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 try to read them all. Below are a few I’ve cataloged recently. I have assigned a 🙂 to my favorites. (Whenever possible, summaries have been taken directly from the books.)

Sonya raises her three chickens from the time they are tiny chicks. She feeds them, shelters them and loves them.

Adam feels alone in a strange new city. He misses the colors and friendships of his faraway home. But when a teacher gives him a few seeds, it plants an idea in him–an idea that could transform his gray world forever.

A walrus, a whale, penguins, and others help Pete the dog get to Grandma’s house.

🙂 When Grandma and Grandpa get a very special invitation, off they race in their trusty hippie van.

In this update of the classic fable, City Mouse and his cousin, Country Mouse, exchange visits and, although they find many things to like in each other’s homes, they quickly learn that each prefers his own.

🙂 As imaginary superhero Bumblebee Boy, Sam rejects his pesky little brother’s help in defeating pirates, dragons, and saber-toothed lions, but when Sam comes up against some scary aliens, he discovers the advantage of having a sidekick.

Distracted by his friends, Pete the pig forgets to give Gert an invitation to Rose’s party.

Her pirate captain father reminds her to be bold and saucy and selfish, but Augusta can’t help being shy, polite, and helpful; in short, a bad pirate. But when a terrible storm puts the crew in danger, Augusta is bold enough to be true to herself and show that a good pirate can be selfless, too.

This is a tall tale and a quirky new take on the old story of Noah and the Ark.

Lulu is excited to have her friends Oliver and Charlie over for a rainy day party, but something goes wrong with her special treat and Lulu fears that her party is ruined, so her friends come to the rescue and save the day.

Brother Giovanni is a happy man and the best baker his monastery has every seen, but when he is tasked with preparing the children for the Bishop’s visit, he has no luck until he twists some bread dough into a special shape, sprinkles it with salt, and offers it as a reward for learning prayers.

Bear has no trouble selling his berries at the farmer’s market, but Mole and Skunk are less successful with their worms and perfume.