This is a cute book for preschoolers about two monkeys named Cheeky and Chee. You will love this rhyming story of two monkeys at play while trying to stay out of trouble. Oh no! Something is prowling about! Little monkeys need to watch out!
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
In the book Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer, each spread consists of a page of poems next to an illustrated page. Both the words and the pictures are sort of mirror images of each other (hence, the title of this book), and both are creatively done. Each pair of poems contains exactly the same lines, but the second one is the reverse of the first. My favorite is “Bears in the News” which shows the three bears discovering Goldilocks in their bed– from both the bears’ and Goldilocks’ points of view. It’s so simple, yet so brilliant!
Book reviewed by Erin E., Youth Programming Coordinator
Biblioburro by Jeanette Winter is a true story from Colombia that tells us the story of Luis. Luis, in company with his burros Alfa y Beto, travels around the country to bring the opportunity for everyone to read. From crossing hills and streams, Luis gets to his destiny to bring books and stories for the kids. Enjoy this colorful and interesting book.
Book Reviewed by Helgi M., Patron Assistant South Branch
Beauty and the Squat Bears by Emile Bravo is a hilarious graphic novel story book mash-up of just about every prince and princess fairy tale you can think of—all with a smart, modern twist. The squat bears just want to find a prince that can get rid of the weird princess that has barged in on their little cottage. One squat bear goes on the mission, and ends up with not one, but three rowdy princes. Unfortunately, the princes end up pushing the fairy godmother too far and things get ugly. Fractured fairy tale fans of all ages will love this very funny story.
Can dogs learn how to read? In How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills Rocket, a lovable dog, happens upon a tree that little bird has chosen for her school. Since Rocket is sleeping under the sign that says, “Class Starts Today,” the little bird figures he is there to learn how to read. Rocket is not interested in the least until the bird starts to read him a story, and he can’t wait to hear how it ends. Read this book and find out if Rocket learns to read!
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
Easy as Pie by Cari Best. Wearing his chef’s hat and apron and remembering tips from his favorite television cooking show, Jacob makes a fresh peach pie for his parents’ anniversary. But the family has anniversary dinner reservations! Will there be time for the pie to cool so they can eat it before they have to leave? Jacob tries to find a way that is “easy as pie” so the family can leave happy and on time!
Book reviewed by Jan P., Preschool/Childcare Liason
When a mom and her son went to the bakery to buy donuts, they saw a sign that read, “Buy a Dozen Get a Dinosaur!” Mom thought they meant a toy, until the bakery lady came out with a real triceratops! In When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach, the same thing happened when they went to the doctor’s office for a checkup and to the barber shop. Mom wasn’t very happy to have 3 real dinosaurs following them home! But something happened that made mom realize that having them around was not so bad. The last picture in the book will really surprise you!
Book reviewed by Mary Lou H., Youth Services Assistant
The Mud Fairy by Amy Young. Did you ever want to be a fairy? Well it’s not as easy as you might think. Little Emmalina loved playing in the swamp with the frogs instead of doing something important like opening a flower to get her wings. She felt like she wasn’t good at anything until she snuck off to the swamp to help the frogs with their new tadpoles. Would this help her earn her wings?
Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant
The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers is the perfect example of a moving picture book that adults will love as much kids. A young girl enjoys exploring new things, dreaming about the world, and spending time with her grandfather, until one day when she finds “an empty chair.” She becomes very sad, so she puts her heart in a bottle to protect it. As time passes, she can’t remember how to get her heart back out of the bottle. This incredibly beautiful story works on so many levels. I could read it over and over again.
Book reviewed by Erin E. Youth Services Programming Coordinator
Do you like cats? Do you like going to school? If you do, then you should read Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton. Splat is nervous about his first day of school. He is not sure he will like it. He makes lots of friends and learns stuff from his teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple. He even teaches his class something new! If you want to find out what Splat teaches his class, get this book!
Book reviewed by Anne W., Youth Services Assistant
