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For your borrowing convenience...
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The web site of the Los Angeles Public Library makes it very easy to check availability and to reserve the books of your choice. And it’s free! The above link opens a new browser window... close that new window to return here.
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There are currently 96 books listed here.
 | Ted
by Tony DiTerlizzi
Age Range: 5-9
"This is the story of a father and a son and the big raspberry colored, fun-loving, troublemaking best friend who brings them closer together." We loved this book, with a couple of provisos..it's pretty sad through most of the book..the little boy is so lonely, his single father is a workaholic and Ted is his sort-of-scary looking imaginary friend who gets him in some serious scrapes. The little boy even runs away from home, but there is a very happy ending. Really, we loved it! This is DiTerlizzi's second book for kids. Apparently he's well known to fans of Dungeons and Dragons, and Magic--The Gathering (you got me?!) Visit the author/illustrator at www.diterlizzi.com |
 | Matthew and the Midnight Pirates
by Allen Morgan and Michael Martchenko
Age Range: 4-8
Hey, here's a great part about running this list, I've rediscovered a book my son loves! Not only that, but when I looked it up on Amazon it seems there are three more in the series..who knew? A little magic, a lot of imagination, and our hero Matthew has a series of adventures with a grubby but jolly group of pirates who manage to save the town's library's budget (don't ask, just read!) I always like books that tout libraries and the importance of reading in a non-saccharine, kids will still get the message way... |
 | The Lucky Lizard
by Ellen A. Kelley
Age Range: 7-12
With a plucky lizard named Bima as the narrator, this story of a "pipsqueak" third-grader who has yet to learn how to ride his two-wheeler bike, speaks every kid who feels too small to do something. "Eight year old Todd feels too small. Too small for his age. Too small for his class. And too small to ride his brand-new two-wheel Speedster bike. But Todd is about to get big help from someone who really knows what it means to be small - his pet lizard. It's a chapter book about friendship and fear written by a former elementary school teacher. Lots of fun and great expressive black and white illustrations by Kevin O'Malley. |
 | Pigsty
by Mark Teague
Age Range: 4-8
Mark Teague illustrates the Poppleton series by Cynthia Rylant…oh, that's where you've seen his stuff! And while I love a lot of Cynthia Rylant's books, Poppleton is a bit precious for my taste. In Pigsty, Teague can let 'er rip with a protagonist named Wendell Fultz (see? character names supreme) who won't clean up his room until a passel of real pigs moves in. This is a terrific read-aloud book and, as with all Teague books, fun for both kids and adults. Honestly, I haven't put anything on this list that's not fun for adults (IMNSHO). |
 | How I Spent My Summer Vacation
by Mark Teague
Age Range: 4-8
Well, OK, then, this needs to be Mark Teague Month. I think he started as an illustrator and moved on to illustrating his own gently bizarre stories. Nobody does character names better; this is the story of Wallace Bleff whose teacher gets more than she bargained for when Wallace reads his essay that just happens to spring to life off the pages. |
 | No Moon, No Milk!
by Chris Babcock
Age Range: 4-8
Haven't I talked about Mark Teague yet? His illustrations are always winners, I love his slightly surreal-ly goofy, really expressive style; just the cover of No Moon, No Milk is worth the purchase price(he does indignant animals better than anyone). People Magazine says "Irresistable illustrations and a spirited story of an obstinate cow who insists on walking on the moon." |
 | Dinosaur Dreams
by Dennis Nolan
Age Range: 4-8
You really can never have too many dinosaur books, especially when they're breathtakingly illustrated as this book, chronicling Wilbur's nocturnal visit by a baby apatosaur which leads them through the Ice Age, the Cretaceous, and the Jurassic period and finally back home, all in one night. |
 | The Starry Night
by Neil Waldman
Age Range: 4-8
This gorgeous picture book imagines a mysterious artist named Vincent befriending a young boy in New York. Ever wondered what Van Gogh's take would be on Times Square or the Statue of Liberty? Simply eloquent and a timely tribute to New York. |
 | Albert Einstein
by Ibi Lepscky
Age Range: 5+
One in a series of books entitled "Children of Genius", also featuring Picasso, Mozart and DaVinci. Gentle illustrations accompany this biography of the great scientist for young readers, focusing on his boyhood during which he seemed so different from other children. |
 | Skyrockets and Snickerdoodles
by Julia and Robert Van Nutt
Age Range: 4-8
This husband and wife team has created an entertaining series of loosely-historical picture books chronicling small-town life in America in the 1840's. If you're a stickler for historical detail, pass on these (for example, one book shows a baseball team that includes girls) but, if like me, you are looking for something different, especially for a 6 year old boy who's not used to books where things don't crash, beep or explode, this series is a fine discovery. Told in diary format, the heroine is the spunky Lucky Hart who lives in the fictional Cobtown, a pleasant, quaint town where mild adventures take place (pigs are lost, the town's name might be changed, a ballgame is played) and everything turns out fine in the end. Lucky is plucky and will appeal to both boys and girls; Booklist suggests that Lucky "looks like an American Girls doll brought to life." |
 | Pignapped
by Julia and Robert Van Nutt
Age Range: 4-8
Another gentle glimpse into life in Cobtown, where Heddy Peggler's wild pig Oinkney has been Pignapped. Perhaps not for tender-hearted animal lovers, but it does all work out in the end. |
 | A Cobtown Christmas
by Julia and Robert Van Nutt
Age Range: 4-8
The first in the Cobtown series, which I believe totals 7 or 8 installments. |
 | Listen Buddy
by Helen Lester
Age Range: 2-7
I credit my mom with counseling me early in my Mom career to look for books with great illustrations. Thus I discovered the wonderful partnership of author Helen Lester and illustrator Lynn Munsinger. Or maybe it was when we saw Janeane Garofolo read this to hilarious effect on the old PBS show Storytime..anyway, we quickly sought out the entire Lester/Munsinger oeuvre and have never been disappointed. LIsten Buddy is about a hapless bunny who never listens to his parents, until he meets the Scruffy Varmint and almost gets made into Rabbit Soup. They say ages 3-8 but some 3 year olds might find it too scary. |
 | It Wasn't My Fault
by Helen Lester
Age Range: 2-7
The misadventures of one Murdley Gurson (I'm a sucker for good character names) who tries to blame everyone else for his mistakes. His friends include an aardvark and a friendly pygmy hippo, who teach him how to feel better about making mistakes. Important lessons for the preschool and Kindergarten set. |
 | Tacky the Penguin
by Helen Lester
Age Range: 3-8
It's OK to be an "odd bird", even when that means being a penguin who wears loud Hawaiian shirts, talks too loudly and gets on his perfect-penguin friends' nerves. Tacky ends up saving the day, and if you want to know what day that is..you'll just have to read the book! Another great selection to read to a 3 year old, or give to a 6 year old who will love the puns and the cheeky humor. |
 | My Robot Buddy
by Alfred Slote
Age Range: 6+
Our first venture into science fiction, and we're glad to learn that Mr. Slote is the author of over 30 books as this one was a winner. Recommended by the publisher for ages 9-12, and while it's possible that the mildly perilous situation of a boy almost being captured by a "robot-napper" could disturb young ones, it didn't bother our 6 year old, and was a real page-turner. Written in the early 80's, you'll have a laugh at the subplot involving the dad's need for a mobile phone which was exorbitantly expensive. |
 | My Trip to Alpha 1
by Alfred Slote
Age Range: 6+
Also written in the early 80's, this fast-paced chapter book captured our son's imagination with a story about space travel, a young boy, his aunt and a mysterious couple. |
 | The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
by Lemony Snicket
Age Range: 7+
You'll love it or you'll hate it. I gave this book to a friend who loathed it so much she gave it back to me to get it out of her house. This is the first in a projected series of 13 books, chronicling the extreme misadventures of the Baudelaire orphans. Amazon.com says "Make no mistake. The Bad Beginning begins badly for the Baudelaire orphans and then gets worse." Taking drollery to new levels, the Snicket books are reminiscent of Roald Dahl, and gives readers 9-12 something to do during the interminable wait for the next Harry Potter. I've read two in the series (and I definitely haven't read them to my six year old), and wonder if the simple plot device and repetitive gags will hold up for all 13 installments. For now, I'm a huge fan, and moving on to Book #3. |
 | Will I Have A Friend?
by Miriam Cohen
Age Range: 5-8
From the deranged (Lemony Snicket) to the darling; these sweet books about a Kindergartner named Jim help to ease children's fears about the first day of school, taking tests, being bad at art, and so on. These books were written 30 years ago so the Kindergartners take naps. This would be a useful book for anxious preschoolers or anyone transitioning to a new child-care situation. Lillian Hoban's gentle watercolor illustrations set just the right tone. |
 | Best Friends
by Miriam Cohen
Age Range: 5-8
A great book for preK-1st graders who are experiencing fickle first friendships. In Cohen's books, things always work out, but we learn something useful along the way. |
 | When Will I Read?
by Miriam Cohen
Age Range: 5-8
Jim is anxious about not reading, but his teacher points out that he's already reading signs, instructions, etc. A great book about learning what it means to become a reader. |
 | Alistair Underwater
by Marilyn Sadler, Roger Bollen (Illustrator)
Age Range: 4-8
More Alistair adventures. |
 | Alistair and the Alien Invasion
by Marilyn Sadler, Roger Bollen (Illustrator)
Age Range: 4-8
Oddball boy genius Alistair is usually immersed in a science project when incredible things happen to him (aliens landing on earth, traveling back in time, etc.) Deadpan humor celebrating being different. |
 | Burnt Toast on Davenport Street
by Tim Egan (Illustrator)
Age Range: 4-8
Booklist calls this a "tongue in beak tale". Egan's stories always feature oddly dignified animal creatures. Enjoyable on so many levels... Booklist again" (enjoy it as) a cautionary tale on xenophobia or the story of a zany dogfight." |
 | Distant Feathers
by Tim Egan (Illustrator)
Age Range: 4-8
Another odd one by Tim Egan. |
 | Metropolitan Cow
by Tim Egan (Illustrator)
Age Range: 4-8
Tim Egan's strange vision continues to charm…and confuse… |
 | Chestnut Cove
by Tim Egan
Age Range: 4-8
I've listed every Tim Egan book I know of because they're all so marvelous and deserve to be shared. |
 | Clarice Bean Guess Who's Babysitting?
by Lauren Child
Age Range: 4-8
Clarice is the Eloise of the new Millennium. If you haven't read the Eloise books by Kay Thompson, please log off and do not return until you can 1. Identify Skipperdee and 2. Define "skibble". You think I'm not serious. |
 | I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed
by Lauren Child
Age Range: 4-8
More Clarice Bean. We love the collage effects, the trend in illustration towards using photographs of real objects like fabrics, buttons, food interspersed with drawings and a variety of fonts. Not to digress but this technique was used to perfection in Simms Taback's award-winning "Joseph had a Little Overcoat." |
 | Dinosaur Bob and His Adventures With the Family Lazardo (Reading Rainbow Book)
by William Joyce
Age Range: 4-8
Weirdest books by a guy who somehow snagged a multi-million dollar TV deal while retaining his weirdness... this is the guy who brings us Rolie Polie Olie. His autobiography, The William Joyce Scrapbook is brilliant. Makes me want to hop a plane to Shreveport and show up on his doorstep, not to stalk him, but just to be invited to one of his world-famous Halloween parties (neighbors dress up like characters in his books) or to chat with him over a bowl of gumbo. I'm so in awe of his talent and his bizarre sense of humor that I'm happy to see all those Zowie Olie dolls in the Disney Store. If anyone deserves it, he does. |
 | I'm Out of My Body, Please Leave a Message
by Dan Greenburg
Age Range: 6-10
Another classic Zack Files book. Wish they'd bring back the TV show, now that Spence is old enough for it. Next time I'll tell you about Maximum Boy, another series by Dan Greenburg and our very newest favorite. |
 | Trapped in the Museum of Unnatural History
by Dan Greenburg
Age Range: 6-10
OK, I know we already talked about The Zack Files at great length last month, but that was before my son and I read the newest installment in this 25 and counting book series. We laughed right out loud repeatedly and periodically do really good impressions of Moog, the kindly Neanderthal that Zack meets when he's inadvertently locked in the Rosencranz Museum of Natural History. We can do a whole riff on the Yoo-Hoo section (just ask us!) |
 | Never Trust a Cat Who Wears Earrings
by Dan Greenburg
Age Range: 6-10
The Zack Files are the perfect slightly supernatural series to get hooked on for younger readers and their appreciative parents who will enjoy the offbeat humor. While we haven't gone down the Goosebumps route and I haven't formed an opinion about them yet, I'm generally of the mindset that most all reading is good and can lead to other and more reading. I'm hazarding a guess that The Zack Files will tide us over for a good while. The reading level is supposed to be 9-12, but my almost 6 year old loves to hear the stories. There are over 20 books in the series and you can get a sense of them just from the titles. |
 | Monkey Business
by Vivian Walsh (Contributor), J. Otto Seipold, J. Otto Seibold (Illustrator)
Age Range: 5-10
Hands down best illustrator name and best retrowacky illustrations. Did we hear there's a Mr. Lunch cartoon series in the works? |
 | Katie and the Sunflowers
by James Mayhew
Age Range: 5-10
We never got tired of the gimmick and spunky, adventurous Katie, plus I was able to sneak in a little art history. I credit these books with my son's newfound interest in visiting the art museum. |
 | Katie and the Mona Lisa
by James Mayhew (Illustrator)
Age Range: 5-10
Katie goes to the museum with her grandma, who must be narcoleptic. While grandma snoozes Katie is able to go into the paintings and play with the subjects. |
 | Dogzilla
by Dav Pilkey
Age Range: 4-8
Brought to you by the deliciously warped mind of the creator of Captain Underpants, I say a big Tra La Laaa to this earlier effort. A photorealistic comic book with a Perfectly Pilkey ending. |
 | Kat Kong
by Dav Pilkey
Age Range: 4-8
The feline companion to Dogzilla. |
 | Art Dog
by Thacher Hurd
Age Range: 4-8
Possibly my all-time favorite kid's book, so far. Who was that mild-mannered guard at the Dogopolis Museum of Art, ardent fan of Leonardo Dog Vinci? Was it he who saved the day when ruthless mutts pilfered the Mona Woofa? |
 | Good-Bye, Charles Lindbergh-- Based on a True Story
by Louise Borden, Thomas B. Allen (Illustrator)
Age Range: 5-9
Our next stop in the Non-Fiction shelves after exhausting g the Dinosaur sections has been biographies, and there are some outstanding ones for kids these days. |
 | Irving and Muktuk-- Two Bad Bears
by Jill Pinkwater (Illustrator), Daniel Manus Pinkwater
Age Range: 5-9
Aren't we all a wee bit tired of reading children's stories about perfectly saintly, charming animals doing adorable things? |
 | Moe the Dog in Tropical Paradise
by Diane Stanley, Elise Primavera (Illustrator)
Age Range: 4-8
Our favorite kid's video is a Shelly Duvall version of Richard Dreyfuss(!) reading this story. |
 | Ned Feldman, Space Pirate
by Daniel Pinkwater
Age Range: 5-9
Most of Daniel Pinkwater's books are for older kids but this short chapter book held our attention for a one-sitting read. He's hysterical! |
 | Odds 'N' Ends Alvy
by John Frank, G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)
Age Range: 4-8
So much fun to read aloud. Alvy (like the aforementioned Alistair) is a boy genius of few words and amazing actions. Alvy's latest invention takes him on a wild ride, but he's back before recess is over. |
 | The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg (Illustrator)
Age Range: 4-8
1986 Caldecott Award winner for Achievement in Illustration. A Christmas classic. |
 | The Worst Band in the Universe
by Graeme Base
Age Range: 5-10
Best book to come with its own CD. Inventive artwork, compelling story about Space Alien Sprocc who marches to the beat of his own Splingtwanger and a rockin' CD with all instruments and all singing done by Graeme Base (who you may know from Animalia, but we like this better) |
 | Will Rogers-- Larger Than Life
by Debbie Dadey, Scott Goto (Illustrator), Debbie Dadey
Age Range: 5-9
A complete departure for one of the co-authors or the rather annoying Bailey City Monsters series; a beautifully illustrated ode to America's Humorist. |
 | Imagine That! Poems of Never-Was
selected by Jack Prelutsky
Age Range: all
Chuckles, chortles and downright belly laughs - this is hands-down our favorite book of the month. An extensive collection of wacky poems, mostly about magical creatures, some scary, some not so scary but the gentle watercolor illustrations by Kevin Hawkes take the edge of even the most menacing of beasts. Includes poems by Dr. Seuss, Jane Yolen, Ogden Nash and Spike Milligan, to name a few kid teaser-pleasers.. |
 | Molly the Mad Basher
by Malcome Yorke
Age Range: 4-8
Part of the Teachers Secrets series, and the first we've read, though we'll definitely be ordering more. Could Molly the Mad Basher really be mild-mannered Miss Cuddle, everybody's favorite teacher? A secret life as a wrestler? It could happen..the author has a secret life himself..as a teacher, so he might be onto something... |
 | My Monster Mama Loves Me So
by Laura Leuck
Age Range: 4-8
"My monster mama loves me so! Let me tell you how I know. When I wake up, she tweaks my nose, tickles all my pointy toes, combs the cobwebs from my bangs, and makes sure that I brush my fangs…" a monstrously adorable picture book for the 4-8 crowd - older kids will love looking for the trademark hidden spooky treats in the illustrations by the inventive Mark Buehner, illustrator of the popular Maxi the Taxi Dog series. Perfect for Halloween or any time you want to snuggle with your little monster and a good book... |
 | The Old Man Who Loved Cheese
by Garrison Keillor
Age Range: 4-8
So the rhymes don't always scan..this is such a wonderful read aloud book, it's like you've been invited to a big cheesy party, with fun and fanciful cartoon-y drawings and some painful puns. Mangia!! |
 | Deltora Quest
by Emily Rodda
Age Range: 7-11
Deceptively simple narrative combined with oddly compelling characters and a unique magical, medieval? setting make this 8 book series a must on our summer reading list. I would not recommend this for any younger than 6, and I have misgivings about that as the young end.(They're listed as 4th grade level so the themes are fairly mature) I learned the hard way not to read this before my son's bedtime as it's pretty monster-y and at the far end of his gore tolerance. But in the light of day my son can't get enough of these books and is practically begging to be read to. I might leave out every third beheading and the story still moves on at a fantastic clip. |
 | Something Queer in Outer Space
by Elizabeth Levy
Age Range: 5-9
Part of a series of six or seven books by noted children's author Elizabeth Levy, these books star two spunky girls, their eccentric basset hound and assorted neighborhood friends and characters, who get into amusing adventures with just a little danger and/or mystery. A good transition from picture to chapter books with more text but detailed humorous by Mordicai Gerstein. These books remind me of a step up from the Nate the Great books, with slightly more complex mysteries, but the same wry humor and intelligent kid protagonists. |
 | Zoom! Zoom! Zoom! Off to the Moon!
by Dan Yaccarino
Age Range: 1-5
One of Yaccarino's earliest books, and a real keeper. A wonderful picture book for budding astronauts and anyone who enjoys clever rhymes and funny illustrations. Targeted to the 2-5 crowd, but fun to read to at least one six year old I know who recognizes and loves Yaccarino's work, as does his mom.... |
 | Casey in the Bath
by Cynthia DeFelice
Age Range: 3-7
I fear our picture book days are beginning to wane, but there is something about this book that has made my son want to pull it out again and again. He's begun to ruthlessly cull the picture books from the shelves, my little literary Attila, but this one is off-limits. I bought this years ago for my reluctant bath-taker and tooth-brusher but it's outlasted those hurdles. Bright, goofy drawings, a bit of a mystery and a real kid-pleaser. |
 | Pigs From 1 to 10
by Arthur Geisert
Age Range: 3-7
Such an odd book; this was read to my son by a Library Grandma and he insisted on bringing it home where he's pored over it again and again. Ten piglet brothers set out on a quest for a lost, fabled place. While the pigs carry out their search, the reader is invited to search for numbers hidden in each intricately drawn picture. It's harder than it sounds! Hey, I just reread the book jacket and there's a companion book, Pigs from A to Z! I'll get right on it... |
| Willy the Wizard
by Anthony Browne
Age Range: 4-8
We discovered Willy in The Treasury of Children's Literature which was well worth the 8.99 I paid for it in the Bargain stacks at Borders two years ago. So imagine our excitement when we ran across a full length Willy book. Willy is an intricately drawn ape, well, he's a boy who does all the things boys do, except that he looks like an ape, as do all the characters in the book. Willy wants to play soccer but he doesn't have any boots(it's a British series); a close encounter with a magical stranger remedies that, but what will happen when Willy forgets to bring the magical boots to the big game? A picture book for 4-7, I'd wager. |
 | Happily Ever After
by Anna Quindlen
Age Range: 6-10
A fairy tale for the new millenium featuring a spunky, baseball playing heroine who -poof!- becomes a princess who befriends witches,helps to slay dragons and teaches the ladies-in-waiting how to play baseball.Black and white illustrations by James Stevenson capture Katie's spirit and the magical world in which she finds herself.. Ages 6-10. |
 | The Gentleman and the Kitchen Maid
by Diane Stanley, Dennis Nolan (Illustrator)
Age Range: 6-9
Another in this odd little genre we've discovered (see the "Katie" books by James Mayhew) of classical paintings that come alive and have adventures. This one's a bit of a romance, but not nearly too mushy for a 6 year old boy, and a bit of a mystery too. An art student named Rusty finds a way to bring the two lovers together for eternity. "The paintings by Dennis Nolan pay homage to a range of masters from Rembrandt to Picasso and create an enchanting world of their own." In our world, I'm trying to introduce my son to art that wasn't generated by Klasky/Czupo so books like this are like a little gift. |
 | William the Curious-- Knight of the Water Lilies
by Charles Santore
Age Range: 5-9
An original fairy tale that takes place "more than a thousand years before you were born, in the Land of Far and Wide…." Breathtaking illustrations; I will definitely be seeking out other books illustrated by this man. From the book jacket it appears that (at least in '97 when the book was published), his work had been primarily in illustration, but the story, with its inherent moral is worth enjoying as well. I was so happy to find this book on our first trip to the newly reopened North Hollywood Library - if you live in the Valley, pay it a visit, it's absolutely lovely and restocked with lots of new books. In sharp contrast to the Studio City Library, but I'm editorializing instead of reviewing books...aaarrrrggghhh... |
 | The Dumb Bunnies' Easter
by Sue Denim
Age Range: 4-7
Illustrated by Dav Pilkey (pre-Captain Underpants) this book is sure to amuse the 4-7 crowd or anyone who laughs at the sight of rabbits in tighty whities adorned with Valentine hearts. "It was December 24th, and the Dumb Bunnies were getting ready for Easter." Suitable for any holiday occasion, because the Bunnies get them all mixed up. The sheer exuberance of the bunnies, their bunnie joie de vivre will brighten any holiday. |
 | What is a Wise Bird Like You Doing in a Silly Tale Like This?
by Uri Shulevitz
Age Range: 6-10
Any story that takes place in a kingdom named Pickleberry, population 26 1/2 can't be half bad. Undoubtedly the strangest book we've read all year, so if you have a logical child that prefers things to be wrapped up neatly at the end, steer clear. On the other hand, if nonsense grabs your fancy, it doesn't get any more nonsensical. We loved it. It's the story of the Emperor, his brother the Janitor, a bird named Lou, the invisible half citizen (hence the 1/2 in the population) - oh, I could tell you more, but it won't make any sense, and it still won't make much sense after you read it, but how else will you learn to speak a few words of Birdish or find out that raw horseradish should never be eaten with diddle-dumplings or sour spinach marmalade?? You'll thank me later... |
 | Dinner at Magritte's
by Michael Garland
Age Range: all
I took this book out about 3 years ago for our son because Magritte is one of my favorite artists. I rediscovered it and he appreciated it (as you would expect) on a whole new level. It helped that he'd studied Magritte in his enrichment class, it helps that Magritte is so unique and mystical and odd, and it helps that this book perfectly captures the spirit of Magritte and his friend Salvador Dali and makes them accessible to kids. I can't recommend this book enough to spark conversations and exploration about modern art - a perfect precursor to your kid's first trip to an art museum. It makes artists come alive. Full of visual puns in the Magritte-ian way. |
 | Roxaboxen
by Alice McLerran
Age Range: all
This is the most simply magical book I've read in a long time. That's simple, and magical. Based on the author's mother's childhood experiences, Roxaboxen takes place at a children's playplace, unlike any other you've read about. The children live in a desert town, and Roxaboxen is their elaborate made-up world that consists of cactus, sand, yes, and rocks and boxes. The drawings are delicate, in desert hues, and the children wear clothing of the period, and it all results in a wistful homage to days gone by and children's imaginations. Something about this book just wrecked me..poor Spencer had to listen to me sniffle through the last few pages, and we had to stop while he got me a Kleenex. |
 | Albert Goes to Town
by Jennifer Jordan
Age Range: 9-8
"Albert's dream of driving a tiny car through his toy town is realized with the help of a neighbor who is something more than he appears to be.." by Kidbook #75 or so, I'm sure you're noticing a theme - we love books about things/people that are more than they appear to be..as an adult I love the books of Alice Hoffman and Anne Tyler, so my joy at finding books with a similar semi-magical bent is magnified. Fun, happy pictures by Shannon McNeil in yummy, cartoony colors. |
| The Wuggie Norple Story
by Daniel Pinkwater
Age Range: all
In a bizarre collaboration that somehow works, Pinkwater has teamed with Tomie DePaola (whom I always think of as the resident artist on Barney, waaaaay too cutesie for Pinkwater's twisted style)…Completely bizarre, well, I said that..we loved it, from the fabulous character names (Exploding Poptart a family favorite) to the all-tied-up neatly ending. What's it about? Couldn't tell you, but will appeal to anyone with a sense of the ridiculous from 3 to 93.. |
| Walter's Magic Wand
by Eric Houghton
Age Range: 4-8
Nothing like venturing to a whole new library sytem to discover all kinds of new books..it was worth the 15 minute drive to the next city to pick up this and other new-to-us books. I even got a library card (Burbank, for you locals). Walter is a little handful who tries to wreck havoc on his local library but is outwitted by the quick-thinking librarian. A fun read-aloud book with a fanciful twist ending. |
 | You Can't Take A Balloon into the National Gallery
by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and Robin Preiss Glasser
Age Range: 5-9
#2 in an outstanding series for kids and adults alike, I first found these books because my friend Laurie danced with the illustrator in the Pennsylvania Ballet for years - thanks, Laurie for the tip, in the true spirit of Kidbooks! The artwork and spirit of the books is more than a little reminiscent of Hilary Knight and the Eloise books..a little girl visiting the museum with her brother and grandma asks a woman outside to watch her balloon; said balloon floats away and has all sorts of adventures floating all over the Capitol and passing through/by/into museums, memorials and other notable sites. Watch for the hidden images of famous Americans..we LOVE books that have hidden pictures, except for Where's Waldo which my son knows gives me a big fat headache. |
 | Voices in the Park
by Anthony Browne
Age Range: 4-8
Not a Willy book, but Browne's stuck to his monkeys as muses concept..this book actually made me quite sad so perhaps use caution with more sensitive children. Four people(apes) enter a park and through their eyes we see four different visions. There's the bossy woman, the sad man, the lonely boy and the young girl whose warmth touches those she meets..lots of layers to the deceptively simple text and as always, emticulously drawn illustrations. |
 | Willy's Pictures
by Anthony Browne
Age Range: 4-8
More Willy this month; I am hugely enamored of this most talented ape who likes painting pictures..he likes painting pictures that look like famous masterpieces with apes sitting or standing in for the original subjects. Anthony's takes on Monet, Edward Hopper and Seurat are not to be missed..there are little built in mysteries in each picture. A real sit down and explore together book for ages 5-9. Frieda Kahlo always struck me as a little simian.. |
 | Now Everybody Really Hates Me
by Jane Read Martin and Patricia Marx
Age Range: 5-12
The story of a little girl's really bad day, how she describes it while in exile in her room, and what will happen if she never comes out of her room. Sort of an Eloise meets It's a Wonderful Life. Written by two former writers for Saturday Night Live, this is definitely one for the grownups as well as the kids in your life. |
| Ellis and the Hummick
by Andrew Gibson
Age Range: 6-12
This book was a turning point for us in our reading-aloud career..a chapter book with cliff-hangers at every turn..we read it in bed, while waiting for the dentist, in the bathtub (he was in it and I was reading to him, just to make that clear). Neither of us could wait to find out what happened to Ellis next, the little boy who found the pancake-shaped Hummick at the foot of his bed, only to lose him and go on a fantastic quest filled with not-too-scary monsters of all sorts. I wanted to cheat and read ahead while my son was in school, that's how much I enjoyed it! I should say that I didn't find it stunningly well-written (for example, a tendency to use the same adjectives repeatedly) but the galloping pace and amazing characters more than made up for it. |
 | Once There Was a Hoodie
by Sam McBratney
Age Range: 3-6
Loved the yummy rainbow sherbet colored illustrations of the sweet, misunderstood, rutabaga-resembling Hoodie who is just lonely and looking for..well, I don't want to give it away. Don't worry, he succeeds in his mission and all is well in Hoodieland. |
 | Hooray for Diffendoofer Day
by Dr. Seuss, with Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith
Age Range: 5-10
Not sure how we missed this one, but this really-and-truly last book from the Great Doctor is a beaut. Drawn from notes and pictures left behind after Seuss's death, and turned into a brilliant collaberation with noted kid's poet Jack Prelutsky (who is 100% true to the Seussian spirit) and Lane Smith, known primarily for his fantastic, demented doodles that grace the pages of the Jon Scieszka books. "If ever there was a very special teacher in your life, you'll want to meet Miss Bonkers..if you believe that learning how to think should be fun, you'll want to visit Diffendoofer School..." |
 | The Book of Bad Ideas
by Laura Huliska-Beith
Age Range: 4-8
Such a great book for kids to stretch their little imaginations, coming up with even WORSE ideas, though it's hard to top "Bad Idea #626, Making monster repellent with your sister's expensive perfumes" or "Bad Idea #101, Keeping your glue stick and lip balm in the same place"...This book has sparked at least an hour of conversation, speculation and Bad Idea Topping, and we've only had it since yesterday! If your kid's a fan of David Shannon ("No, David"), they'll love the artwork, it's very reminiscent, but also incorporates collage-y touches that we enjoy, where the illustrator incorporates items such as fabric, train tickets cookbook recipes. It's always an added element for us to explore, and I figure anything that helps kids enjoy books on a variety of levels is a good thing, and encourages you to spend more time with the book (instead of watching scary cartoons. You can tell I'm still feeling bad about that last admission.) |
 | The Minotaur of Knossos
by Roberta Angeletti
Age Range: 5-9
Another in the series, A Journey Through Time. (I hear there's also The Cave Painter of Lascaux, and Nefertiti, Princess of Egypt). In this book, Robbie meets Sir Arthur Evans, the archeologist who discovered the Palace of Knossos at the turn of the last century. Evans shows him around the Labyrinth, explaining facets of the Minoan culture of ancient Crete, when they encounter..the Minotaur. Not scary at all, at least to a 6 1/2 year old who sees so much worse on TV (did I just admit that?). A wonderful introduction, or re-introduction to Greek mythology and the work of archeologists. |
 | Vulca the Etruscan
by Roberta Angeletti
Age Range: 5-9
I found two books in this series at the Central Library, and what a good discovery it was! These books were originally published in Italian and later translated for the Oxford University Press under the A Discovery Through Time label. An adventuresome boy named Robbie and his dog Pip find themselves transported back in time to various ancient locations, accompanied by a helpful guide of the times. In this book, fancifully illustrated in warm Tuscan tones, they meet Vulca, who teaches them about the Necropolis (cemeteries, where most of our knowledge about the Etruscans comes from). I know,I know, how could this be a good thing for a kid? The artwork is so buoyant, the information so artfully imparted (with a more factual section at the end), I think you can't go wrong for the inquisitive 5 year old and up. Budding cultural anthropologists start early, you know! |
 | Gordon Loggins and the Three Bears
by Linda Bailey
Age Range: 3-7
There's an entire genre within the Children's Lit category, of send-ups of familiar fairy and folk tales. We've probably read 15 versions of Cinderella, including the Jamaican version, the Puerto Rican version and the cowboy version. This, too is a variation on the familiar Goldilocks story, but it stands out by virtue of its masculine take (Gordon's our hero), magical twists and wry humor. |
 | Giggle, Giggle, Quack
by Doreen Cronin
Age Range: 2-5
The sequel to the Caldecott Honor Book, Click, Clack, Moo-- Cows that Type… which we enjoyed so much a few years ago that we took this out, though it's pretty young for my guy now... The rascally duck, plus the cows, pigs and chickens are back at their mischief when Farmer Brown goes on vacation and leaves the animals in the inexperienced care of his brother Bob. Wait 'til they trick Bob into letting them stay up to watch The Sound of Moosic... |
 | A Plump and Perky Turkey
by Theresa Bateman
Age Range: 4-8
Don't wait for next Thanksgiving to read this holiday treat..its clever rhymes are a blast to read out loud and the bright fall colors of the cartoony-illustrations are a year-round pleasure. With a bad guy named Ebeneezer Beezer and a conceited, cocky turkey named Pete, you're not sure who to root for but it all works out in the end. |
 | A Pig Named Perrier
by Elizabeth Spurr
Age Range: 4-7
I'm really not sure that this is a kid's book; it has the appearance of a kid's book, the conventional 32 or less pages, the odd rectangularly flat shape..but it's just so deliciously inside with jokes about movie stars and Hollywood and the Riviera and pashminas..well, read it together and enjoy the story of the "purebred potbellied pig who lives with the Hollywood movie star, Marbella.." The retro pastel drawings are as yummy as the story - drink up! (lame Perrier joke) |
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