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 →
Clara and the Bookwagon
It's hard to imagine a time when books were expensive and not readily available, especially for children. Clara and the Bookwagon by Nancy Smiler Levinson tells the story of Clara, who badly wants to learn to read, but does not have anyone to teach her. Clara lives on a small farm, where there are no... 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 →
The Christmas Doll
Lucy and Glory are orphans living in a workhouse in London. Lucy remembers having a family, and a home, but Glory was only a baby when the fever took their parents. In order to survive deplorable conditions, Lucy whispers stories in Glory's ear after lights out - stories of their mother, their father, their home... Continue Reading →
Maria: A Christmas Story
The whole town of San Lorenzo is preparing for the annual Christmas parade. Eleven-year-old Maria Gonzaga listens longingly to her friends' plans for their floats. Their families are hiring designers to create breath-taking floats - and Maria longs to participate. But San Lorenzo's parade has long been for the wealthy Anglo ranchers, not the Mexican-Americans.... Continue Reading →
Mary Engelbreit’s Nutcracker
If you're a fan of Mary Engelbreit's artwork, you'll really enjoy her book Mary Engelbreit's Nutcracker. Engelbreit summarizes the story line of the famous ballet into a book format, lavishly illustrated in Engelbreit's signature style. If you plan to take a child to see The Nutcracker ballet this holiday season, this is a great way... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 