All The World

Liz Garton Scanlon (2009), 40 pages

Illustrated by Marla Frazee

Audience: All ages

Format: picture book

A recent 2009 release and Caldecott honoree, Scanlon’s All the World reflects multiculturalism in a subtle, but effective way. Scanlon's repetitive prose “all the world ...has got its sky ... all the world ... goes round this way ... all the world ... is you and me" and Frazee’s watercolors echo the book’s universal message of family with charm and personality. Children will enjoy the detailed illustrations and the juxtaposition of simple portraits against sweeping, panoramic landscapes. A feel-good book that will appeal to children and families of all backgrounds! The traditional folksong "We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands" works well as a precursor or addendum to storytime:

We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got our mamas and our papas in our hands.
We've got our mamas and our papas in our hands.
We've got our mamas and our papas in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got our brothers and our sisters in our hands.
We've got our brothers and our sisters in our hands.
We've got our brothers and our sisters in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got the little bitty baby in our hands
We've got the little bitty baby in our hands
We've got the little bitty baby in our hands
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got our aunts and our uncles in our hands.
We've got our aunts and our uncles in our hands.
We've got our aunts and our uncles in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got our grandmas and our grandpas in our hands.
We've got our grandmas and our grandpas in our hands.
We've got our grandmas and our grandpas in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got the earth and the water in our hands.
We've got the mountains and the valleys in our hands.
We've got the oceans and the rivers in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.
We've got the whole world in our hands.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Whoever You Are by Mem Fox

Other books by this author: A Sock is a Pocket for Your Toes and Noodle & Lou

Red Sled

Patricia Thomas (2008), 32 pages

Illustrated by Chris L. Demarest

Audience: toddlers

Format: picture book

“Red sled. Sad lad. Sad dad. Fat hat. Knit mitt.“… So begins the story of a family going sledding. Short staccato sentences form the basis of this book allowing children and parent an opportunity to sound out syllables and gain phonemic-awareness. The author used “rhyming pairs –one single, two doubles, and three triples pivoting on one single rhymed word pair before descending in reserve order” (Thomas, 2008). Take a cue from this book and build your own poetry ... choose a favorite activity (swimming) or subject (baseball) and create your own storyline using two worded rhymes. For example, commemorating a day at the ballpark might include ... May day. Glad lad. Glad dad. Fat bat. Hit mitt. Won done. Or perhaps, a summer's day of swimming might produce, the following ...Cool pool. Calm mom. Daughter water. Sun fun.

These activities will help children learn new words, rhymes, practice sounding out syllables, and explore seasons. Red Sled is a celebration of winter days, so double up on your winter fun and read Winter is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer to further engage in a lively discussion of seasons.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: A Winter Day by Douglas Florian or Snow Day! by Barbara Joosse

Other books by this author: “Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” and “There are Rocks in My Socks!” Said the Ox to the Fox

Dr. Seuss’s ABC

Dr. Seuss (1963), 63 pages

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: board book

"BIG A, little a, what begins with A? Aunt Annie's alligator. A ... a .... a. BIG B, little b, what begins with B? Barber, baby, bubbles, and a bumblebee." This book is a great introduction to the alphabet, written almost entirely in alliterative words. Children are able to listen and gain letter awareness while being entertained by Seuss's wacky characters. A great introduction to the alphabet, even babies will enjoy the rhymes and children can practice making up their own amazing alphabet as they get older. Parents and educators can even download an iPhone eBook app for Dr Seuss’s ABCs!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Z was Zapped: A Play in Twenty-Six Acts by Chris Van Allsburg

Other books by this author: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, The Cat in the Hat, and Horton Hears a Who!

Orange Pear Apple Bear

Emily Gravett (2005), 32 pages

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: picture book

The ultimate rhyming book! Through clever wordplay and smart illustrations Gravett relates an entire narrative using just five words. Deceptively simple, this book features many educational aspects such as phonemic-blending, colors, shapes, and counting skills. Wordplay includes using words as nouns and adjectives; for example bear is shown eating a pear and later being pear-shaped; or an orange is pictured and then used to describe bear as orange-colored. Gravett repeats these elements throughout the book, infiltrating even the book's endpapers (apples, oranges, and pears line the pages) and copyright statement/publishing information which forms the shape of pear. With such attention to detail, its no wonder this book is a delight to young children! A wonderful introduction to shapes, colors, and rhymes; build a baby or toddler's vocabulary by using real fruit (apples, oranges, and pears) while reading the book.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Andy That’s My Name by Tomie dePaloa

Other books by this author: Meerkat Mail, The Rabbit Problem, Blue Chameleon, Monkey and Me, The Odd Egg, and Dogs

Mama, Do You Love Me?

Barbara Joosse (1991), 24 pages

Illustrated by Barbara Lavallee

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: board book

An age-old tale of children testing parental limits and finding that a mother’s love is unconditional –even in the Arctic. Inuit mother and daughter charmingly demonstrate love, imagination, fear, and acceptance as the story unfolds. Native arctic animals, like the raven, whale, and puffin along with Inuit terminology such as “mukluks” give way to a culture-rich narrative. In addition, the back of the book includes historical/geographic information and a glossary of traditional terms.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: I Love you the Purplest and Papa, Do You Love Me? by Barbara Joosse or Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Other books by this author: In the Night Garden, Nikolai, The Only Bear

The Napping House

Audrey Wood (1984), 30 pages

Illustrated by Don Wood

Audience: Babies, Toddlers

Format: book board

Follow the story of a sleeping household as they get a surprise wake-up call. Readers are slowly lured into a slumbering world of muted gray and rainy weather where “there is a house, a napping house, where everyone is sleeping.” As more characters climb aboard the bed, the morning light slowly fills the room until a “wakeful” flea disrupts the slumber party and the house bursts into bright sunshine and colorful pastels (a perfect opportunity to sing a verse of "You are my Sunshine"). Beautifully written and illustrated, the Woods, a husband and wife team have created a classic childrens' book. The cumulative storyline is catchy and fun; this type of repetition is ideal for young children who are just learning how to read. In addition, the Woods have created free printable templates at their website depicting each of the story's characters - a great activity for kids to enjoy after storytime.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Little House (Caldecott award) by Virginia Lee Burton or I Know a Place by Karen Ackerman

Other books by this author: The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear, Piggies, Silly Sally, and King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub (Caldecott award)

Quiet! There’s a Canary in the Library

Freeman, Don. (1969), 42 pages

Audience: Pre-K and up

Format: picture book

Going to the library for the first time? Read this timeless storybook to your kids and get their imaginations going! Freeman’s wispy, delicate brushstroke-like illustrations and creative plot produce an artistic and imaginative story about a little girl, Cary who daydreams of being a librarian. Holding a special day for animal visitors, our protagonist finds they are a bit unruly especially when a stream of mice stroll in creating a ruckus. Eventually Cary and her ever-faithful friend the canary figure out what to do.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Bats at the Library by Brian Lies or Wild About Books by Judy Sierra

Other books by this author: Fly High Fly Low, Norman the Doorman, and Earl the Squirrel

My Lucky Day

Keiko Kasza (2003), 30 pages

Audience: Toddlers, Pre-K to 2^nd grade

Format: picture book

A hilarious twist on the traditional fairytale of Three Little Pigs, Kasza updates and creates a playful new story for both kids and parents. What kind of twist? Well, this time the piglet is in charge and the fox is left scrambling and exhausted especially after he is tricked into cleaning, feeding, and massaging his future roast pig. With colorful and emotive illustrations—even your toddlers will understand the plot! A very clever book, in the end children will roll with laughter and parents will smile as this smart, witty pig enjoys his lucky day.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Wolf’s Chicken Stew by Keiko Kasza or Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Other books by this author: A Mother for Choco, Badger’s Fancy Meal, The Dog Who Cried Wolf, The Mightiest, When the Elephant Walks, and Ready for Anything!

13 Words

Lemony Snicket (2010), 36 pages

Illustrated by Maira Kalman

Audience: Toddlers, and Pre-K

Format: picture book

Expand your vocabulary far beyond basic words; from scarlet to haberdashery, Snicket’s 13 Words will soon become some of your favorites! There once was a bird who was sad, so sad in fact she was despondent. Read along as her friends try their best to cheer up their glum friend (and in their endeavor all thirteen words are cleverly introduced). Snicket's strange and fantastical tale is unique and whimsical; the narrative is seamlessly echoed in Kalman’s colorful and surrealistic illustrations. Such an entertaining and educational read, not only does it provide a vocabulary lesson, it can be used to teach counting, colors, and much more!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Dear Deer by Henry Holt or Wonderful Words by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Other books by this author: The Lump of Coal

The Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein (1964), 56 pages

Audience: All ages

Format: picture book

Silverstein uses sparse words and simple ink drawings to generate a simple yet poignant book. “Once there was a tree … and she loved a little boy” … So begins a lifelong relationship between tree and boy. As the young boy grows from a carefree child to an elderly old man his demands and needs increase, but the tree’s love never tires. With a somewhat sad and contemplative ending this is not your typical fairytale; this story is the ultimate lesson of give and take especially when it comes to conservationism. Your child's library is not complete without this book, so “branch out” and read this book.

For an activity accompaniment, have children look outside in the backyard or at a local park and find fallen leaves. Trace the outer edges and see how many different leave-shapes you can collect; older children may want to do a rubbing with paper and pencil.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Dandelion Seed by Joseph Anthony or Where Once There was a Wood by Denise Fleming

Other books by this author: A Giraffe and a Half, The Missing Piece, and Where the Sidewalk Ends