The Dog Who Cried Wolf by Keiko Kasza

The Dog Who Cried Wolf is a cute story with lots of funny illustrations by Keiko Kasza. Moka is a dog sick of being dressed and having pretend tea parties. One day his owner Michelle reads to him a book about wolves. Moka dreams about the freedom that would come from being wolf. He runs away to become a wolf and quickly realizes that he doesn't have the necessary skills to survive in the wild.

Ages: 3-7
Keywords: Dogs, Pets, Wolves, Freedom, Imagination, Reading

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

Chris Van Dusen, the author and illustrator of Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, is back with another fun rhyming story. Young Jack tells his father about the perfect car he would design in the book, If I Built A Car. Jack thinks of every feature imaginable - safety, environmental, fun, and practicality. The story is told in a series of fun rhymes. Van Dusen's retro illustrations look fantastic...check out details like the reflections in chrome fenders. Sure to please lots of imaginative young car fans.

Keywords: Cars, Inventions, Rhyming, Retro, Imagination, Fathers and Sons
Ages: 3 to 9

Fly Guy #01: Hi, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold

Tedd Arnold is back with another great book! Hi! Fly Guy is the story of a boy searching for the perfect pet. The boy captures a fly, and everyone tells him that a fly is not a pet, it is a pest. But the boy and fly end up making a good pair for many reasons.

Tedd Arnold has written this as a chapter book, but it is written as a very easy chapter book for those kids just beginning to read. It is written very simply, but it is still lots of fun. The story and graphics are funny and gross (as we expect from Tedd Arnold), and it should be very appealing to lots of young boys. Arnold has always drawn buggy eyes, and it is great to actually see them on some bugs. The book cover also has a very entertaining holographic design which will entertain curious young children as well.

Rumor is Tedd Arnold has more books planned in the Fly Guy series, and I can't wait to see them.

Keywords: Flies, Pets, Boys, Pet Shows, Holograms, Funny, Gross, Bugs

Ages: 4 to 8

Black Meets White by Justine Fontes, illustrated by Geoff Waring

Black Meets White is simple, but engaging pop-up book that tells the story of when black met white. It is the story of two opposites that make lots of interesting combinations (polka dots, checkerboards, stripes, and grey) when they come together.

The book is aimed at younger ages, but I think readers of all ages will be able to take something from the story.

Keywords: Black, White, Color, Art, Combinations
Ages: 5 and under (but really good for all ages)

Wiggle by Cronin, illustrated by Scott Menchin

Wiggle is a fun toddler book by Doreen Cronin best know for Click, Clack, Moo and Diary of a Worm. There is no real story here, just a fun rhyme about wiggling. Ways to wiggle, where to wiggle, and who to wiggle with. It will be a great read aloud that will get every wiggling and giggling out of their seat. Scott Menchin's art work is very colorful and adds to the fun of this silly little book.

Keywords: Wiggle, Movement, Rhymes
Ages: 5 and under

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan Mcdonald, illustrated by Peter Reynolds

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid is a fun book for kids just starting out on chapter books. Stink is the nickname for James Moody (brother to Judy Moody--who has her own series of books). Stink is upset because he is too short and he isn't growing (and having to put up with teasing from his big sister, Judy). The chapters each work well as individual stories. And the chapters are separated by fun comics in which Stink is able to imagine himself with superpowers.


Keywords: Siblings, Shortness, Differences, President's Day, Newts, Comics

Ages: 6 to 9

The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

The Gruffalo's Child is the sequel to one of my favorite children's books The Gruffalo, though as I began this review I realized I had never really written a review of the first book, plus I had left the book of my best of 2004 list where it clearly belonged near the top. When I saw that Julia Donaldson had written a sequel, I was both excited and nervous. The Gruffalo is such a perfect book; a fantastic blending of story, language, and artwork.

So the quick question, is The Gruffalo's Child as good as The Gruffalo? No, but its really really close. The rhyming flow of language is fantastic and Scheffler's artwork is probably even a little better since the previous book. My only complaint, and it is a nitpicky complaint---the story seems a little contrived. In the original book, the mouse was trying to get out of a jam by telling a story about a horrible monster; but in the sequel the Gruffalo's child actually goes out in search of trouble. It still works as a story, just not as smoothly as before. Will I still use this book for read alouds? Most definitely, because it is still better than 90% of the other picture books out there.

Keywords: Monsters, Adventure, Rhyming, Outdoors, Animals, Problem Solving

Ages: 4-8

Powell's Books - The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson

Mudball by Matt Tavares

Mudball is a great story for any kids that you know that are baseball nuts. It is also a great story for anyone who has been picked on for not being good enough or big enough to do something. This is the true story of Andy Oyler, a minor league baseball player, who in 1903 hit the world's shortest homerun ever. Its a fun story and the beautiful artwork of Matt Tavares captures the rainy day dreariness and confusion of the players perfectly.

Keywords: Baseball, History, Sports, Underdogs

Ages: 7 and up

Baby Brains by Simon James

Baby Brains is a funny picture book about what happens when parents push their children far too hard. Mr. and Mrs. Brains do everything to make sure that their soon to be born child will be as smart as possible. They get what they want, and Baby Brains is immediately going to school, college, and medical school. When he flying in outer space as a baby astronaut he suddenly realizes that he wants to be a baby and he wants his mommy. Its a cute, fast paced story that will give most kids a giggle.

Keywords: Babies, Achievement, Mothers, Humor

Ages: 5-8

Powell's Books - Baby Brains by Simon James

Monkey Business by Wallace Edwards

Monkey Business is a fantastically written and artistically drawn book about idiomatic language. The pictures are so detailed that readers will be able to read this book over and over again. This book should appeal to lovers of the I Spy series of books.

Keywords: Idioms, Language, Monkeys, Animals

The Little Gentleman by Philippa Pearce, illustrated by Tom Pohrt

The Little Gentleman is a fantasy book about the relationship between a girl and a mole. Strange premise yes, but it works. This chapter book explores friendship, magic, reading, responsibility, and growing older. The book grows on you the deeper and deeper you go. One word of warning for those slightly squeamish readers--the book has a very detailed and bloody altercation between two animals (I won't say more to maintain the surprise of the story).

Keywords: Magic, Friendship, Moles, Reading, England, sacrifice, Maturity

Ages: 8 to 12 (see warning)

Ten Little Elvi by Laura Henson & Duffy Grooms, Illustrations by Dean Gorissen

I don't have much patience for children's books that are more novelty items than books, but I must say that I loved Ten Little Elvi by Laura Henson and Duffy Grooms. It's not that I'm an Elvis fan, because I'm not. So what was it? The book was just done so well. Fantastic rhymes. Fantastic pictures. There really isn't much new that can be done with counting books, and yet the writers of Ten Little Elvi managed to find an original and very fun subject (for Kid's counting books at least). Check this book out, you will laugh and love it. The final line of the book sealed the deal (I would share it, but I don't want to ruin the big finale!)

Keywords: Counting, Elvis, Impersonators, Music, Rock and Roll

Ish by Peter H Reynolds

Ish is a fantastic book about creativity and following one's dreams. Ramon is a young boy who loves to draw, "Anytime. Anything. Anywhere." When his older brother makes fun of his drawings, Ramon becomes discouraged and almost gives up. His younger sister sees Ramon's skill and love of drawing and encourages his brother. Ramon's love for drawing grows and extends to other creative endeavors. This book shows how other's words have such strong power over us. The whimsical drawings capture the spirit of the book wonderfully.

Keywords: Creativity, Encouragement, Discouragement, Siblings, Art, Emotions