Picture Book Review

Something Old: The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman- In this classic tale, readers join Mr. and Mrs. Bird as they embark on an adventure in search of a new home. At the end of their searching, though, they discover that The Best Nest is actually right back where they started from--at their old home.

 Something New: The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers- Sometimes, it is the simplest things that create the greatest entertainment. Such is the case in Philippa Leathers' Black Rabbit, where one little rabbit's shadow leads to a most entertaining tale. It is a clever new story that shows the wonder there is in using your imagination.

 Something Borrowed: Red Wagon by Renata Liwska- The adorable woodland animals that Renata Liwska created for The Loud Book and The Quiet Book will once again capture the hearts of readers in her creative new story. And her illustrations are sure to excite the imaginations of young and old alike as Liwska shows the many, many adventures that can take place in one little Red Wagon. 

Something Blue: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff; illustrated by Felicia Bond- The amount of detail that Felicia Bond puts into the If You Give A... books is remarkable, as is her ability to illustrate a series that not only maintains a certain similarity among all titles, but also demonstrates the uniqueness to each story's characters. She is a true talent who is able to create scenes that children want to revisit again and again, as is the case in the bestselling If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

Picture Book Review

 Something Old: Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire- The easy-to-read rhyming text makes Put Me in the Zoo a great read-to-me or beginning-to-read book. And the bright artwork makes for a great story time read in which children can learn to understand their own talents and know that there is always a place where they can be themselves. 

 Something New: Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman- The stunning illustrations of this new book allows readers to be whisked away into the journey of the Three Bears in a Boat as they brave the wilds of the sea in search of a gift for their mama bear. It is a beautiful story throughout;  one that will be enjoyed by young and old alike. 

 Something Borrowed: Love Monster by Rachel Bright- This lovable little monster finds that life in a world filled with cute little things is quite rough for someone like himself--someone whom others most definitely do not consider cute. But, the story is just that...Cute! And adorable, and sweet, and uplifting, as the Love Monster's quest to find someone to love him concludes with a most heartwarming message: that "sometimes...love finds you."

Something Blue: Some Babies Sleep by Cynthia Cotten; illustrated by Paul Tong-From the trees, to the seas, Tong's illustrations show baby animals of all kinds sleepily snuggled in for a good rest. There is a softness to the artwork that is perfect for bedtime, and a sweetness to the images that is able to show the connection that all babies share: that "whether they walk, fly, swim, gallop, or creep, all babies--all babies--all babies sleep."