Picture Book Review

Bear and Squirrel are Friends by Deb Pilutti

The first time I read this book I was really confused at the moral or purpose of the story, so I read it again.  The story left me feeling uncomfortable and still confused.  I gave it to another staff to read, and they returned it with a similar reflection about the moral of the story.

Thinking of amphomorphic characters, there is the standpoint that people of different races have to struggle to be friends and no one will support them.

From another even more disturbing vision of the world, friends eat friends. And you can make blueberry pancakes to save yourself from being eaten by your bestfriend. Cannibalism is expected and accepted.
CLOV has the only copy of this book.  Are we reading too much into it? Wanna read it? I'd love your perspective.

Colors of Nature by Kate Riggs

Colors of Nature by Kate Riggs just came in and it will be perfect for Babytime.  It has wonderful illustrations, colors and simple text.  It goes through the seasons with colors. Starts with Spring and ends with Winter.

Potato Joe by Keith Baker

Storytime started back up and I chose one of my favorites to share today Potato Joe by Keith Baker.

There is counting forwards and backwards and there is a special guest appearance by a guy named Watermelon Moe. This is a fun and unique picture book that makes kids laugh!

Splash! by Flora McDonnell

When the jungle animals are hot, a baby elephant has a good solution involving the squirting and splashing of water at the water hole. Very simple with big bright pictures!

Farm!

My story time theme was "Farm" today! We read:

Clip-Clop by Nicola Smee
A classic favorite of mine that works well for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz
A fun twist on the traditional song. Instead of cows and sheep, Old MacDonald has an excavator and a steam roller!


Farm Songs:

Down on Grandpa's Farm (I used puppets)


Farm Rhyme:

Five Little Eggs

Five little eggs and
Five little eggs
That you see makes ten
Sitting on top is the Mother Hen
Crackle, crackle, crackle!
What do you see?
Ten fluffy chickens!
Yellow as can be



A few weeks ago, we were bombarded by teens needing volunteer work. In desperation to keep them busy I said, "Come up with a cute farm craft that preschoolers could do." They came up with this cow hat, which turned out great.

Favorite Class Visit book

I missed the J meeting this week where everyone shared their favorite class visit books, so I thought I would throw in my two cents...

Parts by Tedd Arnold

 

"A five-year-old boy thinks his body is falling apart untill he learns new teeth grow and hair and skin replace themselves." A classic! Gross enough to satisfy any first-grader.

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton

"Chronicles the life and achievements of the NASA engineer and inventor, from his childhood to his accidental invention of the Super-Soaker water gun." Great STEAM bio. The teachers especially like this one!

1st Grade Class VIsits

I had several 1st grade class visits this month.  In the past I have used the same books over and over and over again, so this year I wanted to read something different.  In the end I only read the same two books to each class, but I have many books that I think would work well with the elementary age crowd.

Here were my winners:

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt

I have two volunteers play Rock Paper Scissors in front of the class. The "loser" would sit down and the "winner" would pick another child to play.  I did a few rounds of Rock Paper Scissors until we read the book.  A hit!

Chicken Butt! by Erica S. Perl

You Know What?  What?

Chicken Butt!

You Know Why?  Why?
Chicken Thigh!

You Know How?  How?

Chicken Eyebrow!

This was a hit with everyone.  Very short and a good book to finish off with.

My new favorite funny book.  I read this to one class and I think they enjoyed it.  I will be reading it again soon.

I am NOT a Chair! by Ross Burach

I really like There's a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins.  I think you need older children for this title, but it's so great, the illustrations, the rhyming, I just love it.

The next one I found on Storytime Underground.  I never got a chance to read it but I will read it to my Outreach groups this summer.  

Poor Doreen:  A Fishy Tale by Sally Lloyd-Jones & Alexandra Boiger