Little White Rabbit

Kevin Henkes (2011), 32 pages

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

Just in time for spring … decorated children’s author and illustrator, Kevin Henkes once again has created a classic storybook that children and parents will love. Following on the heels of his tremendously successful 2010 work Kitten’s First Full Moon – is Henkes 2011 release of Little White Rabbit. Follow along as one curious little bunny explores his world with gusto. As little white rabbit ventures out to discover the fresh, spring landscape he is filled with wonderment. As the bunny’s imagination grows so does Henkes illustrations. For instance when the little white rabbit hops “through the high grass, he wondered what it would be like to be green” and voila with a turn of the page our little white rabbit is now eying his green reflection in a pond. As he hops “over a rock, he wondered what it would be like not to move” and the following page shows little rabbit as a stone-still statue. He wonders all kinds of things, such as what it might be like to be tall as a fir tree or flutter in the air like a butterfly. But when he returns home … he never wonders who loves him because he knows his family does. My favorite part is the last page, an image of little white rabbit snuggling up to his sleeping family, but his curiosity is once again sparked as a bee flies overhead. The illustrations are lighthearted and cheery. Color pencil and acrylic paint in colors like mint and chartreuse, sky blue, and pink capture the renewal of a new spring day. Henkes’s narrative is both sweet and satisfying – a great book for preschoolers!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Other books by this author: Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse, Kitten’s First Full Moon (Caldecott Medalist), My Garden, Wemberly Worried, and Owen (Caldecott Honor), Old Bear, and Olive’s Ocean (Newberry Honor)

Beautiful Oops!

Barney Saltzberg (2010), 28 pages

Audience: all ages

Format: board book

Can you take a crumbled piece of paper and make it into a sheep’s coat? Can you turn a scrap piece of paper into something interesting? Why, yes you can! This book reminds everyone that mistakes are okay. In fact, making mistakes is a part of life – so why not celebrate them! Author and illustrator, Saltzberg delivers this message in a very creative and innovative way. Using a series of flaps, pop ups, and die cuts he produced a fun, interactive, and imaginative book that people (at any age) will appreciate. With some ingenuity, “Oops! A torn piece of paper” becomes a wide-smiling crocodile or watch as a little paint spill morphs into … a collection of purple puppies, a family of birds, even an elephant. Satlzberg proves that no matter the mistake, whether torn paper, a drip of paint, a stain, a hole, etc … it’s just a chance to make something unique and interesting. This board book is constructed well with durable, glossy pages … so that even young children can enjoy moving the pages and gain motor skills. Each interactive element is surprising and delightful for more details check out the publisher’s promotional video. It may just inspire you to get crafty and go make some mistakes of your own! With it’s movable parts, bright colors, and creative design-this book is both fun and functional and the authors message is timeless … mistakes provide an opportunity to be creative and imaginative and more importantly they are an opportunity to create something new … something beautiful!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Lines that Wiggle by Candace Whitman, or The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

Other books by this author: Kisses, Peekaboo Kisses, Crazy Hair Day, Star of the Week, Baby Animal Kisses, The Flying Garbanzos, and Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?

Perfect Square

Michael Hall (2011), 40 pages

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

There once was a red square who was perfectly happy with his “four matching corners and four equal sides.” However, during the week this perfect square is altered and transformed. Each day something new has happened to him. On Monday is was punched with holes, on Tuesday torn into scraps, Wednesday shredded, Thursday shattered, Friday snipped, Saturday crumpled and ripped … yet each time he transforms into something new and picturesque. This unexpected journey is so much fun … and full of surprises. Graphic designer, Michael Hall makes minimalism sing; combining simple shapes and a few choice words Hall’s pictures brings form and color to life. His storyline is clever and sharp and the cumulative text is almost Eric Carle-esc. Children are treated to an array of shapes, a rainbow of colors, and an imaginative premise … by the book’s end they’ll be both entertained and inspired! A great read-aloud book for parents and educators. Take advantage of this book's creative premise and offer preschoolers a fun follow up craft where they can make their own square designs (learn motor skills) and narrate its transformation (practice narrative ability); integrating these types of early development skills is essential for building pre-reading skills in children 0-4.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Press Here by Hervé Tullet, Shadow by Suzy Lee, or It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw

Other books by this author: My Heart is Like a Zoo