Picture Books At The Library 94

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all. But I can share them! Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

Picture Books At The Library has been on a little break*, but now it’s back and ready to roll for 2017 with lots of great new titles. There’s something for everyone At The Library!

*Due to budget constraints at the end of the year, purchases of new library items slows down considerably, hence the reason for the break.

30268071

A greyhound and a groundhog work themselves into a frenzy as they whirl around one another.

29102930

An ox tries to convince a gazelle that he’s in love with her through a series of letters.

29890574

With a red rose in hand, Lazlo sets off for the theater to see the girl of his dreams starring in Alice in Wonderland.

28645651

Shake, tilt, and turn this book to help Bunny navigate the ski slope.

29243040

Monster-like characters tell the little ones in their lives everything they love about them.

28448245

Joshua James can fix anything, except for a broken egg.

28479235

Animal and human mamas, papas, and little ones express their love for one another in their own special ways.

28692023

All lemmings look alike, sound alike, and act alike. Except one.

29875410

Three little birds crack out of their eggs and fly away, leaving one small egg sitting all alone.

29506721

Bold messages and bright pictures encourage readers to embrace all of their unique qualities.

29662499

Far away, near the South Pole, a blue penguin is born.

28957058

A contemporary retelling of the classic tale, capturing life as a struggle between the inner spirit and fate.

29501986

A violent and strong Tyrannosaurus comes to realize the power of love.

27414353

Horace and Hattie watch a caterpillar become a butterfly and are inspired to attempt a transformation of their own. Sweet!

28114465

Did a comet kill all of the dinosaurs, or are they masters of disguise, hiding in plain sight? Super clever! 

Top 19 Circulating Picture Books Of 2016

cropped-libraryrockers1.jpg

It is always interesting to discover which picture books have been checked out most frequently from the DeWitt Community Library. Not surprisingly, this year’s list is a mix of new and old favorites, and titles featuring characters from popular TV series and movies.

Peppa Pig dominated the list this year, appearing three times below, and if I had continued past 19, we would have seen Peppa many more times.

Disney titles were popular, as were a couple of Anna Dewdney’s LLama LLama books.

Curious George made the list too, along with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Wars.

New favorites include One Big Family (which tied with Cinderella for most circulated), Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, Race Car Count, Ninja Baby, and others.

If every library made a list of top circulating picture books, every list would be different. But here’s what circulated the most at my public library in 2016:

Circulated 15 Times: This may seem like a small number, but when you consider that each book may be checked out for up to 3 weeks (21 days), that 15 times means the top books were checked out over and over for nearly the entire year.

26075982

27070086

Circulated 14 Times:

25241626

18209418

23358986

23719299

17568877

25614318

Circulated 13 Times:

23197610

23399204

26075985

24611941

13589170

23310705

25241596

25893603

26720531

27180087

24905369

How many of these books have you read?

To see how this list compares to the previous year’s, click HERE.

Picture Books At The Library 93

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

27414402

All the farm animals want to be let into the house on a rainy day.

27791902

A boy from Haiti processes the grief of losing his parents by playing the drums.

27414370

A determined young girl sets out to track down an elusive red fox.

28593062

Pablo and his sister spend every day rummaging through garbage looking for items their mother can sell to put food on the table.

27414385

The different inhabitants of a city wake up and start their days.

29236560

In  a place called Hunger Mountain, there lives a lord who has everything imaginable, yet never has enough.

27414388

Join in the search for the missing bear while duck tries to convince you a duck story would be better.

29902326

Travel back in time to dance and sing with a prehistoric posse of dinosaurs and kids.

28186145

A young boy tries to imagine what has happened to his loved ones who have passed away.

Picture Books At The Library 92

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

29092965

A little boy pretending to be a dinosaur insists that dinosaurs do not have bedtimes.

28114524

Badger must wait and wait and wait for snow, but patience does not come easily for Badger.

29662496

The mice, hares, and deer settle down for the night, but Little Bear wants to stay awake a bit longer.

29092966

Picnicking penguins from the South Pole lose their way and find themselves at the wrong pole.

27431978

Bedtime is near, but from the end of dinner until lights are turned off, it is not time for sleeping, until a child receives a special good night wish.

29092967

Gary is a racing pigeon who dreams of adventure and travel to far off places, but Gary can’t fly.

27130706

Paul likes flower arranging, Antoinette likes mud, but could either really live without the other?

Picture Books At The Library 91

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

28686892

This handy guide has everything you need to track, catch, and tame your very own pet truck.

28963877

It’s Nanette’s first trip to get the baguette. With all the distractions in her way, she just might forget.

30201515

When a fat cat arrives at Cornelius Van Ploof’s front door looking for a home, Cornelius’s perfect life gets turned upside down.

28186174

A boy and his grandmother host a gathering in their small cabin in the middle of winter, where everyone is welcome and the soup pot is bottomless.

27130709

Twin sisters take a bicycle ride through the forest, stopping for tea, sandwiches, and a woodland concert.

28512515

Pete the cat and his friends have fun baking cupcakes for a party until some of them go missing.

28814780

Little penguins dress up warm and have fun in the snow.

28588030

Little Miss Bear refuses to go to sleep when winter comes because she will miss the stars, the moon, and the rolling hills.

28960157

Each year, for as long as the forest has stood, a contest is held for the bears of the wood.

21508986

It is December, and there are many things for the family to do around the farm to get it ready for winter.

28478909

Mr. Panda is making something, and all of his animal friends are interested–but only Penguin is willing to wait to see what it is.

28954192

An alphabet book with tons of examples for each letter on each page.

28503694

The littlest family goes wandering in the woods and just when they think they are lost, they find their way home again.

28695840

Cat thinks Duck should stop meowing and act like a duck.

28691874

Ella’s afraid of the dark and misses the bright, sunny daytime.

28476243

Princess Cassandra wants a frog for a pet, but every frog she kisses turns into a prince.

28953966

Toddlers crawl, play and walk as they help the reader learn to count to ten.

28953856

Heidi always wants to play hide-and-seek because she is good at it, but sometimes her friends want to play something different.

29093304

Matisse is a little girl in a big world, until her baby brother is born and she discovers she is not so little, after all.

28953937

Boss Baby used to be in charge, but that was before he got an even bossier baby sister.

25785544

A group of happy green peas celebrates the special holidays of each month, and the passing seasons.

28954173

Five little ducks go out Monday, through the woods and far away.

28218922

Lots of black and white animals sport attire in various colors. Fun book of colors!

Picture Books At The Library 90

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

28588025

Big Bob likes trucks and throwing balls, Little Bob prefers dolls and bracelets. Can they be friends?

27414414

Inspired by the true story of how the first international flight was in a balloon across the English Channel.

28588002

Sophia knits a special hat for her elderly neighbor Mrs. Goldman.

28450996

This book wants to be the happiest book ever, but what’s up with the frowny frog?

28963889

A reluctant mother to four young geese, grumpy Bruce the bear loses his temper when he migrates home in the spring to find three mice have turned his home into a hotel.

28925231

Fox really wants to win the jumping contest and take home the trophy, but he’s not a very good jumper. So he comes up with a clever scheme.

28114520

Real cowboys are gentle, patient, and creative as they move hundreds of cattle, make camp, and dream under the stars.

28637453

Grumpy Pug Man is having a terrible day. But when he’s offered three wishes by an overly eager fairy, what he wishes for is a bit unexpected.

25893605

Every story needs a character and that character needs a problem to solve, so why not an octopus who wants to build a spaceship.

28957292

A determined mouse makes his way up, up, up to the palace tower to find out if the cat is a friend or a foe.

28259144

An increasingly frustrated narrator tries to put a stop to all the silliness in what is supposed to be a serious book.

28250952

As a tiny shoot unfurls, two damselflies peer at it in wonder.

27414400

Nino’s little sisters get in on the wrestling action.

28686896

The little bears are ready to go sledding, but their sled is too small to carry them all.

27414401

A little girl named Lizzie meets an old man and his dog at the park, but she is afraid of dogs.

12478189

If you give a mouse a brownie, he’s going to ask for some ice cream, and then a spoon, and then…

28687216

With winter on the way and no money for new clothes, Mama stitches a coat for her little girl from a donated box of rags.

28953993

If snowflakes tasted like oatmeal, honey, cocoa, gingerbread, or fruitcake, would you do what this child does?

28260420

Mother and father trucks show their youngsters how to build in this variation on the classic “Over in the Meadow”.

28954098

An ode to snow–how it forms, how it changes, and how it transforms everything it covers. Simply lovely!

Picture Books At The Library: Christmas Edition 2016

At the Library_Christmas

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.

29064291

On Christmas Eve, Santa looks everywhere for his special Christmas underwear with no luck. Will he have to wear shamrock long johns instead?

28373993

Clark the Shark spends too much time trying to figure out who his Secret Santa is and not enough time being a good Secret Santa himself.

28687142

A young boy named Alec and his grandfather lend their giant spruce tree to the city for the Christmas celebration.

28645676

Santa is moving too quickly to see who actually lives in each house he visits. Will it be a Christmas disaster?

28686895

Exquisitely illustrated version of The Nutcracker ballet with a surprise at the end.

28687144

Clementine is a teeny-tiny girl who lives with her average-sized family. It’s mostly fun being the smallest, but Christmas can be tricky.

26263592

Celebrates the joyful season of Christmas and the story of the nativity, told through the performance of a children’s Christmas pageant.

28687149

When the Gingerbread Baby hears about the Christmas Festival, he wants to rush down to the village with his band.

28588055

Greta likes to tell her younger sister Gracie everything she knows, especially about Santa.

28588172

Santa has stopped believing in a boy named Harold.

28687145

Maple and Willow love trees and now they are getting their first real Christmas tree.

28374000

A retelling of Margaret Wise Brown’s book of the same name, (originally published in 1952) that tells the story of Jesus’s birth, with new illustrations by Anna Dewdney.

28260596

Penguin discovers holiday magic in the most unexpected places.

28503858

It’s Christmas Eve at the Babymouse house, and all is well, or is it?

28687249

Hannah Greyweather’s life is changed when she finds a magic wish-granting boot in the forest outside her home.

28686864

One windy Christmas Eve, a present tumbles out of Santa’s sleigh. Santa doesn’t notice, but four little animal friends do.

 

 

28686978

One by one, from field and forest, the animals make their way to the barn. But the shy little fox has nothing to offer. So sweet and gorgeously illustrated.

 

27065879

Late one night, Slipper the cat awakens to find a furry-booted man in her home and, like any curious cat would, climbs into his big red sack. Beautiful!

Picture Books At The Library 89

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

30208802

Emma is trying to go to sleep, but the animals in her wallpaper are making too much noise.

28665386

Gideon wants to be a hero and get his picture in the paper, but first he must figure out just what a hero is.

28650400

Ollie the pig dreams of flight, and enlists his human friend Jack to help him build wings.

28256233

Little Frog’s first autumn is filled with scary reds, golds, oranges, and purples.

28954169

This book is an ode to that magical time in autumn when the leaves turn yellow.

29056291

When Emma is asked to be the flower girl in her cousin’s wedding, nothing is quite how she expected.

28110881

Imagine you were leaving for a new country, and could bring along only what would fit in a small suitcase. What would you choose to take with you?

28815476

A boy brings along a teacup filled with earth as he leaves his home and sets off to a new home across the sea.

28818768

A young boy is fascinated by the dot on his mother’s forehead and wants one of his own.

28504442

Young Stella loves books so much they take over the farm house, so her pa builds her-her own library.

28114499

Henry’s best friend Leo is accidentally lost and no one in Henry’s family believes Leo is real enough to find his way home.

28588028

When Ruben picks up a hundred-dollar bill dropped by a neighbor, he’s excited to think he can finally buy a bike like his friend Sergio’s.

29058348

Follow the dino-racers as they speed down the track or across the desert.

27779277

The remote for Ben’s new fire truck isn’t working properly and causes complete chaos.

23719206

A small child wishes for a snow day that brings silence and peace to a too-busy world.

28588099

Little Frog does not want to grow up, and he gives his father all sorts of reasons why being small is best.

28588131

A little girl visits her grandfather in a nursing home where he is suffering from memory loss.

27414420

A counting book that leads readers through a day in the life of a construction worker building with bricks.

28954119

Tiny speedcar racer, Max, goes on the imagined adventure of a lifetime after cleaning his room.

28954061

A young pet owner knows lots about his dog, except what he dreams about. Super cute!

 

Picture Books At The Library 88

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

28016076

In this retelling of the classic “Gingerbread Man” story, a ninjabread man with a cookie sword and cookie throwing stars escapes from the oven and runs loose.

28691944

A crew of dinosaur pirates searches for treasure but finds another band of pirasaurs instead.

27219549

Several animals tell a small child how much they care for him.

Farmer Falgu is tired of his noisy farm so he takes a trip to find some peace and quiet.

29394199

The ripple effect of one child’s small action–placing a can into a recycling bin–shows how we can all make a big environmental difference.

30212392

The apple is up high, but Toto is down low. Toto wants the apple. Toto has a plan.

28645701

A child is awoken in the night by the sound of snow tapping upon her window.

29902388

A magical blue bird grants the wish of a spoiled young girl in order to teach her compassion and generosity.

28691897

Kai is a small, green and white pumper truck who does not fit in with the other fire trucks at Firehouse #10.

This book is a rhyming ode to unconditional love and the ups and downs of family life.

30208804

All the forest animals hide in a tree after hearing a loud AAA-OOO sound and thinking it’s a monster.

28695418

Bat thinks he’s found a perfect new home, except that squirrel already lives there.

27414472

An ailing grandfather and his helpful granddaughter play a unique game of seek and find.

28259037

When a boy doesn’t get what he wants because he didn’t say please, he makes up his own magic word.

28954170

With a little bravery, a dash of creativity–and some paints–Little Mouse figures out how to tame even the scariest beasts.

30208809

Cat has made a big mess, but she’d rather move it, jump on it, or hide it rather than clean it up.

30201521

When Bob turns out the light, he sees two eyes in the dark. Who’s that peering in the window?

28637460

When Bear can’t sleep, he goes on an adventure and discovers the wonders of New York City.

29363224

A girl at the beach searches everywhere for her trumpet amid all the animal beachgoers.

28692032

The boy’s alien friend returns and this time the boy goes back with him to his planet where he begins to feel a bit alienated.

30208803

Squirrel meets a bird and at first it seems they have nothing in common, but each encourages the other to try some new things.

Picture Books At The Library 87

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

28695422

Count down to bedtime as sleepy animals tiptoe to bed, curl up tight, and whisper “nighty-night.”

29279220

Madeline Finn does not like to read, until she meets Bonnie, a library dog.

28439554

A penguin complains about his life–he’s cold, the ocean is too salty, he looks the same as everyone else.

28954177

Wearing his perfectly clean suit and living in his perfectly tidy room, Edward the pig avoids getting messy, until a tub of paint falls on his head.

28363891

A baby owl leaves the nest one night, explores the world around him, sees his own reflection, and then returns to the safety of home.

28363864

Life isn’t perfect and things don’t always go as planned. But that’s what makes life interesting.

28439813

Shy loves birds, but when one comes along singing her beautiful song, he’s too shy to come out and say hello.

28439845

The children want to go to the park with Grandad, but they can’t leave until they find his lost socks, shoes, teeth, and more.

25785783

Pug is happy at home until Pig arrives, when he must share his bowl, yard, and bed.

30154652

Stripes is a tabby cat with big dreams to be a tiger.

28259024

Mervin the sloth is about to do the best thing in the world, but none of his friends have the patience to wait and find out what, except for one.

28869881

A girl in a wheelchair looks down from her balcony and calls to passersby below: “Look up!”

27414446

Lucy is devastated when her favorite doll Smelly Baby goes flying out of the car window on her way home from her grandmother’s house.

28869883

Running through town to get a pizza for himself and his mother, Pinky unwittingly becomes covered in snow and everyone thinks he’s a walking snowman.

29241342

Bird is hiking with his friends when his tummy rumbles. But none of his friends have packed him a snack.

27414441

When the snow comes, Samson worries about the little red bird, so he sets off to find her.

27414448

When Little Bot is thrown out with the garbage, he lands in a strange new world. But Sparrow is there to take him under her wing.

28686918

Roxy’s trying to help Mom with the shopping, but when she sees her favorite cake, she wants it…and she wants it now!

28586748

Two turtles have found a hat and it looks good on both of them. So who gets the hat?

27414416

An old dog and a baby spend time together on the kitchen floor.

Picture Books At The Library 86

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

29501128

Each animal sleeps where it’s supposed to, but flip the book over and you’ll see where each dreams about sleeping.

28587974

This book highlights the rigorous daily schedule of a baby.

28256239

When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are as different as the families.

28953044

Fiona has promised to bake cupcakes for the whole class for Felix’s birthday, but she forgets and then lies about what happened.

29236302

Panda wants to wear pants, but father Panda does not agree.

28250864

On a ninja mission to find the Golden Carrot of Awesomeness, a young rabbit meets his biggest challenge yet–his annoying little sister.

25893953

This is the beginning of one young girl’s quest to bring clean drinking water to her African village.

28449260

This is the story of astronaut Chris Hadfield and how, as a boy, he faced his fears and went on to reach the stars.

27431987

In this version of Little Red Riding Hood, set on the African plains, Little Red realizes what the hungry lion is up to, and teaches him a lesson before sharing her donuts with him.

Whether searching for his next meal or avoiding becoming a meal, an octopus is an underwater master of camouflage and escape.

This grasslands variation of the classic song “Over in the Meadow” introduces animals and their offspring that dwell on the savanna of Africa.

28186338

Henry likes to take his time and often sees things that his family misses in the rush.

28251327

A little white mouse always manages to find trouble and gets his three littler friends into trouble too.

27414459

Follow a family through frosty fields and snow-covered woods as they walk and play together.

28637457

When Tony, a little boy, offers his stuffed animals to the animal shelter to raise money, it touches his mom’s heart.

28665601

When a branch from her beloved tree snaps off in an ice storm, a plucky girl refuses to let it be hauled away.

28954101

Matt, Katie, and Pablo work hard to restore a pond to its former glory.

28114519

Count from one to ten and back again as a jolly group of fish explore their undersea world.

29101496

After a day at the track, zipping and zooming, a race car is tired and ready for bed.

28260555

Walking with his energetic puppy in their neighborhood, a young boy hops, bends, spins, and jumps with friends he encounters along the way.

Picture Books At The Library 85

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.) Check your local library or bookstore for availability.

 

28954183

A dragon resists the urge to eat the animals that approach his cave.

29794667

When Shirley’s gingerbread treat leaps out of her lunchbox, a wild chase ensues through the neighborhoods of San Francisco.

29056281

Chico the monkey has to step in and save the day when his friend Clark the elephant’s cooking nearly destroys their town.

28953958

A boy who likes to dress as a frog and a girl who loves numbers are best friends, despite being so different.

29064292

Late one night, a very unusual door-to-door salesman selling vacuum cleaners offers to help lazy Schnitzel with his housecleaning woes.

27876829

Max and Lily won’t follow the rules at Ruby and Louise’s home preschool.

29058583

Fatima and Galo load the luggage and ride on top while their dad Big Ali drives the bus along the Bobo Road, the most beautiful road in the world.

27214610

The city is still asleep as a young girl and her father leave their house and walk to school.

28450979

Papillon is a cat who is so fluffy he floats, so his owner tries many silly ways to keep him on the ground.

28665595

A boy wants to write a story just like his big sister, but he hasn’t learned to write words yet.

27788499

Rosie searches everywhere for her little baby chick. Will she find her before the hungry foxes do?

28954227

Pig wants to help rat and cow make soup, but when he chooses umbrellas and galoshes to add to the mix, the others think he’s terribly unwise.

28691962

When King Baby’s faithful subjects let him down, he must take royal action.

28250901

Hank is a pill bug whose daily routine involves nibbling a dead leaf, climbing up a long stick, avoiding a skateboarder, and playing pretend with his best friend Amelia.

29066412

When a group of precocious young students visit Don’s Safari on a school field trip, a missing hippo sends them all scrambling to be the first to spot it.

27414464

An old woman wants to be left alone to finish her knitting, so she packs up her yarn and leaves.

27191320

The Ghost-Hunters may be the only ones who can figure out what is haunting Farmer Greg’s farm.

28695698

Follow the ghosts as they trick-or-treat and cause mischief along the scary-silly way to the tune of The Ants Go Marching.

28256161

A teeny tiny woman gets trapped in her teeny tiny house in a very big forest by falling leaves.

28818282

When summer gives way to fall and the days grow crisp and cool, there’s something special in the air. Gorgeous illustrations!

Picture Books At The Library 84

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

28114421

Peek into the moonlit world of deer, rabbits, and other woodland creatures as they get ready for a good night.

28259095

From cave drawings to the invention of the printing press and beyond, discover how a story has been told in many different ways from the past to today.

29082592

In this game-book, choose which route to take through the forest and meet the fascinating creatures that live there.

26196433

Tito, the little clown, wants to learn how to do magic just like Manu, the magician at Circus Rondo, who can pull amazing things out of his top hat.

 

28645670

A cat walks through the world and is seen by many creatures from various perspectives.

28008105

When the gingerbread man gets separated from his class during a field trip to the zoo, he uses his teacher’s animal scavenger hunt clues to find his way back to them.

28818276

One morning, something isn’t right in Tinyville Town. There’s a traffic jam on the bridge. Maybe Tinyville Town isn’t as tiny as it once was.

27905565

Ruthie has a problem at school. It’s not the students, or the classroom, or the schoolwork; it’s the Snurtch!

28818351

A girl receives a special gift, a beautiful porcelain box, from her grandmother, and she fills it with all her favorite things.

28218853

A cat fools two dogs into hatching an egg and raising the chick as a puppy.

29152096

When Leo’s mom and dad send him off to fight a dragon, he takes a shield, a sword–and a pile of his favorite books.

28869888

The love story of two socks goes awry when one of them gets a hole.

29279215

Sally and Joe are convinced that the mysterious footprints they have discovered must belong to a dinosaur.

28692029

Superheroes have bad days just like everyone else, and they get mad, but instead of being destructive, they work through their emotions in other ways.

28953843

A young zebra has fun with his grandparents, eating treats, playing, swimming, dancing, and more. 

27414478

With gentle rhyming text, this book celebrates the special bond between parent and child.

28450990

Bella has outgrown her favorite coat, but doesn’t want to give it up.

28665603

Lucy and her animal friends share a picnic, search for buried treasure, and make a nest for baby chicks.

28507895

Ada’s fact-finding missions and elaborate scientific experiments go too far, so her frazzled parents banish her to the Thinking Chair.

 

28686931

A little girl, a child of books, sails her raft across a sea of words and arrives at the house of a boy. She invites him to go with her on an adventure into the world of stories and imagination. Clever use of typography!

 

Picture Books At The Library 83

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

28953965

Little Duck doesn’t know the first thing about getting ready for a party–it’s her first one.

28190008

For Owl, nighttime is the time to play, but all of his friends are sleepy.

28267015

Duck decides to drive the tractor into town, and the other barnyard animals go along for the ride.

Max is tired and all ready for bed, but when he can’t find the moon to say good night, he sets out to find it.

25688989

Kitty wasn’t always such a scaredy-cat, but one late October day, a group of terrifying monsters showed up on her doorstep.

27415479

Birdie loves autumn, but mostly she cannot stop thinking about Halloween and what costume to wear.

27246836

Grimelda the witch searches everywhere for the jar of pickle root to make pickle pie, but her house is so messy, she can’t find it anywhere.

25774393

Love Monster tries to fall asleep but he’s convinced that a scary something with terrible, twisterly toenails and great big teeth is on it’s way up the stairs.

27414479

Cupcake is so worried about what the others think of her she feels she has to be perfect all the time, but that just makes the others mad.

28256235

Guess, discover, and delight in the sounds made by beasts big and small.

28256285

Celebrate that second year, full of new words, amazing skills, and a touch of mischief, as the toddlers in this book reach important milestones.

28818766

A mother and her two children set out on a journey filled with fear of the unknown, but also great hope.

28256306

A little girl falls asleep, her book in hand, and as she dreams an astonishing adventure unfolds.

28695373

A mouse insists that there are no dragons in the book, not a single one, but you, the reader, might know better.

28186334

A boy makes friends with the monster in the tree house next door, but soon discovers there are things about his new friend that he just doesn’t like.

28186319

George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything. There’s just one hing they don’t know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon.

28114507

With the help of friendly spider Webster, aspiring violinists Patience Muffet and Little Bo-Peep find personal fulfillment in the court of Old King Cole.

27774467

Miles was a difficult dog…until he got a car. Now he goes wherever he wants with his friend Norman.

25986287

Mary helps her school friends to look fabulous in their clothes and accessories, but now they’re too well dressed to play outside.

27065884

Far away from his family, Fox wanders the same forest he grew up in, but the beautiful trees and streams are gone. Lovely cover and touching story!

Picture Books At The Library 82

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

28588035

In 1916, Nell Richardson and Alice Burke set off to tour the country in their tiny yellow car, with rallying shouts of “Votes For Women!”

25688982

In this story that incorporates Spanish words, Marta explores the world of opposites and animals.

27876461

A little boy can’t choose which instrument to play, so he decides to try them all.

15945882

A mother takes her son to the zoo to answer his science question.

26309382

A young inventor accidentally creates a group of tiny robots that employ their unique abilities and teamwork to become incredibly useful and maybe even change the world.

27206482

With dogs and cats, horses and chickens, hamsters and chinchillas–and many, many more–this book celebrates animal companions of all shapes and sizes.

26072966

It seems that giraffes will misbehave whether attending a birthday party, going to the movies, playing in the park, or just about anything else.

28008154

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles has a job of the utmost importance, to open any bottle found at sea and make sure that the message found inside is delivered to its intended recipient.

Picture Books At The Library 81

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

26597631

A steamship makes a journey across time from luxury and exclusivity to stewardship and inclusion.

28256350

Six little ninjas sneak into Dojo Daycare to surprise their master on his birthday.

28256172

No hair is too unruly for Maxwell the monkey barber. Whether his neighbors need their manes styled or mustaches trimmed, Maxwell gets them into shipshape.

27833818

Aberdeen is a little mouse with a lot of curiosity, so when a balloon floats by, he can’t help but follow it.

27134685

A boy wonders what happened to his dad to change him from cool to just plain normal.

27245897

Imagined in the form of a secret agent’s set of instructions, Mason and other children negotiate the first day of school.

27206505

Danny will sit anywhere except on the toilet. So the toilet does what any self-respecting toilet would do, he leaves home.

27206495

Anya awakens to discover she has grown a tiger tail, and it just happens to be her very first day of school.

26192547

Imagines the bedtime rituals of different types of trains.

28256376

Buddy does his best to explain to Earl what a baby is, but neither are prepared for the havoc Mrs. Cunningham’s baby wreaks.

28218944

Toby likes being a cat more than a boy. When it’s time to go to school, he becomes a timid kitten.

25942973

Like most everyone around him, a young boy mocks the strange man with bright red hair, who hauled a paint-splattered easel through the French countryside.

27415964

Monsters don’t have friends, but one day, Zander meets Bird and a strange thing happens.

25688978

Ned is a pirate whose fondness for knitting annoys his captain–until one of Ned’s knitted blankets saves the ship from a sea monster.

28007901

A furry, purple monster named Floyd is annoyed because he doesn’t like being called a monster.

28477047

Groovy Joe is a fun-loving dog with a tub full of ice cream–which he shares with his unexpected dinosaur guests.

23872955

The king, the knights, and the villagers are desperate to take down an especially terrible dragon.

28818300

Bedtime means brushing your teeth, putting on pajamas, and kissing your family good night–but little Monsters like to do things differently.

25774391

A young girl witnesses how the seasons change from summer to autumn.

28008155

Henry McHenry is one messy rhino. But today is a very important day. Today, Henry is going to avoid spills.

Picture Books At The Library 80

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

26715022

Goon is the monster hiding in Gabe’s closet, but the trouble is he is a lot more afraid of children than Gabe is afraid of monsters.

27405347

Wally the sheep does not want to get the haircut he really needs, even after all the other farm animals get new hairdos.

27405309

A young boy who thinks baths are dumb, dangerous, and a complete waste of time, changes his mind after finally getting into the tub.

25689040

Your thumb is always there for you through the good times and the bad, like a friend you can carry around in your pocket (or your mouth).

28686916

Poppy has the most incredible imagination, and she can make the most extraordinary things happen. But her imagination has a way of getting completely out of control.

27245954

There are lots of monsters in this book! But every single one is fast asleep…for now.

Anouk, Ben, and Cara dream of a fabulous treasure buried on an island across the harbor. A mysterious man offers them passage if they can solve seven vexing riddles.

27833832

Paula and Maggie are best friends until Paula starts playing with some new friends instead, but when her new playmates turn on her, it’s Maggie who rushes to Paula’s defense.

28259036

Saturdays make Ada cranky because that’s the day she has ballet class. And Ada hates ballet.

26196294

Dewey Dew does not want to go to school–especially not on Planet Earth.

26073011

A little girl who’s always being mistaken for a boy is not afraid to be herself.

28818242

The kids in classroom 2-D are excited about their new class pet, a cute, cuddly hamster, until she’s let out of her cage.

27833634

From ten little ninjas sneaking out of bed to one cuddlebug asleep on the spread, rhyming text provides a countdown to bedtime.

27774619

A new baby elephant is born and the entire herd celebrates the little one’s arrival.

25689001

A boy tells us all the amazing things that happen on a Saturday, his favorite day of the week.

26030685

This book is a celebration of teachers and all that they do to change the world.

26073038

Bear starts his first day of school without his best friend Floppy.

27209273

Ooko the fox has a stick, a rock, and a leaf, but he doesn’t have a friend.

27064356

Otter starts her own school for Teddy, Giraffe, and Pig. And guess who gets to be the teacher?

27246145

Maggi’s mother persuades her to go to the park and make new friends, even though her best friend, Milo, cannot join her because he’s a dog.

Picture Books At The Library 79

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

20561869

Octicorn, who is half octopus, half unicorn, has trouble fitting in.

28183148

Little bird must fly south with his family, but he doesn’t want to leave behind his favorite things.

28686880

The tale of Lucy, a small homeless dog; Eleanor, the girl who loves her; and Eleanor’s father, a would-be vaudevillian with stage fright, unfolds in four acts.

28592820

Grandpa seems to have forgotten how to do the things that he and Noah love. Does he even know who Noah is?

26893493

There are lots of animals on every page of this book, but you’ll have to look very closely. Sometimes you see them and sometimes you don’t.

29065125

When the sun sets, a young boy prepares for his greatest adventure…bedtime!

28183147

What better thing to do on a gray day than collect some colors? Cat decides to do just that, but where will she find them?

28363945

Poor mouse tries all kinds of tactics to move that pesky bear out of his chair.

28686883

Big, brave Captain Crave can check off most items on the Be Your Best Buccaneer handy checklist. Only one thing is missing…he doesn’t have a pet.

27245926

There’s yellow goop on the floor, an unfamiliar smell, and Daddy shaved! Armed with these clues, Mitzi is on her way to discovering what on earth is happening right under her nose.

28118479

Yoshio delights in the sounds of Tokyo, but when a  musician tells him her favorite sound is silence, Yoshio sets out to hear this sound for himself, among the hustle and bustle of the city.

25897685

Cowpoke Clyde gets a bike and sets right off, wibblin’, wobblin’ down the road. Learning to ride a bike is a tad bit harder than he thought.

26074138

A girl and her canine best friend have a blast playing together, until she forgets that her dog can’t climb a tree and doesn’t like being bossed around.

27206408

After a full day of evil schemes, fairy tale baddies return home to spend time with friends and get ready for bed.

25897693

Penny is thrilled to get her invitation to a slumber under the stars party, but then she realizes that no pets are allowed and she’ll have to leave her beloved dog Jelly home.

26890696

When sand shark twins Flip and Fin try to rescue people and save the day like the heroes of their favorite cartoon, there is a misunderstanding.

28814845

A girl ventures back into the realm of kings and emperors, castles and canals, exotic creatures and enchanting landscapes.

27064357

No matter how hard Little Wing tries to fly, it’s always flip, flap, flop, until one day when his fluttering takes off and he finds himself high above the clouds.

27272248

Expecting a dog for her birthday, a girl is upset when she gets a tortoise instead.

25689017

A little girl desperately wants a beautiful unicorn as a pet, but what she gets is a little different.

Picture Books At The Library 78

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

27204959

Twenty young students, some eager, some nervous, some grumpy, prepare for their very first day of kindergarten.

25689016

It’s the cement mixers first day on the job, but he gets “mixed up” and instead of mixing cement, he mixes flour to make a cake and sugar to make frosting.

27209447

Learning to be a lion takes some serious lessons, but luckily, this kid has a teacher who’s a real pro.

27284689

Willy the Gorilla imitates the other animals at the zoo, but despite pretending he remains always a gorilla.

25689014

Yelfred and Omek from the planet Boborp are best frints. Sometimes they fight. And sometimes they bite. But they always make up.

27206458

When Nick decides to teach his cats to read, Verne is interested, especially in books about mice and fish, but Stevenson is not. Maybe Nick just hasn’t found him the right book.

27209231

In his homework assignment about his favorite pet, Gus tells all about his sheep and how they’ve gotten him into trouble.

27206579

Bear and Hare are enjoying a walk, but Hare wants everything he sees for himself.

26074080

When the life preserver her new friend Claude is napping on drifts out to sea, Bella the lighthouse cat finds the adventure she is seeking–and makes another new friend along the way.

25785789

Animal toddlers arrive for storytime with Miss Bingo the flamingo.

27272478

Oskar and his bear Theodore must save the day when an angry monster barges into the library and thinks it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

27214608

Count one by one as one little finger points to cake, two little fingers tap a plate, and so on until you reach ten.

26113700

An energetic toddler has a busy, busy day painting pictures, cooking lunch, hunting for treasure, and more.

28363950

The shapes in this book get mixed up, moved around, and reshaped into all kinds of animals.

27206616

Rod the dog isn’t the best racer in town. But that has never stopped him from competing each and every year in the Pickleberry Grand Prix.

27246857

Join Frankentruck, Zombie Truck, Ghost Truck, and more as they race to the finish line. Who will win the monster truck race?

27209448

A forgetful narrator tries to tell the tale of a knight’s duel with a dragon, and remembers a very important thing along the way.

27015381

When Martha gets a moose for a pet, she’s delighted by all the fun they have together. If one moose is marvelous, then more must be better.

27214582

Bear doesn’t mean to be rude, he’s just curious, but nobody likes being stared at, and it soon gets Bear into trouble.

27204445

When bullies try to stop the extremely cute animals from building their sand castle, they band together to build something bigger and better.

Picture Books At The Library 77

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

27916086

A little girl takes a dream journey that includes floating along with the moon, meeting new friends, an underwater adventure, and finally floating home with the sun.

29064294

Izzie just loves when her mama blows her kisses to catch, but even though she runs and leaps for it, Izzie misses a kiss!

26113802

On a long, lazy summer day, Pinny searches for a wishing rock, watches the clouds, picks wild blueberries, feeds a seagull, and bakes a cake.

26891485

In this cumulative rhyme, a tiny island in the middle of the sea rapidly becomes very crowded with increasingly larger groups of animals.

25689038

Goblin’s best friend Skeleton is stolen by adventurers, and Goblin must travel through a town full of people who don’t like goblins in order to get his friend back.

28274759

Monsters and sons fill their days with rough and rowdy fun.

27206486

A tiny insect king demands a rock with which to build his throne.

26073118

Count from one to ten with the mice who are all dressed up and ready for the ball.

27209283

Explore all the ways and places that the wild exists in our world.

26245095

Magnolia insists on taking the piano to the beach, but she quickly learns that a piano does not mix well with sand, sun, and seagulls.

26068020

In 1943, ten-year-old Diana Hopkins lived in the White House with her father who was the chief advisor to FDR. 

25937850

When Isabel’s best friend moves away, she decides being by herself is better, until she meets someone new.

26893494

Guess the animals on each page as the perspective zooms right in, then zooms back out.

27135124

When Darcy’s friend cancels their play date, she’s sure her day is ruined, until Daddy suggests a Darcy-Daddy day.

26113728

A boy and his dog find a newly hatched bird in a nest, on a branch, in a tree, on a hill, in a magical little valley.

26192983

On a cold night under a pale moon, a brother and sister explore a dark, dark cave.

26893489

When Hee Jun’s family moves from Korea to West Virginia, he struggles to adjust to his new home, school, and language.

26113735

When the girl called Silence is sent by the trees who raised her to save Yesterday, she doesn’t know what her task is, only that it’s important.

Picture Books At The Library 76

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

26890712

A boy and his dog learn about each other, go to school to learn more, then explore the world around them as they study science, geography and even foreign languages together.

25821190

Wanting to be more like his father, a young boy spends all of his money on a product that will supposedly let him grow a beard almost instantly.

27164276

Learn to count from one to ten with the help of vegetables turned animals that practically jump into your salad bowl.

27169036

In 1847 St. Louis, Missouri, when a new law against educating African Americans forces Reverend John to close his school, he finds an ingenious solution to the law by moving his school to a steamboat in the Mississippi River.

25897852

It’s bath time for Bruno, but there’s a whale in the bathtub–a huge, tub-hogging, bubble-bath-squirting, flipper-scrubbing, barnacle-rinsing whale.

27206426

Follow an assortment of creatures as they make their way to a nest, the shore, or a porch while the day comes to an end, and the moon begins to rise.

26033786

Discover what goes on beneath the surface at a puppy pool party.

27064352

Imagine Louise’s delight when a new neighbor moves in and she loves art too. But liking the same thing doesn’t always mean you agree on it.

25774416

Maxwell is a strong, courageous, silent ninja who wants somebody to play with, but it seems Mama, Papa, and little sister Cassy are all too busy.

26074097

Soon after Porcupine and Moose arrive at Rabbit’s birthday party, the cake goes missing.

26150574

This guidebook will show you how to become a superhero in seven easy steps.

26796307

What do you do when you’re so tiny that the big ocean creatures think you’d taste adorable?

A rhinoceros tours Europe in the mid-18th century and becomes a sensation. 

Picture Books At The Library 75

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

26244496

Bear wakes up hungry but can’t remember what he’s supposed to eat other than it starts with the letter “B”.

26244563

Did you know that the deepest parts of the ocean are over one mile deep? That’s where Blobfish lives.

28863276

Lyrical rhyming text sweetly explains that each animal belongs where it belongs and that you belong with me.

26244567

Monty the frog has a big secret…he can’t swim!

26236850

A girl tries to pick the perfect dog, but in the end, the right dog picks her.

26109110

Tim and Tim are best friends forever until Tom comes along.

27311339

When three friends gather on a rainy day, one wants to play princess, one wants to play fairy, and one wants to play ballerina. Which one will win?

26109120

Hare is the fastest on the farm. Tortoise is as slow as they go. So when they decide to have a race, Hare is certain to win…isn’t he?

25937861

Each year, bar-tailed godwits undertake the longest unbroken migration of any animal, flying from Australia and New Zealand to their breeding grounds in the Arctic and back again.

27210509

Benny the woodpecker devises an elaborate plan to get a taste of sweet-smelling waffles.

27247069

Rory the dinosaur searches everywhere for a pet, but just as he’s about to give up, a pet finds him.

26109334

A boy wants a beard just like his dad but he does not want to wait until he’s old to grow one.

26245753

Ian, who always follows the rules, must save his sister Jenny, who always breaks the rules, from three hungry monsters.

26312553

A little boy has a grand time pretending to drive every big vehicle he can imagine.

26073059

A cast of animal characters builds a brand new playground from Sunday to Saturday, opening day.

25689044

A boy and his dog embark upon a very unusual fishing trip in this nearly wordless story. SUPER CLEVER!

Picture Books At The Library 74

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

26067619

Baby Leo loves the water, so his father takes him to swim class with the other toddlers.

25739053

This is the story of the horse chestnut tree that stood outside the window of the factory where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during WWII.

25893608

When Chuck brings his woodchuck to school,  his woodchuck helps him make friends with a girl named Caroline.

26198830

A happy monster goes for a walk in the rain with his bunny friends.

26074141

When disaster strikes, Samanthasaurus Rex uses her own unique skills to save her family from a fiery volcano.

26109112

From the animals in the woods to neighbors in their homes, we all share our feelings.

25249470

Climb aboard the spaceship with Zoey the chicken and her best pig, Sam, as they set off on an out-of-this-world adventure.

30336440

What might be on the other side of the ocean–tall buildings, funny animals, pink houses, or someone just like you?

26192540

When the other ladybugs make fun of Lucy because she has no spots, she sets off to find some very special spots of her own.

27180021

Everybody tells her how dogs should be, but this girl knows better.

26154225

Hector the bear just wants a bit of peace and quiet, but Hummingbird won’t stop talking.

25785833

An interpretation of the lyrics to Bob Dylan’s 1970 song of the same name, reimagined to portray the love between parent and child.

25774427

Fairies are all around us, and if you want to have one come to you, build a fairy house.

26150587

After visiting the eye doctor, a near-sighted dog gets glasses.

26892052

Join a rascally band of pirates as they swash buckle their way through the neighborhood.

DCL Actor’s Table Reading of The Peddler’s Bed

I’m happy to share a DCL Actor’s Table Reading of The Peddler’s Bed, which was organized, recorded, and edited by Mr. Scott Mosher, Paralibrarian at the DeWitt Community Library. Thank you, Scott and the talented script readers!

Have 5 minutes? Have a Listen!

You will also find a link to this recording of The Peddler’s Bed on my Teacher’s Resources page along with a Reader’s Theater children’s recording of the book, and other fun stuff.

Also check out the DeWitt Community Library’s SoundCloud page for more Actor’s Table Readings and Reader’s Theater recordings.

Picture Books At The Library 73

PB at the library 2

I catalog hundreds of new picture books each year, and I read as many of them as I can. Unfortunately, I can’t review them all, but I can share them. Below are a few recent titles. (Summaries have been taken directly from the books whenever possible.)

26073120

Big Duck thinks she is wiser than the others, but it’s Little Duck who proves he’s the wisest.

27180099

When Maia’s best friend Nico moves away, a big hole is left in her life and in her heart.

25986802

When Tokyo plants three seeds under the bricks in the city where he lives, magic blooms.

26240667

After a young boy’s beloved dog dies, the boy makes friends with a stray he meets on the beach.

25937867

Scruff the dog makes a remarkable discovery while digging for bones one day.

29612906

A giant squid decides that he has all the right “qualifications” to be President Squid.

25777470

Babysaurus has lost his mamasaurus and turns to his prehistoric friends to help find her.

26109119

Ruby has red blocks and Benji has blue blocks. Will they learn to share and have twice as many blocks to play with?

26073139

When Doris the gorilla is called a baby for having a blankie, she tries to disguise Frankie the Blankie rather than give him up.

27828812

Pip the panda is reassured by his mother that no matter how big he grows, her love for him will continue to grow too.

27245931

Everyone in the Ellis family is excellent, except Ed the dog, who is determined to find something at which he, too, can excel.

26240600

Billy, a grumpy boy, finds the perfect pet in the grumpy section of the animal shelter.

26109092

A little girl is worried that her friend, who has a perfect store bought doll house, will not like the one she made herself out of a cardboard box.

30185411

Flora dances with her two new peacock friends.

25897855

This is a field guide to the fierce but adorable grumpasaurus, found in every home where there are small children.

26192916

Two young chicks train in the art of ninjutsu in order to rescue their parents from a hungry fox.

27190611

Sophie doesn’t want to be friends with the kids at school, especially Steven, but over time she realizes that people who like the same things as you can be the very best of friends.

27206454

Long ago, as the kingdom of Morocco grew, all the people forgot the dangers of the desert, and they forgot about the storytellers, too.