A Walk in London

Salvatore Rubbino (2011), 40 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Planning a trip abroad? Feeling nostalgic about your British roots? Moving across the Atlantic?

The latter is my inspiration today … as earlier this month my cousins and their three year old made the big move from San Francisco to Windsor. Whatever the case may be, this book is a wonderful taste of London, one of the world’s most visited cities!

Join author/illustrator Rubbino as he celebrates London, and takes readers on a delightful walking tour of this great city; included are its finest buildings, landmarks, and cultural history. Brimming with interesting trivia facts and a whimsical narrative … a mother and child tour St. James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, among others. Along the way, readers experience the city’s temporal wet weather, acrobatic and musical street performers, and vast Thames River! Learn about London’s Whispering Gallery inside St. Paul’s Cathedral or visit Britain’s oldest bank, the Bank of England. Make sure to get tickets to see a real castle, the Tower of London in the middle of the city and don’t forget to stopover at the Jewel House where the Royal Crown Jewels sparkle for all to see. Both children and parents will enjoy this story and relish the author’s attention to detail, informative facts, and thrill of city exploration.

A great read for those traveling abroad or interested in discovering new cities. Get inspired and go on an excursion of your own … a walking tour of your favorite city ... whether close or far … kids will love learning about new surroundings!

Reviewed by: Katharine Conn, MLIS

If you liked this book, you may like: This is London by Miroslav Sasek, Katie in London by James Mayhew, City Walks with Kids: London: 50 Adventures on Foot by Emily Laurence Baker

Other books by this author: A Walk in New York

Mitchell’s License

Hallie Durand (2011), 40 pages

Illustrated by Tony Fucile

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: picture book

Bedtime doesn’t have to involve tantrums, tears, or whimpers … In fact, bedtime can be fun. Well, get ready to steer your not-ready-for-bedtime kids into bed in a very creative way …Meet Mitchell.

At three years, nine months, and five days old Mitchell got his license. To drive … his dad. That’s right Mitchell’s first car isn’t a 1968 Mustang or 1995 Volkswagen ... it was his father. Although young, Mitchell is a thorough and safe driver. He maintains his vehicle; before driving he inspects the tires (dad’s feet), the engine (dad’s tummy), and always makes sure the windshield (dad’s glasses) isn’t dirty before taking the driver’s seat (dad’s shoulders). Mitchell steers flawlessly (almost!) driving fast, slow, in reverse, even coasting into neutral. He can turn right, turn left, etc. Soon after a few nights of maneuvering speed bumps (toys in the hallway) and traffic jams Mitchell starts to handle his new car like a seasoned pro. Now, Mitchell loves his new commute! Mitchell’s License truly puts bedtime into 4-wheel drive and will get your kids excited about going to bed!

Read along further as Mitchell takes detours, tops off the oil, and visits the gas station … But of course, parents don’t worry Mitchell’s car still has a mind of its own and can make a u-turn beelining for Mitchell’s room if need be. Durand and Fucile are great storytellers and resourceful to the end, resulting in a book, which is both fun and funny to read!

This book takes play-pretend and reading to a whole new level making bedtime a wonderful bonding experience between father and son. Let’s face it, the years fly bye … before you know it your little one will be behind the wheel … until then, let them practice on you!

Reviewed by: Katharine Conn, MLIS

If you liked this book, you may like: Sputter, Sputter, Sput! by Babs Bell, Driving Daddy by Hope Vestergaard, or Night Driving by John Coy

Other books by this author: Dessert First!

Other books by this illustrator: Let’s Do Nothing!

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

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

Little Blue and Little Yellow

Leo Lionni (1959), 40 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Written as a tribute to his two young grandchildren, Lionni’s first book Little Blue and Little Yellow is truly a satisfying read. Little blue loves playing with his friends, especially little yellow who lives across the street. One day, little blue goes looking for his best friend. After looking everywhere, little blue finally stumbles upon little yellow and they are so happy to see each other they hug and hug until they turn green! The two friends, now as little green have an adventurous day out playing in the park, running through tunnels, climbing mountains … exhausted they return home. But to their parents’ dismay, little blue and little yellow are gone – only little green remains. Saddened little blue and yellow cry themselves to pieces (little blue and yellow pieces) until “they finally pull themselves together” and return home to their parents. Mama blue and papa blue are so thrilled to see little blue – they hug and kiss him and hug little yellow too … but in doing so, they become green. Realizing what had happened, they go over to their neighbors to share the news with mama yellow and papa yellow and both families rejoice! Lionni’s use of simple language and minimal graphics make this a book young children can enjoy. At first glance, Little Blue and Little Yellow is a clever personification of color theory, but beneath that it illustrates the bond of friendship, acceptance of oneself, and racial unity.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Press Here by Hervé Tullet or Perfect Square by Michael Hall

Other books by this author: Geraldine, the Music Mouse, A Flea Story, In the Rabbitgarden, Let’s Play, and Matthew’s Dream