In my position as a technical processing assistant at the DeWitt Community Library, I catalog a lot of new picture books. Unfortunately, I cannot review them all, but I do read them all and have assigned a 🙂 to my favorites. Finley Frog’s favorite is marked with a 8). Below are a few I’ve cataloged recently. (Whenever possible, summaries have been taken directly from the books.)

🙂 An old man known as the Wren plays his hurdy-gurdy, and with the help of his student, the Sparrow, brings hope and inspiration to the people of a small Polish town.

Buster Bickles’s big ideas were always getting him into trouble. But he had no idea just how much trouble he could get into until Uncle Roswell invited Buster to test his newly invented What-if Machine.

Meet Florabelle. She’s a little girl with BIG ideas. Although her family can be a bit serious at times, Florabelle knows that life is always more fun when you use your imagination.

Best friends Frito and Freddy want a place where they can play together that has plenty of space and not too many rules, so they build a clubhouse that is perfect–until their families and friends come to visit.

🙂 It’s time to clean the house, set out our best dishes, and fill our homes with food and family to celebrate the joyous holiday of Passover!

One day, as Elmer is out walking, he hears a cry for help. Butterfly has been trapped in a hole by a fallen branch. Elmer rushes to the rescue and frees her. In return she promises to help Elmer should he ever need it.

Dinosaur spends a day “helping” his mother, from the time he roars to awaken her until their final contest at bedtime.

Two siblings provide instructions for how to surprise one’s dad, including surprises you can make, do, or find–and how to plan a Special Day surprise party for him.

8) All the chickens in the farmyard lay eggs regularly–all except for P. Zonka, that is. She’s too busy looking at the colors of the world around her. The other chickens think P. Zonka’s just lazy…until she lays the most beautiful egg they’ve ever seen.

All the orangutans are ready for a nap in the sleepy depths of the afternoon–all except one.