinct, but no one will listen to him... except Edwina.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Elizabeti's Doll
AUTHOR: Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
YEAR: 1998
This is a sweet tale about the power of imagination in which a young African girl who cannot afford a doll christens a rock "Eva" and feeds it, bathes it, burps it and cares for it. This will resonate with parents whose kids, like mine, have way too many shiny, expensive toys and spend more time playing with the styrofoam packaging than the toys themselves.
TITLE: Elizabeti's Doll
AUTHOR: Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
YEAR: 1998
This is a sweet tale about the power of imagination in which a young African girl who cannot afford a doll christens a rock "Eva" and feeds it, bathes it, burps it and cares for it. This will resonate with parents whose kids, like mine, have way too many shiny, expensive toys and spend more time playing with the styrofoam packaging than the toys themselves.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Enemy Pie
AUTHOR: Derek Munson
YEAR: 2000
In this fun book a boy's dad plots to help him get rid of his worst enemy by making him enemy pie and inviting him to come over to eat it. The plan "backfires" and the boy's worst enemy becomes his best friend.
TITLE: Enemy Pie
AUTHOR: Derek Munson
YEAR: 2000
In this fun book a boy's dad plots to help him get rid of his worst enemy by making him enemy pie and inviting him to come over to eat it. The plan "backfires" and the boy's worst enemy becomes his best friend.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Ernest, the Moose Who Doesn't Fit
AUTHOR: Catherine Rayner
YEAR: 2009
A giant moose named Ernest tries desperately to fit within the four corners of this book, but he is too big. With the help of a chipmunk pal, he solves his problem by stitching together a bigger page (yes, the book has one page that is bigger than the others). A fun choice for younger kids.
TITLE: Ernest, the Moose Who Doesn't Fit
AUTHOR: Catherine Rayner
YEAR: 2009
A giant moose named Ernest tries desperately to fit within the four corners of this book, but he is too big. With the help of a chipmunk pal, he solves his problem by stitching together a bigger page (yes, the book has one page that is bigger than the others). A fun choice for younger kids.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Exclamation Mark
AUTHOR: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
YEAR: 2013
This is a very cute story about an exclamation point who envies the period its calm, authoritative voice until it meets the question mark, which assaults it with questions until the exclamation point can't take it anymore and has to, well, exclaim! Once it realizes its own power, there is no stopping it. Recommended.
TITLE: Exclamation Mark
AUTHOR: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
YEAR: 2013
This is a very cute story about an exclamation point who envies the period its calm, authoritative voice until it meets the question mark, which assaults it with questions until the exclamation point can't take it anymore and has to, well, exclaim! Once it realizes its own power, there is no stopping it. Recommended.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Extra Yarn
AUTHOR: Mac Barnett
YEAR: 2012
Extra Yarn is an engaging story about a girl whose bottomless box of yarn provides the only color in a gray town. The yarn only runs out when the box is stolen. The book's attractive illustrations earned it a Caldecott Honor.
TITLE: Extra Yarn
AUTHOR: Mac Barnett
YEAR: 2012
Extra Yarn is an engaging story about a girl whose bottomless box of yarn provides the only color in a gray town. The yarn only runs out when the box is stolen. The book's attractive illustrations earned it a Caldecott Honor.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Fancy Nancy
AUTHOR: Jane O'Connor
YEAR: 2005
Like our Julia, Fancy Nancy wears colorful, ruffly, elaborate outfits, loves all things feminine and glittery, and has to put up with plain Jane parents. Unlike Julia, Fancy Nancy likes to use lots of big words, which she always politely defines for her readers. This is the original, but there are dozens of other Fancy Nancy books, most of which are cute and fun (though the vocabulary lessons get a bit old). Our two favorites are Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet (mermaids,ballerinas and sparkly pictures in one book, a Julia trifecta), and Fancy Nancy's Splendiferous Christmas.
TITLE: Fancy Nancy
AUTHOR: Jane O'Connor
YEAR: 2005
Like our Julia, Fancy Nancy wears colorful, ruffly, elaborate outfits, loves all things feminine and glittery, and has to put up with plain Jane parents. Unlike Julia, Fancy Nancy likes to use lots of big words, which she always politely defines for her readers. This is the original, but there are dozens of other Fancy Nancy books, most of which are cute and fun (though the vocabulary lessons get a bit old). Our two favorites are Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet (mermaids,ballerinas and sparkly pictures in one book, a Julia trifecta), and Fancy Nancy's Splendiferous Christmas.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: A Fine, Fine School
AUTHOR: Sharon Creech
YEAR: 2001
A principal is so pleased with the fine, fine students, and fine, fine teachers at his fine, fine school that he decides there will be school on the weekends, and on holidays, and in the summer too. He is so excited about all the learning taking place that no one has the heart to dissuade him, until little Tillie tells him about all the things she is not learning by being cooped up in school all the time, like how to climb a tree, etc.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: The First Drawing
AUTHOR: Mordicai Gerstein
YEAR: 2013
Author Mordicai Gerstein imagines that the first drawing ever was done by a cave child with a good imagination. A cute story with nice, richly colored illustrations.
TITLE: The First Drawing
AUTHOR: Mordicai Gerstein
YEAR: 2013
Author Mordicai Gerstein imagines that the first drawing ever was done by a cave child with a good imagination. A cute story with nice, richly colored illustrations.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Flat Stanley
AUTHOR: Jeff Brown
YEAR: 2005
Flat Stanley is a fun book about the adventures of a boy whose bulletin board falls on him one morning causing him to be only an inch thick. I must have read it to Nicholas and Julia 500 times -- they never seem to tire of it. There is a whole series of Flat Stanley chapter books as well (not sure which came first), so kids can move up a level while keeping a familiar face around.
TITLE: Flat Stanley
AUTHOR: Jeff Brown
YEAR: 2005
Flat Stanley is a fun book about the adventures of a boy whose bulletin board falls on him one morning causing him to be only an inch thick. I must have read it to Nicholas and Julia 500 times -- they never seem to tire of it. There is a whole series of Flat Stanley chapter books as well (not sure which came first), so kids can move up a level while keeping a familiar face around.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Gabriella's Song
AUTHOR: Candace Fleming
YEAR: 2001
Another great book by Candace Fleming, Gabriella's Song is about a girl who lives in Venice and unwittingly initiates the creation of a great symphony based on the sounds she hears in her home city. Parents tend to love this one, while kids think it is just OK.
TITLE: Gabriella's Song
AUTHOR: Candace Fleming
YEAR: 2001
Another great book by Candace Fleming, Gabriella's Song is about a girl who lives in Venice and unwittingly initiates the creation of a great symphony based on the sounds she hears in her home city. Parents tend to love this one, while kids think it is just OK.
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Good Enough to Eat
AUTHOR: Brock Cole
YEAR: 2007
The critics (the real ones) seem to really like this book about a town that offers a poor orphan girl to a menacing ogre to keep him from "ravaging" them all. But I had a strong negative reaction to the violence, the dark themes, and especially the cruelty of the townspeople toward the girl. I know there is a lot of this kind of thing in fairy tales and children's books in general, but something about this one seemed particularly distasteful and disturbing. The kids didn't mind it, but I would not recommend it.
TITLE: Good Enough to Eat
AUTHOR: Brock Cole
YEAR: 2007
The critics (the real ones) seem to really like this book about a town that offers a poor orphan girl to a menacing ogre to keep him from "ravaging" them all. But I had a strong negative reaction to the violence, the dark themes, and especially the cruelty of the townspeople toward the girl. I know there is a lot of this kind of thing in fairy tales and children's books in general, but something about this one seemed particularly distasteful and disturbing. The kids didn't mind it, but I would not recommend it.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Grandpa's Overalls
AUTHOR: Tony Crunk
YEAR: 2001
This is a story about a pair of overalls that gets up and runs off on its own. No explanation or motivation is provided, but grandma's nightgown joins the overalls at the end. Amusing, but weird.
TITLE: Grandpa's Overalls
AUTHOR: Tony Crunk
YEAR: 2001
This is a story about a pair of overalls that gets up and runs off on its own. No explanation or motivation is provided, but grandma's nightgown joins the overalls at the end. Amusing, but weird.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Green Eggs and Ham
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
YEAR: 1960
The fourth best-selling children's book of all time, this is the original "try-it-you-might-like-it" book, and we all like it!
TITLE: Green Eggs and Ham
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
YEAR: 1960
The fourth best-selling children's book of all time, this is the original "try-it-you-might-like-it" book, and we all like it!
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School
AUTHOR: Laurie Halse Anderson
YEAR: 2009
There must be 100 picture books out there about kids with out-of-control hair. Indeed, as Nicholas's mom, I could well write my own! This one features Zoe Fleefenbacher's formidable tresses, which cause havoc in her first grade classroom until she finds a way to put them to good use.
TITLE: The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School
AUTHOR: Laurie Halse Anderson
YEAR: 2009
There must be 100 picture books out there about kids with out-of-control hair. Indeed, as Nicholas's mom, I could well write my own! This one features Zoe Fleefenbacher's formidable tresses, which cause havoc in her first grade classroom until she finds a way to put them to good use.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Hurricane Henrietta
AUTHOR: Lindsay Lee Johnson
YEAR: 1998
Another crazy hair book, this one focuses on little Henrietta's big hair and her refusal to get it cut. Interestingly, unlike Zoe Fleefenbacher (see above), Henrietta capitulates and ends up with short hair. I think I prefer the outcome in Zoe's case -- she learns to harness the power of her unruly but unique feature rather than eliminating it to be like everyone else. (I have kept these two next to each other even though they are not alphabetically consecutive for the sake of making the comparison, and because I like the way the pictures of all that hair look near each other!)
TITLE: Hurricane Henrietta
AUTHOR: Lindsay Lee Johnson
YEAR: 1998
Another crazy hair book, this one focuses on little Henrietta's big hair and her refusal to get it cut. Interestingly, unlike Zoe Fleefenbacher (see above), Henrietta capitulates and ends up with short hair. I think I prefer the outcome in Zoe's case -- she learns to harness the power of her unruly but unique feature rather than eliminating it to be like everyone else. (I have kept these two next to each other even though they are not alphabetically consecutive for the sake of making the comparison, and because I like the way the pictures of all that hair look near each other!)
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Horton Hatches the Egg
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
YEAR: 1940
There are so many great Dr. Seuss books that we are only reviewing our top favorites here. Horton, an elephant with buckets of integrity, takes on the improbable task of keeping a bird's egg warm while the irresponsible bird mother-to-be jaunts off to relax and enjoy herself. No matter how difficult the egg warming becomes, Horton sticks to the job -- "I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant is faithful one hundred percent." When the hard work is done and the baby bird hatches, the mother bird wants to reclaim it, but the lesson is that you don't get the reward if you don't do the work, and the baby comes out as a bird-a-phant, loyal to Horton, and justice prevails!
TITLE: Horton Hatches the Egg
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
YEAR: 1940
There are so many great Dr. Seuss books that we are only reviewing our top favorites here. Horton, an elephant with buckets of integrity, takes on the improbable task of keeping a bird's egg warm while the irresponsible bird mother-to-be jaunts off to relax and enjoy herself. No matter how difficult the egg warming becomes, Horton sticks to the job -- "I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant is faithful one hundred percent." When the hard work is done and the baby bird hatches, the mother bird wants to reclaim it, but the lesson is that you don't get the reward if you don't do the work, and the baby comes out as a bird-a-phant, loyal to Horton, and justice prevails!
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Horton Hears a Who
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
YEAR: 1954
Another great Horton story, this one has our favorite elephant standing firm in his efforts to protect the little guys, even when he is ridiculed and punished for it. Go Horton!
TITLE: Horton Hears a Who
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
YEAR: 1954
Another great Horton story, this one has our favorite elephant standing firm in his efforts to protect the little guys, even when he is ridiculed and punished for it. Go Horton!
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
YEAR: 1957
Everyone's favorite Christmas villain learns that Christmas is not about the shiny decorations and material gifts from all the Whos down in Whoville, including my (and Julia's) personal favorite, the adorable little Cindy Lou Who.
TITLE: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
YEAR: 1957
Everyone's favorite Christmas villain learns that Christmas is not about the shiny decorations and material gifts from all the Whos down in Whoville, including my (and Julia's) personal favorite, the adorable little Cindy Lou Who.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: I Ain't Gonna Paint No More
AUTHOR: Karen Beaumont
YEAR: 2005
This rhythmic, rhyming book about a kid who ends up painting his whole body while promising to stop painting is so much fun that its (intentionally) horrendous grammar is fully forgiven.
TITLE: I Ain't Gonna Paint No More
AUTHOR: Karen Beaumont
YEAR: 2005
This rhythmic, rhyming book about a kid who ends up painting his whole body while promising to stop painting is so much fun that its (intentionally) horrendous grammar is fully forgiven.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: I'm Not Invited?
AUTHOR: Diana Cain Bluthenal
YEAR: 2003
This is one of the many picture books featuring children who are not invited (or believe they are not invited) to a party. In this one Minnie really isn't invited to the party she believes her friend Charles is having, but it turns out the party is for his older sister.
TITLE: I'm Not Invited?
AUTHOR: Diana Cain Bluthenal
YEAR: 2003
This is one of the many picture books featuring children who are not invited (or believe they are not invited) to a party. In this one Minnie really isn't invited to the party she believes her friend Charles is having, but it turns out the party is for his older sister.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: In the Night Kitchen
AUTHOR: Maurice Sendak
YEAR: 1970
A classic book by the author of "Where the Wild Things Are" about a boy who falls from his bed and lands in the "night kitchen," which is his kitchen counter transformed into a little city, where he is mistaken by bakers for milk as they mix him into their cake batter and try to bake him. I'm pretty sure it is all meant to be a dream, but it is weird city nonetheless!
TITLE: In the Night Kitchen
AUTHOR: Maurice Sendak
YEAR: 1970
A classic book by the author of "Where the Wild Things Are" about a boy who falls from his bed and lands in the "night kitchen," which is his kitchen counter transformed into a little city, where he is mistaken by bakers for milk as they mix him into their cake batter and try to bake him. I'm pretty sure it is all meant to be a dream, but it is weird city nonetheless!
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: It Feels Like Snow
AUTHOR: Nancy Cote
YEAR: 2003
In this story an elderly woman with a Cassandra complex can predict snow coming by the various aches and pains she feels, but no one believes her until it is too late, and she is the only one prepared for the storms.
TITLE: It Feels Like Snow
AUTHOR: Nancy Cote
YEAR: 2003
In this story an elderly woman with a Cassandra complex can predict snow coming by the various aches and pains she feels, but no one believes her until it is too late, and she is the only one prepared for the storms.
Mom: Thumbs down Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Kate and the Beanstalk
AUTHOR: Mary Pope Osborn
YEAR: 2005
This is another version of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairytale by the author of the Magic Tree House series. There is nothing particularly special about this version (other than the replacement of Jack with a girl). And I don't like the way Kate mistreats the much put-upon giantess, and at the end does her the "favor" of allowing her to become the servant. Not the best lesson in kindness/morality.
TITLE: Kate and the Beanstalk
AUTHOR: Mary Pope Osborn
YEAR: 2005
This is another version of the Jack and the Beanstalk fairytale by the author of the Magic Tree House series. There is nothing particularly special about this version (other than the replacement of Jack with a girl). And I don't like the way Kate mistreats the much put-upon giantess, and at the end does her the "favor" of allowing her to become the servant. Not the best lesson in kindness/morality.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Kirby Kelvin and the Not Laughing Lessons
AUTHOR: Ivon Cecil
YEAR: 1998
Poor Kirby Kelvin gets the giggles in class and gets sent to grumpy old Mr. Gloomsmith to learn how to stay serious. But Kirby turns the tables and has Mr. Gloomsmith laughing for the first time in years. Unfortunately, the thing that has them both in stitches is imagining the crabby female teacher riding a motorcycle in her black skirt, ruffled blouse and high heels. It comes across as a bit offensive, but also pretty funny when in the end she actually rides off on a motorcycle in her black skirt, ruffled blouse and high heels.
TITLE: Kirby Kelvin and the Not Laughing Lessons
AUTHOR: Ivon Cecil
YEAR: 1998
Poor Kirby Kelvin gets the giggles in class and gets sent to grumpy old Mr. Gloomsmith to learn how to stay serious. But Kirby turns the tables and has Mr. Gloomsmith laughing for the first time in years. Unfortunately, the thing that has them both in stitches is imagining the crabby female teacher riding a motorcycle in her black skirt, ruffled blouse and high heels. It comes across as a bit offensive, but also pretty funny when in the end she actually rides off on a motorcycle in her black skirt, ruffled blouse and high heels.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Knuffle Bunny; Knuffle Bunny Too; Knuffle Bunny Free
AUTHOR: Mo Willems
YEAR: 2004; 2007; 2010
We all love the great Mo Willem's Knuffle Bunny trilogy. The stories follow Trixie from her infant/toddler days, when she has a giant meltdown because she leaves her favorite stuffed bunny at the laundromat, to her preschool years, when she clashes with a classmate who has the same bunny, to grade school when she finally is ready to give up the bunny. Parents will sympathize with Trixie's poor dad, who bears the brunt of all the drama around the bunny, enduring Trixie's tantrums, meltdowns, midnight demands, and my favorite - "going boneless". The cool illustrations feature handsome photographs of Brooklyn and Amsterdam with cartoon characters overlaid.
TITLE: Knuffle Bunny; Knuffle Bunny Too; Knuffle Bunny Free
AUTHOR: Mo Willems
YEAR: 2004; 2007; 2010
We all love the great Mo Willem's Knuffle Bunny trilogy. The stories follow Trixie from her infant/toddler days, when she has a giant meltdown because she leaves her favorite stuffed bunny at the laundromat, to her preschool years, when she clashes with a classmate who has the same bunny, to grade school when she finally is ready to give up the bunny. Parents will sympathize with Trixie's poor dad, who bears the brunt of all the drama around the bunny, enduring Trixie's tantrums, meltdowns, midnight demands, and my favorite - "going boneless". The cool illustrations feature handsome photographs of Brooklyn and Amsterdam with cartoon characters overlaid.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Ladybug Girl
AUTHOR: Jacky Davis and David Soman
YEAR: 2008
Lulu's big brother won't play with her, so she must make her own fun. After a slow start (standing amidst 90 million toys, games, art supplies, etc. and declaring that "there is nothing to do"), she enjoys an active and exciting imagination-fueled afternoon by herself.
TITLE: Ladybug Girl
AUTHOR: Jacky Davis and David Soman
YEAR: 2008
Lulu's big brother won't play with her, so she must make her own fun. After a slow start (standing amidst 90 million toys, games, art supplies, etc. and declaring that "there is nothing to do"), she enjoys an active and exciting imagination-fueled afternoon by herself.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Lily's Purple Plastic Purse
AUTHOR: Kevin Henkes
YEAR: 2006
I love pretty much everything by Kevin Henkes. In this one, a little mouse named Lily gets a new purple plastic purse and some shiny stuff to put inside it, and has trouble refraining from showing it to her classmates at inappropriate times. Her teacher, Mr. Slinger, metes out discipline with a cool hand.
TITLE: Lily's Purple Plastic Purse
AUTHOR: Kevin Henkes
YEAR: 2006
I love pretty much everything by Kevin Henkes. In this one, a little mouse named Lily gets a new purple plastic purse and some shiny stuff to put inside it, and has trouble refraining from showing it to her classmates at inappropriate times. Her teacher, Mr. Slinger, metes out discipline with a cool hand.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Lissy's Friends
AUTHOR: Grace Lin
YEAR: 2007
In this engaging book, the excellent children's author, Grace Lin, tells the story of Lissy, who uses her origami skills to "make" friends -- first out of paper, and then real ones.
TITLE: Lissy's Friends
AUTHOR: Grace Lin
YEAR: 2007
In this engaging book, the excellent children's author, Grace Lin, tells the story of Lissy, who uses her origami skills to "make" friends -- first out of paper, and then real ones.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Madrechillona
AUTHOR: Jutta Bauer
YEAR: 2001
I have included this book even though it is written in Spanish (I have not seen an English translation, but perhaps one is available) because I am so fond of it. It features a mother penguin who yells so loudly at her chick that the chick basically explodes --pieces of him flying off in all directions. After helping collect the pieces and put them back together, the mother gives the chick a quiet "sorry." One can imagine that the mother of two young children might find something to identify with here.
TITLE: Madrechillona
AUTHOR: Jutta Bauer
YEAR: 2001
I have included this book even though it is written in Spanish (I have not seen an English translation, but perhaps one is available) because I am so fond of it. It features a mother penguin who yells so loudly at her chick that the chick basically explodes --pieces of him flying off in all directions. After helping collect the pieces and put them back together, the mother gives the chick a quiet "sorry." One can imagine that the mother of two young children might find something to identify with here.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Melvin and the Boy
AUTHOR: Lauren Castillo
YEAR: 2011
In this sweet story, a little boy really wants a pet but his parents are not up for anything that is too demanding. They agree to let him take a turtle home from the park, but it is not long before the boy realizes that the turtle is not happy away from his turtle friends, and the boy bravely decides to return him to the park.
TITLE: Melvin and the Boy
AUTHOR: Lauren Castillo
YEAR: 2011
In this sweet story, a little boy really wants a pet but his parents are not up for anything that is too demanding. They agree to let him take a turtle home from the park, but it is not long before the boy realizes that the turtle is not happy away from his turtle friends, and the boy bravely decides to return him to the park.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't)
AUTHOR: Barbara Bottner
YEAR: 2010
There are countless children's books that take on the task of encouraging kids to love reading. This one does so in a slightly less heavy-handed manner than most. A little girl doesn't realize how much fun reading can be until, with the help of her teacher, she finds the kind of books that interest her. (OK, maybe it is as heavy-handed as the rest!)
TITLE: Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't)
AUTHOR: Barbara Bottner
YEAR: 2010
There are countless children's books that take on the task of encouraging kids to love reading. This one does so in a slightly less heavy-handed manner than most. A little girl doesn't realize how much fun reading can be until, with the help of her teacher, she finds the kind of books that interest her. (OK, maybe it is as heavy-handed as the rest!)
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Miss Lina's Ballerinas
AUTHOR: Grace Maccarone
YEAR: 2010
There is no shortage of picture books about ballerinas out there (much to Julia's delight), but this is among the better ones. Miss Lina's eight ballerinas usually dance in two lines of four, until a new girl comes along throwing the whole class into disarray. The ballerinas, Christina, Edwina, Sabrina, Justina, Katrina, Bettina, Marina and Nina figure out that they can accommodate the addition of Regina by dancing in three rows of three (and readers learn a little math to boot). Written in catchy rhymes reminiscent of the classic picture book, "Madeline."
TITLE: Miss Lina's Ballerinas
AUTHOR: Grace Maccarone
YEAR: 2010
There is no shortage of picture books about ballerinas out there (much to Julia's delight), but this is among the better ones. Miss Lina's eight ballerinas usually dance in two lines of four, until a new girl comes along throwing the whole class into disarray. The ballerinas, Christina, Edwina, Sabrina, Justina, Katrina, Bettina, Marina and Nina figure out that they can accommodate the addition of Regina by dancing in three rows of three (and readers learn a little math to boot). Written in catchy rhymes reminiscent of the classic picture book, "Madeline."
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Miss Rumphius
AUTHOR: Barbara Cooney
YEAR: 1982
Miss Rumphius tells the oddly compelling story of a girl who aims to travel the world, live by the sea and make the world more beautiful when she grows up. She does all three, the last by planting lupines all along the coast. This book is the winner of several awards, including the Caldecott for its lovely pictures.
TITLE: Miss Rumphius
AUTHOR: Barbara Cooney
YEAR: 1982
Miss Rumphius tells the oddly compelling story of a girl who aims to travel the world, live by the sea and make the world more beautiful when she grows up. She does all three, the last by planting lupines all along the coast. This book is the winner of several awards, including the Caldecott for its lovely pictures.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Molly Goes Shopping
AUTHOR: Eva Eriksson
YEAR: 2003
One thing I love about this book is watching kids react to the fact that the story's protagonist, a little piglet named Molly, tells a fib to her grandmother after she botches her first solo shopping trip. Having forgotten what she was supposed to buy, Molly comes home with a bag of potatoes and says the shopkeeper made her buy it. Nicholas, Julia and their cousin, Oliver (6), all seemed to be both tickled and amazed at Molly's willingness to look her grandmother in the eye and tell her a bald-faced lie. But then Grandma rushes out to give the shopkeeper a piece of her mind, and Molly must tell the truth when she returns.
TITLE: Molly Goes Shopping
AUTHOR: Eva Eriksson
YEAR: 2003
One thing I love about this book is watching kids react to the fact that the story's protagonist, a little piglet named Molly, tells a fib to her grandmother after she botches her first solo shopping trip. Having forgotten what she was supposed to buy, Molly comes home with a bag of potatoes and says the shopkeeper made her buy it. Nicholas, Julia and their cousin, Oliver (6), all seemed to be both tickled and amazed at Molly's willingness to look her grandmother in the eye and tell her a bald-faced lie. But then Grandma rushes out to give the shopkeeper a piece of her mind, and Molly must tell the truth when she returns.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: The Monster Who at My Peas
AUTHOR: Danny Schnitzlein
YEAR: 2010
There are many children's books about picky eaters, but this is one of my favorites. A boy negotiates nightly deals with a hideous monster who will eat his peas in exchange for items that are increasingly dear to the boy (first his soccer ball, then his bike, etc.). When the monster demands his dog (!), the boy draws the line, and ends up eating (and liking) his own peas. In addition to the old "try it -- you might like it" lesson, this book also cautions kids to consider the consequences of taking the seemingly easy way out. The story is written in rhymes, but not tortured or forced ones (like so many picture books).
TITLE: The Monster Who at My Peas
AUTHOR: Danny Schnitzlein
YEAR: 2010
There are many children's books about picky eaters, but this is one of my favorites. A boy negotiates nightly deals with a hideous monster who will eat his peas in exchange for items that are increasingly dear to the boy (first his soccer ball, then his bike, etc.). When the monster demands his dog (!), the boy draws the line, and ends up eating (and liking) his own peas. In addition to the old "try it -- you might like it" lesson, this book also cautions kids to consider the consequences of taking the seemingly easy way out. The story is written in rhymes, but not tortured or forced ones (like so many picture books).
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: More Pies!
AUTHOR: Robert Munsch
YEAR: 2002
If you happen to know any very small people with very LARGE appetites, you will recognize this book's hungry little protagonists who are still "staaaarving" after their first 12 lunches. Hilarious!
TITLE: More Pies!
AUTHOR: Robert Munsch
YEAR: 2002
If you happen to know any very small people with very LARGE appetites, you will recognize this book's hungry little protagonists who are still "staaaarving" after their first 12 lunches. Hilarious!
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Down Julia: Thumbs Down
TITLE: Mrs. Goodstory
AUTHOR: Joy Cowley
YEAR: 2001
This is a weird and disjointed book about... I'm not sure what. The language is hokey, the storyline non-existent and the illustrations creepy. I suppose if you take out 25 picture books a week from the library as we do, it is inevitable that you will end up with few losers here and there. This is one of them.
TITLE: Mrs. Goodstory
AUTHOR: Joy Cowley
YEAR: 2001
This is a weird and disjointed book about... I'm not sure what. The language is hokey, the storyline non-existent and the illustrations creepy. I suppose if you take out 25 picture books a week from the library as we do, it is inevitable that you will end up with few losers here and there. This is one of them.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Neville
AUTHOR: Norton Juster
YEAR: 2011
This is a unanimous pick about a boy who moves to a new neighborhood and ends up making friends by walking down the street calling out his own name until every kid in town wants to know more about who this "Neville" is. Highly recommended!
TITLE: Neville
AUTHOR: Norton Juster
YEAR: 2011
This is a unanimous pick about a boy who moves to a new neighborhood and ends up making friends by walking down the street calling out his own name until every kid in town wants to know more about who this "Neville" is. Highly recommended!
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Down Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Nutmeg
AUTHOR: David Lucas
YEAR: 2005
This is a peculiar book about a girl who lives in a strangely cluttered house with her oddly named uncle and cousin, and eats cardboard, string and sawdust for every meal. She finds a bottle containing a genie who grants her three wishes. She wishes for something else to eat, and gets a magic spoon that creates and cooks food, but also stirs up her house and the land and sea and stars and deposits her in a boat that comes ashore to find a table set with more new food. And that's it. It leaves you turning the last page saying, "huh?"
TITLE: Nutmeg
AUTHOR: David Lucas
YEAR: 2005
This is a peculiar book about a girl who lives in a strangely cluttered house with her oddly named uncle and cousin, and eats cardboard, string and sawdust for every meal. She finds a bottle containing a genie who grants her three wishes. She wishes for something else to eat, and gets a magic spoon that creates and cooks food, but also stirs up her house and the land and sea and stars and deposits her in a boat that comes ashore to find a table set with more new food. And that's it. It leaves you turning the last page saying, "huh?"
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Obstinate Pen
AUTHOR: Frank W. Dormer
YEAR: 2012
A pen with a mind of its own writes what it wants instead of what its user intends until it ends up in the right hands. And what it intends in most cases is to insult its user! Funny and original.
TITLE: The Obstinate Pen
AUTHOR: Frank W. Dormer
YEAR: 2012
A pen with a mind of its own writes what it wants instead of what its user intends until it ends up in the right hands. And what it intends in most cases is to insult its user! Funny and original.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Otis and Rae and the Grumbling Splunk
AUTHOR: Laura and Leo Espinosa
YEAR: 2008
This is a refreshingly original tale by a local couple (Newton, MA) featuring two friends, one brave, one less so, who go camping and encounter and befriend the grumbling splunk of campfire story legend.
TITLE: Otis and Rae and the Grumbling Splunk
AUTHOR: Laura and Leo Espinosa
YEAR: 2008
This is a refreshingly original tale by a local couple (Newton, MA) featuring two friends, one brave, one less so, who go camping and encounter and befriend the grumbling splunk of campfire story legend.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Otto Grows Down
AUTHOR: Micheal Sussman
YEAR: 2009
We all enjoyed this funny tale of a boy who wishes his baby sister had never been born and sets the clock ticking backwards until she is gone. The only trouble is, time keeps going backwards, and Otto is getting younger and younger!
TITLE: Otto Grows Down
AUTHOR: Micheal Sussman
YEAR: 2009
We all enjoyed this funny tale of a boy who wishes his baby sister had never been born and sets the clock ticking backwards until she is gone. The only trouble is, time keeps going backwards, and Otto is getting younger and younger!
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Owl Moon
AUTHOR: Jane Yolen
YEAR: 1987
Owl Moon is the Caldecott Award winner from 1987, and seems to be universally loved by kids, teachers and parents, but I have to admit to not quite getting what all the fuss is about. The pictures are pleasant (as noted elsewhere, I love anything with snow and woods), and the story is nice (a young girl finally gets her turn to go owl watching in the woods at night with her dad), but the hype seems a bit overblown.
TITLE: Owl Moon
AUTHOR: Jane Yolen
YEAR: 1987
Owl Moon is the Caldecott Award winner from 1987, and seems to be universally loved by kids, teachers and parents, but I have to admit to not quite getting what all the fuss is about. The pictures are pleasant (as noted elsewhere, I love anything with snow and woods), and the story is nice (a young girl finally gets her turn to go owl watching in the woods at night with her dad), but the hype seems a bit overblown.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Paper Bag Princess
AUTHOR: Robert Munsch
YEAR: 1992
I think of this one as the original anti-princess princess story. Princess Elizabeth saves Prince Ronald from the dragon and then decides not to marry him because instead of showing some gratitude, all he wants to know is why her hair is such a mess. As Elizabeth points out, that Ronald is a bum.
TITLE: The Paper Bag Princess
AUTHOR: Robert Munsch
YEAR: 1992
I think of this one as the original anti-princess princess story. Princess Elizabeth saves Prince Ronald from the dragon and then decides not to marry him because instead of showing some gratitude, all he wants to know is why her hair is such a mess. As Elizabeth points out, that Ronald is a bum.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Pencil
AUTHOR: Allan Ahlberg
YEAR: 2012
We all loved this story about a pencil that draws stuff, and the stuff complains about the way it is drawn. Then the pencil makes the mistake of drawing an eraser, from which it ends up running for its life!
TITLE: The Pencil
AUTHOR: Allan Ahlberg
YEAR: 2012
We all loved this story about a pencil that draws stuff, and the stuff complains about the way it is drawn. Then the pencil makes the mistake of drawing an eraser, from which it ends up running for its life!
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Down Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: A Perfect Day
AUTHOR: Carin Berger
YEAR: 2012
A Perfect Day is a short book of few words with nice pictures about a day spent playing in the snow. The artwork is done is as a collage using paper scraps with faint images of print, for an odd but pleasing effect.
TITLE: A Perfect Day
AUTHOR: Carin Berger
YEAR: 2012
A Perfect Day is a short book of few words with nice pictures about a day spent playing in the snow. The artwork is done is as a collage using paper scraps with faint images of print, for an odd but pleasing effect.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Pete the Cat -- I Love My White Shoes
AUTHOR: Eric Litwin
YEAR: 1999
Pete is a cool cat who walks around town in his white shoes stepping in all kinds of stuff that turns them different colors, but does he mind? "Goodness No." He keeps walking along and singing his song, and it's all "groovy." The kids and I love Pete and his whole hippie-from-the-'60s vibe. If you are interested in hearing Pete's song (so you know how the tune goes), search "Pete the Cat sing along" on You Tube.
TITLE: Pete the Cat -- I Love My White Shoes
AUTHOR: Eric Litwin
YEAR: 1999
Pete is a cool cat who walks around town in his white shoes stepping in all kinds of stuff that turns them different colors, but does he mind? "Goodness No." He keeps walking along and singing his song, and it's all "groovy." The kids and I love Pete and his whole hippie-from-the-'60s vibe. If you are interested in hearing Pete's song (so you know how the tune goes), search "Pete the Cat sing along" on You Tube.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Philharmonic Gets Dressed
AUTHOR: Karla Kuskin
YEAR: 1986
This fun book follows the preparations of the 105 members of an orchestra as they get ready for a Friday evening concert. They bathe and shave and put on all sorts of undergarments and over-garments. The kids think it's a hoot.
TITLE: The Philharmonic Gets Dressed
AUTHOR: Karla Kuskin
YEAR: 1986
This fun book follows the preparations of the 105 members of an orchestra as they get ready for a Friday evening concert. They bathe and shave and put on all sorts of undergarments and over-garments. The kids think it's a hoot.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Pinkalicious
AUTHOR: Victoria Kann
YEAR: 2006
For a long time this was Julia's favorite book. It is a good story about a girl who eats too many pink cupcakes and turns pink. There are several follow ups including Purplicious and Silverlicious, but the first one is the best (and probably the only one worth reading).
TITLE: Pinkalicious
AUTHOR: Victoria Kann
YEAR: 2006
For a long time this was Julia's favorite book. It is a good story about a girl who eats too many pink cupcakes and turns pink. There are several follow ups including Purplicious and Silverlicious, but the first one is the best (and probably the only one worth reading).
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Polar Express
AUTHOR: Chris Van Allsburg
YEAR: 1985
The Polar Express is among our favorite Christmas books. It is about kids who are awakened on Christmas Eve by a train that takes them on an adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa. The boy is given a bell from the reindeer's harness, and only those who believe can hear the beautiful sound it makes. The ending always makes me cry. The book is much better than the 2005 animated movie based on it.
TITLE: The Polar Express
AUTHOR: Chris Van Allsburg
YEAR: 1985
The Polar Express is among our favorite Christmas books. It is about kids who are awakened on Christmas Eve by a train that takes them on an adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa. The boy is given a bell from the reindeer's harness, and only those who believe can hear the beautiful sound it makes. The ending always makes me cry. The book is much better than the 2005 animated movie based on it.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Prince's New Pet
AUTHOR: Brian Anderson
YEAR: 2011
Nicholas liked this book so much he wanted to give it two thumbs up! It features a young prince living in a gray world because his dad banished all color from the kingdom when the queen died. When a cute and colorful "wooglefoof" parachutes in for the boy's birthday, he must keep it from the color-catcher. On the run, he finds the kingdom's painter imprisoned underground. The two battle the color-catcher and bring color back to the kingdom. The king marries the painter and all is well again. A strange book with lots of adventure and beautiful pictures.
TITLE: The Prince's New Pet
AUTHOR: Brian Anderson
YEAR: 2011
Nicholas liked this book so much he wanted to give it two thumbs up! It features a young prince living in a gray world because his dad banished all color from the kingdom when the queen died. When a cute and colorful "wooglefoof" parachutes in for the boy's birthday, he must keep it from the color-catcher. On the run, he finds the kingdom's painter imprisoned underground. The two battle the color-catcher and bring color back to the kingdom. The king marries the painter and all is well again. A strange book with lots of adventure and beautiful pictures.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Princess Gown
AUTHOR: Linda Leopold Strauss
YEAR: 2008
This is the story of a little girl who comes from a family of tailors vying to be embroiderers to the princess. When they discover a stain on the gown they plan to enter into the competition, grandma comes up with a creative way to cover it up.
TITLE: The Princess Gown
AUTHOR: Linda Leopold Strauss
YEAR: 2008
This is the story of a little girl who comes from a family of tailors vying to be embroiderers to the princess. When they discover a stain on the gown they plan to enter into the competition, grandma comes up with a creative way to cover it up.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Princess Hyacinth, the Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated
AUTHOR: Florence Parry Heidi
YEAR: 2009
The whole family loved this book about a light-as-a-feather princess who has to be weighted down with heavy clothing and jewels to keep from floating away. Wonderfully original and fun.
TITLE: Princess Hyacinth, the Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated
AUTHOR: Florence Parry Heidi
YEAR: 2009
The whole family loved this book about a light-as-a-feather princess who has to be weighted down with heavy clothing and jewels to keep from floating away. Wonderfully original and fun.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Prudence Wants a Pet
AUTHOR: Cathleen Daly
YEAR: 2011
This is a very funny book about a girl whose parents will not allow her to get a real pet, so she tries adopting everything from a stick to her baby brother as a pet. It made all three of us laugh out loud!
TITLE: Prudence Wants a Pet
AUTHOR: Cathleen Daly
YEAR: 2011
This is a very funny book about a girl whose parents will not allow her to get a real pet, so she tries adopting everything from a stick to her baby brother as a pet. It made all three of us laugh out loud!
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Samantha on a Roll
AUTHOR: Linda Ashman
YEAR: 2011
This is a fun book, written in fluid rhymes and illustrated with pleasant pictures, about a girl who decides not to wait for her busy mom's help to try out her new skates. Adventures ensue!
TITLE: Samantha on a Roll
AUTHOR: Linda Ashman
YEAR: 2011
This is a fun book, written in fluid rhymes and illustrated with pleasant pictures, about a girl who decides not to wait for her busy mom's help to try out her new skates. Adventures ensue!
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Seven Chinese Sisters
AUTHOR: Kathy Tucker
YEAR: 2003
This is the girl version of the classic Seven Chinese Brothers. Like the original, each sibling has a special power that comes in handy in saving one of their own. Illustrated by the prolific children's book writer, Grace Lin.
TITLE: The Seven Chinese Sisters
AUTHOR: Kathy Tucker
YEAR: 2003
This is the girl version of the classic Seven Chinese Brothers. Like the original, each sibling has a special power that comes in handy in saving one of their own. Illustrated by the prolific children's book writer, Grace Lin.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Shrinking Sam
AUTHOR: Miriam Latimer
YEAR: 2010
The more Sam feels like he is being ignored by friends and family, the smaller he gets, until he is so tiny that he falls down the drain while taking a bath in the sink. There he meets a new friend --a girl who also shrinks when she needs attention-- who guides him back home where he regains the attention of his family, and his regular size. A fun choice from Barefoot Books.
TITLE: Shrinking Sam
AUTHOR: Miriam Latimer
YEAR: 2010
The more Sam feels like he is being ignored by friends and family, the smaller he gets, until he is so tiny that he falls down the drain while taking a bath in the sink. There he meets a new friend --a girl who also shrinks when she needs attention-- who guides him back home where he regains the attention of his family, and his regular size. A fun choice from Barefoot Books.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Skippyjon Jones
AUTHOR: Judy Schachner
YEAR: 2003
Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat with an excellent imagination. He imagines he is a chihuahua named El Skippito in old Mexico who must fight the dreaded Bumblebeeto Bandito to save the other chihuahuas. It deservedly won the E.B. White Read Aloud Award for its "playful, well-paced language, engaging theme, and universal appeal to a wide range of ages." There are sequels, but none is anywhere near as good as the original.
TITLE: Skippyjon Jones
AUTHOR: Judy Schachner
YEAR: 2003
Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat with an excellent imagination. He imagines he is a chihuahua named El Skippito in old Mexico who must fight the dreaded Bumblebeeto Bandito to save the other chihuahuas. It deservedly won the E.B. White Read Aloud Award for its "playful, well-paced language, engaging theme, and universal appeal to a wide range of ages." There are sequels, but none is anywhere near as good as the original.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Sky Color
AUTHOR: Peter Reynolds
YEAR: 2012
Peter Reynolds does it again with this book about art and thinking outside the box. A girl is faced with having to paint the sky for a school mural without blue paint. The result, of course, is much more beautiful and interesting without the blue.
TITLE: Sky Color
AUTHOR: Peter Reynolds
YEAR: 2012
Peter Reynolds does it again with this book about art and thinking outside the box. A girl is faced with having to paint the sky for a school mural without blue paint. The result, of course, is much more beautiful and interesting without the blue.
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Down Julia: Thumbs Down
TITLE: Snowboard Twist
AUTHOR: Jean Craighead George
YEAR: 2004
A book about snowboarding and avalanches ought to be fun and exciting, but this one manages to be neither. It nearly put us all to sleep! Consider reading it as a bedtime story if you want to bore your child unconscious.
TITLE: Snowboard Twist
AUTHOR: Jean Craighead George
YEAR: 2004
A book about snowboarding and avalanches ought to be fun and exciting, but this one manages to be neither. It nearly put us all to sleep! Consider reading it as a bedtime story if you want to bore your child unconscious.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Sophie's Squash
AUTHOR: Pat Zeitlow Miller
YEAR: 2013
This is an awesome book about a girl who turns a butternut squash into a beloved doll/pet. Her parents' reaction is mixed -- they don't want her to suffer when the squash inevitably rots, but they did hope she would "love vegetables."
TITLE: Sophie's Squash
AUTHOR: Pat Zeitlow Miller
YEAR: 2013
This is an awesome book about a girl who turns a butternut squash into a beloved doll/pet. Her parents' reaction is mixed -- they don't want her to suffer when the squash inevitably rots, but they did hope she would "love vegetables."
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Space Boy
AUTHOR: Leo Landry
YEAR: 2007
We especially like this sweet book about a boy who takes a trip to the moon for a picnic when he can't sleep, because the boy's name is Nicholas. We are also quite fond of the part where the tomatoes float off of his sandwich due to the lack of gravity. A good choice for a bedtime story.
TITLE: Space Boy
AUTHOR: Leo Landry
YEAR: 2007
We especially like this sweet book about a boy who takes a trip to the moon for a picnic when he can't sleep, because the boy's name is Nicholas. We are also quite fond of the part where the tomatoes float off of his sandwich due to the lack of gravity. A good choice for a bedtime story.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Spoon
AUTHOR: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
YEAR: 2009
A spoon is jealous of how useful forks are, how fierce knives are, and how exotic chopsticks are, until his mother helps him understand how good he has it, getting to dive into a bowl of ice-cream, bathe in cups of hot tea, etc.
TITLE: Spoon
AUTHOR: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
YEAR: 2009
A spoon is jealous of how useful forks are, how fierce knives are, and how exotic chopsticks are, until his mother helps him understand how good he has it, getting to dive into a bowl of ice-cream, bathe in cups of hot tea, etc.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Stega Nona
AUTHOR: Tomie dePaola
YEAR: 1975
Strega Nona, or Grandma Witch, is the prolific Tomie dePaola's most popular book, and a fun way to demonstrate to kids the importance of obeying instructions. Strega Nona hires Big Anthony to help her out around the house, and he is amazed by her magic pasta pot, which can produce endless amounts of pasta. When Strega Nona leaves town for a few days, she tells Big Anthony not to touch the pasta pot. He promptly disobeys, and not knowing how to make the pot stop, nearly floods the entire town in pasta. His punishment is that he has to eat all of the pasta!
TITLE: Stega Nona
AUTHOR: Tomie dePaola
YEAR: 1975
Strega Nona, or Grandma Witch, is the prolific Tomie dePaola's most popular book, and a fun way to demonstrate to kids the importance of obeying instructions. Strega Nona hires Big Anthony to help her out around the house, and he is amazed by her magic pasta pot, which can produce endless amounts of pasta. When Strega Nona leaves town for a few days, she tells Big Anthony not to touch the pasta pot. He promptly disobeys, and not knowing how to make the pot stop, nearly floods the entire town in pasta. His punishment is that he has to eat all of the pasta!
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Stuck
AUTHOR: Oliver Jeffers
YEAR: 2011
Oliver Jeffers always makes us laugh, and this book about a boy who gets his kite stuck in a tree is one of his funniest. In an attempt to free the kite, the boy tosses a bunch of other stuff up there --from a pair of sneakers to a his neighbor's house-- all of which also gets stuck. The best part is when he gets a ladder to finally sort the situation out, and then instead of leaning it on the tree and climbing it, he throws it up and it gets stuck with everything else! The kids and I all laughed out loud.
TITLE: Stuck
AUTHOR: Oliver Jeffers
YEAR: 2011
Oliver Jeffers always makes us laugh, and this book about a boy who gets his kite stuck in a tree is one of his funniest. In an attempt to free the kite, the boy tosses a bunch of other stuff up there --from a pair of sneakers to a his neighbor's house-- all of which also gets stuck. The best part is when he gets a ladder to finally sort the situation out, and then instead of leaning it on the tree and climbing it, he throws it up and it gets stuck with everything else! The kids and I all laughed out loud.
Mom: Thumbs Down Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Stranger in the Woods
AUTHOR: Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick
YEAR: 2000
This book, billed as a "photographic fantasy" lists the many awards it has won on the inside cover. I am assuming these were all based on the photographs (which are indeed beautiful) because the story is awkwardly worded and not that interesting. It features a bunch of animals gossiping about strangers in the snowy woods, who turn out to be a little boy and girl building a snowman.
TITLE: Stranger in the Woods
AUTHOR: Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick
YEAR: 2000
This book, billed as a "photographic fantasy" lists the many awards it has won on the inside cover. I am assuming these were all based on the photographs (which are indeed beautiful) because the story is awkwardly worded and not that interesting. It features a bunch of animals gossiping about strangers in the snowy woods, who turn out to be a little boy and girl building a snowman.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
AUTHOR: William Steig
YEAR: 1987
This is one of my favorite William Steig books, though in typical Steig fashion, it is heavy on the serious and dramatic themes. Sylvester is a donkey who finds a magic pebble and accidentally turns himself into a rock, leaving his poor parents to come to terms with his disappearance. It is something of a tear-jerker, but don't worry, it has a happy ending!
TITLE: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
AUTHOR: William Steig
YEAR: 1987
This is one of my favorite William Steig books, though in typical Steig fashion, it is heavy on the serious and dramatic themes. Sylvester is a donkey who finds a magic pebble and accidentally turns himself into a rock, leaving his poor parents to come to terms with his disappearance. It is something of a tear-jerker, but don't worry, it has a happy ending!
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: Tar Beach
AUTHOR: Faith Ringgold
YEAR: 1996
The illustrations in Tar Beach are gorgeous (they come from a story quilt of the same name by Ringgold). The story, about a poor girl who uses the power of imagination to lift off from her Harlem rooftop, fly over New York, and own everything she sees, is punctuated by serious moments dealing with heavy themes (dad being called names and denied union membership because of his race, mom spending her days crying in bed) that may be a bit much for some among the picture book set.
TITLE: Tar Beach
AUTHOR: Faith Ringgold
YEAR: 1996
The illustrations in Tar Beach are gorgeous (they come from a story quilt of the same name by Ringgold). The story, about a poor girl who uses the power of imagination to lift off from her Harlem rooftop, fly over New York, and own everything she sees, is punctuated by serious moments dealing with heavy themes (dad being called names and denied union membership because of his race, mom spending her days crying in bed) that may be a bit much for some among the picture book set.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: This is Not My Hat
AUTHOR: Jon Klassen
YEAR: 2012
This 2012 Caldecott winner is a big crowd-pleaser. A small, over-confident fish confesses to stealing a little hat from a big sleeping fish, as he swims from page to page trying to justify the theft ("it was too small for him anyway") and thinking he has gotten away with it. Meanwhile, the reader sees the big fish hot on his trail, and when the two disappear into a tangle of seaweed, only the big one emerges, wearing the hat. This had the kids in stitches.
TITLE: This is Not My Hat
AUTHOR: Jon Klassen
YEAR: 2012
This 2012 Caldecott winner is a big crowd-pleaser. A small, over-confident fish confesses to stealing a little hat from a big sleeping fish, as he swims from page to page trying to justify the theft ("it was too small for him anyway") and thinking he has gotten away with it. Meanwhile, the reader sees the big fish hot on his trail, and when the two disappear into a tangle of seaweed, only the big one emerges, wearing the hat. This had the kids in stitches.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Middle
TITLE: This Plus That, Life's Little Equations
AUTHOR: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
YEAR: 2011
Presents little equations like "smile + wave = hello," etc. Nice illustrations. Mildly amusing but it gets a bit dull after the first half dozen.
TITLE: This Plus That, Life's Little Equations
AUTHOR: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
YEAR: 2011
Presents little equations like "smile + wave = hello," etc. Nice illustrations. Mildly amusing but it gets a bit dull after the first half dozen.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Those Darn Squirrels
AUTHOR: Adam Rubin
YEAR: 2008
If you've ever had a bird feeder, you will empathize with poor Old Man Fookwire's struggle to keep the squirrels away from the bird food. But even if you haven't, you're likely to be amused by the epic lengths he goes to, and the squirrels' ability to outsmart him every time. Although the story sounds straightforward enough, the book includes a series of random, quirky touches (like Old Man Fookwire's drowning his sorrows in cottage cheese with pepper, and the squirrels giving him a gift of stacks of coins).
TITLE: Those Darn Squirrels
AUTHOR: Adam Rubin
YEAR: 2008
If you've ever had a bird feeder, you will empathize with poor Old Man Fookwire's struggle to keep the squirrels away from the bird food. But even if you haven't, you're likely to be amused by the epic lengths he goes to, and the squirrels' ability to outsmart him every time. Although the story sounds straightforward enough, the book includes a series of random, quirky touches (like Old Man Fookwire's drowning his sorrows in cottage cheese with pepper, and the squirrels giving him a gift of stacks of coins).
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Very Inappropriate Word
AUTHOR: Jim Tobin
YEAR: 2013
Michael loves words and is always looking for new ones. One day he stumbles upon a very inappropriate one, and teaches it to everyone in school. His punishment is to find lots of new words (appropriate ones) for spelling tests. Nicholas was particularly tickled by this one (can't think why).
TITLE: The Very Inappropriate Word
AUTHOR: Jim Tobin
YEAR: 2013
Michael loves words and is always looking for new ones. One day he stumbles upon a very inappropriate one, and teaches it to everyone in school. His punishment is to find lots of new words (appropriate ones) for spelling tests. Nicholas was particularly tickled by this one (can't think why).
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Watch Your Tongue Cecily Beasley
AUTHOR: Lane Fredrickson
YEAR: 2012
Cecily Beasley is pretty awful to people until one day, when she is sticking her tongue out at someone, some birds land on it and build a nest. She learns her lesson after enduring weeks with her tongue hanging out waiting for the birds' eggs to hatch, only to have the chicks treat her the way she has been treating others.
TITLE: Watch Your Tongue Cecily Beasley
AUTHOR: Lane Fredrickson
YEAR: 2012
Cecily Beasley is pretty awful to people until one day, when she is sticking her tongue out at someone, some birds land on it and build a nest. She learns her lesson after enduring weeks with her tongue hanging out waiting for the birds' eggs to hatch, only to have the chicks treat her the way she has been treating others.
Mom: Thumbs Up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: When Dinosaurs Came With Everything
AUTHOR: Elise Broach
YEAR: 2007
As a boy and his mom do their errands, they learn that it is a special day --- a day when everyone is giving away free dinosaurs (instead of an extra doughnut at the bake shop, instead of stickers at the doctor's office, etc.). The boy is thrilled and his mom is horrified as they acquire a collection of dinosaurs, until the mom discovers that they might actually be handy to have around the house.
TITLE: When Dinosaurs Came With Everything
AUTHOR: Elise Broach
YEAR: 2007
As a boy and his mom do their errands, they learn that it is a special day --- a day when everyone is giving away free dinosaurs (instead of an extra doughnut at the bake shop, instead of stickers at the doctor's office, etc.). The boy is thrilled and his mom is horrified as they acquire a collection of dinosaurs, until the mom discovers that they might actually be handy to have around the house.
Mom: Thumbs up Nicholas: Thumbs Up Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: Wild About Books
AUTHOR: Judy Sierra
YEAR: 2004
Judy Sierra has written some of my favorite lines in all of children's literature, like the following from this cute book about a librarian who drives her bookmobile into the zoo one day and inspires a love of reading in all of the animals: "Raccoons read alone and baboons read in bunches. And llamas read dramas while eating their lunches." Sierra's style is reminiscent of Dr. Suess's.
TITLE: Wild About Books
AUTHOR: Judy Sierra
YEAR: 2004
Judy Sierra has written some of my favorite lines in all of children's literature, like the following from this cute book about a librarian who drives her bookmobile into the zoo one day and inspires a love of reading in all of the animals: "Raccoons read alone and baboons read in bunches. And llamas read dramas while eating their lunches." Sierra's style is reminiscent of Dr. Suess's.
Mom: Thumbs Middle Nicholas: Thumbs Middle Julia: Thumbs Up
TITLE: The Witch's Children
AUTHOR: Ursula Jones
YEAR: 2003
The witch's children head to the park and cause all sorts of havoc with powers that are not yet fully developed. The youngest saves the day by using the special trick of screaming for mommy to come and fix everything!
TITLE: The Witch's Children
AUTHOR: Ursula Jones
YEAR: 2003
The witch's children head to the park and cause all sorts of havoc with powers that are not yet fully developed. The youngest saves the day by using the special trick of screaming for mommy to come and fix everything!