All the Colors of the Earth

Sheila Hamanaka (1994), 32 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Children come in all the colors of the earth – such as roaring browns, whispering golds, tinkling pinks just to name a few!

Inspired by her own children’s multi-ethnic heritage, Hamanaka has created a lasting and beautiful view of diversity. Descriptive and expressive, Hamanaka does double duty as both author and illustrator showcasing she can captivate equally a young audience’s eyes and ears … making this book a delightful story-time read! Her sweeping, painterly illustrations filled with warm sun-kissed yellows, rich browns, and crisp blues energize the story; the author’s language and images work in unison to share a life affirming quality.

The narrative is inclusive all of different of skin tones “cinnamon, walnut, and wheat” to “amber and ivory” and hair types too from bouncy curls to flowing locks. While celebrating individuality, Hamanaka reveals there is sameness; noting that while all children are different they are similar – the common denominator being love.

This book truly honors all children of color and is a great story-time read especially during January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches – children can be proud of their differences and appreciate their unique attributes; a gentle and very approachable book on race/ethnicity for preschoolers.

Reviewed by: Katharine Conn, MLIS

If you liked this book, you may like: Whoever You Are by Mem Fox, The Skin You Live In by Michael Tyler, Shades of People by Shelley Rotner or A Rainbow of Friends by P. K. Hallinan

Other books by this author: Bebop-a-do-walk, I Look Like a Girl, Grandparents Song, Peace Crane, and Screen of Frogs: An Old Tale

The Wide-Mouthed Frog

Keith Faulkner (19965), 16 pages

Illustrated by Jonathan Lambert

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

Follow along as a curious wide-mouthed frog asks what others eat while he enjoys his meal of choice -flies. Crunchy seeds, juicy berries, and slugs may suit others … but what do you suppose big green alligators eat? Well, they eat wide-mouthed frogs of course! Gulp, can do you guess what happens next?

This age-old tale is a child’s favorite and this particular edition has been produced as a pop-up book –making it a perfect choice for story-time! Children love both the hilarious narrative and the striking illustrations. What I like most is that this book features dynamic three-dimensional characters (the pop-outs are viewed vertically making the book easy to hold and ideal for sharing in a group … genius). Illustrator Jonathon Lambert has created a feast for the eyes, the colors are vibrant and the images sit against a nice amount of white space – so they are easy to see and work especially well with larger story-time groups. The final fold out makes quite an impression – making this book seem almost more like a performance.

Faulkner and Lambert team up again with a number of other publications including The Giraffe Who Cock-a-doodle-doo’d. Try this title too - you should have lots of fun reading and laughing out loud or pair The Wide-Mouthed Frog with a simple fingerplay and felt board of “Five Speckled Frogs”

Five green and speckled frogs sat on a hollow log,

Eating some most delicious bugs ... yum, yum! (rub belly)

One frog jumped in the pool where it was nice and cool,

Then there were four green and speckled frogs.

Continue with four, three, two, and one green and speckled frogs.

Reviewed by: Katharine Conn, MLIS

If you liked this book, you may like: The Giraffe Who Cock-a-doodle-doo’d by Keith Kaulkner, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Hungry Monsters: A Pop-Up Book of Colors or I’m going to Eat You, A Spooky Pop-up Book by Matt Mitter

Other books by this author: Big Bugs, The long-nosed pig: A pop-up book, Where’s my Quack? A book of animal sounds, The Puzzled Penguin, The Monster Who Loved Books, The Big Yawn, and Tap! Tap! Tap!

Other books by this illustrator: Dotty the Ladybug Plays Hide-and-seek, Snuffle and the Egg, Hoppy the Cricket Jumps High and Low, and Phewee!

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

Iggy Peck Architect

Andrea Beaty (2007), 32 pages

Illustrated by David Roberts

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Ignacious Peck is a born architect. At the age of two he was building towers out of “nappies and glue.” By age three he could build churches with steeples, temples, and more! He could build anything really using materials of all kinds from backyard dirt to apples, and pancakes … Iggy was a self-made architect. However, his success comes to a screeching halt when he meets Miss Lila Greer a second grade teacher (frightened by heights and tall buildings). She forbids any talk about architecture and upon such news Iggy’s “heart sank to floor … now second grade was a bore.” Luckily though while out on a class hike and picnic … Iggy saves the day. How may you ask? Why with shoestrings and skill … a bridge appears saving his classmates and Miss Lila Greer! With new appreciation for building ingenuity, Miss Greer happily welcomes Iggy Peck and talks of building from Rome to Quebec back in her classroom again. Full of quirky rhymes and creative verse, Beaty’s book is a gem and a great read-aloud book for adults and kids. Roberts’s illustrations are outstanding. His attention to detail, use of pattern and texture is hypnotic – long after reading you’ll pour over these pages again and again picking out new details each time. This is a book kids will go nuts for ... with just one read you’re guaranteed to fall in love with Iggy Peck, Architect!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Art by Patrick McDonnell, The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg, or Into the Sky by Ryan Ann Hunter

Other books by this author: When Giants Come to Play, Doctor Ted, Firefighter Ted, Hide and Sheep, and Cicada Summer

A Very Special House

Ruth Krauss (1953), 32 pages

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

This a story of a very special house,

“I know a house –

it’s not a squirrel house

it’s not a donkey house

– it’s not a house you’d see –

and it’s not in any street

and it’s not in any road –

oh it’s just a house for me Me ME.”

Step inside a little boy’s day dreamy world … and what will you find? A turtle, a rabbit, a lion eating chairs, some monkeys, some snunkeys, and more! Children’s books are unique; they are sometime silly, strange, even absurd – a total departure from ordinary adult literature. Here in lies the beauty, literature written for children is imaginative and fantastical. These books give readers a chance to get into character, act out, create noise, stay creative, and be ridiculous. A Very Special House takes full advantage of all those aforementioned aspects of storytelling resulting in a charismatic story from start to finish. Krauss’s text begs to be read a-loud with its funky poetic cadence, nonsensical words, run-on sentences, and rhymes. Exuding charm throughout, both author and illustrator produced a story full of whimsical details. Sendak’s illustrations are captivating and sweet; almost as through drawn straight from one’s own imagination ... delicate black line drawings dance around the page while only the little boy is blocked in color. Using his limited palette and creative genius Sendak captures a child’s jubilant and imaginative nature. Reissued in 2001 by HarperCollins, this 1954 Caldecott honoree is now readily available making it possible for more children to curl up with this classic storybook!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson or I Want to Paint My Bathroom Blue by Ruth Krauss and Maurice Sendak

Other books by this author: Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead, The Happy Egg, And I Love You, Big & Little, and Open House for Butterflies

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

Lloyd Moss (1995), 28 pages

Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Audience: all ages

Format: picture book

Music is the inspiration behind Moss and Priceman’s Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin. Using an orchestra of instruments the story progresses from a lone trombone to a chamber group of ten, which makes for an energetic and eclectic countdown. With each turn of the page, readers amass more instruments, sounds, and musical terms along the way; each additional instrument is added until at last, readers are treated to a full symphony orchestra. This book is both educational and fun. Moss’s text is filled with rhyme and rhythm … words even sways back and forth as if they were dancing to a musical beat. Priceman’s illustrations are lively. Her bold color choices and whimsical drawings are full of movement. This 1996 Caldecott Honoree is a wonderful addition to your picture book collection. It teaches counting, numerals, names and types of instruments, etc. and will appeal to a range of ages, from babies, toddlers, and beyond. A great book if attending the orchestra, a concert, or theatre for the first time. Or play-pretend and make a duo, trio, or quartet of your own at home!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Maestro Plays by Bill Martin Jr. or The Jazz Fly by Matthew Gollub

Other books by this author: Our Marching Band and Music Is

Other books by this illustrator: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, One of Each, Paris in the Spring with Picasso, Emeline at the Circus, and Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride (Caldecott Honor)

The Incredible Book Eating Boy

Oliver Jeffers (2006), 32 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Have you ever heard the expression “a voracious reader?” Well, meet Henry, a boy who loves books … actually he loves EATING books. His habitat started out innocently enough by just eating a word, a sentence, then a page … but eventually, Henry eats entire books often swallowing them whole. Devouring book after book, he gets smarter and smarter and his knowledge supersedes even his parents and teachers. After awhile, Henry’s diet of books has adverse effects and he begins to feel ill. Eating so quickly, he doesn’t have enough time to digest (comprehend) all the information and facts start to get jumbled. As Henry’s intelligence wanes he looses confidence. Finally, Henry realizes he can’t continue eating this way so he gives up eating books. One day, rather than chomping down on the cover he opens the book and discovers that he loves to read … and reading books is a whole lot easier on the stomach then eating them! Henry knows that even though it may take a little longer he can still learn about everything by reading … although every now and then he may sneak a nibble or two.

A talented illustrator, Jeffers uses a variety of paper (graph, lined, discarded scraps of recycled dictionaries, maps, etc.) to create layered background textures so each page has depth and personality. The text is smart and snappy – making it a great read-aloud book for parents. Jeffers’ s clever spin on book consumption is rather creative and charming … children will love this fun-loving story and hopefully develop an appetite for reading as well.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: My Crayons Talk by Patricia Hubbard

Other books by this author: The Way Back Home, Lost and Found, Up and Down, How to Catch a Star, and The Heart and the Bottle

TumbleBooks: eBooks for kids

300 + titles, 160 games

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: website

TumbleBooks a library collection of eBooks for kids, “created by adding animation, sound, music, and narration to existing picture books in order to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you” (TumbleBooks, Inc., 2011). This collection is impressive, easily navigated, sorted by author, title, and reading level (displays include a book’s cover, synopsis, basic bibliographic information, and reviews). One of the nicest features is that users can personalize their account by selecting favorites and adding items to playlists. These eBooks are engaging and entertaining to watch and will appeal to a young audience. The web site offers other interactive elements such as quizzes, games, and language learning (books in Spanish and French), but the books are available offline as well, users can install TumblePad 2.0 software for Macs or PC to access the books.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this resource, you may like: NOOKbooks for kids produced by Barnes&Noble or iPad eBooks and apps for kids

Wombat Wallkabout

Carol Diggory Shields (2009), 32 pages

Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Follow six of the cutest wombats on a walkabout. Deep in the Australian outback they start out on their journey as “six woolly wombats, walking one by one, passed a golden wattle blooming in the sun. The last little wombat, whose name was Clive, stopped to smell the flowers … then there were five.” Oops, now the group has gone from six to five! But his disappearance is not just due to distraction, there happens to be a hungry-eyed dingo tagging along. One by one, the group slowly dwindles down to just two, suddenly … the remaining pair Jen and Jack “thought it awfully quiet, so they looked back. No little wombats? That’s not good! They jumped off the track and hid in the wood.” What should they do? As the dingo approaches the hidden duo soon realize where their friends went … Dingo’s got their mates in a big swag bag. They think of brilliant plan to trick the dingo – and what do you know? Their friends survive … now “Six woolly wombats, good as new. Walked along together, two by two.” Shield’s text is rhythmic without being over the top (seamlessly integrating assonance, alliteration, and rhymes) into each verse. Creating a narrative rich with imagery and substance – she also includes a glossary of Australian terminology such as native wildlife (dingo, wombat, kookaburra) and flora (wattle tree, eucalyptus). Blackall’s illustrations are enchanting; she manages to create adorable characters with personality yet plays homage to the Australian landscape beautifully. This book is ideal for teaching counting, numbers, phonological awareness, and increase vocabulary. A great read-aloud book for kids and adults!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French, Koala Lou by Mem Fox, or Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles

Other books by this author: The Bugliest Bug, Food Fight!, and Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp

Other books by this illustrator: Ruby's Wish, Pecan Pie Baby, Edwin Speaks Up, and Big Red Lollipop

Such a Silly Baby!

Steffanie and Richard Lorig (2007), 30 pages

Illustrated by Amanda Shepherd

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

“But, there was a hitch … my baby got switched” … no matter where they seem to go (whether the zoo, the circus, or a farm) mother and baby always seem to wind up in the same silly situation! Go on this wild adventure as baby gets swapped numerous times with a chimpanzee, a dancing bear, a lazy sow, etc. Yet, baby manages to adjust just fine to his new surroundings. In fact, when mother comes back for him … he’s full of funny surprises (like swinging from vines and tight-rope walking) … proving that life is never dull when you’re a silly baby! Brimming with humor and energy – the author and illustrator personify “silly” on multiple levels (with a silly storyline, pictures, sounds, etc.) managing to make everything in this book outrageously funny! The text’s rhymes and repetition make this a great read a-loud book for parents; children will squeal with delight when they hear this story alongside Shepherd’s brightly colored whimsical illustrations.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Hello Baby! by Mem Fox, Silly Sally by Audrey Wood, or Just One Day by Laura Leuck

Other books by this illustrator: Fiona Loves the Night, Who Loves Me? and Rules of the Wild: An Unruly Book of Manners

Don’t Say that Word

Alan Katz (2007), 40 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Poor Michael had a big day at school but every time he tries to tell his mom what happened … she steps in to say DON’T SAY THAT WORD! Michael’s recollections all start out innocently enough “at recess we all saw a spider an a bird that went chittery-chirp. Doug snorted as he drank his cider, then let out a two-minute ….” But before he can say the best part … his mother intervenes and as the title exclaims, shouts “Don’t say that word!” However, as Michael gets sent on time-out and has his mouth washed out with soap, its finally his turn to shout “Don’t Say that word!” when his mother says “Well, Michael … today was a sea of great dramas. I hope there are calm days ahead. Run along –put on your pajamas, It’s late and you should be in …” This book is brimming with humor – a hilarious read!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Elbert’s Bad Word by Audrey and Don Wood or My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook

Other books by this author: Stalling, Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs

Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary

Julie Larios (2006), 32 pages

Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Larios brings a colorful menagerie to life in her book of poems, Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary. Using clever and imaginative language, the author wonderfully pairs an animal with a specific hue (examples include Green Frog, Gray Goose, Black Fish, and Red Donkey, etc) elevating color from everyday to extraordinary. This book reads like a dream (perfect read-aloud) as it is not only visually but lyrically stunning, a sure way to introduce poetry to young children while learning about animals and colors.

-Black Fish-

Now all silver quiver

Now all dark flash

She’s all water and wonder,

this black fish.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors (Caldecott honor) by Joyce Sidman or Poetrees by Douglas Florian

Other books by this author: Imaginary Menagerie: A Book of Curious Creature, and Have You Ever Done That?

I Love You

Remy Charlip (1995), 32 pages

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: picture book

“I love you ... say it again" … so begins a clever dialog between mother and child. Equipped with fun wordplay and a wonderful sense of humor, Charlip creates an endearing and playful story of a mother getting her child ready for bedtime. Illustrated with simple drawings and a limited color scheme of black, white and red--at first glance this book is deceptively simple ... but, don't be fooled! This book's creative and clever narrative will leave a lasting impression and soon become one of your child’s favorites. This is the perfect bedtime book! This storyline finds an ideal song accompaniment in an all-time American classic "Skidamarink." So, before bedtime don't forget to sing a chorus or two:

Skidamarink a dink a dink,
Skidamarink a doo,
I love you.

I love you in the morning,
And in the afternoon,
I love you in the evening,
And underneath the moon,

Oh, Skidamarink a dink a dink,
Skidamarink a doo,
I Love You!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Someday by Alison McGhee and In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck

Other books by this author: Baby Hearts and Baby Flowers, Fortunately, Sleepytime Rhyme, and Mother, Mother, I Feel Sick - Send for the Doctor, Quick, Quick, Quick

There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!

Dr. Seuss (1974), 36 pages

Audience: toddlers, Pre-K

Format: picture book

Dr. Seuss is famous for his ridiculous and tongue-twisting rhymes and this book is no exception! There's a Wocket in My Pocket features an entire narration of clever and entertaining nonsense words! These words are an excellent tool for teaching phonemic awareness … have children practice making up words and sounds by replacing the first or last letter of a word (a technique is know as phonemic isolation and substitution) For instance, wocket=pocket, wasket=basket, woset=closet, nink=sink, or yottle=bottle. The possibilities are endless! A great read-aloud book, parents and children will have fun making up words and listening to the rhymes.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Other books by this author: Hop on Pop, Foxs in Socks, Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories

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!