Children can have a hard time thinking of history in personal terms. It happened so long ago, to strangers - it's hard to imagine they are real people. That's why I like Pearl by Debby Atwell so much. Pearl traces the history of America from it's roots to the 1960's through the story of one... Continue Reading →
The Important Book
I will admit, when I first read The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown, I wondered, "what is the point of this book?" (Honestly, I thought the same thing about her more famous book, Goodnight Moon. But I grew to love it as I read it to my babies before bed.) However, after reading The... Continue Reading →
Little Panda
Little Panda does not believe the story his grandfather is about to tell him. "Tigers can't fly! That's silly," he interrupts his grandfather. His grandfather shushes him, and gently scolds him for interrupting - and continues his story. And in the end, a tiger does fly! How? You will have to read the book to... Continue Reading →
Infinity and Me
How much is infinity? What does that mean? Infinity is an abstract concept, difficult for young children to understand. Which is why Infinity and Me by Kate Hosford is a great book to share with young children, even elementary school children. In Infinity and Me, Hosford explores the idea of infinity as her narrator asks... Continue Reading →
Giant Meatball
Who could write a picture book about a giant meatball? What on earth could it be about? And can it be any good? Robert Weinstock wrote Giant Meatball, and at first I wondered if it was any good. But the further along I read, the more I enjoyed the story. Young listeners will enjoy the... Continue Reading →
You Can’t Take a Balloon Into the National Gallery
This delightful picture book follows a girl, her little brother and her grandmother as they tour the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Little do they know that the girl's balloon, left in the care of the photographer outside the Gallery, is leading the photographer, and a growing group of people on a chase around the... Continue Reading →
The Three Questions
Author and illustrator Jon J Muth retells one of Leo Tolstoy's classic tales in the picture book The Three Questions. In his retelling, the main character is a boy who asks three important questions of his friends, a crane, a monkey and a dog. His questions are: When is the best time to do things? ... Continue Reading →
Xander’s Panda Party
Linda Sue Park is one of my favorite authors (see reviews of other books here, here and here), so when I saw she had written a picture book, I snatched it up. I was hoping it was as good as her chapter books, and I was not disappointed! Xander is a panda, and a panda... Continue Reading →
Albert’s Alphabet
Albert the duck is the carpenter at Pleasant Valley School. One day he comes to work and finds a note from the principal, asking him to build an alphabet for the children. Albert has tools and a box of wood, but he soon finds it's not enough to get through the entire alphabet. He comes... Continue Reading →
Uncle Vova’s Tree
I am continually in awe of author Patricia Polacco's childhood. She must have grown up in a family rich in storytellers, because many of her picture books come from her own experiences, or family history. Uncle Vova's Tree is one such book. Some of her ancestors came from Russia, and celebrated the Russian Orthodox Christmas... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 