Tag Archives: picture book

No Room for a Pup! by Elizabeth Suneby

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Mia really wants a puppy! But, her mom doesn’t feel like there is room in their small apartment in a big city. Mia’s grandma lives down the hall with her parrot, Roger and Mia goes there every morning for breakfast. In the elevator one morning, they read a sign about puppies that need homes. Mia hatches a plan and grandma mobilizes her friends. The next morning, grandma and Roger show up at the door and grandma says they have to stay (her apartment is being painted). Then, Mia brings home the class rabbit for the night and neighbors drop off their pets. The next morning, grandma’s book club friends and their pets drop by Mia’s apartment. It is absolute chaos! Mia’s mom is overwhelmed. When they all leave, Mia’s mom remarks that the apartment doesn’t feel so small anymore. That’s when Mia brings out Spot, the puppy she chose from the neighbor’s litter. And, mom agrees that there is room for one small puppy. The final page shows that puppy all grown up into a very large, much-loved Great Dane!

This story is a modern twist on a Yiddish folktale about gratitude for what one has. Illustrations are watercolor and picture a diverse set of characters, both human and animal. This is a fun story for any pet-loving child.

The Little Book of Big What-Ifs by Renata Liwska

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What if? That is the question on each page of this sweet book. A series of scenarios, some silly and small, others really big and thought provoking, provide wonderful jumping points for discussion. Illustrated in pencil with softly rendered animals in various settings.

Read aloud to students “What if you swallowed a seed?” and you will get all sorts of answers. Read “What if we find one thing in common?” and begin to build awareness that we really aren’t that different. This lovely little book has the potential to invoke thoughtful, meaningful discussion and possible change. All of that in 32 pages.

Louis by Tom Lichtenheld

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Have you ever thought about how your favorite stuffed animal feels about being squeezed around the neck? Squashed while you slept on him? Matted with food dripped on her? This story explores a boy’s unending, unforgiving, and maybe at times, suffocating love for his best stuffed bear, Louis. Louis has plans to run far away from this life as he has been stuck with needles (sewn back together), thrown into hurricanes (washed in the washing machine), and stranded places (accidentally forgotten on a bus). Will he succeed in running away or will he give in to being needed and loved?

This is a fun story with perfect, simple illustrations that are necessary to the story. Louis is a great tool for teaching point of view and would be a great addition to a library collection. Points of note: book cover is different than the jacket; Tom Lichentenheld’s real stuffed bear is photographed in the author bio at the back jacket flap; illustrations by Julie Rowan-Zoch.

Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan

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Carol Olivia Clementine lives with Mama Rose and not her parents, who live far away. Although, she misses her parents, she knows she is loved and cared for by Mama Rose. The story progresses through two birthdays with Mama Rose as she and Carol Olivia Clementine go through their days like any other family. Mama Rose combs her and reminds her to do her chores and eat her peas. And, Carol Olivia Clementine refers to Mama Rose as her “home”.

The illustrations are colorful and convey the tender relationship between the two. Both characters are African American. Endpapers show “photos” of Carol Olivia Clementine and Mama Rose as well as photos of her with a man and woman (her birth parents?).

This is a lovely story of a nontraditional family. We don’t know why Carol Olivia Clementine’s parents aren’t with her. We also don’t know if Mama Rose is a foster or adoptive parent or even an elder relative. But, we do know that Carol Olivia Clementine and Mama Rose care for each other very much and that is what matters the most.

This book is perfect to read to students during a family unit or Mother’s Day. It might be relevant to share the author’s end note, which describes her own family as the driving force behind this story. This is a welcome addition in a time when many students live in a nontraditional, non-nuclear family. Highly recommended.

A Day So Gray

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Two little girls look out the window at the snow. One sees only gray. But, as they walk outside, her friend shows her the blues, browns and silvers. They move about, one seeing only a single dull color and the other revealing the beauty of all the colors around it. The story ends with the girls in front of a cozy fire with their blanket and cat, drinking brown (white and grey) cocoa together.

Illustrations are beautifully rendered, with crisply drawn elements on soft background tones. The two friends’ attitudes are clear in their stances. One girl sees only single, drab colors as she stands with arms crossed or a frown. Her friend smiles as she notices all the other colors around them.

This is a story that serves to remind us that there is more than what we first notice. It could be colors or the positive around us. We just have to see them! Highly recommended.

Cowie

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Cowie, the donkey, loved everything about cows (hence, his name). He really wanted to be a cow and tried everything, from chewing cud to “oom-ing”. Whoops, he couldn’t be a cow! He couldn’t say “Moo”! His dear friends, Mousie and Duckie, tried to help him turn his “moo” around and, somehow, do so. After a brief celebration, Cowie (now adorned with his beautiful cowbell) spends the rest of days in contentment.

While the story is a bit silly, the illustrations of pencil and watercolor make up for it. The animals are sweetly portrayed and there’s even a cute little chick that pops in on occasion. Additional purchase.

The Perfect Pet

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Ana and Andrew are great kids and their parents have noticed. So, Mama and Papa announce that the siblings can choose a pet to take care of together. They research and narrow it down to three, finally choosing a hamster. Ana and Andrew find the perfect hamster, a golden one that loves to run on his wheel. Now, the fun part comes – what to name their new pet? They decide to name him after someone who runs super fast. Their parents tell them about a famous Black track athlete, Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals in track at the 1936 Olympics. They describe how important his achievement was at a time when people thought skin color made some people better than others. But, Jesse Owens showed that skin color didn’t determine a person’s abilities. Right then and there, Ana and Andrew knew that their hamster would be named Mr. Jesse. And, it was perfect!

At 32 pages, this easy reader chapter book is a great bridge between picture books and more traditional chapter books. Glossy pages and color illustrations are more picture book-like. The characters are diverse. This book is part of the Ana & Andrew series, which introduces an aspect of African American history and culture in each book. Recommended.

The Bear Must Go on

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Bear and his friends (Squirrel, Other Squirrel and Rabbit) work together to prepare a really big show for their forest friends. This includes a sparkly curtain, tiny hats for birds and shiny tickets. Bear keeps meticulous notes as the self-appointed “note taker”, because he does not want to perform (he’s nervous). Frenzied preparations ensue and bear takes lots of notes. The big night arrives and all the forest creatures are waiting in the audience. There’s one problem, though. They forgot to write a show! Oh, no!!!

Luckily, Bear comes through and mentions that he has a song that he created. They beg him to perform and he finally agrees. The forest creatures love it! The show is a success! Thanks goodness for Bear.

The story moves along at a quick pace, helped along by the illustrations, some in comic panel-like sequences. Colors are bright and energetic and Bear’s notes are front and center a few times, which help with the busyness of the story. Bear’s nervousness is acknowledged and his bravery in going up to the stage to sing is noted. Maybe, this story will encourage some human friends to work together and put on a show! Recommended.

The Piano Recital

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Momo is nervously awaiting her turn on stage at her first piano recital. As she repeats to herself “I’ll be ok”, she looks down and sees a small mouse saying the same words. The mouse tells Momo that she has a recital as well and invites her new friend to come watch. Momo follows the mouse to a wonderful concert hall filled with an audience of attentive mice and an incredible array of performers. There are mouse magicians, dancers, singers and an orchestra. They fill the concert hall with color and excitement. Finally, it is the mouse’s turn to perform and Momo offers to accompany her on the piano. They finish the piece and as Momo stands to take a bow, she looks out and realizes that she has just performed at her own recital!

What a beautiful book that is filled with imagination! Momo expresses the nervousness that many children feel at some point in their lives and that nervousness is alleviated in a sweet, magical way. Charcoal and pencil illustrations with a hint of color in the right places are a beautiful accompaniment to a sweet story. Recommended.

Good Guys, Bad Guys

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A pair of siblings that seem so different start their day – one grouchy and messy, the other happy and squeaky clean. They play with their respective groups, the “good guys’ and “bad guys”, throughout a day filled with imagination and fun. Near the end of the day, their paths converge and they retreat to their respective homes, tired and happy. The siblings wave goodbye to their friends and head to bed, agreeing to switch places tomorrow for a new day of fun and imagination.

This book is brimming with joy and play as a wonderful mixture of kids use their imagination to make the day so fun. Characters are diverse and the play is full of action and dramatic play. Colors are vivid and there is movement in the illustrations that enhances the short, rhyming text. Young readers will see themselves in the story. Or, at the very least, glean some awesome ideas for their own playtime! Recommended.